• A Study Of The 501(c)(3) Tax-exemption Law Pros And Cons And Its Effect On Community-based Church Institutions

      Lewis, Michael Todd
      The research study explored how community-based church institutions fulfilled its inherent Biblical mission in compliance with the dual pro and con dimensions of the 501(c)(3) tax-exemption law. The research investigated Pastoral knowledge of the 501(c)(3) program through phenomenological interviews as well as areas of improvement to 501(c)(3) policies that govern community-based churches as nonprofit organizations. The study further examined legislative and judicial controversies created by the 501(c)(3) revenue law dual dimensions against tenets of First Amendment church protection rights. The reviewed literature offered insight that framed this qualitative study. The research discovered that churches experienced little if any obstructions to preaching the Gospel or ministering to parishioners while complying with 501(c)(3) program policies. Community-based church pastoral leaders recognized having minimal knowledge with the 501(c)(3) program policies but exhibited sufficient understanding to make informed decisions. Conversely, church pastoral leaders’ perspectives varied on how legislative influence prohibitions imposed by the 501(c)(3) revenue code are upheld over First Amendment church protection rights. Some pastors viewed the 501(c)(3) prohibition as legal while others chose First Amendment rights as the preeminent law. The divergent views of church leaders give credence to existing governing conflicts for nonprofit churches manufactured by two incongruent legal documents.
    • Ablation of Dorsomedial Striatum Patch Compartment Results in Modification to Reward-Driven Behaviors in Rats

      Ahn, Jamin Paul; School of Medicine
      The striatum is a neural structure that plays a critical role in cognitive functions, behavioral decision-making, and reward generation. The striatum exhibits a heterogeneous composition, containing neurons belonging to the patch compartment—which is thought to be involved in habitual reward-related behaviors—surrounded by neurons belonging to the matrix compartment—which is thought to be involved in adaptive motor control. Additionally, the striatum is further subdivided into the dorsolateral striatum (DLS) and the dorsomedial striatum (DMS), each with their own patch and matrix compartments. The DMS has been associated with goal-oriented behavior seen during the initial stages of addiction. Conversely, the DLS has been associated with habitual behaviors seen during late-stage addictive behaviors that are inflexible. It is thought that drug addiction is initially mediated by the DMS before DLS activity becomes predominant. Previously, it has been shown that the patch compartment of the DLS is necessary for development of habitual behavior, but the role of the patch compartment of the DMS is less clear. Our study intends to demonstrate that selective ablation of DMS patch compartment neurons results in a significant impact on the initial development of reward-driven behaviors during the early stages of drug seeking behavior. Since patch compartment neurons express a high level of mu-opioid receptors compared to the surrounding matrix, we used dermorphin-saporin to target patch compartment neurons in the DMS and DLS for ablation. Following infusion in the DMS or DLS with dermorphin-saporin or vehicle-only infusions, rats were trained to self-administer cocaine on a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement, starting with fixed ratio of 1 and ending with a fixed ratio of 5. Ablation of the patch compartment of the DMS resulted in an increase in early-stage lever pressing, suggesting that the DMS patch compartment contributes to reward-driven behaviors in a way that offers support for the parallel model of DLS/DMS activity. Future studies may investigate the relationship between DMS and DLS patch/matrix compartments through measuring or inducing activity in the DMS patch while the animal undergoes behavioral training. Methods for such a study may include optogenetics, Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), or microelectrode arrays.
    • Accepting The Challenge: Factors That Contribute To Improving Degree Completion Rates Of Hispanic And African American Stem Majors

      Thomas, Dawn Nadine
      Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines are imperative for the advancement of critical knowledge, assurance of national security, strengthening of community infrastructures, and the physical and psychological well-being of individuals and families. The purpose of the research was to determine if differences existed in institutional characteristics which attributed to improvements in the degree completion rates of Hispanic and African American STEM majors. The study centered on the problem of the underrepresentation of minority students completing degrees in STEM. This quantitative study used one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and mixed-method ANOVA to test archival data. Tests of within-subjects and between subjects were used for each research question to demonstrate if there was a statistically significant difference between Hispanic American, African American and White STEM students. The researcher selected 39 Research I STEM institutions in the United States where at least one-third of conferred bachelor’s degrees were awarded in STEM fields and had at least 70% overall six-year undergraduate graduation rates for all populations. The researcher examined precollege achievements, financial opportunities afforded to minorities, minority recruitment, institutional minority programs, summer bridge programs, and institutional plans of action. The IPEDS and institutional websites provided data for this study. The results conclude a gap exists among the degree completion rates of Hispanic and African American STEM students and White STEM students. The researcher found statistical evidence to suggest minority recruitment programs and implemented institutional plans of action for minority improvement contributed to increased degree attainment rates for minority STEM majors at the selected institutions. Future research could examine if the variability can be related to the amount of interaction between minority STEM faculty and minority STEM students; institutional partnerships with industrial leaders designed for financing minority STEM student’s education; mentorship programs with minority alumni and/or minorities employed in STEM professions; and earlier exposure to the STEM pipeline beginning with elementary school programs. These recommendations will allow trackable data to be analyzed and may lead to more statistically significant results.
    • Accumulation and Toxicity of Mercury-Cyanide Complexes

      Ford IV, Earl Gilmore; School of Medicine
      Mercury is a heavy metal toxicant found in numerous occupational and environmental settings. A major source of mercury pollution in environmental settings comes from the occupational use of mercury in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). ASGM utilizes elemental mercury (Hg0) for extraction of gold from ore, which leads to Hg0-contaminated tailings. These tailings are often reprocessed with cyanide (‾CN) to extract residual gold. Hg0 reacts with ‾CN to form mercury-cyanide (Hg(CN)) complexes, which are released into the environment with discarded tailings. These complexes create numerous environmental and health problems. To assess the disposition of Hg(CN)2 complexes in mammalian systems, wistar rats were injected with 0.5 mol/kg mercury chloride (HgCl2) or Hg(CN)2. Each injection solution contained radioactive mercury ([203Hg2+]) and/or radioactive cyanide ([14C]-NaCN). After 24 h, animals were euthanized and organ samples were collected for determination of Hg(CN)2 content and for histological analyses. To assess the disposition of Hg(CN)2 complexes in an aquatic organism, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were exposed to various concentrations of Hg(CN)2 and accumulation in both whole fish and specific organs was measured. The current data show that the disposition of Hg(CN)2 in zebrafish is similar to that when rats were exposed to HgCl2. Interestingly, when rats were exposed to NaCN alone, the uptake was significantly less than that of rats exposed to Hg(CN)2. Experiments using adult zebrafish showed that Hg(CN)2 accumulates readily in fish. Zebrafish embryos exposed to Hg(CN)2 experienced alterations in developmental processes. The current data provide important information about the handling of Hg(CN)2 complexes in mammalian systems and aquatic organisms.
    • Activity And Mechanism Of Action Of Way-150138 Against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2

      LINDSEY, PHILLIP TY
      Resistance to currently approved drugs and a medical need to treat beta and gamma herpesviruses merit the identification and development of alternative drug therapies for herpesviral infections. Previous research has suggested that a novel class of small molecule thiourea analogs target the UL6 portal protein of HSV-1 and HSV-2, disrupting the replication cycle during the viral DNA encapsidation process. Specifically, WAY-150138 compound was shown to have notable inhibitory effect against HSV-1. The compound’s reported lack of efficacy against HSV-2 remained puzzling considering the high amount of genetic conservation shared in the portal protein between HSV-1 and HSV-2. The studies presented in this thesis sought to resolve this issue. Viral yield assays were conducted for multiple strains of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in the presence of compound, and viral titers were calculated via direct plaque assay on Vero cell monolayers. Contrary to previous studies, WAY-150138 exhibited a similar inhibitory effect against both HSV-1 and HSV-2. To further investigate the molecular mechanism of thiourea compounds that target encapsidation, the HSV-2 portal homolog, encoded by the UL6 gene, was used to generate an rb-BAC-pUL6 protein. After full-length expression of the portal protein in a recombinant baculovirus system, sucrose gradient fractionation provided samples containing enriched amounts of pUL6 for further biochemical analysis.
    • Adult Siblings Of Individuals With Developmental And Psychiatric Disabilities: Relationship Quality, Coping, And Plans For The Future

      Rice, Margarita Velez
      The following study examines the experience of adult siblings of individuals who have developmental and psychiatric disabilities. Using a mixed methods research design, the researcher evaluated 84 self-reports of adult sibling relationship quality, coping strategies, and responses to qualitative questions regarding relational characterizations and expectations for the future planning and care for brothers and sisters with special needs. This study identified significant correlations between warm sibling relationships and coping strategies. A thematic analysis of the qualitative responses revealed themes that created complementarity to the quantitative findings and indicate directions for future research.
    • Aesthetics, The Purpose Of Education, And The Process Of Schooling / By Claire Amy Schultz.

      Schultz, Claire Amy
      Abstract Claire Amy Schultz Aesthetics, the purpose of education, and the process of schooling Under the direction of Vincent W. Youngbauer, Ph.D. In the American education system, approaches in schooling methods are closely tied to pragmatic and positivistic theoretical paradigms, relying on universalized and generalized curricula, where the performance of an individual is displayed in quantifiable terms. High-stakes testing and other quantitative performance measures limit pedagogical practices and curriculum theory, resulting in the economy managing curricula. A purpose of this qualitative research project is to initiate and contribute to a conversation about the purpose of education and the process of schooling. This study developed a theoretical framework with aesthetic and antiaesthetic lenses to examine students’ perceptions of schooling and education. The process of schooling and the purpose of education are discussed in this research through a hermeneutical heuristic in the context of the developed theoretical framework of aesthetics. Data were collected using an open-ended survey instrument. Follow-up interviews with participants helped to clarify some of the responses from the initial survey data. The results of this research indicated that the student participants conflate schooling and education. Economic concerns were most prevalent in the data collected, suggesting that the purpose of education and the process of schooling are for the narrow purpose of obtaining employment. This research examines this link and offers insight to shifting the curriculum theories that drive the current trends of pragmatism and positivism in education toward an aesthetic viewpoint.
    • African American Clergy Engaging In Pastoral Care And Counseling And Affirmative Counseling With Sexual Minorities

      Estelhomme, Cherry D.
      This qualitative research study will look at how African American Pastors and clergy members offer effective Pastoral Care and Counseling and Affirmative Counseling regardless of their theological understanding of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, in the context of Biblical interpretation, morality, and civil rights. In the African American community, clergy members are frequently viewed as the binding agent that holds all things together, including influencing family stability and areas of social concern. These clergy members have been tasked with counseling parishioners who are dealing with some of the most complex questions and patterns of thought, including political issues of social, racial, and economic equality. African American clergy members tend to preach scriptural texts from a literal point of view especially regarding sexual morality and have traditionally been strongly opposed to same sex marriage (Robertson, & Avent, 2016). These same ethnic minorities were accused of perpetrating the same discrimination that has held down their own disadvantaged racial communities. (Brown, 2007). However, for many of these clergy members, the debate has not always been about civil and/or legal rights, instead the argument against same-sex marriage had more to do with Biblical interpretation and moral standings (Barnes, 2013; Waweru, 2009). Keywords: African American, clergy, Pastor, The Black Church, marriage, same-sex marriage, Pastoral Care and Counseling, Affirmative Counseling/Therapy, interracial marriage, homosexual, homosexuality, homophobic, heterosexual, heteronormative, heterosexist, gender, pastoral care, race, religion, theology, Biblical interpretation, morality, civil rights, race relations.
    • African American Millennial College Students' Appraisal Of Failed Attempts At Pursuing Student Leadership Opportunities / By Michael Gary.

      Gary, Michael
      Millennials college students report more mental health problems. Research about Millennial college students often neglects the experiences of Millennials college students of color. African American Millennial college students’ experience mental health issues as their third major cause of death by suicide, with the leading predictor being depression. The study explored the lived experiences and coping responses of African American Millennial college students who have faced failed attempts at obtaining student leadership positions, as well as the appraisal processes students utilize while going through this experience. The researcher employed a qualitative method to explore this phenomenon by conducting a thematic analysis using data collected via a semistructured interview questionnaire to determine (a) In what way do African American Millennial college students appraise the lived experience of a failed attempt at a student leadership position? and (b) How do African American Millennial college students at one Historically Black College or University describe their coping responses to a failed attempt at a pursuing a student leadership position? 1. The researcher inquired about Millennials' (a) Character and Desire to Achieve; (b) Experience and Reaction to Not Being Selected; (c) Reaction about Process and Purpose for Student Leadership Roles; (d) Personal Retrospect: Ability to Cope and Express Oneself; (e) Reaction/Response to Loss or Failure; (d) Actualization and Self-Evaluation; and (f) Emotional Support and Closure. The themes that emerged were: (a) Passionate, Outgoing, and Persistent; (b) Disappointed and Self-Deprecating; (c) Desire to Advocate, Inspire, and Influence; (d) Feels Defeated, Doubtful, Inadequate, and Discouraged; (e) Copes Reclusively in Order to Refocus and Move-On; (f) Self-Actualization Leads to Evaluation, Expression, and Blame; and (g) Lacks Emotional Support and Desires Closure. The students were passionate about pursing leadership positions, yet ended up with feelings of anger, hurt, disappointment, incapability, and sadness. Nonetheless, the students did not convey behaviors of entitlement. Participants reported working to resolve feelings of depression and anxiety by withdrawing from campus life (avoidance coping) to gain perspective regarding their failed attempt, which suggests anxiety and depression are prominent among African American Millennial college students.
    • Am I Enough?: A Mixed-Methods Investigation of the Academic Influences of Black Women in Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Programs

      Williams-Whitley, Ashley Nicole; College of Professional Advancement
      Despite the high retention rate and challenges of program preparation, counselor education programs are inevitably challenging previous approaches to ensure that students are staying in their programs (Denecke et al., 2017; Evans et al., 2018; Zhou & Okahana, 2016). The purpose of this study is to establish a foundation by identifying the factors that lead to academic achievement among Black women in counselor education and supervision programs. This study used a convergent mixed-methods approach using a One-Way ANOVA and Grounded Theory to identify and examine emotional exhaustion, microaggressions, peer mentorship, and supportive networks as academic influences that affect the retention and matriculation process of Black Women in Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral programs. The theoretical framework used Brooks’ (1994) Critical Race Theory (as used in the educational context) and Collin’s (1989) Black Feminist Theory to understand experiences and outcomes through the lens of Black women. Results, implications, and future research were discussed