Attitudes about Inclusion: Through the Lens of Practitioners and Novices

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of preservice and inservice education students, towards inclusion in school settings. Graduate students working on their New York State teacher certification in early childhood special education (n= 152) completed a survey, Attitudes Toward Inclusion. The survey addressed the following: attitudes towards various disabilities; perceptions of preparedness to modify instruction for students with disabilities and to meet their needs; willingness to include students with more severe disabilities in their classrooms; placement issues; and impact on general education students. The findings revealed three major themes: 1) inclusion for some students with special needs, as long as their disabilities are not severe; 2) social and learning benefits of inclusion; and 3) successful inclusion requires leadership and support. Recommendations for teacher preparation and program implementation are provided

A Three Monoclonal Antibody Combination Potently Neutralizes Multiple Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E Subtypes.

Human botulism is most commonly caused by botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) serotypes A, B, and E. For this work, we sought to develop a human monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based antitoxin capable of binding and neutralizing multiple subtypes of BoNT/E. Libraries of yeast-displayed single chain Fv (scFv) antibodies were created from the heavy and light chain variable region genes of humans immunized with pentavalent-toxoid- and BoNT/E-binding scFv isolated by Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting (FACS). A total of 10 scFv were isolated that bound one or more BoNT/E subtypes with nanomolar-level equilibrium dissociation constants (KD). By diversifying the V-regions of the lead mAbs and selecting for cross-reactivity, we generated three scFv that bound all four BoNT/E subtypes tested at three non-overlapping epitopes. The scFvs were converted to IgG that had KD values for the different BoNT/E subtypes ranging from 9.7 nM to 2.28 pM. An equimolar combination of the three mAbs was able to potently neutralize BoNT/E1, BoNT/E3, and BoNT/E4 in a mouse neutralization assay. The mAbs have potential utility as therapeutics and as diagnostics capable of recognizing multiple BoNT/E subtypes. A derivative of the three-antibody combination (NTM-1633) is in pre-clinical development with an investigational new drug (IND) application filing expected in 2018

Flickering in FU Orionis

We analyze new and published optical photometric data of FU Orionis, an eruptive pre-main sequence star. The outburst consists of a 5.5 mag rise at B with an e-folding timescale of roughly 50 days. The rates of decline at B and V are identical, 0.015 +- 0.001 mag per yr. Random fluctuations superimposed on this decline have an amplitude of 0.035 +- 0.005 mag at V and occur on timescales of 1 day or less. Correlations between V and the color indices U-B, B-V, and V-R indicate that the variable source has the optical colors of a G0 supergiant. We associate this behavior with small amplitude flickering of the inner accretion disk.Comment: 19 pages of text, 3 tables, and 6 figures to be published in the Astrophysical Journal, 10 March 200

Morfología y dimensiones lineales de la sínfisis mandibular en sujetos de diferentes clases esqueléticas 2016

Objetivo: Comparar la morfología y dimensiones lineales de la sínfisis mandibular en sujetos con diferentes clases esqueléticas. Trujillo- 2016 Pacientes y métodos: El estudio; Retrospectivo, transversal y comparativo. Se trabajó con 90 radiografías cefalométricas, usando el método de selección no probabilísticos: por convencía a quienes se realizó trazos lineales para estudiar la morfología y dimensiones lineales de la sínfisis mandibular en sujetos de diferentes clases esqueléticas. 2016 Se realizó el análisis de varianza (ANOVA), posteriormente se aplicaron las pruebas no paramétricas Kruskal Wallis y U de Mann- Whitney. Se consideró un nivel de significancia del 5%. Resultados: Los resultados muestran que si existe una correlación entre la morfología y dimensiones lineales de la sínfisis mandibular entre sujetos con diferentes clases esqueléticas. Estadísticamente las diferencias son significativas en las medidas lineales en los siguientes parámetros del punto Id-B, B-Pg, Pg-Me, la perpendicular Pg a B-Me y el área. No se encontró diferencias de la sínfisis mandibular en la medida lineal del punto Id-Me. Conclusión: En la clase I las mediciones lineales y el área fue significativamente mayor que en la Clase II (excepto en la medida lineal: Pog—Me, que fue menor) En la clase II, las mediciones lineales y el área fueron menores que las de Clase I y Clase III. En la clase III las mediciones lineales y el área fueron significativamente mayores a las de la Clase I y Clase II. En cuanto a la longitud de la sínfisis mandibular, no existe diferencia significativa entre las diferentes Clases I, II III.Objective: To compare the morphology and linear dimensions of the mandibular symphysis in subjects with different skeletal classes. Trujillo- 2016 Patients and methods: The study; Retrospective, cross-sectional and comparative. We used 90 cephalometric radiographs, using the non-probabilistic selection method: by convincing those who performed linear traces to study the morphology and linear dimensions of the mandibular symphysis in subjects of different skeletal classes. 2016 The analysis of variance (ANOVA) .Then applying non-parametric Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were applied. A significance level of 5% was considered. Results: The results show that there is a correlation between the morphology and linear dimensions of the mandibular symphysis between subjects with different skeletal classes. Statistically the differences are significant in the linear measurements in the following parameters of the point Id-B, B-Pg, Pg-Me, the perpendicular Pg to B-Me and the area. No differences were found in the mandibular symphysis in the linear measurement of the Id-Me point. Conclusion: In class I linear measurements and area were significantly higher than in Class II (except in the linear measure: Pog-Me, which was lower). In class II, linear measurements and area were smaller than Of Class I and Class III. In class III linear measurements and area were significantly higher than those of Class I and Class II. As to the length of the mandibular symphysis, there is no significant difference between the different Classes I, II III.Tesi

A cross-sectional assessment of metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected people of low socioeconomic status receiving antiretroviral therapy

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of symptoms used as a measure to identify patients at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and all-cause mortality. The results of prolonged life expectancy and cumulative toxic effects of antiretroviral therapy increase the chance that HIV can cause clinical abnormalities, including MetS. METHODS: We evaluated 89 people living with HIV (PLWH; mean age 48 ± 7 years; mean duration of HIV infection 17 ± 12 years; 47% men; 66% African-American, 22% Hispanic, and 10% non-Hispanic white; and 84% unemployed) enrolled in a community-based exercise training and nutrition education program targeting individuals of low socio-economic status (SES). The prevalence of MetS characteristics and the factors associated with the presence of MetS were analyzed. RESULTS: One in three (33%; 12 men and 17 women) PLWH met ATPIII criteria for MetS. In our cohort, MetS was driven by high waist circumference and elevated blood pressure. In addition, higher use of protease inhibitors, elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), greater self-reported daily caloric intake and consumption of carbohydrates, sugar, added sugar, and higher glycemic load were found among the individuals with MetS, compared to those without it. Elevated HbA1c and high total sugar consumption were the strongest predictors and accounted for 30% of the occurrence of MetS. CONCLUSIONS: The overall prevalence of MetS in our PLWH cohort receiving antiretroviral therapy is higher than previously reported in the general population and in other PLWH cohorts. Additional work is needed to determine whether MetS is a more disease dependent or lifestyle dependent condition in PLWH

Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratios as Prognostic Inflammatory Biomarkers in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), and HIV/HCV Coinfection.

Background:Inflammation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients is associated with poorer health outcomes. Whether inflammation as measured by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) adds information to existing prognostic indices is not known. Methods:We analyzed data from 2000 to 2012 in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS), overall and stratified by HIV/hepatitis C virus status (n = 89 786). We randomly selected a visit date at which all laboratory values of interest were available within 180 days; participants with HIV received at least 1 year of antiretroviral therapy. We followed patients for (1) mortality and (2) hepatic decompensation (HD) and analyzed associations using Cox regression, adjusted for a validated mortality risk index (VACS Index 2.0). In VACS Biomarker Cohort, we considered correlation with biomarkers of inflammation: interleukin-6, D-dimer, and soluble CD-14. Results:Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and PLR demonstrated strong unadjusted associations with mortality (P < .0001) and HD (P < .0001) and were weakly correlated with other inflammatory biomarkers. Although NLR remained statistically independent for mortality, as did PLR for HD, the addition of NLR and PLR to the VACS Index 2.0 did not result in significant improvement in discrimination compared with VACS Index 2.0 alone for mortality (C-statistic 0.767 vs 0.758) or for HD (C-statistic 0.805 vs 0.801). Conclusions:Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and PLR were strongly associated with mortality and HD and weakly correlated with inflammatory biomarkers. However, most of their association was explained by VACS Index 2.0. Addition of NLR and PLR to VACS 2.0 did not substantially improve discrimination for either outcome

HIV RNA, CD4+ Percentage, and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Cirrhosis Status.

BackgroundDespite increasing incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among HIV-infected patients, it remains unclear if HIV-related factors contribute to development of HCC. We examined if higher or prolonged HIV viremia and lower CD4+ cell percentage were associated with HCC.MethodsWe conducted a cohort study of HIV-infected individuals who had HIV RNA, CD4+, and CD8+ cell counts and percentages assessed in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (1999-2015). HCC was ascertained using Veterans Health Administration cancer registries and electronic records. Cox regression was used to determine hazard ratios (HR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) of HCC associated with higher current HIV RNA, longer duration of detectable HIV viremia (≥500 copies/mL), and current CD4+ cell percentage less than 14%, adjusting for traditional HCC risk factors. Analyses were stratified by previously validated diagnoses of cirrhosis prior to start of follow-up.ResultsAmong 35 659 HIV-infected patients, 302 (0.8%) developed HCC over 281 441 person-years (incidence rate = 107.3 per 100 000 person-years). Among patients without baseline cirrhosis, higher HIV RNA (HR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.40, per 1.0 log10 copies/mL) and 12 or more months of detectable HIV (HR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.02 to 2.11) were independently associated with higher risk of HCC. CD4+ percentage less than 14% was not associated with HCC in any model. Hepatitis C coinfection was a statistically significant predictor of HCC regardless of baseline cirrhosis status.ConclusionAmong HIV-infected patients without baseline cirrhosis, higher HIV RNA and longer duration of HIV viremia increased risk of HCC, independent of traditional HCC risk factors. This is the strongest evidence to date that HIV viremia contributes to risk of HCC in this group

Aplicación de la entropía de Boltzmann en la dinámica cultural de un sistema tipo Axelrod modificado

En el presente trabajo se hace el estudio de la dinámica de un sistema intercultural bajo el modelo de Axelrod modificado aplicando la entropía de Boltzmann, como una forma de medida de la diversidad cultural del sistema, al presentar una transición de fase desde una dinámica cultural homogénea a una heterogénea donde la diversidad cultural alcanza un valor que no excede el valor máximo de la diversidad cultural. En el proceso de estudio se ha evidenciado el comportamiento del sistema bajo las propiedades de emergencia y autoorganización como formas de expresión dinámica de su comportamiento complejo enmarcado dentro de una lógica dialógica de unidad y lucha de contrarios de categorías, que si bien se puede entender como inconexas se entrelazan coherentemente en todo el proceso dinámico interactivo, produciendo la propiedad de no centralidad cultural como contenido dinámico del sistema intercultural. Lo que implica que la dinámica cultural presenta una dialéctica: estabilidad global e inestabilidad puntual