Digital Commons Network^™

Reporting Gunshots: Prevalence, Correlates, And Obstacles To Calling The Police, Kris Henning, Joshua Carmony, Somalia Johnson Calloway, Christian Peterson

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

Accurately documenting where and when firearms are discharged is a critical first step in gun violence prevention. Many cities rely on police calls for service as their primary source for this information. Recent studies find, however, that citizens underreport gunshots. This has led some communities to invest in gunshot detection technology (GDT) as an alternative data source. GDT remains an expensive and often controversial solution with limited evidence for long-term benefits. This underscores the need for additional research on third-party reporting of gunshots. The current study, conducted in Portland Oregon, surveyed 1,240 residents in 23 neighborhoods with above-average firearm discharges. …

Synergistic Effects Of Biological Stimuli And Flexion Induce Microcavities Promote Hypertrophy And Inhibit Chondrogenesis During In Vitro Culture Of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aggregates, Bo Zhang, Jim Berilla, Sungwoo Cho, Rodrigo A. Somoza, Jean F. Welter, Harihara Baskaran

Faculty Scholarship

Interzone/cavitation are key steps in early stage joint formation that have not been successfully developed in vitro. Further, current models of endochondral ossification, an important step in early bone formation, lack key morphology morphological structures such as microcavities found during development in vivo. This is possibly due to the lack of appropriate strategies for incorporating chemical and mechanical stimuli that are thought to be involved in joint development. We designed a bioreactor system and investigated the synergic effect of chemical stimuli (chondrogenesis-inducing [CIM] and hypertrophy-inducing medium [HIM]) and mechanical stimuli (flexion) on the growth of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) …

Kindlin-2 Regulates The Oncogenic Activities Of Integrins And Tgf-Β In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression And Metastasis, Neelum Aziz Yousafzai, Lamyae El Khalki, Wei Wang, Khailid Sossey-Alaoui

Faculty Scholarship

Kindlin-2, an adapter protein, is dysregulated in various human cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), where it drives tumor progression and metastasis by influencing several cancer hallmarks. One well-established role of Kindlin-2 involves the regulation of integrin signaling, achieved by directly binding to the cytoplasmic tail of the integrin β subunit. In this study, we present novel insights into Kindlin-2’s involvement in stabilizing the β1-Integrin:TGF-β type 1 receptor (TβRI) complexes, acting as a physical bridge that links β1-Integrin to TβRI. Loss of Kindlin-2 results in the degradation of this protein complex, leading to the inhibition of downstream oncogenic pathways. We …

Vista: September 19, 2024, University Of San Diego

USD Vista (1965-)

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Estradiol And/Or Trenbolone Acetate On The Metabolome And Skeletal Muscle Metabolism Of Beef Cattle, Kara J. Thornton-Kurth

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Determining The Interrelationships For Dietary Intake Of Lipid Oxidation Products From Thermally Abused Oils, The Gut Microbiome, And Gut Health, Abby Benninghoff

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Animal Breeding-Rcn: Farm Animal Genomics Collective, Noelle E. Cockett

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Biomanufacturing Of High-Strength Concrete: Incorporation Of Hemp Fiber To Improve High-Temperature Performance, Srishti Banerji

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Eager: Leveraging Disruptive Technologies To Promote Learner Agency In Engineering Education, Cassandra J. Mccall

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Listener Training For Improved Intelligibility Of People With Parkinson's Disease, Stephanie Anna Borrie

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Biofilm Colonization On The Dynamics Of Microplastics In Turbulent Flow, Liyuan Joanna Hou

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Novel Hamster Models Of Chikungunya Viral Arthritis, Tian Wang, Zhongde Wang

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Designing A Novel Approach To Cadaveric Dissection And Evaluation Of The Lacrimal Gland Anatomy, Maresa Joanna Mcdowell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

During our study, the orbital dissections of 44 cadavers were analyzed, and the lacrimal gland's condition after dissection was evaluated. Medical students previously dissected twenty-two of the cadavers using the dissection steps outlined in Grant’s Dissector. From these, 21 student groups performed orbital dissection using the two approaches outlined in Grant’s Dissector. Post-evaluation of Grant’s anterior approach (GAA) showed that 50% of the lacrimal glands had signs of damage to the orbital lobe, and 88.89% of the palpebral lobe were damaged. When Grant’s supraorbital approach (GSA) was used, 70% of the palpebral lobes showed signs of damage compared to the …

Pastoral Counseling In African American Churches, Allen Tyrone Smith Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African Americans, as a people group, are generally reluctant to pursue clinical support related to emotional or mental health issues. Black people underutilize professional services that address emotional and mental health-related problems (Hankerson & Weissman, 2012). According to Neighbors et al. (1998), regardless of problem type or severity, individuals less likely to secure assistance from professionals are those who contact pastors first. Avent et al. (2015) noted that African American Christians who seek religious support tied to a variety of circumstances choose to access their pastor in order to be supported in opposition to a professional counselor. A perception exists …

Teachers' Financial Literacy Knowledge And Self-Efficacy: A Phenomenological Study, Alyssa Lynne Eisenhart

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover the experiences and self-efficacy beliefs related to financial literacy knowledge for educators in the United States. The theory guiding the study was self-efficacy as it explained how one’s belief in abilities is shaped by their unique background, experiences, and knowledge. The central research question was what are the experiences and self-efficacy beliefs of educators who teach financial literacy? The study aimed to understand the perspectives of teachers as it related to financial knowledge and self-efficacy. A purposive sample, with ten to fifteen participants, were selected based on the criteria that …

Teacher Observations On The Success Of Hard-Of-Hearing Students In The Middle School Mathematics Classroom: A Case Study, Hannah Abbott Mcpherson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to describe how deficits in foundational language among hard-of-hearing students influence mathematics instruction for general education middle school classroom teachers working to educate this student population in the South. The theory guiding this study was Paivio’s theory on dual coding, as it supports learning the necessary concepts needed to perform successfully in mathematics. The central research question for this study was: What are the experiences of middle school mathematics teachers working with hard-of-hearing students? Methodology defined as a descriptive case study included individual interviews, a focus group, and journal prompts to collect data …

Physiological And Psychological Performance Considerations Of Female Elite Warfighters (Few) In United States Military Special Operations: A Qualitative Study, Bailey Weis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand the physical and psychological characteristics of the female elite warfighters (FEW) that have completed a special operations selection or elite combat course in the United States Armed Forces. The theory guiding this study was Kathy Charmaz’s constructivist grounded theory (CGT) to gain deeper insight on the female pioneers who are completing special operations selections or elite combat courses by exploring the physical and psychological nature of their experience. The CGT framework for this study highlighted the participants’ background, physical insights, and mental resilience as indicators of their success while enabling …

Bringing Effective Coaching To Scale: Experiences Of Instructional Coaches In A Large-Scale Coaching Program: A Phenomenological Study, Kristen A. Skura

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to understand the barriers that might exist for full-time instructional coaches in an established, large-scale coaching program in a large public school district on the East Coast of the U.S. The theories that guided this study were Knowles’ adult learning theory and the partnership philosophy put forth by Knight as a theoretical foundation for quality instructional coaching. The partnership philosophy is built on the ideas of adult learning theory. Knight suggests seven principles of effective instructional coaching, though this study was focused on only four: equality, reflection, praxis, and reciprocity. The methods of this study included …

Biblical Counseling Curriculum: Building A Counseling Curriculum To Train Ministry Students To Counsel Advanced Topics, Nicholas A. Piervicenti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project was dedicated to the creation of a higher education curriculum that would support the needs of ministry students who study at West Coast Baptist College. Counseling is at the heart of what Christ committed himself to during His earthly ministry. (Mark 2:16–17, King James Version). The skills to counsel advanced topics in the local church arena should be an essential element of instruction that takes place in colleges that train ministry leaders. In order to effectively transfer these truths to students, a qualitative research project was implemented which utilized thirty-six interviews of alumni in order to assess areas …

Aiding A Reformed Church Into A Multiethnic And Economically Diverse Congregation, Leroy E. Childress Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ethnic and economic diversity can be experienced in the local church. There is a biblical undertone in the Scriptures that shows Jesus, the apostles, and Old Testament themes that point to Revelation 7 for the reality of it. This reality can be lived on earth while Christians practice for heaven. While 95 percent of the churches around America remain homogeneous, with intentionality, adequate training, and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations, historically Reformed churches can also experience ethnic and economic diversity within their congregations. Although many churches do not feel the capabilities to become multiethnic and economically diverse, by …

A Phenomenological Study Of Academic Advising Through The Lens Of First-Year Community College Students, Allisha Hicks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the academic advising experiences of first-year community college students at a rural community college located in Eastern North Carolina. The theory guiding this study is Vygotsky's social constructivism. A qualitative methodology was used to achieve this study. The setting for this study was a community college located in a rural community with an enrollment of at least 1,200 students. A purposeful criterion sampling of 10 first-year community college students was used to help complete this study. Data was collected using individual interviews, focus groups, and letter writing. The data was analyzed …

Differences In Special Education Teachers' Applied Behavior Analysis Scores: A Causal-Comparative Study, Delilah Mae Fernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, causal-comparative study aimed to determine if there was a difference in applied behavior analysis scores from the applied behavior analysis test between traditional and non-traditionally certified teachers and veteran and new teachers. This research also aimed to identify if there was an interaction effect between experience level and type of certification when considering understanding of applied behavior analysis. This study is important as the findings contribute to the education system within the central Texas area as it uncovered the level of knowledge specific special education teachers in self-contained classrooms have and determined if educators are implementing the best …

Examining The Impact Of Special Education Teacher Attrition On Student Performance: A Causal-Comparative Study, Kiandra Dane Jones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if there was a difference between the achievement of Georgia special education students on the Ninth Grade Literature and American Literature Georgia Milestones Test in school districts with high and low special education teacher (SET) attrition rates. This study provided quantifiable data that measured the impact of teacher burnout on student achievement. This research further supported the literature in this field by documenting the consequences of increasing teacher turnover rates. Participants in this study included Georgia Milestones student achievement data from approximately 180 Georgia school districts from 2019–2022. The state’s …

A Phenomenological Study Of Online Students' Experiences With Proactive Advising Effects On Retention, Meghan Cowper

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the academic, proactive advising experiences of online students’ and the effect on their retention in an online degree program. The theory and conceptual framework that guided this study are Tinto’s student integration model and Schlossberg’s theory of marginality and mattering. For this study, I conducted a transcendental phenomenological qualitative study to understand the personal experiences of proactive advising among online students. This study was conducted with 10 students attending an online university. The data was collected through individual interviews, hypothetical letters, and focus groups. Three themes were identified; overall online experiences, …

Purpose In Life And The Liberal Arts: An Investigation Of Antecedents, Barriers, And Purpose Among And Between Emerging Adults With And Without A Liberal Arts Degree, Caroline Elizabeth Sawyer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The construct of life purpose and the vast array of associated positive outcomes has been widely studied in recent years. While research has contributed to the knowledge of the construct, there remains a gap in understanding how life purpose develops in emerging adulthood and what, if any, contribution a liberal arts education makes towards developing purpose. This quantitative, cross-sectional study utilized a survey instrument to explore family and social supports (PSSFa/PSSFr), religiosity (DSES), and gratitude (GQ-6) as antecedents to purpose (SOPS-2) and group differences between 308 emerging adults 20-30 years of age who did versus did not hold a degree …

Gop's Future: Adapting Professional Writing To Engage And Attract Gen Z Voters, Kerry Mckim

Masters Theses

In an evolving political landscape dominated by digital media, the Republican Party faces significant challenges in connecting with Generation Z (Gen Z) voters. This thesis explores the critical role of professional writing in bridging this communication gap between generations. With the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, traditional communication strategies are becoming increasingly obsolete. Gen Z's unique consumption habits, values, and communication preferences necessitate reevaluating how political messages are crafted and disseminated.

This research highlights the importance of professional writing in political communication, focusing on its impact within the GOP. By examining Gen Z's demographics and …

The Chronology Of Jesus' Triple Fulfillment Of The Feasts Of Israel, Carter Day Watson

Masters Theses

Much of modern scholarship believes that Jesus only fulfilled the spring feasts of Israel during His First Coming and will fulfill the fall feasts in His Second Coming. This thesis argues that this view is mistaken; instead, the biblical and historical evidence points towards Jesus already fulfilling both the spring and fall feasts during His First Coming: (1) Trumpets with His birth on September 29, 2 BCE (and Herod the Great's death on January 27, 1 BCE); (2) the Day of Atonement with His spiritual baptism on October 6, 29 CE and physical baptism on October 14, 29 CE; (3) …

The Two Gospel Hypothesis, Nicholas Wischman

Masters Theses

The Two Document Hypothesis, the view that Matthew and Luke used Mark independently alongside a lost source called Q, has become the predominant theory of the order of the Synoptic Gospels. This is a defense of the Two Gospel Hypothesis, the theory that Luke used Matthew and Mark used both Matthew and Luke.

Arranging And Communication Techniques For The Studio Music Producer: A Curriculum, Elizabeth A. Rajcok

Masters Theses

College music students who desire to pursue careers in the commercial music industry would benefit from learning all aspects of music production, including the techniques of rhythm section instruments and the intricacies of various genres. However, courses that provide students with hands-on training in communicating and arranging within a recording studio are lacking in residential collegiate contemporary and commercial music degrees. Students lacking in multi- instrument knowledge and immersion in contemporary genres may find their insufficiency is an impediment when functioning in their desired profession as a music producer post-college. The curriculum project detailed in this study is designed to …

"Where The Heart Is Really Attached": Partner Compatibility In The Works Of Jane Austen, Mary Amick

Masters Theses

This thesis discusses the works of Jane Austen and how the author depicts marriages throughout her novels. It examines the values that Austen recommends to attain a happy marriage and argues that these values were shaped by Austen’s Christian heritage. Austen encourages people to marry but cautions them to choose their partner wisely. She makes it clear that an unwise choice would lead to future strife in the relationship. Austen claims that the traits necessary for a healthy and happy marriage relationship are a partner that encourages intellectual stimulation, a partner that is compatible both morally and temperamentally, and a …