Search

The purpose of the current study was to identify stressors of Black family caregivers (FCGs) of persons with memory problems (PWMPs), services of interest, and barriers to use of these services. Black FCGs were recruited from the Alzheimer's family program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and affiliated geriatric clinics, media sources, and word-of-mouth referrals. Of 38 Black FCGs interviewed, 26 (68%) were female, 18 (47%) were employed, and 21 (55%) were adult children. Average age of FCGs was 52.11 years. Mean scores for the AD8 Dementia Screening Scale (mean = 13.95, SD = 2.17) and Clinical Dementia Scale Sum of Boxes (mean = 7.29, SD = 0.87) were higher than clinical cutoffs. The most common stressors for Black FCGs were PWMPs' inability to remember who they were, managing care recipients' financial affairs, and managing PWMPs' comorbid conditions. FCGs were most interested in educational material regarding treatment and diagnosis (55.3%), caring for people with dementia (52.6%), understanding dementia (52.6%), and financial/legal services (52.6%). FCGs stated that transportation difficulties and the need for a relief person were barriers to use of services. Results suggest that Black FCGs may be more likely to participate in interventions that include virtual conferencing modalities. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 48(6), 13–18.], Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, currently affects 6.5 million people aged ≥65 years (Alzheimer's Association, 2022). Providing support to a person with AD is often a [...]

During the past 15 years, Las Vegas successfully transformed itself from an adult playground to a family destination--at least for a while. but today, 'sophisticated' and 'sexy' are the latest [...]

During the past 15 years, Las Vegas has successfully transformed itself from an adult playground to a Family destination. But today, sophisticated and sexy are once again buzzwords on the [...]

Independent pet retailers are facing increasingly stiff competition from large pet superstore chains and discounters which have begun to appear in many metropolitan areas. In many instances, small pet shops were simply overwhelmed by the low prices and massive marketing efforts of their larger competitors. However, small pet retail operators can fight back by providing something the big superstores cannot: personalized customer service. The impact of the large chains on the pet industry cannot be ignored, but independent retailers can also successfully compete.

The pet food market has become more competitive as private labels try to outdo the more established brand name products. Pet food manufacturers resort to private labeling since their own brands do not sell. Consumers have also become more price-conscious, prompting retailers to lower their prices to keep pace with the newer private label products. While such diversity in the pet food market benefits consumers, pet distributors bear the brunt of the sudden drop in prices.

Ferret advocates and owners are lobbying for the lifting of the ban on the ownership of ferrets in California, Utah and Hawaii. Ferret lovers insist that ferrets have been domesticated since the time of the ancient Egyptians and have thus been bred to bond well with humans. They cannot transmit rabies, do not become feral and can be trained for a variety of uses, such controlling rats. They have received a bad reputation only because they have been confused with closely related animals such as the black-footed ferret and the polecat.

Suggestions are presented to introduce primary pupils to contemporary music by using shapes, sounds and colors. This encourages students to use their creativity and talent and improvise music.

Cathy Scott and Eilidh Corr, on p 120, set out why they still find being a vet satisfying and enjoyable and what might need to change for others to experience the same.

American taxpayers have several options for saving and investing for retirement. The recent shift from company-sponsored defined-benefit pension plans to 401(k) defined-contribution plans, along with the uncertainties associated with Social [...]

In this article, the author discusses the importance of using technology in education for Millennial (generation Y), and mentions a study by Educause Center for Analysis and Research regarding use of technology for education.

The article offers tips on how to conduct citizen science projects, a scientific research by amateur scientists, for K-12 students which include factors to consider such as age, season, and interests of both students and teacher, timeline for data collection, and funding sources.

San Diego Mesa College's Animal Health Technology Program is one of the best veterinary technology programs in the US. The two-year animal health technology program teaches students about basic veterinary care including anaesthetics, suturing, dental care and clinical laboratory procedures. Several students noted that the two-year program allows them to study while considering future plans.

A statewide ban on ferrets has recently been overruled in Utah. Ferret enthusiasts hope that similar bans in Michigan and Massachusetts can be lifted soon. Despite these developments, California continues to implement its ban on ferrets, citing numerous cases of ferret attacks against infants and young children. However, numerous animal advocates believe that such charges are baseless and that the ban was merely enacted to protect the interests of the poultry industry.

Bill Phillips, an attorney for the California Domestic Ferret Assn., is fighting for the lifting of the California Dept. of Fish and Game's ban on the ownership of ferrets in the state. California, Hawaii and Utah are the three remaining states which have a ban on the ownership of ferrets. Phillips vows to bring the fight to legalize the ownership of ferrets from California to the two other states. He claims that the ban on ferrets is based on the erroneous idea that ferrets can multiply rapidly in the wild if they escape.

The cloning of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R) gene from human melanocytes and the demonstration that these cells respond to the melanocortins α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) with increased proliferation and melanogenesis have renewed the interest in investigation the physiological role of these hormones in regulating human pigmentation. α-Melanocyte stimulating hormone and ACTH are both synthesized in the human epidermis, and their synthesis is upregulated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Activation of the MC1R by ligand binding results in stimulation of cAMP formation, which is a principal mechanism for inducing melanogenesis. The increase in cAMP is required for the pigmentary response of human melanocytes to UVR, and for allowing them to overcome the UVR-induced G1 arrest. Treatment of human melanocytes with α-MSH increases eumelanin synthesis, an effect that is expected to enhance photoprotection of the skin. Population studies have revealed more than 20 allelic variants of the MC1R gene. Some of these variants are overexpressed in individuals with skin type I or II, red hair, and poor tanning ability. Future studies will aim at further exploration of the role of these variants in MC1R function, and in determining constitutive human pigmentation, the response to sun exposure, and possibly the susceptibility to skin cancer.Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings (1999) 4, 29–34; doi:10.1038/sj.jidsp.5640177

Preventing perinatal transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important part of strategies to prevent HBV-related disease. To help prevent perinatal transmission the Louisiana Office of Public Health began in 1990 a statewide program to track children of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers. We examined data from this program to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and to assess the value of serologic testing in the program.

Focuses on crimes in the United States, highlighting the death of Orlando `Little Lando' Anderson, a member of a Los Angeles gang known as the Southside Crips, who was suspected in the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur and referencing to the murder of rapper Biggie Smalls or Notorious B.I.G. Information on the events which led to the death of Anderson; Questions whether the police's failure to solve murders is because the victims are black; Background information on Shakur and Smalls.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles about pieceworks that were published in previous issues including "Notions," in the March/April 2010 issue, "Seeking Information," in the May/June 2010, and "By Post," in the March/April 2010 issue.

The article discusses how music plays a role at Haibin Middle School in Shenzhen, China where the author visited. The school's schedule allows for 10-minute breaks in-between classes during which music is played. The music instruction staff includes a former Beijing Opera performer and a band teacher. It is noted that some of the music teachers were frustrated by the textbooks that they were required to use.

The author describes a music project he designed for use with Year 7 pupils in Great Britain. In lessons based on aleatoric or "chance" music, he has pupils work with a game board that leads them to add random sounds, musical notes, or melody fragments to a musical score which they then perform. He discusses voice sounds, musical instruments, and performance criticisms as part of the lessons, and he notes the resulting contentious discussion about what music is.

Reports on the announcement that Joan Athen, the community college advisor at the U.S. Dept. of Education, will not have the official title of community college liaison standard among her predecessors. Career background of Athen; Duties of Athen at the department; Plans of Athen to implement the Education Department strategic plans.

The article reports on the plan of Altegris to double the size of its internal wholesaling team and expand its strategic relations team over the next 12 months from October 2012. According to Dick Pfister, global head of sales and consulting, the expansion follows the need to provide a higher level of servicing for alternative investment strategies as well as expectations that the 401(k) and defined contribution investment-only (DCIO) markets will allocate assets to alternatives.

The article reports on the plan of Ariel Investments to launch a marketing tune-up exercise by early 2013 and hold its first-ever client conference in the spring to celebrate its 30th anniversary. The company is also launching a major advertising campaign around the anniversary and is making its foray into the social media space. For its marketing materials and corporate logo, Ariel is placing a greater emphasis on the hare as part of its Tortoise and the Hare theme.

The article reports on the focus of State Street Global Advisors on its intermediary-sold sales efforts on exchange traded funds (ETF) strategists.

The article announces several executive hiring at Saturna Capital Corp., including Paul Meeks, Scott Klimo and Christina Yap.

The article focuses on an actively managed exchange-traded fund of funds rolled out by AdvisorShares that employs a covered call overlay for a global tactical asset allocation (GTAA) strategy and protective put options to manage downside risk. The fund, which is called the Star Global Buy-Write ETF, will reportedly be the first ETF to use a covered call overlay against a GTAA strategy and the first to use put options.

The article reports on the plans of Legg Mason to change the investment strategy of an emerging markets fund and launch an Asian bond fund in 2012. Western Asset Management, an affiliate of Legg Mason, will introduce its first Asian bond fund in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Esemplia Emerging Markets intends to transform the Legg Mason Esemplia Emerging Markets Equity Fund into a long-short fund.

The article reports on the plan of alternatives firm Thesis Fund Management to hire up to six external wholesalers in 2012. The firm intends to enter a partnership with a major fund management firm. According to chief executive officer (CEO) Stephen Roseman, a number of numbers approached Thesis expressing interest in acquiring specialist alternatives managers.

The article reports on the plan of LPL Financial to add up to seven asset management firms to its Model Wealth Portfolios (MWP) platform. Executive John Moninger said these managers will act as strategists for the 8.5 billion U.S. dollars platform. MWP has already added exchange-traded funds (ETF) into some models in 2010 including BlackRock, Cougar Global Investments of Toronto and Quantitative Advisors.

The article reports on the plan of Touchstone Advisors to merge its Touchstone Emerging Markets Equity Fund II into Touchstone Emerging Markets Equity Fund.

The article reports on the impact of demand for enhanced customization and income guarantees on fund development initiatives at defined contribution investment-only managers (DCIO) in 2012. The entire asset management industry is said to be focusing on the DCIO market as it is projected to grow to 60% of total defined contribution assets by 2017. Companies entering the market include BlackRock, ING Investment Management, Legg Mason and Eaton Vance Investment Managers.

The article announces the plan of Aberdeen Asset Management to add five people to its eight-person marketing team and increase its marketing and advertising budget by 50% each year over the next two years.

The article reports on the plan of Virtus Investment Partners to merge four equity funds into two.

The article focuses on a global tactical asset allocation (GTAA) exchange-traded fund (ETF) called Global Alpha & Beta ETF launched by AdvisorShares which will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on July 11, 2012. The fund includes only two small funds, the 6.7 million-dollar Dent Tactical ETF and the recently launched 9 million-dollar Arrow Dow Jones Global Yield ETF. Analyst Robert Goldsborough stated that it is unclear what category the lobal Alpha & Beta ETF will fall.

The article reports on the preparation being made by Cambria Investment Management for its four actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETfs). Cambria filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for exemptive relief to launch actively managed ETFs that would report their portfolio holdings every day. The actively managed fund of index ETFs has garnered more than 170 million dolalrs in assets since it was launched in October 2010.

The article reports on the search of ALPS for a national accounts head to oversee its 16 external wholesalers.

The article reports on the plan of BlackRock to merge its 765 million-dollar BlackRock S&P 500 Index Fund and the 156.4 million-dollar BlackRock Index Equity Portfolio into the 330 million-dollar BlackRock S&P 500 Stock Fund. According to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the funds are feeders for two separate master funds that are also being merged. The funds are part of the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 500 Index category of Lipper.

The article reports on the plan of First Eagle Funds to recruit investment management firms and expand its product range as it focuses on the institutional client segment. According to Bridget Macaskill, First Eagle Funds' president and chief executive officer (CEO), the fund believes that it needs to diversify its lineup of funds in order to address the needs of investors.

The article reports on the changes made by F-Squared Investments to its AlphaSector Fixed-Income Indices with plans of better managing interest rate and credit risk. According to Howard Present, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the company, such change will mean an improvement in strategies tracking the indices. This will also affect the Virtus Allocator Premium AlphaSector Fund that F-Squared subadvises.

The article announces personnel changes at HSBC Global Asset Management (USA), including the recruitment of Julia Hoik as senior vice president (VP) of key accounts manager for offshore mutual funds, Mitchell Rind and the transfer of John Schiro to the new team.

The article announces the recruitment of Peter Warren as regional sales manager covering the Northeast by the Aquila Group of Funds.

The article reports on the decision of American Funds to transfer an external wholesaler to the registered investment advisor (RIA) channel and another five to the 401(k) channel from the wirehouse and broker-dealer channels. The company has also decided to implement changes to its fund lineup as a result of requests from financial intermediaries. Six salesmen have been assigned to the channel as a result of the added RIA wholesaler.

The article reports on the opportunities being opened up for asset managers in the subadvisory market due to shifts in traditional portfolio construction, according to Cerulli Associates. The company estimates that assets under the subadvisory category, including those for mutual funds, variable annuities and separately managed retail accounts, will reach 3.3 trillion dollars by year-end 2014.

The article reports on the plan of OppenheimerFunds to merge three target-date funds. The funds to be included in the merger are the Oppenheimer Transition 2030 Fund, the Oppenheimer Transition 2040 Fund and the Oppenheimer Transition 2050 Fund which will be absorbed by the Oppenheimer Active Allocation Fund. According to OppenheimerFunds, the acquiring fund will have a greater edge of attracting new assets.

The article reports on the decision of Columbia Management to revise the investment strategy of its Columbia Strategic Investor Fund in August 2012. The fund will be shifted to a global dividend strategy and will be called the Columbia Global Dividend Opportunity Fund. According to senior analyst Tom Roseen, the move is a result of strong investment demand for equity income products.

The article discusses the competition among asset managers for subadvisory mandates in the variable annuity market. It addresses their efforts to diversify their distribution channels and enhance brand awareness. The high demand for volatility control, tactical global asset allocation (GTAA) and mandates for specialty fixed-income and alternative strategies is addressed. Assets being lost by legacy variable annuity trusts to subadvisory mandates are also discussed.

The article reports on the plan of DoubleLine Capital to hire two to four external wholesalers and two product specialists over the rest of 2012 and early 2013 as part of its shift to a traditional wholesaling structure driven by the growth of assets under management.