Pervasive 2007: It's about the User

Pervasive computing is as much about the user as it is about the technology. So, the Fifth International Conference on Pervasive Computing emphasized desirability rather than just feasibility. Featured themes included user benefits, human-computer interaction, group and social interactions, context awareness, finding and positioning people and objects, and personal privacy.     

Creating a Student Centered Learning Environment at the University of Denver

A team of faculty members at the University of Denver changed the learning environment in key courses in the Department of Engineering from predominately teacher centered to student centered. Through this funded project new grading methods were implemented, classrooms were renovated and wired with studio layouts to facilitate learning, the Engineering Circuits Laboratory was rewired and instrumented for automated data acquisition and reporting, and two new pedagogical approaches were developed. At the onset of the project, six goals were established related to student learning. The introduction of industry standard hardware and software provided students with unprecedented hands‐on experience and project related activities stimulated faculty innovations in other current and future courses. Assessment results indicate that the new grading system improved the clarity of expectations for students before assignments were given resulting in increased reported motivation for learning in many courses. Even though course GPAs did not always reflect higher achievement on graded work, faculty members firmly believe that deeper understanding was achieved because more complex material was assimilated.     

Child custody mediation and litigation: Parents' satisfaction and functioning one year after settlement.

A 1-yr follow-up study was conducted on families randomly assigned to settle custody disputes either in mediation or through adversary procedures. Consistent with Time 1 reports, at Time 2 fathers who mediated were substantially more satisfied than were fathers who litigated. Fathers who mediated also complied more with child support orders. Contrary to prediction, the greater satisfaction and compliance of fathers did not lead to increased satisfaction among mothers who mediated. In contrast to Time 1, at follow-up mothers who mediated were significantly less satisfied than were mothers who litigated, but selective attrition may account for these differences. The psychological adjustment of mothers and fathers was not significantly different between settlement groups at Time 2, but mothers in both groups reported less satisfaction with dispute settlement and less dysphoria at Time 2 than they had reported at Time 1. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Docosahexaenoic acid in developing brain and retina of piglets fed high or low α-linolenate formula with and without fish oil

Docosahexaenoic acid (22∶6n−3) can be synthesized in the liver and/or brain from α-linolenic acid (18∶3n−3) and is required in large amounts in structural membranes of developing brain and retina. The adequacy and efficacy of formulas containing 18∶3n−3 and/or fish oil in providing 22∶6n−3 for deposition was investigated in piglets fed formula from birth to 15 days. The test formulas contained high (HL) or low (LL) 18∶3n−3 (3.9 or 0.7% of the total formula fatty acids, respectively), or low 18∶3n−3 plus fish oil (LL+FO) to provide C₂₀ and C₂₂ n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (0.8% of total fatty acids). Fatty acid analyses of synaptic plasma membrane and retina ethanolamine phospholipids (EPL), which are especially enriched in 22∶6n−3, were compared to those of 15-day-old piglets fed sow milk (SM). Feeding LL resulted in lower 22∶6n−3 in synaptic plasma membrane. Fatty acid levels in HL and LL+FO piglets were equivalent to SM, with the exception of lower 22∶5n−3 in the synaptic plasma membrane of LL+FO and in the retina of HL and LL+FO-fed piglets. Levels of 22∶4n−6 were also lower in the retina of the LL+FO group. The results suggest formula 18∶3n−3 is at least 24% as effective as C₂₀ and C₂₂ n−3 fatty acids as a source of membrane 22∶6n−3. This study shows dietary 18∶3n−3, as the only n−3 fatty acid, can support deposition of comparable percentage of 22∶6n−3 to natural milk. Fish oil also supported tissue levels of 22∶6n−3 similar to natural milk; however, lower 22∶4n−6 may indicate possible inhibitory effects on n−6 metabolism. Recipient of the 1967 Science and Engineering Scholarship, Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada.     

The territory ahead for multicultural competence: The "spinning" of racism.

Multicultural competence has become a mainstay within the training of professional psychologists, yet important areas within this framework remain to be more fully addressed. In particular, the dynamics of contemporary forms of racism have largely gone unexplored, depriving psychologists of clear direction in exploring the deepest levels of racist influences in their work. This qualitative analysis sought to shed light into this area by studying White people's experiences of race and racism. Although most affirmed the existence of racism, it was "spun" by most White participants--in other words, interpreted to their own advantage-into a problem that lies outside the scope of their own lives and responsibilities. Implications and resources for the practice and training of professional psychologists are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

LncRNA H19 Impairs Chemo and Radiotherapy in Tumorigenesis

Various treatments based on drug administration and radiotherapy have been devoted to preventing, palliating, and defeating cancer, showing high efficiency against the progression of this disease. Recently, in this process, malignant cells have been found which are capable of triggering specific molecular mechanisms against current treatments, with negative consequences in the prognosis of the disease. It is therefore fundamental to understand the underlying mechanisms, including the genes—and their signaling pathway regulators—involved in the process, in order to fight tumor cells. Long non-coding RNAs, H19 in particular, have been revealed as powerful protective factors in various types of cancer. However, they have also evidenced their oncogenic role in multiple carcinomas, enhancing tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. In this review, we analyze the role of lncRNA H19 impairing chemo and radiotherapy in tumorigenesis, including breast cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, glioma, and colorectal carcinoma.     

Failure Analysis of Fan Motor Shafts of a Tunnel Dryer

This article details the analysis of two conducting shafts operating on blowers of a tunnel dryer. A deductive analysis was applied looking toward a successful recognition of root cause(s), where based on knowledge of background, and failure characteristics, multiple hypothesis are exposed that are further confirmed or rejected according to different tests, material analysis or maintenance history. In both shafts, failure arises from inadequate repairing. In order to confirm this, the failure analysis methodology included the following steps: technical review, visual inspection, fractography, penetrating inks, metallography, optic microscopy and stress analysis. Evidence obtained through these techniques indicates a fatigue failure induced by inadequate repairing procedures; therefore, main recommendation is to take the necessary precautions in order to guarantee minimal alterations on shaft geometry or material microstructure.