Pulsed radiolysis of model aromatic polymers and epoxy based matrix materials

Models of primary processes leading to deactivation of energy deposited by a pulse of high energy electrons were derived for epoxy matrix materials and polyl-vinyl naphthalene. The basic conclusion is that recombination of initially formed charged states is complete within 1 nanosecond, and subsequent degradation chemistry is controlled by the reactivity of these excited states. Excited states in both systems form complexes with ground state molecules. These excimers or exciplexes have their characteristics emissive and absorptive properties and may decay to form separated pairs of ground state molecules, cross over to the triplet manifold or emit fluorescence. ESR studies and chemical analyses subsequent to pulse radiolysis were performed in order to estimate bond cleavage probabilities and net reaction rates. The energy deactivation models which were proposed to interpret these data have led to the development of radiation stabilization criteria for these systems

Survey of pediatric residents regarding communication disorders and augmentative and alternative communication.

Children with general communication impairments as well as complex communication needs rely on pediatricians to prescribe the services of speech language pathologists. In light of this continuing and increasing need, it is important to ascertain whether medical residents are receiving the necessary training in their educational program to fulfill their role. We need to understand how pediatric residents perceive their current level of abilities particularly within the framework of the current ACGME competencies. The purpose of this dissertation was to identify possible differences across pediatric resident levels regarding competence within three constructs, Medical Education, Medical Knowledge and Professional Practice, with a specific focus on communication disorders and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). A MANOVA was used to address the first three of five research questions. Upon analysis of the MANOVA, the main effect was significant for differences among the three groups of residents in their average levels of self reported competence in the three constructs. Further paired comparisons found differences across pediatric levels for Medical Education and Medical Knowledge. The fourth research question investigated the effects of demographic variables on residents\u27 perceived competency across the three constructs. These demographic variables included gender, rotation completion, pediatric specialization educational methods, and educational time. Independent t- tests were completed with Bonferroni adjustment as well as correlation coefficients. Significant findings within these variables provide further understanding of current and future pediatric resident training. The final research question investigated the perspectives of pediatric residents regarding communication disorders and AAC as part of their training. This question provided qualitative data gathered through responses to several open-ended questions. Residents were confident in their ability to identify a communication disorder or a need for AAC and make referrals. At the same time, residents expressed concerns regarding educational training and appeared to not grasp the entirety of their roles. The results of this study provide evidence for some improvements within residents\u27 perceived competence for referrals and knowledge base. Yet, it appears that improvements are still needed regarding residents\u27 educational opportunities, and understanding of their role within the provision of services for children with communication disorders and needing AAC. Follow-up of this current investigation by educational leaders and continued research within this field will support this effort

The Thermal Environment of the Fiber Glass Dome for the New Solar Telescope at Big Bear Solar Observatory

The New Solar Telescope (NST) is a 1.6-meter off-axis Gregory-type telescope with an equatorial mount and an open optical support structure. To mitigate the temperature fluctuations along the exposed optical path, the effects of local/dome-related seeing have to be minimized. To accomplish this, NST will be housed in a 5/8-sphere fiberglass dome that is outfitted with 14 active vents evenly spaced around its perimeter. The 14 vents house louvers that open and close independently of one another to regulate and direct the passage of air through the dome. In January 2006, 16 thermal probes were installed throughout the dome and the temperature distribution was measured. The measurements confirmed the existence of a strong thermal gradient on the order of 5 degree Celsius inside the dome. In December 2006, a second set of temperature measurements were made using different louver configurations. In this study, we present the results of these measurements along with their integration into the thermal control system (ThCS) and the overall telescope control system (TCS).Comment: 12 pages, 11 figures, submitted to SPIE Optics+Photonics, San Diego, U.S.A., 26-30 August 2007, Conference: Solar Physics and Space Weather Instrumentation II, Proceedings of SPIE Volume 6689, Paper #2

What Motivates Residential Mobility? Re-examining Self-Reported Reasons for Desiring and Making Residential Moves

Understanding why people move home is an important objective for population research. While studies are increasingly examining residential mobility motivations using the reasons reported in social surveys, data constraints and the conceptual legacy of behavioural theories mean that little is known about how people's reasons for desiring and making residential moves vary over the life course. In this paper, we address these issues using longitudinal data from the British Household Panel Survey. The results show that the reasons people report for desiring to move vary considerably over the life course. People are more likely to relocate if they desire to move for ‘targeted’ reasons like employment opportunities than if they desire to move for more ‘diffuse’ reasons relating to area characteristics. Life course events and moving desires intersect to strongly condition moving behaviour. These insights demonstrate how a deep engagement with life course theories can help researchers to overcome the difficulties encountered when using behavioural models to understand moving decisions

THE CLINICAL UTILITY OF CONCOMITANT PTEN AND FAS DELETION AS AN EARLY INDICATOR FOR PROSTATE ADENOCARCINOMA SUBTYPES THAT LEAD TO EXTRACAPSULAR METASTASIS

The utility of genes PTEN and FAS as prognostic markers for the identification of early and/or aggressive prostatic adenocarcinomas is seemingly validated in the study results we obtained using fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) of archived paraffin embedded surgical prostate core biopsy samples obtained from two CLIA and CAP licensed anatomical pathology labs (Bostwick Laboratories, Uniondale, NV and GoPath Laboratories, Buffalo Grove, IL). From early benign subsets of sample cases to aggressive extracapsular invasive tumors, the presence of random deletions evolves into clonal populations of co-deletion of both genes at question. We identify independent research that demonstrates the ability of these two genes to work together in a pathway of rapid cell division and then (or sometimes concomitant) evasion of said neoplastic tumor cell lines from innate cell mediated immunity. Sample size limitations limits predictive values in our study, however this research adds credence to personal anecdotal observation I have made in the past in the capacity of FISH clinical operations and validation management and personal “bench work.” Further, since the onset of our research, using a completely different modality, scientists have studied the same markers together and reached the similar if not the same conclusions

Research Computing at a Business University

Research Computing demands are exploding beyond traditional disciplines due to the proliferation of data in all walks of life. At Bentley University ("Bentley"), a business university in the Boston area, this expansion has been most readily seen in our Accounting, Economics, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences departments. The result has been a small effort to build a research computing capability at this small New England university. This poster will serve as an overview of the steps taken to build such an effort at a business university, the revelations we have had along the way, and our plans for the future.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figures, presented at PEARC19 in Chicago, I

Enhancing and visualising data on soils, land use and the environment.

End of Project ReportA computer based system was developed to produce new information, charts and map data on soils, environment and land use for environmental decision support. The process involved manipulation of data in tabular and electronic map form by combining features from digitised maps and tables to develop an information system of linked and harmonised data. This report reviews and illustrates the findings with outputs in the form of maps and tables. Maps presenting sheep census information for the years 1970- 1991 show greatly increased livestock densities, in the latter years. These changes mainly occurred in the (i) traditional drystock areas of the midlands (ii) south east arable areas and (iii) south east Connacht dry stock/sheep areas and reflect economic and structural changes arising out of Government policy and membership of the EU. Maps depicting the temporal changes in dairy livestock densities were not so dramatic; however the structural change is particularly reflected in the reduction of dairying in the Connacht/Midlands regions. The introduction of milk quotas in the 1980's accelerated the changes which had been taking place since the early 1970's. In comparison to dairy cows, the increased concentration of drystock seems to be more widely spread. High concentrations of drystock occurred in the east midlands in 1970. By 1980, the high concentration of dry cattle had spread to North and South Midlands. The density of cattle increased further in Leinster and Munster areas by 1991. In Connaught, where sheep numbers had increased markedly between 1970 and 1991, cattle numbers remained relatively static. The digitisation of detailed soil survey maps was undertaken in this project and a new soil survey map of the Lough Derg Catchment was produced using Great Soil Groups as the mapping unit. This map is included in the report.European Union Structural Funds (EAGGF