Implementing the Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program to Promote Respectful Workplaces in the Construction Trades in Oregon: Preliminary Report on Wave One

Oregon, like all states across the U.S., has faced challenges in recruiting and retaining a diverse construction workforce. In 2011, the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and the Oregon Department of Transportation partnered to fund the BOLI/ODOT Highway Construction Workforce Development Program, which is intended to improve the stability and diversity of the highway construction workforce by promoting recruitment and retention of apprentices (see Wilkinson and Kelly 2015). The program has provided funding for 1) Pre-apprenticeship programs (to improve recruitment and retention of apprentices); Supportive services (to improve retention of apprentices); and 3) Respectful workplaces (to improve retention of apprentices). The first phase of the Respectful Workplaces project began in 2015, led by Oregon Tradeswomen Inc, in partnership with Constructing Hope, Green Dot Etc, Portland State University, and funded by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries and Oregon Department of Transportation, as part of the BOLI/ODOT Highway Construction Workforce Development Program. The first phase of the project involved conducting ten focus groups with industry stakeholders to evaluate the potential for adapting the Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program for the construction trades in Oregon (see Kelly and Bassett 2015) After the first phase of the project was completed, additional funding was secured from the BOLI/ODOT Highway Construction Workforce Development Program to pilot the Green Dot project on a job site in Oregon. Between 2015 and 2017, project collaborators worked to prepare for the pilot. Green Dot Etc adapted their bystander intervention program for the construction trades. Oregon Tradeswomen staff identified a contractor willing to participate and an appropriate pilot job site in the Portland, OR metro area. Contractor staff were trained to implement the program on the job site. Implementation began in October 2017. The second phase of the project is evaluation of the program. To evaluate the implementation, Portland State University researchers will conduct three waves of surveys (prior to implementation, six months after implementation, and one year after implementation) to assess changes in attitudes and behaviors related to workplace aggression. The wave one survey was administered on the pilot job site in the Portland, OR metro area in September 2017. The findings from this survey are reported here

Application of Melodic Intonation Therapy Using Linguistic Principles: Acquisition and Generalization Effects

This investigation was designed to examine the acquisition and response generalization effects of Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT).  Linguistic principles were applied to the selection of items used for treatment and measurement of generalization effects. Treatment was applied to “Wh- Questions” in the context of a multiple baseline design across behaviors with one participant with chronic Broca’s aphasia and acquired apraxia of speech. Generalization was measured to untrained exemplars of trained items as well as to untrained items with similar and different underlying linguistic representations. Preliminary findings indicated positive acquisition effects and possible generalization effects

The prevalence of malnutrition (MUST and MNA-SF), frailty and physical disability and relationship with mortality in older care home residents

Background & Aims: Currently, there is lack of universal consensus on the use of effective malnutrition screening tools. Although malnutrition, frailty and physical disability are interrelated and associated with mortality in older people, there is a paucity of research in care home settings. With a high co-prevalence of these conditions, understanding their interconnectedness can provide a holistic view of an older person's health condition. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of malnutrition (and risk) frailty and physical disability among care home residents using different methods, as well as the associations between markers of malnutrition (MUST and MNA-SF), physical function (Barthel Index, BI), frailty (Edmonton Frailty Scale, EFS), and all-cause mortality in care home residents.// Methods: In Lincoln, UK, 508 residents from care homes underwent screening for malnutrition (MNA-SF and MUST), frailty (EFS), and physical function (BI) as part of standard comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) between November 2015 and January 2018. Prevalence of conditions were assessed and MNA-SF, MUST, EFS, and BI-specific survival in each category were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis (KMSA) with log-rank test. Multivariable analyses were conducted using the Cox proportional hazard model to identify prognostic factors that were statistically significant in care home residents.// Results: There was significant discordance between malnutrition risk measured by MUST and MNA-SF. The percentage of patients ‘at risk’/‘medium risk’ and ‘malnourished’/‘high risk’ was 25.3%/49.9% for MNA and for 19.6%/31.57% for MUST. The prevalence of frailty measured by EFS was high with the percentage of residents with severe frailty being 70.9%. Only 8.6% of patients were functionally independent. The association between malnutrition risk (MUST) and mortality was not significant. MNA-SF appeared to be a better tool at predicting mortality in older care home residents (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the association between frailty (EFS) and mortality was significant (p < 0.01).// Conclusions: This study found high levels of malnutrition, frailty, and disability among UK care home residents, and a discordance between MUST and MNA-SF scoring patterns. The MNA-SF and EFS were better predictors of mortality than MUST and BI, highlighting the need for sensitive tools in assessing malnutrition and frailty risks in this population

Investigating the prevalence of malnutrition, frailty and physical disability and the association between them amongst older care home residents

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition, frailty and physical disability are inter-related, more prevalent in the older population and increase the risk of adverse health outcomes. Thus, screening is essential, especially in the understudied care home setting where the population is vulnerable and at higher risk of malnutrition. Furthermore, prevalence may vary depending upon screening tools used. The aims of this study were to: 1) investigate the prevalence of 1) malnutrition risk using Mini Nutritional Assessment - Short Form (MNA-SF) and Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST), 2) frailty using the Edmonton Frailty Scale (EFS), 3) physical disability using the Barthel Index (BI) and (4) examine the association between variables and coexistence of states. METHODS: Screening for malnutrition (MNA-SF and MUST) and frailty (EFS) was performed as part of a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in 527 residents from 17 care homes in Lincoln, UK. Mean age of the group was 85.6 ± 7.6 years and body mass index, BMI 23.0 ± 5.1 kg/m2. RESULTS: A high prevalence of malnutrition risk was detected: 41.4% by MNA-SF and 25.5% by MUST (high risk/malnourished). Furthermore, there was a clear discordance between MNA-SF and MUST scoring of malnutrition; for example, the percentage of those identified as being at low risk was 18.8% using the MNA-SF and 57.0% using the MUST. In addition, there was a high prevalence of severe frailty by EFS (69.6%) and functional impairment by BI (62.0%). There was good association between some variables (P < 0.001) and 33.4% of residents had coexistence of all three states of malnutrition, frailty and physical disability. CONCLUSIONS: Malnutrition risk, frailty and physical disability are highly prevalent in care home residents and interrelated. However, prevalence varies depending on the screening tool used. More research should be conducted in the care home setting to improve daily clinical practice as screening may impact upon subsequent treatment and care modalities and clinical outcomes

Scara1 deficiency impairs clearance of soluble Amyloid-β by mononuclear phagocytes and accelerates Alzheimer’s-like disease progression

In Alzheimer’s disease soluble amyloid beta (sAβ) causes synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Receptors involved in clearance of sAβ are not known. Here we use shRNA screening and identify the scavenger receptor Scara1 as a receptor for sAβ expressed on myeloid cells. To determine the role of Scara1 in clearance of sAβ in vivo, we cross Scara1 null mice with PS1-APP mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and generate PS1-APP- Scara1-deficient mice. Scara1 deficiency markedly accelerates Aβ accumulation leading to increased mortality. In contrast, pharmacological upregulation of Scara1 expression on mononuclear phagocytes increases Aβ clearance. This approach is a potential treatment strategy for Alzheimer’s disease

Scara1 deficiency impairs clearance of soluble Amyloid-β by mononuclear phagocytes and accelerates Alzheimer’s-like disease progression

In Alzheimer’s disease soluble amyloid beta (sAβ) causes synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Receptors involved in clearance of sAβ are not known. Here we use shRNA screening and identify the scavenger receptor Scara1 as a receptor for sAβ expressed on myeloid cells. To determine the role of Scara1 in clearance of sAβ in vivo, we cross Scara1 null mice with PS1-APP mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease and generate PS1-APP- Scara1-deficient mice. Scara1 deficiency markedly accelerates Aβ accumulation leading to increased mortality. In contrast, pharmacological upregulation of Scara1 expression on mononuclear phagocytes increases Aβ clearance. This approach is a potential treatment strategy for Alzheimer’s disease

Living Under Coronavirus and Injecting Drugs in Bristol (LUCID-B): a qualitative study of experiences of COVID-19 among people who inject drugs

BACKGROUND: : People who inject drugs (PWID) are a high-risk group for COVID-19 transmission and serious health consequences. Restrictions imposed in the UK in response to the pandemic led to rapid health and housing service alterations. We aimed to examine PWID experiences of: 1) challenges relating to the COVID-19 public health measures; 2) changes to opioid substitution therapy (OST) and harm reduction services; and 3) perceived effects of COVID-19 on drug use patterns and risk behaviour. METHODS: : Telephone semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 PWID in Bristol, Southwest of England. Analysis followed a reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: : Concern about COVID-19 and adherence to public health guidance varied. Efforts made by services to continue providing support during the pandemic were appreciated and some changes were preferred, such as less frequent OST collection, relaxation of supervised consumption and needle and syringe programmes (NSP) home delivery. However, remote forms of contact were highlighted as less beneficial and more difficult to engage with than in-person contact. Public health guidance advising people to ‘stay home’ led to increased isolation, boredom, and time to ruminate which impacted negatively on mental health. Lockdown restrictions directly impacted on sources of income and routine. Changes in drug use were explained as a consequence of isolation and fewer interactions with peers, problems accessing drugs, reduced drug purity and reduced financial resources. CONCLUSION: : This study captures the significant impacts and challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of PWID. While rapid adaptations to service delivery to help mitigate the risks of COVID-19 were appreciated and some changes such as relaxation of supervised daily OST consumption were viewed positively, barriers to access need further attention. Going forwards there may be opportunities to harness the positive aspects of some changes to services

Portland State University Spring Symposium Report

The 2023 Spring Symposium arose in response to a request to PSU administrators in a Faculty Senate Resolution. That resolution noted the high level of interest by the Faculty Senate in both understanding and engaging in the university’s budgeting processes. The Symposium offered an opportunity for all PSU employees to come together to identify priorities and shared purpose regarding the university’s approach to long term financial planning. The recommendations created during the symposium are being shared with incoming president Ann Cudd to inform her thinking as PSU pursues a path toward financial sustainability. Table of Contents 04 Statement from President and Faculty Senate 05 2023 Faculty & Staff Spring Symposium Event Overview 08 Collaborative Governance Overview 10 Report Purpose & Intention 11 Process Recommendations 13 Next Steps 15 Acknowledgements 16 Appendix: Process Recommendation Too