Exploring Inclusion in a Therapeutic Theater Production

The purpose of this study was to investigate the lived experiences of participants in an inclusive therapeutic theater production. This study was approached through a post-intentional phenomenological lens, informed by critical dis/ability theory. Ten participants with various dis/abilities took part in semi-structured interviews and eight of the ten participated in a focus group. The researcher followed a post-reflexion plan during the data collection and analysis process to bridle her biases and assumptions. Data were analyzed using the phenomenological method of thematic analysis. An art-based research process was undertaken, and a script, using direct quotes from the participant’s interviews and the focus group, was created. The researcher’s findings centered around six qualitative themes and fifteen subthemes. Themes included Relationship Building in an Inclusive Environment, The Audience, Personal Stories, Personal Growth, Advocacy, and Inclusion. Overall findings indicated that the participants felt a sense of belonging and community, that they explored concepts of empowerment, and that they desired to make a societal impact by telling their personal stories

The First Post-Kepler Brightness Dips of KIC 8462852

We present a photometric detection of the first brightness dips of the unique variable star KIC 8462852 since the end of the Kepler space mission in 2013 May. Our regular photometric surveillance started in October 2015, and a sequence of dipping began in 2017 May continuing on through the end of 2017, when the star was no longer visible from Earth. We distinguish four main 1-2.5% dips, named "Elsie," "Celeste," "Skara Brae," and "Angkor", which persist on timescales from several days to weeks. Our main results so far are: (i) there are no apparent changes of the stellar spectrum or polarization during the dips; (ii) the multiband photometry of the dips shows differential reddening favoring non-grey extinction. Therefore, our data are inconsistent with dip models that invoke optically thick material, but rather they are in-line with predictions for an occulter consisting primarily of ordinary dust, where much of the material must be optically thin with a size scale <<1um, and may also be consistent with models invoking variations intrinsic to the stellar photosphere. Notably, our data do not place constraints on the color of the longer-term "secular" dimming, which may be caused by independent processes, or probe different regimes of a single process

The sero-epidemiology of Rift Valley fever in people in the Lake Victoria Basin of western Kenya

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic arbovirus affecting livestock and people. This study was conducted in western Kenya where RVFV outbreaks have not previously been reported. The aims were to document the seroprevalence and risk factors for RVFV antibodies in a community-based sample from western Kenya and compare this with slaughterhouse workers in the same region who are considered a high-risk group for RVFV exposure. The study was conducted in western Kenya between July 2010 and November 2012. Individuals were recruited from randomly selected homesteads and a census of slaughterhouses. Structured questionnaire tools were used to collect information on demographic data, health, and risk factors for zoonotic disease exposure. Indirect ELISA on serum samples determined seropositivity to RVFV. Risk factor analysis for RVFV seropositivity was conducted using multi-level logistic regression. A total of 1861 individuals were sampled in 384 homesteads. The seroprevalence of RVFV in the community was 0.8% (95% CI 0.5–1.3). The variables significantly associated with RVFV seropositivity in the community were increasing age (OR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1–1.4, p&lt;0.001), and slaughtering cattle at the homestead (OR 3.3; 95% CI 1.0–10.5, p = 0.047). A total of 553 slaughterhouse workers were sampled in 84 ruminant slaughterhouses. The seroprevalence of RVFV in slaughterhouse workers was 2.5% (95% CI 1.5–4.2). Being the slaughterman, the person who cuts the animal’s throat (OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.0–12.1, p = 0.047), was significantly associated with RVFV seropositivity. This study investigated and compared the epidemiology of RVFV between community members and slaughterhouse workers in western Kenya. The data demonstrate that slaughtering animals is a risk factor for RVFV seropositivity and that slaughterhouse workers are a high-risk group for RVFV seropositivity in this environment. These risk factors have been previously reported in other studies providing further evidence for RVFV circulation in western Kenya

Spatially-smoothed risk map for RVFV seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers.

<p>The points are the locations of the individual slaughterhouses.</p

Results of univariable analysis for risk factors for RVFV seropositivity in community participants.

<p>Results of univariable analysis for risk factors for RVFV seropositivity in community participants.</p

Results of univariable analysis for risk factors for RVFV seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers.

<p>Results of univariable analysis for risk factors for RVFV seropositivity in slaughterhouse workers.</p

Results of multi-level analysis for risk factors for RVFV seropositivity in the community.

<p>Results of multi-level analysis for risk factors for RVFV seropositivity in the community.</p

Spatially-smoothed risk map for RVFV seropositivity in the community sample.

<p>The points are the locations of the homesteads.</p

Map of the distribution of RVFV seropositive and seronegative homesteads and the statistically significant (p<0.05) cluster of elevated relative risk for homestead level RVFV seropositivity.

<p>Map of the distribution of RVFV seropositive and seronegative homesteads and the statistically significant (p<0.05) cluster of elevated relative risk for homestead level RVFV seropositivity.</p