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The Crumbling Flsa Collective Action: How Bristol-Myers Squibb Shapes The Reach of Federal Wage Claims
No full textThe Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) was meant to help level the playing field and help workers create a healthy working environment for themselves. However, today, due to the Supreme Court’s decision in Bristol-Myers Squibb v. Superior Court of California, San Francisco County and lower federal courts’ eagerness to expand personal jurisdiction, the FLSA is crumbling. Workers now face great difficulty in combining their claims in collective actions through the FLSA. When workers from many states do combine their claims, the workers often face dismissal from the action because not all claims have sufficient connections with the chosen litigation forum. Now instead of workers being able to stand together, these individuals must stand alone or in small groups within the state which has connections to their claims. This outcome undermines the very essence and intent of the FLSA and its collective action procedure.
Part I explores the history of the FLSA to determine Congress’s intent in passing the Act and explains the process behind creating a collective action under the FLSA. Part II explains the Supreme Court’s Bristol-Myers Squibb decision, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure Rule 4(k), how federal courts have misapplied Bristol-Myers Squibb, why Rule 4(k) does not apply to the FLSA, then how the federal courts should treat FLSA collective actions. Part III encourages state legislatures, the federal legislature, and the Supreme Court to all take steps to correct this ongoing issue
EXPLORING MORAL INJURY AND EMPOWERMENT: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF AFRICAN AMERICAN VETERANS AT A PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTION AND HISTORICAL BLACK COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY
No full textThis dissertation explored the relationship between moral injury and empowerment among African American veterans enrolled at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Moral injury, defined as psychological distress arising from violations of deeply held moral values, remains a significant barrier to veterans’ reintegration. Empowerment, conceptualized through personal growth, connectedness, and community impact, may buffer these effects and promote resilience. Methods A quantitative correlational design was employed with a sample of 39 African American veterans. Moral injury was measured using the Moral Injury Purchase Task (MIPT), a behavioral economic assessment of willingness to seek relief from morally injurious experiences. Empowerment was measured with the Empowered Veteran Index (EVI), which demonstrated strong reliability and construct validity in this population. Regression analyses examined associations between empowerment domains and moral injury indices, while institutional type (PWI vs. HBCU) was assessed as a potential moderator.ResultsFindings indicated that Personal Growth was negatively associated with moral injury persistence, and Connectedness was inversely related to moral injury intensity. Although institutional type did not significantly moderate these associations, veterans at HBCUs reported greater connectedness and higher demand for services, suggesting that culturally affirming environments foster openness to support and reinforce empowerment. Implications Results highlight the importance of institutional and policy initiatives that enhance empowerment as a pathway to reduce moral injury. Practical recommendations include peer-support networks, mentorship programs, and leadership opportunities for veterans. These findings provide guidance for higher education institutions and veteran support agencies in fostering resilience and academic success among African American veterans
ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR (AHR) BEYOND ENVIRONMENTAL SENSING: ITS ROLE AS AN INFLAMMATORY REGULATOR IN ASTROCYTE CELLS
No full textAstrocyte cells are key regulators of both innate and adaptive immune responses that are crucial in regulating neuroinflammation in response to central nervous system insults. These star-shaped cells are involved in the early onset and progression of various neurodegenerative diseases, and in recent years, have become an interesting potential therapeutic target due to their ability to affect outcomes and progression of neuroinflammatory disorders. Aryl hydrocarbon-receptor (AhR), a ligand-activated transcription factor, is expressed in astrocytes. This receptor may contribute to the aging process as it has been linked to several hallmarks of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Evidence highlights the potential relevance of AhR signaling in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer\u27s disease. For example, activation of AhR effectively ameliorates memory deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by increasing Aβ catabolism. Also, elevated levels of AhR in astrocytes of postmortem AD patients’ brains have been reported, which suggests that exploring a role for AhR in mediating astrocyte function may be important. This study explores how AhR affects astrocyte function in response to inflammatory stimuli, with emphasis on Aβ, using in vitro and in vivo acute model systems. To examine the effects of AhR activation on Aβ-induced inflammation in astrocytes, Aβ (1-42) was administered to primary hippocampal astrocyte cultures derived from wild type (WT, C57BL6/J) or AhR germline knockout (AhRKO) mice, pretreated with 6-Formylindolo[3,2-b]carbazole (FICZ), and astrocyte reactivity was accessed. AhR activation attenuates the Aβ-induced, reactive A1 astrocyte phenotype, characterized by decreased astrocyte complement C3 expression and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine release. In addition, Aβ exposure exacerbated TNF- cytokine release and increased GFAP immunoreactivity in astrocytes derived from AhRKO mice. These findings suggest that AhR activation in astrocytes attenuates development of the neuroinflammatory state, which is known to occur in AD pathology. Using an acute AD animal model in vivo, astrocyte AhR functionality were also examined, since this model closely represents the native conditions of astrocytes in the brain. In response to Aβ injection into the mouse hippocampus in vivo, AhRKO mice demonstrated increased astrocyte soma size which indicates astrocyte hypertrophic states, further reinforcing AhR function in regulating astrocyte responses to neuroinflammation. Thus, our overall findings suggest that AhR activation in astrocytes attenuates development of the neuroinflammatory state, and identifies AhR as an interesting therapeutic target to mitigate neuroinflammation and the progression of AD
TIME-SERIES NETWORK ANALYSIS OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL FLEXIBILITY MODEL USING WEEKLY PROGRESS MONITORING IN A CLINICAL SAMPLE
No full textThe psychological flexibility model has long been effectively used within Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions. More recently, models such as the Unified Flexibility and Mindfulness (UFM) model have sought to conceptualize the psychological flexibility model within a broader framework that hypothesizes how the individual processes generally progress and influence each other over time to eventually enact change in well-being and psychopathology. The present study sought to provide support for these models by generating exploratory network models including temporal effects observed in a sample of participants (n = 69) receiving weekly intervention from an ACT protocol in a university mental health clinic setting. While general support for the interconnectivity among flexibility and inflexibility processes was found, the temporal effects modeling week-to-week change largely did not follow expected directions as based on the UFM model. Tentative findings suggest that acceptance and committed action may be highly influential on other flexibility processes, whereas inaction may be a highly influential inflexibility process. An unexpected, negative relationship between present moment awareness and defusion was observed and may suggest differential preferences or utility between these particular forms of mindfulness across individuals or presentations
A PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH TO UNDERSTANDING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF MILITARY LEADERS TRANSITIONING TO CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP ROLES
No full textThis descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of post-9/11 non-commissioned officers (NCOs) as they transitioned from military service into civilian leadership roles. The purpose of the study was to understand how former NCOs navigated identity renegotiation, cultural adjustment, and leadership adaptation while moving from structured, hierarchy-driven environments to decentralized civilian organizations. The study centered transition as a defining component of reintegration, reflecting Schlossberg’s foundational view that successful adaptation depends on how individuals interpret and manage major life changes. Social Identity Theory and Schlossberg’s Transition Theory provided the theoretical framework for examining how participants reconstructed their professional identity, established belonging, and refined their leadership practices in new organizational settings (Tajfel & Turner, 1979; Haslam et al., 2020; Schlossberg, 1981). These theories help clarify the psychological and social processes that shape veterans’ leadership development during reintegration. Using purposive and maximal variation sampling, 11 former NCOs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using descriptive phenomenological methods, including horizontalization, invariant meaning units, and textural–structural synthesis. Three core themes emerged: (1) cultural separation and barriers to civilian integration, (2) reconstructing leadership identity, and (3) gaps in transitional support for cultural and professional adaptation. These themes reflect the complexity of transition as a developmental process that unfolds across both personal and organizational contexts. Findings showed that successful transition required more than job attainment; it depended on identity clarity, belonging, mentorship, cultural understanding, and leadership adjustment. Participants consistently noted that transition programs such as the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) emphasized employment mechanics while overlooking cultural, psychological, and identity-based challenges (Department of Defense, 2019; Whitworth et al., 2020). Their reflections indicate that reintegration is not a single event but an ongoing process of redefining leadership and self. Together, these findings highlight the importance of developing transition supports that incorporate cultural preparation, identity continuity, and leadership-focused guidance. Strengthening these supports can promote more effective reintegration and enhance the long-term success of former NCOs in civilian organizations. Keywords: military leadership, civilian leadership, leadership adaptation, veteran reintegratio
SUB- AND SUPER-OPTIMAL RAINFALL EFFECTS ON SOIL-APPLIED (GROUP 15) HERBICIDE EFFICACY
No full textSite of action group 15 herbicides are a group of soil applied herbicides that require rainfall for incorporation and control many troublesome small seeded broadleaves and grasses. Climate change prediction models for southern Illinois suggest a potential rainfall shift to create wetter springs, a higher potential for summer drought, and an increase in the frequency of rainfall events of over 2 inches. The direct impacts of these changes in climate have not been thoroughly studied on soil applied herbicides. We conducted studies to look at variable rainfall effects on soil applied herbicides, with a focus on site of action group 15 chemistries (very long chain fatty acid inhibitors). The objectives of this research are to investigate the interactions of rainfall amount, rainfall timing, and soil residue on group 15 soil residual herbicides. Four total projects will be conducted at the Horticultural Research Center and the Agronomy Research Center. The objectives of each project include: 1) examining the influence of delayed incorporation and cover crop residue on the efficacy of acetochlor, 2) examining the influences of delayed incorporation on the efficacy of six group 15 herbicides, 3) determining the maximum rainfall allowable for incorporation of soil residual herbicides, and 4) determining the minimum and maximum rainfall required for waterhemp control. Results from project one suggest that in situations of delayed incorporation, acetochlor that sat on the soil surface for 14-21 days until receiving an incorporating rainfall generally resulted in a significant reduction in efficacy of common waterhemp [Amaranthus tuberculatus (Moq.) Sauer]. Acetochlor that sat on the cereal rye biomass containing pots generally saw a reduction in efficacy of common waterhemp when incorporation was delayed until 21-28 days after application. When incorporation occurred at 0-14 days after herbicide application, numeric and sometimes statistical disadvantages were seen from the presence of cereal rye biomass on the control of common waterhemp by acetochlor when compared to their bareground counterparts. When incorporation occurs 28-112 days after herbicide application, the inverse is seen, showing that the presence of cereal rye showed numeric and sometimes statistical advantages to the control of common waterhemp by acetochlor. These data suggest that while negative effects of herbicide tie up from cereal rye exist, and are measurable, cereal rye has the potential to extend the utility of acetochlor in situations of extreme delayed incorporation. Results from project two were mixed across trial years, likely due to differences in greenhouse conditions, but suggest that dimethenamid-p and unencapsulated acetochlor are the least stable of tested herbicides in situations of delayed incorporation suggesting significant reduction in control of common waterhemp when incorporation is delayed until 14-28 days after application. S-metolachlor, pyroxasulfone, microencapsulated acetochlor, and an experimental microencapsulated acetochlor all exhibited reduced efficacy when incorporation was delayed until 21-28 days after application. Results from project 3 and 4 combined to suggest that pyroxasulfone generally exhibited reduced efficacy of common waterhemp with rainfall events of 8 cm, s-metolachlor generally exhibited reduced control with rainfall events of 4 cm, and dimethenamid-p generally exhibited reduced control with rainfall events of 2 cm. The trial design differences lead to high disparity between the acetochlor-containing treatments, likely because of encapsulation degradation differences between greenhouse and field scenarios, so only trial by trial conclusions were made from these herbicides. No conclusions were made about minimum rainfall requirements; I suggest trial redesigns to better optimize weed emergence in low rainfall scenarios. Overall this thesis provides a baseline of data that suggests situations in which variable rainfall patterns could cause diminished herbicidal efficacy as well as compares each of these herbicides to each other to provide farmers with valuable information revolving around pre-emergent herbicide decisions
SURVIVORSHIP IN VIRGINIA OPOSSUMS AND THE MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS FOR BURMESE PYTHONS IN KEY LARGO, FLORIDA
No full textThis study employed a telemetry-based framework, using radio-collared Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), to quantify survival patterns and estimate detection probabilities of python predation events. Between April 2022 and January 2025, 135 adult opossums were monitored using VHF collars across protected habitats within Key Largo. Annual survival was estimated using a staggered-entry Kaplan-Meier model, producing an annual survival rate of 0.17 (SE = 0.089) for females, and male survival was estimated at 0.04 (SE = 0.032) at 10 months since no male lived 10 months after collaring. Cause-specific monthly survival analyses indicated python predation peaked during the late summer months of July through September, when temperatures were at their annual highest. No python predation events were recorded from January through April, corresponding to lower temperatures and the python breeding season. Bootstrap simulations (n = 1000 per 5% increment) demonstrated that opossum survival estimates stabilize around 35% sample coverage or 48 collars, and produce RMSE values of 0.022, indicating that 135 collars is likely representative of the population. A python-specific detection model revealed a 95% detection probability with 8–10 collars, whereas a theoretical model, assuming independent mortality risk, required 37 collars to reach equivalent power. The empirical model consistently exceeded theoretical expectations, likely reflecting temporal clustering in predation risk. These findings support the integration of radio-collared prey into invasive predator monitoring protocols, providing a scalable, cost-effective approach for early detection and removal of invasive predators. Moreover, this method may be broadly transferable to similar habitats and comparable cryptic predators, offering strategic benefits in wildlife management and conservation monitoring
WATER QUALITY EXAMINATION OF ALTERNATIVE POND-BASED PRODUCTION SYSTEMS FOR REARING LARGEMOUTH BASS (Micropterus nigricans)
No full textAquaculture\u27s rapid expansion emphasizes the critical importance of water quality for fish health and productivity. Innovative systems like Split Ponds (SP) and Pond-side Tanks (TK) have been used for cultivating Largemouth Bass (LMB) while addressing challenges such as cannibalism and feed fluctuations. These systems also enhance water treatment through the nitrogen cycle, a fundamental process in aquatic ecosystems. Nitrification plays a vital role in this cycle by converting harmful unionized ammonia (NH₃), which can disrupt fish cell membranes, into the relatively less toxic nitrite and nitrate. This study investigates the impact of water circulation on key water quality parameters and in enabling the nitrogen cycle, improving nitrification to effectively transform toxic ammonia into nitrate and alleviating ammonia-related toxicity in the water, thereby promoting the health and productivity of fish.Over a multi-month grow-out period, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), temperature, conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), chlorophyll, and total organic carbon (TOC) were monitored weekly for three replicate treatments for both SP and TK as well as a Full Pond (FP) system. In concurrence, LMB populations within treatments as well as feed amount were monitored to better understand nutrient dynamics within treatments. Among the three systems SP, TK and FP, the SP system demonstrated the most balanced and acceptable environmental conditions conducive to rearing Yong of Year (YOY) LMB. Although both TK and SP demonstrated superior nitrification than FP, the SP system offered more desirable, stable DO concentrations for LMB. The lower temperature profile maintained in the SP compared to both FP and TK may have offered a buffer to improve stability in other parameters, including DO. The results support the viability of SP systems for intensive LMB culture. This research contributes to a limited but growing body of knowledge on water quality in engineered pond systems, especially regarding LMB culture in SP and TK configurations, which remain underexplored in aquaculture literature. The results underscore the value of partial recirculation and compartmentalization in enhancing system sustainability and provide a scientific foundation for optimizing nutrient management in pond-based aquaculture
GEOMETRIC DEVIATION PREDICTION IN ADDITIVELY MANUFACTURED PARTS USING CONDITIONAL GENERATIVE ADVERSARIAL NETWORKS UNDER VARYING L-PBF PROCESS PARAMETERS
No full textThe progress in metal AM technology has enabled printing parts with thin features and intricate geometries. Predicting and reducing metal AM part geometrical deviations to narrow down the difference between printed and designed structure still poses a problem. This work explores changes in laser speed, laser power, and hatch spacing affecting geometrical deviations in parts made using laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) and places an emphasis on how to predict geometrical defects in the AM parts. Sliced images obtained from CAD designs and printed parts to capture the effect of various L-PBF process parameters are utilized to create a dataset. Conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (cGANs) are trained to predict accurate images that accurately resemble actual geometrical deviations. This facilitates early correction of geometrical deviations during the L-PBF process. A measure of how L-PBF process parameters affect geometric deviation and how a machine learning model can be employed to improve part predictability made using the L-PBF process is provided. In addition, existing measurement metrics for geometric deviations are combined to propose a comprehensive and novel quantification metric
The Role of Sex and Genetic Background in Early Life Stress Effects on Locus Coeruleus Physiology and Related Cognitive and Affective Behaviors
No full textAdverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have been associated with many neurodevelopmental and affective disorders, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), with more exposures increasing negative risks. Sex and genetic background are biological variables involved in adverse psychiatric outcomes due to ACE exposure(s). Few preclinical studies have properly powered each sex to determine the interaction between sex and genetics on stress-impacting behavior, especially in early life. Females generally have an increased prevalence of stress-related psychopathologies beginning after adolescence, indicative of the adolescent time period as a female-specific sensitive period. To understand the underlying neuronal components responsible for this relationship between sex, stress/trauma, and cognitive/affective behaviors, we are focused on understanding changes in and involvement of the norepinephrine (NE)-releasing locus coeruleus (LC) for several reasons. The LC has a key role in attention and memory modulation with LC neuronal activity displaying sex differences in excitability and neuropeptide responses. Genes involved in monoaminergic metabolism and transport are also involved in neurodevelopmental and affective behavior disorder risks. Corticotropin-releasing hormone/factor (CRF), the neuropeptide responsible for central stress signaling, has been shown to directly alter LC neuron firing, thereby providing one mechanism by which stress may modulate noradrenergic function. Genes associated with CRF signaling are also shown to increase the risk for affective disorder outcomes, especially after ACEs. In addition, LC neurons in female mice and rats have increased CRF sensitivity due to increased CRF receptor expression, Gs coupling, decreased receptor internalization, and increased NE release in the LC when compared to males. Despite the role of NE in modulating attention and sex differences in NE dynamics and sensitivity to stress, the role of early life stress on neurodevelopment impacting persistent cognitive behavioral changes in females had not been explored. In this dissertation, we first assessed behavioral outcomes depending on sex and genetic background due to stress in early life in two different inbred mouse strains. Secondly, we identified the effect of early life stress on physiological changes persisting in adult LC neurons and determined the causal relationship between cellular level changes and persistent behavioral changes. Thirdly, we have assessed sex differences in LC neuron responses ex vivo to CRF in both naïve and stress-exposed groups