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The question of what contributes to users' identification with media characters remains an open issue in research. Apart from media interactivity, user characteristics like gender, age, immersive tendencies, and factual transportation into the narrative are promising factors. Yet, research is still in its infancy, and the usage of different media limits cross-study comparability. Hence, the current study set out to examine predictors of character identification using a text-based fiction with purported interactivity which was inspired by interactive fiction (IF) games. In an online experiment, 228 participants aged 15-65 years were randomly assigned to either an active condition where they could choose from different options, or a passive condition where they only read the story. Additionally, participants filled out questionnaires assessing immersive tendencies, level of identification, and narrative transportation. A multiple linear regression model tested for predictors of character identification. Apart from age and gender which remained non-significant, interactivity, immersive tendencies, and transportation into narrative significantly predicted identification with the IF's main character. The current findings support theoretical models on media interactivity and identification, yet several open issues such as the role of media content (engaging vs. mundane) and character features (e.g., similarity with user) remain to be answered., Author(s): Anna Felnhofer [sup.1] [sup.2] , Lena Wittmann [sup.3] , Adelais Reichmann [sup.4] , Dorothea König-Teshnizi [sup.5] , Oswald D. Kothgassner [sup.2] [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.22937.3d, 0000 0000 9259 [...]

Recently reported major element, trace element, and volatile compositions of dacites erupted from Hekla Volcano, Iceland are inconsistent with an anatectic origin. In contrast, all of the data are consistent with dacitic melts being derived by modest amounts of crystallization of an anhydrous assemblage from an andesitic melt. Models that apply straightforward Gd, Yb, Th, and U concentrations, instead of ratios, to the problem show that the crystallization hypothesis remains valid, especially when uncertainties are propagated., Author(s): Dennis Geist [sup.1], Paul Wallace [sup.2], Karen Harpp [sup.1], Peter Oswald [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) https://ror.org/05d23ve83, grid.254361.7, 0000 0001 0659 2404, Geology Department, Colgate University, , 13460, Hamilton, NY, [...]

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is the gold-standard treatment for insomnia, which is common among breast cancer survivors (BCS). This pilot randomized controlled trial tested the first CBT-I intervention for Spanish-speaking BCS delivered using eHealth. Participants (N = 30) were Spanish-speaking BCS with insomnia symptoms recruited in Puerto Rico and randomized to a 6-week eHealth CBT-I group intervention or a waitlist control. Primary outcomes were acceptability (recruitment, treatment satisfaction) and feasibility (retention, attendance). Secondary outcomes were group differences in sleep outcomes post-treatment (i.e., insomnia symptoms, sleep disturbance, sleep efficiency). Recruitment (95%) and retention (97%) were excellent. All CBT-I participants (100%) attended [greater than or equal to] 3 of 6 sessions. Satisfaction with CBT-I was acceptable. Post-intervention, there were medium to large group differences for average insomnia symptoms (d = 1.02), sleep disturbance (d = 1.25), and sleep efficiency (d = 0.77) favoring CBT-I. There were small/medium to medium/large group differences for the proportion of participants with clinically significant insomnia symptoms (d = 0.52), sleep disturbance (d = 0.67), and low sleep efficiency (d = 0.33) favoring CBT-I. Spanish-language eHealth CBT-I for BCS was acceptable and feasible and showed preliminary efficacy. ClinicalTrials.gov TRN: NCT04101526 (Posted September 24, 2019)., Author(s): Laura B. Oswald [sup.1] , Jennifer Morales-Cruz [sup.2] , Sarah L. Eisel [sup.1] , Jocelyn Del Rio [sup.1] , Aasha I. Hoogland [sup.1] , Vanessa Ortiz-Rosado [sup.2] , Grace [...]

First described in 1938, edema disease (ED) causes edema in various tissues of the domestic pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), characterized by neurologic disorders (ataxia, convulsions, incoordination, and lateral decubitus with [...]

Predicting future stand yield as a function of current stand conditions is important to forest managers. Two machine-learning techniques, gradient boosting (GB) and random forests (RF), were used to predict stand mean height of dominant and codominant trees (HT), trees per hectare (Tree * [ha.sup.-1]), and basal area per hectare (BA * [ha.sup.-1]) based on data sets collected from extensively and intensively managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations in the West Gulf Coastal Plain region. Models were evaluated using coefficient of determination ([R.sup.2]) and bias by applying models to independent tests and validation data sets and then comparing to conventional statistical models (Coble-2017) currently being used in the region. For extensively managed plantations, the GB models had less bias than the RF models. For model precision ([R.sup.2]), the GB models were consistently better than the RF models, and the HT model was the best, followed by those of Tree * [ha.sup.-1] and BA * [ha.sup.-1]. Even for BA * [ha.sup.-1], the GB and RF models had [R.sup.2] over 0.81. GB and RF models outperformed the Coble-2017 model; differences were not substantial for Tree * [ha.sup.-1] but were significant for HT and BA * [ha.sup.-1] ([R.sup.2] = 0.96, 0.95, and 0.88 for HT and 0.84, 0.81, and 0.76 for BA). Important predictors identified by GB and RF and their contributions to the models were similar. For intensively managed plantations, GB and RF were similarly accurate in predicting HT and Tree * [ha.sup.-1], but GB outperformed RF in predicting BA * [ha.sup.-1] ([R.sup.2] = 0.87 versus 0.75). We conclude that both GB and RF, although the former is preferred, can be effective in predicting future stand attributes. Forest managers can use the models presented here to predict quantitative information required for managing loblolly pine plantations in the region. Key words: stand growth and yield, forest management, stand basal area, stand tree number. Il est important pour les gestionnaires forestiers de prevoir la production future des peuplements en fonction des conditions actuelles. Deux techniques d'apprentissage automatique: l'amplification du gradient (AG) et la foret aleatoire (FA), ont ete utilisees pour predire la hauteur moyenne des tiges dominantes et codominantes (HT) dans le peuplement, le nombre de tiges a l'hectare (tiges * [ha.sup.-1]) et la surface terriere a l'hectare (G * [ha.sup.-1]) sur la base de jeux de donnees recoltees dans des plantations de pin a encens (Pinus taeda L.) sous amenagement extensif ou intensif dans la plaine cotiere de la region ouest du golfe du Mexique. Les modeles ont ete evalues a l'aide du coefficient de determination ([R.sup.2]) et du biais en appliquant ces modeles a des jeux de donnees d'essai et de validation independants et ils ont ensuite ete compares a des modeles statistiques conventionnels (Coble-2017) actuellement utilises dans la region. Dans le cas des plantations sous amenagement extensif, les modeles AG avaient moins de biais que les modeles FA. Quant a la precision des modeles ([R.sup.2]), les modeles AG etaient constamment meilleurs que le modeles FA et le modele HT etait le meilleur suivi de ceux des tiges * [ha.sup.-1] et de G * [ha.sup.-1]. Meme dans le cas de G * [ha.sup.-1], les modeles AG et FA avaient des valeurs de [R.sup.2] superieures a 0,81. Les modeles AG et FA avaient une meilleure performance que le modele de Coble-2017; les differences n'etaient pas enormes dans le cas de tiges * [ha.sup.-1] mais elles etaient significatives dans le cas de HT et G * [ha.sup.-1] ([R.sup.2] = 0,96, 0,95 et 0,88 pour HT et 0,84, 0,81 et 0,76 pour G). Les predicteurs importants identifies par AG et FA et leurs contributions aux modeles etaient semblables. Dans le cas des plantations sous amenagement intensif, AG et FA etaient aussi exacts pour predire HT et tiges * [ha.sup.-1], mais AG etait plus performant que FA pour predire G * [ha.sup.-1] ([R.sup.2] = 0,87 contre 0,75). Nous concluons que les techniques AG aussi bien que FA, bien qu'on prefere le premier, peuvent predire efficacement les attributs futurs des peuplements. Les gestionnaires forestiers peuvent utiliser les modeles presentes dans cet article pour predire les informations quantitatives requises pour gerer les plantations de pin a encens dans la region. Mots-cles: croissance et production des peuplements, gestion forestiere, surface terriere du peuplement, nombre de tiges dans le peuplement., Introduction Accurate information of future forest stand characteristics (i.e., per area unit basal area and number of trees) is crucial for forest management planning and harvest scheduling. Often this information [...]

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) is a comprehensive term used to encompass all sexually aggressive and harassing behaviours involving technology. Although there is a growing knowledge base investigating the prevalence and [...]

INTRODUCTION 126 I. CLOAKS AND DAGGERS: E.I. DUPONT DENEMOURS & CO. V. CHRISTOPHER 130 II. HISTORICAL UNDERPINNINGS OF "COMMERCIAL MORALITY" IN BUSINESS LAW DOCTRINE 132 A. Emergence of Commercial Morality [...], The approaching anniversary of E.I. duPont deNemours & Co. v. Christopher is the impetus for this exploration and evaluation of the role of "commercial morality" in trade secret misappropriation doctrine. Christopher is the well-known industrial espionage case in which the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that flying an airplane over an under-construction manufacturing facility to take photos of briefly-but-inevitably exposed trade secrets was an "improper means" of accessing a trade secret and was contrary to standards of "commercial morality." Commercial morality has played a significant but shifting role in trade secret law over the past seven decades and has become an important part of the contemporary trade secret doctrine lexicon, yet courts and commentators have not explored the meaning of this term. This study fills that gap in the literature by analyzing the origins of the commercial morality doctrine and its proper application in trade secret law. The development of U.S. commercial morality doctrine breaks down into four distinct time periods that illustrate the evolution of the doctrine in trade secret law over time, including the shift from the doctrine's initial use as a way to justify nascent trade secret law and its liability expansion to the doctrine's modern equitable role in structuring injunctive relief for misappropriation. The analysis also shows that while courts invoke commercial morality when adjudicating misappropriation claims, they do not define the meaning of the term or provide reasoned analysis of its application. This is problematic when courts use the term in lieu of careful analysis of the facts and reasoning underlying their decision. Explicit recognition of the equitable nature of commercial moraality doctrine would facilitate judicial application of the concept in a principled and effective manner.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Latina women, and Latina women are at higher risk for breast cancer mortality than white women. Lifestyle factors, such as consuming a nutritious diet and engaging in regular physical activity, promote health and are protective against heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and breast cancer recurrence. Previous studies have developed and tested interventions for Latina breast cancer survivors to improve diet and increase physical activity, however, no studies to date have developed a smartphone delivered intervention. The purpose of the current study was to compare two Smartphone delivered interventions, My Health, which focused on diet and physical activity, and My Guide, which focused on psychosocial functioning, on dietary and physical activity outcomes, post-intervention, and at a 2-week follow-up assessment. Overall, participants receiving the My Health intervention reported a greater reduction in daily fat sources than the My Guide group over time. However, daily sources of fat did not differ between conditions. Walking, measured by estimated weekly metabolic equivalents, increased across time points in both groups. These preliminary findings suggest that eHealth interventions aimed at improving lifestyle factors may favorably impact nutritional intake and physical activity. Future research should utilize more comprehensive and objective measures of diet and physical activity, and incorporate more behavioral lifestyle components into the intervention in larger samples with a longer follow-up period., Author(s): Joanna Buscemi [sup.1] [sup.2] , Laura B. Oswald [sup.3] [sup.4] , Sharon H. Baik [sup.3] , Diana Buitrago [sup.3] , Francisco Iacobelli [sup.5] , Siobhan M. Phillips [sup.6] , [...]

The life settlement industry began in the early 1900s when the U.S. Supreme Court first recognized that a life insurance policy's death benefit could be sold to an unrelated third party. Over the years, these arrangements, eventually referred to as viaticals, became more formalized. The growth of viaticals intensified due to the spread of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic during the 1980s, focusing on the sale of life insurance policies' death benefits when policyowners, regardless of age, were terminally ill and needed cash for their final days. The life settlement industry grew out of the maturity of the viaticals' markets, with the focus on older policyowners who were not necessarily terminally ill. The 2001 Model Life Settlement Regulations focused on life settlement transactions and protection of consumers from fraudulent practices. The model rules and the entry of the capital markets paved the way for the creation of a massive industry, one in which investors can purchase into a pool of life insurance policies. Certain unscrupulous investors pushed the limits of legality when dealing with consumers. Therefore, regulations now make certain life settlement transactions unlawful. This article examines the development of the life settlement market and the practices that are deemed unlawful under state insurance law. Keywords: Viatical settlements, life settlements, transfer ownership of life insurance policy, insurable interest in the patient's life, fraudulent by intermediaries, insurable interest laws, legislation model, federal and state laws, INTRODUCTION The ability to freely transfer or assign property rights under an insurance policy laid the foundation for the viatical and life settlement market as we know it today. A [...]

In spite of comprising more than 50% of the world's 10,000+ living species of birds, the songbirds (Passeriformes) generally have a poor fossil record. An exception is the Icteridae, with substantial Quaternary fossils at certain sites in North America, South America, and the West Indies. Here we describe 2 new extinct species of icterids from the late Pleistocene Talara Tar Seeps of northwestern Peru. The first is Icterus turmalis, based on 22 fossils (2 skeletal elements); I. turmalis was part of the radiation of 'troupial'-type orioles (Icterus icterus s.1.). The second new species, Molothrus resinosus, was a large cowbird based on 15 fossils (4 skeletal elements). Icterus turmalis and Molothrus resinosas are both known thus far only from Talara. They become the second and third extinct species of icterid known from Talara, the other being Euphagus magnirostris Miller 1929, first described from Rancho La Brea, and recorded recently from Talara as well as the Mene de Inciarte Tar Seep in Venezuela. Just as some extant species of icterids often occur today alongside large grazing mammals, the extinct species may have been closely associated with the Pleistocene large mammal community, which collapsed from 15 to 12 thousand years ago. Received 1 February 2019. Accepted 25 November 2019. Key words: historical biogeography, Icteridae, Icterus, Late Pleistocene bird communities, megafaunal extinctions, Molothrus, Peru A pesar de que comprende más del 50% de las más de 10,000 especies de aves vivas del mundo, las aves cantoras (Passeriformes) generalmente tienen un pobre registro fósil. Una excepción es la Icteridae, con importantes fósiles cuaternarios en ciertos sitios en América del Norte, América del Sur y las Indias Occidentales. Aquí describimos dos nuevas especies extintas de ictéridos de la Talara Tar Seeps, un sitio del Pleistoceno tardío en el noroeste de Perú. El primero es Icterus turmalis, basado en 22 fósiles (dos elementos esqueléticos); I. turmalis era parte de la radiación de los bolseros tipo turpial (Icterus icterus s.1.). La segunda nueva especie, Molothrus resinosus, fue un tordo basado en 15 fósiles (cuatro elementos esqueléticos). Icterus turmalis e Molothrus resinosus son conocidos hasta ahora solo de Talara. Se convierten en la segunda y tercera especies extintas de ictéridos conocidas de Talara, la otra es Euphagus magnirostris Miller 1929, descrita por primera vez en Rancho La Brea, y recientemente registrada en Talara, así como en la Mene de Inciarte Tar Seep en Venezuela. Así como las especies existentes de ictéridos a menudo se asocian hoy en día con los grandes mamíferos de pastoreo, las especies extintas pueden haber estado estrechamente asociadas con la comunidad de mamíferos grandes del Pleistoceno tardío, cuyo colapso de hace 15 a 12 mil años puede haber llevado también a la desaparición de los ictéridos. Palabras clave: biogeografía histórica, comunidades de aves del Pleistoceno Tardío, extinciones megafaunales, Icteridae, Icterus, Molothrus, Perú, Across the Americas, songbirds (Passeriformes) often dominate non-marine bird communities in terms of numbers of species and individuals. By contrast, the fossil record of passerines is scant even in the [...]

Introduction The Kadazan of the Papar District of Sabah form a branch of the Kadazan Dusun, Sabah's single largest indigenous ethnolinguistic group. They speak a variant of the Coastal Kadazan [...]

Overview Although various forms of stress experienced during adulthood can be antecedents for the onset of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), stressful events suffered during childhood [...]

The purpose of this pilot randomized controlled trial was to investigate the acceptability and efficacy of the Acquiring Career, Coping, Executive control, Social Skills (ACCESS) Program, a group intervention tailored for young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to enhance critical skills and beliefs that promote adult functioning, including social and adaptive skills, self-determination skills, and coping self-efficacy. Forty-four adults with ASD (ages 18-38; 13 females) and their caregivers were randomly assigned to treatment or waitlist control. Compared to controls, adults in treatment significantly improved in adaptive and self-determination skills, per caregiver report, and self-reported greater belief in their ability to access social support to cope with stressors. Results provide evidence for the acceptability and efficacy of the ACCESS Program., Author(s): Tasha M. Oswald [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.5] , Breanna Winder-Patel [sup.1] [sup.3] , Steven Ruder [sup.1] , Guibo Xing [sup.4] , Aubyn Stahmer [sup.1] [sup.2] , Marjorie Solomon [sup.1] [sup.2] [...]

A typically developing student's perceptions of his or her own capabilities (academic self-concept), is predictive of later academic achievement. However, little is known about academic self-concept in youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To understand whether students math self-concept and reading self-concept predicted their performance, 44 school-aged children and adolescents with ASD and 36 age-matched individuals with typical development (TYP) rated their perceived math and reading abilities and were administered standardized achievement measures. Results showed self-concept was predictive of performance in math and reading in the TYP group. For youth with ASD, there was agreement between self-concept and performance only in math. These findings suggest that educators should be cautious when interpreting the self-assessments of reading ability in students with ASD., Author(s): James B. McCauley [sup.1] [sup.2] [sup.3] , Matthew C. Zajic [sup.4] , Tasha M. Oswald [sup.1] [sup.2] , Lindsey E. Swain-Lerro [sup.4] , Nancy C. McIntyre [sup.4] , Michelle [...]

The effectiveness of virus-specific strategies, including administered HIV-specific mAbs, to target cells that persistently harbor latent, rebound-competent HIV genomes during combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been limited by inefficient induction of viral protein expression. To examine antibody-mediated viral reservoir targeting without a need for viral induction, we used an anti-CD4 mAb to deplete both infected and uninfected [CD4.sup.+] T cells. Ten rhesus macaques infected with barcoded SIVmac239M received cART for 93 weeks starting 4 days after infection. During cART, 5 animals received 5 to 6 anti-CD4 antibody administrations and [CD4.sup.+] T cell populations were then allowed 1 year on cART to recover. Despite profound [CD4.sup.+] T cell depletion in blood and lymph nodes, time to viral rebound following cART cessation was not significantly delayed in anti-CD4-treated animals compared with controls. Viral reactivation rates, determined based on rebounding SIVmac239M clonotype proportions, also were not significantly different in CD4-depleted animals. Notably, antibody-mediated depletion was limited in rectal tissue and negligible in lymphoid follicles. These results suggest that, even if robust viral reactivation can be achieved, antibody-mediated viral reservoir depletion may be limited in key tissue sites., Introduction Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can effectively suppress ongoing HIV-1 replication and dramatically improve the life expectancy of HIV-1-infected individuals (1). However, cART only inhibits new rounds of viral replication [...]

Terror management theory (TMT) plaees death anxiety in an explanatory role in cognition, affect. and behavior, spanning mental health to cultural trends. We aimed to connect TMT to trait death anxiety, and propose an additional component: life acknowledgement (life awareness, lived experience connection, liveliness engagement) which yields vitality salience when conscious. Participants (n = 156) were randomized to mortality, neutral, or vitality salience conditions, and completed assessments of self-esteem, generalized anxiety, and death anxiety (death and dying separately). Results indicated that death anxiety was independent of demographic factors; that death anxiety was correlated with generalized anxiety (r = .18 and r = .32) and self-esteem (r = -.35 and r = -.38): and that salience groups did not differ on the outcome measures. We concluded that existential salience priming operates separately from trait self-report. Findings supported trends in current literature, and prompted further questions regarding TMT and vitality salience. Keywords: death anxiety, terror management theory, vitality salience, mental health, life acknowledgment, Humans, as self-aware animals, possess the unique and morbid ability to foresee their eventual demise. This phenomenon of existential prospection is often referred to as death anxiety. The study of [...]

The growing numbers of wildland urban interface (WUI) fires in central Texas in the past few decades highlights the need to accurately assess potential hazard areas in which to focus mitigation efforts. Visual estimation of non-developed areas, often with dense, woody, encroaching species, is frequently used to prioritize these efforts. However, the linkage of these estimates to potential fire behavior under what are traditionally hazardous conditions has not been assessed. Four such areas of varying fuel levels on the Camp Swift Military Reservation were used to simulate common WUI areas in this region. Field measurements were made of actual fuel loads, and results were used to model potential wildland fire behavior using BehavePlus. Results showed that three of the four areas were not correctly classified as to fuel loads. In addition, wildland fire potential behavior parameters of flame height and rate of spread were actually more hazardous in the lower fuel conditions, not in the more heavily wooded sites. As a result, efforts to reduce the encroaching woody species could cause increased flame heights and rates of spread, making firefighting efforts more challenging. Mitigation efforts should incorporate potential changes in wildland fire behavior before they are adopted., Across the United States many people have moved from urbanized areas to settle in adjacent rural areas. Accompanying this migration is an increasing concern about the effects of wildfire in [...]

Our growing awareness of the microbial worlds importance and diversity contrasts starkly with our limited understanding of its fundamental structure. Despite recent advances in DNA sequencing, a lack of standardized protocols and common analytical frameworks impedes comparisons among studies, hindering the development of global inferences about microbial life on Earth. Here we present a meta-analysis of microbial community samples collected by hundreds of researchers for the Earth Microbiome Project. Coordinated protocols and new analytical methods, particularly the use of exact sequences instead of clustered operational taxonomic units, enable bacterial and archaeal ribosomal RNA gene sequences to be followed across multiple studies and allow us to explore patterns of diversity at an unprecedented scale. The result is both a reference database giving global context to DNA sequence data and a framework for incorporating data from future studies, fostering increasingly complete characterization of Earths microbial diversity., Author(s): Luke R. Thompson [1, 2, 3]; Jon G. Sanders [1]; Daniel McDonald [1]; Amnon Amir [1]; Joshua Ladau [4]; Kenneth J. Locey [5]; Robert J. Prill [6]; Anupriya Tripathi [...]

ABSTRACT In 1995, the Federal Circuit summarily attached the label of "strict liability" to direct patent infringement, even though that term does not appear in any US Patent Act enacted [...]

The validity of joint attention assessment in school-aged children with ASD is unclear (Lord, Jones, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry 53(5):490-509, 2012). This study examined the feasibility and validity of a parent-report measure of joint attention related behaviors in verbal children and adolescents with ASD. Fifty-two children with ASD and 34 controls were assessed with the Childhood Joint Attention Rating Scale (C-JARS). The C-JARS exhibited internally consistency, [alpha] = 0.88, and one factor explained 49% of the scale variance. Factor scores correctly identified between 88 and 94% of the children with ASD and 62-82% of controls. These scores were correlated with the ADOS-2, but not other parent-report symptom measures. The C-JARS appears to assess a unique dimension of the social-phenotype of children with ASD., Author(s): Peter Mundy [sup.1] [sup.2] , Stephanie Novotny [sup.3] , Lindsey Swain-Lerro [sup.1] , Nancy McIntyre [sup.1] , Matt Zajic [sup.1] , Tasha Oswald [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.27860.3bUC Davis [...]

Objective To investigate, in Amhara, Ethiopia, the association between prevalence of active trachoma among children aged 1-9 years and community sanitation usage. Methods Between 2011 and 2014, prevalence of trachoma and household pit latrine usage were measured in five population-based cross-sectional surveys. Data on observed indicators of latrine use were aggregated into a measure of community sanitation usage calculated as the proportion of households with a latrine in use. All household members were examined for clinical signs, i.e. trachomatous inflammation, follicular and/or intense, indicative of active trachoma. Multilevel logistic regression was used to estimate prevalence odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusting for community, household and individual factors, and to evaluate modification by household latrine use and water access. Findings In surveyed areas, prevalence of active trachoma among children was estimated to be 29% (95% CI: 28-30) and mean community sanitation usage was 47% (95% CI: 45-48). Despite significant modification (p < 0.0001), no pattern in stratified ORs was detected. Summarizing across strata, community sanitation usage values of 60 to < 80% and [greater than or equal to] 80% were associated with lower prevalence odds of active trachoma, compared with community sanitation usage of < 20% (OR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.57-1.03 and OR: 0.67; 95% CI: 0.48-0.95, respectively). Conclusion In Amhara, Ethiopia, a negative correlation was observed between community sanitation usage and prevalence of active trachoma among children, highlighting the need for continued efforts to encourage higher levels of sanitation usage and to support sustained use throughout the community, not simply at the household level. Objectif Etudier dans la region Amhara, en Ethiopie, l'association entre la prevalence du trachome actif chez les enfants ages de 1 a 9 ans et l'utilisation d'installations d'assainissement collectif. Methodes Entre 2011 et 2014, la prevalencedu trachome et l'utilisation de latrines a fosse domestiques ont ete mesurees dans le cadre de cinq enquetes transversales menees aupres de la population. Les donnees sur les indicateurs observes concernant l'utilisation de latrines ont ete regroupees dans une mesure de l'utilisation des installations d'assainissement collectif exprimee comme la proportion de menages utilisant des latrines. Tous les membres des menages ont fait l'objet d'un examen destine a detecter les signes cliniques, c'est-a-dire une inflammation trachomateuse folliculaire et/ou intense, revelateurs d'un trachome actif. Une regression logistique a plusieurs niveaux a ete utilisee pour estimer le rapport de cote (RC) de prevalence ainsi que les intervalles de confiance (IC) a 95%, en tenant compte de facteurs lies a la communaute, aux menages et aux individus, et pour evaluer les variations induites par l'utilisation de latrines domestiques et un acces a l'eau. Resultats Dans les zones etudiees, la prevalence du trachome actif chez les enfants a ete estimee a 29% (IC a 95%: 28-30) et l'utilisation moyenne des installations d'assainissement collectif a 47% (IC a 95%: 45-48). Malgre des variations considerables (p < 0,0001), aucune tendance liee aux RC stratifies ne s'est degagee. Pour resumer en tenant compte des differentes strates, lorsque les valeurs relatives a l'utilisation des installations d'assainissement collectif etaient comprises entre 60 et 80% ou [greater than or equal to] 80%, le rapport de cote de prevalence du trachome actif etait plus faible que lorsque les valeurs relatives a l'utilisation des installations d'assainissement collectif etaient Conclusion Dans la region Amhara de l'Ethiopie, une correlation negative a ete observee entre l'utilisation dlnstallations d'assainissement collectif et la prevalence du trachome actif chez les enfants, soulignant la necessite de poursuivre les efforts pour encourager l'utilisation dlnstallations d'assainissement et promouvoir une utilisation durable dans l'ensemble de la population, et non seulement au niveau des menages. Objetivo Investigar, en Amhara, Etiopia, la relacion entre la prevalencia del tracoma activo en ninos de entre 1 y 9 anos y el uso comunitario del saneamiento. Metodos Entre 2011 y 2014, se midieron la prevalencia del tracoma y el uso domestico de las letrinas de pozo en cinco encuestas transversales basadas en la poblacion. Los datos sobre los indicadores observados del uso de letrinas se agregaron en una medida del uso del saneamiento comunitario calculado como el porcentaje de hogares con una letrina en uso. Se examino a todos los miembros del hogar en busca de sintomas clinicos, es decir, inflamacion tracomatosa, folicular y/o intensa, indicio de tracoma activo. Se utilizo una regresion logistica de varios niveles para estimar la prevalencia de los cocientes de posibilidades (CP) y los intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95%, ajustandose a factores comunitarios, domesticos e individuales, y para evaluar la modificacion por uso de letrinas y acceso al agua en los hogares. Resultados En las zonas encuestadas, se estimo que la prevalencia del tracoma activo en ninos era del 29% (IC del 95%: 28-30) y que el uso comunitario del saneamiento era del 47% (IC del 95%: 45-48). A pesar de una importante modificacion (p < 0,0001), no se detecto ningun patron en los CP estratificados. Como resumen de los estratos, los valores de uso comunitario del saneamiento del 60 al < 80% y [greater than or equal to] 80% se relacionaron con una menor prevalencia de tracoma activo, en comparacion con un uso comunitario del saneamiento de, Introduction It has been estimated that, as a result of trachoma, approximately 1.2 million people are blind and a further 1.7 million have low vision. (1) Globally, trachoma remains the [...]

The purpose of this study was to explore the personal characteristics of transition-aged youth served by a Midwest state vocational rehabilitation (VR) agency and to determine if these characteristics are predictive of service provision and successful employment. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the relationships between personal characteristics variables (such as disability type, gender, and race/ethnicity) and the provision of VR services and employment outcome. Individuals with sensory and other health impairments were less likely to be employed while individuals with a mental illness were more likely to be employed. Implications for practice, policy, and further research are discussed., Adolescents with disabilities have federally mandated transition plans (or the transition individualized education program). Yet, even with services starting no later than age 16, many youth with disabilities have difficulty [...]

Diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) arise from proliferating B cells transiting different stages of the germinal center reaction. In activated B cell DLBCLs (ABC-DLBCLs), a class of DLBCLs that respond poorly to current therapies, chromosomal translocations and amplification lead to constitutive expression of the B cell lymphoma 6 (BCL6) oncogene. The role of BCL6 in maintaining these lymphomas has not been investigated. Here, we designed small-molecule inhibitors that display higher affinity for BCL6 than its endogenous corepressor ligands to evaluate their therapeutic efficacy for targeting ABC- DLBCL. We used an in silico drug design functional-group mapping approach called SILCS to create a specific BCL6 inhibitor called FX1 that has 10-fold greater potency than endogenous corepressors and binds an essential region of the BCL6 lateral groove. FX1 disrupted formation of the BCL6 repression complex, reactivated BCL6 target genes, and mimicked the phenotype of mice engineered to express BCL6 with corepressor binding site mutations. Low doses of FX1 induced regression of established tumors in mice bearing DLBCL xenografts. Furthermore, FX1 suppressed ABC-DLBCL cells in vitro and in vivo, as well as primary human ABC-DLBCL specimens ex vivo. These findings indicate that ABC-DLBCL is a BCL6-dependent disease that can be targeted by rationally designed inhibitors that exceed the binding affinity of natural BCL6 ligands., Introduction Diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are the most common lymphoid neoplasms (1). Most DLBCLs arise from B cells that have transited through the germinal center (GC) reaction, a [...]

ABSTRACT The misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS), risky drinking, and drunkorexia are current public health concerns. The present study assessed the prevalence of MPS and drunkorexia using an online survey. [...]

We hypothesized that the double hit conferred by sex and diagnosis increases the risk for internalizing disorders in adolescent females with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In a sample of 32 adolescents with ASD and 32 controls, we examined the effects of sex, diagnostic factors, and developmental stages on depression and anxiety. A 3-way interaction revealed that females with ASD exhibited greater depressive symptoms than males with ASD and female controls particularly during early adolescence; therefore, females with ASD might have a unique combination of genetic, hormonal, and psychosocial vulnerabilities that heighten their risk for depression during early adolescence. Additionally, the ASD group reported high levels of separation anxiety and panic in late adolescence, possibly indicating atypical development of independence., Author(s): Tasha M. Oswald[sup.1] [sup.4] , Mary Ann Winter-Messiers[sup.2] [sup.5] , Brandon Gibson[sup.1] [sup.6] , Alexandra M. Schmidt[sup.1] [sup.7] , Cynthia M. Herr[sup.2] , Marjorie Solomon[sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) Department [...]

Mothers living with HIV (MLWHs) in the United States have reported that one of their main challenges is the decision to disclose their HIV serostatus to their children and the potential consequences of their disclosure. Little is known about the experiences of MLWHs regarding disclosing their HIV serostatus to their children and the impact of maternal HIV serostatus disclosure in the island nations of the Caribbean. Study objectives were to identify the factors influencing maternal HIV serostatus disclosure, examine the breadth of maternal HIV serostatus, and understand the impact of disclosure on mothers and the children. Baseline interviews were conducted between 2006 and 2007 with 25 HIV-positive mothers and 26 children ages 10-17 participating in a pilot psychosocial support intervention for HIV-affected youth and their caregivers in Haiti. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for topical themes by two investigators. Analysis of the interviews yielded several themes relevant to reasons for disclosure, including children's experience of HIV stigma in the community, social support and encouragement from psychosocial intervention workers. The main themes related to breadth of disclosure were brief disclosure and explicit disclosure with some mothers sharing information about how they learned about their illness diagnosis and their medication. Themes related to impacts of disclosure included emotional reactions of children and mothers, and children's desire to assist mothers with illness and become involved. These findings suggest the need to provide more psychosocial support to HIV-affected families in the Caribbean region. Keywords HIV serostatus disclosure * Mothers * Children Haiti, Introduction The first case of HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean was reported in 1978 in the island nation of Haiti [1]. Since then, poverty, limited access to healthcare and health-related information, [...]

It is well known that the ω-3 fatty acids (ω-3-FAs; also known as n-3 fatty acids) can exert potent anti-inflammatory effects (1-4). Commonly consumed as fish products, dietary supplements and pharmaceuticals, ω-3-FAs have a number of health benefits ascribed to them, including reduced plasma triglyceride levels, amelioration of atherosclerosis and increased insulin sensitivity (5-7). We reported that Gpr120 is the functional receptor for these fatty acids and that ω-3-FAs produce robust anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing effects, both in vivo and in vitro, in a Gpr120-dependent manner (8). Indeed, genetic variants that predispose to obesity and diabetes have been described in the gene encoding GPR120 in humans (FFAR4) (9). However, the amount of fish oils that would have to be consumed to sustain chronic agonism of Gpr120 is too high to be practical, and, thus, a high-affinity small-molecule Gpr120 agonist would be of potential clinical benefit. Accordingly, Gpr120 is a widely studied drug discovery target within the pharmaceutical industry. Gpr40 is another lipid-sensing G protein-coupled receptor (10), and it has been difficult to identify compounds with a high degree of selectivity for Gpr120 over Gpr40 (ref. 11). Here we report that a selective high-affinity, orally available, small-molecule Gpr120 agonist (cpdA) exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects on macrophages in vitro and in obese mice in vivo. Gpr120 agonist treatment of high-fat diet-fed obese mice causes improved glucose tolerance, decreased hyperinsulinemia, increased insulin sensitivity and decreased hepatic steatosis. This suggests that Gpr120 agonists could become new insulin-sensitizing drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and other human insulin-resistant states in the future., Gpr120 and Gpr40 are both lipid-sensing G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (10, 12), but although there is limited homology between these two polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) receptors, identification of ligands that [...]