Adoption of Phytase by Livestock Farmers

Phytase represents a potential win/win management practice for non-ruminant producers since it can reduce the need for phosphorous supplementation and also result in lower phosphorous runoff. Cost of phytase has decreased and cost of phosphorous has increased. The reported adoption rate for phytase for non-ruminants was 17.2 percent, however it is currently added to virtually all swine and poultry premixes by feed manufacturers due to the cost savings. People were more likely to say they use phytase if they think it is profitable, not time intensive, and improves water quality.manure, phytase, phosphorous, adoption, Environmental Economics and Policy, Livestock Production/Industries,

The Nuts and Bolts of PDPs

This issue brief provides an overview of Medicare prescription drug plans (PDPs), with a focus on fundamentals such as enrollment, premiums, formularies, cost sharing, prices, payment, cost management, and appeals and grievance processes. It also highlights major changes to the PDP landscape between 2006 and 2007

The Medicare Drug Benefit: Update on the Low-Income Subsidy

The Medicare drug benefit (Medicare Part D ), provides federal subsidies to pay premiums and cost sharing for low-income beneficiaries—almost 10 million in 2009. Yet there are several policy issues concerning these low-income beneficiaries under Part D. First, over 2 million individuals who may qualify for the subsidies have not enrolled. Second, in some states, low-income beneficiaries have little choice of plans (while non-low-income beneficiaries have dozens of choices), unless they pay out-of-pocket for premium amounts above what the subsidy covers. And third, millions of those who have enrolled in the benefit face the prospect each year of switching drug plans or paying more to keep their current drug plan. What led to this state of affairs? Are there lessons to be learned from Medicare Part D as Congress debates how to provide health insurance subsidies on behalf of low-income individuals

First Measurements of the Differential Cross Sections of Higgs Boson Production and Decay in the Four Lepton Final State

The discovery of a new scalar particle in the search for the Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) was a great success for the ATLAS and CMS collaborations. Additional measurements of this new particle present opportunities to both test the Standard Model (SM) predictions for the Higgs boson and to search for non-SM properties of this new particle. This thesis presents measurements of the mass, signal strength, and production cross sections of the Higgs boson in the H -\u3e ZZ* -\u3e lll\u27l\u27 (l,l\u27=e,μ) decay channel. The cross section measurements are performed using 20.3 fb^-1 of pp collisions at center of mass energy sqrt(s) = 8 TeV collected by the ATLAS detector and the mass and signal strength measurements are performed using an additional 4.5 fb^-1 of pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV. From the data in the H -\u3e 4l channel, the best estimate of the mass is 124.51 ± 0.52 (stat) ± 0.06 (syst) GeV. The signal strength (the ratio of observed signal events to expected events from a Standard Model Higgs boson) is measured to be 1.64 ± 0.38 (stat) ± 0.18 (syst). An inclusive cross section time branching ratio measurement is performed within a fiducial volume and found to be 2.11+0.53- 0.47 (stat) + 0.08- 0.08(syst) fb. Differential cross section measurements are performed for six observables which are sensitive to properties of the Higgs boson production and decay. An unfolding procedure is used to correct for detector effects in the differential measurements and comparisons are made to several theoretical calculations. No significant deviations from the SM predictions are observed

Adult Sibling Loss: Family Dynamics and Individual Adult Sibling Loss: Family Dynamics and Individual Characteristics

The current study investigated family, individual and sibling relationship variables of adult sibling loss, using a cross-sectional survey design. A purposive sampling procedure was used to recruit adult subjects that had experienced the death of an adult sibling within the last five years. Ninety-four subjects responded to the initial request with 84 subjects returning questionnaires for an 89% response rate. Family variables of communication, cohesion, and adaptability and individual variables of individuation, self esteem as well as level of grief were operationalized using standardized instruments through a mailed questionnaire. It was predicted that significant relationships would be found between family variables and current level of grief. It was also predicted that individual characteristics (individuation, self esteem, church attendance, and cause of death) would be significantly related to the level of grief. Characteristics of the sibling relationship (frequency of contact, communication, perceived emotional closeness, geographical proximity, age differential and same sex) were predicted to reveal significant relationships. Bivariate analysis yielded support for only four of the sixteen hypotheses. No family variables were related to the subjects’ level of grief at the time of the survey. The individual characteristics of individuation, self esteem and church attendance were all significantly related to the level of grief. Support was also found for the sibling relationship variable of geographical proximity with level of grief. Multivariate regression analysis was used in testing two models that investigated demographic, family, individual and sibling relationship variables with current level of grief. The first model included all variables that were statistically significant at the bivariate level and relevant demographic variables. In addition, the level of grief at death and the amount of time since death were included in the model. The level of grief at death was the strongest predictor of current level of grief. The first model explained 61.7% of the variability of current level of grief. The second model selected those variables that had significant t-values from the first model. The level of emotional involvement was the strongest predictor of the level of grief at death. This model explained 58% of the variability of current level of grief. The level of grief at death was the strongest predictor of the current level of grief in both models

Prevalence and types of rectal douches used for anal intercourse: results from an international survey.

BackgroundRectal products used with anal intercourse (AI) may facilitate transmission of STIs/HIV. However, there is limited data on rectal douching behavior in populations practicing AI. We examined the content, types of products, rectal douching practices and risk behaviors among those reporting AI.MethodsFrom August 2011 to May 2012, 1,725 women and men reporting receptive AI in the past 3 months completed an internet-based survey on rectal douching practices. The survey was available in English, French, German, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Thai and included questions on sexual behaviors associated with AI including rectal douching. Differences by rectal douching practices were evaluated using chi-square methods and associations between reported douching practices and other factors including age and reported STI history were evaluated using logistic regression analysis.ResultsRespondents represented 112 countries, were mostly male (88%), and from North America (55%) or Europe (22%). Among the 1,339 respondents (66%) who reported rectal douching, most (83%) reported always/almost always douching before receptive AI. The majority of rectal douchers reported using non-commercial/homemade products (93%), with water being the most commonly used product (82%). Commercial products were used by 31%, with the most common product being saline-based (56%). Rectal douching varied by demographic and risk behaviors. The prevalence of rectal douching was higher among men (70% vs. 32%; p-value < .01), those reporting substance-use with sex (74% vs. 46%; p-value < .01), and those reporting an STI in the past year (69% vs. 57% p-value < .01) or ever testing HIV-positive (72% vs. 53%; p-value < .01). In multivariable analysis, adjusting for age, gender, region, condom and lubricant use, substance use, and HIV-status, douchers had a 74% increased odds of reporting STI in the past year as compared to non-douchers [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.74; 95% CI 1.01-3.00].ConclusionGiven that rectal douching before receptive AI is common and because rectal douching was associated with other sexual risk behaviors the contribution of this practice to the transmission and acquisition of STIs including HIV may be important

Heath Care Spending: Why Is Miami an Outlier?

The National Health Policy Forum’s site visit to Miami focused on the complex factors that drive health care spending and is the latest in a series on the dynamics of health care markets. Miami has long been recognized as having among the highest Medicare per capita spending in the country, along with high rates of uninsured, strong managed care presence, and a history of health care fraud. This colorful health care market brings into stark relief many of the reasons for high and growing health care spending across the country. It also highlights several issues involved in building and maintaining adequate capacity to care for the newly insured as health care reform is implemented. Site visit participants toured the sprawling public health system, a state-of-the art Medicare Advantage clinic that caters to the Cuban community, and neighborhoods known for housing high-billing pharmacies and home health agencies that provide few, if any, legitimate services. These and other opportunities to interact with local providers and health care stakeholders gave participants insights into the complexities and unique features of health care markets