Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment for Parts, Ground, and MSC Poultry Product Including Intervention Analysis and Exploration of Enterobacteriaceae as an Indicator Organism in Poultry Processing

Samples collected at five different large bird poultry processing facilities over a period of 7 months from prescald to post debone locations were enumerated for Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. and the results were used to create Quantitative Microbial Risk Analyses (QMRA) models for parts, ground, and mechanically separated chicken (MSC) products. Sensitivity analyses indicated the points in the process at which reductions would be most advantageous to the endpoint and simulation models were run to test reductions required to meet the current USDA performance standards. These data were analyzed to determine the reductions from one node (location) to the next and including outside variables (line speed, presence of a post-pick cabinet, pH, and chemical concentration) in the process that may affect the efficacy of these applications in the process. Stepwise regression analyses were used to determine if there was a relationship between the reductions and these variables. If the relationship was significant, then it was further explored with linear estimation to find the most beneficial point at which each of these factors influenced the largest reduction in either Salmonella spp. or Campylobacter spp. Data on poultry products during processing was analyzed to identify for Enterobacteriaceae, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. for each sample. These samples were then compared to determine if there existed a statistically significant relationship between Enterobacteriaceae and Campylobacter spp. and/or Salmonella spp. at first processing and for several post-debone products (parts, ground, frames, and MSC). Results from these analyses indicated that the parts product should be able to meet USDA FSIS Agency standards, but that ground and MSC product would require reductions (starting from pre-scald) that may not be reasonably likely to occur at a processing facility. The use of the intervention analysis should aid in determining the best intersect of pH and chemical concentration in removing these pathogens from the first process whole bird carcass rinse (WBCR) samples. Analysis of Enterobacteriaceae as an indicator organism resulted in a justification for the use of Enterobacteriaceae as a predictor organism for first processing WBCR samples

Restrictiveness and race in special education: The issue of cultural reciprocity

The issue of segregation of students with disabilities across cultural groupsis a function of cultural values demonstrated by charter schools and theresulting dissonance between these values and those demonstrated byfamilies. Lack of understanding about school culture and diverse familyvalue systems can lead to varying family responses to the school culture,including assimilation, integration, separation, and marginalization.Assuming a posture of cultural reciprocity is suggested as a means for education professionals in charter schools to more effectively understand families of children with disabilities. This four-step process includes (a) identifying the education professional’s interpretation of family and childneeds; (b) determining the degree to which the family values these assumptions and how the family’s perceptions may be different; (c) acknowledging and respecting differences identified, and explaining the basis for professional assumptions; and (d) determining how to adapt professional interpretations or recommendations to the family’s value system

A new neutron study of the short range order inversion in Fe1−x_{1-x}Crx_x

We have performed new neutron diffuse scattering measurements in Fe$_{1-x}$Cr$_x$ solid solutions, in a concentration range 0$<$x$<$0.15, where the atomic distribution shows an inversion of the short range order. By optimizing the signal-background ratio, we obtain an accurate determination of the concentration of inversion x$_0$ =0.110(5). We determine the near neighbor atomic short range order parameters and pair potentials, which change sign at x$_0$. The experimental results are compared with previous first principle calculations and atomistic simulations.Comment: 6 pages; 6 figure

Family and cultural issues in AT service delivery

Effective assistive technology planning and decision making for children and youth with disabilities should include careful consideration of family and cultural factors. Inclusion of the family when considering assistive technology needs of the child is the key to identifying important family and cultural perspectives that can “make or break” the successful integration of assistive technology in the home, school, and community. Despite the recognition that families should be integral to the AT decision-making process, family and professional partnerships have often been difficult to establish in practice. Cultural and language barriers may compound the difficulty of forging a strong connection between families and professionals. Families from different cultural backgrounds may be less inclined to participate in the process of considering assistive technology for their child for a variety of reasons, such as lack of knowledge about assistive technology, attitudes held by professionals, and differing cultural perspectives about assistive technology. This month’s discussion experts, Phil Parette and Tom Nurse, will answer your questions and share their experience and knowledge about family and cultural issues in AT decision making. They will also offer strategies for educational professionals to develop more family-centered AT practices

Family and cultural issues in assistive technology

To ensure effective assistive technology (AT) decision-making for children with disabilities, families should ideally be actively involved in the process. An evolving issue in family-centered practice is the role of cultural and linguistic issues that may influence the participation of family members in AT decision-making and subsequent implementation of and support for devices and services. Culturally and linguistically-based values may wield strong influences on family perceptions of AT, and successful implementation of AT solutions agreed upon by team members. This discussion will address issues related to identifying and developing an understanding of family perspectives about goals and expectations for AT that are often very different from the perspectives of professionals. A range of cultural and linguistic values will be explored, with emphasis on how such values may affect AT decision-making. We will also explore acculturation issues, including generational differences, in an effort to better understand how these influences affect AT decision-making

Connecting to learn: Educational and assistive technologies for people with disabilities

Our fundamental sense of connectedness, our sense of well-being, is usually derived from the quality of interactions we have over time. We need to feel that we\u27re connected with our environment and the people and information that we value. Assistive and educational technologies have already done much to eliminate the challenges and barriers posed by disabilities and they will be even more crucial to the educational and vocational success of this population from the boardroom to the classroom; in the community and in the home. While there are many benefits to be gained by using assistive technologies, they have the potential to limit and isolate as well as enable, liberate, and connect their users. As paradoxical as it sounds, some ATs, particularly the very high-tech ones, can sometimes work against connectedness as they highlight a student\u27s differences and set AT users apart as looking different

Adaptation interventions to promote participation in natural settings

Children\u27s participation in everyday activities and routines in home and community settings is an important focus of services for infants and young children with disabilities. Data indicate that assistive technology (AT) is not widely used nor do early intervention service providers report frequent use of AT devices with infant-toddlers. Adaptation interventions combine environmental accommodations and AT in ways that promote children\u27s participation in activities and routines and provide functional skill-building learning opportunities. A decision-making process for planning and implementing adaptation interventions is outlined with examples of strategies and formats that service providers can use to create successful interventions for infants and young children

Use of Writing with Symbols 2000 Software to Facilitate Emergent Literacy Development

This paper outlines the use of the Writing with Symbols 2000 software to facilitate emergent literacy development. The program’s use of pictures incorporated with text has great potential to help young children with and without disabilities acquire fundamental literacy concepts about print, phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, vocabulary development, and comprehension. The flexibility and features of the software allow early childhood professionals to create a variety of early literacy tools for the classroom, including worksheets, storybooks, and interactive activities

Magnetohydrodynamic microfluidic systems including modified electrodes and methods of using the same

A magnetohydrodynamic microfluidic system and a method of pumping a fluid using a magnetohydrodynamic system are disclosed. The method includes applying at least one of an electric current and an electric voltage to a first modified electrode and a second electrode to generate an ionic current between the first modified electrode and the second electrode and to cause a current carrying species to move to or from the modified electrode, applying a magnetic field perpendicular to an ionic current vector, the magnetic field and the ionic current combining to induce flow of the fluid in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field and the ionic current vector, and maintaining fluid flow by recharging the modified electrode

A protocol paper on the preservation of identity: understanding the technology adoption patterns of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL)

There are a growing number of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL) for whom technology holds promise in supporting their engagement in daily activities. Despite the growing presence of technologies intended to support older adults with ARVL, there remains high rates of abandonment. This phenomenon of technology abandonment may be partly explained by the concept of self-image, meaning that older adults with ARVL avoid the use of particular technologies due to an underlying fear that use of such technologies may mark them as objects of pity, ridicule, and/or stigmatization. In response to this, the proposed study aims to understand how the decision-making processes of older adults with ARVL, as it relates to technology adoption, is influenced by the negotiation of identity. The study protocol will justify the need for this critical ethnographic study, unpack the theoretical underpinnings of this work, detail the sampling/recruitment strategy, describe the methods which included a home tour, go-along, and semi-structured in-depth interview, as well as the collective approach taken to analyze the data. The protocol concludes by examining the ethical tensions associated with this study, including a focus on the methods adopted as well as the ethical challenges inherent when working with an older adult population experiencing vision loss