ImpuR: A Collection of Diagnostic Tools Developed in R in the Context of Peak Impurity Detection in HPLC-DAD but Potentially Useful with Other Types of Time-Intensity Matrices

HPLC-DAD systems generate time intensity (absorbance) matrices called spectrochromatograms. Under good experimental conditions, spectro-chromatograms of elution peaks of pure analytes are bilinear products of a time peak and an absorbance spectrum. Co-eluting impurities create deviations from this pure bilinear structure. Unfortunately, other imperfections, such as scan averaging, large optical windows, imperfect lamp alignment, mobile phase fluctuations, etc. also create departures from the pure bilinear structure. This makes it hard to distinguish low concentration impurities from artifacts and hampers safe detection of contaminants. There are two main ways to deal with such artifacts: removal and simulation, and ImpuR provides R functions to do both and to integrate both approaches. More specifically, ImpuR provides a set of tools to explore time-intensity matrices with respect to their bilinear structure and departures from it. It includes exploratory graphs for bilinear matrices (bilinear residual graphs and singular value decompositions), spectral dissimilarity curves via window-evolving factor analysis with heteroscedasticity correction and the sine method, methods for removal of artifacts, and a comprehensive simulation tool to assess the impact of potential artifacts and to allow for the construction of guide curves for use with the sine method.

Rooting for Everybody Black: Exploring the Need for Mentorship for Black First-Generation Students at Predominantly White Institutions

This thesis addresses how mentorship can enhance the experience and success of Black first-generation college students at predominantly white institutions. More specifically, I explore why first-generation Black students need guided support that comes with mentorship, what that support should entail, and how and when it should be delivered to them. I used the methodology of critical action research to analyze the structures of power that affect the education received by these students, while also utilizing my personal experience. I propose a mentoring program that promotes Black excellence. The program, SOUL (Students Overcoming Uniting and Learning), will provide students with the necessary tools and guidance from faculty and student affairs professionals to ensure they feel welcomed and supported on campus. This is an important topic to consider because it addresses the long-standing issue of racial inequalities in the education sector in the country. Black students are not receiving the quality of education that promotes their success and flourishment into society, and this needs to be urgently addressed

Lowes Companies, Inc. And The Home Improvement Industry In 2007

With the housing boom coming to an end, rising interest rates, and decreasing consumer spending on home improvement products, the home improvement industry is on the brink of change. The industry is seeing increased costs for fuel, raw materials, and lumber in addition to shortages of raw materials. Past years sales growth rates (9.3% in 2005) are expected to slow to 4-5% as the industry reaches maturity. Will Lowes Companies domestic growth strategy be sufficient in the years to come? Robert Niblock, Lowes chief executive expressed confidence in the companys ability to maintain its momentum when he stated, Recent data suggest continued favourable trends in employment levels and income growth which will offset some of the monetary pressures consumers are facing, such as rising fuel prices and interest rates. He also stated, As trends in the housing market normalize from the rapid growth experience over the past few years, we believe we have the programs in place to continue to capture share and deliver solid earnings growth

The European Union: What Might The Future Hold?

Some extraordinary events have been taking place in the European Union in recent years.  This group of countries has introduced a new currency, has expanded to a 25 member country single market, and is in the process of implementing a European Union constitution.  Because these events will have an impact on the United States and on global business, it is important to monitor and evaluate activities of the EU.  This paper briefly reviews the development of the European Union, then discusses recent events and the implications of European Union activities for business, and looks at future possibilities for the EU

Political Accommodation: The Effects of Booker T. Washington\u27s Leadership and Legacy on Tuskegee University and The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment.

In this re-evaluation of the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment, I identify the original causes that made the Study emerge, examine why the intent of this research shifted over time, reveal the manner in which the Study was conducted, expose the role the government played in the manipulation of the Experiment, and, finally, investigate the ways, as well as the reasons, for the selection of the participants involved in the Study. After exploring the Experiment itself, I investigate the lasting effects of it on the community in which it occurred and the ways in which it further affected the relationship between African Americans and the United States Government. I explore the reasons for the involvement of Tuskegee Institute. Also, the philosophies of its founder, Booker T. Washington, are examined to discover the rationale behind the Institution\u27s participation in an Experiment, which eventually became harmful. Finally, I hope to reveal why Tuskegee has been historically omitted from any blame in the Study

Analyse du potentiel de développement de l’aéroport de Sion à la contribution du tourisme en Valais

Le potentiel de l’aéroport de Sion n’est pas pleinement exploité nonobstant sa situation exceptionnelle au coeur d’une région fortement touristique. Les parties prenantes du tourisme valaisan souhaitent vivement trouver des solutions pour pallier à ce manque. L’intérêt de nouvelles compagnies aériennes à venir développer leurs activités sur cette plateforme suscite un nouvel engouement de la part de ces acteurs, qui y voient une opportunité de diversifier leur attractivité touristique

Community resiliency and individual resiliency among young, slum dwelling women in Kampala, Uganda: Results from the TOPOWA Study.

Intro: Young women in sub-Saharan Africa experience a variety of stressors and negative health outcomes. Women who dwell in slums are at particular risk of high stress and poor health. In order to survive in these difficult environments, young women have to develop significant resiliencies that help them deal with the challenges they face. The slums of Kampala, Uganda represent one such environment in which young women face significant challenges but also display incredible resiliency. However, these young women’s perspectives are poorly understood and rarely reported in the scientific literature. Methods: As part of an ongoing NIH-funded R01 intervention study, we conducted six focus groups with ten young women each dwelling in the slums of Kampala (n = 60). We asked about proximal drivers of stress and resiliency, as well as service experiences. We used thematic analysis to inductively identify themes. Results: We identified a series of both community level and individual level resilience factors. Community level resilience factors included family support, friendship and social ties, community leadership, sports and other social organizations, religious community, and seeing others succeed. Individual level resilience factors included persistence, optimism, self-reliance, hard work, saving money, and dance. Conclusions: This poster presents the perspectives of a vulnerable population whose voices are rarely reported in the scientific literature. They underscored the critical importance of optimism and positive social ties in surviving the most difficult circumstances. They also highlighted a variety of community and individual level resources that should be invested in to address the proximal drivers of stress in this community. These findings warrant attention from policymakers, interventionists, and researchers seeking to promote health among young, slum dwelling women