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Catholic school principals typically serve as the prime decision-makers in admission and enrollment issues. A key factor in this decision-making can be the principals' perceptions and attitudes about servicing students with disabilities within a Catholic school context. The purpose of the present study is to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of Catholic school principals toward inclusion of students with disabilities in Catholic schools. Overall, a majority of surveyed principals reported a positive attitude toward including students with disabilities. Some significant relationships were found between principal's pervious experiences with students with disabilities and the principals' willingness to enroll students with disabilies. Implications for practice are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin-weighted spherical functions provide a useful tool for analyzing tensor-valued functions on the sphere. A tensor field can be decomposed into complex-valued functions by taking contractions with tangent vectors on the sphere and the normal to the sphere. These component functions are usually presented as functions on the sphere itself, but this requires an implicit choice of distinguished tangent vectors with which to contract. Thus, we may more accurately say that spin-weighted spherical functions are functions of both a point on the sphere and a choice of frame in the tangent space at that point. The distinction becomes extremely important when transforming the coordinates in which these functions are expressed, because the implicit choice of frame will also transform. Here, it is proposed that spin-weighted spherical functions should be treated as functions on the spin or rotation groups, which simultaneously tracks the point on the sphere and the choice of tangent frame by rotating elements of an orthonormal basis. In practice, the functions simply take a quaternion argument and produce a complex value. This approach more cleanly reflects the geometry involved, and allows for a more elegant description of the behavior of spin-weighted functions. In this form, the spin-weighted spherical harmonics have simple expressions as elements of theWignerD representations, and transformations under rotation are simple. Two variants of the angular-momentum operator are defined directly in terms of the spin group; one is the standard angular-momentum operator L, while the other is shown to be related to the spin-raising operator ð. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Transient episodes of brain oscillations are a common feature of both the waking and the sleeping brain. Sleep spindles represent a prominent example of a poorly understood transient brain oscillation that is impaired in disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia. However, the causal role of these bouts of thalamo-cortical oscillations remains unknown. Demonstrating a functional role of sleep spindles in cognitive processes has, so far, been hindered by the lack of a tool to target transient brain oscillations in real time. Here, we show, for the first time, selective enhancement of sleep spindles with non-invasive brain stimulation in humans. We developed a system that detects sleep spindles in real time and applies oscillatory stimulation. Our stimulation selectively enhanced spindle activity as determined by increased sigma activity after transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) application. This targeted modulation caused significant enhancement of motor memory consolidation that correlated with the stimulation-induced change in fast spindle activity. Strikingly, we found a similar correlation between motor memory and spindle characteristics during the sham night for the same spindle frequencies and electrode locations. Therefore, our results directly demonstrate a functional relationship between oscillatory spindle activity and cognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What can Marxist dialectics tell us about theatrical innovation? ‘Innovation’ saturates the world of contemporary performance, even though what the term actually means is anything but self-evident. This essay contrasts two ways scholars theorise theatrical innovation, one which owes to the work of the economist Joseph Schumpeter and the other to Bertolt Brecht. Whereas Schumpeter thought of innovation in terms of a “gale of creative destruction” that renovates capitalist society and its institutions, Brecht’s theory of innovation–what I call “Brecht’s gale”–described the measures artists must take to transform theatre into a weapon of anti-capitalist struggle. For theatre scholars and artists, distinguishing between Schumpeter’s gale and Brecht’s gale can throw into relief the aspirations we pin on theatrical innovation. To demonstrate this I turn to ongoing debates around the politics of postdramatic theatre, and take the 2015 production of Simon Stephen’sCarmen Disruptionat London’s Almeida Theatre as a case study. For some, the formal innovations that define postdramatic theatre separate it aesthetically and politically from dramatic theatre in radical ways. Yet celebrations of postdramatic theatre’s political function draw attention away from its social function. To date, theories of postdramatic theatre tell us little about the role postdramatic theatre plays in capitalist society. Instead scholars posit postdramatic theatre as the creative destruction ofdramaticform, out of whichtheatreis renovated to suit the shifting demands of capitalist society. By drawing on Brecht as well as Marxian value-form theorists like Chris Arthur and Michael Heinrich, I offer a Marxist critique of postdramatic theatre, one that insists on the role aesthetic and political innovation play in capitalist reproduction. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The increasing emphasis on the myriad of leadership preparation standards have caused university principal preparation programs to necessarily focus on the more secular aspect of leading schools. For the Catholic school principal, this has left little focus on the development of critical strategies to lead for Catholic Identity and faith formation. This article suggests using the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Schools as a framework for Catholic principal preparation programs to address this issues. Additional suggests for program development are also offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new international order will be marked by the ascendancy of illiberal states and value systems, and a diminishment of American influence. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose This study investigated the impact of providing low control (biological) and high control (psychobehavioral) causal explanations for stuttering on a variety of stigma related variables including blame, anger, social distance, stereotypes, dislike, sympathy, willingness to help, and perceptions of potential for recovery for a hypothetical person who stutters. Method One hundred and sixty-five university students read one of three vignettes describing a person who stutters with different descriptions about the cause of stuttering (low control, high control, and a control group in which no explanation was given) and answered a series of self-report measures assessing stigmatizing attitudes and perceived potential for recovery. Results The controllable explanation for stuttering led to more blame compared to the uncontrollable explanation and no explanation. The controllable explanation resulted in higher levels of anger and stereotypes compared to no explanation. There were no significant differences between uncontrollable explanations and no explanation on any of the stigma related variables of interest. Uncontrollable explanations increased prognostic pessimism compared to controllable explanations. Self-reported familiarity and closeness with people who stutter was significantly related to more positive attitudes toward a hypothetical person who stutters. Conclusions Reducing the belief that stuttering is ultimately caused by psychobehavioral factors will reduce blame toward people who stutter. However, providing biological explanations for stuttering is not effective for reducing stigma compared to no explanation at all, and could increase prognostic pessimism. Biological explanations for stuttering should be provided to inform clients and society about current research findings, however this information must be given carefully and be balanced with evidence that people who stutter can make great progress with appropriate, personalized therapy that addresses the multidimensionality of the disorder. Learning outcomes As a result of reading this paper, readers should be able to: (1) describe how causal attributions impact attitudes toward individuals with disabilities (2) summarize the effects of providing a biological explanation for stuttering on stigmatizing attitudes toward a person who stutters (3) summarize the effects of providing a psychobehavioral explanation for stuttering on stigmatizing attitudes toward a person who stutters, (4) discuss how familiarity and closeness toward people who stutter relates to stigmatizing attitudes toward a person who stutters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essay is presented on the use of container aesthetics in the show "The Boy Who Climbed Out of His Face," produced by theatre company Shunt. Topics include the political potential and use of shipping containers as performance space, infrastructural aesthetics, and cognitive mapping. It also explores capitalism.

Objective: This study examined whether maternal psychological distress mediates the relationship between presence of adolescent asthma and number of physician visits and whether the association between maternal psychological distress and physician visits is moderated by adolescent general health. Methods: Data were obtained from the Mater University Study of Pregnancy and included 4025 adolescents. Path analysis was used to examine mediating and moderating effects. Results: Maternal psychological distress was found to partially mediate the relationship between adolescent asthma and number of physician visits, accounting for 25% of the effect of adolescent asthma on physician visits ( p = 0.046). There was no evidence to suggest that adolescent general health moderated the association between maternal psychological distress and physician visits ( p = 0.093). Conclusions: These findings suggest that maternal psychological distress is associated with increased physician visits, regardless of adolescents' general health. Lowering maternal psychological distress may serve to reduce health care utilization and costs among adolescents with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk for psychiatric disorders among extremely low birth weight (ELBW) survivors in their early to mid-30s and to determine whether those born small for gestational age or those exposed to a full course of antenatal corticosteroids (ACS) were at particularly high risk. METHODS: A prospective, longitudinal, population-based cohort of 84 ELBW survivors and 90 normal birth weight (NBW) control participants born in Ontario, Canada from 1977 to 1982 were assessed by interviewers naive to birth weight status using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. RESULTS: ELBW survivors had lower odds of an alcohol or substance use disorder but higher odds of current non-substance-related psychiatric problems (odds ratio [OR] = 2.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-5.14). Those born ELBW and SGA exhibited the same patterns with larger effects. ACS-exposed ELBW survivors had even higher odds of any current non-substance-related psychiatric disorder (OR = 4.41; 95% CI, 1.65-11.82), particularly generalized anxiety disorder (OR = 3.42; 95% CI, 1.06-11.06), the generalized type of social phobia (OR = 5.80; 95% CI, 1.20-27.99), and the inattentive subtype of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (OR = 11.45; 95% CI, 2.06-63.50). CONCLUSIONS: In their early to mid-30s, ELBW survivors were less likely to have alcohol or substance use disorders but may be at greater risk for other psychiatric problems. Those exposed to ACS were at especially high risk and manifested no reduction in alcohol or substance use disorders. ELBW survivors exposed to ACS may be a special group at risk for psychopathology in adulthood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, the author examined the relationship of social support, empowerment, self-help support group participation, and group identification to quality of life in adults who stutter. Method: Two-hundred forty-nine adults who stutter completed a web-based survey, including measures of social support, empowerment, self-help support group participation, group identification, and quality of life. Results: After controlling for demographic and stuttering parameters, both empowerment in the self-esteem / self-efficacy domain and social support from family significantly predicted quality of life in adults in the sample. Conclusions: Increased self-esteem/self-efficacy and social support from family relates to improved quality of life in adults who stutter, independent of stuttering severity. Treatments that increase feelings of self-esteem /self-efficacy and strengthen social support from the family should be considered for individuals who struggle to cope with stuttering in order to enhance their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, the author examined the relationship of social support, empowerment, self-help support group participation, and group identification to quality of life in adults who stutter. Method: Two-hundred forty-nine adults who stutter completed a web-based survey, including measures of social support, empowerment, self-help support group participation, group identification, and quality of life. Results: After controlling for demographic and stuttering parameters, both empowerment in the self-esteem / self-efficacy domain and social support from family significantly predicted quality of life in adults in the sample. Conclusions: Increased self-esteem/self-efficacy and social support from family relates to improved quality of life in adults who stutter, independent of stuttering severity. Treatments that increase feelings of self-esteem /self-efficacy and strengthen social support from the family should be considered for individuals who struggle to cope with stuttering in order to enhance their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines whether American drone-based targeted killing program represents a fundamentally new challenge to the traditional legal and ethical standards of armed conflict. It argues that the novelty of drones flows less from the technology itself than from the Obama administration's articulation of a presumptive right of anticipatory self-defense, which allows it to strike anywhere in the world where al Qaeda and its allies are present. It highlights five new legal and ethical dimensions to the Obama administration's drones policy, all of which may lower the traditional barriers to the use of force if other actors begin to follow contemporary American practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study extends earlier research identifying an increased risk of anxiety among children with chronic physical illness (CwCPI) by examining a more complete model that explains how physical illness leads to increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. We tested a stress-generation model linking chronic physical illness to symptoms of anxiety and depression in a population-based sample of children aged 10 to 15 years. We hypothesized that having a chronic physical illness would be associated with more symptoms of anxiety and depression, increased levels of maternal depressive symptoms, more family dysfunction, and lower self-esteem; and, that maternal depressive symptoms, family dysfunction, and child self-esteem would mediate the influence of chronic physical illness on symptoms of anxiety and depression. Data came from the National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth ( N = 10,646). Mediating processes were analyzed using latent growth curve modeling. Childhood chronic physical illness was associated with increases in symptoms of anxiety and depression, β = 0.20, p < 0.001. Mediating effects were also observed such that chronic physical illness resulted in increases in symptoms of maternal depression and family dysfunction, leading to declines in child self-esteem, and in turn, increases in symptoms of anxiety and depression. CwCPI are at-risk for symptoms of anxiety and depression. Some of this elevated risk appears to work through family processes and child self-esteem. This study supports the use of family-centered care approaches among CwCPI to minimize burden on families and promote healthy psychological development for children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In just the last ten years, a growing number of states have sought to join the race to develop and sell ever-more sophisticated drones on the global market. While today the market remains stratified between makers and takers of drones, the gradual emergence of a drones arms race will have some important and potentially dangerous consequences for the international system. The emergence of a race for drones will reshape long-simmering conflicts and rivalries around the world in three ways. First, the proliferation of drones will reset the rules and norms governing surveillance and reconnaissance. Second, drones will become increasingly useful to governments in testing the strategic commitments and the nerves of their rivals. Third, the worldwide proliferation of drones will multiply the risks of conflict spirals stemming from accidents or hijacked drones. Given these risks, Washington’ should take a leading role in slowing the global race for drones and in developing strict legal and normative mechanisms to govern drone usage and sales in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The latent class structure of autism symptoms from the time of diagnosis to age 6 years was examined in a sample of 280 children with autism spectrum disorder. Factor mixture modeling was performed on 26 algorithm items from the Autism Diagnostic Interview - Revised at diagnosis (Time 1) and again at age 6 (Time 2). At Time 1, a '2-factor/3-class' model provided the best fit to the data. At Time 2, a '2-factor/2-class' model provided the best fit to the data. Longitudinal (repeated measures) analysis of variance showed that the '2-factor/3-class' model derived at the time of diagnosis allows for the identification of a subgroup of children (9 % of sample) who exhibit notable reduction in symptom severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction The purpose of this study was to investigate whether attribution theory could explain speech–language pathologists (SLPs) perceptions of children with communication disorders such as stuttering. Specifically, it was determined whether perceptions of onset and offset controllability, as well as biological and non-biological attributions for communication disorders were related to willingness to help, sympathy, and anger toward children with these disorders. It was also of interest to determine if blame for stuttering was related to perceived controllability of stuttering and negative attitudes toward people who stutter (PWS). Method A survey was developed to measure perceived onset and offset controllability, biological and non-biological attributions, willingness to help, sympathy, and anger toward middle school children with developmental stuttering, functional articulation disorders, and cerebral palsy. In addition, a scale was developed to measure blame and negative attitudes toward PWS in general. Surveys were mailed to 1000 school-based SLPs. Data from 330 participants were analyzed. Results Supporting the hypotheses of attribution theory, higher perceived onset and offset controllability of the disorder was linked to less willingness to help, lower sympathy, and more anger across conditions. Increased biological attributions were associated with more reported sympathy. Increased blame for stuttering was linked to higher perceived controllability of stuttering, more dislike of PWS, and more agreement with negative stereotypes about PWS. Conclusions Educating SLPs about the variable loss of control inherent in stuttering could improve attitudes and increase understanding of PWS. Reductions in blame may facilitate feelings of sympathy and empathy for PWS and reduce environmental barriers for clients. Learning outcomes Readers should be able to: (1) identify the main principles of Weiner's attribution theory (2) identify common negative perceptions of people who stutter (3) describe how disorders of stuttering, articulation disorders, and cerebral palsy are differentiated in terms of perceived onset and offset controllability, and biological and non-biological attributions (4) describe relationships between perceived onset and offset controllability of disorders and sympathy, anger, and willingness to help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental-pulp tissue is often exposed to inflammatory injury. Sequested growth factors or angiogenic signaling proteins that are released following inflammatory injury play a pivotal role in the formation of reparative dentin. While limited or moderate angiogenesis may be helpful for dental pulp maintenance, the induction of significant level of angiogenesis is probably highly detrimental. Hitherto, several studies have addressed the effects of proinflammatory stimuli on the survival and differentiation of dental-pulp stem cells (DPSC), in vitro. However, the mechanisms communal to the inflammatory and angiogenic signaling involved in DPSC survival and differentiation remain unknown. Our studies observed that short-term exposure to TNF-α (6 and 12 hours [hrs]) induced apoptosis with an upregulation of VEGF expression and NF-κB signaling. However, long-term (chronic) exposure (14 days) to TNF-α resulted in an increased proliferation with a concomitant shortening of the telomere length. Interestingly, DPSC pretreated with Nemo binding domain (NBD) peptide (a cell permeable NF-κB inhibitor) significantly ameliorated TNF-α- and/or VEGF-induced proliferation and the shortening of telomere length. NBD peptide pretreatment significantly improved TNF-α-induced downregulation of proteins essential for differentiation, such as bone morphogenic proteins (BMP)-1 & 2, BMP receptor isoforms-1&2, trasnforming growth factor (TGF), osteoactivin and osteocalcin. Additionally, inhibition of NF-κB signaling markedly increased the mineralization potential, a process abrogated by chronic exposure to TNF-α. Thus, our studies demonstrated that chronic inflammation mediates telomere shortening via NF-κB signaling in human DPSC. Resultant chromosomal instability leads to an emergence of increased proliferation of DPSC, while negatively regulating the differentiation of DPSC, in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in optical microscopy instrumentation and processing techniques have led to imaging that both breaks the diffraction barrier and enables sub-pixel resolution. This enhanced resolution has expanded the capabilities of particle tracking to nanoscale processes in soft matter including biomolecular, colloidal, and polymeric materials. This tutorial provides a basic understanding of particle tracking instrumentation, the fundamentals of tracking analysis, and potential sources of error and bias inherent in analyzing particle tracking. Finally, we provide a brief outlook for the future of particle tracking through the lens of machine learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government provision of shelter for Calais' migrant population over the last twenty years has prioritised the assertion of state authority over the alleviation of human suffering. Policies in 2015-16, which involved the destruction of informal shelter and the provision of basic alternative accommodation, continued this trend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) respiratory infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) has increased dramatically over the last decade, and is now affecting approximately 25% of patients. Epidemiologic evidence suggests that persistent infection with MRSA results in an increased rate of decline in FEV1 and shortened survival. Currently, there are no conclusive studies demonstrating an effective and safe treatment protocol for persistent MRSA respiratory infection in CF. Methods/Design The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a 28-day course of vancomycin for inhalation in combination with oral antibiotics in eliminating MRSA from the respiratory tract of individuals with CF and persistent MRSA infection. This is a twocenter, randomized, double-blind, comparator-controlled, parallel-group study with 1:1 assignment to either vancomycin for inhalation (250 mg twice a day) or taste-matched placebo for 28 days in individuals with cystic fibrosis. In addition, both groups will receive oral rifampin, a second oral antibiotic - trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) or doxycycline, protocol determined - mupirocin intranasal cream, and chlorhexidine body washes. Forty patients with persistent respiratory tract MRSA infection will be enrolled: 20 will be randomized to vancomycin for inhalation and 20 to a taste-matched placebo. The primary outcome will be the presence of MRSA in sputum respiratory tract cultures 1 month after the conclusion of treatment. Secondary outcomes include the efficacy of the intervention on: FEV1% predicted, patient reported outcomes, pulmonary exacerbations, and MRSA colony-forming units found in respiratory tract sample culture. Discussion Results of this study will provide guidance to clinicians regarding the safety and effectiveness of a targeted eradication strategy for persistent MRSA infection in CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Kinorhyncha is a clade of marine invertebrate meiofauna. Their body plan includes a retractable introvert bearing rings of cuticular spines, and a limbless trunk with distinct segmentation of nervous, muscular and epidermal organ systems. As derived members within the basal branch of Ecdysozoa, kinorhynchs may provide an important example of convergence on the evolution of segmentation within one of three bilaterian superclades. We describe the myoanatomy of Echinoderes, the most specious kinorhynch genus, and build upon historical studies of kinorhynch ultrastructure and gross morphology. This is the first multi-species comparison of a complete organ system by confocal microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction within Kinorhyncha. Results Myoanatomy of adult Echinoderes is composed of the following: Head with two mouth cone circular muscles, nine pairs of oral style muscles, ten introvert retractors, one introvert circular muscle, and fourteen introvert circular muscle retractors; Neck with one circular muscle; Trunk showing distinct pairs of ventral and dorsal muscles within segments 1-10, dorsoventral muscles within segments 3-10, diagonal muscles within segments 1-8, longitudinal fibers spanning segments 1-9, three pairs of terminal spine muscles, and one pair of male penile spine muscles; Gut showing a pharynx with ten alternating rings of radial and circular muscle fibers enclosed in a complex sheath of protractors and retractors, an orthogonal grid of longitudinal and circular fibers surrounding the intestine, and paired hindgut dilators. Conclusions Myoanatomy is highly conserved between species of Echinoderes. Interspecific variation is observed in the arrangement and number of introvert fibers and the composition of pharyngeal muscles. Segmented trunk musculature facilitates the movements of articulated cuticular plates along the anterior-posterior axis. Intersegmental muscle fibers assist with dorsoventral and lateral trunk movements. Protractors, retractors and circular muscles coordinate eversion and retraction of the introvert and mouth cone, and relocation of the pharynx during locomotion and feeding behaviors. Pairs of posterior fibers suggest independent movements of terminal spines, and male penile spines. Within Scalidophora, myoanatomy is more similar between Kinorhyncha and Loricifera, than either group is to Priapulida. Kinorhynch myoanatomy may reflect a convergent transition from vermiform to segmented body plans during the early radiation of Ecdysozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the U.S.'s military strategic policy of utilizing drone aircraft in warfare under U.S. President Barack Obama, including against the terrorist organization Al Qaeda in Pakistan and the Islamic fundamentalism organization the Taliban. The role that the U.S.'s use of drone aircraft plays in terrorist recruitment is discussed.

The objective of this study was to compare the first afebrile seizure management with internationally recognized standards in an Irish tertiary pediatric setting. Twenty-one management standards were derived from a combination of British (NICE 2004) and North American (AAN 2003) guidelines. Cases of first afebrile seizure presenting to a pediatric emergency department between July 2007 and June 2010 were assessed against the standards. On completion, the standards developed were presented to the relevant stakeholders, a nurse-developed parental advice sheet was introduced, and a re-audit was performed from July 2010 to June 2011. Forty children were identified in the initial audit period (A1) and 41 over the re-audit (A2). No case achieved full compliance with the devised standards in the audit period. A median compliance score of 15 (range 5-20) was achieved in A1 and 17 (range 11-21) in A2 [mean rank 31.93 versus 49.85; p(1,1) < 0.0001]. Optimal compliance (total score of ≥17) with devised standards was achieved in 6/40 patients in A1 and in 21/41 patients in A2 [ χ = 11.95; p(1,1) = 0.001]. Conclusion: We demonstrated an initial lack of compliance with international guidelines on management of a common medical presentation, first afebrile seizure, and demonstrated that improvements can be achieved by identification of appropriate standards and critical appraisal of the compliance with these standards through both formal and informal education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research suggests that attending religious services could provide small yet important protective benefits against coronary heart disease (CHD) and CHD risk factors (e.g., diabetes, hypertension). The extent to which these benefits apply to Canada deserves study because approximately one-third of adult Canadians attend religious services at least monthly. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine the association between frequency of religious service attendance and prevalence of (1) CHD, (2) diabetes, and (3) hypertension in Canada. We used the Saskatchewan sample ( n = 5,442) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS-4.1) and built multivariable logistic regression models to evaluate associations between religious service attendance and self-reported CHD, diabetes, and hypertension. After controlling for demographic, socioeconomic and health behavior variables, the association between religious service attendance and prevalence of CHD was not significant (OR = 0.82; 95 % CI 0.61-1.11). However, persons who attended religious services more than once a week exhibited lower prevalence odds of diabetes (OR = 0.60; 95 % CI 0.45-0.80) and hypertension (OR = 0.82; 95 % CI 0.68-0.99) compared to persons who attended less than once a year. The findings of this study are the first to suggest religious service attendance may be associated with a lower prevalence of CHD risk factors in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The objective of this study was to test for the measurement invariance of the Attention and Thought Problems subscales of the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Youth Self-Report (YSR) in a population-based sample of adolescents with and without epilepsy. Data were obtained from the 14-year follow-up of the Mater University Study of Pregnancy in which 33 adolescents with epilepsy and 1068 healthy controls were included for analysis. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test for measurement invariance between adolescents with and without epilepsy. Structural equation modeling was used to test for group differences in attention and thought problems as measured with the CBCL and YSR. Measurement invariance was demonstrated for the original CBCL Attention Problems and YSR Thought Problems. After the removal of ambiguous items (“confused” and “daydreams”), measurement invariance was established for the YSR Attention Problems. The original and reduced CBCL Thought Problems were noninvariant. Adolescents with epilepsy had significantly more symptoms of behavioral problems on the CBCL Attention Problems, β =0.51, p =0.002, compared with healthy controls. In contrast, no significant differences were found for the YSR Attention and Thought Problems, β =−0.11, p =0.417 and β =−0.20, p =0.116, respectively. In this population-based sample of adolescents with epilepsy, the CBCL Attention Problems and YSR Thought Problems appear to be valid measures of behavioral problems, whereas the YSR Attention Problems was valid only after the removal of ambiguous items. Replication of these findings in clinical samples of adolescents with epilepsy that overcome the limitations of the current study is warranted. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The 2013 annual National Toxicology Program (NTP) Satellite Symposium, entitled “Pathology Potpourri,” was held in Portland, Oregon, in advance of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology’s 32nd annual meeting. The goal of the NTP Symposium is to present current diagnostic pathology or nomenclature issues to the toxicologic pathology community. This article presents summaries of the speakers’ presentations, including diagnostic or nomenclature issues that were presented, along with select images that were used for audience voting and discussion. Some lesions and topics covered during the symposium included a caudal tail vertebra duplication in mice; nephroblastematosis in rats; ectopic C cell tumor in a hamster; granular cell aggregates/tumor in the uterus of a hamster; Pneumocystis carinii in the lung of a rat; iatrogenic chronic inflammation in the lungs of control rats; hepatoblastoma arising within an adenoma in a mouse; humoral hypercalcemia of benignancy in a transgenic mouse; acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats; electron microscopy images of iatrogenic intraerythrocytic inclusions in transgenic mice; questionable hepatocellular degeneration/cell death/artifact in rats; atypical endometrial hyperplasia in rats; malignant mixed Müllerian tumors/carcinosarcomas in rats; differential diagnoses of proliferative lesions of the intestine of rodents; and finally obstructive nephropathy caused by melamine poisoning in a rat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Participation in support groups for stuttering is associated with lower internalized stigma. [•] Joining support groups to help others is linked with higher psychological well-being. [•] Most participants rate support groups for stuttering as either extremely or moderately helpful. [•] People who stutter have similar levels of self-esteem compared to the general population. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to test for measurement invariance and examine differences in global self-concept between adolescents with and without physical illness or developmental disability. The sample consisted of adolescents 10–19 years who participated in the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth (N =8491). Multiple group confirmatory factor analysis was used to test for measurement invariance. Twenty-three percent (n =1966) of participants had a physical illness or developmental disability. Support was found for strict measurement invariance between groups suggesting adolescents in both groups perceived items similarly, indicating that comparisons between adolescents with and without physical illness or developmental disability are meaningful. Controlling for several sociodemographic characteristics, evidence suggested that self-concept is lower in adolescents with physical illness or developmental disability, β =−0.24, p =0.0005, compared to their healthy peers. Future work should attempt to understand the processes leading to compromised self-concept in adolescents with physical illness or developmental disability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To create a psychometrically sound scale that measures different levels of internalized stigma (i.e., selfstigma) among adults who stutter and to analyze factor structure, reliability, and initial construct validity of the scale. Method: Two-hundred ninety-one adults who stutter were recruited from Board Recognized Specialists in Fluency Disorders and the National Stuttering Association. Participants completed a web-based survey including an experimental scale called the Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S), designed to measure different levels of self-stigma in people who stutter, along with a series of established measures of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. Results: The experimental scale demonstrated adequate reliability in internal consistency and temporal stability. Factor analysis revealed underlying components supportive of a multidimensional model of stigma. Stigma self-concurrence and, to a lesser extent, stereotype agreement and stigma awareness were negatively correlated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction, supporting initial construct validity of the scale. Conclusion: Speech-language pathologists can identify the presence of self-stigma in their adult clients who stutter and help them to alter these beliefs. The 4S can be a means for researchers and clinicians to achieve these goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To create a psychometrically sound scale that measures different levels of internalized stigma (i.e., selfstigma) among adults who stutter and to analyze factor structure, reliability, and initial construct validity of the scale. Method: Two-hundred ninety-one adults who stutter were recruited from Board Recognized Specialists in Fluency Disorders and the National Stuttering Association. Participants completed a web-based survey including an experimental scale called the Self-Stigma of Stuttering Scale (4S), designed to measure different levels of self-stigma in people who stutter, along with a series of established measures of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. Results: The experimental scale demonstrated adequate reliability in internal consistency and temporal stability. Factor analysis revealed underlying components supportive of a multidimensional model of stigma. Stigma self-concurrence and, to a lesser extent, stereotype agreement and stigma awareness were negatively correlated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction, supporting initial construct validity of the scale. Conclusion: Speech-language pathologists can identify the presence of self-stigma in their adult clients who stutter and help them to alter these beliefs. The 4S can be a means for researchers and clinicians to achieve these goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study tests the hypothesis that links between contextual risk and children's outcomes are partially explained by differential parenting. Using multi-informant measurement and including up to four children per family ( Mage = 3.51, SD = 2.38) in a sample of 397 families, indirect effects (through maternal differential parenting: self-reported and observed) of cumulative contextual risk on four child outcomes were investigated. Cumulative risk was associated with higher levels of differential parenting and, in turn, with higher levels of behavioral problems. Indirect effects were strongest for attentional and social problems but also evident for aggression. The link between differential parenting and outcome was moderated by favoritism, but this was only evident for maternal report and strongest for aggression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As levels of immigration and ethnic diversity continue to rise in most Western societies, the social demography of schools is changing rapidly. Although schools represent a prominent developmental context, relatively little is known about the extent to which the racial/ethnic composition of schools influences mental health outcomes in students. The objective of the present study is to examine the association between immigrant and racial/ethnic congruence in school-the numerical representation of a student's immigrant generational status and race/ethnicity in the student body-and levels of emotional and behavioral problems. This study also examines the extent to which the association between congruence and emotional-behavioral problems differs across racial/ethnic immigrant sub-groups and is accounted for by individual perceptions of school belonging. Data come from the in-school survey of the Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) conducted in the United States. The sample is nationally representative, and includes 128 schools and 77,150 adolescents in grades 7-12 (50 % female, M = 14.9 years, SD = 1.78). After controlling for school and family socio-demographic characteristics, immigrant and racial/ethnic congruence in school exhibited a negative association with emotional and behavioral problems for most sub-groups examined. School belonging was associated negatively with emotional and behavioral problems, and partially accounted for the effects linked to congruence in schools. The immigrant and racial/ethnic composition of schools and perceptions of belonging have strong links with emotional and behavioral problems and may represent important targets for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objectives: To identify factors associated with repeat emergency department (ED) presentations for suicide-related behaviors (SRB) – hereafter referred to as repetition – among children/youth to aid secondary prevention initiatives. To compare rates of repetition in children/youth with substantiated maltreatment requiring removal from their parental home with their peers in the general population. Methods: A population-based (retrospective) cohort study was established for children/youth with a first ED SRB presentation at risk for repetition in the Province of Ontario, Canada between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2008. Children/youth legally removed from their parental home because of substantiated maltreatment (n =179) and their population-based peers (n =6,305) were individually linked to administrative health care records over time to ascertain social, demographic, and clinical information and subsequent ED presentations for SRB during follow-up. These children/youth were described and their repetition-free probabilities over time compared. To identify factors associated with repetition we fit multivariable, recurrent event survival analysis models stratified by repetition and present unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Children/youth with substantiated maltreatment (as noted) were two times more likely to have repetition than their peers after adjustments for social, demographic, and clinical factors (conditional on prior ED SRB presentations). A number of these factors were independently associated with repetition. No one factor distinguished between having a first and second repetition nor was more strongly associated with repetition than another. Conclusions: The risk of repetition is higher in children with substantiated maltreatment (as noted) than their peers. No one factor stood out as predictive of repetition. Implications for secondary prevention initiatives include a non-selective approach, sensitive to family difficulties and the need to better contextualize repetition and harness data linkages. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

One of the distinctive elements of President Barack Obama's approach to counterterrorism has been his embrace of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to target terrorist operatives abroad. The Obama administration has used drones in active theatres of war, such as Afghanistan, but it has also dramatically increased the number of drone attacks launched by the CIA in other countries, such as Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia. The conventional wisdom on drone warfare holds that these weapons are highly effective in killing terrorist operatives and disabling terrorist organizations, while killing fewer civilians than other means of attack. This article argues that much of the existing debate on drones operates with an attenuated notion of effectiveness that discounts the political and strategic dynamics-such as the corrosion of the perceptions of competence and legitimacy of governments where drone strikes take place, growing anti-Americanism and fresh recruitment of militant networks-that reveal the costs of drone warfare. Focusing particularly on drone use in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, the article suggests that the Obama administration's counterterrorism policy operates at cross-purposes because it provides a steady flow of arms and financial resources to build up governments whose legitimacy it systematically undermines by conducting unilateral strikes on their territory. It concludes that the US embrace of drone technology is a losing proposition over the long term as it will usher in a new arms race and lay the foundations for an international system that is increasingly violent, destabilized and polarized between those who have drones and those who are victims of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Previous research has shown that various childhood risk factors are related to depression and chronic physical conditions (CPCs) later in life. However, little is known about risk factors associated with comorbidity for these conditions. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between individual (school performance, childhood physical and sexual abuse) and family risk variables (socioeconomic status, parental mental health, medical condition, and functional limitation) with depression only, chronic pain conditions (back pain and headaches) or other CPCs (respiratory, cardiovascular and digestive disorders, and diabetes) and the comorbidity of either CPC category with depression assessed in early adulthood. Methods: We used data from the Ontario Child Health Study, a prospective, population-based study of 3294 children (ages 4–16) enrolled in 1983 and meeting inclusion criteria at follow-up in 2001 (N = 1475; ages 21–35 years). Results: Using multinomial logistic regression models, controlling for sex and age, childhood history of physical abuse was associated with most outcomes (OR = 1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.16–2.97to 4.36, 95% CI, 1.74–10.97). Parental mental health, childhood functional limitation, childhood history of sexual abuse and family functioning were all related to comorbid depression and chronic pain conditions. Parental mental health was also related to increased risk of other CPCs (ORs = 1.66; 95% CI, 1.08–2.55). Conclusion: We found that the greatest disease risk (comorbid depression and chronic pain conditions) was related to the greatest number of childhood risk factors. Although there was some evidence of specificity, there was overlap in childhood physical abuse predicting almost all outcomes. Efforts targeting the prevention and treatment of childhood maltreatment are critical in order to prevent the long lasting impact of childhood adversity on mental and physical outcomes in early adulthood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The numerical injection analysis (NINJA) project is a collaborative effort between members of the numerical-relativity and gravitational wave dataanalysis communities. The purpose of NINJA is to study the sensitivity of existing gravitational-wave search and parameter-estimation algorithms using numerically generated waveforms and to foster closer collaboration between the numerical-relativity and data-analysis communities. The first NINJAproject used only a small number of injections of short numerical-relativity waveforms, which limited its ability to draw quantitative conclusions. The goal of the NINJA-2 project is to overcome these limitations with long post-Newtonian-- numerical-relativity hybrid waveforms, large numbers of injections and the use of real detector data. We report on the submission requirements for the NINJA-2 project and the construction of the waveform catalog. Eight numerical-relativity groups have contributed 56 hybrid waveforms consisting of a numerical portion modeling the late inspiral, merger and ringdown stitched to a post-Newtonian portion modeling the early inspiral. We summarize the techniques used by each group in constructing their submissions. We also report on the procedures used to validate these submissions, including examination in the time and frequency domains and comparisons of waveforms from different groups against each other. These procedures have so far considered only the (ℓ,m) = (2, 2) mode. Based on these studies, we judge that the hybrid waveforms are suitable for NINJA-2 studies. We note some of the plans for these investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the toxicity and carcinogenic potential of indole-3-carbinol (I3C), the National Toxicology Program has conducted 13-week subchronic studies in Fisher 344 rats and B6C3F1 mice, and chronic 2-year bioassays in Sprague-Dawley rats and B6C3F1 mice. While the chronic study results are not yet available, subchronic study results and short-term special evaluations of interim sacrifices in the 2-year rat bioassay are presented. F344 rats were orally gavaged ≤300 mg I3C/kg body weight 5 days a week for 13 weeks. Rats treated with ≥150 mg/kg demonstrated a dose-related dilation of lymphatics (lymphangiectasis) of the duodenum, jejunum, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Material within dilated lacteals stained positively for Oil Red O and Sudan Black, consistent with lipid. Electron microscopic evaluation confirmed extracellular lipid accumulation within the villar lamina propria, lacteals, and within villar macrophages. Analyses of hepatic and pulmonary CYP1A enzymes demonstrated dose-dependent I3C induction of CYP1A1 and 1A2. B6C3F1 mice orally gavaged ≤250 mg I3C/kg body weight did not demonstrate histopathological changes; however, hepatic CYP induction was similar to that in rats. The histopathologic changes of intestinal lymphangiectasis and lipidosis in this study share similarities with intestinal lymphangiectasia as observed in humans and dogs. However, the resultant clinical spectrum of protein-losing enteropathy was not present. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Objectives: To determine whether the rates of a first presentation to the emergency department (ED) for suicide-related behavior (SRB) are higher among children/youth permanently removed from their parental home because of substantiated maltreatment than their peers. To describe the health care settings accessed by these children/youth before a first SRB presentation to help design preventive interventions. Methods: A population-based (retrospective) cohort of 12–17-year-olds in Ontario, Canada was established. Children/youth removed from their parental home because of the above noted maltreatment (n =4683) and their population-based peers (n =1,034,546) were individually linked to administrative health care records over time to ascertain health service use and subsequent ED presentations for SRB during follow-up. Person-time incidence rates were calculated and Cox regression models used to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: After controlling for demographic characteristics and prior health service use, maltreated children/youth were about five times more likely to have a first ED presentation for SRB compared to their peers, in both boys (HR: 5.13, 95% CI: 3.94, 6.68) and girls (HR: 5.36, 95% CI: 4.40, 6.54). Conclusions: Children/youth permanently removed from their parental home because of substantiated child maltreatment are at an increased risk of a first presentation to the ED for SRB. The prevention of child maltreatment and its recurrence and the promotion of resilience after maltreatment has occurred are important avenues to study toward preventing ED SRB presentations in children/youth. Provider and system level linkages between care sectors may prevent the need for such presentations by providing ongoing environmental support. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

General measures of self-rated health are collected routinely in national health surveys and widely used in the analyses of determinants of health and health care utilization. However, these subjective assessments can be influenced by health expectations (contextualized beliefs about health) that may vary systematically across individuals and be associated with their socio-demographic characteristics. Our objective is to contrast the impact of health expectations associated with respondent characteristics (reporting heterogeneity) on self-rated feelings of sadness, lowness or depression obtained from general population samples in France and Vietnam. Based on self ratings and ratings in response to common anchoring vignettes depicting different levels of depression, we used nationally representative data from the World Health Survey conducted in France (2002) and Vietnam (2002-2003) and a modification of the standard probit model to test and adjust for reporting heterogeneity associated with individual characteristics. We find evidence of reporting heterogeneity within France and Vietnam and across the two countries. In particular we find that, when adjusted for reporting heterogeneity, sex is no longer significantly associated with self-rated feelings of sadness, lowness or depression in France. Given the absence of clear biological markers in the definitions of depressive disorders and the substantial impact reporting heterogeneity is shown to have, measures of depressive disorders based on self-reports should be interpreted with caution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]