Charting a Path: How a Group of Urban Elementary Music Teachers Understand Their Career Decisions

This qualitative study was an investigation of the career journeys of two elementary music teachers employed in a large urban district. The study also examined the job changing experiences of eight other elementary music teachers in the same district. Perceived employment considerations (factors that are weighed when considering working at one school over another), and the detailed employment experiences of two of these teachers, were explored in order to better understand teacher mobility and attrition. An open ended electronic questionnaire was sent to all 28 elementary music teachers employed by the district. Two teachers were later purposefully sampled from the questionnaire participant group to participate in a multiple case study. These two teachers described their experiences when changing jobs, teaching in various schools, and contemplating working at one school over another. Questionnaire data were used to provide additional insight into the phenomenon and inform the multiple case study. Findings represent an amalgamation of both questionnaire and case study participants’ perceptions of their employment history, and preferences for employment conditions which have been constructed throughout their careers. Salient themes extracted from questionnaire and case study participants’ described experiences and employment preferences included: (a) personal considerations, (b) school atmosphere, (c) support, (d) student opportunities, and (e) choice

Integration of Lidar and Imagery to delineated Water Bodies for Change Detection

Through integration of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and high spatial imagery, it is plausible to delineate the bodies of water in order to monitor their changes in size. The purpose of this study is to integrate two different sets of LiDAR data, several multi-date high spatial resolution National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) images, and multi-dateLandsat-8 satellite images of Ballard County, Kentucky for the delineation of the water bodies in the County. Accuracy and precision of the datasets in terms of spatial and spectral resolutions will be examined. The hypothesis is that an integration of such datasets would provide better classifications in terms of differentiation of water bodies and land when compared using the individual datasets alone. Landsat-8 satellite images can be used to create classification maps and vegetation indices, which should help delineate water and land boundaries. However, utilizing satellite images alone lacks the finer spatial aspect. By using the approach mentioned, the final mapping products can be compared and presented to help understand the accuracies and the environmental change in the region

The Personal is Political:Pentecostal Approaches to Governance and Security

In this essay, I explore Pentecostal approaches to governance and security, taking an anthropological approach. I focus on Pentecostalism as a distinctive way of looking at and being in the world, one that understands the family as central in its approach governance and security. I highlight the paradox between Pentecostalism’s strong orientation towards individual and family moral conduct and practices of female leadership in Pentecostal contexts. I conclude with some broader reflections on the implications for diplomacy and other practitioners of foreign policy

Parent-Infant Bond: The Connection Between Parents and Infants in the NICU

Objectives Define the challenges of parent-infant relations in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) setting Discuss the role of occupational therapy in fostering parent-infant bonding in the NICU Interpret evidence-based interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to promote familial relations and social interactions amongst infants and parents PICO Question For infants in the NICU, what are evidence-based interventions within the scope of occupational therapy that increase parent-infant bonding

A Novel Framework to Predict Relative Habitat Selection in Aquatic Systems: Applying Machine Learning and Resource Selection Functions to Acoustic Telemetry Data From Multiple Shark Species

Resource selection functions (RSFs) have been widely applied to animal tracking data to examine relative habitat selection and to help guide management and conservation strategies. While readily used in terrestrial ecology, RSFs have yet to be extensively used within marine systems. As acoustic telemetry continues to be a pervasive approach within marine environments, incorporation of RSFs can provide new insights to help prioritize habitat protection and restoration to meet conservation goals. To overcome statistical hurdles and achieve high prediction accuracy, machine learning algorithms could be paired with RSFs to predict relative habitat selection for a species within and even outside the monitoring range of acoustic receiver arrays, making this a valuable tool for marine ecologists and resource managers. Here, we apply RSFs using machine learning to an acoustic telemetry dataset of four shark species to explore and predict species-specific habitat selection within a marine protected area. In addition, we also apply this RSF-machine learning approach to investigate predator-prey relationships by comparing and averaging tiger shark relative selection values with the relative selection values derived for eight potential prey-species. We provide methodological considerations along with a framework and flexible approach to apply RSFs with machine learning algorithms to acoustic telemetry data and suggest marine ecologists and resource managers consider adopting such tools to help guide both conservation an

Conflict and Commitment in Three-Generational Black Families (Grandparents, Value, Parent, Adult, Child).

This study of ten middle class three-generational urban black families intended to address the relative absence of research on this particular segment of the black population. Although social scientists have studied extended kin networks, there has been limited focus on family interaction within multi-generational households. Using an exploratory approach, issues such as families' value orientation, household formation, differentiating household from extended family, and generational integration were examined. Families were non-randomly selected, included at least one person over age 60 and at least one child under age 18. Method used questionnaires and indepth interviews for individual family members. Coded observational data, a case study of one family, highlighted thematic analysis of interview data. Findings show families maintain an extended family orientation with emphasis on family solidarity, mutual support, and educational achievement. Household formation, neither crisis oriented nor temporary, reflected commitment to socialize the young. Families employed maternal employment, role flexibility, and shared childcare responsibilities. Generational conflict centered around parenting roles and family leadership, issues most stressful for families with divorced or single second generation mothers. The impact of a particularly ambivalent parent-adult-child tie remains unclear. Three stressed families with single or divorced second generation parents were considered "at risk" for role confusion. It was concluded the effectiveness of three-generational households vary with the "fit" between shifts in values, developmental needs, and family life cycle stages. Longitudinal and observational studies of family development are recommended.Ph.D.Clinical psychologyUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/160842/1/8600510.pd

“Blessed assurance”: Belief and power among African American Apostolic women

This ethnography is an inquiry into the workings of African American Apostolic spiritual authority and if, when, and how it enables a particular form of female power. The twentieth century genealogy of True Deliverance Church of the Apostolic Faith, Inc., the Queens, New York based congregation in this study, begins with the vast majority of Holiness-Pentecostals at the Los Angeles Azusa Street Revivals in 1906. All Holiness-Pentecostal groups recognize speaking in tongues as a spiritual gift however Apostolic doctrine requires glossolalia as evidence of Spirit baptism—full conversion; other divine gifts such as healing and prophesy may also accompany conversion. Co-existent with a system that privileges spiritual authority is a hierarchical church polity that excludes women. Apostolic tenets prohibit certain "worldly" activities, such as listening to secular music, dancing, and attending movies. Women cannot be ordained, wear pants, make-up, or earrings. In the sanctuary, sleeveless tops, open-toed shoes, bare legs and uncovered heads are forbidden. At the same time women, as the overwhelming majority, keep the church going in concrete ways—teaching Sunday school, ushering, heading auxiliaries, sponsoring services, and fundraising, among other responsibilities. Women and men alike experience the power of the Holy Ghost however; doctrine is codified most rigorously on women's bodies, positioning them at the center of the discourses of power, submission, and obedience. For Black women, power in the sacred realm articulates in a unique way with how they know themselves as raced and gendered in their specific historical and social contexts; as they invert their relationships with their bodies inside spiritual space. Restraint is abandoned to the will of the Holy Ghost, demonstrating personal access to God/Jesus by way of an intimate embodied relationship thus, exhibiting spiritual leadership. At issue is a redefinition of power that all adherents negotiate and interpret via particular gendered identities. Apostolic women adhere to theology and doctrine that both liberate and constrain their voices and bodies. Identification with Jesus and Apostolic "Oneness" doctrine—the absolute deity of Jesus, further validate women's empowerment through sacrifice and obedience

MULTIFACETED APPROACHES FOR ADDRESSING THE CHANGING SEASCAPE OF SHARK CONSERVATION

Sharks present a myriad of challenges for fisheries managers as highly mobile, K-selected species. Our knowledge of shark spatial ecology varies widely by species and region, presenting further challenges for resource managers. Globally, most large-bodied shark species have experienced dramatic declines driven primarily by overfishing, through targeted or bycatch mortality, as well as habitat degradation. However, after decades of careful conservation-based management, a number of species in the United States are showing signs of slow recovery. This puts the state of shark conservation in the United States at an interesting crossroads where managers must grapple with the paucity of ecologically important data for many species and regions, while navigating increasing conflicts between sharks and other ocean user groups, namely anglers. In this dissertation, I address these knowledge gaps by combining multiple data streams: spatial data from acoustic telemetry, visual survey data, and social science survey data with novel analytical techniques, including network analysis and machine learning. In Chapter 2, I define residency, habitat use, and intra-specific interactions for four shark species within Buck Island Reef National Monument, a marine protected area in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. It is the first study of shark spatial ecology in St. Croix, and significantly advances our knowledge of shark ecology in the data-poor U.S. Caribbean. In Chapters 3-5, I address emerging conflicts between sharks and recreational anglers through shark depredation, using great hammerhead sharks (Sphyrna mokarran) depredating Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) as a case study. I characterize space use for both species at a fine and broad scale to determine the drivers of depredation and potential migratory coupling. In addition, I surveyed anglers to quantify their responses to depredation, revealing that increased depredation frequency results in an increased likelihood of retaliation against sharks. In the final chapter, I synthesize my results and offer next steps to advance our knowledge of shark ecology in St. Croix and the study of shark depredation in recreational fisheries. This dissertation highlights the utility of multifaceted approaches to addressing conservation conflicts and fills significant knowledge gaps that exist in the changing seascape of shark conservation

Using the theory of self-regulation to assess the correlation between self-monitoring adherence, lifestyle behaviors, and health outcomes among type two diabetic patients

This thesis explores the relationship that self-monitoring may have on behaviors and health outcomes among type two diabetic patients. The Theory of Self-Regulation was the theoretical foundation for this thesis. The first aim was to measure association between rates of self-monitoring of diet, physical activity, blood glucose, and weight in study participants. The second was to examine the associations between adherence to self-monitoring and changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors among participants during the three-month study period. The final aim was to examine association between adherence to self-monitoring and changes in health outcomes of hemoglobin A1c and weight change among participants during the three-month study period. The parent study recruited participants from the Texas Medical Center at various diabetes education programs, and the participants were comprised solely of Type 2 diabetic patients. Because the parent study was a feasibility study, there is no placebo group for comparison. Correlation analysis was used to measure the association between variables and found that there was a relationship between the self-monitoring behaviors of diet, physical activity, weight, and blood glucose. Self-monitoring of physical activity also has a statistically significant relationship with increased physical activity levels. The other correlations did not have statistically significant findings. Further research with a larger sample size and an experimental design is needed in order to better study the effects that self-monitoring might have on behavior and health outcomes