Digital Commons Network^™

A Multiple Case Study Examining Collaborative Nature Of Bahamian Pastoral Teams Considering Contextual And Biblical Transformational Leadership, Kevin Andrew Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to examine the nature of pastoral leadership teams in Bahamian churches. Three Bahamian pastoral leadership teams served as the sample frame for this research, with four research questions narrowing its scope to identifying collaborative and transformational behaviors and attributes. The study collected qualitative data regarding leaders’ character formation and the role of the Christian doctrine in shaping (pastoral) team dynamics, along with data regarding pastoral (team) leadership development and the usage of spiritual gifts. The data was then analyzed to determine if the leaders’ behaviors aligned with Cooper’s (2005) contextual and …

A Team-Based Approach To Increase Initiation Of Self-Management Goals In Adult Patients Diagnosed With Hypertension With The Use Of A Self-Management Goal Toolkit, Kristel Danette Ramsay

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Due to the high risk of cardiovascular disease and other negative complications, it is imperative that patients in the primary care clinic diagnosed with hypertension control blood pressure levels. The purpose of this scholarly project was to increase the initiation of self-management goals (SMGs) among adult males and females age 30 to 60 diagnosed with hypertension. These patients were active duty military, reservists, and dependent beneficiaries who receive care at the Navy Medicine Readiness Training Unit–Memphis. The practice change took the onus of introduction and education about SMGs off the provider and added key responsibilities to support staff, who provided …

Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Black Males Who Have Participated In A Black Male Initiative Program At A Historically Black College Or University, Jenard Darrell Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological was to identify and understand how Black Male Initiative programs contributed to the completion of an undergraduate degree for Black males at HBCUs. The study's central research question was: What role does the Black Male Initiative (BMI) play in Black male undergraduate degree completion at HBCUs in the U.S.? Shaun Harper’s anti-deficit achievement framework (ADAF) served as the conceptual framework for this study. Albert Bandura’s social cognitive theory (SCT) served as the guiding theoretical framework for this study. The design of this study was a transcendental phenomenological design with multiple units of analysis. The sample …

A Case Study Of Racial Reconciliation In An Antebellum Multiracial Christian Church, Ossie X. Mckinney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It has been fifty-eight years since the Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation in public places in the United States of America. Yet, in the twenty-first century, a racial divide still exists in the American church. The American church has not been able to mend the rift that occurred within the antebellum biracial church after the end of slavery. This study examines the actions of a biracial antebellum church that was inspired by its antislavery leaders and the Second Great Awakening to join social activism with worship to foster Christian unity and racial reconciliation. An examination of autobiographies, journals, …

A Phenomenological Examination Of Church Leaders' Perceived Impact Of Executive Coaching On Organizational Culture, Jerrell Stokley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The trajectory of the seminary training curriculum has evolved pedagogically at projecting adequate church leadership education and hands-on development. However, empirical research reveals that the seminary struggles with preparing generations of church leaders for modern church responsibilities including executive leadership, tactical performance, administration, and church organizational culture (Crowson, 2021; Costin, 2008). Hicks (2012), as cited by Smith (2017) states, “Recent studies have begun to explore the need for management training for pastors” (p. 2). Graduates as well as current church leaders report feeling ill-equipped for the increasing duties for today’s church culture. This qualitative, phenomenological study evaluated mid-to-senior level Christian …

The Effects Of The Orff Approach On Language Acquisition For Spanish Foreign Language Students, Kimberly Jean Clare Chimento-Tichacek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the abundance of literature that supports music education connecting to language learning, limited research evaluates the effectiveness of elementary music methodologies, such as the Orff approach, in helping foreign language students in their language learning. The Orff approach develops musicianship in every student through music, movement, speech, and drama. Guided by Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, the researcher implemented a quasi-experimental research study to measure the language fluency of 100 elementary students participating in general music and learning Spanish as a foreign language. The researcher placed half of the students in the treatment group exploring the Orff approach in …

The Impact Of Childhood Adversity On Career Decision-Making In Licensed Mental Health Clinicians: Aces And The Helping Profession, Lindsay Rose Seeger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Traumatic experiences can have lasting impacts on an individual across the lifespan. Areas of adult functioning that are impacted by trauma may include but are not limited to mental health, physical health, relationships, communication style, attachment tendencies, and so on. Traumatic experiences in childhood can yield dysfunction in areas of intrapersonal functioning and interpersonal functioning. Childhood adversity has been studied in detail over the last two decades, with notable research done in the areas listed above. What is less studied is the impact of childhood adversity on career choice. Factors influencing career choice are endless; research points to socioeconomic status, …

The Influence Of Personality On The Experiences Of Child Molesters: A Phenomenological Study, Julianna Emma Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe different personality traits and pathologies that are common to each of the two identified types of child molester, report how personality played a part in the offense committed, and describe the results from the offender’s point of view. The history of personality traits and disorders is discussed; this information can be useful in the identification of sexual preferences involving those who abuse children. The study involved eight convicted child molesters in the state of Alabama. The participants were grouped into subtype based on self-report measures and public records. Costa and McCrae’s …

Teacher Migration And Retention In Title I High Schools: A Phenomenological Study, Kenethia Lasundra Zachary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teacher migration is a fundamental challenge facing many school districts in the United States (Djonko-Moore, 2016). School leaders in Title I schools, which predominately serve minority and low-income students, expressed difficulties retaining teachers who were opting to transfer to lateral positions in non-Title I schools (Whipp & Geronime, 2017). The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological research study was to identify intrinsic and extrinsic factors that led to teachers’ lateral migration from a Title I to a non-title I school. In order to highlight participants’ rationales, the principal researcher posed the following research questions: What were teachers’ perceptions of the organizational …

A New Atomization Paradigm: Smart Wave-Augmented Varicose Explosions, Daniel Mason Wilson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The characterization of viscous, non-Newtonian slurry heating and atomization by means of internal wave excitation is presented for a twin-fluid injector. We detail mechanisms that enhance their disintegration in a novel process called “Wave-Augmented Varicose Explosions” (WAVE). Atomization of such fluids is challenging, especially at low gas-liquid mass ratios. Droplet production is further complicated when slurry viscosity varies widely; if viscosity levels are too high, atomization quality suffers, and an undesirable pressure drop restricts the flow. To mitigate, we introduce and demonstrate “Smart” atomization, a novel implementation of simultaneous proportional integral derivative (PID) control algorithms to accommodate dynamically and extensively …

Skoo-Bee-Dee-Boo-Bop-Scat: The Impacts Of Vocal Jazz Improvisational Techniques On The Secondary Choral Student And Secondary Choral Program, Sara Beth Carroll

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite evidence that vocal jazz improvisation techniques are valuable tools for increased ear training and vocal technique knowledge, the specific impacts of vocal jazz training for the secondary school chorister have yet to be fully expressed. The singing and musicianship benefits of improvisational techniques matter because they impact the young choral singer and the individual student experience in and contribution to the school choir program. This study expressed the impacts of vocal jazz improvisational pedagogy for the secondary school vocalist as a member of the school choir program and the individual student musician. Guided by Eisner’s model of arts-based research, …

Rangers And Rebels: The Americanization Of War In The Colonial South, Garrett Dewayne Hall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Some historians have used the phrase Americanization of war to describe the process in which Anglo-American settlers adopted or appropriated the military tactics of American Indians. However, both proponents and opponents of the idea of the Americanization of war have focused on the northern colonies. This is likely because the Americanization of war in the colonial period has been closely associated with American rangers, most notably those commanded by Benjamin Church, John Gorham, and Robert Rogers. While these men and the soldiers they commanded are all demonstrative of the Americanization of war, Church, Gorham, and Rogers all conducted operations in …

The Relationship Between Christianity And Slavery: An Examination Of The Defense Of Slavery Within Christian Thought, Practices And Methodologies From 1619-1865, Decorie Lee Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Slavery in the Unitred States was supported by individual Christians who skillfully mastered how to manipulate the Bible as justification for enslaving Africans and their descendates. Therefore, the examination of the relationship between Christianity and slavery within the United States and the greater western civilizations-explores the impact of Christian institutions on African Americans-investages the influence of Christianis relationship with slavery on all the descendants of enslaved African culture as the plural societies within this relationship’s functions. So far, two perspectives have emerged in the study of the existence of such an connectiuon. The first, which may be termed as “Proslavery …

The Prophets’ Use Of The Shepherd Motif And Its Contribution To Their Presentation Of The Character Of God, Deanna L. Huff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The shepherd motif provides one of the most significant portraits of God in the Old and New Testaments. Various research on the historical metaphor within these studies frequently focuses on the relationship between rulers and leaders in the ancient Near East. The shepherd motif provides a tangible picture of the characteristics of deities and kings in their world. Therefore, it is a natural step for the prophets of the Old Testament to utilize a commonly used metaphor. In modern research, numerous studies in Ezekiel 34 have explored different facets of the shepherd motif. Several studies are related to leadership roles. …

Succession Planning In The Federal Government, Christine Noel Roberts

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Succession planning is a term that refers to the systematic and methodological efforts an organization uses to plan for organizational stability and proficiency. Organizations must provide employees the training, experiences, and knowledge required to assume positions of increased responsibility when those jobs are vacated. Agencies should strive to create a diversified pool of qualified candidates to avoid a talent gap, workforce shortages, or a loss of agency knowledge. Over the past fifteen years, the Federal Government has continued to highlight the need to take a proactive approach to succession planning by first identifying the skill sets needed for critical positions …

The Effects Of Rti And Computer-Based Programs On Addressing Literacy Acquisition Skills, Amanda Page Mccall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, control group design study was to investigate the effects of Response to Intervention (RtI) and computer-based programs on addressing literacy acquisition skills. This study is important because there is an inordinate number of students who are designated as requiring special education services due to a lack of reading achievement. This study is significant because the success of student achievement, and promotion from one grade to the next, hinges on students’ reading ability. This study sample was drawn from 55 first and 55 second-grade students from a Title One school in the upper state …

From Rags To Riches: Examining Teacher Perceptions Of The Influence Of Financial Literacy On The Psychological Well-Being Of Military-Connected Students In Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve, Cynthia Fletcher Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine teacher perceptions as related to the influence of financial literacy on the psychological well-being of military-connected students in kindergarten through grade twelve. Financial literacy among students serves a vital function in the development of financially literate adults. A lack of financial resources has been linked to depressive symptoms, marital discourse, and suicide. Financial literacy includes the knowledge and skills required to make enlightened and effective decisions with money. The theory guiding this study was Constructivism as formulated by Jean Piaget. Constructivism provides for the incorporation of new information within existing constructs …

Grounding The Basic Structure In Legal Theory, Sanjay Jain

Articles

This article contributes to the everlasting debate on theorising the Basic Structure doctrine of the Indian Constitution. Having demonstrated that it cannot be justified either in orthodox positivism of Austin or Kelsenite normativity, the author makes the case to ground the debate in the modern avatar of analytical jurisprudence, popularly known as inclusive legal positivism.

Commencement, South Georgia (2023), Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine

Commencements

South Georgia Campus Commencement Program, 2023. Degrees include Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences.

Commencement Speaker: Jim Matney, Colquitt Regional Medical Center

Molly J. Mulligan And John P. Mulligan, Appellants V. Alum Rock Riverside, Llc, Appellee., Utah Supreme Court

Utah Supreme Court Briefs (2021– )

Appeal from The Third District Court In and For Salt Lake County, State of Utah, Case No. 206927043 The Honorable Adam T. Mow, Presiding

Benjamin D. Johnson, KC Hooker, Attorneys for Appellee

Bradley L. Tilt, Felicia B. Canfield, Attorney for Appellants

Perpetual Protection For Atlanta’S High-Quality Forested Land In The City, Kathryn A. Evans, Anthony J. Giarrusso, David Zaparanick

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Unlike most major U.S. cities, developed and industrialized decades earlier, Atlanta retains a large portion of its native and originally forested land with a high diversity of species, rare plants, and even old-growth trees. A 2008 baseline canopy analysis found that while the city’s tree canopy cover was among the highest in the country (47.9%), its canopy and high-quality forests were vulnerable to loss and fragmentation since only 4.9% of the canopy was on public land. In 2016, the city authorized the use of its Tree Trust Fund to purchase high-quality forested land for perpetual protection and established criteria for …

Langdon Park Forest Patch: How Three Women Turned Their Tree Rescue Efforts Into A Public-Private Partnership In Community-Based Forest Stewardship., James Woodworth, Kelly Collins Choi, Robert Corletta, Delores Bushong, Mary Pat Rowan, Allison Clausen

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, community tree activists engaged in tree rescue activities in Washington, D.C.’s Langdon Park. They cleared non-native invasive vines and cataloged native tree species within the park’s 2.2-acre forest patch. Over the last 2+ years, they endeavored to share their story of forest stewardship, garnering support from district agencies and local non-profit Casey Trees. The ensuing collaboration has led to a healthier forest with greater community connection.

Addenda To The Special Issue: The Science And Practice Of Managing Forests In Cities, Sophie Plitt, Clara C. Pregitzer

Cities and the Environment (CATE)

In these addenda to our first special issue, The Science and Practice of Managing Forests in Cities, we present five new case studies documenting approaches to conserving, managing, and building an equitable workforce for Forested Natural Areas in cities across the U.S. These case studies were presented at the third annual gathering of the Forests in Cities network which took place in Seattle, Washington in November, 2022.

Design And Performance Of A Laboratory Scale Pressurized Oxy-Coal Reactor, Scott Gardner, Cody Carpenter, Jacob Tuia, Aaron Skousen, Dustin Badger, Sandra Thomas, Bradley R. Adams, Dale R. Tree, Andrew R. Fry

Faculty Publications

A pressurized oxy-coal (POC) reactor has been designed, built and tested to investigate key technologies related to oxy-coal combustion including a dry coal feed system, an oxy-coal burner, and a slagging ash management system. The coal feed system utilized a fluidized bed to convey pulverized coal with CO2 from a coal bed into the reactor. The reactor has diagnostic capabilities including optical access, embedded thermocouples, fuel and gas flow rates, exhaust gas analysis (CO2, CO, NO, O2) and heat flux. At 13.6 atm and a firing rate of 89 kWth a mean feed rate of 12.5 kg/h was …

The Future Of Adventism, Education, Social Issues, And Spirituality, Chibueze Ogbonna

Adventist Human-Subject Researchers Association

No abstract provided.

A Hierarchical Decision Model To Evaluate Healthcare Organization's Readiness To Implement Clinical Decision Support Systems, Mohammed Oussama Laraichi

Dissertations and Theses

Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) are essential tools for healthcare organizations as well as for healthcare providers to improve clinical care. However, successful implementation of CDSS can be challenging. Therefore, before implementing CDSS, it is crucial to assess the readiness of healthcare organizations to implement these tools.

Through a literature review, the first step of this research explores the concept of clinical decision support and CDSS, discussing their features, characteristics, and organizational hurdles to implementation. It also provides perspectives on CDSS adoption in the context of Information Systems and Health Technology. The review helped identify research gaps, objectives, and questions. …

Experimental Study On Compressive Strength Characteristics Of Coal-Rock Combinations Influenced By Number Of Bedding Surfaces, Zheng Jianwei, Wang Shuwen, Li Haitao, Yang Guoqiang, Lyu Dazhao, Liu Biao, Fu Yukai, Li Xiaopeng, Lei Guorong

Coal Geology & Exploration

The layering effect of the coal seam roof poses major influence on the mechanical behavior of the coal-rock system. Herein, the coal seam roof was simplified into coal-rock combinations with different number of bedding planes in the rock unit, and on this basis, uniaxial compression tests were conducted. Then, the stress-strain characteristics, the evolution law of surface strain field and the acoustic emission characteristics during the test were collected and analyzed using the stress monitoring system, the digital image correlation (DIC) method, and the acoustic emission (AE) system. The test shows that: the stress-strain process of the coal-rock combinations can …

Armed Adventurers: A Perspective On The Remembered Past Of The Battle Of Coleto Creek And The Goliad Massacre, Steven Linwood Sullivan

Masters Theses

From the Texas Revolution, 1835-1836, the Alamo looms larger than life over the other battles of the six-month conflict. The men resolved to die at the Alamo gained immortal fame and were enmeshed as the icons of a frontier identity. There is another story, however, that reveals the shattering of frontier ideals, and that is the Battle of Coleto Creek and the Goliad Massacre. How these two connected events have been remembered in the American mind has led to certain misconceptions of the Texian and Mexican sides of the Revolution. This is largely due to the American appeal of legend …

Torn Between The “Creeds Of The Devil”: The German-Finnish Co-Belligerency In World War Ii, Stephanie Megan Wright

Masters Theses

In an article for the Sunday Chronicle in June 1937, Winston Churchill described Nazism and Communism as “the creeds of the devil.” Caught between these two ideologies that “are at each other’s throats,” Finland attempted to remain a sovereign nation. This would prove to be virtually impossible after the November 1939 Soviet invasion of Finland. While Joseph Stalin and his advisors “expected [a] triumphal parade,” the dogged resistance of the Finnish Army and people “turned [that parade] into a bloody three-month war.” Furnished in the crucible of conflict, battling for their very existence as a nation, the Winter War united …

The Switch: Understanding The Perception Of African American Linguistic Repertoires, Alyssa Powell

Student Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study is to conduct research to gain knowledge of the perception of African American adults who use standard English and African American Vernacular English or feel that they must code-switch between the two "languages. “The goal is to investigate the attitudes and ideologies that African American Adults have toward AAVE and what role the two "languages" play in their personal identity. This research will obtain a better understanding of how our use of language can influence our self-concept and identity. Cultural influences can influence our language and how we conceptualize who we are and where …