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Beyond The Deficit Lens: Black Family Literacy As Social, Cultural, And Historical Practice: Implications For Literacy Teacher Education, Tasean D. Baldwin

The Reading Professor

Literacy education in the United States has long centered on standardized English and formal classroom instruction. While intended as a universal benchmark, this approach systematically overlooks and delegitimizes the rich literacy history and traditions rooted in Black families and communities. Through the application of frameworks such as New Literacy Studies, Gee's Theory of Discourse Communities, Yosso's Community  Cultural Wealth model, and Critical Race Theory, this article reframes Black family literacy through a social, cultural, and historical lens. It is forged and perpetuated by resistance to racial oppression, through the intergenerational exchange of knowledge, and oral traditions within the community. This …

Beyond Screening: Using Multiple Sources Of Evidence To Inform Early Literacy Instruction, Cheryl Kahn

The Reading Professor

Educators today collect more literacy data than at any previous point in history, yet many students continue to experience reading difficulties that are identified far later than they should be. This article argues that the problem is not a lack of information but a failure to integrate available evidence to prompt timely instructional action. Drawing on research in reading development, early identification of reading difficulties, teacher knowledge, assessment literacy, instructional decision-making, and responsive literacy instruction, this article proposes the Multiple Sources of Evidence Framework to strengthen early literacy decision-making. Rather than relying on any single assessment or screening result, the …

Beyond The Label: Investigating The Relationship Between Ell Placement And Teacher Expectations For Academic Rigor, Bruce A. Torff, Audrey Figueroa Murphy

The Reading Professor

Urban teachers (N=142) completed a survey assessing how placement of English learners in common pedagogical settings that vary in ESL models (self-contained, pull-out, push-in, bilingual, and dual language) was associated with teachers' beliefs about rigor of curriculum. Teachers significantly favored low-Critical Thinking (CT) curricular activities over high-CT ones consistent with "rigor gap" research showing that teachers tend to view ELLs in need of low-CT curriculum. Beliefs consistent with the rigor gap also emerged within the ELL population, based on placements. Teachers preferred curriculum tilted toward low-CT instruction for students with the greatest challenges--those given the most ESL-sequestered placements (self-contained and …

It All Begins With A Dream, Eileen M. Riley

Undercurrents: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Composition

Eileen is an English major from a military family near Fort Devens in Ayer, Massachusetts. Her interest in vintage fashion led her to research representations of women in early 20th century advertisements for the Maidenform bra for her Composition II class. Impressed by the beautiful artwork she discovered in these depictions, Eileen was intrigued by the portrayals of women in roles that were traditionally held by men. Her essay explores how “these ads fed women’s desires for the gender norm dictates of that post-war time in America [and] went beyond these norms by depicting aspirational scenarios.” Eileen lives in Dorchester, …

Profanity And Perceptions, Elizabeth Lefrancois

Undercurrents: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Composition

Lizzie is an Exercise and Health Science major from Blackstone, Massachusetts. Assigned by her Composition II instructor to research an aspect of language that interested her, Lizzie chose to research swearing, which was never allowed in her home. Lizzie’s research enabled her to “open [her] eyes and see much more than a lack of vocabulary” when she heard others using profanity. She explains, “I felt as if I was programmed to think that swearing was this terrible thing that no one should do, and, because of that, I never thought about the positive side of this language.” Lizzie’s essay explores …

The Good Samaritan: The Role Of Religion In One's Morality, Kamla Javier

Undercurrents: A Journal of Undergraduate Student Composition

Kamla is an Economics major currently living in Boston, Massachusetts. Kamla’s essay, created for her Composition II course, began as an exploration of morality. She set out to examine the stereotypes against non-believers in order to better understand the development of the moral compass and the role religion plays in morality. She writes: “In this day and age where all kinds of people can freely express their opinion, both hurtful and helpful, I also wish to communicate my own beliefs through a logical presentation of information.” Kamla wanted to voice a position that is accepting of all people and “hopefully …

Greenovation As A Strategic Leverage For Sustainable Competitive Advantage, Amiya Kumar Mohapatra, Anil Kumar, Yiğit Kazançoğlu

Management Dynamics

Greenovation is the new currency of the global economy which focuses on ‘green and innovation’ that generates environmental benefits through reduced resource consumption, lower carbon emissions, and improved ecological performance aligned with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Greenovation focuses on long-term value creation by integrating environmental externalities, resource circularity, and multi-stakeholder governance and accountability structures. Greenovation integrated with corporate strategies can provide greater strategic competitive advantages which is also termed as green competitive advantage. By systematically integrating product and process improvements through Greenovation, firms can attain competitive advantage for long-term value creation for both internal and external stakeholders. It is imperative …

Bim-Safety Integration In The Nigerian Construction Industry Using The Unified Theory Of Acceptance And Use Of Technology (Utaut) Model, Ranti T. Adebiyi, Ganiyu Amuda-Yusuf, Olubola Babalola, Nurudeen A. Bello, Aminat D. Amuda, Kaosarat A. Olowookere

Engineering and Technology Journal

Health and Safety (H&S) challenges are a significant concern in the Nigerian construction industry, largely due to the lack of a reliable national accident database and the persistence of a fatalistic safety culture. Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a transformative digital framework that enables visual hazard identification and proactive risk simulation; however, its use in site safety management remains limited and inconsistent. This study investigates the behavioural, social, and structural determinants influencing the adoption of BIM-based H&S practices among construction professionals, utilising the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). A hypothetical multi-level design was used to model …

Promoting Safety And Confidence: Standardizing Intimate Partner Violence Screening And Improving Staff Screening Confidence In A Predominantly Latinx Community Health Center, Jordan Jiang

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent public health problem that is screened far less consistently than comparably common conditions and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including low-income, Spanish-speaking, and undocumented individuals. This quality improvement project was conducted in an outpatient community health center serving a primarily Latinx, Spanish-speaking population in San Francisco, where screening across the Adult Health, Women's Health, and Teen Clinics was inconsistent, with a baseline rate of 4.1% in June 2026. Aim: The project aimed to increase overall IPV screening by 10 percentage points, from 4.1% to 14.1%, by July 31, 2026. Methods: Rogers' Diffusion of …

Urine Good Care: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention At The Bedside, Ruby Yost

Master's Projects and Capstones

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) have been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, healthcare costs, and length of stay and is one of the most common healthcare-acquired illnesses accounting for up to 40% of hospital-acquired infections (Rubi et al., 2022). Because 65-70% of CAUTIs are preventable, reducing the incidence has become a focus area for infection control and nursing quality management among hospital organizations (Tang et al. 2025). CAUTIs are urinary tract infections that occur in patients with indwelling urinary catheters and are typically associated with bacterial colonization of the urinary tract. The aim of this QI Project is to increase …

Standardizing Intimate Partner Violence Screening Among Latinx Patients In A Community Clinic Setting, Peyton O'Callaghan

Master's Projects and Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health concern that may go unrecognized when screening practices are inconsistent. Objective: To standardize IPV screening practices and improve staff confidence across the Adult Health, Women’s Health, and Teen/Pediatric clinics of a community health center serving a predominantly Latinx, monolingual Spanish-speaking, and underserved population. Aim: To increase the overall IPV screening rate by 10% during a three-week implementation period. Methods: The project team developed and implemented a standardized four-question printed screening tool, medical assistant scripts in English and Spanish, and a staff educational in-service. These interventions addressed low screening rates, limited staff …

Nourish And Flourish: Building Confidence In Healthy Food Selection Among Older Adults In An Independent Living Facility, Emily Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

The nutrition education program aims to increase confidence in selecting and maintaining healthier food choices and dietary habits for chronic conditions through weekly workshops. This quality improvement project was conducted in an independent senior living facility in Richmond, CA serving the elderly population ages 65 and up. To address the concern of low confidence levels and management of dietary patterns and chronic health conditions pertaining to nutrition, a comprehensive nutrition education program was developed with pre- and post-intervention assessment surveys to compare baseline confidence levels. The weekly workshops for this nutrition education program aims to increase confidence levels of the …

Standardizing Group Visits For Gestational Diabetes Education: A Quality Improvement Initiative In An Outpatient Maternal-Fetal Medicine Clinic, Nha Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: At an outpatient maternal-fetal medicine clinic in Northern California, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) education is delivered inconsistently across nurse practitioners (NPs) and registered dietitians (RDs), with no standardized curriculum, referral criteria, or educational materials. Aim: By August 12, 2026, this project aimed to develop and implement a standardized GDM group visit framework for NPs, RDs, and scheduling staff in maternal-fetal medicine clinic, increasing compliance with standardized referral, enrollment, and educational processes from a baseline of 0% to 50%. Methods: Using baseline observations, workflow assessment, stakeholder input, and a literature review, the QI team developed standardized bilingual slide …

Demographic And Clinical Characteristics Of Frequent Users Of Emergency Medical Services In Türkiye ​, Burak Bekgöz, İshak Şan

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Overuse of emergency medical services (EMS), particularly unnecessary ambulance requests, places considerable strain on limited healthcare resources and can delay responses to urgent cases. The present study analyzes the demographic characteristics, diagnoses, urgency, and hospital transfer status of frequent users of EMS in Türkiye.

Materials and methods: Included in the study were 41,113 patients who requested EMS four or more times within a year (defined as frequent users for the purpose of the study), excluding interhospital transfers. Data were accessed from the Emergency Medical Services Automation System (ASOS) database, which contains details of patient demographics, diagnoses, triage codes, reasons …

Comparing Age Of Obesity Onset, Concerns About Weight And Body Shape, And Quality Of Life In Individuals Seeking Bariatric Surgery ​, Vi̇ldan Çakir Kardeş, Özge Saraçli, Nuray Atasoy, Levent Ati̇k, Si̇bel Kahraman Gi̇rgeç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study explored the relationship between concerns about weight and body shape and quality of life in bariatric surgery candidates with morbid obesity regarding the onset of the weight problem in childhood, adolescence, or adulthood.

Materials and methods: We included 453 patients who applied to our center for preoperative bariatric surgery assessment between January 2010 and April 2019. We reviewed the sociodemographic information, psychiatric diagnoses, and results of the Body Shape Questionnaire-34, Quality of Life Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory of all patients.

Results: Concerns about weight and body shape were increased in women (p < 0.001), unemployed patients (p = 0.001), those with a comorbid psychiatric disorder (p < 0.001), and those with childhood- or adolescent-onset of weight problems (r = –0.170; p < 0.001). Concerns about weight and body shape had a relationship with the vitality (r = –0.434), mental health (r = –0.464), social functioning (r = –0.418), pain (r = –0.307), and general health (r = –0.352) subscale scores of quality of life. Physical functioning was higher (p = 0.037) in patients with childhood- or adolescent-onset obesity compared to patients with adult-onset obesity, while mental health was higher (p = 0.001) in the latter group. Individuals with childhood- or adolescent-onset obesity inquired about bariatric surgery options at an earlier age (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: …

Beyond Individual Willingness: Family Veto, Legal Knowledge, And The Dynamics Of Organ Donation In Türkiye ​, Hasan Gi̇ray Ankara, Hakan Değerli̇, Semi̇h Baş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim was to understand the factors underlying the dynamics of organ donation behavior by focusing on three different aspects. Three models were tested in this regard, namely (i) individual willingness for the donation of one’s own organs, (ii) willingness to approve organ donation for close relatives, and (iii) a family veto gap.

Materials and methods: A national-level adult sample from the Eurobarometer 72.3 survey (collected in 2009) conducted in Türkiye was utilized. Standard and penalized logistic regression models were employed to conduct the analyses.

Results: The results show that discussing organ donation with family members and being aware …

Vitamin D Deficiency, Depression Severity, And Suicide Risk: Evidence From Patients With Major Depressive Disorder ​, Eli̇f Küçük, Feri̇de Uysal, Seda Şenkardeş Kandemi̇r, Özgür Özkalayci, Canay Pamukçu, Ni̇hal Taşteki̇n, Meri̇h Altintaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric condition characterized by depressive symptoms and suicide-related clinical features. Vitamin D status has been investigated as a potential clinical correlate of depression and suicidal ideation, but the direction and specificity of these associations remain uncertain. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the associations among serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, depressive symptom severity, suicidal ideation, and suicide-related cognitive–affective dimensions in adults diagnosed with MDD.

Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 97 adults aged 18–65 years who were diagnosed with MDD according to DSM-5 criteria. Depressive symptom severity and suicide-related outcomes were …

You Haven't Been Forgotten: A Patient-Centered Initiative Restoring Trust Through Intentional Staff Communication In The Emergency Department, Daniel A. Aliakseyeu

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: Approximately 70% of patients in this 36-bed emergency department (ED) in Hospital X are not roomed and spend the majority of their visit in the waiting room, where they are susceptible to gaps in communication about their care and wait times. Baseline Press Ganey Scores from May 2026 showed that only 61.4% of patients felt informed about delays. Baseline observation data of 50 nurse-patient communication interactions confirmed these gaps: 24.5% of nurses introduced themselves, 13% provided a timeline of care, and 0% addressed potential delays. Aim: Improve communication-related patient satisfaction scores regarding delays among non-roomed patients in the ED …

Clinical Facilitators Report The Impact Of Workplace Violence On Nursing Students' Education, Hila A. Dafny

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Background: Violence is well-documented in the nursing profession and is compounded by an increasing incidence of workplace violence towards nursing students. Poor clinical experiences where violence is witnessed or experienced have long-term consequences for both the student and the profession.

Aim: This study aimed to ascertain the perceptions of clinical facilitators regarding the impact of workplace violence on nursing students during their clinical placements.

Methods: Phenomenology-guided qualitative research methods were used in this study. Eleven clinical facilitators employed in various South Australian healthcare settings were interviewed, and the qualitative data were transcribed and thematically analysed manually, assisted by NVivo 12 …

Difficult Conversations In Hematology/Oncology Nursing: A Com-B Study Of Barriers And Facilitators, Joy Octaviano, Anna Oh, Penelope Blum, Regine Lopez

International Nursing Research Congress (INRC)

Difficult conversations in hematology/oncology often involve prognosis, goals of care, and treatment decisions, contributing to moral distress and burnout. Prior studies show nurses view their role as integral yet secondary to physicians, citing limited confidence, inadequate training, and time constraints. Understanding behavioral drivers can inform strategies to support nurses in these challenging interactions.

This qualitative study explored hematology/oncology/blood and marrow transplant (BMT) nurses’ experiences with difficult conversations, identifying barriers and facilitators through the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation–Behavior (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).

Purposive sampling recruited hematology/oncology/BMT nurses at a large academic medical center. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed; thematic analysis …

Staff Education On An Electronic Health Record-Based Tracking And Reminder System For Long-Acting Injectable Antipsychotics, Osereme Nora Agboifo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Missed or delayed administration of long-acting injectable (LAI) antipsychotic medications remains a practice concern in outpatient mental health care because treatment gaps can interrupt continuity, increase relapse risk, and contribute to avoidable hospitalization. The practice problem addressed in this staff education project was inconsistent use of a standardized electronic health record (EHR)-based LAI tracking and reminder workflow. The project purpose was to improve staff knowledge, documentation consistency, reminder use, and follow-up practices for adults receiving LAI antipsychotic medications. The practice-focused question asked whether staff education on an EHR-based LAI tracking and reminder system would improve adherence monitoring and follow-up processes …

Non-Veteran Civilian Manager Perceptions About Supporting Employee Military In Civilian Workplace Transitions, Sandra Gail Piggee

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

One of the largest populations seeking employment in private sector industries is military veterans. The active-duty military careers end for over 200,000 individuals per year, and over two-thirds of veterans resign from private sector industry positions within 2 years of post-service transition due to difficulties with their transition. This can lead to a lack of career advancement, professional development, and employee benefits. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore perceptions of non-veteran civilian managers in private sector industries about how to support employees who are veterans in making a successful transition from the military into civilian employment. …

Examining The Association Between Socioeconomic Factors And Cervical Cancer Among Minority Women In The United States, Darla Fils

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern, with African American and Hispanic women experiencing disproportionately higher incidence and mortality rates in the United States. Socioeconomic factors, including income, education, employment status, and place of residence, may contribute to these disparities by affecting access to preventive services, timely diagnosis, and follow-up care. This quantitative cross-sectional study examined associations between these factors and cervical cancer incidence among African American and Hispanic women while controlling for age and health insurance status. Guided by the socio-ecological model, the study used 2022 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from N = 33,886 African American …

The Lived Experiences Of Intimacy And Isolation In Single Mothers During Covid-19: An Eriksonian Perspective, Chante Renee Reeves

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Single mothers were largely absent from the COVID-19 literature, despite being head of household in approximately 80% of single-parent homes. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to gain insight into the lived experiences of single mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study addressed how this group connected with family, friends, and others in meaningful ways despite government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions. This phenomenon was explored through Erik Erikson’s psychosocial development theory, with a focus on the intimacy versus isolation stage. An Eriksonian perspective on relationship building and maintenance in adulthood can help better understand and address the social …

Completion Outcomes And Predictive Characteristics In Mandated Inpatient Substance Use Treatment, Tina Marie Moyer

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Treatment retention, specifically as it pertains to offenders who are mandated to receive substance use treatment rather than serve standard incarceration sentences, is receiving more scholarly attention. Although prior research indicates an association between substance use treatment and reduced criminal behavior, many studies have methodological limitations. The purpose of this quantitative non-experimental, comparative study was to compare treatment completion outcomes for mandated and non-mandated offenders and to examine individual predictors of treatment completion, thereby addressing gaps in the current research. Secondary data from adult offenders receiving treatment at an inpatient substance use rehabilitation facility were analyzed. The risk-needs-responsivity model was …

Licensed Counselors’ Professional Well-Being During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jacqueline Flaherty

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

According to the American Counseling Association (ACA, 2014) Code of Ethics, professional counselors are responsible to monitor their own impairment. Specific interventions to prevent impairment and foster counselor professional well-being (PWB) and resiliency are imperative in a profession in which it is ethically required to continuously provide competent counseling. The purpose of this study was to explore the narratives of licensed counselors’ PWB during the onset of and successively during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The theoretical orientation for this study was Dewey’s theory of experience. Nine counselor participants who were licensed by May 2018 shared detailed accounts of …

Can A Corporate Wealth Tax Happen?, Reuven S. Avi-Yonah

Articles

Economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman. They argued that a wealth tax would be a key policy tool to reduce wealth inequality and effectively tax the rich, could raise significant revenue, and could be enforced effectively. Other academics, like Wojciech Kopczuk, Natasha Sarin, Jeffrey Pennell, and Robin Morgan are more skeptical. In the legal literature, there has been an extensive discussion over whether a wealth tax can be constitutional. In Moore, the majority There have been numerous proposals recently to institute a wealth tax in the United States, either in addition to existing taxes or in lieu of some of …

Advancing Beyond An Entry-Level Job, Paul Hill, Osei Vega-Sandoval

All Current Publications

Entry-level positions are a gateway into the workforce, yet advancing beyond an early-career role is necessary to broaden one’s professional experience and earn a higher salary. Whether following the traditional path of moving up within an organization or developing extensive expertise, there are a variety of career paths and concepts to consider. This fact sheet provides strategies and insights for advancing to higher-level positions within organizations.

Thyroid Function In Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Specific Learning Disorder: A Retrospective Comparative Study, Gül Trabzon, Seda Aybüke Sari, Servet Yüce, Şeyma Demi̇ray Güllü

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study analyzes thyroid function parameters (free T₃, free T₄, TSH) in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADHD with specific learning disorder, and healthy controls, to determine whether subtle thyroid dysregulation contributes to the phenotypic heterogeneity of ADHD.

Materials and methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study included 135 children aged 6–18 years: 62 diagnosed with ADHD (38 isolated ADHD and 24 ADHD+SLD) and 73 healthy controls. Demographic, anthropometric, and thyroid function data (free T₃, free T₄, TSH) were extracted from medical records. Group comparisons were conducted using independent samples t-tests, ANOVA, and ANCOVA adjusted for age, sex, and treatment status. …

Posttraumatic Stress In Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: Associations With Early Maladaptive Schemas, Anxiety, And Quality Of Life In A 6-Month Prospective Study ​, Mehmet Öztürk, Pinar Öztürk, Fügen Sönmez Çeti̇nkaya, İlker Özdemi̇r

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder that significantly affects psychosocial functioning, self-perception, and quality of life. Emerging evidence suggests that posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms may be more prevalent in individuals with epilepsy than previously recognized, particularly following seizure-related experiences perceived as traumatic. The aim of this study was to evaluate short- and long-term PTS levels in individuals with newly diagnosed epilepsy and examine their associations with anxiety, depression, early maladaptive schemas, and quality of life.

Materials and methods: In this prospective study, 31 individuals with newly diagnosed epilepsy were enrolled. Participants completed a sociodemographic data form, the Post-Traumatic Stress …