20566 research outputs found
Sort by
Exploring Stigma Towards Postpartum Mothers with Opioid Use Disorder: Pre-Licensure Nursing Students\u27 Attitudes, Reflections, and Intervening in Peer Conversations
No full textObjective. To increase understanding of stigma in pre-licensure nursing students specifically related to OUD in postpartum mothers.
Methodology. Using a cross-sectional sample of baccalaureate pre-licensure nursing students (N=118), we measured stigma, knowledge, personal and professional experience, and comfort and confidence in intervening in stigmatizing conversations with peers surrounding postpartum mothers with OUD. Associations were examined between stigma, comfort and confidence, and knowledge along with differences between stigma of those based on their personal and professional experience. Further, participants provided responses to three open-ended reflection questions about experiences with and perceptions about OUD in postpartum mothers. Using a deductive and inductive coding procedure, qualitative responses were coded, and a thematic analysis was employed to determine overarching themes.
Results. Among the sample of baccalaureate pre-licensure nursing students, we found those with professional experience with a postpartum mother with OUD held more social distance than those without (p\u3c.05) on the subscale of the OMS-HC. Self-reported perceived postpartum OUD knowledge was positively related with comfort (p\u3c.05) and confidence (p\u3c.05) with intervening in stigmatizing conversations with peers. Also found was the positive association with objective OUD knowledge and comfort in peer conversations (p\u3c.05). Additionally, social distance was positively associated with comfort (p\u3c.01) and confidence (p\u3c.05) in intervening in stigmatizing conversations among their peers. Three themes emerged from reflections towards postpartum mothers with OUD, emerging perspectives, attitudinal influences, and a desire to care. The respondents shared both positive and negative attitudes towards postpartum mothers with OUD and discussed the presence of stigma and the overcoming of stigma with experiences, both professional and personal. The respondents inferred a desire to provide care, free from judgement, but were not always sure of the outcomes due to the influence of personal attitudes and judgments, resulting in conflict between personal attitudes and professional role.
Conclusion. Postpartum mothers with OUD are a stigmatized population, with negative impacts upon health outcomes. Stigma towards this population may come from pre-licensure nursing students within a variety of settings. Targeted, innovative education is needed to prevent and disrupt stigma in pre-licensure nursing students, to set a foundational standard of addressing stigma towards specific stigmatized populations, including postpartum mothers
Space and Subjectivity in the Emerging American West
Get PDFThe American West resists theoretical definition. As myth, ideal, region, contact zone, place, space, symbol, territory, home, assemblage, dream, and home, the West is continually changing. As a region, the West is not a closed space; it is an open, ongoing constellation of processes, an unfolding simultaneity of storied events or happenings. This dissertation, “Space and Subjectivity in the Emerging American West,” explores literature and cinema of the modern West. My project seeks to answer the question “What is the American West?” by examining the work of novelists, poets, filmmakers, cultural geographers, philosophers, and photographers who reimagine identity, locality, and cartography in new and challenging ways. Chapter One “Creating Cartographies” and Chapter Two “Exploring Trajectories” establish the methodological frameworks for the dissertation. These opening sections use Karen Tei Yamashita’s novel I Hotel (2010) and Edward Dorn’s poem Gunslinger (1974), along with the scholarship of cultural geographer Doreen Massey, to examine how cartographies and culturally mediated representations influenced perceptions of the American West in the post-WWII era. Chapter Three “Blurring Boundaries” considers nomadic subjectivity as a way of being. Rosi Braidotti and Gloria Anzaldúa’s work is foregrounded, and the chapter looks at Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Crossing (1994) to trace ways that borders, boundaries, maps, and fences permeate the West. A detailed literary analysis is undertaken in Chapter Four “Wandering Regions.” The notion of a region is considered through four lenses: social construct, assemblage, affective landscape, and territorial process. The fictional work of four decolonial authors – Percival Everett, Nina McConigley, Hernán Diaz, and Tommy Orange – is highlighted to show how regions and identities in the West are always open for reinterpretation. Cowboy and Outlaw archetypes are presented as symbols of ongoing cultural adaptation in Chapter Five “Adapting Icons.” The historical outlaw Jesse James and modern-day Sioux cowboy Brady Jandreau figure prominently. The Conclusion of the dissertation projects forward and speculates on digital geography and simulated landscapes in the West
Investigating Landslides in Colorado Using GIS-based Methods, Remote Sensing & Electrical Resistivity
No full textLandslides are among the highly damaging natural hazards worldwide. In the USA, active landslides cause damage to homes and infrastructures as well as around 25-50 deaths per year. Colorado is one of the states most highly affected by landslides. According to the most recent Colorado Hazard Mitigation Plan (CHMP), landslides are one of the main hazards that affect Colorado State. For this research, El Paso and Garfield Counties have been selected to be studied because they have an extreme landslide growth risk. Due to the high activity of landslides in El Paso County according to the 2018 CHMP, Colorado Springs City has been selected for this research. In this dissertation, Geographic Information System (GIS), remote sensing, and Electrical Resistivity (ER) have been used to conduct three independent studies focusing on assessing landslides in Colorado. Each independent study has been presented in a separate chapter in a paper format as the paper is either published or being considered for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
The first study addresses the recent zones of landslides in Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs has been experiencing increased landslide activity for 4 decades due to developing new communities on unstable ground. Colorado Springs has developed hillslope areas on its western side; these areas are dominated by unstable shale and landslide deposits. This development decreased the stability of hillslope areas and created vulnerability to landslides. In this study, ER has been used to study Skyway landslides and the Broadmoor Bluffs landslides in Colorado Springs. ER has provided valuable information about the location of the failure surface, the geometry of the landslide surface, the moisture content, and the interface between rock types. This information has not been obtained on this large scale for Colorado Springs before using ER. The produced ER models will guide to future land use and mitigate landslides hazards in the developed areas in the landslide’s areas.
The second study has been dedicated to creating landslide susceptibility maps for Colorado Springs. In this study, the Regression Analysis (RA), Random Forest (RF), and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) have been integrated into a GIS to establish different GIS-based models. This research has extended the work that has been done before on Colorado Springs. An updated susceptibility map has been created to overcome the limitations of the susceptibility map created by the Colorado Geological Survey (CGS). In addition, the whole city has been considered in this study and several landslide-influencing factors have been investigated. The highest precipitation rates, the presence of shale units, and the high slope values are found to be the main trigger of landslides in Colorado Springs. Most landslides occur in the western, southwestern, and northwestern parts of the city. The landslide susceptibility map produced can help with landslide management, hazard mitigation, and future land use planning in Colorado Springs.
The third study has been focused on evaluating landslides in Garfield County. According to the 2018 CHMP, Garfield County is one of the counties that has been assigned the highest growth risk ratings based on the high risk noted in its local hazard mitigation plan as well as large projected percentages of population growth (ranging from 35% to 42%). The previous landslide hazard mapping is limited to the studied areas, while landslides investigation for the entire Garfield County has not been conducted before. RF has been used to investigate the relationship between landslides events and the significant influencing factors in the entire Garfield County. Five main factors, including precipitation, topographic factors, lithological types, landuse/cover (LuLc) types, and soil types have been investigated. Precipitation showed higher importance than other variables (21%). If the current climate trends continue, the frequency of landslide events will increase. Also, due to the high population growth, development and construction will increase the probability of landslides occurrences in the future. The landslide susceptibility map will help in hazard mitigation and future landuse planning in Garfield County
Downloading the Ghost
No full textThe four sections of this manuscript explore grief, the natural world, mental illness, and romantic love, as well as the various ways in which these themes intersect. Many of the poems contained in this collection take place in or make reference to the state of Arkansas, displaying and investigating the Natural State’s role as both setting for and witness to the speaker’s psychological anguish, subsequent recovery, and eventual falling in love. The formal, tonal, and thematic diversity of these poems reflect various dichotomies of existence—the cold, sterile vacuum of space vs. the teeming, ever-evolving ocean; familial love vs. romantic love; the rich chaos of the natural world vs. humanity’s attempts to tame and organize it; the virtue of self-acceptance vs. the practice of self-improvement
Subsurface Characterization Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) Integrated with MASW, P-Wave Refraction, and Boring Results
No full textElectrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has gained widespread application in geotechnical engineering as a non-invasive method for subsurface characterization. Despite its versatility, several challenges remain regarding its resolution capabilities, interpretive limitations, and integration with other investigative methods. This dissertation addresses three key applications of ERT, focusing on its effectiveness and limitations in resolving thin subsurface layers, detecting anomalies such as voids, and supporting environmental assessment in river restoration projects.
The first study investigates the ability of ERT to resolve thin, discontinuous clay layers beneath levees, using the Melvin Price Reach of the Wood River Levee on the Mississippi River as a case study. ERT surveys were conducted along both longitudinal and transverse profiles and were compared with multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and historical boring logs. Results showed that while ERT successfully identified broader stratigraphic trends, its resolution was insufficient to reliably detect thin clay layers critical for evaluating seepage potential and internal erosion risk.
The second study evaluates the detectability of subsurface voids of varying sizes and depths in a karst terrain along Texas State Highway 29. A combination of ERT, seismic refraction tomography (SRT), and MASW were employed, along with ground-truthing through boreholes. ERT and SRT provided complementary information, with ERT responding to resistivity contrasts and SRT delineating structural anomalies. MASW, however, was found to be ineffective for this application. The results underscored the importance of a multi-method approach for anomaly detection in complex geological settings.
The third study explores the use of ERT for subsurface characterization following dam removal at Little Sugar Creek in Bella Vista, Arkansas. ERT survey lines were integrated with boreholes to assess sediment layering, bedrock depth, and bank stability. ERT proved effective in delineating erodible fine-grained sediments, coarse gravel deposits, and shale or limestone bedrock. These results provided valuable input for restoration design, erosion risk assessment, and geomorphic modeling.
Collectively, these studies highlight the potential and limitations of ERT in applied geotechnical and environmental settings. While ERT provides valuable spatial coverage and rapid data acquisition, it requires careful interpretation and is best used in conjunction with other geophysical and geotechnical tools. The findings contribute to improved practices for levee assessment, anomaly detection, and restoration planning, and offer practical recommendations for extending ERT to routine geotechnical investigations and infrastructure monitoring
Exploring Hybrid Cohort-Based Doctoral Program Features That Support Nontraditional Doctoral Students’ Persistence: A Preregistered Case Study.
Get PDFWith the rise of hybrid learning models, non-traditional learners have greater access to doctoral education. However, attrition rates from doctoral programs remain high, ranging from 40% to 50% across all doctoral programs and exceeding these levels in online non-traditional programs. Numerous causes of attrition or persistence in doctoral studies have been researched and can affect the student, the academic institution, and the broader academic society. This qualitative case study will explore adult and lifelong learning doctoral students\u27 perceptions of the programmatic and instructional support resources that have helped improve persistence in their program. Two of the important programmatic features of this program are the utilization of a cohort model and instruction through a hybrid model. This study will examine these, and any other programmatic or instructional support resources the students perceive helped them persist in their studies
Victims of Stage and Screen: Parasocial Savior Rhetoric and Coded Social Critique at the Convergence of Celebrity & Conspiracy Cultures
Get PDFThis thesis offers a critical rhetorical analysis of what I term parasocial savior conspiracy theories , a unique genre of conspiracy narrative that portrays a public figure as victimized and allows their fans to step into a savior role through their advancement of the conspiracy theory. These narratives, I argue, are both catalyzed by and further insulative to a fan’s parasocial relationship with the public figure in question. Herein, the celebrity acts as a vessel of projection for their fans’ anxieties about control, allowing them to displace their agency panic onto a beloved external party and critique factors that seem to limit their agency, all through a familiar pop culture buffer. As exemplars of this phenomenon, I offer two case studies of distinct parasocial savior conspiracy theories. The first chapter examines “Gaylor” conspiracy theorists as representing an agentic turn in Morris’s (2002) “fourth persona,” receiving private signals from Taylor Swift about her supposed queerness and constructing their advancement of the theory as a moral duty commensurate to the unique knowledge base bestowed upon them. The second chapter focuses on “KateGate” conspiracy theories surrounding Kate Middleton, wherein conspiracy theorists crusade to return her to the public eye as a way of restabilizing the traditional institutions of knowledge and familiar conceptions of white femininity upon which their worldview has come to rely. Ultimately, I argue that parasocial savior conspiracy theories are the product of an increased convergence of conspiracy culture and fandom culture, unique in their narrative construction that allows the individual to assume the role of savior. In turn, this serves to mitigate agency panic, enable what Miller (2002) calls “coded social critique,” and ultimately renegotiates expectations about the general public’s access to knowledge
Using Scaffolding, Gamification, and Self Awareness to Create Responsive UX/UI in CAD Software to Nurture Metacognition in Novice Users
Get PDFComputer-aided Design (CAD) software represents a significant shift from manual and analog design processes to digital workflows, offering substantial utility, accuracy, and productivity benefits. However, CAD software often presents a steep learning curve, particularly for novice users who are new to the software or possess only basic knowledge. Traditional CAD curricula have predominantly focused on technical problem-solving—teaching tools and systems—while often neglecting strategic knowledge that encompasses reflection, planning, and refining, which are essential components of metacognition. Metacognition is crucial for transforming novices into experts who use fewer and more complex commands, employ sophisticated planning, and achieve their goals more efficiently.
This research’s conceptual framework is based on Scaffolding, Gamification, and Self-Awareness theories to realign the learning continuum toward nurturing metacognition through a Responsive User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI). The framework comprises three interconnected components: Accessibility, Customization, and Awareness. Accessibility reduces cognitive load by removing barriers to understanding, making it easier for novice users to grasp complex concepts and tools. Customization enhances engagement by tailoring user interfaces to individual needs and preferences, making the learning experience more engaging and motivating. Scaffolding Theory supports breaking complex tasks into manageable steps with guided assistance, feedback, instruction, and guidance. Gamification drives behavioral feedback loops through human-computer interactions, enhancing engagement and motivation. Self-awareness theory, particularly Feuerstein’s Mediated Learning Experience (MLE), addresses gaps in metacognition by fostering informed, mindful decision-making. This framework aims to create a collaborative learning environment where teachers, students, and software interact seamlessly to transform novices into experts. Primary research focused on a lesson and a workshop with novice users utilizing UX/UI modifications to existing CAD programs to test theory efficacy. The research was used to develop a toolkit for educators to redesign arts curricula using innovative UX/UI modifications, thereby enhancing learning outcomes with 3D CAD software and 3D printing. This toolkit will be implemented during the University of Arkansas, School of Art’s first annual Arkansas Art Educator ArtLab in June, 2025
BANG!: Real-time Measurements and Transcriptomics of Metabolic Reprogramming in Activated Macrophages at Fever Temperature
Get PDFWe investigated the real-time metabolic rates of activated macrophage cell lines derived from mouse, chicken and rainbow trout. Each species showed a different kinetic signature with metabolic rates accelerating under fever conditions specific to each organism. Upon activation mouse macrophages increased their rate of glycolysis early and then a later reprogramming phase occurred with a dramatic decrease in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) accompanied by a reciprocal second increase in glycolytic rates. Chicken macrophages showed an initial increase in both glycolytic and OXPHOS rates. The late drop OXPHOS rates also occurred in chicken however there was no reprogramming that occurred as glycolytic rates steadily decreased. Although overall metabolic rates differed depending on stimuli and temperature, rainbow trout macrophages showed a response to temperature increases but weaker metabolic responses to activation. To determine the role of fever on the macrophage transcriptome, RNA sequencing was performed using mouse macrophages isolated from four time points, referred to as BANG, determined by distinct features in their metabolic signature. The results indicated that differential expression was most prominent at 39°C early after stimulation. It was confirmed that overall protein synthesis is upregulated when cells were exposed to fever temperatures. Additionally, fever showed increased regulation of inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) either alone or with additional cytokine stimulus. The enrichment of the metabolic response showed both glycolysis and OXPHOS were differentially expressed early and at higher temperatures. This suggests that the acceleration of the metabolic response due to increased temperature is initiated early upon activation
Fractured Inheritance: Quantifying the Economic Impact of Heir’s Property on Arkansas Farmers
Get PDFHeir’s property arises when the original owner still holds the title despite their passing, and ownership is distributed among their heirs. This was driven by barriers to retaining land ownership and access to legal support in predominantly African American populations in the early 20th century. This approach allowed land to remain in the original owner\u27s name while granting continued ownership to future generations without formal paperwork. Additionally, allowing limited land access, land management, and disparities in capital access compared to property with direct ownership rights. This analysis examines how modern heir’s property impacts agricultural returns. This study develops a conceptual model to analyze heirs’ property policies in Arkansas, including a detailed budget analysis of conventional rice and heirloom tomato enterprises. Budgets are separated into a full single owner and heirs to represent a formal operation and an Heir’s Property operation. This comparison illustrates the profitability disparities based on the legal formality used in land ownership. We find that heterogeneity in farm profitability relates to farm scale, access to capital, and policy implications of heir’s property. These results provide continued evidence for policy changes in support of mitigating the limitations of heir’s property in agricultural production