Alien Registration- Lajoie, Paul J. (Berwick, York County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/1001/thumbnail.jp

Alien Registration- Lajoie, Cecile J. (Lewiston, Androscoggin County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/30342/thumbnail.jp

Scaffolding problem-based learning with CSCL tools

Small-group medical problem-based learning (PBL) was a pioneering form of collaborative learning at the university level. It has traditionally been delivered in face-to-face text-based format. With the advancement of computer technology and progress in CSCL, educational researchers are now exploring how to design digitally-implemented scaffolding tools to facilitate medical PBL. The "deteriorating patient" (DP) role play was created as a medical simulation that extends traditional PBL and can be implemented digitally. We present a case study of classroom usage of the DP role play that examines teacher scaffolding of PBL under two conditions: using a traditional whiteboard (TW) and using an interactive whiteboard (IW). The introduction of the IW technology changed the way that the teacher scaffolded the learning. The IW showed the teacher all the information shared within the various subgroups of a class, broadening the basis for informed classroom scaffolding. The visual records of IW usage demonstrated what students understood and reduced the need to structure the task. This allowed more time for engaging students in challenging situations by increasing the complexity of the problem. Although appropriate scaffolding is still based on the teacher's domain knowledge and pedagogy experience, technology can help by expanding the scaffolding choices that an instructor can make in a medical training context. © 2010 The Author(s).published_or_final_versionSpringer Open Choice, 01 Dec 201

Combating HIV/AIDS: biomedical approaches towards prevention

For over three decades, HIV/AIDS has had a deleterious impact on public health the world over. There is still no cure for the disease although preventive strategies have evolved over the years to reduce its impact. In addition to behavioural change approaches, biomedical interventions have played a major part in reduction of HIV transmission and subsequently the burden associated with the HIV/AIDS disease. Early biomedical approaches include physical barriers such as condoms, use of clean injection equipment for intravenous drug users, blood and blood product screening. More recently, medical male circumcision and use of anti-retroviral drugs for prevention have been introduced. While these interventions have had a fundamental impact in reducing HIV incidence, the burden in many populations remains. Therefore, there is need to develop new biomedical methods to augment existing efforts. Future biomedical approaches may for instance include use of compounds that modulate the body’s immune system, such as acetylsalicylic acid, to cause resistance to HIV infection. Such approaches could be added to the HIV prevention toolkit.Keywords: HIV/AIDS, biomedical, prevention, immune quiescenceAfr. J. Biomed. Res. Vol. 22 (May, 2019); 105- 11

The formation of the eccentric-orbit millisecond pulsar J1903+0327 and the origin of single millisecond pulsars

The millisecond pulsar J1903+0327 is accompanied by an ordinary G-dwarf star in an unusually wide ($P_{\rm orb} \simeq 95.2$\,days) and eccentric ($e \simeq 0.44$) orbit. The standard model for producing MSPs fails to explain the orbital characteristics of this extraordinary binary, and alternative binary models are unable to explain the observables. We present a triple-star model for producing MSPs in relatively wide eccentric binaries with a normal (main-sequence) stellar companion. We start from a stable triple system consisting of a Low-Mass X-ray Binary (LMXB) with an orbital period of at least 1 day, accompanied by a G-dwarf in a wide and possibly eccentric orbit. Variations in the initial conditions naturally provide a satisfactory explanation for the unexplained triple component in the eclipsing soft X-ray transient 4U~2129+47 or the cataclysmic variable EC 19314-5915. The best explanation for J1903, however, results from the expansion of the orbit of the LMXB, driven by the mass transfer from the evolving donor star to its neutron star companion, which causes the triple eventually to becomes dynamically unstable. Using numerical computations we show that, depending on the precise system configuration at the moment the triple becomes dynamically unstable, the ejection of each of the three components is possible. If the donor star of the LMXB is ejected, a system resembling J1903, will result. If the neutron star is ejected, a single MSP results. This model therefore also provides a straightforward mechanism for forming single MSP in the Galactic disk. We conclude that the Galaxy contains some 30--300 binaries with characteristics similar to J1903, and about an order of magnitude fewer single millisecond pulsars produced with the proposed triple scenario.Comment: ApJ accepted for publicatio

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) “Remission” in Non-bariatric Patients 65 Years and Older

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) “remission” in non-bariatric Medicare patients 65 years and older. Research Design and Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis of a Medicare Advantage health plan was conducted using administrative data. An individual was identified as T2DM if the individual had: ≥ 2 medical claims for T2DM coded 250.xx excluding type 1 diabetes; or ≥ 2 pharmacy claims related to T2DM; or ≥ 2 combined medical claims, pharmacy claims for T2DM in 12 months. A T2DM individual was in “remission” if they had no T2DM related claims for more than 12 months continuously. This is different from the standard American Diabetes Association (ADA) definition of remission which includes HbA1c values and hence is represented in quotation (as “remission”). 10,059 T2DM individuals were evaluated over a period of 8 years from 2008 to 2015. Cox proportional hazards was used to identify significant variables associated with T2DM “remission.” Results: 4.97% of patients studied met the definition of T2DM “remission” in the study cohort. After adjusting for covariates this study found a number of variables associated with T2DM “remission” that were not previously reported: no statin use; low diabetes complications severity index score; no hypertension; no neuropathy; no retinopathy; race (non-white and non-African American); presence of other chronic ischemic heart disease (IHD) and females (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusion: T2DM “remission” in Medicare patients 65 years and older is observed in a community setting in a small proportion of non-bariatric patients

Search for positively charged strangelets and other related results with E864 at the AGS

We report on the latest results in the search for positively charged strangelets from E864's 96/97 run at the AGS with sensitivity of about $8\times 10^{-9}$ per central collision. This contribution also contains new results of a search for highly charged strangelets with $Z=+3$. Production of light nuclei, such as $^6He$ and $^6Li$, is presented as well. Measurements of yields of these rarely produced isotopes near midrapidity will help constrain the production levels of strangelets via coalescence. E864 also measures antiproton production which includes decays from antihyperons. Comparisons with antiproton yields measured by E878 as a function of centrality indicate a large antihyperon-to-antiproton ratio in central collisions.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures; Talk at SQM'98, Padova, Italy (July 20-24th, 1998