Washington Research Library Consortium - Digital Collections
Not a member yet
125665 research outputs found
Sort by
Mindfulness, Negative Affect, Craving, and Smoking Behavior in a Predominantly Underserved Sample
No full textThe current study examined the effects of trait mindfulness, state mindfulness, and a briefmindful-based intervention (Mindful Breathing; MB) versus active treatment (CognitiveStrategy; CS) and No-Treatment (NT) control groups, on negative affect (NA), craving andsmoking behavior among abstaining smokers. It is a secondary analysis, building on previousfindings presented by Lotfalian, Spears and Juliano (2020). Smokers (N = 60; 50% female; M =12.26 cigarettes per day; 83% African American; 45% with annual income < $10,000) completeda self-report measure for trait mindfulness (Five-Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire; FFMQ) atbaseline and were randomized to receive 20 minutes of MB (n = 20), CS (n = 20), or NT (n =20). Participants also completed measures for state mindfulness (State Mindfulness Scale; SMS),NA (Positive and Negative Schedule; PANAS) and craving (Urge Response Scale; URS) beforeand after the manipulation, and then took part in a 50-minute smoking versus money choiceprocedure. Findings suggested that 1) MB was more effective than NT in reducing NA, 2) therewas no evidence that MB was more effective than CS in reducing NA, and 3) there was onlylimited evidence that CS was more effective than NT in reducing NA. Furthermore, the act withawareness facet of the FFMQ was associated with lower NA at Time 2. All other facets(describe, observe, nonjudge, and nonreact) of trait mindfulness as well as state mindfulness didnot show a significant relationship with NA. Preliminary analyses did not support mindfulness(trait, state, and intervention) as a moderator, changing the association between a) NA andcraving, and b) craving and smoking behavior. Overall, findings support mindfulness-based briefinterventions that involve breathing and/or cultivate acting with awareness to help reduce NAamong abstaining smokers, with further moderation research needed. Limitations and futuredirections are discussed.Clinical psychologyCraving, Mindfulness, Negative Affect, Smoking, UnderservedPsychologyDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Psychology. The Catholic University of Americ
Novel Construction Techniques for Arrays of Dynamic Vibration Absorbers: Modelling and Experimentation
No full textA new method for the design of vibration absorption systems is presented. The classical dynamic vibration absorber has been in the literature since the early 1900's and is well understood. As strategies evolved, most machinery silencing began to rely on isolation mounts. These mounts simply prevent the transmission of vibration from the machine into the larger structure. Little is generally done to dissipate vibrations above the mount other than initial machinery design and balancing.The term "fuzzy structure" was coined in the 1980's and referred to large structures with sets of smaller attached structures that are modeled statistically. Such systems exhibited higher apparent damping than was initially predicted by models. Further research into this effect led to the discovery that arrays of small attachments can be designed to favorably alter the harmonic response of the primary system. What followed was a topologically simple design of novel vibration damper called the subordinate oscillator array (SOA).Previous work also showed that small errors (on the order of 1\%) in the distribution of attachment mass or stiffness in the SOA attachments have a strong effect, severely diminishing the intended effects. Two major methods of mitigating this effect are discussed in this dissertation. The first is a piezoelectric correction of properties and the second is the use of materials of differing damping levels to control the error sensitivity. This dissertation discusses a general design method for the geometry of the SOA. It discusses the effect of each of several design variables on the overall response. An in-depth analysis of the effects of unintended variation from designed parameters and methods to quantify this variation are presented. This dissertation also discusses the use of 3-D printed and piezoelectrically-modified SOAs to test and mitigate the error sensitivity of different materials using laser vibrometry to characterize the mechanical behavior of the system.AcousticsDynamic Vibration Absorber, Structural Vibration, Subordinate Oscillator Array, VibrationMechanical EngineeringDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering. The Catholic University of Americ
Be Perfect, Just as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect: An Examination of the Juridic Nature of the Diocesan Phase of Causes of Beatification and Canonization.
No full textThe Catholic Church professes that the saints are in heaven with God as our forefathers in the faith and are the models of holiness that we are called to imitate. There are thousands of saints recognized by the Catholic Church, and even more who are unrecognized. The process used by the Church to formally recognize a person’s sanctity is called canonization. Canonization is a complex process, and even the most skilled canonists and diocesan personnel can get lost in this multi-step, interdisciplinary and years long process. One of reasons for canonists and personnel getting lost in the canonization process is the lack of clarity as to whether canonization is an administrative procedure or judicial process. This dissertation examines the juridic nature of the diocesan phase of causes of canonization in the hope that diocesan bishops and their staffs can have a better insight into how the canonical process developed over the centuries, a firmer knowledge of the current norms, and a clearer understanding of some of the practical pastoral and canonical questions that occur when instructing a cause of canonization. To accomplish this task, this dissertation is divided into four chapters. Chapter one analyzes the historical developments of the canonical process of canonization from the early Church through 1983. The second chapter examines the current canonical norms governing causes of canonization contained in four extra codal documents and an instruction: Divinus Perfectionis Magister, Normae Servandae in Inquisitionibus ab Episcopis Faciendis in Causis Sanctorum, Rescriptum ex Audientia Sanctissimi: Norme Sull’Amministrazione dei Bene delle Cause di Beatificazione e Canonizzazione, ‘Maiorem hac Dilectionem’. De Oblatione Vitae and Sanctorum Mater. The third chapter of this dissertation analyzes the juridic nature of the current norms for causes of canonization. It begins by examining the juridic nature of canonization during the Middle Ages and under the 1917 Code of Canon Law, and then proceeds to examine the juridic nature of a cause of canonization during the reform of the 1917 Code of Canon Law in the post Vatican II period and in the current norms. The chapter concludes by determining that the current norms governing causes of canonization are a hybrid process that balances administrative procedures with the judicial process. The current process for causes of canonization balances juridic legal precision with a theological and historical-critical methodology. The final chapter examines some pastoral and canonical challenges that diocesan bishops encounter when instructing the diocesan phase of a cause of canonization, such as the difference between the universal call to holiness and “canonizable holiness,” what needs to be included in the historical commission’s report, and the reports of the theological censors.Canon lawCanonization, Holiness, Juridic, SaintsCanon LawDegree Awarded: J.C.D. Canon Law. The Catholic University of Americ
Exploring Factors Associated with Depressive Symptoms in Young Adults from Divorced Families
No full textAmerica is a society with a substantial divorce rate in which approximately four out of ten children, or 1 million children per year, have experienced divorce (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2012). Of all the children who are born to married parents this year, half are likely to experience a divorce in their immediate family before they reach their 18th birthday (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014). The negative consequences that can stem from divorce often have a life-long impact on those individuals who experienced this event during their childhood or adolescence (Amato, 2001; Bing, et al., 2009; Bulduc et al., 2007; Kot & Shoemaker, 1999; Mullett & Stolberg, 2002; Ross & Miller, 2009). The purpose of this study was to develop and broaden the empirical knowledge on relational factors clinically known to influence depressive symptoms in young adults from divorced families by looking at their perceptions, both past and present, regarding their attachment to family of origin following parental divorce and the importance of mentors in this context. Such knowledge is important for social works’ aim to reduce depression that can occur in the context of interpersonal relationships following parental divorce. By identifying factors that contribute to depressive symptoms in young adults, this research study will help to identify protective factors for young adults from divorced families. The study used a secondary data set from a nationally representative sample of 15,058 young adults (ages 18-39 years) collected in a survey from 2009 to 2011 in the U.S. at the University of Texas at Austin’s Population Research Center (Regnerus, 2012). Within this sample, 2,978 (20%) of the young adults experienced parental divorce. A multiple regression analysis was used to estimate models that predict depressive symptoms among the 2,978 young adults whose parents were divorced. The results revealed that three of the nine factors emerged as significant predictors of depressive symptoms. Current marital status emerged as the strongest predictor of depressive symptoms (β = -.644, (p < .003) and showed that it is a moderator between predictors of depressive symptoms. The second strongest factor was current level of family negativity (β = .512, p < .000). The third strongest factor was current level of family support (β = -.501, p < .000). Overall, the model explained 75.5% of the variance in depressive symptoms for young adults in this study. These findings have implications for young adults from divorced families, social work clinical practice, education, research and policy.Social workattachment, depressive symptoms, divorce, family of origin, young adultsSocial WorkDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Social Work. The Catholic University of Americ
The Hell of One’s Own Making: A Critique of Choice Models of Damnation
No full textRegarding the nature of damnation, substantial tension exists in the exegetical and creedal data. The attempts of theologians to resolve these tensions has resulted in many distinct and contradictory portrayals of the nature of damnation as a whole. Among these portrayals are what some have called a choice-model of damnation, wherein the damned themselves are the primary executors of their own punishments in the afterlife. However, to understand damnation in this way creates a problem in that God’s agency is not directly involved in damnation. God’s way of addressing the problem of sin is to not address it. This is unacceptable. To find a way around this difficulty, a model of damnation which incorporates choice-model elements whilst including a retributive and vindicative element in divine agency. Such a model must then be tested against what is acceptable for a Catholic eschatological model. After determining the exact nature of those Catholic outer limits via an examination of relevant historical and magisterial texts in the first chapter, the author distinguishes the possible variables involved in damnation: these being a one-time judgment and then a subsequent perpetual punishment. Distinguishing between these two component parts of what the author calls an economy of damnation forms the basis of the subsequent investigation of the exegetical material about Hell, as well as the survey of the last century of literature on choice-models of damnation. The author then puts forward his own suggestion for a comprehensive economy of damnation unifying the strengths of the choice-models whilst preserving God’s agency in damnation. This hybrid model of damnation is based upon scholastic and Thomistic categories, and shows theological continuity and compatibility between traditional Catholic eschatologies and contemporary theological insights.TheologyDamnation, Hell, SalvationSystematic TheologyDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Systematic Theology. The Catholic University of Americ
Dan Kerr Interview, April 19, 2020
No full textHumanities Truck director Dan Kerr reflects on the impact of COVID, both personally, for the Truck operations, and as a country. He discusses how the Truck has been shut down since March, and shares his own challenges in working from home doing distance learning and homeschooling his daughter. Dan does see some positive things happening, though, such as spending more time together as a family and communicating more with friends. He hopes that the pandemic can be an opportunity for everyone to reflect and act on the "severe economic inequalities" that are making citizens unhealthy, including struggling for economic justice and universal healthcare. He ends by calling upon others to make videos for the Connected Perspective Projects to "use this moment to start thinking about how we can make this world a better place." This video is part of the Humanities Truck's From Me To You: A Covid-19 Oral History Project. https://humanitiestruck.com/frommetoyou
Does Profile Membership predict Social-Emotional Competence, Pre-Academic Skills, and Intervention Effects in Young Children who participated in the Head Start CARES Demonstration?
No full textPerson-centered approaches which focus on children’s varying school readiness competencies may inform our knowledge of the dynamic interaction between children’s demographic characteristics, their functioning at program entry, and intervention outcomes when examining the impact of early care and education (ECE) programs (Shonkoff, 2010; Supplee et al., 2013). Given the diverse needs and backgrounds of children in Head Start (HS), the current person-centered study aims to: 1) investigate whether underlying profiles of functioning exist in a recent, nationally representative HS population; and 2) examine the extent to which profile membership relates to gains in social-emotional competence (SEC) following participation in curricular enhancements. The current investigation is a secondary data analysis from the Head Start CARES Demonstration (Morris et al., 2014). Data on demographic characteristics, SEC, executive functioning, behavior regulation, and pre-academic skills were collected via parent and teacher reports and direct child assessments for 2,114 children. Latent profile analysis (LPA) revealed three distinct profiles of functioning: 1) the overall strengths profile (N = 957) performed above the sample mean across most school readiness domains; 2) the applied problems and executive functioning (EF) risk profile (N = 617) exhibited varying social-emotional competencies and the lowest scores in pre-math and EF; and 3) the overall risk profile (N = 540) characterized by scoring below the sample mean on social-emotional and pre-academic skills and EF. Identified profiles also differed in demographic characteristics (e.g., gender, race/ethnicity, and parental marital status and education). ANOVA results revealed no significant differential treatment effects for children based on their profile membership; however, these results should be interpreted with caution due to violations of multiple assumptions, including normal distribution and equality of variance. LPA results indicate that developmental and demographic differences indeed exist among children who participated in the HS CARES Demonstration. That is, HS children exhibit varying competencies in school readiness domains at program entry. Specifically, roughly half of children in HS CARES exhibited strengths across all school readiness domains, a third had premath and executive functioning skills below sample mean, and a quarter of children exhibited difficulties across most early learning domains. Results also suggest that demographic characteristics and household risk also predicted profile membership. Furthermore, results revealed no significant differential treatment effects across identified profiles. Limitations due to violations of assumptions are discussed. The findings of this study highlight the importance of adopting a person-centered approach to advance our understanding of school readiness as a multidimensional construct influenced by both child- and parent-specific characteristics. Having a better understanding of the typologies of children enrolled in HS may better inform the implementation of interventions for specific types of children.PsychologyHead Start, latent profile analysis, person-centered, school readiness, social emotional competencePsychologyDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Psychology. The Catholic University of Americ
Multiscale Current System of the Dayside Magnetopause
No full textTheoretical models and in-situ measurements of the Earth's dayside magnetopause over the decades have revealed a disparity in estimations of the scale size and nature of the current density structure. The Chapman-Ferraro theory of the magnetopause predicts a thin, sub-ion gyroradius current sheet. At the same time, early spacecraft measurements have observed magnetopause current sheets on the order of hundreds of ion-gyroradii, and modern spacecraft observations indicate an ion-scale current sheet with embedded kinetic-scale reconnection. Previous studies have relied on in-situ measurements incapable of measuring the kinetic scale electron motion and limited resolution magnetohydrodynamic simulations, leading to the presumption that the current sheet is an ion-scale current flow with little complexity. This dissertation will challenge this assumption by considering multiple magnetopause crossings, with various magnetic geometries, contrasting the observations of electron and ion-scale current density structure.The first case study discussed in this dissertation will examine the timing of kinetic-scale crescent-shape velocity distribution observations inside of the magnetopause current sheet. It is shown that non-gyrotropic crescent-shaped velocity distributions can form at the onset of diamagnetic drift, signifying that non-gyrotropic crescent-shaped velocity distributions are insufficient signatures of an electron diffusion region.Next, this dissertation considers multiple magnetopause crossings, both reconnecting and non-reconnecting events where the current is compared at both the fluid and kinetic scales. Modern techniques and in-situ data are used to understand the role of dimensionality and scale of the current layer. The results indicate that the magnetopause current sheet, when sampled at a low resolution, will appear on the ion-scale as predicted by Chapman-Ferraro. The observations of kinetic scale current sub-structures within the ion-scale magnetopause current sheet undergoes a thorough validation. Lastly, while the dayside magnetopause current layer is assumed to be a locally 1-dimensional structure, this dissertation raises the question as to whether the 1D assumption is valid. It is shown that the observed dimensionality of the magnetopause current sheet is dependent on the sampling rate of the observations. The magnetopause cannot be assumed to be planar without a high-resolution examination.Plasma physicscrescent-shaped velocity distributions, current densityPhysicsDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Physics. The Catholic University of Americ
“I prayed, and understanding was given me; I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me:” The Role of Prayer in Theology According to the Life and Teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas
No full textMany theologians lament the material division of theology and spirituality and the dissociation of the practices of theology and Christian spirituality. Some contemporary scholars like Jean-Pierre Torrell point to St. Thomas Aquinas as a model for unity in theology. Previously, however, there have been no comprehensive studies of prayer in theological method according to St. Thomas. In this dissertation, I explore St. Thomas’s teaching and practice of prayer in relation to theology with both historical and systematic methods. In chapter one, I explore the limitations of related research. In chapter two, I consider texts that influenced St. Thomas’s earliest thinking on these matters, most importantly St. Albert’s Super Dionysii Mysticam theologiam. In chapters three and four, I examine the questions on sacra doctrina and prayer in the Summa theologiae. These questions, however, do not exhaust St. Thomas’s teaching about theological method, and so in chapters four and five, I treat the gifts of the Holy Spirit, the types of wisdom, the contemplative and active lives, and Christ the Teacher in the Summa. In chapter seven, I examine other works in which St. Thomas discusses prayer and theology, such as his inaugural sermon, “Rigans montes,” and his Biblical commentary, Super Ioannem. In chapter eight, I consider early testimony about his life as reported by William of Tocco and his prayer, Oratio ante studium. What emerges is that St. Thomas taught throughout his career that prayer for the gift of wisdom is integral to theological method, and he regularly prayed for this gift himself. He also proposes that the Psalms are the divinely revealed means of praying for the gift of wisdom. Moreover, his teaching on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Summa theologiae provides a way for understanding how the divine illuminations of wisdom both assist human reason in generating a scientia of theology and guide man in living in accord with supernatural truth. Thus, in addition to faith, prayer for wisdom especially accounts for the unity of St. Thomas’s doctrine and the harmony between his teaching and his life.TheologySpiritualityReligionPrayer, Sacra doctrina, St. Thomas Aquinas, Theological Method, Theology, WisdomSpiritualityDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Spirituality. The Catholic University of Americ