Allen County Research Articles

Retrospective Analysis of Suicide Deaths in Allen County Indiana, 2013 – 2022

Suicide rates at a national and state level have been on the rise over the past two decades. Patterns observed at the local level is less understood and underrepresented in research. Since local government can have a large impact on resource allocation in a community, revealing local suicide patterns could help facilitate targeted preventative efforts for at-risk populations. This study aims to analyze demographic patterns observed in Allen County suicides from 2013 –2022, focusing on age groups and education attainment. Data collection was completed on the 604 individuals who died by suicide in Allen County over the past decade. The collection process included documenting various demographics accessed through death certificates and coroner’s files. Within the county, suicide numbers increased over the decade. Results showed that males represented more than a 3:1 ratio of total suicides, a gunshot wound was the method of injury for 53% of all suicides, and decedents with a high school degree or less represented 62% of suicides within the population. These results echo what research has shown at the national level. Additionally, the 20-34 and the 35-54 age groups produced the greatest number of suicides consistently over the 10 years, and these suicides occurred most often in late spring and early summer. Within the 20-34 age group, individuals were more likely to commit suicide by gunshot wound (p = 0.000133). Decedents of minority ethnic and racial groups had lower education attainment compared to non-Hispanic (p = 0.000027) or white (p = 0.003314) individuals. This information could be provided to local schools with the hopes of implementing more targeted preventative measures for at-risk groups. Knowledge of suicide patterns in healthcare could lead to improved care for patients. Finally, public health entities can use these findings to adapt current health initiates to fit the needs of Allen County.

An Assessment of In-stream Sampling Activity of Macroinvertebrates and Stream Channelization in Dug Run, Allen County, Ohio, USA

Macroinvertebrates are good indicators of stream quality. Changes in populations of sensitive macroinvertebrates help to show stressors to the stream. Student sampling of a section of Dug Run in northwestern Ohio has occurred since 2015. This work has been to identify how changes on the campus including construction, tree removal, and channelization may be impacting stream macroinvertebrates. Student sampling, however, also causes disturbances that may negatively impact macroinvertebrate populations. A break in student sampling—due first to the use of an adjacent off-site location in 2019 and then to COVID-19 beginning in 2020—was expected to impact the number of mayfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae captured, both considered sensitive macroinvertebrates in the stream. To measure the impact of channelization in Dug Run, the study area was split into a channelized reach, an upstream reach, and a downstream reach. Stream habitat was also studied in each reach with macroinvertebrates collected from riffles, undercuts, and pools. After a break in sampling, caddisfly larvae increased initially but have declined in the 2 following years, while mayfly nymphs increased in the last 2 years of the study. No significant differences were found in stream quality monitoring (SQM) index scores between the channelized reach compared to upstream and downstream reaches (H = 4.15; p = 0.126). There was a significant difference in taxa richness among pools, riffles, and undercuts (H = 14.09; p < 0.001). A significant difference was also found in the moderately sensitive macroinvertebrates captured in riffles between the channelized, upstream, and downstream reaches (H = 6.82; p = 0.033). A break in sampling resulted in an initial increase in mayfly nymph and caddisfly larvae samples, but it appears a variety of factors may be responsible for the numbers captured. The channelized reach had higher numbers of scuds and crayfish in riffles among the 3 reaches, which may be the result of a change in their distribution related to lack of undercuts. Both scuds and crayfishwere found in significantly greater abundance in undercuts compared to pools and riffles.

Ecological and Floristic Plant Surveys of Little Wabash River Nature Preserve, Indiana

Forests in northeastern Indiana are relegated to relatively small fragments and have become important patches in a landscape dominated by agriculture. Little Wabash River Nature Preserve is a property in Allen County, Indiana, closed to the public and protected by ACRES Land Trust. We conducted ecological surveys at 48 regular plots located along seven transects through the property that consisted of identifying and counting individual plants at understory, midstory, and overstory strata and recording several ecological factors. These were augmented by floristic meandering surveys during the growing season of 2019 to record plant species that may not have been encountered at the ecological plots and thereby give a fuller picture of the floristic composition of the property. We encountered a total of 251 identified species during the ecological and floristic surveys. Analysis showed understory abundance, richness, and diversity were positively related to available light (photosynthetically active radiation) and negatively related to canopy cover. The most abundant species in the midstory were non-native species. Juglans nigra had the greatest frequency and dominance in the overstory. In nonmetric multidimensional scaling, there was clear separation of the plant community within the forested portion from the community in the adjacent to the small old-field. Mean C-value for the site was 2.87, which resulted in a 41.56 FQI. The FQI may be an over-estimation of the conservation importance of the site and the Mean C-value may be an under-estimation of that importance. Overall, the Nature Preserve provides an example of the plant diversity can exist in a small, protected forest. While there are some common non-native species, there is habitat for a relatively large pool of species and may be of importance for protection within the surrounding disturbed landscape.

Assessing the Relationship between Controlled Substance Prescribing and Opioid Poisoning Toxicology

This study updates previously reported drug overdose deaths in Allen County, Indiana with the purpose to evaluate changes in physician prescribing and drug overdose deaths following introduction of more restrictive Indiana controlled substance prescribing laws. In a retrospective review of drug overdose deaths, 2013-2017, Allen County, IN, autopsy, toxicology, police reports and prescribing data from the Indiana Scheduled Prescription Electronic Collection and Tracking Program (INSPECT) for 12 months preceding death were analyzed. Descriptive and correlational statistical measures were used. A total of 533 drug overdose deaths were reported: 414 deaths with complete records (369 unintentional, 42 intentional, 3 undetermined). Decedents, mean age 42.3 years, were more likely male (60.6%), Caucasian (89.1%) and employed (70.2%). Overdose deaths increased significantly between 2014 (n=53) and 2017 (n=133). Non-prescribed opioids were present in 293 (70.8%) deaths and 298 (72%) deaths involved multiple substances. Fentanyl-related deaths markedly increased (2 (3.2%) in 2013, 67 (50.5%) in 2017) and correlate with police fentanyl seizures. The average number of prescribed controlled substances significantly decreased. Non-prescribed controlled substances including opioids contributed to most deaths. While gains have been made with responsible opioid prescribing, the current crisis is fueled by illicit opioids.

The Effects of COVID-19 on Mortality Rates in non-COVID Patients with Chronic Diseases

Objective: Evaluate the relationship between patients with chronic disease and their mortality rates associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Non-experimental, quantitative, descriptive Setting: Logan County Hospital, Ellsworth County Hospital, Russell Regional Hospital, Allen County Hospital, Clay County Hospital, Ellinwood District Hospital, Wichita Country Health Center, Greenwood County Hospital, Hillsboro Community Hospital, Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, Ness County District #2 Hospital and Smith County Memorial Hospital. Participants: 10 charts from each of the CAH hospitals listed. Results/Conclusion: Pending results and data collection

Targeting Transition: a Novel Partnership with Family Medicine to Enhance Quality of Care and Outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Life expectancy for adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) has remained unchanged over the past 30 years despite improvements in pediatric SCD care and survival. Young adults who have recently transitioned from pediatric to adult care are at increased risk of death for several reasons. Inadequate preparation for transition to adult care, lack of adult hematologists with SCD expertise, and impaired cognitive function from either overt or silent cerebral infarcts caused by SCD contribute to the increased rate of acute care encounters and deaths in the 18-35 year age group and highlight the need for well-designed transition programs for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with SCD. Allen County ranks 3rd in SCD incidence among the 92 counties in Indiana, and has 3 board certified Pediatric Hematologist-Oncologists who provide care to children who live in the region. When children “age out” of the pediatric system, there are no adult hematologists willing to accept these individuals into their practice. This leaves a significant number of adults with SCD without a medical home or providers who are comfortable prescribing hydroxyurea (HU) or managing the myriad of SCD complications that can occur in adulthood. A novel partnership between our Pediatric and Adult Hematology practice and an Allen County Family Medicine residency program was initiated to educate Family Medicine residents and attending physicians (FPs) about SCD, including HU. The long term goal is to improve rates of successful transition from pediatric to adult care for AYAs with SCD.Three online educational modules about SCD (comprehensive care for AYAs with SCD, HU prescribing practices, best practices in transition for AYAs with SCD) were developed and CME-accredited. Prior to the rollout of the online educational modules, an electronic pre-test was distributed to 32 FP residents. The pre-test had 5 questions for each module. Questions about comprehensive care for AYAs covered reproductive health, contraception options for women with SCD, and recommended screening tests for AYAs with SCD. HU questions covered indications for and benefits of HU, dosing and monitoring for side effects. Questions about transition included social and cognitive milestones of adolescent development, the recommended components of a transition program, timing and need for SCD knowledge assessments. The protocol was reviewed by the St Vincent IRB which granted a waiver of consent.Twenty-four of the 32 (75%) FP residents completed the pre-test knowledge assessment. One third of respondents correctly identified the rationale for HU treatment for SCD, but two-thirds correctly answered the question about the clinical benefits of HU. Half of the FPs selected the correct starting dose of HU for adults, but only one of the 24 (4.2%) respondents were able to correctly identify the age at which HU should be offered to infants with SCD. Three of the 24 (12.5%) FP residents correctly selected the most common cause of death in adults with SCD. Thirty percent correctly identified AYAs between 18 and 21 years of age as a high risk for mortality. Two questions regarding reproductive health were included in the pre-test; one-fifth of FP residents correctly answered the female contraception question, but none answered the priapism question correctly. Twenty-two of 24 (92%) FP residents understood that AYAs with SCD should know the hemoglobinopathy trait status of their partners because of risks of giving birth to an infant with SCD. The majority also correctly answered questions about developmental milestones of adolescents and were aware that AYAs with SCD should be knowledgeable about outpatient pain management techniques.The majority of FP residents understand the clinical benefits of HU, but need more education about HU's mechanism of action and proper dosing. Additional education is also needed about appropriate contraceptive choices for women with SCD and priapism in men. An overwhelming majority of FPs correctly identified adolescent developmental milestones and understood that AYAs with SCD should have a baseline level of knowledge about their disease and its management. Future directions include comparing knowledge assessment results after the FP residents complete the three educational modules as well as repeating the knowledge assessments annually to assess knowledge retention. DisclosuresMeier:Pfizer: Research Funding; CVS Caremark: Consultancy.

A Feasibility Pilot Study of Online Modules of Hydroxyurea and Sickle Cell Disease Care for Adolescents and Young Adults for Family Medicine Residents.

Family medicine (FP) residency programs are located throughout Indiana, and most adults with sickle cell disease (SCD) in Indiana have access to a primary care clinic administered by a FP program. Allen County ranks third in SCD incidence in Indiana, but has few providers for adolescents, young adults (AYAs) and adults with SCD. Initiation of a novel partnership between Indianapolis-based adult hematologists (130 miles distant), and the FP program in Allen County aimed to educate FP residents about SCD, hydroxyurea, transition, and SCD complications. To determine the feasibility of utilizing online learning modules to educate FP residents about SCD care in AYA and adults, 3 online learning modules (comprehensive care of AYAs with SCD, hydroxyurea, and best practices in AYA transition) were developed and continuing medical education-accredited. Electronic pretest and posttest were distributed to 32 FP residents to test the retention of content through an Institutional Review Board approved protocol. This pilot study demonstrates that it is feasible to utilize online educational modules to educate providers about SCD care.

Under a Microscope? Show Them the Data

Judges realize that each criminal defendant who appears for a sentencing is a unique individual, with his or her own peculiar background, experience, and motives. The overriding purposes of our sentencing decisions are to fairly punish the offender and protect the public. For years, there has been no accurate way to study the data generated by sentencing decisions, even by judges. Yet statistics have always existed, and studies have sometimes made unscientific and unsubstantiated claims of disparity and unfairness in sentencing. I was proud to volunteer my county to be a part of an effort to maintain confidence in the judiciary. Allen County is a medium-size county with all the types of criminal cases seen in smaller and larger counties. My court system is neither so big as to make the data collection experiment untenable, nor so small as to make the project too easy. The data platform project is a marriage of two separate disciplines: the judiciary and technology. This is an opportunity to be a part of something important and innovative that will help promote public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary. In the end, my hope is that the data collected will make me and my colleagues better judges and restore any lost confidence in the integrity of what we do.

A Fort Wayne Nurse, a Public Health Crisis, and World War I: Irene Byron and the Anti-Tuberculosis Crusade

In the early twentieth century, 40,000 Hoosiers suffered from tuberculosis; 4,000 died every year. Author Peggy Seigel looks at the public health campaign against the disease in Fort Wayne, Indiana, focusing on the work of public health nurse Irene Byron. From 1913 to 1917, Byron served as a nurse for the Fort Wayne Anti-Tuberculosis Society, visiting patients and their families; working at the city's clinic, tent hospital, and open-air school for anemic children; and tirelessly advocating for more funding to build a sanatorium and hire more public health nurses. In 1917, Byron left Fort Wayne to serve in World War I with the American Red Cross but died during training at Fort MacArthur, Texas. In 1919, Allen County's new tuberculosis hospital, north of Fort Wayne, was named in honor of Irene Byron.

Impact of Ethnicity on Stroke Care and Outcome in Allen County

Background/Objective: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the US and the leading cause of long-term disability for adults. Research has shown that some ethnic groups have worse health outcomes after suffering from an acute stroke. It has been shown that certain ethnic groups used EMS services less and took longer to arrive at the hospital for acute stroke care. Since time is of the essence for stroke treatment, our study may provide insight on factors that may lead to the delay in the acute stroke management. 
 
 Project Methods: In this retrospective chart review, we will look at patients who suffered from an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. From each patient’s electronic medical record, demographic information, time from acute stroke onset to hospital stroke activation, stroke severity, usage of EMS services, duration of hospital stay, co-morbid conditions, and stroke outcome will be recorded. Two-way ANOVA is used for statistical analysis. 
 
 Results: Data was not able to be collected at this point. We hypothesize that patients of some ethnic groups have longer delay of ED care initiation from the stroke onset, lesser usage of EMS services, and higher rates of co-morbid conditions. We also hypothesize that these factors are correlated with stroke outcome at the time of hospital discharge. In contrast, the distance between home and nearest hospital with stroke care expertise is not different for different ethnic groups. 
 
 Conclusion and Potential Impact: The data collected in this study can further explain why some ethnic groups have worse stroke outcomes than others. If the underlying factors responsible for these differences include factors such as failure to use EMS services, steps can then be taken to provide remedy and to promote better acute stroke outcomes for people of all ethnic groups within our community.

Subsequent opioid overdose resulting in death in individuals in Allen County, Indiana who receive naloxone administration for past opioid overdose

Background and Hypothesis: 
 Over-prescription of opioids has contributed to increases in opioid overdose (OOD) and OOD deaths. Studies suggest recurring OODs in an individual could be contributing. After a non-fatal overdose, one study found 7% of patients continued to abuse opioids and had another OOD within 1 year. Additionally, the literature suggests a positive correlation between non-fatal overdose and increased risk of subsequent overdose death. Allen County has also experienced increases in overdoses and overdose deaths. We aim to isolate opioid-specific overdoses and deaths in Allen County from current overdose data. We hypothesize individuals in Allen County who received naloxone for OOD have an increased risk of death from a subsequent OOD. An additional objective is to utilize data from the county ambulance service and the two major Allen County health systems to gain more accurate and current accountings of the OOD data. 
 
 Methods: 
 This study is a retrospective case-control using electronic medical records and/or electronic patient care reports from the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, Parkview Health, and Lutheran Health Network. Patients who received naloxone between 2018-2020 will be divided into a case group of individuals who died of OOD and a control group of living individuals. Demographics and naloxone administrations data per subject will be collected. Box-and-whisker plots, a Mann-Whitney U Test, and a Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test will be done for comparisons. 
 
 Results and Conclusion: 
 This project has resulted in a study protocol ready for IRB submission with IRB approval and study start date anticipated for Summer 2021. 
 
 Potential Impact: 
 This study will add to existing knowledge on OOD and subsequent OOD death. Specifically, this study will provide more accurate and current accountings of the OOD data that may aid in the development of policy and interventions to reduce the local opioid crisis.

Effects of Stormwater Management and an Extended Culvert on Stream Health in Dug Run, Allen County, Ohio, USA

Changes in stream hydrology and habitat—associated with urbanization—have impacted diversity, abundance, and movement of both macroinvertebrates and fish. In 2008 the University of Northwestern Ohio began developing the western half of the campus, incorporating stormwater management practices. This provided an opportunity to examine 3 sections of the Dug Run stream that flows through campus: 1 section on the western half of campus that filters stormwater through the soil, and 2 sections on the eastern half of campus which are affected by both urbanization and a culvert that extends under a building and a road. Significant differences in macroinvertebrate Stream Quality Monitoring (SQM) index scores ( p < 0.001), fish diversity ( p < 0.010), and abundance of Orangethroat Darters (Etheostoma spectabile) ( p < 0.001) were observed between the western and the 2 eastern sections of Dug Run. Lower SQM index scores and lower Orangethroat Darter abundances were found in the urbanized sections of the stream, while lower fish diversity numbers were found upstream of the culvert. The western portion of campus, designed to filter stormwater runoff through the soil, was the only section studied with sensitive macroinvertebrates, a higher SQM index score, and a greater abundance of Orangethroat Darters.

Mastery Learning in Action: One District's Journey Toward the Continuous Improvement of Assessment Practices to Positively Impact Student Learning

In the last year, Southwest Allen County Schools (SACS) instituted a “Portrait of a Graduate” vision in their community. This vision provides all stakeholders with information on the skills graduates from SACS will possess at the end of their senior year of high school. To accomplish this, SACS wanted to examine how well the teaching, learning, and reporting of learning aligned. One aspect of this process was to examine how well report cards were communicating student learning and progress to parents and students. To achieve this goal, SACS collected survey data from a variety of community members that evaluated their understanding of the meaning of grades. Survey data revealed that parents, teachers, administrators, and central office staff disagreed on the meaning of grades at all levels. The discovery of this misalignment led district leaders to pursue strategies that ensure greater alignment in what students are learning to the grades that are on students’ report cards. Under the guidance of Drs. Link and Guskey, we partnered with SACS to facilitate the pilot of Benjamin Bloom’s Mastery Learning instructional process in order to increase student learning and develop new ways to deliver on the promises described by the Portrait of a Graduate vision. Mastery Learning allows teachers to meet the individual learning needs of all students, in turn improving student learning and confidence. The use of this method also provides teachers with a framework to align instruction and assessments, ultimately leading to greater transparency and clarity on student report cards.

Who is Overdosing? An Updated Picture of Overdose Deaths From 2008 to 2015.

Purpose:To determine the role of opioids in drug overdose deaths in Allen County, Indiana between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2015.Methods:File review of 418 overdose deaths was performed using Indiana State Department of Health death certificates available through the Allen County Coroner’s Office. Data from autopsy and toxicology reports and coroner-requested prescribing data from Indiana’s Prescription Monitoring Program were reviewed. Cause of death and available data were analyzed to identify patterns and trends related to overdose deaths.Results:Four hundred eighteen drug overdose deaths were identified (336 accidental, 66 intentional, and 16 undetermined). Mean age was 42.5 years, 88.5% were Caucasian, and 68.7% were employed. The majority of deaths occurred at a place of residence (71.4%) and with other people present (57.5% of the time). Depression was the most common comorbidity identified. The most common drug classes identified by toxicology were opioids, followed by benzodiazepines. Significant increases in both heroin (35% of deaths in 2015 versus 8.2% in 2013) and fentanyl (30% of deaths in 2015 versus 2.2% in 2011) were observed.Conclusions:Drug overdose continues to be a significant cause of death in Allen County. The majority of deaths were accidental and in relatively young, employed individuals. Prevention and awareness strategies should be encouraged, given that the majority of overdose deaths occurred at a place of residence with other people frequently present. Additional concerns about patterns of drug use were confirmed with marked increases in both heroin and fentanyl contributing to overdose deaths in the latter part of the study.

An analysis of a Hackberry–American Elm–green Ash forest type at Moser Park, Allen County, Indiana

Abstract Moser Park is a property in Allen County, Indiana, managed by New Haven Parks and Recreation. We conducted a plant survey within the forested section of the park, identifying and quantifying abundance of understory, midstory, and overstory plants. We calculated species richness and Shannon's index for all three strata and tested for relationships with environmental variables (i.e., canopy cover, soil compaction, litter depth, and light availability). The majority of understory species are typically associated with disturbed habitats, with very little resemblance to natural, pre-settlement habitat (i.e., low coefficient of conservation values). Understory cover was dominated by Rubus allegheniensis. Midstory stratum was less diverse than the understory and was dominated by an abundance of Fraxinus pennsylvanica, which was also an important species in the overstory. The forest at Moser Park matched the Hackberry–American Elm–Green Ash forest type. There was a lack of both Quercus and many Acer spec...

Long-Term Trend Analysis of Precipitation and Air Temperature for Kentucky, United States

Variation in quantities such as precipitation and temperature is often assessed by detecting and characterizing trends in available meteorological data. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term trends in annual precipitation and mean annual air temperature for the state of Kentucky. Non-parametric statistical tests were applied to homogenized and (as needed) pre-whitened annual series of precipitation and mean air temperature during 1950–2010. Significant trends in annual precipitation were detected (both positive, averaging 4.1 mm/year) for only two of the 60 precipitation-homogenous weather stations (Calloway and Carlisle counties in rural western Kentucky). Only three of the 42 temperature-homogenous stations demonstrated trends (all positive, averaging 0.01 °C/year) in mean annual temperature: Calloway County, Allen County in southern-central Kentucky, and urbanized Jefferson County in northern-central Kentucky. In view of the locations of the stations demonstrating positive trends, similar work in adjacent states will be required to better understand the processes responsible for those trends and to properly place them in their larger context, if any.

Extra! Extra! Read All About It: Newspaper Archives as Archaeological Site Survey

Relative to other historic documents, newspapers have received little attention from researchers as a source of archaeological data. Now that many historic newspapers have been digitized and placed online, this traditionally underutilized resource has the potential to yield new information about archaeological sites, especially those in heavily developed urban areas where sites are inaccessible or have been destroyed. In this article, a methodology is proposed by which archived newspapers might be searched for data about archaeological sites. A case study using newspapers from Allen County, Indiana and its principal city, Fort Wayne, demonstrates the utility of the methodology by producing evidence about many previously unrecorded archaeological sites.

Abstract C07: Utilizing state cancer profiles for communicating lung cancer disparities

Abstract Lung cancer is the third most common cancer in the US and is the leading cause of death. The accurate profiling of lung cancer (i.e. depiction of the magnitude of this disease among the different population subgroups at the state and local levels) is necessary to inform the development of effective cancer control programs in the areas most impacted, and subsequently, reduce the cancer burden. One of the prerequisites for accurate profiling of cancer is a high quality cancer data. Unfortunately, researchers often rely on a combination of data sources that may differ in data quality, completeness and other important attributes. The State Cancer Profiles website is perhaps the most comprehensive, and high quality resource that provides national, state and local level cancer data collected from CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and NCI's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program. Lung cancer data from State Cancer Profiles can be utilized to assess the burden and the risks, identify trends, examine sociodemographic data, expose economic, geographic and racial disparities, identify research opportunities and make important informed decisions. In this particular project, we demonstrate how State Cancer Profiles can be used effectively to profile lung cancer and identify health disparities, using the State of Indiana as an example. Method: We utilized rate/trend comparison, mortality rates, historical trends as well as screening and risk factors data to profile lung cancer mortality. A series of maps and tables were generated to communicate the geographic differences in lung cancer mortality at the local and state levels. Results: Results show how the state of Indiana compares to other states and the within state variation in cancer and risk factors. Indiana is the 7th highest state in lung cancer mortality rates. The death rate in Indiana is above the US average nonetheless, the trend is stable for females and falling for males. Orange, Wayne and White counties have the highest death rates which are above the Indiana and US averages and show rising trends. Marion County, also show death rates above the state and US averages. However, the trend is falling. In Marion County, African Americans (a predominant population in the county) have higher death rates compared to whites, 75.8 vs. 66.3. Similarly, in Allen County, African Americans have high rates compare to whites, 68.5 vs. 48.7. As far as risk factors, Indiana is the 6th highest state in the percentage of current smokers. It is noteworthy, that indoor smoking is legislated by only 30% of the state. Demographic data show that 83% of Indiana's population under the age of 65 is insured. Of the families in Indiana, 10% are below poverty. Marion County shows poverty rate at 14.2. Conclusion: The information offered by State Cancer Profiles is useful for developing a profile of cancer; for identifying the areas where cancer burden is the greatest and subgroups of populations that are most impacted. It reveals that racial disparities in lung cancer exist at both the state and county levels, despite the fact that the overall mortality rates are dropping. Furthermore, it shows the demographic characteristics and risk factors that are relevant for understanding cancer burden. In conclusion, State Cancer Profiles is an excellent tool for communicating health disparities, depicting cancer burden and informing cancer control planning. Citation Format: Antoinette Percy-Laurry, Zaria Tatalovich. Utilizing state cancer profiles for communicating lung cancer disparities. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C07. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-C07

Realignment and Division in the Amish Community of Allen County, Indiana: A Historical Narrative

The Amish have long faced disagreement over matters of internal policy and adoption of external ideas like evangelical emphases. In Allen County, Indiana, several branches of Anabaptists have developed from the original Swiss Amish settlers because of such differences. This article first reviews the history of new movements among the Amish. It then provides a historical narrative of the events that led to a New Order Amish schism in 2004, emphasizing how fundamental differences between the New Order’s evangelical theology and the Old Order Amish worldview played out on several symbolic fronts, including young adult behavior, home Bible studies, lines of fellowship, understanding of the Ordnung, church membership, re-baptism, excommunication and shunning, and language use in services. Even after the division, neither the New Orders nor the Old Orders were completely unified. The New Order church eventually dispersed with a Charity Church replacing it. Within the Old Order, a toned-down evangelical pulse continues, giving rise to some reforms in youth behavior and stress on internal religious experience. This case of Allen County Amish points to the importance of doctrinal, theological, and practical differences in shaping collective behaviors that leads to new movements among the Amish.

Modeling Parent and Metabolite Fate and Transport in Subsurface Drained Fields With Directly Connected Macropores1

Abstract: Few studies exist that evaluate or apply pesticide transport models based on measured parent and metabolite concentrations in fields with subsurface drainage. Furthermore, recent research suggests pesticide transport through exceedingly efficient direct connections, which occur when macropores are hydrologically connected to subsurface drains, but this connectivity has been simulated at only one field site in Allen County, Indiana. This research evaluates the Root Zone Water Quality Model (RZWQM) in simulating the transport of a parent compound and its metabolite at two subsurface drained field sites. Previous research used one of the field sites to test the original modification of the RZWQM to simulate directly connected macropores for bromide and the parent compound, but not for the metabolite. This research will evaluate RZWQM for parent/metabolite transformation and transport at this first field site, along with evaluating the model at an additional field site to evaluate whether the parameters for direct connectivity are transferable and whether model performance is consistent for the two field sites with unique soil, hydrologic, and environmental conditions. Isoxaflutole, the active ingredient in BALANCE® herbicide, was applied to both fields. Isoxaflutole rapidly degrades into a metabolite (RPA 202248). This research used calibrated RZWQM models for each field based on observed subsurface drain flow and/or edge of field conservative tracer concentrations in subsurface flow. The calibrated models for both field sites required a portion (approximately 2% but this fraction may require calibration) of the available water and chemical in macropore flow to be routed directly into the subsurface drains to simulate peak concentrations in edge of field subsurface drain flow shortly after chemical applications. Confirming the results from the first field site, the existing modification for directly connected macropores continually failed to predict pesticide concentrations on the recession limbs of drainage hydrographs, suggesting that the current strategy only partially accounts for direct connectivity. Thirty‐year distributions of annual mass (drainage) loss of parent and metabolite in terms of percent of isoxaflutole applied suggested annual simulated percent losses of parent and metabolite (3.04 and 1.31%) no greater in drainage than losses in runoff on nondrained fields as reported in the literature.