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Temporal And Bidirectional Association Between Blood Pressure Variability And Arterial Stiffness: Cross-Lagged Cohort Study, Zhiyuan Wu, Haiping Zhang, Yutao Wang, Zhiwei Li, Xia Li, Lixin Tao, Xiuhua Guo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

BACKGROUND: The causal relationship between blood pressure variability (BPV) and arterial stiffness remains debated. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the temporal and bidirectional associations between long-term BPV and arterial stiffness using a cohort design with multiple surveys. METHODS: Participants from the Beijing Health Management Cohort who underwent health examinations from visit 1 (2010-2011) to visit 5 (2018-2019) were enrolled in this study. Long-term BPV was defined as intraindividual variation using the coefficient of variation (CV) and SD. Arterial stiffness was measured by brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). The bidirectional relationship between BPV and arterial stiffness was explored using cross-lagged …

Examining Adolescent Peer Victimization, Emotion Regulation, And Mental Health Using Path Analysis, Kelsey Ann Walker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

The adverse effects of peer victimization in adolescent development have been consistently shown, including but not limited to internalizing problems, externalizing problems, and reduced life satisfaction. Emotion regulation, a critical individual level factor to the stress-coping process, potentially affects mental health in the context of peer victimization through different mechanisms. Based on theories and relevant empirical research, in the current study, the first mechanism was examined through mediation models, in which emotion regulation strategies (i.e., cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) were mediators in the relations between peer victimization and mental health. The second mechanism was tested via moderation models to …

Survey Headaches, Katherine Deibel

PCOM Scholarly Works

In the library profession, and in the world as a whole, the experiences of trans and gender diverse people often go unnoticed, hidden, and ignored. But we are here. Trans and Gender Diverse Voices in Libraries is entirely written and edited by trans and gender diverse people involved in the field: its fifty-seven authors include workers from academic and public libraries, special collections and archives, and more; LIS students; and a few people who have left the library profession completely.

This book is not intended to be the definitive guide to trans and gender diverse experiences in libraries, but instead …

A Word Fitly Spoken Is Like Apples Of Gold In Settings Of Silver: Removing The Veil From Inspirational Historical Fiction, Laura Louise Milcarzyk

Masters Theses

This thesis is about the importance of inspirational historical fiction writers to pen literary works that are more reflective of the diverse Kingdom of God on earth and the trials and tribulations the diverse community of followers of Christ endure in this life. The thesis also defines three literary techniques that will, if applied correctly, help lead a writer in creating novels that bring God, His love, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to life. The artistic statement explains how the novel originated and its process, as well as the novel’s literary and biblical significance. The critical paper is the …

Aerobic Exercise Reverses Aging-Induced Depth-Dependent Decline In Cerebral Microcirculation, Paul Shin, Ikbal Şencan-Eğilmez, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Aging is a major risk factor for cognitive impairment. Aerobic exercise benefits brain function and may promote cognitive health in older adults. However, underlying biological mechanisms across cerebral gray and white matter are poorly understood. Selective vulnerability of the white matter to small vessel disease and a link between white matter health and cognitive function suggests a potential role for responses in deep cerebral microcirculation. Here, we tested whether aerobic exercise modulates cerebral microcirculatory changes induced by aging. To this end, we carried out a comprehensive quantitative examination of changes in cerebral microvascular physiology in cortical gray and subcortical white …

Exploring The Impacts Of Funding Models On Business As Mission Organizations In Asia: A Multiple-Case Study, Jeremiah Joel Finch

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In a 2014 research study, Dr. Steve Rundle examined the impacts of business-funded versus donor-funded business as mission (BAM) organizations. The research study answers Dr. Rundle’s call for further research on funding models, and the findings from the study help to fill in gaps in the social-entrepreneurship (SE) and BAM literature. BAM organizations, like other SE-oriented organizations, seek to achieve success in multiple bottom lines. The qualitative, multiple-case study utilized a theoretical replication design to explore differences between donor-funded and business-funded BAM organizations in Asia. Specifically, the research study explored principles related to BAM funding methodology’s impact on economic outcomes …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Christian Leaders' Competency Development Experience: Prepared To Equip The Laity, Shamekia Shonta' Smith-Tucker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research indicates that missional or nondenominational U.S. churches may include more than 60,000 such churches, representing at least 12 million followers (Thumma, 2020). Additionally, some ministry leaders predict denominational affiliation will wane over the next decade (Earls, 2021a), as will the training and other support they offer. The purpose of this phenomenological study will be to assess and understand the experiences of missional ministry leaders after participation in a structured or unstructured competency development program and their ensuing dynamic engagement in ministry. Dynamic engagement will be defined as "fully engaged and intentional" (MacFarland, 2019, para. 1), as evidenced by implementing …

Kangaroo Care Impact On Maternal Health: An Integrative Review, Alexis Ann Lawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Health care should progress and change as the needs of the population change. As light is shed on the mothers’ experiences during the postpartum period, there is an increasing need to find and implement evidence-based interventions to promote their health and wellness. As a vulnerable population, postpartum women require appropriate treatments and interventions to avoid postpartum complications. Three key themes of postpartum health and well-being that directly and significantly impact mothers are postpartum depression, maternal and infant attachment, and exclusive breastfeeding. This integrative review addressed the correlation between each of these themes and how kangaroo care, upright skin-to-skin contact, impacts …

The Role Of Social Media In The Expansion Of Jihadist Terrorism In The United States, Shakira Natalee Anglin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this case study was to understand the role social media plays in the expansion of jihadist terrorism in the United States for sixteen participants at the sites: the Mary Lynch building in Columbia, Maryland, and a Club House conference room in Hanover, Maryland. The theories that guided this study were Social Structure and Social Learning Theory (SSSL) and Social Identity Theory (SIT). Jihadist terrorism has a symbiotic relationship with the tenets of Social Structure and Social Learning Theory, which postulates that criminal behaviors are learned through social interactions. Danielle and Klein (2018) contended that Aker’s Social Structure …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Dominican Baseball Players Transitioning From The Dominican Minor League Camps To A Successful Major League Career, Samuel Lima

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study, informed by Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, was to understand the lived experiences of native-born Dominican baseball players entering the Major League Baseball (MLB) Dominican Republic (DR) academies, transitioning through MLB’s developmental system, and exiting the developmental system into a successful major-league career. This study sought to answer the following research questions: RQ1: What social, cultural, and language challenges are experienced by Dominican players during their transition through the major league developmental system; RQ2: What learning and cognitive challenges are experienced by Dominican players during their transition through the MLB’s developmental system; and RQ3: What psychological …

Marital Quality And Marital Satisfaction In Protestant Haitian Americans Vs. Non-Christian Haitian Americans, Frantz Lamour

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The current study examined perceptions regarding marital satisfaction as described by Protestants Haitians Americans and non-Christian Haitian Americans. Participants were selected from married Christian and non-Christian couples that have been married for over five years within the age range of 25-53. The study used the Religion-Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy theory (R-CBT) framework. R-CBT is a well-known theoretical framework that integrates religious interventions in the therapeutic relationship to educate clients about the triangular relationship between thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and cognitive restructuring (de Abreu Costa & Moreira-Almeida, 2022). Religion-Adapted Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (R-CBT) incorporates cognitive behavioral therapy methods from the perspective of …

A Phenomenological Understanding Of K-12 Leaders’ Lived Experiences Of Changing From Teacher-Centered Practices To Student-Centered Practices, Claudia Burregi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the process of changing from teacher-centered practices to student-centered practices for K-12 educational leaders at Blue Ocean school district (pseudonym) in Louisiana to equip students with 21st-century skills. The theory guiding this study is Lewin’s change theory, which undergirds the premise that as individuals embrace change, they are better equipped to support the vision of why change is needed, ultimately leading to lasting change. A transcendental study was used to capture the essence of the change from TCL to SCL experience of ten educational leaders from seven schools in BOSD …

Stroke Symptom Identification Tool For Hospitalized Patients In A Rural Setting, Cheryl Ann Henderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Thousands of persons in the United States yearly suffer acute large vessel occlusion stroke (LVO). Caring for these individuals with strokes and the ensuing issues increases healthcare dollars. In underserved, rural communities, there is a dire need for improved methods to access care for these individuals. A 3-month evidence-based practice (EBP) project was conducted in a small rural town in Virginia with one of the state’s highest rates of acute stroke. Nurses in the rural hospital voluntarily participated in an educational program on recognizing acute stroke and utilizing the Vision, Aphasia, Neglect (VAN) assessment tool. The participants (N-15) were asked …

Cosmic Hamartiology: Using An Apocalyptic Paul Hermeneutic To Exposit Chaos Monster Passages, Peter Terrell Bingham Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Ancient mythology, precisely that of the Ancient Near East, includes the treacherous characters of chaos monsters who cause disorder due to their destructive supernatural influence in the natural world. Scripture includes chaos monsters of various sorts that cause the same destruction in the wake of their cosmic work. While an array of methodologies has been developed to study chaos monsters in the Ancient Near East considering their sources—i.e., Mesopotamian, Babylonian, Akkadian, etc.—there is a lack of a Biblical hermeneutic to adequately exposit chaos monster passages in Scripture. In the Apocalyptic Perspective on Paul, scholars have sought to develop a way …

Self-Leadership Strategies And Subjective Measures Of Entrepreneur Success, James Atlas Kalp

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Self-leadership refers to a self-influence process consisting of behavioral and cognitive strategies intended to improve personal effectiveness (Neck & Houghton, 2006). These strategies fall into three categories – behavior-focused strategies, constructive thought pattern strategies, and natural reward strategies. Research on self-leadership has shown evidence of positive outcomes such as job performance and job satisfaction (Frayne & Geringer, 2000; Harari et al., 2021; Prussia et al., 1998). Due to the variety of ways entrepreneurs measure success, and based on the numerous desirable outcomes of self-leadership strategies, it is important to explore these strategies as potential predictors of entrepreneur success. In a …

Authentic Pedagogical Approaches For Teaching And Learning Bluegrass Fiddling, Including An Examination Of Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, Derek Cooper Deakins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the vast amount of research showing that learning an alternative string style such as bluegrass increases student motivation, interest, and retention in music programs, modern private violin instructors and string orchestra teachers who lacked exposure to bluegrass in their initial training do not feel they can authentically teach bluegrass fiddling to their students. A comprehensive bluegrass fiddle curriculum incorporating elements of classical and bluegrass music has not yet been developed. The curriculum would allow diverse musical exploration through structured and sequential bluegrass fiddling pedagogy. This qualitative research study identifies, examines, and compares current bluegrass fiddle methodologies as a framework …

Instructional Coaching In Schools: A Qualitative Study Exploring Teacher Experiences, Kelli Jean Crowe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of K-12 teachers who have participated in instructional coaching in the Applewood school district. The theory guiding this study is Kolb’s theory on experiential learning connecting it to coaching as a foundational element when adult learners are focused on improving craft and instructional prowess for the benefit of students. This hermeneutic phenomenological study used a qualitative research design to answer the following research questions: CRQ) What are the experiences of K-12 teachers who have participated in coaching in the Applewood school district? SQ1) How do coached teachers describe …

An Assessment Of Hospice Patients’ Experience From Cancer Care Services In The United States Hospitals: A Mixed-Method Study, Femi Obasun

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This mixed methods research (MMR) addressed management's failure to give high-quality hospice care in healthcare facilities within the United States. Failure to provide high-quality care leads to issues with quality control and customer satisfaction. The researcher used an MMR design to perform a systematic survey of 96 participants in select U.S.-based hospice services management facilities. The medical records from the Research Institution organization were used to choose the participants. The total population was 1,300 from which 96 participants were randomly chosen. This study's first phase included surveying participants utilizing questions from a Likert scale that yielded quantitative responses. The second …

Interdisciplinary Studies In General Music Education: Enhancing Learning Across Content Areas, Tara Kathleen Roof Stradley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Some perspectives of educators and community members in small rural school districts fail to see the academic benefits of music education and the importance of integrated forms of study, despite the many clear connections that can be seen between the general music curriculum and other content areas such as math and language arts. Interdisciplinary studies in general music education are essential for student growth across content areas. This study reveals the importance of music integration and interdisciplinary music studies in small rural elementary schools. It gives example lessons of mathematics and language arts in the elementary music curricula. Guided by …

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On The Achievement Of Chronically Absent Grade 5 Students, Sakeena Alexandra Ash-Cary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic absenteeism has been shown to be a strong predictor of student achievement. However, there is a lack of research studies that examine if differences exist among chronically absent students in Title I and non-Title I settings. The purpose of this causal-comparative study was to determine if socioeconomic status imparts any additional impacts on the achievement of chronically absent students as measured by the Virginia SOLs. The data collected include achievement data from the Virginia SOLs. A quantitative research design was used to examine, analyze, and compare standardized mathematics, English, and science test scores along with attendance rates of fifth …

The Lived Experiences Of Student-Parents In Higher Education Who Utilize The Childcare Program At Eastern Community College: A Phenomenological Study, Kindra Lawanda Moore-Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of student-parents who use the Parents for Higher Education program at Eastern Community College. The theory that guided this study was McClusky’s theory of margin, which addresses the support and services adults need to accomplish their goals in life. This framework provided a connection that explained the importance of childcare subsidies and the needs met while attending classes for community college students—the transcendental phenomenology approach used. The setting for this study was the virtual platform Zoom. The study was conducted using 10 participants, all student-parents who participated in the …

Assessing And Strengthening New Provider Education Related To Extrapyramidal Symptoms And Antipsychotic Medication Usage, Mesiah O'Mar Porter Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Inadequate recognition and treatment of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) pose as a major liability to providers, as EPS can be life-threatening to patients, as they develop into metabolic syndrome, tardive dyskinesia (TD), or even death. Thus, insufficient usage of AIMS testing can negatively impact providers’ ability to meet associated care practice standards, when treating psychotic patients with antipsychotic medications. As a result, an evidence-based practice, quasiexperimental project was completed, utilizing the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Healthcare. In alignment with this version of the revised Iowa Model, a pilot study was initiated to progress toward a formal …

Lung Cancer Screening Implementation, Jessica Lee Digiorgio

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation has stated that lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2022, 236,740 individuals were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 130,190 American lives are lost annually from lung cancer. Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer and is responsible for approximately 80% of deaths related to lung cancer. Because of the high mortality rates from lung cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends the use of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) screening tool. Individuals who meet the criteria defined by the USPSTF qualify for yearly low-dose computed …

Managing Burnout In Nursing, Karen Starnes Bell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Burnout is a widespread phenomenon characterized by a reduction in energy that manifests in exhaustion, lack of inspiration, and feelings of frustration which may lead to reduced work efficacy and multiple absences. In the nursing profession, long hours, the pressure of quick decision-making, and the stress of caring for patients who may have poor outcomes may contribute to burnout. This integrative review was conducted to identify variables that contribute to nurse burnout and discover strategies organizations can implement to reduce or prevent nurse burnout.

Building The Hill City: Internal Improvements And Political Economy In Lynchburg, Virginia, 1791-1829, Mark Ryan Feld

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research explores the economic and political considerations of internal improvements in antebellum southwest Virginia. Special emphasis is paid to local petitions submitted to the Virginia General Assembly between 1791 and 1829, as well as local newspaper editorials printed or reprinted in Lynchburg, Virginia during the same period. Questions of intentionality, self-interest, and sectionalism are raised in elucidating what role localities along the ‘old frontier’ played in connecting the underdeveloped western region of the state to the developed eastern region during the early 19th century. Border towns first settled in the colonial backcountry—specifically Lynchburg, Virginia—served as ‘first movers’ in implementing …

With Sand In Their Pockets: Lessons Of The American Expeditionary Force’S Mobilization For The First World War, Kasey James Comstock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

When the Eleventh hour rang on November 11th, 1918, the United States Expeditionary Force, now the United States Army was no longer a mere constabulary organization. In fact, it had grown from just over 200,000 total soldiers to a staggering 4.2-million-man army. However, the growth of the army was not easy, through political and organizational in-fighting the army grew painfully. The inability of the United States government, especially its commander-in-chief, to implement reform measures ensured, and ultimately sealed the fate of thousands of American dead Doughboys in France. Additionally, the Army War College, General Staff, and War Department deliberately curtailed …

Discouragement And Supportive Relationships In Latin Pastors Planting Churches In Virginia, North Carolina, And Tennessee, Jeannette Arroyo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The present study investigated the impact of discouragement on Latin pastors planting churches in the missionary field and provided a psychological resource for pastors coping with the challenge. Due to their unique characteristics, supportive relationships were investigated regarding how it impacts the variable of discouragement due to emotional exhaustion and the absence of self-care (Williams, 2019). Since pastors and ministers face this challenge regularly (Stott, 2014), exploring networks for support and help in distress is essential. Social constructivists see motivation as a social phenomenon crucial for individuals, and the Adlerian Theory (Carlson & Englar-Carlson, 2017) calls attention to relationships and …

Predicting The Effects Of Social-Emotional Learning And Teacher-Student Relationships On The Middle School Choir Classroom Atmosphere, Rachel Elizabeth Legrand

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This predictive correlational study examined the effects of social-emotional learning and teacher-student relationships on student perspectives of the middle school choral classroom atmosphere. The literature review displayed that despite the benefits of social-emotional learning and teacher-student relationships, students' perspectives in the middle school choral classroom are unknown. These student perspectives matter as educators strive to form a positive choral classroom atmosphere. This quantitative study employed a multiple linear regression to predict the results of the Washoe County School District’s Social and Emotional Competency Short-Form Assessment and the National School Improvement Partnership’s Classroom Climate Questionnaire Upper Primary. The aim was to …

Does A Telehealth Education Program Improve Lifestyle Behaviors Of Individuals With Prediabetes?, Loretta A. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Chronic conditions are a considerable burden on the healthcare system, and one that is becoming increasingly prevalent is diabetes. Prediabetes is a condition that has become more common and diagnosed in many patients before an actual diagnosis of diabetes. Healthcare professionals strive to empower individuals to make lifestyle changes to prevent diabetes from occurring by informing individuals on how to manage prediabetes. For individuals that do not make the necessary changes to lower their hemoglobin A1c to below the standards of less than 5.6%, a diagnosis of diabetes occurs. It is estimated that five per 1000 individuals are diagnosed with …

A Descriptive, Multi-Site Case Study To Discover The Inclusion Of Disability Competencies In Undergraduate Public Health Program Curricula In California-Based Public Universities, Jacqueline Suzanne Siukola Tompkins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Nearly one in four adults and one in six children in the United States (U.S.) have a disability. Despite the evidence documenting health differences, public health professionals receive inconsistent or little-to-no disability education in graduate public health curricula. Undergraduate public health (UGPH) programs have an expanding role in building the future public health workforce, including the U.S. governmental public health workforce. However, the inclusion of disability-related content within UGPH program curricula is currently unknown. The purpose of this multi-site case study was to conduct preliminary research to describe how disability-related curricula are or can be included in UGPH program curricula …