6834 research outputs found
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A review on the effects of pesticide exposure on migrant farm working women.
No full textThis review compiles research from over 30 different published articles on the effects of pesticide exposure on migrant farm workers. The working population of migrant farm workers in the United States is extremely vital to the agricultural industry. However, due to the lower socioeconomic background of this population, coupled with the lack of healthcare resources, poor sanitation, and hygiene in the areas, the population is at higher risk for various health concerns. This review focuses on breast cancer and reproductive outcomes in migrant farm working women as they are chronically exposed to pesticides, primarily organophosphates and organochlorines. Barriers such as the population’s medical literacy, lack of trust in the healthcare community, and the fear of deportation contribute to their low health status. These barriers can be battled with community health centers, mobile clinics, and translators. This review is a small step towards raising awareness for this marginalized population
Exploration of the impact of adverse childhood experiences on neural development and the potential relation to conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder.
No full textResearch has established that there is an association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and the development of psychiatric disorders. This literature review explores how certain forms of ACEs may alter neuroanatomical structure, and these alterations may play a part in the display of symptoms consistent with the diagnostic criteria required for a diagnosis of conduct disorder and antisocial personality disorder. ACEs can be broadly categorized into threat and deprivation-type experiences with both observed to have impacts on cortical structure. Neuroimaging of individuals with exposure to adversity in childhood has been found to display altered prefrontal cortex and limbic system structure. Both areas are implicated in the facilitation of executive functions which encompass skills such as decision making and goal-directed behavior. People with CD and ASPD exhibit behavior that includes but is not limited to increased levels of impulsivity, reduced ability to make decisions, and an overall lack of regard for others. This thesis proposes that CD and ASPD can arise due to changes in neuroanatomy that are associated with adversity experienced during critical developmental periods in childhood
Social identity in the workplace : a multiple case study that explores how social group membership impacts people who identify as neurodivergent in workplaces designed for neurotypical employees.
No full textThe modern workplace presents unique challenges for neurodivergent professionals who navigate environments primarily designed around neurotypical needs and expectations. While some organizations recognize the importance of neurodiversity inclusion, many workplaces lack an understanding of how neurodivergent employees experience and manage their professional identities. This study explored how social group membership impacted neurodivergent individuals in workplaces designed for neurotypical employees.
Using a qualitative multiple-case study design, this research investigated how neurodivergent professionals navigated their identities through the theoretical lens of social identity theory. The study focused on three key questions: how adults categorized themselves as neurodivergent, how they behaved in response to social comparison, and how workplace inclusion supported positive social identity maintenance. Five professionals who self-identified as neurodivergent, aged 35–64 with 13–42 years of work experience, participated in the study. Data collection spanned six months, incorporating reflective questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group. Analysis followed a rigorous five-step approach combining theory-driven deductive coding with inductive analysis to identify emerging patterns across cases.
The findings revealed six key themes: (1) identity formation and acceptance as an ongoing journey, (2) balancing strengths and challenges in framing cognitive differences, (3) comparative self-evaluation with neurotypical colleagues, (4) simultaneous in-group connection and out-group contrast, (5) strategic identity management balancing authenticity with adaptation, and (6) childhood experiences shape adult identity. These insights enhance understanding of how neurodivergent professionals balance authenticity with adaptation in the workplace while highlighting specific organizational practices that support or hinder inclusion. This understanding is a foundation for developing more effective workplace inclusion strategies that benefit neurodivergent individuals and their organizations. This research provided actionable recommendations for multiple stakeholders: employers can implement inclusive hiring and accommodation practices; educational institutions can develop transition support programs; advocacy groups can create targeted awareness campaigns; and policymakers can update labor regulations to better support neurodivergent employees
Advanced automated detection of foreign object debris (FOD) in woven and uni-directional composite laminates.
No full textCarbon fiber laminates are popular in the manufacturing industry for their advantageous characteristics, including good vibration damping, high strength-to-weight ratio, toughness, high dimensional stability, low coefficient of thermal expansion, etc. To get optimal results from these properties, the fibers need to be aligned, straight and well bonded. During the manufacturing process, undesirable foreign objects, including peel-ply strips, gloving material, Kapton film, etc. can be introduced into the part, resulting in localized weakness that degrades the desirable properties of the composite. Manufacturing defects can act as stress concentration points, potentially causing catastrophic failure. This study used pulse-echo ultrasound testing for the detection and quantification of the dimensions of foreign object debris (FOD) within carbon fiber laminates. This study presents a method to create high-resolution c-scans, and from the full-waveform dataset extract the FOD depth and planar dimensions with an automatic edge detection technique. Variable material inserts of various dimensions were embedded into both unidirectional and woven carbon fiber laminates at different depths. The samples for environmental effect study are conditioned and investigated in several different environmental conditions. CT imaging is used to verify that the FOD remained unaltered during manufacturing, and the as manufactured FOD dimensions were equal to the as designed FOD dimensions within the resolution of the CT configuration utilized. Again, in every case there is a 100% probability of detection and the identification of the layer depth for the FOD. To show the effect of FOD inclusion in CFRP laminates, preliminary studies with mechanical testing and FEA have been done. The work is further expanded by inserting FODs of different materials, sizes, shapes, depths in both the unidirectional and woven CFRP and comparing the results. In total over 900 individual FODs are studied covering the above conditions and parameter sets, with a typical error of 0.07 inches observed. The error varies with conditions, with small circular FODs averaging 0.06 inches and large circular FODs averaging 0.05 inches, whereas small triangular FODs averaging 0.09 inches and large triangular FODs averaging 0.10 inches. Furthermore, FOD detection results from laboratory immersion tank system are compared to a novel portable inspection station
Exploring equitable representation of English learners in gifted education.
No full textDespite growing national commitments to educational equity, English Learners (ELs) remain significantly underrepresented in gifted and advanced academic programs across the United States. This two-part dissertation explores the systemic and perceptual factors contributing to this persistent disparity. In Study 1, I analyzed a nationally representative sample of 300 large school districts using publicly available data from the National Center for Education Statistics and the Office for Civil Rights. I calculated a Representation Index (RI) to quantify EL participation in Advanced Placement (AP), calculus, and physics courses and conducted inferential analyses to examine the role of state-level gifted education policies. Results confirmed widespread underrepresentation and revealed that policy context may influence access for EL students. In Study 2, I conducted a vignette-based experimental study to examine whether educators’ recommendations for gifted education are affected by student home language. Participants reviewed matched student profiles that varied only in home language (English vs. Spanish) and rated the likelihood of recommending each student for gifted services. Findings suggest that linguistic background may subtly influence educator decision-making, with implications for identification processes. Together, these studies offer a comprehensive view of the structural and perceptual mechanisms that limit EL access to gifted education and provide evidence to support reforms in policy, practice, and professional development
A qualitative single case study gathering the perceptions of emotional labor among Black male and female professionals in higher education in the Midwest.
No full textEmotional labor is suppressed feelings in exchange for wages (Patahk & Singh, 2021). Managing emotional labor is the expectation of managing emotions in line with an organization’s culture. This qualitative case study examines the experiences of Black male and female professionals in the Midwest, specifically working at a predominantly White institution, through the lenses of performing, evoking, and managing emotional labor. This single case study uses a purposeful sampling method to explore 12 Black male and female higher education professionals from various positions.
The lack of scholarly research addressing Black male and female professionals’ management of feelings in the workplace has led to this exploration. Many institutions struggle to retain Black faculty and staff (Baloch, 2020). The issue is not solely recruitment but a concern of retention (Baloch, 2020). Donaldson and Rosser (2007) suggest employers should consider people’s feelings about work. While existing research discusses other contributing factors to emotional labor disparities such as gender inequities, there is a need to examine expectations of performing, evoking, and managing emotional labor for Black men and women in higher education (Anthym & Tuitt, 2019; Njoku & Evans, 2022; Townsend, 2021; White-Lewis et al., 2023).
This study revealed that the Black male participants felt more concerned about performing at work than Black females. Additionally, both Black male and female participants generally perceived race as a contributor to emotional labor as they fulfilled their roles as professionals in higher education. The specific impact of race includes feeling self-conscious while dealing with hypervisibility, stereotypes, and systemic racial biases, codeswitching their language, controlling how they express their emotions, and upholding the responsibility of speaking up and representing minority individuals, especially Black students. The exposure of these research findings can provide evidence for organizations to consider creating sustainable strategies that can increase the retention of Black professionals in higher education while creating a culturally sensitive environment. Three themes emerged from the study: performing, evoking, and managing emotional labor
The inclusivity of ice.
No full textDue to the omnipresence of water in our universe, scientists have embarked on a journey to elucidate the peculiarities that define this molecule. From examining phase transitions to understanding intermolecular bonding and structural characteristics, water exhibits many fascinating and defining physical and chemical properties. One notable quality is the phase transition from water to ice, where scientists have used this phase transition to hypothesize the theory of self-purification of ice. Here, the implications of this theory have been examined through the utilization of a modified-Czochralski freezing method with inorganic salts, such as sodium chloride, ammonium chloride, and ammonium sulfate; organic salts, such as sodium acetate, sodium formate, and ammonium acetate; as well as the volatile molecule, tetrahydrofuran. In Chapter Three and Four, it was experimentally determined that there was not only the ejection of large concentrations of salt solutes but also the preferential uptake of anions over cations in ice. This was found to be in agreement with previous computational studies through the application of the analytical technique, capillary electrophoresis, where the concentration of ions was determined from melted ice boules. In Chapter Five, the ideal concentration of gas hydrate formation was studied through the analysis of melted gas hydrates and compared to the concentrated bath solutions with vibrational spectroscopy, namely attenuated total reflection spectroscopy. Additionally, interfacial interactions for tetrahydrofuran gas hydrates and aqueous tetrahydrofuran solutions were analyzed using the surface-specific spectroscopic technique, vibrational sum-frequency generation. Although many challenges were faced in the analysis of the surface properties of gas hydrates, a framework for future studies was established. From these various analytical and spectroscopic studies, it was determined that the inclusions of atoms and molecules in ice do occur contradicting the self-purification theory and resulting in structural changes within the ice. Furthermore, the incorporation of ions can inform the development of cryopreservation techniques and desalination studies
"I’m a good person! I’m not good enough!" : self-worth contingent on morality and approval across time.
No full textPeople want to believe that they are worthy and valuable, and bottom-up approaches to self-esteem posit that people typically determine their worth by weighing their successes versus failures in domains of life that are especially important to them. Two domains, in particular, are relevant for emerging adult populations but are grossly understudied: the internal domain of virtue (i.e., self-esteem based on living up to personal moral standards) and the external domain of others’ approval (i.e., self-esteem based on validation and approval from others). This staple dissertation contains three papers that describes four prospective studies (N = 3,713), drawing from two separate datasets. Intensive measurement burst design across one week and longitudinal design spanning several years are used. First, a comprehensive introduction provides background on extant perspectives of self-esteem and the model of contingent self-worth, providing a rationale for the examination of these two domains and use of longitudinal methods. Next, findings suggest that the internal domain of virtue meets the criteria for longitudinal and demographic residual measurement invariance (Paper One), tends to increase in its importance throughout college (Paper One), is associated with greater momentary positive emotion and meaningfulness and grows in tandem with meaning in life (Paper Two), and also grows in tandem with intrinsically motivated religious engagement (Paper Three). In contrast, findings suggest that the external domain of other people’s approval predominantly meets the criteria for longitudinal and demographic measurement invariance (Paper One), remains stable for males but decreases for females (after starting higher in the first place) throughout college (Paper One), is associated with greater momentary negative emotion and less positive emotion and meaningfulness (Paper Two), grows in tandem with mental illness symptoms and inversely with meaning in life (Paper Two), and grows in tandem with extrinsically motivated religious engagement (Paper Three). Finally, a comprehensive discussion describes implications for the self-esteem literature, future research directions, and applications for practitioners
Spatial heterogeneity in isotope and biomarker distributions : insights from the End-Devonian OAE in Western Canada.
No full textThe availability of essential nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and trace elements, fundamentally influences biological production. This is especially critical in tropical regions where stable thermal stratification in the water column is periodically disrupted by surface ocean current divergence experience upwelling, where deep, nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface, supporting high primary productivity. This comprehensive study of carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition, biomarker distribution, and trace element geochemistry across the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WCSB) delves into the complex interactions between nutrient cycling, primary productivity, and organic matter preservation in marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on the Late Devonian period, where similar perturbations of nutrient cycles led to the deposition of organic-rich rock units known as "black shales." Stratigraphic sections of black laminated and burrowed mudrock interspersed with siltstones and carbonaceous shales capture changes in paleoredox conditions, water depth, and tectonism over time. Overall, this research contributes to our current understanding of nutrient dynamics and across an ancient anoxic shallow marine basin and factors influencing preservation of biomarkers in the sediment record
High school faculty perceptions of Texas House Bill 4545 learning recovery interventions : a qualitative multiple case study.
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic profoundly disrupted the public education system, exacerbating existing academic challenges and creating an unprecedented need for learning recovery interventions. In response, the Texas Legislature enacted House Bill (H.B.) 4545, mandating targeted learning recovery interventions for students underperforming on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness End-of-Course (STAAR EOC) exams. This qualitative multiple case study explored high school faculty perceptions of these learning recovery interventions within Bluebonnet ISD (BISD; pseudonym). The purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore learning recovery teachers' descriptions of H.B. 4545 interventions and the within-program differentiation strategies they used. The study employed a qualitative multiple case study approach, allowing for an in-depth exploration of teachers' experiences and the contextual factors of the implementation of H.B. 4545. Data were collected through interviews, capturing faculty members' experiences and insights on implementing H.B. 4545 interventions. The internal document analysis collected additional data, providing context on the strategic improvement plans guiding H.B. 4545 measures. The qualitative multiple case study design allowed the analysis of participant insights from two campuses over the 2021–2023 school years to identify similarities and differences in their experiences and practices. The findings reveal that faculty members highlighted the critical role of increased instructional time, high-quality instruction, and the necessity of high-impact tutoring (HIT) sessions to address diverse student needs. The study highlights that teacher-student relationships are intertwined in intervention delivery and addressing the holistic needs of students. This research contributes to the broader understanding of learning recovery in the post-pandemic educational landscape, offering practical recommendations for educators and policymakers to enhance the implementation and impact of learning recovery interventions mandated by H.B. 4545. By highlighting classroom-level implementation, this research underscores the ongoing need for support and refinement of learning recovery programs to better address the diverse needs of students