New Approaches to Incarceration in Missouri

Pressure for revisions in Missouri's sentencing laws has been increasing, fueled by analyses of the severity of those laws, by the examination of alternatives to sentencing, and by the escalating cost of incarceration. The trends are very clear. Missouri had about 5,700 inmates in prison in 1980 but by 2001, the state held nearly 29,000 prisoners. In recent years, the rate of growth has been about three new inmates per day, requiring a new 1800 man prison facility every 18 months. The cost of incarcerating one offender is $12,968 annually. Senate Bill 5, enacted by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor in 2003 was designed to address these issues. Senate Bill 5, sponsored by Senator Harold Caskey and handled in the House by Representative Robert Mayer, relaxes the sentencing for first time, non-violent offenders, emphasizing instead rehabilitation, probation, parole and community options. These changes are expected to reduce the rate of growth of Missouri's prison population to near zero. As a result of SB 5, the Department of Corrections estimates a possible savings of over$9 million per year because it will receive 1,392 fewer prisoners per year. Senate Bill 5 provides additional options for the sentencing of non-violent offenders requiring drug and alcohol treatment, provides new sentencing alternatives to judges, and modifies several sentencing provisions

Typhoons and Lower Birth Weight in the Philippines

Do typhoons impact birth weights of infants exposed to a typhoon while in utero? This research exploits the exogeneity and randomness of typhoons in the Philippines to estimate the impact of typhoon exposure as determined by wind speed on birth weights. Using four waves of the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from the Philippines combined with temperature, precipitation, and rainfall data from the Philippines, I can empirically estimate the impact of a 1 m/s increase in wind speed on birth weights. I find that for certain subgroups of the population, specifically children born to mothers with primary education or less, typhoon exposure in the year of birth and more specifically the quarter of birth, has a negative and statistically significant effect on birth weights. Since birth weights are common indicators of overall infant health as well as predictors of later life outcomes, these findings are important for policymakers. Policy implications of this study include shifting the focus of campaigns directed to focus on the importance of health and nutrition in the later stages of pregnancy, and also focusing on the needs of pregnant women in post-typhoon aid and relief efforts

Absent Characters as Proximate Cause in Twentieth Century American Drama

This thesis explores the status of a specific subset of absent characters within twentieth century American drama. By borrowing the term “proximate cause” from tort law and illuminating its intricacies through David Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature, this thesis re-appropriates proximate cause for literary studies. Rather than focus on characters whose existence remains the subject of critical debate, this set of absent characters presumably exists but never appear onstage. Despite their non-appearance onstage, however, these absent characters nonetheless have a profound effect upon the action that occurs during their respective plays. Highlighting the various ways in which these characters serve as the proximate cause for the onstage action of a given play will expand the realm of drama and literary studies in myriad ways

Self-Presentation by Young Ballet and Contemporary Dancers on Image-Based Social Media

The impact of social media use on young peoples’ body image is gaining increased attention both in academia and in the media. Far less consideration has been given to whether young people emulate body image ideals in their online visual self-presentation. This study examined the online self-presentation of a group who may be vulnerable to body image difficulties, young dancers. Forty-seven contemporary dancers and twenty-four ballet dancers took part in the study. Participants’ most recent five images on Instagram were screen-captured and content analysed. In addition, participants completed a brief survey comprising measures of Instagram use, self-objectification, body surveillance, eating disorder psychopathology and depression. There were no differences between dance genres in their conformity to idealised body image in their self-presentation. However, the dance groups differed in objectifying behaviour, as contemporary dancers demonstrated more sexually objectified images and ballet dancers posted more images that focussed on a body part instead of their face. In terms of audience reaction to idealised/non-idealised content, there were no differences in positive feedback between image-type and dance genre. However, regression analyses highlighted positive relationships between number of ‘likes’ and proportion of idealised and objectifying images posted. Finally, no significant relationships were established between features of self-presentation/Instagram use and assessments of self-objectification, body surveillance, eating disorder psychopathology and depression. All dancers also showed low levels of psychopathology across all measures. This study can offer young dancers and dance schools an insight into the visual self-presentation practices of young dancers. Instagram provides them with a constructive venue for identity expression. However, some of this aligns with idealised body shape or objectifying appearance, which should be considered. Results also invite more optimism and fewer negative preconceptions regarding body image in young dancers

Developing behavioural testing and MR imaging to evaluate cognitive impairment in models of CNS autoimmunity

This project will investigate cognition and cognitive fatigue in models of CNS autoimmunity. We will use automated touchscreens and fMRI to measure deficits in higher order brain functions. We have two critical milestones in this project: to use touchscreen testing protocols to determine if mouse models demonstrate the same kinds of attention, working memory and cognitive fatigue deficits observed in MS, and to use fMRI to measure higher-order defects in the autoimmune models and identify any changes present that might be associated with cognitive dysfunction and the findings from human studies.https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/brainscanprojectsummaries/1037/thumbnail.jp

Aspirin in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and cancer : a systematic review of the balance of evidence from reviews of randomized trials

Background: Aspirin has been recommended for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, but overall benefits are unclear. We aimed to use novel methods to re-evaluate the balance of benefits and harms of aspirin using evidence from randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Methods and Findings: Data sources included ten electronic bibliographic databases, contact with experts, and scrutiny of reference lists of included studies. Searches were undertaken in September 2012 and restricted to publications since 2008. Of 2,572 potentially relevant papers 27 met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis of control arms to estimate event rates, modelling of all-cause mortality and L'Abbé plots to estimate heterogeneity were undertaken. Absolute benefits and harms were low: 60-84 major CVD events and 34-36 colorectal cancer deaths per 100,000 person-years were averted, whereas 46-49 major bleeds and 68-117 gastrointestinal bleeds were incurred. Reductions in all-cause mortality were minor and uncertain (Hazard Ratio 0.96; 95% CI: 0.90-1.02 at 20 years, Relative Risk [RR] 0.94, 95% CI: 0.88-1.00 at 8 years); there was a non-significant change in total CVD (RR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.69-1.06) and change in total cancer mortality ranged from 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66-0.88) to 0.93 (95% CI: 0.84-1.03) depending on follow-up time and studies included. Risks were increased by 37% for gastrointestinal bleeds (RR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.15-1.62), 54%-66% for major bleeds (Rate Ratio from IPD analysis 1.54, 95% CI: 1.30-1.82, and RR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.31-2.00), and 32%-38% for haemorrhagic stroke (Rate Ratio from IPD analysis 1.32; 95% CI: 1.00-1.74; RR 1.38; 95% CI: 1.01-1.82). Conclusions: Findings indicate small absolute effects of aspirin relative to the burden of these diseases. When aspirin is used for primary prevention of CVD the absolute harms exceed the benefits. Estimates of cancer benefit rely on selective retrospective re-analysis of RCTs and more information is needed

Concert recording 2013-04-20a

[Track 01]. Moving air / Nigel Westlake -- [Track 02]. Violin sonata no. 1 in G minor. Fuga / J.S. Bach -- [Track 03]. Merlin. Beyond the faint edge of the world ; [Track 04] Time\u27s way / Andrew Thomas -- [Track 05] Fear cage / Kirk J. Gay -- [Track 06]. Among the thorns / Sean Sweeden -- [Track 07]. String quartet no. 16 in F major, op. 135. Lento assai, cantate e tranquillo ; Vivace / Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged by Sean Sweeden

Protozoal Coinfection in Horses with Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis in the Eastern United States

Background: Infection by 2 or more protozoa is linked with increased severity of disease in marine mammals with protozoan encephalitis. Hypothesis/Objectives: To assess whether horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Sarcocystis neurona also have evidence of infection with Neospora hughesi or Toxoplasma gondii. We hypothesized that horses with EPM would be more likely than horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) to be positive for antibodies to multiple protozoan parasites. Animals: One hundred one horses with neurologic disease: 49 with EPM and 52 with CVSM. Methods: Case review. Archived serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 101 horses were examined. Inclusion criteria included neurologic disease, antemortem or postmortem diagnosis of EPM or CVSM, and availability of serological results or archived samples for testing. Additional testing for antibodies was performed on serum for T. gondii, as well as serum and CSF for N. hughesi. Results: Horses with EPM were more likely than horses with CVSM to have positive immunologic results for S. neurona on serum (95.9% versus 76.9%, P = .0058), CSF (98.0% versus 44.2%, P \u3c .00001), and serum : CSF titer ratio (91.8% versus 0%, P \u3c .00001). Positive results for Neospora and Toxoplasma were uncommon, with total seroprevalence rates of 12.9% and 14.9%, respectively. The proportions of EPM cases testing positive for Neospora and Toxoplasma (16% and 12%) were not different from the proportions of CVSM cases testing positive (10% and 17%, P = .31 and .47, respectively). Conclusion: Results do not indicate an important role for protozoal coinfection in EPM in the eastern United States

Clinical Characteristics of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Co-Occurring Epilepsy

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of epilepsy in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with ASD and epilepsy in a large patient population. Methods: Cross-sectional study using four samples of children with ASD for a total of 5,815 participants with ASD. The prevalence of epilepsy was estimated from a population-based sample. Children with and without epilepsy were compared on demographic and clinical characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the association between demographic and clinical characteristics and epilepsy. Results: The average prevalence of epilepsy in children with ASD 2–17 years was 12.5%; among children aged 13 years and older, 26% had epilepsy. Epilepsy was associated with older age, lower cognitive ability, poorer adaptive and language functioning, a history of developmental regression and more severe ASD symptoms. The association between epilepsy and the majority of these characteristics appears to be driven by the lower IQ of participants with epilepsy. In a multivariate regression model, only age and cognitive ability were independently associated with epilepsy. Children age 10 or older had 2.35 times the odds of being diagnosed with epilepsy (p<.001) and for a one standard deviation increase in IQ, the odds of having epilepsy decreased by 47% (p<.001). Conclusion: This is among the largest studies to date of patients with ASD and co-occurring epilepsy. Based on a representative sample of children with ASD, the average prevalence of epilepsy is approximately 12% and reaches 26% by adolescence. Independent associations were found between epilepsy and older age and lower cognitive ability. Other risk factors, such as poor language and developmental regression, are not associated with epilepsy after controlling for IQ. These findings can help guide prognosis and alert clinicians to patients with ASD who are at increased risk for epilepsy

Rydberg-atom trajectories in a ponderomotive optical lattice

Using semiclassical simulations, we investigate the trajectories and the microwave spectra of Rydberg atoms excited in a ponderomotive optical lattice. We relate distinct features found in the microwave spectra to characteristic types of trajectory. Several methods are presented that are designed to greatly improve the trapping efficiency of the lattice and to generalize the trapping from one to three dimensions.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/85435/1/njp10_11_113036.pd