• 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.
    • Consensus Definition of Self-Love: A Delphi Study

      Underwood, Jack; College of Professional Advancement
      CONSENSUS DEFINITION OF SELF-LOVE: A DELPHI STUDY Abstract This study produced a consensus definition of self-love, counseling uses, and outcomes. Self-love is a concept written about but minimally researched. Research investigating a definition of self-love includes the dissertations of Patrick (1982), Freedman (1995), Irvani (2007), and Samiei (2015). These authors define self-love based on comprehensive reviews of research and psychology literature, philosophical underpinnings, theoretical frameworks of Erich Fromm and Carl Rogers, and a panel consultation of psychologists. This study sought to establish a valid research definition of self-love through the use of the Delphi research method. Fully licensed counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and a psychiatrist comprised the initial 25-member Delphi expert panel. The consensus definition of self-love was constructed largely with components of self-care, self-worth, self-acceptance, and unconditional positive self-regard. A distinct panel outcome, was the consensus that self-love is both an individual and dual process, revising previous literature suggesting the dual process model only. The panel produced near perfect consensus on two definitions of self-care that were extremely important to the definition of self-love: a practice of self-compassion and self-empathy, and the act of nurturing the whole self. Three research questions were utilized to produce an initial definition of self-love which then went through the multiple iteration process to reach the consensus definition for the study. The panel agreed on 20 ways a definition of self-love can be used in counseling in addition to 23 positive outcomes that might be associated with clients who receive counseling focusing on self-love. Keywords: self-love, Delphi, research validity, expert panel, consensus agreement
    • Contributions of the N and C – Termini of Varicella – Zoster Virus Portal

      Nale Lovett, Dakota J; School of Medicine
      The VZV portal protein is a multimeric protein found at a single vertex of the viral capsid that is essential for encapsidation (packaging) of viral DNA. All viruses within the herpesvirus family contain structurally homologous portal proteins. PORT compounds have been shown to target herpesvirus portal proteins and show potential as broad-spectrum herpesvirus antivirals. We are specifically interested in the interaction of PORT compounds with the VZV portal since the activity of our compounds against VZV was shown to be in the single nanomolar range. Unfortunately, VZV portal structure has yet to be resolved by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) due to complications with size and aggregation. We aimed to observe the effects of pORF54 (VZV portal protein) terminal truncation on virus viability to determine the minimal portal protein that can be used for structural analysis. Six recombinant viruses containing N and C- terminal mutations were created using bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) technology and targeted recombineering to create the mutant VZV strains. PCR was used to engineer stop codons at 29, 49, and 75 AAs from the C-terminal end. In addition, a second set of recombinants was constructed where the first start codon of the 769 AA pORF54 open reading frame was deleted creating a 40 AA N-terminal truncation. Sequencing of all mutant strains confirmed the expected changes for the ORF54 gene and also that no gross off-target mutations occurred. All constructs showed a similar restriction digestion pattern, upon gel electrophoresis, compared to the parent BAC, pOKA, suggesting the mutant genomes were stable. Mutagenized BACS were used to create infectious viral stocks after lipofectamine-based transfection into ARPE19 cells. Viruses with non-functional mutations in pORF54 were transfected into ARPE54 (complementing) cells, that constitutively express wild-type pORF54. The ∆29, ∆49, N40∆29, and N40∆49 viruses were replication competent in ARPE19 cells. Replication characteristics suggested that some of these viruses grew less efficiently in vitro. Overall, we confirmed that a protein of 679 AAs can form a functional viral portal. This portal multimer may represent a strong candidate for detailed structural studies.
    • Coping with Death and Grief: Mount Zion Baptist Church Widows' Stories

      Bright, Eddie Lee; McAfee School of Theology
      ABSTRACT EDDIE LEE BRIGHT COPING WITH DEATH AND GRIEF: MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH WIDOWS’ STORIES Under the direction of DENISE M. MASSEY, PH.D. Three widows were selected from Mount Zion Baptist Church to participate in my thesis project on Death and Grief. Their stories are individually told respectively as shared by them during the interview sessions. Although a semi-structured format was used and open-ended questions were asked, their stories are conveyed in this writing through a narrative as opposed to a verbatim style. Three widows were chosen and deemed sufficient to satisfy this project and to attain the data necessary to organize the Death and Grief Ministry. Two distinctive criteria existed among the chosen participants: (1) Widows had to have been married more than half their years of age when their husbands died. This criterion enabled the project to specifically examine the effect a loss of a husband has on a widow in a relationship that lasted more than half of the existence of her life. (2) Widows must have had the same husband the entire length of their marriage, without separation and/or divorce, regardless of whether the remarriage was to the former husband. This project empowers widows to share their stories, including their thoughts and feelings concerning how their spouses’ death has affected them. Because the narration comes directly from the widows, the uniqueness of each woman’s plight has been demonstrated. These widows’ stories will also be used to educate the congregation and community on how to cope with death and grief based on their shared experiences and stories. The long-term intention of this project is to institute a Death and Grief Ministry at Mt. Zion.
    • COUNSELING EDUCATION’S THEORY ON COUNSELING INDVIDUALS WITH SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS

      Cespedes, Hanna Watson; College of Professional Advancement
      Severe mental illness (SMI) impacts one out of five individuals in the United States (CDC, 2022) and counselors provide over 60% of care to these individuals (ACA, 2014). The field of counseling focuses on building a working relationship with clients through emphasizing strengths, wellness, and empowerment (ACA, 2014); yet little is known on how counseling education utilizes these concepts with individuals diagnosed with SMI. Furthermore, there is a lack of research on how this topic is approached within counseling education training programs. This study utilized the constructivist grounded theory model to identify how the field of counseling education theorizes counseling individuals with SMI. The results from this study reveal an intricate model of how counselor educators and counselors in training approach this topic within academic spaces. The significance of the present study offers unique intervention opportunities for these same training programs and for the field of counseling education.
    • Counseling Self-efficacy And Counselor-in-training Anxiety: The Moderating Role Of Mindfulness

      Koth, Kristen Heather
      Mindfulness has been suggested as a predictor in counselor self-efficacy and has been shown to have a negative correlation with anxiety.� However, the relationship between anxiety and counselor self-efficacy with the possibility of mindfulness playing a moderation role has not been examined.� This study examined the relationship between counseling self-efficacy and counselor-in-training anxiety and the potential moderating effect of mindfulness.� Master’s level counselors-in-training were surveyed using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), the Trimodal Anxiety Questionnaire (TAQ), and the Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES) (N = 156). Levels of anxiety, counselor self-efficacy, and mindfulness were obtained and a Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients revealed significant pairwise relationships between the three variables.� A moderated path analysis supported the hypothesis that mindfulness is a significant predictor of anxiety and self-efficacy.� However, results indicated that mindfulness was not a moderator of the relationship between anxiety and counselor self-efficacy. Implications for the use of mindfulness as part of counseling program curriculum are discussed.
    • Critical Consciousness: A Measurement Tool For English To Speakers Of Other Languages (esol) Teachers In U.S. K-12 Education

      Simmons, Camelle L.
      Critical consciousness is an increasingly important component of pedagogy. However, the measurement of critical consciousness among teachers remains underdeveloped, partly because of the absence of psychometric testing of appropriate scales. In this study, the researcher adapted and tested Diemer et al.’s Critical Consciousness Scale, which was developed for students, with a sample of 178 ESOL teachers. The theoretical context for the study was pedagogical social justice theory, particularly as developed by Freire, which suggests that critical consciousness is likely to be highly developed in educators who, like ESOL teachers, are well-situated to understand the relationships between power, knowledge, and practice. Psychometric testing revealed that the Critical Consciousness Scale as adapted for teachers (a) possessed an internal reliability of .91; (b) consisted of three factors (each with an eigenvalue greater than 1), corresponding to critical reflection on perceived inequality, critical reflection on commitment to egalitarianism, and sociopolitical participation; and (c) was highly right-skewed, indicating that most ESOL teachers had a high level of critical consciousness. The findings were interpreted in light of pedagogical social justice theory, which predicts that the nature of ESOL teaching develops critical consciousness in educators. The study findings confirmed that the Critical Consciousness Scale can be utilized with teachers, thereby supporting future empirical research on critical consciousness.