Bridgewater State University

About: Bridgewater State University is a education organization based out in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Poison control. The organization has 625 authors who have published 1223 publications receiving 21820 citations. The organization is also known as: BSU & Bridgewater State.

Scalpel blade contamination and risk of postoperative surgical site infection following abdominal incisions in dogs.

Abstract: This prospective observation sought to determine if scalpel blades used for abdominal skin incisions in dogs are a significant source of bacterial contamination, and if these blades should be changed prior to use in deeper dissection. Scalpel blades were swabbed for culture prior to skin incision as a control, and then again following ventral midline abdominal skin incision in a total of 75 dogs. Culture and sensitivity results were compared with review of medical records for any evidence of pre- or postoperative incisional surgical site infection/inflammation (SSI). Of the 75 blades swabbed after skin incision, only 2 (2.7%) had positive culture results. Of the 69 patients that survived to suture removal, there was evidence of SSI in 6 patients (8.7%), only one of which had a positive scalpel blade culture (16.7%). Neither the use of postoperative antibiotics nor positive scalpel blade culture results were good predictors of whether a patient would develop a SSI. Results of this pilot study suggest that there is no bacteriological evidence to support the use of a separate blade for deep dissection in routine surgical procedures.

Structured and Critical Intercultural Programming: Faculty and Staff Collaborate to Put Research into Action

Abstract: This article describes the origin and curriculum of Identity Dialogues, a program which facilitates conversations about power and privilege among international and domestic students It was developed as a result of findings from an ethnographic study of an unstructured conversation partner program at the same institution The study found that power-laden issues were influencing the interactions and confirmed that intercultural competence development has to be actively facilitated (Bennett, 2009) Identity Dialogues sessions start with an examination of participants’ own cultural histories and then they are guided to analyze stereotypes and microaggressions Finally, participants create action steps for fostering intercultural competence in their communities

The Role of Economics: Creating the Sustainable Rational Agent

Abstract: How are consumption decisions made? Does demand drive supply, does supply drive demand, or is it a mixture of both? Do consumption decisions implicitly include our values or are our decisions made with an assumption that what we are consuming has already factored in the long-term best interests of human health and environmental well-being? These basic questions are often unaddressed in the introductory study of economics. Instead, assumptions related to consumption and production behavior, demand, and supply are embedded as representative of consumer and producer behavioral norms, typically with minimal discussion. Could implicit assumptions promote observable behavior rather than be indicative of it? If so, could increasing awareness of the role of embedded values in demand and supply influence behaviors of consumers and producers and thereby alter economic outcomes? These questions were addressed as part of an introductory economics course case study. The purpose of the study was to raise awareness of the implications of individual purchasing decisions and to specifically initiate students in self-evaluation of their individual values and the values embedded in their individual consumption behavior. The results of the study promote the view that increasing awareness of the holistic impact of consumption behavior may be a significant catalyst to promoting sustainability.

Git on the cloud

Abstract: Faculty, industry, and even students recognize that version control is essential for tracking and coordinating changes among contributors to a project. Indeed, many employers view job candidates with version control experience as more qualified. Despite its importance, faculty may avoid version control in the classroom for lack of time or experience, to the detriment of their students. This workshop gives participants experience in using version control with cloud project hosting services, but assumes no prior experience. We believe that workshop participants will gain enough skill to adopt version control on project hosting services for their courses.