The Relation of Adolescent Substance Use to Young Adult Autonomy, Positive Activity Involvement, and Perceived Competence

The current paper uses data from a longitudinal study of a high-risk sample to test the relation between adolescent alcohol and drug use and later young adult autonomy, positive activity involvement, and perceived competence. Participants (children of alcoholics and demographically matched controls) were assessed in three annual interviews in adolescence (mean age: 12.7 years at Time 1) and then again 5–7 years later, in young adulthood (median age: 20 years). Path analyses and latent growth curve models tested the effects of adolescent substance use on both selfreported and collateral-reported outcomes, controlling for correlated risk factors (parental alcoholism, adolescent psychopathology, and parental support), preexisting levels of the outcome, and concurrent young adult substance use. Results showed that adolescent drug use had a significant, unique negative effect on later autonomy and perceived competence. Alcohol use effects were more complex. Adolescent heavy drinking was associated with less positive adult outcomes, but more so in collateral reports than in self-reported outcomes. Moreover, young adult heavy drinking was either uncorrelated with or positively correlated with higher levels of perceived competence, suggesting different developmental significance of alcohol use in adolescence than in young adulthood

Millimeter and Submillimeter Spectroscopy of Molecules of Atmospheric Importance

In our proposal we laid out work in three areas of relevance to atmospheric science: millimeter and submillimeter spectroscopy, variable temperature pressure broadening, and band and intensity measurements in the FIR. Below we will briefly discuss our progress during the second year of this project. In our millimeter and submillimeter (mm/submm) spectroscopic work, one of our goals has been to work towards the unification of the rotational (primarily obtained by mm/submm techniques) and rotational-vibrational (primarily obtained by infrared techniques) data sets in the context of theoretically well founded models which take advantage of the strengths of the data from each experimental technique. From the point of view of the development of the optimal data base for atmospheric observations, this is clearly a desirable goal. During the first year of this project we did an analysis of a weighted, mixed infrared and mm/submm data set of the n = 0, 1, and 2 torsional states of the ground vibrational state of HOOH. The purpose of this work is to provide a unified understanding of the spectrum, which is applicable in both the rotational and rotational - vibrational regimes. We have succeed in doing this in the context of a single weighted fit which accounts for both data sets to their respective experimental uncertainty (-0.1 and 10 MHz, respectively). Additionally, we have now done a similar analysis on the n = 0 torsional state of v(sub 3) and begun a similar analysis on v(sub 6). For several years we have been working on the mm/submm rotational spectra of the many excited vibrational states of HNO3, again with particular emphasis on the relationships between the mm/submm and infrared spectra. During the first year of this project we were able to use mm/submm spectroscopy to fully resolve the torsional splittings in 2 v(sub 9) and v(sub 5), establish a theoretically well founded quantitative relation between them, and show that both have their physical origin in the torsional motion of the v(sub 9) mode.This result has now been incorporated in a recent reanalysis of the infrared spectrum and has resulted in improved fits - eliminating what was in retrospect a systematic error associated with this previously unknown effect

A high-­resolution monitoring network investigating stem growth of tropical forest trees.

Ref. B51D-0453

An instrument for low-level measurements of the leakage current from high-voltage biased detectors

Resistive Plates Chambers (RPC) are detectors biased at High-Voltage (HV) in excess of 4 kV. When fired by a particle, they develop a large signal current that can be read across a small resistance, 100 Omega or so. A characterization has been made of their ageing as a function of the behaviour of their leakage current with time. An array of 10 detectors has been developed for this purpose. We present the instrument designed and built to perform a continuous and automatic monitoring of the leakage current from each detector of the array, while the system is taking data. For the particular biasing set-up adopted, the current has been measured in series to the terminal connected to the HV of every channel. Since the small value of the currents, order of tens of nA, a special circuit solution and special precautions have been adopte

Comparison between the method of determining the power and axis of the cylinder by the Jackson cross cylinder technique and the bi-cross cylinder method as re-developed by Robert Vaughn

The purpose of this study is to compare two methods of determining the axis and power of the far cylinder: the Jackson Cross cylinder and the Bi-Cross cylinder techniques, in an effort to determine if the Vaughn Bi-Cross cylinder technique could be substituted for the Jackson Cross cylinder test

Activation of Cytochrome C Peroxidase Function Through Coordinated Foldon Loop Dynamics upon Interaction with Anionic Lipids

Cardiolipin (CL) is a mitochondrial anionic lipid that plays important roles in the regulation and signaling of mitochondrial apoptosis. CL peroxidation catalyzed by the assembly of CL-cytochrome c (cyt c) complexes at the inner mitochondrial membrane is a critical checkpoint. The structural changes in the protein, associated with peroxidase activation by CL and different anionic lipids, are not known at a molecular level. To better understand these peripheral protein-lipid interactions, we compare how phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and CL lipids trigger cyt c peroxidase activation, and correlate functional differences to structural and motional changes in membrane-associated cyt c. Structural and motional studies of the bound protein are enabled by magic angle spinning solid state NMR spectroscopy, while lipid peroxidase activity is assayed by mass spectrometry. PG binding results in a surface-bound state that preserves a nativelike fold, which nonetheless allows for significant peroxidase activity, though at a lower level than binding its native substrate CL. Lipid-specific differences in peroxidase activation are found to correlate to corresponding differences in lipid-induced protein mobility, affecting specific protein segments. The dynamics of omega loops C and D are upregulated by CL binding, in a way that is remarkably controlled by the protein:lipid stoichiometry. In contrast to complete chemical denaturation, membrane-induced protein destabilization reflects a destabilization of select cyt c foldons, while the energetically most stable helices are preserved. Our studies illuminate the interplay of protein and lipid dynamics in the creation of lipid peroxidase-active proteolipid complexes implicated in early stages of mitochondrial apoptosis

Surface-Binding to Cardiolipin Nanodomains Triggers Cytochrome c Pro-apoptotic Peroxidase Activity via Localized Dynamics

The peroxidation of cardiolipins by reactive oxygen species, which is regulated and enhanced by cytochrome c (cyt c), is a critical signaling event in mitochondrial apoptosis. We probe the molecular underpinnings of this mitochondrial death signal through structural and functional studies of horse heart cyt c binding to mixed-lipid membranes containing cardiolipin with mono- and polyunsaturated acyl chains. Lipidomics reveal the selective oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) cardiolipin (CL), while multidimensional solid-state NMR probes the structure and dynamics of the membrane and the peripherally bound protein. The hydrophilic milieu at the membrane interface stabilizes a native-like fold, but also leads to localized flexibility at the membrane-interacting protein face. PUFA CL acts as both a preferred substrate and a dynamic regulator by affecting the dynamics of the cyt c N70-I85 Ω loop, which covers the heme cavity

Weak Interaction Matrix Elements and (p,n) Cross Sections

This research was sponsored by the National Science Foundation Grant NSF PHY-931478

O discounted cash flow como o modelo de avaliação de empresas: estudo de caso da empresa GALP

Versão final (Esta versão contém as críticas e sugestões dos elementos do júri)The need to evaluate a company is, in general, an imperative since it is associated with significant changes and decision-making that may have a major impact on its success. Thus, the quality of the evaluation performed is decisive, and it must be based on solid methodologies and criteria. This study aims to analyze some of the most appropriate models that serve as a basis for business valuations, considering that there is no single and perfect model, but the most appropriate to the individual financial context of each company. It emerges as one of the themes that have proven to be quite significant in a business and social context, emotionally and financially affected by the crises of this millennium as well as, more recently, with the crisis originated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, these unprecedented challenges have caused successive methods of internal control and development of tools that have enabled more effective regulation of institutions. The main objective of this dissertation is the evaluation of the company GALP, positioned in the industrial and transformation activity sector, more specifically in the energy sector, which aims to reflect through dynamic guidelines, the development of profitable business and with sustainable practices that create value, to promote the welfare of its customers. Considering the company's financial history, based on publicly available information, between 2014 and 2020, the most appropriate valuation model was followed and applying the linear regression model, a conservative future projection of the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flows expected for the years 2021 to 2025 was established, thus anticipating possible scenarios, without forgetting to consider the external contexts that influence the business trend.A necessidade de avaliar uma empresa é, de um modo geral, um imperativo, visto que surge associada a mudanças significativas e tomada de decisões que poderão causar um grande impacto no sucesso da mesma. Assim, a qualidade da avaliação realizada é decisiva, devendo assentar em metodologias e critérios sólidos. Este estudo tem como propósito analisar alguns dos modelos mais adequados que servem de base às avaliações de empresas, tendo em consideração que não existe um modelo único e perfeito, mas sim o mais apropriado a um contexto financeiro individual de cada empresa. Surge como sendo um dos temas que se revelaram bastante significativos num contexto empresarial e social, emocionalmente e financeiramente afetado pelas crises deste milénio bem como, mais recentemente, com a crise originada pela pandemia COVID-19. Para além disso, estes desafios sem precedentes causaram sucessivos métodos de controlo interno e desenvolvimento de ferramentas que possibilitaram uma regulamentação mais eficaz das instituições. O principal objetivo desta dissertação é a avaliação da empresa GALP, posicionada no setor de atividade industrial e de transformação, mais concretamente no setor energético, que tem como propósito refletir por meio de linhas orientadoras dinâmicas, o desenvolvimento de negócios rentáveis e com práticas sustentáveis que criem valor, de modo a promover o bem-estar dos seus clientes. Tendo em conta o histórico financeiro da empresa, com base em informação publicamente disponível, entre 2014 e 2020, seguiu-se o modelo de avaliação mais adequado e aplicando o modelo de regressão linear, estabeleceu-se uma projeção futura conservadora da Demonstração de Resultados, do Balanço e dos Cash Flows esperados para os anos 2021 a 2025, antecipando assim possíveis cenários, sem esquecer de considerar os contextos externos que influenciam a tendência do negócio

Substantial carbon loss respired from a corn-soybean agroecosystem highlights the importance of careful management as we adapt to changing climate

Understanding agroecosystem carbon (C) cycle response to climate change and management is vital for maintaining their long-term C storage. We demonstrate this importance through an in-depth examination of a ten-year eddy covariance dataset from a corn-corn-soybean crop rotation grown in the Midwest United States. Ten-year average annual net ecosystem exchange (NEE) showed a net C sink of -0.39 Mg C ha-1 yr-1. However, NEE in 2014 and 2015 from the corn ecosystem was 3.58 and 2.56 Mg C ha-1 yr-1, respectively. Most C loss occurred during the growing season, when photosynthesis should dominate and C fluxes should reflect a net ecosystem gain. Partitioning NEE into gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) showed this C \u27burp\u27 was driven by higher ER, with a 51% (2014) and 57% (2015) increase from the ten-year average (15.84 Mg C ha-1 yr-1). GPP was also higher than average (16.24 Mg C ha-1 yr-1) by 25% (2014) and 37% (2015), but this was not enough to offset the C emitted from ER. This increased ER was likely driven by enhanced soil microbial respiration associated with ideal growing season climate, substrate availability, nutrient additions, and a potential legacy effect from drought