Maximize “West End Opportunity” in America: Alternative policy options to address perceived drawbacks of Tax Increment Financing (TIF) & Opportunity Zones

In March 2021, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 321 (Acts Chapter 203) authorizing the creation of a tax increment finance (TIF) district within the West End of Louisville. Designed to spur community-wide economic development, it set up a public-private nonprofit partnership. Known as the West End Opportunity Partnership (WEOP), this 21-seat board include community representatives and has sole control over any fund disbursement. Funds can be used towards a broad array of investments including small business loans, financing affordable housing units, home improvements, etc. Residents within the district have expressed opposition to the TIF, skepticism towards the board which has caused members to resign, and fears of displacement/gentrification at the prospect of large-scale commercial & residential development. This is in spite of unique policies measures put in place which set this legislation apart from other opportunity zone designs- including crediting the difference in property value change. This brief reports new policy recommendations at local, state, and federal level to mitigate community concerns with the WEOP, and improve QOZ\u27s, from a trickle down approach synthesizing feedback of staff in Congress behind the design of Federal Qualified Opportunity Zones and knowledge obtained from state legislators and local publications. These recommendations are aimed at increasing direct transparency and allowing the equitable investment needed to re-invigorate the West End community and grow new generational wealth

Plantar pressure analysis after percutaneous repair of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures

Background: Clinical results for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures are mainly expressed using disease-specific outcome scores, physical examination and radiographs. We hypothesized that plantar pressure and foot position analysis is a valuable tool in assessing foot function in patients with a unilateral displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated percutaneously. Materials and Methods: With a followup of at least one year, 21 patients with a unilateral displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated percutaneously participated in the study. The pedobarographic measurements in the injured foot were compared with the contralateral control foot. Correlations between the ratios (injured/control) of plantar pressure and foot position variables and outcome scores, the physical exam items ratios, the fracture classification, and the radiological parameters were calculated. Results: Statistically significant differences between the injured and the control foot were f

Denying equality: an analysis of arguments against lowering the age of consent for sex between men

This paper takes a human rights approach to lesbian and gay oppression and critically explores the arguments used to oppose equality in the debates about the age of consent for sex between men. A thematic analysis of Hansard and newspaper reports produced in Britain during the 1990s showed that opponents of the amendment to equalise the age of consent countered with three key arguments laying claim to ethical principles overriding the principle of equality. These were: (1) Principles of right and wrong take precedence over equality; (2) Principles of democracy take precedence over equality; (3) Principles of care and protection take precedence over equality. Two additional arguments (the health risks of anal intercourse, and escalating demands for gay rights) are also outlined. Our findings are discussed with reference to debates on other lesbian and gay rights issues, and we consider the ways in which we might best counter these arguments. </p

Framing Male Circumcision to Promote its Adoption in Different Settings

The effectiveness of male circumcision in preventing transmission of HIV from females to males has been established. Those who are now advocating its widespread use face many challenges in convincing policy-makers and the public of circumcision’s value. We suggest that frames are a useful lens for communicating public health messages that may help promote adoption of circumcision. Frames relate to how individuals and societies perceive and understand the world. Existing frames are often hard to shift, and should be borne in mind by advocates and program implementers as they attempt to promote male circumcision by invoking new frames. Frames differ across and within societies, and advocates must find ways of delivering resonant messages that take into account prior perceptions and use the most appropriate means of communicating the benefits and value of male circumcision to different audiences

Exploring post acute rehabilitation service use and outcomes for working age stroke survivors (≤65 years) in Australia, UK and South East Asia: data from the international AVERT trial

Objectives: Information about younger people of working age (≤65 years), their post stroke outcomes and rehabilitation pathways can highlight areas for further research and service change. This paper describes: (1) baseline demographics; (2) post acute rehabilitation pathways; and (3) 12-month outcomes; disability, mobility, depression, quality of life, informal care and return to work of working age people across three geographic regions (Australasia (AUS), South East (SE) Asia and UK). Design: This post hoc descriptive exploration of data from the large international very early rehabilitation trial (A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial (AVERT)) examined the four common post acute rehabilitation pathways (inpatient rehabilitation, home with community rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation then community rehabilitation and home with no rehabilitation) experienced by participants in the 3 months post stroke and describes their 12-month outcomes. Setting: Hospital stroke units in AUS, UK and SE Asia. Participants: Patients who had an acute stroke recruited within 24 hours who were ≤65 years. Results: 668 participants were ≤65 years; 99% lived independently, and 88% no disability (modified Rankin Score (mRS)=0) prior to stroke. We had complete data for 12-month outcomes for n=631 (94%). The proportion receiving inpatient rehabilitation was higher in AUS than other regions (AUS 52%; UK 25%; SE Asia 23%), whereas the UK had higher community rehabilitation (UK 65%; AUS 61%; SE Asia 39%). At 12 months, 70% had no or little disability (mRS 0–2), 44% were depressed, 28% rated quality of life as poor or worse than death. For those working prior to stroke (n=228), only 57% had returned to work. A noteworthy number of working age survivors received no rehabilitation services within 3 months post stroke. Conclusions: There was considerable variation in rehabilitation pathways and post acute service use across the three regions. At 12 months, there were high rates of depression, poor quality of life and low rates of return to work. Trial registration number: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12606000185561)

A Single-Blind randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effect of extended counseling on uptake of pre-antiretroviral care in eastern uganda

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many newly screened people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Sub-Saharan Africa do not understand the importance of regular pre-antiretroviral (ARV) care because most of them have been counseled by staff who lack basic counseling skills. This results in low uptake of pre-ARV care and late treatment initiation in resource-poor settings. The effect of providing post-test counseling by staff equipped with basic counseling skills, combined with home visits by community support agents on uptake of pre-ARV care for newly diagnosed PLHIV was evaluated through a randomized intervention trial in Uganda.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An intervention trial was performed consisting of post-test counseling by trained counselors, combined with monthly home visits by community support agents for continued counseling to newly screened PLHIV in Iganga district, Uganda between July 2009 and June 2010, Participants (N = 400) from three public recruitment centres were randomized to receive either the intervention, or the standard care (the existing post-test counseling by ARV clinic staff who lack basic training in counseling skills), the control arm. The outcome measure was the proportion of newly screened and counseled PLHIV in either arm who had been to their nearest health center for clinical check-up in the subsequent three months +2 months. Treatment was randomly assigned using computer-generated random numbers. The statistical significance of differences between the two study arms was assessed using chi-square and t-tests for categorical and quantitative data respectively. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were used to assess the effect of the intervention.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Participants in the intervention arm were 80% more likely to accept (take up) pre-ARV care compared to those in the control arm (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.4-2.1). No adverse events were reported.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Provision of post-test counseling by staff trained in basic counseling skills, combined with home visits by community support agents had a significant effect on uptake of pre-ARV care and appears to be a cost-effective way to increase the prerequisites for timely ARV initiation.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>The trial was registered by Current Controlled Trials Ltd C/OBioMed Central Ltd as <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN94133652">ISRCTN94133652</a> and received financial support from Sida and logistical support from the European Commission.</p

Number and timing of antenatal HIV testing: Evidence from a community-based study in Northern Vietnam

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>HIV testing for pregnant women is an important component for the success of prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV (PMTCT). A lack of antenatal HIV testing results in loss of benefits for HIV-infected mothers and their children. However, the provision of unnecessary repeat tests at a very late stage of pregnancy will reduce the beneficial effects of PMTCT and impose unnecessary costs for the individual woman as well as the health system. This study aims to assess the number and timing of antenatal HIV testing in a low-income setting where PMTCT programmes have been scaled up to reach first level health facilities.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional community-based study was conducted among 1108 recently delivered mothers through face-to-face interviews following a structured questionnaire that focused on socio-economic characteristics, experiences of antenatal care and HIV testing.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The prevalence of women who lacked HIV testing among the study group was 10% while more than half of the women tested had had more than two tests during pregnancy. The following factors were associated with the lack of antenatal HIV test: having two children (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.3-3.4), living in a remote rural area (aOR 7.8, 95% CI 3.4-17.8), late antenatal care attendance (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3-10.1) and not being informed about PMTCT at their first antenatal care visits (aOR 7.4, 95% CI 2.6-21.1). Among women who had multiple tests, 80% had the second test after 36 weeks of gestation. Women who had first ANC and first HIV testing at health facilities at primary level were more likely to be tested multiple times (OR 2.9 95% CI 1.9-4.3 and OR = 4.7 95% CI 3.5-6.4), respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Not having an HIV test during pregnancy was associated with poor socio-economic characteristics among the women and with not receiving information about PMTCT at the first ANC visit. Multiple testing during pregnancy prevailed; the second tests were often provided at a late stage of gestation.</p

George Brecht, figure du chercheur transdisciplinaire

We questionned, during this work of thesis, about the contributions of spiritual, philosophical and scientific paradigms in work and thinking of George Brecht. Through their synthesis we tried to see his artworks as experiencing tools, integrating knowledge in a non-mental way. We wanted to redefine artist’s status through Brecht and tried to sight in his artwork the firstfruits of a new art’s conception as a transdisciplinary research shaped in artistical objectsNous nous sommes questionnés dans cette thèse sur les apports des paradigmes scientifiques, spirituels et philosophiques dans la pensée et les œuvres de George Brecht. À travers la synthèse de ceux-ci, nous avons tenté de voir ses travaux comme des outils à faire l'expérience de la connaissance, à l'intégrer d'une façon non mentale. Nous avons souhaité redéfinir le statut de l'artiste, et voir dans son œuvre les prémices d'une conception nouvelle de l'art en tant que recherche transdisciplinaire concrétisée en objets artistique

George Brecht, Figure in the search for Transdisciplinarity

Nous nous sommes questionnés dans cette thèse sur les apports des paradigmes scientifiques, spirituels et philosophiques dans la pensée et les œuvres de George Brecht. À travers la synthèse de ceux-ci, nous avons tenté de voir ses travaux comme des outils à faire l'expérience de la connaissance, à l'intégrer d'une façon non mentale. Nous avons souhaité redéfinir le statut de l'artiste, et voir dans son œuvre les prémices d'une conception nouvelle de l'art en tant que recherche transdisciplinaire concrétisée en objets artistiquesWe questionned, during this work of thesis, about the contributions of spiritual, philosophical and scientific paradigms in work and thinking of George Brecht. Through their synthesis we tried to see his artworks as experiencing tools, integrating knowledge in a non-mental way. We wanted to redefine artist’s status through Brecht and tried to sight in his artwork the firstfruits of a new art’s conception as a transdisciplinary research shaped in artistical object