More than a Footnote: An Exploration of Health Care Marginalization and Self-Advocacy for Women with Intellectual Disabilities

Women with intellectual disabilities face discrimination in health care because of their gender- and ability- based identities. Among other things, difficulty coordinating complex care and a lack of research into their specific healthcare needs as disabled women reflect standards of care that are problematic and lacking. Research gaps highlight the oppression of this group in health care. In addition to these inadequacies of the health care system, it is difficult for women with intellectual disabilities to conform to social scripts and constructions of femininity that our society praises, and they are often infantilized and patronized in a way that limits their autonomy in sexuality and healthcare settings. This is clearly evident in the example of menstruation suppression. To combat these problems, we must expand our definition of advocacy to include respecting and encouraging autonomy. Disabled voices are often sidelined in conversations surrounding women’s health, when in fact improvements for this population would have far reaching effects for gender justice in the health care field, and increasing knowledge of the issues these women face can help everyone become more informed allies of and advocates for disabled populations. Sex-education, self-care training, and self-advocacy training geared specifically towards intellectually disabled women are tangible ways we can advocate for this population. Most importantly, we must support and respect the dignity of these women as peers and recognize that we are all on the same team

THE TERROR WITHIN: HOW THE NEWS INDUSTRY IS INADVERTENTLY AIDING IN DOMESTIC TERRORISM

As terrorism becomes a more common phenomenon in American society, it is important to understand how integral parts of our lives are impacted by it. Domestic terrorism is something that Americans always hoped would not be a fear of theirs, but that is not the case. When looking at the relationship between the news industry and domestic terrorism in the United States, I argue that there is a strong relationship between the two and the news can positively affect terrorist organizations by using framing, sensationalism, and creating an avenue that terrorist organizations use to benefit their institution. Using the Oklahoma City Bombing and Boston Marathon Bombing as qualitative case studies, the research shows that American consumption of news media benefits terrorists and terrorist organizations. Framing limits the context of situations, events, and background information. This can lead to the public having more sympathetic reactions to domestic terrorist events. Sensationalism can numb the American people from catastrophic events, meaning that there is less of a reaction to domestic terrorism. Constant reporting on terrorist organizations creates public recognition, respect from others, and inspires people to believe or act in a similar manner. Political theories involved in this research include rational choice theory and democratic principles relating to free press. It is important to understand this research and understand the effects of the relationship between domestic terrorism and news media in order to be better news consumers and create accountability for ethical journalism

From Bench to Bedside: Utilizing Artificial Intelligence as a Predictive Model in Drug Research and Development

In a society where artificial intelligence predominates nearly every aspect of our lives, how should we respond to such novel and powerful technology? This thesis serves to further educate on and argue for the integration of artificial intelligence into the biopharmaceutical industry. Considering its incredible potential, but often mischaracterized nature, this thesis begins with an in-depth historical review of the multi-century timeline explaining the complicated scaffolding of society and science’s current perspective of artificial intelligence. Then, this thesis extends into further insights of the biopharmaceutical industry, its current socioeconomic position, and the roles artificial intelligence serves to improve it as a business model. The thesis then concludes with a multi-chapter exploration of the current artificially based methodologies incorporated into drug research and development pipelines, concluding with an ethical perspective on the continued research and development of artificial intelligence

The Love Ethic: An Individual\u27s Key to Engaging in Social Change

In a world with increasing political polarization, global war, and turmoil, many people feel they’re rapidly losing hope and agency to make change. With increasing technological changes that call into question our intellect, purpose, and abilities, we are called back to what makes us human: love. Through a review of varying literary sources exploring the topic of love, from activists to authors and personal anecdotes, the love ethic reminds individuals that the choices they have to make every day are an opportunity to engage in social change, and to make a difference in our communities. By operating under a love ethic, one can escape burn-out, strengthen community ties, and change to a better way of being in the world, so that it may become more developed, more informed, and more loved

GIVE THEM STATUS: The Economic Impact of Immigrants in America

In this thesis I argue that immigrants are necessary in the United States in order to maintain and continue to improve the economy that is currently in place. Due to their importance, it is only right for all immigrants to have the opportunity to file citizenship or obtain legal standing upon meeting requirements. I look at immigrants through multiple lenses such as blue-collar workers, entrepreneurs, documented, undocumented, etc. I consider the ethics of employing undocumented immigrants in the modern-day using data from multiple peer-reviewed sources, and find that immigrants are a crucial force that drives the American economy, and taking care of them by granting them a clearer path to citizenship which would ensure the best future for continued economic growth in the United States

That They May Have Life

Mental illness has a significant impact on how people experience Catholicism. However, since the Catholic Church has existed for thousands of years and the discussion of mental health is a relatively recent societal phenomenon, not much thought has been given to this crossover. This thesis, taking obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) in the experience of Catholicism as a case study, explains the impacts of OCD in general and scrupulosity as a specific manifestation of it, in religious practice. I show what the Catholic Church says about scrupulosity through her Jewish roots, texts in the New Testament, and modern tools meant to combat it. Finally, I examine the lives of Catholic saints who dealt with scrupulosity OCD and the fruits – both for them as they went through the struggle of scrupulosity and for people today that might be dealing with the same issues – that came from their experience

The Purchasing Power of Piety

I argue that religious convictions significantly shape decision-making by influencing female consumers\u27 values, beliefs, and purchasing decisions in the apparel, dietary consumption, and cosmetics industries. This thesis seeks to carefully examine the distinct needs of Jewish and Catholic women, considering how their position in their religious traditions impacts their autonomy and consumer behavior. As I explore how religious obligations, ethical considerations, and cultural expectations drive their purchasing decisions, this research aims for brands to bridge the gap with religious consumers through more effective and resonant marketing strategies. By making religious pluralism a key aspect of their approach, companies can establish meaningful connections with consumers, positioning their reputation as socially responsible and culturally sensitive leaders in the marketplace. My research highlights the nuanced thresholds where piety and product purchases unite by examining the intersections of faith, personal conviction, and female consumer autonomy

Nurse-Led Bedside Rounds to Improve Nursing Self-Efficacy

Background: Bedside rounds involving the child and family in the hospital are considered a best practice, offering numerous benefits that enhance patient care, family engagement, and nurse participation. Nurse-led bedside rounds (NLBR) have been linked to improved nursing self-efficacy, which correlates with reduced burnout and higher nurse retention. However, on the mixed inpatient pediatric unit (MIPU) studied in this project, a standardized family-centered rounding process was lacking, and nurses faced barriers to participation. This prompted the research question: Do nurses on an MIPU (P) report an improvement in self-efficacy (O) following the implementation of NLBR (I)? Purpose: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to implement NLBR on an MIPU using nursing, behavioral, and change theories as foundational frameworks. The objective was to enhance nurses\u27 self-efficacy through structured and sustainable bedside rounding practices. Methods: Following stakeholder approval, an evidence-based NLBR model was developed to ensure feasibility and sustainability. A pre-survey assessed nurses’ self-efficacy among both day and night shift volunteers prior to intervention. The intervention included education, training, simulation, and role-play exercises to enhance leadership skills for NLBR implementation. Three months after initiating the rounding process, a post-survey was conducted among participating nurses. Results: Despite a small effect size and a weak regression model (r² ≤ 0.13), post-survey findings demonstrated statistically significant improvements in nursing self-efficacy (p \u3c 0.05). These results suggest that the implementation of NLBR positively impacts nurses\u27 confidence and engagement in patient care within the MIPU. Conclusion: NLBR fosters a structured, family-centered approach to rounding, leading to measurable improvements in nursing self-efficacy. While further research is needed to explore long-term effects, findings support NLBR as a valuable practice for enhancing nursing engagement and retention

MS Environmental Biology Capstone Project

Coral reefs are some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet (Knowlton el al., 2010). As they are home to millions of aquatic species, it is important for humanity to take diligent care of them both for their intrinsic and extrinsic qualities (Knowlton, 2001). Corals thrive by utilizing symbiotic algae cells called zooxanthellae to aid in obtaining energy (G. D., 2003). Living in the coral\u27s polyps, the zooxanthellae are offered extra protection from predators (Wooldridge, 2010). This paper discusses the relationship between the zooxanthellae and the corals as well as the potential power dynamics between the two organisms. There are two different power dynamics explored in this paper. One dynamic discussed in this paper is coral having an influence over the zooxanthellae by restricting the number of nutrients available to it. The alternative power dynamic discussed is the zooxanthellae having influence over the coral by evading its immune system responses and taking advantage of the coral for shelter. This symbiotic relationship matters because coral bleaching, a primary cause of coral mortality, is the termination of the symbiosis. As corals face global mass bleaching events with greater frequency (Hughes et al., 2018), knowing more about this relationship will aid scientists in preserving it. In this literature review, I will argue that the zooxanthellae control the symbiotic relationship

The Impact of Resilience Training on Behavioral Health Care Staff Burnout

Burnout among mental health professionals is a critical issue that can negatively impact patient care and provider and staff well-being. Feelings and symptoms of burnout can lead to decreased quality of life and job satisfaction, which can be precursors to attrition and turnover. Every county in the state where this project was implemented is considered a mental health dessert, so retaining current practitioners and employees has increased significance, particularly as it relates to patient access to care. This project explored whether resiliency training effectively reduces symptoms of burnout among mental health professionals. A pre- and post-intervention design was utilized, measuring burnout symptoms using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI)-Human Services Survey. The study assessed Emotional Exhaustion, Depersonalization, and Personal Achievement both before and after resiliency training. The sample included 17 participants (N=17), with 8 completing both pre- and post-intervention assessments (n=8). Results showed a decrease in mean scores for Emotional Exhaustion and Depersonalization, along with an increase in Personal Achievement scores. However, these changes were not statistically significant, as determined by a t-test analysis. While the findings suggest a potential positive impact of resiliency training, further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods is needed to determine its effectiveness in mitigating burnout among mental health professionals