Breaking through the Sexed Glass Ceiling: Women in Academic Leadership Positions

In 2009, Patterson, Kirschke, Seaton and Hossfeld revisited the ongoing conversation about gender inequity and inequality in higher education. Their work entitled Challenges for Women Department Chairs (New Prairie Press, 2009) focused on the numerous gaps – salary, promotion, discrimination, harassment -- that define women’s experiences in academic leadership. The emerging trends in academia still suggest that the work that they started in 2009 continues to be a vital concern for women in academic leadership positions. Very little research exists in relation to the intersectional conversations that need to occur when these gendered gaps are coupled with other aspects of difference including age, appearance, race, field and ethnicity. In spite of the lack of research focused on the intersections among aspects of difference as they relate to women in academic leadership, the lived experiences of women academic leaders is defined by both covert overt acts of gender-based and intersectional discrimination that is deeply entrenched in the academy. As women rise in the ranks of academic leadership, it is critical for women in academic leadership positions to address this entrenchment by exposing the multiple axes of this bias and by incorporating real-world solutions to the problems that we face. As importantly, this entrenchment has been complicated by the ways in which the current political climate has impacted the work of the university in reference sexism, racism and the risk of campus carry initiatives. Women serving in leadership roles at the college level, provost level and as department chairs – arguably one of the most difficult positions in academia – must advocate for their own work as academic leaders while simultaneously continuing to expand their administrative and research profiles. In this seminar, participants will have the opportunity to evaluate, discuss and respond to real-life scenarios focused on women in academic leadership. The panelists will frame the discussion by presenting an extensive literature review, relevant data and experience-driven solutions so that presenters will leave the panel with a heuristic through which to derive solutions for the issues that women leaders in academia face. Participants will have the opportunity to review case studies and derive real-world solutions to the problems that women leader face in academia

Chemical pneumonitis and subsequent reactive airways dysfunction syndrome after a single exposure to a household product: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Household products are usually safe to use. Adverse events arising from their use are mostly reported in patients with pre-existing atopy or pulmonary problems and usually only after a prolonged exposure to such products. We report the case of a patient with no prior problems who developed significant side effects from a single exposure to a domestic product.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 43-year-old Caucasian American man, previously in good health, used a domestic aerosol product called 'Stand N' Seal "Spray-On" Grout Sealer' in an enclosed room in his house. The product contained n-butyl acetate (<5%), propane (10%), isobutane (<5%), C8-C9 petroleum hydrocarbon solvent (80%), a fluoropolymer resin and a solvent. Within a few hours of exposure to the sealant, he developed rapidly progressive shortness of breath and a severe non-productive cough. By the time he reached the emergency room he was severely hypoxic. A diagnosis of chemical pneumonitis was made based on the clinical scenario and the diffuse infiltrates on the computer tomography scan. With supportive therapy, his condition improved and he was discharged from the hospital. However, he continued to have symptoms of intermittent cough and shortness of breath in response to strong odours, fumes, cold air and exertion even after his chest radiograph had normalized. Three months later, bronchial hyper-responsiveness was documented by a methacholine inhalation test and a diagnosis of reactive airways dysfunction syndrome was made. The patient was started on high-dose inhaled steroids and his symptoms improved. The mechanism of toxicity and determination of the exact agent responsible is still under investigation.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A household product may still prove unsafe to use even after it has gone through vigorous testing and approval processes. Even healthy individuals are susceptible to adverse outcomes after a brief exposure. Extra precautions should be taken when using any chemical product at home.</p

Echocardiography findings in COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units: a multi-national observational study (the ECHO-COVID study)

Purpose: Severely ill patients affected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) develop circulatory failure. We aimed to report patterns of left and right ventricular dysfunction in the first echocardiography following admission to intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Retrospective, descriptive study that collected echocardiographic and clinical information from severely ill COVID-19 patients admitted to 14 ICUs in 8 countries. Patients admitted to ICU who received at least one echocardiography between 1st February 2020 and 30th June 2021 were included. Clinical and echocardiographic data were uploaded using a secured web-based electronic database (REDCap). Results: Six hundred and seventy-seven patients were included and the first echo was performed 2 [1, 4] days after ICU admission. The median age was 65 [56, 73] years, and 71% were male. Left ventricle (LV) and/or right ventricle (RV) systolic dysfunction were found in 234 (34.5%) patients. 149 (22%) patients had LV systolic dysfunction (with or without RV dysfunction) without LV dilatation and no elevation in filling pressure. 152 (22.5%) had RV systolic dysfunction. In 517 patients with information on both paradoxical septal motion and quantitative RV size, 90 (17.4%) had acute cor pulmonale (ACP). ACP was associated with mechanical ventilation (OR &gt; 4), pulmonary embolism (OR &gt; 5) and increased PaCO2. Exploratory analyses showed that patients with ACP and older age were more likely to die in hospital (including ICU). Conclusion: Almost one-third of this cohort of critically ill COVID-19 patients exhibited abnormal LV and/or RV systolic function in their first echocardiography assessment. While LV systolic dysfunction appears similar to septic cardiomyopathy, RV systolic dysfunction was related to pressure overload due to positive pressure ventilation, hypercapnia and pulmonary embolism. ACP and age seemed to be associated with mortality in this cohort

9/11-Related Experiences and Tasks of Landfill and Barge Workers: Qualitative Analysis from the World Trade Center Health Registry

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Few studies have documented the experiences of individuals who participated in the recovery and cleanup efforts at the World Trade Center Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills Landfill, on debris loading piers, and on transport barges after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of workers and volunteers from the World Trade Center Health Registry. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the narratives.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty workers and volunteers were interviewed. They described the transport of debris to the Landfill via barges, the tasks and responsibilities associated with their post-9/11 work at the Landfill, and their reflections on their post-9/11 experiences. Tasks included sorting through debris, recovering human remains, searching for evidence from the terrorist attacks, and providing food and counseling services. Exposures mentioned included dust, fumes, and odors. Eight years after the World Trade Center disaster, workers expressed frustration about poor risk communication during recovery and cleanup work. Though proud of their contributions in the months after 9/11, some participants were concerned about long-term health outcomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This qualitative study provided unique insight into the experiences, exposures, and concerns of understudied groups of 9/11 recovery and cleanup workers. The findings are being used to inform the development of subsequent World Trade Center Health Registry exposure and health assessments.</p

Comorbid Persistent Lower Respiratory Symptoms and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder 5–6 Years Post-9/11 in Responders Enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry

Background Co-occurrence of lower respiratory symptoms (LRS) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been increasingly recognized among responders and survivors of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. Information is limited on the degree which comorbidity intensifies symptoms and compromises quality of life across exposed groups. Methods Among responders who completed the first and second Registry surveys, measures of respiratory illness, psychological distress, and diminished quality of life were compared between responders comorbid for LRS and PTSD and responders with only LRS or PTSD. Results Of 14,388 responders, 40% of those with LRS and 57% of those with PTSD were comorbid. When demographic and WTC exposure-related factors were controlled, comorbid responders compared to those with LRS alone were twice as likely to have frequent dyspnea and to have sought care for dyspnea. Compared to responders with PTSD alone, comorbid responders were 2.1 times more likely to report intense re-experiencing of the disaster, 2.5 times more likely to express feelings of significant non-specific psychological distress, and 1.4 times more likely to have received mental health care. Comorbid responders were approximately three times more likely to report only fair or poor general health and more than twice as likely to report being unable to perform usual activities for ≥14 of 30 days before interview. Conclusions Outcomes in comorbid responders were similar to or more severe than in comorbid survivors. Health care and disaster relief providers must suspect comorbid illness when evaluating responders' respiratory or mental illnesses and consider treatment for both

An Overview of 9/11 Experiences and Respiratory and Mental Health Conditions among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees

http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/61276/1/farfel m, digrande l, brackbill r, galea s, overview of 9-11 experiences and respiratory and mental haelth conditions.pd