School of Graduate Studies and Research
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Graduate Studies and Research offers a diverse array of 16 master’s and five doctoral degree programs across four academic colleges.
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Item A case study analysis exploring the impact of ninth grade interventions and student outcomesKenney, DeShawn Renee'ABSTRACT Ninth grade is typically the year in which many adolescents become disengaged from school; consequently, problems with student truancy, absenteeism, disengagement, and failure often begin in the ninth grade year. Transitional problems in ninth grade also dramatically increase the likelihood that a student will drop out of high school before graduation (Alspaugh, 1998). Schools must look at ways to restructure the freshmen year to ease the transition of adolescents into high school and to improve their chances of earning a high school diploma. To aid in addressing/reducing the problems plaguing ninth graders, intervention programs that are designed to boost academic success are being sought. The purpose of this comparative case study is to provide descriptive analysis of Ninth Grade Interventions and student outcomes and the relationship to the Stage Environment Fit Theory. An analysis was conducted of three case studies to develop a common theme on the effects of Ninth Grade Interventions. Results did not yield a statistically significant relationship between ninth grade interventions and student achievement. Recommendations for future research included the need for a longitudinal study that explores ninth grade interventions at the end of four years, or even beyond high school.Item A case study analysis: assessing the impact of leadership practices and training on student achievement in special education programsBecton, Veronica L.ABSTRACT Special education has mystified and alarmed educators, parents, politicians and the government for decades. Mediocre special education programs, staggering test scores and limited progress towards meeting standards have caused the federal government to require states to implement several mandates. Despite the federal and state mandates the problem has not been resolved. If anything, the problem has been acerbated. School leaders have been inundated with new responsibilities placing added pressure on themselves, educators and students. All while students with disabilities continue to struggle to meet reading and math standards. The purpose of this study was to examine the leadership style and formal training of special education school leaders to determine the impact on the academic achievement of students with special needs. A single case study from Denver, and two case studies from Florida were analyzed for this case study analysis. Results from the study showed an increasing need to improve administrative leadership certification programs to better prepare school leaders to evaluate and assess the needs of special education programs. The results also revealed that when school leaders have the education and training to lead effective inclusive schools, student achievement improves.Item A comparative case study analysis of the impact of leadership on distance education in higher educationHolmes, Terrell D.Leadership is incredibly important to the stability and effectiveness of an institution of higher learning. As change is necessary in higher education, like advancements in distance education, there is a need for a dynamic leader to lead the organization to be successful in that change. The leader must have the appropriate leadership skills and attributes in order to lead the faculty and administrators into an effective and quality distance education environment. Since higher education is reluctant to change, the implementation of that change can be challenging. The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of leadership on distance education in higher education. In this comparative case study analysis, three case studies will be analyzed to determine what type of leadership, leadership attributes and skills are needed to properly implement change like distance education in higher education. Results of this analysis show there is a need to collaborate with all faculty and administrators and to offer incentives to increase participation and buy-in to distance education in higher education.Item A comparative case study analysis of the successful transition from alternative programs into traditional education programsCole, Elizabeth TABSTRACT Due to the increasing need to provide educational alternatives for students regardless of their behavioral difficulties, alternative schools are becoming more commonplace in the educational realm. Since many students will become students in these sort of schools, it is important to determine the common experiences of students who were successful in alternative schools. The purpose of this study was to find the commonalities among students who have successfully transitioned from alternative programs back into traditional education programs. A comparative case study analysis was undertaken in which three case studies were analyzed to determine the commonalities among successful alternatives school students. The three case studies involved in the analysis were: Jones (1999), Case studies of students transitioning from an alternative school back into high school; Toliver (2010), A case study of student and leadership team perceptions of a metro Atlanta alternative school program: selected educational factors which impact student achievement as measured by high school completion; and Scipio (2013) Alternative education: A comparative case study of the behavior modification programs of two upstate South Carolina alternative schools for youth who exhibit behavior that is disruptive. Each case study found that the most important indicator of student success in alternative schools was the development of a caring relationship with an adult within the school. The studies also suggested that it was important for an alternative school to remain small with small class sizes as well. Using the commonalities, the researcher developed suggestions for further research as well as recommendations for addressing alternative schools as a whole.Item A Comparative Case Study Analysis of The Teachers’ Perceptions Causing the Overrepresentation of African American Males in Special EducationAllen, TaraThis comparative case study analyzes the overrepresentation of African American males in special education. The overrepresentation of African American children and youth in special education programs for students with learning disabilities, severe emotional or behavioral disabilities, and mental disabilities has remained a persistent reality, even after nearly 50 years of discovery and research. The disproportionality of African American students is one of the most critical problems in the field of special education within the United States (Skiba, 2006). African American males have historically been overrepresented in all categories of special education (Harry and Anderson, 1994). Twice as many African American male students in the United States are receiving services for Emotional Disturbance as their Caucasian counterparts. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (2004) (IDEA) established the legal guidelines for the protection of students with disabilities. The literature has identified a variety of theories to answer why African American males continue to be overrepresented in special education. The review of literature presents the history of this issue, the history of IDEA, and shows how legislation has fallen short in decreasing the overrepresentation of African American males in special education. The examination of overrepresentation of African American males in special education and the factors that may contribute to this disproportionality frame this case study. This case study analysis explores the factors that influence the overrepresentation of African American males in special education programs. This comparative case study analysis will answer the following research questions: Question 1 What factors contribute to the overrepresentation of African American male students in special education? Question 2 What is the association in teachers’ roles, perceptions, and demographics with the overrepresentation of African American males in special education programs? The researcher has dissected several reasons and factors that have caused this disproportionality, such as socio-economic status of the student, student demographic, teacher’ perceptions of African American males, lack of cultural responsiveness training for teachers, teacher demographics, and the teacher’s role in the referral process of special education.Item A comparative case study analysis: effects of mentor practices on new teacher retentionCampbell, Shelita LaCherylTeacher attrition rates continue to rise at an alarming rate, which contribute to budget problems and decreased educational school quality. Unfortunately, about one-third of all new teachers decide to leave the classroom within the first three years (Darling-Hammond, 2003; Ingersoll, 2001). Half of new teachers do not make it through the fifth year of teaching (Ingersoll & Smith, 2003). The purpose of this case study analysis was to determine which mentoring strategies had the most influence on teacher retention in hopes that these effective strategies can be duplicated later in other settings to promote best practices. Three case studies were examined to explore how mentoring programs will be utilized and its impact on new teacher retention. The research and findings related to these three case studies investigating induction, mentoring program components and new teacher retention had varied results. The findings show that mentoring provides opportunities for networking and classroom competency along with incorporating opportunities for teacher participation, autonomy, and collegial collaboration. These kinds of teacher supports influenced new teachers’ beliefs about their profession and commitment to their career. Mentoring programs also provide new teachers with a security that makes them feel better about staying in education in their early years.Item A frontotemporal dementia and motor neuron disease mouse model of tdp-43 proteinopathyHarmon, AshleyMotor neuron disease (MND), of which amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one example is a neurological disorder that involves the progressive loss of motor neurons. The death of these motor neurons leads to a loss of voluntary muscle control that can affect speaking, walking, breathing, and swallowing leading eventually to death. There is currently no cure for ALS therefore understanding mechanisms associated with the progression of this disease is crucial to developing a treatment. Transactive response DNA binding protein of 43kda (TDP-43) functions as a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) and is the major pathological protein in frontotemporal dementia (FTD, 50%) and sporadic ALS (95%). Mutations in TDP-43 account for ~5% of familial ALS cases. In a subset of cases with TDP-43 proteinopathy, patients clinically display both frontotemporal temporal dementia and motor deficits (FTD-MND). We have characterized an age-dependent decrease in motor function associated with pathological changes in mice selectively driving TDP-43 expression in the spinal cord and brain using a neuronal-specific (Prion) driver. Expression of a nuclear localization defective (NLS) TDP-43 mutant in spinal cord and brain showed severe motor deficit and significant changes in anxiety in 16-18 month old mice. Although there was a relatively late onset of symptoms compared to the human disease, that may be related to the low level of exogenous TDP-43 expression, these models may provide a better understanding of TDP-43 proteinopathies leading to the development of therapeutics to target these devastating diseases.Item A Molecular Precursor Solid-State Route to Inorganic NanoparticlesHwang, Po-YuIron Pyrite (FeS2) has been the center of development to obtain a high efficiency, low-cost, earth-abundant and environmental-friendly photovoltaic absorber materials in the field of solar research for many decades. Many studies have offered explanations attempting to solve the conundrum, but, between the innate and unsolvable stoichiometric and phase instability challenges and the contradictory conclusions, no effective solution has been made to address pyrite’s failing to reach its theoretical capability. Iron germanium sulfide (Fe2GeS4) has recently emerged as a potential thin-film photovoltaic absorber material to replace its binary predecessor. With the introduction of the third element, germanium (Ge), the new ternary material was theorized to confer better thermal stability while improving with better band-gap and retaining the favorable low-cost of production traits enjoyed by iron pyrite. This work proposes a facile solid-state synthesis route to obtain high-quality, phase pure Fe2GeS4 nanoparticles from molecular precursors undergoing mechanical mixing and a two-hour annealing procedure under a sulfur-rich atmosphere. Analysis of the resulting Fe2GeS4 product has demonstrated good thermal stability under elevated temperatures (up to 500 ˚C), and the elimination of the phase coexistence challenge in comparison to pyrite. A comprehensive phase shift mechanism of iron chalcogenides and a Fe2GeS4 reaction mechanism is proposed to supplement the discussion of pyrite’s phase instability. A facile thin-films fabrication is designed by undergoing further mechanical processing and annealing treatment and is revealed that Fe2GeS4 withstands high temperature in the thin-film device.Item A qualitative simulation of blood flow through an elastic cerebral saccular aneurysm using an immersed boundary methodSutton, BrielleFluid dynamics has been used to simulate blood flow through major arteries of the human body (e.g. aorta and carotid) for advancement of medical technology. This dissertation is directed towards blood flow through a saccular aneurysm attached to a cerebral artery and the effects that the velocity and force of the blood flow have on the aneurysm wall. The two-dimensional nonlinear incompressible Navier-Stokes equations are solved on a staggered Eulerian grid to determine the flow of blood through the artery and aneurysm. An immersed boundary method is utilized to enforce solid boundaries. Subsequently, these nonlinear equations are coupled with the dynamic equation for the motion of an elastic body using an implicit second-order finite-difference scheme on a Lagrangian grid. An efficient and effective numerical program is created that simulates blood flow through a moving artery and its adjoining aneurysm.Item A study of instructional methods of an English composition course and its relationship to freshman student achievement and retention at a historically black college/universityOldenburg, Evita NicoleThis Comparative Case Study Analysis will carefully investigate the significance of interactive instructional methods and their effects on Freshman students’ academic performance and engagement in the classroom. In addition, the observation of student achievement and retention will reflect the differences in lecturing versus an active learning classroom environment in Higher Education composition courses. Interactive instructional methods can be used to create a more connected classroom environment. Most importantly, student learning and participation can increase all the while being thoroughly entertained in class.The Research Design, Study Participants, Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Significance of each of the three case studies are observed to provide evidence and outcomes of techniques used to increase student academic performance. Case Study One entitled The Prediction of College Student Academic Performance and Retention: Application of Expectancy and Goal Setting Theory on student academic performance through purposeful learning and goal setting. Case Study Two entitled A Case Study of Cooperative Learning and Communication Pedagogy: Does working in teams make a difference? provides insight on an active learning instructional method and the enhancement of student engagement and positive outcome of academic achievement, retention, and GPA. Case Study three entitled Learning Environment, Interaction, Sense of Belonging and Student Success in Ethnically Diverse Student Groups can be used to show the link between active learning and the retention of minority students as well as the enhancement in their GPA. Each of these case studies play a significant role in demonstrating the importance of student engagement in the classroom.Item A Study on the Numerical and Analytical Solutions of Complex-Variable Partial Differential EquationsMoore, Matthew NeilIn this work, we consider the analogue of a real-variable partial differential equation. In comparison to what has already been thoroughly investigated, recall the non-linear Schrodinger equation (NLSE). The NLSE, which is used in determining the wave equation for quantum particles, is a real-variable PDE with complex coefficients. Instead, we consider equations where both the function $\omega$ and its independent variable $z$ belong to the complex plane. We approach the complex problem by an intuitive approach of treating a one-complex variable differential equation as a two-real variable partial differential equation by analyzing the real and imaginary parts of both $\omega$ and $z$. We investigate thoroughly the first-order complex PDE case and prove the existence and uniqueness theorem for these types of equations. We also investigate the analytical solutions by considering the complex-variable Laplace transform, which can be thought of in parallel as a two-variable Laplace transform with in $\mathbb{R}^2$. Upon completion of the first-order case, we consider the higher order complex-variable PDE. We discuss both the direct way of solving higher-order equations via systems of real-variable PDE’s and also via first-order systems of complex-variable PDE’s, in which we implement the methods of the previous topics. As a direct consequence of the higher-order differential equation solution method, we also discuss an alternative method of evaluating complex contour integrals via a real-variable partial differential equation evaluation. To conclude, we consider the time-dependent complex variable PDE analogues of the advection and wave equations, we briefly discuss multi-complex variable PDE’s and methods that we plan to investigate in the near future.Item Adult atlantic sturgeon (acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) habitat use and run-size in the Hudson River Hyde Park Reach, NYComer, Amy MarieSturgeons (Acipenseridae) including the Atlantic Sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus) are among the most threatened family of vertebrates. In the United States, Atlantic Sturgeon were listed under the Endangered Species Act in 2012. The listing delineated five Distinct Population Segments (DPS), four of which were classified as endangered (New York Bight (NYB), Chesapeake Bay, Carolina, and South Atlantic), while the Gulf of Maine was listed as threatened. Overall, Atlantic Sturgeon populations are significantly reduced from historic levels as a result of overfishing, habitat loss, and pollution. In the Hudson River, Atlantic Sturgeons population size has been affected heavily due to overfishing in the late 1800’s. For recovery of the species, it’s important to understand their habitat requirements. The first objective of my thesis was to assess adult Atlantic Sturgeon habitat use during their annual spawning migration while on purported spawning grounds. During 2013 and 2014, I surveyed the Hyde Park Reach of the Hudson River, NY using side-scan sonar which is a non-invasive sampling option. In this region, Atlantic Sturgeon selected for sand and muddy sands with sands substrates. Within the study site, hotspots of Atlantic Sturgeon were delineated in the middle of the reach just south of Esopus Island, and in the southeastern portion of the reach near Rogers Point. These likely spawners used multiple sediment types while in the riverine environment. The results of this study suggest Atlantic Sturgeon use the Hyde Park Reach as a possible spawning and staging site. These results also suggest that sediment type is not the only variable that is driving Atlantic Sturgeon presence. My second objective was to estimate the 2014 likely spawners run size of Atlantic Sturgeon using Swept-Area and N-mixture modeling. Estimated run-size abundances in the Hyde Park Reach using swept-area were 113 – 188 Atlantic Sturgeon (95% CI’s 74-275) for four-three consecutive surveys between 06/11/14 – 07/02/14 while N-mixture estimates were 171 – 306 Atlantic sturgeon (95% CI’s 75 – 560). It is important to note that these estimates do not account for individuals occurring in the other spawning sites in the Hudson River. Comparing the two models, the N-mixture model produced estimates at approximately 1 – 2.3 times larger than swept-area estimates per time-period, likely due to the large variation in daily count data. In the case of a highly mobile species such as the Atlantic Sturgeon, it may be prudent to increase site sizes to include average movement of sturgeon, which would help to meet the assumptions of N-mixture modeling, and reduce variation in model estimates. Through my research efforts, I have been able to successfully sample Atlantic Sturgeon while on proposed spawning grounds with a non-invasive technology, which allowed for fine-scale habitat and behavior information during an important life stage that is currently not well understood. Gaining insights into the Hyde Park Reach as a possible spawning and staging location, will help to serve as important with future management efforts. Furthermore, understanding that sediment type may not be the only important factor while adult Atlantic Sturgeon are in the riverine environment and that habitat features near spawning grounds may want to be considered when developing management actions and the critical habitat designations in the riverine environment. Data from this thesis further underscores the need to identify and protect critical habitats thereby fostering conservation and recovery of this imperiled species. Finally, through this research I was also able to integrate side-scan sonar and acoustic telemetry as an effective approach for estimating run-size abundance of in the Hyde Park Reach of the Hudson River. The approach presented here appears to be a viable option and can be fitted for Atlantic Sturgeon or other large species in other river systems, which could aid in the restoration of this endangered species.Item An Evaluation of a Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) Parent-reared Release in South CarolinaHaley, RyanNorthern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) have experienced large, range-wide declines mainly attributed to the loss of early-successional habitat. Bobwhite population recovery is predicated on sound habitat management. Even when adequate habitat exists, low bobwhite densities and limited dispersal capabilities may limit population recovery. Restocking techniques, including release of pen-reared birds, wild bobwhite translocation, and the use of wild-strained, parent-reared captive-raised bobwhites have been explored as surrogates to natural recolonization. In this study, I evaluated survival and reproduction of parent-reared bobwhites, compared to resident bobwhites, on a private property in South Carolina from April 2009-April 2013. I used a sequential modeling approach to evaluate adult survival and nest survival using Program MARK. Bobwhite survival was best explained by temporal (annual and weekly) effects and group (parent-reared vs. resident) effects. Weekly bobwhite survival for both parent-reared and resident bobwhites was too low to produce a stable population. Parent-reared bobwhite survival was lower than resident bobwhites during the first 3 weeks post-release but similar during later weeks. Parent-reared bobwhites released in August had higher survival (S = 0.884, 95% CI = 0.862, 0.903) than birds released in early fall (S = 0.707, 95% CI = 0.621, 0.782). Nest survival and other reproductive parameters for parent-reared and resident bobwhite were similar. The viability of the parent-reared release system as a restocking technique is limited as currently constructed and future modification is needed if it is to produce a viable bobwhite populationItem An examination of Historically Black Colleges And Universities’ (HBCU) intercollegiate athletic directors’ utilization and effectiveness of resources to foster student-athlete academic success: a comparative case study analysisPerkins, LouisThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between athletic directors from Historically Black Colleges and Universities and how they differ in utilization of resources to foster positive academic outcomes within their athletic departments. The primary goal of this study is to make recommendations for Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the National Collegiate Athletic Association leadership facing similar issues with limited resources and poor academic ratings within their athletic departments. This study sought to answer the following research questions: 1. What is the perception of the utilization of resources at Historically Black College and Universities for Athletic Directors? 2. What are the beliefs and attitudes of Historically Black Colleges and University Athletic Directors Athletic Directors towards academic success? This qualitative analysis was conducted applying within-case and cross-case analyses, as well as with the ATLAS.ti 8 software. From this analysis three themes emerged. First, there are acknowledgements of resource dipartites. Second, influences of Revenue/Funding were a major factor. Third, insufficient financial resources are the primary cause for student-athletes to struggle academically.Item An Examination of Nurse Educators’ Experiences with Clinically Failing StudentsMaloney, Jeanmarie CarneyABSTRACT This research describes the experience of nursing educators who have assigned an earned falling clinical grade to nursing students. The fundamental activity of the nursing educator in the clinical setting is clinical teaching or clinical instruction. The nursing educator guides, encourages, facilitates learning, and ultimately evaluates a nursing student’s clinical performance. Clinical evaluations are one of the most challenging aspects of being a clinical nursing educator. Using a case study construct guided by the Self Determination Theory, seven nursing educators were interviewed to examine their personal experiences that surrounded the process. Three questions drove the research: 1. What is the lived experience of nursing educators who have administered an earned clinical failing grade to a nursing student(s) in an associate degree nursing program? 2. What motivated these nurse educators to assign a deserved failing clinical grade? 3. What is the personal impact on the nursing faculty when they experience a clinically failing student? The data was entered into the Atlas Ti8 software and three major themes were identified: the role of nursing educators, criteria used in clinical grading and challenges faced in grading students. One anticipated theme that did not emerge was that of assigning blame on previous educators. This research did reinforce and identify the need for support and guidance when assigning an earned failing clinical grade.Item An examination of recreational angling for sharks in Delaware watersJohnson, SymoneRecreational angling targeting prohibited shark species (e.g. Sand Tiger (Carcharias taurus) and Sandbar (Carcharhinus plumbeus) Sharks) has increased in Delaware, raising concerns about the population status of these species. In an attempt to help address these concerns, my thesis had two objectives: to better understand recreational anglers’ perceptions of and interactions with prohibited sharks; and to explore gear modifications that result in minimizing harm to shark species caught during recreational angling. To achieve my first objective, I developed an angler survey with the goals of: 1) improving our understanding of threats to sharks, 2) identifying potential solutions to threats of shark conservation, and 3) improving fisheries management of sharks through reduced injury or mortality. The survey highlighted the need for improved accuracy in species identification and compliancy with best angling practices and/or regulations as threats to shark conservation. My findings suggest that resource managers may modify their approaches to reduce injury or mortality of sharks through increased angler education and training, K-12 education, social media campaigns, and increased enforcement. Building upon this, I examined the efficacy of experimental (blocker) longline gangions compared to control gangions for reducing damage to individual Sand Tiger and Sandbar Sharks during capture events. Over a three year period (2012-2014) comprising of 153 longline sets, I landed 493 Sand Tiger and 240 Sandbar Sharks. Overall catch rates of Sand Tigers (p = 0.024) and Sandbar Sharks (p = 0.013) were reduced on the experimental gangions. Gear type had a marked impact on hooking location (p = 0.003) for Sand Tigers as the overwhelming majority (96.3%) of gut hooked Sand Tiger individuals were encountered on control gangions. The use of blocker gangions shows much promise in minimizing risk of injury for Sand Tigers captured during longline surveys. In the case of Sandbar Sharks, there were no incidents of gut hooking in the entire study suggesting that the risk of injury from gut hooking is minimal for the species. The marked decline in gut hooking rates with Sand Tigers noted with the use of the experimental gangions underscores its potential use as a tool to reduce injury risk and to improve post-release survival prospects. It is well understood that a healthy marine environment provides direct and indirect economic awards and healthy shark populations are a key point in these environments. I hope my efforts to provide insights on angling preferences and practices in Delaware, as well as a potential tool for use in the angling community, will help foster increased recovery prospects for these important species.Item An examination of the effect of teacher professional development and teacher practices on student writing achievementLawanson, Olayemi OlubankeThe purpose of this study was to examine the effect of teacher writing focused professional development and teacher practices on student writing achievement. The researcher also examined the relationship between continuous teacher professional development and teacher writing practices. Using non-experimental, non-probability sampling, the researcher selected three pre-existing case studies in which the researchers investigated the outcome of professional development on teachers’ writing content knowledge, writing and pedagogic proficiency. The studies also examined the effect of the professional development models on student achievement. Using a point-by-point comparative method, the researcher thoroughly analyzed and compared the three case studies in order to identify common thematic elements. Findings from the comparative analysis indicate that majority of the teacher participants’ pedagogical and content knowledge increased as an outcome of professional development activities. The students of participating teachers also experienced increased writing academic achievement as an outcome of the teachers’ participation in professional development.Item An investigation of the relationship between school culture and leadership behavior on organizational commitment moderated by social identity for public school administrators in the mid-atlantic regionChioma, Dr. ErinnGeorge Washington Carver says all learning is understanding relationships; the importance of relationships is undervalued in the field of education. Teachers and leaders have relationships that are inter-locking. The U.S. could build amazing schools if school leaders could tap into the power of those relationships. Social Identity helps to negotiate relationships. The relationships that ensue from our identities are crucial to human connections; those interactions inspire and motivate relationships. Given the increasing problems with teacher turnover and retention rates, it is important for educators to acknowledge social identifications and to develop practices which thoughtfully react to the inter-relational aspects of those identifications. Given the current issues within our educational structures discourses on human connections and relationships are important. The concepts of Social Identity Theory, Social Identity Theory of Leadership, Organizational Culture Theory, and Organizational Commitment Theory provided the research’s framework. The strength of school culture, level of transformational school leadership, and level of organizational commitment were the units of analysis. The research used the Culture Self-Esteem Survey, Multi-Factorial Leadership Questionnaire, Organizational Commitment Questionnaire and School Culture Triage Survey to answer three research questions that guided the research: 1) To what extent is there a relationship between leadership behaviors, school culture and organizational commitment 2) To what extent does social identity mediate the effects of leadership behaviors, school culture, and organizational commitment and 3) Does stronger social identity enhance organizational commitment between school leaders’ behaviors and school culture? The self-administered questionnaire containing the survey’s instruments and a demographic survey was administered to 159 teachers. The quantified data of both descriptive and inferential analysis indicated that a statistical relationship exists between leadership behaviors, school culture, social identity, and organizational commitment. This research advances the role of Social Identity Theory of Leadership within educational research frameworks. The study supports collective influences as encouraging relationships, discourses, and engagement. The findings suggest that we cannot exclude the importance of context in tailoring goals that transform schools to high-achieving institutions. The findings encourage institutional and political sensitivity in response to current transformations of social life as it pertains to our personal and collective social identities.Item Analysis of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy & fluorescence anisotropy measurements of fluorescent nanoprobes in linear polymer solutionsM'RAH, ZakariaWe combine fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) , fluorescence anisotropy (FA) and fluorescence imaging microscopy methods to measure the rotational diffusion and the translational diffusion of fluorophores mixed in non-fluorescent –hence “invisible”- aqueous Linear polymers solutions under thermal fluctuations. We measured changes of the emission spectrum, the lifetime, and the apparent rotational and translational diffusion coefficients of the fluorophores with systematic increase of the polymer concentration up to 1200 mg/ml for PEG and up to 120 mg/ml for PVA, at room temperature. The spectrum and the lifetime appear to be insignificantly altered by the polymer solutions. The fluorescence correlation functions can be readily fit with the expression describing normal particle diffusion. We then determine changes of the apparent rotational and translational diffusion coefficients with systematic increase of polymer concentration. Notably, the changes cannot be accounted for by the corresponding changes of the bulk viscosity of the linear polymer solutions as would be suggested by the Stokes-Einstein relations for both diffusion coefficients. Instead, we analyze the data with the entropic model proposed by de-Gennes and fit each set of data with a stretched exponential [exp(-αcn)] with n being related to the quality of the solvent. The fits yield n-value close to 3/4, suggesting a good behavior of the host polymer-water system. Moreover, the α-value for translation is similar to that of rotation, indicating similar local entropic effects on the rotation and translation, which is predicted by the model.Item Astrocytic expression of TDP-43 results in non-cell autonomous changesCarter, Deidre LynnTAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein that regulates gene expression, RNA stability, and is involved in shuttling back and forth from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. TDP-43 is predominantly localized to the nucleus. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) is a major astrocyte marker whose expression increases when astrocytes are activated. We have developed a mouse model that selectively and conditionally expresses a defective nuclear localization signal of TDP-43 (NLS) under control of the astrocytic GFAP promoter to investigate pathological outcomes and non-cell autonomous effects of TDP-43 mis-expression. We hypothesize that GFAP/TDP-43NLS mice will show non-cell autonomous changes in neurons caused by expression of TDP-43NLS in astrocytes. In order to characterize this model of astrocyte expression, an exon array was used to examine global changes in RNA expression/splicing in the spinal cord of two-month old mice. In addition, immunohistochemistry in both two-month old and six-month-old mice reveal age-dependent changes in myelin basic protein. At two months of age GFAP/TDP-43NLS mice display functional changes in memory, which may be associated with the changes in myelination observed. Primary cortical neuron/astrocyte co-cultures expressing TDP-43NLS exclusively in astrocytes show a significant decrease in neurons (as shown by III-tubulin immunoreactivity) compared with littermate controls. These data suggest that astrocytic expression of TDP-43NLS alters neuronal function both in vitro and in vivo. This study may provide insight and a better understanding of how astrocytic accumulation/aggregation of TDP-43 contributes to neurodegeneration.