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Russell A. Sabella, Ph.D. avatar

Russell A. Sabella, Ph.D.

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Expert in school counseling, cyberbullying, technology and social networking
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Florida Gulf Coast University
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Alan J. Singer avatar

Alan J. Singer

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Professor of Teaching, Learning and Technology
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Hofstra University
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Charles Figley avatar

Charles Figley

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Dr. Paul Henry Kurzweg Distinguished Chair and Professor of Disaster Mental Health and Professor of Social Work
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Tulane University
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Read expert insights on a wide variety of topics and current events.

National Vietnam Veterans Day | Media Advisory

Tomorrow is National Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families, reflecting on the complex legacy of the Vietnam War. This observance not only serves as a reminder of the past but also fosters dialogue on veterans' affairs, mental health, and the evolving understanding of war's impact on society. Delving into this topic provides an opportunity to explore: The historical context and legacy of the Vietnam War Mental health support for veterans The evolution of veterans' benefits over time Public perceptions of the Vietnam War and its veterans The role of education in preserving the history of the Vietnam War For journalists with questions or  looking to cover this topic, here is a select list of experts. To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Christian Appy Professor of History and Director of the Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy – University of Massachusetts Amherst Kara Dixon Vuic LCpl. Benjamin W. Schmidt Professor of War, Conflict, and Society in 20th-Century America – Texas Christian University Neil Maher Professor –  New Jersey Institute of Technology Thomas Schwartz Distinguished Professor of History – Vanderbilt University Lawrence A. Tritle Professor Emeritus of History – Loyola Marymount University                                                                                                                                                            Photo Credit: Caleb Fisher

1 min. read

Aston University research centre to focus on using AI to improve lives

• New centre specifically focuses on using AI to improve society • Current research is designed to improve transport, health and industry • “There have been a lot of reports focusing on the negative use of AI...this is why the centre is so important now.” Aston University researchers have marked the opening of a new centre which focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve people’s lives. The Aston Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research and Application (ACAIRA) has been set up to become a West Midlands hub for the use of AI to benefit of society. Following its official opening, the academics leading it are looking to work with organisations and the public. Director Professor Anikó Ekárt said: “There have been a lot of reports focusing on the negative use of AI and subsequent fear of AI. This is why the centre is so important now, as we aim to achieve trustworthy, ethical and sustainable AI solutions for the future, by co-designing them with stakeholders.” Deputy director Dr Ulysses Bernardet added: “We work with local, national and international institutions from academia, industry, and the public sector, expanding Aston University’s external reach in AI research and application. “ACAIRA will benefit our students enormously by training them to become the next generation of AI practitioners and researchers equipped for future challenges.” The centre is already involved in various projects that use AI to solve some of society’s challenges. A collaboration with Legrand Care aims to extend and improve independent living conditions for older people by using AI to analyse data collected through home sensors which detect decline in wellbeing. This allows care professionals to change and improve individuals’ support plans whenever needed. A project with engineering firm Lanemark aims to reduce the carbon footprint of industrial gas burners by exploring new, more sustainable fuel mixes. Other projects include work with asbestos consultancy Thames Laboratories which will lead to reduced costs, emissions, enhanced productivity and improved resident satisfaction in social housing repairs and a partnership with transport safety consultancy Agilysis to produce an air quality prediction tool which uses live data to improve transport planning decisions. The centre is part of the University’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and its official launch took place on the University campus on 29 February. The event included a talk by the chair of West Midlands AI and Future Tech Forum, Dr Chris Meah. He introduced the vision for AI within the West Midlands and the importance of bringing together academics, industry and the public. Current research in sectors such as traffic management, social robotics, bioinformatics, health, and virtual humans was highlighted, followed by industry talks from companies Smart Transport Hub, Majestic, DRPG and Proximity Data Centres. The centre’s academics work closely with West Midlands AI and Future Tech Forum and host the regular BrumAI Meetup. About Aston University For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally. Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world. Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming The Guardian University of the Year in 2020. Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world. For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Nicola Jones, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7825 342091 or email: n.jones6@aston.ac.uk

3 min. read
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Independent Agent talks with Church Mutual® about how to keep organizations safe from armed intruders

Church Mutual's® Eric Spacek, assistant vice president - Risk Control, weighs in on how insurance agents can help their customers protect against an armed intruder.  

Eric Spacek, J.D.
1 min. read

With the Port of Baltimore all but Closed, How Will the Supply Chain be Impacted? Our Expert can Help

With the container ship crashing into the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the Port of Baltimore and the bridge collapsing, there are now some supply chain concerns. While they may not be felt right away by consumers, there are a number of businesses who will be affected by it. Rick Franza, PhD, professor in the Hull College of Business at Augusta University and an expert on operations and supply chain management, said one immediate impact is where container ships will be diverted to for off load. The Port of Baltimore is a major shipping hub and ranks first among US ports for autos and light trucks. Now those ships will have to find other ports to unload their goods and it becomes a logistical problem as much as anything. “Most ports on the East Coast are at 70% to 80% capacity, which is where you want to be. You don’t want to have much more than that, but they’re going to have to,” said Franza. “It could affect a good bit of the eastern half of the United States.” Ports in Savannah, Charleston and New York, among others, will have to become the destination for those currently sitting outside of Baltimore and those in route from around the world. The good news Franza said, is that most foreign car manufacturers have plants in the US so it will likely only affect those consumers looking for a certain brand or even a specific model. Baltimore is also one of the furthest inland ports and has the best rail service coming from it. The outbound goods coming off the ships will now face more of a transportation hurdle when they are diverted to another port. “It’s not just the capacity of the port, that’s one thing, but it’s also their capacity of the outbound items,” he said. “It may be more trucks are needed and new routes are needed to move inventory. It now becomes a whole different set of providers for the trucks because it’s no longer the people in Baltimore.” Franza added companies will also have to decide which distribution centers they may want to use. Whether it’s closer to the area they serve or closer to the port. All those factors affect where the items from overseas end up. While it’s not a good scenario, at the end of the day, he feels the consumer likely won’t see much of an impact. “First of all it’s going to take a while before we see any effect on certain things,” Franza said. “The bad news for inflation is that it’s going to raise the cost of transportation for the goods coming off the ships. Will businesses absorb the cost or pass them along to consumers?” Looking to know more? Then let us help. Richard Franza, PhD, is available to speak with media about trending issues like inflation, small business and the economy – simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.

Richard Franza, PhD
2 min. read

MEDIA RELEASE: Voting for the CAA Worst Roads campaign is now open

Tired of swerving around potholes? Are you worried about your safety as a cyclist or pedestrian? Voting is now open in Ontario for the annual CAA Worst Roads campaign, and CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is giving citizens the opportunity to voice their concerns about the bad roads in their communities. "Our research shows that 65 per cent of members don't feel enough is being done to fix the roads," says Teresa Di Felice, assistant vice president government and community relations, CAA SCO. "This is causing a variety of concerning driving behaviours, including swerving to avoid potholes, slowing down for bad spots, and some even changing their route altogether to avoid a bad road. We encourage all Ontarians to vote for their Worst Roads and join the community of drivers, cyclists, transit riders and pedestrians committed to improving and actively working to help make our roads safer for all." Those surveyed say they spent $852 on average to repair their vehicle. According to a survey conducted by CAA SCO, 84 per cent of members worry about the state of our roads, with 42 per cent experiencing vehicle damage due to poor roads. Despite this, 82 per cent pay out of pocket to repair their vehicles, while only four per cent file a claim with insurance, and nine per cent forgo repairs altogether. "Either because of affordability or availability, many people are holding on to their cars a little longer these days; the last thing they want is expensive repair bills on an already stretched household budget. While inflation rates are cooling, many of us are dealing with a higher cost of living, making the investment in roads and supporting infrastructure more important than ever," adds Di Felice. Vehicle damage caused by potholes can range from $500 to over $2,000, with the average repair by those surveyed costing $852. "We know that the campaign works and that decision-makers are listening. Since its inception in 2003, we have seen road repairs move up and budgets prioritized. The CAA Worst Roads campaign has been a vital platform for Ontarians to nominate and vote for roads they believe need urgent attention. It covers issues like congestion, potholes, road signs, and traffic light timing for pedestrian and cycling safety." Ontario's top 10 list is verified by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) and their members, including the Greater Toronto Sewer and Watermain Contractors Association (GTSWCA), Heavy Construction Association of Toronto (HCAT), and the Toronto and Area Road Builders Association (TARBA). "RCCAO is a proud partner and supporter of this year's CAA Worst Roads advocacy campaign, giving Ontarians a platform to raise awareness about the state of vital road infrastructure in their communities," said Nadia Todorova, executive director of RCCAO. Nominations for the Worst Roads campaign can be submitted online at www.caaworstroads.com from March 27 to April 19. Once the nominations are collected, CAA will reveal the top 10 worst roads in the province to the public. CAA conducted an online survey with 2,753 CAA SCO Members between January 10 to 19, 2023. Based on the sample size and the confidence level (95 per cent), the margin of error for this study was +/- 2 per cent.

Teresa Di Felice
3 min. read

Batter Up! Major League Baseball Season Begins Tomorrow! | Media Advisory

The start of the Major League Baseball season is more than just America's favorite pastime returning; it's a cultural event that ties into themes of community, nostalgia, and the ever-evolving narrative of sports in society. Like every big league, the start of the season speaks to the unity and division that sports can create, the economics of professional leagues, and the role of athletes in social movements. Possible story angles include: The economic impact of MLB on local communities Innovations in sports technology and data analytics The role of sports in bridging cultural divides MLB's response to social justice issues Health and safety protocols in professional sports Gambling, is it a growing problem for athletes? For journalists seeking research or insights for their coverage of opening day, here is a select list of experts. To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Curt Smith Senior Lecturer  – University of Rochester Christina Gipson Assistant Professor of Sport Management – Georgia Southern University Greg Stewart, MD W. Kennon McWilliams Professor of Sports Medicine –  Tulane University Photo Credit:  Michael Lewis Professor of Marketing; Faculty Director, Emory Marketing Analytics Center · Emory University, Goizueta Business School Lisa Pike Masteralexis Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Sport Management – University of Massachusetts Amherst                                                                                                                                             Photo Credit: Joshua Peacock

1 min. read

The Implications of the Collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge: Insights from a Civil Engineer

The early morning collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge is leaving experts and area residents alike in disbelief. Michael Chajes, a professor in the civil and environmental engineering department at the University of Delaware, is the go to person to speak on what happened and what this means for the future of this bridge. Chajes's expertise includes forensic engineering, specifically unearthing the root causes of engineering failures, such as bridge collapses. He has participated in the evaluation and testing of numerous major bridges and structures including the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, Ben Franklin Bridge, Chesapeake City Bridge, Lock Gates on the Erie Canal and several historic trusses and polymer composite bridges. He is also the former Delaware Engineer of the Year. He is a civil engineer and has been speaking to the likes of CNN today about this bridge collapse. He is available and ready to chat if you'd like to connect with him. Chajes has been speaking with networks about CNN about the bridge collapse and is available for comment. He can be reached by clicking his "View Profile" button. 

Michael Chajes
1 min. read

Rethinking Caregiving Support for the Sandwich Generation

The "sandwich generation" refers to adults who are simultaneously caring for their children as well as older parents or relatives. This places unique strains on caregivers, who must balance their family responsibilities with work and their own self-care. As Guy Weissinger, PhD, MPhil, RN, the Diane Foley Parrett Endowed Assistant Professor at Villanova University’s M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing notes, many feel like they are being "shortchanged" on both sides—unable to fully support their children or their aging relatives. The result is stress, guilt and difficult decisions about how to allocate limited time and resources. “Hard decisions are also a psychological tax,” Dr. Weissinger says. “You have to use the resource of time and brain energy to weigh the options, so it compounds on itself every time they intersect. And that's complicated and hard." These challenges have only increased due to larger societal shifts, according to Melissa O'Connor, PhD, MBA, RN, FGSA, FAAN, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick Endowed Professor in Community and Home Health Nursing in the College of Nursing. "For the first time in the history of the world, older adults will outnumber children in the United States by 2035,” said Dr. O’Connor. This rise in numbers of older adults foreshadows a looming caregiving crisis, as more seniors will require care without enough nurses and family caregivers to meet the need. The sandwich generation can also feel overwhelmed due to lack of training in managing complex care needs. As Dr. O'Connor states, there is "no caregiver school" - instead it's "baptism by fire." Learning wound care, managing feeding tubes, giving medications and handling dementia behaviors on the fly can take an emotional toll. Caregiver stress and burnout have also been linked to declines in physical and mental health, and financial strain, as well as increased elder abuse (though unintentional), she says. Dr. O’Connor believes that home health services can serve as a critical resource for supporting overwhelmed sandwich generation caregivers. Home health nurses, aides, therapists and social workers can provide skilled care, educate family members, assess safety and coordinate services. "Home health can make or break someone's success at staying home,” Dr. O’Connor says. “It can also make or break the stress levels of patients and caregivers. If caregivers have support, they can do a really good job." However, misconceptions about home health care persist. Many do not understand what home health services entail or worry about strangers entering their home. Although refusing home health may seem like the safer option to some, the consequences of caregivers trying to provide care without assistance can be dire. Isolated and overwhelmed caregivers who don’t have support oftentimes end up seeing their older adult parents experience health declines that necessitate nursing home placement, which takes a financial toll on families as well. From Dr. Weissinger’s perspective, the caregiving crisis is a “family and a systems issue.” “This is a systematic problem, so we need policy changes at the state, national, and organizational levels to address it. We can’t solve society-level problems through individual responses," he says. Supporting caregivers and easing this crisis will require policy changes at the highest levels along with a societal shift in how we view and assist caregivers. Though individual families feel the squeeze, truly addressing the caregiving crisis demands broad, systemic solutions. With an aging population, the need for action in the form of policy change is more urgent than ever.

Melissa O'Connor, PhD
3 min. read

What Happened to Haiti to Make it a Perpetual Failed State? | Media Advisory

Haiti's prolonged struggle with political instability, economic hardship, and natural disasters raises critical questions about international aid, governance, and the path to sustainable development. This topic is not just newsworthy for its historical complexity but also for its implications on human rights, regional stability, and global efforts to address poverty and inequality. Haiti's story prompts a deeper examination of: The impact of foreign intervention and aid Political corruption and its effects on governance Economic policies and their role in sustainable development Social movements and the fight for democracy Environmental degradation and resilience For journalists seeking research or insights for their coverage on this topic, here is a select list of experts. To search our full list of experts visit www.expertfile.com Ken Keen Associate Professor in the Practice of Organization & Management; Associate Dean for Leadership; Lieutenant General, USA (Retired) –  Emory University, Goizueta Business Robert Fuller, M.D., FACEP UConn Health Chairman of Emergency Medicine – University of Connecticut Benjamin Hebblethwaite Associate Professor  in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures – University of Florida Paul Kramer Associate Professor of History – Vanderbilt University                                                                                                                                                     Photo credit: Heather Suggitt

1 min. read