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Therapeutic Outcomes of Racially Matched Families and Clinicians in Parent-Child Interaction Therapy with Toddlers
No full textAbstract
Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based therapy for children aged 2.5-7 with disruptive behavioral problems. In recent years, the PCIT protocol has been adapted for use as a preventative model with toddlers (PCIT-T) aged 12-24 months. Given the recency of the PCIT-T adaptation, research has not yet examined the similarity of PCIT-T attrition rates compared to PCIT, though it is speculated rates are similar (between 30-69%; Ufford et al., 2022). Previous research suggests that racial dissimilarity between a treatment provider and the family may influence treatment dropout. Therefore, the current study explored the effect of racial matching between families and providers on PCIT-T treatment outcomes (i.e., rate of attrition, sessions completed, child developmental outcomes). Participants included 173 clinicians trained in PCIT-T who delivered twice weekly sessions of PCIT-T to 216 caregiver-child dyads across the United States. Caregivers completed the Devereaux Early Childhood Assessment to assess emotional, social, and behavioral concerns at three time points. Caregiver-child dyads received PCIT-T from one provider of either the same or a different race of the caregiver. Results concluded that the attrition in the current study was consistent with other PCIT research (64%-69%). Further, regardless of racial matching, attrition and outcomes were similar across groups. PCIT-T treatment was equally effective regardless of the racial identity of the provider delivering the intervention. This suggests that clinicians had a strong therapeutic alliance with participants, and caregivers in PCIT-T faced similar issues to standard PCIT, contributing to high attrition rates.
Keywords: attrition, preventive therapy, racial matching, toddler
Measuring the Impact of GED Preparation on GED Testing Outcomes
No full textThis quantitative study investigates the relationship between participation in GED preparation programs and GED test outcomes among adult learners at a single Adult Basic Education (ABE) center located in an urban area of a south-central U.S. state. Recognizing the significance of the GED as an alternative credential to a traditional high school diploma, the research examines how instructional hours and structured preparation correlate with students’ final scores in mathematics, English language arts, social studies, and science. The study also describes the demographic characteristics of the learners, including gender, race, and age groups, and analyzes their performance on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) pre- and post-tests. By focusing on academic achievement within a defined educational setting, this research aims to provide actionable insights for educators and policymakers seeking to enhance the effectiveness of GED preparation efforts. The study is framed within the broader context of challenges faced by individuals without a high school diploma, including limited employment opportunities and poorer socioeconomic outcomes. While the research emphasizes measurable academic variables, it acknowledges limitations related to its single-site design and the exclusion of qualitative factors such as student motivation and external life circumstances. Despite these constraints, the findings are expected to offer valuable contributions to understanding how GED preparation programs impact adult learners’ success on high-stakes equivalency tests. Ultimately, this study seeks to inform instructional practices and program development in adult education, supporting efforts to improve GED attainment for non-traditional learners
Using Interpersonal Motives to Identify Latent Profiles of Borderline Personality Pathology: Implications for an Overcontrolled Style of BPD
No full textBorderline personality disorder (BPD) is conceptualized as a disorder of undercontrol (i.e., behaviorally impulsive, emotionally expressive), with affective, interpersonal, and identity instability. BPD related impairment is high, yet diagnostic accuracy remains a problem for individuals who present with greater overcontrol (i.e., behavioral inhibition, expressive suppression), which occurs in some BPD subtypes. The current study used ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to expand on prior research by identifying latent profiles based on interpersonal motives for agency and relatedness, desire for predictability, perceived dependency, and self-efficacy in a sample of people with elevated BPD features (n = 136). Individual differences in overcontrol, undercontrol, and BPD features were used to identify patterns among latent classes of people, and to explore how trait overcontrol and undercontrol mapped onto momentary interpersonal styles. Multilevel modeling examined latent classes as moderators for the relationship between affective variability predicting emotion regulation. Five momentary interpersonal BPD profiles emerged, with one identified as overcontrolled, and none presenting as undercontrolled. Four latent classes of people emerged and individuals with the lowest overcontrol, undercontrol, and BPD features (GClass3) were most likely to exhibit an interpersonally overcontrolled profile (Profile 3). Compared to latent classes of people with higher levels of overcontrol, undercontrol, and BPD features, when feeling less positive than usual people in the lowest personality pathology group tended to use more intrapersonal emotion regulation, less interpersonal response seeking and responding, and more isolation. When feeling more negative than usual, they used more intrapersonal emotion regulation, more interpersonal response seeking and responding, and more isolation
From Stem Cells to Smooth Muscle Cells: Characterizing Secretome Profiles and Evaluating Regenerative Potentials
No full textThis dissertation examines the role of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vascular disease and the potential of stem cell-derived VSMCs (SC-SMCs) for regenerative medicine. VSMCs are crucial for maintaining function; however, their dysregulation contributes to the progression of diseases like atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, and aneurysms. Disease progression is influenced by various environmental factors, prompting VSMCs to switch phenotypes, leading to adverse vascular remodeling. This research focuses on adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as sources for generating reparative VSMCs. Through comparative analysis, it investigates the effects of SC-SMCs on VSMC biomarker expression and ECM composition, considering different differentiation conditions and serum presence. The findings highlight distinct functional capacities and biomarker profiles of VSMCs derived from BM-MSCs versus ADSCs. The dissertation further explores molecular mechanisms behind VSMC phenotypic changes and the reparative properties of SC-SMC CM in ECM repair and anti-inflammatory actions. It discusses optimizing SC differentiation to improve VSMC functionality and standardizing protocols for vascular tissue engineering (VTE). The role of mechanobiology, miRNA, and epigenetics in SMC phenotype regulation is also analyzed, providing a holistic approach to vascular repair. The dissertation outlines the challenges of translating these cellular and molecular insights into clinical strategies for vascular pathologies. It highlights the need for advanced materials and scaffolds to support vascular tissue regeneration and repair. Future research directions include longitudinal studies to monitor VSMC phenotypes, non-invasive imaging for in vivo tracking, and systems biology to enhance VTE therapies. In conclusion, the dissertation contributes to the understanding of VSMCs in vascular health and disease, advocating for the use of stem cell technologies in developing novel vascular therapies. A multi-disciplinary approach is called for to address the challenges in the field and improve the treatment options for vascular diseases
Barriers to Parental Engagement in Early Childhood Education
No full textParental engagement in early childhood education has long been recognized as a foundational contributor to children\u27s academic success. However, many families face persistent barriers that limit their participation. This study examined three primary obstacles to parental engagement: disabilities, socioeconomic status, and underdeveloped parent–teacher relationships. The findings suggested that intentional, community-centered approaches effectively reduce barriers to engagement, strengthen school–family partnerships, and offer replicable models for promoting equitable participation in early childhood education settings. To bring these strategies to life, the study included a family engagement event developed in collaboration with a childcare center serving children with developmental delays, which provided a relaxed and welcoming space for families, educators, and children to connect meaningfully
Leadership, Culture, and Operational Excellence: An Experiential Study of Aldi’s District Manager Internship
No full textThis thesis highlights the organizational strategy, culture, and operating structure of the grocery retailer Aldi, as well as examines the experiential learning gained through the company’s District Manager Internship Program. Aldi’s immense success as a global leader in the grocery retail industry is rooted in the company’s commitment to its three core values of simplicity, consistency, and responsibility. These values drive both business practices and employee culture. Through firsthand experience in the internship within the Olathe Division, I gained exposure to Aldi’s retail operations, leadership expectations, and management processes. My experiences included learning the company’s standard operating procedures, conducting store walks with store managers, audits, supported the hiring process, and managing store challenges. The main component of this internship involved creating and conducting a research project on employee training compliance. This project included developing a survey for over 100 store managers in the division and analyzing real-time data from multiple stores. Findings from this process revealed gaps in employee training methods, training fatigue, and inconsistencies in protocol adherence. By presenting these issues, along with the data and actionable recommendations to divisional leadership, this project contributed insights that emphasized the need for improved communication, a more streamlined training process, and better alignment between corporate expectations of employees and in-store realities. Overall, this experiential study demonstrated how structured internship with Aldi cultivated leadership skills, informed operational improvements, and supported Aldi’s continued success as a leading and efficient grocery retailer
Impact of Three Professional Development Models (Online, Face-to-Face, and Hybrid) on Bhutanese Inservice Science Teachers\u27 Conceptions of Aspects of Nature of Science (NOS) with Reports of Translation of NOS Content into Classroom Teaching Practices
No full textHaving a scientifically literate citizenry is an asset nationally and globally, and knowledge of the nature of science (NOS) is a crucial element in such literacy. Science teachers are a vital link if students are to understand key elements of the NOS, yet teachers themselves often lack knowledge of NOS and how to integrate NOS content into science lessons. Investigating the impact of a series of inservice professional development experiences using three distinct delivery modes (face-to-face, hybrid, online) for teachers in my home country of Bhutan is the overarching goal of the study reported here. The study used a mixed-methods approach, involving twenty-five in-service secondary science teachers from thirteen schools in Bhutan as part of a professional development program referred to here as the Bhutan NOS Teacher Development Program (BNTDP). Participants in this study were selected using purposive sampling, and each professional development cohort featured a mix of eight educators divided between those teaching chemistry, biology, and physics Data regarding the degree of NOS knowledge gained by participants were collected using the VNOS-C (Views of Nature of Science) instrument, with semi-structured interviews conducted to determine the benefits and challenges of integrating NOS into science lessons. The data were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. Two non-parametric tests (Kruskal-Wallis and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank) were used to explore statistical differences between the three delivery modes. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant difference (p \u3c 0.187) in participants’ responses between the three professional development program delivery modes in the pre- and post-VNOS-C surveys. The Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test revealed a significant difference between participants’ pre- and post-test NOS responses, regardless of the delivery mode. Changes related to the qualitative results revealed that Bhutanese teachers preferred the face-to-face mode of delivery of professional development. The inservice secondary science teachers reported that a lack of knowledge of NOS, pedagogical knowledge, and resources, along with assessment pressure, and time constraints were some of the limiting factors that impeded Bhutanese inservice secondary teachers from integrating NOS into science lessons. These findings have important implications for science educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to rethink the professional development modes of delivery used out of convenience and cost-effectiveness, in a geographically challenging country like Bhutan
Photochemical Fabrication and Tribological Evaluation of Hexagonal Grooves with Corner Dimples on Cast Iron Surfaces
No full textThe traditional honing process used to texture cylinder liners in internal combustion engines has long been recognized as suboptimal, as evidenced by the need for a break-in period before achieving peak performance. Although laser-based methods can produce micro-scale features with high precision, they are often cost-prohibitive and difficult to scale for large or complex components. This study explores photochemical machining (PCM) as a low-cost, scalable alternative for fabricating high-resolution surface textures—specifically, hexagonal grooves with corner dimples—on gray cast iron. The resulting textures exhibit uniform groove widths (~13 μm) and varied depths, demonstrating PCM’s capability to create high-resolution patterns with sub-micron precision on industrially relevant substrates. To assess the effects of surface texturing, pull-off adhesion and reciprocating friction tests were conducted under three lubrication regimes: 1 μL (starved), 10 μL (semi-starved), and flooded oil. Adhesion forces increased with oil quantity but consistently decreased with texture depth, indicating that the patterns disrupted capillary-bridge formation and reduced oil-mediated adhesion. Friction behavior was strongly dependent on sliding frequency (1–30 Hz), oil quantity, and texture geometry. At low frequencies, deeper textures often increased the coefficient of friction (COF), likely due to delayed film formation or lubricant trapping. At higher frequencies – especially under starved and semi-starved lubrication – deeper textures reduced COF, attributed to improved oil retention, greater hydrodynamic lift, and smoother transitions into hydrodynamic regimes. Under flooded conditions, textures showed limited or negative effect on friction, potentially due to flow disturbances or groove-induced drag. Statistical analysis using least squares regression and two-way ANOVA confirmed texture was the predominant factor affecting friction at low frequencies, whereas oil quantity played a more important role at higher frequencies. These findings underscore the importance of context-specific texture design and highlight PCM as a cost-effective, scalable alternative to laser-based methods for fabricating \u3c 50 μm features on curved or engine-relevant surfaces such as piston rings and cylinder liners
Small Angle X-ray Scattering Studies of Collagenase H Mutant, ColH-E416Q
No full textCollagenase H (ColH) from Hathewaya histolytica plays a central role in collagen degradation through endopeptidase and carboxytripeptidase reactions. To better understand how its domain architecture supports these functions, we examined the solution structure of a catalytically inactive mutant, ColH-E416Q, using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The E416Q mutant is catalytically inactive because the glutamate residue at position 416, which normally functions as a general acid/base during catalysis, is replaced by glutamine—an amide that cannot donate or accept protons effectively, thus disabling the proton transfer steps essential for peptide bond hydrolysis. SAXS results indicate that the E416Q substitution leaves overall domain architecture and conformational behavior intact with comparative differences in dynamics. The E416Q mutation in ColH selectively abolishes catalytic activity while preserving substrate binding, making it a valuable tool for structural and mechanistic studies. By stabilizing enzyme–substrate complexes that would otherwise be transient, ColH-E416Q offers a strategic platform for capturing intermediate snapshots of collagen unwinding and cleavage. This presents a potential avenue for the development of novel collagenase inhibitors that target non-catalytic sites; an approach of particular interest given the close resemblance between bacterial catalytic sites and those of human matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), a similarity that made earlier inhibitor designs unsuitable due to anticipated side effects. These findings deepen our mechanistic understanding of bacterial collagenolysis and provide a structural basis for developing next-generation inhibitors or engineered collagenase variants with improved specificity
Refining the Geochronologic Framework of the Early Cretaceous Nonmarine Western Interior Basin, USA
No full textThe Early to mid-Cretaceous marks a period of dynamic shifts in tectonism, depositional environments, climate, and biota across the mid-North American continent. However, despite their importance for understanding crucial biotic and geologic transitions during this period, nonmarine Early Cretaceous strata of the Western Interior Basin (WIB) remain poorly constrained geochronologically. Radiometric dating of syndepositional detrital minerals, such as ash-fall zircon, offers a solution to refining geochronologic frameworks. However, a magmatic lull in the Cordilleran magmatic arc during the Early Cretaceous limited the delivery of syndepositional zircon to the WIB, impeding such refinement. In this dissertation, I developed and tested new methods for enhancing syndepositional zircon recovery based on grain morphology and depositional settings within Early Cretaceous deposits of the WIB. I then applied tandem LA-ICP-MS and CA-TIMS zircon U-Pb geochronology to build a geochronologic framework for seven key Early Cretaceous sections within the WIB. In Chapter 3, I show that handpicking sharply faceted detrital zircon increases the likelihood of encountering first-cycle zircon and yields maximum depositional age estimates closer to the true depositional age. This method is evaluated through intra-sample comparisons of randomly selected versus handpicked zircon separates from 30 samples within and outside the WIB. Results show an ~9-fold increase in the abundance of syndepositional zircon in handpicked samples compared to randomly analyzed zircon. In Chapter 4, I evaluate the hypothesis that targeting fine-grained lithologies deposited in low-energy settings enhances the recovery of syndepositional zircon compared to coarse-grained samples. Results from 16 samples of the Early Cretaceous Cedar Mountain Formation indicate that fine-grained samples contain an ~8-fold increase in the abundance of syndepositional zircon, likely due to the better preservation of ash-fall zircon in low-energy depositional settings that lack fluvial reworking or dilution. In Chapter 5, I integrate the results from Chapter 3-4 by using detrital zircon CA-TIMS U-Pb dates and other geochronological constraints to construct Bayesian age models for the Yucca, Cedar Mountain, Cloverly, Kootenai, and Blackleaf formations. These age models constrain depositional timing and reveal key stratigraphic hiatuses within these formations. Notably, these models identify an eastward-propagating depositional slowdown, interpreted as the earliest signal of forebulge migration. Collectively, these findings provide a refined geochronologic and tectonic framework that serves as a foundation for future studies of climatic and biotic change during the Early Cretaceous in the Western Interior Basin. To complement field-based geochronology and address the challenges of growing, unwieldy detrital zircon U-Pb datasets, I applied automated machine learning (AutoML) to classify age distributions based on source similarity in Chapter 2. AutoML outperforms traditional methods in both synthetic datasets and in predicting tectonic settings using a natural dataset from the Triassic–Eocene North American Cordillera. AutoML also identifies diagnostic age ranges, including the 145 – 125 Ma Cordilleran magmatic lull. This work advances the analytical toolkit available to geochronologic researchers and demonstrates machine learning as a predictive and interpretive tool