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Integrating the Application of a Virtual Reality Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Latino Adults with Autism and Social Anxiety
No full textAutism is a neurodevelopmental condition that requires long-term treatment and services. Social anxiety is one of the most prevalent comorbidities that affects individuals with autism. Previous research found that the presence of this comorbidity predicts poorer treatment results than either condition alone (Briot et al., 2020; Stark et al., 2022). Individuals with autism face multiple barriers finding treatments adapted to meet their needs. Autistic adults with social anxiety who are part of a minority group, such as Latinos, experience additional difficulties, such as linguistic, educational, and financial barriers to receiving care and accessing services (Chaidez et al., 2012).
The current quantitative pilot study assessed the feasibility, appropriateness, acceptability, and preliminary clinical impact of a culturally adapted CBT–Virtual reality treatment for Latino adults with autism and social anxiety. Additionally, social anxiety measures such as the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) and the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) were used to assess the trends and symptoms of social anxiety before, during, and after the treatment. The treatment consisted of a 12 sessions modular program that included CBT-psychoeducation, emotional awareness, social skills and relationships, and virtual reality exposure. The cultural adaptation attended to Latino/Hispanic culture and considered language, persons, content, context, concepts, methods, metaphors, and goals. Results indicated high levels of acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility for both the intervention and the cultural adaptation for participants (n = 10) and their support person(s) (n = 12). Additionally, repeated measures ANOVA indicated a non-statistically significant effect in the reduction of social anxiety for five LSAS measures across treatment modules; in contrast, a preliminary statistically significant reduction of social anxiety scores of the SIAS was observed for the different treatment modules. In conclusion, the integration of technological advancements such as virtual reality and telehealth services, combined with cognitive behavioral therapyevidence-based practices, using a culturally adapted treatment can be accepted, appropriate, accepted, and feasible while contributing with the reduction of social anxiety symptoms
Vehicle Pursuits
No full textLaw enforcement agencies are faced with a choice every day regarding whether they should pursue or not pursue a fleeing vehicle. It is not uncommon to turn on the news and see the top story about a law enforcement vehicle pursuit that ends in a crash. Some of the crashes that occur involve innocent people who get hurt or killed as a result of the vehicle pursuit. Even with the risks involved in pursuits, all agencies should permit vehicle pursuits. When a catalyst event occurs, opponents of vehicle pursuits air their feelings about them publicly, which can cause controversy and unfavorable views of agencies depending on the incident. The double-edged sword law enforcement faces is preventing the criminals from getting away, while still maintaining the general public�s safety. Opponents of vehicle pursuits believe the risk to the public is too great and agencies' pursuit policies should be limited in scope. Some opponents argue there should be no vehicle pursuits allowed or only vehicle pursuits for serious crimes such as felony-level offenses. All agencies must participate in studies to further analyze causations for pursuits, to see correlations between agencies that could assist in making vehicle pursuits safer, and to see the unintended consequences of terminations of pursuits or lack of pursuits cause. It is also shown that limiting vehicle pursuits to only certain level offenses can lead to more drivers failing to stop for law enforcement because they know the pursuit policy of the agency does not allow the officer to pursue just a traffic violation. One of the top three causes of fatal crashes is speed. Speeding itself absent of a crash, is typically a low-level offense (NHTSA, 2024). There are plenty of qualitative research examples that show vehicle pursuits are inherently dangerous but necessary.LEMI
Public Perception of Policing
No full textDuring a time when there is an increased emphasis on community-police relations, the role of public perception in shaping these relationships has become notably significant. Police officers are fighting to change the public's opinion of being corrupt, abusive, and untruthful. There have been several publicized cases of police brutality aired on the news and social media that have shown law enforcement in a bad light. Additionally, these publications show the most intense portion of an incident, and offer a brief, one-sided story, repeatedly allowing the viewers to form a negative opinion of the situation. In addition to these cases being highly publicized, a ripple effect has occurred and increased the number of negative interactions between the police and the public. Due to the increasing amount of violence occurring between law enforcement and the public, many believe an action of police reform is warranted, recognizing that the public�s perception of law enforcement is crucial for fostering positive relationships between the police and the community. Law enforcement agencies started implementing changes within their organizational policies and procedures. This awareness plays a pivotal role in establishing the groundwork for healthy interactions between the police force and the local community. When law enforcement agencies possess a comprehensive understanding of the public's perception of them, they are better equipped to address concerns, establish trust, and cultivate collaborative relationships with the community. This understanding allows for the development of proactive strategies to bridge gaps and improve communication, ultimately leading to increased community safety and a stronger sense of security for all.LEMI
Latino Osteopathic Medical Student Audio Series – Sergio Sanchez
No full textBridging Horizons: Audio Series on a medical career journey for undergraduate students with Sergio Sanchez. There is an undisputable need to increase Hispanic diversity in medical education and healthcare. Discover the inspiring world of medicine through "Bridging Horizons," an audio series designed to empower and guide Hispanic undergraduate students on their path to medical school. Delve into the personal stories and triumphs of Hispanic medical students, giving insights into their cultural perspectives on how to start the journey to becoming a medical professional. This audio series highlights the cultural attributes of medical students and their successful stories from navigating fears and uncertainties to initiating their medical career path up to their school’s admission. "Bridging Horizons" is a platform that celebrates the resilience, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic individuals in the initial journey to becoming medical professionals. Join us in fostering a supportive community for Hispanic prospective med students, offering practical advice on engagement to break down barriers, bridge cultural gaps, and provide a roadmap for aspiring Hispanic medical professionals. Tune in for a roadmap to success, from undergraduate studies to medical school admission.SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicin
Beyond the Library: The Role of Academic Libraries’ Chat Reference in Answering Campus Questions
Get PDFEven before the COVID-19 pandemic drove most users online, chat was establishing itself as a core service for asking library-related questions of many types, from basic directional and reference to research queries of a more sophisticated nature. This investigation seeks to provide insight into how academic libraries are seen not only as a source of library assistance, but also as a means of filling an information gap on a wider subject: the university campus at large. The study’s methods involved analyzing chat transcripts from five large four-year public universities during a two-year period (2019-2021), noting the frequency of campus-related chat questions and coding the specific topics of those inquiries. The findings show that library reference services, particularly live virtual chat, are consistently valuable to the campus community and may be especially important to supporting less privileged student populations
Elementary Instructional Coaches and Teachers: A Case Study
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the experiences and
perceptions of instructional coaches and teachers using the Results Coaching Global Framework with respect to outcomes of working together. The intent of an instructional coach is to collaborate with teachers one-on-one to build their instructional teaching skills. The study took place in a central Texas public school district with 10 elementary schools, four middle schools, and two comprehensive high schools. The school district has approximately 13,000 students and about 5,500 students are in elementary. Three instructional coaches and four teachers were interviewed. Three principals completed a questionnaire, and all participants were employed on elementary campuses. The three sets worked on the same campus to increase validity. Data were collected from the instructional coaches and teachers through a 60-minute semi-structured interview. Principals responded to a questionnaire with 22 questions. The interview data were transcribed, placed in a codebook, and then processed through two coding cycles to ensure that the main idea of their statement was captured. The data collected from the administrator surveys served to triangulate the data collected from the instructional coaches and the teachers. After analyzing data for themes from the participants’ responses, eight themes emerged. The themes were the coaching process, training experiences, experiences with coaching, coaching support, relationships with trust, other duties of IC, needed changes in coaching, and the perceived impact of coaching. Three major findings were as follows: First over time, the coaches modified their coaching process because the district leadership, along with the instructional coaches, noticed that the narrow scope of coaching through the Results Coaching Global model may not meet the needs of all the teachers and might result in slower instructional growth for the teachers and students. Second, teachers did not receive formal training about the Results Coaching Global Framework or how the instructional coaches could support the teachers with this specific process. Third, teachers, instructional coaches, and principals believed that the strong bond of trust between teachers and coaches was the critical ingredient for achieving success in the coaching process aimed at teacher growth. Several implications for practice and recommendations for future research
First Responder Agencies Developing Mental Wellness Programs
No full textAll over the United States first responders are dying. Some of those deaths are
related to accidents and others are related to homicides. The overwhelming truth is
most of the first responders who die way too early are because of suicide. The stress a
first responder is subject to comes at a very high cost. Agencies must develop a mental
wellness program that encompasses the overall mental wellness of the employee and
their family. Programs should focus on everything that contributes to depression and not
just mental status. These programs would include mental, physical, family, and financial
wellness training for the employees. While suicide is the number one killer of first
responders, the divorce rate is also higher than the general population. There is a longtime stigma of not asking for help among first responders because, in their jobs, they
are supposed to be the ones fixing everything and helping others. An easy way to
suppress trauma without telling someone is resorting to drugs and alcohol, which are
often abused. If an environment within a first responder agency is created where a job specific mental wellness program is utilized and destigmatized, the suicide rate would
decrease dramatically. That environment needs to thrive with fellow first responders
who are specifically trained as peer-support members who can see the critical warning
signs to get employees the resources they need to survive. Training the employee to be
resilient to the constant stressors and for them to know and understand the resources
available can ultimately save a life. Employees are an investment to any organization;
investing in their mental wellness is investing in their future at the agency.LEMI
Graduate Student Perspectives of Multimodal Assessments in Higher Education Online Learning
No full textThis study employs a transcendental phenomenology case study approach to explore graduate student perspectives on multimodal assessments (MMAs) within an online environment. The primary objective is to understand how these students experience and perceive MMAs. To achieve this, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect in-depth data from participants, which was analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants were asked to share their experiences with MMAs, revealing three prominent themes: assessment value, technology usage, and student experience. The elements of the student experience encompassed previous experience, expectations,assessment challenges, student satisfaction, and self-perception.
The findings indicate that participants generally found value in the multimodal assessment method. However, the perceived value significantly depended on the role of the instructor. Clear instructor expectations and timely feedback were an important factor in enhancing the participants’ perception of the assessment experience. Participants noted
that well-designed multimodal assessments contributed positively to their learning and satisfaction.
Technology usage emerged as another critical theme, with participants highlighting both the advantages and challenges associated with digital tools. While these tools enabled innovative assessment methods and increased accessibility, they also introduced coordination and technical difficulties, particularly in an online setting.
These insights are valuable for educators and instructional designers aiming to enhance online learning environments through multimodal assessment strategies. The implications of this research point to the need for continuous support and training for instructors to maximize the benefits of multimodal assessments
Chiefs and Thunder: General Earle Wheeler, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the First Year of Operation Rolling Thunder
No full textUnder US federal law, the Joint Chiefs of Staff is the highest military advisory group for civilian policymakers in the executive and legislative branches – a body with no operational command of military forces. Prior to 1986, the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a corporate entity was the sole “primary military adviser” to the President and Secretary of Defense. In practice, this forced the Chiefs, consisting of a first-among-equals Chairman and the heads of each military branch, to compromise and negotiate their official military advice to civilian leadership. Issuing divided opinions ostensibly lessened their influence with policymakers, especially during the 1960s when an assertive and iconoclastic Secretary of Defense, Robert McNamara, had his own visions of US defense policy and military strategies.
As President Lyndon Johnson committed the United States to military intervention in Vietnam in 1965, he wanted his advisors and commanders to prepare and execute a limited air campaign against North Vietnam – Operation Rolling Thunder. Despite fierce disagreements with a gradualist campaign intended to only coerce North Vietnam to negotiations by causing “just enough” damage, the Joint Chiefs prepared plans for the administration while also consistently advising that the campaign be strengthened with heavy use of force. Chairman Earle Wheeler conveyed orders from the administration and additional guidance to commanders, solicited feedback from the commanders, presided over Joint Chiefs meetings and shared their views with policymakers, and represented the body to civilian leadership.
Congress officially established the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1947 specifically to provide expertise on military matters and to assist leadership in executing policy and directives. How did the Joint Chiefs and General Earle Wheeler oversee and provide guidance on Operation Rolling Thunder during its first year in 1965? Examining how the group operated during a specific military campaign in a larger war shows how the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Chairman performed their duties during a time of conflict. While dutifully overseeing the execution of presidential decisions for an incremental air campaign, the Chiefs also frequently provided their advice that Rolling Thunder had to use heavier airpower to achieve ultimate policy goals
The Role Of Toll: Cancer and Innate Immunity In A Drosophila Tumor Model
No full textIn Drosophila melanogaster, the Toll pathway is an innate immune pathway that
is known to be activated in response to septic injury. Yet, this pathway is also activated in
the fat body of a Drosophila tumor model, and implicated as being an important
antagonist of tumor development. However, due to the lack of a septic injury, it is
unknown how the Toll pathway is activated in response to a tumor. The fly model used in
this study is a variant of the well-established scribRas eyflp-MARCM tumor model,
characterized by overgrowth of epithelial cells. Other work has shown that this epithelial
tumor tissue demonstrates gene expression similar to wounded epithelia, including the
upregulation of Toll pathway components. Bulk sequencing of tumors has revealed
dysregulated signaling by mutant and surrounding tissue, driven predominantly by Hippo,
JNK, and Jak-STAT pathways. Our examination of this published transcriptome data
revealed an upregulation in the tumor of extracellular components of the Toll signaling
pathway as a predicted direct consequence of Hippo and JNK pathway activation. Thus
we hypothesized that one or more of these tumor-derived factors may be the source of
Toll pathway activation.
In this work, we assessed if two of these immune system effectors upregulated in
the tumor, Tep3 and PGRP-SA, may be required for the activation of the Toll innate
immune response by the fat body. We further investigated if Tep3 or PGRP-SA
upregulation antagonizes or promotes tumor progression. We hypothesized, based on
transcriptomic and cis-regulatory prediction data, that Tep3 and PGRP-SA activation may
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be downstream of the Hippo and/or JNK pathways, which are highly dysregulated in the
tumor.
In our investigation, we found that Tep3 and PGRP-SA are not downstream of
Hippo, but instead require JNK signaling for their upregulation. In addition, we found that
the tumor specific knockdown of Tep3 or PGRP-SA or systemic knockout of PGRP-SA
does not reduce Toll pathway activity in the fat body. However, within the tumor itself,
reduced Tep3 or PGRP-SA expression results in smaller tumors. Analysis of markers of
apoptosis and mitosis found no upregulation of apoptosis, but visible decrease in mitosis
suggesting tumor produced Tep3 and PGRP-SA may support tumor cell proliferation,
though the mechanism for this is unknown.
From these results, we conclude that Tep3 and PGRP-SA promote tumor growth
through a mechanism parallel or downstream of Toll activation in the fat body. We
further conclude that they are unlikely to be the molecules responsible for the activation
of Toll signaling in the fat body. These results contribute to our understanding of the
inflammatory response in the absence of septic injury, and illustrate that these innate
immune molecules may support tumor growth