An Economic Analysis of Crime

This study estimates the economic factors that explain crime rates for robbery, burglary, and larceny in the United States from 2002 to 2009. A panel data set was used, covering 2002, and 2004 to 2009. Our explanatory variables were sorted into three categories: economic, deterrence, and demographic. Economic variables included unemployment and poverty rates. Deterrence variables included concealed carry weapons laws, preventative spending, and incarceration rates. Demographic variables included the urbanization rate, the dropout rate, the young male population (15-24), as well as the racial composition of the population. Our results varied across the three crime types, becoming less significant as the violence of the observed crime increased. Our results indicate that econometric models have difficulty predicting and explaining crime rates. This may be due to the fact that rational economic calculation is not a primary determinant of crime

The Public\u27s Perceptions of a Cafe within the Social and Physical Context of a Residential Aged Care Facility

Background: The publics’ perceptions of aged care residential facilities (ACRF’s) are generally derogatory in nature; with terms such as the ‘end of the road’ or ‘the last resort’ being used to describe them. The institutional design and nature of the traditional ‘nursing home’ has contributed to such a perception. However, more contemporary models of residential aged care facilities are encompassing design features which aim to enhance the physical and social environment and therefore the lives of the older people residing within them. Purpose: This research reports on the inclusion of a café in the foyer of an aged care residential which is open to the public. Members of the public who use the café were interviewed. Methods: This research project utilised qualitative inquiry of a descriptive nature. Data was gathered through semi-structured interviews; seven participants were interviewed. Data analysis to establish themes utilised coding. Findings: The perceptions of members of the public who use the café is presented according to three major themes; place and purpose, people and relationships and community exposure and perceptions. The café is perceived, by the participants of this research project, as a place to go in the local community which was appreciated for its familiarity, pleasant surroundings and the quality of its service. Interactions between staff and residents were observed as caring and participants reflected that the staff were personally invested in their work. Visiting this café has challenged the notion that ACRF’s are closed off institutional places and the environment was described as open and inviting. The interaction between the community and the ACRF was discussed the benefits for the residents and for themselves were identified. Participants described a developing affiliation and connection between the facility and themselves and this prompted reflection about their own future residential needs. Conclusion: This café has opened a door between the ACRF and the local community. Members of the public who visit the café are able to observe, interact and make connections within the residential care environment. Perceptions about the nature of aged care facilities have been challenged and reflection about future residential care needs has occurred

The Extended IRTF Spectral Library: Expanded coverage in metallicity, temperature, and surface gravity

We present a $0.7-2.5\mu m$ spectral library of 284 stars observed with the medium-resolution infrared spectrograph, SpeX, at the 3.0 meter NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) on Maunakea, Hawaii. This library extends the metallicity range of the IRTF Cool Star library beyond solar metallicity to $-1.7 <$ [Fe/H] $< 0.6$. All of the observed stars are also in the MILES optical stellar library, providing continuous spectral coverage for each star from $0.35-2.5\mu m$. The spectra are absolute flux calibrated using Two Micron All Sky Survey photometry and the continuum shape of the spectra is preserved during the data reduction process. Synthesized $JHK_S$ colors agree with observed colors at the $1-2\%$ level, on average. We also present a spectral interpolator that uses the library to create a data-driven model of spectra as a function of $teff$, $logg$, and [Fe/H]. We use the library and interpolator to compare empirical trends with theoretical predictions of spectral feature behavior as a function of stellar parameters. These comparisons extend to the previously difficult to access low-metallicity and cool dwarf regimes, as well as the previously poorly sampled super-solar metallicity regime. The library and interpolator are publicly available.Comment: Accepted to ApJS. The website making the data publicly available will be available soon. For those interested in the meantime, contact the first autho

Chris Rupp Interview 2017

In a short interview, Chris Rupp describes her career at Western Oregon University. She discusses how she came to work at the university and all the responsibilities her job entails. She is now getting ready to retire

Enhanced heat capacity and a new temperature instability in superfluid He-4 in the presence of a constant heat flux near T-lambda

We present the first experimental evidence that the heat capacity of superfluid 4He, at temperatures very close to the lambda point Tλ, is enhanced by a constant heat flux Q. The heat capacity at constant Q, CQ, is predicted to diverge at a temperature Tc(Q)<Tλ at which superflow becomes unstable. In agreement with previous measurements, we find that dissipation enters our cell at a temperature, TDAS(Q), below the theoretical value, Tc(Q). We argue that TDAS(Q) can be accounted for by a temperature instability at the cell wall, and is therefore distinct from Tc(Q). The excess heat capacity we measure has the predicted scaling behavior as a function of T and Q, but it is much larger than predicted by current theory

Health and Housing Trends of Single Homeless Adults in Chittenden County, Vermont

Introduction. Homeless individuals are at an increased risk for both physical and mental health comorbidities compared to those with stable housing. Prior studies have demonstrated that many of these individuals do not seek or receive proper medical care. This study provides a landscape analysis of health characteristics in the single adult homeless population in Chittenden County, Vermont. Methods. Interviews were conducted using a modified version of the Vulnerability Index – Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool to determine vulnerability indices across a range of different health and social wellness domains. Single home- less adults were sampled from community self-help clinics and transitional living and homeless shelters from September to November 2017. Results. 56 in-person surveys were conducted. Mean age of participants was 45.3 years and over half were male (63%). Extended periods or multiple episodes of homelessness were experienced most by those who reported sleeping outdoors (89%); this group also reported the highest use of emergency services (47%). The highest incidence of abuse/trauma as a contributing factor for homelessness was reported most in the 18-30 age group (71%) and least in the above 51 age group (35%). Nearly all participants owned a cell phone (86%). Conclusions. Single homeless adults self-reported a variety of health and social is- sues, including substance abuse, increased emergency department use, and in- creased abuse, trauma, and deteriorated social relationships. This study highlights different risk factors that contribute to homelessness in this select population. Future research should evaluate how to individually address these vulnerabilities to optimize health care and well-being.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1255/thumbnail.jp

Community Peer-Led Exercise Groups: Reasons for Success

Purpose: This paper considers reasons for the successful maintenance of community based, falls-prevention programs. While the physical achievement of such programs has been demonstrated through randomized trials, other features influential in ongoing membership have received less attention. This study examined the sustainability of a specific model of a community-based program in a New Zealand city: SAYGO, the strength and balance classes for older adults lead by older volunteer leaders recruited from local communities. Method: A qualitative, descriptive approach was used and first-hand knowledge of the experiences of those involved in the groups gathered. Data collection methods included individual interviews of two group organizers and seven focus groups: six with the members of the exercise groups (57 participants) and one with the peer leaders from these same groups (6 participants). Results: Three major themes emerged from the interviews. Two were related to the outcomes of the groups (ie. physical and social benefits). The third was concerned with the support needs of the groups to ensure their on-going maintenance. The aspect that most invigorated the participants was the social value of the group. Conclusions: A major feature that contributed to the sustainability of the peer led exercise groups was the positive social connectedness created by the modeling of a caring culture by the peer-leaders. This caring culture involves support and inclusion of every member and acting as a resource and confidant for individual issues. Because group leaders are similar in age and physical problems, it is expected that they will empathize with participants, and because of their community and agency links, it is expected that they will be able to act as a resource for information on issues related to the participants, therefore, stand between the formal and informal domains and are perceived to have knowledge and connections in both. This, we suggest, is a major, previously unconsidered feature in the sustainability of these groups

The cyclical cascade of HIV care: Temporal care engagement trends within a population-wide cohort

Background: The traditional HIV treatment cascade aims to visualise the journey of each person living with HIV from diagnosis, through initiation on antiretroviral therapy (ART) to treatment success, represented by virological suppression. This representation has been a pivotal tool in highlighting and quantifying sequential gaps along the care continuum. There is longstanding recognition, however, that this may oversimplify the complexity of real-world engagement with HIV services in settings with mature high-burden HIV epidemics. A complementary “cyclical” cascade has been proposed to represent the processes of disengagement at different points on the care continuum, with multiple pathways to re-engagement, although the feasibility of implementing this at scale has been uncertain. This study aimed to populate, refine, and explore the utility of a cyclical representation of the HIV cascade, using routine data from a high-burden HIV setting. Methods and findings: This observational cohort study leveraged person-level data on all people living with HIV in the Western Cape (WC), South Africa, who accessed public health services in the 2 years prior to 31 December 2023. Programme data from disease registers were complemented by data from pharmacy and laboratory systems. At study closure, 494 370 people were included, constituting 93% of those of those estimated to be living with HIV in the province, of whom 355 104 were on ART. Substantial disengagement from HIV care was evident at every point on the cascade. Early treatment emerged as a period of higher risk of disengagement, but it did not account for the majority of disengagement. Almost all those currently disengaged had prior experience of treatment. While re-engagement was also common, overall treatment coverage had increased slowly over 5 years. The transition to dolutegravir-based regimens was dramatic with good virological outcomes for those in care, notwithstanding a clearly discernible impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on viral load (VL) testing. People currently engaged and disengaged in care are similar with respect to age and gender. Those who died or disengaged recently were previously distributed across a range of cascade statuses, and a substantial proportion of those newly initiating and re-initiating treatment were no longer on treatment 6 months later. The main limitation of this study was incomplete evidence of HIV testing, linkage to HIV-specific services, and out-of-facility mortality. Conclusions: Using routine data, it was possible to populate and automate a cyclical cascade of HIV care that continuously captured the nonlinear care journeys of individuals living with HIV. In this generalised mature HIV epidemic, most people are treatment experienced. Disengagement is common and occurs at various points along the cascade, making it challenging to identify high-impact intervention opportunities. While historical HIV cascades remain valuable for target setting and service monitoring, they can be complemented with insights from more detailed cyclical cascades