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The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among the political leanings of a state, the state-level implicit and explicit biases against transgender people, and the presence of transgender athlete bans. The authors collected archival data from 2021 and 2022 bans in the United States to examine the hypotheses. As of 2022, 18 states had passed laws barring transgender athletes from participating in sports. Results from regression analyses showed that conservative-leaning states were more likely to enact transgender athlete bans than their peers. The relationship was mediated by explicit (but not implicit) bias toward transgender people. The findings have implications for research and practice. Sport managers have an opportunity to create transgender-inclusive workplaces for staff, coaches, and other managers. They should also work with campus counselors and other staff to ensure that transgender athletes have ample support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Declines in mortality have historically been associated with improvements in physical health across generations. While life expectancy in most high-income countries continues to increase, there is evidence that younger generations, particularly in the United States, are less healthy than previous generations at the same age. We compared generational trends in physical health in the United States, England, and continental Europe to explore whether other regions have experienced a similar pattern of worsening health across cohorts. Methods Using data from nationally representative studies of adults aged ≥50 years from the United States (Health and Retirement Study, n = 26,939), England (English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, n = 14,992) and 11 continental European countries (Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe, n = 72,595), we estimated differences in the age-adjusted prevalence of self-reported chronic disease and disability and observer-measured health indicators across pseudo-birth cohorts (born <1925, 1925–1935, 1936–1945, 1946–1954, 1955–1959). Results Age-adjusted prevalence of doctor-diagnosed chronic disease increased across successive cohorts in all regions. Trends in disability prevalence were more regionally varied. Still, in both the United States and Europe, we observed a structural break in disability trends, with declines observed in prewar cohorts slowing, stalling, or reversing for cohorts born since 1945. Discussion In all regions, we found evidence for worsening health across cohorts, particularly for those born since 1945. While more chronic disease in younger cohorts need not necessarily translate to worse quality of life or higher rates of functional limitation, there is some suggestion that worsening chronic disease morbidity may be spilling over into worsening disability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Within the modern cultural climate, those in larger bodies face high levels of weight stigma, particularly in sport and physical activity spaces, which serves as a strong barrier to their participation. However, given the strong link between physical activity and general health and well-being for participants, it is important to explore strategies that encourage participation of these individuals. Thus, the current research examined strategies that physical activity instructors use to develop inclusive exercise spaces for all body sizes. Method: This study employed a series of semistructured qualitative interviews (n = 9) with instructors of body-inclusive yoga classes to explore the ways in which they encourage participation for those in larger bodies. Results: Emergent themes from the current study suggested support for 6 factors for creating body-inclusive physical activity spaces: authentic leadership, a culture of inclusion, a focus on health, inclusive language, leader social activism, and a sense of community. Conclusion: This study revealed that leaders must intentionally cultivate inclusion in their spaces to encourage those in nonconforming bodies to participate. These findings have important health and management implications for the sport and physical activity context and provide a basic outline of practical strategies that practitioners can use to foster inclusion in their spaces.

This study investigated the relationships between completing the high school portion of a college- and career-preparatory program of study and high school achievement outcomes in a large urban district in the West. Programs of study are secondary-to-postsecondary educational programs mandated by the federal legislation (Perkins IV) governing career and technical education (CTE) in the United States. At graduation, 49.5% of students in the sample who began a program of study had completed their programs. Using multiple regression models, we compared graduates who completed a program of study (hereafter POS completers) to graduates who completed a number of CTE courses in a specific occupational area (CTE concentrators), and to graduates who may have taken a CTE course or two during high school but were neither POS completers nor CTE concentrators (All Others). POS completers were more likely to (a) have a higher overall GPA, (b) have a higher CTE GPA, and (c) earn more STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) credits than All Other students. Compared with CTE concentrators, POS completers were more likely to (a) have a higher overall GPA and (b) earn more STEM credits. Qualitative data describe contextual elements of programs of study as offered in West District that could explain these results. Study results suggest that districts should consider implementing career-themed programs such as programs of study that enhance their existing college- and career-readiness initiatives. We also call for further study of the postsecondary and labor market outcomes associated with programs of study in order to generate a clearer picture of their potential to increase academic and technical achievement and promote successful student transitions to higher education and the workplace.

Purpose: To compare opioid prescription patterns of ophthalmologists based on performance on the American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) written qualifying examination (WQE) and oral certifying examinations (OE). Design: All ophthalmologists within the Medicare Prescriber Part D Database from 2013 -- 2018 who attempted the ABO, WQE, or OE were included. Opioid prescription data were analyzed based on ABO certification status: certified on first attempt, failed but then certified, and never certified. Results: There were 6822 ophthalmologists with 32258 records in the Medicare database during the study period with ABO data available. The point estimate for total opioid prescriptions per year was 7.3, standard error (SE) 0.3 for ophthalmologists who were certified on the first attempt (reference). The estimate for those who failed one or both qualifying examinations, but then became board certified (BC) was -1.7, SE 0.6 (p = 0.0031); and the estimate for those ophthalmologists who never became BC was +0.8, SE 1.5 (p = 0.5318). The point estimate for cost of opioids prescribed per year was $55.17, SE 4.4 for ophthalmologists who were certified on the first attempt, with the estimate for those who failed one or both qualifying examinations, but then became BC being $-12.29, SE 8.7 (p = 0.1581); and for those ophthalmologists who never became BC being +$69.54, SE 21.7 (p = 0.0014). Conclusions: Diplomates who initially failed one or both qualifying exams, but who ultimately became certified, prescribed less opioids, less costly opioids, and less supply of opioids within the Medicare Part D database compared to non-BC ophthalmologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land, including soil resources, makes important contributions to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, there are challenges in identifying land/soil measurable information (e.g., indicators, metrics, etc.) to monitor the progress toward achieving these goals. This study examines the role of land/soil in selected SDGs (SDG 2: Zero Hunger; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; SDG 13: Climate Action; SDG 15: Life on Land) and provides practical examples on how to use geospatial analysis to track relevant qualitative and quantitative land/soil data using the contiguous United States of America (USA) as a case study. The innovative aspect of this study leverages geospatial technologies to track the intersection of land use/land cover (LULC) change and soil resources to quantify development trends within the overall land cover matrix to evaluate if these trends are sustainable. Classified land cover data derived from satellite-based remote sensing were used to identify the extent of developed areas in 2016 and the change in development areas since 2011. Most land development through time in the USA has caused losses (area loss of nearly 355,600 km2, with projected midpoint losses of about 5.7 × 1012 kg total soil carbon (TSC) and about $969B (where B = billion = 109, USD) in social costs of carbon dioxide emissions, SC-CO2). All ten soil orders present in the contiguous USA experienced losses from developments, which represents a loss for both biodiversity and soil diversity (pedodiversity). The contiguous USA experienced an increase in land/soil consumption between 2001 and 2016 at the expense of deciduous forest (−3.1%), evergreen forest (−3.0%), emergent herbaceous wetlands (−0.6%), and hay/pasture (−7.9%). These "new" land developments (24,292.2 km2) caused a complete projected midpoint loss of 4.0 × 1011 kg TSC, equivalent to $76.1B SC-CO2. States with the largest developed areas and the highest TSC losses with associated SC-CO2 were Texas and Florida. The proposed methodology used in this study can be applied worldwide, at various spatial scales, to help monitor SDGs over time. With improved tools to monitor SDGs, progress on these SDGs may require linking the SDGs to existing or future international and national legal frameworks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social cognitive career theory is used to investigate student intentions to enter the sport and leisure industry. Data are gathered from 197 undergraduate students from four universities located across the United States. Path analysis supports the general model, as self-efficacy and outcomes expectations hold positive associations with vocational interests, which in turn are positively related to choice goals. Self-efficacy is also positively associated with outcomes expectations. Additionally, through comparison of competing models, support is garnered for the effects of supports (i.e., human and social capital) and barriers (i.e., discrimination and lack of advancement opportunities) to be manifested on self-efficacy. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)

Background Detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigens in blood has high sensitivity in adults with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but sensitivity in pediatric patients is unclear. Recent data suggest that persistent SARS-CoV-2 spike antigenemia may contribute to multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). We quantified SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) and spike (S) antigens in blood of pediatric patients with either acute COVID-19 or MIS-C using ultrasensitive immunoassays (Meso Scale Discovery). Methods Plasma was collected from inpatients (<21 years) enrolled across 15 hospitals in 15 US states. Acute COVID-19 patients (n = 36) had a range of disease severity and positive nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR within 24 hours of blood collection. Patients with MIS-C (n = 53) met CDC criteria and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 (RT-PCR or serology). Controls were patients pre–COVID-19 (n = 67) or within 24 hours of negative RT-PCR (n = 43). Results Specificities of N and S assays were 95–97% and 100%, respectively. In acute COVID-19 patients, N/S plasma assays had 89%/64% sensitivity; sensitivities in patients with concurrent nasopharyngeal swab cycle threshold (Ct) ≤ 35 were 93%/63%. Antigen concentrations ranged from 1.28–3844 pg/mL (N) and 1.65–1071 pg/mL (S) and correlated with disease severity. In MIS-C, antigens were detected in 3/53 (5.7%) samples (3 N-positive: 1.7, 1.9, 121.1 pg/mL; 1 S-positive: 2.3 pg/mL); the patient with highest N had positive nasopharyngeal RT-PCR (Ct 22.3) concurrent with blood draw. Conclusions Ultrasensitive blood SARS-CoV-2 antigen measurement has high diagnostic yield in children with acute COVID-19. Antigens were undetectable in most MIS-C patients, suggesting that persistent antigenemia is not a common contributor to MIS-C pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using cross-cultural data (nTaiwan = 394 and nU.S. = 246), we tested psychological individuation constructs for measurement and functional invariance. Scalar and partial metric invariance held for psychological independence and dysfunctional individuation, respectively. Most associations with mental illness appeared functionally invariant while most associations with substance use were U.S. specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a nationwide quarantine that forced individuals to adjust their daily activities, potentially impacting the burden of foot and ankle disease. The purpose of this study was to compare diagnoses made in an orthopaedic foot and ankle clinic during the shelter-in-place period of the COVID-19 pandemic to diagnoses made during the same months of the previous year. Methods: A retrospective review of new patients presenting to the clinics of 4 fellowship-trained orthopaedic foot and ankle surgeons in a major United States city was performed. Patients in the COVID-19 group presented between March 22 and July 1, 2020, during the peak of the quarantine for this city. Patients in the control group presented during the same period of 2019. Final diagnosis, chronicity of symptoms (acute: ≤1 month), and mechanism of disease were compared between groups. Results: A total of 1409 new patient visits were reviewed with 449 visits in the COVID-19 group and 960 visits in the control group. The COVID-19 group had a significantly higher proportion of ankle fractures (8.7% vs 5.4%, P =.020) and stress fractures (4.2% vs 2.2%, P =.031), but a smaller proportion of Achilles tendon ruptures (0.7% vs 2.5%, P =.019). The COVID-19 group had a higher proportion of acute injuries (35.4% vs 23.5%, P <.001). Conclusion: There was a shift in prevalence of pathology seen in the foot and ankle clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may reflect the adoption of different activities during the quarantine period and reluctance to present for evaluation of non-urgent injuries. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explanations for lagging life expectancy in the United States compared to other high-income countries have focused largely on "deaths of despair," but attention has also shifted to the role of stalling improvements in cardiovascular disease and the obesity epidemic. Using harmonized data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study and English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, we assess differences in self-reported and objective measures of health, among older adults in the United States and England and explore whether the differences in body mass index (BMI) documented between the United States and England explain the U.S. disadvantage. Older adults in the United States have a much higher prevalence of diabetes, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high inflammation (C-reactive protein) compared to English adults. While the distribution of BMI is shifted to the right in the United States with more people falling into extreme obesity categories, these differences do not explain the cross-country differences in measured biological risk. We conclude by considering how country differences in health may have affected the burden of coronavirus disease 2019 mortality in both countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Physical activity potentially has a buffering effect against COVID-19 related outcomes. • Analysis of data at the county level in the United States. • Physical activity associated with decreased COVID-19 cases and deaths. • Relationship between COVID-19 cases and deaths lower when physical activity is high. The study was to examine county-level associations of physical activity with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and deaths, per 100,000 county residents. Data were collected from publicly available data sources for 3142 counties and equivalents, including the District of Columbia. Subjective health ratings, percentage uninsured, percentage unemployed, median household income, percentage female residents, percentage White residents, percentage of residents 65 years of age or older, and rural designation served as controls. The two-level random intercept regression showed that physical activity rates at the county level were statistically and negatively associated with COVID-19 cases and deaths. Additional analyses showed that physical activity rates moderated the relationship between cases and deaths, such that the relationship was strongest when physical activity rates were low. The results presented here offer empirical evidence of the benefits of county-level physical activity during a pandemic. Implications for public health and physical activity provision are discussed. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to understand (a) how participants conceptualized lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) inclusiveness in their athletic departments, (b) the antecedents of such workplace environments, and (c) the outcomes associated with inclusion. To do so, the author conducted a collective case study of two college athletic departments located in the U.S. Northeast. Data sources included individual interviews with coaches and administrators (n = 17), a reflexive journal, websites, university materials, and external publications. Participants described the athletic departments as characterized by community and cohesion, respect and inclusion, and success oriented. Various antecedents contributed to these workplace environments, including those at the individual level, leader behaviors, inclusive organizational policies, and macro-level influences. Finally, while some negative outcomes were identified, LGBT inclusion was predominantly associated with a host of positive outcomes for the employees, athletes, and organizations as a whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Wearing a protective face covering can reduce the spread of COVID-19, but Americans' compliance with wearing a mask is uneven. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between health determinants (Health Behaviors, Clinical Care, Social and Economic Conditions, and the Physical Environment) and mask wearing at the county level.Methods: Data were collected from publicly available sources, including the County Health Rankings and the New York Times. The dependent variable was the percent of county residents who reported frequently or always wearing a mask when in public. County demographics and voting patterns served as controls. Two-levels random effects regression models were used to examine the study hypotheses.Results: Results indicate that, after considering the effects of the controls, Health Behaviors were positively associated with mask wearing, the Physical Environment held a negative association, and Clinical Care and Social and Behavioral Factors were unrelated.Conclusions: Results indicate that patterns of healthy behaviors can help predict compliance with public health mandates that can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. From an instutitional theory perspective, the data suggest counties develop collective values and norms around health. Thus, public health officials can seek to alter governance structures and normative behaviors to improve healthy behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with autism spectrum disorder are less physically active than are their peers. Nurses can play a key role in helping to promote such behaviors, but they do so sparingly. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to examine the degree to which nurses recommend physical activity to patients with autism spectrum disorder, and to identify antecedents thereof. Adopting a mixed methods approach, data were collected from a representative sample of nurses (n = 180) working in the United States. Results from regression analyses indicate that nurses were only moderately likely to recommend physical activity. When perceived barriers to physical activity were low, perceived benefits of physical activity held a positive, significant association with recommendations. However, when perceived barriers were high, the relationship between perceived benefits and recommendations was no longer significant. Inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data showed the value nurses place on physical activity, how they interpret barriers and benefits, and strategies for making physical activity inclusive for people with autism spectrum disorder. In conclusion, nurses have an opportunity to more frequently promote physical activity to their patients with autism spectrum disorder and, in doing so, help mitigate some of the poor health outcomes people with autism spectrum disorder experience. Participation in regular physical activity is linked with physical, psychological, and social improvements. Nevertheless, persons with autism spectrum disorder participate at lower levels than do their peers. Nurses can play a key role in helping to promote such behaviors, but do so sparingly. The purpose of this study is to examine the degree to which nurses recommend physical activity to people with autism spectrum disorder. Even though a number of scholars have examined the role of health professionals in promoting physical activity, comparatively little research has examined nurses. Further, previous scholars have largely focused on the promotion of physical activity to patients in general. However, people with disabilities and people with autism spectrum disorder, specifically, are frequently overlooked when it comes to physical activity promotion. Data were collected from a representative sample of nurses (n = 180) working in the United States. Results indicate that nurses were only moderately likely to recommend physical activity. When perceived barriers were low, perceived benefits held a positive, significant association with recommendations. However, when perceived barriers were high, the relationship between perceived benefits and recommendations was no longer significant. Analysis of qualitative data showed the value nurses place on physical activity, how they interpret barriers and benefits, and strategies for making physical activity inclusive for people with autism spectrum disorder. In conclusion, nurses have an opportunity to more frequently promote physical activity to their patients with autism spectrum disorder and, in doing so, help mitigate some of the poor health outcomes people with autism spectrum disorder experience. The authors identified implications for nursing education and professional development, as well as for sport and recreation managers charged with delivering physical activity to people with autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To examine the potential moderating effects of explicit racial attitudes and implicit racial attitudes on the relationship between percent of Black county residents and COVID-19 cases and deaths. Methods: We collected data from a variety of publicly available sources for 817 counties in the US. (26% of all counties). Cumulative COVID-19 deaths and cases from January 22 to August 31, 2020 were the dependent variables; explicit racial attitudes and implicit racial attitudes served as the moderators; subjective poor or fair health, food insecurity, percent uninsured, percent unemployed, median family income, percent women, percent of Asian county resident, percent of Hispanic county residents, and percent of people 65 or older were controls. Results: The percent of Black county residents was positively associated with COVID-19 cases and deaths at the county level. The relationship between percent of Black residents and COVID-19 cases was moderated by explicit racial attitudes and implicit racial attitudes. Conclusions: Implicit racial attitudes can take on a shared property at the community level and effectively explain racial disparities. COVID-19 cases are highest when both the percent of Black county residents and implicit racial attitudes are high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demographics and mortality and morbidity trends suggest that the long-term care insurance business should be experiencing robust sales growth. Most baby boomers, Americans born between 1946 and 1965, are at a point in their lives where they should be very aware of long-term care risks and financing options. However, long-term care insurance sales have not lived up to their potential. We explore the reasons why and explore why life insurance with chronic illness accelerated death benefit riders might emerge as a popular alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article by Kocsis and Palermo, published in 2016, examined the findings of research which had assessed the validity of the investigative technique colloquially known as criminal profiling. These findings were subsequently considered within the framework of their relevance to the admissibility of the technique as a form of expert witness evidence. The overall conclusion was that a discrete facet of the profiling technique may satisfy some of the requisite legal criteria for admissibility in jurisdictions within the United States. However, this conclusion was based upon studies which used samples of senior forensic psychiatrists and psychologists as the tested profilers. In this regard, it was noted that this parameter may preclude the generalization of this conclusion to other professional groups who do not possess such qualifications. Accordingly, the present article explores the potential admissibility of law enforcement personnel who are not qualified forensic mental health practitioners tendering expert witness evidence in the nature of criminal profiling. The conclusion of this analysis is that law enforcement personnel who possess suitable expertise in the analytic task of criminal profiling arguably possess an analogous knowledge base akin to the aforementioned senior forensic psychiatrists and psychologists. On this basis, the conclusions in Kocsis and Palermo, published in 2016, may extend to such personnel and their potential to likewise provide expert witness evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minimal access surgery (MAS) has suggested improvements in clinical outcomes compared to open surgery in several abdominal elective and emergency surgeries. The aims of this study were to compare England with the United States in the utilisation of MAS and mortality from four common abdominal surgical emergencies.Methods: Between 2006 and 2012, the rate of MAS and in-hospital mortality for appendicitis, incarcerated or strangulated abdominal hernia, small or large bowel and peptic ulcer perforation were compared between England and the United States. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to adjust for differences in baseline patient demographics.Results: 132,364 admissions in England were compared to an estimated 1,811,136 admissions in the United States. Minimal access surgery was used less commonly in England for appendicitis (odds ratio (OR) 0.27, 95% CI 0.267-0.278), abdominal hernia (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.15-0.17), small or large bowel perforation (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.32-0.35) and peptic ulcer perforation (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87-0.99). In-hospital mortality was increased in England compared to the United States for all four conditions: appendicitis (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.66-2.68), abdominal hernia (OR 3.25, 95% CI 3.10-3.40), small or large bowel perforation (OR 3.88, 95% CI 3.76-3.99) and peptic ulcer perforation (OR 3.09, 95% CI 2.94-3.25). In England, after adjustment for patient demographics, open surgery was associated with increased in-hospital mortality for abdominal hernia (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.26-2.71), small or large bowel perforation (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.37-1.87) and peptic ulcer perforation (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.91-2.82).Conclusions: Minimal access surgery was performed less commonly and in-hospital mortality was increased in England compared to the United States for common abdominal surgical conditions. Therefore, strategies to enhance adoption of MAS in emergency conditions in England need to be optimised and include appropriate patient selection and improved surgeon MAS training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence, antecedents, and outcomes of diversity training in intercollegiate athletics. Data were collected from senior level administrators and aggregated to the department level for NCAA Division I (n = 239), Division II (n = 205), and Division III (n = 231) athletic departments. Only 53% of the athletic departments offered training. Logistic regression indicated that gender diversity, sexual orientation diversity, divisional affiliation, and the presence of a proactive diversity culture were all predictive of whether the department offered training. Additional analysis indicated that sensitivity to individual needs and understanding different cultures were the topics most covered in the training. Finally, the motivation for training (either compliance- or effectiveness-based) and the degree to which the training was systematically integrated were predictive of transfer of training, with the latter variable holding the strongest association. Implications, limitations, and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Baby boomers who own businesses or who are self-employed should evaluate whether a classic defined-benefit, fully insured, or cash-balance plan will allow them greater tax deductions than they can achieve with a 401(k)/profit-sharing or simplified employee pension plan (SEP). Financial advisors can lead the way by becoming familiar with these types of plan designs. They should also evaluate adding an insured death benefit feature to whatever retirement plan they choose. Advisors can also lead this type of analysis by becoming familiar with plan proposal presentation materials utilized by financial service firms that cater to this market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper was to provide a response to the Petr and McArdle (2012) and Paskus (2012) papers. The author suggests that academic reform should be couched within broader diversity issues affecting intercollegiate athletics, with a particular emphasis on race, social class, and the ability to implement reforms. Implications and conclusions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This column takes a closer look at what has happened to the estate liquidity market and suggests three alternative uses for cash value life insurance: (1) using cash value life insurance to create retirement cash flow, (2) using a fully insured defined-benefit plan to shelter moonlighting income, and (3) using it as a device to help with financial aid planning for college. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole life insurance is an attractive financial product in that it offers legacy asset and deferred asset benefits to the policyowner. Financial advisors can confidently present whole life as the cornerstone financial asset for many clients when it is configured to offer current asset benefits. Current asset benefits are particularly important to individuals during these times of economic uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing numbers of Americans are attracted to the idea of a debt-free lifestyle; however, this is not as simple as it sounds. Financial advisors who understand and who can talk about using cash value life insurance as a personal financing device will help their clients fulfill their dreams of living debt free. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to examine factors that contribute to the underrepresentation of African Americans in head coaching positions. In Study 1, qualitative data were collected from assistant football (n = 41) and men's basketball (n = 16) coaches to examine why coaches sought head coaching positions, barriers to obtaining such positions, and reasons for leaving the coaching profession. In Study 2, assistant football (n = 259) and men's basketball coaches (n = 114) completed a questionnaire developed from Study 1. Results indicate that although there were no differences in desire to become a head coach, African Americans, relative to Whites, perceived race and opportunity as limiting their ability to obtain a head coaching position and had greater occupational turnover intentions. Context moderated the latter results, as the effects were stronger for African American football coaches than they were for African American basketball coaches. Results have practical implications for the advancement of African American football coaches into head coaching roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses estate planning, in light of the tax relief provisions of the 2001 Tax Act. There are tactics that financial advisers can employ to protect clients from against elective share claims and plan for individuals who are divorced or in blended families. A example of estate litigation contains the complex issues of loans advanced to family members and a limited partnership document, which uses up resources and can fuel family discord. The "right of election laws" do vary from one state to another, but with the exception of Georgia and the District of Columbia, all states stop married people from disinheriting the surviving spouse. The life insurance trust financed with a cash value life insurance policy is recommended.

Examines the performance appraisal system for intercollegiate coaches in the U.S. Reciprocal nature of coaching staff; Level of interdependence among the professors within the physical training program; Development of a valid model of coaching performance.

Discusses the implication of federal tax law changes of the defined-benefit plan on closely held businesses in the U.S. Provision of a fixed benefit among participants on his or her retirement; Variation of benefit formulas from plan to plan; Importance of considering designs with insurance components.

Proposes an integrative model for examining organizational change in sport and physical activity in the U.S. by merging four theoretical approaches. Factors that prompted organizational change; Types of organizational change that can take place; Theories utilized to describe radical organizational change; Formulation of organizational change in the context of conceptual and theoretical blinders removal.

The estate and gift tax law changes instituted by the 2001 Tax Act will greatly change estate planning by altering the dispositive provisions in wills, including the interplay of the credit shelter trust and the marital trust. Financial advisers can assist their clients by becoming familiar with the new dispositive options available to individuals in terms of their wills and insurance trusts. The new law will remove some of the incentives to making interfamily gifts. In assessing gifting strategies, financial advisers should look first to the efficiency of the contemplated gift in terms of tax planning and potential impact on the lifestyle of the client. With these observations in mind it is likely that private split-dollar arrangements, which involve gifts of the pure protection element of a life insurance contract, will emerge as popular planning tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schools in the United States are increasingly faced with the challenge of navigating two seemingly contradictory approaches to school safety. On the one hand, they attempt to make schools safer by employing get-tough, punishment-oriented policies. On the other hand, schools promote support-oriented policies that seek to address the root causes of students' behavioral issues. Despite considerable advances in research on school safety, little is known about how schools balance the implementation of these two approaches. To address this research gap, we present findings from interviews with school principals, assistant principals, discipline coordinators, police, and district leaders to illustrate how schools navigate the implementation of these competing school safety philosophies. Implications for theory, research, and policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite a growing body of research on prison visitation, very few studies have examined visitation among committed juvenile offenders. As a result, we have little understanding of how youth experience visits and why some never receive them. This article fills these gaps. Using surveys collected from 1,202 youth released from residential facilities in Florida, we found that among youth who were visited, they had positive experiences with visits and that families went to great lengths to visit. For those youth who were not visited, the most common barrier was distance from home. However, some youth were not visited because they refused visits or because families withheld visits as punishment. Moreover, despite the possibility that lack of visitation is harmful, we found that most not-visited youth had positive perceptions of their future success. Policy implications and directions for research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past two decades, criminologists have attempted to better understand the process through which research is used by practitioners and policymakers to identify the conditions that facilitate its policy and practice use. As part of this effort, the current study examines the translational research process and the use of researcher-practitioner partnerships (RPPs) in two state correctional agencies. The methods include interviews with leading national researchers, Florida legislative personnel, and state-level decision makers in adult and juvenile corrections. The findings document barriers, facilitators, and mechanisms involved in the translation process and reveal the effectiveness of RPPs to translate research into policy and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction A common practice in the management of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), the empirical use of antibiotics may contribute to treatment failure and to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Objective To determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with CRS. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional study in which endoscopically guided middle meatal swabs (IBM Spss, version 16.0, Chicago, IL, USA) were aseptically taken from patients diagnosed with CRS after obtaining informed consent and ethical clearance. The samples were sent to the laboratory for qualitative and semiquantitative analysis via gram stain, aerobic, anaerobic cultures and antibacterial sensitivity tests. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS for Windows, version 16 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). Simple statistical parameters and paired sample t-test were used, as appropriate. Results There were 74 (56.92%) bacterial growths, out of which 55 (74.32%) were aerobic and 19 (25.68%) were anaerobic isolates, from a total of 130 patients. About 13 (17.5%–18%) of these bacterial growths yielded a mixed growth of aerobic and anaerobic isolates. The most common bacterial isolates were 26 (35.14%) Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae 9 (12.16%), Streptococcus viridians 8 (10.81%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae 5 (6.76%). Augmentin, ciprofloxacin, and Peflacine were found to be most effective, followed by levofloxacin, Rocephin, erythromycin and Zinat in that order. Conclusion Augmentin, ciprofloxacin and Peflacine have a sensitivity of 100%, while most of the organisms show resistance to Ampiclox, amoxicillin, and Septrin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the process by which prices are set for the egg market in Los Angeles, California at the time of publication. The author notes the role of the Produce Exchange of Los Angeles in determining egg prices. A chart depicting exchange quotations of prices is presented. Elements of pricing determined by egg size and grade are also discussed. According to the author, the United States Department of Agriculture plays a role in the price of eggs by quoting prices of case lots delivered to retail stores and restaurants.

The policy loan has emerged from the economic crisis as a premier personal liquidity tool. The policy loan is easier to arrange than a home equity line. This type of loan comes without the economic risk of home equity lines and 401k loans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of our study was to examine prejudice toward trans individuals in sport. Questionnaire data were collected from separate, albeit demographically similar, samples of students in 2007 ( n = 199) and 2014 ( n = 124). Results indicate that trans prejudice was higher than prejudice expressed toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) individuals and that these differences remained over time. There were no gender differences as women and men expressed the same degrees of trans prejudice. Finally, trans prejudice significantly decreased over time, although the magnitude of the change was not as large as the corresponding decrease in LGB prejudice. Study findings suggest that although prejudice against trans individuals has decreased, additional interventions and prejudice reduction efforts are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses various aspects of the career of the late African American attorney and Judge Constance Baker Motley who served as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund's first female lawyer, and it mentions the U.S. Constitution's Fourteenth Amendment and the equal protection legal matters that were decided after the Brown v. Board of Education segregation case. Education law cases such as Holmes v. Danner and San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez are assessed.

Ecopath with Ecosim has been extensively used to examine ecosystem attributes and the effects of management actions. One of the main limitations in using Ecopath to credibly guide management decisions lies in the quality and quantity of the data used. Linear Inverse Modelling treats the problem of ecosystem characterization in a rigorous mathematical way in which the foodweb is described as a (linear) function of the flows and model parameters are (inversely) derived from observed data. In this study, our thesis is that Linear Inverse Modelling can be used as a complement to Ecopath applications to evaluate our confidence in typically reported ecosystem characterizations. Based on a simplified version of a previously published foodweb topology (Hossain et al., 2012), we demonstrate that there is considerable uncertainty associated with the predicted energy flows within the ecosystem of Hamilton Harbour, Lake Ontario, Canada. Uncertainty related to external flows (e.g. respiratory and detrital flows) appears to be much higher than for internal flows associated with predator-prey relationships. Our Linear Inverse Modelling analysis reinforces earlier findings that most of the trophic flows are concentrated within the first two trophic levels, while mass fluxes at the higher trophic levels are significantly lower. The intermediate ecotrophic efficiency for zooplankton suggests that planktivorous fishes do not fully capitalize upon the available food in the system. Our model estimates that a substantial amount of the detrital material is being recycled by the microbial community within the system. Taken together with the significant detrital pool directly supporting zooplankton and oligochaetes/chironomids, this prediction is consistent with recent empirical evidence that particulate organic matter from various allochthonous or autochthonous origins constitute important components of the energy transferred to higher trophic levels. Overall, our Linear Inverse Modelling analysis offers meaningful insights that should contribute towards the development of a reliable ecosystem model for Hamilton Harbour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]