Analysis of a disaster medical track for the Certificate in Emergency Management and Preparedness Program at the University of Texas at Dallas

Since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the United States has engaged in building the infrastructure and developing the expertise necessary to protect its borders and its citizens from further attacks against its homeland. One approach has been the development of academic courses to educate individuals on the nature and dangers of subversive attacks and to prepare them to respond to attacks and other large-scale emergencies in their roles as working professionals, participating members of their communities, and collaborators with first responders. An initial review of the literature failed to reveal any university-based emergency management courses or programs with a disaster medical component, despite the public health significance and need for such programs. In the Fall of 2003, The School of Management at The University of Texas at Dallas introduced a continuing education Certificate in Emergency Management and Preparedness Program. This thesis will (1) describe the development and implementation of a new Disaster Medical Track as a component of this Certificate in Emergency Management and Preparedness Program, (2) analyze the need for and effectiveness of this Disaster Medical Track, and (3) propose improvements in the track based on this analysis. ^

Evaluation of epidemiological and clinical factors in survival of patients with de novo myelodysplastic syndrome at the University of Texas MD Anderson cancer center

Little is known about epidemiological markers that are associated with survival of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). We conducted a secondary case-based analysis of 465 de novo MDS patients from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC). We investigated the association between demographic as well as occupational exposure markers and survival while incorporating known clinical markers of prognosis. In our patient population, 60.6% were men and the majority were white (93.1%). The distribution of MDS subtypes by the French–American–British (FAB) classification was 81 (19%) refractory anemia (RA), 46 (9.9%) refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), 57 (12.3%) chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), 173 (37.2%) RA with excess blasts (RAEB), and 86 (18.5%) RAEB in transformation (RAEBT). We found that those older at diagnosis (> 60 years of age) (HR = 1.68, CI = 1.26-2.25) were at a higher risk of dying compared to younger patients. Similarly, high pack years of smoking (>= 30 pack years of smoking) (HR = 1.34, CI = 1.02-1.74), and agricultural chemical exposure (HR = 1.61, CI = 1.05-2.46) were significantly associated with overall lower survival when compared to patients with none or medium exposures. Among clinical markers, greater than 5% bone marrow blasts (HR = 1.81 CI = 1.27-2.56), poor cytogenetics (HR = 3.20, CI = 2.37-4.33)), and platelet cytopenias (<100000/ul) (HR = 1.46, CI = 1.11-1.92) were also significantly associated with overall MDS survival.^ The identification of epidemiological markers could help physicians stratify patients and customize treatment strategies to improve the outcome of MDS based on patient lifestyle information such as smoking exposure and agrochemical exposure. We hope that this study highlights the impact of these exposures in MDS prognosis.^

Findings of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's Dental School pilot mobile van program in Laredo, Texas

Lack of access to oral health care frequently affects those of lower socio-economic level; individuals in this group experience more dental decay, and the caries experience is more likely to be untreated. Inadequate dental care access may be attributed to exclusion that is due to income, geography, age, race or ethnicity. Objective: The present study aims were to: (1) determine how oral disease prevalence and access to dental services in four US-Mexico Border unincorporated low socioeconomic settlements identified as colonias compare to each other and Laredo, Texas, and (2) determine if insurance status affects dental care access and/or disease prevalence. Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a retrospective chart review of 672 patients attending a Mobile Dental Van Program in the Webb County colonias. Demographic information, (ethnicity, age, gender, insurance coverage and colonia site), dental visits within past year, insurance status, presence of dental sealants, prevalence of untreated dental decay (caries), and presence of gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) were extracted. Pearson's chi-square tests (χ2) were computed to compare the prevalence of these outcomes between colonias and Laredo and their potential association with insurance status. Results: For 6 - 11 year olds, dental visits in the past year were lower for colonias (39%), than Laredo (58.5%) (p<0.002). Caries prevalence was higher for colonias (56.6%), than Laredo (37.1%) (p<0.001). Gum disease prevalence was higher in colonias (73%), than in Laredo (21.4%) (p<0.001). No significant differences were noted for caries (χ2=1.73; p<0.188) and gum disease (χ2=0.0098; p<0.921) by patient's insurance status. For adults 36 - 64 years of age, dental visits in the past year were lower in colonias (22.4%), than Laredo (36.3%) (p<0.001). Caries prevalence was higher for colonias (78.3%), than Laredo (54.0%) (p<0.001). Gum disease prevalence was also higher among colonias (91.3%) than Laredo (61.3%) (p<0.001). No significant differences were noted for caries (χ2=0.0010; p<0.975) and gum disease (χ2=0.0607; p<0.805) by patient's insurance status. Conclusion: Colonia residents seeking dental care at a Mobile Dental Van Program in Webb County have significantly higher prevalence of oral disease regardless of insurance status.^

Report on the practice based culminating experience as teaching assistant for "Pathology and Public Health" class taught at University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston

Objectives. The objectives of this report were to describe current best standards in online education, class competencies, class objectives, class activities and to compare the class competencies, objectives and activities undertaken with the current best practices in online teaching and to provide a list of recommendations based on the most efficacious practices. ^ Methods. Utilizing the key words- online teaching, national standards, quality, online courses, I: (1) conducted a search on Google to find the best standard for quality online courses; the search yielded National Standards for Quality Online Teaching as the gold standard in online course quality; (2) specified class objectives and competencies as well as major activities undertaken as a part of the class. Utilizing the Southern Regional Education Board evaluation checklist for online courses, I: (1) performed an analysis comparing the class activities, objectives, and competencies with the current best standards; (2) utilized the information obtained from the analysis and class experiences to develop recommendations for the most efficacious online teaching practices. ^ Results. The class met the criteria set by the Southern Regional Education Board for evaluating online classes completely in 75%, partially in 16% and did not meet the criteria in 9% cases. The majority of the parameters in which the class did not meet the standards (4 of 5) were due to technological reasons beyond the scope of the class instructor, teaching assistant and instructional design. ^ Discussion. Successful online teaching requires awareness of technology, good communication, methods, collaboration, reflection and flexibility. Creation of an online community, engaging online learners and utilizing different learning styles and assessment methods promote learning. My report proposes that online teaching should actively engage the students and teachers with multiple interactive strategies as evidenced from current best standards of online education and my “hands-on” work experience. ^ Conclusion. The report and the ideas presented are intended to create a foundation for efficacious practice on the online teaching platform. By following many of the efficacious online practices described in the report and adding from their own experiences, online instructors and teaching assistants can contribute to effective online learning. ^

RELATION OF TYPE OF REPORTED ILLNESSES TO PATTERN OF USE OF THE STUDENT HEALTH CENTER BY THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY, HOUSTON, TEXAS

The state of knowledge on the relation of stress factors, health problems and health service utilization among university students is limited. Special problems of stress exist for the international students due to their having to adjust to a new environment. It is this latter problem area that provides the focus for this study. Recognizing there are special stress factors affecting the international students, it is first necessary to see if the problems of cultural adaptation affect them to any greater degree than American students attending the same university.^ To make the comparison, the study identified a number of health problems of both American and international students and related their frequency to the use of the Student Health Center. The expectation was that there would be an association between the number of health problems and the number of life change events experienced by these students and between the number of health problems and stresses from social factors. It was also expected that the number of health problems would decline with the amount of social support.^ The population chosen were students newly enrolled in Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas in the Fall Semester of 1979. Two groups were selected at random: 126 international and 126 American students. The survey instrument was a self-administered questionnaire. The response rate was 90% (114) for the international and 94% (118) for the American students.^ Data analyses consisted of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Chi-squares and correlation coefficients were the statistics used in comparing the international students and the American students.^ There was a weak association between the number of health problems and the number of life change events, as reported by both the international and the American students. The study failed to show any statistically significant association between the number of stress from social factors and the number of health problems. It also failed to show an association between the number of health problems and the amount of social support. These findings applied to both the international and the American students.^ One unexpected finding was that certain health problems were reported by more American than international students. There were: cough, diarrhea, and trouble in sleeping. Another finding was that those students with health insurance had a higher level of utilization of the Health Center than those without health insurance. More international than American students utilized the Student Health Center.^ In comparing the women students, there was no statistical significant difference in their reported fertility related health problems.^ The investigator recommends that in follow-up studies, instead of grouping all international students together, that they be divided by major nationalities represented in the student body; that is, Iranians, Nigerians and others. ^

Eric D. Perl, Theophany. The Neoplatonic Philosophy of Dionysius the Areopagite, State University of New York Press (SUNY series in ancient Greek philosophy), 2007. 163 p., ISBN-13: 978-0-7914-7111-1

Fil: Caram, Gabriela de los Ángeles.

Gómez Martínez, José Luis (ed.). Anuario bibliográfico de historia del pensamiento ibero e iberoamericano 1986. EE.UU., The University of Georgia, 1989, 136 p.

Fil: Jalif de Bertranou, Clara Alicia.

The Philosophical Forum. Published with the cooperation of the Departament of Philosophy of Baruch College of the City University of New York, v. XX, n. 1-2, Fall-Winter 1988-89

Fil: Jalif de Bertranou, Clara Alicia.

Stapleton, Timothy J.: Husserl and Heidegger: The question of a phenomenological beginning. Albany, State University of New York Press, 1983, 148 p.

Fil: Jalif de Bertranou, Clara Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Instituto de Filosofía Argentina y Americana

Donald Mowbray, Pain and suffering in medieval theology: Academic Debates at the University of Paris in the Thirteenth Century, Boydel and Brewer, Woodbridge, 2009; 192 p, ISBN 9781843834618.

Fil: Peretó Rivas, Rubén.

Thomas F. X. Noble, images, iconoclasm, and the carolingians, (The Middle Ages series), University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadelphia, 2009; 488 p., ISBN 978-0-8122-4141-9

Fil: Peretó Rivas, Rubén.

Ronald E. Heine, Origen. Scholarship in the service of the church, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2010, pp. 275. ISBN 978-0-19-920907-1.

Fil: Peretó Rivas, Rubén.

Vocation in the insertion of the university student and the graduate

The work plan aims at deepening the analysis of the theoretic assumptions which support the practice in Vocational Guidance: analyzing the incidence of endogenous and exogenous factors both in the election and studying of a particular course of study and in the occupational resolution of the graduate. This analysis enables the revision and the new theoretic conceptualization which is afterwards transferred to the course, and to different groups and provincial institutions where the practice of Vocational Guidance occurs, as well as to other schools in the Northwest provinces of Argentina. Semiotic analysis, statistical elaboration and the research-action approach which, while surveying data renders a service to the milieu, provide the base for the project. Said project focuses on the following individuals: 1) freshmen, who offer us the following aspects to be considered: a) factors which either favor or hinder the insertion of the students attending the first years of the course; b) the conditions making up the learning situation in each subject, from the teaching point of view; c) the influence of institutional dimension in the insertion process; 2) graduands: the characteristics of the situation following graduation from University, those of the labor field and the different ways of gaining access to it are investigated. This analysis is carried out in the courses of study of Psychology and English (education of Professionals in English and English for Professionals).

Investigation project: Representations about the professional role of recently graduated from the psychology career, state University of La Plata : Its relation with job insertion and performance

In this paper we present a research that took place between 2010 and 2012 included in an investigation scholarship awarded by the State University of la Plata. It is about the problem with the transition between college and professional work. It is a part of the produced studies on the importance of social representations as factors that impact on the performance of specific activities. In this case it's about finding out the relations given among the representations about graduated professional role of the Psychology career and its job insertion and performance. The theoretical framework corresponds to Social Psychology and Guidance theories. Methodologically this is an exploratory and descriptive study, based on the 'triangulation' conception, of multiple type, that allows combining in the same investigation, different strategies, theoretical perspectives and sources; however qualitative techniques were prioritized to analyze data. Finally there are some considerations about the social representations concerning to the professional performance, mainly in the clinical field associated to education, and also to the problems of both situations over other fields