Harnessing cultural and emotional intelligence to promote workplace diversity, equity and inclusion: Development of a communicator training tool

The purpose of this thesis study was to explore the role of emotional and cultural intelligence in enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within the workplace, and to develop a training tool that communicators could use to generate conversations about DEI, emotional and cultural intelligence within their organizations. During this study, a pilot training presentation was shared with research participants prior to conducting interviews with each participant. In-depth interviews were conducted with six communications, human resources, and DEI professionals to refine the training slide deck that could be utilized, ideally by communicators, to increase awareness about emotional and cultural intelligence, and ultimately improve organizational culture. Interviews with professionals highlighted the need for and usefulness of a training deck that discusses emotional and cultural intelligence. Each interviewee emphasized the importance of discussing emotional and cultural intelligence within an organization, but also recognized there is room to have more in-depth, organization-wide conversations to increase diversity, equity and inclusion within organizations. Overall, this study determined that an educational training deck on emotional and cultural awareness was valued by all interviewees and each participant said they were likely to utilize the deck. Feedback from research participants was used to refine the piloted PowerPoint presentation that could be used by communicators within their organizations to promote diversity, equity and inclusion.Master of Arts in Digital Communicatio

Implementing pediatric inpatient asthma pathways.

ObjectivePathways are succinct, operational versions of evidence-based guidelines. Studies have demonstrated pathways improve quality of care for children hospitalized with asthma, but we have limited information on other key factors to guide hospital leaders and clinicians in pathway implementation efforts. Our objective was to evaluate the adoption, implementation, and reach of inpatient pediatric asthma pathways.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study of hospitals participating in a national collaborative to implement pathways. Data sources included electronic surveys of implementation leaders and staff, field observations, and chart review of children ages 2-17 years admitted with a primary diagnosis of asthma. Outcomes included adoption by hospitals, pathway implementation factors, and reach of pathways to children hospitalized with asthma. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariable regression. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.ResultsEighty-five hospitals enrolled; 68 (80%) adopted/completed the collaborative. These 68 hospitals implemented pathways with overall high fidelity, implementing a median of 5 of 5 core pathway components (Interquartile Range [IQR] 4-5) in a median of 5 months (IQR 3-9). Implementation teams reported a median time cost of 78 h (IQR: 40-120) for implementation. Implementation leaders reported the values of pathway implementation included improvements in care, enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to educational resources. Leaders reported barriers in modifying electronic health records (EHRs), and only 63% of children had electronic pathway orders placed.ConclusionsHospitals implemented pathways with high fidelity. Barriers in modifying EHRs may have limited the reach of pathways to children hospitalized with asthma

Design of an Integrated Cotton Picking System for Small-Scale Indian Agriculture

India, the world's largest producer of cotton, contains more than 4 million cotton farms that are less than 5 acres. These farms are incapable of large-scale mechanization due to small farm size and irregular farm shape. A previous team developed a handheld, roller-based picking device that demonstrated increased performance over similar products. However, a significant improvement in productivity requires increasing picking speed through mechanization as well as increasing worker cotton carrying capacity. We present a system that utilizes the roller-based picking device in tandem with a compressive storage bag and an efficient carrier. Through modeling and initial testing, the system demonstrates a two times (2X) improvement in worker productivity over current methods. This paper characterizes the cotton picking process, details the modules of the integrated system, and suggests further procedural improvements for greater increases in worker productivity

Unique features of a global human ectoparasite identified through sequencing of the bed bug genome

The bed bug, Cimex lectularius, has re-established itself as a ubiquitous human ectoparasite throughout much of the world during the past two decades. This global resurgence is likely linked to increased international travel and commerce in addition to widespread insecticide resistance. Analyses of the C. lectularius sequenced genome (650 Mb) and 14,220 predicted protein-coding genes provide a comprehensive representation of genes that are linked to traumatic insemination, a reduced chemosensory repertoire of genes related to obligate hematophagy, host–symbiont interactions, and several mechanisms of insecticide resistance. In addition, we document the presence of multiple putative lateral gene transfer events. Genome sequencing and annotation establish a solid foundation for future research on mechanisms of insecticide resistance, human–bed bug and symbiont–bed bug associations, and unique features of bed bug biology that contribute to the unprecedented success of C. lectularius as a human ectoparasite

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

FLIP it UP: A Library\u27s Pull the Staple and Teach It Approach to the Flipped Classroom Model

While Chattanooga State Community College’s Kolwyck Library had a firm foundation in library instruction and outreach, several changes occurred in 2012-2013 that turned the library and its instruction program on its ear. After thirty years, the Dean of Library Services and the Instruction Coordinator retired. Meanwhile, the library space was reborn: the Kolwyck Library & Information Commons (KLIC) was remodeled with new service models and modes of instruction in mind. With new personnel and a new space, the stage was set to rethink, formalize and revitalize KLIC’s Library Instruction Program. The first step would be to “flip” one class – “RI 100 –Personal and College Success.” In this class, students were to complete a “Career” PowerPoint presentation derived from resources introduced by librarians. After extensive observation, the new Dean worked with the new instruction coordinator to “flip it up” – a course redesigned to include more active learning, specific student learning outcomes, class engagement, and to use the time allotted more effectively and efficiently. This presentation will highlight the historical context, changes made in the class, and formative assessment measures administered to improve the content. The discussion will also outlining the plans for the future of this course and the impact these changes will have on the development of KLICs Library Instruction Program. Tools that will be used in the session include: lecture, interactive polls, sample class handouts and electronic access to a specially created Libguide for this presentation with links to the actual class guide used. http://libguides.chattanoogastate.edu/GaICIL1

Exploring the Role of Emotional Stability and Remote Work as Resources in Detaching from Work

The sizable increase in remote jobs within the last two years has led researchers to question how remote and in-person workers recover differently and what organizations can do to best facilitate their recovery from work. Yet, few empirical studies identify which individual and situational characteristics assist or inhibit recovery from work. Using Sonnentag and Fritz’s (2015) stressor-detachment model as theoretical framework, the proposed study investigates attentional resources (i.e., work location) and personal resources (i.e., emotional stability) that moderate the relationship of job stressors and well-being which is mediated by psychological detachment from work during non-work hours. Specifically, one’s levels of emotional stability likely play a role in how stress is appraised at work, while work location likely impacts one’s ability to divert attention away from job stressors

Women in Podiatry and Medicine.

The role of female physicians has advanced among western medicine. Women now constitute a majority within medical schools, and the number of women in podiatric medicine and surgery has increased over the last 5 decades. Conversely, female physicians continue to face barriers to closing the gender gap. They have lower academic standings and fewer publications, receive less awards/grants, are underrepresented in leadership positions, have a lower incidence pursuing surgical specialties, and receive lower compensation. Women experience an increased rate of burnout, gender discrimination, and sexual harassment. Increasing awareness of the gender gap is vital to the enhancement of the medical community