The Crucial Role of Counties in the Health of Californians: An Overview

Examines county programs and services including indigent health care, public health, mental health, and substance abuse treatment, as well as challenges and considerations for federal healthcare reform, innovation, and realignment of government services

Functional Movement Screen Score by Somatotype Category

Background: The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a tool used by fitness and health professionals to assess the quality of movement patterns in active populations. The literature has established descriptive values for FMS scores in various populations. However there has not yet been a study establishing the descriptive values of FMS score based on the somatotype categories. Establishing these descriptive values may provide a better understanding of how an individual\u27s somatotype affects their ability to move. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish FMS scores for the four simplified somatotype categories (normal, endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph). Methods: Participants were healthy college students between the ages of 18-25 years old (male = 29, female = 52, age = 20.48 yrs ± 1.44; height = 170.46 cm ± 10.26; weight = 67.22 kg ± 16.06). Ten basic anthropometric measures were taken on each of the participants to determine somatotype category according to the Heath-Carter Somatotype Method. Following the initial measurements each of the participants completed the FMS evaluation, which consisted of 7 functional movement patterns. Movement patterns were scored (by a certified FMS evaluator) using the 3-point scale. Results: Of the 81 participants, somatotypes were identified as follows: 33 mesomorphs, 16 endomorphs, 8 ectomorphs, 24 as central, and 2 were dropped from study for falsifying information. There was no significant difference between mean overall FMS scores for each category (endomorph 17.63±1.09, mesomorph 17.64±1.11, ectomorph 17.63 ± 1.06, central 17.58 ± 1.25). Conclusion: In the case of healthy young adults there appears to be very little variance in overall FMS scores between the four simplified somatotype categories

The EU Sugar Policy Regime and Implications of Reform

The European Union’s sugar policy, in place since 1968, underwent its first major reform in 2005 in response to mounting and unsustainable imbalances in supply and demand. The reform, however, targeted only a few policy instruments (intervention price cut, voluntary production quota buyout, and restrictions on nonquota sugar exports), while leaving other key policies unchanged (interstate quota trading, sugar-substitute competition, and import barriers). Consequently, the extent of the reform’s impact is limited, compared with more far-reaching alternatives, particularly when the oligopolistic nature of the industry and its noncompetitive pricing behavior are taken into account. A model-based analysis suggests that the reforms by themselves are unlikely to induce price adjustments sufficient to reduce overproduction unless quotas and/or high tariffs are reduced.European Union, EU, sugar CMO, Common Market Organization, policy reform, trade, economic model, Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade,

Canine Hypoadrenocorticism (Canine Addison\u27s Disease): History, Contemporary Diagnosis by Practicing Veterinarians, and Epidemiology

This study of canine hypoadrenocorticism (canine Addison\u27s disease; adrenal insufficiency) used several techniques to determine the incidence and prevalence of the disease and to identify factors associated with its occurrence. These techniques were historical; statistical, including meta-analysis and logistic regression; and epidemiologic, including both case series and case control data. Data were gathered by: extracting the details of cases reported in the veterinary literature, a rudimentary meta-anaylsis; using data obtained by Ciba Animal Health in the clinical trial of the drug microcrystalline desoxycorticosterone pivalate (DOCP); using data obtained from the Veterinary Medical Data Base (VMDB), a data repository of clinical information from colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States - augmented by directly querying VMDB non-participant colleges of veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada; surveying by mail veterinarians enrolled in the Ciba Animal Health clinical trial of DOCP; and surveying by mail l,000 practicing small animal veterinarians selected randomly from the mailing list of the American Veterinary Medical Association. The historical study focused on how humans first recognized the existence of the adrenal glands, next understood they were involved with disease in humans and other animals, and then developed methods for identifying and treating hypoadrenocorticism. The historical study began with Galen in the second century A.D., continued as human understanding expanded over the centuries, ended with the contemporary understanding of hypoadrenocorticism, and provided a context in which the specific results of the study became meaningful. Incidence estimates for canine adrenal insufficiency were, depending on the data set used to obtain the estimate, 0.13/1000 dogs/yr, 0.34/1000 dogs/yr, and 0.6/1000 dogs/yr. A point estimate was 0.36/1000 dogs/yr. Prevalence estimates were 3.2/1000 dogs, 1.7/1000 dogs, and 0.6/1000 dogs. A point estimate was 1.8/1000 dogs. Estimates of the average age (yr) at diagnosis for dogs with hypoadrenocorticism were 4.3, 4.9, and 5.4, again depending on the data set. A point estimate was 4.9. The ages of cases and controls suggested, based on the computation of age-specific odds ratios (OR) and logistic regression, that age was associated with the occurrence of disease and that the probability of disease increased with age. Female dogs were more likely to be hypoadrenal than males, and neutered dogs of either sex were more likely than intact ones. These conclusions were based on sex-specific incidence estimates, sex-specific OR, and logistic regression. The latter confirmed that sex was a significant factor associated with hypoadrenocorticism in dogs. Breed was, based on breed-specific OR and logistic regression, a significant factor in whether or not a dog developed adrenal insufficiency. Airedale Terriers, Basset Hounds, Bearded Collies, German Shepherds, German Shorthaired Pointers, Great Danes, Poodles, Saint Bernards, Springer Spaniels, and West Highland White Terriers were at increased risk of disease. Boston Terriers, Boxers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Lhasa Apsos, Pit Bull Terriers, Pomeranians, Shetland Sheepdogs, Shih Tzus, and Yorkshire Terriers were at decreased risk. There was less compelling evidence that Labrador Retrievers and Mixed breed dogs were at decreased risk. Average body weight (kg) estimates for hypoadrenal dogs were 23.4, 24.5, and 19.7, depending on the data set. A point estimate was 22.5. The body weights of cases and controls suggested, based on age-specific OR and logistic regression, that body weight was associated with disease and that the probability of disease increased with body weight. Hypoadrenal dogs were characterized by hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and a decreased ratio of serum sodium to potassium concentrations. Point estimates for serum sodium concentration, serum potassium concentration, and serum sodium to potassium concentration ratio were 132.1 meq/L, 6.6 meq/L, and 21.1, respectively. There was evidence that hypoadrenal dogs were seldom normal for all three diagnostic indicators. Common clinical findings among hypoadrenal dogs were anorexia, vomiting, depression, weakness, weight loss, azotemia, and diarhrea. Though probably affected by measurement bias, there was evidence that dogs with adrenal insufficiency were more likely than dogs from the general population to have anemia, arthritis, cruciate ligament rupture, diabetes mellitus, hepatitis, hypothyroidism, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, megaesophagus, myasthenia gravis, nephritis, and thrombocytopenia. The study concluded that epidemiologic studies of canine hypoadrenocorticism may use the practicing veterinarian\u27s diagnosis as a case definition rather than require a strict case definition based on the adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation test. This would produce larger numbers of cases, be less complex, more convenient, and less costly. Logistic regression of data from the mail survey of veterinarians enrolled in the clinical trial of DOCP indicated that age, breed, sex, and body weight were associated with canine hypoadrenocorticism. The probability of disease increased with age and body weight, was greater in females than males, was greater in neutered than intact dogs, and varied with breed. There was model-dependent evidence of higher order interactions, but the exact nature of these interactions could not be determined. Models were prepared which could predict the relative probability of hypoadrenocorticism in different dogs. It was emphasized that these models undoubtedly overlooked other unknown variables. Data from the veterinary literature, VMDB, clinical trial of DOCP, and survey of veterinarians enrolled in the DOCP clinical trial were all useful. The mail survey methodology was valuable, and should be a useful tool in veterinary epidemiologic studies. The mail survey of randomly selected veterinarians was a poor method for studying an uncommon disease; this deficiency might be overcome if larger samples were obtained

Cultural Solipsism, Cultural Lenses, Universal Principles, and Animal Advocacy

Given the potpourri of human cultures and the need to take a global view of animal rights advocacy, how can animal rights advocates most efficiently and successfully advocate for animals? This article will address this issue. First, I will describe and analyze views of the human/animal relationship from five example cultural traditions: Western culture, represented generally by Europe and North America, Indian culture, Chinese culture, South African culture, and Islamic culture, exemplified primarily here by Turkey. It is not asserted here that any of these cultures or countries are homogenous; they are not. Although Western culture is primarily constructed on Judeo-Christian traditions, there are many facets, tangents, and strands of these and other traditions in the West. India is, of course, an admixture of peoples and religious traditions, as is China. South Africa is a country with a mixture of different cultures and traditions, which have collided in recent history. And Islamic culture includes two major religious traditions as well as numerous offshoots from these major traditions and includes many ethnic groups. Moreover, it is also the case that there will always be individuals and groups within a culture whose views diverge from the cultural norm. The project here is not to attempt to represent each of these cultures as clearly defined and structured monoliths, but rather to attempt to ascertain a few fundamental principles and ideas that make significant contributions to thought about the human/animal relationship in these cultures and countries. I will demarcate the contours and boundaries of these fundamental cultural ideas about animals through analysis of historical as well as current events and issues in these cultures, but for the most part will focus on the dominant religious thought of these cultures. This emphasis on religious thought is prompted by the fact that religious thought or conceptual constructs derived from religious thought are often the foundational ingredient in a culture’s view of the human/animal relationship, although it will be discovered that this may not always be the case. Second, laws relating to animals from the chosen countries and cultures will be described and the cultural influences on these laws will be evaluated. Third, the implications of cultural differences and similarities for global animal rights advocacy will be scrutinized. In performing this analysis, this article will construct a model for global animal rights advocacy that incorporates consideration of cultural idiosyncrasies and, at the same time, has a foundation built on certain universally accepted principles. This model posits a “Compound Cultural Lens” of cultural influences that must be assayed in animal advocacy in a globalized world composed of a “Culturally Solipsistic Lens” representing the peculiarities of the particular culture and a “Universal Cultural Lens” that represents certain principles argued to be omnipresent in all cultures. It is posited that animal advocacy can benefit from crafting its messages utilizing these two aspects of the Compound Cultural Lens

The Role of the Rational and the Emotive in a Theory of Animal Rights

This article reviews the law and literature concerning the way that we look at rights issues and the foundational principles that are asserted to be the predicates of rights in our legal system. Particular attention is paid to problems surrounding the possible extension of legal rights to animals. The analysis reveals that while there are many ways of thinking about and grounding rights, most theorists insist on asserting that there is some single principle or concept that is the foundation for the granting of legal rights. It is argued here that this obsessive search for a single explanation for legal rights is folly. Instead, rights should be seen as having composite foundations formed from many moral, policy, social and cultural supports. It is further asserted that among the many things that should have significance in determining whether an entity, human or non-human, is a rightholder is one that is almost universally ignored in animal rights and other rights literature: emotions, and in particular, compassion. Emotions, being essential aspects of our nature and of our moral lives, are of relevance in determining who should be rightholders. If applied to the issue of granting rights to animals, our sense of compassion should count as a reason for granting rights to animals

The Experiences of African American Grandchildren Raised in Grandparent-Headed Families

There has been an increase in grandparents raising their grandchildren due to parental absence. This family structure has affected urban, single, low income African Americans at a higher rate than any other racial group. Research on grandchildren reared in grandparent-headed families (GHF) states these children are at risk for significant emotional, behavioral, physical problems, and learning disabilities than children living with their biological parents. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of African American grandchildren raised in GHF. Both quantitative and qualitative methodology was used, including individual interviews with 14 African American grandchildren ages 10-16 and their 6 grandparent caregivers, and the completion of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), which is a standard psychological measure. Results indicated that although the majority of the grandchildren were content living with their grandparents, they experienced challenges at school, including behavioral issues, low academic performance, and suspensions. Family factors that might affect grandchildren’s adjustment to living in a GHF are discussed, as well as implications for therapists and recommendations for future research with grandchildren from GHF