Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Does Thorium Have A Place In The Future U.S. Electricity Mix?, Danny West

Master's Projects and Capstones

Thorium is an alternative fuel source for nuclear energy. Coupled with its use in a new reactor design, called a Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor, the two have the ability to disrupt the nuclear industry and power sector. Nuclear energy is a clean and reliable source of energy; however, it generates hazardous waste that must be stored away for hundreds of thousands of years and power plants are at risk of a catastrophic incident that can lead to a wide scale release of radiation. These drawbacks to nuclear energy can be mitigated using thorium in a Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor. These …

Implementing And Evaluating A Clinical Information Interface Between An Electronic Medical Record And A Patient Classification System, Tanya Osborne-Mckenzie

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

As a result of the Affordable Care Act and the Institute of Medicine’s initiatives, hospitals are challenged to improve outcomes as efficiently as possible. How does the national initiative of RNs partnering with other healthcare professionals to improve the quality of patient care at a lower cost, cascade down to individual organizations? One answer may come by focusing on nurse staffing in acute care hospitals. Considering the impact RNs have on patient quality outcomes and the bottom line of hospitals, appropriate management of the RN workforce is one of the most important areas hospitals can focus on in order to …

Beyond The Economic: The Freedoms, Capabilities, And Social Capital Of Latin American Women Entrepreneurs In San Francisco, Melia M. Vilain

Master's Theses

In light of the scholarly debate surrounding the goals and mixed effects of development programs, particularly in recent years in relation to microfinance, this study investigates the effects of economic development programs on Latin American women entrepreneurs in San Francisco’s Mission District. It demonstrates that microfinance, when combined with education, can provide important non-economic benefits that contribute to increased freedoms and capabilities for immigrant women entrepreneurs. Drawing on qualitative interviews with ten business owners, as well as a review of the existing literature surrounding development, immigration, and gender, this research argues that owning a business in the US can produce …

Into The Red: A Look Into The Reasons Why Refugees Decide To Flee, Settle Or Migrate To And From Morocco, Fadeelah E. Holivay

Master's Theses

This research paper explores some of the main reasons why refugees and asylum seekers, particularly from sub-Saharan African countries, embark on a journey and decide to settle, flee or migrate to and from Morocco. Because of this phenomenon, Morocco has seen a 96% increase of refugees migrating to the borders of Morocco each year for the past three years. Many say that this astonishing increase of migrants choosing Morocco is due to such factors as: wars breaking out regionally across central African and Middle Eastern countries causing them to flee; Morocco being a culturaly diverse francophone country whose laws and …

Combating Hiv/Aids In Marginalized Communities: Papua And West Papua Provinces, Indonesia, Bani Cheema

Master's Theses

My study focuses on foreign aid and local initiatives for HIV/AIDS prevention in eastern Indonesia using the provinces of Papua and West Papua as a case study. The two provinces are home to indigenous tribal groups that are socioeconomically marginalized and most affected by the epidemic. My research investigates behavior change communication as a principal strategy undertaken by multiple organizations for HIV/AIDS prevention in this region. I take a qualitative approach by examining the effectiveness of this strategy in local communities and by revealing social and cultural barriers that impede success. Obstacles that negatively impact prevention efforts include structural violence, …

A Comparison Of Clinical Trial And Model-Based Cost Estimates In Glaucoma – The Case Of Repeat Laser Trabeculoplasty In Ontario, Omar Akhtar

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Background and objective: For cost-effectiveness analyses (CEA) of glaucoma interventions to be of use they require valid and accurate cost and effectiveness data. Costs remain understudied relative to effectiveness. The impact of cost estimation methods on resultant estimates is unknown in glaucoma. Direct measurement of costs is labour-intensive and expensive. Decision-analytic modelling of costs using literature sources, expert opinion, institutional experience and assumptions provides a quicker, less laborious alternative to empirical costing. A lack of long-term effectiveness data in chronic diseases like glaucoma means that modelling is widespread and inevitable, both for CEAs and budget impact projections. The same problem …

Strengths In Action: Implementing A Learning Organization Model In A Human Service Setting, Barbara Ann Whitbeck

Dissertations and Theses

Although learning organization theory evolved in corporate settings, literature suggests that the theory has much to offer human service organizations. This dissertation examines the implementation of a modified learning organization model in three small field offices of a publicly-funded vocational rehabilitation organization in the Pacific Northwest, at a time when the organization was negotiating financial cutbacks and organizational changes. The model - known as Strengths in Action - was based on Senge's five learning organization disciplines, and informed by organizational culture theory. In each participating office, all staff worked together to set a goal, make a plan, and achieve the …

Digital Prometheus: Wikileaks, The State-Network Dichotomy And The Antinomies Of Academic Reason, Athina Karatzogianni, Andy Robinson

Athina Karatzogianni

Nsf Data Management Plans, Thea P. Atwood

Thea P Atwood

Prof. Vibhuti Patel On Gender Responsive Budgets In India, Professor Vibhuti Patel

Professor Vibhuti Patel

Budget is an important tool in the hands of state for affirmative action for improvement of gender relations through reduction of gender gap in the development process. It can help to reduce economic inequalities as well as gender inequalities. Hence, the budgetary policies need to keep into consideration the gender dynamics operating in the economy and in the civil society. There is a need to highlight participatory approaches, bottom up budget, child budget, green budgeting, local and global implications of pro-poor and pro-women budgeting and inter-linkages between gender-sensitive budgeting and women’s empowerment. It is good economic sense to make national …

Spirituality In School Counseling Practice And Implications For School Counseling Education.Pptx, Richard Justin Silvey

Richard Justin Silvey

No abstract provided.

A Library And The Disciplines: A Collaborative Project Assessing The Impact Of Ebooks And Mobile Devices On Student Learning, Barbara C. Glackin, Roy Rodenhiser, Brooke Herzog

Roy Rodenhiser

With the proliferation of technology usage, it is essential to understand the effect of implementation of technology in the academic setting. Specifically, this article examines the impact of eBooks and mobile devices on student learning. A pilot study was conducted with three areas of interest. The first question of interest found that owning or having access to two or more mobile devices significantly increased respondents' frequency of accessing eBooks. The second question examined the pros and cons of using mobile devices. Accessibility and cost savings were found as pros; while functionality and pedagogy were reported as drawbacks to mobile device …

Empowering Latina Immigrant Youth Through Culturally Relevant Group Work, Amy Cook, Laura Hayden, Esmaeil Mahdavi, Arthur Mccann

Laura A Hayden

This session presents ways to implement a culturally sensitive intervention among Latina youth, incorporating life and academic skills and co-created physical activity. Discussion will focus on the application of youth empowerment to group work and promoting students’ personal and social responsibility. Sample lesson plans will be provided.

Integrating Physical Activity, Coach Collaboration, And Life Skill Development In Youth: School Counselors’ Perceptions, Laura Hayden, Amy Cook, Alexandra Scherer, Scott Greenspan, Meghan Silva, Melanie Cadet, Erik Maki

Laura A Hayden

Given the social, emotional, and academic benefits of physical activity related to youth development (Hellison, 2011), coupled with the minimal research regarding how school counselors can use physical activity for life skill development, this article focuses on school counselors’ beliefs about collaborating with coaches and using physical activity to develop life skills. In surveying 338 school counselors, we found support for collaborating with coaches and using physical activity to develop life skills, in addition to interest in training opportunities for school counselors to integrate physical activity into their job. Implications for school counselors, coaches, and other stakeholders are provided.

Marc Jr. For Techboston Academy: Evaluating The Effectiveness Of A Guidance Curriculum For 11th Grade Students In An Urban Setting, Carly Holbrook, Jill Amicangelo, Laura Hayden

Laura A Hayden

The field of school counseling is becoming increasingly evidence-based and results-driven. As a way to help Massachusetts’ schools develop school counseling programs, the Massachusetts School Counselors Association created the Massachusetts Accountability Report Card (MARC). We are school counseling interns at TechBoston Academy, a Boston Public School. Over the course of the 2010-2011 school year, we measured the effectiveness of our interventions and compiled them into a “MARC Jr.” The information we will present is a review of our MARC Jr., which focused on our school counseling curriculum for 11th grade students.

Teaching Life Skills Through Physical Activity, Laura Hayden, Amy Cook, Meredith Whitley

Laura A Hayden

No abstract provided.

Urban Partnerships Promoting Academic Excellence, Amy L. Cook, Laura A. Hayden, Robert A. Gracia

Laura A Hayden

Boston Public Schools (BPS) and the University preparation programs have developed a collaborative partnership that shares a vision for charting bright futures for all students. This program aims that incorporating service learning in curricula will prepare school counseling students to promote educational excellence and equity among urban youth, and Co-creating school counseling interventions between UMass Boston faculty and BPS personnel will foster communication and meet student needs.

Umass Boston’S School Counseling Program At Dever-Mccormack School, Amy L. Cook, Laura A. Hayden, Allie Scherer, Raphael Apter, Pamela Belford, Michael Sabin

Laura A Hayden

Given the burgeoning Latino population and the minimal research on school counseling interventions with this population, we purport to implement a culturally sensitive intervention promoting academic success among Latina youth that includes life skills, academic skills, and Latino dance.

Developing Counselor Self-Efficacy While Supporting At-Risk Youth: Partnership Between Umass Boston, Techboston Academy, And Urban Science Academy, Robert Gracia, Laura A. Hayden, Amy L. Cook, Allie Scherer

Laura A Hayden

Targeted supervision was used to develop counseling trainees’ self-efficacy when working with urban youth. Interview findings suggested that intentional strategies to develop urban self-efficacy were effective. While inferential statistics identified that urban fieldwork contributed to counselors’ self-efficacy, intentional strategies were not necessarily beneficial. This study yields implications for counselor educators who are incorporating field work into their graduate programs.

Focusing On Ability, Not Disability, Amy Cook, Laura Hayden, Felicia Wilczenski

Laura A Hayden

No abstract provided.

Umass Boston And Dever School: Supporting At-Risk Youth Through Physical Activity, Laura Hayden, Amy Cook, Meghan Silva

Laura A Hayden

Given the consistently poor academic performances of Latino English Language Learners (ELL) students, coupled with the known academic and behavioral benefits of physical activity, we implemented a culturally sensitive physical activity-based intervention designed to develop responsibility through movement among ELL Latina 5th graders. Two UMass Boston professors and four graduate students partnered with faculty at the Dever School to deliver this strength-based intervention.

Umass Boston & Boston Scholar Athletes: Supporting Academic Achievement Through Athletics, Laura Hayden, Amy Cook, Robert Gracia, Allie Scherer, Megan Morin

Laura A Hayden

Collaborative initiatives between UMass Boston and Boston Scholar Athletes (BSA) provide learning opportunities for BPS high school student athletes and opportunities for clinical experiences among UMass Boston school counseling graduate students. Incorporating service learning into course curricula prepares school counseling graduate students to promote academic excellence among BPS scholar athletes.

Gw Health Workforce Research Center: Year 1 Results, Leighton Ku, Patricia Pittman, Leah E. Masselink, Bianca K. Frogner

Health Workforce Speaker Series

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Intersection Between Folk And Conventional Medicine In Albany, Kentucky, Chloe J. Brown

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Approximately 60% of patients surveyed (in Albany, KY) practice folk medicine, which suggests that a significant segment of the population may practice folk medicine. Patients typically use folk medical treatments concurrently with conventional medical treatments; while the interaction of these treatments is generally innocuous or positive, folk medical treatments can sometimes be harmful, lead to negative interactions with other drugs prescribed by a conventional medical professional. Since folk medicine and conventional medicine frequently interact, it is important for medical professionals to be aware of and address folk medical practices in a conventional medical environment. In order to better address folk …

December 11, 2014: Undergraduate English Majors Submit Papers To The Medieval And Renaissance Studies Colloquium 2015!, Department Of English

Gleanings: Department of English Blog Archive

No abstract provided.

The South Has Not Risen In Nhl Attendance Numbers Compared To The North, Kyle Stich

Sport Management Undergraduate

This research looked at attendance capacity for traditional and non-traditional hockey markets. The aim was to attempt to determine the extent the attendance capacities differed between the two markets. Previously, there had not been any quantitative analyses done comparing traditional and non-traditional hockey markets so this study aimed to add new knowledge to that area. The National Hockey League (NHL) grapples with the validity of some of the current markets, with many observers calling for some teams to relocate to new markets. This research aimed to attempt to determine how justified those criticisms were.

Kim, Trail, & Magnusen (2013) have …

Navy, Russian (1991-), Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Provides a historical overview and analysis of events affecting the Russian Navy from 1991-present. Emphasizes how this force still has mammoth strategic ambitions despite limited resources and an obsolete infrastructure. Stresses the ongoing presence of nuclear weapons, the increasing importance of the Northern Sea Route in Russian and international trade and strategy, and how U.S. and NATO countries budget constraints may make it hard for them to resist Russian assertiveness in areas such as Ukraine.

Strategic Rocket Forces, Soviet, Bert Chapman

Libraries Faculty and Staff Scholarship and Research

Describes and analyzes the historic development and evolution of the Soviet Union's Strategic Rocket Forces which were a key part of this country's nuclear weapons arsenal. Covers the technical, political, economic, and military reasons for this force's development. U.S. efforts to monitor and assess the quantity and quality of these weapons are also covered.

Examination Of Capital Murder Jurors’ Deliberations: Methods And Issues, Keith Price, Susan Coleman, Gary R. Byrd

Administrative Issues Journal

The study of capital juries remains a subject of critical interest for the public and for legislative and judicial policy makers as well as legal scholars and social scientists. Cowan, Thompson, and Ellsworth established one of the standard methodologies for examination of this topic in their 1984 seminal study by observing the subjects’ debate about conviction in a death penalty case utilizing mock juries; other scholars employed different techniques to add more information in the late 1990s. Yet, the question of death qualification and prosecutorial bias remains open to inquiry. This preliminary study found evidence to support bias toward conviction …

"Giving Tuesday" Campaign Benefits Student Scholarships, Mark D. Weinstein

News Releases

Following in the tradition of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Cedarville University faculty and staff members joined the nation in “Giving Tuesday,” an effort to raise money for a charitable cause. In Cedarville’s case, it was for a pair of $2,500 scholarship for current students.

According to the initiative, if 65 percent of Cedarville’s faculty and staff made a financial contribution by 5 p.m. on December 2, an anonymous donor would contribute $5,000 to the University for the scholarship fund. The goal was reached 10 minutes before the deadline as 66 percent of the faculty and staff contributed to the …