6834 research outputs found
Sort by
A holistic single-case study : preschool directors' decision-making processes when expelling early intervention special education students.
No full textAccording to the 2016 National Survey of Children's Health, only 0.1% of children aged three to five were expelled (Zeng et al., 2021). However, children with disabilities were found to be four times more likely to face suspension or expulsion compared to their peers without disabilities (Zeng et al., 2021). The consequences of disciplinary actions, such as temporary or permanent removal from educational settings, could negatively impact a student's future education and increase the likelihood of dropping out or becoming involved in the justice system (Zeng et al., 2021). This qualitative holistic single-case study aimed to explore the decision-making processes of preschool directors regarding the expulsion of early intervention special education students. It sought to highlight recurring expulsions, the influence of adult decisions, and the enduring stigma associated with previous expulsions. Additionally, the study examined the disproportionate targeting of specific student groups and the limited effectiveness of exclusionary disciplinary methods, emphasizing the necessity for more inclusive and supportive environments. Guided by the behavior reasoning theory (BRT; Westaby, 20010), this study utilized a qualitative, holistic, single-case study research design to examine the decision-making process in-depth. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and reflection journals with preschool directors. The collected data underwent a meticulous data analysis spiral involving the application of coding techniques, content analysis, and identifying clusters and themes from the interview transcripts. Member checking and triangulation measures were implemented to ensure the findings' reliability and validity. The practical implications of this study are significant. The findings underscored the substantial influence of staff skills, parent involvement, and access to resources on the decision-making process of preschool directors. Based on these findings, the study proposed concrete recommendations, including prioritizing professional development programs, fostering strong partnerships with parents, and ensuring the availability of resources for behavior management and related services. By implementing these recommendations, preschools can create inclusive and supportive environments, thereby reducing the occurrence of expulsion and providing equal opportunities for all students. Thus, this study could significantly impact the lives of early intervention special education students
Joint modeling receiver functions and autocorrelograms to estimate crustal structure in the presence of deep sediments.
No full textP receiver functions use large, distant earthquakes to image local structure. They record the interactions of teleseismic P waves with impedance contrasts, such as the Moho and sediment-basement interface, which generate conversions of P type to S type energy. Typically, receiver functions are used to determine contrast depth and the ratio of P velocity to S velocity (Vp/Vs). We refine receiver function methodologies for application to sedimentary basins, which is useful because basin structure introduces complexity to the receiver functions. First, we consider vertical autocorrelograms along with P receiver functions. The same interfaces that generate Ps conversions also reflect P reverberations after direct P arrivals. This better constrains structure and enables P velocity (Vp) determination. Second, we use waveform matching to consider the full complexity recorded on the receiver functions and autocorrelograms. Waveform modeling takes significant computational power, so non-linear global optimization methods are used to efficiently navigate the parameter space. Our first study applies this method to the Permian Basin. We matched the expected basin structure with our modeling, with basin depths of up to 8 km and an average basin Vp of 4.6 km/s. We observed high Vp/Vs values, an indicator of mafic materials, in crystalline crust previously interpreted as mafic igneous intrusions based on gravity data. Our second study focuses on a profile across the south-central United States. This profile moves from the North American Craton in northern Arkansas to a passive margin at the Gulf Coast, crossing several accreted terranes and sedimentary basins. We observe the crust thinning from north to south from ~47 km to ~26 km, with the Ouachita Mountains marking boundary in average crystalline crustal Vp values, potentially indicating compositional differences. Our third study models crustal structure in the Bengal Basin. This >20 km deep sedimentary basin lies between the Indian shield and Indo-Burma Ranges. We observe the basin deepening from north to south, with two apparent low-velocity zones likely linked to fluids trapped in deep sediments. The crystalline crust thickness ranges from 14-25 km and has an average Vp of 6.9 km/s, which we interpret as extended crust
His sexism, her sexism : internalized sexism and well-being in the United States.
No full textAnalyses of health and well-being using repeated cross-sectional data from Gallup (n=1501 in 2017 and n=1248 in 2021) show that gender traditionalism is related to greater frequency of depressive and anxiety symptoms among both men and women, consistent with a "universal harm" thesis. While benevolent sexism shows no associations with mental well-being measures, hostile sexism is linked to greater depressive and anxiety symptoms among men only. Estimated associations between sexism and well-being are substantial, and considerably more prominent once adjusted for suppressant, individual-level factors of religious involvement and political conservatism, both of which associate with greater subjective well-being. Estimated indirect effects through mastery are significant for both women and men. Internalized sexism, whether in terms of traditionalism or hostility, could undermine health and well-being through diminishing women's and men's sense of personal effectiveness within American society
Dutifully contending for the faith : evangelical anti-Mormonism in the countercult movement, 1950-1989.
No full textThe United States in the 1950s embraced a civil religion that favored religious pluralism in the face of a communist danger that threatened to take away religious freedom. At the same time, religious minorities, particularly members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, experienced a renewed attack on their faith from evangelical Christians. This dissertation explores that paradox by providing a history of anti-Mormonism within the Christian countercult movement from roughly 1950 to 1989. It argues that cultural anxieties brought on by the Cold War exacerbated the hostile relationship between evangelical Christians and Latter-day Saints and contributed to a revival of anti-Mormonism at midcentury. Evangelical Christians in the postwar years viewed the world around them through a biblical lens and understood the growth and acceptance of Mormonism as fulfillment of end-times prophecy detailing the appearance of false religions before Christ's return. As such, evangelicals set out on a course to convince Americans and the world that Mormonism was a dangerous, non-Christian cult that harmed families, women, people of color, and American democracy. This dissertation also explores how anti-Mormonism provided countercult apologists an opportunity to define evangelical Christianity and argue that their faith was more Christian, American, and morally sound than Mormonism. This study consults a wide range of anti-Mormon countercult material produced by evangelical Christians including recorded Bible classes, sermons, books, pamphlets, and films and places them within their historical context, highlighting how cultural concerns about communism, the stability of the family, and civil rights shaped the content of anti-Mormon works. It additionally uses oral histories of Black Latter-day Saints to better understand the character of Black Protestant anti-Mormonism in the 1970s and 1980s. The existence of vehement anti-Mormonism during the second half of the twentieth century complicates the image of a tri-faith American nation that valued religious tolerance. Although American identity at midcentury and beyond was increasingly viewed as a religious one that celebrated Judeo-Christian faiths, many Americans were not ready to include Mormonism within that identity alongside Protestantism, Catholicism, and Judaism
In vitro pulmonary toxicology of e-cigarette and 3D printer aerosolized emissions.
No full textInhaled aerosol dosimetry is concerned with assessing the threat of environmental particulate pollutants or the effectiveness of inhaled drug delivery. E-cigarettes and 3D printers are examples of two aerosol generators that are frequently used by the public today. While they undoubtedly have distinct functions and intentions of use, they expose their users to aerosol emissions (e.g., particulate matter, liquid droplets, vapors). Vaping can be characterized by a plethora of variables, whereby the health risk posed by vaping will be altered by the individual device, the flavor of e-liquid, and the nicotine concentration. Generally, e-cigarette exposure has been determined to harm the mucociliary escalator and epithelial membrane integrity and cause oxidative stress and inflammation. The risk from vaping becomes even greater when devices are misused, and dry hitting results in significantly increased cytotoxicity due to the degradation of the cotton wick and e-liquid constituents. 3D printing, on the other hand, releases particulate matter and volatile organic compounds associated with the material being printed. The major category of plastic filament, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), produces more particulate matter than PLA, which further correlates with a greater metabolic response in exposed cells. Neither of these filament groups caused significant oxidative stress, whereas one tested filament with a partial steel filler produced cytotoxicity and oxidative stress. Therefore, vaping poses an unavoidable risk to the individuals who perpetuate the habit. Still, risk can at least be minimized by avoiding devices that produce numerous dangerous byproducts, opting for flavors with fewer effects across in vitro models, and avoiding dangerous apparatus malfunctions such as dry hitting. 3D printing, on the other hand, is a much safer and cleaner source of aerosol generation. While users of 3D printers do not have nearly as great of inherent risk due to toxic aerosol exposure, they can still implement common sense tactics to lower their overall exposure and avoid long-term, chronic exposure that may eventually induce biological harm
The effects of consuming arugula extract on nitric oxide metabolite concentrations and cardiovascular-related measures.
No full textThe purpose of the present investigation was to determine whether the consumption of arugula extract would produce beneficial effects on metabolites of nitric oxide and cardiovascular-related measures. Furthermore, this investigation aimed to identify if there were any marked differences between two different styles of consuming the capsule (e.g., chewing, swallowing) due to the influence from the oral microbiome and nitrate degradation. Twelve, metabolically healthy males (Age: 22.9 ± 3.0y; BMI: 24.0 ± 3.3kg/m2; VAT area: 53.8 ± 10.7cm3) participated in three conditions (separated by a 72-hour washout period) involving the consumption of arugula extract capsules [e.g., chewing (CW), swallowing (SW), control (CON)]. Following an overnight fast, participants consumed the arugula extract capsule for each condition. Venous blood samples, blood pressure, and heart rate variability were sampled at baseline, and every hour following ingestion – for 3 total hours (e.g., baseline, 1-HR, 2-HR, 3-HR). All variables were analyzed using a 2-way repeated measures ANOVA. Pairwise comparisons were performed on any significant interactions using a Sidak correction. Level of significance was set at α = 0.05. Total NO and nitrate concentrations were apparently higher 1-hour after chewing the capsule, compared to swallowing (p = .003) and the control (p < .001). Furthermore, total NO and nitrate concentrations did not significantly differ between chewing and swallowing 2-hours (p = .971) and 3-hours (p = .988) after consumption. However, both chewing and swallowing were significantly greater than control 2-hours (CW: p < .001; SW: p < .001) and 3-hours (CW: p < .001; SW: p < .001) following consumption. Nitrite concentrations remained similar for all conditions and time points. Likewise, no significant differences were seen between HRV indices or blood pressure. This may likely be due to the nitrate dosage given to participants. Future studies should seek to examine a larger dose in a clinical population to determine its efficacy of improving vascular related outcomes
Assessing experienced discrimination in a college student population.
No full textExperienced discrimination based on identity and appearance (or discrimination experience) is critical to assess among the college student population given its relationship to six key components of the college student experience. Investigating this variable requires the use of a psychometrically sound scale that demonstrates adequate validity and sensitivity; however, one of the most commonly used measures to assess discrimination experience in undergraduates—the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS; Williams et al., 1997)—suffers issues related to these two key scale properties. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to develop a novel scale to measure discrimination experience in college students—the Academia Discrimination Experience Scale (ADES)—in order to improve upon the validity and sensitivity of the EDS. It was hypothesized that the ADES would produce a good fit to a unidimensional confirmatory factor analysis model and provide high information in item response theory analyses. Further, it was hypothesized that the ADES would demonstrate convergent correlations with variables tapping the six key components of the college student experience. Finally, it was hypothesized that the ADES would demonstrate sensitivity to detecting significant differences between groups with well-documented experiences of discrimination and groups with less documentation. All hypotheses were supported by the results of the present study, except for the hypothesis regarding significant correlations with the criterion variables. Although the ADES demonstrated promising features (i.e., the scale has a good factor structure, demonstrates high information across varying response levels, and is sensitive to detecting group differences), the scale failed to meet the criterion for convergent validity. The paper ends with a discussion regarding implications and limitations of this study as well as possible directions for future research
From Soil to Soul : A Narrative Exploration of Family, Place, and Identity.
No full textIn this Creative Nonfiction thesis, I explore four family members' experiences in their hometowns to understand how their experience in a place contributed to their identity formation. The thesis begins by exploring identity and self, socialization, and creative nonfiction place stories, all of which serve as my work's theoretical underpinnings. I situate discussions of identity within Erik Erikson's model of psychosocial development. I then move to the story of my mother's life growing up in Hays, Kansas, my paternal grandmother's life growing up in Galesville, Wisconsin, my paternal grandfather's life growing up in Thomastown, Mississippi, and my father's life growing up in McAllen Texas. Each chapter begins by establishing a sense of what the place is like, followed by the experiences of the individual. Each chapter ends with a reflection of how the person's experience in a place shaped an aspect of their identity. I end with a discussion of Erikson's theory of identity crises and why people may decide to leave or stay in the place they were raised
Efficacy of video education for mouth breathing and oral health : a qualitative case study to understand adult patient awareness and behavior change.
No full textMouth breathing has been linked to adverse oral and detrimental health problems for patients. The following dissertation presented a qualitative case study that focused on the efficacy of using video education to address patient awareness and behavior change regarding the topic of mouth breathing. Raising awareness and encouraging patients to make behavioral modifications to improve their health outcomes is essential due to the current high prevalence of mouth breathing. Utilizing the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) as the framework, the focus of the study was understanding how communication through a video training module would influence participants as they progressed through the readiness stages of the framework and the influence on their behavior changes. The data collection involved interviews, questionnaires, memos, and a document review, allowing for a comprehensive understanding of the participants' experiences. The qualitative analysis of the data helped to identify themes and patterns that emerged from the participants' lived experiences and how their awareness and behavior changed regarding mouth breathing. The findings highlighted the importance of using video-based means of presenting information about airway-related health topics and how it effectively raised awareness of the participants about the negative consequences of mouth breathing, which motivated patients to consider a behavior change. The participants' readiness stages were varied throughout the study, reflecting that behavior change is fluid. The content of the video significantly influenced participants' progression through the readiness stages. Overall, this dissertation contributes to the literature by offering a fuller understanding of video-based education to foster awareness and behavior change amongst adult patients regarding airway-related topics such as mouth breathing. The findings provide healthcare professionals with a positive correlation between using an innovative method of video-based education to address mouth breathing-related concerns and promote better health amongst their patients
A different lens : a qualitative multiple-case study exploring the interrelationships between environmental, personal, and behavioral determinants and STEM perspectives for middle-school girls.
No full textMiddle-school girls participate in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs less often than middle-school boys, especially computer science and engineering-related courses (Charlesworth & Banaji, 2019). Establishing why these girls do not participate in STEM programs and STEM-related classes remains an enigma. Key stakeholders must understand the environmental and personal determinants influencing middle-school girls' perspectives about STEM and how these perspectives influence the behavioral determinants of participation in STEM programs and STEM self-efficacy. This understanding is the catalyst for increasing the number of girls participating in STEM-related programs and classes. This qualitative multiple-case study acknowledged the problems associated with middle-school girls' perspectives on STEM, their choices about STEM participation, and STEM self-efficacy. Participants shared their views on how environmental, personal, and behavioral determinants influenced their perspectives of STEM in this qualitative multiple-case study. This research design examined the phenomenon of STEM perspectives subjectively from each carefully selected participant's point of view. Data collected from focus groups, individual interviews, and reflective journals provided insight into the influencing determinants of STEM perspectives. The participants lived in five states and attended middle school. Two participants identified as females of color. Emerging themes provided rich narratives that detailed the participants' decisions about their participation in STEM programs and explained how they formed STEM self-efficacy. Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory was the theoretical framework that guided the research questions' development. The environmental determinants examined included gender, race, family, teacher, and peer influences. The personal determinants included a sense of belonging and confidence. This study examined STEM self-efficacy and the decision to participate in STEM programs as specific behaviors influenced by environmental and personal determinants. Key stakeholders must work together to develop collaborative partnerships to bring changes to STEM programs that encourage middle-school girls to participate. These partnerships provide opportunities for key stakeholders to eliminate negative gender and racial stereotypes about STEM, support and encourage academic success, and reduce personal and organizational barriers impeding engagement in STEM programs. By encouraging and supporting academic success, these strategies also improve middle-school girls' confidence in STEM-related classes, leading to improved STEM self-efficacy and a sense of belonging in STEM