3372 research outputs found
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Water Advocacy in Massachusetts: A Guide for Curious and Concerned Citizens
Full text linkThis paper addresses the need for citizen engagement and action in the face of the ongoing man-made climate crisis that is rapidly depleting Earth's finite freshwater resources. Focusing on the Ipswich River in Essex County, Massachusetts, identified as the 8th most endangered river in America, the research done explores the interconnected challenges of excessive withdrawals, rising temperatures, droughts, floods, pollution, and invasive species paired with the multifaceted challenges surrounding water politics, highlighting the complexities of collaborative governance across multiple jurisdictions. The solution proposed is the creation of a climate action toolkit specifically tailored to freshwater bodies in Massachusetts, aiming to bridge the information gap between governing bodies, local organizations, and the average citizen to foster grassroots action. Existing water conservation toolkits, guides, and websites often target governing bodies and corporations, or provide low-effort, generic, and vague recommendations that are well-known in the current year. In contrast, this toolkit seeks to empower citizens with knowledge about their role in water management and inspire community and political mobilization through advocacy and lobbying education. Drawing on extensive research from scientific studies, environmental reports, and scholarly insights, this thesis advocates for the pivotal role of citizens in driving effective change. It emphasizes the need for accessible, localized tools that empower individuals to become informed decision-makers and proactive contributors to environmental conservation efforts.Geography and Sustainabilit
Innovating Healthcare Compliance: Redesigning HIPAA Patient Authorization to Enhance Operational Efficiency
No full textThis internship project focused on the development and implementation of a standardized HIPAA Patient Authorization form for the Beth Israel Lahey Hospitals (BILH). Recognizing the vital role that compliance and operational efficiency play in healthcare settings, the project aimed to enhance patient trust while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards. A comprehensive approach was taken to design the authorization form, emphasizing the inclusion of all necessary elements as outlined by HIPAA and CFR42 Part 2. The objective was to achieve at least 90% compliance with existing regulations. To inform the design process, stakeholder engagement was prioritized, and feedback was gathered through at least three rounds of consultations. The results of this project indicate that a thoughtfully designed authorization form can significantly streamline the process of handling sensitive health information, thereby improving operational workflows and enhancing the overall patient experience at BILH. Ultimately, this initiative not only aims to boost compliance but also fosters a culture of trust and transparency between the hospital and its patients.Healthcare Studie
Kirsten Freni
Full text linkKirsten Freni grew up in a tight-knit Italian American family transplanted from the North and West End of Boston to Revere, MA. Her father was a decorated World War II veteran who worked in the produce industry. Her mother was a stay at home mom and later became a beloved cafeteria mom in the school system. As a fierce advocate and fighter, Kirsten gravitated to her older sister, who became an aesthetician on Newbury Street in Boston in the 1980s and introduced her to a community of gay men she describes as “amazing, beautiful, and gifted souls.” Freni is a 1986 Revere High School graduate with a Travel Management degree from Newbury College. She worked in the travel industry for many years, but her passion has been in health care and LGBTQ+ advocacy, working with Prism GLBT Health, the Northshore Alliance of LGBTQ Youth, and AIDS awareness. Kirsten’s other roles have included: President of NAGLY; original board member of NS Pride; Certified HIV Outreach Counselor/Tester; Co-Chair for the Boston HIV Vaccine Community Advisory Board; past MA Commissioner of LGBTQ Youth; and original member of Lynn’s World AIDS Day Events Committee. She started attending Fran’s in the 1990s and resided in Lynn from 2008 to 2018 . Kirsten is part of the founding group for United Lynn Pride and was one of the original flag raisers at City Hall. She discusses the special challenges for LGBTQ+, technological change, and doing outreach during the pandemic
Tiffany Magnolia
Full text linkTiffany Magnolia is a Professor of English and Coordinator of the Honors Program at North Shore Community College (NSCC), where she has taught for two decades. She ran the LGBTQIA group at NSCC and won a seat on the School Committee as an LGBTQIA candidate. Raised in part by her grandparents in Florida, Magnolia describes a chaotic upbringing with an alcoholic father and schizophrenic mother. From Florida, she moved to Arlington, VA, St. Michael's College in Vermont, and San Francisco, CA, and eventually landed at Tufts University where she would earn her doctorate in English Literature. Her interview includes her relationship with a girlfriend who became her spouse and transitioned to a man. Magnolia has been a longtime advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and a committed advocate within the Lynn community. Interview carried out by Andrew Darien
Tisha Sterling and Jay Collins
Full text linkJay Collins was born in 1953 and raised with his five siblings in Beverley, MA. His family owned and managed the Lighthouse Cafe and Fran’s Place for multiple generations. Jay was the most recent owner and manager of Fran’s until its closing in 2016. Tisha Sterling, born and raised in Gloucester, MA was a beloved bartender, manager, and drag performer at Fran’s Place from 1986 to 2016. The two close friends and longtime coworkers exchanged stories about their time at Fran’s. Their interview includes perspectives on the bar’s relationship with the Lynn Police Department, competing bars, AIDS advocacy, the Night of 100 Stars, Drag, and the changing nature of the LGBTQ+ community
Multi-Lingual and Multi-Identity: Writing in School as a 7th Grade Intermediate English Learner
No full textThis article discusses a qualitative study centering the writing practices of seventh grade multilingual students in a small, urban city in Massachusetts. Analysis of participants' narrative and nonfiction writing reveal that emergent multilingual students inherently express multiple, sometimes contradictory identities due to their development as language learners and adolescents. Students achieved this by weaving through various languages (including different Englishes) and drawing on their lived experiences and observations. In doing so, multilingual young people disrupt unequal voices and language hierarchies by transgressing standard ideologies in academic writing. To affirm and promote the validity of translingual, heteroglossic writing, educators should consider multilingual texts as legitimate exemplars and develop heteroglossic literacy practices that support students to refine their pre-existing language use in service of their authorial intentions.Secondary and Higher Educatio
Continued Fraction Approximations Demonstrated Through The Musical Chromatic Scale
Full text linkIn this paper, we approximate an irrational number using continued fractions through an example of a musical problem. We first define the chromatic scale. To delve into why the chromatic scale only has twelve notes, we discuss the topic of Pythagorean Tuning and how it utilizes mathematics to create scales. Since using Pythagorean Tuning to approximate the length of a scale results in an irrational number, we introduce the notion of continued fractions. These can be calculated by either using the Euclidean Algorithm or the Continued Fraction Algorithm. We define the term best approximation and finally, we use these components to solve our musical question.Mathematic
Comprehensive Board Of Health Intern Inspection Checklist: Intern’s Guide to Ensuring Community Health and Safety
No full textThis project aims to enhance public health standards by developing a comprehensive checklist for food interns. Through meticulous assessment and guidance, interns will ensure compliance with hygiene protocols, food handling practices, and regulatory requirements. By nurturing a culture of diligence and accountability, we strive to safeguard consumer well-being while fostering culinary excellence. This initiative not only elevates Salem's food industry but also strengthens community trust in the quality and safety of our gastronomic offerings. Ultimately, our goal is to create a vibrant and sustainable food ecosystem that benefits both residents and visitors alike
The Emerging Potential for Psilocybin in Clinical Social Work
No full textPresenting her directed study work, Andrea DiPerna speaks with SSW faculty and students about the potential for Psilocybin-assisted treatment of mental health disorders, it’s history, and ethical considerations.Social Wor
The Influence of Training Status on Mood
Full text linkINTRODUCTION: Research has shown that regular exercise can favorably influence mood, but it is unclear if there is a threshold whereby too much exercise can negatively affect mood. Given the limited research in the area, we adopted the null hypothesis that there is no relation between training status and mood. PURPOSE: To survey the influence of training status on mood. METHODS: The present study conducted a cross-sectional survey of the undergraduate day-student population at Salem State University. Participants were primarily recruited by using email, social media, and word-of-mouth. Survey responses are anonymous, and no personal identifiers were collected. The target sample size to attain a 95% confidence interval is 358 students. The main tool that was used to measure mood was the validated Brunel Mood Scale. The Borg RPE scale is the main tool that was used to measure exercise intensity. These tools have been implemented into the survey using SurveyMonkey. RESULTS: Out of the eight subscales of the BRUMS, the strongest association between mood and exercise was related to VIGOUR, which has moderate positive associations with the number of exercise days and intensity of exercise, indicating that people who exercise more frequently, especially at higher intensities, tend to report higher levels of Vigour. CONCLUSION: Due to the limited number of responses, it has been concluded that more research needs to be done to validate any correlation data found in this study.Sport and Movement Scienc