Gap management: managing interest rate risk in banks and thrifts

Bank profits ; Asset-liability management ; Interest rates ; Risk

Evaluation of Food Insecurity in Adults and Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Community Case Study

Advances in the care and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) have led to improved mortality rates; therefore, considerably more individuals with CF are living into adulthood. With an increased number of CF patients advancing into adulthood, there is the need for more research that surrounds the aging adult CF patient. It is important to conduct research and collect results on the aging CF population to help better prepare the CF patient, who is dealing with the heavy treatment and financial burden of their disease, build autonomy and increase their quality of life. Of note, research has found that social, behavioral, and physical factors influence the ability of those with CF to follow dietary recommendations. A primary treatment goal in CF is a high calorie, high protein, and high fat diet. A socio-economic factor that has not been adequately investigated with regards to dietary compliance of individuals with CF is food insecurity. The aim of this community case study was to document the experiences and estimate the prevalence of food insecurity among CF patients residing in Idaho. The correlation between food insecurity and health outcomes (lung function and body mass index) was also examined. Participants included adult patients and parents of pediatric patients with CF. Food insecurity rates among CF patients of all ages were found to be significantly higher than that seen in the overall community; however, no specific correlation between food insecurity and body mass index (BMI) or lung function emerged. This case study highlights the need for continued research around food access issues in this patient population. The data resulting from this study shows the value of CF advocacy organizations promoting efforts to build resources and provide education around food insecurity issues

Impact of Dementia Behavioral Crises Events on First Responder and Family Systems in Idaho: An Exploratory Study

Enhancing quality of life for people with dementia is identified in Healthy People 2020 as a public health priority. In Idaho, the proportion of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) is projected to increase by 81 % - 127 % between 2000 and 2025. Policies designed to address needs of this population must be based on an understanding of system wide impacts of disease. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the impact of behavioral crises related to dementia on first responders. For the purpose of this study, “first responders” were defined as individuals employed by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Mobile Crisis Unit in Regions 1, 3, and 4, Ada County Paramedics/EMS, and social workers employed in health care settings in the Treasure Valley. A mixed methods design was used with information gathered from incident reports from the Ada County Paramedics and focus groups and interviews with key informants. Ada County Paramedics/EMS receives approximately 22,000 calls annually with 924 of calls related to behavioral crisis involving individuals with ADRD. Most calls were from assisted living facilities (n=401), home (n=290), or skilled nursing facilities (n=181). The majority (80%) of calls resulted in transport to a hospital emergency department (ED); none of the calls required use of lights or siren. Annual costs of calls to EMS and ED were estimated to be $457,380 and$905,020, respectively. Themes from key informants included: an increase in number and complexity of calls; lack of appropriate protocols within systems to support individual in crisis or their family or caregiver; and need for training on progression of ADRD and de-escalation strategies

Rejuvenating Aging Studies in Academic Libraries

Purpose – The aim of this paper is to identify resources essential gerontology (aging studies) resources and liaison strategies that provide guidance for academic librarians working with faculty and students in this highly interdisciplinary field. Design/methodology/approach – A convenience sample of gerontology faculty was surveyed to identify important materials, including preferred journals, databases, reference books, and sources of grey literature for gerontology research and teaching. Gerontology faculty information seeking behaviors, including faculty-librarian partnership, were also examined. Findings – Results confirm that faculty teaching in gerontology use a wide variety of resources in their teaching and research. Faculty identified frequently used journals, reference materials, databases as well as sources of grey literature produced by non-profits, special interest group/lobbying organizations, educational organizations, and/or government agencies. Research limitations/implications – Surveying faculty from undergraduate gerontology programs would have likely increased the number of participants completing the online questionnaire, presumably increasing the reliability of the results. Originality/value – Few studies identify the resources that faculty in gerontology graduate programs value and what services the library can provide or improve. This paper addresses these gaps and recognizes the need to support the growing number of interdisciplinary programs in gerontology

Identifying Factors Associated with Participation in T1D Support Program for Young Adults

Objective: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) has been shown to have a significant and stressful impact on an individual’s transition into young adulthood. Young adults are often experiencing new levels of independence and decision-making at this time. Insufficient research has been conducted on the use and impact of T1D support programs tailored to young adults in relation to the emotional impacts of the disease, access to programming, and desired outcomes of programs. his study assesses awareness, utilization, and emotional needs of T1D support programs tailored to young adults. Research Design and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed on surveys collected through specific groups on Facebook (n=529). Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with participation in T1D support programs. Results: Approximately 41% of participants had been involved in a program or activity for young adults. he average age was 24 (range 18-30) with females being overrepresented (85%). Individuals who attended a T1D support program for young adults were more likely to disagree that: 1) their T1D keeps them from having a normal life; 2) they feel their T1D controls their life; 3) they feel their T1D takes up too much mental/physical energy; or 4) they need more peer-to-peer support with T1D. Conclusion: The indings highlight the importance for T1D support programs for young adults and the unique needs of a population with T1D. T1D support programs should be considered in combination with clinical support to better prepare individuals as they transition into young adulthood

Stellar Reaction Rates for ^(28)Si

Stellar rates for the reactions ^(27)Al(p,-y)^(28)Si and ^(24)Mg(ɑ,-y)^(28)Si have been calculated from new cross- section data for these reactions. The contributions to the interaction rates, (σv)_(py) and (σv)_(ay), and to the corresponding photodisintegration rates, λ_(yp) and λ_(ya), from the excited states of ^(27)Al, ^(24)Mg, and ^(28)Si are discussed. The calculated interaction rates, N_A(σv), are listed for temperatures from 0.1 X 10^9º to 5.0 X 10^9° K; two- and four-parameter fits are given for N_A(σv) as a function of temperature

Evaluation of Food Insecurity in Adults and Children With Cystic Fibrosis: Community Case Study

Advances in the care and treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF) have led to improved mortality rates; therefore, considerably more individuals with CF are living into adulthood. With an increased number of CF patients advancing into adulthood, there is the need for more research that surrounds the aging adult CF patient. It is important to conduct research and collect results on the aging CF population to help better prepare the CF patient, who is dealing with the heavy treatment and financial burden of their disease, build autonomy and increase their quality of life. Of note, research has found that social, behavioral, and physical factors influence the ability of those with CF to follow dietary recommendations. A primary treatment goal in CF is a high calorie, high protein, and high fat diet. A socio-economic factor that has not been adequately investigated with regards to dietary compliance of individuals with CF is food insecurity. The aim of this community case study was to document the experiences and estimate the prevalence of food insecurity among CF patients residing in Idaho. The correlation between food insecurity and health outcomes (lung function and body mass index) was also examined. Participants included adult patients and parents of pediatric patients with CF. Food insecurity rates among CF patients of all ages were found to be significantly higher than that seen in the overall community; however, no specific correlation between food insecurity and body mass index (BMI) or lung function emerged. This case study highlights the need for continued research around food access issues in this patient population. The data resulting from this study shows the value of CF advocacy organizations promoting efforts to build resources and provide education around food insecurity issues

Cost Benefit Analysis of Idaho’s Fit and Fall Proof Program

Falls are common among the elderly population. Almost 30% of Idahoans aged 65+ fall at least one time per year (Bergen, Stevens, & Burns, 2016). Falls are a significant source of morbidity, mortality, and healthcare expense. Fall-related injuries often result in expensive hospitalizations with progression into costly long-term care facilities (CDC, 2015). In Idaho, estimated fall-related medical costs are estimated at $253 million annually (CDC, 2016; Mirel & Carper, 2014). Fit and Fall ProofTM (FFP), is a fall prevention program serving approximately 2500 community dwelling seniors throughout the state of Idaho. It is an exercise program led by peer volunteer instructors incorporating evidence-based methods of reducing the risk of falls. In addition to fall prevention, exercise programs such as FFP have well-established positive benefits on mental health, obesity rates, diabetes, and cardio-vascular health. All of these health benefits translate to savings in healthcare expense. This cost benefit analysis (CBA) of FFP estimates savings in total direct medical costs of participants, and also calculates the portion of savings due to averted falls and averted cases of major depressive disorder (MDD). The CBA adopts a societal perspective, incorporating all sources of funding, both federal and state. In a similar way, all savings in direct medical costs are included in the analysis whether these cost-savings accrue to Medicare, Medicaid, private insurers, or FFP participants themselves. Due to the community-based nature of the intervention and privacy considerations, there is no information available on falls and related medical costs among FFP participants. Therefore, this CBA relies on modeled data obtained from other studies; however, conservative estimates of program efficacy and base fall incidence rates were employed. All costs were adjusted for medical inflation to 2016 dollars