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Gardens as pathways to environmental education for all ages
Get PDFGardens provide hands-on opportunities for environmental education that extend beyond food production, encompassing ecological literacy, sustainability practices, experiential learning, and community engagement. This article uses a creative nonfiction approach to examine the author’s personal journey from reluctant gardener to advocate for learning gardens. Through narrative reflection of her own family’s gardening experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, the author illustrates how gardening fosters intergenerational learning, socio-emotional development, and curiosity-driven exploration of ecological systems. The article highlights how gardens function as accessible entry points for lifelong learners of all ages, demonstrating that environmental literacy can emerge outside of traditional scientific expertise. Ultimately, this work underscores the value of gardening as a pathway toward cultivating sustainable practices, personal transformation, and community connection
CULTURAL COMPETENCY OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN BURN CARE THROUGH AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY MODEL
Get PDFPurpose: Burn injuries are considered one of the most devastating injuries globally (Farzan et al., 2023). Those suffering from serious burns are likely to be affected in all areas of life (physical, social, mental, emotional, spiritual, environmental, intellectual, and psychological) (Abrams et al., 2016). Some of these impacts include changes in appearance, social isolation, stress, anxiety, depression, self-esteem, employment, financial burden, and family problems. These are devastating outcomes are seen throughout diverse populations (Nair & Adetayo, 2019). As diverse populations are rising, an increase in equitable medical care is needed (Peters et al., 2022). Education and increasing awareness of culturally competent health care in the burn care setting will decrease ethnic discrepancies and increase accessible and acceptable care (Handtke et al., 2019; Latif, 2020). The goal of this project is to educate healthcare professionals in a burn care setting on cultural competency. The materials in this resource are intended to increase culturally competent care and promote quality of life amongst patients.
Methodology: The theoretical principles of the Ecology of Human Performance informed the scholarly product (Dunn, 2017). A detailed literature review, assessment of needs, clinical experience in the burn care setting, and collaboration with interdisciplinary team members determined strengths and barriers of developing cultural competency within the burn center care team. Physical resources were created to foster health professionals’ education of cultural competency in the burn care setting.
Results: The materials created consist of resources for educating cultural competence along with cultural handouts. Resources were shared through an online and physical toolkit titled Cultural Competency Toolkit: A Guide for the Burn Center Care Team. Cultural handouts were also provided in hard copy to the burn unit at the facility.
Conclusion: This resource was intended to educate cultural competency in healthcare professionals in the burn care setting. The materials provided aimed to improve patient outcomes by providing culturally competent care to patients who’ve suffered a burn injury. Therefore, throughout the use of this resource, healthcare professionals will have support to maintain and gain cultural competency in the burn care setting
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY BEST PRACTICES IN PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION PROGRAMS
No full textIntroduction: Occupational therapy practitioners play a crucial role on the care team in partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Occupational therapy practitioners are a key member of the care team due to their profession’s unique view of the person and goal of supporting them in their valued occupations. Occupational therapy practitioners have training in psychosocial and mental health interventions that enable those with mental illness to engage in meaningful everyday activities. Practitioners must be equipped with the current best practice standards to support participants to engage in recovery and wellness through occupation. With the growing need for mental and behavioral services and providers along with the many regulations placed on practitioners, it can be difficult for occupational therapy practitioners in PHPs to stay up to date.
Methodology: An initial literature review was conducted to gain an understanding of PHPs, occupational therapy’s role, and current best practice recommendations. Then, an onsite needs assessment was conducted through observation and informal interviews with staff of the PHP. Strengths and opportunities for growth were identified and presented to stakeholders to select a product focus. A second literature review was conducted to specifically gain literature on the selected focus. The product was then developed and piloted with formative feedback. Tools were developed for program outcome measurement.
Results: The selected focus for the product was to implement movement and mindfulness into daily programing while encouraging habit formation for the patients so they continue the practices at home. The product included information on the benefits of mindfulness and movement practices, mindfulness and movement activities including descriptions and instructions, and handouts that coincides with the activities. The product was piloted, and the clients reported an increase in energy level; decrease in anxiety, stress, and depression levels; and increased frequency of mindfulness and movement practices in their daily routine.
Conclusions and Significance: The development of the product had significance for all behavioral health occupational therapy practitioners. The product was developed to be gradable and require very little supplies, making in applicable to other areas besides adult PHPs such as adult inpatient psychiatry and adolescent PHPs
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY’S ROLE WITH CAREGIVERS OF STROKE SURVIVORS
Get PDFPurpose: Caregivers of stroke survivors often report feeling overwhelmed and unprepared to take on such an unexpected role for their loved ones. The purpose of this scholarly project was to support caregivers of stroke survivors by providing them with a self-paced educational program, to ensure caregivers can continue to maintain overall health and well-being while simultaneously caring for a loved one.
Methodology: An in-depth literature review was completed with the use of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) to guide the development of the program. The identification of site-specific needs was achieved through a review of literature and an on-site needs assessment, which included treatment session observations, discussions with caregivers and practitioners, and expert opinions to ensure the developed program effectively met the identified needs.
Results: A program was created titled the Mindful Caregiving program to increase caregivers of stroke survivors overall mental health, well-being, and quality of life. The program included information on stroke, mental health, occupational therapy, caregiving, problem-solving, coping skills, relationships, and setting boundaries. Each section of the program was designed to be selfpaced to allow caregivers to consume and comprehend information at a rate that is appropriate for them.
Conclusion: It is anticipated that the Mindful Caregiving program will enhance caregivers of stroke survivors’ quality of life. The goal of this program was to provide caregivers of stroke survivors with resources and supports to improve overall mental health and well-being. This program contributed to the field of occupational therapy by providing practitioners with a program to introduce to caregivers to address mental health struggles, improve quality of life, and increase participation in the occupation of caregiving
David and Oprah, Song lyrics, undated
Get PDFSong lyrics for David and Oprah by Bill Gessner. A song about David, who is Bill\u27s friend, overly watching Oprah on television, to the point where he is losing sleep over it.https://commons.und.edu/gessner-lyrics/1008/thumbnail.jp
Laboratory Application Of An Aircraft Particle Imaging Probe To Characterize Levitated Ice Crystals And Their Aerodynamic Drag
Get PDFIce crystals in the upper atmosphere range in size from a few nanometers to a few millimeters, creating potential damage to vehicles traveling at hypersonic speeds; this problem has not yet been investigated with controlled laboratory techniques. This thesis investigates ice crystal impacts on high-speed flight vehicles and their aerodynamics by exploring a new method to combine ice crystal and shock wave experimental apparatuses to achieve experiments of observing ice crystals and shock waves interacting. The objectives of this research are: (1) to consistently produce levitated ice crystals in a setup that can feasibly release the ice crystals into a high-speed flow facility, e.g. a shock tube, (2) to generate ice crystals in the laboratory that correspond to real atmospheric ice particles observed during flight campaigns, and to (3) determine any transient drag effects that might impede introduction of the atmospherically realistic ice crystal to the flow facility. An acoustic levitator levitates a water droplet and nitrogen-cooled air flows over the droplet to freeze it, producing an ice crystal. These ice crystals are dropped into an aircraft probe to capture a 2D image of the ice crystal profile, and a camera records the fall to extrapolate the fall time of the particle. Drag force negligibly affects the ice crystals due to the particle’s small size and the short distance to fall, with the force of gravity being significantly larger. A valve assembly is required to allow the ice crystal to be introduced to the shock wave with minimal impacts to the pressure inside the shock tube. The research done on characterizing the ice crystals made with the acoustic levitator is integral to furthering progress on creating smaller atmospherically realistic particles and being able to observe their interactions with shock waves
Visible, Invisible: (Levantine) Arab American Men On Mental Health
Get PDFTo address the dearth in psychological research and practice in regards to Arab American men, this study examined the lived experiences of seven Levantine (Belad Al Sham) Arab American men with origins in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq. Semi-structured interviews, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and a Liberation Psychology framework were utilized to explore their definitions of mental health, their experiences of stigma, their experiences with mental health therapy, and their attitudes towards psychology and therapy. A total of seven superordinate themes emerged that highlighted the roles of gendered stigma, cultural incongruence in therapeutic praxis, Eurocentric norms in psychology, and conceptualizations of psychological phenomena that do or do not require therapeutic intervention. Participants described the impacts of stigma, social, and material concerns on their help-seeking behaviors and attitudes. They reported cultural and systemic barriers to help-seeking, and their definitions of mental health highlighted the importance of holistic and communal health. They also spoke to the lack of cultural competence towards this marginalized community, and the need to enhance alternative modes of therapy (e.g., somatic therapies). Results reflect the importance of liberatory frameworks in psychological policy and praxis to combat the marginalization, stigmatization, and pathologization often faced by members of this community, and to increase the utilization of ancestral treatments that involve somatic healing and community-oriented interventions
A Phenomenological Study Of The Motivations, Persistence And Challenges Of African Immigrant Adult Learners In Community Colleges In Minnesota
Get PDFAfrican Immigrant Adult Learners (AIAL) are considered an exclusive demographic group who left Africa and obtained permanent residency in the United States. They experience a wide range of challenges in their quest for postsecondary education, which impact their access, persistence, and academic success. The purpose of this qualitative study based on a phenomenological approach was to explore the factors that motivate African Immigrant Adult Learners and enable them to persist and remain resilient in their pursuit of higher education at community colleges in Minnesota. The theories that guided this research are the Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and Schlossberg’s Transition Theory (STT). A phenomenological approach was implemented by asking a sample of 14 adult respondents of African origin to share their lived experiences through semi-structured interviews. Three research questions were addressed by interpreting the results of a thematic analysis of the interview transcript. One main theme reveals that participants were motivated to enroll at community colleges because of the recommendations of family and friends, the provision of support from a U.S. government visa program, the ultimate achievement of academic qualifications, the geographical location of the colleges, and the low cost of tuition. Another main theme showed that participants persisted at community colleges through excellent professional support from the administrators and faculty, and the ability to transition from a two-year community college to a four-year University course. A third main theme identified the challenges participants faced while studying at community colleges including acculturative stress, language barriers, and coping simultaneously with family, work, and academic responsibilities. The personal reflections of the researcher, the study limitations, the theoretical implications of the findings, and the recommendations for policy, practice, and future research are discussed
Advancing Human-Computer Interaction Systems Through Explainable And Secure AI Integration
Get PDFAs artificial intelligence (AI) systems increasingly shape how humans interact with digital environments, the need for transparency, security, and robustness in intelligent decision making has become critical. This thesis explores how explainable and secure AI techniques can be integrated into modern human-computer interaction (HCI) systems to enhance trust, resilience, and alignment with human operators.
We present three related studies, each addressing a distinct challenge in the design of human-centered AI. First, we apply XAI methods, specifically Local Interpretable Model-Agnostic Explanations (LIME), to deep learning (DL) based CAPTCHA solvers. By interpreting model attention patterns, we uncover exploitable weaknesses in text CAPTCHA designs and propose improvements aimed at making human verification systems more transparent.
Second, we introduce a unified framework for evaluating machine learning (ML) robustness under structured data poisoning attacks. We assess model degradation across traditional classifiers, deep neural networks, Bayesian hybrids, and LLMs, using attacks such as label flipping, data corruption, and adversarial insertion. By incorporating LIME into our evaluation process, we move beyond accuracy scores to uncover attribution drift and internal failure patterns that are vital for building resilient AI systems.
Third, we propose a justification generation system powered by LLMs for real time automation. Using the Tennessee Eastman Process (TEP) dataset, we fine-tune a compact instruction-tuned model (FLAN-T5) to produce natural language explanations from structured sensor data. The results show that lightweight LLMs can be embedded into operator dashboards to deliver interpretable reasoning, enhance traceability, and support oversight in safety-sensitive settings.
Together, these studies outline a framework for building AI systems that are not only capable, but also transparent, secure, and human aligned. This work advances the field of human-centered AI by emphasizing interpretability and robustness as foundational elements in the future of interactive intelligent systems
A.G. Sorlie Co.
No full textThe A.G. Sorlie service station around 1928. The station was located at 224 South Third Street at the corner with Division Avenue.
A.G. Sorlie \u27s station replaced a small frame building that housed the Holland photographic studio. The famous Mobile windmill on the roof caused quite a stir.
Off to the right side of photo the following businesses can be see: Ideal Meat Market and Grand Forks Meat Market.https://commons.und.edu/gf-city-photos/1009/thumbnail.jp