Psychological Trauma in Terrorism Research (PT2R): Identifying Risk Factors and Intervention Points for Work-Related Psychosocial Trauma

Slides for the presentation presented at the ENVISION24 Conference Session 8: Lighting Talks: Transformative Workforce Developmen

Analyzing the Causes of Labor Shortage in the Commercial Carpentry Trades in the San Francisco Bay Area

Skilled labor is vital to the success of any construction project, and no contractor would be able to operate without the skilled laborers that they employ. The construction industry has been subject to a shortage of skilled labor for the last two decades for many reasons, including the poor image of construction workers among the public, inadequate training measures, and an aging workforce. Reviewing the literature on the matter shows that the leading cause of shortage is low pay and increasing age of the workforce overall, while the demand for labor grows at a faster rate than the supply of labor grows. Poor worker retention practices were also identified as a cause for shortage and a reason for workers leaving the industry, and proper retention tactics are assessed, including monetary and non-monetary considerations for workers in order to foster a better employer-employee relationship. Recruiting practices among labor unions and contractors are also assessed through interviews and research, with the results suggesting that a greater emphasis should be put on improving the image of construction workers in the public eye, increasing the prestige of a job in construction and leading to increased participation in the construction industry among young people

Vicarious Trauma via the Observation of Extremist Atrocities: A Rapid Evidence Assessment

Bottom Line Up Front (BLUF): Members of the DHS workforce and terrorism researchers are systematically exposed to the propaganda, ideologies, and psychologies of actors who seek to launch terrorist attacks. This content is inherently value-laden and possibly personally troubling, causing these individuals to confront potential violations of their “sacred” or “protected” values such as the preservation of life (e.g., Tetlock et al., 2000). Here we present the result of a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) which sought to review research across multiple fields of work in which individuals are exposed to traumatic imagery, or events. This REA found that there is a small body of extant research focused on a few key domains (namely digital forensic and Internet child sex abuse prevention) that has explored the significant psychological trauma caused by exposure to extreme content. This body of literature emphasizes the importance of gaining clarity on the nature of trauma that is caused and the role of different forms of media on traumatic outcomes (e.g., observing Reddit forums vs., watching beheading videos). However, this review also identifies a series of factors that can impact the degree of harm caused by exposure to this content. These factors include the nature of the content, individual traits, and the individual’s social and work environment. Overall, this REA has identified a range of immediate research needs to extend, or apply, this research to the DHS workforce. These include: 1. Disaggregating the relationship that exists between the various possible forms of trauma and the specific forms of media that are consumed. 2. Exploring the degree to which cognitive resilience strategies, such as those identified within Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) staff are effective. 3. Validate the degree to which organizational dynamics can negatively or positively impact the manifestation of trauma in the workforce. These include issues of culture and workload. The presence of these organizational barriers within DHS needs to be explored, and if present, mitigated. 4. While largely untested, several articles included suggestions for interventions that could increase resilience. These largely center on the importance of debriefing. Future research should investigate how effective debriefs can be structured and implemented within the DHS workforce to support the development of resilience by those who are exposed to such harmful content online. Impact on DHS capabilities: Research identified as part of this REA outlines the negative implications of individual trauma, and the important role of the organization in mitigating trauma. Specifically, factors at the organizational level such as workload management, job rotation, and organizational culture were identified as playing a potentially important role in protecting employees from trauma. Furthermore, some studies showed that experiences of secondary trauma stemming from exposure to traumatic imagery was correlated with turnover intentions. As such, to maintain a safe and effective workforce in the face of such extreme pressures, it is important that DHS emphasize the need to protect workers from the negative impacts of exposure to traumatic content and imagery

Ferritin to Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Ratio: Simple Measure to Identify Macrophage Activation Syndrome in Systemic Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a life-threatening complication of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA). Early diagnosis is critical. Classification criteria for MAS in sJIA perform less well in the setting of cytokine-directed therapies. The goal herein was to explore a simple ratio of serum ferritin to the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) for diagnosis of MAS in the setting of sJIA, and to assess ferritin alone as a screening tool for identifying MAS of multiple etiologies

The Immunology of Macrophage Activation Syndrome

Synonymous with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) is a term used by rheumatologists to describe a potentially life-threatening complication of systemic inflammatory disorders, most commonly systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Clinical and laboratory features of MAS include sustained fever, hyperferritinemia, pancytopenia, fibrinolytic coagulopathy, and liver dysfunction. Soluble interleukin-2 receptor alpha chain (sCD25) and sCD163 may be elevated, and histopathology often reveals characteristic increased hemophagocytic activity in the bone marrow (and other tissues), with positive CD163 (histiocyte) staining. A common hypothesis as to the pathophysiology of many cases of MAS proposes a defect in lymphocyte cytolytic activity. Specific heterozygous gene mutations in familial HLH-associated cytolytic pathway genes (e.g., PRF1, UNC13D) have been linked to a substantial subset of MAS patients. In addition, the pro-inflammatory cytokine environment, particularly IL-6, has been shown to decrease NK cell cytolytic function. The inability of NK cells and cytolytic CD8 T cells to lyse infected and otherwise activated antigen presenting cells results in prolonged cell-to-cell (innate and adaptive immune cells) interactions and amplification of a pro-inflammatory cytokine cascade. The cytokine storm results in activation of macrophages, causing hemophagocytosis, as well as contributing to multi-organ dysfunction. In addition to macrophages, dendritic cells likely play a critical role in antigen presentation to cytolytic lymphocytes, as well as contributing to cytokine expression. Several cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor, interferon-gamma, and numerous interleukins (i.e., IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, IL-33), have been implicated in the cytokine cascade. In addition to broadly immunosuppressive therapies, novel cytokine targeted treatments are being explored to dampen the overly active immune response that is responsible for much of the pathology seen in MAS

Avoidant authority: The effect of organizational power on decision-making in high-uncertainty situations

Individuals in positions of power are often required to make high-stakes decisions. The approach-inhibition theory of social power holds that elevated power activates approach-related tendencies, leading to decisiveness and action orientation. However, naturalistic decision-making research has often reported that increased power often has the opposite effect and causes more avoidant decision-making. To investigate the potential activation of avoidance-related tendencies in response to elevated power, this study employed an immersive scenario-based battery of least-worst decisions (the Least-Worst Uncertain Choice Inventory for Emergency Responses; LUCIFER) with members of the United States Armed Forces. In line with previous naturalistic decision-making research on the effect of power, this research found that in conditions of higher power, individuals found decisions more difficult and were more likely to make an avoidant choice. Furthermore, this effect was more pronounced in domain-specific decisions for which the individual had experience. These findings expand our understanding of when, and in what contexts, power leads to approach vs. avoidant tendencies, as well as demonstrate the benefits of bridging methodological divides that exist between “in the lab” and “in the field” when studying high-uncertainty decision-making

Trace Metal Analysis of Karuk Traditional Foods in the Klamath River

10 pagesThis study evaluates the presence of trace metals in Klamath River water and three important Karuk traditional foods: freshwater mussels (Gonidea angulata), Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) and Rainbow Trout (On- corhynchus mykiss). Samples of these traditional foods together with water samples were collected from the Klamath River and measured for the total chromium (Chromium), cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb) by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). We found that cultural-use species in the Klamath and its tributaries are accumulating higher levels of lead, cadmium and tin downstream of a known Superfund site. Neither water, fish, nor mussel samples exceeded maximum intake levels of metal doses mandated by state or federal agencies for consumption intakes of 1.4 L per day of water, 0.5 kg per meal per day for fish, and 0.043 kg per meal for 30 meals per year

Pottermore, A Case Study: What Publishers Can Learn About Developing Interactive Transmedia in the Post-Web Age

15 years after the publication of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, J.K. Rowling’s magical world would be transformed into an interactive, playable website called simply Pottermore. It included all the elements that dominate successful interactive transmedia: exclusive narrative content that brought readers into the storyworld, spaces for members to create and build virtual communities, interactive gameplay, and additional forms of transmedia available for purchase. Then in 2015, Pottermore Publishing launched a major redesign of Pottermore in the face of declining eBook and audiobook sales. By comparing and contrasting the three versions of Pottermore (Old, New, and now Wizarding World), I hoped to answer the question: why the sudden shift? Did the structure of each website offer insight into Pottermore Publishing’s strategy to sell and distribute digital editions to readers? In order to evaluate each site’s composition, I counted each version’s webpages, then coded the webpages into four interactive transmedia modules: exclusive narrative, community space, interactive, and commerce. I concluded that Old Pottermore offered a more interactive and balanced Web interface, but the scale of the project was too large to financially sustain. New Pottermore, the second version of the website, became an endless Potter encyclopedia, while simultaneously removing almost all interactive gameplay and spaces for members to interact with one another. Although Wizarding World, the most recent version of Pottermore, has introduced new interactive and commerce modules to its website, their project could improve with the reintroduction of spaces for the fandom to rebuild the community it lost after the first redesign. Successful interactive transmedia not only includes participatory activities and interactive narratives, but provides spaces for communities of readers to engage with one another. This, in tandem with enough webpages devoted to commerce, could sustain interactive transmedia storytelling projects well into the future