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Force of Production of Diverse
No full textThis study examines how physical activity levels influence hand grip strength and accuracy. Sixteen participants split into active and inactive groups (both male and female), completed tests to measure their maximum grip strength and their ability to reproduce submaximal forces (50% and 35% of their maximum). The findings revealed that active individuals consistently demonstrated stronger grip strength, better coordination between hands, and greater accuracy in hitting target force levels. In contrast, inactive participants showed weaker grip strength, larger imbalances between hands, and less precise control during submaximal tasks. These differences highlight how regular physical activity supports better muscle balance, coordination, and motor precision. Active males showed more symmetrical hand strength, while active females outperformed their inactive peers in overall grip strength. Meanwhile, inactive participants struggled with accuracy and consistency, reflecting the impact of a sedentary lifestyle on motor skills. This study highlights the importance of staying active—not just for physical strength but also for improving everyday functional abilities. These insights could inform exercise programs and rehabilitation strategies, helping people of all backgrounds stay independent and thrive
Application of Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory to a Near Shore Atmospheric Acoustic Model: A Measurement Informed Evaluation
No full textAn understanding of sound propagation from industrial activities, airports, wind farms, and a variety of other sources can be assisted by acoustic modeling. Modeling airborne sound propagation over long distances usually requires making a number of assumptions pertaining to the state of the atmosphere and terrain in addition to those in the governing equations and numerical methods. One set of assumptions about the lower atmosphere is Monin-Obukhov Similarity Theory (MOST)–a system used to estimate vertical profiles of air temperature, humidity, and wind speed. In this work, MOST air temperature profiles are compared against long-term air temperature profile measurements up to seven meters in elevation over water and marsh grass surfaces. In addition, the Crank-Nicholson Parabolic Equation (CNPE) method is used to compare acoustic sound pressure level predictions between MOST-informed and air temperature measurement informed sound speed profiles. Applications of MOST meeting the conventional stability parameter condition for validity were found to be roughly as successful over land as over water. However, at night over the marsh, MOST was 35% less likely on average to meet the validity condition whereas over the water it was only 13% less likely. Acoustic model predictions using MOST temperature profiles diverge from those using measured profiles under negative temperature gradients as a result of a sharp increase in the predicted temperature below 1 m in elevation
Enhancing Advance Care Planning in Primary Care Utilizing Project 5 Wishes
No full textThis quality improvement project aimed to enhance advance care planning in primary care by implementing Project 5 Wishes, a structured tool designed to improve patient-provider discussions and documentation. Conducted during Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, the intervention increased the frequency of advance care planning conversations, improved documentation, and enhanced related billing practices. While completion rates remained consistent with national averages, patient understanding and satisfaction improved. Project 5 Wishes effectively promotes patient-centered care, supports providers in facilitating critical conversations, and highlights the need to address barriers to advance care planning across diverse populations.D.N.P
EXPERIENCES OF SEXUAL VICTIMIZATION AMONG SEXUAL MINORITY WOMEN: AN EXPLORATION OF MICROAGRESSION AND EMOTIONAL DIFFERENTIATION
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between Differentiation of Self (DOS), Microaggressions (MA) and Sexual Victimization (SV) among Sexual Orientation Minority Women (SMW). SMW are sexually victimized, and revictimized at higher rates than their heterosexual counterparts. Relationships among variables were analyzed via regression analysis to determine if a significant relationship existed between DOS, and SV. Data was also generated to understand the effects of MA on both DOS and SV. Data was collected via a cross-sectional Qualtrics Survey. Out of 66 survey responses, 48 completed all required components of the survey. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, the Sex and Gender Microaggressions Scale, The Differentiation of Self Inventory-Revised, and the Sexual Experiences Survey Short Form-Victimization. Results indicated that DOS, and its subcategories had moderately strong regression relationships with SV. Implications for findings are discussed in theoretical and clinical applications
BUILDING A ROBUST LOCAL WORKFORCE: CREATING REGISTERED YOUTH APPRENTICESHIPS WITH K-12 & LOCAL COMMUNITY COLLEGES
Get PDFThe growing skills gap in the workforce highlights the need for innovative solutions that better prepare students for high-demand careers. Traditional educational pathways, particularly emphasizing four-year college degrees, often fail to equip students with the technical, academic, and employability skills necessary to transition successfully into the labor market. Registered youth apprenticeships offer an alternative by integrating classroom instruction with hands-on, industry-driven training, enabling students to earn while they learn.
This qualitative study examined the experiences and perceptions of students, employers, and educators involved in registered youth apprenticeship programs. The research was conducted in four phases, beginning with interviews to understand current experiential learning opportunities available to Wayne County Public School (WCPS) students. Phase II interviewed current and former apprentices at Surry-Yadkin Works, an established youth program, to understand the long-term impact of apprenticeships on career development for high school students. Phase III focused on designing and implementing a registered youth apprenticeship program for Wayne Community College (WCC) that aligned with industry needs. The final phase involved conducting interviews and surveys with program participants to evaluate their experiences, assess the program’s effectiveness, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Findings from this study provide insights into the effectiveness of youth apprenticeships in addressing workforce shortages, supporting student career development, and fostering economic growth. The research also recommends strengthening apprenticeship programs to enhance student retention, industry engagement, and long-term workforce preparedness. This study contributes to the growing knowledge of work-based learning and informs policymakers, educators, and business leaders on strategies to build a highly skilled workforce through youth apprenticeships
Primary Source Instruction for Non-Teachers: How to Create Sessions that are Engaging and Successful
Get PDFThis workshop was presented at the 2025 Society of North Carolina Archivists Conference held on May 21-22, 2025 in Greenville, North Carolina.Primary source instruction is a reality that many of us face working with archives. It has become a great way to introduce people to the archives and serve a variety of communities. Even so, many archival professionals were never trained to be teachers. The goal of this workshop is to give you the tools you need to thrive in the instructional setting, not just survive. This workshop will walk you through instructional skills such as lesson planning, activity design, lesson delivery, and assessment. In the end, you'll walk away with the confidence to succeed as a primary source instructor
TESTING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A SYSTEMATIC INSTRUCTIONAL MONITORING PLAN AS A WAY TO IMPROVE INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP IN RESTART SCHOOLS
Get PDFThis problem of practice study examines the challenge of strengthening instructional leadership in North Carolina’s Restart schools through a systematic instructional monitoring plan. Restart schools, which are granted charter-like flexibility to improve student outcomes, require strategic and data-driven leadership to drive sustainable school improvement. Utilizing a Plan, Do, Study, Act improvement science framework, this study involved the implementation of a structured instructional monitoring plan across multiple Restart schools. The design included weekly classroom walkthroughs, principal interviews, teacher focus groups, school improvement plans, and Restart monitoring documents. The analysis process integrated statistical comparisons with qualitative coding to identify leadership trends, challenges, and effective practices. The data and observations from this study indicate that this improvement strategy had a positive impact on the problem. Additional recommendations and implications are shared that are applicable to principal preparation programs, school district leadership development initiatives, refining instructional monitoring practices, and optimizing Restart to support low-performing schools
COPING TENDENCIES AND ATTACHMENT BEHAVIORS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS’ RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR PARTNERS
Get PDFLaw enforcement officers and their partners cope with occupational stressors that can have an impact on their relationship. The use of adaptive coping strategies has been shown to produce positive outcomes for individuals. Using dyadic data gathered in a previous study from 54 officers and their partners, a series of factor analyses and APIMs were conducted to analyze the relationship between coping styles and officers’ and partners' views of attachment security within their relationship. Main findings suggest that the use of negative coping strategies is associated with less self-reported attachment behavior for heterosexual officer/partner dyads. Negative coping by the male partner was linked with lower self-reported attachment behavior, with the view of their partner’s attachment behavior, and with the female partner’s view of the male’s attachment behavior. Female partner negative coping was negatively linked with how each partner rated their own attachment behavior but did not appear to influence how they rated each other’s behavior. There were not as many significant relationships when considering positive coping. There were no significant associations when measuring male positive coping, and positive coping of the female partner was not associated with male-reported attachment behavior, but positive coping was linked to how the female partner viewed her own attachment behavior and the behavior of her partner. Recommendations and future implications for research and clinical work are included
From Imposter to Innovator: How Underrepresented Minority STEM Undergraduate Researchers Forge Their Science Identity in a Historically White Space
Get PDFDespite considerable progress and extensive initiatives aimed at reducing disparities, significant gaps persist in the educational attainment of underrepresented minority (URM) students compared to their White and Asian counterparts. Research has demonstrated that undergraduate research participation, coupled with mentoring, enhances persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and facilitates entry into graduate and doctoral programs. This study investigates the lived experiences of URM STEM students engaged in research at a historically White institution in the southern United States with a strong emphasis on STEM disciplines. Through narrative analysis, this research identifies recurring themes that illuminate students' experiences and highlight areas where additional support is needed. Furthermore, interventions designed to enhance undergraduate research engagement, strengthen science self-efficacy, and improve graduate school matriculation rates among URM STEM students were developed, implemented, and evaluated for effectiveness
EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL OF AI CHAT BOTS FOR CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING
No full textArtificial intelligence (AI) promises a new age of automation within the U.S. economy. AI leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to predict patterns and manage tasks ranging from simple to complex. AI chatbots like ChatGPT showcase the expanding potential of artificial intelligence by simplifying the implementation of the technology and providing an accessible method for enhancing productivity and reducing workloads. In construction, the application of AI can provide efficiency and reduced timelines in the bidding process compared to traditional methods. The efficiency benefits associated with AI are particularly helpful in cost estimating, where contractors can be more competitive by providing cost expectations faster and with reduced human error. However, the performance and accuracy of the AI output require testing to evaluate the accuracy of the automated results before adoption as an industry standard and incorporation into the bidding process. This study investigates the accuracy of these automated construction outputs through a comparison of AI and traditional approaches to estimating and scheduling. The challenges associated with the incorporation of AI in construction are also investigated to determine the impact of implementation costs, additional AI training requirements, and resistance to change in the industry. After acknowledging the current barriers, the continued development of artificial intelligence and the potential applications of the technology are discussed to reshape the industry, streamline project timelines, and improve overall safety and efficiency in construction operations