A Teacher’s Use of Video to Train Paraprofessionals in Pivotal Response Techniques

Research has shown that students with moderate-severe disabilities need direct and frequent social instruction in order to communicate and play with their peers. At the same time, there is little commensurate support for the paraprofessionals tasked with providing this support. It is imperative, then, that paraprofessionals have effective strategies in their repertoire of practices to facilitate social interaction. This investigation examined one classroom teacher\u27s use of video to train two paraprofessionals in Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT), an evidence based practice for students with autism. Findings suggest that the teacher-provided video training was effective in improving paraprofessionals’ PRT implementation, and subsequently, the social interactions of their students with disabilities other than autism, namely cerebral palsy and Down\u27s syndrome. Findings along with future directions for video-based training in the school setting are discussed

A Novel Method for the Production of Potentially Therapeutic Human Monoclonal Antibodies in vitro

We have developed a novel approach for the production of potentially therapeutic human monoclonal antibodies in vitro. This method holds great promise for generating therapeutic antibodies against infectious disease, cancer, and inflammation. The complex nature of current methods for producing human monoclonal antibodies is a major impediment to large scale passive transfer immunotherapy. Our novel technique utilizes Epstein-Barr virus immortalized tonsil or peripheral blood B cells from healthy human volunteers. These B cells are forced to undergo non-specific differentiation to become mature IgG antibody producing plasma like cells that continuously proliferate in vitro. Using this method, millions of transformed B cells can be generated and screened for production of antibodies of desired specificity. Optimization of EBV infection, reaching nearly 100%, was achieved by combining viral concentration, using centrifugal ultrafiltration with spinfection . This allowed for transformation of the largest possible B cell repertoire from human tonsil samples, a rich source of B cells. EBY immortalized tonsil B cells were forced to undergo differentiation into IgG secreting plasma like cells through addition of anti-Igm (Fab\u27)2, Interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-6 or anti-IgM (Fab\u27)2, soluble CD40L and BAFF once a week for three weeks. We hypothesized that anti-IgM (Fab\u27)2 would mimic antigen activation of the BCR and CD40L would mimic T cell costimulation. ELISA analysis of supematants from the immortalized cells indicated that we efficiently induced immunoglobulin isotype class switching from IgM to IgG after several weeks, and that the transformed B cells continued to secrete IgG for months in vitro. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that IgG secreting immortalized B cells have a differentiated surface expression phenotype that resembles plasma cells. We are currently applying this differentiation method to produce therapeutic and diagnostic antibodies against avian influenza virus hemagglutinin (H5 HA). EBY immortalized tonsil and peripheral blood B cells produced IgG antibodies specific for H5 HA. Overall, the results indicate that differentiation of immortalized human B cells can be influenced in vitro, with the ultimate purpose of exploiting their therapeutic potential

The Rapidly Flaring Afterglow of the Very Bright and Energetic GRB 070125

We report on multi-wavelength observations, ranging from the X-ray to radio wave bands, of the IPN-localized gamma-ray burst GRB 070125. Spectroscopic observations reveal the presence of absorption lines due to O I, Si II, and C IV, implying a likely redshift of z = 1.547. The well-sampled light curves, in particular from 0.5 to 4 days after the burst, suggest a jet break at 3.7 days, corresponding to a jet opening angle of ~7.0 degrees, and implying an intrinsic GRB energy in the 1 - 10,000 keV band of around E = (6.3 - 6.9)x 10^(51) erg (based on the fluences measured by the gamma-ray detectors of the IPN network). GRB 070125 is among the brightest afterglows observed to date. The spectral energy distribution implies a host extinction of Av < 0.9 mag. Two rebrightening episodes are observed, one with excellent time coverage, showing an increase in flux of 56% in ~8000 seconds. The evolution of the afterglow light curve is achromatic at all times. Late-time observations of the afterglow do not show evidence for emission from an underlying host galaxy or supernova. Any host galaxy would be subluminous, consistent with current GRB host-galaxy samples. Evidence for strong Mg II absorption features is not found, which is perhaps surprising in view of the relatively high redshift of this burst and the high likelihood for such features along GRB-selected lines of sight.Comment: 50 pages, 9 figures, 5 tables Accepted to the Astrophysical Journa

Binding of Soluble Yeast β-Glucan to Human Neutrophils and Monocytes is Complement-Dependent

The immunomodulatory properties of yeast β-1,3/1,6 glucans are mediated through their ability to be recognized by human innate immune cells. While several studies have investigated binding of opsonized and unopsonized particulate β-glucans to human immune cells mainly via complement receptor 3 (CR3) or Dectin-1, few have focused on understanding the binding characteristics of soluble β-glucans. Using a well-characterized, pharmaceutical grade, soluble yeast β-glucan, this study evaluated and characterized the binding of soluble β-glucan to human neutrophils and monocytes. The results demonstrated that soluble β-glucan bound to both human neutrophils and monocytes in a concentration-dependent and receptor-specific manner. Antibodies blocking the CD11b and CD18 chains of CR3 significantly inhibited binding to both cell types, establishing CR3 as the key receptor recognizing the soluble β-glucan in these cells. Binding of soluble β-glucan to human neutrophils and monocytes required serum and was also dependent on incubation time and temperature, strongly suggesting that binding was complement-mediated. Indeed, binding was reduced in heat-inactivated serum, or in serum treated with methylamine or in serum reacted with the C3-specific inhibitor compstatin. Opsonization of soluble β-glucan was demonstrated by detection of iC3b, the complement opsonin on β-glucan-bound cells, as well as by the direct binding of iC3b to β-glucan in the absence of cells. Binding of β-glucan to cells was partially inhibited by blockade of the alternative pathway of complement, suggesting that the C3 activation amplification step mediated by this pathway also contributed to binding

The effect of motion on the perception of material appearance

We analyze the effect of motion in the perception of material appearance. First, we create a set of stimuli containing 72 realistic materials, rendered with varying degrees of linear motion blur. Then we launch a large-scale study on Mechanical Turk to rate a given set of perceptual attributes, such as brightness, roughness, or the perceived strength of reflections. Our statistical analysis shows that certain attributes undergo a significant change, varying appearance perception under motion. In addition, we further investigate the perception of brightness, for the particular cases of rubber and plastic materials. We create new stimuli, with ten different luminance levels and seven motion degrees. We launch a new user study to retrieve their perceived brightness. From the users'' judgements, we build two-dimensional maps showing how perceived brightness varies as a function of the luminance and motion of the material

Objectively measured physical activity and academic performance in school-aged youth: The UP&DOWN longitudinal study

To examine the longitudinal relationships between objectively measured total volume and specific intensities of physical activity (PA) with academic performance in a large sample of youth aged 6-18 years. A longitudinal study of 1046 youth (10.04 +/- 3.10 years) from Spain was followed over 2 years. PA (volume and intensity) was measured by accelerometry. Academic performance was assessed through grades reported on the transcript at the end of the academic year (Mathematics, Language, an average of these two core subjects, and grade point average [GPA]). Longitudinal relationships between PA and four indicators of academic performance were examined using covariance and regression analyses, adjusted for a variety of confounders. Youth Quartile 2 for PA volume at baseline obtained better scores than those who participated in Quartiles 1 or 4 volumes of PA in GPA 2 years later (p = 0.006). There were generally no longitudinal associations between specific PA intensities and any of the academic performance indicators (all p > 0.170). However, a change in light PA over 2 years was inversely associated with three academic indicators in youth (beta(range), -.103 to - 090; all P < 040). Findings suggest that participants in Quartile 2 volume of PA had a better GPA in comparison with Quartiles 1 and 4 volumes of PA during youth, but there was no association with changes in PA volume over time. PA intensity was generally unrelated to academic performance during youth. However, there was an inverted u-shape relationship between light PA changes and GPA.The authors gratefully acknowledge the youth, parents, and teachers who participated in this study. The UP&DOWN Study was supported by the DEP 2010-21662-C04-00 grant from the National Plan for Research, Development, and Innovation (R + D + i) MICINN. DM--G is supported by a 'Ramon y Cajal' contract (RYC--2016--20546). IE--C is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (RTI2018-095284-J-100). AM--M was a recipient of a Jose Castillejo Fellowship from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities (CAS19/00265). JS is supported by a Leadership Level 2 Fellowship, National Health and Medical Research Council Australia (APP 1176885). This research was partially funded by "Convocatoria extraordinaria de ayudas a la investigacion. Preparacion, ejecucion y transferencia de conocimiento (convocatoria 2020) de l'Institut de Recerca i Innovacio Educativa (IRIE)"

Expressions 2006

https://openspace.dmacc.edu/expressions/1041/thumbnail.jp

Multivariate Examination of Metabolic Contributions to Beef Longissimus Lumborum Flavor

We examined the impact of muscle metabolic capacity on beef longissimus lumborum flavor. Beef carcasses were selected to have normal or dark cutting lean color (n=160, each) and aged until 13 d postmortem. Muscle pH, glycolytic potential, mitochondrial DNA copy number, instrumental lean color, myoglobin concentration, carbonyls on sarcoplasmic proteins, initial metmyoglobin formation, bloom, proximate composition, slice shear force, sarcomere length, desmin degradation, overall tenderness, juiciness, and flavor profile were determined. Carcasses were clustered based on metabolic characteristics into dark cutting classes (Control, Shady, Moderate, and Severe), which were compared using analysis of variance and multiple factor analysis. Clusters were in general, but not complete, agreement with classifications based on muscle pH. Multiple factor analysis produced 2 dimensions that explained 30.8% and 13.8% of the variation, respectively. Dimension 1 had strong negative loadings for muscle pH and strong positive loadings for glycolytic potential, L*, a*, b*, initial metmyoglobin formation, and bloom. Ratings for fat-like, overall sweet, sweet, and musty/earthy/humus had relatively weak positive loadings for dimension 1, whereas salt, sour, and metallic ratings had weak negative loadings for dimension 1. Overall tenderness and juiciness ratings, marbling score, intramuscular lipid content, carbonyls on sarcoplasmic proteins, and L* had positive loadings for dimension 2. Ratings for fat-like, beef flavor identity, and brown/roasted had positive loadings for dimension 2, and intramuscular moisture content, slice shear force, and mitochondrial copy number had negative loadings. Sample scores stratified dark cutting clusters along dimension 1, which agreed with univariate comparisons for these traits. Sample scores for dimension 2 were greater for Moderate and Control steaks than for Shady steaks. These data indicate that clustering was effective in segmenting them into groupings more indicative of the metabolic machinery than pH alone. Moreover, the semetabolic differences influenced animal variation in beef flavor profile