Putting Women's Health Care Disparities on the Map: Examining Racial and Ethnic Disparities at the State Level

Assesses the racial/ethnic disparities in women's health status, access to and utilization of health care, and social factors such as poverty and gender wage gap by state. Examines how healthcare payment and worker shortages affect access to care

A 21 Year Meta Analysis of the Effectiveness of Trauma-Sensitive Schools Initiatives

Childhood exposure to adversity is prevalent, with most individuals in the United States having experienced at least one adverse event in childhood (Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, 2019; Merrick et al., 2018). Low dosages of childhood adversity experienced within the context of a safe and caring home environment can promote the development of healthy coping skills that prepare children for future adversity. However, childhood adversity that is intense, chronic, or complex can result in a toxic stress response that leads to the development of mental illness, physical health concerns, cognitive deficits, academic performance deficits, and in severe cases, premature death (Berens et al., 2017; Blanchette & Caparos, 2016; Brown et al., 2009; Ehring & Quack, 2010; National Scientific Council on the Developing Child, 2014; Nelson et al., 2020). Given these severe consequences, interrupting the pathways from childhood adversity to psychosocial dysfunction is critical, as is promoting the pathway from adversity to resilience. Accordingly, over the past 20 years, there has been a substantial push for schools to be part of this effort by becoming “trauma sensitive.” Trauma-sensitive schools realize the prevalence of childhood adversity among their student and staff, recognize the symptoms of trauma, respond effectively, and avoid re-traumatizing students. There currently exists a diversity of approaches, implementation methods, and measures of effectiveness for trauma-sensitive school initiatives, making it difficult to draw conclusions about the overall effectiveness of this approach. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the trauma-sensitive school approach by conducting a meta-analysis of existing empirical evidence. The scope of this meta-analysis was focused on the following research questions: Q1. Do trauma-sensitive schools positively impact student, staff, and school-climate outcomes? Q2. What are the specific components of trauma-sensitive schools that make them effective? Q3. What are the ideal dosages for staff professional development and overall intervention? Overall, staff outcomes appeared to improve in both longitudinal and cross-sectional studies. Student outcomes improved longitudinally but not cross-sectionally. Similarly, school climate improved in longitudinal but not cross-sectional studies. Interestingly, staff reported significantly greater improvements in school climate than students. Regarding research question two, no differences in staff or student outcomes were found based on the number of trauma-informed elements included (i.e., professional development, organizational change, trauma-informed practice change). Aggregate effect sizes also did not significantly vary by dosage of trauma-informed professional development. However, it is important to note that the methodology of the included studies severely limited the ability to draw strong conclusions about the impact of trauma-sensitive schools. Most longitudinal studies did not include control groups, over a third of outcome measures were either invalidated or had mixed results for validity, and random assignment to condition was not common. Future directions for this body of research include prioritizing methodologically rigorous studies and examining individual-level moderators (e.g., gender). Despite these limitations, this meta-analysis marks an important step in synthesizing the available data on trauma-sensitive schools, and results indicate that continued investment in trauma-informed schools is warranted

Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care among Children: How Does Medicaid Do in Closing the Gaps?

While Medicaid and the Children\u27s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have become increasingly important sources of health coverage for low-income children in all racial and ethnic groups, the program plays an especially large role for children of color, who are more likely than white children to be low-income. In 2007, Medicaid and CHIP covered nearly one in five white children, but roughly two in five African American and Hispanic children. As policymakers engaged in health reform consider the merits of public and private approaches to expanding coverage, this report provides an assessment of Medicaid\u27s relative impact on racial and ethnic disparities in access. The analysis compared health care access for white, African American and Hispanic children who were privately insured, uninsured, or enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP. Key findings include: Racial and ethnic disparities in access to care were no more likely among children enrolled in Medicaid than among privately insured children. Insurance coverage – both private and Medicaid – often improved access for children in each racial and ethnic group, but generally did not significantly narrow racial and ethnic disparities in their access to health care. This report analyzes data for more than 15,000 children from the 2003 and 2004 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, a nationally representative household survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

The Rise of Massive Red Galaxies: the color-magnitude and color-stellar mass diagrams for z < ~2 from the MUltiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC)

We present the color-magnitude and color-stellar mass diagrams for galaxies with z_phot < ~2, based on a K < 22 (AB) catalog of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (ECDFS) from the MUltiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC). Our main sample of 7840 galaxies contains 1297 M_* > 10^11 M_Sol galaxies in the range 0.2 < z_phot < 1.8. We show empirically that this catalog is approximately complete for M_* > 10^11 M_Sol galaxies for z_phot < 1.8. For this mass-limited sample, we show that the locus of the red sequence color-stellar mass relation evolves as Del(u-r) ~ (-0.44+/-0.02) z_phot for z_phot ~1.3, however, we are no longer able to reliably distinguish red and blue subpopulations from the observed color distribution; we show that this would require much deeper near infrared data. At 1.5 < z_phot 10^11 M_Sol galaxies is ~50% of the local value, with a red fraction of ~33%. Making a parametric fit to the observed evolution, we find n_tot(z) ~ (1+z_phot)^(-0.52+/-0.12(+/-0.20)). We find stronger evolution in the red fraction: f_red(z) ~ (1+z_phot)^(-1.17+/-0.18(+/-0.21)). Through a series of sensitivity analyses, we show that the most important sources of systematic error are: 1. systematic differences in the analysis of the z~0 and z>>0 samples; 2. systematic effects associated with details of the photometric redshift calculation; and 3. uncertainties in the photometric calibration. With this in mind, we show that our results based on photometric redshifts are consistent with a completely independent analysis which does not require redshift information for individual galaxies. Our results suggest that, at most, 1/5 of local red sequence galaxies with M_* >10^11 M_Sol were already in place at z ~ 2.Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ. 31 pages in emulateapj format; 18 figues (14 in main text). Additional online data available through http://www.strw.leidenuniv.nl/~ent

Contribution of an SFK-Mediated Signaling Pathway in the Dorsal Hippocampus to Cocaine-Memory Reconsolidation in Rats

Environmentally induced relapse to cocaine seeking requires the retrieval of context–response–cocaine associative memories. These memories become labile when retrieved and must undergo reconsolidation into long-term memory storage to be maintained. Identification of the molecular underpinnings of cocaine-memory reconsolidation will likely facilitate the development of treatments that mitigate the impact of cocaine memories on relapse vulnerability. Here, we used the rat extinction-reinstatement procedure to test the hypothesis that the Src family of tyrosine kinases (SFK) in the dorsal hippocampus (DH) critically controls contextual cocaine-memory reconsolidation. To this end, we evaluated the effects of bilateral intra-DH microinfusions of the SFK inhibitor, PP2 (62.5 ng per 0.5 μl per hemisphere), following re-exposure to a cocaine-associated (cocaine-memory reactivation) or an unpaired context (no memory reactivation) on subsequent drug context-induced instrumental cocaine-seeking behavior. We also assessed alterations in the phosphorylation state of SFK targets, including GluN2A and GluN2B N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and GluA2 α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor subunits at the putative time of memory restabilization and following PP2 treatment. Finally, we evaluated the effects of intra-DH PEAQX (2.5 μg per 0.5 μl per hemisphere), a GluN2A-subunit-selective NMDAR antagonist, following, or in the absence of, cocaine-memory reactivation on subsequent drug context-induced cocaine-seeking behavior. GluN2A phosphorylation increased in the DH during putative memory restabilization, and intra-DH PP2 treatment inhibited this effect. Furthermore, PP2—as well as PEAQX—attenuated subsequent drug context-induced cocaine-seeking behavior, in a memory reactivation-dependent manner, relative to VEH. These findings suggest that hippocampal SFKs contribute to the long-term stability of cocaine-related memories that underlie contextual stimulus control over cocaine-seeking behavior

The Stellar and Gas Kinematics of the LITTLE THINGS Dwarf Irregular Galaxy NGC 1569

In order to understand the formation and evolution of dIm galaxies, one needs to understand their three-dimensional structure. We present measurements of the stellar velocity dispersion in NGC 1569, a nearby post-starburst dIm galaxy. The stellar vertical velocity dispersion, $\sigma_{\rm z}$, coupled with the maximum rotational velocity derived from \ion{H}{1} observations, $V_{\rm max}$, gives a measure of how kinematically hot the galaxy is, and, therefore, indicates its structure. We conclude that the stars in NGC 1569 are in a thick disk with a $V_{\rm max} / \sigma_{\rm z}$ = 2.4 $\pm$ 0.7. In addition to the structure, we analyze the ionized gas kinematics from \ion{O}{3} observations along the morphological major axis. These data show evidence for outflow from the inner starburst region and a potential expanding shell near supermassive star cluster (SSC) A. When compared to the stellar kinematics, the velocity dispersion of the stars increase in the region of SSC A supporting the hypothesis of an expanding shell. The stellar kinematics closely follow the motion of the gas. Analysis of high resolution \ion{H}{1} data clearly reveals the presence of an \ion{H}{1} cloud that appears to be impacting the eastern edge of NGC 1569. Also, an ultra-dense \ion{H}{1} cloud can be seen extending to the west of the impacting \ion{H}{1} cloud. This dense cloud is likely the remains of a dense \ion{H}{1} bridge that extended through what is now the central starburst area. The impacting \ion{H}{1} cloud was the catalyst for the starburst, thus turning the dense gas into stars over a short timescale, $\sim$ 1 Gyr. We performed a careful study of the spectral energy distribution using infrared, optical, and ultraviolet photometry producing a state-of-the-art mass model for the stellar disk. This mass modeling shows that stars dominate the gravitational potential in the inner 1 kpc.Comment: 49 pages, 25 figures, accepted in A

The Multiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC): Deep Medium-Band optical imaging and high quality 32-band photometric redshifts in the ECDF-S

We present deep optical 18-medium-band photometry from the Subaru telescope over the ~30' x 30' Extended Chandra Deep Field-South (ECDF-S), as part of the Multiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC). This field has a wealth of ground- and space-based ancillary data, and contains the GOODS-South field and the Hubble Ultra Deep Field. We combine the Subaru imaging with existing UBVRIzJHK and Spitzer IRAC images to create a uniform catalog. Detecting sources in the MUSYC BVR image we find ~40,000 galaxies with R_AB<25.3, the median 5 sigma limit of the 18 medium bands. Photometric redshifts are determined using the EAZY code and compared to ~2000 spectroscopic redshifts in this field. The medium band filters provide very accurate redshifts for the (bright) subset of galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts, particularly at 0.1 < z 3.5. For 0.1 < z < 1.2, we find a 1 sigma scatter in \Delta z/(1+z) of 0.007, similar to results obtained with a similar filter set in the COSMOS field. As a demonstration of the data quality, we show that the red sequence and blue cloud can be cleanly identified in rest-frame color-magnitude diagrams at 0.1 < z < 1.2. We find that ~20% of the red-sequence-galaxies show evidence of dust-emission at longer rest-frame wavelengths. The reduced images, photometric catalog, and photometric redshifts are provided through the public MUSYC website.Comment: 19 pages, 14 image

A Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope/Chandra view of IRAS 09104+4109: A type 2 QSO in a cooling flow

IRAS 09104+4109 is a rare example of a dust enshrouded type 2 QSO in the centre of a cool-core galaxy cluster. Previous observations of this z=0.44 system showed that as well as powering the hyper-luminous infrared emission of the cluster-central galaxy, the QSO is associated with a double-lobed radio source. However, the steep radio spectral index and misalignment between the jets and ionised optical emission suggested that the orientation of the QSO had recently changed. We use a combination of new, multi-band Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope observations and archival radio data to confirm that the jets are no longer powered by the QSO, and estimate their age to be 120-160 Myr. This is in agreement with the ~70-200 Myr age previously estimated for star-formation in the galaxy. Previously unpublished Very Long Baseline Array data reveal a 200 pc scale double radio source in the galaxy core which is more closely aligned with the current QSO axis and may represent a more recent period of jet activity. These results suggest that the realignment of the QSO, the cessation of jet activity, and the onset of rapid star-formation may have been caused by a gas-rich galaxy merger. A Chandra X-ray observation confirms the presence of cavities associated with the radio jets, and we estimate the energy required to inflate them to be ~7.7x10^60 erg. The mechanical power of the jets is sufficient to balance radiative cooling in the cluster, provided they are efficiently coupled to the intra-cluster medium (ICM). We find no evidence of direct radiative heating and conclude that the QSO either lacks the radiative luminosity to heat the ICM, or that it requires longer than 100-200 Myr to significantly impact its environment. [Abridged]Comment: 23 pages, 18 figures and 7 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRA

The green valley is a red herring : Galaxy Zoo reveals two evolutionary pathways towards quenching of star formation in early-and late-type galaxies

This is a pre-copyedited, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society following peer review. The version of record [Kevin Schawinski, et al, 'The green valley is a red herring: Galaxy Zoo reveals two evolutionary pathways towards quenching of star formation in early- and late-type galaxies' MNRAS, Vol. 440(1): 889-907, May 2014] is available online at: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stu327.We use SDSS+GALEX+Galaxy Zoo data to study the quenching of star formation in lowredshift galaxies. We show that the green valley between the blue cloud of star-forming galaxies and the red sequence of quiescent galaxies in the colour-mass diagram is not a single transitional state through which most blue galaxies evolve into red galaxies. Rather, an analysis that takes morphology into account makes clear that only a small population of blue early-type galaxies move rapidly across the green valley after the morphologies are transformed from disc to spheroid and star formation is quenched rapidly. In contrast, the majority of blue star-forming galaxies have significant discs, and they retain their late-type morphologies as their star formation rates decline very slowly. We summarize a range of observations that lead to these conclusions, including UV-optical colours and halo masses, which both show a striking dependence on morphological type. We interpret these results in terms of the evolution of cosmic gas supply and gas reservoirs. We conclude that late-type galaxies are consistent with a scenario where the cosmic supply of gas is shut off, perhaps at a critical halo mass, followed by a slow exhaustion of the remaining gas over several Gyr, driven by secular and/or environmental processes. In contrast, early-type galaxies require a scenario where the gas supply and gas reservoir are destroyed virtually instantaneously, with rapid quenching accompanied by a morphological transformation from disc to spheroid. This gas reservoir destruction could be the consequence of a major merger, which in most cases transforms galaxies from disc to elliptical morphology, and mergers could play a role in inducing black hole accretion and possibly active galactic nuclei feedback.Peer reviewe

A Public, K-Selected, Optical-to-Near-Infrared Catalog of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (ECDFS) from the MUltiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC)

We present a new K-selected, optical-to-near-infrared photometric catalog of the Extended Chandra Deep Field South (ECDFS), making it publicly available to the astronomical community. The dataset is founded on publicly available imaging, supplemented by original zJK imaging data obtained as part of the MUltiwavelength Survey by Yale-Chile (MUSYC). The final photometric catalog consists of photometry derived from nine band U-K imaging covering the full 0.5x0.5 sq. deg. of the ECDFS, plus H band data for approximately 80% of the field. The 5sigma flux limit for point-sources is K = 22.0 (AB). This is also the nominal completeness and reliability limit of the catalog: the empirical completeness for 21.75 < K < 22.00 is 85+%. We have verified the quality of the catalog through both internal consistency checks, and comparisons to other existing and publicly available catalogs. As well as the photometric catalog, we also present catalogs of photometric redshifts and restframe photometry derived from the ten band photometry. We have collected robust spectroscopic redshift determinations from published sources for 1966 galaxies in the catalog. Based on these sources, we have achieved a (1sigma) photometric redshift accuracy of Dz/(1+z) = 0.036, with an outlier fraction of 7.8%. Most of these outliers are X-ray sources. Finally, we describe and release a utility for interpolating restframe photometry from observed SEDs, dubbed InterRest. Particularly in concert with the wealth of already publicly available data in the ECDFS, this new MUSYC catalog provides an excellent resource for studying the changing properties of the massive galaxy population at z < 2. (Abridged)Comment: Re-submitted to ApJSS after a first referee report. 27 pages, 17 figures. MUSYC data is freely available from http://astro.yale.edu/MUSYC . Links to phot-z and restframe photometry catalogs, as well as to InterRest access and documentation, including a full walkthrough, can be found at http://www.strw.leidenuniv.nl/~ent