21-cm H I emission from the Damped Lyman-alpha absorber SBS 1543+593

We detect 21-cm emission from the Low Surface Brightness (LSB) galaxy SBS 1543+593, which gives rise to a Damped Lyman-alpha (DLA) absorption line in the spectrum of the background QSO HS 1543+5921 (z=0.807). We obtain an accurate measure of the velocity of the H I gas in the LSB galaxy, v=2868 km/s, and derive a mass of 1.3e9 solar masses. We compare this value with limits obtained towards two other z~0.1 DLA systems, and show that SBS 1543+593 would not have been detected. Hence LSB galaxies similar to SBS 1543+593 can be responsible for DLA systems at even modest redshifts without being detectable from their 21-cm emission.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, accepted for publication in A&

The syndromes of low-renin hypertension: separating the wheat from the chaff

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is characterized by hypertension and suppressed renin activity with or without hypokalemia and comprises the aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and bilateral adrenal hyperplasia or idiopatic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). In recent series employing the aldosterone (aldo, ng/dL):renin (ng/mL·h) ratio (ARR) for screening, prevalence of PA among hypertensives soars to 8-20%; current predominance of IHA (>80%) over APA suggests the inclusion of former low-renin essential hypertensives (LREH), in whom plasma aldo can be reduced by suppressive maneuvers. We evaluated the test characteristics of the ARR obtained retrospectively from 127 patients with PA (81 APA; 46 IHA) and 55 with EH (30 LREH; 25 NREH) studied from 1975 to 1990. Using the combined ROC-defined cutoffs of 27 for the ARR and 12ng/dL for aldo, we obtained 89.8% sensitivity (Ss) and 98.2% specificity (Sp) in discriminating PA from EH: all APA and 72% of the IHA patients had values above these limits, but only one (3%) with LREH. Among the 46 IHA patients, 10 (21.7%) had ARR 100; aldo >20) may attain 84%Ss and 82.6%Sp in separating APA from IHA. Because IHA and LREH (the chaff) may be spectrum stages from the same disease, definite discrimination between these entities seems immaterial. However, precise identification of the APA (the wheat) is critical, since it is the only surgically curable form of PA. Thus, while patients who may harbor an APA must be thoroughly investigated and surgically treated, non-tumoral disease (IHA and LREH) may be best treated with an aldo-receptor antagonist that will also prevent the aldo-mediated inflammatory effects involved in myocardial fibrosis and abnormal cardiac remodeling.Hiperaldosteronismo primário (HAP) é caracterizado por hipertensão com renina baixa, com ou sem hipocalemia, compreendendo o adenoma produtor de aldosterona (APA) e a hiperplasia adrenal bilateral ou HA idiopático (HAI). Em séries recentes usando a relação aldosterona (aldo, ng/dL):renina (ng/mL·h) (RAR) para rastreamento, a prevalência de HAP atinge 8-20% dos hipertensos; a predominância atual do HAI (>80%) sobre APA sugere a inclusão de hipertensos essenciais com renina baixa (HERB), nos quais aldo pode ser suprimida por expansão de volume. Avaliamos as características do teste RAR, obtido retrospectivamente de 127 pacientes com HAP (81 APA; 46 HAI) e 55 com hipertensão essencial (30 HERB; 25 com renina normal, HERN) estudados de 1975 a 1990. Usando a combinação de cutoffs de 27 para RAR e de 12ng/dL para aldo, obtivemos sensibilidade (S) de 89,8% e especificidade (E) de 98,2% na separação entre HAP e HE: todos os APA e 72% dos HAI (mas apenas um [3%] HERB) tinham valores acima destes limites. Dentre os 46 HAI, 10 (21,7%) tinham RAR 100; aldo >20) permitem 84% de S e 82,6% de E na separação entre APA e HAI. Como HAI e HERB (o joio) devem ser estágios do espectro de uma mesma doença, parece irrelevante a separação dessas entidades. Entretanto, identificação precisa do APA (o trigo) é fundamental, por ser a única forma de HAP curável cirurgicamente. Assim, enquanto a suspeita de um APA precisa ser criteriosamente investigada e tratada cirurgicamente, pacientes com doença não tumoral (HAI e HERB) podem ser tratados com antagonistas do receptor de aldo, que também previnem os efeitos inflamatórios envolvidos no processo de fibrose e remodelação anormal do miocárdio.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Department of Medicine Division of EndocrinologyUniversity of California San FranciscoUNIFESP, Department of Medicine Division of EndocrinologySciEL

Designing Learning Spaces for Hispanic and Latino/a Knowledge to Emerge in Doctor of Education Programs

Shifts in demographic and cultural change in American society, particularly the growth of the Hispanic and Latino/a population, have shed light on inequalities in education and revealed institutional barriers to Hispanic learning in doctoral education programs. This best practice paper contextualizes Hispanic and Latino/a Learners (HLL) within scholar-practitioner programs, specifically in Doctor of Education programs. It historically addresses potential factors that may impact this population within that context based on the scholarly literature, history, and practice. Most importantly, it sets the tone for designing positive inclusive spaces and improving conditions for HLL knowledge to emerge in Doctor of Education programs

Teaching And Designing Culturally Responsive Experiences Using Cross-Media Film in Higher Education

This paper examined the pedagogical use of cross-media film in higher education, as it highlighted cross-media in implementing a Culturally Responsive approach to enhance social justice learning in the classroom. The findings demonstrated the potential of cross-media film to engage learners through cultural relevance for the 21st century. The findings also considered that the Culturally Responsive approach may constitute a fourth pillar of the three epistemologies through research and suggestions for culturally responsive teaching practices

The Use of Film to Motivate Interest in Students with Learning Differences through Imagination and Diverse Thinking in Higher Education

This article examined the use of film in higher education to inspire imagination and motivate learning in students with learning differences. It highlighted the benefits of film in enhancing education and fostering imagination and diverse, critical thinking. The findings demonstrated that film is a pedagogical instrument that may assist students with learning differences to access the curriculum better, provide alternative forms of creative and meaningful expression, and develop self-awareness, empathy, and social justice

User-efficient design: Reducing the environmental impact of user behaviour through the design of products

This thesis presents why a new user-centred design process for eco-design would be beneficial and demonstrates how this could be done. The research produces a methodology for collecting and measuring behaviour information and a framework for assessing its impact. It explores the role of and effective introduction of information in the design process and finally concludes with the proposed design approach for reducing the environmental impact of products during their use. Utilising a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods, energy models, observational studies, laboratory design experiments, participation research, product prototyping and industrial consultation, a comprehensive picture of designing for energy-efficient user behaviour is formed. It illustrates how behaviour information can be recorded and quantified, assessing the division between a product's intrinsic, technology-based, energy efficiencies and those that are deemed user-related. Finally, in conclusion this information is then used in a new design approach which proposes a framework for the effective and time-efficient design of products, producing a prototype design which achieves an ongoing 43% energy saving in user related losses.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Pre-and-In-Class Practical Lesson Habits of Selected University Physical Education Students in Ghana: Implications for Health and Physical Education

Habits formed during schooling are probably the strongest that influence individuals throughout life. It is always the intention of curriculum planners that, habits formed by students as a result of schooling be positive to promote healthy lifestyle in the future. However, nothing is documented on the pre-practical physical activity habits of physical education (PE) students in universities in Ghana. The paper focused on common physical activity behaviours exhibited and the food products consumed by the students prior to and during PE practical lessons. We conveniently sampled 112 level 100-300 University of Cape Coast PE students during the 2012/2013 academic year. We developed a questionnaire to gather data for this study. We found that only 24% (n=27) of the students practice three times and over, the techniques taught in class before the next class. Also, 36% (n=40) of the students reported not using appropriate protective gears during practical classes. Beside, 35% (n=39) of the students would not do post-activity stretching without lecturers’ supervision. Of the products consumed, 9% (n=10) and 6% (n=7) take energy drinks prior to and during PE classes, respectively. Other 2% (n=2) take in alcoholic beverages before classes. However, 30% (33) consume nothing prior to morning practical lessons. Many university PE students in Ghana engage in many unhealthy habits that need attention. This paper discusses how this new knowledge can assist professionals in Health and PE to moderate the habits acquired and practiced by students while at school. Key Words: Pre-practical activity, pre-practical food consumption, physical education, physical activity habits

The perceptions of the role of the school social worker by elementary school principals

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Nominal Contracting Effects on Common Stock Returns: a Multi-Factor Model Approach (Unexpected Inflation).

This study examines the theoretical and empirical impact of nominal contracting effects on common stock real returns. It develops an arbitrage pricing model which has as its primary factors the market portfolio and expected inflation and unexpected inflation rates. It extends the model to test empirically for the impact of different nominal contracting effects. In particular, it examines the short- and long-term net monetary position effects, the depreciation tax effect, the inventory tax effect and the wage contract effect. A common feature among these effects is that they are nominal contracts whose real values are affected by unexpected inflation. The study differs from previous studies by considering the effect of unexpected inflation beyond that already impounded in the market factor. It covers the period from 1964 through 1983 using quarterly data. The sample is selected from all non regulated firms commonly listed on the 1983 versions of the Compustat Annual Industrial tape and the CRSP tape. Equally weighted and sequentially updated portfolios are formed in order to obtain more stable betas. The methodology is based on French, Ruback and Schwert (1983). The preliminary multifactor model analysis shows that the three factors--the market factor, the expected inflation factor and the unexpected inflation factor--are significant in explaining common stock returns. The cross-sectional analysis between unexpected inflation betas and the nominal contracting effects shows that nominal contracting effects are empirically detectable and are consistent with the theory of inflation wealth transfer. The nominal contracting effects appear to have been undetected in previous research. In further support for the nominal contracting hypothesis, the study performed maturity effect tests. According to these tests, the coefficient of a nominal contracting variable with longer term to maturity is larger (in absolute value) than the coefficient of a nominal contracting variable with shorter term to maturity. In general, the results from the maturity effect tests tend also to support the nominal contracting hypothesis