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THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MILLENNIAL BLACK WOMEN EMPLOYED BY PREDOMINANTLY WHITE ORGANIZATIONS: AN INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL EXPLORATION OF IDENTITY SHIFTING
No full textIdentity shifting is “the intentional process of altering one’s behavior and language based on feelings of exclusion, expectations, and perceptions from others” (Dickens et al., 2018, p. 5). Previous identity shifting research shows that many have used it as a coping mechanism to escape racial and/or gender discrimination or a tool for success. However, there are negative consequences, such as poor mental health, that questions the necessity of using this. Millennial Black women were used as participants because they would offer unique experiences since they experience being at the intersection of being Black, female, and being born within the same generation. This study was a phenomenological, qualitative study. A semi-structured interview guide was created. Participants were recruited via Facebook and LinkedIn. Fourteen participants were recruited. Five major themes and two subthemes were found: justification of identity shifting for career progression and to combat stereotypes or microaggressions, consequences of identity shifting, examples of identity shifting, intersectionality of identity shifting, and signing the right contract. Participants who shifted their identities did so for their own career progression, but this caused negative emotions such as anger, frustration, and resentment. Evidence of shifting were both external (such as a change in clothing) and internal (such as the creation of a second personality). Participants confirmed that it was mostly their gender and race that contributed to their willingness to shift. Finally, most participants readily assimilated for their superiors, versus their peers or subordinates. Implications for future HRD research should include studies that review how not shifting could impact career progression, or if identity shifting is less prevalent in diverse organizations. Implications for HRD practice should include a continuation of examining and dismantling the power structures that negatively impact marginalized people
TIMING END-OF-LIFE CARE EDUCATION FOR NEW GRADUATE ICU NURSES
Full text linkProblem: New graduate nurses (NGNs) in the intensive care unit (ICU) experience a readiness to-practice gap when providing end-of-life (EOL) care.
Research Question: What is the effect of differences in timing EOL education in an ICU NGN’s first year and their self-efficacy to provide EOL care, emotional exhaustion, and reality shock?
Design: This pilot study used a complex experimental mixed methods design with the qualitative strand embedded after the quantitative intervention.
Methods: Pre- and post-intervention data were collected from 135 nurse residents (62 ICU nurses), 34 of whom were trained within 4 months of practice and 28 of whom were trained at 8- 12 months. Measures for EOL care self-efficacy, reality shock, emotional exhaustion, and demographic information were collected. Seven participants were interviewed after all participants completed the intervention.
Analysis: Paired t-tests were conducted to evaluate the intervention effects. Independent t-tests evaluated the timing effect of the intervention. Correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate relationships between the three outcome measures. Multiple regression tests evaluated the factors’ effects on outcomes. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and those results were integrated with the quantitative results.
Results: The early group demonstrated a significantly greater improvement in self-efficacy scores compared to the late group after intervention (early M = .59 vs. late M = .19, p = .013), along with a significant improvement in their reality shock scores. Emotional exhaustion scores did not differ significantly within or between groups. Self-efficacy was significantly negatively correlated with reality shock, whereas emotional exhaustion was positively correlated with reality shock. Qualitative analysis revealed several themes and generally supported early education.
Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that early EOL care education is preferable for NGNs despite transition shock and early education may significantly influence their self-efficacy to provide EOL care and experience of reality shock
A Preliminary Examination of the Effects of Moral Elevation on Pain Tolerance, Pain Severity, and Interpersonal Goals
Full text linkDespite the abundance of chronic pain treatment research, chronic pain continues to affect an estimated 20% of the world\u27s population; thus, new approaches are likely needed to expand treatment options. One innovative approach to managing chronic pain distress is moral elevation. Moral elevation is an emotion experienced after witnessing an act of virtue, often described as a feeling of being uplifted, inspired, or in awe. Moral elevation has been linked with positive health-related outcomes such as improved mental health symptoms and higher physical quality of life, as well as higher social functioning such as prosocial behavior and a greater sense of connection with others. However, the relationship between elevation and the experience of pain is unknown. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate whether exposure to moral elevation influences responses to pain and if eliciting elevation impacts interpersonal goals (compassionate and self-image motives), despite the experience of pain. In this experimental study, participants were randomly assigned to watch an elevation or neutral video while undergoing a cold pressor test to elicit a pain response. It was hypothesized that participants in the elevation condition would report significantly higher pain tolerance and lower pain severity compared to the control condition. Additionally, it was hypothesized that those in the elevation condition will report significantly higher compassionate goals and lower self-image goals compared to the control condition. Contrary to hypotheses, elevation did not significantly impact pain outcomes or interpersonal goals compared to the control condition. Although results were nonsignificant, this novel integration of elevation and pain highlights the need for further research to determine whether specific positive emotions can meaningfully influence pain experiences
A MULTIMODAL DEEP LEARNING METHOD COMBINING IMAGE ANALYSIS AND SOIL NITRATE SENSOR DATA FOR ACCURATE ESTIMATION OF LEAF NITROGEN IN COTTON PLANTS
No full textEfficient nitrogen management is critical for optimizing cotton yield, ensuring plant health, and minimizing environmental impact. Traditional nitrogen monitoring methods, such as soil sampling and laboratory analysis, are time-consuming, costly, and impractical for large-scale farming. To address this challenge, this study uses a multimodal deep learning model that integrates image-based analysis and soil nitrate measurements to estimate leaf nitrogen content, enabling accurate, real-time nitrogen assessment for precision agriculture. A convolutional neural network (CNN) is employed to extract features from leaf images related to nitrogen status, while incorporating soil nitrate data enhances the accuracy of leaf nitrogen predictions by accounting for variations in soil nitrogen availability. A potentiometric sensor, developed in this study, enables precise electrochemical measurement of soil nitrate concentration, ensuring the model benefits from a continuous and reliable soil nitrogen assessment rather than relying on commercial sensors. By incorporating sensor-based soil nitrate measurements alongside image features, this approach provides a more comprehensive and accurate evaluation of leaf nitrogen status. The CNN model’s performance is evaluated using R², precision-recall curves, and Receiver Operating Characteristic - Area Under the Curve (ROC-AUC) scores, demonstrating a higher predictive accuracy (R² = 0.94) in the multimodal approach compared to the image-only model (R² = 0.90) for 650 samples. Additionally, a CNN-based binary classification model categorizes nitrogen levels in cotton leaves into low and high nitrogen levels , enabling targeted fertilizer application and early nitrogen deficiency detection. The results confirm that the multimodal approach significantly outperforms image-only predictions, reducing misclassification errors and enhancing nitrogen management efficiency. This research contributes to sustainable and data-driven precision agriculture, providing farmers with a scalable, non-invasive tool to optimize nitrogen application, reduce the cost of fertilizer application, and improve cotton yield and productivity
EXCLUSIVE BREASTMILK PUMPING: REFINING KNOWLEDGE AND EXPLORING FAMILIES’ EXPERIENCES
No full textBreastmilk is the biological normative substance for infants, yet some families cannot breastfeed, choose not to breastfeed, or attempt to breastfeed and then transition to formula when they encounter problems. Some parents are feeding their infants breastmilk produced from the process of exclusive expression (EE). This dissertation portfolio includes a definition of EE derived from a concept analysis and an integrative review of the current literature, together providing an essential foundation for all future EE-related research. Additionally, this portfolio includes the report of original qualitative research, which was guided by the methodology of Interpretive Description. The study entailed conducting interviews with and reviewing social media posts from EE parents. The aim was to determine what we can learn from parents who utilize EE in the home environment to provide nutrition for their full-term, healthy babies. Some findings were consistent with the published literature, while others were novel. Unique findings in this study included the parents’ experiential wisdom transforming into guidance for both healthcare providers and for future parents who may choose to provide breastmilk using EE. In addition, within the theme of experiential wisdom, there are clear examples of parents having learned to “trust their gut” and the reassuring results that followed. Clinical insights were gleaned from hearing parents recount their antepartum, intrapartum, and EE experiences. The portfolio concludes with a summary of the dissertation documents and an overview of next steps in the author’s anticipated program of EE research
EXPLORING THE INFLUENCE OF MENTORSHIP ON FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS IN BUSINESS ACCELERATORS: A QUALITATIVE STUDY
No full textThis qualitative study examines how mentorship within business accelerators influences women founders’ entrepreneurial self-efficacy and, in turn, how self-efficacy shapes their interpretation and use of mentor feedback. Grounded in Human Resource Development (HRD) scholarship and Social Cognitive Theory, and informed by entrepreneurial learning, social capital, and intersectionality perspectives, the study conceptualizes accelerators as efficacy-shaping systems rather than neutral program containers. Using a qualitative design, the research draws on in-depth interviews with women entrepreneurs who participated in accelerator programs, complemented by program materials and cross-case thematic analysis. Findings indicate that accelerator mentoring practices operate through intertwined environmental, relational, and cognitive mechanisms that can both strengthen and erode self-efficacy. High-quality, relationally attuned mentoring; credible sponsorship; structured opportunities for reflection; and psychologically safe feedback processes functioned as efficacy-building levers that supported agency, learning, and venture action. In contrast, misaligned mentor–founder fit, ambiguous or inconsistent feedback, and credibility gaps, produced efficacy-erosive conditions that constrained participants’ confidence and diminished the developmental value of the accelerator experience. These insights are synthesized in the Accelerator Self-Efficacy Development (ASED) Framework, which models accelerators as developmental architectures in which program design, mentoring quality, social capital activation, and identity dynamics recursively shape belief and behavior. The study extends Social Cognitive Theory to organizationally designed ecosystems, advances HRD theory by positioning mentoring as developmental infrastructure for equity and capability-building, and offers practical guidance for funders, accelerator leaders, and HRD practitioners seeking to design ethical, equity-centered learning systems that more effectively support women entrepreneurs
Tort Immunity Waiver for Vaccine Injuries: Ethical and Legal Perspectives
No full textThe COVID pandemic highlighted the importance of vaccine development and availability worldwide. Operation Warp-Speed in the United States accelerated vaccine production by several major pharmaceutical manufacturers, averting some of the normal administrative processes. The result has been a financial windfall for those companies. Some recent data has shown that the COVID vaccine can cause negative side effects in some patients. There are provisions in U.S. law that allow victims of vaccine injuries to recover compensation through the court system. However, even then tort remedies are limited by federal law. Since the review process was rushed during the pandemic, should tort immunity still be available to those pharmaceutical companies? This paper will discuss the legal and ethical issues involved in vaccine tort immunity
Precision Metagenomics in Elder Care: Renovating Infection Diagnostics and Antimicrobial Stewardship
Full text linkAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a critical challenge in elder care, where frequent infections, polypharmacy, and immunosenescence contribute to poor outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods, including culture-based and polymerase chain reaction assays, often fail to provide timely, comprehensive microbial identification, leading to prolonged empirical antibiotic use and worsening resistance trends. Precision metagenomics, a clinically refined application of next-generation sequencing, represents a transformative advancement in infection diagnostics and antimicrobial stewardship. By enabling culture-independent, high-resolution pathogen detection directly from clinical samples, precision metagenomics provides real-time identification of bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic pathogens, along with their antimicrobial resistance profiles. This approach facilitates early intervention, improves therapeutic precision, and minimizes unnecessary antibiotic exposure, particularly in long-term care facilities where multidrug-resistant organism outbreaks are prevalent. Additionally, the integration of non-invasive sample collection methods, such as diaper-derived urine and hydrogel-based wound dressings, enhances diagnostic accessibility for frail and cognitively impaired patients. As sequencing costs decline and bioinformatics pipelines become more efficient, the routine implementation of precision metagenomics in elder care settings will transition infection management from a reactive to a proactive paradigm. The synergy between precision metagenomics, artificial intelligence-driven clinical decision support systems, and real-time biosensors presents a novel framework for infection surveillance, offering a sustainable solution to combat AMR while optimizing patient outcomes. This paper explores the clinical applications, challenges, and future directions of precision metagenomics in elder care, emphasizing its role in redefining infection control and antibiotic stewardship
Metabolic and microbial crossroads: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and urinary tract infections in (Asian) diabetes care
Full text linkThe global rise of type 2 diabetes, particularly in Asian populations, has led to widespread adoption of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for glycemic control. While effective, these agents elevate the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by inducing glycosuria, which creates a nutrient-rich environment that favors uropathogen growth. Asian individuals may be disproportionately vulnerable to SGLT2 inhibitor–associated UTIs due to a confluence of factors, including lower body mass index, increased visceral adiposity, congenital urinary tract anomalies, and genetic polymorphisms that impair uroepithelial integrity and immunity. This review integrates emerging evidence on the molecular, anatomical, and immunometabolic mechanisms that underlie infection susceptibility in this population. Special attention is given to the role of Escherichia coli virulence pathways—including adhesin expression, siderophore production, and biofilm formation—along with host immune impairments in diabetes that facilitate infection persistence. The review also explores how recurrent antibiotic use in these settings accelerates antimicrobial resistance, particularly among extended-spectrum β-lactamase -producing strains. Targeted public health strategies—encompassing glycemic control, antimicrobial stewardship, and non-antibiotic therapies—are needed. This synthesis provides a framework for developing personalized, regionally informed approaches to UTI prevention and management in high-risk diabetic Asian populations
ORGANIC ELECTROCHEMICAL TRANSISTOR-BASED NITRATE MONITORING SENSOR FOR HYDROPONIC SYSTEM
No full textAccurate monitoring of nutrient levels is essential in hydroponic systems to ensure optimal plant growth. Although conventional sensing methods provide reliable results, they often fall short in delivering real-time, cost-effective, and responsive solutions suitable for modern agricultural needs. This study presents the development and evaluation of an ion-selective organic electrochemical transistor (IS-OECT) designed for selective nitrate detection in hydroponic environments. The sensor features an organic PEDOT:PSS-based channel integrated with a nitrate-sensitive ion-selective membrane (ISM) containing PoT-MoS₂ nanocomposites to enhance ionic interaction and selectivity. Fabrication was carried out on a flexible PET substrate using screen-printed silver electrodes and spin-coated conductive polymer channel layer. The IS-OECT demonstrated a linear response across a wide nitrate concentration range (100–3000 ppm), achieving a sensitivity of 591.27 µA/dec and a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.9953. The device also exhibited strong selectivity against common interfering ions and maintained reliable performance when applied to real hydroponic water samples. The sensor showed minimal interference from ions such as NO₂⁻, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻, and Mg²⁺. Field validation using real hydroponic water samples and commercial meters (Laqua and Hanna photometer) confirmed strong correlation and an average accuracy of 78%. These findings support the sensor’s potential for scalable, low-cost, and real-time nitrate monitoring in smart agriculture