Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Spatial Variations In Fire Alarm Calls, Geneseo, New York, Mark E. Jakubauskas, Randall L. Repic

The Geographical Bulletin

The township and village of Geneseo, New York, were studied to determine if a regional variation of fire alarms existed during a four-year study period. Similar to large cities, concentrations of call type appeared to be related to the demographic and economic makeup of a specific region. Clusters of structure fires, automobile accidents, and false alarms are identified in certain areas and underlying reasons for these clustering are discussed. Current and potential courses of action to combat these concentrations and lower the overall call rate are included as well.

Recognizing Individual Variability In Misophonia: Identifying Symptom-Based Subgroups With Gaussian Mixture Modeling, Mercedes G. Woolley, Amanda M. Ramos, Emily M. Bowers, Karen Muñoz, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Misophonia is characterized by intense emotional and physiological reactions to everyday sounds such as chewing and tapping. While previous researchers have focused on defining and characterizing the disorder, limited attention has been given to the variability in symptom presentations across individuals. In this study, we sought to identify distinct subgroups of individuals with misophonia by applying a Gaussian finite mixture model to explore the heterogeneity of symptom profiles. Sixty treatment-seeking participants completed the Duke Misophonia Interview, which assessed the presence and severity of various behavioral, affective, and cognitive symptoms. Items from this measure served as model indicators. Two clusters were …

How Insider-Led Processes Lead To Localization: The Case Of Digital Technology And Humanitarian Protection, Oliver Kaplan, Emily Paddon Rhoads

Global and Public Affairs: Faculty Scholarship

The humanitarian sector has been increasingly concerned with localizing its activities—devolving capacity, power, and decision-making authority to the local communities and organizations that are the frequent recipients of its assistance. However, the mere “outsider-led” provision of assistance to local actors is not itself sufficient to empower them. In- stead, we argue that “insider-led,” locally initiated processes can be an effective approach to localization. We identify how such shifts can occur and distinguish three different configurations of “insider-led” processes: Autonomous Adopters, Balanced Partners, and Exporting Entrepreneurs. We examine “insider-led” localization in the context of the use of Information and Communication Technologies …

Building Relationships For Meaningful Co-Created Indigenous Climate Education, B. Hanson, R. Mccann, D. Smiley, S. Hinck, A. R. Archie, N. Butler

Environment and Society Student Research

This project involved a multicultural team collaboratively co-creating a climate change module by and for Indigenous people. Embracing the framework of cultural humility, we recognized the bidirectional learning inherent in the project and its role in mitigating power dynamics within the team. This endeavor underscored the significance of transparency, effective communication, respect, reciprocity, trust building, and sensitivity to cultural contexts. Our findings emphasized the need for locally grounded programs that echo local traditional wisdom. We discovered that fostering an environment conducive to active listening and patience is pivotal in establishing a secure space. Our research affirms the equal validity and …

“We Will Tend To It”: The Reconstruction Of The Wimauma, Florida’S Bethune Area Through Archival Research And Oral Histories, Alanah Cooper

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study focuses on heritage preservation efforts led by Wimauma community members interested in preserving the history and heritage of Wimauma’s Bethune Area—a historically African American community. This study aims to challenge the dominant narratives of Wimauma that erase/silence the tangible and intangible legacy of the Bethune Area. By collecting and drawing upon oral histories from community residents; engaging in participant observations; conducting archival research, my thesis will strive to construct an expanded narrative of Wimauma to include the history and heritage of the Bethune Area and the everyday lives of underrepresented people and families who helped shape Wimauma. This …

A Qualitative Approach To Identifying Obstacles To Mental Healthcare In The Rio Grande Valley From The Perspective Of Mental Healthcare Professionals., Shania M. Linder, Cristian Botello, Raquel Villarreal, Nelda Rodriguez, Mario Gil, Dayana Zamora

Research Symposium

Background: There are many factors that prevent members of the Hispanic/Latino community from accessing mental health resources. This is important to investigate because there is a lack of knowledge on why residents of the Rio Grande Valley, an underserved region of South Texas, are unable to access and/or utilize mental health resources.

Methods: A focus group session was held at a mental health counseling clinic in Cameron County, Texas on February 1, 2024. The participants consisted of mental health professionals, such as two mental health clinicians, a clinical counselor, two school counselors, a licensed professional counselor supervisor, and a …

Impact Of Acute Stress On Circadian Rhythm Regulation Of Locomotor Activity In Syrian Hamsters, Raquel A. Villarreal, Laura E. Garcia, Mario Gil

Research Symposium

Background: Disruptions of circadian rhythms, caused by factors such as environmental changes or stress, are linked to health conditions, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and mood disorders. Circadian rhythm disturbances are particularly relevant for understanding the etiology of conditions like insomnia, depression, and anxiety. The circadian rhythm, primarily regulated by the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) in the hypothalamus, coordinates biological processes to align with daily environmental cycles. Acute stress, especially when experienced immediately upon waking, has been shown to disrupt these rhythms, impair sleep regulation, and exacerbate mood dysregulation. Given the significant clinical implications, understanding how stress impacts circadian rhythms is …

A Qualitative Exploration Of The Robert Smith Gift At Morehouse College, Kinnis Gosha, Nina Gilbert, Whitney Nelson, Kaylah Mackroy, Mi'kayla Newell, Amber Reid, Kaela S. Jackson

Journal of Student Financial Aid

Previous scholars investigating the effects of student loan debt have conducted survey analyses involving large samples to examine the relationships among debt forgiveness, loan repayment behavior, income earnings, and returning home. Fewer works have explored the outcomes of student loan elimination in a qualitative study. In 2019, Robert Smith donated a Gift (RSGift) to the graduating class of Morehouse College, which eliminated the new graduates’ student loan debt, inviting further inquiry into their developments since receiving the gift. This study employs a qualitative investigation to examine how student loan elimination influenced the graduating classes. This study also applies Yosso’s Community …

Systemic Functioning Of Puerto Rican Families With A Cancer Patient, Nicole Velez Agosto

Research Symposium

Background: Systemic family interventions with Latino families that have a cancer patient have been suggested as effective and necessary, but few studies have focused on evaluating systemic functioning to design culturally relevant interventions. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to assess systemic functioning in Puerto Rican families with a cancer patient using the Spanish translated version of the Family Genogram Interview (FGI) that measures Bowen’s four emotional processes in nuclear family and family of origin.

Methods: Translation and cultural adaptation of the Family Genogram Interview in Spanish was done following a modified version of Erkutt and collegues (1999) dual-focus …

Beyond The Desk: Forging A New Future For Academic Libraries, Alex Mcmanus

Proceedings of the IATUL Conferences

New LMS? No problem! New Library? Sure! Pandemic? Why not! And now Generative AI, with a cost-of-living crisis thrown in for good measure. The client services staff at UTS Library have weathered their fair share of change safely tucked behind their helpdesk. But the traditional model of librarianship (or library officer-ship) just isn’t cutting it anymore. Instead of clinging to tradition, UTS Library are removing the things that don’t work and letting their community shape what they do to fill the empty spaces left behind. This presentation chronicles the adventures of the staff who have boldly stepped out from behind …

Assisted Reproductive Technology (Art) In The Mountain West, 2022, Caitlin J. Saladino, Kristian Thymianos, William E. Brown Jr., Monserrat Cristando-Romo, Taylor Volk, Yashesvi Sharma

Health

This fact sheet examines data on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics located in five Mountain West states: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2022 Fertility Clinic Success Rates Report includes data from all 50 states and provides information on ART services offered by individual clinics, including data on total cycles, fertility preservation cycles, pregnancies, deliveries, and total infants born.

Beyond Rules And Tools: Imagining A Design Approach To Metadata Management Training, Rebecca B. French

Libraries

Professional development offerings for cataloging and metadata practitioners primarily focus on "rules and tools" - the standards, guidelines, and software applications commonly used in the field. These areas of knowledge are important and foundational, but professionals also need competence in synthesizing this information to solve metadata problems. In this presentation, I will explore design epistemology as a way of understanding metadata management. I will apply design concepts and methods to reimagine metadata training and provide suggestions for on-the-job training approaches that support the development of these harder-to-teach skills.

The Relationship Between Closed-Loop Auditory Stimulation During Sleep And Eeg On Memory Consolidation, Hector Patricio Valverde

Psychology ETDs

Slow-wave sleep is critical for consolidating information into long-term memory. Past research has found this process can be enhanced using closed-loop auditory stimulation (CLAS), where pink noise tones are timed to slow oscillations using live EEG to increase slow wave amplitude and synchronize connections across the neocortex, thalamus, and hippocampus. In this study, subjects slept in our laboratory while receiving counterbalanced sham or verum CLAS. Memory retention scores were calculated using a paired associates word task completed before and after sleep. Subjective sleep quality scores were also obtained. A total of 33 verum and 35 sham nights of data were …

Lgbtq+ Identity Development And Individual Vs Group Psychotherapy Experience: A Consensual Qualitative Analysis, Aileen Marie Rands

Theses and Dissertations

Multicultural topics, such as LGBTQ+ experience, have accrued predominance within the field of psychology. It has become clear that better understanding minority experience is of utmost importance. Pervasive stigma, discrimination, and mistreatment culminate into minority stress; thus LGBTQ+ individuals face greater risk for poor mental health and seek out psychotherapy at higher rates. Despite this reality, limited psychotherapy research exists in this area generally and essentially no research has looking into the experience of LGBTQ+ individuals in group therapy. The current study investigated experiences of LGBTQ+ clients who have participated in both individual and group psychotherapy. Eleven participants were interviewed …

Social Security And Retirement Income In The Mountain West, 2022, Dre Boyd-Weatherly, Taylor Volk, Caitlin J. Saladino, William E. Brown Jr.

Cities & Metros

This fact sheet presents data on the mean total retirement income for forty-four cities in the Mountain West: Arizona (13), Colorado (14), Nevada (9), New Mexico (3), and Utah (5). The Smart Asset report, “Social Security and Retirement Income Are Highest in These Cities – 2024 Study,” reports data from the 2022 one-year American Community Survey conducted by the U.S Census Bureau.

Heart Failure In Black Populations: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, And Treatment Disparities, Kazi N. Islam, Rahib K. Islam, Ivan Nguyen, Yasmeen Magherahabed, Humza Pirzadah, M. Bazlur Rashid

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Heart failure (HF) remains a significant health challenge globally, placing a heavy burden on individuals, families, and healthcare systems. The prevalence of HF continues to rise, posing substantial public health concerns. This burden is particularly pronounced among the Black Population, who face higher prevalence, earlier onset, and greater severity of HF compared to other racial and ethnic groups. This review explores the multifaceted landscape of HF in Black individuals by examining epidemiological patterns, pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical presentations, treatment disparities, and clinical outcomes. Black individuals exhibit distinct pathophysiological characteristics, such as genetic variations contributing to heightened susceptibility and severity of HF. …

Strategies U.S. Hospital Leaders Use To Recruit, Hire, And Retain Physicians To Sustain Profitability, Terence Christopher Williams

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Poor physician retention negatively impacts the quality of community healthcare, leading to financial losses and increased operational costs for hospitals. Hospital administrators and the governing boards are particularly concerned with addressing this issue to ensure sustainable healthcare delivery. Grounded in the Hertzberg’s two factor theory, the purpose of this qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore strategies that hospital administrators can utilize to improve physician retention. The participants included eight high-ranking hospital administrators within the geographic region of North Carolina who had an active role in provider retention. Data was collected using semistructured interviews, identify five critical themes: (a) implement mentorship, …

Capital Structure Strategies For Catalyzing The Growth Of Mining Companies In Developing Countries, Pepe Kalombo Kapompa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

A lack of effective strategies to develop capital structures affects operational profit and growth. Consequently, leaders of mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo are concerned about the significant financial losses resulting from these deficiencies. Grounded in trade-off theory of capital structure, the purpose of this qualitative multiple case study was to explore strategies that leaders of mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo used to develop capital structures that enhance operational profit and growth. The participants included three business leaders from three mining companies who successfully implemented such strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews and company …

The Employment Situation Of Veterans: February 2025, Institute For Veterans And Military Families At Syracuse University

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

In February 2025, the U.S. added 151,000 jobs, maintaining the unemployment rate at 4.1%. Veteran unemployment decreased slightly to 4.1%, with significant drops among younger veterans (18-24) and those aged 65 and older. However, unemployment rates varied across veteran demographic groups, with some experiencing increases and others decreases.

Law School News: Acclaimed Environmental Lawyer And Graphic Memoirist Eddie Ahn To Visit Rwu Law 3-7-2025, Helga Melgar

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Mortality Trends In Mississippi, 2012–2022, Elizabeth Jones

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Due to the lack of studies examining SIDS mortality trends and its implications on pediatric populations, this study aimed to address the gap in research and to identify the magnitude and the impact of SIDS by exploring trends in SIDS among infants from 2012 to 2022. The study uses data from the Mississippi Statistically Automated Health Resource System, which is an online database with data collected from vital statistics. Joinpoint regression models were used to calculate Annual Percentage Change (APC) and Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) as an indicator of trends. The overall SIDS mortality rate remained 0.5 deaths per …

Exploring Options To Maximize Hpv Vaccination Rates In Mississippi: A Commentary, Mcking I. Amedari

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers remain a significant cause of mortality. Nevertheless, disparities in vaccination coverage persist across the U.S., with Mississippi reporting the lowest HPV dose completion rates despite achieving high overall vaccination rates for other vaccines. Dental professionals can play a vital role in improving HPV vaccination rates by promoting and administrating the vaccine. Notably, Mississippi remains one of the few states where the dental board permits dentists to administer the HPV vaccine. This presents a valuable opportunity to expand access points as a preventive strategy against HPV-related cancers. Additionally, there is a need to explore legislative measures to …

Outcomes Of Double Free Flap Reconstruction For Advanced Head And Neck Tumors In A Safety-Net Hospital Population, Yossef Alsabawi, John M. Gaddis, Angela D. Haskins, Jonathan Shum, David J. Hernandez

Research Symposium

Background: Double-free flap reconstruction has emerged as a viable option for addressing more complicated defects after oncologic resection. We aim to report the feasibility of this approach at a single-institutional safety net hospital.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed between November 2020 and October 2023 for adult patients who underwent multiple, simultaneous free tissue transfers for head and neck defects following tumor resection. This study occurs at Ben Taub Hospital, a safety net hospital in Houston, Texas. Data collected included demographics, risk factors, oncologic and operative details, complications, and functional and disease outcomes. Socioeconomic status was assessed …

Advancing Telemedicine Adoption: Insights From Health Behavior Models With A Focus On The Multi-Theory Model, Rahib K. Islam, Abigail E. Watson, Alec Robitaille, Manoj Sharma, Robert E. Davis, Joshua T. Clark, Vinayak K. Nahar

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Telemedicine, the use of digital communication technologies to deliver clinical healthcare remotely, has emerged as a pivotal advancement in modern medicine. By providing virtual consultations, asynchronous data transmission, and remote patient monitoring (RPM), telemedicine enhances accessibility, particularly for underserved populations, while promoting efficiency and continuity of care. As telemedicine transforms healthcare delivery, its adoption hinges on understanding health behaviors—actions influenced by psychological, sociocultural, and environmental factors. These behaviors can be categorized into preventative, illness, and risk-related actions, with established models like the Health Belief Model (HBM), Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), and Transtheoretical Model (TTM) offering insights into behavior change mechanisms. …

Icapp Explains: Agriculture In Ohio, Gabriel Mott

ICAAP Explains

Contributing $124 Billion to the state economy, agriculture is Ohio’s largest industry. In the third ICAPP Explains of a trilogy on major industries in Ohio, we consider the components and economic impact of Ohio’s agriculture. We also consider how Ohio’s farmland can be preserved, and the steps the Ohio Department of Agriculture is taking to this end.

An Investigation Into The Efficacy Of Self-Monitoring And Mixed Schedules For Reducing Stereotypy In Children With Autism, Ryan J. Hinderliter

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities, especially children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often engage in problem behaviors that can have a negative impact on their quality of life. This study explored the application of self-monitoring (SM) and mixed schedules as alternative strategies for reducing stereotypy in children with autism. Stereotypy (STPY) is a repetitive motor behavior commonly observed in individuals with autism. The study employed a multiple baseline across participants design with three participants ages 6 and 14, diagnosed with autism, and exhibiting STPY as the target behavior. After participant selection, a baseline phase was followed by three treatment conditions: Differential Reinforcement …

Mapping State Reactions To The Icc Arrest Warrants For Netanyahu And Gallant, Rebecca Ingber

Online Publications

On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) announced it had issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the former defense minister, in connection with alleged crimes committed in the ongoing armed conflict between Israel and Hamas. In doing so, the Court rejected as premature Israel’s challenge to the Court’s jurisdiction. The Court’s decision to issue a warrant for the sitting Prime Minister of a state, which is notably not a party to the Rome Statute, also demonstrates the Court’s embrace of its prior controversial decision on immunity, namely that customary international law does …

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 16 - March 6, 2025

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 16 - March 6, 2025. 16 pages.

The Skills-Based Business Case For Hiring Veterans - Report, Adam Pritchard, Rosalinda V. Maury

Institute for Veterans and Military Families

This report explores the current state of skills-based hiring, examining trends, challenges, and future predictions. It focuses on how military veteran jobseekers can identify and communicate their skills. The report includes expert insights and offers recommendations for employers to develop skills-first frameworks and for veterans to navigate the employment landscape and maximize career prospects through upskilling.

Experiences Of Grandparenting During Covid-19 For Grandparents Geographically Distanced From Their Grandchildren, Eva Louise Benevit

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Since 2015, the number of retirees relocating after retirement has increased significantly, leading grandparents to be distant from their grandchildren. Isolation and distance from families has increased due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to high rates of loneliness and isolation for older adults. The purpose of this qualitative narrative inquiry was to explore experiences during COVID-19 for grandparents geographically distanced from their grandchildren. This research was grounded using Erikson’s psychosocial developmental theory, with a focus on the maturity stage, and thematic analysis was used to guide interviews and analysis. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit five …