NASA scientific and technical program: User survey

Results are presented of an intensive user requirements survey conducted by NASA's Scientific and Technical Information (STI) Program with the goal of improving the foundation for the user outreach program. The survey was carried out by interviewing 550 NASA scientists, engineers, and contractors and by analyzing 650 individual responses to a mailed out questionnaire. To analyze the user demographic data, a data base was built and used, and will be applied to ongoing analysis by the NASA STI Program

Effects of Lineup Modality on Witness Credibility

Three experiments were conducted to explore the credibility of earwitness versus eyewitness testimony among American college students. Experiment 1 demonstrated that subjects were less likely to identify the perpetrator of a simulated crime in auditory lineups than in visual or auditory-visual lineups. In Experiment 2, subjects observed a videotaped witness from Experiment 1 make an identification. Contrary to actual accuracy data, subjects were as believing of the identifications made by auditory witnesses as they were of the identifications made by visual or auditory-visual witnesses. In Experiment 3, mock jurors in a simulated robbery trial believed auditory lineup identifications as much as they did visual or auditory-visual lineup identifications

Why do some women still prefer traditional birth attendants and home delivery?: a qualitative study on delivery care services in West Java Province, Indonesia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Trained birth attendants at delivery are important for preventing both maternal and newborn deaths. West Java is one of the provinces on Java Island, Indonesia, where many women still deliver at home and without the assistance of trained birth attendants. This study aims to explore the perspectives of community members and health workers about the use of delivery care services in six villages of West Java Province.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative study using focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews was conducted in six villages of three districts in West Java Province from March to July 2009. Twenty FGDs and 165 in-depth interviews were conducted involving a total of 295 participants representing mothers, fathers, health care providers, traditional birth attendants and community leaders. The FGD and in-depth interview guidelines included reasons for using a trained or a traditional birth attendant and reasons for having a home or an institutional delivery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The use of traditional birth attendants and home delivery were preferable for some community members despite the availability of the village midwife in the village. Physical distance and financial limitations were two major constraints that prevented community members from accessing and using trained attendants and institutional deliveries. A number of respondents reported that trained delivery attendants or an institutional delivery were only aimed at women who experienced obstetric complications. The limited availability of health care providers was reported by residents in remote areas. In these settings the village midwife, who was sometimes the only health care provider, frequently travelled out of the village. The community perceived the role of both village midwives and traditional birth attendants as essential for providing maternal and health care services.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>A comprehensive strategy to increase the availability, accessibility, and affordability of delivery care services should be considered in these West Java areas. Health education strategies are required to increase community awareness about the importance of health services along with the existing financing mechanisms for the poor communities. Public health strategies involving traditional birth attendants will be beneficial particularly in remote areas where their services are highly utilized.</p

The Ursinus Weekly, April 30, 1962

Feldstein, Shinnick and Kelly elected new class presidents • Young Democrats foresee active year under Ryan • Coeds elect reps to WSGA council • ZX & KDK winners in Pi Nu songfest • 2-part art seminar of Y successfully completed • UC mile relayers place 3rd Friday in Penn relays • Haeussner elected president of MSGA • Women voters tap new dorm officers • Y officers reveal new appointments to \u2762-63 cabinet • Myers voted veep of statewide PSEA • IFS weekend features Saylor, Hawkins rock & roll group • Debaters place in New York tourney • Spring blooms to enliven campus • Meistersingers in fine voice finish season on campus • Editorial: Right to review • Letters to the editor • Germany revisited, then to Amsterdam • Carp\u27s Washington of capitol\u27s past • Greek gleanings • Netwomen defeat Penn Varsity, JV\u27s • Lacrossers smash Penn, Swarthmore, deadlock Shipley • Cindercrew downs F&M, sets records in Swarthmore tilt • Siebmen cripple W. Maryland, lose in Hopkins upset • Tennismen suffer • Openings in Africa teaching program • Ursinus coed to enter county beauty pageanthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1318/thumbnail.jp

Ecology of the Invasive Red Alga Gracilaria salicornia (Rhodophyta) on O'ahu, Hawai'i

The red alga Gracilaria salicornia (C. Agardh) E. Y. Dawson was introduced intentionally to two reefs on O'ahu, Hawai'i, in the 1970s for experimental aquaculture for the agar industry. Some 30 yr later, this species has spread from the initial sites of introduction and is now competing with native marine flora and fauna. The goals of this study were to quantify various aspects of G. salicornia ecology in Hawai'i in an effort to develop control or eradication tools. Experimental plots were established to determine cover and biomass of G. salicornia per square meter and to determine the amount of time and person hours needed to remove G. salicornia from these plots. Substantial amounts of G. salicornia become dislodged from the reef during large wave events and periodically become deposited onto the beach in front of the Waikiki Aquarium. Algal beach wash biomass was quantified and positive relationships were established between swell height and the amount of algae that washed up onto the beach in this location. We then quantified the ability of G. salicornia vegetative fragments to regrow after desiccation to determine if algal biomass stranded on shore survives the tidal cycle until being washed back out on the reef at high tide. Gracilaria salicornia was remarkably resistant to temperature, salinity, and chemical treatments examined as possible in situ control options. Herbivore preference tests showed that a native Gracilaria species is consumed far more frequently than the alien congener. Finally, large-scale community volunteer efforts were organized to remove drifting G. salicornia fragments from the reef area in front of the Waikiki Aquarium. Over 20,000 kg of alien algal fragments were removed from this location in five 4-hr cleanup events. However, based on G. salicornia growth rates, ability to fragment, physical tolerance, and low herbivory, it is clear that a large-scale dedicated effort will be needed to control this invasive species on Waikiki's reefs

MAP4K3 mediates amino acid-dependent regulation of autophagy via phosphorylation of TFEB

Autophagy is the major cellular pathway by which macromolecules are degraded, and amino acid depletion powerfully activates autophagy. MAP4K3, or germinal-center kinase-like kinase, is required for robust cell growth in response to amino acids, but the basis for MAP4K3 regulation of cellular metabolic disposition remains unknown. Here we identify MAP4K3 as an amino acid-dependent regulator of autophagy through its phosphorylation of transcription factor EB (TFEB), a transcriptional activator of autophagy, and through amino acid starvation-dependent lysosomal localization of MAP4K3. We document that MAP4K3 physically interacts with TFEB and MAP4K3 inhibition is sufficient for TFEB nuclear localization, target gene transactivation, and autophagy, even when mTORC1 is activated. Moreover, MAP4K3 serine 3 phosphorylation of TFEB is required for TFEB interaction with mTORC1-Rag GTPase-Ragulator complex and TFEB cytosolic sequestration. Our results uncover a role for MAP4K3 in the control of autophagy and reveal MAP4K3 as a central node in nutrient-sensing regulation

Identification of germline cancer predisposition variants during clinical ctDNA testing

Next-generation sequencing of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is a non-invasive method to guide therapy selection for cancer patients. ctDNA variant allele frequency (VAF) is commonly reported and may aid in discerning whether a variant is germline or somatic. We report on the fidelity of VAF in ctDNA as a predictor for germline variant carriage. Two patient cohorts were studied. Cohort 1 included patients with known germline variants. Cohort 2 included patients with any variant detected by the ctDNA assay with VAF of 40–60%. In cohort 1, 36 of 91 (40%) known germline variants were identified through ctDNA analysis with a VAF of 39–87.6%. In cohort 2, 111 of 160 (69%) variants identified by ctDNA analysis with a VAF between 40 and 60% were found to be germline. Therefore, variants with a VAF between 40 and 60% should induce suspicion for germline status but should not be used as a replacement for germline testing