Addressing the Health Needs of an Aging America: New Opportunities for Evidence-Based Policy Solutions

This report systematically maps research findings to policy proposals intended to improve the health of the elderly. The study identified promising evidence-based policies, like those supporting prevention and care coordination, as well as areas where the research evidence is strong but policy activity is low, such as patient self-management and palliative care. Future work of the Stern Center will focus on these topics as well as long-term care financing, the health care workforce, and the role of family caregivers

Estimating the Indirect Gaming Contribution of Bingo Rooms

Using data from two repeater market hotel casinos, the relationship between bingo and slot business volumes is explored. Contrary to conjecture supplied by industry executives, the results fail to demonstrate a statistically significant relationship between daily bingo headcount and coin-in. This result was found in three different analyses, including one· attempt to estimate the impact of bingo headcount on low-denomination coin-in. This study advances the literature by challenging the assumption that bingo rooms produce substantial indirect slot profits. Given the minimal direct contribution to property cash flows, if any, the results suggest that bingo rooms are not always the highest and best use of valuable casino floor space

Energy development and conservation of sympatric wildlife : new approaches to meet growing challenges

Conflicts between energy development and conservation of sympatric wildlife are becoming more acute as demand for energy increases. Resolving these conflicts is complex-- solutions must address the role of location, scale, and connectivity in persistence of populations. In Chapter 1, I use the MaxEnt species distribution model and pertinent climate variables to predict the natural distribution of the Lesser Prairie Chicken (LPC) (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus), a prairie grouse adversely affected by habitat loss from energy development. Within the geographic range of LPC, precipitation was strongly associated with its distribution in the north, whereas temperature was strongly associated with its distribution in the south. Most of the geographic range did not possess optimal characteristics for population persistence. Climate characteristics were marginal in the southwestern part of the geographic range which has been subject to oil and gas extraction for 80 years. In Chapter 2, I introduce a spatially-explicit patch model and used LPC population counts and oil and gas data from southeastern New Mexico to investigate the effects of energy development on persistence of sympatric wildlife populations. Without protection, LPC went extinct within 100 years, although more conservative rates of energy development resulted in longer persistence times. Designating patches initially occupied by LPC as refugia resulted in population persistence for the entire 100 year period. However, several patches occupied initially became empty number because connectivity for colonization was destroyed by energy development. In Chapter 3, I develop and demonstrate a new security index based on majority rule renormalization. It provides a measure of security for patches of habitat as well as for the matrix between patches. This provides a foundation for determining the best corridors between habitat patches. In Chapter 4, I examine scaling relations within a riverine system in eastern Kansas. Hierarchical, self-organizing networks, as found in riverine systems, are increasingly recognized as a common topological framework of natural systems. This provides a new perspective through which to analyze and conserve habitat patches and corridors upon which metapopulations depend. Scaling relations may be particularly useful in addressing energy-wildlife conflicts through prediction of the effect of perturbations from energy development on metapopulation patch and corridor networks

Going Forward: Improving the Legal Advice of National Security Lawyers

Attorney General Mukasey was correct when he noted that national security lawyers traditionally oscillate between aggression and timidity. Debates about which extreme is “better,” however, miss the larger point; namely, that these cycles are driven by factors that the competent national security lawyer has a duty to understand. Such a thorough knowledge allows lawyers in this field to dampen the harmful oscillation and render the best legal advice possible. After identifying factors that affect the rendering of such counsel, the author makes several specific policy recommendations that will assist lawyers—who are “uniquely suited to bear this responsibility” —in this critical task

A benchmark and feasibility study of the Tennessee 4-H rabbit project

County Extension staffs in 26 Tennessee counties reporting more than 3 4-H\u27ers enrolled in the 4-H Rabbit project and 17 state specialists who reported more than 1,000 4-H\u27ers enrolled in their state\u27s Rabbit project constituted the populations included in this study. Purposes were to identify the current status of the Tennessee 4-H Rabbit project and to determine what other states had done with regards to successful 4-H Rabbit projects. Major findings included the following: 1. Ten county staffs reported a total of 13 Rabbit shows in which 111 4-H\u27ers participated. Show judges most frequently mentioned included Rabbit producers. Extension Agents, College Professors and others. The shows were held either in late Summer/early Fall or in the Spring. Fourteen county staffs indicated 4-H\u27ers gave demonstrations dealing with Rabbits. 2. Six county staffs reported having Rabbit project groups with a grand total of 60 4-H\u27ers participating. The most frequently reported meeting topic was teaching how to feed and care for rabbits. Nine county staffs reported a total of 23 volunteer leaders and 7 county staffs reported a total of 13 teen leaders helping with the Rabbit project. Twelve staffs felt the Extension Agent did the most work with the project, while 10 felt Adult Volunteer Leaders did. Twenty-two Extension Agents reported no personal experience with rabbits. 3. Nine county staffs indicated Newspaper coverage of 4-H Rabbit project member achievements, while two county staffs reported Radio recognition. Ribbons were the most frequently reported type of show award given. Cash awards and trophies were also given. Nine county staffs reported project members involved in District competition, while four reported 4-H\u27ers involved in competition at the State level. Eleven Rabbit project members were reported in the Honor Club and three were All Stars. 4. The Fair Board was the most frequently (i.e., 7) reported sponsor of the Rabbit project. Other sponsors reported were Rabbit Owners, Agricultural Companies, Parents, the International Heifer Project and Rabbit Breeder Associations. Almost one-half of the county staffs reporting noted sponsorship at the local level, while sponsorship at the state and national levels were reported by three and one county staffs, respectively. Types of donations in order of most responses include money, prizes, time, rabbits, rabbit feed, and marketing assistance. 5. Seventy-two percent or more county staffs responded positively to questions dealing with the current format of the Rabbit project manual. The staffs were almost evenly split over whether or not other literature was needed. Thirteen county staffs thought the Rabbit project should remain an individual project, while 12 thought it should be consolidated into one small animal project. Twenty-two staffs felt there was a continuing need for the 4-H Rabbit project. 6. All contacted state specialists reported that their 4-H Rabbit project was a recognized statewide project and that adult volunteer leaders helped with it. Thirteen specialists indicated rabbit owners were major sponsors along with parents and fair boards. 7. Special awards or recognition reported by special its included medals, plaques, certificates, trophies and trips. Competition at county, state, district and national levels were reported by 16, 15, 5 and 2 state specialists, respectively. 8. Special projects and activities reported by state specialists included a 4-H Rabbit Poster Program, illustrated talk contest, Barbeque, Auction, Royalty contest. Showmanship contest, special project literature. Quiz Bowl, Statewide or District Leaders organization, and club demonstration at a statewide rabbit meeting\u27. 9. Implications were drawn and recommendations made for use of findings and further study

Postjunctional Vascular Alpha-2 Adrenoceptors: Modulation and Interactions

The work presented herein represents an examination of the alpha-adrenoceptors mediating contractions in isolated vascular preparations from the rabbit and the factors involved in modulating these responses. 1) The alpha-adrenoceptor population in the rabbit isolated lateral saphenous vein, based upon agonist and antagonist potency profiles, could not be ascribed to be either a homogeneous population of either postjunctional alpha1- or alpha2-adrenoceptors, but had characteristics of both. 2) A homogeneous population of postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors could be isolated in the lateral saphenous vein using receptor protection experiments with the combination of rauwolscine and phenoxybenzamine. 3) Only limited success was achieved in attempting to isolate a homogeneous population of postjunctional alpha1-adrenoceptors in the lateral saphenous vein using receptor protection experiments with the combination of YM 12617 and phenoxybenzamine. The residual response to NA remaining after this procedure had characteristics of a mixed population of both postjunctional alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors. 4) A comparison of the effects of angiotensin II and Bay K 8644 revealed marked differences in their ability to modulate responses to NA mediated via postjunctional alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors. AII produced a selective enhancement of responses mediated via postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors, while the action of Bay K 8644 was not dependent upon receptor subtype. 5) In the lateral saphenous vein after isolation of postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors, both Bay K 8644 enhanced responses to NA. The mechanism of this potentiation also appears to differ for these agents. Bay K 8644 enhanced responses mediated via voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, while AII inhibited the influx of Ca2+ mediated via these channels. 6) The effects of A II on responses mediated via postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors, was mimicked by its physiological precursor angiotensin I, suggesting that local vascular production of A II may be important for the facilitatory action of this peptide. 7) Nifedipine, like Bay K 8644, had a non-differential effect on responses to NA mediated via postjunctional alpha1 and alpha2-adrenoceptors in a number of isolated vascular preparations. 8) Under normal experimental conditions, based upon agonist and antagonist potencies, the rabbit isolated distal saphenous artery contains a homogeneous population of postjunctional alpha1-adrenoceptors. 9) In the presence of A II, there was a marked increase in the responsiveness of the distal saphenous artery to UK-14304, which was prazosin-resistant, rauwolscine-sensitive, and so mediated via postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors. 10) After attempted isolation of postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors in the distal saphenous artery using receptor protection experiments, with the combination of rauwolscine and phenoxybenzamine, no responses were observed. 11) AII uncovered responses to alpha-adrenoceptor agonists after the combination of rauwolscine and phenoxybenzamine. The agonist and antagonist potencies after this protocol were consistent with a homogeneous population of postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors. 12) Some of the results in the present study indicate an interaction between postjunctional alpha1- and alpha2-adrenoceptors in vascular smooth muscle. The implications for such an interaction is discussed in detail. Furthermore, evidence is presented demonstrating an interaction between postjunctional alpha2-adrenoceptors and a number of vasoactive agents. 13) Sympathetic neurotransmission in the rabbit isolated distal saphenous artery is the resultant of an interaction between three receptor systems, postjunctional alpha1-and alpha2-adrenoceptors and purinoceptors. alpha1-adrenoceptors are of principal importance, although a role for the two other receptor systems can be demonstrated under the appropriate experimental conditions

Alien Registration- Dunn, William B. (Presque Isle, Aroostook County)

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