Mass School Shootings: Predicting the Usage of Firearms in Acts of School Violence

Due to increased media attention and associated fear, school shootings have become a major concern for the public. Attempts to predict and prevent shootings have been developed by a variety of government agencies such as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A psychological profile, however, has yet to be established. This study uses demographic and behavioral characteristics of perpetrators and school characteristics to predict the likelihood of a perpetrator’s usage of firearms. A total of 345 perpetrators of mass school violence incidents are examined, including 266 who used firearms. White perpetrators and those with fewer co-perpetrators were more likely to use firearms. Results also showed that perpetrators were more likely to use firearms in rural communities compared with urban communities, and in middle and high schools in comparison with elementary schools. Implications include the need for future research on policies that examine school violence prevention and response programs. Active shooter training is important, but responses to other types of weapons should also be examined. The findings show differences in locales for mass school violence events, so gun control legislation should also be tailored to on location. Future prevention programs should take these findings into account, and future research should further examine additional characteristics of schools that experience mass violence

A Comparative Study between Army Civilian Workforce and Private Industry Workforce Workers\u27 Compensation Claims Management

This study compares the Department of the Army, Civilian Worker\u27s Compensation Program to the Private Industry Workforce Worker\u27s Compensation Program. Quantitative research is implemented throughout the study and will compare the cost of workers compensation (WC) claims between the Army and Private Industry. Ultimately, the study will analyze the following items; (a) the Army\u27s current WC program and case management procedures, (b) the description of a gold standard private industry WC program and case management procedures, and (c) a comparison of the costs and outcomes of both programs. Specific research and methodology included an investigation of the Army and Private Industry Workers Compensation doctrine, programs, and policies to gain a greater understanding of what is being implemented and why the private industry workforce serves as a golden standard. Interviews have also been conducted with case managers and safety and occupational health specialist from both workforces. Additionally, the final step included a cost analysis of carpal tunnel workers compensation claims that have been filled from 2008-2012

Equitable Curricula and Assessments for Students With Complex Needs: Structures to Support

This organizational improvement plan (OIP) addresses the inequitable assessment measures that are currently used to support students, all with complex needs, within an urban Educational Service District (ESD) in the Western United States. This Problem of Practice (PoP) considers strategies that can be implemented to ensure that students with complex needs are supported with assessments and curricula that are responsive to their unique needs. Grounded in critical theory, with its focus on social justice and the amelioration of marginalizing practices, the PoP is at its core a consideration of the ways in which students with complex needs are marginalized as they are supported using tools designed for neurotypical or less complex students. The problem is considered within an organizational and historical context, with particular attention paid to the neoliberal context that continues to be prevalent in American education. In addition, the problem is situated within the author’s particular leadership and theoretical belief systems. Guiding questions focus on the connection between collaborative opportunities for teachers and more responsive student assessments and curricula, the connection between increased teacher and parent input and more responsive student assessments and curricula, and the possibility that increased administrator engagement with classroom work of students would lead to more responsive student assessments and curricula. The gap between current and future state is considered, and the change readiness of the organization is discussed. The framework for leading change is considered through a transformative leadership lens. Possible solutions are discussed, with a recommended solution that includes a multi–loop process incorporating an administrator community of practice, a dialogic community group, and classroom knowledge communities. A multi–step framework for change implementation is selected within the context of a discussion of a range of change implementation frameworks, as well as strategies for monitoring and adjustment. Finally, next steps and future considerations provide concrete actions moving forward. When implemented, this OIP will provide the systems and structures needed to ensure that students with complex needs are supported with curricula and assessment tools that are responsive to their specific needs, allowing them to demonstrate their strengths in a meaningful way

Investigation of B cell subsets and vaccination responses in HIV-1 infection and CVID

The contribution of intrinsic defects in B and/or T cell function or impaired T-B cell interaction towards poor recall and neo-antigen vaccine responses in HIV-1 infection are not fully understood. Using CVID as a model for B cell maturation, we show patients with untreated HIV-1 infection have increased transitional and tissue like B cells and reduced IgM memory and class switched memory B cell proportions. Loss of IgM memory B cells is associated with progressive HIV-1. Antiretroviral therapy reduces transitional and tissue like B cell percentages but does not restore IgM memory or class switched memory proportions. Most HIV-1 patients on ART have reduced antibody levels post tetanus and pneumococcal vaccination. IgM memory B cell depletion associates with poor post vaccine IgM pneumococcal titres in HIV-1 suggesting loss of IgM memory B cells may be a risk factor for invasive pneumococcal disease. CVID patients with lung disease had lower memory B cells and a trend towards a loss of IgM memory B cells. IgM memory B cell percentages were protective against bronchiectasis in CVID patients displaying extremely low class switched B cell percentages. Evaluation of proteins implicated in the pathogenesis of PID, autoimmunity and malignancy, showed increased expression of BAFF and APRIL in CVID and untreated HIV-1 and normalisation by ART. BAFF upregulation was associated with CD4 T cell decline without treatment. Expression of BAFF and APRIL ligands demonstrated decreased BAFF-R on class switched memory B cells in HIV-1 and increased TACI on tissue like and memory B cells. A loss of follicular helper T cells in untreated HIV-1 infection was reported, however this was not a selective depletion and numbers were normalised by ART. In conclusion, we identify multiple novel defects in B cell composition in HIV-1 and suggest these may have implications for the design of effective vaccination strategies

Effect of Land Use on Total Suspended Solids and Turbidity in the Little River Watershed, Blount County, Tennessee

The Little River (LR) originates in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), providing drinking water to thousands of residents inBlountCountyas it makes its way to theTennessee River. The upper reaches of the LR watershed have excellent water quality, qualifying it as a hydrologic benchmark river and outstanding national resource. A large outdoor recreation economy has grown dependent on the pristine land and water resources, including whitewater kayaking and rafting, cold and warm water fisheries, hiking, swimming and camping. However, in recent years there has been a documented overall decline in the biological diversity of the LR in the lower reaches outside of the GSMNP boundary, although the reasons are unknown. Sediment is suspected, since high levels can adversely affect water quality, creating an unsuitable habitat for plants and animals. Sediment is a non point source (NPS) pollutant, and is considered the primary cause of water impairment in theUS, and especiallyTennessee. Most watershed restoration planning, including the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) must address sediment pollution. The objectives for this study were to analyze sediment by measuring 1) Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and turbidity in water collected after storm events, 2) quantify the relationship between TSS and turbidity, 3) examine land use effects on measured TSS, and 4) evaluate long term trends in turbidity data collected at the Maryville (Tennessee) Water Treatment Plant, located near the mouth of the LR. Nineteen single stage samplers were installed in May 2003 at 6 sites on the main channel and near the mouths of 13 tributaries to collect storm event water samples. TSS was measured in mg L-1 using a filtration method, and turbidity in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU) was measured with a turbidity meter. The drainage area of each sampling site was classified using a geographical information system (GIS) as either forest, urban, agriculture or mixed use, depending on the relative areas of each land use, and grouped according to percent imperviousness. Results from 28 storm events from May 2003 to June 2004 showed a very wide range in TSS, from a low of less than 1 mg L-1 in the pristine upper reaches to a high of 11,108 mg L-1 in one of the more impacted tributaries. The 13 tributaries had higher TSS than the 6 sites on main channel, yet the upper 4 sites on the main channel did not differ significantly from the lower 2 sites. Forested drainage areas had lower TSS than those that were classified as either agriculture or urban. With the exception of one agricultural drainage area, urban areas had higher TSS than agricultural areas. Since it was shown in this study that TSS and turbidity were highly correlated, turbidity data from 1990 – 2004 analyzed at the Maryville Water Treatment Plant was used as evidence of increasing TSS in the LR Watershed, especially in recent years and almost doubling since 2000. Increased development in urbanizing areas of the lower reaches and poor agricultural practices in other tributaries will continue to threaten the water quality of the LR, and must be taken into consideration in any watershed restoration planning

Greene County Health Literacy Addressing Infant Mortality (HL-AIM)

IMPACT. 1: Reduction of "no-shows" for appointments. -- 2. Decreased reported rates of tobacco and substance abuse during pregnancy. -- 3. Increased knowledge and self-sufficiency through educational sessions on nutrition, health insurance, community resources.OSU PARTNERS: College of Medicine Office for Diversity and Inclusion; Associate Director of Medical Education; Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Office for Diversity and Inclusion; OSU ExtensionCOMMUNITY PARTNERS: Greene County Combined; Health DistrictPRIMARY CONTACT: Robyn Fosnaugh ([email protected]); Melanie Hart ([email protected])A collaborative approach is needed to address infant mortality issues. A literature review indicates that a multidisciplinary team is an ideal model to communicate and coordinate care of obstetric services to improve the outcomes of high-risk pregnancies. A trained Health Advocate will collect information from the mothers during their clinic visits and assess their knowledge and understanding of community health resources, assist their navigation of prenatal care, and track appointments through a "Pregnancy Passport.

Using Technology 24/7 for Regional Assistance After Shutdown of Major Industries

People facing unemployment or who are underemployed need access to community and financial information and resources 24/7. Collaborating with community agencies and organizations, FCS educators developed a website with comprehensive local and state resources and educational tools that the consumer might otherwise not have been aware were available. Although the website was developed for five specific counties, statistics have shown that people in other counties, states and countries have found some of the information valuable. An additional tool, a Facebook page, provides updates on current issues each week

Detecting Soil Macrofauna Using Ground-Penetrating Radar

Fossorial amphibians spend up to ten months belowground, but research into this critical habitat has been impeded by a lack of noninvasive detection methods. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR), however, offers a promising tool because amphibians have theoretically strong electromagnetic (EM) contrasts relative to the soil matrix, and thus potentially high detectability. The objectives of this study were to (1) evaluate GPR by (2) experimentally-inducing three soil thermal regimes that promote stratification in the burrowing depths of 15 Eastern American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) during the winter of 2011–2012 in Madison, WI, USA. We calculated reflectability and established the unique electronic signature of the toads in GPR datasets through measuring the water contents of the soil and toads as a proxy for the relative dielectric constant, an EM metric in GPR assessment. As toads emerged in the spring of 2012, we verified the GPR imagery with their emergence locations. The contrast in relative dielectric constants between the toads and the soil provided reflectance ratings that were 12–24 times greater than the detectable limit and confirmed that the toads were distinguishable from other soil features. The winter mortality of the toads, however, was 73%, which limited the replication with which GPR could be evaluated. We attribute the depth and rate of frost penetration from the treatments and weather of 2012 as the probable cause of mortality. Future research and conservation efforts may be facilitated with GPR by tracking temperate species belowground and linking behavior to environmental stressors