Understanding privacy-control arrangements based on a theory of interactive computation in B2C service models

The impact of surveillance and social control, the dangers of big data, and other highly relevant topics have recently come to the forefront of current digital privacy discussions. However, the dynamics of dominant service models in relation to privacy-control arrangements between corporations and consumers are not well understood. As such, the main focus of this paper is to explore how to understand emerging and existing individual privacy arrangements in the Business-To-Consumer (B2C) domain. By re-addressing the dominant model based on one-off "encounters" to consider another that is based on ongoing interactions, we can begin to envision the possibility for, and consequences of, new pro-consumer control arrangements. This paper does not recommend which arrangement should prevail, but seeks to serve as a starting point for this understanding and subsequent debate by exploring how we can make sense of privacy-control arrangements in B2C service models

Departmental Identification Through Perceived Prestige: Peering through different lenses

This study examined the relationship between identification and perceived prestige at the department level. By shifting the focus of the image from the organization itself to that of the departments within it and focusing on identification with the department, this study distinguished three different perception foci: department colleagues, organization members outside the department, and other peers who were not part of the organization. The study was carried out at Concordia University using professors as the research population. To study the identification process, sustainability research served as a behavioral indicator of identity. Research professors were sampled from six separate departments with varying levels of interest in sustainability research to ensure that each department had a distinct identity. The research professors were asked what they thought others believed was the emphasis of sustainability research in their department. These “others” were placed into the three different groups to calculate the perceived prestige coming from each group. The three perceptions were then tested for correlations with the Departmental Identification. Results supported the hypothesis that a positive correlation existed between each of the prestige perceptions and Departmental Identification. However, the hypothesis that the correlations between perceived prestige and Departmental Identification would become stronger as social proximity increased was not supported

Strengthening School-Family-Community Engagement Through Community Dialogues

Open communication among school community stakeholders strengthens collaboration and facilitates school transformation. Meaningful parent engagement through two-way conversations supports shared decision-making and developing a shared vision for change. We document the implementation and outcomes of community dialogues on race and ethnicity conducted with a group of 11 school and community members, including parents, caretakers, community professionals, and a teacher. Two rounds of semi-structured interviews with participants were conducted and analyzed using qualitative content analysis to explore outcomes of community dialogues. Critical race theory in education guided the community dialogues implementation and qualitative analyses. Findings illuminate participant appreciation for sharing narratives, becoming aware of cultural differences, and raising critical awareness to mobilize community change. Implications of school community dialogues on educational outcomes and counseling practice are also described

A newborn with ring chromosome 10, aganglionic megacolon, and renal hypoplasia.

A newborn infant is reported who had aganglionic megacolon, renal hypoplasia, severe growth retardation, generalised hypotonia, and various dysmorphic features. Chromosome analysis of lymphocytes and fibroblasts showed a ring chromosome 10 with breakpoints at p13-15 and q26. AluI digestion showed that the ring chromosome was monocentric. FISH with an alpha satellite probe specific for chromosome 10 showed one signal only in about 20% of interphase nuclei. It is suggested that aganglionic megacolon could result from dynamic somatic mosaicism owing to loss of the ring chromosome

Impact of panic attacks on bronchoconstriction and subjective distress in asthma patients with and without panic disorder

© 2017 by the American Psychosomatic Society. Objective: Panic disorder (PD) is common among asthma patients and is associated with worse asthma outcomes. This may occur because of psychophysiological factors or cognitive/affective factors. This study evaluated the impact of panic attacks (PAs) on bronchoconstriction and subjective distress in people who have asthma with and without PD. Methods: A total of 25 asthma patients (15 with PD who had a PA [PD/PA], 10 without PD who did not have a PA [no PD/no PA] ) were recruited from an outpatient clinic. They underwent a panic challenge (one vital capacity inhalation of 35% carbon dioxide [CO 2 ]) and completed the Panic Symptom Scale, the Subjective Distress Visual Analogue Scale, and the Borg Scale before and after CO 2 . Forced expiratory volume in 1 second was assessed pre-and post-CO 2 ; respiratory (i.e., CO 2 production, minute ventilation, tidal volume) was continuously recorded, and physiological measures (i.e., systolic and diastolic blood pressure [SBP/DBP]) were recorded every 2 minutes. Results: Analyses adjusting for age, sex, and provocative concentration of methacholine revealed no significant differences between groups in forced expiratory volume in 1 second change after CO 2 inhalation (F(1, 23) < 0.01, p =.961). However, patients with PD/PA reported more panic (F(1, 22) = 18.10, p < .001), anxiety (F(1, 22) = 21.93, p < .001), worry (F(1, 22) = 26.31, p < .001), and dyspnea (F(1,22) = 4.68, p =.042) and exhibited higher levels of CO 2 production (F(1, 2843) = 5.89, p =.015), minute ventilation (F(1, 2844) = 4.48, p =.034), and tidal volume (F(1, 2844) = 4.62, p =.032) after the CO 2 challenge, compared with patients with no PD/no PA. Conclusions: Results, presented as hypothesis generating, suggest that asthma patients with PD/PA exhibit increased panic-like anxiety, breathlessness, and a respiratory pattern consistent with hyperventilation that was not linked to statistically significant drops in bronchoconstriction

Isolation of osteogenic progenitors from human amniotic fluid using a single step culture protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Stem cells isolated from amniotic fluid are known to be able to differentiate into different cells types, being thus considered as a potential tool for cellular therapy of different human diseases. In the present study, we report a novel single step protocol for the osteoblastic differentiation of human amniotic fluid cells.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The described protocol is able to provide osteoblastic cells producing nodules of calcium mineralization within 18 days from withdrawal of amniotic fluid samples. These cells display a complete expression of osteogenic markers (COL1, ONC, OPN, OCN, OPG, BSP, Runx2) within 30 days from withdrawal. In order to test the ability of these cells to proliferate on surfaces commonly used in oral osteointegrated implantology, we carried out cultures onto different test disks, namely smooth copper, machined titanium and Sandblasted and Acid Etching titanium (SLA titanium). Electron microscopy analysis evidenced the best cell growth on this latter surface.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The described protocol provides an efficient and time-saving tool for the production of osteogenic cells from amniotic fluid that in the future could be used in oral osteointegrated implantology.</p

A Wireless Multi-Channel Recording System for Freely Behaving Mice and Rats

To understand the neural basis of behavior, it is necessary to record brain activity in freely moving animals. Advances in implantable multi-electrode array technology have enabled researchers to record the activity of neuronal ensembles from multiple brain regions. The full potential of this approach is currently limited by reliance on cable tethers, with bundles of wires connecting the implanted electrodes to the data acquisition system while impeding the natural behavior of the animal. To overcome these limitations, here we introduce a multi-channel wireless headstage system designed for small animals such as rats and mice. A variety of single unit and local field potential signals were recorded from the dorsal striatum and substantia nigra in mice and the ventral striatum and prefrontal cortex simultaneously in rats. This wireless system could be interfaced with commercially available data acquisition systems, and the signals obtained were comparable in quality to those acquired using cable tethers. On account of its small size, light weight, and rechargeable battery, this wireless headstage system is suitable for studying the neural basis of natural behavior, eliminating the need for wires, commutators, and other limitations associated with traditional tethered recording systems