Hiroshima and Mass Trauma Today: Treating Post-traumatic Stress Disorder in Individuals and Communities

At 8:15 am on August 6th, 1945, the world and the way in which we fight wars changed forever. Immediately following the drop of the Little Boy atomic bomb, the city of Hiroshima was decimated, leaving the surviving citizens to deal with poverty, starvation, loss of loved ones, and utter destruction of their lives. After the bombing, survivors were left with burns, radiation poisoning, and physical scars. Unknown to the survivors of the atomic bombings, or Hibakusha, were the ensuing psychological and emotional damages. In 2014, we know more about traumatic experiences than in 1945. Studies from Hiroshima’s Hibakusha have been invaluable to help us understand the psychological effects of traumatic events on the individual. As warfare continues in countries around the world and civilians become targeted more frequently, it is important to understand the factors involved in the process of overcoming stress-related disorders. Hiroshima stands out as the city that has become a leader in positive peace movements and global grassroots nuclear disarmament. By looking at the responses and methods used to treat individuals, we can begin to extend the knowledge about how to treat populations who have undergone mass traumas

Learning to Swim: The ACT Approach to Living with Depression

This illustrated self-help manual was designed as a basis for treatment for individuals of a wide range of ages experiencing depression. The therapeutic base of the manual is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which outlines the pathology of depression as problems in functioning rather than problems in the individual. The ACT theory of depression views problems in functioning as centered around the way negative emotions are perceived and processed through language and problematic actions or inaction as a result of cognitive distortions. Because of problems with language, the manual is illustrated to help the reader understand the foundations of ACT and how it can be used to correct the cognitive distortions and problems in functioning that lead to depressed moods. Various exercises are included in the manual that are modified versions of those developed by David Burns and Russ Harris for practical application of ACT theories. The manual uses large, basic, and black and white illustrations so that readers are able to easily connect to the message, as recommended by the critical analyses of comic and graphic formats by Scott McCloud. The manual serves to introduce audiences to the basic principles of ACT and encourage further use of ACT in daily life with a therapist or individual self-help

Analysis of Job-sites in San Luis Obispo County Adapting to Unforeseen Wet Conditions

Wet conditions are unpredictable factors that nonetheless, are estimated and incorporated onto a long term project schedule. Effective scheduling does mitigate the productivity of a job-site, however, when you factor in unforeseen wet conditions, it could result in schedule delays, material damages, and a discontent client. This paper presents an analysis on how job-sites adapted or were affected by the unpredicted amount of rain received in San Luis Obispo County. The initial findings, based on qualitative attitudinal research, are presented to show if schedules accounted for the amount of rain received, if their schedules were delayed, if material was damaged on the job-site, if they missed out on financial opportunities, and if they adapted to unforeseen wet conditions. Further discussions, based on qualitative exploratory research, are presented to identify strategies used by general contractors who mitigated the delays associated with rain days. The survey results indicate general contractors in San Luis Obispo County struggled to adapt during unforeseen wet conditions. The interview results analyzed common or successful strategies used by five different general contractors. With the identification of proper strategies, one could improve the productivity on the job-site during unforeseen wet conditions

Gastrointestinal Bleeding Events and Statin Use: A Large Propensity Score-Matched Retrospective Cohort Study

Literature is conflicting regarding the association between statin use and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. This study sought to determine whether there is an association between statin use and GI bleeding by comparing incidence of gastrointestinal events between statin users and an active comparator group. Data was obtained from a large administrative claims database composed of subjects enrolled in a selection of insurance plans throughout the United States from 2009-2014. New statin users (exposed) and thyroid medication users (active comparator, unexposed) were followed from the baseline period (one year prior to medication initiation) until first event, discontinuation, or disenrollment. Subjects were matched using a propensity score based on demographics, comorbidities, healthcare utilization, and medication use. Odds of gastrointestinal events, including GIH, gastroduodenal (GD) ulcer, and gastritis/duodenitis were compared between groups. The final analysis included 1,442,954 statin users matched using a 1:1 algorithm with replacement to thyroid medication users. Frequency of GIH in the unexposed group was 0.56±0.01% and frequency in the low, moderate, and high-intensity statin users group was 0.81±0.03%, 0.91±0.02%, and 0.90±0.05% respectively (p\u3c0.002). Statin users had 1.81 times the rate of GIH compared to the active comparator group (HR 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.76-1.86). Hazard ratios for GD ulcer and gastritis/duodenitis events were 1.13 (CI 0.618-2.05) and 1.19 (CI 0.796-1.80) respectively. Practitioners should consider these trends when prescribing statins in patients at high- risk of bleeding. Additional research is needed to verify the association between statins and GIH

The Effects of Using GeoGebra on Student Achievement in Secondary Mathematics

According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), in 2010 approximately 30% of 12th grade United States (U.S.) students were proficient or advanced in mathematics, 38% were basic in mathematics, and 32% were below basic (NCES, 2013). The U.S. adopted the curricula of higher performing nations through the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The CCSS for mathematics advises teachers to integrate technology into the classroom as a manipulative to help students engage in high-level mathematical concepts. The purpose of this study was to determine if integrating GeoGebra, an iPad application, would have a positive effect on student understanding of High School Geometry. This is an experimental quantitative study with a nonequivalent pre-test and post-test design using a treatment (i.e., using GeoGebra) and a control group (i.e., not using GeoGebra). During the five-week intervention, the treatment group used GeoGebra while the control group had normal instruction. Independent and paired t-tests were conducted to determine if significant differences were found between the treatment and the control groups scores on the Module 5 math test. Based on the results, student scores improved when using the application (i.e., treatment group); however, not statistically higher than the control group. Therefore, future studies need to be conducted to continue to assess the effectiveness of using iPads during instruction

Meaningful Measurement Matters: Defining Potentially Inappropriate Medication Use to Target Cognitive Outcomes

Preventable and unintended consequences of medication use occur in more than 25% of ambulatory and hospitalized patients, and nearly half of long-term care patients. Unfortunately, many medications used to treat common health conditions in older adults (such as anxiety, behavioral disturbances, incontinence, insomnia, depression, and pain) have also been linked to cognitive impairment and decline. Recently, substantial efforts to investigate medications and medication classes that may be associated with cognitive impairment and decline in older adults have been undertaken. Unfortunately, studies have used a wide variety of different tools to define “potentially inappropriate medication” (PIM) use, and no published literature has consistently associated a particular medication appropriateness tool with cognitive outcomes, leaving clinicians and patients without a much-needed approach to deprescribing for preservation of cognitive function. Given the national focus on prevention of cognitive decline, the vast pool of available PIM measurement tools, and the variety of ways in which to consider exposure to PIMs, there is a need to determine which tool (if any) identifies PIMs most strongly associated with cognitive decline. Without widespread consensus as to what measure of PIM use is the best to use when studying the aptitude of medications to cause cognitive decline, clinicians will not have the tools they need to improve outcomes for their patients. As the world awaits further developments that may one day produce an effective treatment (or even cure) for the terrible brain-destroying disease of dementia, we can take steps today to improve medication therapy that may dampen its horrific impact on the lives of older adults and their loved ones. In this work, we set out to examine the issue of measuring medication appropriateness to target cognitive outcomes with the intent of informing future research and clinical practice. While the gold-standard in evidence generation remains randomized placebo-controlled clinical trials, we have seen that even the most rigorously performed trials are not useful to generate evidence if there is not a consistent meaning to inappropriate medication. Groundwork must laid to provide crucial validation and consensus to the measurement of medication appropriateness in light of cognition, and then it must be applied to numerous prospective research endeavors in order to provide a synthesized evidence-base for how medications should be managed to ensure appropriate use in older adults wishing to preserve cognition. In the first section, we have provided a historical context for the importance of medication management, described the current state of affairs in the US and around the world, and provided an overview of the available tools that have been used to measure medication appropriateness with a perspective toward cognition. Section two will utilize a number of these tools to estimate prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use in various populations of American older adults. The next section will use various methodological techniques and data sources to explore how some of these tools may or may not be associated with cognitive decline in older adults. We will define both PIM use and cognitive decline in a variety of ways to determine the effect varying definitions may have on new evidence generation. Finally, we will explore how the findings provided in this work may be applied to clinical practice, future research endeavors, and governmental policies

The Importance of Faculty Mentorship in Higher Education

Faculty mentorship can have an impact on a student\u27s academic performance and career exploration in higher education. Several studies have highlighted the stressors that can hinder students from pursuing higher education, including the gap between themselves and their peers. However, data has supported that many of these concerns are not only addressed by faculty support but oftentimes are resolved by the increased opportunities these mentorships provide. Faculty mentoring programs, such as the Faculty Advising Program, offer students the consistent guidance and resources needed to thrive during their time in college. The data presented for our poster is from our own program here at Texas A&M University-San Antonio and includes over 4 years of survey data that allows us to make a thorough analysis and provide consistent results. Therefore, the question we wish to answer is, what is the extent, importance, and impact of faculty mentorship on college students

The Role of Mycelium in Bioretention Systems: Evaluation of Nutrient Retention in Mycorrhizae-inoculated Mescocosms

Bioretention systems have become an increasingly common method for treating stormwater in urban areas, which help reduce peak flows and remove contaminants from stormwater. However, nutrients often leach out of the bioretention soil mix, which can contribute to the degradation of receiving waters in bioretention systems with underdrains. Development of mycelium may improve retention of nutrients and increase the water-holding capacity. To evaluate the impact of mycelium on nutrient leaching from bioretention systems, ectomycorrhizal and endomycorrhizal fungi were added to the bioretention soil mix to promote mycelium growth. A proprietary mix with bacteria and mycorrhizal fungi also was tested. Mesocosms were planted with Carex stipata, a native sedge with endomycorrhizal associations. Four tests were conducted with collected stormwater. Lower rates of phosphorus export were observed in mescocosms with mycorrhizal fungi; the export of total phosphorus was reduced by 13–48%, and the export of phosphate was reduced by 14–60%. There also was evidence of additional copper and nitrate uptake in mesocosms with mycorrhizal fungi. Retention of total phosphorus and phosphate, rather than export, was observed in mesocosms with the proprietary mix, but export rates of nitrate were high. This study indicates that mycelium may help reduce phosphorus export from bioretention systems

Just Cut It Out

Why should we care about trees? Social, Economic, and Environmental benefits