Challenges Affecting Educator Careers of Black Male Teachers in K-12 System in South Carolina: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the multifaceted challenges that impact the careers of Black male teachers within the K-12 education system in South Carolina. Despite efforts to increase diversity in the teaching profession, Black male educators remain underrepresented, facing unique obstacles that can hinder their work due to growth and retention. Grounded on critical race theory and Black male identity theory Through in-depth interviews and rigorous analysis, this research uncovered these educators\u27 lived experiences and perspectives on the complex interplay of factors that shape their career trajectories. The study employed a phenomenological approach to capture the essence of the challenges faced by Black male teachers in South Carolina. By engaging participants in reflective dialogues, the research revealed the issues related to racial identity, cultural perceptions, institutional dynamics, and community expectations. Findings from this study contributed to a deeper understanding of the obstacles that hinder the progression of Black male teachers in South Carolina\u27s K-12 education system. The qualitative data analysis provided insights into how these educators navigated stereotype threats, lack of representation, limited advancement opportunities, and cultural misconceptions. In addressing the identified challenges, stakeholders can develop targeted strategies to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for Black male teachers. Such efforts are essential for cultivating a diverse teaching workforce that better reflects the student population, fosters positive role models, and ultimately enriches the educational experiences of all students in South Carolina\u27s K-12 schools

Survival of Salmonella Strains in Ground Beef Containing Varying Fat Contents and Heated at Varying Calculated Lethalities

Americans consume 28 lbs of ground beef annually. Beef can become contaminated with Salmonella during the initial slaughter process. Whole cuts of meat are ground into other products and the contamination spreads. This increases the risk of food borne illness for many Americans that consume ground beef products. The purpose of this study is to determine if adequate microbial destruction of Salmonella populations in ground beef of different fat levels can be achieved at temperatures that are lower than government guidelines. Ground beef was inoculated with a four-strain mixture of Salmonella. Three fat levels of ground beef were used (10, 17, and 25% fat). Samples of ground beef (10g) were heated in a water bath to target temperatures of 60, 65.5, and 71.1°C. The heated samples were removed from the water bath at predetermined time intervals and cooled in an ice bath. Salmonella was enumerated on plate count agar (PCA). Serotype survival was also analyzed. The heat treatments significantly decreased bacteria populations (p \u3c 0.05) and the 60, 65.6, and 71.1 °C heat treatments were significantly different from each other. The results indicate that fat level had no significant effect on bacterial survival (p \u3e 0.05). Also, S. Senftenburg was found most often during longer exposure to heat treatment. Overall, the results indicate that combinations of heating at 60, 65.6 °C can achieve similar bacterial destruction as heating at 71.1 °C and should be considered by manufactures that use ground beef

Integrating community health workers in schools

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Urban Studies and Planning, 2013.Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.Includes bibliographical references (p. 59-63).The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) has set the tone for a radically revised health landscape in America that focuses on community-based care. Our health care system, however, has neither the infrastructure nor the vision to properly account for these demands. One possible solution is to redefine how established positions and organizations can be utilized to help accommodate the emerging needs. School-based health centers (SBHCs), for example, have traditionally provided general health services to students and members of the surrounding community. In many low-income neighborhoods, however, the needs of the community members far outpace the capabilities of the SBHCs and local community-based health centers. One promising answer to the need for community-based care is the integration of community health workers (CHWs) in SBHCs. The PPACA has identified CHWs as an integral component of health teams. They serve to connect people who have been historically marginalized to necessary health services and advocate on the behalf of community needs. This commentary proposes the integration of the CHW role into schools to provide comprehensive health-services to more students and community members than can be currently served. The argument begins with an examination of Massachusetts' CHW advocates' struggle to legitimize the field to gain the professional respect of other medical professions. Next, it explores the possibilities of a CHW in a school setting and makes recommendations to improve the viability and effectiveness of the role. It closes with an analysis of different views of community-based care and the role of planning in negotiating future workforce development challenges.by Roy Jerome (RJ) Williams, III.M.C.P

The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same: Online Platforms and Consumer Equality

Title II of the Civil Rights Act, along with its counterpart state laws, have protected the rights of racial minorities in the United States for decades. Section 1981 has guaranteed contract rights for all people, regardless of race, since 1868. But times are changing. Racial discrimination claims against 21st century technology companies face challenges when brought under existing laws. Even the relatively current Communications Decency Act (CDA) is unhelpful to consumers attempting to seek redress from online platforms. In this article, we analyze the only cases of consumer discrimination brought against providers of the sharing economy and highlight some of the obstacles faced by plaintiffs. Next, we evaluate state and federal laws commonly relied upon by plaintiffs in traditional consumer discrimination cases. Our unique contribution involves a detailed review of outcomes of claims at various stages of litigation from motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment to trials and appeals in both state and federal court. The study’s results provide lawyers, practitioners, and policymakers with information about litigants’ success rates and inform our proposals for amending the law to accommodate consumer discrimination claims against online platforms

Efficient Deep Learning Models with Autoencoder Regularization and Information Bottleneck Compression

Improving efficiency in deep learning models implies achieving a more accurate model for a given computational budget, or conversely a faster, leaner model without losing accuracy. In order to improve efficiency, we can use regularization to to improve generalization to the real world, and compression to improve speed. Due to the information-restricting nature of regularization, these two methods are related. Firstly we present a novel autoencoder architecture as a method of regularization for Pedestrian Detection. Secondly, we present a hyperparameter-free, iterative compression method based on measuring the information content of the model with the Information Bottleneck principle.Thesis (MPhil) -- University of Adelaide, School of Computer Science, 201

Managing the Tensions at the Intersection of the Triple Bottom Line: A Paradox Theory Approach to Sustainability Management

Corporate sustainability management encompasses multiple dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. Companies are increasingly evaluated within the public sphere, and within their own organizations, according to the degree to which they are perceived to simultaneously promote this nexus of virtues. This article seeks to explore the tensions frequently faced by organizations that strive to manage these dimensions and the role of public policy in that pursuit. A multiple–case study approach is utilized in which the authors selected case organizations according to whether they were attempting to manage the three dimensions of sustainability. The authors utilize paradox theory and a typology provided by previous research to understand the nature of the tensions that emerge in the selected case study organizations. They extend this previous work by examining the role of public policy in providing the situational conditions to make these paradoxical tensions salient, and they examine organizational responses to these conditions. Directions for firms, policy makers, and future researchers are provided on the basis of this study’s findings

Managing the Tensions at the Intersection of the Triple Bottom Line: A Paradox Theory Approach to Sustainability Management

Corporate sustainability management encompasses multiple dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. Companies are increasingly evaluated within the public sphere, and within their own organizations, according to the degree to which they are perceived to simultaneously promote this nexus of virtues. This article seeks to explore the tensions frequently faced by organizations that strive to manage these dimensions and the role of public policy in that pursuit. A multiple–case study approach is utilized in which the authors selected case organizations according to whether they were attempting to manage the three dimensions of sustainability. The authors utilize paradox theory and a typology provided by previous research to understand the nature of the tensions that emerge in the selected case study organizations. They extend this previous work by examining the role of public policy in providing the situational conditions to make these paradoxical tensions salient, and they examine organizational responses to these conditions. Directions for firms, policy makers, and future researchers are provided on the basis of this study’s findings