Investigation into qNMR for use in natural products research

Natural products research constantly has to deal with problems of analysis. Therefore, orthogonal techniques are extremely valuable when analyzing complex mixtures that are often seen in fungal extracts. Analysis of results of fungal fermentation experiments can influence the design of further experimentation. Earlier results can then expedite the process of analysis. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (qNMR) offers analysis of complex mixtures at early stages and with several benefits over some more common methods of quantitation, including ultraviolet absorption spectroscopy (UV) and mass spectrometry (MS). Several experiments were conducted to construct a methodology for use in analysis of natural products samples. A broadly applicable method was sought for use in both pure and complex mixtures. An externally calibrated method was used to quantify the solvent peak inside of a single batch of DMSO-d6, which was used repeatedly to quantify interesting analytes. Thereby, a method was constructed that did not require contamination with calibrant for quantification of analyte signals. The method was implemented to measure the biosynthetic yield of griseofulvin and dechlorogriseofulvin from three fungal isolates. One isolate, a Xylaria sp. coded MSX648662, was found to biosynthesize griseofulvin in the greatest yield, 149 ± 8 mg per fermentation, and was selected for further supply experiments

A study of the literature pertaining to kinesthesia and movement with special emphasis on the application of these to the teaching of sport skills

Kinesthesia can be briefly defined as the "muscle sense". However, this does not reveal the many and varied aspects encompassed by this sense sometimes labelled the "sixth sense". Wiebe (72) says that the functions of kinesthesia -- co-ordination, skill development, posture, body control, balance, and pressure discrimination--are all important in teaching physical education (72, p. 222)

Regular dangers

This collection of short stories concerns a range of characters --- mischievous pre-teen boys, an elderly widow, and a disillusioned white-collar worker

A physical fitness knowledge test for first graders

The major purposes of this study were to construct a pictorial paper-and-pencil physical fitness knowledge test for first graders based on the content contained in the AAHPERD (1981a) Basic Stuff with a focus on the Exercise Physiology component of the series, and to establish reliability and validity of the instrument. The procedure for developing a physical fitness knowledge test for first graders involved construction of a two-way table of specifications delineating test content from Basic Stuff and utilization of a cognitive taxomony from the Educational Testing Service (n.d.). The pilot studies consisted of 15 test items. The first pilot study analysis indicated that the test did not discriminate well so the test for the second pilot study had three pictorial choices rather than two. The test was administered to 73 first-graders. The Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 yielded a reliability coefficient of .38 on the first pilot study and .40 on the second pilot study. Flanagan's (1939) method of item analysis was used to determine statistical validity of the 15 test items. Items meeting the criterion for acceptance were retained, while the remaining items were discarded or revised

Relationship of feeding human milk by breast versus bottle with infant growth

Research suggests that infants fed human milk from a bottle versus the breast may have higher weight gains in the first six to 12 months of life. The purpose of this study was to determine if infants fed human milk directly from the breast differed in growth and adiposity measurements compared to those fed human milk from the bottle. Infant's weight, length, and tricep and subscapular skinfold thickness were measured at two, four, and six months of age. Mothers reported infant birth weight and length and completed monthly questionnaires on infant feeding practices (e.g., number of human milk feedings by bottle or breast per day, age of introduction to complementary foods, and infant bottle-emptying behavior). Infants were placed into two groups based on their reported mode of feeding at three months: Nursing Group (NG, n=15), infants fed predominantly at the breast with less than 25% of the daily feeds from a bottle and Bottle Group (BG, n=10), infants fed human milk from the bottle 25% or more of the daily feeds. Change in BMI z-scores from two to four months were significantly different between groups (NG=-0.16 ± 0.62 vs. BG=0.56 ± 0.99, p=0.03). Change in BMI z-scores from four to six months were no longer significantly different between groups (NG=0.32 ± 0.62 vs. BG=0.60 ± 0.65, p=0.3). Changes in skinfold thickness measures and z-scores were not statistically different between groups at any age. Weight gain velocity was compared to WHO weight velocity standards. Only three infants in each group exceeded the 75th percentile for weight gain velocity from two to four months, and two in each group from four to six months. The majority of parents reported those infants fed human milk from the bottle finished the bottle “most of the time” or “always.” None of the infants were introduced to complementary foods before four months. The results of this study suggest that bottle-feeding human milk may be related to differences in weight gain during two to four months. However, follow up for a longer time period with a larger sample size is necessary to fully investigate the relationship of bottle-feeding with infant growth

Adequacy post-Rose v. Council for Better Education in Kentucky public school facilities : a case study

The decision in the 1989 landmark Kentucky case, Rose v. Council for Better Education, initiated many reforms to ensure that children have access to an adequate education, including funding new construction and renovations for school facilities. The purpose of this instrumental, qualitative case study is to describe how the additional state and local funding for a selected Kentucky public school facility affected the provision of an adequate education. The term adequacy is used in the study to mean the fiscal sufficiency to meet a qualitative set of achievement standards required by the state as indicated in the Rose decision. One recently renovated middle school was purposefully selected based on its relatively lower score on the Kentucky School Report. Selected features: (1) security, (2) technological readiness, (3) lighting, (4) thermal comfort and (5) air quality were examined. Interviews, facility observations including photographic images, archival and contemporaneous documents, and reflexive field notes comprised the data collection. District and school administrators, teachers, and other individuals deemed knowledgeable were selected purposefully and by the snowball method for interviews. Observations focused on the five features and their relationship to teaching and learning. Classrooms were observed without students present. Document analysis was used for contextual information about the school district and the school case. Triangulated data were analyzed in an iterative and holistic process to identify common themes. Trustworthiness of the findings was established through triangulation of data, peer debriefing, disconfirming analyses, the rich description, and field notes. The findings suggest that the additional facilities funding since the Rose decision created a teaching and learning environment that supported the tenets of an adequate education that previously had not been realized. Improvements that support an adequate education were found in three of the five features. Evidence of three additional building features emerged (the facility's auditorium renovations, added disability accessibility, and classroom renovations according to content area). Enhancements made to these three additional features added to the educational opportunities afforded to the students. The study adds to the knowledge base on outcomes of Kentucky reforms and the relationship between facilities and opportunities for an adequate education

"Alpha to Omega"

The prediction of the future has always held a fascination for the choreographer, who has been particularly concerned with the growth and development of nuclear weapons. Investigation and thought on the subject led the choreographer to further study and to the development of the following personal hypothesis: the human race, from the beginning has been progressing to the point of self-destruction. This statement is the essence of "Alpha to Omega". Symbolism was the major device used by the choreographer to communicate her thoughts to the audience. The dance was organized into three sections; "Creation", "Evolution", and "Destruction". During Section I, the choreographer wanted to create an atmosphere of sacredness and awe, while using movements to symbolize the creation of human life. No music was used so that the emphasized breath rhythms could be heard. The movements were motivated by these breath rhythms and were of a smooth quality at a slow, restrained tempo. Section II was further divided into three parts: (l) people working together creatively; (2) people working together technically; and (3) people working together as a nation. These three parts together were intended to show a progression from a simple society to a complex society. Part One utilized movements that were abstracted from the movements of painting, sculpting and writing

Report on a follow-up study of business education graduates of the Woman's College, University of North Carolina, for the years, 1933-1941

The Woman's College of the University of North Carolina, in 1942-1943, launched a follow-up study of graduates and dropouts of the College for the period from 1933 through 1941. Differentiated questionnaires for the two groups were prepared in printed form and mailed with appropriate letters from administrative officials. The questionnaire sent to graduates with a letter signed by the head of the department represented by the individual's degree and approved by the Dean of Administration covered four phases of information: I, Personal Information; II, Educational Information; III, Occupational Information; and IV, Community Activities. In addition, a notation on the questionnaire invited comments from the graduates. Copies of letter and questionnaire are reproduced on the following pages. A total of 3,045 questionnaires, representing the five degrees granted by the College, were sent out, and responses were received from 1,354 graduates (44.5 per cent). The five degrees given by the College ares Bachelor of Science in Home Economics, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, Bachelor of Science in Secretarial Administration, Bachelor of Science in Music, and Bachelor of Arts

Development and testing of records for longitudinal studies

One of the most important approaches to the understanding and appreciation of human development is the longitudinal study. This type of study follows a particular child over a number of years, noting his changing characteristics and adjustments. In the longitudinal approach, a student can see the growth of the individual in relation to conditioning factors and becomes aware of the sequence of phases of growth and change in the child. Such relationships are difficult to distinguish in other types of study. A long term view of the child's development will reveal many factors which might otherwise be unobserved. In order to study a child by this method, records of his development and information regarding the environment in which he has developed are necessary. Many such studies have been conducted in research centers throughout the country, Merrill-Palmer school being one of the foremost centers for this type of research

Rat killing, Two prisoners and Molting : three short stories

These three short stories are united in an exploration of the possibilities and limitations of behavioral observation in revealing emotions. As much as possible, observable details reveal the characters' emotional states in order to create, through images, the tangible stimuli from which conclusions about a person's feelings naturally derive. The problem was to select what a character sees and does ostensibly that reveal his inner feelings. By revealing his emotions in this indirect manner, through observable reality, his inner self becomes tangible and, hopefully, more capable of evoking emotive responses in readers. Through this technique, though structured in a straightforward, traditional manner, the stories are intended to become more concrete, vivid and dramatic