Benchmark model to assess community structure in evolving networks

Detecting the time evolution of the community structure of networks is crucial to identify major changes in the internal organization of many complex systems, which may undergo important endogenous or exogenous events. This analysis can be done in two ways: considering each snapshot as an independent community detection problem or taking into account the whole evolution of the network. In the first case, one can apply static methods on the temporal snapshots, which correspond to configurations of the system in short time windows, and match afterwards the communities across layers. Alternatively, one can develop dedicated dynamic procedures, so that multiple snapshots are simultaneously taken into account while detecting communities, which allows us to keep memory of the flow. To check how well a method of any kind could capture the evolution of communities, suitable benchmarks are needed. Here we propose a model for generating simple dynamic benchmark graphs, based on stochastic block models. In them, the time evolution consists of a periodic oscillation of the system's structure between configurations with built-in community structure. We also propose the extension of quality comparison indices to the dynamic scenario.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, 3 table

The Experiences of Parents of Children Who Stutter and Their Involvement in Support Groups

Developmental stuttering is a communication disorder that typically begins between the ages of two and four and is usually preceded by a typical degree of fluency. While approximately 75% of children will not persist, the remaining are at increased risk of lifelong stuttering. Despite decades of research into the causes and implications of stuttering, it\u27s still a bit of an enigma. The effects of stuttering on caregivers of people who stutter (PWS) remains even more in the shadows. As compared to research regarding the caregiver experience in other disorders, research focusing on caregivers of PWS is startlingly sparse. Additionally, though many believe the same principles may be applied across disorders, the underlying experiences of caregivers of PWS are often fundamentally different. Factors that may contribute to the caregiver\u27s emotional distress include the stigma surrounding stuttering, outdated ideas that stuttering is caused by environmental factors, and a lack of knowledge of the disorder- with many communication professionals also feeling out of their depth regarding its treatment. Research is also lacking regarding protective factors for these caregivers. While the most frequent protective factor identified in other disorder research is social support, the first and most notable study done for parents who attend stuttering support groups was just completed in 2015 (Klein et al., 2015). While this study began to lay a solid foundation by investigating the experiences of parents of PWS and the impact of support groups, it did not provide detailed accounts or chronicle those experiences over time. The present study seeks to expand on this basis through the collection and analysis of in-depth narrative interviews with parents of children who stutter who have been active in support groups. What are the stories parents tell about their experiences having a child who stutters? What influence does a support group have in the development of these stories? It is our hope that engaging in rich discussions about the caregiver experience will not only improve our overall understanding of stuttering from multiple perspectives but will also push clinicians to actively involve the caregiver and subsequently built the most supportive environment for our clients

The Experience of Being a Parent of a Child Who Stutters and Subsequent Involvement in Support Groups: A Narrative Study

INTRODUCTION: Developmental stuttering generally begins after a period of typical fluency and is highly variable in its presentation and persistence. This variability along with the lack of a definitive cause and social stigma often negatively impact both children who stutter (CWS) and their caregivers. However, research on the specific effects of stuttering on the caregiver is quite sparse compared to research into the caregiver experience in other disorders. Additionally, although social support has been identified as a primary protective factor for other caregivers, little evidence exists to show how support groups benefit caregivers of CWS. METHOD: Five parents participated in narrative interviews where they were asked vi to describe their involvement in support groups as well as their overall experience as a parent of a CWS. Interviews were analyzed using a modified version of Carol Gilligan’s Listening Guide. RESULTS: Parents shared many commonalities including their approach to their child’s stutter, therapy experiences, and support group benefits. Support groups provided connection, reduced feelings of isolation, fostered acceptance, and encouraged a shift in parental mindset and attitude away from a focus on fluency toward a focus on communication. IMPLICATIONS: Therapists should support the family alongside the child by providing resources, encouraging and providing social supports, and involving the family in treatment decisions. Therapy should seek to address the social-emotional aspects of stuttering and support effective communication regardless of fluency

The Notion of Self in Chinese Philosophy

Man in his life always\u27 faces by many problems, which has not been over come

The Space Interferometry Mission Astrometric Grid Giant-Star Survey. I. Stellar Parameters and Radial Velocity Variability

We present results from a campaign of multiple epoch echelle spectroscopy of relatively faint (V = 9.5-13.5 mag) red giants observed as potential astrometric grid stars for the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM PlanetQuest). Data are analyzed for 775 stars selected from the Grid Giant Star Survey spanning a wide range of effective temperatures (Teff), gravities and metallicities. The spectra are used to determine these stellar parameters and to monitor radial velocity (RV) variability at the 100 m/s level. The degree of RV variation measured for 489 stars observed two or more times is explored as a function of the inferred stellar parameters. The percentage of radial velocity unstable stars is found to be very high -- about 2/3 of our sample. It is found that the fraction of RV-stable red giants (at the 100 m/s level) is higher among stars with Teff \sim 4500 K, corresponding to the calibration-independent range of infrared colors 0.59 < (J-K_s)_0 < 0.73. A higher percentage of RV-stable stars is found if the additional constraints of surface gravity and metallicity ranges 2.3< log g < 3.2 and -0.5 < [Fe/H] < -0.1, respectively, are applied. Selection of stars based on only photometric values of effective temperature (4300 K < Teff < 4700 K) is a simple and effective way to increase the fraction of RV-stable stars. The optimal selection of RV-stable stars, especially in the case when the Washington photometry is unavailable, can rely effectively on 2MASS colors constraint 0.59 < (J-K_s)_0 < 0.73. These results have important ramifications for the use of giant stars as astrometric references for the SIM PlanetQuest.Comment: Astronomical Journal, in press, 22 pages, 11 Postscript figures, uses aastex.cl

The Effects of Rhodiola Crenulata Extract on Proliferation and Differentiation in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Purpose: Purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of rhodiola crenulata plant extract on glioblastoma in vitro. Methods: U-87MG glioblastoma multiforme cell line was utilized for evaluation in this study. Cells were treated with 100ug/ml or 200ug/ml of rhodiola crenulata and compared to ethanol vehicle control. Proliferation was measured at 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after treatment utilizing an MTS proliferation assay. To further assess proliferation a clonogenicity assay was conducted. These cells were treated with ethanol vehicle control, 100ug/ml of rhodiola, radiation, or combined rhodiola/radiation treatment. To evaluate differentiation the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a protein marker of differentiation, was assessed with immunocytochemistry. Results: Effects on proliferation were initially noted at 48hours after treatment and observed through the 96-hour period. The effects on proliferation were noted in both treatment groups. At 96-hours after treatment significant difference was noted between the 100ug/ml of rhodiola and control group (p=0.0065) and significant difference noted between the 200ug/ml of rhodiola and control group (p=0.0006). Cell clonogenicity was reduced in the cells treated with 100ug/ml of rhodiola. The decreased number of colonies was significant when comparing the radiation treated cells with 100ug/ml rhodiola treated cells (p=0.0030). GFAP was overexpressed in the rhodiola treatment group when compared to expression in the control group (Figure 1). Conclusion: Rhodiola crenulata extract effectively decreases proliferation and increases differentiation of glioblastoma cells in vitro. Further work is required to fully understand the extent and full effects rhodiola crenulata has glioblastoma cells

Electrodeposition of platinum on titanium felt in a rectangular channel flow cell

Highly porous platinised titanium substrates are attractive electrode materials for industrial electrochemical processing and electrochemical energy storage. The electrodeposition of platinum on titanium felt was carried out in a divided, rectangular channel flow cell from an alkaline bath without additives. The morphology and spatial distribution of the platinum deposits in the porous material were analysed using SEM and EDS microscopy in addition to X-ray computed tomography (CT). The electroplated surface area was estimated from the charge transfer current ratio for Ce(IV) reduction and related to a theoretical electrosorbed hydrogen monolayer surface area. The platinised titanium felt showed a significant enhancement of active surface area in comparison to conventional electrode materials. Although platinum was present throughout the porous electrode, CT revealed heterogeneous deposits accumulating in regions near the membrane (during electrodeposition), as a result of the potential distribution in the felt material and flowing electrolyte. Uniform platinum coatings are possible on thin titanium felt under 200 µm thick, by either potentiostatic or galvanostatic electrodepositio

Provenance of the Variscan Upper Allochthon (Cabo Ortegal complex, NW Iberian Massif)

The NW Iberian Massif shows very good exposures and complete sections of the Variscan orogeny of Western Europe. Located above ophiolitic units which outline the Variscan suture, the Upper Allochthon (Upper Units) of the NW Iberian allochthonous complexes is composed of Early–Middle Cambrian magmatic arc related rocks, with siliciclastic and pelitic sedimentary series connected with basin development in this arc context. This Upper Allochthon can be followed in the same structural position along the Variscan belt, from the Iberian to the Bohemian Massifs. This study focusses on the provenance of the Cariño gneiss formation, a gneissic metasiliciclastic unit located in the uppermost structural position of the allochthonous Cabo Ortegal complex. U-Pb and Lu-Hf zircon (LA-ICPMS) and Sm-Nd whole rock analyses have been performed to document the provenance of this unit and so constrain the paleogeographic evolution of the Upper Allochthon. U-Pb geochronology of 6 samples indicates a Middle Cambrian maximum depositional age, with the following zircon age populations: Paleozoic–Neoproterozoic 36 %, Mesoproterozoic 3.6 %, Paleoproterozoic 46.8 % and Archean 13.6 %. Lu-Hf isotope analyses of these zircons typify Pan-African (Cadomian), Eburnean and Archean orogenic pulses in their respective source areas. Pan-African and Eburnean events entailed abundant input of juvenile material involving broad mixing with older crustal sources. Mesoproterozoic activity is scarce and scattered and so unlikely to represent a major crust generation pulse in the source area of the siliciclastic unit. Sm-Nd whole-rock analyses on 10 samples providean average depleted mantle model age of 1.73 Ga. This information is compatible with provenance from a source area with Archean crust that registered an important Eburnean orogenic cycle followed by a Pan-African–Cadomian event. Nd TDM ages suggest almost direct derivation from these sources. These data are interpreted as indicative of West Africa craton provenance. The siliciclastic series from which the Cariño gneisses were derived were probably deposited in a back-arc type basin where detritus were mostly sourced from the stable continental area instead of the magmatic arc. Pre-existing U-Pb and Sm-Nd data from another Upper Allochthon unit from NW Iberia (Órdenes complex) points to strong isotopic heterogeneity within this terrane, which is indicative of source area variability. This observation is interpreted to reflect either a temporal evolution of the arc or the possibility that the terrane represented by the Upper Units is composed of more than one domain of the arc-related system.Peer Reviewe

A Novel Approach to Targeted Oncologic Therapy - Co-culture Viability of Polymer Prodrug Conjugation to Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Background/Purpose: Conjugation of polymer prodrugs to tumor homing cells, such as Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), could provide a vehicle for actively targeted delivery of polymer prodrugs. Methods: Human Bone Marrow MSCs were conjugated to either a doxorubicin polymer prodrug or free doxorubicin and were co-cultured with T-cells. Viability was assessed through the use of a Vi-cell counter. In Vivo Migration Analysis was performed NOD SCID mice implanted with subcutaneous MDA MB-231 breast cancer xenografts. Following tumor establishment, mice were injected via lateral tail vein injection with either saline or polymer loaded MSCs. Five days following stem cell injection, mice were euthanized, tumors were harvested and sections were analyzed using fluorescent microscopy and immuno-histochemical staining for cd105. Results: T-cell viability was reduced when co-cultured with MSCs conjugated to free doxorubicin although cells co-cultured with MSCs conjugated to doxorubicin polymer did not exhibit reduced viability. Polymer loaded MSCs displayed intact tumor homing migratory ability in vivo (Figure 1). Conclusion: MSCs conjugated to doxorubicin released the drug, resulting in reduced neighboring T-cells viability. MSCs loaded with polymer maintained their migratory capacity were able to migrate to tumors in vivo. MSCs therefore represent a potential vehicle for targeted drug delivery. Future work will focus on developing methods for releasing the drug upon successful delivery to the target in vivo