Olhando para além dos muros da escola: Uma análise do ambiente das Escolas Públicas de Minneapolis, 2004-2008

We provide an expanded environmental scan to assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) faced by education communities. Grounded in the literature, we identified 48 indicators and grouped them into 6 broad categories: (1) budget levels, (2) funding patterns, (3) community needs, (4) external economic conditions, (5) political culture, and (6) children outcomes. We then created sub-categories for each of these six groupings based on whether the data came from school reports, non-school, governmental data, or not-for-profit entities. From these data, we developed a template with strategic guidelines for education leaders in varying environmental contexts. The discussion integrates school finance, fiscal condition analysis, leadership and organizational research to develop a framework that is then applied to the Minneapolis Public Schools for school years 2004 through 2008. The retrospective examination supports the utility of the strategic guidelines offered in the framework. Education leaders found a mixed educational climate in Minneapolis Public Schools for the years examined. There was cause for concern in the declining revenues for children services by other governmental agencies and increasing numbers of schools not making annual yearly progress. However, there were also opportunities apparent in the number of schools that offered International Baccalaureate and other rigorous programs and the support of schools as indicated by passage of local referenda.Proporcionamos una exploración del entorno ampliado para evaluar las fortalezas, debilidades, oportunidades y amenazas (análisis SWOT por sus iniciales en inglés) que enfrentan las comunidades educativas. Siguiendo la literatura especializada, se identificaron 48 indicadores y agrupados en 6 grandes categorías: (1) niveles presupuestarios, (2) modalidades de financiamiento, (3) necesidades de la comunidad, (4) condiciones económicas externas, (5) cultura política, y (6) resultados de los estudiantes. Se crearon subcategorías para cada uno de estos seis grupos en función de si los datos provienen de informes escolares, datos gubernamentales no escolares, o entidades sin fines de lucro. A partir de estos datos, hemos desarrollado una plantilla con directrices estratégicas para las autoridades educativas de los diferentes contextos. La discusión integra variables de financiamiento educativo, análisis de la situación fiscal, liderazgo e investigación de la organización para desarrollar un marco conceptual que fue aplicado para analizar las escuelas públicas de Minneapolis para los años escolares 2004 hasta 2008. El examen retrospectivo apoya la utilidad de las líneas estratégicas que se ofrecen en este marco. Los líderes educativos encontraron un clima educativo mixto en escuelas públicas de Minneapolis para los años examinados. Había preocupación por la disminución de los ingresos en los servicios infantiles de otras agencias gubernamentales y el creciente número de escuelas que no consiguieron las marcas de progreso anual. Sin embargo, también hubo oportunidades de mejora evidenciadas en el número de escuelas que ofrecen Bachillerato Internacional y otros programas rigurosos y el apoyo de las escuelas, como se indica por el paso de referendos locales. Nós fornecemos uma varredura expandida para avaliar os pontos fortes, pontos fracos, oportunidades e ameaças (análise SWOT por sua sigla em Inglês) que as comunidades educativas enfrentam. Com base na literatura, foram identificados 48 indicadores que foram agrupados em seis grandes categorias: (1) os níveis de orçamento, (2) as modalidades de financiamento, (3) as necessidades da comunidade, (4) condições econômicas externas, (5) cultura política e (6) resultados dos alunos. Em seguida, forma criadas subcategorias para cada um desses seis grupos, tomando como base a proveniência dos dados: se provêm de relatórios escolares, de instituições não-escolares do governo, ou de entidades sem fins lucrativos. A partir destes dados, foi desenvolvido um modelo com orientações estratégicas para autoridades educativas em diferentes contextos. A discussão inclui variáveis de financiamento da educação, a análise da situação, liderança e organização de investigação fiscal para desenvolver um marco conceitual que foi em seguida aplicado para analisar as escolas públicas de Minneapolis nos anos letivos de 2004 até 2008. O exame retrospectivo apoia a utilidade das estratégias oferecidas neste marco conceitual. Líderes educacionais encontraram um clima educacional misto nas escolas públicas de Minneapolis nos anos analisados. Houve uma grande preocupação sobre o declínio das receitas de serviços para crianças por outras agências do governo e do número crescente de escolas que não conseguiram atingir as metas de progresso anual. No entanto, houve também oportunidades de melhoria evidenciadas no número de escolas que oferecem Bacharelado Internacional e outros programas rigorosos e apoio das escolas, conforme indicado pela passagem de referendos locais.

Solvent-exposed lipid tail protrusions depend on lipid membrane composition and curvature

The stochastic protrusion of hydrophobic lipid tails into solution, a subclass of hydrophobic membrane defects, has recently been shown to be a critical step in a number of biological processes like membrane fusion. Understanding the factors that govern the appearance of lipid tail protrusions is critical for identifying membrane features that affect the rate of fusion or other processes that depend on contact with solvent-exposed lipid tails. In this work, we utilize atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to characterize the likelihood of tail protrusions in phosphotidylcholine lipid bilayers of varying composition, curvature, and hydration. We distinguish two protrusion modes corresponding to atoms near the end of the lipid tail or near the glycerol group. Through potential of mean force calculations, we demonstrate that the thermodynamic cost for inducing a protrusion depends on tail saturation but is insensitive to other bilayer structural properties or hydration above a threshold value. Similarly, highly curved vesicles or micelles increase both the overall frequency of lipid tail protrusions as well as the preference for splay protrusions, both of which play an important role in driving membrane fusion. In multi-component bilayers, however, the incidence of protrusion events does not clearly depend on the mismatch between tail length or tail saturation of the constituent lipids. Together, these results provide significant physical insight into how system components might affect the appearance of protrusions in biological membranes, and help explain the roles of composition or curvature-modifying proteins in membrane fusion.National Science Foundation (U.S.). MRSEC Program (award number DMR-0819762)National Science Foundation (U.S.). Faculty Early Career Development Program (Award No. DMR-1054671)United States. Department of Energy. Computational Science Graduate Fellowship Program (grant number DE-FG02-97ER25308)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (grant number OCI-1053575

Design rules for self-assembled block copolymer patterns using tiled templates

Directed self-assembly of block copolymers has been used for fabricating various nanoscale patterns, ranging from periodic lines to simple bends. However, assemblies of dense bends, junctions and line segments in a single pattern have not been achieved by using sparse templates, because no systematic template design methods for achieving such complex patterns existed. To direct a complex pattern by using a sparse template, the template needs to encode the key information contained in the final pattern, without being a simple copy of the pattern. Here we develop a set of topographic template tiles consisting of square lattices of posts with a restricted range of geometric features. The block copolymer patterns resulting from all tile arrangements are determined. By combining tiles in different ways, it is possible to predict a relatively simple template that will direct the formation of non-trivial block copolymer patterns, providing a new template design method for a complex block copolymer pattern.Samsung Scholarship FoundationSemiconductor Research CorporationTokyo Electron LimitedTaiwan Semicondcutor Manufacturing CompanyNational Science Foundation (U.S.) (Award DMR1234169

Optical observations of NEA 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB) during the 2017 apparition

The near-Earth asteroid 3200 Phaethon (1983 TB) is an attractive object not only from a scientific viewpoint but also because of JAXA's DESTINY+ target. The rotational lightcurve and spin properties were investigated based on the data obtained in the ground-based observation campaign of Phaethon. We aim to refine the lightcurves and shape model of Phaethon using all available lightcurve datasets obtained via optical observation, as well as our time-series observation data from the 2017 apparition. Using eight 1-2-m telescopes and an optical imager, we acquired the optical lightcurves and derived the spin parameters of Phaethon. We applied the lightcurve inversion method and SAGE algorithm to deduce the convex and non-convex shape model and pole orientations. We analysed the optical lightcurve of Phaethon and derived a synodic and a sidereal rotational period of 3.6039 h, with an axis ratio of a/b = 1.07. The ecliptic longitude (lambda) and latitude (beta) of the pole orientation were determined as (308, -52) and (322, -40) via two independent methods. A non-convex model from the SAGE method, which exhibits a concavity feature, is also presented.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, 1 figure in Appendix A. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics (A&A

Circulating endothelial cells demonstrate an attenuation of endothelial damage by minimizing the extracorporeal circulation

ObjectiveDetachment of endothelial cells may represent serious injury of the endothelium after cardiopulmonary bypass. We investigated whether the extent of endothelial injury is related to the type of cardiopulmonary bypass system used (conventional or minimized) and determined circulating endothelial cells as well as von Willebrand factor and soluble thrombomodulin.MethodsTwenty patients scheduled for elective coronary bypass grafting were randomly assigned to either the minimal extracorporeal circulation system or the standard cardiopulmonary bypass. Ten healthy volunteers served as controls. Circulating endothelial cells per milliliter of full blood were perioperatively determined by immunomagnetic cell separation technique. Endothelial plasma markers were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsPreoperative circulating endothelial cell numbers did not differ between the experimental groups, but were significantly higher than in the healthy controls (18.6 ± 5.6 vs 7.2 ± 3.8, P < .001). At 6 hours, circulating endothelial cell numbers increased significantly compared with baseline in both experimental groups and peaked at 12 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass initiation, each time with significantly lower values in the minimal extracorporeal circulation group (6 hours: 44.0 ± 9.9 vs 29.6 ± 9.8, P = .007; 12 hours: 48.1 ± 6.8 vs 31.8 ± 7.1, P < .001). Likewise, von Willebrand factor and soluble thrombomodulin postoperatively increased in both groups with a tendency toward lower levels in the minimal extracorporeal circulation group. Although circulating endothelial cells gradually declined, continually with lower numbers in the minimal extracorporeal circulation group, the endothelial plasma markers remained elevated during observation time.ConclusionsCirculating endothelial cells represent a novel marker of the intrinsic endothelial damage caused by cardiopulmonary bypass. Its analysis facilitates the evaluation of cardiopulmonary bypass modifications as the minimal extracorporeal circulation system could be proven to be less injurious to endothelium and myocardium

Simulation-Based Design of Bicuspidization of the Aortic Valve

Objective: Severe congenital aortic valve pathology in the growing patient remains a challenging clinical scenario. Bicuspidization of the diseased aortic valve has proven to be a promising repair technique with acceptable durability. However, most understanding of the procedure is empirical and retrospective. This work seeks to design the optimal gross morphology associated with surgical bicuspidization with simulations, based on the hypothesis that modifications to the free edge length cause or relieve stenosis. Methods: Model bicuspid valves were constructed with varying free edge lengths and gross morphology. Fluid-structure interaction simulations were conducted in a single patient-specific model geometry. The models were evaluated for primary targets of stenosis and regurgitation. Secondary targets were assessed and included qualitative hemodynamics, geometric height, effective height, orifice area and prolapse. Results: Stenosis decreased with increasing free edge length and was pronounced with free edge length less than or equal to 1.3 times the annular diameter d. With free edge length 1.5d or greater, no stenosis occurred. All models were free of regurgitation. Substantial prolapse occurred with free edge length greater than or equal to 1.7d. Conclusions: Free edge length greater than or equal to 1.5d was required to avoid aortic stenosis in simulations. Cases with free edge length greater than or equal to 1.7d showed excessive prolapse and other changes in gross morphology. Cases with free edge length 1.5-1.6d have a total free edge length approximately equal to the annular circumference and appeared optimal. These effects should be studied in vitro and in animal studies

R125H, W240S, C386R, and V507I SLC4A11 mutations associated with corneal endothelial dystrophy affect the transporter function but not trafficking in PS120 cells

SLC4A11 mutations are associated with Fuchs’ endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD), congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy (CHED) and Harboyan syndrome (endothelial dystrophy with auditory deficiency). Mice with genetically ablated Slc4a11 recapitulate CHED, exhibiting significant corneal edema and altered endothelial morphology. We recently demonstrated that SLC4A11 functions as an NH3 sensitive, electrogenic H+ transporter. Here, we investigated the properties of five clinically relevant SLC4A11 mutants: R125H, W240S, C386R, V507I and N693A, relative to wild type, expressed in a PS120 fibroblast cell line. The effect of these mutations on the NH4Cl-dependent transporter activity was investigated by intracellular pH and electrophysiology measurements. Relative to plasma membrane expression of NaK ATPase, there were no significant differences in plasma membrane SLC4A11 expression among each mutant and wild type. All mutants revealed a marked decrease in acidification in response to NH4Cl when compared to wild type, indicating a decreased H+ permeability in mutants. All mutants exhibited significantly reduced H+ currents at negative holding potentials as compared to wild type. Uniquely, the C386R and W240S mutants exhibited a different inward current profile upon NH4Cl challenges, suggesting an altered transport mode. Thus, our data suggest that these SLC4A11 mutants, rather than having impaired protein trafficking, show altered H+ flux properties

Sublethal concentrations of 17-AAG suppress homologous recombination DNA repair and enhance sensitivity to carboplatin and olaparib in HR proficient ovarian cancer cells

The promise of PARP-inhibitors(PARPis) in the management of epithelial ovarian cancer(EOC) is tempered by the fact that approximately 50% of patients with homologous recombination (HR)-proficient tumors do not respond well to these agents. Combination of PARPis with agents that inhibit HR may represent an effective strategy to enhance their activity in HR-proficient tumors. Using a bioinformatics approach, we identified that heat shock protein 90 inhibitors(HSP90i) may suppress HR and thus revert HR-proficient to HR-deficient tumors. Analysis of publicly available gene expression data showed that exposure of HR-proficient breast cancer cell lines to HSP90i 17-AAG(17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin) downregulated HR, ATM and Fanconi Anemia pathways. In HR-proficient EOC cells, 17-AAG suppressed HR as assessed using the RAD51 foci formation assay and this was further confirmed using the Direct Repeat-GFP reporter assay. Furthermore, 17-AAG downregulated BRCA1 and/or RAD51 protein levels, and induced significantly more γH2AX activation in combination with olaparib compared to olaparib alone. Finally, sublethal concentrations of 17-AAG sensitized HR-proficient EOC lines to olaparib and carboplatin but did not affect sensitivity of the HR-deficient OVCAR8 line arguing that the 17-AAG mediated sensitization is dependent on suppression of HR. These results provide a preclinical rationale for using a combination of olaparib/17-AAG in HR-proficient EOC

de Sitter String Vacua from Kahler Uplifting

We present a new way to construct de Sitter vacua in type IIB flux compactifications, in which the interplay of the leading perturbative and non-perturbative effects stabilize all moduli in dS vacua at parametrically large volume. Here, the closed string fluxes fix the dilaton and the complex structure moduli while the universal leading perturbative quantum correction to the Kahler potential together with non-perturbative effects stabilize the volume Kahler modulus in a dS_4-vacuum. Since the quantum correction is known exactly and can be kept parametrically small, this construction leads to calculable and explicitly realized de Sitter vacua of string theory with spontaneously broken supersymmetry.Comment: 1+21 pages, 5 figures, LaTeX, uses JHEP3 class, v3: conforms with published versio