A validation study for the use of the Adolescent and Adult Self-Concept Retrospective Scale for emotionally disturbed adolescents

The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Adolescent and Adult Self-concept Retrospective Scale (AASRS) for use with emotionally disturbed adolescents. To determine validity, scores on a behavioral rating scale, the Behavioral Dimensions Rating Scale (BDRS), completed by a teacher or teacher\u27s assistant were correlated to scores on the AASRS. It was thought that if there was a high congruence between the scores on the two measures the AASRS would be validated. The sample in this study consisted of 29 dually diagnosed adolescents that attended a school for special needs students. All subjects were between 13 and 20 years old and were previously diagnosed as emotionally disturbed, and had a secondary diagnosis. The sample consisted of primarily males, 21 males and 8 females from various SES and ethnic backgrounds. The data was analyzed using a Pearson correlation and Spearman rho correlation coefficients. Correlations were computed for all subjects based on gender and secondary diagnosis. The results of the current study did not yield any significant correlations between the BDRS and the AASRS

An application of software design and documentation language

The software design and documentation language (SDDL) is a general purpose processor to support a lanugage for the description of any system, structure, concept, or procedure that may be presented from the viewpoint of a collection of hierarchical entities linked together by means of binary connections. The language comprises a set of rules of syntax, primitive construct classes (module, block, and module invocation), and language control directives. The result is a language with a fixed grammar, variable alphabet and punctuation, and an extendable vocabulary. The application of SDDL to the detailed software design of the Command Data Subsystem for the Galileo Spacecraft is discussed. A set of constructs was developed and applied. These constructs are evaluated and examples of their application are considered

An Understanding of Telephony with Uncoil

The autonomous steganography solution to RPCs is defined not only by the emulation of 128 bit architectures, but also by the natural need for IPv6 [18]. After years of unfortunate research into linked lists, we disconfirm the study of e-business [18]. In our research, we propose a novel methodology for the develop- ment of the UNIVAC computer (Uncoil), disproving that the World Wide Web and web browsers can connect to achieve this objective

Analysis of a Decade in Library Literature: 1994-2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in publication and citation in library and information science journals over a decade (1994-2004) of the literature. This examination revealed the areas of concentration within the research, frequently published subjects through the years, and the characteristics of the top-cited authors and resources during this time. This information allows those in the field to follow the trends in publication, gives researchers the tools to determine which journals might give their work the most exposure and recognition, and can help libraries to make collection management decisions in this subject area

Resonant Processes in a Frozen Gas

We present a theory of resonant processes in a frozen gas of atoms interacting via dipole-dipole potentials that vary as $r^{-3}$, where $r$ is the interatomic separation. We supply an exact result for a single atom in a given state interacting resonantly with a random gas of atoms in a different state. The time development of the transition process is calculated both on- and off-resonance, and the linewidth with respect to detuning is obtained as a function of time $t$. We introduce a random spin Hamiltonian to model a dense system of resonators and show how it reduces to the previous model in the limit of a sparse system. We derive approximate equations for the average effective spin, and we use them to model the behavior seen in the experiments of Anderson et al. and Lowell et al. The approach to equilibrium is found to be proportional to $\exp (-\sqrt{\gamma_{eq}t}$), where the constant $\gamma _{eq}$ is explicitly related to the system's parameters.Comment: 30 pages, 6 figure

Effects of Wind Field Inhomogeneities on Doppler Beam Swinging Revealed by an Imaging Radar

In this work, the accuracy of the Doppler beam-swinging (DBS) technique for wind measurements is studied using an imaging radar—the turbulent eddy profiler (TEP) developed by the University of Mas- sachusetts, with data collected in summer 2003. With up to 64 independent receivers, and using coherent radar imaging (CRI), several hundred partially independent beams can be formed simultaneously within the volume defined by the transmit beam. By selecting a subset of these beams, an unprecedented number of DBS configurations with varying zenith angle, azimuth angle, and number of beams can be investigated. The angular distributions of echo power and radial velocity obtained by CRI provide a unique opportunity to validate the inherent assumption in the DBS method of homogeneity across the region defined by the beam directions. Through comparison with a reference wind field, calculated as the optimal uniform wind field derived from all CRI beams with sufficient signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), the accuracy of the wind estimates for various DBS configurations is statistically analyzed. It is shown that for a three-beam DBS configura- tion, although the validity of the homogeneity assumption is enhanced at smaller zenith angles, the root- mean-square (RMS) error increases because of the ill-conditioned matrix in the DBS algorithm. As ex- pected, inhomogeneities in the wind field produce large bias for the three-beam DBS configuration for large zenith angles. An optimal zenith angle, in terms of RMS error, of approximately 9°–10° was estimated. It is further shown that RMS error can be significantly reduced by increasing the number of off-vertical beams used for the DBS processing

Improving trial recruitment through improved communication about patient and public involvement : an embedded cluster randomised recruitment trial

Background: Evidence is emerging that patient and public involvement in research (PPIR) may improve recruitment into randomised controlled trials, but the best methods to achieve improvement are unclear. Although many trials use PPIR to improve design and conduct, many do not communicate their use of PPIR clearly to potential participants. Directly communicating PPIR might encourage participation through increased patient confidence and trust in a trial. We aimed to develop and evaluate the impact on recruitment an intervention communicating PPIR in a trial to potential participants. Methods: This study was embedded in EQUIP, a cluster randomised controlled trial which allocated mental health teams in England to either a training intervention group to improve service user and carer involvement in care planning, or to a control group (no training). We conducted a cluster randomised trial of a recruitment intervention communicating PPIR, embedded within the EQUIP trial. The principles underlying the intervention were informed by a systematic review and a workshop that included mental health service users and trialists. Working with EQUIP PPIR partners (service users and carers) we developed the intervention using a leaflet to advertise the nature and function of the PPIR. Professional graphic design optimised readability and impact. Patients identified as potentially eligible for EQUIP were randomised to receive the leaflet or not, alongside the standard trial information. The primary outcome was the proportion of participants enrolled in EQUIP. The secondary outcome was the proportion expressing interest in taking part. Results: 34 clusters (mental health teams) were recruited, and 8182 potential participants were randomised. Preliminary analyses show that for the primary outcome, 4% of patients receiving the PPIR leaflet were enrolled vs. 5.3% in the control group. For the secondary outcome 7.3% of potential participants receiving the PPIR leaflet responded positively to the invitation to participate, vs. 7.9% in the control group. Future analyses will be by intention-to-treat and use logistic regression to estimate between-group odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. A planned secondary analysis will explore whether the impact of the intervention is moderated by age and gender. Conclusion: In preliminary analysis of this large trial, communicating PPIR demonstrated no benefits for improving the numbers of potential participants expressing interest in the trial, and reduced trial enrolment. Our findings contrast with the literature suggesting PPIR benefits recruitment. We will discuss the potential reasons for this finding, along with implications for future recruitment practice and research

‘Together … for only a moment’ British newspaper constructions of altruistic non-commercial surrogate motherhood

Objectives: To explore how national altruistic surrogacy is framed in a representative selection of the British press. Methods: A study of 90 British national newspaper articles was carried out using the Lexis-Nexis data base to search for articles on altruistic surrogacy. Content analysis of gain, loss, neutral frames and high or low alarm and vulnerability frames in the titles and the body of the text was carried out. The type of construction used in the article content was also analysed. Data were coded and consensus reached using a coding strategy specifically developed for the purposes of this study. Results: Titles and content were predominantly loss, high alarm and high vulnerability framed. The content was also gain framed, and written with a focus on the social and legal aspects differentially between the newspaper types. Discussion: The tabloid press emphasizes social issues, and the middle market and serious press focus on legal issues of altruistic surrogacy. Selectively framed and reinforced information provided by the different newspapers, reflect the different readership, with Tabloid readers likely to be, surrogates (mostly from lower socioeconomic strata) and serious/ middle-market readers likely to be commissioning parents (mostly professionals)

Measurement of the vector analyzing power in elastic electron-proton scattering as a probe of double photon exchange amplitudes

We report the first measurement of the vector analyzing power in inclusive transversely polarized elastic electron-proton scattering at Q^2 = 0.1 (GeV/c)^2 and large scattering angles. This quantity should vanish in the single virtual photon exchange, plane wave impulse approximation for this reaction, and can therefore provide information on double photon exchange amplitudes for electromagnetic interactions with hadronic systems. We find a non-zero value of A=-15.4+/-5.4 ppm. No calculations of this observable for nuclei other than spin 0 have been carried out in these kinematics, and the calculation using the spin orbit interaction from a charged point nucleus of spin 0 cannot describe these data.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Postcopulatory selection for dissimilar gametes maintains heterozygosity in the endangered North Atlantic right whale

Publisher's Version/PDFAlthough small populations are expected to lose genetic diversity through genetic drift and inbreeding, a number of mechanisms exist that could minimize this genetic decline. Examples include mate choice for unrelated mates and fertilization patterns biased toward genetically dissimilar gametes. Both processes have been widely documented, but the long-term implications have received little attention. Here, we combined over 25 years of field data with high-resolution genetic data to assess the long-term impacts of biased fertilization patterns in the endangered North Atlantic right whale. Offspring have higher levels of microsatellite heterozygosity than expected from this gene pool (effect size = 0.326, P < 0.011). This pattern is not due to precopulatory mate choice for genetically dissimilar mates (P < 0.600), but instead results from postcopulatory selection for gametes that are genetically dissimilar (effect size = 0.37, P < 0.003). The long-term implication is that heterozygosity has slowly increased in calves born throughout the study period, as opposed to the slight decline that was expected. Therefore, this mechanism represents a natural means through which small populations can mitigate the loss of genetic diversity over time