Emergency Department Protocol for Diagnosis and Treatment of Ischemic Strokes

The emergency department is often the frontline of medical treatment for a wide variety of disease and injury including ischemic strokes or CVA. Intravenous tissue plasminogen activator or tPA is the internationally accepted treatment for acute ischemic strokes and can minimize neuronal tissue death if administered appropriately and is more effective when administered closer to acute onset of symptoms. The American Stroke Association recommends tPA to be administered within an hour for the best results and tPA is not recommended to be administered beyond 4.5 hours. Emergency departments are constantly developing new and more efficient protocol to maximize the amount of patients eligible for thrombolytic treatment. Per current research, streamlined code stroke type protocol is the most effective and most widely available emergency department stroke protocol with median door-to-needle times of 20 minutes. Despite the protocol put in place, the goal of all emergency departments is to administer tPA within the 60-minute recommended window to minimize risk and potential neuronal death

Assurance of learning : the role of work integrated learning and industry partners

In the partnering with students and industry it is important for universities to recognize and value the nature of knowledge and learning that emanates from work integrated learning experiences is different to formal university based learning. Learning is not a by-product of work rather learning is fundamental to engaging in work practice. Work integrated learning experiences provide unique opportunities for students to integrate theory and practice through the solving of real world problems. This paper reports findings to date of a project that sought to identify key issues and practices faced by academics, industry partners and students engaged in the provision and experience of work integrated learning within an undergraduate creative industries program at a major metropolitan university. In this paper, those findings are focused on some of the particular qualities and issues related to the assessment of learning at and through the work integrated experience. The findings suggest that the assessment strategies needed to better value the knowledges and practices of the Creative Industries. The paper also makes recommendations about how industry partners might best contribute to the assessment of students’ developing capabilities and to continuous reflection on courses and the assurance of learning agenda

Managing Bias When Library Collections Become Data

Developments in AI research have dramatically changed what we can do with data and how we can learn from data. At the same time, implementations of AI amplify the prejudices in data often framed as ‘data bias’ and ‘algorithmic bias.’ Libraries, tasked with deciding what is worth keeping, are inherently discriminatory and yet remain trusted sources of information. As libraries begin to systematically approach their collections as data, will they be able to adopt and adapt the AI-driven tools to traditional practices?   Drawing on the work of the AI initiative within Stanford Libraries, the Fantastic Futures conference on AI for libraries, archives, and museums, and recent scholarship on data bias and algorithmic bias, this article encourages libraries to engage critically with AI and help shape applications of the technology to reflect the ethos of libraries for the benefit of libraries themselves and the patrons they serve. A brief examination of two core concepts in machine learning, generalization and unstructured data, provides points of comparison to library practices in order to uncover the theoretical assumptions driving the different domains. The comparison also offers a point of entry for libraries to adopt machine learning methods on their own terms

Networks in History: Data-driven tools for analyzing relationships across time

Previous NEH-funding made it possible for "Mapping the Republic of Letters" project to develop a series of visualization prototypes to analyze the geographic breadth, historical shape, and social composition of intellectual networks; tools that support a domain expert's capacity to make sense of complexity, rather than relying on automated reasoning. With this project we will develop our most successful visualization techniques to serve historical research with three user groups in mind: 1. Digital humanities scholars with the technical expertise to integrate our code into their own projects and web applications (the "widget" model); 2. Scholars seeking easy upload, exploration, and analysis of historical data sets, without having to touch any code; 3. Early modern scholars who want to use these tools to explore and analyze their own data in the larger context of data already collected for "Mapping the Republic of Letters.

Efficacy of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy in the Treatment of Chronic PTSD

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in treating patients with chronic refractory PTSD using a systematic review. Methods: Literature search was performed on PubMed and PsychINFO using search terms “PTSD” and “MDMA” to identify randomized control trials within the past 10 years. Results: Two out of the three studies found statistically significant data in the treatment of refractory PTSD. Mithoefer, M. et al and Ot’alora, M. et. al found a statistically significant decrease in CAPS-IV total scores, decrease in depression symptoms, decreased in dissociative symptoms, and increase in sleep quality. Conclusion: The use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy may be beneficial in treating chronic PTSD patients who have failed previous treatment methods. Additional studies with a larger sample size are necessary to determine the efficacy of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy in treating chronic PTSD

Looking for My Self: Identity-Driven Attention Allocation

This research builds on the motivational aspects of identity salience, finding that social identities direct the allocation of attention in identity‐syntonic ways. Drawing from identity‐based motivation (Oyserman, 2009; Reed, et al., 2012) we suggest individuals use attention to enhance identity‐fit; selectively focusing on cues and stimuli that are identity‐consistent. In two studies we find that activating a social identity drives preferential attention toward identity‐relevant stimuli. Using a novel paradigm, Study 1 demonstrates that individuals strategically focus attention on identity‐consistent emotional stimuli, while also shifting attention away from identity‐inconsistent emotional stimuli. Using a dot‐probe paradigm, Study 2 extends these results to show that individuals allocate attention toward both emotional and non‐emotional (semantic associates) stimuli that are identity‐consistent, and away from those that are incompatible. Consistent with theories suggesting cognition and perception are constructed (James, 1890/1983) and that identities direct and influence meaning‐making (Oyserman, 2009; Reed et al., 2012), we find that social identities drive attention allocation, with identity‐consistent stimuli receiving greater attention; suggesting that an identity\u27s sense‐making begins with motivated attention toward perceiving an identity‐consistent environment

San Diego Asian Film Foundation Fundraising Plan

The San Diego Asian Film Foundation (SDAFF) is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting and transforming lives through film. This fundraising evaluation and initial fundraising plan, developed by consultants in USD Nonprofit Management Program, marks one of the organization’s first steps toward a focused and dedicated long-term and strategic fundraising goal.https://digital.sandiego.edu/npi-bpl-fundraising/1005/thumbnail.jp

When posting aspirational products in social media lowers interest in luxury: relationships between self-concept, social signaling, and ownership

Consumers often use luxury products to signal their aspirational selves. In social media, consumers can publicly affiliate with such products and brands virtually without having to physically own them. This research demonstrates how social media can enable consumers to engage with aspirational products in ways that facilitate social signaling of ideal (as opposed to actual) self-concepts, and instill a sense of psychological ownership for the posted-about products. Ironically, as a consequence of this, consumers’ interest in luxury goods, indicated by wanting to purchase them or to visit high-end retailers, decreases. The authors find this with correlational data and five experiments. Further, this reduction in interest in actually owning luxury goods after posting about aspirational products in social media is found to arise only when the social media-based product affiliation is public and posting instill a strong sense of psychological ownership for the products

Predictors of College Student Support toward Colin Kaepernick’s National Anthem Protests

Racial discrimination and inequality have perpetuated within the U.S. since its inception. In 2016, Colin Kaepernick initiated the national anthem protests to oppose the oppression of people of color in America. This study was developed in 2018 to identify social determinants of health underlying discriminatory beliefs and behaviors. The objective was to investigate the impacts of college students’ race, gender, political ideology, socio-economic status [SES], NFL interest, patriotism, and general protest support on support for the national anthem protests. We administered paper-and-pencil surveys across locations on the James Madison University campus using a convenience sample. There were 408 participants included, ranging from 18-39 years old; most identified as White, Liberal, and middle SES. Ultimately, race, political ideology, SES, patriotism, and general protest support were significantly correlated with national anthem protest support; additional associations were found between gender and general protest support, NFL interest and patriotism, and patriotism and general protest support. Highest levels of anthem protest support were identified among Black and Liberal participants, while lowest levels were among White and Conservative participants. Limitations included lack of generalizability, gaps in information due to unanalyzed data, social desirability bias, and confounding variables. Future research should prioritize ties between patriotism, social activism, and racism to illuminate beliefs and paths to change. Findings will aid in the education of individuals, social groups, public health practitioners, policymakers, and communities. Increasing knowledge surrounding social justice is important to decrease discriminatory behaviors and beliefs and pivotal to creating a more just, inclusive, and equitable society. Authors\u27 Note This research study was developed and conducted in 2018 in partial fulfilment of the Health Sciences major at James Madison University. Throughout creation, we maintained the desire to publish our dedicated work. Through graduation, the pandemic, and initiation of professional careers, challenge after challenge arose, making it less and less likely that we would ever see publication. Although demanding, our commitment to publication, the dissemination of information, and the betterment of the country’s population aided in article completion. The publication process was exhaustive, involving several rounds of revision and the compilation of additional documentation. It called for considerable introspection and deliberation regarding preconceived notions and implied beliefs as well as the impacts of our findings and written word. In addition to growing as writers and academics, this process aided in the growth of personal thought processes. The constant challenge to consider the weight of words, the implication of our discussion, and the desired effect upon our readers assisted in robust contemplation and development. This process was exceptionally rewarding and beneficial in professional, academic, and personal enhancement. It has been several years since the initiation of Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protests; it was years after that our study was conducted and, more recently, that revisions were completed. In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed the murder of George Floyd, participated in the Black Lives Matter protests, and observed the insurrection of our Capitol. Without a doubt, the years have been relentless, and they have been difficult. As a nation, we have seen and experienced more than we could have imagined during a, hopefully, one-in-a-lifetime pandemic. These years have caused an evolution of beliefs and behaviors, our findings becoming more significant and relevant as division and strife intensify and become marked throughout the country. In an effort to make consequential and timely impacts, we are hopeful that the publication in the Virginia Engage Journal will allow access to a wide variety of readers, increasing personal reflection, accountability, and evolution. The journal is open access, promoting information uptake without the obstacle of a paywall. Increased access and availability to people will allow for the active and expeditious transformation of the American populace. Ultimately, we hope to promote and assist in the improvement of the country. The research study’s creation and publication process were extensive, exhaustive, and incredibly illuminating. First and foremost, we would like to thank Dr. Dayna Henry, our mentor throughout the study’s creation and conduction. Her guidance and instruction were substantially beneficial and continue to be greatly appreciated. Next, we would like to thank Dr. Steve Grande for his continued insight, understanding, and enlightenment throughout the publication process. Additionally, we want to thank the Virginia Engage Journal for making their articles and information accessible and available to all people. Finally, we want to thank our readers for actively working to consume meaningful information, consider their underlying perspectives, and strengthen themselves as inclusive, understanding, and progressive individuals