Optimizing the Allocation of Vaccines in the Presence of Multiple Strains of the Influenza Virus

During the annual flu season, multiple strains of the influenza virus are often present within a population. It is a significant challenge for health care administrators to determine the most effective allocation of two different vaccines to combat the various strains when treating the public. We employ a mathematical model, a system of differential equations, to find a strategy for vaccinating a population in order to minimize the number of infected individuals. We consider various strengths of transmission of the disease, availability of vaccine doses, vaccination rates, and other model parameters. This research may lead to more effective health care policies for vaccine administration

Applying 42 U.S.C. Section 1981 to Claims of Consumer Discrimination

This Comment explores several interesting legal questions regarding the proper interpretation 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, which prohibits racial discrimination in contracting, when discrimination arises in the context of a consumer retail contract. It explores how the Fifth Circuit’s and other federal courts’ narrow interpretation of section 1981’s application in a retail setting, which allows plaintiffs to invoke the statute only when they have been prevented from completing their purchase, is contrary to the statute’s express language, Congressional intent, and to evolving concepts of contract theory, all of which encompass our society’s deep commitment to combating racial discrimination through strict enforcement of civil rights protections. It examines the legislative and interpretive history of 42 U.S.C. § 1981, emphasizing the trend in both Congress and the courts to interpret this and other civil rights laws broadly. It then reviews a selection of federal court interpretations of § 1981’s application to the retail setting, from the very restrictive to those that have found a workable, broader interpretation that encompasses the various stages of the retailer-consumer contractual relationship. It highlights the standard adopted in the Sixth Circuit that finds actionable “markedly hostile” discriminatory conduct affecting the contractual relationship. Finally, the Comment examines how, as contract theory itself evolves to encompass a more expansive view of responsibility and liability between contracting parties, so should the non-discrimination statute which governs contractual relations. In conclusion, an adoption of the Sixth Circuit’s “markedly hostile” test is urged

Optimizing the Allocation of Vaccines in the Presence of Multiple Strains of the Influenza Virus

During the annual flu season, multiple strains of the influenza virus are often present within a population. It is a significant challenge for health care administrators to determine the most effective allocation of multiple different vaccines to combat the various strains when protecting the public. We employ a mathematical model, a system of differential equations, to find a strategy for vaccinating a population to minimize the number of infected individuals. We consider various strengths of transmission of the disease, availability of vaccine doses, vaccination rates, and other model parameters. This research may lead to more effective health care policies for vaccine administration

Listen in the Library: Music Therapy Student Musicians

The monthly concert series, Listen in the Library, featured student performers in library spaces on the Logan campus. These short, pop-up concerts were one of the ways the USU Libraries was involved in USU’s “Year of the Arts” in 2017-2018. While the library regularly features students’ visual art and exhibits, Listen in the Library brought the performing arts into the space, making student accomplishments in music audible and visible to a community outside the concert hall.https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/music_programs/1158/thumbnail.jp

The Perceptions of Pediatric Occupational Therapists Regarding Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy

Background: Research has shown constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) to be of benefit in pediatric occupational therapy practice to treat children with hemiplegia. The perceptions of adult clients, pediatric clients, child caregivers, and occupational therapists working with the adult population has been explored in the past. However, little is known about the perceptions of occupational therapists working with the pediatric population regarding CIMT. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of pediatric occupational therapists who had awareness of CIMT as an intervention method. Methods: Eight pediatric occupational therapists from the Midwest United States participated in the study. Structured interviews were conducted focusing on the participants’ knowledge, implementation practices, and current perceptions of CIMT in pediatric practice. Coding and thematic analysis was used to determine themes. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: perceived benefits of CIMT, varying comfort levels with delivery of the intervention, and differing methods of implementation. Conclusion: This study was a preliminary attempt to understand pediatric occupational therapists’ perceptions and implementation of CIMT. Future research should expand on findings by exploring the perceptions of pediatric occupational therapists from across the country as well as adapting the interview to allow for more open-ended responses