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Bridging the Gap: How ESL Programs Support Language and Academic Growth
Full text linkEnglish as a Second Language (ESL) services play a crucial role in ensuring equitable education for multilingual learners. By examining the strengths and weaknesses of ESL programs, this study advocates for more inclusive and effective educational practices that empower multilingual students for lifelong success
Tax Rates and Tax Revenues: The Other Influencers of Revenue and Their Relationship to Behavior
No full textHow can it be that in the face of tax cuts, government may enjoy increased revenue and tax increases may create a decline in revenue? This is exactly the phenomenon that took place with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 which saw an immediate spike in revenue upon its enactment. While the literature review points out that factors like GDP, wages, and employment are all correlated with tax revenue, and while these factors were increasing during the time of the enactment, that does not necessarily prove that these economic factors were able to do more than makeup for the difference. Therefore, I will be performing a Longitudinal study from the beginning of the Carter Administration to the end of the Trump Administration and looking at other periods of tax increases followed by a decline in revenue and vice versa. I will also be taking account of the previously mentioned independent variables like inflation, GPD, and employment to see how they may factor into these changes in revenue. It is expected that in the face of high taxes, cuts will cause revenue to increase. This increase in revenue may take place because of a combination of increases in employment, GDP, wages, etc
Susceptibility to Public Opinion and Likelihood to Engage in War
No full textWhy do democracies go to war less often when they are more likely to win military engagements than other regime types? It is commonly believed that democracies are less likely to go to war, and scholars give a variety of reasons answering ‘why’. Some of these reasons are that democratic institutions make war less likely, while some argue that the voice of the people prevents democracies from going to war. The most satisfactory answer is that public opinion prevents politicians from acting for their own self-interest, instead forcing them to act on behalf of the people. Thus the strength of public opinion would affect a regime’s likelihood to go to war. In a democracy where the public is able to hold its politicians more accountable, that democracy will be less likely to go to war. This paper will examine the relationship between public opinion and war by using data on inter-state conflicts, a measure of politician’s susceptibility to public opinion, and a careful selection of democracies
Expanding the Knowledge on Transitioning From High School for Students and Parents at Benton Hall Academy
No full textThis doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Benton Hall Academy, a private institution providing unique forms of instruction for students with learning differences ranging from 3rd through 12th grade. The aim of this project was to provide transition resources to staff, high school students, and parents at Benton Hall. As a result, a resource website was created documenting options for after graduation for individuals with learning differences. This included possibilities such as inclusive secondary education programs, vocational training programs, day programs, residential programs, community colleges, trade schools, etc. This involved meeting with organizations and government agencies in Tennessee to create a frequently asked questions page for each transition service option. How-To pages were also created on this website to aid in topics such as looking for a job, navigating resources for adults with disabilities, finding a college, and discovering a major and/or career
Enhancing Trauma-Informed Care through the Creation of Motivational Interviewing Training for Staff of a Homeless Shelter for LGBTQ+ Young Adults
Full text linkThis doctoral project was completed in collaboration with Nashville Launch Pad (NLP), a nonprofit homeless shelter serving LGBTQ+ young adults and their allies, ages 18–26, in Middle Tennessee. The primary aim of the project was to develop and implement a staff training program that covered several key areas: an introduction to motivational interviewing and its practical application in all 3 NLP settings; an overview of occupational therapy (OT) and its relevance within this setting; the impact of trauma on the body and brain; compassion fatigue; sensory processing differences; and how developmental milestones can be disrupted by trauma, substance use, and other adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Currently, there is a significant gap in the literature regarding this specific population. While numerous studies highlight the role OTs can and should play in addressing homelessness, very few focus specifically on young adults—and even fewer on LGBTQ+ young adults. To date, no research has directly examined this population within the context of Nashville or Davidson County, underscoring a clear and urgent need for further investigation. As a response to this gap, the project produced a comprehensive training package for NLP staff, including four video-based training sessions featuring case studies and in-depth discussions on motivational interviewing techniques. Additionally, a resource binder was created, containing training notes, relevant research, and sample dialogue to support ongoing staff education and implementation
Stories of the Silenced and Mixed Media in Fiction: Disrupting Tradition for the Enhancement of Reader Experience
Full text linkIn almost all crimes, there is a victim, a perpetrator, and someone trying to uncover the truth. These tropes are often highlighted in fiction – told in thrillers, mysteries, or true-crime books that include intense themes, suspenseful moments, and plot twists. Stories of the Silenced is a collection of short stories told from the perspective of three characters in an exploration of cycles of violence and silence. Each character – a detective, victim, and serial killer – responds to and engages with the world differently, and their individual lives are shared. Each story emphasizes the idea of mixed media to further enhance the reader experience by using images, spacing, font changes, textual hierarchy, etc., to add to the intimacy of storytelling. By disrupting the traditional space of the page through mixed media, a door opens that allows readers to see through a direct lens into the world of the characters and plot. One of the most important considerations in fiction writing is how to engage readers, and Stories of the Silenced focuses on the visuality of the page to strengthen that connection
Repositioning antimalarial drugs as anticancer agents: focus on Tafenoquine
Full text linkDue to the expensive and lengthy process of drug design and approval, drug repurposing (or repositioning) has become another option for identifying preexisting molecules that may be used for alternative purposes. Recently, some antimalarial compounds have been shown to display efficacy against cancer cell proliferation. In this study, we provide evidence to suggest that multiple preexisting antimalarial drugs can reduce the viability of human cancer cells in culture. Furthermore, we provide the first evidence that one antimalarial, Tafenoquine (LD50 = 9.6 μM in HCT116 cells), is capable of decreasing viability with an efficacy comparable to Etoposide (LD50 = 15.2 μM in HCT116 cells) Further, Tafenoquine induces apoptosis and increases the expression of genes involved in cell cycle arrest and cell death. We also show that cells are sensitized to the apoptotic effects of Tafenoquine following depletion of the heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX-1) gene. Collectively, our studies confirm that antimalarial compounds hold the potential for use as anticancer agents and provide the first evidence to detail the potent efficacy of Tafenoquine against cancer cells in culture
Creation of custom phantom to mimic gynecological brachytherapy with interstitial needles
No full textAmerican Cancer Society estimates that, in 2025, there will be 118,920 new cases of cancers of the female genital system, with 34,650 estimated deaths. (1) The current standard of care for cervical cancer is to supplement external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy with brachytherapy, as it delivers a more precise dose of radiation. The primary tumor receives higher levels of radiation while minimizing exposure the surrounding organs at risk (OAR). (2) Ultrasound technology allows for live imaging of interstitial needle placement, whereas methods like computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy rely on static images. (3) This experiment simulated brachytherapy treatment of a gynecologic tumor with a custom phantom and interstitial needles. The phantom was created by digital 3D modeling and a mixture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastisol. The needles were placed within the phantom, and images of the configuration were taken with CT, MRI, and ultrasound via a transrectal ultrasound probe (TRUS). The custom phantom was viable for producing images of the interstitial needles under both CT and ultrasound
Home Sweet Home: Analyzing Contributive Factors of Home Selling Prices in the Greater Middle Tennessee Area
No full textAfter the 2008 housing crisis and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, many people speculate that the contemporary housing situation is a seller’s market and that the next housing crisis is on the rise. With the consistency of relevance across all time periods presented by the housing sector, the decision was made to analyze this particular field, as it is evergreen. Data analysis is made regarding key predictive traits of house valuation and sell price. Highlighting important socioeconomic regional discrepancies among other influential factors of house prices is the paramount focus of the statistical analysis. Through data science, this study aims to paint an insightful picture about Middle Tennessee’s housing situation
Relationship Satisfaction Among College Students
No full textUnderstanding relationship satisfaction is essential to individual well-being, particularly in college populations, as it relates to happiness, mental and physical health, and everyday functioning. Existing measures lack sensitivity to developmental dynamics shaped by evolving expectations and modern relationship stressors. This study aimed to develop a measure that examines the relationship between overall relationship satisfaction and key factors in romantic relationships, including partner support, relationship conflict, relationship length, and communication quality among college students. We hypothesize that the newly developed measure of relationship satisfaction will demonstrate good internal reliability (Cronbach’s α ≥ .700.) We also expect that perceived partner support would be positively associated with higher relationship satisfaction, while conflict frequency would be negatively associated. Participants were Belmont University students currently in a romantic relationship. They completed a 49-item survey including multiple choice demographic questions and relationship satisfaction questions that were rated on a 6-point Likert scale. Data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Finding and their implications will be discussed