University of Massachusetts Boston
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BlackLoving: The Culturally Responsive Engagement Practices of Black Middle School Principals
Full text linkBlack students are highly capable of learning and contributing to society when school communities are built on a foundation of love and there is meaningful school–family engagement. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how Black middle school principals engaged with Black families using BlackLoving culturally responsive family engagement practices as Black students transitioned from elementary to middle school in Boston Public Schools (BPS). The researcher employed Black Indigenous methodology, in the form of talking circles and memoing, to gather the stories of four former Black Boston public school principals (who were all men) and to explore their practices and ways of knowing. These principals had started their careers as educators in Boston and transferred their sustainable practices to BPS and other districts, including at charter schools. The study highlights the history of stakeholder engagement and its political strategies and how these Black middle school principals transformed school communities by developing school cultures that centered whole-child development—findings that can inform the work of current school principals, policymakers, researchers, and practitioners. Furthermore, the study results offer important insights into how Black principals\u27 personal and professional experiences informed their practices and aimed to help all students feel and become successful, which, as a result, directly impacted Black students. This research contributes significantly to the literature in addressing knowledge gaps regarding adolescent development and how lessons from the past influence the future of U.S. education
SYMP25S: CACTAS-AI: Automatic Segmentaion of Calcified Plaque in Carotid Arteries
Full text linkManual segmentation of calcified plaque, essential for assessing stroke risk, is time-consuming, and conventional methods like 2D and 3D UNet often struggle with the small size. We developed CACTAS-AI, a two-step segmentation process. This approach outperforms baseline methods in plaque segmentation
SYMP25S: Can LLM detect dementia?
Full text linkHigh Cost of Traditional Screening: Formal cognitive assessments for dementia are resource-intensive and not easily accessible for large-scale screening. Speech-Based Alternatives: Existing speech-based methods (e.g., picture description, telephone interviews) aim to address this but have limitations. Lack of Natural Dialogue: These conventional approaches often use rigid, repetitive prompts and do not simulate real conversations. Engagement Issues: Repetition and lack of conversational depth can reduce engagement and affect the accuracy of responses over time. Untapped Potential of LLMs: Large language models (LLMs) are capable of generating natural, coherent, and adaptive dialogue. Research Gap: The application of LLMs for dementia detection through natural conversation remains largely unexplored. Study Goal: This work investigates whether LLMs can simulate meaningful dialogue and detect dementia-related linguistic patterns effectively
Development and Validation of a Self-Report Measurement Scale of Summer Camp Counselor Burnout
No full textEach summer, nearly one million seasonal staff work at overnight camps in the U.S. (ACA, 2021). Camp counselors typically fall between the ages of 18 to 25, with many within the 18 to 20 age range (Lubeznik-Warner et al., 2022). Despite their young age, camp counselors are tasked with considerable responsibility, including planning programs, facilitating activities, and caring for campers’ physical, emotional, and social well-being (Epley et al., 2017; Johnson et al., 2011). Due to the combination of a large workload, lack of separation between work and personal life, and limited free time, some camp counselors experience burnout, defined as an occupational phenomenon characterized by exhaustion, mentally distancing oneself from work, and reduced sense of professional efficacy (Bailey et al., 2012; Paisley & Powell, 2007; Wahl-Alexander et al., 2017; WHO, 2019). Burnout can have consequences for job performance including lower effectiveness at work, reduced commitment to one’s role, and exhaustion, which can all negatively impact camp operations including the quality of childcare provided (Maslach et al., 2001). As such, it is important for camp administrators to be aware of which camp counselors are experiencing burnout so that they may intervene to mitigate negative outcomes; however, there is not yet a validated measure for camp counselor burnout. The purpose of the current study is to develop and validate a self-report camp counselor burnout scale. In Study 1, I created a list of potential scale items based on prior research, revised them based on expert feedback, and refined the resulting questionnaire using cognitive interviews. I then analyzed data from camp counselors using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) to identify the factor structure of the scale. In Study 2, I collected data from another group of camp counselors for analysis using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to test the hypothesized factor structure. Using these data, I conducted tests of validity to establish construct validity and regression analyses to analyze associations between camp counselor burnout and hypothesized predictors of burnout
Analysis of conserved genes required for germline development and differentiation in the flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea
No full textInfertility affects 186 million people worldwide. Understanding the molecular processes that support the development of germ cells provides insight into the underlying issues that can cause infertility. The hermaphroditic flatworm Schmidtea mediterranea is an ideal model for studying development of gametes, as specification, development, and maintenance of both male and female germlines occur post-embryonically and continuously throughout their life. Initially, my research served to characterize Tousled-like kinases (TLKs), which are conserved regulators of plant and animal development. Mammalian TLK orthologs are most-highly expressed in the testes, but the role of TLKs in spermatogenesis has remained elusive because of embryonic lethality. I show that one of two TLK paralogs in the planarian S. mediterranea, one which has enriched expression in testes, is required for sperm development. Detailed analyses using genetic markers for specific stages of spermatogenesis revealed that TLK1a is required for development and/or maintenance of male germline stem cells (GSCs), but not oogenesis or female GSCs. I then sought to identify genes required specifically for female GSCs. I performed an RNA-seq screen that provided candidate genes that may support maintenance and development of female GSCs. Distribution of expression analyses through whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed expression of several candidate genes in the ovaries. Additional candidate genes are expressed in the testes, as well as in somatic cells within and outside reproductive organs, opening research avenues to uncover pathways implicated in regulation of germline development
AHP\u27s Tribute To Dr. Stan Charnofsky
Full text linkThe Association for Humanistic Psychology (AHP) mourns the “transition” of a very dear soul, Dr. Stan Charnofsky. And, while his transition is a tremendous loss to his family, friends, and colleagues, we also want to honor and celebrate a life well-lived. As a former AHP president, Stan provided outstanding leadership. Upon his passing, he also held the distinction of being the longest-serving AHP board member. He was very much cherished and highly respected by all board members throughout his long, dedicated and remarkable service to AHP and its members
Critical approaches to climate-induced migration research and solutions
Full text linkIn this commentary we explore the confluence of factors shaping climate-induced migration and the need for comprehensive solutions grounded in historical and systemic understandings. We argue that climate change, colonial legacies, and geopolitical policies significantly influence migration patterns, particularly for historically marginalised communities. We call for scholars to develop holistic frameworks that consider environmental, political, historical, and economic factors while advocating for the legal recognition and protection of migrants and people displaced by climate impacts. Drawing on examples of internal migration and displacement in the United States and refugee camps globally, we highlight the complexities of resettlement. We propose integrated approaches that include legal reforms, economic reparations, and community-based solutions to address the root causes and effects of climate-induced migration. Our commentary emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary strategies to promote climate resilience and self-determination for affected communities. We advocate for narrative shifts and structural transformations to meet the global challenge, and opportunities, of climate-induced migration
Empowering Dreams: The Massachusetts Tuition Equity Law and Its Impact on Undocumented Latine Students
Full text linkAs a result of the Tuition Equity Law enacted in September 2023, Massachusetts is one of 25 states1 that have encouraged access to higher education for non-citizens, including undocumented students2 (Broder and Kmec, 2024). Under the Tuition Equity Law, undocumented students, who: attended a high school (9th-12th grade)3 in Massachusetts with any combination of three years, graduated from a Massachusetts high school or have a Massachusetts high school diploma equivalent (GED/HiSet), and are admitted to a public institution of higher education in Massachusetts, can attend at in-state tuition rates (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2023). They are also eligible to be considered for state financial aid through the Massachusetts Application for State Financial Aid, or MASFA(Commonwealth of Massachusetts, 2024). This policy brief outlines the significance of the Tuition Equity Law as a strategy to enhance educational access, experiences, and outcomes for Latine students in the Commonwealth. We begin by summarizing the law’s background and history and then discuss its benefits and limitations. We conclude with a series of recommendations to enhance the impact of this policy
Implementation of a Nurse Practitioner-Led Video Telehealth Program to Improve Triage for Pediatric Patients in an Ambulatory Intestinal Rehabilitation Center
Full text linkBackground: Children with short bowel syndrome are medically complex, requiring specialized management and coordinated care to address acute triage issues between scheduled visits. Their risk for rapid decompensation and distance from specialty centers often necessitates telephone-based triage—a typically non-reimbursable method. At a leading Northeastern U.S. children’s hospital, the Intestinal Rehabilitation (IR) center manages high-risk telephone triage of these patients’ concerns using experienced nurse practitioners. The inability to directly visualize patients during telephone encounters, however, limits clinical assessment and decision-making, presenting challenges to efficient and safe care delivery. A systematic literature review indicated that telehealth can enhance parental confidence, improve clinician satisfaction, improve quality and safety of care, and reduce unplanned in-person visits.
Methods: Guided by the UCSF School of Nursing Symptom Management Model and using Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, this project evaluated NP-led video telehealth to improve acute triage management. The project outcomes evaluated included: the use of the algorithm, points of contact, prevention of in-person visits, and staff perception of feasibility and value added.
Intervention: A clinical triage algorithm was developed to incorporate NP-led video telehealth visits to address clinical triage. This intervention ensured that patients and triage concerns were appropriately screened for NP-led video telehealth visits.
Results: Utilization of the triage algorithm increased from 32% in PDSA Cycle 1 to 44% in Cycle 3—a 38% overall improvement over 14 weeks. Although the average points of contact per triage rose by 1.44, NP-led video visits achieved an 85% conversion rate, preventing 55% of unplanned in-person visits either to the emergency room, primary care, or IR clinic. Feedback led to refinements such as integrating direct electronic medical record portal messaging and instituting an IR nurse “first pass” call to enhance accuracy. A post-implementation survey affirmed that the intervention was both feasible and added value.
Conclusion: Implementing a standardized triage algorithm for NP-led video telehealth reduced the need for in-person consultations for pediatric short bowel syndrome patients, converting 85% of appropriate triages into billable visits and reducing the burden of in-person care. These findings support the sustainability of the intervention and its potential for broader application in managing complex pediatric populations
INTEGRATING A STAKEHOLDER-CENTRIC APPROACH INTO DYNAMIC ADAPTATION POLICY PATHWAYS FOR EQUITABLE COASTAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT IN EAST BOSTON
Full text linkThis research aims to illustrate a methodology incorporating diverse stakeholder values in adaptation planning to promote equitable outcomes using a hypothetical case study of the Lower Border Street area in East Boston, using the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways (DAPP) framework for managing coastal flood risk. It offers three significant contributions to the field of adaptation planning: (i) It demonstrates how to integrate a stakeholder-specific assessment within the DAPP framework and illustrates individual impacts to a variety of stakeholders, including high- and low-income residents, commercial actors, government actors, and coastal landowners hoping that the planning process remains transparent and motivates local bodies to participate in the decision-making process. (ii) It promotes an equity-focused analysis by embedding the values and priorities of low-income residents directly into the planning model, even though they are not one of the decision-making stakeholders. This ensures that the needs of marginalized groups are considered to facilitate a more inclusive and equitable adaptation plan. (iii) It further advances the Dynamic Adaptive Policy Pathways framework by analyzing pathways from the perspective of each stakeholder group and quantifying their individual costs and benefits under three sea-level rise scenarios. A regret and satisficing analysis, which are common frameworks for measuring robustness, follows this to identify the best first step. Satisficing is used to measure acceptable performance thresholds within specific ranges for all objectives, and regret-based performance criteria evaluate how much worse off the chosen option is from the best-case scenario.
This research aims to understand how the adaptation options compare to each other in terms of the costs and benefits they provide to each stakeholder group. The trade-offs offer a deeper insight into why some options may be preferred by a particular stakeholder but not others. Evaluating adaptation pathways under different sea-level rise scenarios helps identify the most efficient first steps for flood risk management in the study area and accounts for uncertainty in climate change. It offers a tool that government agencies and policymakers might find helpful in adaptation planning by showcasing its potential for determining balanced, economically sound, and stakeholder-inclusive adaptation actions. Demonstrating the application of this framework in East Boston aims to offer a practical example or a starting point for other at-risk coastal communities facing comparable challenges in implementing evidence-based climate action