The Incidence of Breast Cancer among Disabled Kansans with Medicare

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer disparities by disability status are poorly understood. While previous studies have shown increased odds of late stage at diagnosis, it is unclear whether the incidence of breast cancer varies by disability status. METHODS: To assess cancer incidence and stage at diagnosis among disabled and nondisabled Medicare beneficiaries in Kansas, a retrospective cohort study was conducted using linked Medicare enrollment and Kansas Cancer Registry data from 2007 to 2009. Disability status was determined by the indicator for the original reason for Medicare eligibility. RESULTS: Among the 651,337 Medicare beneficiaries included in the cohort, there were 2,384 cases of breast cancer. The age-adjusted incidence was 313 per 100,000 among female beneficiaries with disabilities and 369 per 100,000 among nondisabled female beneficiaries. The adjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.93 (95% CI 0.73-1.18). When assessing stage at diagnosis, there was no difference in the odds of late stage at diagnosis by disability status (OR = 1.02; 95% CI 0.68-1.50). CONCLUSION: No significant difference in incidence or stage at diagnosis was identified among this cohort. The use of Medicare eligibility to define disability status presented a number of limitations. Future studies should seek alternate definitions of disability to assess disparities in breast cancer incidence, including definitions using Medicare claims data

2006 Housing in the Nation's Capital

Explores the interdependent relationship between public school systems and housing markets, and examines the ability of coordinated investment in affordable housing and quality education to revitalize Washington, D.C., metropolitan area neighborhoods

The Effects of Regional Terms When Identifying Words

While research on dialect comprehension has received substantial attention, there is a notable gap in the literature concerning regional words in the United States. While linguistic studies have delved into the comprehension of dialects on a global and national scale, the specific lexicon and vocabulary associated with various U.S. regions have been relatively overlooked. The goal of this project is to determine the influence of regional terms on vocabulary comprehension, specifically focusing on identifying Appalachian words. Using student participants from Eastern Kentucky University, Mouse Tracking software was employed as individuals were tasked with reading words displayed on the screen and identifying their meaning by choosing the right image. The study included terms commonly used in the Appalachian region and terms from other regions across the United States. The study findings suggest that individuals born in Kentucky identify better the “Appalachian words, while those born in other states perform better with the other words. Investigating how individuals process and comprehend these region-specific terms is essential for a comprehensive understanding of how language dynamics operate in the United States. Keywords: Appalachian, word identification, regional words, regional terms, dialec

Operational Assessment of Apollo Lunar Surface Extravehicular Activity

Quantifying the operational variability of extravehicular activity (EVA) execution is critical to help design and build future support systems to enable astronauts to monitor and manage operations in deep-space, where ground support operators will no longer be able to react instantly and manage execution deviations due to the significant communication latency. This study quantifies the operational variability exhibited during Apollo 14-17 lunar surface EVA operations to better understand the challenges and natural tendencies of timeline execution and life support system performance involved in surface operations. Each EVA (11 in total) is individually summarized as well as aggregated to provide descriptive trends exhibited throughout the Apollo missions. This work extends previous EVA task analyses by calculating deviations between planned and as-performed timelines as well as examining metabolic rate and consumables usage throughout the execution of each EVA. The intent of this work is to convey the natural variability of EVA operations and to provide operational context for coping with the variability inherent to EVA execution as a means to support future concepts of operations

Crustal shortening, exhumation, and strain localization in a collisional orogen: the Bajo Pequeño Shear Zone, Sierra de Pie de Palo, Argentina

The Bajo Pequeño Shear Zone (BPSZ) is a lower-crustal shear zone that records shortening and exhumation associated with the establishment of a new plate boundary, and its placement in a regional structural context suggests that local- to regional-scale strain localization occurred with progressive deformation. A kilometer-scale field and analytical cross section through the ~80 m thick BPSZ and its adjacent rocks indicates an early Devonian (405–400 Ma) phase of deformation on the western margin of Gondwanan continental crust. The earliest stages of the BPSZ, recorded by metamorphic and microstructural data, involved thrusting of a hotter orthogneiss over a relatively cool pelitic unit, which resulted in footwall garnet growth and reset footwall white mica 40Ar/39Ar ages in proximity to the shear zone. Later stages of BPSZ activity, as recorded by additional microstructures and quartz c-axis opening angles, were characterized by strain localization to the center of the shear zone coincident with cooling and exhumation. These and other data suggest that significant regional tectonism persisted in the Famatinian orogenic system for 60–70 million years after one microplate collision (the Precordillera) but ceased 5–10 million years prior to another (Chilenia). A survey of other synchronous structures shows that strain was accommodated on progressively narrower structures with time, indicating a regional pattern of strain localization and broad thermal relaxation as the Precordillera collision evolved.Fil: Garber, Joshua M.. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosFil: Roeske, Sarah M.. University of California at Davis; Estados UnidosFil: Warren, Jessica. University of Stanford; Estados UnidosFil: Mulcahy, Sean R.. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: McClelland, William C.. University of Iowa; Estados UnidosFil: Austin, Lauren J.. University of Oregon; Estados UnidosFil: Renne, Paul R.. University of California at Berkeley; Estados UnidosFil: Vujovich, Graciela Irene. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Geología. Laboratorio de Tectónica Andina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Shelter from the Storm: Companion Animal Emergency Planning in Nine States

Failure to evacuate pets in an emergency has negative implications for public health, the economy, emotional well-being of pet owners, and physical health of animals. These effects may be at least partially mitigated by a robust plan to accommodate pets. Nine state companion animal emergency plans were reviewed to determine the extent to which they addressed the needs of companion animals, utilizing characteristics of a model emergency plan. States were compared utilizing variables such as population, pet friendliness, and emergency preparedness funding in order to explain differences in plan composition. This comprehensive review produced a list of recommendations for emergency managers as they create future versions of their plans

The transformative effect of a foundation year: ‘I’m a totally changed person’

Developing academic skills and preparing students for university-level study areonly two important outcomes of a foundation year programme. Drawing on thework of Mezirow, this paper will, with a focus on five students, consider thetransformative element of adult learning through transforming previousassumptions and beliefs. The qualitative research was based on a university insouth west England and consisted of several interviews over a four-yearlongitudinal research project, tracking the experiences of five foundation yearstudents, assessing how well it prepared them for university-level study. Thisarticle will consider the transformative nature of the foundation year, highlightingspecific changes in students’ self-belief, agency, power and confidence. Drawing onthe voices of the participants, the findings revealed that there are two mainconditions which support transformation: firstly, having a sense of belongingthrough finding supportive social networks, and secondly, developing confidence intheir educational ability. Additionally, the ways in which universities can getinvolved are explored, including ways in which lecturing teams can support theseconditions for transformation and assist with any obstacles students may faceduring their foundation year. These insights may be useful in the design ordevelopment of other Foundation Year programmes, or in the wider context ofsupporting widening participation students with transformation

Introduction

This article serves as an introduction for this special issue of the Victoria University of Wellington Law Review including the papers presented at the inaugural New Zealand Private Law Scholars' Roundtable in February 2016.&nbsp

Primary Care Provider Knowledge and Utilization of the BEERS Criteria for the Prevention and Management of Polypharmacy in the Elderly

The establishment of guidelines focusing on the specific challenges and the clinical consequences of polypharmacy in the elderly population is a known research deficit. Throughout three semesters, this study has been conducted to identify primary care providers knowledge and practices regarding polypharmacy in the elderly, specifically in regard to the BEERS criteria. No standard definition exists for polypharmacy and creates a large barrier for universal healthcare. Nola Pender’s Health Promotion Model was used to guide the procedures of this study. Implementation of the project included obtaining consent from the Mississippi University for Women Institutional Review Board. Surveys were dispersed to primary care providers in the state of Mississippi. The data was gathered from 65 provider surveys who met the criteria to evaluate their knowledge and utilization of the BEERs criteria in the prevention and management of polypharmacy in the elderly. The researchers utilized a descriptive, quantitative survey design to assess the provider’s knowledge and current practices related to polypharmacy. Data from this research project was collected from a convenience sample of Nurse Practitioners, Physicians, and Physician Assistants who practice in a primary care setting. After collecting these surveys, the researchers were able to analyze the general knowledge and practices that the healthcare providers participated in. The design of this study was appropriate given limited time to collect data, participant accessibility, and the possibility of gaining relevant information through a survey method. Providers were found to be familiar with the BEERS criteria but gaps were found in the proficient utilization of the BEERS criteria. Although most providers in MS were knowledgeable of the BEERS criteria, there is a large percentage of providers who are note. A lack of a standard 8 definition of polypharmacy could contribute to these gaps. With the rising geriatric population, polypharmacy is expected to overwhelm the current healthcare processes. There is little documented research regarding polypharmacy, adverse drug reactions, and how to manage it. Tools have been created to help providers recognize and reduce polypharmacy as well as potential adverse reactions as a result of polypharmacy. The negative health outcomes and financial burdens are well documented, but no formal guidelines have been established. This is a result of lack of knowledge and awareness with polypharmacy prevention practices. More research is needed to develop a formal definition to define what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate use of polypharmacy and standardized practices for management and prevention