Digital Commons Network^™

Continuity Of Novice Middle School Teachers In An Urban School District, Andrea Torres Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Extensive research suggests that effective and meaningful teacher preparation programs can help reduce novice teacher attrition. The problem addressed in this study was the high middle school teacher turnover in an urban school district (USD, a pseudonym) in Georgia, despite the implementation of coaching programs for novice teachers. Guided by Yerkes and Dodson’s challenge-hindrance model, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore novice middle school teachers’ perceptions on the support received, the challenges encountered in their first year, and the usefulness of mentoring, professional development, and instructional coaching received at USD. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 …

The Need For Training That Supports Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders For General Educators, Stacey Warren

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Research shows that general education teachers experience the most success serving special education students in the general education setting when they are well prepared to support these students’ unique needs. The problem addressed in this study was that middle school general education teachers were unprepared to include students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in the general education classroom in one local Southeastern U. S. school district. Guided by Knowles’s adult learning theory, the purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the training middle school general education teachers received to support students with EBD in the classroom and …

Cyberterrorism And International Laws: Need For Cyber Inclusion, Carla A. Lechette-Danberry

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cyberterrorists use cyberspace to communicate their threats and conduct their actions to intimidate their political, religious, or ideological control. The literature reviewed on cyberterrorism and international law has been limited and continues to develop as cyberterrorists develop their skills and capabilities to conduct cyberattacks. A gap exists in the literature on how nation-states respond to a cyberattack, cyber warfare, or cyberterrorism under international laws and policies. The problem is that international laws are being outpaced by the development of new technology, which cybercriminals and cyberterrorists can circumvent in order to escape punishment for a cyberattack. The purpose of this basic …

Sustainability Planning For Waste Management In Midwestern Small Suburban Cities, Karen Frances Goodwin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sustainability planning in small suburban cities, particularly as it relates to waste management programs, remains an underexplored area in scholarly research. Without long-term planning, these cities often react to issues in a fragmented manner rather than implementing proactive policies, negatively affecting public health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine sustainable waste management policy processes that enable sustainability planning in Midwestern small suburban cities. Using Jones et al.’s local adaptive capacity framework and Q-methodology, viewpoint patterns were analyzed to understand what motivates decision-makers to foster an environment conducive to sustainability planning. Thirty-one participants representing three local government …

Higher Education Leaders’ Perspectives Regarding Faculty Attrition, Alexandria Angel Draper

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Perceptions of higher education leaders (HELs) regarding faculty attrition and effective strategies to help manage challenges associated with voluntary and involuntary resignations were unknown. Guided by Bush’s educational management theory, the purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore HELs’ perceptions regarding faculty attrition. Research questions investigated perceptions of HELs regarding faculty attrition and how they perceived faculty attrition in their institutions. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 12 HELs, including academic deans, vice provosts, department chairpersons, program directors, and board of regents members. Thematic analysis was conducted using open and axial coding of the interview data. Themes included provision …

The Experience Of Spirituality And Self-Image In Sexually Abused Women, Nereyda Sullins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

I explored the role of spirituality and self-image in the healing processes of adult women who have experienced sexual abuse. Using trauma theory as a guiding framework, I sought to understand how survivors engage with spirituality to reconstruct their identities and navigate their recovery. I aimed to contribute to the growing body of literature on trauma recovery by offering insights into the ways survivors integrate spiritual practices and self-perceptions to foster resilience. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to capture the lived experiences of 12 women who had experienced sexual abuse and engaged with spirituality as a coping mechanism. Thematic …

The Moderating Effect Of Political Ideology On The Relationship Between Locus Of Control And Covid-19-Related Anxiety And Stress, Sarah Boomhower

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic created a mental health crisis within the United States. Previous research examining locus of control and mental health issues during the pandemic revealed that individuals with an external locus of control exhibited increased mental health symptoms. Research also found that political attitudes played a role regarding COVID-19 with liberal-leaning individuals and Democrats reporting higher levels of emotional distress during the pandemic. The purpose of this quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational study was to determine the extent to which political ideology moderates the relationship between locus of control and COVID-19-related anxiety and stress. Locus of control was the theoretical foundation …

Effects Of Healthcare Administrators And Icu Nurses’ Perspectives Of Leader Bullying On Work And Physical Six Sigma/Lean Training, Agha Raza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite the U.S. government-funded initiatives, public responsiveness, and antibullying legislation to improve healthcare, leadership bullying behavior remains a serious concern in hospital intensive care units (ICUs). The ICU nursing involves high stress levels and hospital work conditions, which lead to bullying behaviors. When ICU nurse leaders do not participate in work and physical Six Sigma/Lean training, they may develop different perceptions of leaders’ bullying behavior compared to those whose leaders participate in this training. The purpose of this nonexperimental quantitative cross-sectional survey study was to discover any significant relationships between the type of Six Sigma/Lean training (descendant, ascendant, and horizontal) …

Psychologists’ Competency And Training Regarding Treating Transgender And Non-Conforming Youth With Gender Dysphoria, Amydth Chumacero

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is limited evidence-based research on required competency, training, assessment, and treatment practices for psychologists who treat transgender and non-conforming (TGNC) youth with gender dysphoria. Eleven licensed psychologists with at least 5 years of experience treating TGNC youth were recruited through social media and snowball recruiting to participate in this qualitative Delphi study. Using multicultural competency theory as a guide, these experts were asked to develop a consensus regarding the minimum competencies and training to treat TGNC youth, as well as what they thought the standards should be for assessment and treatment. Data were collected in three rounds of online …

Preventing Female Inmates’ High Recidivism In One Parole Reentry Program, Erika Galarza

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Recidivism among formerly incarcerated women is a challenging issue for one state prison system. Effective and fully enrolled programs to support recently released women are essential to stopping recidivism, as women often face problems such as trauma, abuse, or mental health disorders, all of which may require special care. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary outcomes of the One Parole Reentry Program’s (OPRP) effectiveness in preventing female recidivism at prison facilities and what improvements may enhance future outcomes. The state’s parole program curriculum assessment guidelines and their rehabilitation model were used as the framework to assess …

Complaints Against Police Officers, Allegation Dispositions, And Suspension Length In New York City, Nathan Michael Hunter

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Extant literature on police officer misconduct has shown that it was possible to identify problem officers in a proactive manner. Yet serious misconduct incidents continued to occur that strain the relationship between the public and police, including the government serving both entities. The New York Police Department was the largest city police force in the United States, with approximately 33,475 full-time sworn officers, and in 2023, New York City (NYC) paid $298 million in settlements related to claims against police officers. Considering this, further research into police officer misconduct was warranted to fill a gap in the literature that can …

Behavioral Health Leadership’S Role In Enhancing Family Reunification Success In Residential Care., Porscha Profitt

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative case study examined the role of behavioral health leadership (BHL) in facilitating effective family reunification within residential treatment settings, focusing on Organization X in Northern California. The study addressed the persistent issue of high recidivism rates among youth with intellectual and co-occurring mental health disorders following discharge from therapeutic foster care. Using the Baldrige Excellence Framework as a guiding model, the research explored how BHLs assess reunification success, engage families, and navigate systemic and individual challenges that hinder sustainable transitions to home environments. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews with administrators and supplemented by organizational documents and reports. Thematic …

Experiences Of Low-Risk, Low-Need Participants In A Gender-Neutral And Inclusive Domestic And Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Program, Kenneth W. Robison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traditional batterer intervention programs often prioritize male-perpetrator-female-victim models, thereby overlooking diverse relationship contexts and marginalized populations. Understanding participants’ experiences is essential for researchers, policymakers, counselor educators, and practitioners to develop alternatives to one-size-fits-all gender- specific strategies, which aligns with the call for more robust evidence-based practices. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study, guided by van Manen’s framework, was to explore the lived experiences of low-risk, low-need participants who completed a gender-neutral and inclusive domestic and intimate partner violence intervention program. The research answered what essential themes emerged from the participants’ lived experiences. Data were collected from (n=8) participants …

Cervical Cancer Screening Overuse Among Women With And Without Disability In The U.S. From 2007 To 2016, Preeti Zanwar, Chan Shen, Matthew Smith

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Persons with disability, a recognized health disparity population with complex care needs, may be at risk for cervical cancer screening overuse. However, limited studies have examined cervical cancer screening overuse among women with and without disability using large nationally representative survey data. Among women with and without disability, the authors aimed to provide national estimates of cervical cancer screening overuse and the proportion of cervical cancer screening overuse among younger, middle-age, and older women.

METHODS: The authors first utilized the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines to conceptualize and define cervical cancer screening overuse for women with and without …

Memory-Augmented Llm Agent For Predicting Locomotion Modes In Construction Activities, Ehsan Ahmadi

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The construction industry faces significant challenges, including labor shortages, high physical demands, and safety risks, necessitating advanced assistive technologies like exoskeletons to enhance worker efficiency and reduce injuries. However, effective exoskeleton control in dynamic construction environments requires accurate locomotion prediction, a task complicated by the diversity of activities and reliance on supervised learning methods that struggle to generalize. This study investigates a multimodal approach to locomotion prediction, leveraging speech commands and visual data from smart glasses to enable adaptive and safe human-exoskeleton interaction. The research unfolds in two stages: the first develops a framework to evaluate the zero-shot capability and …

Analyticity, Superoscillations And Supershifts In Several Variables, Fabrizio Colombo, Irene Sabadini, Daniele C. Struppa, Alain Yger

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Superoscillations have roots in various scientific disciplines, including optics, signal processing, radar theory, and quantum mechanics. This intriguing mathematical phenomenon permits specific functions to oscillate at a rate surpassing their highest Fourier component. A different way of thinking about superoscillations consists in realizing that it is possible to reproduce the exponential function far away from the origin by only knowing its value in a countable set of points near the origin. By using this perspective, one can extend the idea of superoscillations to functions that are not a sum of exponential functions, namely to the notion of supershift. The study …

Setting Sail For Resilience And Ocean Sustainability, Alun Morgan, Charlotte Braungardt

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper makes a valuable contribution to the emerging field of marine social sciences by focusing on the potential contribution of learning theory and praxes in promoting Ocean Literacy, Marine Identity and Marine Citizenship. These are advocated as important social dimensions of the changes and outcomes required to promote sustainability and resilience of marine environments and, by extension, terrestrial environments, across a range of scales from local through to planetary. This is because the factors that compromise marine resilience are largely anthropogenic, and negative outcomes of human disassociation from the ocean. From another perspective, the paper is equally concerned with …

Criminalising Rough Sleeping In England And Wales: Way Forward Or Backward? Possible Solutions To Homelessness, Goodtime Okara

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences

Several nations across the globe have adopted the enforcement-based approach to address rough sleeping, which exacerbates the challenges faced by rough sleepers. This paper critically examines the ‘criminalisation’ of rough sleeping in England and Wales, arguing that the criminal law responses–including the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime, and Policing Act 2014 and the previously proposed measures in the Criminal Justice Bill 2024–in England and Wales are inappropriate to address the complex reasoning underpinning homelessness and rough sleeping. It comprehensively explores the housing policies in both nations, the causes of rough sleeping, the implications of criminalising rough sleeping, and the nexus between human …

Evaluating World-Locking Capabilities Of An Immersive Environment, Minh Thanh Vu, Chao Guo, Zhiheng Jia, Fengtao Fan, Xiao Yuan

Defensive Publications Series

Systems and methods are proposed that measure and evaluate the world-locking capability of an immersive environment. World-locking refers to the ability to position a virtual reality object in a physical environment and have the object remain stable and reliably fixed at the same location without drifting when the user moves around. To evaluate the world-locking capability of an immersive environment, a device with a pair of eye proxy cameras is used to simulate a user’s experience of looking through an extended reality (XR) device such as a head-wearable device. A stationary target is then positioned at a specific location within …

Novel Test Point Algorithm For Register-Based Read Only Memory, Krunal Siddhapathak, Ankit Garg

Defensive Publications Series

This publication describes a test point algorithm that uses custom test points to detect faults at a given node in a register-based read-only memory (ROM). Test points to detect faults are inserted at higher combinational depth levels to reduce the overall number of test points used. In some implementations, a combinational depth is calculated, test point nodes are identified, and duplicates are sorted and removed. A flop-based ROM implementation may include address‑decoding logic to obtain specific register content. A flop-based ROM implementation may include an OR tree structure to generate the final ROM output.

Collaborating For Change Based On Evidence: How To Employ Community-Engaged Assessment & Solution-Building, Jayme Walters, Teresa Larsen, Luettamae Lawrence, Dorothy Wallis

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Communities across Utah are facing many significant challenges that adversely affect the well-being of their residents. Economic disparities, including lack of affordable housing and food insecurity, are impacting every aspect of life. Mental and physical health issues are also on the rise, especially among vulnerable populations (e.g., LGBTQ, BIPOC, rural). Environmental problems, such as poor air quality and limited water supply, stand to cause unprecedented harm to the state. As leaders, government agencies, nonprofits, and residents take on these issues, among others, community-engaged methods that promote generating context-specific evidence and developing sustainable solutions are critical for improving resident well-being.

This …

Pain Management In The Skilled Nursing Facility And Return To Acute Care, Amy S. Berkhout

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

This program evaluation project aimed to assess the effectiveness of a pain management (PM) initiative and the associated Medicare cost-benefit analysis at a 96-bed skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Arizona. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Framework for Project Evaluation was used to guide this project. A board-certified PM provider was brought into the SNF to treat pain specific to each patient. Prior to this intervention, patients were being treated for pain by the internal medicine provider on staff. Data were collected at the facility to determine if implementing a designated PM program decreased the number of patients returning …

Culturally Tailored Diet Education In Hispanic Patients With Diabetes, Kelly Chavez

Group: Northern Arizona University School of Nursing, DNP Doctoral Papers

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) is a medical condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. Research has shown Hispanic individuals have higher occurrence rates of DM2 than non-Hispanic individuals (Mora & Golden, 2017). Although this condition can be treated with medication, lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise are also needed for adequate management. With diet modification, patients can significantly improve their hemoglobin A1C (hbA1c) results, improving their DM2 control, and reducing the risk for worsening of disease and complications. Many studies have concluded there is a need to provide culturally tailored dietary education in patients with DM2 to improve management. …

Broadening Impact Of Community Engagement Through A Community-Partnered, Project-Based Service-Learning Community, Ashley N. Egan, Hans Armstrong, James Cox, Abbigale Baum, Emily Lara Harding, Cole Paul, Daxton Deleeuw

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

Learning communities (LCs) are a designated high-impact practice (HIP) defined as "a group of people who share common academic goals and attitudes and meet semi-regularly to collaborate on classwork" – a shared goal unites members. In higher ed, LCs are often presented as cohort-based, inter-disciplinary learning experiences, such as first-year learning communities, where the student membership defines the community. Here, I propose that an LC can be defined by a community-partnered, project-based service-learning endeavor that broadens the impact of community engagement by bringing together a diverse set of students, professors, courses, and community members to produce lasting social impact via …

Strengthening Community Health Through Dementia Listening Sessions, Raven Albertson

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"This session explores innovative strategies for strengthening community health through dementia listening sessions and engagement, equipping community partners with the knowledge to make informed decisions regarding dementia care and support. Participants will gain insights into effective partnership-building, impactful dementia education delivery, and strategies for fostering meaningful community involvement through community listening sessions and collaboration. Through a live listening session workshop, attendees will participate in interactive discussions, inform efforts in Utah communities, and acquire practical tools to drive sustainable, community-led improvements in dementia care and support."

The Embodied Nature Of Representation: Reframing "Best Candidate" Narratives In Supreme Court Nominations, Susan Tanner

ConLawNOW

This Essay explores how discourse surrounding Supreme Court nominations reflects broader societal debates about merit, representation, and inclusion. Through analysis of the controversy surrounding President Biden’s commitment to nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court, this piece examines three interconnected themes: the embodied nature of representation, the relationship between diversity and judicial legitimacy, and the problematic nature of “best candidate” narratives. It challenges traditional conceptions of merit in judicial nominations and argues for a more nuanced understanding that recognizes the value of diverse lived experiences on the bench.

Spinal Deformity Characteristics Associated With Intraspinal Anomalies In A Population Of Presumed Ais, Connor Mathes, Aaron Shaw, Bill Woodhams, John Anderson, Michael Benvenuti, Richard Schwend

Research Days

This study aims to identify an association between pre-operative radiographic criterion and the presence of an underlying intraspinal anomaly in patients presenting with presumed adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing posterior spinal fusion.

Reaching Communities And Serving People: Assessing Utah's Legal Needs, Pamela Beatse J.D, Scotti Hill J.D, Keenan Carroll J.D., Hannah Kiely M.A

Utah Conference on Community Engagement

"Utah Legal Services (ULS) conducted a comprehensive legal needs assessment in 2024 to gather the necessary data and information to better meet its mission of providing high-quality civil legal aid without cost to people who are unable to afford legal representation or are facing disadvantages. Using the combination of an online survey, a series of focus groups throughout the Wasatch front, individual or group interviews, and several community soundboards, ULS conducted a broad, statewide survey. We connected with representatives, organizations, advocates, case managers, and leaders in the community as well as with client-eligible Utahns and ULS staff. This process allowed …

Student And Perceived Instructor Big Five Traits As Predictors Of Rapport And Course Grades, Anna E. Park, J. Arthur Gillaspy, Jr., William Lammers

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Studies show that student-instructor rapport is correlated with student success in college courses (e.g., Lammers & Gillaspy, 2013). Less is known about the personality traits of students and their perceptions of instructors’ personality traits that are associated with rapport. This study addressed this gap in the literature. In an online survey, students self-reported their big five personality traits. They then thought about a particular class from the previous semester. They rated the associated instructor’s big five and their rapport with the instructor. Their ratings of their instructor’s big five were more predictive of rapport than their own self-reported big five. …

Reflective Perspectives On Interdisciplinary Teaching In Public Health Education: Insights From A Mixed-Methods Approach, Raymond Boon Tar Lim, Claire Gek Ling Tan, Kelly Voo, Lee, Cecilia Woon Chien Teng

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Interdisciplinary teaching is vital for equipping students to address complex public health challenges. This study explores teachers' reflections on interdisciplinary teaching in Singapore’s undergraduate public health programmes, examining facilitators and barriers to its implementation. Using surveys and in-depth interviews, we gathered diverse insights from teachers. Quantitative results revealed a significant positive association between interdisciplinary teaching frequency, and willingness for further integration, and non-significant associations for perceptions on knowledge and importance of integration. Notably, participants' satisfaction with the current state of interdisciplinary learning in the public health curriculum or during internship supervision was low, although this finding was not significant. Qualitative …