Targeting Ageism and Ableism: A Simulation on Loss and Decline

Young individuals commonly experience difficulties in understanding functional loss and sensory decline frequently accompanying normative aging processes (Bodner, 2009; Kusumastuti, vanFenema, Polman-van Stratum, Achterberg, Lindenberg, & Westendorp, 2017). Utilizing the framework of Wood (2003), this workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience regarding common functional loss and sensory decline occurring across the lifespan as well as engage in caregiving tasks. This aging simulation will also be used to investigate ageism and ableism as it relates to the lived experiences of those living with loss and decline and in-depth account of contemporary models of aging as they pertain to Successful Aging and Positive Psychology will also be explored

Targeting Ageism and Ableism: a Simulation on Loss and Decline

Presentation given at the The D.I.F. Conference, Georgia Southern University. Young individuals commonly experience difficulties in understanding functional loss and sensory decline frequently accompanying normative aging processes (Bodner, 2009; Kusumastuti, vanFenema, Polman-van Stratum, Achterberg, Lindenberg, & Westendorp, 2017). Utilizing the framework of Wood (2003), this workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience regarding common functional loss and sensory decline occurring across the lifespan as well as engage in caregiving tasks. This aging simulation will also be used to investigate ageism and ableism as it relates to the lived experiences of those living with loss and decline and in-depth account of contemporary models of aging as they pertain to Successful Aging and Positive Psychology will also be explored

Effects of Bisphenol-A and Styrene on Fertilization and Development of the Purple Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus)

Plastic waste and debris have greatly increased in the marine environment during the past 50 years. Not only do these plastics entangle and get ingested by marine mammals, turtles, and sea birds, but they also leach chemicals, such as bisphenol-A (BPA) and styrene into the aquatic environment. While some of these chemicals are known to be toxic, few studies have examined their effects on broadcast spawning marine invertebrates, specifically at environmentally relevant concentrations. Purple sea urchins, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, from the central coast of California, were utilized to examine effects of BPA and styrene on fertilization success and early development of resulting embryos. Previous research has demonstrated that BPA and styrene decrease successful fertilization and delay development of sea urchins, though no previous studies have examined effects of continuous chemical treatment on S. purpuratus development. We exposed eggs, sperm, or both to environmentally relevant concentrations of BPA or styrene (100 µg/L, 500 µg/L, and 1000 µg/L) to test the hypothesis that continuous treatment would lead to developmental abnormalities. The greatest effect was observed in pluteus larvae development, as the percentage of normal embryos decreased by as much as 80% in high dose chemical treatments (p

Connecting Community to Research: A Training Program to Increase Community Partnerships in Research

Background: Community Engaged Research (CEnR) as a means to address health disparities has emphasized the necessity for community members to partner with researchers. The Boston University CTSI identified the local need to increase the number and diversity of community members ready and willing to engage in the research process. Methods: Connecting Community to Research (CCR) was designed to train community groups interested in improving the health of their community. Trainings were adapted from existing curricula with input from a 12 member advisory panel. The goal was to help trainees understand the various roles they can play along the research process. In a 1-2 hour training, participants were guided through an introduction to CEnR and learned how sharing their stories could inform research. The training concluded with an evaluation survey and opportunities to get connected to loco-regional projects. Results: From December 2015 to November 2016, 100 participants of diverse backgrounds were trained at 7 sessions: 56% identified as White, 35% African American, and 6% other races. Evaluation data indicated: 94% of trainees understood how research could address a community concern, 82% understood how to use their stories to inform research, and 53% intended to participate as an advocate in research. Conclusion: These data suggest trainings like CCR can increase the number and diversity of community members willing to engage in research. While this introductory training generated positive results, additional trainings with varying levels of skill development may be needed to further empower community members to engage as partners in research

Analysis of a Standardized Suicide Intervention Training for Counselor Trainees

The present study evaluates the impact of an evidence-based suicide intervention model and how pedagogical practices of counselor education programs may prepare counselors-in-training (CIT) to respond to clients who are considering suicide. Using content analysis to explore pre and post-training data, the researchers examined the impact of the 14-hour evidence-based Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) on 54 CITs (76% female, 24% male; 58% White, 20% African American, 11% Latinx/Hispanic, 11% Other), with a mean age of 30 years (SD =8.6). Further data were collected 6 months later, after CITs had the opportunity to utilize suicide intervention skills during their clinical experiences. Content analysis yielded several changes between pre- and post-training data which elucidate the process of suicide intervention skill acquisition. CITs also reported having frequently applied their skills during clinical internship with clients considering suicide. Findings support the use of ASIST in the preparation of future counselors

Design and Evaluation of a Socially Assistive Robot Schoolwork Companion for College Students with ADHD

College students with ADHD respond positively to simple socially assistive robots (SARs) that monitor attention and provide non-verbal feedback, but studies have been done only in brief in-lab sessions. We present an initial design and evaluation of an in-dorm SAR study companion for college students with ADHD. This work represents the introductory stages of an ongoing user-centered, participatory design process. In a three-week within-subjects user study, university students (N=11) with self-reported symptoms of adult ADHD had a SAR study companion in their dorm room for two weeks and a computer-based system for one week. Toward developing SARs for long-term, in-dorm use, we focus on 1) evaluating the usability and desire for SAR study companions by college students with ADHD and 2) collecting participant feedback about the SAR design and functionality. Participants responded positively to the robot; after one week of regular use, 91% (10 of 11) chose to continue using the robot voluntarily in the second week

Topic search filters: a systematic scoping review

This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving. © 2018 Health Libraries Group All rights reserved. This author accepted manuscript is made available following 24 month embargo from date of publication (Dec 2018) in accordance with the publisher’s archiving policyBackground Searching for topics within large biomedical databases can be challenging, especially when topics are complex, diffuse, emerging or lack definitional clarity. Experimentally derived topic search filters offer a reliable solution to effective retrieval; however, their number and range of subject foci remain unknown. Objectives This systematic scoping review aims to identify and describe available experimentally developed topic search filters. Methods Reports on topic search filter development (1990‐) were sought using grey literature sources and 15 databases. Reports describing the conception and prospective development of a database‐specific topic search and including an objectively measured estimate of its performance (‘sensitivity’) were included. Results Fifty‐four reports met inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and thematically synthesised to describe the characteristics of 58 topic search filters. Discussion Topic search filters are proliferating and cover a wide range of subjects. Filter reports, however, often lack clear definitions of concepts and topic scope to guide users. Without standardised terminology, filters are challenging to find. Information specialists may benefit from a centralised topic filter repository and appraisal checklists to facilitate quality assessment. Conclusion Findings will help information specialists identify existing topic search filters and assist filter developers to build on current knowledge in the field

Toward a Posthuman Education

The text of our manifesto will introduce posthumanism to a curriculum studies audience and propose new directions for curriculum theory and educational research more broadly. Following a description of what is variously called the “posthuman condition” or the “posthuman era,” our manifesto outlines the main theoretical features of posthumanism with particular attention to how it challenges or problematizes the nearly ubiquitous assumptions of humanism. In particular, we focus on how posthumanism responds to the history of Western humanism’s justification and encouragement of colonialism, slavery, the objectification of women, the thoughtless slaughter of non-human animals, and ecological devastation. We dwell on the question of how posthumanism may alter our understanding of the claim “education is political,” since humanism has shaped our very notions of “education” and “politics.” After outlining posthumanist discourse generally, and detailing the conceptual challenges it poses for education, we propose a list of possible new avenues for curriculum studies research opened up by posthumanism

Breaking Bad News: A Randomized Trial Assessing Resident Performance After Novel Video Instruction

Introduction; Delivering bad news to patients is an essential skill for physicians, which is often developed through patient encounters. Residents in our program participate in objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) on an annual basis to evaluate their skills in these scenarios. Our objectives were to develop an educational video and determine if an educational video provided to residents prior to OSCEs would improve performance. Methods: Previous OSCEs were reviewed to identify best practices and to create a four-minute video highlighting the "do's and don'ts" of delivering bad news. Residents in two post-graduate year (PGY) classes were randomized to watch the video prior to or after a standardized patient encounter. Three masked reviewers assessed resident empathy, attention, and understanding on 10 five-point Likert scales and assigned a total score (scale: 0-50). Hedges' g was used to assess mean scores and effect size. Results: A total of 17 residents participated in the evaluation: nine in the pre-OSCE video group and eight in the control group. Residents randomized to the video prior to the patient encounter had a mean score of 37.01 (SD=3.6). Residents randomized to the control group had a mean score of 35.38 (SD=4.85). Hedges' g was 0.37 (95% CI: -0.59 to 1.33). Conclusion: Residents randomized to the video group had a small increase in OSCE performance, which was not statistically significant. The novel video was helpful and addresses the need for a quick pre-assessment educational tool, though interns and graduating medical students may be a more appropriate target audience for instruction