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No full textPoster presented at the 2024 Student Employment in Academic Libraries Symposium.The original GROW (Guided Reflection on Work) program developed at the University of Iowa has served as a valuable model for supporting student employees nationwide. However, to better align with the unique needs of student employees at East Carolina University’s Academic Library Services (ALS), we are redesigning the GROW program to adopt a holistic approach that supports the whole person, encompassing mental and physical health while emphasizing career readiness. By addressing these aspects, we expect to see increased engagement and job satisfaction among our student employees. Our objective is to create a comprehensive program that not only prepares student employees for their future careers but also ensures their well-being during their tenure at the library. The new GROW program will integrate resources and services from various university departments, including Career Services, Financial Wellness, and the Counseling Center. This new program is currently in its initial stages and will be gradually implemented this fall semester, with thorough evaluation and assessment to determine the next steps
Phase Change Material Thermal Energy Storage for a Supercritical Water Desalination System
No full textDue to the growing population and increasing demand for clean water, new solutions are being developed to access clean water. Supercritical water desalination (SCWD) is one of the solutions still developing. However, SCWD is a process that consumes high energy. This thesis presents a comprehensive study on the integration of a phase change material (PCM) thermal energy storage (TES) system into an SCWD system. The objective of this research is to address the pressing issues of energy consumption and environmental sustainability in the desalination process by harnessing renewable solar energy and leveraging the latent heat storage capacity of PCM. By incorporating PCM energy storage, the availability of stored thermal energy during periods of high demand is ensured, further enhancing the energy efficiency and resilience of the system. The proposed integration of PCM thermal energy storage for preheating an SCWD system aims to reduce energy consumption from the furnace and minimize the environmental impact of the SCWD process by introducing a sustainable solar energy source. The research approach encompasses experimental analysis, numerical simulations, and data processing. The experiment focuses on investigating the heat transfer occurring in the PCM storage tank, specifically from the PCM to the fluid, with various data parameters such as temperatures, pressures, and flow rates being recorded. MATLAB is employed to simulate the SCWD process, while the System Advisor Model (SAM) is utilized to collect and process weather data for solar energy analysis. The numerical analysis encompasses performance assessment and economic evaluation of the integrated system. This study aims to propose a novel strategy for enhancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of SCWD systems through the integration of renewable energy sources. It provides valuable insights into the influence of PCMs on solar thermal energy utilization in SCWD. Furthermore, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the impact of this integration on the performance and cost of SCWD. The results of this research are crucial for the development and implementation of efficient and environmentally friendly desalination technologies
Do core self-evaluations mitigate the effects of workplace gender bias? A personal resource perspective.
No full textGender bias has been a consistent and negative barrier for women to overcome in the workplace. Due to its persistence at work and the toll it can have on female employees, gender bias can be considered a job demand. Empirical evidence shows that perceiving gender bias at work can negatively impact an employee's self-perceptions, such as workability, which is an employee's perspective of their ability to do their job and do it well, given the demands and resources that come with it. The more gender biases an employee perceives; the less likely employees will perceive themselves to be able to handle the job demands inherent to the position. However, various job resources such as core self-evaluations, which typically combat the job demands to reduce their effects on the employee, have been observed to increase outcomes related to an employee's workability. The current study explored whether core self-evaluations and gender moderated gender bias effects on perceived workability. Analyses identified that while there are gender differences in perceived gender bias and gender bias and core self-evaluations both influence workability on their own, gender and core self-evaluations did not influence the relationship between gender bias and perceived workability. Implications of this research offer explanations for the lack of effects found, and future directions and limitations are also discussed
HEALTHY Habits Crucial with Weight Loss Meds.
No full textAn evidence based column providing nutrition/diet recommendations for adults taking antiobesity medicine, in the absence of any guidelines from any medical organization. Focus on protein, and micronutrients, and calories needed even in absence of hunger. Discussion of side effects from the meds.
This is a weekly food and column written or edited by Dr. Kathy Kolasa, Brody School of Medicine answering readers questions. . Dr. Dowlatshahi is a third year resident physician in Family Medicine who offers care to patients with obesity
Exploring Black Entrepreneur Identity in the Recreation and Tourism Industry: A Case Study in Greenville, North Carolina
No full textThis study explores the identity of Black entrepreneurs in the recreation and tourism industry, focusing on their motivations, sense of community, and efforts toward sustainability. Using a tripartite framework of identities, the study examines motivations based on Weber's Theory of Formal and Substantive Rationality and explores residential identity through McMillan and Chavis' Sense of Community dimensions. The study utilized an identity that emerges from both entrepreneur and residential identities which is that of the sustainable entrepreneur. Through semi-structured interviews conducted in Greenville, North Carolina, the study aimed to highlight Black entrepreneurs positive impact and contributions to their community. Findings reveal that the extrinsic motivations of these entrepreneurs were primarily linked to income generation and financial stability, while intrinsic motivations often arose from a genuine passion for community engagement. It was found that entrepreneurs felt a sense of belonging in Greenville and received significant support from their community. The study highlights entrepreneurs efforts toward economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Those efforts involved creating job opportunities, engaging in philanthropic activities, and promotion of sustainable practices. It was found in this study that these entrepreneurs offer safe spaces for the Black community to enjoy leisure activities, which addresses ongoing concerns regarding discrimination and the lack of diversity in downtown Greenville establishments. However, initiatives like the African American Cultural Trail in Greenville-Pitt County highlight the historical and contemporary contributions of the Black community, fostering dialogue and educating both locals and tourists on topics such as race and social justice. Ultimately, the study advocates for the integration of Black-owned businesses along the trail and emphasizes the importance of supporting Black entrepreneurship in the recreation and tourism industry to enhance economic diversity in Greenville
PLAY IS LEARNING: A PEDAGOGY FOR BUILDING TEACHER CAPACITY INTEGRATING PLAY IN MATH INSTRUCTION
No full textThe purpose of this participatory action research (PAR) project was to support teachers to integrate play as a primary pedagogy in the math program. The theory of action was: If teachers develop a mathematical program integrating play pedagogy, then teacher capacity will expand to support the implementation of play in math instruction. I conducted the participatory action research (PAR) study with a small group of three teachers who were in a co-practitioner researcher group. We analyzed the current math instructional program, grade level standards, and designed and implemented play-based learning opportunities that supported classroom instruction. I collected and analyzed data from evidence-based observations in math classes and post-observation conversations to understand the extent to which play can be integrated into the standards-based lessons. Two findings were: (1) With intentional planning and reflection, teachers improve their instructional practices while building their capacity to integrate play-based learning in mathematics instruction; and (2) by integrating instructional practices that involve peer engagement, teachers shift their practice from whole-class instruction to facilitating learning activities and observing students' play-based learning. Finally, we are continuing by sharing with all grade levels at our school and with other schools in the district so other teachers can use play-based learning practices in all elementary grade levels. Play based learning shifts the teacher role in the classroom to a facilitator of learning and supports learning opportunities that aid and broaden students' understanding of mathematical concepts
Educators Using i-Ready to Prepare Students for Online Mathematics Assessments
No full textThe shift to online assessments had led educators to revise their instructional practices to prepare students for an online testing setting. This research consists of third grade teachers' responses to usage of i-Ready, an online mathematics tool, and how they are utilizing the features within it. The purpose of this mixed methods survey study is to identify common trends and feelings seen when educators are using i-Ready's resources to enhance students' preparedness for online assessments. Educators teaching third grade within a rural district in a southeastern state completed a survey with quantitative and qualitative questions where descriptive statistics were used to identify common tendencies and open coding. This helped determine common themes and emerging concepts. I selected participants then they participated in a follow-up interview about using i-Ready for mathematics instruction. This research is designed to yield results that might help educators and school district administrators determine effective uses of i-Ready and effective adaptations of instruction when preparing students for online assessments
The World Beyond Documentary SHP
No full textThe World Beyond is a project that has been in the works for almost two years at the time of writing. The film itself is a culmination of testimony from study abroad students of different nationalities who all participated in a study abroad program in Hannover Germany for a semester. The film documents the shift that students experience when traveling out of their home country for the first time, and what experiences or people they might encounter on their journey. The film also touches on international conflicts that students from the United States might not be used to experiencing. The film ultimately serves as a testimony to what other international individuals think about the United States, and how individuals from the United States might perceive international citizens
Empowering Health: A Community-Centric Protocol for Introducing Public Health Vending Machines in Rural North Carolina
No full textDrug related overdoses are affecting communities all over the country. In the past two decades, over 28,000 people have died from a drug overdose in North Carolina (NC). Research has shown that there has been an increase in overdose deaths throughout NC, particularly in rural areas. To help reduce overdose rates, health care interventions should be implemented. Accessibility of naloxone has become a factor in combating overdose rates. Naloxone is a medication designed to rapidly reverse an overdose. Public health vending machines (PHVMs) are a strategy to provide harm reduction supplies that have recently been implemented in some communities within the United States (US). Thus far, PHVMs have been installed in communities, detention centers, and police departments. The purpose of this study is to develop implementation strategies to employ PHVMs as a healthcare delivery option for harm reduction in five rural communities (Carteret, Jackson, Surry, Stanly, and Swain counties) in NC. This study utilized a community-based participatory approach in which we partnered with the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition and Community Impact North Carolina to engage with substance use prevention providers and community members in five rural counties in NC to improve naloxone access. We will collect qualitative interview data from people with lived experience to examine placement of PHVMs and items to be stocked in PHVMs. To do this we are hiring one local community member with lived experience from each county to recruit, conduct interviews, and collect data from other members of the community with lived experience of substance use. Surveyors will be trained to conduct interviews and collect data. Development of protocol for training surveyors includes an interview training presentation with an adapted collaborative institutional training initiative (CITI) portion. The findings will inform implementation of PHVMs to improve harm reduction access and assist in decreasing overdose deaths. This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $300,000 with no percentage financed with non-governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government
Relationships of Religious Affiliation, Coping, and Support with Symptoms of Psychopathology in College Students
No full textBackground: Research has shown increases in mental health concerns in college students over the years that have worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identifying factors that are protective in this context can aid in informing prevention and treatment efforts. Religiosity/religiousness has been shown to be generally beneficial regarding mental health, however, less is known about the mechanisms that account for that relationship. Some evidence indicates positive religious coping and religious support may be mechanisms. Little research has examined if religiousness is beneficial regarding mental health in college students during the pandemic, and if so, if positive religious coping and religious support are mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of religiousness, positive religious coping, and religious support with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the objectives of this study were to: 1) examine whether religious-affiliated college students have lower levels of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and/or PTSD compared to non-religiously affiliated students; and 2) if so, examine whether positive religious coping and religious support help account for the relationships observed between being religiously affiliated and lower symptoms. Method: This senior honors thesis project used pre-existing data from a cross-sectional online survey study that examined psychosocial and demographic risk and protective factors of PTSD during the pandemic (2020-21 academic school year) in a sample (N = 745) of undergraduate students from a large southeastern public university. The students were recruited using several methods: 1) Introductory Psychology courses, 2) a random sample of students, oversampled for male students and people of color, provided by the Survey Review and Oversight Committee, 3) emails to student organizations reflective of diversity requesting they share the study information with their members, and 4) emails to advisors, faculty, and other staff requesting they share the study with students. Participants in Introductory Psychology courses were given research credit for participating. All other participants were entered into a gift card raffle held each semester. Psychological symptomology was assessed with measures of 1) generalized anxiety disorder symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Scale-7); 2) depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire – 8); and 3) PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist for DSM-5). Religious affiliation, coping, and support were assessed with a modified version of the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality and Brief Religious COPE. Results: The correlation analyses showed the significant relationship of religious affiliation with psychopathology symptoms. The results further demonstrated that religious support considerably mediated the relationship of religiosity and anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but positive religious coping only mediated the relationship of religiosity and PTSD. Discussion: Results can aid in improving the identification of at-risk college students and the development of effective coping and support strategies