Currents, Vol.5, No.9 (Jan.26, 1987)

Phyllis F. Healy Leads MSNA Into An Exciting Future--Presidential Search Update--Concert Hall Project Completed--Sexual Harassment Policy Restated--Upeat Developments for Patients--Campus Center Hosts Work of New England Artists--Chuck Lamb Reception--Honors Committee Needs Nominees--DFM Regrouping--An Off-Broadway Debuthttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/currents/1162/thumbnail.jp

Currents, Vol.5, No.11 (Feb.23, 1987)

And the Winners Are...Robert McGurn and Michelle Damato! :American College Theatre Festival--Computer Adventures in Cairo (Bruce MacLeod)--Presidential Fellowship Deadline Nears--Sue Ellen Kuzma in Concert--National Women\u27s History Month Observed at USMhttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/currents/1164/thumbnail.jp

Currents, Vol.5, No.6 (Nov.24, 1986)

Unearthing the Mysteries of Earthquakes (Mark T. Swanson)--Community Mourns Mark Shedd--USM\u27s Fifth Annual Children\u27s Christmas Party--The Warm Hearth of Africa (Gloria S. Duclos)--Shanghai Attorney Studies at Law School--Last Year on the Sidelines: Richard A. Costello (Al Bean)--Stress Is A Winner--A Wacky Romp in Russell Hall--Faculty Works on Exhibit--Checking it Outhttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/currents/1159/thumbnail.jp

Currents, Vol.5, No.5 (Nov.10, 1986)

Libby G.Cohen Named Fourth Russell Chair Occupant--An Expanding Epidemic?(AIDS)--Child Care Center--Voters Support Number Nine--Corthell Concert Hall Gets A Percent--Help for Parents on the Way--Community Cable Network Enters Its Tenth Month--Alumni Top Their Goals--Clarifying the Intensely Personal Art of Dance (Daniel McCusker)--Managing Growth--Only 223 Days to Summer--Artistic Definitions--Orchestral Rehearsals Slated for USM--Bookstore Staff Recognized--USM Runners for United Way--Engineers Donate Electrohomehttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/currents/1158/thumbnail.jp

Currents, Vol.5, No.8 (Jan.12, 1987)

Designer Majors Available--McKernan Taps Faculty--Muskie Bikes for Upbeat Cardiac Program--Consulting in Cairo (Bruce MacLeod)--Down on the Farm--State to Act on HSDI Study--Economic Emphasis Underway at USM--A One Woman Show (Julie Goell)--PSQ at Corthell--Donald J. Clark Joins USM--An Outstanding Professorhttps://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/currents/1161/thumbnail.jp

The formation of a nanohybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) structure in melt-processed composites of poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)

The combination of synchrotron Small- and Wide-Angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), and thermal analysis was used to follow the evolution of crystalline morphology and crystallization kinetics in a series of melt-processed composites of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). The as-extruded PET-MWCNT composites underwent both hot and cold isothermal crystallizations where a final oriented nanohybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) crystalline structure was observed. An oriented NHSK structure was seen to persist even after melting and recrystallization of the composites. From the scattering data, we propose a model whereby the oriented MWCNTs act as heterogeneous nucleation surfaces (shish) and the polymer chains wrap around them and the crystallites (kebabs) grow epitaxially outwards during crystallization. However, depending on crystallization temperature, unoriented crystallites also grow in the polymer matrix, resulting in a combination of a NHSK and lamellar morphology. In contrast, the neat PET homopolymer showed the sporadic nucleation of a classic unoriented lamellar structure under the same isothermal crystallization conditions. These results provide a valuable insight into the distinctive modification of the crystalline morphology of melt-processed polymer-MWCNT composites prior to any secondary processing, having a significant impact on the use of MWCNTs as fillers in the processing and modification of the physical and mechanical properties of engineering polymers

Investigating the motility of Dictyostelium discodeum using high frequency ultrasound as a method of manipulation

Cell motility is an essential process in the development of all organisms. The earliest stages of embryonic development involve massive reconfigurations of groups of cells to form the early body structures. Embryos are very complex systems, and therefore to investigate the molecular and cellular basis of development a simpler genetically tractable model system is used. The social amoeba Dictyostelium Discoideum is known to chemotax up a chemical gradient. From previous work, it is clear that cells generate forces in the nN range. This is above the limit of optical tweezers and therefore we are investigating the use of acoustic tweezers instead. In this paper, we present recent progress of the investigation in to the use of acoustic tweezers for the characterisation of cell motility and forces. We will describe the design, modelling and fabrication of several devices. All devices use high frequency (>15MHz) ultrasound to exert a force on the cells to position and/or stall them. Also, each device is designed to be suitable for the life-sciences laboratory where form-factor and sterility is concerned. A transducer (LiNo) operating at 24 MHz excites resonant acoustic modes in a rectangular glass capillary (100um by 2mm). This device is used to alter the directionality of the motile cells inside the fluid filled capillary. A quarter-ring PZT26 transducer operating at 20.5MHz is shown to be useful for manipulating cells using axial acoustic radiation forces. This device is used to exert a force on cells and shown to pull them away from a coverslip. The presented devices show promise for the manipulation of cells in suspension. Currently the forces produced are below that required for adherent cells; the reasons for this are discussed. We also report on other issues that arise when using acoustic waves for manipulating biological samples such as streaming and heating

Structure evolution in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) - Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite films during <i>in-situ</i> uniaxial deformation

Combined small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS), mechanical and thermal techniques have been used to follow the morphology evolution in a series of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite films during quasi solid-state uniaxial deformation at low strain rates. Uniaxially deformed PET-MWCNT films displayed improved mechanical properties compared with unfilled PET films. SAXS/WAXS data revealed a well oriented lamellar structure for unfilled PET films. In contrast, the PET-MWCNT composites revealed a nanohybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) morphology, with reduced orientation and crystallinity. Mechanistically, this morphology development is attributed to the MWCNTs acting as shish for the epitaxial growth of PET crystallites. Furthermore, nucleation and crystal growth occurs in the PET matrix, but MWCNTs ultimately inhibit crystallite development and hinder a final lamellar structure developing. The results show unequivocally the role MWCNTs play as nanofillers, in the morphology development, thermal and mechanical properties in composite polymer films

TIGA-CUB – manualised psychoanalytic child psychotherapy versus treatment as usual for children aged 5–11 years with treatment-resistant conduct disorders and their primary carers: study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial

Background: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends evidence-based parenting programmes as a first-line intervention for conduct disorders (CD) in children aged 5–11 years. As these are not effective in 25–33% of cases, NICE has requested research into second-line interventions. Child and Adolescent Psychotherapists (CAPTs) address highly complex problems where first-line treatments have failed and there have been small-scale studies of Psychoanalytic Child Psychotherapy (PCP) for CD. A feasibility trial is needed to determine whether a confirmatory trial of manualised PCP (mPCP) versus Treatment as Usual (TaU) for CD is practicable or needs refinement. The aim of this paper is to publish the abridged protocol of this feasibility trial. Methods and design: TIGA-CUB (Trial on improving Inter-Generational Attachment for Children Undergoing Behaviour problems) is a two-arm, pragmatic, parallel-group, multicentre, individually randomised (1:1) controlled feasibility trial (target n = 60) with blinded outcome assessment (at 4 and 8 months), which aims to develop an optimum practicable protocol for a confirmatory, pragmatic, randomised controlled trial (RCT) (primary outcome: child’s behaviour; secondary outcomes: parental reflective functioning and mental health, child and parent quality of life), comparing mPCP and TaU as second-line treatments for children aged 5–11 years with treatment-resistant CD and inter-generational attachment difficulties, and for their primary carers. Child-primary carer dyads will be recruited following a referral to, or re-referral within, National Health Service (NHS) Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) after an unsuccessful first-line parenting intervention. PCP will be delivered by qualified CAPTs working in routine NHS clinical practice, using a trial-specific PCP manual (a brief version of established PCP clinical practice). Outcomes are: (1) feasibility of recruitment methods, (2) uptake and follow-up rates, (3) therapeutic delivery, treatment retention and attendance, intervention adherence rates, (4) follow-up data collection, and (5) statistical, health economics, process evaluation, and qualitative outcomes. Discussion: TIGA-CUB will provide important information on the feasibility and potential challenges of undertaking a confirmatory RCT to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of mPCP. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials, ID: ISRCTN86725795. Registered on 31 May 2016

Teaching Culture Indicators: Enhancing Quality Teaching

Canadian postsecondary institutions are committed to providing students with high quality teaching and learning experiences. In recent years, provincial and institutional stakeholders have shifted their focus toward better supporting this effort and enhancing an evolving, teaching- and learning-centred institutional culture. As Cox, McIntosh, Reason, and Terenzini (2011) note, a culture with improved teaching quality is likely to lead to improved student engagement and learning. Researchers in the United States, Europe, and Australia have investigated institutional culture and its relationship to high quality teaching over the last 20 years (Aitken & Sorcinelli, 1994; Cox et al., 2011; Hodge, Nadler, Shore, & Taylor, 2011; Gosling, 2013; Harvey & Stensaker, 2008; Kallioinen, 2013; Hunt, 2013, Prosser, 2013); however, to date, there is little, if any, research done in this area in the Canadian context.https://scholar.uwindsor.ca/ctlreports/1004/thumbnail.jp