Metro Atlanta Research Articles

Increased risk for developmental disabilities in children who have major birth defects: a population-based study.

We sought to quantify the strength of associations between each of four specific developmental disabilities (DDs) and specific types of major birth defects. We linked data from 2 independent surveillance systems, the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program and the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance Program. Children with major birth defects (n = 9142; born 1981-1991 in metro Atlanta) and 3- to 10-year-old children who were born between 1981 and 1991 in metro Atlanta and identified between 1991 and 1994 as having mental retardation, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, or vision impairment (n = 3685) were studied. Prevalence ratio (PR), which is the prevalence of a DD in children with 1 or more major birth defects divided by the prevalence of the same DD in children without major birth defects, was measured. Among the 9142 children who were born with a major birth defect, 657 (7.2%) had a serious DD compared with 0.9% in children with no major birth defect, yielding a PR of 8.3 (95% confidence interval: 7.6-9.0). In general, the more severe the DD, the higher was the PR. Birth defects that originated in the nervous system and chromosomal defects resulted in the highest PRs for a subsequent DD. For all other categories of birth defects, PRs were lowest when all major birth defects present were confined to a single category (ie, isolated defects). PRs for any DD increased monotonically with the number of coded birth defects per child or the number of different birth defect categories per child, regardless of the severity of the defect or whether defects of the nervous system, chromosomal defects, or "other syndromes" were counted. These data highlight the possible early prenatal origins of some DDs and suggest that both the number of coded birth defects present and the number of anatomic systems involved are strongly related to functional outcomes.

Iterative Inverse Modeling and Direct Sensitivity Analysis of a Photochemical Air Quality Model

A four-dimensional data assimilation approach that combines emission-based modeling and inverse modeling techniques has been developed to provide a method to help identify emissions inventory improvements. The method is based on linking formal direct sensitivity analysis of three-dimensional air quality models with an inverse modeling technique such that observational data of multiple species can be used to suggest improvements in emission strengths, patterns, and compositions of various source categories simultaneously. Information regarding the characteristics of the data and the emissions is incorporated into the model by means of weighting factors. A penalty function allows determining if the method is fully observation-driven, emission-driven, or mixed. The assimilation of the data requires an iterative process since the sensitivity coefficients change as emissions are adjusted, though results suggest that only three or four iterations are necessary. The method has been applied to the Atlanta Metro Area and tested with pseudo-observations. Perturbed emissions were adjusted close to their known original value in these test scenarios. When noisy pseudo-observations were used, the final simulated concentration errors were of the order of the noise applied to the pseudo-observations.

Race and wages in the metro Atlanta fast food industry

One explanation for the black-white earnings gap is spatial mismatch, that is, where blacks tend to seek employment in areas with lower prevailing wages. Ihlanfeldt and Young [1996] study the spatial mismatch phenomenon in the metro Atlanta fast food industry by focusing on the distribution of black employment. This paper extends their analysis by focusing on the wage relative to black employment. Additionally, the metro Atlanta area will be divided into the north and south sides for comparison.

Age‐associated changes in cognitive function in highly educated adults: emerging myths and realities

The effects of education and continued intellectual engagement on age-associated cognitive change were investigated in a sample of 102 members of the professional and college communities in the metro Atlanta Georgia area (ages 30–76). All participants were administered a 60-minute battery that measured different aspects of memory, intelligence and cognitive performance. Age-associated declines in performance were detected on the digit symbol measure of intelligence. Conversely, positive but non-significant trends were detected on the picture completion, arithmetic and similarities subtests. Age effects were also noted on some measures of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and both versions of the Trail Making Test. The findings suggest that at least among the highly educated, certain cognitive abilities may receive some degree of amelioration as a consequence of continued intellectual engagement. However, the effects may be associated more with compensation rather than protection against the effects of ageing. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Age-associated changes in cognitive function in highly educated adults: emerging myths and realities.

The effects of education and continued intellectual engagement on age-associated cognitive change were investigated in a sample of 102 members of the professional and college communities in the metro Atlanta Georgia area (ages 30-76). All participants were administered a 60-minute battery that measured different aspects of memory, intelligence and cognitive performance. Age-associated declines in performance were detected on the digit symbol measure of intelligence. Conversely, positive but non-significant trends were detected on the picture completion, arithmetic and similarities subtests. Age effects were also noted on some measures of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and both versions of the Trail Making Test. The findings suggest that at least among the highly educated, certain cognitive abilities may receive some degree of amelioration as a consequence of continued intellectual engagement. However, the effects may be associated more with compensation rather than protection against the effects of ageing.

Assessing environmental justice using Bayesian hierarchical models: two case studies.

Sound statistical methodology for assessing environmental justice is clearly needed, but has been slow to develop. In this paper, we investigate the use of hierarchical Bayesian methods for combining disparate sources of environmental data featuring complex correlations over both space and time. After a brief review of the Bayesian approach and its specific application to disease mapping problems, we illustrate two case studies. The first to these investigates the effect of a certain nuclear fuel reprocessing facility in Ohio on the lung cancer rates in the counties that surround it, while the second concerns the relation between air quality (especially in terms of ambient ozone levels) and pediatric emergency room visits due to asthma in the Atlanta metro area. We close by summarizing the method's implications for environmental justice, as well as future methodological and applied work.

Conflict Analysis for Double Left-Turn Lanes with Protected-Plus-Permitted Signal Phases

A conflict study evaluated double left-turn lanes with protected-plus-permitted signal phasing. The data collection team observed traffic behavior at four intersections in the metro Atlanta region. Included in the data set are three intersections operating under protected-plus-permitted signal phasing and a fourth intersection with a before and after examination of a protected-plus-permitted signal phase changed to protected-only phasing. The authors calculated the traffic rates for five conflict types and one traffic event unique to double left-turn movements. A statistically significant decrease in traffic conflicts was identified for the before and after comparison site. The study also identifies unique intersection geometry and traffic volumes at each site and compares traffic conflicts associated with the features. The results generally show that the enhanced capacity of double left-turn lane intersections operating under protected-plus-permitted signal phasing may occur at the expense of the safety of the traveling public.

Pest Management in the Landscape/Lawn Maintenance Industry: A Factor Analysis

Lawn care and landscape maintenance (LCLM) firms in the Atlanta metro area were surveyed to determine industry pest management practices. Factor analysis is used to determine pest management systems in the LCLM industry. Primary factors include preventive applications, chemical intensive management, growth regulators and traps, beneficial insects, and bio-intensive management. Independently owned and small firms tend to have lower degrees of adoption of integrated pest management (IPM) factors than corporate and large firms. Comparison of pest management factors in the LCLM industry with those in agriculture suggest that similar IPM systems exist in both industries.

Historically Black Organizations in the Nonprofit Sector: A Reply to Atlanta Metro Y

Historically Black Organizations in the Nonprofit Sector: A Reply to Atlanta Metro Y

Economic Profile of Atlanta Landscape Maintenance and Lawn Care Firms

A survey indicated that the landscape maintenance and lawn care industry of the Atlanta metro area was localized in densely populated counties with a high concentration of commercial activity and residential housing. A relatively young age and limited size of most of the firms suggested a lack of barriers to entering the industry, which was supported by gross sales and equipment owned by surveyed companies. Most firms generated no more than $100,000 in sales in 1993 and owned equipment valued at less than $25,000. Most residential accounts were under 10 acres.

Landscape Maintenance Firms: I. Business Features and Factors Influencing Industry Performance

Abstract Seventy-two completed questionnaires sent to landscape maintenance firms in Georgia were received for a response rate of about 38%. Approximately two-thirds of the landscape maintenance firms were located in the metro Atlanta area and about 98% of their projects were in Georgia. Firms surveyed were involved primarily (approximately 95% of their projects) in outdoor maintenance activities, however, 50% of the large firms were involved in some level of indoor plant maintenance. Three size classes of firms were established based on their 1993 wholesale value of plant material purchased, small (<$25K), medium ($25K-$100K), and large (>$100K). The large firms accounted for 26% of the respondents, 72% of the gross revenue, and 79% of the plant materials purchased. Plant material purchased from growers (52.5%), rewholesalers (35.0%), brokers (8.5%), and garden centers (3.9%) accounted for 99.9% of plants purchased by landscape maintenance firms. Industry trends most frequently identified by respondents to have a positive impact on the industry over the next 5 years were: (1) an improving economy (38.7%), (2) consumer emphasis on plant quality (18.1%), and (3) alternative debris disposal such as composting and recycling (12.6%). The 3 trends with the greatest potential for negative impact on the industry were identified as: (1) unprofessional, new firms that submit unrealistic low bids (28.4%), (2) mandatory employee benefits and government regulations (22.7%), and (3) public concern regarding pesticide safety (17.0%).

Landscape Installation Firms: I. Business Characteristics and Trends Affecting Industry Performance

Abstract A survey of landscape installers in Georgia gathered information that would help segments of the green industry work together more effectively. We received 80 completed questionnaires for a 42.3% response rate. Approximately 76% of the firms surveyed were in the metro Atlanta area with 79% of all landscape projects located in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia firms conducted approximately 98% of their business in Georgia. Three size classes of firms were established based on the 1993 wholesale value of plant material purchased, small (≤ $50K), medium ($50K-$200K), and large (> $200K). Approximately 20% of the firms accounted for 80% of the plants purchased. Large firms had a higher percentage of their projects designed by a landscape architect as compared to small or medium sized firms. Industry trends most frequently identified as having a potential positive impact on the industry over the next five years were: (1) an improving economy due to low interest rates (25.4%), (2) growing consumer interest in the quality of the environment (13.8%), (3) better consumer understanding of the value and benefits of landscaping (12.3%), (4) population growth in Atlanta area (12.3%), and (5) increased industry professionalism and establishment of minimum standards (9.4%). The five trends with the greatest potential for negative impact on the industry were identified as: (1) government mandated employee benefits (23.0%), (2) competitors that bid below the reasonable cost for a job (21.6%), (3) government regulations and taxes (15.8%), (4) increased interest rates (10.8%), and (5) more start-up companies and out-of-state competition (9.4%).

Factors Influencing the Supply of Four Landscape Services

Abstract The landscape industry is a rapidly growing segment of the economy. Growth of the industry is attributed to increasing affluence of the population and leisure time. Increasing awareness of the importance of the environment will further undergird future industry growth. A survey sample of 140 landscape firms located in Georgia yielded 137 usable questionnaires. Four equations representing the statistical relationships between the four types of landscape services 1) design, 2) installation, 3) maintenance, 4) seasonal color and independent variables representing firm characteristics were specified and estimated using logit procedure. A surveyed firm was more likely to supply landscape design services if it also supplied pruning services, landscaping was its main business activity, and the firm was located outside the Atlanta metropolitan area (AMA). The installation service supply was less likely to be among a firm's services if the firm was located within the Atlanta metro area but more if it purchased plants from other sources, and the firm practiced subcontracting. Maintenance services were impacted positively by the supply of pruning but negatively by fertilization services and location in metropolitan Atlanta. Firms in which landscaping was the main business activity and accounted for an increasing share of revenue were more likely to include seasonal color among services supplied.

Landscape Architects as Related to the Landscape/Nursery Industry: I. Impact on Demand for Plant Material

Abstract A survey of landscape architects in Georgia was conducted to help growers and landscape contractors work more closely with this group. We received 62 completed surveys for a 37% response. About 66% of the Georgia firms are located in the metro Atlanta area. We established three size classes of firms based on the 1990 wholesale value of plants specified, small (<$200 K), medium ($200–999 K), and large (≥$1 M). Comparisons are made among size classes and data are presented for each size class. Approximately 21% of the firms accounted for 67% of the plants specified in 1990. It is estimated that Georgia landscape architects specified about $85 M of plants in 1990. About 90% of the firms conduct a majority of their business in Georgia and indicated that 85% of all projects are in-state. However, 47% of the plant material specified by these firms is obtained from outside the state of Georgia. This implies that $34 M worth of plant material used in Georgia is sourced out-of-state.

What atlanta is doing to reduce violent crime

Thomas K. Hamall is the executive vice president of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, a position he has held for seven years. He has also served as chairman of the Metro Cities Council, an organization of chamber executives from the nation's largest cities. Previously, Mr. Hamall served as assistant vice president of the Academy for Contemporary Problems in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to that, he was corporate director of civic affairs for Borden, Inc. Mr. Hamall was instrumental in forming a core group in Atlanta two years ago to discuss the effects of violent crime in America, and the responsibilities of the business community in reducing criminal violence. The Kennedy Library forum was one outcome of that effort. Gene Slade is executive director of the Metro Atlanta Crime Commission.