Explant Analysis of Total Disc Replacement

Explant analysis of human disc prostheses allow early evaluation of the host response to the prosthesis and the response of the prosthesis from the host. Furthermore, early predictions of failure and wear can be obtained. Thus far, about 2-3% of disc prostheses have been removed. Observed wear patterns are similar to that of appendicular prostheses including abrasions/scratching, burnishing, surface deformation, fatigue, and embedded debris. Chemically the polymeric components have shown little degradation in short-term implantation. In metal on metal prostheses the histologic responses consist of large numbers of metallic particles with occasional macrophages and giant cells. Only rare cases of significant inflammatory response from polymeric debris have been seen

Democratization’s Risk Premium: Partisan and Opportunistic Political Business Cycle Effects on Sovereign Ratings in Developing Countries

We use partisan and opportunistic political business cycle (“PBC”) considerations to develop a framework for explaining election-period decisions by credit rating agencies (“agencies”) publishing developing country sovereign risk-ratings (“ratings”). We test six hypotheses derived from the framework with 482 agency ratings for 19 countries holding 39 presidential elections from 1987-2000. We find that ratings are linked to the partisan orientation of incumbents facing election and to expectations of incumbent victory. Consistent with the framework, rating effects are sometimes greater for right-wing compared to left-wing incumbents, perhaps, because partisan PBC considerations with right-wing (left-wing) incumbents reinforce (counteract) opportunistic PBC considerations.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39931/3/wp546.pd

Implementation and perceived benefits of an after-school soccer program designed to promote social and emotional learning: A multiple case study

Social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies such as self-awareness and relationship skills are predictors of academic success, overall well-being, and avoidance of problematic behaviors. Among school-aged children, research has demonstrated that well-implemented programs teach SEL competencies and life skills (e.g., leadership, responsible decision making) that can transfer to other settings. Similar claims have been made in the field of sport-based youth development (SBYD), however, the SEL framework has not been widely applied in sport programming. Implementation, student learning, and transfer of learning in SBYD programs designed to promote SEL require further exploration. Therefore, the current study examined the implementation and perceived benefits of an after-school soccer program designed to promote SEL. Participants were six coaches and 51 students from three different sites where this program is offered. A multiple case study design was used, integrating data from customized feedback surveys, interviews, systematic observation, and field notes. Results indicated the program reflects many SBYD best practices. Although implementation varied between sites, program culture and core values were consistent. Evidence indicated students learned and applied SEL lessons in the soccer program and that transfer beyond the program was promoted. Participants were most likely to report transfer to the school setting, therefore, future studies should examine this topic more directly. Other implications for research and program implementation are discussed

DEMOCRACY’S SPREAD: Elections and Sovereign Debt in Developing Countries

We use partisan and opportunistic political business cycle (“PBC”) considerations to develop and test a framework for explaining election-period changes in credit spreads for developing country sovereign bonds. Pre-election bond spread trends are significantly linked both to the partisan orientation of incumbents facing election and to expectations of incumbent victory. Bond spreads for right-wing (leftwing) incumbents increase (decrease) as the likelihood of left-wing (right-wing) challenger victory increases. For right-wing incumbent partisan and opportunistic PBC effects bondholder risk perceptions are mutually reinforcing. For left-wing incumbents partisan PBC effects dominate bondholder risk perceptions compared to opportunistic PBC effects.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/39961/3/wp575.pd

EEF: Exponentially Embedded Families with Class-Specific Features for Classification

In this letter, we present a novel exponentially embedded families (EEF) based classification method, in which the probability density function (PDF) on raw data is estimated from the PDF on features. With the PDF construction, we show that class-specific features can be used in the proposed classification method, instead of a common feature subset for all classes as used in conventional approaches. We apply the proposed EEF classifier for text categorization as a case study and derive an optimal Bayesian classification rule with class-specific feature selection based on the Information Gain (IG) score. The promising performance on real-life data sets demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approach and indicates its wide potential applications.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, to be published in IEEE Signal Processing Letter. IEEE Signal Processing Letter, 201

Democratization’s Risk Premium: Partisan and Opportunistic Political Business Cycle Effects on Sovereign Ratings in Developing Countries

We use partisan and opportunistic political business cycle (“PBC”) considerations to develop a framework for explaining election-period decisions by credit rating agencies (“agencies”) publishing developing country sovereign risk-ratings (“ratings”). We test six hypotheses derived from the framework with 482 agency ratings for 19 countries holding 39 presidential elections from 1987-2000. We find that ratings are linked to the partisan orientation of incumbents facing election and to expectations of incumbent victory. Consistent with the framework, rating effects are sometimes greater for right-wing compared to left-wing incumbents, perhaps, because partisan PBC considerations with right-wing (left-wing) incumbents reinforce (counteract) opportunistic PBC considerations.economics, elections, developing countries, ratings

The Economic Impact of Bear River Heritage Area Tourism

Covering seven counties in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho in the United States, the Bear River Heritage Area (BRHA) is recognized as a State Heritage Area by both states, and consists of a consortium of heritage sites, attractions, and businesses with historic ties to the region

Landscape Factors Associated with Subterranean Termite (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) Treatments and Colony Structure in Residential Subdivisions

Subterranean termites (Isoptera: Reticulitermes) are common structural pests, but it is not well known how landscape factors are associated with urban colonization. This study examined patterns of subterranean termite colonization in 13 mid-Missouri residential subdivisions. Ten- and 20-year-old homes built on historically agricultural and forested landscapes were inspected for treatment by termiticide application or bait stations. Contemporary and historical aerial imagery were analyzed using GIS software, and patterns of colonization were compared among subdivisions. The genetic structure of termite colonies collected in undeveloped landscapes and residential subdivisions was compared using microsatellite DNA. Twenty-year-old subdivisions had significantly higher treatment proportions than 10-year-old subdivisions. At year 10, historically forested subdivisions had a higher treatment proportion than historically agricultural subdivisions. By year 20, there was no significant difference in treatment proportion between historical landscape types, indicating that subdivisions built on agricultural landscapes eventually catch up to subdivisions built on forest landscapes. Although there was not strong statistical support, treated homes in historically agricultural subdivisions tended to be close to forest patches, but there was less of an association in historically forested subdivisions. Colonies in undeveloped landscapes were more inbred compared to colonies in residential subdivisions, indicating that colonies sampled in subdivisions had fewer secondary reproductive and were potentially younger than those sampled in undeveloped landscapes. This study provides some correlative support for the role of dispersing alates as urban colonizers, because treatments were often located at relatively long distances from undisturbed forest patches in historically agricultural subdivisions

Attitudes and Beliefs of Marriage and Family Therapists Regarding Psychotropic Drugs and Therapy

Clinical members of AAMFT were solicited by means of a randomized multi-staged clustering technique to identify their attitudes and beliefs regarding psychotropic drugs. All participants were blind to the overall purpose of the study (n = 322) and were directed to read a clinical vignette and then identify what course of action they would take with the client. They were then asked to complete a small questionnaire regarding their attitudes and beliefs regarding psychotropic drugs. Results of the study showed that 35.7% of the clinicians identified medication and a medication referral as a viable treatment option they might pursue with a client meeting criteria for major depressive episode. Clinicians who reported having a dedicated university class (17.2%) in psychopharmacology were more likely to identify medication referral as a treatment option. However, 80% of the AAMFT clinicians we surveyed reported that they were not adequately trained about psychotropic medications in their graduate programs. Further implications regarding diagnostic practices are also discussed, as 26% of clinicians failed to explicitly diagnose the client in the case vignette with depression

Product Awareness and Physical Risk Perceptions of Consumers of Treated Lumber

This research examines risk, an important determinant of consumer decision-making, as a function of product awareness and physical risk perceptions. Specifically, this study addresses the risk from treated lumber products that professional and do-it-yourself retail customers perceive. In September 1985 a settlement agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the wood-preserving industry regarding the use and sale of wood-treating chemicals was signed. One aspect of this agreement involved the education of consumers as to the proper use, handling and disposal of the preservative-treated lumber products. Consumer Information Sheets, the backbone of the Consumer Awareness Program, were employed to disseminate these basic safety precautions. This study measures the effectiveness of the Consumer Awareness Program by evaluating consumer awareness of the Consumer Information Sheets and evaluates the knowledge, awareness, and physical risk perceptions that retail customers have regarding treated lumber products