Using manipulatives in the Chemisty classroom as a tool to increase the understanding and knowledge of the law of conversation of matter

Students at the secondary level have a difficult time balancing equations and comprehending the law of conservation of matter. The law of conservation of matter is a fundamental concept in the chemistry curriculum and is necessary for students to understand more advanced topics. The purpose of this study is to justify the use of manipulatives in the science classroom and to show the increased ability, knowledge, engagement level, and impact of students it has.In this small-scale study the use of simple manipulatives are used to model the law of conservation of matter when balancing equations. The students use manipulatives to build representations of balanced equations in order to understand the concept. Since atoms cannot be seen, they must be represented by models to facilitate student understanding

Manual-assisted cognitive therapy for self-harm in personality disorder and substance misuse: a feasibility trial

<b>Aims and method</b> To assess the feasibility of conducting a larger, definitive randomised controlled trial of manual-assisted cognitive therapy (MACT), a brief focused therapy to address self-harm and promote engagement in services. We established recruitment, randomisation and assessment of outcome within a sample of these complex patients admitted to a general hospital following self-harm. We assessed symptoms of depressed mood, anxiety and suicidality at baseline and at 3 months’ follow-up.<p></p> <b>Results</b> Twenty patients were randomised to the trial following an index episode of self-harm, and those allocated to MACT demonstrated improvement in anxiety, depression and suicidal ideation.<p></p> <b>Clinical implications</b> It is feasible to recruit a sample of these complex patients to a randomised controlled trial of MACT following an index episode of self-harm. There is preliminary support that MACT could be an acceptable and effective intervention in patients with personality disorder and substance misuse

Charged Higgs-boson decays into quarks

We consider the full genuine next-to-leading order SUSY–QCD corrections to the charged Higgs decays into quarks supplemented by the NNLO corrections to the effective top and bottom Yukawa couplings. The NNLO corrections to the effective top Yukawa coupling are a new ingredient of our analysis. We arrive at an approximate NNLO prediction for MSSM charged Higgs decays after including the N$^4$LO QCD corrections for large charged Higgs masses. The residual uncertainties are in the percent range or below, depending on the particular MSSM scenario

Transient pool boiling in microgravity

Transient nucleate pool boiling experiments using R113 are conducted for short times in microgravity and in earth gravity with different heater surface orientations and subcoolings. The heating surface is a transparent gold film sputtered on a quartz substrate, which simultaneously provides surface temperature measurements and permits viewing of the boiling process from beneath. For the microgravity experiments, which have uniform initial temperatures and no fluid motion, the temperature distribution in the R113 at the moment of boiling inception is known. High speed cameras with views both across and through the heating surface record the boiling spread across the heater surface, which are classified into six (6) distinct categories.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/30197/1/0000585.pd

Losing a Limb, Regaining Independence: A Systematic Review of Occupational Therapy Interventions for Lower Extremity Amputations

Primary Focus: Rehab, Disability & Participation Learning Objectives: Describe lower extremity residual limb care interventions within the scope of occupational therapy Explain the prevalence of individuals who sustain a lower extremity amputation and understand the impact on the U.S. health-care system Identify lower extremity residual limb care interventions to maximize occupational performance Abstract: The purpose of this presentation is to report findings of a systematic review regarding residual limb care interventions supporting increased occupational performance in adults post lower extremity amputation. A systematic review was completed utilizing PubMed, CINHAL, and OTseeker. Inclusion criteria included articles with a sample of adults (mean age of 18-64 years old) with all levels of lower extremity amputations resulting from various etiologies. In addition, these articles were published within the past 10 years and in the English language. Exclusion criteria included articles that contained interventions outside of the scope of occupational therapy practice, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Two million people in the U.S. are currently living with limb loss. Hospital costs associated with amputees in 2009 totaled 8.3 billion dollars. Approximately half of individuals with amputations due to vascular disease will require an additional amputation within 2-3 years (Amputee Coalition, 2016). Although there is evidence on surgical techniques and physical therapy’s role in rehabilitation of lower extremity amputations, there is limited evidence to support occupational therapy’s unique role (Robinson, Sansam, Hirst, & Neumann, 2010). However, occupational therapists can provide valuable interventions to improve participation in all activities of daily living (Klarich & Brueckner, 2014). Critical appraisals of eligible articles were performed to identify themes and clinical implications utilizing quantitative and qualitative critical review forms. Four themes concluded from the literature associated with residual limb care interventions and their impact on occupational performance included education, health-care costs, pain, and skin integrity. These findings present implications for occupational therapy research, education, and practice in regards to advocating for occupational therapy’s role in the continuum of care for individuals with lower extremity amputation, and the implementation of interventions to increase occupational performance and decrease health-care costs. This presentation material is of intermediate level and targeted for an audience of occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants with experience working with individuals with lower limb amputations. References: Amputee Coalition. (2016). Limb loss statistics. Retrieved from http://www.amputee-coalition/limb-loss-resource-center/resources-by-topic/limb-loss-statistics/limb-loss-statistics/ Robinson, V., Sansam, K., Hirst, L., & Neumann, V. (2010). Major lower limb amputation -- what, why and how to achieve the best results. Orthopaedics & Trauma, 24(4), 276-285 10p. doi:10.1016/j.mporth.2010.03.017 Klarich, J., & Brueckner, I. (2014). Amputee rehabilitation and preprosthetic care. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of North America, 25(1), 75-91. doi:10.1016/j.pmr.2013.09.005 Presentation: 31:5

Venom Ontogeny in the Mexican Lance-Headed Rattlesnake (Crotalus polystictus)

As trophic adaptations, rattlesnake venoms can vary in composition depending on several intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Ontogenetic changes in venom composition have been documented for numerous species, but little is known of the potential age-related changes in many rattlesnake species found in México. In the current study, venom samples collected from adult and neonate Crotalus polystictus from Estado de México were subjected to enzymatic and electrophoretic analyses, toxicity assays (LD50), and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and a pooled sample of adult venom was analyzed by shotgun proteomics. Electrophoretic profiles of adult males and females were quite similar, and only minor sex-based variation was noted. However, distinct differences were observed between venoms from adult females and their neonate offspring. Several prominent bands, including P-I and P-III snake venom metalloproteinases (SVMPs) and disintegrins (confirmed by MS/MS) were present in adult venoms and absent/greatly reduced in neonate venoms. Age-dependent differences in SVMP, kallikrein-like, phospholipase A2 (PLA2), and L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) activity levels were confirmed by enzymatic activity assays, and like many other rattlesnake species, venoms from adult snakes have higher SVMP activity than neonate venoms. Conversely, PLA2 activity was approximately 2.5 X greater in venoms from neonates, likely contributing to the increased toxicity (neonate venom LD50 = 4.5 μg/g) towards non-Swiss albino mice when compared to adult venoms (LD50 = 5.5 μg/g). Thrombin-like (TLE) and phosphodiesterase activities did not vary significantly with age. A significant effect of sex (between adult male and adult female venoms) was also observed for SVMP, TLE, and LAAO activities. Analysis of pooled adult venom by LC-MS/MS identified 14 toxin protein families, dominated by bradykinin-inhibitory peptides, SVMPs (P-I, P-II and P-III), disintegrins, PLA2s, C-type-lectins, CRiSPs, serine proteinases, and LAAOs (96% of total venom proteins). Neonate and adult C. polystictus in this population consume almost exclusively mammals, suggesting that age-based differences in composition are related to physical differences in prey (e.g., surface-to-volume ratio differences) rather than taxonomic differences between prey. Venoms from adult C. polystictus fit a Type I pattern (high SVMP activity, lower toxicity), which is characteristic of many larger-bodied rattlesnakes of North America.Funding for this study was provided in part by the Colorado Office for Economic Development and International Trade (to SPM). Additional funds were provided by the UNC Office of Research

Effects of Reduced Strength on Self-Selected Pacing for Long-Duration Activities

Strength and aerobic capacity are predictors of astronaut performance for extravehicular activities (EVA) during exploration missions. It is expected that astronauts will selfselect a pace below their ventilatory threshold (VT). PURPOSE: To determine the percentage of VT that subjects selfselect for prolonged occupational tasks. METHODS: Maximal aerobic capacity and a variety of lowerbody strength and power variables were assessed in 17 subjects who climbed 480 rungs on a ladder ergometer and then completed 10 km on a treadmill as quickly as possible using a selfselected pace. The tasks were performed on 4 days, with a weighted suit providing 0% (suit fabric only), 40%, 60%, and 80% of additional bodyweight (BW), thereby altering the strength to BW ratio. Oxygen consumption and heart rate were continuously measured. Repeated measures ANOVA and posthoc comparisons were performed on the percent of VT values under each suited condition. RESULTS: Subjects consistently selfpaced at or below VT for both tasks and the pace was related to suit weight. At the midpoint for the ladder climb the 80% BW condition elicited the lowest metabolic cost (19+/-14% below VT), significantly different than the 0% BW (3+/-16%, P=0.002) and the 40% BW conditions (5+/-22%, P=0.023). The 60% BW condition (13+/-19%) was different than the 40% BW condition (P=0.034). Upon completion of the ladder task there were no differences among the conditions (0%BW: 3+/-18%; 40%BW: 3+/-21%; 60%BW: 8+/-25%; 80%BW: 10+/-18%). All subjects failed to complete 5km at 80%BW. At the midpoint of the treadmill test the three remaining conditions were all significantly different (0%BW: 20+/-15%; 40%BW: 33+/-15%; 60%BW: 41+/-19%). Upon completion of the treadmill test the 60% BW condition (38+/-12%) was significantly different than the 40% BW (28+/-15%, P=0.024). CONCLUSIONS: Decreasing relative strength results in progressive and disproportionate decreases (relative to VT) in selfselected pacing during longduration activities. Thus, during prolonged, endurancetype activities, large reductions in strength cause notable performance decrements despite no changes in aerobic capacity. These data highlight the importance of both aerobic capacity and muscle strength to the performance of prolonged EVA in exploration mission scenarios

Activation of Innate Immune-Response Genes in Little Brown Bats (Myotis lucifugus) Infected with the Fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans

Recently bats have been associated with the emergence of diseases, both as reservoirs for several new viral diseases in humans and other animals and, in the northern Americas, as hosts for a devastating fungal disease that threatens to drive several bat species to regional extinction. However, despite these catastrophic events little Information is available on bat defences or how they interact with their pathogens. Even less is known about the response of bats to infection during torpor or long-term hibernation. Using tissue samples collected at the termination of an experiment to explore the pathogenesis of White Nose Syndrome in Little Brown Bats, we determined if hibernating bats infected with the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans could respond to infection by activating genes responsible for innate immune and stress responses. Lesions due to fungal infection and, in some cases, secondary bacterial infections, were restricted to the skin. However, we were unable to obtain sufficient amounts of RNA from these sites. We therefore examined lungs for response at an epithelial surface not linked to the primary site of infection. We found that bats responded to infection with a significant increase in lungs of transcripts for Cathelicidin (an anti-microbial peptide) as well as the immune modulators tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukins 10 and 23. In conclusion, hibernating bats can respond to experimental P. destructans infection by activating expression of innate immune response genes.Funding for this study was provided by a Fish and Wildlife Service grant to CRKW, TB and VM and by a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (Discovery) grant to VM and a fellowship within the Postdoc Programme of the DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service (to LW). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.011228

Effects of exercise and whey protein on muscle mass, fat mass, myoelectrical muscle fatigue and health-related quality of life in older adults: a secondary analysis of the Liverpool Hope University-Sarcopenia Ageting Trial (LHU-SAT)

Purpose To investigate the efects of exercise in combination with, or without, a leucine-enriched whey protein supplement on muscle mass, fat mass, myoelectrical muscle fatigue and health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in older adults. Methods 100 community-dwelling older adults [52% women, age: 69±6years (mean±SD)] were randomised to four [Control (C); Exercise (E); Exercise + Protein (EP); Protein (P)] independent groups. E and EP groups completed 16 weeks of exercise [resistance (2 times/week) and functional (1 time/week]. EP and P groups were also administered a leucine-enriched whey protein supplement (3 times/day) based on body weight (1.5 g/kg/day). Muscle and fat mass (bioelectrical impedance analysis), myoelectrical muscle fatigue (surface electromyography) and HR-QOL (WHOQOL-BREF) were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results At post-intervention, the rectus femoris (E:−4.8%/min, p=0.007, ES=0.86; EP:−3.3%/min, p=0.045,ES=0.58) and bicep femoris (E: − 3.9%/min, p 0.05). Conclusion Physical exercise is a potent method to improve myoelectrical muscle fatigue and HR-QOL in older adults. However, leucine-enriched whey protein did not augment this response in those already consuming suicient quantities of protein at trial enrolment

ACCESS & LRG-BEASTS: a precise new optical transmission spectrum of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-103b

We present a new ground-based optical transmission spectrum of the ultrahot Jupiter WASP-103b ($T_{eq} = 2484$K). Our transmission spectrum is the result of combining five new transits from the ACCESS survey and two new transits from the LRG-BEASTS survey with a reanalysis of three archival Gemini/GMOS transits and one VLT/FORS2 transit. Our combined 11-transit transmission spectrum covers a wavelength range of 3900--9450A with a median uncertainty in the transit depth of 148 parts-per-million, which is less than one atmospheric scale height of the planet. In our retrieval analysis of WASP-103b's combined optical and infrared transmission spectrum, we find strong evidence for unocculted bright regions ($4.3\sigma$) and weak evidence for H$_2$O ($1.9\sigma$), HCN ($1.7\sigma$), and TiO ($2.1\sigma$), which could be responsible for WASP-103b's observed temperature inversion. Our optical transmission spectrum shows significant structure that is in excellent agreement with the extensively studied ultrahot Jupiter WASP-121b, for which the presence of VO has been inferred. For WASP-103b, we find that VO can only provide a reasonable fit to the data if its abundance is implausibly high and we do not account for stellar activity. Our results highlight the precision that can be achieved by ground-based observations and the impacts that stellar activity from F-type stars can have on the interpretation of exoplanet transmission spectra.Comment: 33 pages, 17 figures, 7 tables. Accepted for publication in A