I-74 Iowa/Illinois Corridor Study Aesthetic Design Guideline April 6, 2009

The I-74 Aesthetic Design Guideline (ADG) document has two primary goals: To establish and identify an overall design theme To prioritize enhancement opportunities within the framework of corridor elements The recommendations of this report have been developed based on an “unconstrained” framework for future corridor–wide enhancements. Future funding availability, along with the recommendations of this report, will guide the final design process. ADG Future Uses: This document is intended to be used as a reference to future processes in the following ways: Guidance for I-74 final design teams Reference document for future local community redevelopment initiatives Inspiration for identification and development of other I-74 corridor aesthetic enhancement opportunities Process: As illustrated in Figure 1.3, the overall process for corridor aesthetics began traditionally with inventory and identification of potential aesthetic applications. The ADG does not document all the reports and presentations related to these early design stages, but has incorporated these efforts into the design theme, guiding principles and prioritized enhancements shown on the following pages of this report. The I-74 final design phase will incorporate these recommendations into the project. The consultant design team and representatives of the DOTs have worked with the CAAT members to facilitate community input and have helped develop recommendations for improving I-74 corridor aesthetics. CAAT recommendations have been advanced to the I-74 Advisory Committee for review and endorsement. Both DOTs have reviewed the CAAT recommendations and have endorsed the contents of this report. Figure 1.4 illustrates the status of corridor aesthetic design development. As of the date of this report, aesthetic design is approximately 50% complete. Future detailed design, cost evaluation, feasibility and prioritizations all need to occur for this process to be successfully completed.

Board examination for anatomical pathology in Switzerland: two intense days to verify professional competence.

About 15 years ago, the Swiss Society of Pathology has developed and implemented a board examination in anatomical pathology. We describe herein the contents covered by this 2-day exam (autopsy pathology, cytology, histopathology, molecular pathology, and basic knowledge about mechanisms of disease) and its exact modalities, sketch a brief history of the exam, and finish with a concise discussion about the possible objectives and putative benefits weighed against the hardship that it imposes on the candidates.

Iowa connections : get on board with passenger rail!

Iowa's rail network offers a great opportunity for passenger rail service, connecting Iowa's largest urban areas to Chicago and potential other Midwest metropolitan centers. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), working with the state of Illinois, Iowa cities, planning organizations and advocacy groups, has created a bold new vision called Iowa Connections. The vision will create a passenger rail network that connects Iowans to each other and the country, and makes Iowa a more attractive place to live, work and visit.

Issue review : fiscal year 2011 general fund budget projection.

This issue review provides an overall summary of Iowa's general fund budget. This issue review provides projections for the 2010 fiscal year and fiscal year 2011 budgets based on the October 7, 2009 revenue estimating conference's (REC) revenue estimate. The projection also includes the impact of the Governor's 10 percent across-the-board reduction to fiscal year 2010 general fund appropriations, and the Legislative Services Agency's most recent estimates of built-in and anticipated expenditures for fiscal year 2011.

Issue review : school district cash reserve levy.

During the recent economic crisis, school district budgets have been impacted by state school aid funding shortfalls and state aid reductions due to across-the-board general fund reductions in fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2010. Additionally, in fiscal year 2011, the state school aid appropriation was capped and was 156.1 million dollars short of fully funding the state portion of the school aid formula. This issue review examines the impact that the reductions in state aid have had on school district cash reserve levies.

Issue review : Instructional support program funding inequities.

School districts may receive funding for the instructional support program subject to school board or voter approval. Program funding is based on a formula that includes a local funding provision, property tax and income surtax and a state aid component. When initially implemented, state aid was distributed through a formula designed to provide property tax equity and equalize the property tax burden between school districts. Since the initial year of the program, the state aid portion has not been fully funded and in fiscal year 2012, no state dollars were appropriated for the program. The result of underfunding the state-aid portion of the program has led to an inequity in the amount of funds school districts receive from the program. In fiscal year 2012, the portion of actual program funding for school districts ranged from a low of 52.6 percent to a high of 92.8 percent. This issue review examines the inequity in more detail.

Role of MicroRNAs in Islet Beta-Cell Compensation and Failure during Diabetes.

Pancreatic beta-cell function and mass are markedly adaptive to compensate for the changes in insulin requirement observed during several situations such as pregnancy, obesity, glucocorticoids excess, or administration. This requires a beta-cell compensation which is achieved through a gain of beta-cell mass and function. Elucidating the physiological mechanisms that promote functional beta-cell mass expansion and that protect cells against death, is a key therapeutic target for diabetes. In this respect, several recent studies have emphasized the instrumental role of microRNAs in the control of beta-cell function. MicroRNAs are negative regulators of gene expression, and are pivotal for the control of beta-cell proliferation, function, and survival. On the one hand, changes in specific microRNA levels have been associated with beta-cell compensation and are triggered by hormones or bioactive peptides that promote beta-cell survival and function. Conversely, modifications in the expression of other specific microRNAs contribute to beta-cell dysfunction and death elicited by diabetogenic factors including, cytokines, chronic hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and oxidized LDL. This review underlines the importance of targeting the microRNA network for future innovative therapies aiming at preventing the beta-cell decline in diabetes.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board, 2007 Findings

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board Annual Report, 2009

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board Annual Report, 2010

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board Annual Report, 2011

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board Annual Report, 2012

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board Annual Report, 2006

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.

Iowa Child Advocacy Board Annual Report, 2008

The Iowa Child Advocacy Board (ICAB) is an independent board composed of nine members appointed by the Governor of Iowa and confirmed by the Iowa Senate. ICAB establishes policies and procedures for two volunteer child advocacy programs: the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program and the Iowa Citizen Foster Care Review Boards programs.