Development of a microelectronic module Final report

Feasibility of operating gallium arsenide devices in high temperature microelectronic circuit

A Longitudinal Analysis of the Impact of Child Custody Loss on Drug Use and Crime Among a Sample of African American Mothers

This study examines the influence of child custody loss on drug use and crime among a sample of African American mothers. Two types of custody loss are examined: informal custody loss (child living apart from mother but courts not involved), and official loss (child removed from mother’s care by authorities). Methods—Using data from 339 African American women, longitudinal random coefficient models analyzed the effects of each type of custody loss on subsequent drug use and crime. Results—Results indicated that both informal and official custody loss predicted increased drug use, and informal loss predicted increased criminal involvement. Findings demonstrate that child custody loss has negative health implications for African American mothers, potentially reducing their likelihood of regaining or retaining custody of their children. Conclusions—This study highlights the need to integrate drug treatment and other types of assistance into family case plans to improve reunification rates and outcomes among mothers, children, and families. Additionally, the finding that informal loss predicts increased drug use suggests that community-based efforts within the mother’s social network could be implemented to intervene before child welfare system involvement becomes necessary

B cells are capable of independently eliciting rapid reactivation of encephalitogenic CD4 T cells in a murine model of multiple sclerosis

<div><p>Recent success with B cell depletion therapies has revitalized efforts to understand the pathogenic role of B cells in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Using the adoptive transfer system of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a murine model of MS, we have previously shown that mice in which B cells are the only MHCII-expressing antigen presenting cell (APC) are susceptible to EAE. However, a reproducible delay in the day of onset of disease driven by exclusive B cell antigen presentation suggests that B cells require optimal conditions to function as APCs in EAE. In this study, we utilize an <i>in vivo</i> genetic system to conditionally and temporally regulate expression of MHCII to test the hypothesis that B cell APCs mediate attenuated and delayed neuroinflammatory T cell responses during EAE. Remarkably, induction of MHCII on B cells following the transfer of encephalitogenic CD4 T cells induced a rapid and robust form of EAE, while no change in the time to disease onset occurred for recipient mice in which MHCII is induced on a normal complement of APC subsets. Changes in CD4 T cell activation over time did not account for more rapid onset of EAE symptoms in this new B cell-mediated EAE model. Our system represents a novel model to study how the timing of pathogenic cognate interactions between lymphocytes facilitates the development of autoimmune attacks within the CNS.</p></div

Pb Neurotoxicity: Neuropsychological Effects of Lead Toxicity

Neurotoxicity is a term used to describe neurophysiological changes caused by exposure to toxic agents. Such exposure can result in neurocognitive symptoms and/or psychiatric disturbances. Common toxic agents include heavy metals, drugs, organophosphates, bacterial, and animal neurotoxins. Among heavy metal exposures, lead exposure is one of the most common exposures that can lead to significant neuropsychological and functional decline in humans. In this review, neurotoxic lead exposure\u27s pathophysiology, etiology, and epidemiology are explored. In addition, commonly associated neuropsychological difficulties in intelligence, memory, executive functioning, attention, processing speed, language, visuospatial skills, motor skills, and affect/mood are explored

Creative Process Beyond the Studio

Creative Process Beyond the Studio In “Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention,” psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi offers the idea that “…creativity does not happen inside people’s heads, but in the interaction between a person’s thoughts and a sociocultural context. It is a systemic rather than an individual phenomenon.” While it remains natural, for many artists, to focus on their individual part in this creativity equation, creative process can involve, and even invite, influence and participation. Artists may work in teams, or partner with community groups, where they serve as facilitators. Artists may take up the role of instigator, prompting public response and participation. Public artists respond to requests for proposals, frequently addressing issues and conditions specified by project funders and constituents. Indeed, some historical periods of exceptional creative productivity can be linked, as Csikszentmihalyi notes of Renaissance Florence, to the intense involvement of an art patronage structure. This panel invites considerations of artwork, artists, and creative process that examine and expand our awareness of their “systemic” inter-relatedness. Submissions are sought from artists and designers, curators and organizers, and historians and critics alike

Creative Process Beyond the Studio

Creative Process Beyond the Studio In “Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention,” psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi offers the idea that “…creativity does not happen inside people’s heads, but in the interaction between a person’s thoughts and a sociocultural context. It is a systemic rather than an individual phenomenon.” While it remains natural, for many artists, to focus on their individual part in this creativity equation, creative process can involve, and even invite, influence and participation. Artists may work in teams, or partner with community groups, where they serve as facilitators. Artists may take up the role of instigator, prompting public response and participation. Public artists respond to requests for proposals, frequently addressing issues and conditions specified by project funders and constituents. Indeed, some historical periods of exceptional creative productivity can be linked, as Csikszentmihalyi notes of Renaissance Florence, to the intense involvement of an art patronage structure. This panel invites considerations of artwork, artists, and creative process that examine and expand our awareness of their “systemic” inter-relatedness. Submissions are sought from artists and designers, curators and organizers, and historians and critics alike

Turbojet Performance and Operation at High Altitudes with Hydrogen and Jp-4 Fuels

Two current turbojet engines were operated with gaseous-hydrogen and JP-4 fuels at very high altitudes and a simulated Mach number of 0.8. With gaseous hydrogen as the fuel stable operation was obtained at altitudes up to the facility limit of about 90,000 feet and the specific fuel consumption was only 40 percent of that with JP-4 fuel. With JP-4 as the fuel combustion was unstable at altitudes above 60,000 to 65,000 feet and blowout limits were reached at 75,000 to 80,000 feet. Over-all performance, component efficiencies, and operating range were reduced considerable at very high altitudes with both fuels

The First Very Long Baseline Interferometric SETI Experiment

The first Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence (SETI) conducted with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) is presented. By consideration of the basic principles of interferometry, we show that VLBI is efficient at discriminating between SETI signals and human generated radio frequency interference (RFI). The target for this study was the star Gliese 581, thought to have two planets within its habitable zone. On 2007 June 19, Gliese 581 was observed for 8 hours at 1230-1544 with the Australian Long Baseline Array. The dataset was searched for signals appearing on all interferometer baselines above five times the noise limit. A total of 222 potential SETI signals were detected and by using automated data analysis techniques, were ruled out as originating from the Gliese 581 system. From our results we place an upper limit of 7 MW/Hz on the power output of any isotropic emitter located in the Gliese 581 system, within this frequency range. This study shows that VLBI is ideal for targeted SETI, including follow-up observations. The techniques presented are equally applicable to next-generation interferometers, such as the long baselines of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA).Comment: 34 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables. Accepted on 25/05/2012 for publication in The Astronomical Journa