Illinois State Research Articles

Prediction of evapotranspiration variance in the Budyko framework with the incorporation of soil storage and runoff

Water availability needs to be accurately assessed to understand and effectively manage hydrologic environments. However, the estimation of evapotranspiration (ET) is prone to errors due to the complex interactions that occur between the atmosphere, the Earth's surface, and vegetation cover. This paper proposes a novel approach for analyzing the sources of inaccuracy in estimating the annual ET using the Budyko framework (BF), particularly temporal variability in precipitation (P), potential evapotranspiration (EP), runoff (R), and the change in soil storage (ΔS). Error decomposition is employed to determine the individual contributions of P, R, EP, and ΔS to the ET error variance at 12 locations in the state of Illinois using a dataset covering a 22-year period. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the first BF-based investigation that considers R in the error decomposition of the predicted ET variance. The ET error variance increases with the variance in the P and R in Illinois and decreases with the covariance between these two variables. In addition, when accounting for ΔS in the BF, the scenario in which ΔS affects the total available water (i.e., P) is reliable, with a low prediction error and a 13.87 % lower root mean square error compared with the scenario in which the effect of ΔS is negligible. We thus recommend the inclusion of ΔS and R as key variables in the BF to improve water budget estimations.

National training and development curriculum training program impact on placement, permanency, and stability

BackgroundResource parent trainings are an important factor in caregiver readiness and retention, which can improve placement stability and permanency achievement for children and youth, especially those who are marginalized. ObjectiveResource parents need access to evidence-based training programs attentive to caring for children and youth from a variety of diverse backgrounds. This study evaluates placement, permanency, and stability outcomes of children whose resource parents were trained in one such program: the National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC). Participants and settingParticipants include adults who completed a resource parent training program (N = 3822) and children in their care (N = 2565) in the U.S. states of Florida, Georgia, Illinois, and Missouri. MethodsThis quasi-experimental study involved statistical testing of caregivers and children using AFCARS data. Propensity-score matching was used to control for differences in the child permanency analysis. ResultsWith a better understanding of the realities of fostering, NTDC participants were slightly less likely to foster after training (OR = 0.6; p < .001), self-selecting out before taking a child into the home. Those who did foster were more likely to foster a child who is a teen (OR = 1.4; p = .004), Asian/Asian American (OR = 3.8; p = .02), Black/African American (OR = 1.6; p < .001), or Hispanic/Latinx (OR = 1.7; p = .002). Children of NTDC caregivers entered legal adoptions (OR = 2.0; p = .003) and guardianships (OR = 2.9; p = .03) at higher rates than children of comparison caregivers, while rates of reunification (OR = 1.3; p = .11) were not statistically different. ConclusionsEvidence points to the effectiveness of NTDC in preparing resource parents to provide care for a diverse range of children by age, race, and ethnicity, and for those children to achieve permanency.

Examining Student Perceptions of Engagement and Learning in a Flipped Introductory Agricultural Mechanics Course

Active, student-centered approaches to teaching and learning in university classrooms have been given greater focus in recent years. Consequently, the use of flipped classrooms in American universities has proliferated considerably. Evidence suggests that flipped classrooms have been successfully employed in agricultural coursework, such as university-level agricultural mechanics courses. Theoretically underpinned by Murillo-Zamorano et al.’s (2019) Flipped Classroom in Higher Education model, the purpose of our study was to determine students’ perceptions of their engagement and learning in a flipped introductory-level agricultural mechanics course taught at Illinois State University. We used a valid and reliable electronic instrument to collect data from 61 undergraduate students over the course of four semesters. Our findings indicate that using a flipped classroom design to deliver an introductory-level agricultural mechanics course is a worthy endeavor that can positively impact students’ course experience. We are seeing similar results each semester, which suggest that our students prefer this teaching style over a traditional lecture style. The lead author intends to continue teaching the AGR 130: Introduction to Agricultural Engineering Technology course with a flipped classroom design for the foreseeable future. Our recommendations include: (1) instructors of introductory-level agricultural mechanics courses consider using a flipped classroom approach and (2) replicating our study to further examine this topic.

First person – Emily Harders

ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Biology Open, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Emily Harders is first author on ‘ Avian extraembryonic membranes respond to yolk corticosterone early in development’, published in BiO. Emily conducted the research described in this article while a master's student in Dr Ryan Paitz's lab at Illinois State University, Normal, USA. She is now currently a specimen processing technician at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, while she applies for PhD programs. She is interested in understanding how maternal/fetal signalling is regulated in extraembryonic tissues.

Analysis of social media compliance with cannabis advertising regulations: evidence from recreational dispensaries in Illinois 1-year post-legalization

BackgroundIn the USA, an increasing number of states have legalized commercial recreational cannabis markets, allowing a private industry to sell cannabis to those 21 and older at retail locations known as dispensaries. Research on tobacco and alcohol suggests this new industry will use aggressive marketing tactics to attract new users and promote greater intensity of use. Of concern is that cannabis company advertising campaigns may be appealing to youth, promote false or misleading health claims, and disproportionately target low-income and minority communities. In this study, we evaluated recreational cannabis dispensary compliance with advertising regulations on social media in the state of Illinois.MethodsPrimary data were collected from a census of recreational dispensary Facebook and Twitter business pages during the first year of recreational sales in 2020. A quantitative content analysis was conducted to systematically analyze the data; a codebook that detailed a protocol for classifying posts was developed prior to the analysis using advertising regulations outlined in the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Violations of advertising regulations were organized into three categories: advertisements that may be appealing to youth (< 21 years old), advertisements that make health claims, and other advertising violations. The data were analyzed cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Additionally, differences in compliance were assessed by dispensary and neighborhood characteristics.ResultsThe results of the analysis revealed substantial and persistent non-compliance throughout the entire study period. Overall, nearly one third of posts had at least one violation and approximately one in ten posts met the criteria for appealing to youth or contained health claims. The majority of posts with health claims included health claims that were not qualifying conditions for medical cannabis access in the state of Illinois. No differences in compliance by neighborhood and dispensary characteristics were found.ConclusionsThe findings from this study suggest that systematic monitoring and enforcement is needed to ensure compliance with advertising regulations.

Rahvarõivakool Chicagos. Veebi vahendusel / National clothing course in Chicago, online

Between January 2021 and May 2023, the Estonian Cultural Society in Chicago collaborated with the NGO Rahvarõivas and provided a national clothing course for Estonians in the USA. The idea came from the Estonians in Chicago, building on NGO Rahvarõivas’ experience in providing national clothing schools since 2009. To unite the domestic and expatriate Estonian communities in understanding the intricate tradition of Estonian folk costumes, this comprehensive course spanned both theoretical and practical elements. The online format allowed participants from multiple U.S. states to join.&#x0D; This initiative attracted 12 people between the ages 13 to 76. Participants came from the states of Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Washington, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. At the final presentation, 12 exquisitely crafted ensembles representing 10 Estonian parishes were showcased. While most participants completed one ensemble, some accomplished two or even three sets of garments. The course encompassed 360 academic hours of classroom work, plus independent work. The curriculum was based on the supplementary education program established in Estonia in 2018.&#x0D; The course objectives were to ensure that both homeland and expatriate Estonian communities have the same understanding of Estonian folk clothing traditions. The curriculum included theoretical lectures from April to June to prepare participants for the practical phase beginning in September.&#x0D; The organisers and the teachers reviewed the entire curriculum together. Based on the technologies, they tried to anticipate possible obstacles and think of solutions ahead of time. Individual work plans were created, and materials were assembled. The participants who visited Estonia in the summer of 2021 had the opportunity to visit the museums with the teachers and were able to study the historical examples in their sets and determine the correct colors.&#x0D; The challenge of weaving patterned belts and skirt fabrics was addressed with innovative teaching methods. Video demonstrations, visual aids, verbal explanations, technique demonstrations, and drawn stitching patterns were employed to facilitate learning. The fact that the United States has a different type of loom made weaving the fabric difficult. The course’s most intricate aspect was understanding the weaving’s backside and its loose threads. The linen fabric and other materials were bought from Estonia, examples were made and sent to the USA. More work than usual was done with the preparation of work instructions and creating the outlines. &#x0D; The last stitches, fitting and dressing properly sessions were already done all together in Chicago this June. This culminated in a presentation of the completed ensembles just a week before Midsummer’s Eve, documented through photographs and videos.&#x0D; Both students and teachers celebrated the joy of completing the garments. The teachers gained great and necessary experience. The students plan to continue the project by introducing the finished garments to other Estonian communities in North America, thereby further promoting Estonian culture and traditions.&#x0D; This endeavour demonstrates the significance of adapting traditional practices to the challenges. The emotional and educational impact of this project is evident in the pride and emotions of the graduates, who crafted lasting memories and now plan to extend this legacy by sharing their knowledge and completed sets with other Estonian communities in the United States. The project embodies the enduring strength and unity of the Estonian culture and heritage within and beyond its borders.

Long-Term Outcomes of a Home- and Community-Based Services Program: Competing Risk Models

Purpose:The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of all-cause mortality, institutionalization, and condition improvement among participants of a state home- and community-based services program (HCBS).Methods:We evaluated the follow-up data of 11,444 individuals with disabilities aged 45–59 years at application who received services from the HCBS program from the state of Illinois. Statistical analysis was conducted using the cause-specific hazard and the subdistribution hazard regression models.Results:In all, 4,900 (42.8%) individuals died, 1,005 (8.8%) were institutionalized, and 1,980 (17.3%) improved at service closure. Males of older age, living with others, with a medical referral, a general physical debilitation, and receiving more service hours increased the risk of all-cause mortality. Middle-aged women with a physical orthopedic disability and a low number of service hours showed greater improvement.Conclusions:The risk of the outcomes was related to baseline characteristics, types of disabilities, and service factors. We also observed that demographic factors such as gender, race, and living arrangements affected the risks of the outcomes.

Abstract 409: Burden of Overdose in Young Adult Cardiac Arrest Cases

Introduction: Overdose related out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) are preventable devastating occurrences, often affecting young adults, leading to many years of productive life lost. The purpose of this study was to characterize overdose related OHCA over time and assess its excess burden in young adult cases in the state of Illinois. Methods: The Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) database was used. We excluded pediatric and trauma cases. Bivariate associations were assessed. Population attributable fractions (PAF) were also calculated. Results: During 2018 to 2022, a total of 23,637 non-traumatic adult OHCA cases were reported to CARES from Illinois (with a population catchment &gt;40% in 2022). Of these, 8.2% (N=1,928) were overdose related. Overdose accounts for 9.5% of the OHCA in males, and 5.9% in females. By race and ethnicity, 9.6% of cases in Hispanics, 9.3% in Blacks and 7.3% in Whites are due to overdose. The number of overdose related OHCA peaked in 2020 (n=449); however, 2022 (n=432) contributed to the historically highest proportion of overdose related OHCA (8.5%). While the overall mean age for OHCA was 63.7 (SD=17) years with a peak at 60 years, the mean age for overdose cases was 44.7 (SD=13.5) with a peak at 50 years. While young adults (18-34-year-olds) have a lower likelihood of cardiac arrests accounting for only 6% of the total OHCA, they contribute 26% of the overdose OHCA. Young adult OHCA cases are nearly six times more likely to be overdose related (Relative Risk=5.5; 95% CI: 5.0 - 6.0) as compared to older cases. In terms of population impact, 21% of the overdose related OHCA are attributed to young adult cases (PAF=0.212). If young adults had the same risk of overdose-related OHCA as older cases, we would expect 408 fewer overdose-related OHCA, and the rate of overdose-related OHCA would drop from 8.2% to 6.4%. Similarly, for adults &lt;40 years of age, 31% of the overdose related cardiac arrests are attributed to these young cases (PAF=0.309), and we would expect 596 fewer cases had the risk of overdose related OHCA been same as older cases. Conclusion: Overdose related OHCAs represent a significant burden in younger patients. Prevention strategies that reduce the burden of overdose related OHCA should be a public health priority.

Updated Trends in Incidence and Survival of Mantle Cell Lymphoma from 2000 to 2020

While the incidence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) has declined ~1% per year (Y) since 2015, it is not known if this trend holds true for mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) 17 database includes MCL data collected from 12 US states between 2000 and 2013. However, since the launch of the new SEER 22 database, there has not yet been a study analyzing MCL trends. SEER 22 added seven more years of follow up (up to 2020) compared to SEER 17 (up to 2013), as well as the states of Illinois, Texas, Idaho, Massachusetts, and New York to the 12 states of SEER 17. Here we provide updated trends in MCL incidence and survival using the SEER 22 database, with subset analysis of age, race, and gender. Age-adjusted incidence (per 100,000 Persons/Y) of reported MCL cases were extracted from SEER 22 and tabulated at 5Y intervals (2000-2019). We found an initial increase in MCL incidence from 0.675 (2000-2004) to 0.789 (2005-2009) to 0.833 (2010-2014), followed by a slight decrease to 0.826 (2015-2019) (Fig. 1A). Using the SEER*Stat platform, we calculated the Annual Percent Change (APC) of MCL incidence from 2000 to 2019. The APC is a standard way to statistically characterize trends in MCL rates over time assuming the rates are to change at a constant percentage of the rate of the previous year. While the MCL APC from 2000 to 2014 was +2.02% signaling an annual increase, that for the years 2015 to 2019 was -0.49% indicating an average 0.49% annual decline in MCL incidence since 2015. This decline was found to be statistically significant when compared the 2000-2014 APC. Unsurprisingly, the incidence of MCL in 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, declined to 0.767 compared to 0.814 in 2019, translating into a -5.77% percent change (PC). The PC was calculated as follows: PC=100 x [rate (2020)/rate (2019)-1]. This decrease in MCL rate is less pronounced than the -7.76% PC in NHL incidence in 2020. While these remarkable PCs reflect a drop in reporting and delayed/postponed diagnosis during the first year of the pandemic, the MCL incidence is expected to be less affected considering the aggressive nature of this disease prompting immediate diagnosis and medical care. Notably, the PC in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) incidence in 2020 compared to 2019 was -3.77%, which contrasts with a larger PC of -8.69% in follicular lymphoma (FL). While DLBCL is aggressive and warrants immediate attention, FL is indolent, and diagnosis tended to be postponed during the early months of the pandemic. Collectively, the observed decrease in MCL incidence in 2020 could potentially reflect a real trend in the continuous MCL decline over time. When we included the 2020 data in the APC analysis, the 2014-2020 APC further decreased to -0.89% compared to -0.49% (2014-2019). The initial increase in MCL incidence (2000-2014) can be explained by improved reporting (access to electronic medical records, MCL being reported as MCL rather than NHL) and improved diagnostic identification of MCL (SOX11, CD5-negative MCL, indolent MCL, adoption of colonoscopy leading to early MCL detection). Following the observed peak in 2014, MCL incidence seems to follow the overall NHL downward trend. Subset analysis of age, gender, and race will be included in the presentation. Overall, we observed no major trends, except for an uptrend in the MCL incidence in the Black population potentially reflecting improved access to healthcare. To compare trends in MCL survival, we analyzed the 5Y observed overall survival (OS). Additionally, we calculated the relative survival rate (RSR) as the ratio of the observed OS divided by the expected OS of an age-matched comparable group from the general population. The 5Y observed OS improved over time: 45.2% (2000-2004), 49.1% (2005-2009), 53.8% (2010-2014), and 57.1% (2015-2019). This translated in a marked improvement in the 5Y RSR reaching 65.5% in 2015-2019. Unfortunately, while the 5Y RSR of the Hispanic population improved over time, it continues to be significantly lower than the non-Hispanic populations, reflecting either a disparity in access to healthcare or an overall worse prognosis. This dramatically contrasts with the 5Y RSR of the Black population, which once was among the lowest (47.3%, 2000-2004), became the highest 72.5%, (2015-2019) reflecting not only a better access to healthcare, but also a shift to a previously unrecognized better overall prognosis of MCL in Black patients (Fig. 1B).

31 Alternative Housing for Beef Cow/Calf Producers: A Survey of Management Practices and Health Concerns

Abstract The objective of this survey was to assess how building designs impact management practices and health concerns in confinement-housed beef cow-calf operations. This oral-based, on-farm survey collected responses from 20 cow-calf producers across the state of Illinois who were currently using an alternative housing system. The survey consisted of 94 questions based on 10 categories: demographics, housing, technology use, herd health and nutrition, pasture, manure management, cover crops, feed storage, water, and genetics. There were a variety of question types including multiple choice, select all that apply, open-ended, ranking of importance, and scale from one to ten. Results were analyzed based on respondents building design type (monoslope; n = 6, gable frame; n = 5, and hoop; n = 9). For the producers utilizing a monoslope, 66.7% had cow inventories of 150 or more, whereas 60% of gable frame users had inventories of 150 or more, and 44.4% of hoop building users had inventories of 150 cows or more. For the producers utilizing a monoslope, 16.7% had rubber covered concrete slat flooring, 33.3% had a clay/lime-based flooring, and 50% had concrete flooring. For the producers utilizing a gable frame, 0% had slats, 60% had lime, and 40% had concrete. For the producers utilizing a hoop building, 0% had slats, 88.9% had lime, and 11.1% had concrete. When assessing drylot access, 0% of monoslope users were allowing cows access to a drylot compared with 40% of gable frame users and 66.67% of hoop building users. Most monoslope users (83%) had 6 months or more of under-roof manure storage, whereas 0% of gable frame users did, and only 11.1% of hoops users did. For those utilizing a monoslope, 50% were creep feeding for 4 months or more compared with 80% of gable frame users and 12.5% of hoop building users. For producers utilizing a monoslope, 60% responded cows were over-conditioned, 40% said properly conditioned, and 0% said under-conditioned. For gable frame users, 50% responded cows were over-conditioned, 50% said properly conditioned, and 0% said under-conditioned. For hoop building users, 44.5% responded cows were over-conditioned, 55.5% said properly conditioned, and 0% said cows were under-conditioned. When asked to rank calf issues, 67% of monoslope producers ranked scours first, compared with 40% of gable frame users, and 44% of hoop building users. None of the monoslope users ranked calf respiratory first whereas 40% of those with gable frame did and 22% of hoop building users did. For naval issues, 33.3% of monoslope ranked it first, compared with 20% of gable frame users, and 33% of hoop building users. In conclusion, building design type influenced management practices and health issue concerns.

27 Quality Variation in Beef Chuck Eye Rolls Sourced from a Commercial Processor

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate quality variation in beef Chuck Eye rolls (IMPS 116D). Beef Chuck Rolls (IMPS 116A) were purchased from a commercial meat packer and fabricated to obtain beef Chuck Eye Rolls (IMPS 116D). Cases were transported to the Illinois State University Meat Lab and hand-sliced into 2.54 cm boneless beef Chuck Eye steaks (IMPS 1116D) (n = 161). Each roll contained between 7 to 10 steaks for use in further meat quality analyses in accordance with in-plant procedures. Upon slicing, steaks were allowed to bloom for 15 minutes and then used in subsequent quality analysis including color, cook loss, and tenderness evaluation. Instrumental color measurements [L* (lightness), a* (redness), b* (yellowness)] were taken for each steak in duplicate with a HunterLab Miniscan XE Plus Spectrophotometer using a D65 illuminant, 100 observer, and 35-mm aperture. All steaks were cooked to a final internal temperature of 71° C. Steaks then underwent cook loss evaluation as well as tenderness analysis via Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF). Statistical analysis was performed using the Proc MIXED procedure of SAS to estimate variance components of steak quality in a nested design (steak within roll within case). For all response variables, the standard error was large for the case term. Ranges of observed response values were: L* 28.03-52.15, a* 14.55-27.82, b* 12.78-25.32, cook loss 17.58-61.11, shearforce 2.10-5.86. Variance components in L* and a* values followed similar patterns in which the greatest amount of variance was contributed by steak, followed by case, followed by roll (L* 13.541 (P &amp;lt; 0.001) vs. 9.035 (P = 0.1790) vs. 1.958 (P = 0.1839) and a* 4.055 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001) vs. 1.605 ( P= 0.2124) vs. 0.632 (P = 0.1746). Case, roll, and steak contributed variance almost equally for b* though two variance components were statistically different from zero σ2case =2.133 (P = 0.2344) σ2roll = 1.627 (P = 0.0335) σ2steak = 2.37 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Case contributed approximately 1.5 times the variance in cook loss when compared with steak (σ2case = 43.687 (P = 0.1387) vs. σ2steak=29.471 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001)) and approximately 3.5 times more than roll ( σ2case = 43.687 vs. σ2roll = 12.077 (P = 0.0565)). The largest impact on variance in shearforce values came from steak whereas case and roll contributed almost equally (shearforce σ2case = 0.0256 (P = 0.3894)σ2roll = 0.0333 (P = 0.2040) σ2steak = 0.2454 (P &amp;lt; 0.0001)). Some correlations were observed: L*:a* (-0.46, P &amp;lt; 0.0001), L*:b* (-0.07, P = 0.3979), L*:cookloss (0.166, P = 0.0422), and cookloss:shearforce (0.274, P = 0.0007). As lower-cost alternatives to traditional center of the plate cuts continue to grow in popularity among large volume purchasers, it is important to evaluate potential differences in quality attributes. Further evaluation of the impact of case as well as steak within Chuck Eye roll on individual steak quality is warranted.

Nonlinear modelling of the association between winter weather severity and maintenance expenditures

The winter weather severity plays a crucial role in determining the resources required for winter maintenance activities. This study utilized nonlinear models to examine the relationship between winter weather variables (temperature, wind speed, and snowfall) and winter maintenance expenditures (labor, material, and equipment) based on data from the state of Illinois. The data were collected and aggregated by year and district to align with the expenditure data, and the state was divided into three climatic zones, with separate models developed for each. The ROUT method was employed to identify and eliminate outliers before conducting nonlinear modelling. The best-fitting model was selected using cross-validation and R2 evaluation. The results demonstrate that the chosen nonlinear models effectively depict the connection between winter weather and winter maintenance expenses. These findings can aid agencies in efficiently allocating resources for winter maintenance.

The Relationship of Vaccine Uptake and COVID-19 Infections Among Nursing Home Staff and Residents in Missouri: A Measure of Risk by Community Mobility.

As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed across the United States, older adults living in nursing home (NH) facilities were disproportionately affected because of living in communal spaces with close proximity to others, age-related medical conditions, and constant contact with staff who may support multiple clients and facilities. While these populations are particularly at risk, there has been limited research focused on the management of the potential vectors of COVID-19 infection. Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) COVID-19 reporting system assessing weekly observations of COVID-19 case counts among NH residents and COVID-19 vaccination rates among NH staff and residents in the states of Missouri and Illinois (n = 877) from May 24, 2021, to August 28, 2021, were used. This ecological study, using results from the CMS COVID-19 reporting system, local COVID-19 rates, and NH-level demographic characteristics, conducted a zero inflation mode to determine the association between NH staff vaccine uptake and COVID-19 cases among NH residents. Among the total 11 195 weekly observations within the NH facilities, zero cases of COVID-19 were reported during 10 683 (95%) of those weeks, supporting the use of a zero-inflated model. Results show that staff vaccination rates were significantly associated with a decrease in COVID-19 mortality. This study identified that for every percentage increase in staff vaccine coverage, the rate of COVID-19 among residents decreased by 2%. These findings suggest that NH staff vaccination rates are significantly associated with the rate of COVID-19 outbreaks among NH residents. Community median income was associated with an increased likelihood of infection. Future research that explores associations with employment benefits and staff mobility, particularly in vulnerable populations, should be implemented in future vaccination strategic planning.

Book Review Symposium: Women Abuse in Rural Places

In this review symposium, four readers present their views on Walter DeKeseredy’s book, Woman Abuse in Rural Places. These reviews emerged from an author meets critics session at the 2022 annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology (Atlanta, Georgia). The four reviewers were: (1) Venessa Garcia, Criminal Justice Program, New Jersey City University; (2) Deena A. Isom, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of South Carolina; (3) Jessica Peterson, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Southern Oregon University; and (4) Ralph Weisheit, Department of Criminal Justice Sciences, Illinois State University. Walter DeKeseredy then addresses the various comments of the reviewers with a response titled “If I had to do it again”.

Electoral Proximity and Issue-Specific Responsiveness

Abstract Do elections increase responsiveness of legislators to their constituents? Previous studies that examine the effect of electoral proximity have been unable to hold the roll-call agenda constant and control for differences in unobserved covariates between legislators. This paper utilizes a natural experiment in four state legislatures—Arkansas, Illinois, Florida, and Texas—where term length was randomly assigned. This design compares the responsiveness to constituency opinion of those randomly assigned to a two-year term to those assigned a four-year term on different issue areas, like the economy, environment, and crime. I find no evidence for an electoral proximity effect on responsiveness. In addition, in the Illinois State Senate, the causal effect of electoral proximity on responsiveness is measured on several individual roll-call votes, including the legalization of medical marijuana and gay marriage.

Using the transportation problem to build a congestion/threshold constrained spatial accessibility model

As the COVID-19 pandemic has shown, congestion is an important component in access to medical care. This study expands congestion-based accessibility research by imposing upper limits on demand levels and introducing minimum demand thresholds at individual facilities using the bounded transportation problem to develop different variants of congestion/threshold constrained accessibility metrics. The results of these models were compared against the rational agent access model (RAAM) (Saxon and Snow, 2020) for measuring access to intensive care unit (ICU) beds in the state of Illinois. First, congestion constrained models have more demand sites with a flow link to a single facility resulting in more equalization of costs at these demand sites. Second, one form of these models is guaranteed to have lower objective costs with respect to congestion and travel times than the RAAM model. Third, these methods can flatten the congestion curve across facilities more than the RAAM model. Finally, the inclusion of a lower threshold on the number of potential patients is viewed as a more realistic assumption as hospital services must operate at a minimum operating level to be economically feasible. Congestion/threshold constrained accessibility metrics show important tradeoffs between the even distribution of congestion/thresholds at facilities and travel times with respect to demand sites.

Wikipedia Pages for Underrepresented Archivists: Creating Representation through an SAA Foundation Grant-Funded Documentation Project

ABSTRACT In spring 2019, university archivist April Anderson-Zorn and special formats cataloger Eric Willey, both at Illinois State University (ISU), submitted a grant request to the Society of American Archivists (SAA) Foundation. The team requested funds to hire an ISU graduate student to create content for Wikipedia pages for underrepresented archivists. The grant aimed to fill a content gap on the site by including the biographies of female, Black, LGBTQ+, and other underrepresented archivists to highlight their accomplishments in the profession. With the help of graduate student Stephanie Collier, the project surpassed its original goal of fifteen pages, with over forty pages now on Wikipedia. Though Collier was successful in her efforts, she experienced setbacks throughout the process, including biases and harassment from some Wikipedia editors. This article reviews the literature on the history of Wikipedia and bias found within the Wikipedia community, provides an overview of the project, discusses privacy concerns in creating Wikipedia pages, and suggests the next steps for continuing the work to bring representation for underrepresented archivists to the Wikipedia platform. The article also examines Collier's experience working to bring representation to archivists while completing a graduate degree in history in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Illinois governor renames MH center for Elizabeth Packard

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) on Aug. 9 announced a new name for the McFarland Mental Health Center. By executive proclamation, it is now officially the Elizabeth Parsons Ware Packard Mental Health Center. On signage and in common use, it will become known simply as the Packard Mental Health Center, a news release stated. Located on the south side of Springfield, the psychiatric hospital employs more than 250 staff and supports over 120 patients with serious mental illness on a 24/7 basis. “Today, we are putting a spotlight on the real hero associated with this institution, someone who in truth better expresses our proud history of positive reform and someone who changed our world for the better,” said Pritzker. “Here in Illinois, we are committed to righting the wrongs of the past wherever we can. Renaming this center in honor of Elizabeth Packard, who founded the Anti‐Insane Asylum Society and pushed multiple states to reform their laws to better recognize the rights of mental health patients, is an important step in the right direction.” The name change was initiated by staff at IDHS/Division of Mental Health and was supported by grassroots advocates in an online petition. The announcement comes at a time when IDHS is further transforming its approach to the care of individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1860, Packard was institutionalized against her will in the (now‐closed) Illinois State Asylum and Hospital for the Insane in Jacksonville. At the time, Illinois law allowed men to have their wives involuntarily committed. Packard disagreed with her husband, a Calvinist priest, over religious doctrine, and on issues including women's rights and slavery. This renaming reflects the state's commitment to righting the wrongs of the past, while celebrating the contributions of those who have historically been overlooked. “The symbolism of changing the name of this institution is so important as we continue to work toward the equity of women in our society,” said Vickie Smith, president and CEO, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Enhanced detection of mpox virus in wastewater using a pre-amplification approach: A pilot study informing population-level monitoring of low-titer pathogens

A recent outbreak of the mpox virus (MPXV) occurred in non-endemic regions of the world beginning in May 2022. Pathogen surveillance systems faced pressure to quickly establish response protocols, offering an opportunity to employ wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for population-level monitoring. The pilot study reported herein aimed to: (i) develop a reliable protocol for MPXV DNA detection in wastewater which would reduce false negative reporting, (ii) test this protocol on wastewater from various regions across the United States, and (iii) conduct a state of the science review of the current literature reporting on experimental methods for MPXV detection using WBE. Twenty-four-hour composite samples of untreated municipal wastewater were collected from the states of New Jersey, Georgia, Illinois, Texas, Arizona, and Washington beginning July 3rd, 2022 through October 16th, 2022 (n = 60). Samples underwent vacuum filtration, DNA extraction from captured solids, MPXV DNA pre-amplification, and qPCR analysis. Of the 60 samples analyzed, a total of eight (13%) tested positive for MPXV in the states of Washington, Texas, New Jersey, and Illinois. The presence of clade IIb MPXV DNA in these samples was confirmed via Sanger sequencing and integration of pre-amplification prior to qPCR decreased the rate of false negative detections by 87% as compared to qPCR analysis alone. Wastewater-derived detections of MPXV were compared to clinical datasets, with 50% of detections occurring as clinical cases were increasing/peaking and 50% occurring as clinical cases waned. Results from the literature review (n = 9 studies) revealed successful strategies for the detection of MPXV DNA in wastewater, however also emphasized a need for further method optimization and standardization. Overall, this work highlights the use of pre-amplification prior to qPCR detection as a means to capture the presence of MPXV DNA in community wastewater and offers guidance for monitoring low-titer pathogens via WBE.

Knowing What We Don't Know: A Survey of School Nurse Information Needs.

Providing complex care for students requires an informed school nurse workforce. However, school nurses, many of whom work independently, may not know where to find necessary information. This study seeks to understand the information needs of school nurses by conducting a needs assessment survey within the state of Illinois. A survey was disseminated through three statewide professional listservs to determine the types of care-related questions school nurses ask as part of their regular duties and which resources they use to answer those questions. School nurses' information needs vary widely, and they rely on numerous sources to answer clinical questions. They are responsible for the well-being of hundreds to thousands of children. While they are comfortable searching for information, they are motivated to further develop research skills.