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Bringing photodegradation of plastic waste into the “green age” through off-grid sustainable energy
No full textPlastic pollution continues to be a problem despite the current efforts in physical and chemical recycling. Moreover, the faster turnover rate on electronic devices by all consumers continues to increase the generation of plastic waste; consequently, the pollution generated also increases worldwide. Despite breakthroughs that have been achieved, the chemical recovery of complex plastics is still a difficult challenge plaguing society today. Some newer approaches for its management are starting to surge; in fact, one recent example is the use of photochemical degradation as a way of breaking down complex polymers such as those found in category 7 of the resin code. While photodegradation of these polymers has seen significant findings over the years, it remains economically costly, and limited to the laboratory scale. This project introduces the preliminary findings of our own implementations of potential “greener” alternatives to the typical photochemical methodologies while also sharing the design process for increasing photodegradation efficiency. By making use of renewable energy light sources that are commercially available we present our prototypes of an off grid photoreactor. The photo-oxidation results gathered in the study will not only prove that these green methods are practical but also act as the first step for introducing a more sustainable form of photodegradation for polymers, which is not only eco-friendly but cost effective for future potential commercial applications
Asian and Asian American music therapists’ experiences with racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and microaggressions: A convergent parallel mixed methods study
No full textThe purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand experiences of racism, discrimination, xenophobia, and microaggressions Asian and Asian American music therapists may experience in the field. A total of 25 participants completed the survey and five participants completed the interview. Respondents from the survey noted experiencing aspects of racism throughout their academic training and various workplaces. Six themes emerged through data analysis using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). A similarity from both data sets is aspects of racism can happen anywhere and at any point in a music therapists’ training and career. A difference between the data sets was the general feelings of acceptance or belonging as an Asian or Asian American and as a music therapist. A need exists for more research surrounding Asian and Asian American music therapists’ experiences and how experiencing racism affects their identity, sense of belonging, and value to the field, especially post COVID-19
We be talkin': Critical explorations into how Black adolescents experience a Black language book club
No full textDeficit views about Black language have circulated throughout society since before
desegregation. However, Black literary societies were used as a way to counter hegemony by developing the language of the Black community and continue to exist (Muhammad, 2021). This single case study sought to understand how Black American adolescents connect with, perceive, and take power over Black language. This was done by investigating the experiences of the adolescents as they interacted with Black literature during a book club with consideration for the pedagogical shifts that emerge because of these experiences. Critical consciousness and reader response theories were used to understand how the Black adolescents described their experiences. As a result, the overarching theme, recognition of Black language, emerged from the data. This was supported by three subthemes: Black language identity, language awareness, and societal positioning. Findings suggest a need for pedagogical shifts in education to consider the asset tools Black adolescents utilize when interacting with Black language
Ch-Ch-Changes: Change in solo improvised dance making
No full textThis research project focuses on methods to notice, describe, and theorize the notion of change in the movements of a dancer engaged in solo-improvised dance-making (SIDM). Using grounded theory and phenomenology, the research drew on the experiences of five dancers well-versed in dance improvisation to develop a substantive theory to describe changes in movement in solo-improvised dance-making. The development of this substantive theory for change in solo improvised dance-making provides a palette of vocabulary for the observation and creation of dances. It was found that change in movement occurred through three processes - variation of inspiration, variation of action, and the reduction of parameters. It is hypothesized that these processes can be used to observe dance practice as a means for reflection on, and articulation of a dancer’s improvisational process to expand and extend their engagement with dance improvisation. By providing more nuanced language for discussion and theorization about change in movement in solo improvised dance-making, this substantive theory of improvisation in dance can extend practice-based discussions around the notion of change within dance improvisation. Although there is very little written scholarship on the notion of change from the perspective of dance, these research findings contribute to the theoretical discussion that is pertinent to dance and also beyond the dance studio to wider socio-political, cultural, and historical discourses, adding an embodied perspective to wider cross-disciplinary engagements with the notion of change
Cognitive function and mental health: Findings from the Dallas Heart Study cohort
No full textPurposes: 1) Explore the relationship between hypertension and cognitive functioning among older adults who participated in the second phase of the Dallas Heart Study (DHS-2) and the Dallas Hearts and Minds Study (DHMS); 2) Understand how cognitive functioning evolves among older adults who participated in the DHS-2 and DHMS; 3) Explore the relationship between depression symptoms and mild cognitive impairment in older African American and Caucasian adults who participated in the DHS-2 and DHMS.
Methodology: Cross-lagged correlations determined relationships between hypertension, education, income, depression (measured using the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomology), and cognition (measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment) at baseline (DHS-2) and 12 years later (DHMS). Education, income, depression, and resting blood pressure were predictors, with change in cognition as the outcome variable. Multiple standardized correlation coefficients were compared to determine potential paths of relationship between variables across time. A paired samples t-test, with a significance of 0.05, was used to determine how depression and cognitive scores changed over 12 years within African Americans and Caucasians.
Results: Participants with hypertension in the DHS-2 had lower scores of cognitive impairment in DHMS (β = .073, p = .026). Participants with lower educational attainment (β = .265, p = .006) and lower income levels (β = .210, p < .001) in the DHS-2 had lower scores of cognitive impairment in the DHMS. The same participants with more depression symptoms had more
cognitive impairment in both the DHS-2 (β = -.170, p < .001) and the DHMS (β = -.113, p = .009), and participants with more depression symptoms in the DHS-2 had lower cognitive impairment scores in the DHMS (β = -.088, p = .009). Both African American and Caucasian participants with depression symptoms in the DHS-2 had significantly fewer depression symptoms in the DHMS when controlling for depression symptoms in the DHS-2 (p < .001). The same participants had significantly more cognitive impairment in the DHMS (p < .001).
Conclusion: A diagnosis of hypertension may elicit negative changes in cognition over a 12-year period. Individuals from lower socioeconomic status (SES) communities may experience cognitive impairment 12 years later. The presence of depression symptoms may elicit negative changes in cognition over a 12-year period
Indirect corporate political strategy in cross-border acquisitions: Influence of political affinity on target-dependent firm lobbying
No full textPurpose: To mitigate the impact of legitimacy concerns, firms often depend on strategic partnerships that enable them to navigate both complex political landscapes and regulatory environments. In this paper, the authors expand research into the dynamics of indirect and collective forms of corporate political activities (CPA), particularly focusing on multinational enterprises (MNEs) originating from countries with low political affinity with the host country and its allies.
Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample consisting of 2,173 friendly acquisitions in the USA made by 1,612 foreign acquirers originating from 66 countries, the authors used Tobit regression analysis to test the direct and moderating hypotheses.
Findings: The empirical evidence shows that acquiring MNEs grappling with heightened legitimacy issues due to low political affinity between the involved countries are more inclined to leverage target firms for effective lobbying resources. This tendency is amplified when the multilateral political affinity between the home and the host country's allies is also considered.
Originality/value: The evolving nature of global politics and the increasing scrutiny of corporate-political interactions necessitate a deeper understanding of indirect CPA strategies. The findings of this research shed light on how bilateral and multilateral political relations affect MNEs’ corporate political activities, specifically in the form of indirect, collective lobbying
Employment Perspectives of, for, and by Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
No full textBy providing appropriate and reasonable supports that require minimal time or cost, individuals with intellectual and development disabilities (IwIDD) can thrive in employment, including in business or military (Werner & Hochman, 2017a; Werner & Hochman, 2017b), obtaining agency and independence, as well as acquire new skills and social connections (Kocman & Weber, 2018; Timmons et al., 2011). Likewise, as long as care is taken to set clear expectations (Kocman et al., 2017), organizations will acquire a capable employee, as well as enhance morale, engagement, and team cohesiveness (Werner & Hochman, 2017a). Finally, family members of IwIDD also value employment as it develops pride, independence, purpose, and community engagement (Carter et al., 2023). Altogether, these perspectives provide strong support for addressing barriers to employment for IwIDD. This research advances understanding that employment of IwIDD is both a morally good choice as benefits IwIDD, and one that benefits others, including employing organizations. (Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Rebecca Fredrickson
Quality Improvement Project: Improving Family-Centered Care During Inpatient Stay for Medically Fragile Neonates
No full textBackground: This research will focus on conducting a needs assessment for parents/caregivers to identify barriers associated with family-centered care practices (FCC) for parents of children previously admitted to the NICU, or Inpatient stay, specifically the pediatric CVICU as the basis for a quality improvement project.
Methods: This study used a non-experimental mixed-methods approach. Parents and caregivers of medically fragile neonates previously/currently admitted to the NICU, pediatric CVICU, or Inpatient stay participated in this study. Participants completed an anonymous 29-question survey distributed via a link posted online on various social media platforms targeting specialty therapy groups and pediatric heart disease organizations, in addition to supplying demographic information as part of the study. Additionally, there will be three optional open-ended questions at the end of the survey created to better understand and identify gaps in family-centered care practices.
Results: A significant Pearson correlation was found at the .01 level (2-tailed) between all four of the FCCS-NICU sub-scales and the total score of the FCCS-NICU scale, meaning that higher scores on one subscale, translate to higher scores on the total FCCS-NICU scale. This shows that each of the 4-subscales (i.e., dignity and respect, information sharing, care participation, and cooperation with family), are areas of importance when implementing FCC in the NICU.
Conclusion: Based on data collected in the study, information sharing, increased parental involvement regarding their neonate’s plan of care, educational resources, continuity of care, and better support systems in place for parents are areas that can be further developed to enhance the quality of care given by all disciplines in the NICU.Texas Children’s Hospita
Teacher Perceptions of How Their Dance Programs are Valued in Relation to the Funding They Receive in Texas High School Settings
No full textRegan Stanton’s research entitled “Teacher Perceptions of How Their Dance Programs Are Valued in Relation to the Funding They Receive in Texas High School Settings” investigates teacher perceptions of how their dance programs are valued in relation to the funding they receive for their dance program. This qualitative research utilized an electronic survey to collect participants’ responses regarding their insights into how their current school district and campus administration value the dance program at the school where they work. With the collected responses, Stanton analyzed individually and across all data and identified commonalities to present key components that appear to influence teacher perceptions of value