Synthesis and characterization of novel asymmetrically substituted bisphenazines and their self assembling properties

The self-assembly of pi-conjugated materials into one-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures via intermolecular pi-electron overlap is of particular interest for optoelectronic device miniaturization. There have been a number of pi-conjugated organic semiconductors reported with the ability to self-assemble to produce nanofibers, nanobelts, and nanotubes. However, the majority of these molecules are electron-rich (p-type) and thus the demand for electron-deficient (n-type) semiconductors is high since the availability of useful n-type semiconductors is limited; The design strategy and synthetic routes for novel n-type organic semiconductors based on bisphenazine are reported. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties studied by DSC, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry (CV) are presented. Electronic properties from theoretical calculations are also compared with the experimental results. The assembling properties, organogelation and 1-D assembly, of these new n-type molecules will be discussed with extensive investigations by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy

Perspectives of Immigrant Families and Persons with Disabilities during COVID-19

Background: The health, economic, social, political, and psychological consequences of COVID-19 have been deeply felt on a global level. Persons with disabilities, including those from Hispanic/Latino immigrant communities, have faced unique challenges during both the peak and fallout of the pandemic. Throughout both the United States and New York City, COVID-19 has disproportionately affected communities of color. However, the impact of COVID-19 on persons with disabilities among immigrant and communities of color is still unfolding. Aims: In this paper, we aim to better understand the compounded stress of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by immigrant families who have a child with a disability. Methods: A total of twelve parents of children with developmental and/or intellectual disabilities from the Bronx, New York were interviewed in the months following the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. All interviewed parents were first-generation immigrants from Mexico who presently reside in New York City. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using open-ended questions. Results: Several themes emerged in interviews with families and primarily centered around fear of deportation, inability to access services, and disability-specific challenges. Parents voiced fears of accessing medical services, language interpreter services, and utilizing welfare benefits such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Family concerns also centered around financial consequences from the pandemic, including inability to pay rent, inability to apply or qualify for unemployment, and ineligibility for stimulus checks. Lastly, parents have also experienced numerous difficulties with remote learning and have not received working technologies (i.e., tablets) for their child’s educational and clinical services. Conclusion: Despite available resources for families in need, immigrants face complex and heightened barriers in accessing these much needed services. Immigration status, fear of deportation (for either the parent or an extended family member), and linguistic barriers to accessing care were particularly evident. Additionally, parents expressed concerns that their children have not received adequate support and technologies to maintain their child’s education and care, which is critical for healthy development

Grays River Watershed and Biological Assessment, Annual Report 2005.

The goal of this project is to enhance and restore the ecological integrity and ecosystem function of the Grays River watershed. The recommended restoration and enhancement efforts developed in this project should incorporate local community stakeholder interests and needs. The objectives of this project are (1) to perform a comprehensive watershed and biological analysis, including hydrologic, geomorphic, and ecological assessment; (2) to develop a prioritized list of actions that protect and restore critical chum and Chinook salmon spawning habitat in the Grays River based on comprehensive geomorphic, hydrologic, and stream channel assessments; and (3) to gain a better understanding of chum and Chinook salmon habitat requirements and survival within the lower Columbia River and the Grays River sub-basin

Advancing Research Methodology and Educational Policy: An Application of Mixture Modeling Using School Climate

School climate is a well-studied issue in educational research. However, surveys of school climate tend to be analyzed using item-centered as opposed to person-centered methods. The current study evaluated the 2018 South Carolina School Climate Survey using advanced applications of mixture modeling in an attempt to identify latent profiles at the student and school levels. The relatively new manual BCH 3-Step approach was applied given its usefulness in analyzing multilevel data with covariates and distal outcomes. However, its application to multilevel mixture models leaves room for advancement and prompted the adoption of an alternative analysis plan that included separate analyses for students and schools. A latent profile analysis was conducted at the student level and resulted in the identification of six student profiles. At the school level, the manual BCH 3-Step process was applied, allowing for the incorporation of a covariate for school poverty level and distal outcomes related to academic achievement. Two profiles were identified at the school level, but because schools were also assigned to \u27known classes\u27 based on type (elementary, middle, high), a total of six profiles were created and analyzed in relation to the covariate and distal outcomes. A discussion of the results and methodological challenges associated with this study follows alongside considerations about how school climate can and should be analyzed, interpreted, and applied from both methodological and policy perspectives

Definitive Hematopoiesis in the Yolk Sac Emerges from Wnt-Responsive Hemogenic Endothelium Independently of Circulation and Arterial Identity

Adult-repopulating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) emerge in low numbers in the midgestation mouse embryo from a subset of arterial endothelium, through an endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. HSC-producing arterial hemogenic endothelium relies on the establishment of embryonic blood flow and arterial identity, and requires β-catenin signaling. Specified prior to and during the formation of these initial HSCs are thousands of yolk sac-derived erythro-myeloid progenitors (EMPs). EMPs ensure embryonic survival prior to the establishment of a permanent hematopoietic system, and provide subsets of long-lived tissue macrophages. While an endothelial origin for these HSC-independent definitive progenitors is also accepted, the spatial location and temporal output of yolk sac hemogenic endothelium over developmental time remain undefined. We performed a spatiotemporal analysis of EMP emergence, and document the morphological steps of the endothelial-to-hematopoietic transition. Emergence of rounded EMPs from polygonal clusters of Kit(+) cells initiates prior to the establishment of arborized arterial and venous vasculature in the yolk sac. Interestingly, Kit(+) polygonal clusters are detected in both arterial and venous vessels after remodeling. To determine whether there are similar mechanisms regulating the specification of EMPs with other angiogenic signals regulating adult-repopulating HSCs, we investigated the role of embryonic blood flow and Wnt/β-catenin signaling during EMP emergence. In embryos lacking a functional circulation, rounded Kit(+) EMPs still fully emerge from unremodeled yolk sac vasculature. In contrast, canonical Wnt signaling appears to be a common mechanism regulating hematopoietic emergence from hemogenic endothelium. These data illustrate the heterogeneity in hematopoietic output and spatiotemporal regulation of primary embryonic hemogenic endothelium

Insurer and Employer Views on Pediatric Obesity Treatment: a Qualitative Study

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Hampl, S.E., Davis, A.M., Sampilo, M.L., Stephens, K.L. and Dean, K. (2013), Insurer and employer views on pediatric obesity treatment: A qualitative study. Obesity, 21: 795–799. doi:10.1002/oby.20112, which has been published in final form at http://doi.org/10.1002/oby.20112. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.OBJECTIVE The effectiveness of group-based comprehensive, multidisciplinary (stage 3) pediatric weight management programs is backed by a growing body of literature, yet insurance coverage of these programs is scarce to nonexistent, limiting their reach and long-term survival. The objective of this study was to better understand the perspectives of insurers and large employers on the issue of group-based treatment coverage. DESIGN AND METHODS The authors performed a qualitative study utilizing structured interviews with these stakeholders, following accepted techniques. RESULTS Six major themes emerged: cost, program effectiveness, corporate social responsibility, secondary parental (employee) benefits, coverage options and new benefit determination. CONCLUSION Future efforts to secure payment for group-based pediatric weight management programs should address these key themes