Autism to Higher Education: Tools for Parents

Over the years, a marked increase in the number of students with High Functioning Autism (HFA) attending colleges and universities has occurred. This can be attributed to: (a) the passage of legislation such as the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA); (b) revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM); and (c) early intervention and treatment (Pillay, 2012). Although the increase in enrollment may be an indicator that a more welcoming climate for individuals with HFA has been created, many institutions are not adequately prepared to accommodate these students and parents have not been given the tools to help their children succeed. Students with disabilities and those specifically with HFA have entered in higher education but have a low percentage of graduating. Parents find themselves ill-equipped and unprepared to advocate and ensure that higher education institutions are adequately addressing the cognitive, social, executive functioning, and behavioral deficits that impact their HFA student and their ability to succeed in a higher education academic environment, especially in circumstances where their child has chosen to leave home for college. This dissertation discusses symptoms and key features associated with autism that affect performance in an academic environment provides suggestions for possible accommodations and educational adjustments and offers strategies that support student success and retention for students with HFA transitioning into higher education

Effects of Motivational Music on Post-Exercise Recovery

Previous literature suggests “motivational” music has a tempo between 120-140 bpm to elicit positive responses to exercise performance. While music that is considered “motivational” has been known to elicit a positive response during exercise performance, it’s impact on exercise recovery has not been determined. PURPOSE: To examine responses of physiological variables to motivational music during the exercise recovery period. Hypothesis: calm music, or no music would allow the participants to recover more quickly during the excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) period. METHODS: This study consisted of 10 healthy, college-aged (19-25 years) individuals (6 M, 4F). Participants performed the Bruce treadmill exercise test to volitional fatigue to determine their aerobic fitness level (VO 2peak ) (2.97 0.97 L/min). At each stage of exercise, heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and blood lactate via finger stick were collected. Participants then completed three additional exercise sessions for 20 minutes at 70% VO 2peak . During these trials, participants listened to motivational music selected from songs rated using the Music Brunel Rating Inventory which is a validated survey tool to determine if a song is motivational. Calming music was selected from a list of songs with a slower tempo from a posted report of “calming” songs. Blood lactate, BP, and HR were collected at the 10 and 20 minute mark during exercise, as well as at immediate post-exercise (IPE), 7, and 15 minutes into recovery. During recovery, all participants completed all three trials and listened to either motivational (MM), calming (CM), or no music (NM) while sitting. Each condition was randomly assigned. RESULTS: No significant differences between trials were observed for any measured time point during the EPOC: Oxygen consumption (VO 2 ): IPE (MM: 0.7 ± 0.2; CM: 0.6 ± 0.2; NM: 0.7 ± 0.2 L/min), 7 min post-exercise (MM: 0.7 ± 1.2; CM: 0.4 ± 0.1; NM: 0.4 ± 0.1 L/min), or 15 min post-exercise (MM: 0.3 ± 0.1; CM: 0.3 ± 0.1; NM: 0.3 ± 0.1 L/min). Ventilation (VE): IPE (MM: 19.94 ± 3.76; CM: 19.10 ± 5.55; NM: 20.18 ± 6.06 L/min), 7 min post-exercise (MM: 9.61 ± 2.48; CM: 10.25 ± 2.17; NM: 11.48 ± 4.03 L/min), or 15 min post-exercise (MM: 7.17 ± 1.82; CM: 8.63 ± 2.57; NM: 9.89 ± 4.33 L/min). Respiratory exchange ratio (RER): IPE (MM: 1.13 ± 0.07; CM: 1.14 ± 0.05; NM: 1.13 ± 0.11), 7 min post-exercise (MM: 0.95 ± 0.06; CM: 1.02 ± 0.14; NM: 0.97 ± 0.12), or 15 min post-exercise (MM: 0.90 ± 0.11; CM: 0.83 ± 0.05; NM: 0.85 ± 0.07. Lactate: IPE (MM: 4.7 ± 2.6; CM: 4.5 ± 2.1; NM: 4.2 ± 2.3 mmol/L), 7 min post-exercise (MM: 3.1 ± 1.6; CM: 3.1 ± 2.0; NM: 3.0 ± 1.6 mmol/L), or 15 min post- exercise (MM: 2.0 ± 1.1; CM: 2.1 ± 1.1; NM: 2.1 ± 0.94 mmol/L). Heart Rate (HR): IPE (MM: 146 ± 13; CM: 135 ± 14; NM: 136 ± 12 bpm), 7 min post-exercise (MM: 100 ± 8; CM: 100 ± 8; NM: 98 ± 9 bpm), or 15 min post-exercise (MM: 91 ± 8; CM: 91 ± 9; NM: 92 ± 8 bpm). CONCLUSION: These findings conflict with our research hypothesis that calm music, or no music would allow the participants to recover more quickly during the EPOC. No significant differences were found between music trials for any physiological variable associated with recovery during the EPOC

Metabolic Requirements of Farmers/Ranchers Performing Simulated Occupational Tasks: Recommendations for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation

Current ACSM guidelines for cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) return to work state that exercise training should mimic the muscle groups, movements, and energy systems utilized in a patient’s occupational tasks. The aims of this study were to evaluate the metabolic costs of typical farming/ranching tasks, determine the pattern of movement and muscle groups involved in these tasks, and determine the approximate duration of these tasks. Methods: Participants (n=29) were employed in the farming/ranching field and ranged in aged from 18-57 years. The participants performed four tasks: loading 10 hay bales, digging a fence post hole, filling eight seed hoppers, and shoveling grain. Results: Ranges for mean metabolic equivalent (MET) levels of the tasks were 5.9-7.6 while respiratory exchange ratio (RER) values ranged from .85-.93. Mean times (min:sec) for task duration were 1:42-3:34. Conclusion: MET levels recorded in this study are in agreement with the Compendium of Physical Activities for farming tasks and meet the standard requirements for cardiovascular training in cardiac rehab (~ 8 METS). However, these tasks are of high intensity and require an exercise prescription based on specificity of training for the muscle groups and energy systems involved. In accordance to ACSM guidelines, this study includes recommendations for exercise prescription specific to supervised resistance training appropriate for a farmer/rancher population in cardiac rehab settings

Relationship of Blood Lactate and Sweat Lactate on Exercise Intensity

Typical procedures for measuring blood lactate involve either finger stick blood samples or venous blood draws. The literature is equivocal regarding whether sweat lactate values change with exercise intensity. Recently, wearable technology devices have been developed to measure sweat lactate. Purpose: To examine the relationship between sweat lactate and blood lactate values during incremental exercise. Methods: This study consisted of 12 (8 male, 4 female) healthy recreationally active individuals (VO2peak 35.5 ± 7.6 ml/kg/min) between the ages of 18 and 25 (22 ± 2 yrs) who volunteered for the study. Participants performed an exercise test on a cycle ergometer to volitional fatigue to determine blood lactate, lactate threshold, VO2peak, and peak heart rate (HR). Blood lactate was collected via finger stick at each 3-min stage of exercise. Participants performed a subsequent exercise session at 40, 60, and 80% heart rate reserve (HRR). During the 20-min stages of this test, blood and sweat lactate were collected during each intensity level. Sweat lactate was collected in a sweat “pouch” at each state of exercise. Sweat lactate samples were analyzed via the lactate oxidase method on a Chemwell 2910 chemistry analyzer. Blood lactate samples were analyzed using a Lactate Plus analyzer. Whole body sweat rate was calculated from pre- and post-exercise body weight at each intensity, factoring in water consumed and urine voided. Results: Sweat rate increased with increasing intensity (40%: 9.66 ± 7.58; 60%: 18.10 ± 12.51; 80% 24.32 ± 15.44 ml/min). Sweat lactate significantly differed between 60 and 80% intensities (15.66 ± 5.73, 12.52 ± 4.44 mmol/L, respectively), P = 0.03. Blood lactate levels at 40, 60, and 80% intensities were 2.67 ± 1.15, 3.60 ± 1.90, and 4.83 ± 1.52, respectively (P \u3c 0.001). CONCLUSION: These findings agree with Buono, Lee, & Miller, 2010 who found sweat lactate decreases as sweat rate increases. It is likely that sweat lactate decreases with increasing exercise intensity due to dilution as sweat rate increases. From this data, it appears that sweat lactate does not demonstrate a relationship with blood lactate that warrants replacing blood lactate in exercise testing with sweat lactate. This may be due to the lactate in sweat originating from eccrine glands and thus is not reflective of muscle metabolism

Modulation of Cell Surface Protein Free Thiols: A Potential Novel Mechanism of Action of the Sesquiterpene Lactone Parthenolide

There has been much interest in targeting intracellular redox pathways as a therapeutic approach for cancer. Given recent data to suggest that the redox status of extracellular protein thiol groups (i.e. exofacial thiols) effects cell behavior, we hypothesized that redox active anti-cancer agents would modulate exofacial protein thiols.To test this hypothesis, we used the sesquiterpene lactone parthenolide, a known anti-cancer agent. Using flow cytometry, and western blotting to label free thiols with Alexa Fluor 633 C(5) maleimide dye and N-(biotinoyl)-N-(iodoacetyl) ethylendiamine (BIAM), respectively, we show that parthenolide decreases the level of free exofacial thiols on Granta mantle lymphoma cells. In addition, we used immuno-precipitation techniques to identify the central redox regulator thioredoxin, as one of the surface protein thiol targets modified by parthenolide. To examine the functional role of parthenolide induced surface protein thiol modification, we pretreated Granta cells with cell impermeable glutathione (GSH), prior to exposure to parthenolide, and showed that GSH pretreatment; (a) inhibited the interaction of parthenolide with exofacial thiols; (b) inhibited parthenolide mediated activation of JNK and inhibition of NFkappaB, two well established mechanisms of parthenolide activity and; (c) blocked the cytotoxic activity of parthenolide. That GSH had no effect on the parthenolide induced generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species supports the fact that GSH had no effect on intracellular redox. Together these data support the likelihood that GSH inhibits the effect of parthenolide on JNK, NFkappaB and cell death through its direct inhibition of parthenolide's modulation of exofacial thiols.Based on these data, we postulate that one component of parthenolide's anti-lymphoma activity derives from its ability to modify the redox state of critical exofacial thiols. Further, we propose that cancer cell exofacial thiols may be important and novel targets for therapy

Reflecting on Efforts to Design an Inclusive Citizen Science Project in West Baltimore

Citizen science (CS) has been an increasingly utilized means by which scientists leverage members of the public to increase the amount of data collected and analyzed. However, the underrepresentation of individuals from certain socio-cultural groups can have consequences that can manifest in the scientific outcomes of those CS projects such as biases in the data. Additionally, this underrepresentation can potentially affect long-term viability and support of CS as a community of practice. CS programs that promote greater inclusivity would likely provide opportunities for communities to define, investigate, and address pressing issues in collaboration with professional scientists. In this paper we discuss a CS project that sought to include underrepresented communities in Baltimore, Maryland using Pandya’s framework for inclusive CS. While the project met all of its scientific research goals, translating the CS for broader social outcomes in the community proved challenging. Here we highlight perspectives from local community members and research personnel about the barriers to CS engagement, challenges in translating scientific outcomes to social justice efforts, and opportunities to address these barriers in CS program development and design

Orthogonality catastrophe in a one-dimensional system of correlated electrons

We present a detailed numerical study of the orthogonality catastrophe exponent for a one-dimensional lattice model of spinless fermions with nearest neighbor interaction using the density matrix remormalization group algorithm. Keeping up to 1200 states per block we achieve a very great accuracy for the overlap which is needed to extract the orthogonality exponent reliably. We discuss the behavior of the exponent for three different kinds of a localized impurity. For comparison we also discuss the non-interacting case. In the weak impurity limit our results for the overlap confirm scaling behavior expected from perturbation theory and renormalization group calculations. In particular we find that a weak backward scattering component of the orthogonality exponent scales to zero for attractive interaction. In the strong impurity limit and for repulsive interaction we demonstrate that the orthogonality exponent cannot be extracted from the overlap for systems with up to 100 sites, due to finite size effects. This is in contradiction to an earlier interpretation given by Qin et al. based on numerical data for much smaller system sizes. Neverthless we find indirect evidence that the backward scattering contribution to the exponent scales to 1/16 based on predictions of boundary conformal field theory.Comment: 16 pages, Latex, 8 eps figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDDM) survey report.

The large number of government and industry activities supporting the Unit of Action (UA), with attendant documents, reports and briefings, can overwhelm decision-makers with an overabundance of information that hampers the ability to make quick decisions often resulting in a form of gridlock. In particular, the large and rapidly increasing amounts of data and data formats stored on UA Advanced Collaborative Environment (ACE) servers has led to the realization that it has become impractical and even impossible to perform manual analysis leading to timely decisions. UA Program Management (PM UA) has recognized the need to implement a Decision Support System (DSS) on UA ACE. The objective of this document is to research the commercial Knowledge Discovery and Data Mining (KDDM) market and publish the results in a survey. Furthermore, a ranking mechanism based on UA ACE-specific criteria has been developed and applied to a representative set of commercially available KDDM solutions. In addition, an overview of four R&D areas identified as critical to the implementation of DSS on ACE is provided. Finally, a comprehensive database containing detailed information on surveyed KDDM tools has been developed and is available upon customer request

Advanced Large Area Plastic Scintillator Project (ALPS): Final Report

The advanced Large-Area Plastic Scintillator (ALPS) Project at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory investigated possible technological avenues for substantially advancing the state-of-the-art in gamma-ray detection via large-area plastic scintillators. The three predominant themes of these investigations comprised the following: * Maximizing light collection efficiency from a single large-area sheet of plastic scintillator, and optimizing hardware event trigger definition to retain detection efficiency while exploiting the power of coincidence to suppress single-PMT "dark current" background; * Utilizing anti-Compton vetoing and supplementary spectral information from a co-located secondary, or "Back" detector, to both (1) minimize Compton background in the low-energy portion of the "Front" scintillator's pulse-height spectrum, and (2) sharpen the statistical accuracy of the front detector's low-energy response prediction as impelmented in suitable energy-windowing algorithms; and * Investigating alternative materials to enhance the intrinsic gamma-ray detection efficiency of plastic-based sensors