• Chronic Stress and the Immune Response's Impact on Ghrelin and its Role in the Development of Cardiovascular Disease.

      Chastain, Ronnie; School of Medicine
      The purpose of this study was to investigate how the chronic ‘stress of life’ and stress- induced changes in immune reactivity plays a role in the development of cardio-vascular disorders with an emphasis on the appetite hormone, ghrelin. Ghrelin is pertinent as it has been found to be an anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective peptide hormone. Chronic stress more often affects poorer and medically underserved communities which consists of about three- fourths of Georgia’s counties. Additionally, the state ranks fifteenth in death rates due to cardio-vascular disease in the U.S. This study could provide further insight as to how poorer and stressed-out Georgians’ health are significantly affected by the stress in their lives. In our murine model of chronic stress, we infected a group of mice with murine herpes virus (MHV) 4 Strain 68, as viruses have been implicated in cardiovascular related diseases. Half of infected and half of the uninfected animals were subjected to different stressors for 30-day period. Data analysis was performed with Jamovi v2.3 (The jamovi project http://www.jamovi.org) and SigmaPlot (Systat Software, Inc., CA) statistical software. One- and Two-Way ANOVA and ANOVA on Ranks followed by the post-hoc t-test were used to determine statistical significance in observed changes. Throughout the study the mice and their food were weighed at regular intervals to track how the stress and/or viral infection affected their food consumption and weight. After the month of stress, the mice were sacrificed, and key organs (heart, brain, spleen, and stomach) were collected to evaluate tissue-specific expression of genes of interest. Additionally, blood was drawn to characterize the systemic distribution of leukocytes via flow cytometry. Plasma was separated from the blood for analysis of systemic levels for markers of the endocrine (cortisol) and immune (cytokine) responses. Post-stress challenge statistically significant differences in leukocyte subset distribution were observed between the non-infected and infected animals. Additionally, a significant decrease in overall food intake throughout the stress period between the stressed and non-stressed groups based on viral infections as well as the viral and non-virally infected groups based on stress. Differences in gene expression for genes encoding Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, Brain Natriuretic Peptide, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Alpha, and Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase along with both Ghrelin and its receptor, Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor within the heart. Changes in gene expression were also observed for the Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor within the brain in addition to changes in Ghrelin mRNA levels in both the brain and stomach. Altered plasma levels of cytokines were observed in groups subjected to stress and/or viral challenges in comparison to control group. Collected data suggests chronic stress in the setting of the immune stress response negatively impacts the heart and decreases Ghrelin expression in the heart.
    • Clergy Spirituality: A Spiritual Balance Construct for Cultivating Awareness of the Nature of Clergy Spiritual Well-Being

      Thomas, Audrey Banks; McAfee School of Theology
      This study sought to cultivate awareness of the nature of spiritual well-being and balance amongst clergy persons and provide a framework for addressing clergy spiritual health through the propagation of a spiritual balance construct and associated lexicon. The construct consists of four dimensions that form a framework for evaluating clergy spiritual health. The four construct dimensions were experiential, intellectual, social, and institutional. The intent of the research was to determine if immersion into this spiritual balance construct, to include engagement in associated spiritual practices and introduction of a common lexicon, resulted in increased awareness among clergy persons of the nature of spiritual well-being and balance. The qualitative ethnographic method with pre- and post-instruction semi-structured interviews was employed to conduct the study. Six associate pastors, active in ministry, participated in the research and were instructed on the construct over the course of five one-hour teachings. Each of the construct dimension teaching sessions included an associated spiritual practice exercise. These exercises were lectio divina, Bible and scholarly reading, spiritual service, and one-anothering. The four categories that emerged from the research findings were Defining Clergy Spiritual Well-Being, Importance of Clergy Spiritual Well-Being, Maintaining Clergy Spiritual Well-Being, and Assessing Awareness. Post-instruction research findings indicated that immersion into the spiritual balance construct did indeed beget increased awareness. Recommendations for future research include expanding the spiritual balance construct to include element-specific prescriptive spiritual disciplines. Another recommendation, based on research participant responses, entails exploring the possibility of adding an additional element to the construct that would represent clergy self-care (physical, emotional, mental) and family care. It is also recommended that the tool be used in spiritual direction as the foundation for the covenant agreement between the director and directee. To evangelize the tool, as well as respond to concern for clergy spiritual health, seminars, retreats, and a spiritual formation curriculum inclusive of deep engagement with the spiritual balance construct are recommended.
    • Closing The Gap Between Surviving And Thriving: Designing Interventions For Adaptive Change With The Vision Implementation Teams At Augusta Road Baptist Church

      King, William Mattison
      The reality of a post-Christendom world has resulted in the church losing its place in American society and culture. If the church is to understand this time of disruption, it must recognize the Holy Spirit’s work within it. When a congregation finds itself in uncharted territory, unequipped to live into its vision, it must determine how to address the adaptive challenges it faces so that its vision can be realized. Augusta Road Baptist Church has served Greenville, South Carolina for ninety-five years. After a season of conflict, declining membership, and the unexpected loss of key leadership, a season of vision has allowed the congregation to ask how it can adapt to live into a thriving future. Utilizing the principles of Adaptive Leadership Theory developed by Ronald Heifetz, this thesis tests the potential of an adaptive change process to facilitate the first steps of congregational vision implementation. Sixteen Augusta Road Baptist Church leaders were oriented to the principles of Adaptive Leadership Theory and asked to put them into practice. Through team meetings, these participants diagnosed technical and adaptive challenges facing the church, chose an adaptive challenge to address, and designed interventions to develop adaptive capacity within the congregation to help it live into its vision. Participants were also presented with spiritual reflections to facilitate the recognition of the Holy Spirit’s work in leading disruption and adaptation. After introducing the research context and problem, this thesis traces the biblical, theological, and historical tradition of the Holy Spirit’s role in driving the church to adapt as it bears witness to Christ in changing and challenging contexts. It then explores the impact of an adaptive change process on project participants. It follows project participants as they design interventions for achieving congregational vision, recognize the work of the Holy Spirit in congregational life, and develop adaptive capacity. Finally, this thesis concludes with possibilities for utilizing this adaptive change process across all ministries at Augusta Road Baptist Church and in other congregations that find themselves in adaptive moments.
    • Cognitive And Behavioral Consequences Of Mobility For Fifth-grade Students In A Large Metropolitan School District

      Clayton III, Wayne Franklin
      School mobility increases the likelihood that students will experience low academic achievement, more discipline infractions, absenteeism, grade retention, and a higher propensity to drop out of high school compared to students who are nonmobile. The purpose of this quantitative ex post facto study was to examine the cognitive and behavioral implications of mobility on a group of fifth-grade students. A nonexperimental, quantitative, ex post research design was used to collect and analyze data to answer five research questions that guided the study. Archival school and state data were collected, as well as College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores from 2012 and 2013 for 35 elementary schools in one school district. The researcher selected 2,195 fifth-grade students to participate in the study, with 450 students selected as the sample. The results from the study suggested that there were no statistically significant differences in the CRCT mathematics scores of mobile and nonmobile fifth grades. Moreover, findings indicated that there were no statistically significant differences in the CRCT reading and mathematics scores of mobile fifth-grade students who transferred to either a low-performing or high-performing school. Results also showed that there were no statistically significant differences in the number of discipline referrals and the number of days of out-of-school suspension of mobile and nonmobile fifth-grade students. However, there were significant differences found in the CRCT reading scores and grade-point averages of mobile and nonmobile fifth-grade students. Also, findings suggested that there were significant differences in the CRCT reading and mathematics scores of mobile fifth-grade students who transferred to either a low-performing or high performing school. Lastly, findings indicated significant differences in the number of days absent and the number of days tardy of mobile and nonmobile students. Due to the limitations of the study and findings from the analysis of data, the researcher suggested a qualitative study for future research.
    • Collective Leadership: Making Space At The Leadership Table For The Marginalized Members Of Robertsville Baptist Church

      Scott, Brian Keith
      ABSTRACT COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP: MAKING SPACE AT THE LEADERSHIP TABLE FOR THE MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF ROBERTSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH Robertsville Baptist Church members reflect the changing face of Oak Ridge, TN. Over the years, members consisted of families with two parents and children; working adults who had sufficient income to increase wealth and affluence; an educational background and work experience that equipped the church to staff numerous committees; and a devotion to the institution of church that kept the building filled with people. Within the last ten years, newer members to the church experience different kinds of marginalization. Whether it is related to housing, employment, education, or health, more residents of Oak Ridge and members of Robertsville experience the effects of marginalization. With an aging population of established members, the search for leadership on committees is becoming difficult. The problem is marginalized new members are not seen as viable participants in leadership. They are excluded from the Leadership Table. The Leadership Table is the metaphor that portrays who is seated at the table in leadership. The project seeks to discover the reasons why marginalized new members are excluded from the table. Are preconceptions of marginalized people influencing who is xirecruited for leadership? Or, is it a matter of trusting established members to be productive leaders? Additionally, the project introduces a collective leadership model to provide Robertsville with a mechanism for being inclusive of marginalized new members in leadership groups. Collective leadership operates according to principles like forming leadership groups that are intentionally diverse; making space for the lived experiences of others to have a voice in leadership; and providing a way for both directive and collaborative styles to operate together. The qualitative research approach used included interviews and group meetings. Personal stories of experiences and field notes from pilot committee meetings provided material for data. Exit interviews showed growth in committee members’ view of leadership, leadership groups, and the “other.�? A more inclusive perspective to all three emerged among the committee members. In the future, a more practical guide should be developed to assist churches in implementing a collective leadership model. Also, an investigation of how Baptist polity and spirituality is conducive to an inclusive leadership culture should yield fruit. xii
    • College Impact: A Quantitative Study Of Institutional Predictors Of Completion Rates At Four-year Private Institutions

      Cromwell, Lori Wright
      ABSTRACT LORI WRIGHT CROMWELL COLLEGE IMPACT: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF INSTITUTIONAL PREDICTORS OF COMPLETION RATES AT FOUR-YEAR PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS Under the direction of EDWARD BOUIE, Ed. D. The unique tension caused by the interdependent relationship between access, affordability, and sustainability adds an additional level of complexity for administrators in balancing societal educational needs, economic realities, and institutional success. Trends suggest postsecondary six-year degree completion remains stagnant despite most full time students receive some form of student aid. Despite higher education institutions spending more money competing for enrolled students, delay in the successful completion of program requirements remains a challenge and a priority across most institutions. This study targets persistent problems of college completion in the United States by examining the predictive role of institutionally controlled factors on institutional quality as defined by completion rates. Using the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the sample included institutions with Carnegie classifications as four-year, private, non-profit colleges. Degree-granting with full-time, first-time undergraduate students, and eligible to participate in federal student aid programs were also considered. The study included 509 institutions (n=509), 35 independent variables including structural, institutional allocations, and institutional resources, dependent variable graduation rate, and control variables percent of Pell grant and the total amount of Pell grant awarded with data ranging from 1996-97 to the 2015-16 academic years. Descriptive statistics, two-step cluster analysis, principal components analysis, along with multiple regression analysis was used to determine which, if any, institutional factors selected as independent variables significantly predict graduation rates. The study confirmed differences exist between clusters. As a result, linear regression analysis was used to ultimately determine for institutions included in cluster one institutional components are not predictive of six-year graduation rates. Resources per capita seem to matter for this group, although not predictive of six-year graduation rates. Likewise, institutional component resources per capita did significantly predict graduation rates for institutions in cluster two and three. As a result, the findings of the study largely support college impact literature theorized conceptually in the between-college framework detailed by previous research models of student involvement. These models and study suggest student characteristics and experiences in the college/institutional environment influences those outcomes.
    • Coming Off The Bench : Coaching The Leadership Team To Lead At Refuge Church In Perry, Georgia / By Billy Dwain Thomas.

      Thomas, Billy Dwain
      Abstract Billy D. Thomas, Sr. Coming off the bench : coaching the leadership team to lead at Refuge Church in Perry, Georgia Under the direction of Robert N. Nash, Ph.D. Benchwarmers exist in the local church as much as they exist in baseball. There are those who enter the church with dreams of doing great ministry, but who soon find themselves sitting on the bench watching the game. They have accepted a relationship with Jesus Christ, joined a local fellowship and discovered comfort on the bench. I was catapulted off the bench when I became the founding pastor of Refuge Church in 2004. In the beginning I was the coach, pitcher, and catcher, as well as the water boy. Nevertheless, during the last ten years Refuge has become a wonderful fellowship. The purpose of this study evolved as individuals joined Refuge with a desire to be on the team and I was unsuccessful in bringing them into the game. The study was designed to establish a strategy for leadership development at Refuge. I not only wanted to create a leadership development process, but also to enact a functional change in all of the leadership roles. A leadership team (LT) structure does exist at Refuge, but this has generally consisted of persons who held a position, but have not been trained to develop their ministries. Amazing things have been accomplished during the first ten years of Refuge. By focusing on these accomplishments, the Leadership Team can begin to see the potential of the future. By using the Appreciative Inquiry model, the LT can enhance its ability to lead by evaluating its gifts and assets as well as those of the congregation, and by articulating a vision for the church in light of these gifts and assets. This ministry project endeavored to answer two questions concerning the LT at Refuge: 1. How can individuals be equipped, empowered and encouraged to understand their competency as leaders of specific ministries at Refuge through an Appreciative Inquiry Model project? 2. What alterations in leadership style can the Pastor employ to empower the LT to perform their ministries at Refuge? The empowerment process was difficult for the pastor who has held the primary leadership position at the church for ten years. Therefore, the pastor was a participant in the leadership training sessions and personality studies to assist in this process. The project used a qualitative study method of Appreciative Inquiry (AI). With this method of study, this project attempted to develop a new culture of leadership at Refuge by instituting a training protocol for the LT. Leadership Team members participated in an Appreciative Inquiry Summit (Spring Training) for four weekends. During this time they experienced a personality inventory, attended group training events, read one book and participated in a personal coaching session with the pastor.
    • Comparative Analysis Of Two Prosthetic Foot Designs Using Cyclical Load Testing And Cad Simulation

      Haislip, Tyler
      ABSTRACT COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TWO PROSTHETIC FOOT DESIGNS USING CYCLICAL LOAD TESTING AND CAD SIMULATION Under the direction of Dr. Ha Vo One major obstacle in developing lower limb prostheses is the complexity of the ankle complex. The purpose of this study is to test an old prosthetic foot, which provides stability but little movement, and a modified design that sacrifices some stability for improved range of motion at the ankle. To stay within Mercer’s international mission of low-cost prostheses, the design must be entirely mechanical in operation and comprised of easily accessible materials. Both the previous C-Shape model and the new “Spring-Foot�? model were fabricated using conventional tools in the College of Engineering machine shop and prosthetic lab. The feet were fatigue tested in an MTS system for 75,000 cycles to simulate walking for one month. C-Shape axial displacement values increased from 2mm at the beginning to 3mm at the end. The Spring-Foot had an initial max displacement of 0.6mm and ended with 0.9mm. Pre-load results from the MTS test were compared against theoretical and ANSYS values. The theoretical and ANSYS values of 231 and 250 N were close while the MTS pre-load of 600 N suggests that there were factors missed in the simulation. ANSYS Static Structural Analysis was used to compare the aluminum loading block with a polypropylene alternative under high loading conditions. Differences in vertical deformation of the two blocks were negligible, reaching only 1 mm under extreme conditions. Solidworks simulation was used to fatigue test the springs for a set displacement to compare to the MTS results. The results proved inconclusive, with the interior coils of the spring surpassing the yield stress of the material. A locked-ankle walking test was generated qualitative feedback as well as pressure and force values through MatScan software. Neither foot had a normal walking pattern, with the peak forces registering 750 N in the C-Shape stance and 650 N in the Spring-Foot stance. Lastly, a formula was derived for future spring selection with varying patient weight. Improving the realism of the testing conditions and creating more secure spring connections will yield more relevant feedback and will better showcase the effect of daily cyclical loading on the plastic pieces and spring connections.
    • Comparing Mathematics Achievement Scores : Face-to-face Versus Online Delivery / By Ami Lenderman

      Lenderman, Ami
      Ami Lenderman Comparing mathematics achievement scores: face-to-face versus online delivery Under the direction of Vincent W. Youngbauer, Ph.D. The purpose of this quantitative study was to explore the relationship between the use of online courseware at Georgia Virtual School as an instructional delivery method and student achievement of 9th and 10th grade mathematics students as measured by Mathematics I and Mathematics II End of Course Test (EOCT) scores. The knowledge of an increase, a decrease, or having no statistically significant difference in student mathematics achievement of students who satisfy the Mathematics I or Mathematics II course requirements through online courseware when compared to students who satisfy the same requirements in the traditional, face-to-face classroom setting would be beneficial to many educational stakeholders. The two research questions that drove this study were: 1) How does 9th grade student achievement on the Mathematics I EOCT of students in the traditional classroom setting compare to the scores of students taking Mathematics I through online courseware in Georgia?; and 2) How does 10th grade student achievement on the Mathematics II EOCT of students in the traditional classroom setting compare to the scores of students taking Mathematics II through online courseware in Georgia? To address these research questions, the researcher selected the chi-square contingency table as the statistical test. The statistically significant results indicate that there is an association or relationship between mode of instruction for Mathematics I and Mathematics II and student achievement.
    • Compensatory Hypertrophy Enhances Renal Uptake Of Mercury

      Matta, Kayla Elizabeth
      Approximately 15 % of the adult population in the United States has been diagnosed with some degree of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is characterized by a progressive and permanent loss of functioning nephrons. Following this loss, the remaining functional nephrons undergo compensatory changes including increased renal blood flow, increased single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR), and cellular hypertrophy. We hypothesize that compensatory hypertrophy of proximal tubules leads to an increase in the uptake and accumulation of xenobiotics and toxicants, such as mercury (Hg). Mercury is a ubiquitous environmental toxicant to which humans are exposed through various routes. Patients with CKD may be more susceptible to Hg and thus, it is important to understand how Hg is handled in the kidneys of these patients. We hypothesize that hypertrophied proximal tubular cells take up more Hg and are also are more sensitive to the toxic effects of Hg. To test this hypothesis, we used New Zealand White rabbits and Wistar rats. Cellular uptake of Hg, as a conjugate of glutathione (GSH; GSH-Hg-GSH), was measured at the basolateral membrane of isolated non-perfused proximal tubules from control and nephrectomized rabbits. Differences in mercury uptake at the cellular level were measured in control and hypertrophied S2 segments of proximal tubules by measuring several biochemical parameters of GSH-Hg-GSH uptake. Expression of selected enzymes was assessed in unexposed control and hypertrophied tubules using quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Effects of Hg on the entire kidney were measured in kidneys from rats injected intravenously with HgCl2 (0.5 µmol/kg/2 ml). Specific laboratory techniques utilized were the Glutathione Colorimetric Detection Assay, TBARS (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) Assay, qPCR, and Western Blot. Collectively, our findings show that hypertrophied tubules take up and accumulate more Hg than normal tubules. Also, hypertrophied cells appear to be more sensitive to the toxic effects of Hg than normal cells. These data provide important information regarding the altered handling of mercuric ions in patients with renal insufficiency due to chronic kidney disease.