Kettering University

About: Kettering University is a education organization based out in Flint, Michigan, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: RNA & Antigen. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 7689 publications receiving 337503 citations. The organization is also known as: GMI Engineering & Management Institute & General Motors Institute.

Spectroscopic analysis of bacteriochlorophylls in vitro and in vivo

Abstract: — Chromatophores from Rhodopseudonionas spheroides were treated with potassium iridic chloride so as to destroy the major complement of bacteriochlorophyll (BChl) without harming the photochemically active P870. A band at 802 mμ, attributed to a pigment P800, survived this treatment along with P870. Extraction of such chromatophores with a mixture of acetone and methanol removed the absorption bands of P800 and P870; a corresponding amount of BChl was found in the extract. The yield of BChl was too great to have been derived from either P800 or P870 alone; analysis of extinction cofficients and band areas of these pigments indicates that they are both specialized fornis of BChl, in a molecular ratio of 2P800:1P870. Bleaching of P870, without attenuation of the absorption band of P800, could be effected by adding potassium ferricyanide to the iridic chloride-treated chromatophores. Extraction of chromatophores in this condition gave a reduced yield of BChl, consistent with a 2:1 ratio of P800 to P870 under the assumption that the BChl in the extract was derived in this case from P800 alone. An absorption band at 600 mμ in iridic chloride-treated chromatophores, characteristic of BChl and ascribed to P800 and P870, is partly bleached and shifted to shoiter wavelengths upon illumination. This reversible effect, and a similar one near 375 mμ (corresponding to the Soret band maximum of BChl), has the combined attributes of the blue-shift of P800 and the bleaching of P870 seen in a spectrally resolved form near 800 and 865 mμ respectively. The 600 mμ band is bleached by about 30 per cent, again consistent with a ratio of 2P800:1P870. These data, in conjunction with information published elsewhere, support the view that two molecules of P800 and one of P870 are associated jointly with a photosynthetic reaction center. It was observed that the long wave absorption bands of BChl in vivo are sometimes narrower than the narrowest bands that have been observed for BChl in dilute organic solutions. Sharpness of these bands is most conspicuous in some forms absorbing near 800 mμ.

Does academic dishonesty relate to unethical behavior in professional practice? An exploratory study

Abstract: Previous research indicates that students in engineering self-report cheating in college at higher rates than those in most other disciplines. Prior work also suggests that participation in one deviant behavior is a reasonable predictor of future deviant behavior. This combination of factors leads to a situation where engineering students who frequently participate in academic dishonesty are more likely to make unethical decisions in professional practice. To investigate this scenario, we propose the hypotheses that (1) there are similarities in the decision-making processes used by engineering students when considering whether or not to participate in academic and professional dishonesty, and (2) prior academic dishonesty by engineering students is an indicator of future decisions to act dishonestly. Our sample consisted of undergraduate engineering students from two technically-oriented private universities. As a group, the sample reported working full-time an average of six months per year as professionals in addition to attending classes during the remaining six months. This combination of both academic and professional experience provides a sample of students who are experienced in both settings. Responses to open-ended questions on an exploratory survey indicate that students identify common themes in describing both temptations to cheat or to violate workplace policies and factors which caused them to hesitate in acting unethically, thus supporting our first hypothesis and laying the foundation for future surveys having forced-choice responses. As indicated by the responses to forced-choice questions for the engineering students surveyed, there is a relationship between self-reported rates of cheating in high school and decisions to cheat in college and to violate workplace policies; supporting our second hypothesis. Thus, this exploratory study demonstrates connections between decision-making about both academic and professional dishonesty. If better understood, these connections could lead to practical approaches for encouraging ethical behavior in the academic setting, which might then influence future ethical decision-making in workplace settings.

Gastroenteropancreatic high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma.

Abstract: Gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine neoplasms are classified as low-grade, intermediate-grade, and high-grade tumors based on morphologic criteria and the proliferation rate. Most studies have been conducted in patients with well differentiated (low-grade to intermediate-grade) neuroendocrine tumors. Data are substantially scarcer on poorly differentiated, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), which includes the entities of small cell carcinoma and large cell NEC. A literature search of GEP-NEC was performed. Long-term survival was poor even among patients who presented with localized disease. Several studies highlighted heterogeneity within the high-grade NEC category and a need for the further identification of discreet prognostic and predictive groups. Tumors with a Ki-67 proliferation index <55% were less responsive to platinum-based chemotherapy, and patients with such tumors or with well differentiated morphology had better survival than patients who had tumors with poorly differentiated morphology or a higher Ki-67 index. Treatment options beyond platinum-based chemotherapy are emerging. A revision of the World Health Organization high-grade NEC classification seems to be necessary based on recent data. Platinum-based chemotherapy may not be the optimal treatment for patients who have GEP-NEC with a moderately high proliferation rate. Adequate diagnostic and prognostic stratifications constitute the basis for future progress.