Dietary Restriction: Standing Up For Sirtuins

We believe that L. Fontana, L. Partridge, and V. D. Longo should have included a discussion of sirtuins in their Review “Extending healthy life span—From yeast to humans” (16 April, p. 321). We also believe that some of the references used are misleading. The authors state that the purpose of their Review is to “consider the role of nutrient-sensing signaling pathways in mediating the beneficial effects of dietary restriction.” Yet there was no mention of the sirtuins, a family of critically important nutrient-sensing proteins that promote health span from yeast to mammals, as shown by more than 1000 peer-reviewed publications from labs around the world. The authors state that “[i]t is unlikely that a single, linear pathway mediates the effects of dietary restriction in any organism,” and we agree. Indeed, the aging field now recognizes that healthy life span is under the influence of several nutrient-sensing pathways, and there is at least as much evidence for the involvement of sirtuins in the dietary restriction response as for any of the pathways discussed in the Review

Contemporary surgical management of synchronous colorectal liver metastases [version 1; referees: 2 approved]

Historically, the 5-year survival rates for patients with stage 4 (metastatic) colorectal cancer were extremely poor (5%); however, with advances in systemic chemotherapy combined with an ability to push the boundaries of surgical resection, survival rates in the range of 25–40% can be achieved. This multimodal approach of combining neo-adjuvant strategies with surgical resection has raised a number of questions regarding the optimal management and timing of surgery. For the purpose of this review, we will focus on the treatment of stage 4 colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases

Tunable Porosity and Conjugation in Ferrocene Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity

Ferrocene (Fc) metallopolymers of intrinsic microporosity (MPIMs) have recently been reported as soluble, porous, non-network polymers, with evidence of electron delocalization along the polymer backbone. The combination of these properties makes Fc-MPIMs ideal candidate materials for optoelectronic devices, and the ability to tune these properties would broaden the impact of these materials. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the CAM-B3LYP/def2SVP level were carried out on Fc MPIM fragments to examine the effect of pendant functional groups on conformational stability and electron delocalization in these systems. The conformational stability of the Fc MPIMs can affect the porosity, and the electronic delocalization is related to the conjugation in the material. The Fc MPIM fragments are most stable when the dihedral angle between Fc cyclopentadienyl (Cp) rings is 11.5°. Pendant functional groups are found to affect the stability of the local minimum at 144°, with alkyl chains increasing the stability, and bulky tert-butyl and trifluoromethyl groups decreasing stability. It is also possible to tune the electron delocalization of the HOMO and LUMO across the molecule. The Fe center of the Fc moiety contributes to the frontier orbitals, which is expected to enhance electronic communication in the parent polymer. Time-dependent density functional theory calculations indicate the π→π^* transition is slightly affected by the orientation of the dihedral angle between Cp rings, but primarily depends on the electronic nature of the pendant group. This work shows that the conformational stability and orbital delocalization of a model Fc MPIM can be tuned by functionalization with different pendant groups

How to involve students in FOSS projects

Software projects are frequently used to provide software engineering students with an understanding of the complexities of real-world software development. Free and Open Source Software projects provide a unique opportunity for student learning as projects are open and accessible and students are able to interact with an established professional community. However, many faculty members have little or no experience participating in an open source software project. In addition, faculty members may be reluctant to approach student learning within such a project due to concerns over time requirements, learning curve, the unpredictability of working with a live community, and more. This paper provides guidance to instructors desiring to involve students in open source projects. © 2011 IEEE

A Proposed retail plan for Music One

This Retail Plan is made for Music One, which is presently the only mega music store in the country. The retail plan includes the assessment of Glorietta Mall, wherein the current situation and the future possibilities are discussed. The competitive analysis talks about Music One\u27s competitors and the advantages it has over them. The assessment of the business, company background, administration and management, and financial plan analyzed the internal aspect of the retail store. Suggestions were given by the group to help improve Music One. Music One, presently being the largest music store in the country, carries a minimum inventory of about 20,000 titles. The target market of Music One comes from the, A, B and upper C class of society. It is located at Club Fun third floor of Glorietta Mall, Makati City that is strategically located in the heart of the financial district. Glorietta Mall also offers nighttime entertainment that heightens the mall\u27s popularity. The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threat (SWOT analysis) of both Glorietta Mall and Music One looks upon the present and future potentials of the store. The competitive analysis deals with the advantages Music One has over its competitors. Music One is a joint venture between National Bookstore and Radio City, two well-established retail shops. The store sells both imported and local CDs, tapes, posters, postcards, and other music accessories and paraphernalia thus, making it the ultimate megastore in the Philippines. The store, which has only been operating for less than a year, has been getting good reviews and comments based on survey results and focus group discussions. The advertising campaign of Music One has been limited to several photo releases and their weekly radio show (Acid Jazz Hour) over 99.5 RT. Music One has future plans of expanding their operations in Ortigas Commercial Center. They are also working hard to achieve the advantages needed to compete against possible entry of Tower Record in the country. The retail plan written for Music One hopes to make the reader understand the business of music retailing, and how both its internal and external environment affects its progress

Overseas contract worker returnees: Their adjustments and coping

This study examined the adjustment and coping of OCW returnees in terms of their economic, social, psychological, and spiritual conditions. Purposive sampling method was utilized to select the twelve respondents, six males and six females. The interview method was used in gathering the data and these data were content-analyze. In terms of their economic condition, they have major adjustments particularly with their work and their low salary. There has been an improved relationship with their family particularly with their spouse. Improved attitude towards themselves and work are personal gains that they derived from working abroad. They were also able to establish a closer relationship with God and express their faith. Despite these numerous adjustments, they are able to find ways of improving their situations, especially through prayer. These findings are discussed in the light of previous studies on OCWs and other literature on adjustment and coping of OCW returnees

Towards a model of faculty development for FOSS in education

Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) has become an important segment of the computing industry and a source of innovation in software development. The open culture of FOSS projects where all project artifacts are accessible and communication is visible provides computing educators with an array of unique opportunities for student learning. However, FOSS projects can also present hurdles to instructors desiring to take advantage of these opportunities including the learning curve for FOSS culture, infrastructure and processes, difficulties in designing appropriate assignments, and more. This paper presents a model for faculty development based on experiences with prior academic and FOSS approaches to faculty development. © 2013 IEEE

Reactive and proactive aggression : effects of psychological control, behavioral control and attachment

This study examined the main effects of parental psychological control, parental behavioral control, attachment, and the moderating effect of attachment in the relationship between each type of parental control and reactive and proactive aggression. Self-report questionnaires were administered to 1244 secondary school students (mean age = 13.26) in Singapore. Results demonstrated significant main effects of psychological control and attachment but non-significant main effect of behavioral control on reactive aggression. In contrast, there were significant main effects of psychological control and behavioral control but non-significant main effect of attachment on proactive aggression. Attachment did not moderate the effect of psychological or behavioral control on either reactive or proactive aggression. Implications for prevention and intervention programs to reduce adolescents’ aggression are discussed.Bachelor of Art

Effects of parental control, guan and warmth on adolescent aggression

This study examined the contribution of western parenting dimensions (psychological control, behavioral control and parental warmth) and an Asian parenting dimension (guan) in predicting proactive aggression (PA) and reactive aggression (RA). One thousand one hundred and ninety-three Secondary 1 and Secondary 2 Singapore students ranging from ages 12 to 17 years completed self report measures on RA, PA and on parenting dimensions. A series of multiple hierarchal regressions showed that psychological control predicted both PA and RA, behavioral control predicted only PA and parental warmth predicted only RA. After controlling for western parenting dimensions, guan significantly predicted RA but did not predict PA.Bachelor of Art

Mediating effects of parent-child attachment on the relation between guan and aggression

The relation between the Asian parenting construct of guan and proactive/reactive subtypes of aggression was examined in this paper, together with parent-child attachment as a mediator. Measurements were based on self-reports from the child. Attachment fully mediated the relation between child’s perception of guan and proactive aggression. The child’s perception of guan, however, did not predict reactive aggression. Exploratory analyses found that the mother’s perception of guan was not predictive of either aggression in the child. Findings allowed us to identify the child’s perception of guan and attachment as possible co-occurring protective factors of proactive aggression and supported past findings that the proactive/reactive subtypes are differentially predicted. Implications for the prevention and intervention of child aggression were also discussed.Bachelor of Art