DC Metro Area Research Articles

学界情報 国際会議レポート：2014 IEEE Power ^|^amp; Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM 2014) July 27-31, 2014, National Harbor, MD (Washington, DC Metro Area), USA

学界情報 国際会議レポート：2014 IEEE Power ^|^amp; Energy Society General Meeting (PESGM 2014) July 27-31, 2014, National Harbor, MD (Washington, DC Metro Area), USA

Understanding older adults' attitudes and beliefs about drinking: perspectives of residents in congregate living

ABSTRACTDrinking motives may change as adults age, yet few studies in the United States of America have examined older adults' perspectives about their own drinking habits. The current study explored beliefs and attitudes of alcohol use of retired adults residing in a congregate care setting in the Baltimore/Washington DC metro area. Individual interviews were conducted with a sub-sample of 11 individuals who participated in a daily diary study on alcohol use among older adults. All participants in the study were identified as regular drinkers, meaning they had an alcoholic beverage on at least six of the eight days prior to screening. The participants' mean age was 81.5 years with a majority being women (54.5%). Older adults reported alcohol use as a long-term habit or routine. Participants also recognised that their alcohol use was influenced by peer drinking and by the availability of alcohol at the congregate care setting. Participants normalised their drinking as a form of routine socialisation carried from earlier life stages. Participants did not report reactive drinking, suggesting that older drinkers do not see their alcohol use as driven by specific reactions to life stresses or losses associated with ageing. The study also indicates that drinking may provide older adults in congregate care with a sense of continuity from before retirement and preserve their identity and autonomy.

Immigrants in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area Labor Market

This working paper highlights two major findings regarding the DC metro area’s immigrant population. The first finding is that the region’s foreign-born population is substantially different from its native born counterpart in many aspects. Overall, the foreign-born population in the region is more likely to have no high school diploma. They have higher labor participation rates, higher self-employment rates, lower median earnings and median household income, and are employed in different industry sectors than the native-born population.The second major finding is that the DC metro area’s immigrant population is a very heterogeneous group and it is misleading to draw conclusions about this population without differentiating by region of origin or citizenship status, for example. Substantial differences exist among the foreign-born population in terms of educational level, earnings, income, and industries engagement, depending on the immigrants’ country/region of origin and citizenship status.

Modeling the effect of transient populations on epidemics in Washington DC

Large numbers of transients visit big cities, where they come into contact with many people at crowded areas. However, epidemiological studies have not paid much attention to the role of this subpopulation in disease spread. We evaluate the effect of transients on epidemics by extending a synthetic population model for the Washington DC metro area to include leisure and business travelers. A synthetic population is obtained by combining multiple data sources to build a detailed minute-by-minute simulation of population interaction resulting in a contact network. We simulate an influenza-like illness over the contact network to evaluate the effects of transients on the number of infected residents. We find that there are significantly more infections when transients are considered. Since much population mixing happens at major tourism locations, we evaluate two targeted interventions: closing museums and promoting healthy behavior (such as the use of hand sanitizers, covering coughs, etc.) at museums. Surprisingly, closing museums has no beneficial effect. However, promoting healthy behavior at the museums can both reduce and delay the epidemic peak. We analytically derive the reproductive number and perform stability analysis using an ODE-based model.

The Center Page

The Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs is an invaluable resource to political and social scientists. Since its opening in September 2003, the center has housed more than 100 scholars. The center, located in the APSA headquarters near Dupont Circle, provides a great base of operations for scholars researching in the DC metro area. The center offers visiting scholars furnished work space, telephone, fax, computers, Internet access, conference space, a reference library, and access to George Washington University's Gelman Library. Visiting scholar stays range from a few days to 12 months. Space is limited to APSA members and is available for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students from the United States and abroad. Scholars are expected to cover their own expenses and a modest facilities fee for the use of the center. Prospective visiting scholars may apply at any time. Positions are awarded on a space-available basis.

Abstract WP201: Racial Disparities among Incident Ischemic Stroke Cases in the District of Columbia: the ASPIRE Study

Background: Racial disparities in ischemic stroke incidence have been found in previous studies with blacks having higher rates compared to whites. Recent data has suggested a decrease in stroke incidence but not necessarily a decrease in race differentials. We sought to document incidence of ischemic stroke and explore race-ethnic differentials in the urban, Washington, DC metro area. METHODS: ASPIRE is a multi-dimensional intervention with a three-pronged approach (community, hospital, EMS) to acute stroke preparedness targeted to increase IV tPA utilization in underserved black communities in DC. Using a comprehensive active and passive surveillance strategy including stroke admission alerts, stroke champions, admission/discharge data and chart review, the ASPIRE research team prospectively identified all hospitalized incident ischemic strokes between January 2008 and July 2012. Direct age-adjusted rates were estimated using age specific proportions from the 2010 census of the DC population for each sex, gender and race subgroup. RESULTS: Over 4.5 years, we captured 691 incident ischemic strokes: mean age 67 yrs +/- 15 yrs; 79% were blacks; and 55% females. Over 45% of the incident ischemic strokes occurred in black-females. Risk factors including hypertension (79%), diabetes (39%), and current smoking (28%) were significantly greater for blacks than whites. The age-adjusted average annual incidence rate per 100,000 was 226 overall: 171 for blacks, 45 for whites; 65 for black-males; 19 for white-males; 106 for black-females; and 26 for white-females CONCLUSION: We report significant racial disparities in the incidence of hospitalized ischemic in the DC metro area despite potential undercounting of non-hospitalized stroke cases, and potential competing mortalities in black men (ie. ICH, homicide, AIDS). This continued excess burden of ischemic stroke, particularly in black females, highlights the ongoing importance of projects such as ASPIRE to continue education and preparedness among those with increased risk.

Abstract TP241: Race-ethnic Differentials Time and Acute Stroke Emergency Presentation: The ASPIRE Study

BACKGROUND: There is sparse data about the nature of race-ethnic disparities in the acute stroke setting including differentials in stroke preparedness. The aim of this analysis was to explore race-ethnic differentials in time to arrival for acute stroke in a racial and ethnically diverse urban setting. METHODS: ASPIRE is a multi-dimensional intervention program (community, hospital, and EMS) for acute stroke preparedness targeted to increase IV tPA utilization in underserved black communities in the DC metro area. We prospectively identified stroke admissions and EMS utilization including acute stroke arrival time parameters for the 6 month pre and post intervention periods. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine predictors of arrival time. Proportionality of the hazards was checked. RESULTS: In the 6 month pre-intervention period, data was collected on 943 stroke cases; 53% female; 74% black; mean age 67 yrs. Of the subjects from the pre-intervention period with arrival times less than 48 hrs, the median arrival time to the emergency department (ED) was 9 hours; 20% presented under 3 hours. In multivariable Cox PH models, subjects were 38% more likely to arrive earlier if they had arrived by EMS (HR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.21-1.58). Black subjects were 25% less likely to arrive earlier (HR: 0.75, 95%CI: 0.60-0.93), but this effect was dampened over time (p=0.03). The model included the interaction between black race and time and adjusted for insurance status, risk factors (hypertension and diabetes), gender, age and prior stroke. Ina gender by race analysis, there was a trend towards black women being less likely to arrive earlier to the ED (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.6 -1.0). However, overall, there was no race-ethnic interaction with arrival by EMS. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to the perceived perception by the community suggesting there is a disparity in EMS utilization by the black DC community, we found no overall significant racial difference in EMS utilization for acute stroke. While there was a trend towards delayed overall arrival in black females, this was independent of EMS utilization.

Applying Asset Management Strategies to Small Community Systems

Applying Asset Management Strategies to Small Community SystemsLocated in the Washington DC Metro area, Loudoun Water is a rapidly growing utility on the East Coast of the USA. Implementing a formal asset management program has been key in delivering on the organizations strategic goals and objectives including ensuring sustainable practices and predictable costs. Implementing asset management principles has been a core focus of the organization, requiring...Author(s)David C. SklarRoddy MoweSourceProceedings of the Water Environment FederationDocument typeConference PaperPublisherWater Environment FederationPrint publication date Oct, 2013ISSN1938-6478DOI10.2175/193864713813674171Volume / Issue2013 / 15Content sourceWEFTECCopyright2013Word count135

Abstract P5-14-04: Alleviate the pain in the system: Using process improvement and systems design tools to strive for a high quality breast healthcare system in the District of Columbia metro area.

Abstract Background: Throughout the District of Columbia Metro Area, breast cancer mortality rates are higher than the national average due in part to limited service coordination and lack of access to breast health services along the continuum. The Primary Care Coalition of Montgomery County (PCC) and the Regional Primary Care Coalition (RPCC) are collaborating to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of breast cancer screening, referral, and follow-up so that jurisdictions and clinics in the DC metro area are better positioned to provide 100% low-income women residents with access to breast healthcare. The Regional Initiative builds upon the successes of the PCC Breast Healthcare Process Improvement Project. Objectives: 1) Adopt the Primary Care-Based Model in three clinics in three other jurisdictions and implement process improvement approaches to show improvements in breast cancer screening, referral, and follow-up; and 2) Develop a cross-jurisdiction learning community to enhance spread throughout the Region. Methods: The Regional Initiative employs a multi-tiered learning community framework to share data, address systems level barriers, and design new systems for the provision of high-quality care regardless of insurance status. Partners use the Model for Improvement to improve processes at the micro-system level and system design theory drives larger systems changes. Results: Objective 1: The three adaptation sites represent Prince Georges County, Maryland, Washington, DC, and Fairfax Virginia. After a year of focused process improvement, partnership development, and data collection, initial analysis demonstrates: – All three clinics show increased screening rates approaching 65%, representing the 90th percentile performance in the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) for Medicaid breast cancer screening.– At Greater Baden Medical Services in Prince Georges County, Maryland, cycle time between referral and mammography screening decreased from 48 to 27 days.– The Community Health Care Network, Fairfax County, Virginia, worked closely with one mammography provider to decrease the no-show rate for mammography appointments from 26% to 6%.– The Project Team developed a change package to share recommended interventions and successful strategies that have been tested and documented, and can be used by clinics certified as primary care medical homes or in the process of adopting those standards. Objective 2: The Cross-Jurisdiction Learning Collaborative brings representatives from each jurisdiction together to share breast health measures, success stories, and plan/discuss process improvement activities from a regional perspective. Participants include over 50 breast health providers from around the region: – 17 safety-net clinics– 11 hospital and/or mammography providers– All County and/or State National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Programs in the Region Next Steps: Spread learnings regionally and nationally to foster collaboration, replicate the PCC Primary Care-Based Model using the change package, and further improve breast health outcomes for the safety-net population. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2012;72(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-14-04.

Abstract 3594: A Pilot Feasibility Study of Community Engaged Stroke Preparedness: The ASPIRE Project

BACKGROUND: Lack of culturally appropriate education about stroke may prevent people from recognizing symptoms and/or seeking immediate care. The Stroke Warning Information and Faster Treatment (SWIFT) intervention reports increasing the proportion of prevalent stroke/TIA cases arriving under 4.5 hours using culturally tailored strategies, but few interventions have rigorously evaluated preparedness strategies in community settings. ASPIRE is a multi-dimensional program with a three-pronged approach (community, hospital, EMS) to acute stroke preparedness targeted to increased IV tPA utilization in underserved black communities in the DC metro area. METHODS: Using community engaged methodology, a skill-based approach to teaching community members to recognize acute stroke, call 911 and navigate the ER setting was developed. In the pilot phase, 50 education sessions were conducted in church, civic, educational and work organizations over a six month period in Ward 7 of the DC Metro area. Local ER and EMS staff were also in-serviced. We prospectively identified all hospital stroke admissions and EMS utilization information including acute stroke parameters for the 6 month pre and post intervention periods. Pre-post pilot intervention acute ischemic stroke parameters were compared. RESULTS: In the pre-intervention period, we identified 142 ischemic strokes in Ward 7: mean age 63 yrs; 63% male; 96% blacks. Fifty-six percent arrived via EMS, with a mean and median time to arrival of 1600 minutes (27.0 hours), and 890 minutes (14.8 hours), respectively. Following the intervention we identified 115 ischemic stroke cases: 66 yrs; 47% male; 89% black. Fifty percent arrived via EMS, mean and median time to arrival was 1423 min (23.7 hours) and 815 min (13.6 hours). In addition to this modest decrease in overall arrival times, an increased proportion of cases arriving in the 4.5 hours group was noted [pre 25% vs. post 28%, p=NS]. We were also able to match 104 ischemic stroke cases to EMS utilization sheets demonstrating feasibility for larger evaluation. CONCULSION: The ASPIRE pilot demonstrates feasibility of the multilevel community education intervention as well as feasibility of linking EMS and hospital records on a city wide scale. Despite the small number of ischemic strokes in this pilot phase, a modest reduction in hospital arrival times occurred in the post intervention phase. A city-wide intervention aimed at increasing the proportion of stroke patients treated with IV tPA is currently underway.

The Center: A Look at the Centennial Center for Political Science & Public Affairs

The Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs is an invaluable resource to political and social scientists. Since its opening in September 2003, the Center has housed more than 100 scholars. The center, located in the APSA headquarters near Dupont Circle, provides a great base of operations for scholars researching in the DC metro area. The Center offers visiting scholars furnished work space, telephone, fax, computers, Internet access, conference space, a reference library, and access to George Washington University's Gelman Library. Visiting scholar stays range from a few days to 12 months. Space is limited to APSA members and is available for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students from the United States and abroad. Scholars are expected to cover their own expenses and a modest facilities fee for the use of the center. Prospective visiting scholars may apply at any time. Positions are awarded on a space-available basis.

The Center Page: A Look at the Centennial Center for Political Science & Public Affairs

The Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs is an invaluable resource to political and social scientists. Since its opening in September 2003, the Center has housed more than 100 scholars. The center, located in the APSA headquarters near Dupont Circle, provides a great base of operations for scholars researching in the DC metro area. The Center offers visiting scholars furnished work space, telephone, fax, computers, Internet access, conference space, a reference library, and access to George Washington University's Gelman Library. Visiting scholar stays range from a few days to 12 months. Space is limited to APSA members and is available for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students from the United States and abroad. Scholars are expected to cover their own expenses and a modest facilities fee for the use of the center. Prospective visiting scholars may apply at any time. Positions are awarded on a space-available basis. Full details on the center and the Visiting Scholars Program are online at http://www.apsanet.org/centennialcenter. You may also contact Veronica Jones at APSA: (202) 483-2512; vjones@apsanet.org.

Public awareness and attitudes towards naval sonar mitigation for cetacean conservation: A preliminary case study in Fairfax County, Virginia (the DC Metro area)

The potential impacts of naval sonar on cetaceans has led to a series of court cases and statements of concern by international organizations. However, there has been no research conducted on attitudes of the general public with respect to this issue. To investigate this, a preliminary public survey was conducted in Fairfax, Virginia (the Washington, DC Metro region). The majority of the public sampled believed that naval sonar impacted marine mammals (51.3%), that the US Navy should not be exempt from environmental regulations in time of peace (75.2%), and that sonar use should be moderated if it impacts cetaceans (75.8%). Individuals who were conservative, Republican, and have served in the military were more likely to believe the Navy should be exempt from marine mammal protection regulations. In addition, expert interviews were conducted to gain opinions on the potential ramifications of the recent US Supreme Court case on naval sonar mitigation.

The Center Page

The Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs is an invaluable resource to political and social scientists. Since its opening in September 2003, the Center has housed more than 100 scholars. The center, located in the APSA headquarters near Dupont Circle, provides a great base of operations for scholars researching in the DC metro area. The Center offers visiting scholars furnished work space, telephone, fax, computers, Internet access, conference space, a reference library, and access to George Washington University's Gelman Library. Visiting scholar stays range from a few days to 12 months. Space is limited to APSA members and is available for faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and advanced graduate students from the United States and abroad. Scholars are expected to cover their own expenses and a modest facilities fee for the use of the center. Prospective visiting scholars may apply at any time. Positions are awarded on a space-available basis. Full details on the center and the Visiting Scholars Program are online at http://www.apsanet.org/centennialcenter. You may also contact Veronica Jones at APSA: (202) 483-2512; vjones@apsanet.org.

Understanding body image in African American and Caucasian first-graders: a partnership with the YMCA.

Research suggests that body dissatisfaction can develop by first grade or 6 years of age. Few studies have examined the relationship between parental body image factors on child body image among this population using a CBPR approach. We sought to examine parental influence on body image in African American and Caucasian first-graders through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) partnership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, DC. Quantitative data were collected by after-school teachers and academic researchers. Children were administered a silhouette measure to assess body image. Body image and eating behavior measures were given to parents. Correlational and descriptive analyses were employed to examine the association and characteristics of child body image factors. Participants were 58 child-parent dyads attending YMCA after-school programs in the Washington, DC, area. Descriptive analyses found significant body dissatisfaction among first graders. Only 12.1% of first graders were satisfied with their bodies, and among the 38 children of normal weight, 89.5% were dissatisfied with their current body size. No significant correlations emerged between child body image and parental eating factors. However, correlations did emerge between child and parent body image indices. Findings from this study were used to develop programming focused on promoting positive body image and self-esteem for young children in YMCA sites in the DC metro area. Additionally, future studies should further delineate body image among young children and the clinical and educational implications of early onset of body dissatisfaction in this population using a CBPR approach.

Integrating virtual internships into online classrooms

With the rapid increase in the number of online enrollments, educators are faced with the challenge of ensuring on-campus experiences are available to distant students, which meet quality and accessibility expectations. One of the biggest challenges with online courses is constructing meaningful group projects for part-time students who can be in disparate time zones. As part of our Master's biotechnology programme, offered completely online, we have developed a capstone course for students approaching graduation, which integrates a semester-long project working with a small biotechnology company in the DC metro area into the course curriculum. The experience and results from these projects have been well received by the participating students and companies. We describe some of the challenges we have faced, strategies we have developed, and ongoing modifications to the programme to integrate projects with small biotechnology businesses into the online classroom.

A model for resource allocation using operational knowledge assets

PurposeThe paper seeks to develop a business model that shows the impact of operational knowledge assets on intellectual capital (IC) components and business performance and use the model to show how knowledge assets can be prioritized in driving resource allocation decisions.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative data were collected from 84 high‐tech federal contractors in the Washington DC metro area. Respondents in the target population were middle‐level and operations managers of business sectors holding positions as presidents, vice‐presidents, directors, engineering managers, operations managers, and analysts. Partial least squares (PLS) analysis was performed to develop a structural model between operational knowledge assets and IC components that maximizes explained variance for business performance. Operational assets were specified as formative constructs and IC and business performance were specified as reflective constructs.FindingsA parsimonious conceptually sound model with significant measured variables and path coefficients was developed that explains almost 40 percent of the variance in business performance. The model shows both the interrelationships between the IC components that drive performance and the operational assets as levers for each IC component, respectively.Research limitations/implicationsThe scope of the study was focused on the high‐tech federal contractors in the USA. However, the model can be applied and tested in different industry sectors. This would provide evidence of the different operational knowledge assets used as levers in different industry sectors.Practical implicationsSenior executives and chief financial officers in particular are constantly challenged with making the optimum investment decisions given their budget constraints. The model offers a tool for developing and evaluating different resource allocation decisions based on an organization's strategic intent. In addition, the model can be useful in evaluating merger and acquisition decisions. In evaluating target companies the model can be used to identify the core capabilities or competency areas that the target company is leveraging and assess the impact or integration potential for the acquiring company.Originality/valueThis is the first study in the field of IC that has adopted the use of formative indicators in specifying operational knowledge asset constructs. Previous research has focused on developing models with the use of proxy measures as reflective indicators. Therefore the emphasis so far has been on scale development. The use of formative items in this study fills both the business need and theory gap to understand better the causal relationships that exist between work and knowledge assets.

The International Conference and Exihibition on Life Cycle Assessment: Tools for Sustainability April 25–27, 2000 Location: Crystal City Hyatt Arlington, Virginia (Washington DC Metro Area)

The International Conference and Exihibition on Life Cycle Assessment: Tools for Sustainability April 25–27, 2000 Location: Crystal City Hyatt Arlington, Virginia (Washington DC Metro Area)

Integrating virtual internships into online classrooms

With the rapid increase in the number of online enrollments, educators are faced with the challenge of ensuring on-campus experiences are available to distant students, which meet quality and accessibility expectations. One of the biggest challenges with online courses is constructing meaningful group projects for part-time students who can be in disparate time zones. As part of our Master's biotechnology programme, offered completely online, we have developed a capstone course for students approaching graduation, which integrates a semester-long project working with a small biotechnology company in the DC metro area into the course curriculum. The experience and results from these projects have been well received by the participating students and companies. We describe some of the challenges we have faced, strategies we have developed, and ongoing modifications to the programme to integrate projects with small biotechnology businesses into the online classroom.