A Study to Determine if the Implementation of the School Resource Officer (SRO) in a County School System has been Effective in Providing Overall Positive Changes in School Environments that have Resulted in Improved Scholarship and Decreased Adverse Behaviors by Students

On May 14, 2004, two students from the Russell Middle School in Winder, Georgia were arrested after it was learned that they had planned a Columbine style massacre on the last day of school (Johnston, 2004, June 8). The 1999 Columbine High School tragedy in Littleton, Colorado resulted in fourteen students and teachers being killed in a rampage by two socially alienated students (Vossekuil, Fein, Reddy, Borum and Modzeleski, 2002). The Georgia middle school students had diagrams of the school, a list of eighth graders plus a teacher to kill, firearms, and had planned to kill themselves in the end (Johnston, 2004, June 7). A student confided in the School Resource Officer to alert the authorities to the plot. The SRO took appropriate action and a tragedy was averted. The two boys were convicted of making terroristic threats on June 8, 2004 in the Barrow County Georgia Juvenile Court (Teenagers, 2004, June 9). This recent national story underlines the importance of the SRO efficacy debate. Following the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks on September 11, 2001, additional questions were raised concerning the status of school safety from terrorist threats. Although not a long term environmental learning issue, SRO participation in protecting a school from this type of threat also became an issue. The September 1, 2004 Chechen terrorist takeover of School Number 1 in Beslan, Russia, which resulted in over 300 deaths, has re-opened the debate (Lively and Barnes, 2004, September 11). The Chechen incident resulted in 1200 hostages, 338 deaths (half of them children), and the school building itself being destroyed (Classes, 2004, September 16). Further similar attacks by the Chechen terrorist leader have been threatened (Chechen, 2004, November 1). Beyond the research issues raised in this paper, the broader questions of the SRO’s role or benefit within a potential terrorist scenario is a legitimate one for additional discussion as a computer disc containing particulars on selected U.S. schools was recently found on an unidentified Iraqi man’s computer in Iraq (Cavanagh, 2004, October 6). A safe and disciplined learning environment is essential for academic achievement as it enables learning and teaching in a direct link (Barton 2001) and (DOE, NCES 2001-030, December, 2000). Without this safe educational setting, teachers cannot teach and students cannot learn. Where there is chronic disorder, the possibility of learning is markedly compromised (Barton, Coley, and Wenglinsky, 1998). The SRO presence is being heralded as an essential brick in a school’s foundation, helping support a solid learning environment for the students. Fifty-two percent of teachers now report that there is now an armed police officer presence on their school grounds (Vogel, 2004). The question of whether the SRO presence actually improves or in some way enhances a school’s environment to the extent that either student learning is measurably enhanced and/or student adverse behavior is measurably reduced is the subject of this research. The syncopated SRO implementation over a five year period within the school district in this research allowed within year and between year comparisons of much of these data over the course of that implementation. A descriptive review of other SRO research history to date was also included in conjunction with this study for reader understanding of the current and pending SRO quantitative and qualitative research landscape. To evaluate the possible SRO impact on school environments, changes in measured juvenile court data, school district data, SRO data, student achievement test data, and student value-added test data over a ten year period were assessed and compared with the appropriate statistical conclusions drawn. Multiple achievement and SRO measures from a total of twelve middle schools and seven high schools, with and without SROs assigned, were assessed from the 1993-1994 through the 2002-2003 school years. Relevant issues associated with the exercising of these descriptive and statistical data comparisons are presented. Attempts were made to triangulate the five data source results to form a quantitative mosaic of the overall impact of an SRO’s presence in these nineteen schools. Conclusions and recommendations are presented, including the SRO evaluation listings and descriptions. This research concludes with a recommended listing of “School Indicators of Well-Being” based on the knowledge gained while performing the research. The major study conclusion drawn was that there was no measurable overall positive quantitative change within the affected district’s middle and high schools due to the SRO implementation through multiple measures and a continuing SRO presence. Recommendations included the conducts of additional quantitative studies on SRO efficacy, the establishment of a consistent federal definition of a “persistently dangerous” school, the adoption of nationally standardized school resource officer reporting protocols, and research on the postulated “covert aversion” behaviorism concept. An additional section detailing proposed “School Indicators of Well-Being” is presented for adoption by schools to track overall school system health

The Role of Arbitration in Resolving Transnational Disputes: A Survey of Trends in the People’s Republic of China

The purpose of this Essay is to provide investors and practitioners with a realistic overview of the strengths and limitations of international arbitration in China. Part I of this Essay provides some general comments about the economic, social, and cultural reasons why arbitration is a popular choice among both international investors and Chinese nationals. Part I concludes that arbitration can only provide a partial solution to the ills of China’s legal system. Part II examines how the observations in Part I manifest themselves in recent developments affecting arbitration in China. Part III examines the range of efforts by foreign investors and the U.S. Government to diminish and eventually remove limitations on arbitration in China

It\u27s All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Hurt: An Analysis of Trampoline Injuries in the Pennsylvania Trauma System

Introduction: It is well known that trampolines can be a particular source of danger, especially in children. We sought to examine the profile of those patients with trampoline injuries. We hypothesized there would be certain injury patterns predicative of trampoline injuries. Methods: All patients submitted to Pennsylvania Trauma Outcome Study (PTOS) database from 2016-2018 were analyzed. Trampoline injury was determined by ICD10 activity code. Injury patterns in the form of abbreviated injury scale (AIS) body regions were examined in the trampoline injured patients. Patient demographics and clinical variables were compared between those with trampoline injury versus those without. Results: There were 107 patients from 2016-2018 in PTOS who had a trampoline injury. All of these patients were discharged alive and had a blunt mechanism of injury. Of the 107 patients, the most common injury type was injury to the extremities (90/107 patients [84.1%]) with 54 (50.5%) patients having upper extremity injury and 36 (33.6%) patients having lower extremity injury. 10 (9.35%) patients had injury to the spine and 5 (4.67%) had head injury. Those with trampoline injuries were significantly younger (mean age: 13.0 vs. 48.6) and more likely to be white or of Hispanic ethnicity. Almost half of the patients injured (49.5%) were under 10 years of age. Patients with trampoline injuries had significantly lower injury severity scores and significantly higher Shock Index (Table 1). Conclusions: The majority of patients with trampoline injuries had injury to an extremity and were pediatric patients. These results help better understand the demographic, physiologic and anatomic patterns surrounding trampoline injuries. Current government standards recommend that no child under age 6 should use a full-sized trampoline; however, based off of the study results, we advise that this age be increased to 10

Beyond “identity”

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43651/1/11186_2004_Article_243859.pd

REDUCING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN MEDICAL STUDENTS AND DOCTORS TOWARDS THEIR PEERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES: A PROTOCOL

Mental health problems are over-represented in doctors and medical students. However, stigma and ‘a culture of shame’ are formidable barriers to mental health services and consequently many doctors and medical students with mental health difficulties continue to suffer in silence despite the availability of effective treatment. Indeed, a recent study on over 2100 female physicians who met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder revealed that 50% were reluctant to seek professional help due to fear of exposure to stigma. Left untreated or undertreated, mental health problems in doctors can result in impairment of occupational functioning, compromise patient safety and place considerable strain on the economy (by increasing the amount of sick leave taken). Moreover, the consequences of mental health stigma in the medical profession can be fatal. Dr Daksha Emson, a psychiatrist with bipolar affective disorder, tragically killed herself and her baby daughter during a psychotic episode. An independent inquiry into Dr Emson’s death concluded that she was the victim of stigma in the National Health Service. The mental health of medical students and doctors, in all of its aspects, must therefore be addressed with the urgency that it demands. Stephanie Knaak and colleagues conducted a data synthesis of evaluative studies on anti-stigma programmes for healthcare providers and identified six key ingredients one of which was a personal testimony from a trained speaker who has lived experience of mental illness. In this paper we outline a study protocol with the aim of answering the following research question, ‘Does attending an anti-stigma programme comprised of a medic with first-hand experience of a mental health condition cause immediate and sustained reductions in mental health stigma from medical students and doctors towards their peers with mental health difficulties?

REDUCING MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN MEDICAL STUDENTS AND DOCTORS TOWARDS THEIR PEERS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES: A PROTOCOL

Mental health problems are over-represented in doctors and medical students. However, stigma and ‘a culture of shame’ are formidable barriers to mental health services and consequently many doctors and medical students with mental health difficulties continue to suffer in silence despite the availability of effective treatment. Indeed, a recent study on over 2100 female physicians who met the diagnostic criteria for a mental disorder revealed that 50% were reluctant to seek professional help due to fear of exposure to stigma. Left untreated or undertreated, mental health problems in doctors can result in impairment of occupational functioning, compromise patient safety and place considerable strain on the economy (by increasing the amount of sick leave taken). Moreover, the consequences of mental health stigma in the medical profession can be fatal. Dr Daksha Emson, a psychiatrist with bipolar affective disorder, tragically killed herself and her baby daughter during a psychotic episode. An independent inquiry into Dr Emson’s death concluded that she was the victim of stigma in the National Health Service. The mental health of medical students and doctors, in all of its aspects, must therefore be addressed with the urgency that it demands. Stephanie Knaak and colleagues conducted a data synthesis of evaluative studies on anti-stigma programmes for healthcare providers and identified six key ingredients one of which was a personal testimony from a trained speaker who has lived experience of mental illness. In this paper we outline a study protocol with the aim of answering the following research question, ‘Does attending an anti-stigma programme comprised of a medic with first-hand experience of a mental health condition cause immediate and sustained reductions in mental health stigma from medical students and doctors towards their peers with mental health difficulties?

First Nubian National Bank model

Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, February 2002.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 132-134).This thesis presents the organizational model of a hypothetical national black bank holding company, the First Nubian National Bank, as an agent of constructive consolidation and enhanced capital market efficiency within the industry of historically black-owned banks (HBBs). In the U.S., the history of slavery, segregation and legal discrimination against African-Americans drove the creation of several parallel service industries for Black consumers who were refused service by whites. Although "Free persons of color" had been involved in banking since the 1600s, the U.S. Congress actually created the Black banking industry by chartering the Freedman's Bank in 1865. The magnitude of Freedman's nationwide failure in 1874 led to the development of a fragmented black banking industry made up of many small, community-based institutions located throughout the southern United States and in most major urban clusters. Between 1888-1930 at least 134 such institutions were founded in the U.S. Today only 55 remain of which 38 are commercial banks. The pace of consolidation has been quickened first by integration, then by significant customer defections to larger, major-market banks, and most recently by the rapidly changing competitive nature of the banking industry. Recently HBBs have been plagued by high transaction costs, unusually high non-interest expense, and little financial innovation. This thesis analyzes how a national bank holding company could resolve these issues by leveraging the cost structure of larger, major market banks to capture synergies and economies. The model can help affiliated HBBs improve their operating efficiency, their delivery of products and services, and the overall performance of their roles as financial intermediaries in the capital market systems of their target communities.by F. Joseph Rogers.S.M

A novel approach to assessment of US pediatric trauma system development.

Importance Mature trauma systems are critical in building and maintaining national, state, and local resilience against all-hazard disasters. Currently, pediatric state trauma system plans are not standardized and thus are without concrete measures of potential effectiveness. Objective To develop objective measures of pediatric trauma system capability at the state level, hypothesizing significant variation in capabilities between states, and to provide a contemporary report on the status of national pediatric trauma system planning and development. Design, Setting, and Participants A national survey was deployed in 2018 to perform a gap analysis of state pediatric trauma system capabilities. Four officials from each state were asked to complete the survey regarding extensive pediatric-related or specific trauma system parameters. Using these parameters, a panel of 14 individuals representing national stakeholder sectors in pediatric trauma care convened to identify the essential components of the ideal pediatric trauma system using Delphi methodology. Data analysis was conducted from March 16, 2019, to February 23, 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures Based on results from the national survey and consensus panel parameters, each state was given a composite score. The score was validated using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) fatal injury database. Results The national survey had less than 10% missing data. The consensus panel reached agreement on 6 major domains of pediatric trauma systems (disaster, legislation/funding, access to care, injury prevention/recognition, quality improvement, pediatric readiness) and was used to develop the Pediatric Trauma System Assessment Score (PTSAS) based on 100 points. There was substantial variation across states, with state scores ranging from 48.5 to 100. Based on US CDC WONDER data, for every 1-point increase in PTSAS, there was a 0.12 per 100 000 decrease in mortality (95% CI, −0.22 to −0.02; P = .03). Conclusions and Relevance Results of this cross-sectional study suggest that a more robust pediatric trauma system has a significant association with pediatric injury mortality. This study assessed the national landscape of capability and preparedness to provide pediatric trauma care at the state level. These parameters can tailor the maturation of children’s interests within a state trauma system and assist with future state, regional, and national planning

Diffusion research needs.

Cover title."Agricultural Experiment Stations of Alaska, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin and the Farm Foundation and Cooperative State Research Service, USDA."Some general problems in diffusion from the perspective of theory of social action / C. Milton Coughenour -- Research needed on adoptive models / Joe M. Bohlen -- Needed research on the structures of interpersonal communications and influence / Herbert F. Lionberger -- A communications research approach to the diffusion of innovations / Everett M. Rogers.Includes bibliographical references