MAXIMUM-LIKELIHOOD ESTIMATES OF RACEHORSE EARNINGS AND PROFITABILITY

Thoroughbred racehorses are commonly characterized as unprofitable investments. Previous studies, grouping all racehorses together, estimate that over 80% of all racehorses in training fail to earn enough to recover the variable costs of training. However, these studies are not truly representative, because they fail to account for a number of factors affecting profitability. This study estimates expected purse earnings and profitability of claiming horses in Kentucky. Maximum-likelihood estimates of probability distribution parameters show that expected purse earnings follow an exponential distribution with a mean of $25,267. Profitability is best described by a Gamma distribution with a mean of$4,824. Of the 305 claims analyzed for profitability, 61% were profitable. The results indicate substantial financial risk associated with claiming race horses, but conclude that there are positive economic returns on average.claiming horses, financial risk, maximum likelihood, probability, profitability, thoroughbred, Agribusiness,

FAMILY-CENTERED PRACTICE IN EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS: THE EXPERIENCE OF FAMILIES AND PROFESSIONALS IN ONE LOCAL INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COUNCIL

Part H [recently reauthorized as Part C] of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates the application of family-centered practice principles to early intervention services. There has been a considerable amount of literature published in early intervention journals related to family and professional relationships in early intervention and its connection to family-centered care in early intervention services. There is very little literature, however, that examined the implementation of family-centered principles from a perspective that transcended the relationship between families and early intervention providers. This inquiry was a constructivist policy analysis of the implementation of the family-centered intent of Part H of IDEA in one Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) in Virginia. Perspectives about the implementation of the family-centered intent of Part H were assessed through in-depth interviews with several stakeholder groups, including families receiving Part H early intervention services, families who were never able to access services, members of the LICC, professionals from center-based programs, professionals from home-based programs, and professionals from hospital-based programs. While data were primarily collected via in-depth interviews with participants from each stakeholder group, the inquirer also observed five LICC meetings. Document analyses and observations of LICC meetings also were used for triangulation of incoming data. Twenty-two family participants were sampled that represented variation according to socio-economic status. Twenty professional participants were sampled who represented a range of professional disciplines. Findings from this inquiry highlight some issues regarding implementation of a broad federal policy (i.e.,Part H of IDEA) at the local level. The intent of Part H was to mandate the construction of state level service delivery systems, local service delivery systems, and suggested program and professional practices for the early intervention field. Very little guidance, however, was provided to states on how to construct their systems and even less was provided on developing local early intervention service delivery systems. Few financial resources were committed for the construction of these state and local service delivery systems adding additional complications. Specifically, the legislation provided no financial support for new early intervention programs; instead, the intent was for states and local service delivery systems to coordinate already existing providers using existing funds. There are many policy and practice implications resulting from this inquiry. First, there are implications for federal, state, and local early intervention policy. Second, there are implications for early intervention practice. Third, there are implications for empowerment of families who have children receiving early intervention services. Fourth, there are implications for social work practice in the field of early intervention. Finally, there are implications for future research related to family-centered service delivery

Oropharyngeal Airway Volume Following Orthodontic Treatment: Premolar Extraction Versus Non-Extraction

Orthodontic correction of tooth size versus arch size discrepancy (TSASD) can be achieved with two distinct methods of treatment. The first involves the extraction of teeth to gain the space needed for tooth alignment. The second relies on arch expansion to gain the space needed for correction. In recent decades, arguments for and against the extraction of teeth for orthodontic purposes have become increasingly important, particularly in regards to oropharyngeal airway size. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine whether there is a decrease in oropharyngeal dimensions following the extraction of four premolars and subsequent orthodontic therapy. Methods: Pretreatment and posttreatment CBCT images were taken on 88 healthy, adolescent orthodontic patients (27 with 4 premolar extraction, 61 non-extraction). Cephalometric measurements, as well as 3-dimensional analysis of the oropharyx were performed before and after treatment. Results: The extraction group had significantly larger measurements for Anterior Facial Height (AFH), Sella Perpendicular to A Point, SNA, ANB, Facial Convexity, and Y-Axis. The non-extraction group had significantly larger measurements for Sella Perpendicular to B Point. For Sella Perpendicular to L6 Mesial and U6 Mesial, the extraction group had greater mesial movement, which was likely due to Class II treatment mechanics. The measurements that were found to be statistically insignificant between extraction and non-extraction groups were: Atlas Vertebra to Posterior Nasal Spine, Hyoidale to Frankfort Horizontal, Posterior Soft Palate to Posterior Pharyngeal Wall, SNB, Upper Pharyngeal Plane Width, Upper Pharyngeal Plane Area, Middle Pharyngeal Plane Width, Middle Pharyngeal Plane Area, Lower Pharyngeal Plane Width, Lower Pharyngeal Plane Area, Middle Pharyngeal Plane Airway Volume, Inferior Pharyngeal Plane Airway Volume, and Total Pharyngeal Plane Airway Volume. Conclusions: At the level of the posterior nasal spine (PNS), the posterior soft palate, and the tip of the epiglottis, there were net increases in oropharyngeal widths, cross-sectional areas, and oropharyngeal volumes for both treatment groups. There was also no constriction of the oropharyngeal airway during either extraction or non-extraction treatment and there is no quantitative evidence that reducing arch perimeter has any effect on oropharyngeal size

Alternative removal methodologies for environmental waters

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to establish criteria for the reduction of pathogens in environmental waters used for drinking water. The EPA also states criteria on the amount of chlorine by-products allowed in drinking water. Alternative removal methods that are used in conjunction with chlorine are needed to assure safe drinking water. The Surface Water Treatment Rule (SWTR) states that a 99.99% reduction of viruses and a 99.9% reduction in Giardia lamblia cysts needs to be achieved by a treatment facility that uses surface water for the production of drinking water. The SWTR also states Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) on trihalomethane production. The Groundwater Disinfection Rule (GWDR) states that a 99.99% reduction of viruses must be achieved in treatment facilities using groundwater for the production of drinking water. The ability of polysulfone hollow fiber (HF) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes to remove bacteriophage, MS2, Giardia lamblia cysts, and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts from MilliQ water was examined. The membranes were placed in a Koch 5 bench scale disinfection unit. Operating conditions such as transmembrane pressure, pH, and temperature were varied to assess their effects on removal capability. A 100,000D PMPW membrane consistently removed 99.99% of MS2 titer and 99.999% of G. lamblia cysts and C. parvum oocysts under different operating conditions. The PMPW membrane achieved a 99.99% removal of MS2 in trials where MS2 was continually added to the influent at a concentration of 1.73\times10\sp4 pfu/ml-min. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was assessed for its ability to inactivate MS2, poliovirus LSc-1, hepatitis A virus HM-175, and rotavirus Wa in bench scale petri dish assays. Known concentrations of these viruses were added to MilliQ water and different groundwaters and UV irradiated. The least susceptible virus to UV irradiation was rotavirus Wa strain. In MilliQ water and groundwater, 99.99% reductions in titer occurred at 97.0 mWs/cm\sp2. A 99.99% reduction in MS2 occurred at 80 mWs/cm\sp2 in MilliQ water and between 64.0 mWs/cm\sp2 and 93.0 mWs/cm\sp2 in groundwaters. Poliovirus and hepatitis A virus were considerably less resistant to UV inactivation. A cell culture-RT PCR assay was used to determine rotavirus Wa titers before and after UV irradiation. Filtration was capable of meeting the pathogen removal criteria stated in the SWTR. UV irradiation met the virus inactivation criteria stated in the GWDR. Both methodologies could be used in full scale treatment plants under controlled conditions to determine their ability to remove pathogens from drinking water

Authenticity in Constructivist Inquiry: Assessing an Elusive Construct

Methodological rigor in constructivist inquiry is established through an assessment of trustworthiness and authenticity. Trustworthiness parallels the positivistic concepts of internal and external validity, focusing on an assessment of the inquiry process. Authenticity, however, is unique to constructivist inquiry and has no parallel in the positivistic paradigm. Authenticity involves an assessment of the meaningfulness and usefulness of interactive inquiry processes and social change that results from these processes. However, the techniques for ascertaining authenticity are in the early stages of development. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe a process for assessing authenticity in a constructivist inquiry. A brief overview of constructivist inquiries are described in relation to a set of techniques designed specifically to assess five dimensions of authenticity. Implications for constructivist researchers and social work research are presented