Theatre Communications Class: Impact on Students With and Without Autism

This study evaluated an inclusive Theatre Communications Class implemented at a suburban high school. The class is designed to target social and communication skills in students with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) using role playing theatre activities with students without ASD that are prepared and performed for the class. Caregivers of 2 students with ASD completed the Autism Social Skills Profile prior to enrollment. Two students without ASD completed the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale to assess their attitudes towards individuals with autism prior to enrollment. In December of 2011, after a semester in the program, they completed the measures again. Analyses revealed that the social skills of students with ASD increased positively, while the high school students attitudes towards individuals with autism were impacted positively in the areas of cognition and affect.B.A. (Bachelor of Arts

AIA\u27s Special Bulletin Series and its early guidance on tax issues related to depreciation, 1920-1929

When the final state ratified the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1913, levying taxes directly on individual incomes became a reality and opened up expanded taxation on businesses. For example, the supporting legislation allowed for the deduction of wear and tear on equipment as a business expense based on the service lives. Unfortunately for the tax preparer, there was no clear meaning of wear and tear and the interpretation of the of service lives in the legislation. With little or no guidance to CPA tax preparers and their clients, it was inevitable that Bureau of Internal Revenue examiners would question returns with such deductions. To help its members to understand better, the new law and the ever-increasing complexity of accounting issues related to it, the American Institute of Accountants began to publish the Special Bulletin Series in January 1920. Many of the answers present in the Bulletins between 1920 and 1929 solved accounting and tax problems in ways still used nearly a century later

Doença de Machado-Joseph na ilha do Pico (Açores)

XII Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Pico 2005.A doença de Machado-Joseph (DMJ) é uma doença neurodegenerativa, de transmissão autossómica dominante e de início tardio (média de 40 anos) (Coutinho, 1992), causada pela expansão do tripleto CAG, num gene localizado em 14q32.1 (Kawaguchi et al., 1994). A DMJ constitui nos Açores, dada a sua elevada prevalência, um problema de Saúde Pública. As famílias afectadas dos Açores são originárias das ilhas das Flores, S. Miguel, Terceira e Graciosa, sendo nas ilhas das Flores (1 em cada 106 habitantes é doente) e em S. Miguel (1 em cada 3148 é doente) que se encontra a maior concentração de doentes (Lima et al., 1997). Existem, contudo elementos das referidas famílias em praticamente todas as ihas açorianas, nomeadamente na ilha do Pico. Um conhecimento detalhado da epidemiologia da DMJ nos Açores assume a maior importância, por permitir uma melhor intervenção assistencial, que inclui não só o apoio aos doentes, como se estende aos indivíduos em risco (filhos de um doente DMJ), através da disponibilização do Programa de Aconselhamento Genético e Teste Preditivo

Reduction in squamous cell carcinomas in mouse skin by dietary zinc supplementation.

Inadequate dietary Zn consumption increases susceptibility to esophageal and other cancers in humans and model organisms. Since Zn supplementation can prevent cancers in rodent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) models, we were interested in determining if it could have a preventive effect in a rodent skin cancer model, as a preclinical basis for considering a role for Zn in prevention of human nonmelanoma skin cancers, the most frequent cancers in humans. We used the 7,12-dimethyl benzanthracene carcinogen/phorbol myristate acetate tumor promoter treatment method to induce skin tumors in Zn-sufficient wild-type and Fhit (human or mouse protein) knockout mice. Fhit protein expression is lost in \u3e50% of human cancers, including skin SCCs, and Fhit-deficient mice show increased sensitivity to carcinogen induction of tumors. We hypothesized that: (1) the skin cancer burdens would be reduced by Zn supplementation; (2) Fhit(-/-) (Fhit, murine fragile histidine triad gene) mice would show increased susceptibility to skin tumor induction versus wild-type mice. 30 weeks after initiating treatment, the tumor burden was increased ~2-fold in Fhit(-/-) versus wild-type mice (16.2 versus 7.6 tumors, P \u3c 0.001); Zn supplementation significantly reduced tumor burdens in Fhit(-/-) mice (males and females combined, 16.2 unsupplemented versus 10.3 supplemented, P = 0.001). Most importantly, the SCC burden was reduced after Zn supplementation in both strains and genders of mice, most significantly in the wild-type males (P = 0.035). Although the mechanism(s) of action of Zn supplementation in skin tumor prevention is not known in detail, the Zn-supplemented tumors showed evidence of reduced DNA damage and some cohorts showed reduced inflammation scores. The results suggest that mild Zn supplementation should be tested for prevention of skin cancer in high-risk human cohorts

Every Garden Tells a Story: Sustainable Development in a Newly Emergent Community Garden

Gardens, by their very nature, have the ability to speak to us about the role they play in the communities in which they are placed. Each story is unique and tied to the perspectives of those involved in the sowing, planting, and harvesting in each garden site. Community gardens shape the lives of the people who tend them as the people who tend them shape the life of the garden, and through the garden, the broader community. Thus, the interaction of people with the natural environment helps to create a garden's story. The central research questions addressed in this case study are: In what ways might newly emergent community gardens impact sustainability? What are economic, social, and/or environmental sustainability outcomes of a community garden within the first two-three years of existence? Finally, can a young community garden space become a catalyst for greater community involvement and the perpetuation of food security? For this research project I applied a case study approach, considering the case of Community of Hope Neighborhood Garden (COHNG), a newly emergent community garden in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Employing an inductive qualitative case study methodology, I utilized participant observation and semi-structured one-on-one and group audio-recorded interviews, exploring food security and sustainable development within the local space of the community garden through a political ecology approach. Findings indicated that the relatively low capital costs of gardening, perceived lower personal food costs, and expanded access to organic plant food contributed to economic sustainability. The garden raised awareness of environmental issues and environmental constraints through organic gardening, habitat preservation and environmental conservation, contributing to environmental sustainability. Social sustainability outcomes included: life-enhancement, education, and promotion of collective efficacy, social capital, diversity, and inclusion. COHNG became a catalyst for greater community involvement and the perpetuation of food security through the integration of the "Tables to Go" food outreach and improved food access to gardeners and persons in recovery from addiction. The case study of COHNG affirmed that newly emergent community gardens have the potential ability to enhance sustainable development and become catalysts for greater community involvement and the perpetuation of food security.Environmental Sciences Progra

Identifying Essential Fisheries Competencies to Link to School Curriculum: Supporting Nez Perce Students’ STEM Identity

This study examined the process to identify required competencies for an entry-level position in the Nez Perce Tribe Department of Fisheries Resource Management located in the Pacific Northwest. The overall goal was to provide content for a pedagogical framework to support Nez Perce students in the development of their STEM identity and to consider careers in natural resources and fisheries. The DACUM process was used to analyze the job, Fisheries Technician. The process involved a focus group of six expert workers in the Department of Fisheries Resource Management and was led by a facilitator. The experts identified 48 competencies categorized as technical and professional for fisheries technician. Seven cultural competencies were also identified as important for the successful accomplishment of work and the quality of work life. Competencies will provide content for the middle and high school culture, science, and technology curriculums, and there is the potential to connect technical and professional competencies to a career and technical education microcredentialing system

Nonclassic Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (NCCAH) Due to 21-Hydroxylase Deficiency: Clinical Management and Genetic Counseling of Two Portuguese Families

Introduction: Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-Hydroxylase deficiency occurs in 90-95% of cases, being a common autosomal recessive condition that can present with a wide range of hyperandrogenemic signs in childhood or adulthood. Severity of this disease is correlated with the enzymatic blockade of 21-Hydroxylase which depends of the mutation in gene CYP21A2. Two clinical forms are possible: classic, subdivided in salt-wasting and simple virilizing form (severe) and nonclassic or late onset (less severe). Aims: We studied two portuguese families with NCCAH due to 21-Hidroxilase deficiency in order to improve clinical management and genetic counseling of their members. Methods: Clinical presentation and hormonal assays (including test of tetracosactide) were performed in index cases (IC) . Genomic DNA of each family member was sequenced for the 9 most frequent mutations in CYP21A2. Total deletion of CYP21A , conversion in non functioning CYP21A1P or CYP21A1P_ CYP21A2 quimeras were also analyzed by enzymatic restriction. Results: Family 1- IC: Female, 31 years old with NCCAH diagnosed at age 6 , after investigation of precocious pubarche and with test of tetracosactide positive (17-alpha hydroxyprogesterone levels > 10-15 ng/ml) . Molecular study of CYP21A2 showed a mutation g.1683G> T , homozygous , in CYP21A2 and a non functioning allele of CYP21A2 , heterozygous (non severe 21-Hidroxilase deficiency). Mother was carrying a non functioning allele of CYP21A2 , heterozygous (severe); Father, Brother and Partner were heterozygous for mutation g.1683G> T (non severe). Family 2- IC: Female, 45 years old presenting hirsutism and oligoamenorrhea at age 35 and with test of tetracosactide positive confirming NCCAH Genetic study identified mutation g.1683G> T (less severe) in a copy and g.655A/C>G in another copy (splicing mutation severe). Familial genetic study identified two sisters (age 36 and age 40), asymptomatic but with pathologic genotype confirming NCCAH.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Human metabolism and elimination of the anthocyanin, cyanidin-3-glucoside: a 13C-tracer study

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that the consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods beneficially affects cardiovascular health; however, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME) of anthocyanin-rich foods are relatively unknown. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the ADME of a (13)C5-labeled anthocyanin in humans. DESIGN: Eight male participants consumed 500 mg isotopically labeled cyanidin-3-glucoside (6,8,10,3',5'-(13)C5-C3G). Biological samples were collected over 48 h, and (13)C and (13)C-labeled metabolite concentrations were measured by using isotope-ratio mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The mean +/- SE percentage of (13)C recovered in urine, breath, and feces was 43.9 +/- 25.9% (range: 15.1-99.3% across participants). The relative bioavailability was 12.38 +/- 1.38% (5.37 +/- 0.67% excreted in urine and 6.91 +/- 1.59% in breath). Maximum rates of (13)C elimination were achieved 30 min after ingestion (32.53 +/- 14.24 mug(13)C/h), whereas (13)C-labeled metabolites peaked (maximum serum concentration: 5.97 +/- 2.14 mumol/L) at 10.25 +/- 4.14 h. The half-life for (13)C-labeled metabolites ranged between 12.44 +/- 4.22 and 51.62 +/- 22.55 h. (13)C elimination was greatest between 0 and 1 h for urine (90.30 +/- 15.28 mug/h), at 6 h for breath (132.87 +/- 32.23 mug/h), and between 6 and 24 h for feces (557.28 +/- 247.88 mug/h), whereas the highest concentrations of (13)C-labeled metabolites were identified in urine (10.77 +/- 4.52 mumol/L) and fecal samples (43.16 +/- 18.00 mumol/L) collected between 6 and 24 h. Metabolites were identified as degradation products, phenolic, hippuric, phenylacetic, and phenylpropenoic acids. CONCLUSION: Anthocyanins are more bioavailable than previously perceived, and their metabolites are present in the circulation fo