Evidence For Temperature Change And Oblique Pulsation From Light Curve Fits Of The Pulsating White Dwarf GD 358

Convective driving, the mechanism originally proposed by Brickhill for pulsating white dwarf stars, has gained general acceptance as the generic linear instability mechanism in DAV and dbV white dwarfs. This physical mechanism naturally leads to a nonlinear formulation, reproducing the observed light curves of many pulsating white dwarfs. This numerical model can also provide information on the average depth of a star's convection zone and the inclination angle of its pulsation axis. In this paper, we give two sets of results of nonlinear light curve fits to data on the dbV GD 358. Our first fit is based on data gathered in 2006 by the Whole Earth Telescope; this data set was multiperiodic containing at least 12 individual modes. Our second fit utilizes data obtained in 1996, when GD 358 underwent a dramatic change in excited frequencies accompanied by a rapid increase in fractional amplitude; during this event it was essentially monoperiodic. We argue that GD 358's convection zone was much thinner in 1996 than in 2006, and we interpret this as a result of a short-lived increase in its surface temperature. In addition, we find strong evidence of oblique pulsation using two sets of evenly split triplets in the 2006 data. This marks the first time that oblique pulsation has been identified in a variable white dwarf star.Delaware Asteroseismic Research CenterNational Science Foundation AST-0909107, AST-0607840Norman Hackerman Advanced Research Program 003658-0255-2007Crystal Trust FoundationMt. Cuba ObservatoryUniversity of DelawareAstronom

Adenovirus type 5 E4 Orf3 protein targets promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein nuclear domains for disruption via a sequence in PML isoform II that is predicted as a protein interaction site by bioinformatic analysis

Human adenovirus type 5 infection causes the disruption of structures in the cell nucleus termed promyelocytic leukaemia (PML) protein nuclear domains or ND10, which contain the PML protein as a critical component. This disruption is achieved through the action of the viral E4 Orf3 protein, which forms track-like nuclear structures that associate with the PML protein. This association is mediated by a direct interaction of Orf3 with a specific PML isoform, PMLII. We show here that the Orf3 interaction properties of PMLII are conferred by a 40 aa residue segment of the unique C-terminal domain of the protein. This segment was sufficient to confer interaction on a heterologous protein. The analysis was informed by prior application of a bioinformatic tool for the prediction of potential protein interaction sites within unstructured protein sequences (predictors of naturally disordered region analysis; PONDR). This tool predicted three potential molecular recognition elements (MoRE) within the C-terminal domain of PMLII, one of which was found to form the core of the Orf3 interaction site, thus demonstrating the utility of this approach. The sequence of the mapped Orf3-binding site on PML protein was found to be relatively poorly conserved across other species; however, the overall organization of MoREs within unstructured sequence was retained, suggesting the potential for conservation of functional interactions

EXAMINING ATTITUDES, PERCEPTIONS, AND OBSERVATIONS OF TOBACCO USE AND COMPLIANCE AT A SMALL PRIVATE LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE IN KENTUCKY WITH A DESIGNATED AREA TOBACCO POLICY

A multitude of higher education institutions have adopted comprehensive smoke- and tobacco-free policies to minimize tobacco use, increase quit attempts, and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke on campus. However, the majority of campuses across the U.S. still have non-comprehensive policies and/or designated tobacco use areas. Given the limited research in this area, the purpose of this dissertation was to assess the attitudes, perceptions, tobacco use behaviors, and actual observational compliance of students, faculty, and staff on a college campus that possesses a designated area tobacco policy. This two-phased cross-sectional study included both direct observations and online survey data collection. For Phase I, to assess on-campus tobacco use behaviors and compliance with a designated tobacco area policy, during the Fall semester 2018 direct observations were made in 10-minute intervals throughout the typical work/class day during Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for two consecutive weeks in the designated tobacco use areas on campus. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests for independence. For Phase II, a 36-item online survey was emailed to all staff, faculty, and students to assess their overall attitudes and perceptions regarding a designated tobacco area policy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and individual chi-squared assessments for each item. Items were also combined to create relevant subscales; ANOVA was used for comparison purposes between demographic factors. Phase I: A total of 239 tobacco observations were made on campus during the two-week period. Significant relationships were discovered between sex and location (p \u3c 0.01), sex and compliance (p \u3c 0.01), time and location (p \u3c 0.01), as well as time and compliance (p \u3c 0.05). Males were more likely to be found using tobacco in general, either in compliance with the designated tobacco area policy or in violation of the policy. Phase II: A total of 185 staff, 88 faculty, and 332 students completed the online survey. Response rate was 33% for employees and 20% for students. Significant differences emerged when looking at the appeal of the designated areas on campus when comparing staff, faculty, or student status (p = 0.00) as well as tobacco use status (p = 0.00). Social influences yielded significance when comparing campus status (staff, faculty, or student; p = 0.00) as well as when comparing tobacco-users to non-users (p = 0.001). A significant difference was also found when comparing perceptions of designated tobacco areas (gazebos) and tobacco use between tobacco-users and non-users (p = 0.03). Findings provide quantitative evidence that tobacco is being used on campus, in both designated and non-designated areas. Male students were observed more frequently, regardless of compliant status. In addition, there was a strong correlation with observations and certain times of day as well as the location of observations, reinforcing the need for compliance efforts and availability of tobacco treatment. Additional research on college campuses with designated tobacco areas is necessary in order to better understand the overall impact that such policies have on college campuses, including whether designated policies may make it difficult for individuals on campus to either quit using tobacco or to stay quit. In addition, given the number of individuals using tobacco on campus, it would be beneficial to collect air quality data on campuses with designated areas, in comparison to campuses with comprehensive tobacco-free policies

Timing by Stellar Pulsations as an Exoplanet Discovery Method

The stable oscillations of pulsating stars can serve as accurate timepieces, which may be monitored for the influence of exoplanets. An external companion gravitationally tugs the host star, causing periodic changes in pulsation arrival times. This method is most sensitive to detecting substellar companions around the hottest pulsating stars, especially compact remnants like white dwarfs and hot subdwarfs, as well as delta Scuti variables (A stars). However, it is applicable to any pulsating star with sufficiently stable oscillations. Care must be taken to ensure that the changes in pulsation arrival times are not caused by intrinsic stellar variability; an external, light-travel-time effect from an exoplanet identically affects all pulsation modes. With more long-baseline photometric campaigns coming online, this method is yielding new detections of substellar companions.Comment: 9 pages, 2 figures: Invited review to appear in 'Handbook of Exoplanets,' Springer Reference Works, edited by Hans J. Deeg and Juan Antonio Belmont

THE EFFECTS OF DEBRIEFING ON DIAGNOSTIC REASONING DEVELOPMENT IN FAMILY NURSING PRACTITIONER STUDENTS

This dissertation explores the effect of simulation and the debriefing method of Debriefing for Meaningful Learning (DML) on diagnostic reasoning development in family nurse practitioner students (FNP-s) as measured by the diagnostic thinking inventory (DTI). A total of 13 FNP-s participated in this exploratory descriptive pilot study. All students completed both the pre-DTI survey prior to the start of the study, and the post DTI survey at the study conclusion followed by the Debriefing Assessment for Simulation in Healthcare-Student Version (DASH-SV) survey. Students participated in three urgent care simulations followed by the debriefing method of DML. The results of this study used mean comparisons in a repeated measure analysis given the small sample size. Dependent groups t tests revealed significant gains on the knowledge subscale but not on the flexibility items of the DTI, suggesting that the improvement in diagnostic thinking skills evidenced in this sample was due to the increase in knowledge gained from participation in the simulations and associated DML debriefings but not to any significant changes in the flexibility subscales. The effect of the simulations followed by DML method was also evaluated on reaction time (RT) indices. Although the total DTI scores did not show evidence of a significant improvement in time related to the RT to the diagnostic questions, the knowledge subscale of the DTI showed evidence of a significant improvement in RT. The observation that these FNP-s responded to the knowledge subscale of the DTI significantly faster after the intervention than before, provides additional evidence that suggests that the diagnostic knowledge of these FNP-s was improved by this intervention. Knowledge (non-analytic reasoning) was improved by participation in the simulations followed by DML as evidenced by improvement in knowledge decision efficiency (shorter RTs) in this subscale, however, there was not a similar improvement in the RTs in the overall total DTI scores or in the flexibility subscale. Overall scores on this debriefing method using the DASH-SV were positive. Simulation with the debriefing method of DML was found to significantly increase knowledge structure in this small sample of FNP-s.Doctor of Education (EdD)Nursin

Pulsational Mapping of Calcium Across the Surface of a White Dwarf

We constrain the distribution of calcium across the surface of the white dwarf star G29-38 by combining time series spectroscopy from Gemini-North with global time series photometry from the Whole Earth Telescope. G29-38 is actively accreting metals from a known debris disk. Since the metals sink significantly faster than they mix across the surface, any inhomogeneity in the accretion process will appear as an inhomogeneity of the metals on the surface of the star. We measure the flux amplitudes and the calcium equivalent width amplitudes for two large pulsations excited on G29-38 in 2008. The ratio of these amplitudes best fits a model for polar accretion of calcium and rules out equatorial accretion.Comment: Accepted to the Astrophysical Journal. 16 pages, 10 figures

The Issue Of Sovereignty in an Ever-Closer Union

This paper aims to answer the following question: what is the understanding of the principle of sovereignty in the EU today, and how should this knowledge inform our actions tomorrow? It is demonstrated that from both doctrinal and practical points of view, it is impossible to determine conclusively what sovereignty or its preservation entails in the present European legal setting. The only point of clarity regarding the contemporary interpretation of sovereignty is that the principle should no longer be conceived in traditional and absolute terms – since this would be incompatible with the current European legal and political reality. Yet, while there seems to be an agreement on what sovereignty is not, there is no agreement, in either legal doctrine or practice, on what this principle actually is. It is argued that such a deeply contested nature of sovereignty puts in question not only the role and strength of this principle, but also the adequacy of its use as a legal parameter for determining the boundaries of the European integration process. It is thus concluded that in legal debates concerning the future of the EU, arguments relying on sovereignty should not be taken at face value. Rather, they should be approached with a critical eye and with full awareness of the disputed nature of the principle they rest upon