The Nonuse of Figurative Language in Conduct Disordered Adolescents

The relationship between the literal language and conduct problems among conduct disordered adolescents was examined in 109 subjects. The inability to use figurative language was found to be positively related to ratings of conduct problems. Both the parents\u27 discipline style and nonuse of figurative language were related to 111 conduct problems in conduct disordered adolescents. The possible role of other variables, for example, age, sex, and IQ, was examined. Possible mechanisms that could relate the lack of figurative competence and conduct problems were explored

RARE-30. PEDIATRIC GLIOBLASTOMA IN THE POST-TEMOZOLOMIDE ERA: OUTCOMES AND CHARACTERISTICS

Abstract INTRODUCTION Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common brain tumor, however, is a rare occurrence in children and is poorly characterized. We evaluated the characteristics and outcomes of pediatric GBM (pGBM). METHODS Retrospective analysis of pediatric (age< 18) patients diagnosed with GBM undergoing first glioblastoma resection at our brain tumor center (2005- 2016). RESULTS From 1457 GBM patients, we identified twenty-four (1.65%) pGBMs (Median Age=9 years, Females=45.8%). Median overall survival (OS) was 32.1 months, while the median progression-free survival was 11.5 months. The commonest symptoms at presentation were headaches (54.2%,n=13) and motor symptoms (50%,n=12). Mean tumor diameter was 4.5 cm and 25% of the cohort underwent gross total resection (GTR) of their tumor. Univariate analysis revealed median OS significantly associated with tumor extent of resection (GTR=56.4 months; STR/Biopsy=13.7 months, p=0.001), age at surgery (>10 years=43.9 months, < 10 years= 17.2 months, p=0.01), tumor size (> 4cm= 9.1 months, < 4cm=56.9 months, p=0.01),motor symptoms at presentation (present=14.9 months, absent=41.04 months, p=0.02) and infratentorial tumors (infratentorial=17.4 vs supratentorial=53.4 months, p=0.02). Multivariate analysis revealed GTR (HR 0.2[95% CI 0.07–0.72]; p=0.03), Age >10 years (HR 0.6[95% CI 0.02–0.64]; p=0.002), tumor >4 cm (HR 2.89[95% CI 1.88–4.11]; p=0.001) and EGFR amplification (HR 3.48[95% CI 0.82–17.4]; p=0.005) to be independent predictors of OS. Comparing patients under and over 10 years, we found that older patients had smaller tumors at presentation (4.9 vs 3.6 cms, p=0.03), greater rates of preoperative temozolomide (n=1,7.7% vs n=6, 54.5%) and bevacizumab (n=1,7.7% vs n=4, 36.4%) treatment, and lower rates of EGFR amplification (66.7% vs 11.1%) that could explain survival disparities between groups. CONCLUSION Motor symptoms, larger tumors at presentation and tumor EGFR amplification may be indictive of poorer outcomes in pGBM. However, maximal tumor resection, aggressive chemoradiation and tumor presentation at age >10 years may confer better prognosis in these patients

Space Shuttle Orbiter Digital Outer Mold Line Scanning

The Space Shuttle Orbiters Discovery and Endeavor have been digitally scanned to produce post-flight configuration outer mold line surfaces. Very detailed scans of the windward side of these vehicles provide resolution of the detailed tile step and gap geometry, as well as the reinforced carbon carbon nose cap and leading edges. Lower resolution scans of the upper surface provide definition of the crew cabin windows, wing upper surfaces, payload bay doors, orbital maneuvering system pods and the vertical tail. The process for acquisition of these digital scans as well as post-processing of the very large data set will be described

Half integer quantum Hall effect in high mobility single layer epitaxial graphene

The quantum Hall effect, with a Berry's phase of $\pi$ is demonstrated here on a single graphene layer grown on the C-face of 4H silicon carbide. The mobility is $\sim$ 20,000 cm$^2$/V$\cdot$s at 4 K and ~15,000 cm$^2$/V$\cdot$s at 300 K despite contamination and substrate steps. This is comparable to the best exfoliated graphene flakes on SiO$_2$ and an order of magnitude larger than Si-face epitaxial graphene monolayers. These and other properties indicate that C-face epitaxial graphene is a viable platform for graphene-based electronics.Comment: Some modifications in the text and figures, 7 pages, 2 figure

Approaching the Dirac point in high mobility multi-layer epitaxial graphene

Multi-layer epitaxial graphene (MEG) is investigated using far infrared (FIR) transmission experiments in the different limits of low magnetic fields and high temperatures. The cyclotron-resonance like absorption is observed at low temperature in magnetic fields below 50 mT, allowing thus to probe the nearest vicinity of the Dirac point and to estimate the conductivity in nearly undoped graphene. The carrier mobility is found to exceed 250,000 cm$^2$/(V.s). In the limit of high temperatures, the well-defined Landau level (LL) quantization is observed up to room temperature at magnetic fields below 1 T, a phenomenon unique in solid state systems. A negligible increase in the width of the cyclotron resonance lines with increasing temperature indicates that no important scattering mechanism is thermally activated, supporting recent expectations of high room-temperature mobilities in graphene.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Capture of ungulates in Central Asia using drive nets: advantages and pitfalls illustrated by the Endangered Mongolian saiga \u3ci\u3eSaiga tatarica mongolica\u3c/i\u3e

The study of mammals suffering intense poaching in remote areas poses an increasingly difficult conservation challenge, in part because the extreme flightiness of such species complicates safe capture. The benefits of handling (an opportunity to obtain biological information and attach radio collars) must be weighed against stress to the animals and potential capture-related mortality. In parts of Central Asia this problem is not trivial, as populations have been heavily harvested and opportunities for restraint are often limited. Mongolian saiga Saiga tatarica mongolica, being both Endangered and poached, typifies these issues. Here we describe capture protocols for adult females handled quickly and without anaesthesia. Using multiple vehicles driven at high speed, individual saiga were isolated from groups and herded into nets. Chase time was linearly associated with rectal temperature (P,0.03), with maximum pursuits and temperatures of 9 minutes and 43.1 degrees C, respectively; time to release averaged \u3c7 minutes. Given that rural residents often chase saiga and other desert and steppe-dwelling ungulates, for photography or for amusement, our results offer conservationists and government officials an empirical basis for recommending prudence on chase times and/or for recommending that the practice be prevented

Capture of ungulates in Central Asia using drive nets: advantages and pitfalls illustrated by the Endangered Mongolian saiga \u3ci\u3eSaiga tatarica mongolica\u3c/i\u3e

The study of mammals suffering intense poaching in remote areas poses an increasingly difficult conservation challenge, in part because the extreme flightiness of such species complicates safe capture. The benefits of handling (an opportunity to obtain biological information and attach radio collars) must be weighed against stress to the animals and potential capture-related mortality. In parts of Central Asia this problem is not trivial, as populations have been heavily harvested and opportunities for restraint are often limited. Mongolian saiga Saiga tatarica mongolica, being both Endangered and poached, typifies these issues. Here we describe capture protocols for adult females handled quickly and without anaesthesia. Using multiple vehicles driven at high speed, individual saiga were isolated from groups and herded into nets. Chase time was linearly associated with rectal temperature (P,0.03), with maximum pursuits and temperatures of 9 minutes and 43.1 degrees C, respectively; time to release averaged \u3c7 minutes. Given that rural residents often chase saiga and other desert and steppe-dwelling ungulates, for photography or for amusement, our results offer conservationists and government officials an empirical basis for recommending prudence on chase times and/or for recommending that the practice be prevented

Quantitative single-molecule microscopy reveals that CENP-A(Cnp1) deposition occurs during G2 in fission yeast

The inheritance of the histone H3 variant CENP-A in nucleosomes at centromeres following DNA replication is mediated by an epigenetic mechanism. To understand the process of epigenetic inheritance, or propagation of histones and histone variants, as nucleosomes are disassembled and reassembled in living eukaryotic cells, we have explored the feasibility of exploiting photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM). PALM of single molecules in living cells has the potential to reveal new concepts in cell biology, providing insights into stochastic variation in cellular states. However, thus far, its use has been limited to studies in bacteria or to processes occurring near the surface of eukaryotic cells. With PALM, one literally observes and 'counts' individual molecules in cells one-by-one and this allows the recording of images with a resolution higher than that determined by the diffraction of light (the so-called super-resolution microscopy). Here, we investigate the use of different fluorophores and develop procedures to count the centromere-specific histone H3 variant CENP-A(Cnp1) with single-molecule sensitivity in fission yeast (Schizosaccharomyces pombe). The results obtained are validated by and compared with ChIP-seq analyses. Using this approach, CENP-A(Cnp1) levels at fission yeast (S. pombe) centromeres were followed as they change during the cell cycle. Our measurements show that CENP-A(Cnp1) is deposited solely during the G2 phase of the cell cycle

Design and Implementation of Collaborative Research Approaches

This poster reviews the collarborative research approaches that NASA has been designing and implementing for the Integrated Vehicle Health Management (IVHM) Project. The inputs for the technical plan are reviewed, the Research Test and Integration Plan (RTIP) WIKI, is used to create and propose a multi-themed and multi-partner research testing opportunities. The outputs are testing opportunities