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George Boardman Weston\u27s Grand Tour: Travel Writing and its Impact on Nineteenth-Century Americans
No full textMy third-great-grandfather George Boardman Weston (1834-1908) hailed from a farm family in Belchertown, Massachusetts. Despite this fairly humble upbringing, Weston left home in 1855 and sailed across the Atlantic, eventually seeking adventure through his experiences in Great Britain, France, Belgium, Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and Crimea. This journey was memorialized in his travelogue, lectures, and newspaper articles, which have been preserved over the last 160 years. His writings and subsequent lectures helped to educate audiences of the places to which he visited, but they also reinforced attitudes that the audiences may have already had. This project will outline his family history, the journeys he undertook, his writing, and the attitudes he had that were passed on or reinforced. The first chapter will discuss the historiography of travel writing, the documents he left behind, and how Weston’s writing connects to the incredibly immense genre of travel writing. The second chapter will detail Weston’s family tree from just after the arrival of the Mayflower to the present day, including an attempt to determine how his travels were funded. The third chapter outlines the European leg of his journey, which includes the historical context of the countries he visited and how his writing was beginning to transform. The fourth chapter outlines his journey from Europe to Egypt, the Ottoman Empire, and then the Crimea. There are comparisons between his travelogue and lectures and a discussion of Weston’s viewpoints toward Islam and slavery, which were two topics he focused on in his lectures. The fifth chapter will contextualize Weston’s writing in the genre by comparing his writing with that of Mark Twain, who traveled to the same places around the same time. In the fourth and fifth chapters, Weston’s writing will be tied to Orientalism, which he used to create dichotomies between the West versus East as he perceived life in the Ottoman Empire and Crimea and communicated them back to home audiences through his lectures
The American Time Use Survey for Everything, Especially Every Activity Under the Heavens
No full textSituated in the context of increased religious disaffiliation, demographic changes in the household, and a global pandemic, this dissertation evaluates how, where, and with whom Americans practice religion. The American Time Use Survey (ATUS) is underutilized by the sociology of religion community, but especially equipped to assess these changes because it records instances of non-service related religious practice and indicators of where and with whom it occurred. Moreover, because the survey asks respondents about religious engagement indirectly, it circumvents overreporting biases associated with the expression of religious identity. Using these detailed indicators provided in the ATUS, I find that Americans decreasingly attend church services with household family. Beyond worship services, I find that houses of worship are centers for other, non-service related practices. Yet, like dwindling service attendance, so too are Americans decreasingly engaging with church-based non-service related practice, opting instead to increasingly engage in the practice at home. To evaluate whether engagement with non-service practices is overreported, I combine the ATUS with conventional survey data and impute the indirect measures of religious practice into the conventional survey using random forest imputation. Although I find evidence of overreporting, I find the efficacy of the imputation procedure questionable because it failed to produce the expected correlations between time diary and conventional measures of religious engagement, inconsistent with existing scholarship. I find that while Americans rarely practice religion online, they increasingly did so at the onset of the recent pandemic. Just as Protestants and older individuals are most likely to express religiosity, I find evidence that they are also most likely to practice religion online. Due to the lack of involvement with online services from religious disaffiliates and younger individuals, as well as the lack of prosocial benefits associated with in-person services, I conclude that the online format is a poor medium for religious engagement. With an emphasis that religious activities occur in the periods adjacent to traditional practices, I discuss the implications for these findings and offer theoretical and methodological recommendations for future scholarship on religious engagement
Wicked Surface Complexation Modeling (SCMs) of Rare Earth Elements (REYs) Benthic Flux in the Equatorial Pacific Basin using Kinetic Batch Adsorption Experiments: A Theoretical and Experimental Approach
No full textWe conducted batch absorption experiments to examine the adsorption of the 14 naturally occurring lanthanides and yttrium (Y) onto synthetic goethite (-FeOOH). Following convention, we refer to these elements collectively as the rare earth elements (REEs) and yttrium, or REY for short. Results of the experiments show that the middle REYs (MREE) and heavy REYs (HREE) are preferentially absorbed onto goethite compared to the light REYs (LREE). Yttrium has an ionic radius nearly identical to holmium (Ho) and consequently exhibits chemical properties and behavior like the HREEs. The adsorption data were employed to develop a surface complexation model (SCM) for REYs onto goethite using the generalized double-layer model formalism. The surface complexation species consisted of the weak and strong sites for the free metal ion ( ≡FeOREY^(2+)) and the weak site for the carbonado (≡REYCO_3^+). The SCM predicts REY adsorption onto goethite from pH 2.5-10.5, has been developed, and successfully simulates the sorption of REYs. Combining experimental data coupled SCMs will be highly beneficial to further understanding REY in diagenetic environments (e.g., Equatorial Pacific Basin). Therefore, we also conducted batch absorption experiments to examine the REY in marine sediment cores collected from the south of Hawaii at a water depth \u3e 5000 m. The results of the experiments show that the middle REYs (MREE) and heavy REYs (HREE) are preferentially absorbed onto stations 3 and 4 (STD3 & STD4) compared to the light REYs (LREE). Yttrium has an ionic radius nearly identical to holmium (Ho) and consequently exhibits chemical properties and behavior like the HREEs, with positive Y anomalies reflected in STD3 and station 5 (STD5). The adsorption data were employed to develop a surface complexation model (SCM) for REYs onto these marine sediments using the generalized double-layer model formalism. The surface complexation species consisted of the weak and strong sites for the free metal ion ( ≡FeOREY^(2+)) and the weak site for the carbonado (≡REYCO_3^+). The SCM predicts REY adsorption onto pacific sediments from pH 3-10, has been developed, and successfully simulates the sorption of REYs
Think College Inclusive Higher Education Network: Building Awareness and Capacity for Higher Education and Employment for People with Intellectual Disability
Get PDFThis document gives an overview of the work of the Think College National Coordinating Center (NCC) to expand college opportunities for individuals with intellectual disability (ID) through: coordination and evaluation of Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disability (TPSID) programs; technical assistance; and resource development and dissemination. Outcomes of NCC work from 2010 - 2023 are also included
Reset or Revolution? Contemporary Problems of Political Stability and Some Ancient Solutions
Get PDFIn this article I take a critical look into the challenges faced by the contemporary social, political, and economic scene in Europe and the United States after nearly eighty years of political stability. I question the sources of the anger, frustration, and distrust toward national and supranational institutions that are visible both on the streets and in the light of numerous public opinion polls. I argue that political and legal stability—the driving force and most desirable product of Western democracies—is becoming a problem. Through the tendency to permanent, often hereditary, marginalization of large groups of the population, a stable political system calls into question the ideals of equality, freedom, and political agency. I present examples of ancient political solutions to problems that arise from prolonged stability: Mesopotamia, Greece under Solon, and the Old Testament. These cases serve as examples of financial, social, and legal adjustments carried out in ancient societies to resolve tensions generated by the toxic effects of long-term stability. I question the possibility of a modern equivalent to this kind of reset, which would de-escalate the existing conflicts
Toward a New Political Project: Resetting by Reconceptualizing
Get PDFThis article starts by pointing out that existing proposals to confront the failures of democracy tend to be limited to tackling the symptoms of the current dysfunctional system rather than offering meaningful alternatives to transform the system. It then suggests that a total reset is required and offers an innovative theoretical framework, to conceptualize the new political project, that can transcend the existing impasses. It further argues that such a framework ought to consist in four fundamental, interdependent, and mutually reinforcing principles: (1) equal primary, non-derivative value of all persons; (2) non-instrumentalization of persons; (3) well-being of all as a common good and the end of the political project; and (4) non-antagonistic positive peacefulness as a characterizing feature of political processes. In doing so, this article systematically re-envisages what constitutes good governance, provides a normative basis for advocating participatory democracy, and suggests ways to evaluate the processes and practices of institutions in the new political project
Designing a Coloring Book as a Tool to Introduce Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
Get PDFThis paper explores the design process of developing an illustrated coloring book, as a tool to introduce Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) techniques to young adults experiencing heightened levels of anxiety, panic, and depression. The MBSR coloring book, is being developed based on a theory, and supporting evidence, that engaging in an artistic activity like coloring, can make MBSR techniques accessible to young adults seeking help for anxiety and panic-related symptoms. The author discusses the challenges young adults face in the current societal context and highlights the need for effective and accessible strategies to manage mental health issues. Through research, experience, and literature review, the author outlines how practicing MBSR strategies can help reduce anxiety. The paper proposes a coloring book as an accessible and appropriate medium to introduce MBSR, presenting arguments in favor of its use. It also explores counterarguments regarding the efficacy of coloring as a viable medium to introducing MBSR. The design factors for creating an attached coloring book prototype are discussed, emphasizing the importance of incorporating an introduction to mindfulness principles, as well as MBSR breathing techniques. In conclusion, the paper highlights the significance of integrating MBSR and coloring as tool to make this holistic intervention for some of the most common mental health disorders more accessible to young adults seeking treatment
Latinos in Massachusetts Selected Areas: Brookline
Get PDFBrookline is a town of 63,191 residents, of whom 4,272, or 6.8%, identify as Latino or Hispanic, according to the 2020 Decennial Census. Statewide, Latino residents constitute 12.6% of the total population. In Brookline, the largest population is White (65.3%), followed by Asians (19.1%). Blacks account for 3.1% of the town’s residents.
Between the 2010 and 2020 Decennial Censuses, Brookline experienced 7.6% population growth, slightly higher than the state\u27s 7.4% growth. During this time, the White population of Brookline declined by 4.2% while the Latino population increased by more than 44.1% (higher than their statewide rate of 41.4%), the Asian population by 32.0%, and the Black population by 7.3%.
The remainder of this profile uses 2017–2021 American Community Survey data in order to analyze the demographic and economic characteristics presented in this profile.
Similar to other cities and towns in the metro Boston region, Brookline has long been a destination for international migrants. Today, the town has a far greater share of foreign-born (30.9%) than the Commonwealth as a whole (17.3%). This is especially the case among Latinos. In Brookline, 41.8% of the Latino population is foreign-born, greater than the 32.1% Latino statewide share. (Note that Puerto Ricans, who are U.S. citizens at birth, do not count among foreign-born Latinos.)
The Latino population in Brookline is a mix of Latinos of different origins. Mexicans are the largest single group in Brookline, and Puerto Ricans are the second largest, followed by Colombians, Venezuelans, and Dominicans. Statewide, the five largest Latino populations in Massachusetts in order of size are Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Salvadorans, Guatemalans, and Mexicans
Implementation of a Comprehensive Diabetic Foot Care Program in Primary Care
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Diabetes Mellitus is a growing health problem in America. Uncontrolled diabetes can result in vascularcomplications. One of the most common complications of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Early foot carescreening can help prevent Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and other complications such as skin injuries, burns, falls,infection, lower- extremity amputations, and peripheral arterial disease. Interventions that have been shown to improve theidentification of diabetes foot complications include staff education, screening and assessment, use of monofilament,tuning fork for diabetic foot assessment, patient education/ self-care, standardization, and use of electronic medical records(EMR)/electronic reminders.
METHODS: The Plan Do Study Act method of quality improvement was used for this quality improvement project. A literature review was conducted. Data were collected and analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Thedata were assessed to determine the percentage of diabetic foot exams documented, the elements included in thedocumentation, and the number of patients referred to specialists. Huddles and staff surveys were used to determine thefeasibility and value of the intervention.
INTERVENTION: A standardized diabetic foot care pathway was implemented in a primary care clinic. Adult patients witha diagnosis of diabetes were identified at non-urgent visits. Diabetic foot care was offered and carried out. Patients andstaff were educated. The assessments were documented in the charts. Patients with abnormal findings on foot exams were either referred for ankle-brachial index tests and/or to specialists (podiatrist, vascular) or followed by a Primary care provider for mild abnormalities.
RESULTS: The project was implemented over 3 months. A total of 92 diabetic foot exams were completed. Of the 92 patients, 30 had abnormal exams (33%) and 15 had abnormal findings that warranted a referral to specialists. The staff was educated. The staff reported satisfaction with the pathway.
CONCLUSION: Implementing the new diabetic foot care pathway was clinically significant for the practice. It allowed the diagnosis of new conditions for the patients, which helped in the early prevention of foot complications. The new pathway consequently improved patient care
Implementation of a Peer Mentoring-Network Initiative in Outpatient Psychiatry to Improve Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses\u27 Job Satisfaction
Get PDFBackground: Post-pandemic rates of mental illness have increased, resulting in a rise in demand for psychiatric services. At the same time, a growing shortage of psychiatric providers is occurring. This combination has given rise to an expanding mental health crisis where strengthening and stabilizing the psychiatric workforce is paramount. Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses are uniquely qualified to staff this shortage. Therefore, positive job satisfaction for Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses is vital to increase and retain psychiatric healthcare providers available to address this critical need for mental health services.
Methods: At the project site, the shift to telehealth, changing leadership, and rapid organizational growth have negatively impacted job satisfaction among Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses in the project setting.
Intervention: A PRISMA-guided review was completed to identify ways to improve Advanced Practice Nurse job satisfaction. As part of the review, multiple studies identified mentoring as an effective intervention. As a result, a mentoring network initiative was implemented in the Massachusetts region of a national outpatient psychiatric practice. The intervention started with an optional workshop for all Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses employed at the project site, and the workshop was added to orientation for newly hired Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses. During the workshop, the participants completed a mentoring needs self-assessment and created a mentoring map. In addition, mentoring check-ins were added to a standing Advanced Practice Nurse consult group within the practice to build interest in reciprocal peer mentoring.
Results: The Psychiatric Advance Practice Nurses that attended the workshop believed that the training and mentorship improved their job satisfaction. Participation was high for new hires assigned training as part of new-hire orientation. However, attendance was low for current employees, where participation was voluntary and clinical demands were reported to be a barrier to attendance.
Conclusion: The mentoring workshop improved job satisfaction, but external forces must foster motivation to attend the workshop and engage in mentorship. Mentorship can be a challenge in a fee-for-service payment model where a top-down approach to mentorship may be needed to build motivation to supplement paid clinical time with time engaged in mentorship