Playthings Make Learning Fun

Laura Brenner suggests stimulating the child\u27s imagination with a well balanced diet of toy

Stability and Unobstructedness of Syzygy Bundles

It is a longstanding problem in Algebraic Geometry to determine whether the syzygy bundle $E_{d_1,..., d_n}$ on \PP^N defined as the kernel of a general epimorphism \xymatrix{\phi:\cO(-d_1)\oplus...\oplus\cO(-d_n)\ar[r] &\cO} is (semi)stable. In this note, we restrict our attention to the case of syzygy bundles $E_{d,n}$ on \PP^N associated to $n$ generic forms $f_1,...,f_n\in K[X_0,X_1,..., X_N]$ of the same degree $d$. Our first goal is to prove that $E_{d,n}$ is stable if $N+1\le n\le\tbinom{d+2}{2}+N-2$. This bound improves, in general, the bound $n\le d(N+1)$ given by G. Hein in \cite{B}, Appendix A. In the last part of the paper, we study moduli spaces of stable rank $n-1$ vector bundles on \PP^N containing syzygy bundles. We prove that if $N+1\le n\le\tbinom{d+2}{2}+N-2$ and $N\ne 3$, then the syzygy bundle $E_{d,n}$ is unobstructed and it belongs to a generically smooth irreducible component of dimension $n\tbinom{d+N}{N}-n^2$, if $N \geq 4$, and $n\tbinom{d+2}{2}+n\tbinom{d-1}{2}-n^2$, if N=2.Comment: 32 pages, minor change

Breast cancer histology and receptor status characterization in Asian Indian and Pakistani women in the U.S. - a SEER analysis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recent reports suggest increase in estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) negative breast cancer yet little is known about histology or receptor status of breast cancer in Indian/Pakistani women.in the U.S.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We examined the United States National Cancer Institute's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Cancer program to assess: a) frequency of breast cancer by age, b) histologic subtypes, c) receptor status of breast cancer and, d) survival in Indians/Pakistanis compared to Caucasians. There were 360,933 breast cancer cases diagnosed 1988-2006. Chi-Square analyses and Cox proportional hazards models, to estimate relative risks for breast cancer mortality after adjusting for confounders, were performed using Statistical Analysis Software 9.2.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among Asian Indian/Pakistani breast cancer patients, 16.2% were < 40 yrs. old compared to 6.23% in Caucasians (p < 0.0001). Asian Indian women had more invasive ductal carcinoma (69.1 vs. 65.7%, p < 0.0001), inflammatory cancer (1.4% vs. 0.8, p < 0.0001) and less invasive lobular carcinoma (4.2% vs. 8.1%, p < 0.0001) than Caucasians. Asian Indian/Pakistani women had more ER/PR negative breast cancer (30.6% vs. 21.8%, p = 0.0095) than Caucasians. Adjusting for stage at diagnosis, age, tumor grade, nodal status, and histology, Asian Indian/Pakistani women's survival was similar to Caucasians, while African Americans' was worse.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Asian Indian/Pakistani women have higher frequency of breast cancer (particularly in age < 40), ER/PR negative invasive ductal and inflammatory cancer than Caucasians.</p

Docosatetraenoyl LPA is elevated in exhaled breath condensate in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal disease with no effective medical therapies. Recent research has focused on identifying the biological processes essential to the development and progression of fibrosis, and on the mediators driving these processes. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a biologically active lysophospholipid, is one such mediator. LPA has been found to be elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of IPF patients, and through interaction with its cell surface receptors, it has been shown to drive multiple biological processes implicated in the development of IPF. Accordingly, the first clinical trial of an LPA receptor antagonist in IPF has recently been initiated. In addition to being a therapeutic target, LPA also has potential to be a biomarker for IPF. There is increasing interest in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) analysis as a non-invasive method for biomarker detection in lung diseases, but to what extent LPA is present in EBC is not known. Methods: In this study, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to assess for the presence of LPA in the EBC and plasma from 11 IPF subjects and 11 controls. Results: A total of 9 different LPA species were detectable in EBC. Of these, docosatetraenoyl (22:4) LPA was significantly elevated in the EBC of IPF subjects when compared to controls (9.18 pM vs. 0.34 pM; p = 0.001). A total of 13 different LPA species were detectable in the plasma, but in contrast to the EBC, there were no statistically significant differences in plasma LPA species between IPF subjects and controls. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that multiple LPA species are detectable in EBC, and that 22:4 LPA levels are elevated in the EBC of IPF patients. Further research is needed to determine the significance of this elevation of 22:4 LPA in IPF EBC, as well as its potential to serve as a biomarker for disease severity and/or progression

Influence of late Quaternary climate on the biogeography of Neotropical aquatic species as reflected by non-marine ostracodes

We evaluated how ranges of four endemic and non-endemic aquatic ostracode species changed in response to long-term (glacial–interglacial cycles) and abrupt climate fluctuations during the last 155 kyr in the northern Neotropical region. We employed two complementary approaches, fossil records and species distribution models (SDMs). Fossil assemblages were obtained from sediment cores PI-1, PI-2, PI-6 and Petén-Itzá 22-VIII-99 from the Petén Itzá Scientific Drilling Project, Lake Petén Itzá, Guatemala. To obtain a spatially resolved pattern of (past) species distribution, a downscaling cascade is employed. SDMs were reconstructed for the last interglacial (∼120 ka), the last glacial maximum (∼22 ka) and the middle Holocene (∼6 ka). During glacial and interglacial cycles and marine isotope stages (MISs), modelled paleo-distributions and paleo-records show the nearly continuous presence of endemic and non-endemic species in the region, suggesting negligible effects of long-term climate variations on aquatic niche stability. During periods of abrupt ecological disruption such as Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1), endemic species were resilient, remaining within their current areas of distribution. Non-endemic species, however, proved to be more sensitive. Modelled paleo-distributions suggest that the geographic range of non-endemic species changed, moving southward into Central America. Due to the uncertainties involved in the downscaling from the global numerical to the highly resolved regional geospatial statistical modelling, results can be seen as a benchmark for future studies using similar approaches. Given relatively moderate temperature decreases in Lake Petén Itzá waters (∼5 ∘C) and the persistence of some aquatic ecosystems even during periods of severe drying in HS1, our data suggest (1) the existence of micro-refugia and/or (2) continuous interaction between central metapopulations and surrounding populations, enabling aquatic taxa to survive climate fluctuations in the northern Neotropical region

The Iowa Homemaker vol.20, no.5

The Bambino in the Home, Editor, page 1 Children’s Hour Is on the Air, Dorothy Gross, page 2 I’ll Take Vanilla, Dorothy Lee Conquest, page 3 Child Development and Education Departments, page 4 Sally – 1941 Model, Jane Hakes, page 5 Playthings Make Learning Fun, Laura Brenner, page 7 What’s New in Home Economics, Helen Kubacky, page 8 Men Explore Homemaking, Eleanor White, page 10 Iowa State’s Name Goes Abroad, Margaret Anne Clark, page 11 Through the Day at Nursery School, Martha Ericson, page 12 Behind Bright Jackets, Marjorie Thomas, page 14 Alums in the News, Bette Simpson, page 16 From Journalistic Spindles, Ruth Jensen, page 1

O planejamento pedagógico: reflexões sobre a prática docente na formação inicial de professores

O texto relata o processo de investigação-formação de acadêmicos das licenciaturas em Ciências Biológicas, Física e Química de um Instituto Federal, no componente curricular de prática pedagógica. Esta se desenvolveu pelo desencadeamento de investigações sobre o planejamento pedagógico em escolas da educação básica, nas quais os acadêmicos se inseriram, realizando entrevistas e observações sobre o planejamento individual docente e sobre o planejamento coletivo, compreendido como o projeto pedagógico. Os pressupostos teóricos pautam-se pela perspectiva do professor reflexivo, e pela compreensão da prática como práxis interligada à teoria. As análises geradas tratam da relação entre os pressupostos teóricos estudados nas licenciaturas e suas potencialidades de análise da prática investigada

A pre-post study testing a lung cancer screening decision aid in primary care

Abstract Background The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued recommendations for older, heavy lifetime smokers to complete annual low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) scans of the chest as screening for lung cancer. The USPSTF recommends and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require shared decision making using a decision aid for lung cancer screening with annual LDCT. Little is known about how decision aids affect screening knowledge, preferences, and behavior. Thus, we tested a lung cancer screening decision aid video in screening-eligible primary care patients. Methods We conducted a single-group study with surveys before and after decision aid viewing and medical record review at 3 months. Participants were active patients of a large US academic primary care practice who were current or former smokers, ages 55–80 years, and eligible for screening based on current screening guidelines. Outcomes assessed pre-post decision aid viewing were screening-related knowledge score (9 items about screening-related harms of false positives and overdiagnosis, likelihood of benefit; score range = 0–9) and preference (preferred screening vs. not). Screening behavior measures, assessed via chart review, included provider visits, screening discussion, LDCT ordering, and LDCT completion within 3 months. Results Among 50 participants, knowledge increased from pre- to post-decision aid viewing (mean = 2.6 vs. 5.5, difference = 2.8; 95% CI 2.1, 3.6, p < 0.001). Preferences across the overall sample remained similar such that 54% preferred screening at baseline and 50% after viewing; however, 28% of participants changed their preference (to or away from screening) from baseline to after viewing. We assessed screening behavior for 36 participants who had a primary care visit during the 3-month period following enrollment. Eighteen of 36 preferred screening after decision aid viewing. Of these 18, 10 discussed screening, 8 had a test ordered, and 6 completed LDCT. Among the 18 who preferred no screening, 7 discussed screening, 5 had a test ordered, and 4 completed LDCT. Conclusions In primary care patients, a lung cancer screening decision aid improved knowledge regarding screening-related benefits and harms. Screening preferences and behavior were heterogeneous. Trial registration This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov . NCT03077230 (registered retrospectively,November 22, 2016)

East Bay Coalition for the Homeless: Branding Study and Marketing Strategy

There are a number of potential positioning strategies. The two which make the most sense for the EBCH are to “position the EBCH away from others in the category” and to “position the EBCH as unique.” These strategies have the advantage of setting the EBCH apart from the other organizations that address homelessness. Occupying its own “position” in the minds of potential and current donors is not only an effective communications/marketing strategy but also a less costly one because it avoids head-to-head competition and comparisons