Maximizing Returns for Investors Using Modern Portfolio Theory and the Efficient Frontier

There exists an efficient frontier upon which there is an optimal point of allocation of an investor’s assets among different types of investment vehicles. Identifying this point and allocating a portfolio accordingly allow an investor to capture the highest market return with the least amount of risk. This research study offers a model which can be used to find this optimal investment allocation and discusses the challenges and assumptions associated with using it. Using techniques discussed in Markowitz (1952), we obtain the optimal allocation of wealth for two portfolios of 13 and 12 assets, respectively. Such a model is not intended to portray the “perfect” portfolio allocation but provides context for decision making based upon the desire for high returns and investor’s aversion to risk. This model allows for optimal allocation, both with and without constraints to short selling. The results from the models have important implications by providing investment advisors more sophistication when assigning allocation weights. Instead of assigning these weights arbitrarily, which is common in wealth advisory, our model provides direction for obtaining the weights corresponding to the efficient frontier

The Child Fatality Review Process: A Tennessee Profile

The Child Fatality Review Process: A Tennessee Profile examines the perceptions of Tennessee’s judicial district child fatality review team members concerning the team members’ participation in child fatality review, the preventability of specific causes of childhood fatalities, the effectiveness of the Tennessee child fatality review process, and current educational initiatives used to prevent childhood fatalities. The study was completed using the new instrument entitled “Tennessee Child Fatality Review Team Members: Role in the review process.” The research study was designed to 1) develop a valid and reliable survey instrument to assess Tennessee judicial district child fatality review team members’ perceptions of the process used to review childhood fatalities in Tennessee and 2) establish an initial profile of information concerning Tennessee’s child fatality review team members’ perceptions of the review process and program effectiveness. The Community Capacity Theory was used as theoretical framework for the design of this research. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, MANOVA, ANOVA, cross tabulation analysis, Chi-square, Adjusted Residuals, and Tukey’s Honestly Significant Difference. Two major conclusions were drawn from this research study: 1) Significant differences were found between a team member’s occupation and selection of preventability of vehicular, strangulation or suffocation, and firearm deaths. Physicians serving on the child fatality review team perceive vehicular deaths as preventable more often than team members from other occupations. First responders (fire, police, and EMS personnel) serving on the child fatality review team perceive vehicular deaths as less preventable more often than team members from other occupations. Court personnel serving on the child fatality review team perceive suffocation or strangulation deaths as preventable more often than team members from other occupations. 2) Significant differences were found between a team member’s occupation and perceptions of parental educational programs. First responders (police, fire, and EMS personnel) were most supportive of educational campaigns addressing the dangers of parental alcohol abuse, parental knowledge about community resources, and the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, and over-the-counter drug use during pregnancy. Further studies should be conducted to further investigate differences in perceptions when compared to different occupational categories that were found to exist in Tennessee’s child fatality review team members

Social Media Does Not Elicit a Physiological Stress Response as Measured by Heart Rate and Salivary Cortisol Over 20-Minute Sessions of Cell Phone Use

The pervasive use of social media has raised concerns about its potential detrimental effects on physical and mental health. Others have demonstrated a relationship between social media use and anxiety, depression, and psychosocial stress. In light of these studies, we examined physiological indicators of stress (heart rate to measure autonomic nervous system activation and cortisol to assess activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis) associated with social media use and investigated possible moderating influences of sex, age, and psychological parameters. We collected physiological data from 59 subjects ranging in age from 13 to 55 across two cell phone treatments: social media use and a pre-selected YouTube playlist. Heart rate was measured using arm-band heart rate monitors before and during cell phone treatments, and saliva was collected for later cortisol analysis (by enzyme immunoassay) before and after each of the two cell phone treatments. To disentangle the effects of cell phone treatment from order of treatment, we used a crossover design in which participants were randomized to treatment order. Our study uncovered a significant period effect suggesting that both heart rate and cortisol decreased over the duration of our experiment, irrespective of the type of cell phone activity or the order of treatments. There was no indication that age, sex, habits of social media use, or psychometric parameters moderated the physiological response to cell phone activities. Our data suggest that 20-minute bouts of social media use or YouTube viewing do not elicit a physiological stress response

Sexuality education and resource management in the church setting

Master of ScienceSchool of Family Studies and Human ServicesKaren S. Myers-BowmanThis study explores the link between resources and sexuality education within the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS). Six churches were involved in this study representing small, medium, and large congregations based on the full-time employed staff. Both church staff and volunteers were interviewed to learn the following: 1) What kind of sexuality education services does the church provide? 2) What are the sexuality education needs of the church membership? 3) What resources are necessary for providing sexuality education? 4) What are the barriers to providing sexuality education? The findings indicate that all churches were providing sexuality education; however, there were great variations. Each church also had unique resources and barriers for providing additional sexuality education for parishioners in various life stages. It was found that resources have a huge impact on the availability of sexuality education within a church setting. These resources were found to be tangible and intangible along with internal and external to the church

PPARγ agonists do not directly enhance basal or insulin-stimulated Na+ transport via the epithelial Na+ channel

Selective agonists of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) are anti-diabetic drugs that enhance cellular responsiveness to insulin. However, in some patients, fluid retention, plasma volume expansion, and edema have been observed. It is well established that insulin regulates Na(+) reabsorption via the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) located in the distal tubule. Therefore, we hypothesized that these agonists may positively modulate insulin-stimulated ENaC activity leading to increased Na(+) reabsorption and fluid retention. Using electrophysiological techniques, dose-response curves for insulin-mediated Na(+) transport in the A6, M-1, and mpkCCD(cl4) cell lines were performed. Each line demonstrated hormone efficacy within physiological concentration ranges and, therefore, can be used to monitor clinically relevant effects of pharmacological agents which may affect electrolyte transport. Immunodetection and quantitative PCR analyses showed that each cell line expresses viable and functional PPARgamma receptors. Despite this finding, two PPARgamma agonists, pioglitazone and GW7845 did not directly enhance basal or insulin-stimulated Na(+) flux via ENaC, as shown by electrophysiological methodologies. These studies provide important results, which eliminate insulin-mediated ENaC activation as a candidate mechanism underlying the fluid retention observed with PPARgamma agonist use

Obesity Health Education Integrated Into Current Work Roles of Health Education Specialists

Health education specialists (HES) can reduce obesity burden within the public and healthcare systems. This study examined HES’ obesity knowledge and attitudes toward obesity with their willingness to integrate obesity health education (HE) into current work roles. A sample of 1297 completed the survey. No relationships were found between respondents’ obesity knowledge and willingness, nor between bias and willingness, while 90% were willing to integrate obesity HE into current work roles. Additional results show age, years in practice, and currently working in obesity predicted willingness. Health education specialists are willing to integrate obesity health education regardless of knowledge or biases

Sequential Decay Distortion of Goldhaber Model Widths for Spectator Fragments

Momentum widths of the primary fragments and observed final fragments have been investigated within the framework of an Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics transport model code (AMD-V) with a sequential decay afterburner (GEMINI). It is found that the secondary evaporation effects cause the values of a reduced momentum width, $\sigma_0$, derived from momentum widths of the final fragments to be significantly less than those appropriate to the primary fragment but close to those observed in many experiments. Therefore, a new interpretation for experiemental momentum widths of projectile-like fragments is presented.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figs. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C as a Rapid Communicatio

Sequential Decay Distortion of Goldhaber Model Widths for Spectator Fragments

Momentum widths of the primary fragments and observed final fragments have been investigated within the framework of an Antisymmetrized Molecular Dynamics transport model code (AMD-V) with a sequential decay afterburner (GEMINI). It is found that the secondary evaporation effects cause the values of a reduced momentum width, $\sigma_0$, derived from momentum widths of the final fragments to be significantly less than those appropriate to the primary fragment but close to those observed in many experiments. Therefore, a new interpretation for experiemental momentum widths of projectile-like fragments is presented.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figs. Accepted for publication in Phys. Rev. C as a Rapid Communicatio

SB04-22/23: Resolution Authorizing Approval of Staff Senate Signature of Bear Necessities Statement to University Administration

Passed during May 10, 2023 Staff Senate meeting. Documents from the May 10, 2023 meeting of the University of Montana S by University of Montana--Missoula. Staff Senate (umt.edu) Resolution authorizing approval of Staff Senate to sign support to the ASUM Bear Necessities statement to the University of Montana Administration. Resolution Authored by Kat Cowley. Additional Authors, including Cowley, listed for letter. Letter discusses concerns regarding the status of marginalized and vulnerable student populations and offers suggestions on some ways the University of Montana can support students at a basic human level. These include continued advocacy for increase support from the State of Montana, increased housing availability, meal plan affordability, open education resources, campus accessibility, and addressing staffing issues