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ABSTRACT This report describes the design and synthesis of a series of lamella-forming, silicon-containing block copolymers (Si-BCPs) and evaluation of these materials as potential candidates for lithographic applications. The interaction parameter χ of each Si-BCP is measured by both the mean-field theory predicted order-disorder transition and by analysis of X-ray scattering profiles. The introduction of more-polar methoxy and less-polar methylsilyl moieties increases χ to about 2-3 times that of the reference material, poly(styrene- block−4-trimethylsilylstyrene). The incremental increases appear to be essentially additive in this family of block copolymers, suggesting that improvements in χ can be predicted from appropriate monomer choice. Perpendicularly oriented thin-films of the ordered Si-BCPs generated by thermally annealing between two 'neutral' polymeric surfaces and developed by etching on commercial RIE equipment show excellent image fidelity. These images demonstrate the excellent etch contrast of the Si-BCPs and document improvements in pattern fidelity that are realized with more strongly segregated BCPs. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 344-352 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is one of the world's most disabling illnesses according to the World Health Organization. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) are the only medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat OCD, but few patients achieve minimal symptoms from an SRI alone. In such cases, practice guidelines recommend adding antipsychotics or cognitive-behavioral therapy consisting of exposure and ritual prevention (EX/RP).Objective: To compare the effects of these 2 SRI augmentation strategies vs pill placebo for the first time, to our knowledge, in adults with OCD.Design, Setting, and Participants: A randomized clinical trial (conducted January 2007-August 2012) at 2 academic outpatient research clinics that specialize in OCD and anxiety disorders. Patients (aged 18-70 years) were eligible if they had OCD of at least moderate severity despite a therapeutic SRI dose for at least 12 weeks prior to entry. Of 163 who were eligible, 100 were randomized (risperidone, n = 40; EX/RP, n = 40; and placebo, n = 20), and 86 completed the trial.Interventions: While continuing their SRI at the same dose, patients were randomized to the addition of 8 weeks of risperidone (up to 4 mg/d), EX/RP (17 sessions delivered twice weekly), or pill placebo. Independent assessments were conducted every 4 weeks.Main Outcome and Measure: The Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) to measure OCD severity.Results: Patients randomized to EX/RP had significantly greater reduction in week 8 Y-BOCS scores based on mixed-effects models (vs risperidone: mean [SE], -9.72 [1.38]; P < .001 vs placebo: mean [SE], -10.10 [1.68]; P < .001). Patients receiving risperidone did not significantly differ from those receiving placebo (mean [SE], -0.38 [1.72]; P = .83). More patients receiving EX/RP responded (Y-BOCS score decrease ≥25%: 80% for EX/RP, 23% for risperidone, and 15% for placebo; P < .001). More patients receiving EX/RP achieved minimal symptoms (Y-BOCS score ≤12: 43% for EX/RP, 13% for risperidone, and 5% for placebo; P = .001). Adding EX/RP was also superior to risperidone and placebo in improving insight, functioning, and quality of life.Conclusions and Relevance: Adding EX/RP to SRIs was superior to both risperidone and pill placebo. Patients with OCD receiving SRIs who continue to have clinically significant symptoms should be offered EX/RP before antipsychotics given its superior efficacy and less negative adverse effect profile.Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00389493. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address shortfalls in the preparation and achievement of U.S. students In STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), instruction in these areas must begin In the elementary grades, as early as kindergarten (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, 2007; Natural Academy of Sciences, 2007; National Research Council, 2000). The urgent need for Improvement In the teaching of STEM content to young children led one university In the Southeast to create a STEM-focused elementary teacher preparation program. This exemplary program--called ATOMS (Accomplished Teachers of Mathematics and Science)--Is characterized by four key features: program coherence; rigor In the general education program; Innovative, conceptually focused methods courses; and extensive fleldwork aligned with coursework. This article describes the features of this highly scalable program in detail, illustrated through participant reflections and contextualized In the research literature on effective teacher education programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the effects of patient adherence on outcome from exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) therapy in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Method: Thirty adults with OCD were randomized to EX/RP (n 15) or EX/RP augmented by motivational interviewing strategies (n = 15). Both treatments included 3 introductory sessions and 15 exposure sessions. Because there were no significant group differences in adherence or outcome, the groups were combined to examine the effects of patient adherence on outcome. Independent evaluators assessed OCD severity using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale. Therapists assessed patient adherence to between- session EX/RP assignments at each session using the Patient EXIRP Adherence Scale (PEAS). Linear regression models were used to examine the effects of PEAS scores on Outcome, adjusting for baseline severity. The relationship between patient adherence and other predictors of outcome was explored using structural equation modeling. Results: Higher average PEAS ratings significantly predicted lower posttreatment OCD severity in intent-to-treat and completer samples. PEAS ratings in early sessions (5-9) also significantly predicted posttreatment OCD severity. The effects of other significant predictors of outcome in this sample (baseline OCD severity, hoarding subtype, and working alliance) were fully mediated by patient adherence. Conclusions: Patient adherence to between-session EX/RP assignments significantly predicted treatment outcome, as did early patient adherence and change in early adherence. Patient adherence mediated the effects of other predictors of outcome. Future research should develop interventions that increase adherence and then test whether increasing adherence improves outcome. If effective, these interventions could then be used to personalize care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-seven products were labelled to indicate embodied carbon emissions, and sales were recorded over a 3-month period. Green (below average), yellow (near average), and black (above average) footprints indicated carbon emissions embodied in groceries. The overall change in purchasing pattern was small, with black-labelled sales decreasing 6% and green-labelled sales increasing 4% after labelling. However, when green-labelled products were also the cheapest, the shift was more substantial, with a 20% switch from black- to green-label sales. These findings illustrate the potential for labelling to stimulate reductions in carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical education institutions frequently simulate interactions between future health professionals and standardized patients. This manuscript describes a partnership between a teacher preparation institution and a nearby medical institution, outlining specific procedures associated with the use of standardized parents, students, and paraprofessionals in helping future teachers and school leaders navigate common problems of practice. Implications center on the potential of this pedagogy to help bridge the gap between teacher preparation and practice as well as the applicability of this pedagogical approach to other higher education professional preparation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We extend the framework of Constraint Satisfaction Problems to make it more suitable for/applicable to modern constraint programming languages where both constraint satisfaction and constraint solving have a role. Some rough principles for local consistency conditions in the extended framework are developed, appropriate notions of local consistency are formulated, and relationships between the various consistency conditions are established. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Professionals throughout the field of education agree on the importance of teacher-caregiver communication. Yet teacher education programs still do very little to prepare future teachers for these interactions. This exploratory study investigated the use of a standardized caregiver model, with 12 teacher education students involved in a simulated caregiver conference. The results indicate that participating in simulated practice conferences with caregivers provides an opportunity for teacher candidates to engage in trial and error, develop personally and professionally, and address some of their entrenched beliefs related to caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The researchers conducted a survey of undergraduates at Loyola University Chicago. The distinctly Catholic linkage of abortion, euthanasia, and capital punishment is reflected in the survey results. Catholics showed significant differences in their responses to items on abortion and euthanasia when compared to other groups. In the area of capital punishment, no significant difference was found between religious groups with a majority of all groups in opposition. The correlation between responses on all three items was clearer in Catholics than in any other group. While the issue of capital punishment seems to be more influenced by factors other than faith, the link of the issue to both abortion and euthanasia is a matter of faith for many young Catholics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study about the attitudes toward war and religious discrimination of college students of different religious affiliations after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack in the U.S. A survey was conducted on 764 undergraduate students at Loyola University Chicago in Illinois regarding contemporary issues faced in religion and in society. The study focused particularly on the perspectives of Catholic students, given the student population and institutional identity of the university.