An Evaluation of the Benefits Received by the Participants in the South Dakota FFA Public Speaking Contest and Methods of Preparation of Contestants

The purpose of this research problem is to determine whether the experiences received through participation in State FFA Public Speaking contests have been beneficial to the contestants. The study is to reveal the relationship, if any, academically in high school and in leadership activities after leaving high school, between the contestants and their random selected classmates who did not participate in the speaking contests. An effort is also made to determine how the contestants were selected from the local chapters and the extent of preparation made by the contestants for the contests. The cultural, social, and economic benefits are evaluated by the contestants to illustrate the value, if any, received form this activity

Human central nervous system (CNS) ApoE isoforms are increased by age, differentially altered by amyloidosis, and relative amounts reversed in the CNS compared with plasma

The risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is highly dependent on apolipoprotein-E (apoE) genotype. The reasons for apoE isoform-selective risk are uncertain; however, both the amounts and structure of human apoE isoforms have been hypothesized to lead to amyloidosis increasing the risk for AD. To address the hypothesis that amounts of apoE isoforms are different in the human CNS, we developed a novel isoform-specific method to accurately quantify apoE isoforms in clinically relevant samples. The method utilizes an antibody-free enrichment step and isotope-labeled physiologically relevant lipoprotein particle standards produced by immortalized astrocytes. We applied this method to a cohort of well characterized clinical samples and observed the following findings. The apoE isoform amounts are not different in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from young normal controls, suggesting that the amount of apoE isoforms is not the reason for risk of amyloidosis prior to the onset of advanced age. We did, however, observe an age-related increase in both apoE isoforms. In contrast to normal aging, the presence of amyloid increased apoE3, whereas apoE4 was unchanged or decreased. Importantly, for heterozygotes, the apoE4/apoE3 isoform ratio was increased in the CNS, although the reverse was true in the periphery. Finally, CSF apoE levels, but not plasma apoE levels, correlated with CSF β-amyloid levels. Collectively, these findings support the hypothesis that CNS and peripheral apoE are separate pools and differentially regulated. Furthermore, these results suggest that apoE mechanisms for the risk of amyloidosis and AD are related to an interaction between apoE, aging, and the amount of amyloid burden

An interdisciplinary investigation of a recent submarine mass transport deposit at the continental margin off Uruguay

Assessing frequency and extent of mass movement at continental margins is crucial to evaluate risks for offshore constructions and coastal areas. A multidisciplinary approach including geophysical, sedimentological, geotechnical, and geochemical methods was applied to investigate multistage mass transport deposits (MTDs) off Uruguay, on top of which no surficial hemipelagic drape was detected based on echosounder data. Nonsteady state pore water conditions are evidenced by a distinct gradient change in the sulfate (SO42−) profile at 2.8 m depth. A sharp sedimentological contact at 2.43 m coincides with an abrupt downward increase in shear strength from ∼10 to >20 kPa. This boundary is interpreted as a paleosurface (and top of an older MTD) that has recently been covered by a sediment package during a younger landslide event. This youngest MTD supposedly originated from an upslope position and carried its initial pore water signature downward. The kink in the SO42− profile ∼35 cm below the sedimentological and geotechnical contact indicates that bioirrigation affected the paleosurface before deposition of the youngest MTD. Based on modeling of the diffusive re‐equilibration of SO42− the age of the most recent MTD is estimated to be <30 years. The mass movement was possibly related to an earthquake in 1988 (∼70 km southwest of the core location). Probabilistic slope stability back analysis of general landslide structures in the study area reveals that slope failure initiation requires additional ground accelerations. Therefore, we consider the earthquake as a reasonable trigger if additional weakening processes (e.g., erosion by previous retrogressive failure events or excess pore pressures) preconditioned the slope for failure. Our study reveals the necessity of multidisciplinary approaches to accurately recognize and date recent slope failures in complex settings such as the investigated area

Preterm Infants’ Follow-Up Program at a Public Hospital in Buenos Aires: Two-Decade Study

Objectives: To analyze temporal trends of mortality, morbidity, growth and neurodevelopment until 2 years of corrected age (CA) of very low birth weight infants (VLBWI) born between 1986- 2005 in Ramon Sardá Maternal Infant Hospital (RSMIH). Methods: Descriptive temporal trend study divided in 5 quinquenniums.1255 VLBWI were born at RSMIH between 1986-2005; 46 were excluded (genetic syndromes, major congenital malformations, confirmed intrauterine infections), 84 were referred out and 1125 were studied. Birth weight (BW), gestational age (GA); morbidity; growth; neurodevelopment at 1 and 2 years of CA; neurological and sensorial disorders, antenatal steroids use, breastfeeding; rehospitalizations; mothers´ age and years of schooling and Unsatisfied Basic Needs Index (UBNI) were recorded. Results: Survival rates increased during the last two periods, especially in &lt;1000g BW infants despite the decrease in GA and BW. Children receiving surfactant (Sf), parenteral nutrition (PN) and antenatal steroids (AS) in the last quinquennium obtained better results in growth (40 weeks GA and 1 CA). The use of these therapies increased greatly in the last decade. Also breastfeeding at 40 weeks GA and 4 months tended to be better. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) increased. Rehospitalizations (majorly attributable to lower tract infections) and UBNI stayed equal all along. Mothers’ years of schooling increased a little in the last two quinquenniums. Conclusion: In the last quinquennium children tended to be smaller in GA and BW due to an increase in the survival rate as a result of higher technology and appropriate interventions such as AS, PN, Sf, etc

Solar Radiation Maps

[EN]Solar maps are very interesting tools to describe the characteristics of a region from the solar radiation point of view, and can be applied in atmospheric sciences and for energy engineering. To make them possible, a solar radiation numerical model is proposed. This one allows us to estimate radiation values on any point on earth. The model takes into account the terrain surface conditions and the cast shadows. The procedure uses 2-D adaptive triangles meshes built refining according to surface and albedo characteristics. Solar irradiance values are obtained for clear sky conditions. Using clear sky index as a conversion factor, real sky values are computed in terms of irradiance or irradiation with a desired time step. Finally, the solar radiation maps are obtained for all the domain

Spin fluctuations in the quasi-two dimensional Heisenberg ferromagnet GdI_2 studied by Electron Spin Resonance

The spin dynamics of GdI_2 have been investigated by ESR spectroscopy. The temperature dependences of the resonance field and ESR intensity are well described by the model for the spin susceptibility proposed by Eremin et al. [Phys. Rev. B 64, 064425 (2001)]. The temperature dependence of the resonance linewidth shows a maximum similar to the electrical resistance and is discussed in terms of scattering processes between conduction electrons and localized spins.Comment: to be published in PR