A Guide to Disability Statistics from the National Health Interview Survey

The purpose of this paper is to examine the information on the population with disabilities in a nationally representative survey conducted by the National Center on Health Statistics called the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The paper provides a description of the disability information available in the NHIS and how the data may be used to assess the employment, economic well being and health of the population. Descriptive statistics from the 2002 NHIS public use files are used to illustrate the type of analysis that will be useful to researchers and policymakers

Results of the NASA/MSFC FA-23 plume technology test program performed in the NASA/Ames unitary wind tunnels

A 2.25% scale model of the space shuttle external tank and solid rocket boosters was tested in the NASA/Ames Unitary 11 x 11 foot transonic and 9 x 7 foot supersonic tunnels to obtain base pressure data with firing solid propellant exhaust plumes. Data system difficulties prevented the acquisition of any useful data in the 9 x 7 tunnel. However, 28 successful rocket test firings were made in the 11 x 11 tunnel, providing base pressure data at Mach numbers of 0.5, 0.9, 1.05, 1.2, and 1.3 and at plume pressure ratios ranging from 11 to 89

Use of mobile devices to answer online surveys: implications for research.

BACKGROUND: There is a growing use of mobile devices to access the Internet. We examined whether participants who used a mobile device to access a brief online survey were quicker to respond to the survey but also, less likely to complete it than participants using a traditional web browser. FINDINGS: Using data from a recently completed online intervention trial, we found that participants using mobile devices were quicker to access the survey but less likely to complete it compared to participants using a traditional web browser. More concerning, mobile device users were also less likely to respond to a request to complete a six week follow-up survey compared to those using traditional web browsers. CONCLUSIONS: With roughly a third of participants using mobile devices to answer an online survey in this study, the impact of mobile device usage on survey completion rates is a concern. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01521078

A Scale Model Investigation of Rocket Exhaust Effects on an Improved Saturn V Booster Utilizing Solid Propellant Strap-Ons

Missions currently being considered by NASA beyond the Apollo manned lunar landing will require a larger payload capability than is available with the current generation of Saturn boosters. An attractive method of achieving the desired payload increase consists of adding large solid propellant rocket motors (strap-ons) to existing boosters to augment the thrust from the basic booster liquidpropellant engines. The soundness of this approach has already been demonstrated by such vehicles as the Titan III-C and Thrust Augmented Thor/Delta, where significant performance increases have been obtained within current state of the art and at minimum cost, while simultaneously retaining the proven reliability characteristics of the previously developed basic booster. The possibility of increasing the performance of the Saturn V booster through the addition of previously developed 120-inch solid-propellant rochet motor strap-ons to the S-IC first stage is currently being evaluated by the Marshall Space Flight Center of NASA. One of the items of concern with such a configuration is the possibility of a detrimental alteration in the base environment of the S-IC from that which will exist with only the basic complement of five F-l liquid propellant rockets. For example, interactions between the liquid propellant and/or solid propellant rocket exhaust plumes (a total of nine rocket exhausts are involved) may result in increased flow recirculation and attendant increases in base pressure and convective heating. Further, radiant heating to the base may also be significantly greater because of the presence of the aluminized solid propellant exhaust plumes. In addition to these potential flight problems, consideration must also be directed toward the launch stand environment. Rocket exhaust recirculation from the flame deflector can produce a severe thermal environment in the booster base region during the ignition and lift-off sequence, Launch stand components must also be suitably protected to withstand the 5000 °F exhaust gas impingement as the booster lifts off

Walking Speed Differentially Alters Spinal Loads in Persons with Traumatic Lower Limb Amputation

Persons with lower limb amputation (LLA) perceive altered motions of the trunk/pelvis during activities of daily living as contributing factors for low back pain. When walking (at a singular speed), larger trunk motions among persons with vs. without LLA are associated with larger spinal loads; however, modulating walking speed is necessary in daily life and thus understanding the influences of walking speed on spinal loads in persons with LLA is of particular interest here. Three-dimensional trunk-pelvic kinematics, collected during level-ground walking at self-selected (SSW) and two controlled speeds (~1.0 and ~1.4 m/s), were obtained for seventy-eight participants: 26 with transfemoral and 26 with transtibial amputation, and 26 uninjured controls (CTR). Using a kinematics-driven, non-linear finite element model of the lower back, the resultant compressive and mediolateral/anteroposterior shear loads at the L5/S1 spinal level were estimated. Peak values were extracted and compiled. Despite walking slower at SSW speeds (~0.21 m/s), spinal loads were 8–14% larger among persons with transfemoral amputation vs. CTR. Across all participants, peak compressive, mediolateral, and anteroposterior shear loads increased with increasing walking speed. At the fastest (vs. slowest) controlled speed, these increases were respectively 24–84% and 29–77% larger among persons with LLA relative to CTR. Over time, repeated exposures to these increased spinal loads, particularly at faster walking speeds, may contribute to the elevated risk for low back pain among persons with LLA. Future work should more completely characterize relative risk in daily life between persons with vs. without LLA by analyzing additional activities and tissue-level responses

Online interventions for problem gamblers with and without co-occurring mental health symptoms: protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND Comorbidity between problem gambling and depression or anxiety is common. Further, the treatment needs of people with co-occurring gambling and mental health symptoms may be different from those of problem gamblers who do not have a co-occurring mental health concern. The current randomized controlled trial (RCT) will evaluate whether there is a benefit to providing access to mental health Internet interventions (G + MH intervention) in addition to an Internet intervention for problem gambling (G-only intervention) in participants with gambling problems who do or do not have co-occurring mental health symptoms. METHODS Potential participants will be screened using an online survey to identify participants meeting criteria for problem gambling. As part of the baseline screening process, measures of current depression and anxiety will be assessed. Eligible participants agreeing (N = 280) to take part in the study will be randomized to one of two versions of an online intervention for gamblers – an intervention that just targets gambling issues (G-only) versus a website that contains interventions for depression and anxiety in addition to an intervention for gamblers (G + MH). It is predicted that problem gamblers who do not have co-occurring mental health symptoms will display no significant difference between intervention conditions at a six-month follow-up. However, for those with co-occurring mental health symptoms, it is predicted that participants receiving access to the G + MH website will display significantly reduced gambling outcomes at six-month follow-up as compared to those provided with G-only website. DISCUSSION The trial will produce information on the best means of providing online help to gamblers with and without co-occurring mental health symptoms.This research was funded by the Manitoba Gambling Research Program of Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries

Forages for Horses Revamped

The Forages for Horses program began in Ohio in1998 as a collaboration between the Ohio Forages & Grasslands Council and Ohio State University Extension. Over time, additional collaborations with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Agriculture and local Soil and Water Conservation Districts expanded the program. At its inception, one to three educators would partner to provide eight hours of in-person lectures followed by a pasture walk to better the management practices of equine enthusiasts. From 2021 through 2022, the curriculum was adapted for a hybrid classroom and included three 90-minute live webinars featuring nine different presentations followed by online social events. The modifications to the curriculum were made to improve access to equine resources and grazing education across Ohio. The Forages for Horses resources were also updated as part of the process. Learning modules posted in Canvas (an online learning management system) provided additional information that expanded upon the original curriculum. In 2022, 41 students from Ohio and surrounding states registered for the online course and webinars. Participants were able to hear directly from educators - more than in past iterations of the program– to expand their depth of knowledge and increase opportunities for participation without the location of the class posing a barrier for attendance. This program will continue to be revised over the coming years to remain relevant and accessible to Ohioans

Ohio Pastures for Profit Online

The Pastures for Profit program is an established course created through a collaboration between Ohio State University Extension, Central State University, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council. In 2021, due to COVID-19, the Pastures for Profit curriculum was adapted to a virtual classroom setting and was offered again in 2022. The virtual experience consisted of three live webinars pairing with corresponding modules in Scarlet Canvas. Enrolled students were also mailed traditional course materials for personal use. Module content was newly developed and compiled to compliment the traditional materials and included videos, quizzes, additional presentations, and technical resources. The course materials were organized and taught by a team of over 50 collaborators. During the three live webinars, nearly 20 speakers presented on topics including the basics of grazing, plant and animal science, and grazing plans. A total of 168 people enrolled in Scarlet Canvas in the two-year time frame from over 15 states and included producers, educators, technical service providers, and government agency staff. Each live session was recorded and made available to the class for access at their convenience. Those who completed the course obtained a signed certificate of completion. This platform allowed for an expanded audience reach than in the past