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THE EFFECTS OF CYCLOOXYGENASE-2 DURING COLORADO TICK FEVER INFECTION IN HUMAN ENDOTHELIAL CELLS
Full text linkTick bites are increasing at an alarming rate; consequently, the incidence of tickborne infectious diseases (TBD) is increasing. Colorado tick fever virus (CTFV) is a colitvirus within the Reoviridae family that causes Colorado tick fever (CTF), a TBD that can cause mild to severe clinical manifestations with occasional central nervous system involvement. CTFV is hypothesized to first interact with endothelial cells due to the mode of transmission. However, the mechanism for CTFV-associated vascular permeability and endothelial dysfunction is currently unknown. Even though CTF can cause severe clinical manifestations and death among children, there are no available treatment options beyond symptom management. In this study, we evaluated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity during CTFV infections in endothelial cells and investigated it as a possible mechanism behind the vascular dysfunction associated with CTFV infection. The study suggests that
CTFV induces COX-2 during infections in human endothelial cells. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was significantly increased in human umbilical vascular endothelial cells
(HUVECs) during CTFV infections. Cyclooxygenase inhibitors, including indomethacin (INDO), aspirin (ASA), NS-398 (NS), CAY10404 (CAY), celecoxib (CELE), and SC-560 (SC), successfully inhibited PGE2 during CTFV infections in HUVECs. The results of cyclooxygenase inhibition suggest that INDO decreases vascular permeability associated with CTFV infections in human endothelial cells. The results from this study suggest that COX-2/PGE2 pathway is significantly increased during infection in HUVECs. However, additional research is required to understand the role of the COX-2/PGE2 pathway and CTFV-associated vascular permeability in endothelial cells
EXPLORING HUMAN RESOURCES EXECUTIVES’ APPROACHES TO ONBOARDING IN LUXURY HOTELS: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY
Full text linkThis hermeneutical phenomenological study examines the onboarding design practices of human resources (HR) executives within the luxury hotel segment. Onboarding, a critical component of the employee life cycle, plays an essential role in integrating new hires into an organization's culture and operations. While onboarding has been shown to improve employee retention, engagement, and performance, a significant gap exists in understanding how luxury hotels approach this process, particularly in utilizing learning theories and instructional design frameworks. Using the Agile ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) model as a theoretical lens, this study explores the lived experiences of six corporate-level HR executives from luxury hotel organizations to understand their approaches to onboarding design.
The findings reveal that while HR executives acknowledge the importance of incorporating essential elements into onboarding programs, these components are not consistently implemented. The study also highlights limited use of learning theories and instructional design frameworks, despite their potential to enhance onboarding outcomes. Recommendations include extending onboarding periods, providing immersive cultural experiences, and systematically applying instructional design frameworks like the Agile ADDIE model to improve training materials and processes.
The study contributes to the body of knowledge by addressing gaps in onboarding research within the luxury hotel industry, emphasizing the importance of tailored strategies to meet the needs of a diverse workforce in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) environment. The insights gained offer practical recommendations for HR professionals to optimize onboarding practices and improve employee integration, engagement, and retention in the luxury hospitality sector
The Law Enforcement Support Office
No full textLaw enforcement communities face many challenges as the last line of defense between good and evil. Law enforcement agencies must be able to respond to all situations from mass casualty events to natural disasters and must be prepared for worst-case scenarios with their communities’ interests in mind. Unfortunately, some communities do not have the tax base to equip their law enforcement communities with the protection and tools that are useful to be successful. The LESO 1033 program can provide access to excess military equipment at little to no charge which can ease budget shortfalls. One main concern of participating in the LESO 1033 program is the appearance of the militarization of the police. With proper public education and transparency between law enforcement and their communities, these fears should be addressed. With all the success stories around the country involving equipment acquired from the program, city organizations should allow their law enforcement to participate in the LESO 1033 Program.LEMI
Embracing Community Policing
No full textThere is a problem in America. The relationship between American law enforcement and the community is broken. The reason behind the broken relationship between the police and the public is the lack of trust between the two groups. In the second decade of the 21st century, there have been several high-profile cases involving deadly force incidents that resulted in the deaths of citizens and police officers. It is important to rebuild the trust between the two so that relationships can grow between the police and the community. American law enforcement can use methods already created to solve this problem, such as the Peelian Principles and the Six Pillars of 21st-Century Policing. Once the relationship is established, a partnership can be developed between the two groups, working together to identify problems and issues in the community so that they can work alongside each other to co-produce safe communities that prevent and reduce crime. Law enforcement agencies should embrace community policing to bridge gaps between law enforcement and the community to improve the quality of life for everyone.LEMI
Update and Expansion of TCOLE's New Supervisor Course
No full textUniformed patrol is the backbone of any law enforcement agency. For many community members, the individual patrol officer is seen as the “face of the department.” First-line supervisors normally hold the rank of sergeant, or, possibly, corporal. Regardless of the rank, that first-line supervisor directly leads this “face of the department” yet receives very minimal leadership training on how to lead their officers. The minimum state mandate is for 20 hours of new supervisor training before the first anniversary of their promotion (Texas Commission of Law Enforcement, 2024). Not only does this situation affect Texas, but it is also a nationwide problem as few agencies provide immediate training to new supervisors, and even fewer agencies teach new supervisors strategies and tactics related to critical thinking and decision-making, handling high-risk situations and crises, major incident management, and how supervisors should prepare their officers to respond effectively during an incident (PERF, 2018). While some people are born with certain traits that assist them in becoming leaders, true leadership is a skill that needs to be learned, developed, and adaptive. With the crisis of confidence in policing, one of the first and easiest remedies is that the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) should update and greatly expand the New Supervisor’s Course #3737. It is critically important that the state of Texas, TCOLE, and law enforcement agencies demand superior investment in the initial training of all first-line supervisors before their boots hit the ground in their new role.LEMI
Sacrifices, Unsung: The Interconnected Roles of Cultural Taxation and Organizational Commitment Among Ethnoracially Minoritized Staff in Higher Education
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore the cultural taxation faced by ethnoracially minoritized higher education staff members and its interplay with organizational commitment at one selected institution. It aimed to add to the body of literature related to the phenomenon of cultural taxation, as it is rarely applied to the staff experience. As a qualitative case study, this investigation also sought to pinpoint how institutions can better support ethnoracially minoritized staff who have these experiences in the workplace, but from their perspectives.
The study was conducted with participants from a regional comprehensive 4-year institution in the Southwestern United States. The case study consisted of three data collection activities done across two phases, with 14 individuals completing an anonymous online questionnaire, 10 individuals participating in one of three in-person talking circles, and nine individuals completing an online talking circle reflective journal.
Three major themes were revealed as common experiences of ethnoracially minoritized staff in this study: The (Hidden) Complexities of Cultural Taxation, The Psychology of Staying, and Leveraging Joy.
From the perspective of the participants, cultural taxation operates as a complex web of institutional structures, environmental pressures, and internalized psychological battles. As they faced cultural taxation, their commitment was redirected from the institution toward relationships and activities that reflected intrinsic and cultural value, or the pragmatic necessity to maintain membership. To navigate and/or mitigate cultural taxation and shifts in organizational commitment, participants convey a utilization of internal and social resources that provided them with the emotional sustenance necessary to endure their challenges.
The findings from this study expand and extend former conceptions of
conceptions of cultural taxation and organizational commitment as they operate in interconnected way ethnoracially minoritized staff’s workplace experiences.
Additionally, using insights gleaned from the findings, implications, recommendations for practice and future research are shared. By centering ethnoracially minoritized staff voices and experiences, this study breaks institutional silence around cultural taxation and offers pathways for creating more equitable and supportive workplace environments that honor the full contributions of minoritized professionals
Law Enforcement Should Utilize a Community Policing Model
Full text linkA community policing model should be used by law enforcement across America. Community policing is a way to connect with the community and its members. By establishing relationships with the community, law enforcement can build trust and gather useful information. Information can be used to solve crime, reduce crime, and help law enforcement to better understand what the needs and requests of the community are. Social media can be used as a modern way to help communicate with the community and allow the community a way to communicate with their local law enforcement agencies positively. There are many models for community policing. Some law enforcement agencies concentrate on data-driven statistics to help better serve the community. For other agencies, it is believed that more time spent with community members through casual conversation while on patrol or attending and holding community events not only helps establish the relationships desperately needed between the community and law enforcement but also obtains the same information used to build statistical models. Some may argue police officers are used to traditional policing methods and can be resistant to change. It is believed the traditional officer mindset can be changed through training and education to help the officers have a better understanding of the benefits community policing can provide. It is beneficial for law enforcement to use one of the models of community policing, and it has been shown to be beneficial for law enforcement and the community in many aspects.LEMI
Tapping Artificial Intelligence to Generate Song Lyrics
No full textRecently, I employed artificial intelligence to convert diary entries (cursive to text) from John Buffett’s visit to Pitcairn Island from 1868 to 1872 (Albert, 2024). This endeavor sparked an interest to employ artificial intelligence to generate song lyrics using extracts from one of my previous publications, “Did or Could Seabirds “Halo” Pitcairn Island for Fletcher Christian?” (Albert, 2018). The imagery of hovering seabirds guiding Fletcher Christian and the Bounty towards Pitcairn Island exudes a romantic essence I felt was fit for “creating” lyrics. ToolBaz (https://toolbaz.com) offers “Free AI Writing Tools,” including one to generate song lyrics, so I thought I would try it. I had Toolbaz generate five versions of what I titled “Halo Over Pitcairn.” The version shown here was selected for its consistent interjections of seabirds throughout the versus and choruses.Environmental & GeosciencesPitcairn Islands Research Statio
The Lived Experiences of BIPOC Counseling Trainees Navigating Racial Microaggression and Burnout
Full text linkBIPOC counselors-in-training often face unique challenges such as racial microaggressions and burnout, which can significantly impact their professional development and well-being. This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to explore these experiences, providing valuable insights that could benefit counselors, educators, and the broader counseling field. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of BIPOC counseling trainees navigating racial microaggressions and burnout. By conducting semi-structured interviews with 12 BIPOC counselors-in-training from CACREP-accredited master’s level programs, the research specifically sought to understand how these individuals manage their emotional well-being, racial stress, and academic responsibilities. The theoretical framework is comprised of Gross’s Process Model of Emotion Regulation and Maslach’s theory of burnout, which together help explain how emotion regulation strategies influence the experience of burnout in the context of racial microaggressions. Using Moustakas’s (1994) modified van Kaam method, the study analyzed the data through horizontalization, clustering and thematizing, and developing textural and structural descriptions. This rigorous approach ensured a comprehensive analysis of the participants' narratives. Data collection included detailed, semi-structured interviews, ensuring rich, in-depth insights into the participants' experiences. The process was augmented by member checking, reflective journaling, and peer debriefing to enhance credibility and trustworthiness. Ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality, were strictly upheld, with referrals to qualified counselors provided if participants need support. Analysis of the data collected from these interviews revealed significant themes related to how BIPOC counselors-in-training experience and manage racial microaggressions and burnout. The findings have direct implications for counselor education and supervision, highlighting the need for targeted support and training to address these challenges. Enhancing understanding and support for BIPOC counseling trainees could lead to more effective therapeutic practices and improved mental health outcomes for both counselors and their clients
THE SHIFT TO TREATMENT: ANALYZING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COURTMANDATED REHABILITATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DRUG CONVICTIONS IN SOUTH KOREA
Full text linkIn recent years, South Korea has increasingly emphasized treatment-based
approaches for individuals with drug convictions. Following the amendment of the
Narcotics Control Act on December 3, 2019, courts are now required to mandate
participation in rehabilitation education programs for individuals with drug convictions.
Despite this significant shift towards a treatment-oriented correctional model, there is a
notable gap in empirical research evaluating the efficacy of such rehabilitation programs,
particularly within the South Korean context. Addressing this gap, this thesis examines
the impact of a court-mandated rehabilitation education program conducted at Korean
correctional facilities nationwide on a sample of 144 individuals with drug convictions
between June, 2023, and April, 2024. The study evaluates changes across three key
outcomes: the Drug Abstinence Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES), the University of Rhode
Island Change Assessment for Drug Offenders (URICA-DO), and the Depression
Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The findings provide important insights into the
effectiveness of rehabilitation efforts and their broader implications for treatment-based
correctional strategies in South Korea