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What led Chicago to shutter dozens of majority-black schools? Racism
No full textOpinion piece published on The Guardian
The Function of Epizeuxis in Biblical Hebrew
No full textEpizeuxis, what linguists refer to as total reduplication, is the successive repetition of a word with no other material intervening. This feature occurs in Biblical Hebrew (BH) approximately 224 times, involving vocatives, nouns, pronouns, adverbs, prepositions, verbs, and interjection. It evidences wide production, spanning across multiple genres and periods of Classical Hebrew. The predominant focus of past scholarship has been upon the syntactical function of total reduplication of nouns and adjectives (approximately 32% of the data set), with the resulting consensus that epizeuxis has the syntactical function of communicating distributivity, intensification, or emphasis. However, the concept of distributivity has not been clearly defined or applied in the study of Classical Hebrew, and consequently many instances of epizeuxis believed to mark distribution do not meet the criteria of distributivity. This work will reevaluate the syntactical functions generally attributed to epizeuxis in BH, particularly the predominant association of reduplication with distribution and offer a thorough explanation of distributivity and outline the criteria required for distributivity to be achieved in language. It will then apply these criteria to instances of epizeuxis attributed as distribution in BH. Consequently, the study will introduce a new category (serial ordering) to be adopted as a formal syntactical category for reduplication. This project also seeks to reintroduce the category of limitation, a neglected syntactical category. It will additionally extend beyond syntactical analysis and consider other linguistic motivations for epizeuxis, such as iconicity, cognitive processing, pragmatics, and lexicalization. These will provide new perspectives and conclusions for the study of total reduplication in BH. This work will hypothesize that reduplication in BH is pragmatically motivated to slow down a reader and highlight salient material. It will also argue that reduplication is iconically motivated, particularly with temporal nouns and numerals. Finally, this work intends to offer suggestions for consistent translation values throughout, resulting from the conclusions made about epizeuxis in BH.Ancient languagesBiblical studiesLanguageBiblical Hebrew, Discourse Analysis, Hebrew, Pragmatics, Semitics, SyntaxSemitic and Egyptian Languages and LiteraturesDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures. The Catholic University of Americ
Communication Skills Training for Family Caregivers of Persons with Dementia from Alzheimer's Disease
No full textExperts predict the number of persons with Alzheimer’s disease will steeply rise over the next thirty years as the population of older adults in the United States increases. In Alzheimer’s disease, the accumulation of abnormal protein fragments and inflammatory processes in the brain causes a variety of symptoms, including a gradual diminishing of a person’s capability to understand and rationally respond to others. Family caregivers of persons with dementia from Alzheimer’s disease (DAT) experience stress due to changes in their loved one's ability to communicate. Researchers recommend communication skills training for family caregivers in order to help the caregivers optimally interact with their relative that has dementia. Evidence suggests that communication skills training for family caregivers may result in positive outcomes for caregivers and persons with DAT. The purpose of this project was to determine if an evidence-based communication skills training program for family caregivers of persons with DAT improved caregiver self-efficacy, well-being, and stress level, and increased the frequency of the use of evidence-based dementia communication skills. A mixed-method design was employed. The quantitative part of the study included a one-group pre-post measures design at Time 0 and Time 1 (11 weeks) with a variety of validated and non-validated tools. Two qualitative questions explored program helpfulness. The caregiver training program consisted of six short videos, a PowerPoint presentation, four one-hour individual caregiver educational sessions, and a caregiver logbook. Eight caregivers completed the training (mean age=69 years, female=5). All the caregivers reported moderate to high satisfaction, and most would strongly recommend the program. Replies to self-efficacy questions indicated significant improvement in confidence in their ability to communicate with their relative and in controlling negative thoughts about caregiving. Providing better training in communication skills to family caregivers of persons with DAT may contribute to an improved caregiving experience for a rapidly growing dementia caregiver population.GerontologyNursingHealth sciencesAlzheimer's Disease, Caregivers, Communication, Dementia, Family, SkillsNursingDegree Awarded: D.N.P. Nursing. The Catholic University of Americ
Psychological Stress Among Informal Caregivers
No full textThis study investigates whether emotional stress experienced by informal caregivers is significantly influenced by their personal factors (level of education, length of care, choosing to provide caregiving, coordinating the care between providers, and supportive needs) and/or environmental factors (caregiving hours, work status, number of a health condition, number of adult recipients, providing medical or nursing tasks, the distance between the caregiver and the recipient, and household income), when caregivers age, gender, and health status are controlled. This study analyzed secondary data from the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Public Policy Institute national, 2015 survey on the caregiving in the U.S. The study population consists of the 646 primary informal caregivers in the United States. The current study uses a correlational and cross-sectional design. Measures of central tendency and variability provide descriptive statistics of variables. Bivariate correlations examined individual relationships among variables including linearity and multicollinearity. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis tests which of the personal and environmental factors best predict the emotional stress of informal caregivers in the U.S. The nationally representative sample includes informal caregivers who were primarily 50 years or older and most were females. Two-thirds of these caregivers found providing informal care as emotionally stressful. Results of multivariate testing reveal that around 28.3% of variance in informal caregivers’ stress can be attributed to selected variables. Being female and having poorer health status are significantly associated with more emotional stress. Among the personal factors, having fewer support needs, a choice in providing caregiving, and an assistance with coordinating the care between providers, significantly reduces caregivers’ emotional stress. Only household income and the number of health conditions were significant predictors of emotional stress among environmental factors. The study provides discussion of results along with limitations, implication for social work practice and policy, and future research.Social workInformal caregiver, Psychological stress, Psychological stress theory, StressSocial WorkDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Social Work. The Catholic University of Americ
Thermoelectric Properties and Transport Mechanisms of Lead- and Lead-Yttrium Ruthenate Pyrochlores
No full textThe scope of this research was to investigate thermoelectric properties of selected pyrochlores, mainly lead ruthenate (Pb2Ru2O6.5) and some derivatives as well as solid solutions with yttrium ruthenate (Y2Ru2O7). The properties are thermal- κ(T) and electrical conductivity σ(T) and the Seebeck coefficient S(T). First, all materials were synthesized by solid state reaction of oxide powders at high temperature, and all are p-type. Except Y2Ru2O7, all compounds are defect pyrochlores with oxygen deficiency. Thermoelectric properties were measured from 25 to 300ºC. Power factors and figures of merit have been calculated. In a second step, the focus was on understanding the experimental data based on the pyrochlore crystal structure, A- and B-lattice site occupancy, ligand and crystal fields and scattering mechanisms. Pb2Ru2O6.5 and derivatives are metallic; σ(T) decreased with increasing temperature but κ(T) was low and increased. This behavior relates to intrinsic defects such as oxygen vacancies and a stereo-chemically active 6s2 electron lone-pair on Pb2+. The low and increasing κ(T) is typical of glass-like behavior. All experimental data for σ(T) and κ(T) were analyzed for the underlying scattering mechanisms. σ(T) and κe(T) varied with T -1/2 and T 1/2, respectively, implying impurity scattering at T >>TF. The contribution of electronic thermal conductivity κe to the total κ(T) increased with increasing temperature. The lattice contribution κL decreased with T -1, suggesting 3-phonon (Umklapp) scattering and supporting the electron-impurity scattering mechanism. S(T) showed a maximum at 423 K due to generation of minority electrons at high temperature.As to pyrochlore Pb2Ru2O6.5-Y2Ru2O7 solid solutions: With increasing yttrium content a metal-to-insulator transition (MIT) was discovered and explained by the Mott-Hubbard model. For S(T) and κ(T) the same was found as above. Scattering mechanisms were different for metallic, intermediate, and for insulator/semiconductor behavior of the pyrochlores. Scattering mechanisms were identified as impurity scattering on the metallic side of the MIT (Pb2-xYxRu2O6.5+z, x<0.2) and as Mott-Variable-Range-Hopping (σ(T) varies with exp(-1/T)1/4) on the semiconductor/ insulator side of the MIT (Pb2-xYxRu2O6.5+z, x≥1.5). In the transition zone the process of data analysis allowed for several scattering processes. There could be a combination of scattering mechanisms.PhysicsMaterials ScienceQuantum physicsGlass-like thermal conductivity, Metal-insulator transition, Mott-Hubbard transition, Pyrochlore, Scattering mechanisms, ThermoelectricPhysicsDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Physics. The Catholic University of Americ
The Christian Initiation of Adults: A Process of Conversion
No full textThe Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (R.C.I.A.) consists of a series of rituals that celebrate and make present a person’s spiritual journey of conversion toward God within the context of a worshipping community. Connecting the vision of the R.C.I.A. process and its pastoral implementation has been a challenge since its promulgation in 1988. According to surveys conducted by CARA in the United States in 2000 and 2014, the majority of parishes are not celebrating the R.C.I.A. according to its principles. For many parishes, the R.C.I.A. is a school-year program, running from September to April each year, indicating a lack of focus on a gradual response to God. Mass attendance of newly-baptized adults (neophytes) declines in the first three years after full initiation, indicating a need to more fully integrate them into the community’s ongoing journey of conversion and worship. These surveys indicate that there is limited diocesan training for R.C.I.A. teams, who are to be agents and companions of conversion. Training will better prepare teams to implement the rites according to their intended purpose. Without renewal, the R.C.I.A. is in jeopardy of losing its intended vision as a model of conversion toward God. The D.Min. project provides needed training that connects the R.C.I.A. vision with its pastoral implementation, focusing on the conversion of both those seeking baptism and the community. The D.Min. project design follows Thomas O’Meara’s theology of ministry that recognizes the unity and diversity of all involved, the principles of adult experiential faith formation, the pedagogy of God and a theology of conversion. The D.Min. project, consisting of four sessions, utilizes divine revelation (scripture and apostolic tradition) and liturgical catechesis (experience of ritual and mystagogical reflection) to lead the participants to recognize initial and ongoing conversion in themselves and others. The sessions enable the team to re-evaluate their parish R.C.I.A. process in the context of conversion and community.ReligionReligious educationTheologyconversion, R.C.I.A., RCIA, Rite of Christian Initiation of AdultsReligious Education/CatecheticsDegree Awarded: D.Min. Religious Education/Catechetics. The Catholic University of Americ
Maren Orchard Interview, April 20, 2020
No full textHumanities Truck Graduate Fellow Maren Orchard explores how the pandemic has impacted her life, especially as a final year graduate student. She shares how she has been struggling with the uncertainty of her next steps amid a pandemic, yet reflects upon the privilege she has to make certain decisions. Maren talks about her work as a student worker, and the often unnaccounted emotional weight of sustaining those close to her. She shares her struggles of feeling guilt and shame over her emotions, when she recognizes others are in worse positions. However, she has found calls with family and friends, being with her roommates, and talking with others in similar positions to be sustaining. Maren hopes that people will recognize their privilege as a result of this crisis and that we will act to put systems in place to provide for our most vulnerable citizens. She hopes that everyone will act to "better ourselves individually and in our communities, and structurally at national levels." This video is part of the Humanities Truck's From Me To You: A Covid-19 Oral History Project. https://humanitiestruck.com/frommetoyou
TRANSCRIPTOME ANALYSIS OF SUBTERRANEAN AND SURFACE AMPHIPOD SPECIES STYGOBROMUS TENUIS AND CRANGONYX SHOEMAKERI
No full textThe development of troglomorphism in a variety of subterranean lineages has led to many questions involving the mechanisms driving the convergent evolution of these phenotypes. The complex nature of these traits, such as eye regression and increased extra-optic systems, make understanding the role of adaptation, neutral mutations and pleiotropy in the development of these phenotypes even more challenging. A key factor in understanding these mechanisms is to identify possible genes of interest through comparison of organisms with different degrees of troglomorphism. This study analyzes gene expression of two populations of two Amphipods, Stygobromus tenuis and Crangonyx shoemaker in the Washington, DC and Great Falls, MD area. These species, although collected from the same hypotelminorheic habitat, show a varying degree of troglomorphism, with S. tenuis believed to have adapted strictly to the subterranean habitat due to loss of functional eyes and pigment. Cross-species differential gene expression showed significant downregulation of 8 genes involved in eye development along with significant upregulation of 2 genes with an eye function, one being involved in programmed retinal cell death. Furthermore, this study identifies many other possible genes of interest in the development of troglomorphic traits that should be considered in future studies involving subterranean organisms.BiologyBioinformaticsBiologyDegree Awarded: M.S. Biology. American Universit
BH Whitehurst Interview, April 17, 2020
No full textBH Whitehurst shares how COVID has affected her. She explains how this "unseen enemy" has been giving her trouble, particularly related to her struggles with GERD. She reflects on how the virus has affected the whole world, "from the least of us to the greatest of us." She cites her belief in religion as the reason that we will survive this: we need to "keep our mind on Him, and not on this invisible, evil force." This video is part of the Humanities Truck's From Me To You: A Covid-19 Oral History Project. https://humanitiestruck.com/frommetoyou
Marc Minsker Interview, May 30, 2020
No full textMarc Minsker, a D.C. Public Schools high school teacher, talks about the impact of COVID, specifically on the Class of 2020. He shares how he thinks the pandemic will shape the personal histories of all 3.5 million high school seniors in America: how they were deprived the right to celebrate their graduations, and face a considerable amount of uncertainty. Marc thinks that while other students and teachers will have time to adjust going into next year, for the Class of 2020, high school is over. He does, however, hope that they will meet the future with optimism and a collective sense that "we got this." He ends by reminding us that behind every mask is a face and a story. This video is part of the Humanities Truck's From Me To You: A Covid-19 Oral History Project. https://humanitiestruck.com/frommetoyou