Exploring the Moderating Effect of Cognitive Autonomy on the Relationship Between Cognitive Distortions and Youth’s Externalizing Behaviors

Scholars have connected cognitive distortions to adolescents’ externalizing behaviors. Other scholars have offered that higher levels of cognitive autonomy, which develops during adolescence, may be a protective factor for problem behaviors in adolescence. To date, no studies have explored how these two cognitive processes function and potentially interact to predict adolescent problem behaviors. This study’s purpose was to see if cognitive autonomy affected the relationship between cognitive distortions and externalizing behaviors in a clinical population of adolescents. Past research has suggested that cognitive distortions are greater and more prevalent in clinical populations. Because of this, the processes of cognitive autonomy could be affected by cognitive distortions (that can form prior to adolescence), and worsen the relationship between cognitive distortions and externalizing behaviors. This study analyzed 146 adolescents, from a residential treatment facility. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine if links between cognitive distortions, cognitive autonomy, and externalizing behaviors existed, and to determine if elements of cognitive autonomy affected the relationship between cognitive distortions and externalizing behaviors. As expected, analyses showed that cognitive distortions and externalizing behaviors were related. Additionally, results indicated that aspects of cognitive autonomy were protective of externalizing behaviors. Results did not reveal that cognitive autonomy affected the relationship between cognitive distortions and externalizing behaviors. Discussion highlights potential reasons and alternative explanations for the results that were inconsistent with expectations. Limitations and future directions also are discussed

First Production and Detection of Cold Antihydrogen Atoms

The ATHENA experiment recently produced the first atoms of cold antihydrogen. This paper gives a brief review of how this was achieved.Comment: Invited talk at Int. Conf. on Low Energy Antiprotons 2003 (LEAP03), to be published in NIM

Mixing quantum and classical mechanics and uniqueness of Planck's constant

Observables of quantum or classical mechanics form algebras called quantum or classical Hamilton algebras respectively (Grgin E and Petersen A (1974) {\it J Math Phys} {\bf 15} 764\cite{grginpetersen}, Sahoo D (1977) {\it Pramana} {\bf 8} 545\cite{sahoo}). We show that the tensor-product of two quantum Hamilton algebras, each characterized by a different Planck's constant is an algebra of the same type characterized by yet another Planck's constant. The algebraic structure of mixed quantum and classical systems is then analyzed by taking the limit of vanishing Planck's constant in one of the component algebras. This approach provides new insight into failures of various formalisms dealing with mixed quantum-classical systems. It shows that in the interacting mixed quantum-classical description, there can be no back-reaction of the quantum system on the classical. A natural algebraic requirement involving restriction of the tensor product of two quantum Hamilton algebras to their components proves that Planck's constant is unique.Comment: revised version accepted for publication in J.Phys.A:Math.Phy

Recirculating Irrigation Water

Recirculating irrigation runoff water is a method of making more effective use of irrigation water. Reuse of runoff water decreases the amount of water that needs to be pumped or delivered and can be used to improve water application efficiency. It also reduces the possibility of pollution of natural streams from irrigated land. Other benefits are reduced surface drainage costs, improved weed control and the saving of irrigation labor. Reuse systems are readily adapted to automation and can be used advantageously in modern labor-saving, automated and semi-automated irrigation systems

Synthesis, structures and coordination chemistry of singly bridged phosphane-boranes with coordinately unsaturated platinum group metals

A range of singly bridged phosphane-boranes (PBs) have been investigated as potential ligands for basic transition metals. The PBs Ph2PC(Ph)=C(R)BR2 (R = Bu 1, Ph 2, Et 3), based on a rigid cis-ethylene bridges, have been prepared, improving upon limited literature precedent. All three compounds have been comprehensively characterised for the first time, including by X-ray diffraction studies. Significant intramolecular P→B association is apparent in each case, which serves to preclude their engagement as ligands. In contrast, the more flexible PBs R2P(CH2)2BBN (R = Fu 5, Ph 6) readily coordinate to the platinum group metals Pt, Pd and Rh. These complexes have been fully characterised, including an X-ray diffraction study of [Rh(CO){Fu2P(CH2)2-BBN}2Cl] (13)

Water and sodium intake habits and status of ultra-endurance runners during a multi-stage ultra-marathon conducted in a hot ambient environment: an observational field based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Anecdotal evidence suggests ultra-runners may not be consuming sufficient water through foods and fluids to maintenance euhydration, and present sub-optimal sodium intakes, throughout multi-stage ultra-marathon (MSUM) competitions in the heat. Subsequently, the aims were primarily to assess water and sodium intake habits of recreational ultra-runners during a five stage 225 km semi self-sufficient MSUM conducted in a hot ambient environment (T_max range: 32°C to 40°C); simultaneously to monitor serum sodium concentration, and hydration status using multiple hydration assessment techniques.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Total daily, pre-stage, during running, and post-stage water and sodium ingestion of ultra-endurance runners (UER, <it>n</it> = 74) and control (CON, <it>n</it> = 12) through foods and fluids were recorded on Stages 1 to 4 by trained dietetic researchers using dietary recall interview technique, and analysed through dietary analysis software. Body mass (BM), hydration status, and serum sodium concentration were determined pre- and post-Stages 1 to 5.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Water (overall mean (SD): total daily 7.7 (1.5) L/day, during running 732 (183) ml/h) and sodium (total daily 3.9 (1.3) g/day, during running 270 (151) mg/L) ingestion did not differ between stages in UER (<it>p</it> < 0.001 <it>vs</it>. CON). Exercise-induced BM loss was 2.4 (1.2)% (<it>p</it> < 0.001). Pre- to post-stage BM gains were observed in 26% of UER along competition. Pre- and post-stage plasma osmolality remained within normal clinical reference range (280 to 303 mOsmol/kg) in the majority of UER (<it>p</it> > 0.05 <it>vs</it>. CON pre-stage). Asymptomatic hyponatraemia (<135 mmol/L) was evident pre- and post-stage in <it>n</it> = 8 UER, corresponding to 42% of sampled participants. Pre- and post-stage urine colour, urine osmolality and urine/plasma osmolality ratio increased (<it>p</it> < 0.001) as competition progressed in UER, with no change in CON. Plasma volume and extra-cellular water increased (<it>p</it> < 0.001) 22.8% and 9.2%, respectively, from pre-Stage 1 to 5 in UER, with no change in CON.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Water intake habits of ultra-runners during MSUM conducted in hot ambient conditions appear to be sufficient to maintain baseline euhydration levels. However, fluid over-consumption behaviours were evident along competition, irrespective of running speed and gender. Normonatraemia was observed in the majority of ultra-runners throughout MSUM, despite sodium ingestion under benchmark recommendations.</p

Introduction and characterization of an innovative biofuel cell platform with improved stability through novel enzyme immobilization techniques

Enzyme-based biofuel cells (BFCs) are a promising technology as a small-scale power source, but their practical uses are hampered by their short lifetime and poor power density. In this work, we have developed a miniature BFC consisting of an airbreathing cathode and an enzymatic anode. The miniaturization of BFC was done by adopting the design of stackable proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, and the smallest dimension of BFC was 12 x 12 x 9 mm. The enzymatic anodes were constituted with stabilized glucose oxidase (GOx) in a form of crosslinked enzyme clusters (CEC) on the surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs). When these enzyme clusters on CNTs were applied to carbon supports, a high surface area multilayered complex with internal pore structures was formed within the enzymatic anode. We have compared these enzymatic CEC anodes to anode electrodes fabricated by more conventional methods, such as enzyme coating (EC) and covalent attachment (CA), and demonstrated that our novel CEC electrodes far outperform these electrodes both based upon power density output and stability. We have also demonstrated that the buffer solution plays an important role in determining the performance and stability of BFCs. It was found that when the cell was buffered, the initial performance was very high but its performance quickly dropped due solely to a deactivation of the PEM. On the other hand, when the cell was unbuffered, the initial performance was lower than that of the buffered runs due to the low pH condition but its performance was very stable for a very long operation time. For example, under continuous operation, a potentiostatic measurement of the BFC in an unbuffered solution showed no significant current density drop for more than 16 hours. This unprecedentedly high operational stability of the BFC using the enzyme-CNT hybrid materials opens up a new potential for many BFC applications. Finally, we have explored the effect of glucose and mediator concentrations in the feed solution of the BFC and have shown that maximum power output occurs at concentrations around 100 mM and 10mM, respectively

Communicative Language Teaching: The Cornerstone of Second Language Acquisition

This portfolio is comprised of a compilation of papers written by the author while completing the Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program at Utah State University. The focus of the portfolio is a teaching philosophy outlining the author’s beliefs on how to foster effective language teaching in the university foreign language classroom. Included as well are artifacts addressing coping with culture shock, effective forms of language learning, and reading in foreign language literature courses. These artifacts were chosen to reflect important areas of language teaching that have affected the author’s teaching philosophy. Finally, the author has incorporated an annotated bibliography of books and articles that have impacted the author’s attitudes and opinions towards effective foreign language teaching