High resolution studies of the origins of polyatomic ions in inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Common polyatomic ions (NO+, H2O +, ArN+, etc.) in inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are identified using high mass resolution and studied using gas kinetic temperatures (Tgas) determined from a dissociation reaction approach. Methods for making accurate mass measurements, confirming ion identifications, and correcting for mass bias are discussed. The effects of sampler and skimmer cone composition and extraction voltage on polyatomic ion formation are also explored. Neutral species densities at several locations in the extraction interface are estimated and the corresponding effects of the Tgas value are calculated. The results provide information about the origins of background ions and indicate possible locations for their formation or removal;A joint experimental and computational approach is used on N2H + and a COHx+ series. Novel calculations are performed to determine the energies and partition functions of the ions. These values are combined with experimental data to evaluate a Tgas value for the proposed reaction. The examination of N2H + and HCO+ lead to a calculated Tgas of 4550 to 4900 K. The evaluation of H2CO+ leads to a much lower Tgas (\u3c1000 to 2000 K). Finally, the dissociation of H3CO+ generates a Tgas value between those from the other HxCO+ ions studied here. All of these calculated Tgas values correspond to formation of extra polyatomic ion in the interface or extraction region. The calculations reveal the existence of isomers such as HCO+ and COH+, and H2CO+ and HCOH+, which complicate the interpretation of results;Chromium polyatomic ions in ICP-MS are studied, including CrOH +, CrO2+, CrO2H+, CrO2H2+, CrO3+, CrO3H+, and CrO3H2 +. Accurate m/z measurements are made of these previously unidentified ions. Ion identities are confirmed using isotope ratios. The prevalence of these species is found to be independent of the oxidation state of chromium introduced into the ICP. Elements surrounding chromium on the periodic table are also studied. Results indicate that chromium is unique in its polyatomic ion formation. Finally, dissociation constants are evaluated to determine a Tgas for these chromium ions that is thought to describe the location of ion formation in the ICP-MS device

Seven Strategies for Successfully Marketing and Stabilizing the Occupancy of Mixed-Income/Mixed-Race Properties - Summary Report

Mixed-Income rental properties that include extremely low-income households (below 30 percent of AMI) are a valuable strategy for community health. They simultaneously address two critical challenges: housing for those most in need and desegregating poverty. Understanding how to operate mixed-income apartments profitably is important to increase the development and underwriting of these properties.With the generous support of the Ford Foundation, NeighborWorks America undertook this study of management and marketing practices of successful mixed-income properties that have served extremely low-income families while maintaining positive cash flow for at least five years.This report describes seven strategies used by these properties to stabilize and maintain high occupancy rates with healthy operating budgets. For each strategy, we provide concrete implementation examples

An evaluation of the Clinical Directed Enhanced Service for People with Learning Disabilities in the Yorkshire and the Humber Region.

The Yorkshire and Humber Healthy Ambitions Programme Board commissioned Speakup Self Advocacy (a national self advocacy organisation run by people with learning disabilities) and Sheffield Hallam University to undertake an evaluation of the Clinical Directed Enhanced Service (hereafter referred to as the DES) for People with Learning Disabilities across the Yorkshire and Humber region between July and October, 2010. This report presents a summary of the design, implementation and findings of this evaluation. - From Introductio

Examining associations between classroom environment and processes and early mathematics performance from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten.

One benefit of the No Child Left Behind legislation (2001) has been the increasing attention on the importance of the skills learned in the pre-kindergarten period for later academic achievement. There is a growing awareness that mathematics skills in kindergarten and beyond are influenced by the formal and informal mathematics skills acquired in the pre-kindergarten classroom. In recent years, a body of research has emerged pointing to the contributions to children’s learning from pre-kindergarten program quality as indexed by structure and process elements in the classroom. Results from this study point to three major findings. First, the growth of mathematics skills from pre-kindergarten to kindergarten for the full sample varied between classes but was not significantly associated with the elements of the classroom environment selected for study. Second, classroom elements were differentially related to growth of mathematics scores depending on children’s scores at pre-kindergarten entry. Third, overall differences between high- and low-performing children at pre-kindergarten entry are evident in their growth through kindergarten

Nutrients in the nexus

Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer has enabled modern agriculture to greatly improve human nutrition during the twentieth century, but it has also created unintended human health and environmental pollution challenges for the twentyfirst century. Averaged globally, about half of the fertilizer-N applied to farms is removed with the crops, while the other half remains in the soil or is lost from farmers’ fields, resulting in water and air pollution. As human population continues to grow and food security improves in the developing world, the dual development goals of producing more nutritious food with low pollution will require both technological and socioeconomic innovations in agriculture. Two case studies presented here, one in sub-Saharan Africa and the other in Midwestern United States, demonstrate how management of nutrients, water, and energy is inextricably linked in both small-scale and large-scale food production, and that science-based solutions to improve the efficiency of nutrient use can optimize food production while minimizing pollution. To achieve the needed large increases in nutrient use efficiency, however, technological developments must be accompanied by policies that recognize the complex economic and social factors affecting farmer decision-making and national policy priorities. Farmers need access to affordable nutrient supplies and support information, and the costs of improving efficiencies and avoiding pollution may need to be shared by society through innovative policies. Success will require interdisciplinary partnerships across public and private sectors, including farmers, private sector crop advisors, commodity supply chains, government agencies, university research and extension, and consumers

Nutrients in the nexus

Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer has enabled modern agriculture to greatly improve human nutrition during the twentieth century, but it has also created unintended human health and environmental pollution challenges for the twentyfirst century. Averaged globally, about half of the fertilizer-N applied to farms is removed with the crops, while the other half remains in the soil or is lost from farmers’ fields, resulting in water and air pollution. As human population continues to grow and food security improves in the developing world, the dual development goals of producing more nutritious food with low pollution will require both technological and socioeconomic innovations in agriculture. Two case studies presented here, one in sub-Saharan Africa and the other in Midwestern United States, demonstrate how management of nutrients, water, and energy is inextricably linked in both small-scale and large-scale food production, and that science-based solutions to improve the efficiency of nutrient use can optimize food production while minimizing pollution. To achieve the needed large increases in nutrient use efficiency, however, technological developments must be accompanied by policies that recognize the complex economic and social factors affecting farmer decision-making and national policy priorities. Farmers need access to affordable nutrient supplies and support information, and the costs of improving efficiencies and avoiding pollution may need to be shared by society through innovative policies. Success will require interdisciplinary partnerships across public and private sectors, including farmers, private sector crop advisors, commodity supply chains, government agencies, university research and extension, and consumers

COVID and Curriculum: Elementary Teachers Report on the Challenges of Teaching and Learning Mathematics Remotely

This article reports on findings from a survey administered to 524 elementary teachers across 46 states that asked about their experiences with mathematics teaching, learning, and curriculum use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this article is to report on the challenges teachers experienced with mathematics teaching, learning, and curriculum use during the pandemic and to explore educational inequities faced by students of families with lower income backgrounds. In particular, we discuss differences across high- and low-income schools regarding teachers’ perceived preparedness for online teaching, teachers’ use and decisions about mathematics curriculum, and their students’ remote resources (i.e., internet, computer, and workspace). We also share statements from teachers that illustrate challenges they experienced in engaging students, assessing learning outcomes, and building relationships. We found that students and teachers in schools from all socioeconomic levels faced hardship. However, lower income schools generally faced greater challenges in terms of access to computers, internet, and adequate workspaces. This often resulted in decreased access to teachers and decreased engagement. The exacerbation of educational inequities experienced by students from low income backgrounds during the pandemic suggests that we may see further widening of gaps in learning growth between students of low- and high-socioeconomic backgrounds. This has implications for policy makers, teacher educators, and other stakeholders seeking to advance equity and justice for less wealthy students

Association of central adiposity with psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study of the UK Biobank

Objectives: To determine the independent association of central adiposity, assessed by waist circumference, with odds of psoriasis, PsA and RA prevalence after controlling for general adiposity (BMI). Methods: A cross-sectional study of UK Biobank participants aged 40–70 years was performed. Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of psoriasis, PsA and RA occurrence compared with controls without these conditions by waist circumference, adjusting for covariates: age, sex, smoking status, socioeconomic deprivation and self-reported physical activity (Model 1), followed additionally by BMI (Model 2). Results: A total of 502 417 participants were included; 5074 with psoriasis (1.02%), 905 with PsA (0.18%), 5532 with RA (1.11%) and 490 906 controls without these conditions. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (Model 1) for psoriasis, PsA and RA, per S.D. (13.5 cm) higher waist circumference were 1.20 (95% CI 1.16, 1.23), 1.30 (95% CI 1.21, 1.39) and 1.21 (95% CI 1.17, 1.24), respectively (all P < 0.001). These ORs remained significant after further adjustment for BMI (Model 2) in psoriasis [OR 1.19 (95% CI 1.12, 1.27), P < 0.001] and RA [OR 1.19 (95% CI 1.12, 1.26), P < 0.001], but not in PsA [OR 1.11 (95% CI 0.95, 1.29), P = 0.127]. Conclusion: Central adiposity as measured by waist circumference is associated with greater odds of psoriasis and RA prevalence after adjustment for confounders and for BMI. Our findings add support for central adiposity as a long-term clinically relevant component of these conditions

The SU RD Team: Serving Research at Syracuse University

Research development is growing in many ways – both as a profession and as a common substructure among institutions of higher education. NORDP itself has helped to support the establishment, fostering, and recognition of the many forms research development has taken, while growing in tandem as an organization. Leadership and representatives from large centralized RD units have contributed to and benefited from the model of peer education, support and mentorship NORDP provides, as have the individuals who serve as one-man or one-woman shops for smaller schools or colleges. At Syracuse University, NORDP has served as the impetus for the development of a new model of research development support, the combined centralized and distributed “SU RD team.” In the spring of 2018, Syracuse University (SU) added a research development unit to the University’s Office of Research, to coordinate activities across the institution. The growth of the office has been slow in size, but the number of activities supported have been significant, such as the fostering of a new, large intramural funding program, a staggering growth in limited submission competitions, and the doubling of grant- and research-related training opportunities on campus. This level of activity, as well as a successful campus-wide adoption of these initiatives, is directly attributable to the University’s unique employment of a team of research development professionals, comprised of members of the centralized Office of Research, and from the Dean’s offices of five of the eleven degree granting schools and colleges at SU. The proposed poster will provide a written and visual representation of this network of RD professionals within one institution, as a case study designed to share best practices of intra-university research development collaborations. Emphasis will be placed on regular shared activities between team members, which both support and stem from the close, working relationships developed in the team