35967 research outputs found
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Increasing competency in incident command system principles by conditioning training and exercises tied to FEMA funding
No full textA seminar paper presented to the graduate faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science - Criminal JusticeThe federal government mandates the Incident Command System (ICS) as a standardized approach to command, control, and coordination related to the emergency response to a significant incident. During this paper’s research process, it was discovered from after-action reports that not all law enforcement agencies are utilizing ICS or incorrectly implementing ICS. Through a literature review, the author discovered why law enforcement agencies are missing the mark, and the author investigates solutions through the lens of resource dependency theory and institutional theory. This author recommends including mandatory training and exercises as a condition of receiving Federal Emergency Management grant funds. Additionally, the recommendation requires disseminating after-action reports nationwide for all major incidents to provide lessons learned and best practices related to applying ICS principles
The Ripple Effect: Water Activism, Spooky Lakes, and Digital Reach
No full textThe Ripple Effect: Water Activism, Spooky Lakes, and Digital Reac
‘SPINSTER’ SPACES: INVESTIGATING THE GEOGRAPHIES OF WOMEN WHO HAVE NEVER BEEN MARRIED
No full textThe resurgence of right-wing nationalisms and conservative politics has once again thrust women who remain unmarried to the forefront of cultural dialogues. Enduring tropes, including the spinster, the old maid, and the cat lady, along with their disciplining narratives, have resurfaced in an effort to reinforce racialized heteronormative gender roles. This dissertation examines the methods through which women who remain unmarried are socially constructed and investigates their unique geographies. With the Midwest as a geographic scope, this dissertation employs qualitative methods and a feminist approach to survey and interview women who have never been married about their everyday lives, how they navigate societal expectations about marriage, and how such expectations might affect their geographies. The results show that despite advancements made by the feminist movement, alongside other cultural movements such as the battles for racial justice and civil and gay rights, women who remain unmarried continue to face social, cultural, and economic exclusion. At a federal level, marriage functions as a public institution that privileges those within it and punishes those who do not conform to heteronormative lifestyles. At a local level, women who remain unmarried face exclusion and increased surveillance in their daily lives within their families, their workplaces, and both urban and rural landscapes in the Midwest. Yet, despite systematic process of exclusion, this dissertation also highlights the many ways in which women who remain unmarried work to create spaces and places of inclusion in their everyday lives. On the smallest scale, projects of self-identity are always in flux as they work to battle negative stereotypes and build spaces for self-acceptance. In the home, they create sanctuaries that reflect their individual personalities that offer them refuge from the harsh public. The internet provides a place where communities and friendships can be forged across a variety of geographic scales and finally, women who remain unmarried continue the long-standing tradition of building networks of care to ensure themselves and their loved ones are not left behind in a system that privileges married couples. 2027-05-1
Building a Strong Organization: An Introduction to Organizational Capacity
No full textBuilding a Strong Organization: An Introduction to Organizational Capacit
Perceptions of Physical Therapists and Rural Patient Care
No full textFull Text DissertationThere is empirical evidence of poor health outcomes in rural communities due to limited access to quality healthcare and a shortage of primary healthcare providers. The physical therapy profession has demonstrated potential for filling service gaps, but the current roles of rural physical therapists and whether their education has prepared them for these roles has not been investigated. This qualitative, descriptive case study employed semi-structured interviews and field observations to investigate the unique roles of five physical therapists in rural Wisconsin and their perceived preparation for their work. The research identified four key themes regarding the roles of the participants: operating as primary care providers, employing a wide breadth of practice, creating patient-centeredness, and integrating into the community. Furthermore, three key aspects emerged concerning the readiness of physical therapists for rural practice in Wisconsin: adequate generalist preparation, insufficient health system navigation skills, and the importance of clinical rotation sites. This research enhances our understanding of physical therapy practices in rural settings, offering guidance to current rural healthcare providers and facilities. The findings also contribute to enhancing physical therapy education programs, providing guidance for the necessary skills, knowledge, dispositions, and cultural understandings students should develop for rural work environments. The study's exploratory and qualitative approach lays the groundwork for future investigations to showcase the potential influence of physical therapists on health outcomes in rural areas
The level of Social Isolation and Loneliness among American Muslims aged 50 years and above and their associations with Depression, Morbidity, Self-rated Health, and Healthcare Utilization
No full textBackground: Social isolation and loneliness are growing public health concerns, especially among older adults, due to their association with poor health outcomes like depression, lower self-rated health, and increased healthcare use. However, little is known about these issues among American Muslims aged 50 and older—a group often underrepresented in research. This study aims to examine levels of social isolation and loneliness in this population and explore their relationships with morbidity, self-rated health, healthcare utilization, and the mediating role of depression.Method: A cross-sectional quantitative study was conducted with a convenience sample of 105 American Muslims aged 50+ in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Participants were recruited from Islamic centers and healthcare organizations and completed a survey assessing social isolation (Berkman–Syme Social Network Index), loneliness (UCLA-3 Loneliness Scale), depression (CES-D-10), self-rated health, morbidity, and healthcare utilization. Demographic data included age, gender, race, place of birth, immigration year, and perceived discrimination. Correlation and mediation analyses were used to examine variable relationships and the role of depression. Results: Participants had a mean age of 64 years (SD = 9). Social isolation was reported by 18.1% and loneliness by 21%. Social isolation significantly correlated with loneliness (β = .38, p < .001) and was associated with poorer self-rated health (β = .35, p < .001). Similarly, loneliness was linked to worse self-rated health (β = .35, p = .003) and increased healthcare utilization (β = .27, p < .05). Depression mediated the associations between both social isolation and loneliness with health outcomes. No significant relationship was found between social isolation or loneliness and morbidity. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive nursing interventions and community programs addressing depression and social disconnection among aging American Muslims.2027-05-2
Viability of ballast reception facilities within the Great Lakes
No full textThe paper covers the viability of ballast reception facilities within the Great Lakes.Shore-based ballast water reception (BWR) facilities offer an economically and environmentally feasible alternative to onboard treatment of ballast water for vessels on dedicated trades within the Laurentian Great Lakes (Great Lakes). Six to eight high-capacity BWR facilities could significantly decrease the secondary spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS) in the Great Lakes. The location of these facilities should consider prevailing hydrology, trade networks, and historical ballast water volumes.
This study included an analysis of the Great Lakes geography and hydrology, U.S. and Canadian Laker fleets, thirteen years of USCG ballast water reports, and third-party information showing vessel movements within the Great Lakes region. Third-party information allowed the estimation of Canadian fleet operations and contributions to the movement of ballast water. Previous engineering studies of ballast water reception facilities allowed for a comparison to recent data for U.S. port operations.
U.S. ballast water reports provided data to calculate ballast discharges at U.S. Great Lakes ports. Analysis of multiple reporting years revealed peak ballast water discharges and daily vessel traffic patterns for the region (i.e., intra-lake and inter-lake). Analysis of vessel voyage routing information allowed the determination of suitable locations for BWR facilities. Considerations in determining the size and location of shoreside facilities included: traffic density, vessel sizes and trading patterns, hydrology, and geography. Estimation of the number of and treatment capacities for ballast water reception facilities included capital and operating expenses. BWR facility capital expense estimates ranged from 75 million for vessels moving ballast water upbound from Lake Ontario to Lake Erie to 180 million to treat vessels moving ballast water upbound from Lake Erie (including the Welland Canal, Detroit River, and St. Clair River).
BWR facilities are technically feasible from both environmental efficacy and ship transfer considerations. Optimizing the number of facilities (six to eight) located along key high-traffic routes allowed determination of economic feasibility when compared to fitting ballast water treatment systems on every trading vessel. BWR treatment technologies and processes were selected based on current municipal water treatment plant designs utilizing fresh surface water sources.
Recommendations and next steps include working with Transport Canada to gain access to Canadian ballast water reports, allowing for more accurate ballast water operation analysis. Further study of the Great Lakes regional municipal water treatment plants would provide improved ballast water reception facility design information allowing improved capital and operating expense estimates
Evaluating the Distribution of Fish Community Production in Northern Wisconsin Lakes with Different Walleye Recruitment Histories
No full textEvaluating the Distribution of Fish Community Production in Northern Wisconsin Lakes with Different Walleye Recruitment Historie
Exploring the impact of sexual abuse on children with physical disabilities involved with child protective services: A literature review and recommendations for targeted interventions.
No full textA seminar paper presented to the graduate faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Master of Science - Criminal JusticeThis research explores the complicated intersection of sexual abuse, physical disabilities, and Child Protective Services (CPS), revealing the increased vulnerability faced by children with physical disabilities. The literature review uncovers major barriers to disclosure—like communication challenges, reliance on caregivers, and social stigma—as well as serious gaps in CPS practices, including limited disability-specific training and weak coordination across agencies. A program evaluation comparing Michigan and Wisconsin shows inconsistent outcomes: Michigan struggles with a lack of resources, while Wisconsin experiences unequal access to specialized services. Grounded in Routine Activities Theory and Strain Theory, the study highlights how a child’s vulnerability and the systemic pressures within CPS contribute to risk and inadequate service delivery. Routine Activities Theory helps explain how the absence of protective factors makes children more vulnerable, while Strain Theory illustrates how overwhelmed systems can fail to meet their needs. To improve outcomes, the paper offers several key recommendations: strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, mandating disability-specific training, and updating CPS policies to be more inclusive and responsive. This research underscores the urgent need for systemic change—because every child deserves safety, support, and a system that is equipped to protect them
Digital Touchpoints (Issue #2, Spring 2025)
No full textWhat does it mean to teach and learn in these contemporary times, considering the ubiquity of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)? Does it make sense anymore for students to memorize state capitals? Or is a student’s ability to independently acquire knowledge and information in real time, precisely when they need it, and construct new understandings, representations, communication, innovations, and solutions what really matters now? And how does the increasing uptake of AI tools across all sectors complicate how educators teach and assess students with integrity and efficacy? Undergraduate teacher education students in Dr. Aaron R. Gierhart’s “Educational Technology” class were asked to consider the growing ubiquity of digital technologies and impacts on what it truly means for teachers to teach and for students to learn. Issue #2 of Digital Touchpoints features 21 students’ reviews of current literature on contemporary teaching and learning, both with and amongst digital technologies. This issue is organized in two thematic sections: “Proceed” and “Caution,” highlighting affordances and constraints of digital technologies on teaching and learning in contemporary educational settings