Evaluation of the Lewis rat as a model of periodontitis: a preliminary study

Strategies for prevention and treatment of periodontitis are lacking due to difficulty studying this disease in a controlled clinical environment and the lack of suitable animal models. In this study, the Lewis rat was evaluated as a potential model of periodontitis. It was hypothesized that the Lewis rat, when provided a high sucrose/high casein diet (H-SC) long-term (23 weeks), will develop characteristics of periodontitis. This study evaluated: 1) gene expression of local inflammation, disease progression, and bacterial infection in the gingival and alveolar mucosa tissue; 2) gene expression of systemic inflammation in the liver; and 3) metabolic endpoints of body composition, bone densitometric endpoints, and serum leptin and insulin levels. Additionally, age-related differences were evaluated between old control rats and young (6 weeks old) control rats. Interleukin-6 was 2-fold higher in gingival tissue of the old H-SC fed rats when compared to old control rats. No other differences between the old H-SC fed rats and old control rats were found for any other genes in gingival or alveolar mucosa tissue or in the liver. Metabolic endpoints of the old H-SC group were significantly higher in only bone mineral density (5% higher) and liver mass (10% higher) compared to old control rats. Two-fold higher levels of RANKL gene expression and markedly lower metabolic endpoints were evident in young control rats when compared to old control rats, as was expected due to the ~5 month age difference. In conclusion, this animal model developed mild periodontitis. Furthermore, there was no age-related differences between old control rats and young control rats in periodontal endpoints

A study of the problem-solving method of teaching bowling

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the problem-solving method on skill development in bowling. It was the dual purpose to determine the effect of this method on attitude toward physical education. Subjects were selected from three bowling service classes at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro on the basis of their past experience in bowling and totals of their first five games in bowling. Twenty-one subjects from two classes were used as the experimental group and twelve subjects from a third class served as the control group. The first five game totals were used as initial scores in bowling and scores from the Drinkwater Attitude Inventory were used as initial scores of attitude. The experimental group received thirty-one class periods of bowling instruction under the problem-solving method. The control group was taught for the same length of time by the control method which was based on the generally accepted methods of instruction in bowling. Final bowling scores were the totals of games nine to thirteen and final attitude scores were the scores on the attitude inventory which was readministered on the last day of class

Floorcloths made using the acrylic polymer medium

A new alternative to routine wall to wall carpet is available in the painted canvas floorcloth. Originally made by eighteenth century craftsmen, the floorcloth and the process for making it had been almost forgotten in the passage of time. The uniqueness and versatility of these painted canvas carpets makes them a refreshing choice of floor covering material. The purpose of this study was to create some fresh original patterns and to execute some contemporary floorcloths designed for use in modern interiors. Materials and finishes sturdy enough to work well in floorcloth form were selected and used in the execution of the floorcloths. Literature was searched for information about methods of manufacture, materials, and patterns or designs used by the earlier craftsmen who made floorcloths. A visit was made to the only known source of floorcloths produced today and designs were seen but no information on the method of manufacture of these floorcloths was revealed. The acrylic polymer paints and gesso were selected for their flexibility when dry and for their satisfactory appearance. Three floorcloths were created in original designs drawn for use in modern environments. The procedure for making floorcloths was explained. Color photographs were made to illustrate the individual discussion of each floorcloth

Music for flute by Ulysses Kay (1917-1995): a descriptive analysis with performance notes for three selected works

Ulysses Simpson Kay (1917-1995) was an African American composer, conductor, and professor. His compositional output contains more than 135 works that have been performed, recorded, and have earned him several awards, fellowships, and commissions. This document includes a descriptive analysis of three works for flute by Ulysses Kay: Prelude for Unaccompanied Flute, Suite for Flute and Oboe, and Aulos for Solo Flute and Orchestra. The purpose of this study is to increase awareness of Kay's flute repertoire, to stimulate more frequent programming, to provide relevant historical information about these works and resolve discrepancies surrounding incorrect data. The discussion will provide flutists and teachers with a descriptive analysis that contains suggestions for performance practice. The procedures used closely examine the musical elements of tonality, pitch, rhythm, timbre, texture and form. This analysis will help flutists understand the historical context in which these works were written, and can assist in developing a clearer interpretation, yielding a more authentic performance. At the conclusion of each discussion, performance notes will provide a summary of technical challenges for the flutist, and recommendations for teachers to facilitate selecting appropriate repertoire for their students. This investigation also includes an interview conducted with renowned flutist John Solum, the commissioning artist of the Aulos. Solum worked closely with the composer and has performed all of Kay's works for flute. The interview serves as a source of historical information and performance practice interpretations as told by one of the last living flutists to have worked personally with the composer. As there is very little written material surrounding Kay's compositions for flute, this study will serve to augment the current research concerning African American composers of flute literature

THE EFFECTS OF THE SELF-DETERMINED LEARNING MODEL OF INSTRUCTION ON KNOWLEDGE OF THE SDLMI PROCESS AND READING COMPREHENSION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WITH HIGH-INCIDENCE DISABILITIES

The current study examined the effects of the Self-Determined Learning Model of Instruction (SDLMI) on self-selected reading comprehension goals with middle school students with high incidence disabilities. The SDLMI teaching model is designed for students to select and then self- monitor academic and/or nonacademic goals. Participants were four middle school students in 7th grade with reading addressed on their Individualized Education Program. Instruction in reading was provided by the special education teacher using the Fusion reading program, as well as by general education teachers across curricula. Using a multiple-probe across participants design, results indicated a functional relation between the SDLMI and acquisition of the SDLMI process. Although there was no functional relation between SDLMI and reading comprehension scores, there was statistical significance, p < .05, for percentile and standard scores between pre-post scores on the Woodcock Reading Mastery Test- NU2. Students’ level of self-determination was also assessed using a pre- /posttest measure completed by the general education teacher, special education teacher, and students. Three of four students increased in levels of self-determination as rated by teachers and themselves. Suggestions for future research and implications for practice are provided

The determinants of IPO firm prospectus length in Africa

This paper studies the differential impact on IPO firm listing prospectus length from increasing proportions of foreign directors from civil as opposed to common law societies and social elites. Using a unique hand-collected and comprehensive sample of 165 IPO firms from across 18 African countries the evidence suggests that increasing proportions of directors from civil code law countries is associated with shorter prospectuses while the opposite is true for their common law counterparts. Furthermore increasing proportions of directors drawn from elevated social positions in indigenous society is related to increasing prospectus length in North Africa while being insignificant in SSA

Company ‘Emigration’ and EC Freedom of Establishment: Daily Mail Revisited

Following the ECJ’s recent case law on EC freedom of establishment (the Centros, Überseering and Inspire Art cases), regulatory competition for corporate law within the European Union takes place at an early stage of the incorporation of new companies. In contrast, as regards the ‘moving out’ of companies from the country of incorporation, the ECJ once considered a tax law restriction against the transfer abroad of a company’s administrative seat as compatible with EC freedom of establishment (the Daily Mail case). For years, this decision has been regarded as applicable to all restrictions imposed by countries of incorporation, even the forced liquidation of the ‘emigrating’ company. This paper addresses the question whether EC freedom of establishment really allows Member States to place any limit on the ‘emigration’ of nationally registered companies. It argues that EC freedom of establishment covers the transfer of the administrative seat as well as the transfer of the registered office and, therefore, that the country of incorporation cannot liquidate ‘emigrating’ companies. In addition, it addresses the question whether a new Directive is needed to allow the transfer of a com- pany’s registered office and the identity-preserving company law changes. It argues that such a Directive is necessary to avoid legal uncertainty and to protect the interests of employees, creditors and minority shareholders, among others, who could be detrimentally affected by the ‘emigration’ of national companies

The masses of the cataclysmic variables AC Cancri and V363 Aurigae

We present time-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of the double-lined eclipsing cataclysmic variables AC Cnc and V363 Aur (= Lanning 10). There is evidence of irradiation on the inner hemisphere of the secondary star in both systems, which we correct for using a model that reproduces the observations remarkably well. We find the radial velocity of the secondary star in AC Cnc to be KR= 176 ± 3 km s−1 and its rotational velocity to be v sin i= 135 ± 3 km s−1. From these parameters we obtain masses of M1= 0.76 ± 0.03 M⊙ for the white-dwarf primary and M2= 0.77 ± 0.05 M⊙ for the K2 ± 1V secondary star, giving a mass ratio of q= 1.02 ± 0.04. We measure the radial and rotational velocities of the G7 ± 2V secondary star in V363 Aur to be KR= 168 ± 5 km s−1 and v sin i= 143 ± 5 km s−1, respectively. The component masses of V363 Aur are M1= 0.90 ± 0.06 M⊙ and M2= 1.06 ± 0.11 M⊙, giving a mass ratio of q= 1.17 ± 0.07. The mass ratios for AC Cnc and V363 Aur fall within the theoretical limits for dynamically and thermally stable mass transfer. Both systems are similar to the SW Sex stars, exhibiting single-peaked emission lines with transient absorption features, high-velocity S-wave components and phase-offsets in their radial-velocity curves. The Balmer lines in V363 Aur show a rapid increase in flux around phase 0 followed by a rapid decrease, which we attribute to the eclipse of an optically thick region at the centre of the disc. This model could also account for the behaviour of other SW Sex stars where the Balmer lines show only a shallow eclipse compared to the continuum

On the accretion disc properties in eclipsing dwarf nova EM Cyg

In this paper we analyzed the behavior of the unusual dwarf nova EM Cyg using the data obtained in April-October, 2007 in Vyhorlat observatory (Slovak Republic) and in September, 2006 in Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine). During our observations EM Cyg has shown outbursts in every 15-40 days. Because on the light curves of EM Cyg the partial eclipse of an accretion disc is observed we applied the eclipse mapping technique to reconstruct the temperature distribution in eclipsed parts of the disc. Calculations of the accretion rate in the system were made for the quiescent and the outburst states of activity for different distances.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted in Astrophysics and Space Scienc