Crisis Communications: How Businesses Respond in the Wake of Tragedy

Crisis communication is an ever-evolving form of communication that is integral to a business’s success. When tragedy strikes, businesses must have a thorough plan of response that manages the situation and protects their brand. This paper discusses the definition of crisis communication, its history, and how modern trends like social media, have revolutionized it. This study is important because it influences a business’s public perception, and sustainability. Thorough knowledge of crisis communication is critical to a business student’s education and will prepare them for working in fast-paced communication and business environments. An analysis of this topic should yield an understanding of crisis communication and how it can be best applied in crisis situations

Bod1, a novel kinetochore protein required for chromosome biorientation

We have combined the proteomic analysis of Xenopus laevis in vitro–assembled chromosomes with RNA interference and live cell imaging in HeLa cells to identify novel factors required for proper chromosome segregation. The first of these is Bod1, a protein conserved throughout metazoans that associates with a large macromolecular complex and localizes with kinetochores and spindle poles during mitosis. Small interfering RNA depletion of Bod1 in HeLa cells produces elongated mitotic spindles with severe biorientation defects. Bod1-depleted cells form syntelic attachments that can oscillate and generate enough force to separate sister kinetochores, suggesting that microtubule–kinetochore interactions were intact. Releasing Bod1-depleted cells from a monastrol block increases the frequency of syntelic attachments and the number of cells displaying biorientation defects. Bod1 depletion does not affect the activity or localization of Aurora B but does cause mislocalization of the microtubule depolymerase mitotic centromere- associated kinesin and prevents its efficient phosphorylation by Aurora B. Therefore, Bod1 is a novel kinetochore protein that is required for the detection or resolution of syntelic attachments in mitotic spindles

Accessibility and suitability of residential alcohol treatment for older adults: a mixed method study

Background Whilst alcohol misuse is decreasing amongst younger adults in many countries, it is increasing in older adults. Residential rehabilitation (rehab) is a vital component of the alcohol treatment system, particularly for those with relatively complex needs and entrenched alcohol problems. In this study, we sought to find out to what extent rehabs in England have upper age limits that exclude older adults, whether rehabs are responsive to older adults’ age-related needs and how older adults experience these services. Method This is a mixed method study. A search was carried out of Public Health England’s online directory of rehabs to identify upper age thresholds. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out with 16 individuals who had attended one of five residential rehabs in England and Wales since their 50th birthday. A researcher with experience of a later life alcohol problem conducted the interviews. Results Of the 118 services listed on Public Health England’s online directory of rehabs, 75% stated that they had an upper age limit that would exclude older adults. Perceived differences in values, attitudes and behaviour between younger and older residents had an impact on older residents’ experience of rehab. Activities organised by the rehabs were often based on physical activity that some older adults found it difficult to take part in and this could create a sense of isolation. Some older adults felt unsafe in rehab and were bullied, intimidated and subjected to ageist language and attitudes. Conclusion This study identified direct and indirect age discrimination in rehabs contrary to the law. Further research is required to find out if age discrimination exists in rehabs in other countries. Rehabs should remove arbitrary age limits and ensure that they are responsive to the needs of older adults

Combinatorial Binding in Human and Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells Identifies Conserved Enhancers Active in Early Embryonic Development

Transcription factors are proteins that regulate gene expression by binding to cis-regulatory sequences such as promoters and enhancers. In embryonic stem (ES) cells, binding of the transcription factors OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG is essential to maintain the capacity of the cells to differentiate into any cell type of the developing embryo. It is known that transcription factors interact to regulate gene expression. In this study we show that combinatorial binding is strongly associated with co-localization of the transcriptional co-activator Mediator, H3K27ac and increased expression of nearby genes in embryonic stem cells. We observe that the same loci bound by Oct4, Nanog and Sox2 in ES cells frequently drive expression in early embryonic development. Comparison of mouse and human ES cells shows that less than 5% of individual binding events for OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG are shared between species. In contrast, about 15% of combinatorial binding events and even between 53% and 63% of combinatorial binding events at enhancers active in early development are conserved. Our analysis suggests that the combination of OCT4, SOX2 and NANOG binding is critical for transcription in ES cells and likely plays an important role for embryogenesis by binding at conserved early developmental enhancers. Our data suggests that the fast evolutionary rewiring of regulatory networks mainly affects individual binding events, whereas “gene regulatory hotspots” which are bound by multiple factors and active in multiple tissues throughout early development are under stronger evolutionary constraints

Human difference in the genomic era: Facilitating a socially responsible dialogue

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The study of human genetic variation has been advanced by research such as genome-wide association studies, which aim to identify variants associated with common, complex diseases and traits. Significant strides have already been made in gleaning information on susceptibility, treatment, and prevention of a number of disorders. However, as genetic researchers continue to uncover underlying differences between individuals, there is growing concern that observed population-level differences will be inappropriately generalized as inherent to particular racial or ethnic groups and potentially perpetuate negative stereotypes.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>We caution that imprecision of language when conveying research conclusions, compounded by the potential distortion of findings by the media, can lead to the stigmatization of racial and ethnic groups.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>It is essential that the scientific community and with those reporting and disseminating research findings continue to foster a socially responsible dialogue about genetic variation and human difference.</p

Mortality among older adults with opioid use disorders in the Veteran's Health Administration, 2000-2011

BACKGROUND: The population of people with opioid use disorders (OUD) is aging. There has been little research on the effects of aging on mortality rates and causes of death in this group. We aimed to compare mortality in older (≥50 years of age) adults with OUD to that in younger (<50 years) adults with OUD and older adults with no history of OUD. We also examined risk factors for specific causes of death in older adults with OUD. METHODS: Using data from the Veteran’s Health Administration National Patient Care Database (2000–2011), we compared all-cause and cause-specific mortality rates in older adults with OUD to those in younger adults with OUD and older adults without OUD. We then generated a Cox regression model with specific causes of death treated as competing risks. RESULTS: Older adults with OUD were more likely to die from any cause than younger adults with OUD. The drug-related mortality rate did not decline with age. HIV-related and liver-related deaths were higher among older OUD compared to same-age peers without OUD. There were very few clinically important predictors of specific causes of death. CONCLUSION: Considerable drug-related mortality in people with OUD suggests a need for greater access to overdose prevention and opioid substitution therapy across the lifespan. Elevated risk of liver-related death in older adults may be addressed through antiviral therapy for hepatitis C virus infection. There is an urgent need to explore models of care that address the complex health needs of older adults with OUD

Audiograft Preview Podcast

This 31 minute long podcast previews some of the works that will be seen at the Audiograft Festival in 2011. Here is the tracklist: 1. Vox pops “What is Audiograft?” The idea is explored by SARU practitioners Ray Lee Shirley Pegna Stephen Cornford Mike Blow Paul Dibley Paul Whitty 2. Introduction to Audiograft by Felicity Ford The sounds in the background were taken from Ray Lee‘s “Murmur” installation, shown at the Liverpool Biennial Mike Blow‘s oyster shell work (featured in this video) Paul Dibley‘s works with spectral carving processes the opening bars of “Organ Grinder” by Paul Dibley which can be heard here 3. Shirley Pegna talking about geophones and “Ground Sounds;” one of the works she will be exhibiting at Oxford Brookes during Audiograft. You can hear very low sounds here if your speakers or headphones will play low frequencies – the same track that Shirley has presented here has been used throughout the discussion. There is also a recording of a car engine starting up here; it was made by Felicity Ford during her explorations of her commute along the A4074 road in Oxfordshire 4. Mike Blow talking about the interactions between objects and sounds that he has been exploring in recent installation works. In the background you can hear the shower recordings used in the installation that he describes 5. Paul Dibley talking about spectral carving processes, whereby .bmp files are ‘carved’ onto the spectrum of an existing soundfile 6. Max Eastley talking about matsukaze – the Japanese term for wind moving through pine trees – and Aeolian phenomena In the background, you can hear a recording by Felicity Ford of wind in the forests around the A4074 road mixed with “Aeolian Arc and Strings” from Max Eastley’s “Installation Recordings” release 7. Stephen Cornford talking about his modified reel-to-reel ALBA tape player. In the background you can hear the tape player playing itself 8. Shirley Pegna presenting information about “Ground Sounds” Footsteps recorded by Shirley Pegna using a geophone, and Felicity Ford, using a stereo microphone 9. Mike Blow describing his installation plans and multi-modal perception Reverb effects and dripping tap noises by Felicity Ford, mixed with Mike Blow‘s shower installation recordings and the resonant water dripping recordings that he located inside a tiny oyster shell 10. Paul Dibley discussing the concerts planned for the Jacqueline Du Pres building, on Friday 18th February In the background, more of Paul Dibley’s spectral carvings 11. Max Eastley foregrounding his forthcoming performance at Audiograft with Rhodri Davies in Modern Art Oxford In the background, sections from “Dark Architecture” by Max Eastley and Rhodri Davies, mixed with “Arctic I” from Max Eastley’s “Arc” release 12. Vox pops “At Audiograft I am looking forward to…” Paul Whitty Stephen Cornford Mike Blow 13. Stephen Cornford and Paul Whitty discuss their performance together in which Cornford will dismantle his tape-player, and Whitty will sonically explore that destruction by feeding the sounds of the process through a series of effects pedals. Stephen Cornford also discusses the print works which he will be exhibiting in the RHB at Oxford Brookes parallel to this performance; the prints were made by inventorying and scanning all the component parts of a reel-to-reel player 14. Shirley Pegna talking about another installation work she will be presenting at Audiograft called “Through Walls,” which explores how sounds travel through walls 15. Ray Lee talking about “Siren” and “Murmur,” and the new ideas in his practice In the background you can hear an excerpt of Ray Lee‘s “Siren” – found here – and then a section of “Murmur” as exhibited at the Liverpool Biennial 16. Felicity Ford talking about “The Sonic Tuck Shop” & “Tea” Museums, which she will be installing in the Richard Hamilton Building at Audiograft, along with audio commentaries to describe and contextualise their contents In the background you can hear “Taste Sensation,” an early electroacoustic composition which grew out of the whole idea for “The Sonic Tuck Shop,” and the popcorn sounds which were used in “Popworks,” the video which Ford describes here. There are also recordings of AlkaSeltzers, popping mouth candy, cabbage being chopped and other sonic tuck used to illustrate the concept – all recorded by Felicity Ford 17. Felicity Ford discusses “The Tea Museum” that she will be presenting at Audiograft. “The Tea Museum” grew out of all the sonic adventures in tea that Ford enjoyed while collaborating with Mundane Appreciation to create “The Fantastical Reality Radio Show in association with Mundane Appreciation,” back in 2008. Edward Ford discusses his preference regarding attainment of perfect tea In the background you can hear recordings of tea being made, recordings of Felicity Ford’s teasmade, and recordings created by Felicity Ford for the Cut and Splice Domestic Soundscape podcast series, commissioned in 2009 by Sound and Music. Alvin Lucier has a score – “Nothing is real” – in which a teapot is employed to impart certain sonic qualities to recorded, musical phrases 18. Paul Dibley discusses the Audiograft jukebox, which you can contribute works to,via Paul Dibley’s SoundCloud dropbox 19. Paul Whitty and Sarah Hughes talk about Wandelweiser In the background, you can hear Sarah Hughes playing her autoharp with a glass tumbler 20. Outro, featuring a reprise of the sounds and Vox pops from the start of the podcas