Master of Science (MS), Wright State University, 2024, Chemistry

Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) small molecules have dominated the literature for their use in OLED devices. The use of TADF polymers has been employed to correct for processing issues that small molecules face, providing increased thermal stability and supportive electronic structures. A TADF chromophore based on a 2-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-benzothiazole-carbazole donor-acceptor pair was synthesized via a copper (I) catalyzed reaction. The chromophore exhibited peak absorption at 340 nm and emission at 477 nm. The resulting chromophore was incorporated into a poly(arylene ether) (PAE) backbone via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS) with 4,4'-biphenol, 4,4'-difluorodiphenyl sulfone, and 2-(2,6-difluorophenyl)-benzothiazole as comonomers. UV/Vis analysis of the polymers in solution in NMP found that peak absorption values ranged from 319 nm to 340 nm. Fluorescence of the polymers found peak emission ranging from 452 nm to 456 nm. Absorption and emission characteristics of polymers are attributed to incorporation of the chromophore. Analysis by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) determined that the addition of chromophore to a BPDPS backbone decreased glass transition temperatures and improved glass transition temperatures in BP-BTZ polymers when content was increased from 10% to 15%. The final blue-emitting polymers reflected the benefits of increased thermal stability seen in other PAE species as well as the retention of photophysical properties observed by the blue-emitting TADF chromophore.

PhD, University of Cincinnati, 2024, Nursing: Nursing - Doctoral Program

Background: Stroke is one of the major chronic illnesses that require major adjustments in the stroke survivor's life. With over 795,000 people in the United States having a stroke each year, only 10% of stroke survivors can function independently. As a result, the quality of life of stroke survivors can be significantly impacted. Growing evidence suggests that providing proper care during the first-year post-stroke is critical and challenging. Furthermore, limited evidence exists regarding how individual and environmental characteristics may inform the determinants of stroke survivors health-related quality of life. Methods: Guided by a conceptual model derived from Ferrans'(2005) Health-Related Quality of Life model, this dissertation consisted of three papers. The first paper was a rigorous integrative review of the literature regarding factors influencing the health-related quality of life of stroke survivors during the first-year post-stroke. The second paper was a non-data-based paper that discussed the ramifications and ethical considerations associated with using proxy responses to examine the health-related quality of life of stroke survivors. The third paper was a secondary analysis of baseline data from a large randomized controlled clinical trial testing the efficacy of the Telephone Assessment and Skill-building Kit (TASK II Program) involving 254 stroke family caregivers. Data were analyzed to determine the associations between individual and environmental factors, biological function (number of strokes, depression diagnosis, chronic conditions), and symptoms (thinking, language, vision, energy) on stroke survivors health-related quality of life functional status (physical, mental, role). Findings: In the first paper, 22 studies published from January 2013 to December 2023 provided support for Ferrans' model detailing associations among individual characteristics, functional disability, and symptoms as the most salient factors that impac (open full item for complete abstract)

EDD, Kent State University, 2024, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Foundations, Leadership and Administration

For over 100 years, youth mentoring has grown to be an evidenced based prevention strategy for youth, demonstrating positive youth outcomes through strong relationships with caring adults. While trusting relationships are the mainstay of the positive impacts achieved through mentoring, the difficulty in recruiting volunteer adults has not met the steady increase of needy children and has encouraged the mentoring field to expand beyond the one-on-one mentoring model. In response to this challenge, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County (BBBSLC) has developed innovative mentoring programs to allow for an increased reach and involvement for more youth. In this light, the purpose of this study was to identify and characterize its youth and adult volunteer participants. Through a quantitative study of application data and youth risk/protective outcome surveys at BBBSLC, the following research questions were addressed: (a) what are the characteristics of youth that seek community-based programming; (b) what are the characteristics of adult volunteers that seek to participate in programming; and (c) what are the predictive drivers of youth and adult volunteers that contribute to meaningful and successful community-based matches? Data were collected from youth and adult mentor enrollees from 2018–2023. Results indicated most prevalent descriptors for both adult volunteers and youth enrollees and data variables for predictability of being matched. Implications and recommendations for practice were also included. I have emphasized the importance of these expanded forms of mentoring in conjunction with one-on-one mentoring in order to achieve positive youth outcomes for the greatest number of children.

Master of Science in Environmental Science, Cleveland State University, 2017, College of Sciences and Health Professions

Ranunculus ficaria L., an ephemeral perennial invasive plant brought over from Europe, is becoming widespread throughout the Northeastern United States. This herbaceous buttercup is able to create extensive dense mats that limit native species growth. Taking advantage of an early growing season and rapid reproduction rates, this species can create dense monocultures, which threatens native communities and ecosystems. Elimination of native spring ephemerals results in decreased biodiversity. A better understanding of how R. ficaria responds to site characteristics is needed to prioritize management efforts toward high-risk sites. Ranunculus ficaria abundance and reproductive output (seed, bulbil and tuber production rates) were examined in plots spanning a disturbance gradient away from a river. Site characteristics (PAR, aspect, soil pH, soil moisture, texture and nutrient content) were investigated to examine their role in plant performance. I hypothesized that soil characteristics (pH and nutrient availability) drive R. ficaria plant performance; specifically I expected higher biomass and reproductive output to be associated with higher soil pH. I also expected reproductive output and R. ficaria biomass would be highest in moist floodplain at intermediate distances from rivers. Many soil nutrients and characteristics were significantly related to biomass and reproductive output; specifically phosphorus, calcium and LTI (Lime Test Index) all showed significantly positive relationships with plant biomass and bulbil counts, while soil pH was significantly positively related to biomass. Bulbil and tuber counts were significantly higher in soils of high percent silt. These findings suggest that soil characteristics (pH, texture) and nutrients (P, Ca) are strongly linked to plant performance, supporting my hypothesis. Reproductive output and R. ficaria biomass were not significantly greater at intermediate distances from rivers, in contrast to my hypothesis. A (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Nursing Practice , Case Western Reserve University, 2016, School of Nursing

Abstract This study describes the clinical nurse leadership skills of operating room nurses. Despite intense focus on patient safety cultures, two of the top ten reported sentinel events to the Joint Commission from 2012 – 2014 occurred in the surgical environment: unintended retention of foreign objects and wrong patient, wrong site, wrong procedure surgery. With leadership identified as a significant root cause for operating room error, no research exists to support evidence based practice specific to clinical nurse leadership at the bedside of the patient. This descriptive, correlational study will provide information regarding clinical nurse leadership within the operating room environment. This study will draw on the conceptual model of staff nurse clinical leadership by Chavez and Yoder to hypothesize the relationship amongst the variables of interest: (1) clinical nurse leadership competency, (2) certification in operating room specialty, (3) organizational culture, and (4) years of operating room experience. The hypothesis for this study is that clinical nurse leadership competency will be greater in operating room nurses within Magnet accredited institutions or specialty certification or greater than ten years of operating room experience. The Leadership Practice Inventory® tool will be used to evaluate clinical nurse leadership in operating room nurses. This is the first study to examine clinical nurse leadership skills of nurses in the operating room environment. Findings may provide evidence to support leadership training for operating room nurses making safety decisions that are essential to preventing patient errors.

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2014, Sociology

This study examined how adolescent sexual experiences and relationship characteristics influence the likelihood of engaging in sexually non-exclusive relationships during emerging adulthood. Prior studies established that factors, such as sexual history, relationship status, quality of the relationship, and substance use influence sexual non-exclusivity independently. Few studies have examined all these predictors of sexual non-exclusivity. Moreover, few research studies examine the effects of adolescent experiences in conjunction with these known correlates. The current study will address these concerns. I used data from the first through fifth interviews of the Toledo Adolescent Relationship Study to examine the role of adolescent experiences on sexual non-exclusivity in young adulthood. Findings indicated that adolescent sexual partnerships, drug and alcohol use in young adulthood, and lower relationship satisfaction increased the likelihood of reporting sexual non-exclusivity during young adulthood.

Master of Arts (MA), Bowling Green State University, 2009, German

The purpose of this study was to examine the portrayal of the World War Two “Nazi” figure and the World War Two “German” figure as portrayed in Chaplin's The Great Dictator, Capra's The Nazis Strike, and Hitchcock's Lifeboat. Research of each figure's portrayal in media through the late nineteenth and early twentieth century revealed that “Germans” possess strength, are portrayed as the non-enemy, are focused, and are able to solve problems. In contrast the “Nazi” is barbaric, militaristic, villainous, the enemy, and uses vile brutality to fulfill the mission of the war.By examining the three films I determined that although each film is of a different genre and year, each director similarly portrays the “German” characteristics and “Nazi” characteristics through different aspects of propaganda including the polarization of the enemy, a call for action and the American victory. In addition to the portrayal of the “German” and “Nazi” figures through propaganda techniques, I illustrated how each director uses interactions of other figures with these characters to show the differences between the “German” and “Nazi.” Finally I offered suggestions for additional research on images of the enemy that would further extend the concepts analyzed in this thesis.

Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, 2009, Sociology

The major aim of this dissertation was to investigate how negative spillover shapes mental health status. Following the stress process model, this study also explored whether and how sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., race, gender, and age), family characteristics (i.e., length of marriage/cohabitation, spousal/partner support, and presence of children), socioeconomic resources (i.e., education, income, mortgage-payer status, renter status), and work characteristics (i.e., total work hours, job tenure, skill discretion, decision authority, coworker support, and supervisor support) moderate the relationship between negative spillover and mental health. Data were analyzed from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States 2004-06 (N=1,430) and the key outcome measures were depressive symptoms and anxious mood. With respect to depressive symptoms, the major findings indicated that negative work-to-family spillover increased symptoms. Other findings indicated that the deleterious effects of negative work-to-family spillover were moderated by gender and spousal/partner support, wherein men and individuals with higher levels of spousal/partner support experiences lower levels of depressed mood. While negative family-to-work spillover did not have main effects on depressive symptoms, this type of spillover was moderated by spousal/partner support, which acted as a protectant against spillover even in the case of high levels of negative family-to-work spillover. Similar to depressive symptoms, negative work-to-family spillover increased anxious mood. Moreover, the effect of negative work-to-family spillover on symptoms of anxiety was moderated by length of marriage/cohabitation. Lengthy married or cohabitating relationships reduced the impact of negative work-to-family spillover on anxious mood. Negative family-to-work spillover was not related to anxious symptoms; however, despite the lack of main effects, age did moderate the relationship between th (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2024, Educational Studies

Each year in the United States, an estimated 57.8 million adults and 7.7 million children experience mental health issues with far-reaching implications (National Alliance on Mental Illness [NAMI], 2023). Despite our increased awareness in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which both exposed and exacerbated the problem, access to services remains severely limited for 163 million Americans living in Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas (NAMI, 2023). There is an insufficient supply of mental health providers in America, and an additional 8,251 practitioners are needed immediately to adequately meet the needs of the people (Health Resource & Services Administration [HRSA], 2023b). However, this deficit will not be resolved soon, as nearly half of mental health practitioners currently report intentions to leave their employment (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2023). Furthermore, resolving the shortage will require more than hiring additional mental health professionals (HRSA, 2023b). Compared to the larger workforce, mental health providers have a higher risk of experiencing detrimental occupational outcomes (Cocker & Joss, 2016; Ledoux, 2015; Ondrejkova & Halamova, 2022; Sinclair et al., 2017; Sorenson et al., 2016). Burnout, one of the occupational harms associated with the unique demands of care work, is a driving force in the provider retention problem (CDC, 2023; Hoge et al., 2007; Morse et al., 2012). Although there is a direct link between burnout and a lack of organizational support (Schaufeli & Greenglass, 2001), there is a lack of research examining systemic causal factors. Most existing studies neglect to explore links between work characteristics and employee well-being and are restricted to investigating individual traits as contributors (CDC, 2023). The present study confronts the gap in the literature through a systemic exploratory analysis. This quantitative study examined the link between workplace environments and mental health (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1923, Graduate School

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1964, Graduate School

Master of Arts, The Ohio State University, 1969, Graduate School

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Organizational Leadership , Franklin University, 2024, International Institute for Innovative Instruction

This research sought to define pastoral leaders' leadership characteristics in congregational settings that create collaborative and distributive ministry leadership through team engagement. The purpose of this research was to examine leadership characteristics resulting in collaboration and distributive ministry leadership with team engagement. The research aimed to help pastoral leaders with the responsibilities of 21st-century congregational ministry and lessen the experiences of burnout. Study participants were pastoral leaders and at least two council members from congregations affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) in the Southern Ohio Synod (SOS). The mixed methods concurrent QUAN-qual study utilized the Leadership Practices Inventory and the Shared Professional Leadership Inventory to measure various leadership characteristics and team engagement in the quantitative strand. The qualitative strand used three open-ended questions to assess further the presence of team engagement and pastoral leaders' leadership characteristics. The research question encompassed several components, including the leadership characteristics of pastoral leaders and the relationship between specific leadership characteristics of Transformational, Servant, and Shared leadership models and team engagement. The study findings found relationships between several leadership behaviors and team engagement in congregations. The research into leadership characteristics and team engagement assisted in the development of a best practices profile and training outline for congregational pastoral leaders to share and distribute ministry responsibilities with members to reduce feelings of burnout.

Doctor of Education (Educational Leadership), Youngstown State University, 2024, Department of Teacher Education and Leadership Studies

Teacher-student relationships have long been identified as an important factor in the success of a student, and in the investment of the teacher. Extensive research has been conducted on the perception and outcomes of teacher-student relationships from the perspective of the teacher and that of the students. However, research on the outcomes, insights, and expectation of teacher-student relationships from the perspective of parents, specifically parents of urban elementary students, is scarce. This study aimed to address the research gap by exploring the lived experiences of urban elementary parents through a phenomenological, qualitative study. Three semi-structured focus groups were held in which the researcher interviewed and facilitated discussions with parents of a child currently in kindergarten- second-grade in an urban school district in Northeastern Ohio. The 16 parent participants were asked to describe characteristics and expectations of high-quality teacher-student relationships, reflecting on their lived experiences and current state as a parent of an elementary student. Participants shared personal anecdotes, reflected on the impact of teachers in their own life, and emphasized the formative role teachers play in all aspects of a child's life. Responses indicated five primary themes when determining expectation and characteristics of teacher-student relationships from the perspective of parents: 1. Strong and consistent communication, 2. Teacher care and connection, 3. Teacher awareness and understanding to individual situations, 4. Holding students and families to high-expectations, and 5. Student engagement and recognition of individualized learning. The results of the study suggest that the teacher-student relationship is pivotal in making meaningful connections and creating a sense of belongingness and interconnectivity for students. Implications of the study indicate the importance of viewing the teacher-student relationship from a comprehensive l (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, 2023, Music Education

The purpose of this research was to identify perceived characteristics of effective cooperating teachers in music education. The study's objectives were to identify the characteristics that define an effective cooperating teacher from three perspectives. Those perspectives were current or recently past cooperating teachers in music, current or recently past student teachers in music, and university supervisors or coordinators in charge of student teacher placement in music education. The researcher grouped the participants into three divisions, (1) recent student teachers (STs), (2) practicing music educators who had each been a primary or secondary cooperating teacher (CTs), and (3) college or university supervisors (US/Cs) who have overseen the placement of student teachers. The author developed potential characteristics through a literature review and consultation with a panel of experts. The final questionnaire contained 24 characteristics for participants to rate on a Likert-type scale. Using a cluster sample and snowball sampling technique, N = 175 participants representing all three participant groups (STs, CTs, and US/Cs) returned the questionnaire. Results indicated a slight, significant main effect between the US/C and CT responses. The researcher also conducted follow-up interviews with members of each division. Interviews were coded and themed to add context to the survey results. The purpose of this research was to identify characteristics of effective cooperating teachers in music education from ST, CT, and US/C perspectives. I developed three research questions to guide the study: (1) What characteristics define an effective cooperating teacher according to: (a) Current or recent student teachers (STs)? (b) Current or recent cooperating teachers (CTs)? (c) Current or recent university supervisors or coordinators (US/Cs)? (2) Based on the results, are there any similarities or differences between members of the student t (open full item for complete abstract)

Master of Science, Miami University, 2022, Biology

As habitat loss and degradation continually threaten biodiversity, understanding the habitat requirements of species is as important as ever for wildlife management and conservation. All species require certain habitat features to persist, whether that be at the microhabitat scale or the landscape scale. Here I aimed to determine habitat features important for spotted salamanders, a cryptic species with a complex life cycle. My central hypothesis is that microhabitat features and landscape-level features will both impact spotted salamander individuals and populations. I used an experimental study to assess impacts on individuals and a field survey to assess populations. Overall, I found that larval density and pond cover both impact captive reared spotted salamander metamorphosis, and that leaf litter impacts the recapture of individuals after overwintering. Finally, I found that the prevalence and abundance of wild spotted salamanders are associated with the amount of leaf litter, the amount of shrub/scrub habitat surrounding breeding ponds, and the distance of the breeding pond to the nearest pond. This research demonstrates the importance of studying habitat features at various scales to accurately study species occupancy and manage natural areas in a way that best accommodates wildlife.

Doctor of Philosophy, The Ohio State University, 2022, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Gallium nitride (GaN) represents a wide bandgap semiconductor material that has been widely utilized in optoelectronic and electronic devices. As silicon (Si) based power devices are quickly approaching their fundamental material limits, GaN exhibits great potential for next generation power electronic devices due to its wide bandgap (3.4 eV), high breakdown field (3.3 MV/cm), and high electron mobility (1500 cm2/(V∙s)). With the availability of free-standing GaN substrates, GaN vertical power devices with superior performances have been demonstrated. One of the key challenges to further advance the GaN vertical power devices lies in the development of high quality, thick GaN epitaxy with low background doping and high mobility. This dissertation focuses on the development of high-quality GaN metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growths and vertical GaN PN diodes for high performance power electronic applications. The sources and incorporation mechanisms of typical compensations in GaN MOCVD are investigated. The pre-growth wafer cleaning process and growth susceptor are identified as two major sources of iron (Fe) impurity incorporation. The (EC-0.6) eV defect peak is confirmed to be associated with Fe impurity. Fe impurity can be suppressed with proper wafer cleaning and full coverage of susceptor pocket. An optimized MOCVD GaN growth condition with a typical growth rate (GR) of 2 µm/hr is established as the baseline with low controllable doping (Nd-Na) at 4×1015 cm-3. Background carbon (C) impurity typically increases monotonically with GR. The high background C impurity in MOCVD GaN is related to the low pyrolysis efficiency of NH3. Laser-assisted MOCVD (LA-MOCVD) growth technique is proposed to address this issue using a 9.219 µm wavelength carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The LA-MOCVD shows higher effective V/III ratios via efficient NH3 decomposition. The background [C] in LA-MOCVD GaN films decreases monotonically as the laser power increases. A lo (open full item for complete abstract)

Doctor of Education , University of Dayton, 2022, Educational Leadership

A mutually-collaborative phenomenological action research study, rooted in the organizational values of the Catholic Marianist tradition, which engages empowerment concepts and positive organization theories to create a framework for the evaluation and iterative improvement of student-employing organizations. This study addresses a lack of intentional connectivity within student-employing organizations at the University of Dayton, which results in an organization's inability to capitalize on the successes of their peers. Student employees participated in a series of surveys, focus groups, and interviews, by which qualitative and quantitative data was gathered and reviewed. The results provided insights into the construction of empowering spaces for student employees. Through the student voice, these insights were distilled to create a series of best practices, which have been formatted into documents which will allow organizations to leverage University-wide high performing elements to construct policy and procedures that most fully empower student employees. These documents are customized to the needs of the organization in such a way that they will facilitate the planning and development of next steps, allowing for inherently flexible, iterative, process change.

Master of Arts, Miami University, 2022, Speech Pathology and Audiology

Currently, no perceptual data exists regarding parameters of cup drinking in healthy adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between perception of fluid flow, weight, and grip when six healthy, young adults drank from a patented SMART training cup with specialized fluid flow rates and volumes. Participants completed 15 water drinking trials drinking from different cups with different flow rates and volumes while seated at a table. Between each water drinking trial, participants rated their perception of fluid flow, weight, and ease of grip when drinking from the cups on electronic Visual Analog Scales (VAS). Participants and graduate researchers were double blinded to the randomized order of presented cup flow rates and volumes. Results indicated statistical significance between fluid flow ratings for flow rate 1 (open cup with no lid) and the remaining 4 flow rates using the SMART training cup with a lid across 3 volumes (p=.00). Clinical relevance is indicated for ratings of weight and glove size with grip since no difference between ratings was found when participants were presented with 3 different cup volumes.

Doctor of Healthcare Administration (D.H.A.), Franklin University, 2022, Health Programs

Background: Epidemiological evidence illustrates cancer as a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, approaching 20 million new diagnoses annually and exhibiting one of the most complex and nonuniform burdens throughout high-income countries (HIC) and developing nations alike. Despite an ongoing “War on Cancer”, significant translational disconnects are hypothesized as impeding the diffusion of critical health innovations, resulting in low-impact implementation as well as rural and isolated America experiencing dichotomous rates of cancer survival when compared to metropolitan areas (Freeman, 2004; Gemert-Pijnen, 2011; NIH, 2007; Rodin, 2017). While parallel healthcare disciplines have successfully leveraged Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) towards efficacious adoption of EBI, a persistent void within radiation oncology literature was identified. A DOI theoretical framework provided means through which fundamental differences in perceptions could be identified and contextualized. Methods: The current study conducted a cross-sectional exploration of geographically stratified radiation oncology treatment planners' perceptions as they pertained to evidence-based innovations (EBI). University IRB approval was obtained in Winter of 2021. Through the use of randomized sampling and validated DOI instrumentation, the perceptions of 165 practitioners were collected across 48 states using an electronic survey. Respondents were stratified along the USDA ERS rural-urban codification continuum (RUCC) and in accordance with historical workforce reporting. Techniques to ensure data reliability and that all statistical assumptions had been satisfied were performed prior to analysis. Final results were calculated using SAS. Results: Fundamental intra-strata differences in the perceptions of EBI were identified for the perceived characteristics (PCI) of compatibility (t(160) = 4.12, P < 0.0001, d = 0.7708), relative advantage (t(161) = 3.72, P = 0.0003, d = 0.6960) (open full item for complete abstract)