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Post-Disaster Economic Outcomes Of Community Development Financial Institutions (Cdfis) In Underserved Communities: The Role Of Government Funding Allocations, Regulatory Transparency, And Accountability Requirements
Full text linkThis research explored how institutional transparency, accountability mechanisms, and organizational scale relate to Community Development Financial Institutions\u27 (CDFIs) effectiveness in economically marginalized areas after federally declared disasters. Drawing on principles from Agency Theory and Resource Dependency Theory, the study investigated how government financial support influences CDFI performance, measured by job creation and the initiation of new small businesses.
A quantitative approach was applied using aggregated data drawn from authoritative sources, including the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Small Business Administration\u27s Office of Inspector General (OIG), and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The dataset comprises 199 CDFIs across 25 states that received federal recovery allocations between 2019 and 2022.
Multiple regression results indicated a strong, statistically significant link between total government funding allocations and economic outcomes. However, in isolation, transparency ratings, accountability scores, and institutional size were not significant predictors of performance. These findings reinforce Resource Dependency Theory by emphasizing access to external funding as a primary driver while challenging the extent to which regulatory oversight impacts operational outcomes, as Agency Theory suggests.
The study expands the empirical literature on CDFIs in post-disaster recovery, offering insights for policymakers, funders, and institutional leaders aiming to promote economic resilience through data-informed, equity-driven funding strategies.
Keywords: Community development financial institutions, disaster recovery, regulatory transparency, accountability requirements, government funding allocations, agency theory, resource dependency theory, underserved communities, job creation, unemploymen
Bridging the Gap: Harnessing Emerging Technology to Narrow the Academic Achievement Gaps of Minority Students
Full text linkThe academic achievement gap of Black, Hispanic, and Native American students has historically lagged as it relates to Caucasian students. This work defines academic achievement as standardized test scores, graduation rates, and college completion rates. The persistent educational disparities faced by minority students remain a significant challenge for school systems. The integration of technology offers a promising solution to help narrow these academic achievement gaps and provide equitable learning opportunities. Technology offers educators the ability to utilize self-paced instructional programming, ensuring that the educational needs and deficiencies of minority students are addressed. This work explores how innovative technological tools, ranging from digital platforms and AI-driven personalized learning to virtual tutoring, address the unique challenges encountered by Black, Hispanic, and Native Americans. Ultimately, this paper highlights that while technology has the potential to lessen educational disparities, its success depends upon inclusive strategies that are deliberate in addressing the underlying historical and social factors that perpetuate disparities in educational outcomes.
Keywords: minorities, education, technology, A
Aligning Remote Work Preferences With Workplace Outcomes: Investigating The Impact Of Person-Environment Fit
Full text linkRemote work gained steady popularity in all sectors after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined how matching employees\u27 preferred remote work setup with their actual work environment affected job satisfaction, engagement, stress, and the desire to leave the company. Framed by Person-Environment Fit, the research examined how the match between individual preferences and work arrangements influenced these outcomes. Participants were surveyed using a 4x4 factorial design to capture responses across various remote work scenarios. Data regression analyses indicated that alignment between remote work preferences and actual work arrangements significantly improved job satisfaction and reduced stress and turnover intention. The expected impact on engagement was unclear, with the results partially confirming the hypothesis. These findings show the difficulty of creating remote work policies that meet all employees\u27 needs.
Keywords: Remote work, person-environment fit, virtuality, job satisfaction, job engagement, job-related stress, turnover intentio
Microgels As 3d Carbon Nanotube Dispersants For Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental And Sensing Applications
No full textNanotechnology offers advanced solutions to energy, environmental, and agricultural challenges. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), with exceptional electrical, mechanical, and sorptive properties, are hindered by hydrophobic graphitic walls that cause bundling in water, limiting green processing. Existing dispersants, 0D surfactants, 1D polymer wraps, and 2D graphene oxide provide only partial stability or require toxic solvents, highlighting the need for a scalable aqueous dispersion. This work investigates polyacrylamide (PAAm) microgels as a three-dimensional (3D) dispersant to stabilize single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) and multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) in water, while producing tunable “jellies” or shear-thinning inks for applications in nutrient retention, soft electronics, and contaminant adsorption. PAAm microgels were synthesized via free-radical precipitation polymerization, mixed with CNTs in water, and probe-sonicated, resulting in stable, self-supporting gels. Characterization confirmed high dispersibility up to 4.8 mgmL⁻¹ SWCNTs and 48 mgmL⁻¹ MWCNTs, while preserving CNT structure and preventing re-bundling. MWCNTs (20–30 nm) formed shear-thinning pastes suitable as
portable inks. Water run-off tests showed 1% drainage after 15 min versus 69% for soil; evaporation over 53 h was 1.7 times slower. TGA indicated enhanced thermal stability for 4-6 nm MWCNT composites due to restricted polymer chain mobility. Biochar failed to induce gelation, confirming the requirement for π-conjugated, high-aspect-ratio frameworks; partial cellulose substitution reduced CNT usage without loss of stability. PAAm microgels present a scalable, tunable 3D platform for CNT dispersion, with potential in sustainable agriculture, environmental remediation, and flexible electronics. PAAm microgels thus offer a scalable, tunable 3D CNT dispersion platform, combining improved water retention, thermal stability, and processability for applications in sustainable agriculture, environmental remediation, and soft electronics. Future work will target fertilizer-release studies, large-scale hydroponics, and bio-derived CNT alternatives.
Keywords: carbon nanotube (CNT); polyacrylamide (PAAm) microgel; three-dimensional (3D) dispersant; single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT); multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs); water retention; portable ink; sustainable agricultur
Identification, Removal, And Characterization Of Microplastics From Pvamu Wwtp Effluent Using Ceramic Membranes
Full text linkThis study evaluated a 1.4 µm ceramic membrane\u27s effectiveness in removing microplastics from wastewater, focusing on characterization via FTIR spectroscopy. Microplastics, including fibers, fragments, and microbeads (1-2500 µm), were visually identified and counted under an electron microscope, achieving a 94% TSS reduction and a 35.4% microplastic recovery rate. FTIR analysis identified key polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, with distinctive peaks for polyester (1624 cm−1, 1737 cm−1) and cotton (1095 cm−1, 1119 cm−1, 1151 cm−1), indicating polymer degradation through spectral signs of carbonyl groups. Micro-FTIR imaging, enhanced by dyes like DANs under fluorescence and Rose Bengal, pinpointed polymer sources and degradation effects. Post-filtration, microplastic composition shifted, with microbeads decreasing to 35%, fragments increasing to 50%, and fibers at 14%, highlighting the influence of shape and size on filtration efficiency. This work also highlights the need for sophisticated FTIR for in-depth microplastic analysis in wastewater treatment, indicating that although ceramic membranes show promise, particular approaches are required to handle various microplastic forms.
Keywords: microplastic, membranes, wastewater, m-FTIR, microscopy, dy
(SI15-084) Application of Differentiation Matrices Corresponding to Scaling and Wavelet Functions to Integral Equations
No full textIn the present paper, we have studied the technique by which a differentiation matrix corresponding to scaling and wavelet function is helpful in representing an integral equation in discrete form. In this technique, only finite times continuously differentiable scaling and wavelet functions were used for the differentiation matrix. This method explores the applications of compactly supported wavelets in discretization of Fredholm integral equation and provides us with a bridge for the solution of integral equations via compactly supported finitely differentiable wavelets
Deviant Trajectories Of Black Girls In Adolescent Romantic Relationships
No full textThis quantitative study explored whether involvement in adolescent romantic relationships among Black females influenced juvenile delinquency and later criminal behavior. While prior research has examined how peers, family, and romantic partners impact delinquency and substance use, the unique intersection of being both Black and female in this context remains underexplored. The study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), which follows U.S. adolescents from middle and high school into adulthood (ages 24–32). The dataset included variables related to peer and family relationships, romantic and sexual involvement, substance use, victimization, delinquency, and criminal behavior. Four research questions guided the analysis: (1) Does family conflict increase the likelihood of adolescent romantic relationship involvement for Black girls? (2) Are those in romantic relationships more likely to be delinquent, and if so, in what ways? (3) What forms of adult criminal activity are linked to prior romantic involvement? (4) Are predictors of romantic involvement more strongly linked to delinquency and crime than the relationships themselves?
Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted. Findings indicated that family conflict was not a significant predictor of romantic involvement. However, romantic involvement was significantly associated with marijuana use, alcohol use, and property offenses. Adolescent romantic relationships were also linked to increased binge drinking in adulthood. Those who engaged in delinquency as adolescents were more likely to continue criminal behavior into adulthood. Notably, Black girls who experienced high family conflict and were in romantic relationships were more likely to engage in adult property crime. Although romantic involvement was linked to certain delinquent behaviors, it was not significantly associated with adult substance-related criminality. These findings offer important insights for supporting the well-being of Black girls and may be useful for educators, counselors, parents, youth advocates, and the girls themselves.
Keywords: Pathways Theory, Black Feminist Criminology, adolescents, romantic relationships, property crime, substance use, family conflic
(R2120) Flexible Group Service MAP/PH/1 Queueing Model with Working Vacation and Optional Service
No full textThere are many uses of queues, where services are provided in groups; these types of queues are widely studied in the literature. In this paper we examine a particular queueing model wherein the services are provided in groups and the group size may be less than or equal to the size initially fixed. The arrival follows a Markovian arrival process. The service time of each individual customer follows phase type distribution. The maximum of each customer’s individual service time within a group is defined as the group’s service time. At the service completion moment if there are fewer customers than the initially fixed size, the server won’t begin the subsequent service until the system’s customer size reaches the initially fixed size or a randomly assigned admission period expires, whichever happens first. The phase type representation of the service times depends on the group’s size. If there is no customer block in the waiting line after the server finishes serving, the server will leave for vacation. If any customer block arrives within the designated vacation period, the server immediately will start serving them at a slower pace than the regular pace. After a regular service each customer group has an option of receiving the optional service from the server. The Markov chain’s stability condition is determined and stationary probability vector is computed. Formulas for the primary system performance measures are given. Waiting time distribution of the model is derived. Numerical and graphical representations of the proposed model are illustrated
(R2134) Continuous Shooting Approach with Improved Shooting Slope for Solving Higher Integer Order Boundary Value Problem
No full textThis study presents a semi-analytical shooting method for solving nonlinear higher-order boundary value problems by integrating the Adomian Decomposition Method into the shooting technique, enabling series-form solutions. To enhance convergence, new higher-order shooting slopes and their corresponding supplementary equation formulas were introduced. Three numerical examples demonstrated the method’s accuracy: for the first two, absolute errors were computed using available exact solutions, while the third was compared with reference literature due to the absence of an exact solution. The method achieved very small absolute errors in the first two cases, and results from the third closely matched the literature. Tolerance values—defined as differences between successive shooting slopes—were also evaluated for all cases, showing a consistent decrease with increasing slopes. These findings confirm the effectiveness and reliability of the proposed approach in producing accurate results and ensuring convergence for higher-order boundary value problems
African American Women Faculty Experiences and Perceived Organizational Culture at Community Colleges: A Qualitative Study
Full text linkThis qualitative study examined experiences and perceptions of African American women faculty at two community colleges in the Southern United States. Ten African American women faculty members who met the study\u27s criteria were interviewed. Six key themes emerged related to their experiences within the organizational culture at these community colleges: (1) African American women faculty described diversity as not being a genuine organizational goal; (2) African American women described social networks as essential for employment; (3) African American women adjuncts described their part-time status as permanent; (4) African American women faculty described racism as pervasive; (5) African American women faculty described being stereotyped based on their race and gender; and (6) African American women faculty described discrimination as prevalent within the academic environment. These findings contribute to the existing literature on the experiences of African American women faculty, particularly in predominantly White institutions. This research calls on community college administrators to review and revise institutional policies to address ongoing diversity gaps and the pervasive racism embedded in the organizational structures