Fatal Familial Insomnia: An Overview

Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI) is an insidious prion disorder that tends to manifest itself as a patient reaches middle age following a pattern consistent with autosomal dominance. A wide range of symptoms are represented, many related to motor function and autonomic regulation, but degeneration of certain areas of the thalamus is present in every case. Genetically, the condition is transmitted only within families, but it has been demonstrated by Jackson et al. (2009) that FFI can be transmitted by exposure to/ingestion of infected material. A number of groundbreaking studies are discussed. These include the initial documentation of FFI as a prion disorder by Medori et al. (1992), the identification of codon 129 on PRNP as a locus for prion disease susceptibility by Palmer et al. (1991), the discovery that the aberrant isoform PrPsc requires the normal PrP protein in order to produce infectivity by Mallucci et al. (2003), and others. There are no effective treatments for FFI as of yet; scientists are still searching for all the pieces to the puzzle

Analysis of the Coupling of Wavelength-Shifting Fibers to Organic Liquid Scintillator Filled Fluoropolymer Tubes for Industrial and Nuclear Security Applications

Industrial and nuclear security applications continue to push radiation detection development into new and exciting frontiers. In this work, an innovative detection module is developed and tested for use in a cosmic ray imaging (CRI) system designed for oil field characterization and is evaluated for its potential use in a fast neutron detection system for nuclear security applications. By measuring density changes in the reservoir, the CRI system will provide real-time information about steam chamber development during the enhanced oil field recovery process known as steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD). The ability to monitor the development of the steam chamber region has the potential to provide important information, which could be used to optimize the growth and uniformity of the underground steam chamber and minimize costs. The organic liquid scintillator based detection modules also detect fast neutrons. During the initial characterization of an unidentified radioactive source, it is important to have the capability to determine if special nuclear material (SNM) is present and if it is configured to produce a nuclear yield. The emission of multiple neutrons during a single fission makes it possible to use this unique timing characteristic to identify SNM. The number of specialists trained to handle nuclear devices is limited making this determination a critical step in properly responding to the situation. The detector module consists of a 5 mm diameter by 2-meter long fluoropolymer tube filled with organic liquid scintillator (OLS), optically read-out using wavelength shifting (WLS) fibers. The 1:400 ratio of diameter to length makes light collection from the organic scintillator very challenging. Over ten configurations of OLS, fluoropolymer tubes, and WLS fibers were tested. The final configuration consisted of two 2mm BCF-91A WLS fibers optically coupled to the outside of an optically transparent fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tube filled with a commercial OLS (EJ-309). Cosmic ray muons produce large light pulses in the OLS of which a portion reaches the external WLS fibers. The WLS fibers re-emits the light at longer wavelengths and acts as a multi-mode light guide channeling the signal to photomultiplier tubes located at each end of the WLS fibers. This module demonstrated excellent detection efficiency with less than 5% signal reduction, at any point along the module, due to optical attenuation. Timing analysis of the WLS fiber signals also provided coarse position determination, 40 cm, which opens design options not previously available. An important characteristic required of neutron detectors for nuclear security applications is the ability to discriminate fast neutron and gamma ray events. Initial tests have demonstrated the capability of our module to discriminate neutron and gamma rays by applying the rise time pulse shape discrimination (PSD) method to the WLS fiber signals. EJ-309 is well known for its PSD capabilities. Coupling this desirable characteristic with loss free, low attenuation optical read-out through a WLS fiber has the potential to broaden significantly liquid scintillator applications

Exploring Technology Usage at Home and the Relationship to the Development of the Tripod Grasp in Kindergarten Age Students

This research explored the development of the tripod/pincer grasp of 16 Kindergarten aged students and the activities these children engaged in when at home, with particular focus on fine motor and technology usage (both passive and interactive). This research used a mixed methods approach, using both classroom observations and a survey filled out by parents of participating students. This research fills a gap in existing research regarding the link between technology use and fine motor control in young children, as very little currently exists. The research found that fine motor activities at home helped facilitate the development of the tripod/pincer grasp at school, whereas large amounts of time spent engaging in passive technologies did not. The research also found that interactive technology was helpful only if the child utilized a stylus over their finger

Gleanings Vol. 1, No. 1

https://egrove.olemiss.edu/ms_educ/1089/thumbnail.jp

Program for the 1908 Commencement Exercises in Seneca, Kansas

A program for the 1908 Commencement of Nemaha County school graduates; lists the names of the graduates and which school they are graduating from.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/tj_ks_territorial_docs/1035/thumbnail.jp

Gardner-Webb and Gaston County Partner on Program to Develop Next Generation of School Leaders

Fourteen teachers have been chosen for Gaston County Schools’ new partnership with Gardner-Webb University that will help develop the next generation of school leaders.https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/gardner-webb-newscenter-archive/3297/thumbnail.jp

Dayton Public Schools 5th Grade Social Studies Instructional Guide. Dayton Teaching American History. Unit 9: Modern Issues

This instructional guide is from unit 9 of Dayton Public Schools\u27 5th grade social studies course, which covers topics on modern issues in American history. This guide was part of the Gateway to Dayton Teaching American History: Citizenship, Creativity, and Invention project which was sponsored by the Ohio Humanities Council and was a National Endowment for the Humanities We The People project