Arizona Counties Research Articles

Sugary Beverage Consumption, Not Water, Increases in Springtime among Low-Income Arizona 4th and 5th Graders

Objective: To measure change in sugary beverage consumption with nutrition education among low-income 4th and 5th graders. Theory, Prior Research, Rationale: Fifteen percent of US children aged 6 to 11 years are overweight, with an additional 30% at risk. Sugary beverage consumption is linked to obesity and US Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting intake. We hypothesized that nutrition education would result in decreased sugary beverage consumption. Study Design, Setting, Participants, and Intervention: The University of Arizona Nutrition Network (UANN) provides general nutrition education training and materials, aligned with USDA guidelines, to teachers at SNAP-Ed eligible schools. UANN administered self-report behavioral questionnaires to students in 8% of participating 4th and 5th grade classrooms in 5 Arizona counties in both Fall and Spring. Outcome, Measures and Analysis: Descriptive statistics were computed for student demographics and beverage consumption on the prior day. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate change in classroom averages between Fall and Spring. Results: Thirty-three classrooms participated (N1⁄4770 pre, 765 post, 90% complete surveys). Participant characteristics: 71% 4th graders, 50.5% female, 10.1 years of age. Fall sugary beverage consumption was 1.05 ( 0.23) times the previous day; milk and water were consumed 1.58 ( 0.24) and 5.20 ( 0.70) times, respectively. As expected, Arizona springtime beverage consumption increased overall (3.2%). Sugary beverage consumption increased 14.4% and accounted for the greatest portion of the total increase (p1⁄40.006). Small increases in milk (p1⁄40.03) and water (p1⁄40.86) were observed. Conclusions and Implications: This study suggests the need for beverage specific education to shift the children toward more healthful choices. Further research is needed to assess beverage consumption patterns longitudinally, controlling for season. Funding: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education.

Molecular genotyping of Acinetobacter spp. isolated in Arizona, USA, using multilocus PCR and mass spectrometry

Acinetobacter spp. are a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria frequently implicated in nosocomial infections. Genotypic methods have been instrumental in studying Acinetobacter, but few offer high resolution, rapid turnaround time, technical ease and high inter-laboratory reproducibility, which has hampered understanding of disease incidence, transmission patterns and diversity within this genus. Here, we further evaluated multilocus PCR electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS), a method that is simple and robust, and provides both species characterization and strain-level resolution of Acinetobacter spp. on a single platform. We examined 125 Acinetobacter isolates from 21 hospitals, laboratories and medical centres spanning four counties in Arizona, USA, using PCR/ESI-MS. We compared PCR/ESI-MS with an in-house amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyping scheme. PCR/ESI-MS demonstrated that Acinetobacter spp. from Arizonan hospitals had similar species and strain distributions to other US civilian hospitals. Furthermore, we showed that the PCR/ESI-MS and AFLP genotypes were highly congruent, with the former having the advantages of robust inter-laboratory reproducibility, rapid turnaround time and simple experimental set-up and data analysis. PCR/ESI-MS is an effective and high-throughput platform for strain typing of Acinetobacter baumannii and for identification of other Acinetobacter spp., including the emerging nosocomial pathogens Acinetobacter pittii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis.

The Value of Relevant, Project-Based Learning to Youth Development

Project Based Learning models present authentic learning opportunities with real-life situations, enabling students to set their own learning goals and forge their own relationships (Barab, et al., 2001). The autonomy inherent in this model allows youth to bring their skills and experiences to real situations and to be seen as valued community members. This article describes a project-based learning model involving “externs,” who developed and implemented sustainability projects in their communities. Externs worked with Cooperative Extension professionals on locally relevant community projects during the summer of 2011 in three Arizona counties. The project based learning experience had a positive impact on the lives of our three externs.

Venom variability and envenoming severity outcomes of the Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (Mojave rattlesnake) from Southern Arizona

Twenty-one Mojave rattlesnakes, Crotalus scutulatus scutulatus (C. s. scutulatus), were collected from Arizona and New Mexico U.S.A. Venom proteome of each specimen was analyzed using reverse-phase HPLC and SDS-PAGE. The toxicity of venoms was analyzed using lethal dose 50 (LD(50)). Health severity outcomes between two Arizona counties U.S.A., Pima and Cochise, were determined by retrospective chart review of the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center (APDIC) database between the years of 2002 and 2009. Six phenotypes (A-F) were identified based on three venom protein families; Mojave toxin, snake venom metalloproteinases PI and PIII (SVMP), and myotoxin-A. Venom changed geographically from SVMP-rich to Mojave toxin-rich phenotypes as you move from south central to southeastern Arizona. Phenotypes containing myotoxin-A were only found in the transitional zone between the SVMP and Mojave toxin phenotypes. Venom samples containing the largest amounts of SVMP or Mojave toxin had the highest and lowest LD(50s), respectively. There was a significant difference when comparing the presence of neurotoxic effects between Pima and Cochise counties (p=0.001). No significant difference was found when comparing severity (p=0.32), number of antivenom vials administered (p=0.17), days spent in a health care facility (p=0.23) or envenomation per 100,000 population (p=0.06). Although not part of the original data to be collected, death and intubations, were also noted. There is a 10× increased risk of death and a 50× increased risk of intubations if envenomated in Cochise County.

Annual Seroprevalence ofYersinia pestisin Coyotes as Predictors of Interannual Variation in Reports of Human Plague Cases in Arizona, United States

Although several health departments collect coyote blood samples for plague surveillance, the association between reported human cases and coyote seroprevalence rates remains anecdotal. Using data from an endemic region of the United States, we sought to quantify this association. From 1974 to 1998, about 2,276 coyote blood samples from four Arizona counties were tested for serological evidence of exposure to Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague. Using a titer threshold presumed to be indicative of recent infection (serum titers of ≥1:256), we found a statistically significant relationship between years with >17% sero-positive coyotes and years with two or more human cases reported. Moreover, when the annual coyote seroprevalence rates were dichotomized at 17%, 84% of the years were correctly classified using four biologically relevant meteorological variables in a linear regression. This is the first time a statistically significant temporal association between human plague cases and coyote seroprevalence rates has been shown. However, issues with data resolution and surveillance effort that potentially limit the public health utility of using coyote seroprevalence rates are discussed.

The Effect of Policy Changes on Hepatitis A Vaccine Uptake in Arizona Children, 1995–2008

In 1995, the first hepatitis A vaccines became available for use. At that time, Arizona had the highest hepatitis A incidence of all 50 states. During that same time period, the Arizona State Immunization Information System (ASIIS) was created to collect information on all immunizations given in the state. Four state-level hepatitis A vaccination policies were enacted according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations and local initiatives from 1996 to 2005. Our primary objective was to assess the impact of these policies on vaccine uptake in children. Immunization records from ASIIS were used to calculate yearly coverage of children with at least one reported hepatitis A vaccination between 1995 and 2008. Proportions vaccinated were calculated by age group (12-23 months, 24-59 months, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, and 15-19 years) for three regions: Maricopa County; Apache and Navajo counties; and the remaining 12 Arizona counties, which were grouped as one to reflect different target groups for the four policies examined. We calculated percent changes from before and after each policy implementation. Significantly different percent changes were detected among the three regions that related to the four policies implemented. Percent change in uptake was consistently higher in the regions that were targeted for that specific policy. Analysis of ASIIS data revealed a major effect of hepatitis A policy recommendations on vaccine uptake in Arizona. Targeting high-risk populations through vaccine recommendations and child care entry requirements was highly successful in achieving higher vaccination coverage.

Adjudication Decisions of Black, White, Hispanic, and Native American Youth in Juvenile Court

The current study examines the likelihood of adjudication for White, Black, Hispanic, and Native American juveniles in an urban county in Arizona. The study utilized the focal concerns perspective as the theoretical framework to explain racial and ethnical differences. The findings indicate that Hispanic and Native American youths had greater odds of adjudication than White youths. When examining race or ethnic and gender relationships, White girls were found to be the least likely of all the groups to be adjudicated. Girls in the other groups (Black, Hispanic, and Native American) did not have significantly different odds of adjudication than their male counterparts. Split models also revealed that legal variables and committing a drug offense had a significantly different effect for Hispanic and Native American youths than for White youths. The results and implications are further discussed.

Description of a new species of Osmia (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae) from southwestern North America, with a redescription of the enigmatic species Osmia foxi Cameron

The Osmia of southwestern North America are not well known. A new species, Osmia (Acanthosmioides) palmula, and the enigmatic Osmia (Melanosmia) foxi Cameron, known only from the male holotype, are described and figured in both sexes, with additional comments on their distribution and biology. A checklist and key to the known Osmia species from Cochise County, Arizona, Hidalgo County, New Mexico, and adjacent counties in the United States are presented.

Hospital Admissions for Acute Myocardial Infarction, Angina, Stroke, and Asthma After Implementation of Arizona's Comprehensive Statewide Smoking Ban

We examined the impact of Arizona's May 2007 comprehensive statewide smoking ban on hospital admissions for diagnoses for which there is evidence of a causal relationship with secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure (acute myocardial infarction [AMI], angina, stroke, and asthma). We compared monthly hospital admissions from January 2004 through May 2008 for these primary diagnoses and 4 diagnoses not associated with SHS (appendicitis, kidney stones, acute cholecystitis, and ulcers) for Arizona counties with preexisting county or municipal smoking bans and counties with no previous bans. We attributed reductions in admissions to the statewide ban if they occurred only in diagnoses associated with SHS and if they were larger in counties with no previous bans. We analyzed the data with Poisson regressions, controlling for seasonality and admissions trends. We also estimated cost savings. Statistically significant reductions in hospital admissions were seen for AMI, angina, stroke, and asthma in counties with no previous bans over what was seen in counties with previous bans. No ban variable coefficients were statistically significant for diagnoses not associated with SHS. Arizona's statewide smoking ban decreased hospital admissions for AMI, stroke, asthma, and angina.

Diversity Among Tacaribe Serocomplex Viruses (FamilyArenaviridae) Naturally Associated with the White-Throated Woodrat (Neotoma albigula) in the Southwestern United States

Bayesian analyses of glycoprotein precursor and nucleocapsid protein gene sequences indicated that arenaviruses naturally associated with white-throated woodrats in central Arizona are phylogenetically closely related to the Whitewater Arroyo virus prototype strain AV 9310135, which originally was isolated from a white-throated woodrat captured in northwestern New Mexico. Pairwise comparisons of glycoprotein precursor and nucleocapsid protein amino acid sequences revealed extensive diversity among arenaviruses isolated from white-throated woodrats captured in different counties in central Arizona and extensive diversity between these viruses and Whitewater Arroyo virus strain AV 9310135. It was concluded that the viruses isolated from the white-throated woodrats captured in Arizona represent 2 novel species (Big Brushy Tank virus and Tonto Creek virus) and that these species should be included with Whitewater Arroyo virus in a species complex within the Tacaribe serocomplex (family Arenaviridae, genus Arenavirus).

Estimating the economic benefits of wind energy projects using Monte Carlo simulation with economic input/output analysis

AbstractA process was developed to evaluate the economic benefits from constructing and operating a wind energy project. The process uses an economic input/output analysis in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation. Process results estimate the number of jobs and amount of spending that will occur in the analysis region because of the construction and operation of a wind energy project. Results from the proposed process may be used to garner community and governmental support for projects. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory jobs, Economic Development and Impacts (JEDI) model, developed specifically for wind energy projects, is used. As there is uncertainty in some of the required input parameters, the Monte Carlo simulation allows the input parameters to be entered as a range. The results of the JEDI model with the Monte Carlo simulation analysis produce a distribution for jobs, salaries and wages, and economic output during construction and operations. The results of the Monte Carlo simulation also provide a sensitivity analysis for each of the JEDI outputs. Two northern Arizona counties, Coconino County and Navajo County, were analysed to demonstrate the process. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Genetic diversity among clinicalCoccidioidesspp. isolates in Arizona

Increasing coccidioidomycosis rates in Arizona may indicate the development of a hypervirulent strain. One hundred and twenty-one clinical Coccidioides spp. isolates were collected over 16 months from Maricopa, Graham, Yuma, and Pima counties in Arizona. The patient age distribution ranged from 9 to 91 years, with a median age of 58 years; 36% were female, and 64% male. All isolates were analyzed by measuring length polymorphisms in nine distinct microsatellite regions. The three microsatellites found to have the greatest discriminatory power for Coccidioides posadasii were: K03 (0.87), GA37 (0.83), and K01 (0.78). The majority of isolates (n=119) were C. posadasii. Duplicate isolates (n=28) from 13 patients showed single strain infections. Phylogenetic analysis of the microsatellite data showed no dominant microsatellite pattern. We conclude that the increase in reported cases of coccidioidomycosis in Arizona is not linked to a dominant, hypervirulent strain of Coccidioides posadasii.

Determining a Site-specific Objective and Tmdl for Copper in a Historical Mining District, Arizona

Determining a Site-specific Objective and Tmdl for Copper in a Historical Mining District, ArizonaPinto Creek is a predominately intermittent stream that drains approximately 183 mi2 in Gila, Pinal, and Maricopa counties in east central Arizona. The stream extends approximately 33 miles from its headwaters in the Pinal Mountains to Roosevelt Lake. Although much of the creek length is ephemeral or intermittent, it contains several perennial reaches, which are uncommon in this arid region. The...Author(s)Gregory S. OlsenClifton BellSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationSubjectArticlesDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Oct, 2007ISSN1938-6478SICI1938-6478(20071001)2007:5L.1311;1-DOI10.2175/193864707786619431Volume / Issue2007 / 5Content sourceTMDLS ConferenceFirst / last page(s)1311 - 1325Copyright2007Word count432Subject keywordsCOPPERMININGARIZONAHSPFTMDLSITE SPECIFIC STANDARDSITE SPECIFIC OBJECTIVENATURALBACKGROUND

Deaths of Mexican and Central American Children along the US Border: The Pima County Arizona Experience

Using data obtained through the Arizona Child Fatality Review Program, we reviewed deaths of all children (birth-17 years) who were Mexican or Central American residents and who died in Pima County, Arizona during the years 1995-2004. They accounted for 5% of all pediatric deaths in the county. Causes of death were motor vehicle collision (32%), environmental exposure (17%), prematurity (11%), other trauma (11%) and other medical conditions (28%). Fifty-three percent of these children were in the US seeking medical care; 36% were undocumented migrants. Significant trends over the 10 years were toward fewer children seeking medical care and more children dying while border crossing. Border health and economic disparities affected overall child mortality in this US county, but current prevention efforts are unlikely to affect this population group.

Parentectomy in the Crossfire

Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother and Thou Shalt Not Bare False Witness; true words of wisdom for an educated mind. When an alienating parent does not follow this advice—it leads to the erosion of the very heart of a child's mind, granting them by example an unhampered blur of reality for the rest of their life. This article features Dean Tong's literary work, Elusive Innocence—Survival Guide for the Falsely Accused covering parental alienation and false abuse allegations. Victims of Another War, a documentary about the effects on three adults who suffered an abduction and alienation of affection during childhood. And finally, A View For The Bench, produced by the Superior Court of Maricopa County in Arizona is an education for the judiciary on parental alienation.

Estimating the Incidence of Heat-Related Deaths Among Immigrants in Pima County, Arizona

Widespread media reports have described an increase in heat-related deaths among illegal immigrant border crossers in Southern Arizona in recent years. We conducted a retrospective case series review of heat-related deaths reported by a large border county medical examiner office in an attempt to estimate the occurrence and distribution of these deaths for the years 1998-2003. United States Border Patrol apprehension data were also collected and used in the analysis to estimate the size of the population of border crossers. An increase in the total heat-related deaths has occurred since 1999 in Pima County Arizona and has continued to date. Precise estimates of rates are not possible but appear to have increased as well. Implications for understanding the complexity of researching this public health issue including the definition of cases and population at risk are discussed.

Arizona Permittee and Land Management Agency Employee Attitudes Toward Rangeland Monitoring by Permittees

Ongoing conflicts over the management of western rangelands can be attributed in part to the lack of reliable information about current ecological conditions and their causes due, in turn, to insufficient monitoring. To meet the monitoring shortfall, land management agencies increasingly are enlisting permittees to monitor their grazing allotments. We surveyed grazing permittees in 5 Arizona counties and land management agency employees throughout Arizona to compare their attitudes toward permittee monitoring on public rangelands, the role of government in rangeland management, rangeland conditions in Arizona, and the credibility of information sources about rangelands. Permittees and agency employees differed in most of the attitudes measured by our survey. However, both populations agreed that permittees should participate in monitoring their allotments, and many respondents agreed with making permittee monitoring mandatory. Many respondents in both groups also agreed that collaboration can be beneficial. Joint monitoring, which can be considered a type of “joint fact-finding,” may help improve agency–permittee relationships and bridge the gap in attitudes and underlying values. Permittee-monitoring programs deserve careful evaluation to determine their impacts on social relationships, management decisions, and ecological conditions.

Predictors of organ donation behavior among Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans have a substantial need for organ transplants and are underrepresented among organ donors, yet little is known about predictors of organ donation outcomes in this population. To assess factors that may function as significant predictors of organ donation behavior among Hispanic Americans. A random-digit-dial computer-assisted telephone-interview survey. Setting-Pima and Maricopa counties in Arizona. 1200 Hispanic Americans. Family discussion of organ donation and willingness to be an organ donor. Significant predictors of family discussion of organ donation include knowing someone willing to be an organ donor and disagreeing that carrying a donor card results in inadequate medical care. Willingness to be a donor is also predictive of family discussion. Significant predictors of willingness to be an organ donor are knowing someone willing to be an organ donor, being female, and disagreeing that thoughts about donation leads to thoughts about one's own mortality. Having a family discussion about organ donation is also predictive of willingness to be an organ donor. The data provide a springboard for larger studies encompassing the diversity and geographical dispersion of Hispanic Americans. The data also highlight the importance of educational efforts to make Hispanic Americans aware of people in their community who have donated in the past or who are now potential donors.

Predictors of Organ Donation Behavior among Hispanic Americans

Hispanic Americans have a substantial need for organ transplants and are underrepresented among organ donors, yet little is known about predictors of organ donation outcomes in this population. To assess factors that may function as significant predictors of organ donation behavior among Hispanic Americans. A random-digit-dial computer-assisted telephone-interview survey. Setting-Pima and Maricopa counties in Arizona. 1200 Hispanic Americans. Family discussion of organ donation and willingness to be an organ donor. Significant predictors of family discussion of organ donation include knowing someone willing to be an organ donor and disagreeing that carrying a donor card results in inadequate medical care. Willingness to be a donor is also predictive of family discussion. Significant predictors of willingness to be an organ donor are knowing someone willing to be an organ donor, being female, and disagreeing that thoughts about donation leads to thoughts about one's own mortality. Having a family discussion about organ donation is also predictive of willingness to be an organ donor. The data provide a springboard for larger studies encompassing the diversity and geographical dispersion of Hispanic Americans. The data also highlight the importance of educational efforts to make Hispanic Americans aware of people in their community who have donated in the past or who are now potential donors.

Monitoring sewage networks for sanitary sewer overflows

Sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) are becoming of increasing concern to utilities and regulators. The number and severity of SSOs can be reduced by the detection–correction of ongoing events. A methodology is presented to locate meters to maximize the likelihood of detecting system blockages and SSO disruptions. The problem is solved using a set-covering approach and allows the trade-off between the number of detections and the cost of gages to be easily assessed. To introduce blockages and analyze system hydraulics, a full hydraulic model for the sewer system is applied. A system in Pima County Arizona is used as a case study.