CIO Executive Risk Behavior Model

As evidenced in a broad-based body of research, risk affects decision-maker’s behavior by influencing perceptions of decision situations, evaluation of alternatives, choices made, and other decision-related actions taken in response to risk. Based on theory from risk literature, a conceptual model was identified and tested. The data for this study was collected using a stratified random sample from the top Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the banking industry. The survey instrument collected information pertaining to the CIO executive’s risk behavior preference. The analysis of the data was used to determine an effective risk behavior model that can be used for future business decision making process. It is the anticipation that this model can be used to determine the CIOs risk behavior in decision making that would impact the information systems (IS) strategy. The CIOs risk behavior model tested indicated evidence supporting the proposition that both risk propensity and risk perception influenced the ultimate risk behavior of the CIO executive that influences the decision making process. These findings signify that the proposed CIOs risk behavior model is robust

A Case Study of Mediated Learning, Delayed Auditory Feedback, and Motor Repatterning to Reduce Stuttering

A case study of DW, an 11-yr. old monolingual, English-speaking boy who exhibits stuttering, language delay, and ADHD is presented. DW experienced only limited improvement during stuttering therapy received in public schools, according to parents and the public school clinician. The purpose of this case study was to assess whether fluency treatment which incorporated Mediated Learning, Delayed Auditory Feedback, and Speech Motor Repatterning would enhance progress. Therapy was delivered in two treatments, with each treatment being 5 wk. of intense therapy, separated by one year. Treatment 1 of combined Medjated Learning and Delayed Auditory Feedback yielded improvement in fluency, judged by parents and the teacher to be clinically significant. The improved fluency was maintained for one year when DW was pretested for participation in Treatment 2, which combined Mediated Learning, Delayed Auditory Feedback, and Speech Motor Repatterning Exercises. As no conclusions are possible, further study is neede

Concentrations of trace and major elements in Mission–Progresso (Texas) soils

Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) was applied to determine trace and major elements in Mission–Progresso (Texas) soils. The Rio Grande river runs along the USA—Mexico border. The soil samples were collected at Mission and Progresso areas of the Rio Grande riverbank in the USA side. Soils were analyzed for the presence of toxic effluents due to human activities that might affect agricultural products and health because one of the possible paths of intoxication is the agricultural product consumption. Dried, sieved, and blended soil samples (~1.5 g) were irradiated at the UT Austin TRIGA reactor at a thermal neutron flux of 1 × 1012 n cm−2s−1 and epithermal neutron flux of 1 × 1011 n cm−2s−1. Different irradiations, decay, and counting times were combined to determine concentration and detection limits of 21 elements which represent four areas in Mission–Progresso (Texas) with the aim to achieve a consistent characterization. NIST certified reference materials were used in relative analysis and also to determine the accuracy and reproducibility values. The neutron flux was monitored using sulfur flux monitor wires. Normal and Compton suppression gamma ray spectrometers were used to detect different gamma ray energy peaks and this Compton system greatly reduces the background. Concentrations are evaluated in per cent and parts per million and errors are within acceptable levels and these values are compared with values reported in literatures from other countries. The results do not show significant contaminations neither from the Rio Grande river nor from nearby industries

Mediations for Stuttering Reduction: Lessons from African American and Mexican-American Children

The purpose of the article is to provide clinicians examples of best practices for the remediation of stuttering in school-age children. The recommended approach to treatment is based on best practices as espoused in the professional literature (ASHA) and based on the author\u27s seven years of research with over 40 African American, White, and Mexican-American children who stutter. The article is an outgrowth of a recent workshop presentation (NBASLH, 2006) and disseminates results of ongoing research to address the needs of children who exhibited chronic stuttering with little or no improvement resulting from school-based therapy. Recent case studies indicate that children, particularly those who experience limited success in school-based therapy, have significantly improved outcomes when stuttering modification or fluency-shaping approaches are combined with mediated learning strategies to promote cognitive change, family support, and learning transfer (Radford, Tanguma, Gonzalez, Nericcio, & Newman, 2005). A consistent theme throughout the article is that clinicians should adopt a view from the perspective of the speaker to promote clients\u27 successful management of their stuttering (Plexico, Manning, & Dilollo, 2005). However, successful management should include strategies to reduce stuttering as the factor significant to disruption of communication, social isolation, and quality of life. Further, successful management may include prosthetic devices

An exploratory factor analysis: Factors influencing employers’ disposition to hire and retain persons with disabilities

BACKGROUND: There is a significant disparity in employment rates for persons with disabilities when compared to persons without disabilities. Understanding factors that influence employers’ disposition to hire and retain persons with disabilities is the first step in developing an educational intervention plan that is conducive to employers being more receptive to hiring persons with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to survey and explore factors that influence employer’s disposition to hire and retain persons with disabilities and devise a scale that goes beyond attitudes. METHODS: To assess the factor structure and internal consistency of the new scale an exploratory factor analysis was performed on the survey response items to establish reliability and validity. Data was collected from employers located in Cameron and Hidalgo counties located in the Border Region of South Texas (N = 190). RESULTS: The results from the exploratory factor analysis provided a four-factor solution with 16 items. The factors were labeled Fears and Concerns, Employers Resources for Persons with Disabilities, ADA Competence, and Knowledge of Disability. The scale demonstrated overall internal consistency of .709. CONCLUSIONS: The discussion focuses on utility of the scale, recommendations for future research and limitations for the study

The folic acid metabolite 7,8-dihydrofolate can decrease the interactions of ACE2 with the Wild type, but not with the Beta and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants: A silico study.

There is evidence that high levels of folic acid in human plasma may prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections or reduce its symptoms. However, the mechanisms that enable this inhibition are still unknown. This article proves, through molecular dynamics simulation, that folic acid metabolite 7,8-dihydrofolate (DHF) has high affinity to bind as ligands to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), and when this complex has been formed, the Wild type SARS-CoV-2 virus cannot bind to the ACE2 receptor, possibly inhibiting infection to the host cell. In contrast, the Beta and Delta variants of this same virus can join the ACE2 with high affinity even with the presence of DHF. This results lead to the conclusion that DHF may inhibit infection from the Wild type SARS-CoV-2 virus, but not its Beta and Delta variants. These results could explain the almost double increase in severe cases of COVID-19 due to the delta variant in pregnant women compared to the Wild type SARS-CoV-2