Patterns of adult sibling role involvement with brothers and sisters with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Adult siblings of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are increasingly involved in family care, yet, adult siblings consistently report needing more information and support to engage in these roles. Knowing more about which roles siblings are likely to assume may help address this need. Thus, we further examined the most common roles assumed by adult siblings (N = 171), the demographic variables related to an increased likelihood of assuming specific roles, and the potential clusters in patterns of role assumption. We transformed qualitative data from an online survey with four open-ended questions about sibling relationships and roles into quantitative presence data for role-related codes in order to examine relationships between assumed roles and demographic variables. The most common roles assumed by adult siblings were friend, advocate, caregiver, and sibling. Key demographic variables related to role assumption included disability severity, emotional closeness, and age of the brother or sister with IDD. Cluster analyses indicated five potential categories of adult sibling role involvement: Companion, Least Involved, Highly Involved, Needs Focused, and Professional. Implications and future areas of research are shared.Accepted manuscrip

Climate change adaptation through coastal and use management: The context of environmental justice

Despite an increasing literary focus on climate change adaptation, the facilitation of this adaptation is occurring on a limited basis (Adger et al. 2007) .This limited basis is not necessarily due to inability; rather, a lack of comprehensive cost estimates of all options specifically hinders adaptation in vulnerable communities (Adger et al. 2007). Specifically the estimated cost of the climate change impact of sea-level rise is continually increasing due to both increasing rates and the resulting multiplicative impact of coastal erosion (Karl et al., 2009, Zhang et al., 2004) Based on the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report, minority groups and small island nations have been identified within these vulnerable communities. Therefore the development of adaptation policies requires the engagement of these communities. State examples of sea-level rise adaptation through land use planning mechanisms such as land acquisition programs (New Jersey) and the establishment of rolling easements (Texas) are evidence that although obscured, adaptation opportunities are being acted upon (Easterling et al., 2004, Adger et al.2007). (PDF contains 4 pages

Some Observations Pertaining to the Effects of Relaxin Upon the Bovine

The process of birth normally follows a set pattern. The main steps in chronological order are: labor, opening of the cervix, and delivering the young. The cervix serves an important function in reproduction. The cervix is the constricted portion separating the uterus and the vagina, and consists primarily of thick connective tissues especially constructed in folds forming a hollow tube. Through the cervix passes sperm, menstrual debris and in pregnancy the newborn. During pregnancy a mucous plug forms in the cervix and keeps out foreign material and bacteria. In the non-pregnant cow the opening is small. The cervix opening is constricted enough so that difficulty in inserting an artificial insemination tube sometimes occurs. If ova transfer can be perfected to the degree that artificial insemination is today, a revolutionary way of up-breeding a herd of cattle may result. In order for ova transfer to fulfill this role a non-surgical method of extracting and implanting must be perfected. If a non-surgical method is to be used, entrance into the uterus through the cervix is paramount is to be used, entrance into the uterus through the cervix is paramount the non-surgical equipment used to collect the ova is considerably larger than an artificial inseminating tube. Passage through the cervix with this equipment is accomplish with extreme difficulty. The inaccessibility of the uterus resulting from constriction of the cervix has markedly hampered the development of ova transfer. If the cervix can be dilated so as to allow easy entrance into the uterus, ova transfer may become of practical value in the not too distant future. A dilated cervix would allow larger and more precise collecting instrument to be used. Parturition is facilitated in some rodents by the action of relaxin upon the symphysis pubis and pelvic bones. Relaxin is a female hormone secreted by the placenta, uterus and ovaries and is present in the blood during gestation of many animals. Relaxin apparently has two purposes in the human uterine quiescence during gestation and dilation of the cervix at parturition. The use of relaxin to dilate the cervix in human suggested the possibility that dilation of the bovine cervix may be obtained by the administration of relaxin. To further investigate the physiological properties of the cervix and the possibility of dilation in the non-pregnant cow, the following experiment were conducted. 1 The effect of relaxin upon the cow’s cervix while in estrus. 2 The effect of liquid and depot relaxin upon the cow’s cervix when primed with stilbestrol. 3 The effect of blood from a cow in labor, transfused into a non-pregnant, non-estrus recipient. The milk letdown response just prior to parturition suggests that the hormones probably are influential and effective at this time. Oxycontin is known to contract the alveolar and force milk into the collecting ducts, gland cisterns, and test sinuses. Relaxin is likewise believed to be present in quantity at parturition and might have a contraction effect on the myoeptithelium around the alveoli. To determine if such action might be possible in the lactating cow, a series of experiments were conducted to determine the effect of relaxin on milk letdown

The impact of CO2 emissions on 'nuisance' marine species

Anthropogenic CO2 emissions are being taken up from the atmosphere by the oceans, increasing the availability of dissolved inorganic carbon but reducing both the carbonate saturation and pH of seawater. This ocean acidification affects biological processes in a wide range of marine taxa. Here, we assess the likely responses of 'nuisance' species to ocean acidification, meaning those organisms that have undesirable effects from a human perspective. Based on a synthesis of evidence available to date, we predict increased growth and toxicity in harmful algal bloom species, and a significant increase in invasive algae in response to increased CO2 availability. Blooms of stinging jellyfish are also expected to increase since they are highly resilient to acidification. The effects of ocean acidification on invasive molluscs (eg, oyster drills), damaging echinoderms (eg, crown-of-thorns starfish), and a wide range of nuisance taxa will vary depending on species and location. In the USA, for example, the invasive crab Carcinus maenas is resilient to projected increases in CO2 and its impact on marine communities is expected to increase since it feeds on organisms that respond to ocean acidification with weaker defensive traits and lower recruitment. Conversely, the Red King Crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, is adversely affected by acidification and so is expected to die back in the Barents Sea which it has invaded. Overall, we suspect that there will be an increase in nuisance species, as many have traits that are resilient to the combined warming and acidification caused by rising CO2 levels; region-specific assessments are needed to understand responses of nuisance species in local habitats. Finally, we highlight the need for targeted studies of the effects of global change on particularly harmful marine taxa such as the seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia, the starfish Asterias amurensis, several invasive ascidians, and the lionfish Pterois volitans

The role of embryo movement in the development of the furcula

The pectoral girdle is a complex structure which varies in its morphology between species. A major component in birds is the furcula, which can be considered equivalent to a fusion of the paired clavicles found in many mammals, and the single interclavicle found in many reptiles. These elements are a remnant of the dermal skeleton and the only intramembranous bones in the trunk. Postnatally, the furcula plays important mechanical roles by stabilising the shoulder joint and acting as a mechanical spring during flight. In line with its mechanical role, previous studies indicate that, unlike many other intramembranous bones, furcula growth during development can be influenced by mechanical stimuli. This study investigated the response of individual aspects of furcula growth to both embryo immobilisation and hypermotility in the embryonic chicken. The impact of altered incubation temperature, which influences embryo motility, on crocodilian interclavicle development was also explored. We employed whole‐mount bone and cartilage staining and 3D imaging by microCT to quantify the impact of rigid paralysis, flaccid paralysis and hypermobility on furcula growth in the chicken, and 3D microCT imaging to quantify the impact of reduced temperature (32–28 °C) and motility on interclavicle growth in the crocodile. This revealed that the growth rates of the clavicular and interclavicular components of the furcula differ during normal development. Total furcula area was reduced by total unloading produced by flaccid paralysis, but not by rigid paralysis which maintains static loading of embryonic bones. This suggests that dynamic loading, which is required for postnatal bone adaptation, is not a requirement for prenatal furcula growth. Embryo hypermotility also had no impact on furcula area or arm length. Furcula 3D shape did, however, differ between groups; this was marked in the interclavicular component of the furcula, the hypocleideum. Hypocleideum length was reduced by both methods of immobilisation, and interclavicle area was reduced in crocodile embryos incubated at 28 °C, which are less motile than embryos incubated at 32 °C. These data suggest that the clavicular and interclavicle components of the avian furcula respond differently to alterations in embryo movement, with the interclavicle requiring both the static and dynamic components of movement‐related loading for normal growth, while static loading preserved most aspects of clavicle growth. Our data suggest that embryo movement, and the mechanical loading this produces, is important in shaping these structures during development to suit their postnatal mechanical roles

Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Bear Creek Corporate Center Dallas County, Texas

EVP Developmental/Avere Real Estate is proposing to construct the Bear Creek Corporate Center at the southeast corner of SH161 and Conflans Road in Irving, Texas on approximately 16 acres. This is located in the Bear Creek floodplain 300 meters form the creek channel.AR Consultants, Inc. was contracted to survey the entire property. The survey and shovel testing were conducted on May 17, 2016. The water table was relatively high at the time of survey, inundating almost a third of the property. No prehistoric or historic archaeological sites were found during the survey. This follows the predictions made prior to field work regarding prehistoric and historic sites. Given the results of this survey, AR Consultants, Inc. recommends that further cultural resource investigations are unnecessary for this project, and requests that the Texas Historical Commission and Fort Worth District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concur with this recommendation

Archaeological Survey Of The Los Rios Clubhouse Area Collin County, Texas

The City of Plano is proposing to convert the Los Rios Golf Course and Country Club into a city park. For the first phase of the project, the city may choose to remove the clubhouse and associated physical facilities. The City of Plano contracted with AR Consultants, Inc. to conduct an archaeological survey of the 8.3-acre area surrounding the clubhouse and an architectural evaluation of the clubhouse. Of the 8.3 acres, six are paved or are the sites of buildings. The archaeological survey, which was conducted under the authority of Texas Antiquities Permit 8283, was conducted on January 12, 2018 and focused only on the unpaved areas. No prehistoric cultural remains were found. A few isolated historic artifacts were found on the surface but were not determined to be a site. The architectural evaluation determined that the clubhouse may be significant based on its connection to local entertainment/recreation, its example as a Modern-style clubhouse, and its connection to the Craycroft-Lacy & Partners architectural firm. However, the clubhouse is not yet 50 years old. Therefore, it is not recommended eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as a State Antiquities Landmark. Given the results of this survey, AR Consultants, Inc. recommends that further cultural resource investigations are unnecessary within the 8.3-acre project area surrounding the clubhouse, and requests that the Texas Historical Commission concur with this recommendation. Documents related to the archaeological survey will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos

Innovation, Managerial Effort, and Start-Up Performance

Managers of start-up firms make a number of important yet understudied decisions, such as whether or not to develop a new product, whether or not to choose a high-technology product or service, whether or not to use external assistance, and the amount of time and effort they will devote to their new company. These choices are informed by their access to various resources, such as the size of the management team, its education level, its previous experience working at start-ups, and other attributes. In this paper we consider how these resources influence optimal provision of effort, and examine decisions about innovative behavior (i.e., to market a novel or high-technology product) and managerial exertion (i.e., the hours per week spent by the managers and their decision to supplement their own efforts by employing external assistance such as consulting services)

AN EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION into the IMPACTS of VARYING the CIRCUMFERENTIAL EXTENT of TIP-LOW TOTAL PRESSURE DISTORTION on FAN STABILITY

Abstract Future jet engines with shorter and thinner intakes present a greater risk of intake separation. This leads to a complex tip-low total pressure distortion pattern of varying circumferential extent. In this paper, an experimental study has been completed to determine the impact of such distortion patterns on the operating range and stalling behaviour of a low-speed fan rig. Unsteady casing static pressure measurements have been made during stall events in 11 circumferential extents of tip-low distortion. The performance has been measured and detailed area traverses have been performed at rotor inlet and outlet in 3 of these cases — clean, axisymmetric tip-low and half-annulus tip-low distortion. Axisymmetric tip-low distortion is found to reduce stall margin by 8%. It does not change the stalling mechanism compared to clean inflow. In both cases, high incidence at the tip combined with growth of the casing boundary layer drive instability. In contrast, half-annulus tip-low distortion is found to reduce stall margin by only 4% through a different mechanism. The distortion causes disturbances in the measured casing pressure signals to grow circumferentially in regions of high incidence. Stall occurs when these disturbances do not decay fully in the undistorted region. As the extent of the distorted sector is increased, the stability margin is found to reduce continuously. However, the maximum disturbance size before stall inception is found to occur at intermediate values of distorted sector extent. This corresponds to distortion patterns that provide sufficient circumferential length of undistorted region for disturbances to decay fully before they return to the distorted sector. It is found that as the extent of the tip-low distortion sector is increased, the circumferential size of the stall cell that develops is reduced. However, its speed is found to remain approximately constant at 50% of the rotor blade speed.</jats:p