Digital Commons Network^™

Thoughts, Conflicts, And Feelings Of Ela Teachers’ Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Matthew Osborn

Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many complications and challenges for educators. There is a need to document and describe teacher experiences during this time to determine common themes that may inform future educational practice. This study utilized narrative inquiry to examine the lived experiences of five secondary ELA teachers during the different phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Three themes concerning how teachers perceived their students, work demands, and self were identified through several rounds of coding and thematic analysis. The findings and conclusions of this study contribute to developing a shared understanding of what happened in secondary education during the various …

Soil Bacterial Community Shifts In A Montane Longleaf Pine Restoration Site: Effects Of Dominant Herbaceous Species Removal, Prescribed Burn, And Changes In Season, Isabella K. Vahle

Master's Theses

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) ecosystems are one of the most endangered and ecologically diverse systems in North America. The native herbaceous species serve as fuel for low-intensity, recurring fires this system relies on. The herbaceous species play major roles in maintaining ecosystem structure and diversity. Soil microorganisms like bacteria are known to aid greatly in many different plant and ecosystem processes. However, little is known about the dominant herbaceous species and soil bacterial compositions within montane longleaf pine ecosystems, especially before and after a prescribed fire. We completed a multiyear, seasonal analysis of the soil bacterial community in …

Understanding Parents’/Caregivers’ Experiences With School-Based Technology At Home, Marcus J.W. Borders

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to understand parents’/caregivers’ experiences as supporters of their elementary-aged children’s use of school-based technology at home. Research questions of this case study focused on the experiences, perceptions and needs of parents/caregivers within their support of school-based technology. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted, along with digital document collection, and a focus group interview. Transcripts for each interview and the focus group were analyzed as a means of establishing parents’/caregivers’ unique experiences, their perceptions of their ability to support the use of school-based technology, and the needs they required to be successful within …

The Value Of Mentorship For Black Ballerinas, Anna Dunn

Dissertations

Much research has been done in other fields about the relationship of gender and race to the success of mentors to increase student confidence to pursue additional training or a career in certain fields. The purpose of this study was to articulate formally the importance of the relationship between Black ballet students and a mentor who has lived a similar life experience, having navigated the ballet industry as a Black ballerina. This research sought to answer the questions of what value do Black ballet students perceive in having a Black ballerina as a mentor and how white ballet teachers can …

Servant Leadership Impact On Generation Z Employees’ Workplace Engagement, Maria Helena Morrison

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Workplace engagement with the Gen Z cohort born between 1995 and 2012 continues to be a challenge within the United States. The specific research problem addressed through this study was that it remained unknown whether the servant leadership characteristics exhibited by organizational leaders impacted Gen Z employees’ workplace engagement in Florida. These seven servant leadership characteristics include: (a) emotional healing, (b) creating value for the community, (c) conceptual skills, (d) empowering, (e) helping subordinates grow and succeed, (f) putting subordinates first, and (g) behaving ethically. Greenleaf’s servant leadership theory, Blau’s social exchange theory, and Khan’s employee engagement theory grounded this …

The Concept Of Leadership During Climatological Crisis: A Comparative Case Study Of Puerto Rico Higher Education, Aniello Alberti

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

During times of climatological crisis, leadership is a crucial component of postsecondary education administrators’ arsenal, specifically regarding their ability to execute strategies in action plans aimed at restoring the normal operations of institutions. This comparative case study aimed to examine how strategies in crisis leadership plans were implemented in Puerto Rico's higher education system, focusing on the experiences of key administrators in two higher education units who managed the response to the impacts of the 2017 Hurricane Maria. The conceptual framework for this investigation was grounded in Blanchard and Hersey's situational leadership theory and Bass’s transformational theory. In-depth interviews were …

Skill Bias Perceptions Of Unskilled Workers' Self-Perception And Self-Efficacy, Cheryl M. Jackson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A common phenomenon witnessed in the United States health care industry is a division between skilled and unskilled workforces. The division results from skill bias perceptions that strip the appreciation and value of certain job titles and responsibilities. The purpose of this quantitative nonexperimental study focused on the human capability approach theory was to ascertain the differences in perception between the two types of workers and whether skill bias perceptions predict self-perception and self-efficacy. The goal was to recognize and support the innate human capabilities of unskilled workers as valuable human capital resources. From stratified sampling, 172 skilled and unskilled …

School Leaders Supporting Undocumented Asian And Black Students, Lorena Tule-Romain

Education Policy and Leadership Theses and Dissertations

There are 5.6 million K-12 students who are either undocumented or living with at least one undocumented parent (Passel & Cohn, 2018). In 2021, FWD.us estimated that approximately 620,000 K-12 students are undocumented; 34% of these students migrated from countries in Asia, sub-Saharan African, and Caribbean countries. These students have unique needs in schools, such as support for lower frequency language services, wraparound supports, and classroom curricula that should account for their cultural heritages and traditions. While scholars have conducted research on the largest group of undocumented students, Latinx, existing knowledge of the students coming from Asian and African countries …

Iso 14001:2015 Environmental Management System Accreditation Framework For Stephen F. Austin State University, A Member Of The University Of Texas System, Breanna Gabriela Duran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The International Organization of Standardization is a worldwide federation of membered bodies. The mission of ISO is to achieve the balance between the environment, society, and the economy. These are essential to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management System accreditation allows any business or organization, no matter the type, size or product to showcase its commitment toward environmental stewardship. This accreditation requires the development and successful implementation of an Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS is set out to continually improve a company’s environmental …

Pedal Points: Harmony And The Double-Action Pedal System In Modern Harp Music, Mckenna Jennings

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pedals are an invisible guide in chromatic harp repertoire. While the evolution of tonality and rise in chromaticism incentivized the invention of the double-action pedal harp, the unique restraints and extensions of this technological system influence harmony and pitch collections in chromatic harp music. This thesis explores the pedal harp and the influence the affordance and idiomacy of the pedal layout exerts onto chromatic harp repertoire. It draws on embodiment and schema theory to describe patterns of pedal motion in harp music, thus presenting and demonstrating an original theory of pedal schemas. Pedal schemas are patterns of motion defined by …

An Analysis Of The Logging Sector In East Texas: Current Status And Future Prospects, Pooja Chhetri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The logging sector plays a critical role in the wood supply chain and in forest management. It connects forest resources with mills, who consequently use that wood to manufacture a multitude of products. A better understanding of the state of logging businesses among policymakers is crucial in sustaining this industry. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the economic contribution (2021) and economic contribution trend (2012-2021) of the logging sector in East Texas using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN). Furthermore, this study determined the current status of this sector using online and mail surveys. IMPLAN results showed that the logging sector …

Promoting Civic Engagement And Knowledge Amongst Middle School Adolescents Through Simulation Based Teaching Models, Karrie Palmer

Dissertations

Public schools, and education in general, were founded on the principles of preparing young people to participate in civic life as active and informed citizens. Yet, civic competency scores are consistently low and demonstrate that students are not prepared for the civic engagement required of them when they leave school. The purpose of this quasi-experimental mixed methods study is to determine if participation in simulations and utilizing experiential learning theory while teaching the government standards will lead to a greater understanding of civics, and a positive improvement in students’ beliefs and values regarding civic engagement beyond the classroom. While the …

Thinking Outside The Box: Exploring The Instructional Conversations Model Beyond English Language Learners Into Gifted Learners, Terri Thornton

Dissertations

Gifted students, characterized by exceptional intellectual abilities and unique learning needs, often find themselves navigating an educational landscape that may not fully cater to their specific requirements. Traditional teaching methods may fall short of engaging and challenging these students to realize their full potential. This dissertation delves into the efficacy of instructional conversations as an innovative pedagogical approach tailored to the distinctive learning profiles of gifted students. Through a comprehensive examination of relevant literature, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence, this study seeks to illuminate the impact of instructional conversations on the academic, social, and emotional development of gifted learners.

The …

Business Students’ Perceptions Of The Influence Of Career, Technical, And Agricultural Education (Ctae) On Career Readiness And Graduation Outcomes, Spencer T. Fortson Jr

Dissertations

This qualitative study sought to identify and analyze the perceptions of business students on the influence of CTAE programs on career readiness and graduation outcomes. The study adopted a phenomenological approach to explore how and why students develop their perceptions of CTAE. Notably, the study explored how business students perceive the programs and their roles in promoting career readiness and graduation outcomes and provide recommendations to improve student engagement and interest in CTAE programs. The study was conducted in a large high school in Georgia among a diverse population – regarding gender, race, and socioeconomic status – of students. Notably, …

Teacher Initiated Collaboration In Community: A Case Study Considering Communities Of Practice At A Title I Middle School, Katherine Stewart

Dissertations

This qualitative case study investigates how faculty members in a Title I middle school engage in collaborative practices to enhance professional growth without formal professional learning. Framed within a descriptive lens (Merriam, 1998) and informed by Brown and Duguid's Community of Practice (CoP) framework (1991), the study addresses two research questions: (1) How do teachers collaborate to improve their practice outside formal professional learning? (2) In what ways do these methods reflect the elements of CoP: working, learning, and innovating? Through data analysis, the study reveals that teachers predominantly collaborate on student behavior and classroom management, with curriculum being a …

The Impact Establishing A Focus On Learning Through Plcs Has On Student Growth In Elementary Mathematics, Heather Hodge

Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of professional learning communities (PLCs) implementing a “Focus on Learning” in a Title I school in north central Georgia. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact PLCs can have on student growth and achievement in fourth and fifth-grade mathematics, once teachers spend time identifying essential standards for their respective grade level. The researcher conducted this study during the first year of implementation, so the findings will be used to identify ways to build and improve PLCs at their school in order to increase student growth and achievement in mathematics.

Evaluating The Need For Professional Learning That Highlights Proficient Teaching Strategies For Students With Autism In The Elementary Environment, Allison Norman

Dissertations

There is an increase in the identification of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout the country. There is also an emphasis on inclusion within the classrooms in the country. This qualitative study addresses the need for teachers to grasp more knowledge about Autism so that they can help children with autism have better access to the general education curriculum and increase support for success in the classroom. Through an action research project, this study aimed to gauge elementary school teachers' existing knowledge about Autism and identify areas where they desired further education. The study involved surveying teachers to understand …

Inclusivity Within The Digital Age, Jarvis Denmark

Dissertations

This qualitative study takes a phenomenograpichal interest in the experiences of students in a school district that responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by using digital tools for instruction and to support a culturally relevant learning experience. Previous research focuses on teacher beliefs and the benefits of multiliteracies as they intersect with Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, but few studies have analyzed the experiences of students who are the prime beneficiaries of culturally relevant instructional practices. The thick description in this study was aimed at optimizing student voice, especially the voices of students of color. Also, the aim of the research was to …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Technology Professional Development And Implementation In An Urban Middle School: A Case Study, Valeria Williams

Dissertations

This qualitative case study focused on understanding teachers’ perceptions of technology-based professional development sessions and the impact of technology requirements on their decisions to remain in or exit the teaching profession. The study involved seven middle school teachers with varying teaching experience and technology backgrounds. Participants shared their insights through journals, interviews, and document notes, which were then organized into themes reflecting their responses to the research questions.

The findings revealed key themes such as the structure and availability of professional learning sessions, facilitators’ positive impact, teachers’ emotions during and after training, optional learning strategies, and how these factors influence …

Traumatic Brain Injury: Impact Of Falls On Occupational Performance And Their Caregiver, Sarah A. Mcaninch

Graduate Student Scholarship

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of disability and expenses in healthcare. Many signs and symptoms occur as a result of TBI making it difficult for medical disciplines to pinpoint healthcare treatments to address these deficits. Falls are not only the leading cause of TBI but also of recurrent TBIs (rTBIs) due to physiological and sensorimotor changes in an individual after injury. The aim of this research is to investigate the gap in knowledge surrounding falls after a TBI by surveying and interviewing caregivers on their experiences with the person they are providing caregiving. Data was …

Out Of Print: Gay Periodicals And The Psa-Rinting Of A Gay Male World, 1969-1980, Jack Morris

Masters Theses, 2020-current

As the Gay Liberation movement spread across the cities of the United States during the 1970s, one institution bolstered it more than any other: the gay press. This thesis examines the role of the gay press in constructing an imagined community of gay men during the 1970s, uncovering the methods in which it fashioned a gay world that both encompassed and reached beyond the temporal and geographic boundaries of the United States. It argues that writers in gay periodicals built gay community and the Gay Liberation movement in numerous ways, such as reporting on gay history, uncovering foreign gay communities …

Essays On Corporate Lobbying, Hyunjoo Oh

Olin Business School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

In the intricate landscape of modern society, the role of corporations extends beyond their primary business operations and financial goals. Companies are now deeply embedded in the complex interplay of political processes. Despite the extensive scholarly focus on business-government interactions, significant gaps remain in understanding how firms engage with government entities. To advance this discussion, my dissertation proposes and investigates two potential explanations for corporate lobbying across three chapters. Chapter 1. Theories of Why Firms Lobby reviews extensive literature on corporate lobbying and situates it within various theoretical frameworks such as the neoclassical view, industrial organization, resource dependence theory, resource-based …

Essays In Household And Labor Finance, Avantika Pal

Olin Business School Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

My dissertation focuses on two broad questions. First, what is the role of financial regulation in alleviating financial distress of households? Second, how do labor markets shape individual financial outcomes? In Chapter 1, I document a positive impact of foreclosure delays — a widely used measure of foreclosure prevention — on labor income. I present novel evidence showing that foreclosure delays can foster sustained economic recovery through local labor markets by allowing borrowers to re-evaluate their employment decisions and address the root causes of their financial distress. To conduct this study, I leverage a temporary rule introduced by the Consumer …

Katherine Delaine Phillips

African American Funeral Programs

Katherine_-Delaine-_Phillips.pdf - Funeral program for Katherine Delaine Phillips

Acoustofluidic Scanning Fluorescence Nanoscopy With A Large Field Of View, Geonsoo Jin, Neil Upreti, Joseph Rich, Jianping Xia, Chenglong Zhao, Tony Jun Huang

Faculty Publications

Large-field nanoscale fluorescence imaging is invaluable for many applications, such as imaging subcellular structures, visualizing protein interactions, and high-resolution tissue imaging. Unfortunately, conventional fluorescence microscopy requires a trade-off between resolution and field of view due to the nature of the optics used to form the image. To overcome this barrier, we developed an acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope that simultaneously achieves superior resolution, a large field of view, and strong fluorescent signals. The acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence nanoscope utilizes the superresolution capabilities of microspheres that are controlled by a programmable acoustofluidic device for rapid fluorescence enhancement and imaging. The acoustofluidic scanning fluorescence …

Early Gfap And Uch-L1 Point-Of-Care Biomarker Measurements For The Prediction Of Traumatic Brain Injury And Progression In Patients With Polytrauma And Hemorrhagic Shock, Jason L Sperry, James F Luther, David O Okonkwo, Laura E Vincent, Vikas Agarwal, Bryan A Cotton, Jeremy W Cannon, Martin A Schreiber, Ernest E Moore, Nicholas Namias, Joseph P Minei, Kelly L Urbanek, Mark H Yazer, Ava M Puccio, Erin E Fox, Joshua B Brown, Matthew D Neal, Frank X Guyette, Stephen R Wisniewski

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objective: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhage are responsible for the largest proportion of all trauma-related deaths. In polytrauma patients at risk of hemorrhage and TBI, the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of TBI remain poorly characterized. The authors sought to characterize the predictive capabilities of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1) measurements in patients with hemorrhagic shock with and without concomitant TBI.

Methods: The authors performed a secondary analysis on serial blood samples derived from a prospective observational cohort study that focused on comparing early whole-blood and component resuscitation. A convenience sample of patients was …

The Impact Of Perceived Self-Connection On Possession-Based Placebo Analgesia : An Investigation Using Implicit And Explicit Measures, Sze Ki Ng

Lingnan Theses (MPhil & PhD)

Previous study found merely possessing a placebo analgesic cream (without using) has similar pain outcomes when it is compared with using a placebo analgesic cream, but the underlying mechanism is unclear (Yeung et al., 2019). Yeung et al. (2020) proposed that an object-to-self expectancy can be a possible mechanism underlying a possession-based placebo effect, which means people believe that the owned object will benefit them. The present study aimed to examine this hypothetical mechanism and investigate how forming a cognitive connection between the analgesic cream and the self affects the possession-based placebo effect. We demonstrated the effect existed and observed …

Pembrolizumab Versus Placebo As Adjuvant Therapy In Resected Stage Iib Or Iic Melanoma: Final Analysis Of Distant Metastasis-Free Survival In The Phase Iii Keynote-716 Study, Jason J. Luke, Paolo A. Ascierto, Muhammad A. Khattak, Luis De La Cruz Merino, Michele Del Vecchio, Piotr Rutkowski, Francesco Spagnolo, Jacek Mackiewicz, Vanna Chiarion-Sileni, John M. Kirkwood, Caroline Robert, Jean Jacques Grob, Federica De Galitiis, Dirk Schadendorf, Matteo S. Carlino, Xi Lawrence Wu, Mizuho Fukunaga-Kalabis, Clemens Krepler, Alexander M.M. Eggermont, Georgina V. Long

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Clinical trials frequently include multiple end points that mature at different times. The initial report, typically based on the primary end point, may be published when key planned co-primary or secondary analyses are not yet available. Clinical Trial Updates provide an opportunity to disseminate additional results from studies, published in JCO or elsewhere, for which the primary end point has already been reported.Pembrolizumab adjuvant therapy was shown to significantly improve recurrence-free survival (RFS) and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) in patients with resected stage IIB or IIC melanoma in earlier analyses of the randomized, double-blind, phase III KEYNOTE-716 study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: …

Navigating Risk Terrain In The Twenties: Understanding Age-Linked Gender Dynamics In Risk Aversion Between 20-29 Year Old Men And Women​, Mollie Dostalek

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This research aims to explore the age and gender-linked dynamics of risk aversion in investment decisions among adults aged 20-29, focusing on the disparities between men and women. While most literature often portrays young men as having higher risk appetites, this study aims to evaluate such assumptions, shedding light on the nuanced relationship between gender and risk aversion across the early adult years. This research seeks to discern patterns and variations in risk aversion, investigating whether age plays a significant role in shaping these dynamics. By analyzing data that demonstrates the relationship between gender, age, and risk aversion, this study …

Anthropogenic Impacts Lead To Plant Biodiversity Losses In A Unique And Fragile Coastal Dune Ecosystem, Natalie Clagett

Theses

At the southern end of the California Floristic Province lie the El Socorro Dunes. These Dunes have the highest biodiversity of any dune system in Mexico, hosting at least 11 perennial endemic and rare plant species. The El Socorro Dunes’ perennial vegetation was surveyed between 2008 to 2010, but since then these dunes have faced pressure from regional land transformations, such as off-roading and mining, invasive species spread, and climate change. This study examines the plant community changes within the El Socorro Dunes and potential links to stressors. Our results show significant losses of native plants, and significant increases in …