Tennessee Per-pupil Expenditures in Special Education and Academic Achievement

Federal legislation known as the No Child Left Behind act has required states to close achievement gaps. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between special education spending by districts in the state of Tennessee and standardized achievement for students with disabilities. Secondary data were obtained from the Tennessee Department of Education’s website (www.tn.gov/education). Data from each local education association were collected for the years of 2010-2014 in the areas of special education spending, special education population, and TCAP proficiency percentages in reading and math grades 3-8. Data from each local education association were collected for the years of 2011-2014 for gap size percentages between students with and without disabilities for reading and math grades 3-8 and the percentage of economically disadvantaged students. The researcher performed 6 Pearson correlation coefficient tests for this analysis. The findings showed a positive correlation between spending and performance on standardized assessments in the areas of reading and mathematics for students with disabilities. The analysis indicated that per pupil expenditures in special education has not had a statistically significant impact on reducing the gap size between students with and without disabilities. However, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in a local education association inversely impacted the gap size. Those local education agencies with a higher population of economically disadvantaged students were more likely to have smaller gap sizes between students with and without disabilities in reading and mathematics on standardized testing

Exploration of surface plasmon-assisted catalysis (SPAC) as a new route for heterogeneous catalysis

1 online resource (xi, 59 p.) : ill. (chiefly col.)Includes abstract and appendix.Includes bibliographical references (p. 51-56).Plasmonics is the study of the interactions between the free electrons of a metal, and the electric field component of light. In the presence of the oscillating electronic field, the free electrons in the metal oscillate collectively, resulting in a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). This LSPR is the reason for the enhanced spectra of surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) compared to Raman spectroscopy. A commonly used Raman reporter is 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP), which has been well studied. 4-ATP is known to undergo a surface catalytic coupling reaction to produce an aromatic azo species: 4,4’-dimercaptoazobenzene (4,4’-DMAB). This work explores the generality of the surface plasmon-assisted catalysis (SPAC) by studying the constitutional isomers, the 2- and 3- constituents of 4-ATP. The reusability of the catalyst (electrode set-up) is also tested to suggest a new route for heterogeneous catalysis, and further tested if the oxidative product, 4,4’-DMAB, could be obtained once removed

An exploration of 2D-LC-SERS : a novel offline detection modality for multidimensional chromatography

xii, 74 leaves : illustrations (some colour) ; 29 cmIncludes abstract and appendix.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 66-72).Multidimensional liquid chromatography (2D-LC) provides better resolving and separation power than conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and over the past decade has increasingly been applied in many different fields.1 This thesis seeks to explore the extent to which surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be used as an offline detection modality for 2D-LC. This thesis hypothesizes that careful selection and modification of a three dimensional (3D) SERS substrate will be useful for characterization of fractions collected using 2D-LC. In particular, a mixture of four polyphenolic molecules was chosen for this proof-of-concept study. An optimised 2D-LC method was developed as part of this thesis. Various materials were evaluated as potential 3D-SERS substrates, with the most promising option being cellulose-based filter paper. Various modification strategies were explored to enhance the interaction between the polyphenolic molecules and the filter paper substrate. In the end, SERS-based detection of 2D-LC fractions proved challenging, even after optimization

Screening and Health Behaviors among Persons Diagnosed with Familial Adenomatous Polyposis and Their Relatives

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited colorectal cancer syndrome. Individuals with FAP often undergo colectomy and are recommended to follow several surveillance protocols. Biological relatives of persons with FAP may also be at risk and thus should undergo genetic counseling. Screening adherence, genetic testing, and other health behaviors among individuals with FAP and their relatives are not well characterized. We conducted a cross-sectional self-report survey with individuals who have FAP (n=35) and their biological relatives (n=15). Respondents were recruited through a cancer center registry for inherited colon cancers. Most relatives had undergone colon cancer screening; 40% had undergone genetic testing. One fifth of respondents with FAP had not undergone an upper endoscopy, contrary to usual recommendations. Cigarette smoking rates were above average and were higher among FAP respondents. Use of vitamin supplements was fairly common, more so among those with FAP. Although most people had been screened, there are areas for improvement, notably for upper endoscopy among individuals with FAP and genetic testing among family members. Several other health-risk behaviors and health concerns other than FAP were identified. Further research into factors contributing to screening rates and other health behaviors in this high-risk population is warranted

Mucosal exposure to cockroach extract induces allergic sensitization and allergic airway inflammation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Allergic sensitization to aeroallergens develops in response to mucosal exposure to these allergens. Allergic sensitization may lead to the development of asthma, which is characterized by chronic airway inflammation. The objective of this study is to describe in detail a model of mucosal exposure to cockroach allergens in the absence of an exogenous adjuvant.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Cockroach extract (CE) was administered to mice intranasally (i.n.) daily for 5 days, and 5 days later mice were challenged with CE for 4 consecutive days. A second group received CE i.n. for 3 weeks. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was assessed 24 h after the last allergen exposure. Allergic airway inflammation was assessed by BAL and lung histology 48 h after the last allergen exposure. Antigen-specific antibodies were assessed in serum. Lungs were excised from mice from measurement of cytokines and chemokines in whole lung lysate.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Mucosal exposure of Balb/c mice to cockroach extract induced airway eosinophilic inflammation, AHR and cockroach-specific IgG1; however, AHR to methacholine was absent in the long term group. Lung histology showed patchy, multicentric damage with inflammatory infiltrates at the airways in both groups. Lungs from mice from the short term group showed increased IL-4, CCL11, CXCL1 and CCL2 protein levels. IL4 and CXCL1 were also increased in the BAL of cockroach-sensitized mice in the short-term protocol.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mucosal exposure to cockroach extract in the absence of adjuvant induces allergic airway sensitization characterized by AHR, the presence of Th2 cytokines in the lung and eosinophils in the airways.</p

Fatty Acid Composition in the Mature Milk of Bolivian Forager-Horticulturalists: Controlled Comparisons With a US Sample

Breast milk fatty acid (FA) composition varies greatly among individual women, including in percentages of the long-chain polyunsaturated FAs (LCPUFA) 20:4n-6 (arachidonic acid, AA) and 22:6n-3 (docosahexaenoic acid, DHA), which are important for infant neurological development. It has been suggested that owing to wide variation in milk LCPUFA and low DHA in Western diets, standards of milk FA composition should be derived from populations consuming traditional diets. We collected breast milk samples from Tsimane women at varying lactational stages (6–82 weeks). The Tsimane are an indigenous, natural fertility, subsistence-level population living in Amazonia Bolivia. Tsimane samples were matched by lactational stage to samples from a US milk bank, and analysed concurrently for FA composition by gas-liquid chromatography. We compared milk FA composition between Tsimane (n = 35) and US (n = 35) mothers, focusing on differences in LCPUFA percentages that may be due to population-typical dietary patterns. Per total FAs, the percentages of AA, DHA, total n-3 and total n-6 LCPUFA were significantly higher among Tsimane mothers. Mean percentages of 18:2n-6 (linoleic acid) and trans FAs were significantly higher among US mothers. Tsimane mothers’ higher milk n-3 and n-6 LCPUFA percentages may be due to their regular consumption of wild game and freshwater fish, as well as comparatively lower intakes of processed foods and oils that may interfere with LCPUFA synthesis

Novel APC promoter and exon 1B deletion and allelic silencing in three mutation-negative classic familial adenomatous polyposis families

BACKGROUND: The overwhelming majority (approximately 80%) of individuals with classic familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) exhibit mutations in the coding sequence of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene. Families without detectable APC mutations are unable to benefit from the use of genetic testing for clinical management of this autosomal dominant syndrome. METHODS: We used exome sequencing and linkage analysis, coupled with second-generation sequencing of the APC locus including non-coding regions to investigate three APC mutation-negative classical FAP families. RESULTS: We identified a novel ~11 kb deletion localized 44 kb upstream of the transcription start site of APC that encompasses the APC 1B promoter and exon. This deletion was present only in affected family members of one kindred with classical FAP. Furthermore, this same deletion with identical breakpoints was found in the probands of two additional APC mutation-negative classical FAP kindreds. Phasing analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) around the deletion site in the three probands showed evidence of a shared haplotype, suggesting a common founder deletion in the three kindreds. SNP analysis within the coding sequence of APC, revealed that this ~11 kb deletion was accompanied by silencing of one of the APC alleles in blood-derived RNA of affected individuals. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the causal role of a novel promoter deletion in FAP and suggest that non-coding deletions, identifiable using second-generation sequencing methods, may account for a significant fraction of APC mutation-negative classical FAP families

A Comprehensive Single Institutional Review of 2 Years in a Designated Fast-Track Sarcoma Diagnostic Clinic Linked with a Sarcoma Specialist Advisory Group: Meeting the Target but Failing the Task?

Background. National guidelines prompted the implementation of a designated two-week wait referral pathway to facilitate the early diagnosis of sarcomas, to improve treatment outcomes. Methods. Patients referred to the Cambridge Sarcoma Diagnostic Clinic between January 2013 and December 2014 were identified through the electronic appointments system. Information was retrospectively retrieved about patient characteristics and details of the diagnostic pathway. Results. 17.3% of patients referred (69/397) were diagnosed with a malignancy. Of these, 59.3% (41/69) had primary sarcomas, 17.4% (12/69) had metastatic cancer, and 23.2% (16/69) had a different primary malignancy. 15% of the 41 sarcomas were 10 cm. Sarcomas diagnosed through this clinic represented 13% (41/315) of sarcomas managed at the centre during the same 2 years. Conclusion. While we achieved the target of 10% (41/397) sarcoma diagnosis rate in the rapid access clinic, only 15% of these were <5 cm better prognosis lesions. This calls into question the "real world" impact of such diagnostic clinics on early diagnosis of sarcomas. In order to enhance generic cancer diagnostic skills, training in these diagnostic clinics could be usefully integrated into national training curricula for both surgical and nonsurgical oncologists.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from the Hindawi Publishing Corporation via http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/603260

Rovibronic signatures of molecular aggregation in the gas phase: subtle homochirality trends in the dimer, trimer and tetramer of benzyl alcohol.

[EN]Molecular aggregation is of paramount importance in many chemical processes, including those in living beings. Thus, characterization of the intermolecular interactions is an important step in its understanding. We describe here the aggregation of benzyl alcohol at the molecular level, a process governed by a delicate equilibrium between OHMIDLINE HORIZONTAL ELLIPSISO and OHMIDLINE HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS pi hydrogen bonds and dispersive interactions. Using microwave, FTIR, Raman and mass-resolved double-resonance IR/UV spectroscopic techniques, we explored the cluster growth up to the tetramer and found a complex landscape, partly due to the appearance of multiple stereoisomers of very similar stability. Interestingly, a consistently homochiral synchronization of transiently chiral monomer conformers was observed during cluster growth to converge in the tetramer, where the fully homochiral species dominates the potential energy surface. The data on the aggregation of benzyl alcohol also constitute an excellent playground to fine-tune the parameters of the most advanced functionals.The Gottingen part of the project was partly funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) - 271107160/SPP1807. We thank M. Lange and E. K. M. M. Sennert for the measurement of the FTIR spectrum and E. Meyer for help with the measurement of the Raman spectrum. Computational resources from the GWDG and the Gottingen Faculty of Chemistry (DFG - 405832858/INST 186/1294-1 FUGG) are acknowledged. We thank the Gottingen chemistry workshops for valuable support. This publication was supported financially by the Open Access Grant Program of the DFG and the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Gottingen. The Bilbao and Valladolid groups acknowledge funding from the Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MICINN-FEDER PGC2018-098561-B-C21 and PGC2018-098561-B-C22). Bilbao's group also thank the SGIKER (UPV/EHU, MICIU-FEDER) for the computational and laser resources. The Hamburg part of this work was financially supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SCHN1280/4-2, project number 271359857) in the context of the priority program SPP 1807 "Control of London dispersion interactions in molecular chemistry". P. Pinacho would like to thank the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for a postdoctoral fellowship