Twenty-Three Days: An Autoethnographic Account of the Washington, D.C. Sniper Shootings

Our lives are often defined by the struggles we confront because in facing these trials we must reflect upon experiences and the power others have in shaping our reactions. The Washington, D.C. sniper shootings of October 2002 are one case of such terror. My own experiences with two shootings in my hometown and living extremely close to others serves as the background for this autoethnography, detailing what I and my family faced during that single month. The focus, however, is not the snipers but family communication and how parents help children cope during unimaginable crises. This autoethnography is divided into three sections: a history of the sniper attacks, my narrative account, and a connection to pertinent literature along with my reflections seven years later

Insight

This Podcast brings about conflicts throughout the world that many are oblivious to or ignorant towards.To connect ourselves to our audience, we not only speak of situations from around the world but we also bring in the opnions of an international student to speak on behalf of his fellow collegues. We reveal that there is more to the world than the black and white situation shown in social media so that the world may no longer be able to utter the phrase, “ignorance is bliss” and use it as an excuse for not helping others. We also provide different solutions and ways they are able to get involved so that not only our voice be heard but theirs as well. Showing that there is power in the multitude

Hate and Guns: A Terrifying Combination

Congress and state legislatures should pass laws that prevent individuals convicted of hate crimes from buying or possessing firearms.

The Impact of Crown Conch on Intertidal Oyster Populations in Mosquito Lagoon

Commercial oyster harvesters in Florida have long complained that the Florida crown conch Melongena coronais in competition with them for harvestable-sized eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). Harvesters also suggest that crown conch, rather than overharvesting, has led to a large decline in oyster populations. To determine the role of M. corona on oysters in Mosquito Lagoon, we must first better understand the biology and ecology of M. corona., and to comprehend crown conch biology in Mosquito Lagoon along the east coast of central Florida, we conducted a three-part experiment in Canaveral National Seashore (northern Mosquito Lagoon). Specifically, we designed a field feeding trial to determine prey oyster size preference. To this end, we executed surveys of oyster reefs to gauge the population density of M. corona in Mosquito Lagoon and tracked conch movements in intervals to determine locomotive capabilities. Our results indicate M. corona: 1) was uncommon in Mosquito Lagoon, with the exception of hotspots, 2) did not selectively forage based on tested oyster shell lengths, and 3) moved a mean of 63.5 meters in 24 hours. Based on our abundance data, we estimate that there are 5137 M. corona across 2802 oyster reefs in Mosquito Lagoon (mean: 0.01 conch/m2, with 0.75 conch/m2 in hotspots). More common were thin stripe hermit crabs (Clibanarius vittatus) occupying shells that once housed M. corona. Therefore, it is not likely that M. corona has played a significant role in oyster population declines in Canaveral National Seashore

Ventilator care bundles and their effectiveness in reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in intensive care units

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1115/thumbnail.jp

PrEP in Prisons:HIV prevention in incarcerated populations

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to discuss the possibility of using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) as an HIV harm reduction intervention in prisons. PrEP is primarily discussed in relation to men who have sex with men (MSM), meaning other high-risk populations, such as prisoners, are often side-lined. The authors wanted to consider how it could prove beneficial beyond the MSM community. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: First, the authors discuss whether the common objections to existing HIV harm reduction interventions in prisons, such as needle exchanges, are applicable to PrEP. The authors then apply common objections to the provision of PrEP in the general population to the provision of PrEP in a prison context in order to assess their strength. Finally, the authors discuss what the authors anticipate to be a key objection to PrEP in prisons: post-incarceration access. FINDINGS: The authors argue that both sets of common objections considered are easily refuted in the case of PrEP in prisons. The unique setting and nature of the intervention are such that it is without immediately apparent flaws. In addressing post-incarceration access, the authors suggest that a longitudinal consideration of a prisoner's HIV risk undermines the objection. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This discussion is of importance due to the significantly heightened risk of HIV infection prisoners are subject to. Not only do effective HIV prevention interventions in prisons contribute to fair access to health for incarcerated individuals, but also to the wider fight against HIV. The authors demonstrate that PrEP has potential as a new approach and call for further research in this area

Variation in the syntax of the partitive structure

Proceedings of the 37th Annual Meeting of the Berkeley Linguistics Society (2013), pp. 330-34

Scaling Up Sagebrush Chemistry with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and UAS-Acquired Hyperspectral Imagery

Sagebrush ecosystems (Artemisia spp.) face many threats including large wildfires and conversion to invasive annuals, and thus are the focus of intense restoration efforts across the western United States. Specific attention has been given to restoration of sagebrush systems for threatened herbivores, such as Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) and pygmy rabbits (Brachylagus idahoensis), reliant on sagebrush as forage. Despite this, plant chemistry (e.g., crude protein, monoterpenes and phenolics) is rarely considered during reseeding efforts or when deciding which areas to conserve. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has proven effective in predicting plant chemistry under laboratory conditions in a variety of ecosystems, including the sagebrush steppe. Our objectives were to demonstrate the scalability of these models from the laboratory to the field, and in the air with a hyperspectral sensor on an unoccupied aerial system (UAS). Sagebrush leaf samples were collected at a study site in eastern Idaho, USA. Plants were scanned with an ASD FieldSpec 4 spectroradiometer in the field and laboratory, and a subset of the same plants were imaged with a SteadiDrone Hexacopter UAS equipped with a Rikola hyperspectral sensor (HSI). All three sensors generated spectral patterns that were distinct among species and morphotypes of sagebrush at specific wavelengths. Lab-based NIRS was accurate for predicting crude protein and total monoterpenes (R2 = 0.7–0.8), but the same NIRS sensor in the field was unable to predict either crude protein or total monoterpenes (R2 \u3c 0.1). The hyperspectral sensor on the UAS was unable to predict most chemicals (R2 \u3c 0.2), likely due to a combination of too few bands in the Rikola HSI camera (16 bands), the range of wavelengths (500–900 nm), and small sample size of overlapping plants (n = 28–60). These results show both the potential for scaling NIRS from the lab to the field and the challenges in predicting complex plant chemistry with hyperspectral UAS. We conclude with recommendations for next steps in applying UAS to sagebrush ecosystems with a variety of new sensors

Reliability and Predictive Validity of Screener/Assessment Tools in Nebraska Juvenile Diversion

Juvenile diversion is offered in most counties throughout Nebraska to eligible youth; and although state guidelines require the use of a screening or assessment tool, the tools utilized are not standardized or uniform statewide. This report quantifies whether the various tools are being reliably administered and are effectively predicting diversion completion and future system involvement. The Juvenile Justice Institute gathered item-level risk/needs screener and assessment data from all juvenile diversion programs receiving Community-based Aid (CBA) funds. Overall, 3,916 youth were assessed for a juvenile diversion program between July 1st, 2015 and June 30th, 2017. The Youth Level of Service Inventory/Case Management Inventory (YLS) comprised the largest number of completed assessments (n = 2,193), followed by the Nebraska Youth Screen (NYS; n = 1,512), and the Arizona Risk-Needs Assessment (ARNA; n = 211). First, we tested the reliability of each tool, which is how well it is consistently performing at predicting risk (i.e., less error in measurement). Reliability analyses revealed the YLS/CMI had the strongest internal consistency of the three measures, which means the items are grouped well together to measure the construct (i.e., risk level). The items within the NYS, however, demonstrated the strongest item-total correlations, which means these items were most related to the overall construct (i.e., risk level). Both the NYS and ARNA had poor internal consistency. Second, we performed Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) analyses to determine the predictive validity of each tool, utilizing both unsuccessful discharge from diversion and future system involvement as outcomes. Results revealed all three tools had predictive validity for unsuccessful diversion completion with large effect sizes (i.e., measure of strength of the relationship). Furthermore, while all three tools demonstrated predictive validity for future system involvement with small to moderate effect sizes, when we tested predictive validity by both gender and race/ethnicity, only the YLS accurately predicted future system involvement for girls, none of the tools accurately predicted future system involvement for Black/African American youth, and only the ARNA accurately predicted future system involvement for Hispanic youth. While it is always recommended to screen and/or assess youth, the tools currently being utilized in Nebraska juvenile diversion programs are not reliably and validly measuring risk for all youth assessed. The most problematic items within each tool were those relating to prior convictions or prior contacts with the legal system. Because this is a diversion population, presumably with little to no prior juvenile justice system involvement, these items poorly capture risk in this population, which in turn contributes to lower reliability and predictive validity. While these findings do not provide definitive results for us to whole-heartedly recommend a tool for juvenile diversion programs at this time, our recommendation is to explore creating/utilizing a risk assessment tool that removes items that measure previous legal system involvement or norming current tools without those items. Future research and practice should continue to explore gender and racial/ethnic differences within youth assessment