U.S. Case Law and Legal Precedent Affirming the Due Process Rights of Immigrants Fleeing Persecution.

PubMed

Sidhu, Shawn S; Boodoo, Ramnarine

2017-09-01

The political discourse on domestic immigration policy has shifted rapidly in recent years, mirrored by similar shifts in the geopolitical climate worldwide. However, a nuanced assessment of the legal basis backing such rhetoric is sorely lacking. This article examines the historical, legal, and case law precedent as it pertains specifically to immigrants who are fleeing persecution and residing within the United States. Due process rights emerged from the Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Constitutional Amendments and have been expanded to include this population through several sequential United States Supreme Court Cases. We review the 1951 Convention Related to the Status of Refugees and 1967 Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees and examine subsequent case law and legal precedent. We then present evidence documenting widespread violations of due process rights for immigrants fleeing persecution. Specifically, we address the right to a fair hearing for individuals fearing for their lives upon return to their home country, the right against wrongful detainment, and the right to apply for asylum regardless of religion or country of origin. We conclude by addressing potential counterarguments to our thesis, future directions, and the role of forensic psychiatrists. © 2017 American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law.

Outpatient commitment and procedural due process.

PubMed

Player, Candice Teri-Lowe

2015-01-01

A large empirical literature on Kendra's Law has assessed the impact of court ordered outpatient treatment on outcomes such as treatment adherence, psychiatric hospitalization, quality of life, and treatment costs. Missing from the empirical literature, however, is a better understanding of procedural due process under Kendra's Law. Procedural due process concerns the safeguards that must be in place when governments deprive persons of their liberties, for example--notice, the right to a hearing and the right to appeal. This article reports the findings from a qualitative study of procedural due process and assisted outpatient treatment hearings under Kendra's Law. Attorneys reported significant barriers to effective advocacy on behalf of their clients. Further, despite the shift from a medical model of civil commitment to a judicial model in the 1970s, by and large judges continue to accord great deference to clinical testimony. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

An Issue of Conflicting Rights: Nursing Student Charged with Drug Trafficking.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cullen, Phyllis; And Others

1997-01-01

Outlines a case of a nursing student charged with drug trafficking who was not suspended due to concern over student rights. Reviews case law that would have supported suspension. Advocates clearly defined policies and procedures that ensure due process while allowing for disciplinary action. (SK)

Growth Attenuation and Due Process: "A Response to Gunther and Diekema (2006)"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turnbull, Rud; Wehmeyer, Michael; Turnbull, Ann; Stowe, Matt

2006-01-01

This article presents the authors' response to Gunther and Diekema's argument about growth attenuation and due process. As a case study, growth attenuation raises complicated issues. The authors address some issues that have not been sufficiently addressed. Those involve family support, assistive technology, constitutional rights to "self," the…

Justice for All, All for Justice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolowiec, Jack, Ed.

1993-01-01

This document presents three articles on law-related education (LRE) written either by or for students. Brent Halling, a senior at Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana, opens the collection with an article on how due process protects rights. Halling explains the concept of due process and illustrates its reach through the case of Kenneth…

A Summary of Three Areas of School Law: Students' Rights, Torts, and Teachers' Rights.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Curry, Michael J.

1981-01-01

The intent of this article is to provide working administrators with a synopsis of court cases and legal principles relating to student rights (search and seizure, due process in discipline cases, freedom of expression, exclusion from school); torts (assault, negligence); and teachers' rights (academic freedom, freedom of speech, employee rights).…

38 CFR 3.103 - Procedural due process and appellate rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... right of representation. Proceedings before VA are ex parte in nature, and it is the obligation of VA to... the decision, the right to a hearing on any issue involved in the claim, the right of representation... is deceased. However, in the event that VA has received a death certificate, a terminal hospital...

[Vertebral artery dissection due to the C6 transverse process and laryngeal cartilage associated with vertebral artery anomaly].

PubMed

Kusunoki Nakamoto, Fumiko; Hashimoto Maeda, Meiko; Mori, Kentaro; Hara, Takayuki; Uesaka, Yoshikazu

2014-01-01

A 52-year-old woman complained of the sudden onset of a left temporal headache, left neck stiffness and dizziness. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a high-intensity lesion in the right medial medulla. Dynamic cerebral angiography revealed vertebral artery dissection and compression at the C6 level due to a transverse process at the C6 level associated with rightward head rotation. Removal of bone and decompression of the vertebral artery were performed from the C5 to C6 levels. Intraoperasively, obstruction of blood flow due to a laryngeal cartilage that rotated with the passive rotation of the patient's head to the right was found. To the best of our knowledge this is the first reported case of vertebral artery occlusion due to a laryngeal cartilage associated with head rotation.

Consumer managed care appeals: are the available procedural protections fundamentally fair?

PubMed

Nevers, A H

2000-01-01

Managed care incentives to reduce costs have also resulted in incentives to deny care. Anecdotes concerning managed care denials of care have led to a consumer outcry for protection either through the use of procedural due process or by the establishment of patient rights that would include appeal and grievance protections. This Article reviews the procedural protections of constitutional due process, the Consumer Due Process Protocol, and the Patient Bill of Rights. The Article then extensively discusses the availability of these procedural protections in various public and private forums. The discussion of public forums includes proposals contained in recent national legislative initiatives. The author then reviews relevant federal and state law, as well as Uniform Law proposals. Next, the Article analyzes the protections provided by accreditation agencies, dispute resolution organizations, professional organizations, and health insurers. Finally, the author recommends criteria to be used to determine whether a procedure is fundamentally fair.

34 CFR 300.512 - Hearing rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.512 Hearing rights. (a... 34 Education 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Hearing rights. 300.512 Section 300.512 Education...

Meghan Rene, et al., v. Dr. Suellen Reed, et al. "Due Process." Lesson Plans for Secondary School Teachers on the Constitutional Requirement of "Due Process of Law." Courts in the Classroom: Curriculum Concepts and Other Information on Indiana's Courts for the K-12 Educator.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborn, Elizabeth

In the Rene v. Reed case, Meghan Rene and other disabled students argued that their due process rights were violated in regard to the Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress (ISTEP) graduation examination. This set of four lesson plans uses the case of Rene v. Reed, which was first argued before the Indiana Supreme Court, to study the…

Application of Competency Testing Mandates to Handicapped Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarthy, Martha M.

1983-01-01

The author considers the legality of minimum competency testing diploma requirements applied to the handicapped in light of (1) their constitutional and statutory rights to nondiscriminatory treatment, (2) their statutory right to an appropriate education, and (3) their constitutional right to substantive and procedural due process. (Author/SSH)

The Right to Regulate

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vittek, J. F.

1972-01-01

An introduction to the historical and constitutional framework of industry regulation by local and Federal Governments is presented. Problems of the confiscation of private property without due process, government control and the rights and duties of the regulated industry are discussed.

Will Your Due Process Procedures Keep You Out of Court?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Purtle, John I.

Students do not leave their constitutional rights at the boundary of the school grounds. We would never send anyone to prison without a trial; to a lesser degree, expulsions and suspensions are in the same category. Your due process procedures should at least give a student (1) notice of the charges, (2) opportunity to be heard, and (3)…

Reframing Due Process and Institutional Inertia: A Case Study of an Urban School District

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olivos, Edward M.; Ochoa, Alberto M.

2008-01-01

This article recounts a community's struggle for access to biliteracy in one of the largest urban school districts in the country. The authors examine the roles school personnel assume, the symbols they employ, and the scripts they follow in their efforts to deny English Learners (ELs) access to quality programs and due process of rights. At a…

A Continuing Summary of Pending and Completed Litigation Regarding the Education of Handicapped Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abeson, Alan, Ed.

Reported are summaries of 27 legal cases substantiating the right of handicapped children to equal protection under the law including the right of being provided with an education, and full rights of notice and due process in relation to their selection, placement, and retention in educational programs. Nineteen of the cases concern the right to…

The Courts and Student Rights -- Procedural Matters.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phay, Robert E.

This paper traces the evolution of student rights and the judicial protection of these rights through numerous court cases. The author outlines the minimum standards of due process required in disciplinary proceedings and discusses cases that point up (1) the required specificity of rules on student conduct, (2) the requirements of notice to…

Left Brain/Right Brain Theory: Implications for Developmental Math Instruction.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kitchens, Anita N.; And Others

1991-01-01

Perhaps the most dramatic failure in postsecondary education has been in the teaching of mathematical skills. The different functions of the right and left hemispheres of the brain require different approaches to education. Due to their emphasis on language and verbal processing, schools have failed to give adequate stimulation to the right side…

Balancing Duties and Rights.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McCarthy, Martha M.; Webb, L. Dean

2000-01-01

Schools are legally obligated to protect students from injury, report child abuse, and curtail harassment and hate crimes. Educators' duties to maintain safe school environments often conflict with students' constitutionally protected rights governing expression, appearance, unreasonable searches, and due process regarding zero-tolerance policies…

34 CFR 303.436 - Parental rights in due process hearing proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... process hearing proceedings. (a) General. Each lead agency must ensure that the parents of a child... and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses; (3) Prohibit the introduction of...

34 CFR 303.436 - Parental rights in due process hearing proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... process hearing proceedings. (a) General. Each lead agency must ensure that the parents of a child... and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses; (3) Prohibit the introduction of...

34 CFR 303.436 - Parental rights in due process hearing proceedings.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... process hearing proceedings. (a) General. Each lead agency must ensure that the parents of a child... and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses; (3) Prohibit the introduction of...

Procedural Due Process in Indian Education. Scripts for a Two-Part Filmstrip/Audio Tape Program. Curriculum Bulletin 18.03.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Streiff, Paul R.

In 1974 new sections added to the Code of Federal Regulations and the Indian Affairs Field Manual required the establishment of programs of student rights and responsibilities and due process procedures in schools operated or funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. This two-part filmstrip and audio tape program is designed to assist educators and…

Civil and Constitutional Rights of Adjudicated Youth.

PubMed

Landess, Jacqueline

2016-01-01

Mental health clinicians serving child and adolescent patients are frequently asked to evaluate youth who have been arrested for various offenses or who are otherwise involved with the juvenile justice system. To help orient clinicians and other stakeholders involved with such cases, this article describes the evolution of the juvenile justice system and summarizes the history and current status of the civil and constitutional rights of youth involved in the adjudicatory process. This article also points out key areas in which due process rights are still evolving, particularly in the case of status offenders. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Handicapped.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Osborne, Allan G., Jr.

Litigation of handicapped students' and employees' rights continued at a significant level in 1990. Much of the litigation concerned the provision of an appropriate special education placement, due process rights, and recovery of attorney fees by prevailing parents under the Handicapped Children's Protection Act of 1986. Cases are summarized under…

Student Rights and Responsibilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Today's Education, 1972

1972-01-01

Article summarizes National Education Association pamphlet. As citizens, students should have full protection of Bill of Rights, due process, protection from illegal search or seizure. As clients of institution, should have substantial influence on how institutions affect their lives. Proper disciplinary procedures for minor and major infractions…

Rights and Wrongs...

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Update on the Courts, 1996

1996-01-01

This serial issue concerns itself with several conflicts between individual rights and allegedly wrongful acts that the Supreme Court has not considered previously. The articles on these topics illuminate the constitutional issues of equal protection, due process, and freedom of expression. Specific issues addressed include: (1) equal educational…

Central Asia and the United States 2004-2005: Moving Beyond Counter-Terrorism

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-02-01

rights, including such basic freedoms as the right to due process, freedom of speech , freedom of assembly, and freedom of religious belief. In short...Uzbekistan about freedom of speech , political freedoms, and civil rights as if the country were “a desert in a distant corner of the world.” Karimov asserted

The Youngest Minority: Are They Competent to Waive Their Constitutional Rights?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brewer, Saundra

Although juveniles are not considered criminals, it has been only in the last decade that they have been accorded the constitutional rights to fairness and due process of law accorded to adults - - basic rights guaranteed by the United States Supreme Court decision in the Miranda case. However, since a large proportion of youthful arrestees are of…

FIRE's Guide to Due Process and Fair Procedure on Campus. FIRE's Guides to Student Rights on Campus

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Silverglate, Harvey A.; Gewolb, Josh

2003-01-01

Students should know their rights and liberties, and they need to be better informed and better equipped about how to assert and defend these precious things. The protectors of students' rights and liberties--those faculty, administrators, parents, alumni, friends, citizens, advisors, and attorneys who care about such vital matters--should…

24 CFR 583.300 - General operation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... residents from the elements. (2) Access. The housing must be accessible and capable of being utilized... recipient must provide a formal process that recognizes the rights of individuals receiving assistance to due process of law. This process, at a minimum, must consist of: (1) Written notice to the participant...

34 CFR 300.512 - Hearing rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.512 Hearing rights. (a... counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children...

34 CFR 300.512 - Hearing rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.512 Hearing rights. (a... counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children...

34 CFR 300.512 - Hearing rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.512 Hearing rights. (a... counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children...

34 CFR 300.512 - Hearing rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.512 Hearing rights. (a... counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children...

77 FR 74830 - Request for Comments on a Patent Small Claims Proceeding in the United States

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-18

... agree to waive their right to a jury trial as a condition of participating in a small claims proceeding... powers, the right to a jury trial, and/or due process; (q) Whether the patent small claim proceedings...

Student Relationships Ethical and Legal Implications.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haney, Gerald L.

Due process, legal rights, invasion of privacy, right-to-decide, majorities, minorities, pressure groups, individual egos, domain building, selfishness, ignorance, and incompetency are only a few of the considerations facing educators today. School boards, administrators, teachers, support-personnel, and others who come in contact with student…

Collaboration and the Collective-Bargaining Process in Public Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noggle, Matthew

2010-01-01

In the vast majority of school districts, the collective-bargaining process has evolved little during the past few decades. Teachers unions have successfully represented teachers' economic and job security interests by linking them to collective bargaining and procedural due process rights, but district administrators continue to make the…

Clinical Relevance of Discourse Characteristics after Right Hemisphere Brain Damage

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Blake, Margaret Lehman

2006-01-01

Purpose: Discourse characteristics of adults with right hemisphere brain damage are similar to those reported for healthy older adults, prompting the question of whether changes are due to neurological lesions or normal aging processes. The clinical relevance of potential differences across groups was examined through ratings by speech-language…

Pupils

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Garber, Lee O.; Seitz, Reynolds C.

1971-01-01

Discusses recent court litigation concerning legal rights and responsibilities of pupils covering procedural due process, grooming and appearance, regulation of speech and publications, liability for pupil injuries, and racial integration. (JF)

Neural correlates of combinatorial semantic processing of literal and figurative noun noun compound words.

PubMed

Forgács, Bálint; Bohrn, Isabel; Baudewig, Jürgen; Hofmann, Markus J; Pléh, Csaba; Jacobs, Arthur M

2012-11-15

The right hemisphere's role in language comprehension is supported by results from several neuropsychology and neuroimaging studies. Special interest surrounds right temporoparietal structures, which are thought to be involved in processing novel metaphorical expressions, primarily due to the coarse semantic coding of concepts. In this event related fMRI experiment we aimed at assessing the extent of semantic distance processing in the comprehension of figurative meaning to clarify the role of the right hemisphere. Four categories of German noun noun compound words were presented in a semantic decision task: a) conventional metaphors; b) novel metaphors; c) conventional literal, and; d) novel literal expressions, controlled for length, frequency, imageability, arousal, and emotional valence. Conventional literal and metaphorical compounds increased BOLD signal change in right temporoparietal regions, suggesting combinatorial semantic processing, in line with the coarse semantic coding theory, but at odds with the graded salience hypothesis. Both novel literal and novel metaphorical expressions increased activity in left inferior frontal areas, presumably as a result of phonetic, morphosyntactic, and semantic unification processes, challenging predictions regarding right hemispheric involvement in processing unusual meanings. Meanwhile, both conventional and novel metaphorical expressions induced BOLD signal change in left hemispherical regions, suggesting that even novel metaphor processing involves more than linking semantically distant concepts. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paradoxical Cross-Over Due to Attention to High or Low Spatial Frequencies

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Niemeier, Matthias; Stojanoski, Boge; Singh, Vaughan W. A.; Chu, Eddie

2008-01-01

The mechanisms underlying the right hemisphere's dominance for spatial and attentional functions lacks a comprehensively explanation. For example, perceptual biases, as observed in line bisection and related tasks, might be caused by an attentional asymmetry or by perceptual processes such as a specialization of the left and right hemisphere for…

Racial Equality. To Protect These Rights Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDonald, Laughlin

A historical review of racial discrimination against Negroes is the scope of this volume, part of a series of six volumes which explore the basic American rights. These include due process of law, freedom of speech and religious freedom. This volume traces the development of racial equality in the legal system, explores the controversies and…

Managing Democracy in the Workplace for Sustainable Productivity in Nigeria

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Arikpo, Arikpo B.; Etor, Robert B.; Usang, Ewa

2007-01-01

Democracy engenders freedom for all, human rights, participation based on equality, shared values, the rule of law, due process, good governance and transparency. In the workplace, it would include freedom of expression, association, participation, access to available information and the right of workers to understand what goes on where they work.…

36 CFR 404.4 - Access to information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... to the person making the request shall include the names of the individuals who participated in the...; (iii) The loss of substantial due process rights; or (iv) A matter of widespread and exceptional media... making the request if the request cannot be processed within the time limit specified in paragraph (f) of...

The Hidden Human Rights Curriculum of Surveillance Cameras in Schools: Due Process, Privacy and Trust

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perry-Hazan, Lotem; Birnhack, Michael

2018-01-01

This article explores how school principals integrate Closed Circuit TV systems (CCTVs) in educational practices and analyses the pedagogical implications of these practices through the lens of human rights. Drawing on interviews with school principals and municipality officials, we found that schools use CCTVs for three main purposes: (1)…

Metaphor Explanation Attenuates the Right-Hand Preference for Depictive Co-Speech Gestures that Imitate Actions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kita, Sotaro; de Condappa, Olivier; Mohr, Christine

2007-01-01

Differential activation levels of the two hemispheres due to hemispheric specialization for various linguistic processes might determine hand choice for co-speech gestures. To test this hypothesis, we compared hand choices for gesturing in 20 healthy right-handed participants during explanation of metaphorical vs. non-metaphorical meanings, on the…

The English Only Movement: An Agenda for Discrimination. Special Convention Issue. The "English Plus" Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

League of United Latin American Citizens, Washington, DC.

Six articles discuss various aspects of the English Only Movement while affirming the inalienable right of language minority individuals to equal educational opportunity and due process under the law and the right to maintain cultural and linguistic ties to their native heritages. Congressman Don Edwards considers bilingual ballots, explaining…

The Real Cutting Edge in Education: Changing Misbehaving Students in the Classroom and School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rancifer, Jesse L.

This paper examines techniques for dealing with behavior problems in students. The Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment protect individuals' rights and must be considered in developing effective punitive consequences to control misbehaving students. Due process must be practiced in handling disciplinary sanctions. Principals and teachers can use…

School Law.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Splitt, David A.

1986-01-01

Discusses three cases involving the dismissal of untenured school employees who, although not covered by extensive formal due process requirements, have sought reinstatement or damages on the basis of alleged violation of their constitutional rights. (MLF)

Childhood contact predicts hemispheric asymmetry in cross-race face processing.

PubMed

Davis, Megan M; Hudson, Sean M; Ma, Debbie S; Correll, Joshua

2016-06-01

Participants typically process same-race faces more quickly and more accurately than cross-race faces. This deficit is amplified in the right hemisphere of the brain, presumably due to its involvement in configural processing. The present research tested the idea that cross-race contact tunes cognitive and perceptual systems, influencing this asymmetric race-based deficit in face processing. Participants with high and low levels of contact performed a lateralized recognition task with same- and cross-race faces. Replicating prior work, participants with minimal contact showed cross-race deficits in processing that were larger in the right hemisphere. For participants with more contact, this lateralized deficit disappeared. This effect of contact seems to be independent of race-based attitudes (e.g., prejudice).

77 FR 75355 - Bill of Rights Day, 2012

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-12-19

... that the freedoms it protects--among them speech, worship, assembly, and due process--are freedoms that... that challenge. They have been defenders who stood watch at freedom's frontier, marchers who broke down...

The "Creative Right Brain" Revisited: Individual Creativity and Associative Priming in the Right Hemisphere Relate to Hemispheric Asymmetries in Reward Brain Function.

PubMed

Aberg, Kristoffer Carl; Doell, Kimberly C; Schwartz, Sophie

2017-10-01

The idea that creativity resides in the right cerebral hemisphere is persistent in popular science, but has been widely frowned upon by the scientific community due to little empirical support. Yet, creativity is believed to rely on the ability to combine remote concepts into novel and useful ideas, an ability which would depend on associative processing in the right hemisphere. Moreover, associative processing is modulated by dopamine, and asymmetries in dopamine functionality between hemispheres may imbalance the expression of their implemented cognitive functions. Here, by uniting these largely disconnected concepts, we hypothesize that relatively less dopamine function in the right hemisphere boosts creativity by releasing constraining effects of dopamine on remote associations. Indeed, participants with reduced neural responses in the dopaminergic system of the right hemisphere (estimated by functional MRI in a reward task with positive and negative feedback), displayed higher creativity (estimated by convergent and divergent tasks), and increased associative processing in the right hemisphere (estimated by a lateralized lexical decision task). Our findings offer unprecedented empirical support for a crucial and specific contribution of the right hemisphere to creativity. More importantly our study provides a comprehensive view on potential determinants of human creativity, namely dopamine-related activity and associative processing. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Asylum, Participation and the Best Interests of the Child: New Lessons from Norway

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Liden, Hilde; Rusten, Hilde

2007-01-01

This article discusses Norway's implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) in relation to the field of asylum. In particular, we explore the dilemmas and challenges posed by efforts to realise children's right to express their views and have these views given due weight in decision-making processes as stipulated in Article…

A Campus Handicap? Disabled Students and the Right to Higher Education--Southeastern Community College v Davis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hauben, Ronald Bruce

1979-01-01

In the context of an analysis of the Davis case, an expansion of the law regulating rights of the handicapped to higher education is encouraged. Constitutional arguments are applied. The burden of providing reasonable access is placed on institutions. Equal protection and due process arguments may be used as theories of relief. (MSE)

If Unprofessional Conduct Is Charged by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance

PubMed Central

Regardie, Arnold G.

1977-01-01

The right of a physician to practice his or her chosen profession must be balanced against the right of the public to be protected from unprofessional conduct by physicians. By providing notice and a hearing before imposing discipline, if any, on a physician for unprofessional conduct, the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance meets the basic requirements of procedural due process. However, although the constitutional rights of the physician may be protected in this way, the administrative disciplinary process itself is likely to be an arduous experience. A basic understanding of the nature and legal effect of such disciplinary proceedings may assist a physician in defending against the charges. PMID:919549

Material specific lateralization of medial temporal lobe function: An fMRI investigation.

PubMed

Dalton, Marshall A; Hornberger, Michael; Piguet, Olivier

2016-03-01

The theory of material specific lateralization of memory function posits that left and right MTL regions are asymmetrically involved in mnemonic processing of verbal and nonverbal material respectively. Lesion and functional imaging (fMRI) studies provide robust evidence for a left MTL asymmetry in the verbal memory domain. Evidence for a right MTL/nonverbal asymmetry is not as robust. A handful of fMRI studies have investigated this issue but have generally utilised nonverbal stimuli which are amenable to semantic elaboration. This fMRI study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of recognition memory processing in 20 healthy young adults (mean age = 26 years) for verbal stimuli and nonverbal stimuli that were specifically designed to minimize verbalisation. Analyses revealed that the neural correlates of recognition memory processing for verbal and nonverbal stimuli were differentiable and asymmetrically recruited the left and right MTL respectively. The right perirhinal cortex and hippocampus were preferentially involved in successful recognition memory of items devoid of semantic information. In contrast, the left anterior hippocampus was preferentially involved in successful recognition memory of stimuli which contained semantic meaning. These results suggest that the left MTL is preferentially involved in mnemonic processing of verbal/semantic information. In contrast, the right MTL is preferentially involved in visual/non-semantic mnemonic processing. We propose that during development, the left MTL becomes specialised for verbal mnemonic processing due to its proximity with left lateralised cortical language processing areas while visual/non-semantic mnemonic processing gets 'crowded out' to become predominantly, but not completely, the domain of the right MTL. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Truth in Testing Legislation and Private Property Concepts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burns, Daniel J.

1981-01-01

Truth in testing laws are subject to challenge on the grounds that they invade federally protected rights and interests of the test-makers through the due process clauses of the Constitution and federal copyright protections. (Author/MLF)

The Right to Food and the Planetary Boundaries framework.

PubMed

Heesterman, Wiebina

2017-03-01

The 'Right to Food' is a legal entitlement owed to all human beings established in international law more than half a century ago. Fulfilment of the right has been entrusted to states parties to the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). However, in practice, the right is often breached because of hostility or indifference from individuals or institutions refusing access to provisions, or because of vicissitudes of nature. Adverse impacts due to human interference in natural processes are increasingly noticeable in the area of food production. These processes have been classified into nine distinct categories, all of which need be kept within certain margins, so-called 'Planetary Boundaries', which delineate a safe operating space for humanity. This paper discusses the impact each of these human-induced developments has on the provision of food as well as the other way round and what the consequences would be if the boundaries were exceeded. Yet there are means of keeping the worst consequences of most of these processes at bay. The paper explores some of these.

Palliative care and human rights in patient care: an Armenia case study.

PubMed

Barros de Luca, Gabriela; Zopunyan, Violeta; Burke-Shyne, Naomi; Papikyan, Anahit; Amiryan, Davit

2017-01-01

This paper examines palliative care within the human rights in patient care framework, which clarifies state obligations and addresses the rights of both patients and providers. In the context of palliative care, these rights extend beyond the right to health and include patient rights to freedom from torture, cruel and inhuman treatment, non-discrimination and equality, bodily integrity, privacy and confidentiality, information, and right to a remedy. They also encompass provider rights to decent working conditions, freedom of association, and due process. The paper then looks at a case study of Armenia, acknowledging how the government's commitment to palliative care, combined with awareness raising and advocacy by human rights organizations, created an enabling environment for the realization of human rights in patient care in the context of palliative care.

Acquired dysgraphia in adults following right or left-hemisphere stroke

PubMed Central

Rodrigues, Jaqueline de Carvalho; da Fontoura, Denise Ren; de Salles, Jerusa Fumagalli

2014-01-01

Objective This study aimed to assess the strengths and difficulties in word and pseudoword writing in adults with left- and right-hemisphere strokes, and discuss the profiles of acquired dysgraphia in these individuals. Methods The profiles of six adults with acquired dysgraphia in left- or right-hemisphere strokes were investigated by comparing their performance on word and pseudoword writing tasks against that of neurologically healthy adults. A case series analysis was performed on the patients whose impairments on the task were indicative of acquired dysgraphia. Results Two patients were diagnosed with lexical dysgraphia (one with left hemisphere damage, and the other with right hemisphere damage), one with phonological dysgraphia, another patient with peripheral dysgraphia, one patient with mixed dysgraphia and the last with dysgraphia due to damage to the graphemic buffer. The latter patients all had left-hemisphere damage (LHD). The patterns of impairment observed in each patient were discussed based on the dual-route model of writing. Conclusion The fact that most patients had LHD rather than right-hemisphere damage (RHD) highlights the importance of the former structure for word processing. However, the fact that lexical dysgraphia was also diagnosed in a patient with RHD suggests that these individuals may develop writing impairments due to damage to the lexical route, leading to heavier reliance on phonological processing. Our results are of significant importance to the planning of writing interventions in neuropsychology. PMID:29213909

Removing Tenured Faculty for Cause.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrickson, Robert M.

1988-01-01

Reviews 41 cases involving removal of tenured faculty for cause decided since 1982 to clarify the specific requirements institutions must meet to guarantee due process to tenured faculty and to avoid the infringement of constitutional rights of faculty at public institutions. (MLF)

Employees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beckham, Joseph C.

This chapter analyzes 1982 decisions involving legal issues in public school employment. Cases in areas of federal law are discussed first, including: discrimination in employment (race, sex, religion, age, and handicap); substantive constitutional rights (speech, association, and religion); and procedural due process (property interest, liberty…

Adolescents' Right to Participate: Opportunities and Challenges for Health Care Professionals.

PubMed

Todres, Jonathan; Diaz, Angela

Health care professionals and patients are partners in health care delivery, and this partnership is critical in the treatment of adolescents. International children's rights law establishes that all children have a right to participate in decisions that affect their lives. Fulfillment of that right is as critical in health care settings as any other area of children's lives. In this article we examine the right to participate under international children's rights law, its relevance to health care settings, and how health care professionals can foster adolescents' participation to fulfill children's rights and improve health care outcomes. The Convention on the Rights of the Child establishes a legal mandate-where ratified-that adolescents have the right to express their views in health care settings and that such views must be given due consideration. In many health care settings, adolescents are not adequately consulted or have limited opportunities to express their views. A review of research finds that both processes and outcomes can improve when youth participation is cultivated. Health care providers and organizations have numerous opportunities to cultivate adolescent's participation rights and in doing so improve health care delivery and outcomes. Health care providers and organizations should further develop structures and processes to ensure opportunities for children and adolescents to be heard on matters relevant to their health care and health status. Creating opportunities for adolescents to realize their right to participate means engaging youth at every stage in the process, beginning with the design of such opportunities. It also means addressing all aspects of health care, from the built environment to patient-provider communication to follow-up services, so that the entire process fosters an environment conductive to meaningful participation by adolescents. Copyright © 2017 Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Rights and Responsibilities in the Light of Social Contract Theory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

La Morte, Michael W.

1977-01-01

Discusses the influence of the social contract on American institutions, due process when liberty and property are involved, the nature of an individual's responsibility to the government, and the application of social contract theory to education. (Author/IRT)

The non-linear development of the right hemispheric specialization for human face perception.

PubMed

Lochy, Aliette; de Heering, Adélaïde; Rossion, Bruno

2017-06-24

The developmental origins of human adults' right hemispheric specialization for face perception remain unclear. On the one hand, infant studies have shown a right hemispheric advantage for face perception. On the other hand, it has been proposed that the adult right hemispheric lateralization for face perception slowly emerges during childhood due to reading acquisition, which increases left lateralized posterior responses to competing written material (e.g., visual letters and words). Since methodological approaches used in infant and children typically differ when their face capabilities are explored, resolving this issue has been difficult. Here we tested 5-year-old preschoolers varying in their level of visual letter knowledge with the same fast periodic visual stimulation (FPVS) paradigm leading to strongly right lateralized electrophysiological occipito-temporal face-selective responses in 4- to 6-month-old infants (de Heering and Rossion, 2015). Children's face-selective response was quantitatively larger and differed in scalp topography from infants', but did not differ across hemispheres. There was a small positive correlation between preschoolers' letter knowledge and a non-normalized index of right hemispheric specialization for faces. These observations show that previous discrepant results in the literature reflect a genuine nonlinear development of the neural processes underlying face perception and are not merely due to methodological differences across age groups. We discuss several factors that could contribute to the adult right hemispheric lateralization for faces, such as myelination of the corpus callosum and reading acquisition. Our findings point to the value of FPVS coupled with electroencephalography to assess specialized face perception processes throughout development with the same methodology. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Controlling Growth Around Naval Air Stations: A Transferable Development Rights Model for Naval Air Station, Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-08-01

alleviate local and incompatible land use problems by redirecting growth to areas 3 that would be better suited to handel the increasing rate of...met. The 3 transfer of development rights is a technique to solve land use fundamental dilemmas without violating basic rights and 3 due process as...case of Euclid v. Ambler Realty Co. in 1926 (272 U.S. 365), it was recognized that municipal planning and regulation of land use , was a valid exercise

Left hemispheric advantage for numerical abilities in the bottlenose dolphin.

PubMed

Kilian, Annette; von Fersen, Lorenzo; Güntürkün, Onur

2005-02-28

In a two-choice discrimination paradigm, a bottlenose dolphin discriminated relational dimensions between visual numerosity stimuli under monocular viewing conditions. After prior binocular acquisition of the task, two monocular test series with different number stimuli were conducted. In accordance with recent studies on visual lateralization in the bottlenose dolphin, our results revealed an overall advantage of the right visual field. Due to the complete decussation of the optic nerve fibers, this suggests a specialization of the left hemisphere for analysing relational features between stimuli as required in tests for numerical abilities. These processes are typically right hemisphere-based in other mammals (including humans) and birds. The present data provide further evidence for a general right visual field advantage in bottlenose dolphins for visual information processing. It is thus assumed that dolphins possess a unique functional architecture of their cerebral asymmetries. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

38 CFR 3.103 - Procedural due process and appellate rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... VETERANS AFFAIRS ADJUDICATION Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation...) of this section, no award of compensation, pension or dependency and indemnity compensation shall be... on factual and unambiguous information or statements as to income, net worth, or dependency or...

38 CFR 3.103 - Procedural due process and appellate rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... VETERANS AFFAIRS ADJUDICATION Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation...) of this section, no award of compensation, pension or dependency and indemnity compensation shall be... on factual and unambiguous information or statements as to income, net worth, or dependency or...

38 CFR 3.103 - Procedural due process and appellate rights.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... VETERANS AFFAIRS ADJUDICATION Pension, Compensation, and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation...) of this section, no award of compensation, pension or dependency and indemnity compensation shall be... on factual and unambiguous information or statements as to income, net worth, or dependency or...

Neural correlates of heart-focused interoception: a functional magnetic resonance imaging meta-analysis

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

Interoception is the ability to perceive one's internal body state including visceral sensations. Heart-focused interoception has received particular attention, in part due to a readily available task for behavioural assessment, but also due to accumulating evidence for a significant role in emotional experience, decision-making and clinical disorders such as anxiety and depression. Improved understanding of the underlying neural correlates is important to promote development of anatomical-functional models and suitable intervention strategies. In the present meta-analysis, nine studies reporting neural activity associated with interoceptive attentiveness (i.e. focused attention to a particular interoceptive signal for a given time interval) to one's heartbeat were submitted to a multilevel kernel density analysis. The findings corroborated an extended network associated with heart-focused interoceptive attentiveness including the posterior right and left insula, right claustrum, precentral gyrus and medial frontal gyrus. Right-hemispheric dominance emphasizes non-verbal information processing with the posterior insula presumably serving as the major gateway for cardioception. Prefrontal neural activity may reflect both top-down attention deployment and processing of feed-forward cardioceptive information, possibly orchestrated via the claustrum. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Interoception beyond homeostasis: affect, cognition and mental health’. PMID:28080975

Physical scales in the Wigner-Boltzmann equation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nedjalkov, M., E-mail: mixi@iue.tuwien.ac.at; Selberherr, S.; Ferry, D.K.

2013-01-15

The Wigner-Boltzmann equation provides the Wigner single particle theory with interactions with bosonic degrees of freedom associated with harmonic oscillators, such as phonons in solids. Quantum evolution is an interplay of two transport modes, corresponding to the common coherent particle-potential processes, or to the decoherence causing scattering due to the oscillators. Which evolution mode will dominate depends on the scales of the involved physical quantities. A dimensionless formulation of the Wigner-Boltzmann equation is obtained, where these scales appear as dimensionless strength parameters. A notion called scaling theorem is derived, linking the strength parameters to the coupling with the oscillators. Itmore » is shown that an increase of this coupling is equivalent to a reduction of both the strength of the electric potential, and the coherence length. Secondly, the existence of classes of physically different, but mathematically equivalent setups of the Wigner-Boltzmann evolution is demonstrated. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Dimensionless parameters determine the ratio of quantum or classical WB evolution. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The scaling theorem evaluates the decoherence effect due to scattering. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Evolution processes are grouped into classes of equivalence.« less

Effect of microwave argon plasma on the glycosidic and hydrogen bonding system of cotton cellulose.

PubMed

Prabhu, S; Vaideki, K; Anitha, S

2017-01-20

Cotton fabric was processed with microwave (Ar) plasma to alter its hydrophilicity. The process parameters namely microwave power, process gas pressure and processing time were optimized using Box-Behnken method available in the Design Expert software. It was observed that certain combinations of process parameters improved existing hydrophilicity while the other combinations decreased it. ATR-FTIR spectral analysis was used to identify the strain induced in inter chain, intra chain, and inter sheet hydrogen bond and glycosidic covalent bond due to plasma treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies was used to analyze the effect of plasma on unit cell parameters and degree of crystallinity. Fabric surface etching was identified using FESEM analysis. Thus, it can be concluded that the increase/decrease in the hydrophilicity of the plasma treated fabric was due to these structural and physical changes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Revealing the functional neuroanatomy of intrinsic alertness using fMRI: methodological peculiarities.

PubMed

Clemens, Benjamin; Zvyagintsev, Mikhail; Sack, Alexander T; Sack, Alexander; Heinecke, Armin; Willmes, Klaus; Sturm, Walter

2011-01-01

Clinical observations and neuroimaging data revealed a right-hemisphere fronto-parietal-thalamic-brainstem network for intrinsic alertness, and additional left fronto-parietal activity during phasic alertness. The primary objective of this fMRI study was to map the functional neuroanatomy of intrinsic alertness as precisely as possible in healthy participants, using a novel assessment paradigm already employed in clinical settings. Both the paradigm and the experimental design were optimized to specifically assess intrinsic alertness, while at the same time controlling for sensory-motor processing. The present results suggest that the processing of intrinsic alertness is accompanied by increased activity within the brainstem, thalamus, anterior cingulate gyrus, right insula, and right parietal cortex. Additionally, we found increased activation in the left hemisphere around the middle frontal gyrus (BA 9), the insula, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum. Our results further suggest that rather minute aspects of the experimental design may induce aspects of phasic alertness, which in turn might lead to additional brain activation in left-frontal areas not normally involved in intrinsic alertness. Accordingly, left BA 9 activation may be related to co-activation of the phasic alertness network due to the switch between rest and task conditions functioning as an external warning cue triggering the phasic alertness network. Furthermore, activation of the intrinsic alertness network during fixation blocks due to enhanced expectancy shortly before the switch to the task block might, when subtracted from the task block, lead to diminished activation in the typical right hemisphere intrinsic alertness network. Thus, we cautiously suggest that--as a methodological artifact--left frontal activations might show up due to phasic alertness involvement and intrinsic alertness activations might be weakened due to contrasting with fixation blocks, when assessing the functional neuroanatomy of intrinsic alertness with a block design in fMRI studies.

Revealing the Functional Neuroanatomy of Intrinsic Alertness Using fMRI: Methodological Peculiarities

PubMed Central

Clemens, Benjamin; Zvyagintsev, Mikhail; Sack, Alexander; Heinecke, Armin; Willmes, Klaus; Sturm, Walter

2011-01-01

Clinical observations and neuroimaging data revealed a right-hemisphere fronto-parietal-thalamic-brainstem network for intrinsic alertness, and additional left fronto-parietal activity during phasic alertness. The primary objective of this fMRI study was to map the functional neuroanatomy of intrinsic alertness as precisely as possible in healthy participants, using a novel assessment paradigm already employed in clinical settings. Both the paradigm and the experimental design were optimized to specifically assess intrinsic alertness, while at the same time controlling for sensory-motor processing. The present results suggest that the processing of intrinsic alertness is accompanied by increased activity within the brainstem, thalamus, anterior cingulate gyrus, right insula, and right parietal cortex. Additionally, we found increased activation in the left hemisphere around the middle frontal gyrus (BA 9), the insula, the supplementary motor area, and the cerebellum. Our results further suggest that rather minute aspects of the experimental design may induce aspects of phasic alertness, which in turn might lead to additional brain activation in left-frontal areas not normally involved in intrinsic alertness. Accordingly, left BA 9 activation may be related to co-activation of the phasic alertness network due to the switch between rest and task conditions functioning as an external warning cue triggering the phasic alertness network. Furthermore, activation of the intrinsic alertness network during fixation blocks due to enhanced expectancy shortly before the switch to the task block might, when subtracted from the task block, lead to diminished activation in the typical right hemisphere intrinsic alertness network. Thus, we cautiously suggest that – as a methodological artifact – left frontal activations might show up due to phasic alertness involvement and intrinsic alertness activations might be weakened due to contrasting with fixation blocks, when assessing the functional neuroanatomy of intrinsic alertness with a block design in fMRI studies. PMID:21984928

Acute cor pulmonale due to pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy from renal cell carcinoma.

PubMed

Story, Maria; Kwon, Sook Kyung; Robinson, Robert; Fortis, Spyridon

2017-06-28

We report the case of a previously healthy man who presented with subacute dyspnoea after a long drive. He developed hypoxic respiratory failure, thought secondary to a massive pulmonary embolism and was treated with tissue plasminogen activator but died in the hospital despite aggressive medical measures. Autopsy revealed pulmonary tumour thrombotic microangiopathy (PTTM) from papillary renal cell carcinoma. PTTM is a rare clinicopathological syndrome that clinically results in symptoms of dyspnoea and right heart failure. Pathologically, a localised paraneoplastic process evolves from tumour microemboli in the pulmonary arterioles, resulting in fibrocellular proliferation and narrowing of the vessels, causing subacute right heart failure. To our knowledge, this is the first case of PTTM due to papillary renal cell carcinoma. © BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

The Yearbook of Education Law, 2001.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Russo, Charles J., Ed.

This yearbook presents legal precedents for a broad spectrum of education-related issues. Drawing on 25 experts' research in education and law, the book opens with legalities concerning school employees. It examines discrimination, constitutional rights, due process, dismissal, nonrenewal, demotion, and discipline; duty; involuntary leaves;…

34 CFR 300.513 - Hearing decisions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... receive a FAPE only if the procedural inadequacies— (i) Impeded the child's right to a FAPE; (ii... REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ASSISTANCE TO STATES FOR THE EDUCATION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.513 Hearing decisions...

Student Discipline Data Tracker v.1

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Steel, Lawrence E.

2005-01-01

One of the most difficult tasks facing today's busy school administrative teams is tracking and managing student discipline. Administrators must balance the rights of students with cultivating classroom environments conducive to learning. Breakdowns in communication, procedure, and due process can lead to unpleasant situations, and ultimately, a…

Some Legal Concerns in Student Assessment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lemley, Charles R.

1982-01-01

Discusses the court's active role in addressing a number of student assessment questions and the resultant decisions which suggest considerations for educators. Suggests assessment is legal, but the particular instrument must not violate student constitutional rights of due process, property, and liberty. Further, the instrument must accurately…

Trustees Must Know the Law!

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Woodruff, Bruce E.

1976-01-01

A board member, says the Supreme Court, must be held to a standard of conduct based on knowledge of the basic unquestioned constitutional rights of his charges. The best defense against this serious liability threat is strict attention to due process and other relevant legal considerations. (Author/LBH)

The Right To Learn

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McClung, Merle

1974-01-01

Since 1954 school children have sought and secured constitutional protection -- primarily under the First Amendment and the due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. Outlines some of the constitutional developments and recurring issues in education under (1) exclusion, (2) functional exclusion, (3) free expression, (4)…

"Board of Curators of the University of Missouri v. Horowitz": Student Due Process Rights and Judicial Deference to Academic Dismissals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brock, Allan D.

1979-01-01

The "Horowitz" case is consistent with the general reluctance of courts to sustain constitutional challenges to decisions by educators in academic matters. Available from Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR 97301. (Author)

The Legal Context for Teacher Improvement.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Belsches-Simmons, Grace; Bray, Judith

Teacher improvement programs must comply with federal and state constitutional requirements for due process, equal protection, and freedom of speech, as well as state and federal laws covering collective bargaining, civil rights, and the authority to institute improvement programs. This booklet explores these legal considerations, focusing on…

Hemispheric differences in orthographic and semantic processing as revealed by event-related potentials.

PubMed

Dickson, Danielle S; Federmeier, Kara D

2014-11-01

Differences in how the right and left hemispheres (RH, LH) apprehend visual words were examined using event-related potentials (ERPs) in a repetition paradigm with visual half-field (VF) presentation. In both hemispheres (RH/LVF, LH/RVF), initial presentation of items elicited similar and typical effects of orthographic neighborhood size, with larger N400s for orthographically regular items (words and pseudowords) than for irregular items (acronyms and meaningless illegal strings). However, hemispheric differences emerged on repetition effects. When items were repeated in the LH/RVF, orthographically regular items, relative to irregular items, elicited larger repetition effects on both the N250, a component reflecting processing at the level of visual form (orthography), and on the N400, which has been linked to semantic access. In contrast, in the RH/LVF, repetition effects were biased toward irregular items on the N250 and were similar in size across item types for the N400. The results suggest that processing in the LH is more strongly affected by wordform regularity than in the RH, either due to enhanced processing of familiar orthographic patterns or due to the fact that regular forms can be more readily mapped onto phonology. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Right-hemispheric processing of non-linguistic word features: implications for mapping language recovery after stroke.

PubMed

Baumgaertner, Annette; Hartwigsen, Gesa; Roman Siebner, Hartwig

2013-06-01

Verbal stimuli often induce right-hemispheric activation in patients with aphasia after left-hemispheric stroke. This right-hemispheric activation is commonly attributed to functional reorganization within the language system. Yet previous evidence suggests that functional activation in right-hemispheric homologues of classic left-hemispheric language areas may partly be due to processing nonlinguistic perceptual features of verbal stimuli. We used functional MRI (fMRI) to clarify the role of the right hemisphere in the perception of nonlinguistic word features in healthy individuals. Participants made perceptual, semantic, or phonological decisions on the same set of auditorily and visually presented word stimuli. Perceptual decisions required judgements about stimulus-inherent changes in font size (visual modality) or fundamental frequency contour (auditory modality). The semantic judgement required subjects to decide whether a stimulus is natural or man-made; the phonologic decision required a decision on whether a stimulus contains two or three syllables. Compared to phonologic or semantic decision, nonlinguistic perceptual decisions resulted in a stronger right-hemispheric activation. Specifically, the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), an area previously suggested to support language recovery after left-hemispheric stroke, displayed modality-independent activation during perceptual processing of word stimuli. Our findings indicate that activation of the right hemisphere during language tasks may, in some instances, be driven by a "nonlinguistic perceptual processing" mode that focuses on nonlinguistic word features. This raises the possibility that stronger activation of right inferior frontal areas during language tasks in aphasic patients with left-hemispheric stroke may at least partially reflect increased attentional focus on nonlinguistic perceptual aspects of language. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

School Discipline: Special Issues. School Management Handbook Number 2.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Association of Elementary School Principals, Arlington, VA.

This part of the School Management Handbook provides the elementary school administrator with an overview of civil rights issues affecting school discipline policy. The first section treats the requirements for providing due process and avoiding discrimination against minority groups when following disciplinary procedures. Section 2 covers…

Discipline and Due Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collins, Mildred; Dowell, Mary L.

1998-01-01

Increasing numbers of parents do not accept a school's discipline policy and are refusing to permit their children to comply with disciplinary sanctions. According to the California Education Code, educators have the right to expect parents to accept disciplinary decisions made in compliance with required procedures. Parental defiance might worsen…

When Teachers Get Too Tough.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dowling-Sendor, Benjamin

2000-01-01

In a case involving use of physical force against a misbehaving eighth grader, a federal court judge concluded that the teacher's conduct did not violate the student's due-process rights, after applying the "shock the conscience" test. However, the case proceeded to trial, since district policy supported such force. (MLH)

Ultrasound aided smooth dispensing for high viscoelastic epoxy in microelectronic packaging.

PubMed

Chen, Yun; Li, Han-Xiong; Shan, Xiuyang; Gao, Jian; Chen, Xin; Wang, Fuliang

2016-01-01

Epoxy dispensing is one of the most critical processes in microelectronic packaging. However, due its high viscoelasticity, dispensing of epoxy is extremely difficult, and a lower viscoelasticity epoxy is desired to improve the process. In this paper, a novel method is proposed to achieve a lowered viscoelastic epoxy by using ultrasound. The viscoelasticity and molecular structures of the epoxies were compared and analyzed before and after experimentation. Different factors of the ultrasonic process, including power, processing time and ultrasonic energy, were studied in this study. It is found that elasticity is more sensitive to ultrasonic processing while viscosity is little affected. Further, large power and long processing time can minimize the viscoelasticity to ideal values. Due to the reduced loss modulus and storage modulus after ultrasonic processing, smooth dispensing is demonstrated for the processed epoxy. The subsequently color temperature experiments show that ultrasonic processing will not affect LED's lighting. It is clear that the ultrasonic processing will have good potential to aide smooth dispensing for high viscoelastic epoxy in electronic industry. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Landfill leachate sludge use as soil additive prior and after electrocoagulation treatment: A cytological assessment using CHO-k1 cells.

PubMed

Morozesk, M; Bonomo, M M; Rocha, L D; Duarte, I D; Zanezi, E R L; Jesus, H C; Fernandes, M N; Matsumoto, S T

2016-09-01

Electrocoagulation has recently attracted attention as a potential technique for treating toxic effluents due to its versatility and environmental compatibility, generating a residue chemically suitable to be used as a soil additive. In the present study, landfill leachate sludge hazardous effects were investigated prior and after electrocoagulation process using in vitro assays with the mammalian cells CHO-k1. An integrated strategy for risk assessment was used to correctly estimate the possible adverse landfill leachate sludge effects on human health and ecosystem. Electrocoagulation process proved to be an effective treatment due to possibility to improve effluent adverse characteristics and produce sludge with potential to be used as soil additive. Despite low cytoxicity, the residue presented genotoxic and mutagenic effects, indicating a capacity to induce genetic damages, probably due to induction of polyploidization process in cells. The observed effects demand an improvement of waste management methods for reduce negative risks of landfill leachate sludge application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neural Correlates of Metaphor Processing: The Roles of Figurativeness, Familiarity and Difficulty

PubMed Central

Schmidt, Gwenda L.; Seger, Carol A.

2009-01-01

There is currently much interest in investigating the neural substrates of metaphor processing. In particular, it has been suggested that the right hemisphere plays a special role in the comprehension of figurative (non-literal) language, and in particular metaphors. However, some studies find no evidence of right hemisphere involvement in metaphor comprehension (e.g. Lee & Dapretto, 2006; Rapp et al., 2004). We suggest that lateralization differences between literal and metaphorical language may be due to factors such as differences in familiarity (Schmidt et al., 2007), or difficulty (Bookheimer, 2002; Rapp et al., 2004) in addition to figurativeness. The purpose of this study was to separate the effects of figurativeness, familiarity, and difficulty on the recruitment of neural systems involved in language, in particular right hemisphere mechanisms. This was achieved by comparing neural activation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) between four conditions: literal sentences, familiar and easy to understand metaphors, unfamiliar and easy to understand metaphors, and unfamiliar and difficult to understand metaphors. Metaphors recruited the right insula, left temporal pole and right inferior frontal gyrus in comparison with literal sentences. Familiar metaphors recruited the right middle frontal gyrus when contrasted with unfamiliar metaphors. Easy metaphors showed higher activation in the left middle frontal gyrus as compared to difficult metaphors, while difficult metaphors showed selective activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus as compared to easy metaphors. We conclude that the right hemisphere is involved in metaphor processing and that the factors of figurativeness, familiarity and difficulty are important in determining neural recruitment of semantic processing. PMID:19586700

42 CFR 457.915 - Fraud detection and investigation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... and abuse cases. (2) Methods for investigating fraud and abuse cases that— (i) Do not infringe on legal rights of persons involved; and (ii) Afford due process of law. (b) State program integrity unit... implement procedures for referring suspected fraud and abuse cases to the State program integrity unit (if...

No Pass, No Drive?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zirkel, Perry A.

2001-01-01

Discusses basis for Kentucky appellate court decision that state's no-pass, no-drive statute did not violate due-process and equal-protection clauses of the Kentucky and federal constitutions, but did violate the federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, but nevertheless did not invalidate the statute. Explains why the decision is…

No Pass-No Play: Academic Requirements for Extracurricular Activities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cromartie, Martha

1986-01-01

Discusses "no pass-no play" rules adopted by many state legislatures and local school districts that raise the academic standards students must meet before participating in extracurricular activities. Reviews two recent court challenges to the rules' constitutionality, focusing on due process, authority, and participation as a right or…

16 CFR 1025.1 - Scope of rules.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Constitutional due process rights of all parties. It is anticipated that in any adjudicative proceedings for the... PROCEEDINGS Scope of Rules, Nature of Adjudicative Proceedings, Definitions § 1025.1 Scope of rules. The rules in this part govern procedures in adjudicative proceedings relating to the provisions of section 15...

An Overview of Legal Principles and Issues Affecting Postsecondary Athletics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kaplin, William A.

1977-01-01

Discussions of procedural due process, first amendment rights, sex discrimination, tort law, discrimination on the basis of handicap, and legal principles regarding athletic associations and conferences indicate the wide range of legal principles to which postsecondary athletic programs are subject. Sex discrimination is noted as a major issue in…

Collective Bargaining, a New Common Law for College Professors.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Frank

1980-01-01

In general, collective bargaining for college faculties means that individual faculty members cannot exercise traditional constitutional rights of due process, even if they are not members of the union. Some provisions differ from one state to another. However, both public and private colleges are increasingly voting to unionize. (Author/CTM)

Legal and Educational Aspects of Student Dismissals: A View from the Law School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lerblance, Penn

1979-01-01

Legal and educational responsibility of law schools in dismissing students for academic or disciplinary reasons is discussed. Need for and rights to due process are examined, and constitutional law is referred to. Available from William S. Hein and Co., 1285 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14209. (MSE)

45 CFR 400.58 - Content and submission of public/private RCA plan.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... RESETTLEMENT, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REFUGEE... services; (6) A description of the procedures to be used to ensure appropriate protections and due process for refugees, such as the correction of underpayments, notice of adverse action and the right to...

5 CFR 1303.10 - Access to information.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... request is denied, the written notification to the person making the request shall include the names of... engaged in disseminating information; (iii) The loss of substantial due process rights; or (iv) A matter... to grant it and will notify the requester of the decision. If a request for expedited treatment is...

School Law and Vo-Ed Administration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nolte, M. Chester

1977-01-01

Emphasizes the need for school administrators and board members to protect themselves against risks related to property, negligence, and civil liberties deprivations with insurance programs and to develop a greater knowledge of what constitutes due process. Some legislation and court litigation in the areas of safety and civil rights are…

The Legal Issues Surrounding the TAAS Case.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Saucedo, Leticia M.

2000-01-01

Reviews legal claims made by the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund on behalf of plaintiffs challenging the Texas graduation requirement that students pass the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills. Discusses the requirement as a violation of minority students' equal protection and due process rights. Analyzes court actions and the…

Student Discipline: Procedural Issues.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Phay, Robert E.

This chapter's discussion of student discipline stresses a student's right to due process when he or she is faced with suspension or expulsion from school. To determine procedural requirements, the paper states, a school must examine both the statutes of the state and the requirements imposed by state and federal constitutions. The major topic of…

Neural correlates of metaphor processing: the roles of figurativeness, familiarity and difficulty.

PubMed

Schmidt, Gwenda L; Seger, Carol A

2009-12-01

There is currently much interest in investigating the neural substrates of metaphor processing. In particular, it has been suggested that the right hemisphere plays a special role in the comprehension of figurative (non-literal) language, and in particular metaphors. However, some studies find no evidence of right hemisphere involvement in metaphor comprehension (e.g. [Lee, S. S., & Dapretto, M. (2006). Metaphorical vs. literal word meanings: fMRI evidence against a selective role of the right hemisphere. NeuroImage, 29, 536-544; Rapp, A. M., Leube, D. T., Erb, M., Grodd, W., & Kircher, T. T. J. (2004). Neural correlates of metaphor processing. Cognitive Brain Research, 20, 395-402]). We suggest that lateralization differences between literal and metaphorical language may be due to factors such as differences in familiarity ([Schmidt, G. L., DeBuse, C. J., & Seger, C. A. (2007). Right hemisphere metaphor processing? Characterizing the lateralization of semantic processes. Brain and Language, 100, 127-141]), or difficulty ([Bookheimer, S. (2002). Functional MRI of language: New approaches to understanding the cortical organization of semantic processing. Annual Review of Neuroscience, 25, 151-188; Rapp, A. M., Leube, D. T., Erb, M., Grodd, W., & Kircher, T. T. J. (2004). Neural correlates of metaphor processing. Cognitive Brain Research, 20, 395-402]) in addition to figurativeness. The purpose of this study was to separate the effects of figurativeness, familiarity, and difficulty on the recruitment of neural systems involved in language, in particular right hemisphere mechanisms. This was achieved by comparing neural activation using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) between four conditions: literal sentences, familiar and easy to understand metaphors, unfamiliar and easy to understand metaphors, and unfamiliar and difficult to understand metaphors. Metaphors recruited the right insula, left temporal pole and right inferior frontal gyrus in comparison with literal sentences. Familiar metaphors recruited the right middle frontal gyrus when contrasted with unfamiliar metaphors. Easy metaphors showed higher activation in the left middle frontal gyrus as compared to difficult metaphors, while difficult metaphors showed selective activation in the left inferior frontal gyrus as compared to easy metaphors. We conclude that the right hemisphere is involved in metaphor processing and that the factors of figurativeness, familiarity and difficulty are important in determining neural recruitment of semantic processing.

Locust bean gum: processing, properties and food applications--a review.

PubMed

Barak, Sheweta; Mudgil, Deepak

2014-05-01

Locust bean gum or carob gum is a galactomannan obtained from seed endosperm of carob tree i.e. Ceratonia siliqua. It is widely utilized as an additive in various industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, paper, textile, oil well drilling and cosmetics. Industrial applications of locust bean gum are due to its ability to form hydrogen bonding with water molecule. It is also beneficial in the control of many health problems like diabetes, bowel movements, heart disease and colon cancer due to its dietary fiber action. This article focuses on production, processing, composition, properties, food applications and health benefits of locust bean gum. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Effects of Visual Degradation on Attended Objects and the Ability to Process Unattended Objects within the Visual Array

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-09-01

field at once (e.g., Biederman , Blickle, Teitelbaum, & Klatsky, 1988), and objects of interest typically receive the attention required to recognize them...field ( Biederman & Cooper, 1991) and image size changes ( Biederman & Cooper, 1992). Yet, only attended objects are recognized when mirror images...left-right reversals) occur ( Biederman & Cooper, 1991). Due to these results, Hummel (2001) proposed that attended images are processed by both

Treatment of electronic waste to recover metal values using thermal plasma coupled with acid leaching - A response surface modeling approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rath, Swagat S., E-mail: swagat.rath@gmail.com; Nayak, Pradeep; Mukherjee, P.S.

2012-03-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sentences/phrases were modified. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Necessary discussions for different figures were included. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer More discussion have been included on the flue gas analysis. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Queries to both the reviewers have been given. - Abstract: The global crisis of the hazardous electronic waste (E-waste) is on the rise due to increasing usage and disposal of electronic devices. A process was developed to treat E-waste in an environmentally benign process. The process consisted of thermal plasma treatment followed by recovery of metal values through mineral acid leaching. In the thermal process, the E-waste was melted to recover the metal values asmore » a metallic mixture. The metallic mixture was subjected to acid leaching in presence of depolarizer. The leached liquor mainly contained copper as the other elements like Al and Fe were mostly in alloy form as per the XRD and phase diagram studies. Response surface model was used to optimize the conditions for leaching. More than 90% leaching efficiency at room temperature was observed for Cu, Ni and Co with HCl as the solvent, whereas Fe and Al showed less than 40% efficiency.« less

Exploring laterality and memory effects in the haptic discrimination of verbal and non-verbal shapes.

PubMed

Stoycheva, Polina; Tiippana, Kaisa

2018-03-14

The brain's left hemisphere often displays advantages in processing verbal information, while the right hemisphere favours processing non-verbal information. In the haptic domain due to contra-lateral innervations, this functional lateralization is reflected in a hand advantage during certain functions. Findings regarding the hand-hemisphere advantage for haptic information remain contradictory, however. This study addressed these laterality effects and their interaction with memory retention times in the haptic modality. Participants performed haptic discrimination of letters, geometric shapes and nonsense shapes at memory retention times of 5, 15 and 30 s with the left and right hand separately, and we measured the discriminability index d'. The d' values were significantly higher for letters and geometric shapes than for nonsense shapes. This might result from dual coding (naming + spatial) or/and from a low stimulus complexity. There was no stimulus-specific laterality effect. However, we found a time-dependent laterality effect, which revealed that the performance of the left hand-right hemisphere was sustained up to 15 s, while the performance of the right-hand-left hemisphere decreased progressively throughout all retention times. This suggests that haptic memory traces are more robust to decay when they are processed by the left hand-right hemisphere.

Evidence for degraded low frequency verbal concepts in left resected temporal lobe epilepsy patients.

PubMed

Visser, M; Forn, C; Lambon Ralph, M A; Hoffman, P; Gómez Ibáñez, A; Sunajuán, Ana; Rosell Negre, P; Villanueva, V; Ávila, C

2018-06-01

According to a large neuropsychological and neuroimaging literature, the bilateral anterior temporal lobe (ATL) is a core region for semantic processing. It seems therefore surprising that semantic memory appears to be preserved in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with unilateral ATL resection. However, recent work suggests that the bilateral semantic system is relatively robust against unilateral damage and semantic impairments under these circumstances only become apparent with low frequency specific concepts. In addition, neuroimaging studies have shown that the function of the left and right ATLs differ and therefore left or right ATL resection should lead to a different pattern of impairment. The current study investigated hemispheric differences in the bilateral semantic system by comparing left and right resected TLE patients during verbal semantic processing of low frequency concepts. Picture naming and semantic comprehension tasks with varying word frequencies were included to investigate the pattern of impairment. Left but not right TLE patients showed impaired semantic processing, which was particularly apparent on low frequency items. This indicates that, for verbal information, the bilateral semantic system is more sensitive to damage in the left compared to the right ATL, which is in line with theories that attribute a more prominent role to the left ATL due to connections with pre-semantic verbal regions. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Anomaly diffuse and dielectric relaxation in strontium doped lanthanum molybdate

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Liu, Xiao; Fan, Huiqing, E-mail: hqfan3@163.com; Shi, Jing

2011-12-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The anomaly diffuse and dielectric relaxation behaviors are fitted by the Cole-Cole approach. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The peak in the LSMO is corresponding to different oxygen ion diffusion process. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer We first give better explanation about the strange conductivity change caused by doping. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The oxygen ion diffusion is due to a combination of the dipolar relaxation and the motion of ions. -- Abstract: The dielectric properties of the La{sub 2-x}Sr{sub x}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9-{delta}} (x = 0-0.2) ceramics were investigated in the temperature range of 300-800 K. Dielectric measurement reveals that two dielectric anomalies, associated with the oxygen ion diffusion,more » exist in frequency spectrum with x = 0.5. The broad dielectric peaks in tan {delta}({omega}) can be well fitted by a modified Cole-Cole approach. When x = 0.1, only one dielectric relaxation peak is observed, corresponding to different oxygen ion diffusion processes, as distinct from the only relaxation peak in the pure La{sub 2}Mo{sub 2}O{sub 9}. The relaxation parameters {tau}{sub 0}, the dielectric relaxation strength {Delta}, and the activation energy E{sub a} were obtained. The result of this work shows that, the conductivity change caused by doping between the two phases is due to the combination of the dipolar effects and motion of ions.« less

Zero in the brain: A voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping study in right hemisphere damaged patients.

PubMed

Benavides-Varela, Silvia; Passarini, Laura; Butterworth, Brian; Rolma, Giuseppe; Burgio, Francesca; Pitteri, Marco; Meneghello, Francesca; Shallice, Tim; Semenza, Carlo

2016-04-01

Transcoding numerals containing zero is more problematic than transcoding numbers formed by non-zero digits. However, it is currently unknown whether this is due to zeros requiring brain areas other than those traditionally associated with number representation. Here we hypothesize that transcoding zeros entails visuo-spatial and integrative processes typically associated with the right hemisphere. The investigation involved 22 right-brain-damaged patients and 20 healthy controls who completed tests of reading and writing Arabic numbers. As expected, the most significant deficit among patients involved a failure to cope with zeros. Moreover, a voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping (VLSM) analysis showed that the most common zero-errors were maximally associated to the right insula which was previously related to sensorimotor integration, attention, and response selection, yet for the first time linked to transcoding processes. Error categories involving other digits corresponded to the so-called Neglect errors, which however, constituted only about 10% of the total reading and 3% of the writing mistakes made by the patients. We argue that damage to the right hemisphere impairs the mechanism of parsing, and the ability to set-up empty-slot structures required for processing zeros in complex numbers; moreover, we suggest that the brain areas located in proximity to the right insula play a role in the integration of the information resulting from the temporary application of transcoding procedures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Early holistic face-like processing of Arcimboldo paintings in the right occipito-temporal cortex: evidence from the N170 ERP component.

PubMed

Caharel, Stéphanie; Leleu, Arnaud; Bernard, Christian; Viggiano, Maria-Pia; Lalonde, Robert; Rebaï, Mohamed

2013-11-01

The properties of the face-sensitive N170 component of the event-related brain potential (ERP) were explored through an orientation discrimination task using natural faces, objects, and Arcimboldo paintings presented upright or inverted. Because Arcimboldo paintings are composed of non-face objects but have a global face configuration, they provide great control to disentangle high-level face-like or object-like visual processes at the level of the N170, and may help to examine the implication of each hemisphere in the global/holistic processing of face formats. For upright position, N170 amplitudes in the right occipito-temporal region did not differ between natural faces and Arcimboldo paintings but were larger for both of these categories than for objects, supporting the view that as early as the N170 time-window, the right hemisphere is involved in holistic perceptual processing of face-like configurations irrespective of their features. Conversely, in the left hemisphere, N170 amplitudes differed between Arcimboldo portraits and natural faces, suggesting that this hemisphere processes local facial features. For upside-down orientation in both hemispheres, N170 amplitudes did not differ between Arcimboldo paintings and objects, but were reduced for both categories compared to natural faces, indicating that the disruption of holistic processing with inversion leads to an object-like processing of Arcimboldo paintings due to the lack of local facial features. Overall, these results provide evidence that global/holistic perceptual processing of faces and face-like formats involves the right hemisphere as early as the N170 time-window, and that the local processing of face features is rather implemented in the left hemisphere. © 2013.

Can we conserve trans-resveratrol content and antioxidant activity during industrial production of chocolate?

PubMed

Salvador, Izabela; Massarioli, Adna P; Silva, Anna Paula S; Malaguetta, Heloísa; Melo, Priscilla S; Alencar, Severino M

2018-05-23

Cocoa exhibits high content of phenolic compounds, among which trans-resveratrol stands out, associated with several bioactive activities such as antioxidant properties. Chocolate contains reduced amounts of these bioactive compounds due to losses during the production process. Therefore, this study aimed to assess changes in total phenolic content and specifically trans-resveratrol, as well as in the antioxidant activity of cocoa and its products during industrial production of chocolate. A total of ten different cocoa products were analyzed. The processes of fermentation and roasting caused significant loss of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity. However, due to high temperature, roasting had a major influence on this loss (71% for total phenolic compounds and 53% to 77% for antioxidant activity), except for trans-resveratrol. The content of trans-resveratrol formed after fermentation (9.8 μg kg -1 ) showed little variation during the processes, and it was detected in higher concentrations both in natural (11.4 μg kg -1 ) and in alkalized cocoa powder (13.5 μg kg -1 ). Alkalization of cocoa products led to loss of capacity of deactivating superoxide radical. These findings contribute to the optimization of the production process of chocolate and other food products containing cocoa and its derivatives aiming to better preserve their bioactive compounds. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Central Asia and the United States 2004-2005: Moving Beyond Counter-Terrorism?

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-02-01

basic freedoms as the right to due process, freedom of speech , freedom of assembly, and freedom of religious belief. In short, none of the countries...others have been doing the same, dictating the path to democracy, liberalization, and economic reform and seeking to teach Uzbekistan about freedom of speech , political

Disciplinary and Academic Decisions Pertaining to Students: A Review of the 1997 Judicial Decisions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stoner, Edward N.; Schupansky, Susan P.

1998-01-01

Reviews key cases concerning disciplinary and academic decisions in higher education handed down by courts in 1997. Cases touched on procedural due process (for medical residents, academic versus disciplinary decisions, other notable issues), double jeopardy, breach of contract, student discipline records under the Family Education Rights and…

22 CFR 34.10 - Collection methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Collection methods. 34.10 Section 34.10 Foreign... Collection methods. Upon completion of notice and provision of all due process rights as listed in 34.8(b) of... collect the debt by one or more of the following methods: (a) Administrative offset. (1) Payments...

22 CFR 34.10 - Collection methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Collection methods. 34.10 Section 34.10 Foreign... Collection methods. Upon completion of notice and provision of all due process rights as listed in 34.8(b) of... collect the debt by one or more of the following methods: (a) Administrative offset. (1) Payments...

22 CFR 34.10 - Collection methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Collection methods. 34.10 Section 34.10 Foreign... Collection methods. Upon completion of notice and provision of all due process rights as listed in 34.8(b) of... collect the debt by one or more of the following methods: (a) Administrative offset. (1) Payments...

22 CFR 34.10 - Collection methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Collection methods. 34.10 Section 34.10 Foreign... Collection methods. Upon completion of notice and provision of all due process rights as listed in 34.8(b) of... collect the debt by one or more of the following methods: (a) Administrative offset. (1) Payments...

22 CFR 34.10 - Collection methods.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 22 Foreign Relations 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Collection methods. 34.10 Section 34.10 Foreign... Collection methods. Upon completion of notice and provision of all due process rights as listed in 34.8(b) of... collect the debt by one or more of the following methods: (a) Administrative offset. (1) Payments...

76 FR 39820 - Notice of Funding Availability: Sections 514, 515 and 516 Multi-Family Housing Revitalization...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-07

... post office or private mailer does not constitute delivery. Facsimile (FAX) and postage-due pre... a pre-application described in Section VI. This pre-application process is designed to lessen the... reserves the right to post all information submitted as part of the pre-application/application package...

A bill to amend chapter 77 of title 5, United States Code, to clarify certain due process rights of Federal employees serving in sensitive positions, and for other purposes.

THOMAS, 113th Congress

Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT

2013-12-12

Senate - 12/12/2013 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (All Actions) Tracker: This bill has the status IntroducedHere are the steps for Status of Legislation:

The Due-Able Process Could Happen to You! Physical Educators, Handicapped Students, and the Law.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kennedy, Susan O.; And Others

1989-01-01

This article presents basic information for regular and special physical educators to help them better understand the procedural rights of parents as well as the schools, and to help them make appropriate judgments for the physical education placement and programing of students with handicaps. (IAH)

An Alien's Constitutional Right to Loan, Scholarship and Tuition Benefits at State Supported Colleges and Universities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Maxwell, Janette Fenn

1979-01-01

Ways in which various statutes discriminate against nonimmigrant alien students are discussed, with the constitutional doctrines of equal protection, due process, and federal preemption considered. California's tuition statute is analyzed. Available from Calif Western Law R, 350 Cedar St, San Diego, CA 92101, $1.50. (MSE)

Award of Construction Contracts: Public Institutions' Authority to Select the Lowest Responsible Bidder.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cole, Elsa Kircher; Goldblatt, Steven M.

1989-01-01

The article describes the responsibilities of public colleges and universities to award construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidder; discusses the purpose of bid statutes; and lists the factors institutions should consider in determining a bidder's responsibility. Also covered are the standard of review and due process rights of the…

Washington State Juvenile Justice Code: An Experiment in Justice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Illinois Univ., Champaign. Community Research Center.

In the Washington State juvenile justice system, serious or repeat offenders receive the full panoply of due process rights and procedures, with the exception of jury trials; minor offenders are diverted to community boards that require community service or victim restitution; and status offenders are removed from the courts' jurisdiction and…

34 CFR 300.516 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2014-07-01 2013-07-01 true Civil action. 300.516 Section 300.516 Education... DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.516 Civil action. (a... aggrieved by the findings and decision under § 300.514(b), has the right to bring a civil action with...

34 CFR 300.516 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Civil action. 300.516 Section 300.516 Education... DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.516 Civil action. (a... aggrieved by the findings and decision under § 300.514(b), has the right to bring a civil action with...

34 CFR 300.516 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Civil action. 300.516 Section 300.516 Education... DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.516 Civil action. (a... aggrieved by the findings and decision under § 300.514(b), has the right to bring a civil action with...

34 CFR 303.438 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2014-07-01 2013-07-01 true Civil action. 303.438 Section 303.438 Education... Section 639 of the Act § 303.438 Civil action. Any party aggrieved by the findings and decision issued pursuant to a due process complaint has the right to bring a civil action in State or Federal court under...

34 CFR 303.438 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Civil action. 303.438 Section 303.438 Education... Section 639 of the Act § 303.438 Civil action. Any party aggrieved by the findings and decision issued pursuant to a due process complaint has the right to bring a civil action in State or Federal court under...

34 CFR 303.438 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Civil action. 303.438 Section 303.438 Education... Section 639 of the Act § 303.438 Civil action. Any party aggrieved by the findings and decision issued pursuant to a due process complaint has the right to bring a civil action in State or Federal court under...

34 CFR 300.516 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Civil action. 300.516 Section 300.516 Education... DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.516 Civil action. (a... aggrieved by the findings and decision under § 300.514(b), has the right to bring a civil action with...

34 CFR 300.516 - Civil action.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2011-07-01 2010-07-01 true Civil action. 300.516 Section 300.516 Education... DISABILITIES Procedural Safeguards Due Process Procedures for Parents and Children § 300.516 Civil action. (a... aggrieved by the findings and decision under § 300.514(b), has the right to bring a civil action with...

Tenure: How Due Process Protects Teachers and Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kahlenberg, Richard D.

2015-01-01

Teacher tenure rights, first established more than a century ago, are under unprecedented attack. Tenure--which was enacted to protect students' education and those who provide it--is under assault from coast to coast, in state legislatures, in state courtrooms, and in the media. In June 2014, in the case of "Vergara v. California," a…

Linguistic diversity in a deaf prison population: implications for due process.

PubMed

Miller, Katrina R

2004-01-01

The entire deaf prison population in the state of Texas formed the basis for this research. The linguistic skills of prison inmates were assessed using the following measures: (1) Kannapell's categories of bilingualism, (2) adaptation of the diagnostic criteria for Primitive Personality Disorder, (3) reading scores on the Test of Adult Basic Education, and (4) an evaluation of sign language use and skills by a certified sign language interpreter who had worked with deaf inmates for the past 17 years. Deaf inmates with reading scores below the federal standard for literacy (grade level 2.9) were the group most likely to demonstrate linguistic incompetence to stand trial, meaning that they probably lacked the ability to understand the charges against them and/or were unable to participate in their own defenses. Based on the language abilities and reading scores of this population, up to 50% of deaf state prison inmates may not have received due process throughout their arrest and adjudication. Despite their adjudicative and/or linguistic incompetence, these individuals were convicted in many cases, possibly violating their constitutional rights and their rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

[Language disorders in a right frontal lesion in a right-handed patient. Incoherent speech and extravagant paraphasias. Neuropsychologic study].

PubMed

Guard, O; Fournet, F; Sautreaux, J L; Dumas, R

1983-01-01

Clinical, neuropsychological, and CT scan data are reported in a patient with a right prefrontal hematoma following meningeal hemorrhage due to the rupture of an aneurysm of the anterior communicating artery. Over a period of six weeks, before and after surgery, the patient presented a particular type of language disorder characterized by incoherent speech, verbal paraphasias, unexpected or guided along ideic perseverations, emphatic and affected terms, and impossibility of brief responses, particularly in denomination tests. Contrasting with the absurdity of the discourse, the respect of oral comprehension, the absence of grammatical disorders, and the perfect phonemic and phonetic organization provided evidence of the integrity of the linguistic code. The purely semantic disturbance, however, was the cause of the apparent alteration in reasoning and judgment. A major amnestic syndrome was also present. It improved concomitantly with the language disorders. The explanation proposed is that of a disturbance of an attention process and of word selection due to a prefrontal lesion.

The minute virus of mice (MVM) nonstructural protein NS1 induces nicking of MVM DNA at a unique site of the right-end telomere in both hairpin and duplex conformations in vitro.

PubMed

Willwand, K; Baldauf, A Q; Deleu, L; Mumtsidu, E; Costello, E; Beard, P; Rommelaere, J

1997-10-01

The right-end telomere of replicative form (RF) DNA of the autonomous parvovirus minute virus of mice (MVM) consists of a sequence that is self-complementary except for a three nucleotide loop around the axis of symmetry and an interior bulge of three unpaired nucleotides on one strand (designated the right-end 'bubble'). This right-end inverted repeat can exist in the form of a folded-back strand (hairpin conformation) or in an extended form, base-paired to a copy strand (duplex conformation). We recently reported that the right-end telomere is processed in an A9 cell extract supplemented with the MVM nonstructural protein NS1. This processing is shown here to result from the NS1-dependent nicking of the complementary strand at a unique position 21 nt inboard of the folded-back genomic 5' end. DNA species terminating in duplex or hairpin configurations, or in a mutated structure that has lost the right-end bulge, are all cleaved in the presence of NS1, indicating that features distinguishing these structures are not prerequisites for nicking under the in vitro conditions tested. Cleavage of the hairpin structure is followed by strand-displacement synthesis, generating the right-end duplex conformation, while processing of the duplex structure leads to the release of free right-end telomeres. In the majority of molecules, displacement synthesis at the right terminus stops a few nucleotides before reaching the end of the template strand, possibly due to NS1 which is covalently bound to this end. A fraction of the right-end duplex product undergoes melting and re-folding into hairpin structures (formation of a 'rabbit-ear' structure).

Impaired neural processing of dynamic faces in left-onset Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Garrido-Vásquez, Patricia; Pell, Marc D; Paulmann, Silke; Sehm, Bernhard; Kotz, Sonja A

2016-02-01

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects patients beyond the motor domain. According to previous evidence, one mechanism that may be impaired in the disease is face processing. However, few studies have investigated this process at the neural level in PD. Moreover, research using dynamic facial displays rather than static pictures is scarce, but highly warranted due to the higher ecological validity of dynamic stimuli. In the present study we aimed to investigate how PD patients process emotional and non-emotional dynamic face stimuli at the neural level using event-related potentials. Since the literature has revealed a predominantly right-lateralized network for dynamic face processing, we divided the group into patients with left (LPD) and right (RPD) motor symptom onset (right versus left cerebral hemisphere predominantly affected, respectively). Participants watched short video clips of happy, angry, and neutral expressions and engaged in a shallow gender decision task in order to avoid confounds of task difficulty in the data. In line with our expectations, the LPD group showed significant face processing deficits compared to controls. While there were no group differences in early, sensory-driven processing (fronto-central N1 and posterior P1), the vertex positive potential, which is considered the fronto-central counterpart of the face-specific posterior N170 component, had a reduced amplitude and delayed latency in the LPD group. This may indicate disturbances of structural face processing in LPD. Furthermore, the effect was independent of the emotional content of the videos. In contrast, static facial identity recognition performance in LPD was not significantly different from controls, and comprehensive testing of cognitive functions did not reveal any deficits in this group. We therefore conclude that PD, and more specifically the predominant right-hemispheric affection in left-onset PD, is associated with impaired processing of dynamic facial expressions, which could be one of the mechanisms behind the often reported problems of PD patients in their social lives. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A meta-analysis of fMRI studies on Chinese orthographic, phonological, and semantic processing.

PubMed

Wu, Chiao-Yi; Ho, Moon-Ho Ringo; Chen, Shen-Hsing Annabel

2012-10-15

A growing body of neuroimaging evidence has shown that Chinese character processing recruits differential activation from alphabetic languages due to its unique linguistic features. As more investigations on Chinese character processing have recently become available, we applied a meta-analytic approach to summarize previous findings and examined the neural networks for orthographic, phonological, and semantic processing of Chinese characters independently. The activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method was used to analyze eight studies in the orthographic task category, eleven in the phonological and fifteen in the semantic task categories. Converging activation among three language-processing components was found in the left middle frontal gyrus, the left superior parietal lobule and the left mid-fusiform gyrus, suggesting a common sub-network underlying the character recognition process regardless of the task nature. With increasing task demands, the left inferior parietal lobule and the right superior temporal gyrus were specialized for phonological processing, while the left middle temporal gyrus was involved in semantic processing. Functional dissociation was identified in the left inferior frontal gyrus, with the posterior dorsal part for phonological processing and the anterior ventral part for semantic processing. Moreover, bilateral involvement of the ventral occipito-temporal regions was found for both phonological and semantic processing. The results provide better understanding of the neural networks underlying Chinese orthographic, phonological, and semantic processing, and consolidate the findings of additional recruitment of the left middle frontal gyrus and the right fusiform gyrus for Chinese character processing as compared with the universal language network that has been based on alphabetic languages. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Due Process in the Internet Jurisdiction: Landing Softly on the Other Side of the Looking Glass

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-04-01

receiving the " benefits and protection of the laws of the state, including the right to resort to the courts for the enforcement of its rights.",5’ The...have the requisite contacts. In order for such defendants to realize the benefit of a detailed inquiry, the court must be willing to assume the...Florida law. Burger King sued one of its franchisees , John Rudzewicz, in the Florida Federal District Court (S.D.FL) for failing to make monthly franchise

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts v. Attorney General.

PubMed

1997-03-18

The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts sustained a state statute which required pregnant unmarried minors to obtain the consent of both parents or a judge of the Superior Court in order to have an abortion. The court held that the state's interest in protecting the welfare of its minors and ensuring informed consent justified restrictions on a minor's constitutional right to choose an abortion. The court held unconstitutional, however, the law's requirement that the minor obtain the consent of both parents as an undue burden on the minor's due process rights.

Brain white matter microstructure is associated with susceptibility to motion-induced nausea.

PubMed

Napadow, V; Sheehan, J; Kim, J; Dassatti, A; Thurler, A H; Surjanhata, B; Vangel, M; Makris, N; Schaechter, J D; Kuo, B

2013-05-01

Nausea is associated with significant morbidity, and there is a wide range in the propensity of individuals to experience nausea. The neural basis of the heterogeneity in nausea susceptibility is poorly understood. Our previous functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in healthy adults showed that a visual motion stimulus caused activation in the right MT+/V5 area, and that increased sensation of nausea due to this stimulus was associated with increased activation in the right anterior insula. For the current study, we hypothesized that individual differences in visual motion-induced nausea are due to microstructural differences in the inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF), the white matter tract connecting the right visual motion processing area (MT+/V5) and right anterior insula. To test this hypothesis, we acquired diffusion tensor imaging data from 30 healthy adults who were subsequently dichotomized into high and low nausea susceptibility groups based on the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Scale. We quantified diffusion along the IFOF for each subject based on axial diffusivity (AD); radial diffusivity (RD), mean diffusivity (MD) and fractional anisotropy (FA), and evaluated between-group differences in these diffusion metrics. Subjects with high susceptibility to nausea rated significantly (P < 0.001) higher nausea intensity to visual motion stimuli and had significantly (P < 0.05) lower AD and MD along the right IFOF compared to subjects with low susceptibility to nausea. This result suggests that differences in white matter microstructure within tracts connecting visual motion and nausea-processing brain areas may contribute to nausea susceptibility or may have resulted from an increased history of nausea episodes. © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Preparation and characterization of resistant starch III from elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeonifolius) starch.

PubMed

Reddy, Chagam Koteswara; Haripriya, Sundaramoorthy; Noor Mohamed, A; Suriya, M

2014-07-15

The purpose of this study was to assess the properties of resistant starch (RS) III prepared from elephant foot yam starch using pullulanase enzyme. Native and gelatinized starches were subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis (pullulanase, 40 U/g per 10h), autoclaved (121°C/30 min), stored under refrigeration (4°C/24h) and then lyophilized. After preparation of resistant starch III, the morphological, physical, chemical and functional properties were assessed. The enzymatic and retrogradation process increased the yield of resistant starch III from starch with a concomitant increase increase in its water absorption capacity and water solubility index. A decrease in swelling power was observed due to the hydrolysis and thermal process. Te reduced pasting properties and hardness of resistant starch III were associated with the disintegration of starch granules due to the thermal process. The viscosity was found to be inversely proportional to the RS content in the sample. The thermal properties of RS increased due to retrogradation and recrystallization (P<0.05). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Comminution and sizing processes of concrete block waste as recycled aggregates.

PubMed

Gomes, P C C; Ulsen, C; Pereira, F A; Quattrone, M; Angulo, S C

2015-11-01

Due to the environmental impact of construction and demolition waste (CDW), recycling is mandatory. It is also important that recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) are used in concrete to meet market demands. In the literature, the influence of RCAs on concrete has been investigated, but very limited studies have been conducted on how the origin of concrete waste and comminution processes influence RCA characteristics. This paper aims to investigate the influence of three different comminution and sizing processes (simple screening, crushing and grinding) on the composition, shape and porosity characteristics of RCA obtained from concrete block waste. Crushing and grinding implies a reduction of RCA porosity. However, due to the presence of coarse quartz rounded river pebbles in the original concrete block mixtures, the shape characteristics deteriorated. A large amount of powder (<0.15 mm) without detectable anhydrous cement was also generated. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Water use and its recycling in microalgae cultivation for biofuel application.

PubMed

Farooq, Wasif; Suh, William I; Park, Min S; Yang, Ji-Won

2015-05-01

Microalgal biofuels are not yet economically viable due to high material and energy costs associated with production process. Microalgae cultivation is a water-intensive process compared to other downstream processes for biodiesel production. Various studies found that the production of 1 L of microalgal biodiesel requires approximately 3000 L of water. Water recycling in microalgae cultivation is desirable not only to reduce the water demand, but it also improves the economic feasibility of algal biofuels as due to nutrients and energy savings. This review highlights recently published studies on microalgae water demand and water recycling in microalgae cultivation. Strategies to reduce water footprint for microalgal cultivation, advantages and disadvantages of water recycling, and approaches to mitigate the negative effects of water reuse within the context of water and energy saving are also discussed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neural Trade-Offs between Recognizing and Categorizing Own- and Other-Race Faces

PubMed Central

Liu, Jiangang; Wang, Zhe; Feng, Lu; Li, Jun; Tian, Jie; Lee, Kang

2015-01-01

Behavioral research has suggested a trade-off relationship between individual recognition and race categorization of own- and other-race faces, which is an important behavioral marker of face processing expertise. However, little is known about the neural mechanisms underlying this trade-off. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) methodology, we concurrently asked participants to recognize and categorize own- and other-race faces to examine the neural correlates of this trade-off relationship. We found that for other-race faces, the fusiform face area (FFA) and occipital face area (OFA) responded more to recognition than categorization, whereas for own-race faces, the responses were equal for the 2 tasks. The right superior temporal sulcus (STS) responses were the opposite to those of the FFA and OFA. Further, recognition enhanced the functional connectivity from the right FFA to the right STS, whereas categorization enhanced the functional connectivity from the right OFA to the right STS. The modulatory effects of these 2 couplings were negatively correlated. Our findings suggested that within the core face processing network, although recognizing and categorizing own- and other-race faces activated the same neural substrates, there existed neural trade-offs whereby their activations and functional connectivities were modulated by face race type and task demand due to one's differential processing expertise with own- and other-race faces. PMID:24591523

The Supreme Court and Educational Policy: The Protected Interests in Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Uerling, Donald F.

The nature of the interests in education that are protected by the Constitution may be ascertained by reference to certain due process and equal protection decisions of the Supreme Court reviewed in this paper. Although education is not a right granted by the Constitution, the Court has often recognized the importance of education, both to the…

Supreme Court Agrees to Review Case of Nevada Coach; Will Focus on Role of the NCAA as a Governmental Body.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lederman, Douglas

1987-01-01

The Supreme Court agreed to review a ruling by the Nevada Supreme Court that the NCAA had violated Jerry Tarkanian's constitutional right to due process. The Court will focus on whether the NCAA acts as a governmental body when it regulates college sports. (MLW)

Economically Necessitated Faculty Dismissals as a Limitation on Academic Freedom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leder, Charles P.

1975-01-01

The response of courts to terminations resulting from a financial crisis threatening a school is analyzed. That response depends, in part, on whether the teacher is asserting the infringement of a constitutional right, such as freedom of expression, or the deprivation without due process of the law of a property interest, such as a statutory or…

The Importance of Nutritional Education in Preventing Obesity and Malnutrition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Tanaka, Noriko; Kinoshita, Yukiko

2009-01-01

Japan once was a country suffering from undernourishment due to the shortage of food supply during and right after World War. Within a half century, however, Japan became one of the most developed industrial counties and, during the process of the economic development, adopted Western life style and eating habit: the Japanese have, with sufficient…

Six sigma: process of understanding the control and capability of ranitidine hydrochloride tablet.

PubMed

Chabukswar, Ar; Jagdale, Sc; Kuchekar, Bs; Joshi, Vd; Deshmukh, Gr; Kothawade, Hs; Kuckekar, Ab; Lokhande, Pd

2011-01-01

The process of understanding the control and capability (PUCC) is an iterative closed loop process for continuous improvement. It covers the DMAIC toolkit in its three phases. PUCC is an iterative approach that rotates between the three pillars of the process of understanding, process control, and process capability, with each iteration resulting in a more capable and robust process. It is rightly said that being at the top is a marathon and not a sprint. The objective of the six sigma study of Ranitidine hydrochloride tablets is to achieve perfection in tablet manufacturing by reviewing the present robust manufacturing process, to find out ways to improve and modify the process, which will yield tablets that are defect-free and will give more customer satisfaction. The application of six sigma led to an improved process capability, due to the improved sigma level of the process from 1.5 to 4, a higher yield, due to reduced variation and reduction of thick tablets, reduction in packing line stoppages, reduction in re-work by 50%, a more standardized process, with smooth flow and change in coating suspension reconstitution level (8%w/w), a huge cost reduction of approximately Rs.90 to 95 lakhs per annum, an improved overall efficiency by 30% approximately, and improved overall quality of the product.

Six Sigma: Process of Understanding the Control and Capability of Ranitidine Hydrochloride Tablet

PubMed Central

Chabukswar, AR; Jagdale, SC; Kuchekar, BS; Joshi, VD; Deshmukh, GR; Kothawade, HS; Kuckekar, AB; Lokhande, PD

2011-01-01

The process of understanding the control and capability (PUCC) is an iterative closed loop process for continuous improvement. It covers the DMAIC toolkit in its three phases. PUCC is an iterative approach that rotates between the three pillars of the process of understanding, process control, and process capability, with each iteration resulting in a more capable and robust process. It is rightly said that being at the top is a marathon and not a sprint. The objective of the six sigma study of Ranitidine hydrochloride tablets is to achieve perfection in tablet manufacturing by reviewing the present robust manufacturing process, to find out ways to improve and modify the process, which will yield tablets that are defect-free and will give more customer satisfaction. The application of six sigma led to an improved process capability, due to the improved sigma level of the process from 1.5 to 4, a higher yield, due to reduced variation and reduction of thick tablets, reduction in packing line stoppages, reduction in re-work by 50%, a more standardized process, with smooth flow and change in coating suspension reconstitution level (8%w/w), a huge cost reduction of approximately Rs.90 to 95 lakhs per annum, an improved overall efficiency by 30% approximately, and improved overall quality of the product. PMID:21607050

Electrophysiological indices of brain activity to content and function words in discourse.

PubMed

Neumann, Yael; Epstein, Baila; Shafer, Valerie L

2016-09-01

An increase in positivity of event-related potentials (ERPs) at the lateral anterior sites has been hypothesized to be an index of semantic and discourse processing, with the right lateral anterior positivity (LAP) showing particular sensitivity to discourse factors. However, the research investigating the LAP is limited; it is unclear whether the effect is driven by word class (function word versus content word) or by a more general process of structure building triggered by elements of a determiner phrase (DP). To examine the neurophysiological indices of semantic/discourse integration using two different word categories (function versus content word) in the discourse contexts and to contrast processing of these word categories in meaningful versus nonsense contexts. Planned comparisons of ERPs time locked to a function word stimulus 'the' and a content word stimulus 'cats' in sentence-initial position were conducted in both discourse and nonsense contexts to examine the time course of processing following these word forms. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the Discourse context revealed a significant interaction of condition and site due to greater positivity for 'the' relative to 'cats' at anterior and superior sites. In the Nonsense context, there was a significant interaction of condition, time and site due to greater positivity for 'the' relative to 'cats' at anterior sites from 150 to 350 ms post-stimulus offset and at superior sites from 150 to 200 ms post-stimulus offset. Overall, greater positivity for both 'the' and 'cats' was observed in the discourse relative to the nonsense context beginning approximately 150 ms post-stimulus offset. Additionally, topographical analyses were highly correlated for the two word categories when processing meaningful discourse. This topographical pattern could be characterized as a prominent right LAP. The LAP was attenuated when the target stimulus word initiated a nonsense context. The results of this study support the view that the right LAP is an index of general discourse processing rather than an index of word class. These findings demonstrate that the LAP can be used to study discourse processing in populations with compromised metalinguistic skills, such as adults with aphasia or traumatic brain injury. © 2016 Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists.

"From right to left": The role of right heart catheterization in the diagnosis and management of left heart diseases.

PubMed

Kałużna-Oleksy, Marta; Araszkiewicz, Aleksander; Migaj, Jacek; Lesiak, Maciej; Straburzyńska-Migaj, Ewa

2017-01-01

Pulmonary hypertension (PH), second only to left heart diseases (LHD), is a frequent problem in clinical practice. At the same time, left heart diseases represent the most common cause of pulmonary hypertension, and the occurrence of PH in patients with chronic heart failure is usually associated with worse functional class, and prognosis. Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the "gold standard" in the diagnosis and differentiation of PH. It is also essential in the process of qualifying for a heart transplantation. Therefore, right heart catheterization should be performed in expert centers by experienced operators and according to a strict protocol to ensure the reliability and reproducibility of results. Recommendations for pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease are based on the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines designed in cooperation with the European Respiratory Society (ERS) and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHL). The new ESC guidelines for pulmonary hypertension published in 2015 have improved the diagnostic and therapeutic process in patients with left heart diseases.

Music reading expertise modulates hemispheric lateralization in English word processing but not in Chinese character processing.

PubMed

Li, Sara Tze Kwan; Hsiao, Janet Hui-Wen

2018-07-01

Music notation and English word reading both involve mapping horizontally arranged visual components to components in sound, in contrast to reading in logographic languages such as Chinese. Accordingly, music-reading expertise may influence English word processing more than Chinese character processing. Here we showed that musicians named English words significantly faster than non-musicians when words were presented in the left visual field/right hemisphere (RH) or the center position, suggesting an advantage of RH processing due to music reading experience. This effect was not observed in Chinese character naming. A follow-up ERP study showed that in a sequential matching task, musicians had reduced RH N170 responses to English non-words under the processing of musical segments as compared with non-musicians, suggesting a shared visual processing mechanism in the RH between music notation and English non-word reading. This shared mechanism may be related to the letter-by-letter, serial visual processing that characterizes RH English word recognition (e.g., Lavidor & Ellis, 2001), which may consequently facilitate English word processing in the RH in musicians. Thus, music reading experience may have differential influences on the processing of different languages, depending on their similarities in the cognitive processes involved. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Leptogenesis with TeV Scale WR

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gu, Pei-Hong; Mohapatra, Rabindra N.

2018-04-01

Successful leptogenesis within the conventional TeV-scale left-right implementation of type-I seesaw has been shown to require that the mass of the right-handed WR± boson should have a lower bound much above the reach of the Large Hadron Collider. This bound arises from the necessity to suppress the washout of lepton asymmetry due to WR±-mediated Δ L ≠0 processes. We show that in an alternative quark seesaw realization of left-right symmetry, the above bound can be avoided. Lepton asymmetry in this model is generated not via the usual right-handed neutrino decay but rather via the decay of new heavy scalars producing an asymmetry in the B -L carrying Higgs triplets responsible for type-II seesaw, whose decay leads to the lepton asymmetry.

Addressing the selective role of distinct prefrontal areas in response suppression: A study with brain tumor patients.

PubMed

Arbula, Sandra; Pacella, Valentina; De Pellegrin, Serena; Rossetto, Marta; Denaro, Luca; D'Avella, Domenico; Della Puppa, Alessandro; Vallesi, Antonino

2017-06-01

The diverging evidence for functional localization of response inhibition within the prefrontal cortex might be justified by the still unclear involvement of other intrinsically related cognitive processes like response selection and sustained attention. In this study, the main aim was to understand whether inhibitory impairments, previously found in patients with both left and right frontal lesions, could be better accounted for by assessing these potentially related cognitive processes. We tested 37 brain tumor patients with left prefrontal, right prefrontal and non-prefrontal lesions and a healthy control group on Go/No-Go and Foreperiod tasks. In both types of tasks inhibitory impairments are likely to cause false alarms, although additionally the former task requires response selection and the latter target detection abilities. Irrespective of the task context, patients with right prefrontal damage showed frequent Go and target omissions, probably due to sustained attention lapses. Left prefrontal patients, on the other hand, showed both Go and target omissions and high false alarm rates to No-Go and warning stimuli, suggesting a decisional rather than an inhibitory impairment. An exploratory whole-brain voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping analysis confirmed the association of left ventrolateral and dorsolateral prefrontal lesions with target discrimination failure, and right ventrolateral and medial prefrontal lesions with target detection failure. Results from this study show how left and right prefrontal areas, which previous research has linked to response inhibition, underlie broader cognitive control processes, particularly involved in response selection and target detection. Based on these findings, we suggest that successful inhibitory control relies on more than one functionally distinct process which, if assessed appropriately, might help us to better understand inhibitory impairments across different pathologies. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Role of Process Control in Improving Space Vehicle Safety A Space Shuttle External Tank Example

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Safie, Fayssal M.; Nguyen, Son C.; Burleson, Keith W.

2006-01-01

Developing a safe and reliable space vehicle requires good design and good manufacturing, or in other words "design it right and build it right". A great design can be hard to build or manufacture mainly due to difficulties related to quality. Specifically, process control can be a challenge. As a result, the system suffers from low quality which leads to low reliability and high system risk. The Space Shuttle has experienced some of those cases, but has overcome these difficulties through extensive redesign efforts and process enhancements. One example is the design of the hot gas temperature sensor on the Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME), which resulted in failure of the sensor in flight and led to a redesign of the sensor. The most recent example is the Space Shuttle External Tank (ET) Thermal Protection System (TPS) reliability issues that contributed to the Columbia accident. As a result, extensive redesign and process enhancement activities have been performed over the last two years to minimize the sensitivities and difficulties of the manual TPS application process.

Relative Spatial Frequency Processing Drives Hemispheric Asymmetry in Conscious Awareness

PubMed Central

Piazza, Elise A.; Silver, Michael A.

2017-01-01

Visual stimuli with different spatial frequencies (SFs) are processed asymmetrically in the two cerebral hemispheres. Specifically, low SFs are processed relatively more efficiently in the right hemisphere than the left hemisphere, whereas high SFs show the opposite pattern. In this study, we ask whether these differences between the two hemispheres reflect a low-level division that is based on absolute SF values or a flexible comparison of the SFs in the visual environment at any given time. In a recent study, we showed that conscious awareness of SF information (i.e., visual perceptual selection from multiple SFs simultaneously present in the environment) differs between the two hemispheres. Building upon that result, here we employed binocular rivalry to test whether this hemispheric asymmetry is due to absolute or relative SF processing. In each trial, participants viewed a pair of rivalrous orthogonal gratings of different SFs, presented either to the left or right of central fixation, and continuously reported which grating they perceived. We found that the hemispheric asymmetry in perception is significantly influenced by relative processing of the SFs of the simultaneously presented stimuli. For example, when a medium SF grating and a higher SF grating were presented as a rivalry pair, subjects were more likely to report that they initially perceived the medium SF grating when the rivalry pair was presented in the left visual hemifield (right hemisphere), compared to the right hemifield. However, this same medium SF grating, when it was paired in rivalry with a lower SF grating, was more likely to be perceptually selected when it was in the right visual hemifield (left hemisphere). Thus, the visual system’s classification of a given SF as “low” or “high” (and therefore, which hemisphere preferentially processes that SF) depends on the other SFs that are present, demonstrating that relative SF processing contributes to hemispheric differences in visual perceptual selection. PMID:28469585

The case for regulating collaborative reproduction: a children's rights perspective.

PubMed

Alvare, Helen M

2003-01-01

There is little regulation of collaborative reproduction--the use of the eggs, sperm, or embryos of a third party to create a child biologically unrelated to at least one intending parent. This Article argues that the dearth of regulation should be assessed from a children's rights perspective and accordingly adjusted. After examining the effects of the experimental reproductive technologies, it concludes that traditional family law preferences and policies are undercut by the deliberate creation of collaboratively reproduced children. The lack of regulation might stem from constitutional protection afforded parents in the right of privacy and substantive due process cases. The author, however, contends that collaborative reproduction implicates the rights of children and requires a separate balancing of rights not contemplated in other cases. Collaborative reproduction also requires regulation because of its spill over effects on the acceptability of cloning. The Article concludes by offering several possible regulatory responses to the problems posed by collaborative reproduction.

78 FR 71645 - Pilot Project for Tribal Jurisdiction over Crimes of Domestic Violence

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-29

... women have non-Indian husbands.\\5\\ \\4\\ See S. Rep. No. 112-153, at 3, 7-11, 32 (2012) (citing studies... person's right to due process. In the case of ex parte orders, notice and opportunity to be heard must be... jury selection and indigent defense. On September 13, 2013, the Center for Jury Studies, a project of...

Race and the Constitution in the Nineteenth Century.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Franklin, John Hope

1988-01-01

Examines the impact of race on 19th century politics and social order. Discusses the denial of voting rights and due process to free Blacks prior to the Civil War and the "unkept promises" of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Lists books on the 19th century Black experience and identifies significant…

76 FR 78083 - Agency Information Collection (Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals) Activities Under OMB Review

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-12-15

... Human Resources and Housing Branch, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 (202... appellant and the BVA must be informed so that the appellant's rights may be adequately protected and so... required by basic Constitutional due-process and by Title 38 U.S.C. 7107(b). From time to time, hearing...

Tenure as a Fact of Academic Life: A Methodology for Managing the Performance of Tenured Professors

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawkins, Alfred G., Jr.; Graham, Richard D.; Hall, Richard F.

2007-01-01

Academic freedom is the right, especially of a university professor, to free speech without fear of reprisal. Experts posit three means to academic freedom: tenure, due process and professional competence. A critical issue in current post-secondary education governance and administration that relates to each of these means is post-tenure review.…

Characteristic changes in brain electrical activity due to chronic hypoxia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS): a combined EEG study using LORETA and omega complexity.

PubMed

Toth, Marton; Faludi, Bela; Wackermann, Jiri; Czopf, Jozsef; Kondakor, Istvan

2009-11-01

EEG background activity of patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS, N = 25) was compared to that of normal controls (N = 14) to reflect alterations of brain electrical activity caused by chronic intermittent hypoxia in OSAS. Global and regional (left vs. right, anterior vs. posterior) measures of spatial complexity (Omega) were used to characterize the degree of spatial synchrony of EEG. Low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LORETA) was used to localize generators of EEG activity in separate frequency bands. Comparing patients to controls, lower Omega complexity was found globally and in the right hemisphere. Using LORETA, an increased medium frequency activity was seen bilaterally in the precuneus, paracentral and posterior cingulate cortex. These findings indicate that alterations caused by chronic hypoxia in brain electrical activity in regions associated with influencing emotional regulation, long-term memory and the default mode network. Global synchronization (lower Omega complexity) may indicate a significantly reduced number of relatively independent, parallel neural processes due to chronic global hypoxic state in apneic patients as well as over the right hemisphere.

Juvenile Competency to Stand Trial.

PubMed

Stepanyan, Sofia T; Sidhu, Shawn S; Bath, Eraka

2016-01-01

Competency to stand trial is interpreted as a protected due process right for all defendants and is defined as a defendant's fundamental knowledge and understanding of the criminal charges being filed, roles and procedures within the courtroom, and a general ability to work with the defense counsel. Questions of competency are most often raised by the judge, defense, or the prosecution, and competency evaluations are most often completed by psychiatrists or psychologists with forensic training or work experience. Mental illness, intellectual disability, developmental disorders, and developmental immaturity are the 4 main factors considered in most juvenile competency evaluations. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Beyond Lawrence v. Texas: crafting a fundamental right to sexual privacy.

PubMed

Fasullo, Kristin

2009-05-01

After the watershed 2003 U.S. Supreme Court decision Lawrence v.Texas, courts are faced with the daunting task of navigating the bounds of sexual privacy in light of Lawrence's sweeping language and unconventional structure. This Note focuses on the specific issue of state governments regulating sexual device distribution. Evaluating the substantive due process rights of sexual device retailers and users, this Note ultimately argues that the privacy interest identified in Lawrence is sufficiently broad to protect intimate decisions to engage in adult consensual sexual behavior, including the liberty to sell, purchase, and use a sexual device.

Processing of metaphors in transcortical motor aphasia.

PubMed

Mancopes, Renata; Schultz, Fernanda

2008-01-01

Great emphasis has been placed on the right hemisphere, due to its possible selective contribution, in the processing of metaphorical statements. To describe the processing of metaphors in the case of a patient with transcortical motor aphasia, using specific tests for patients with encephalic injuries of the right hemisphere, and to contribute to the discussion on the inter-hemispheric relationships associated with this function. A 54 year-old man with transcortical motor aphasia was evaluated three years after a left hemisphere stroke. The tasks of comprehension of metaphors were based on the subtest Metaphor Comprehension Task of the Montreal Evaluation of Communications Scale (MEC). Two metaphor comprehension tests were applied, in 45-minute sessions with a 48 hour interval between each. Test 1 involved comprehension of the metaphors according to the options offered, and Test 2 the comprehension of metaphors measured by response time and visual field. Although the right hemisphere was not affected by the stroke in this case, difficulties were observed in the processing of metaphors. This study suggests that the left hemisphere participates in the processing of figurative meanings. The adaptability of the brain can also re-accommodate the uninjured areas of the brain, causing the dynamic of the brain to be modified. As a result, deducing cerebral functions based on clinical data can be problematic. The value of this study is that it can contribute to clinical aspects of language rehabilitation.

Induced vibrations increase performance of a winged self-righting robot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Othayoth, Ratan; Xuan, Qihan; Li, Chen

When upside down, cockroaches can open their wings to dynamically self-right. In this process, an animal often has to perform multiple unsuccessful maneuvers to eventually right, and often flails its legs. Here, we developed a cockroach-inspired winged self-righting robot capable of controlled body vibrations to test the hypothesis that vibrations assist self-righting transitions. Robot body vibrations were induced by an oscillating mass (10% of body mass) and varied by changing oscillation frequency. We discovered that, as the robot's body vibrations increased, righting probability increased, and righting time decreased (P <0.0001, ANOVA), confirming our hypothesis. To begin to understand the underlying physics, we developed a locomotion energy landscape model. Our model revealed that the kinetic energy fluctuations due to vibrations were comparable to the potential energy barriers required to transition from a metastable overturned orientation to an upright orientation. Our study supports the plausibility of locomotion energy landscapes for understanding locomotor transitions, but highlights the need for further stochastic modeling to capture the uncertain nature of when righting maneuvers result in successful righting.

Biopharmaceutical production: Applications of surface plasmon resonance biosensors.

PubMed

Thillaivinayagalingam, Pranavan; Gommeaux, Julien; McLoughlin, Michael; Collins, David; Newcombe, Anthony R

2010-01-15

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) permits the quantitative analysis of therapeutic antibody concentrations and impurities including bacteria, Protein A, Protein G and small molecule ligands leached from chromatography media. The use of surface plasmon resonance has gained popularity within the biopharmaceutical industry due to the automated, label free, real time interaction that may be exploited when using this method. The application areas to assess protein interactions and develop analytical methods for biopharmaceutical downstream process development, quality control, and in-process monitoring are reviewed. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

You can count on the motor cortex: finger counting habits modulate motor cortex activation evoked by numbers.

PubMed

Tschentscher, Nadja; Hauk, Olaf; Fischer, Martin H; Pulvermüller, Friedemann

2012-02-15

The embodied cognition framework suggests that neural systems for perception and action are engaged during higher cognitive processes. In an event-related fMRI study, we tested this claim for the abstract domain of numerical symbol processing: is the human cortical motor system part of the representation of numbers, and is organization of numerical knowledge influenced by individual finger counting habits? Developmental studies suggest a link between numerals and finger counting habits due to the acquisition of numerical skills through finger counting in childhood. In the present study, digits 1 to 9 and the corresponding number words were presented visually to adults with different finger counting habits, i.e. left- and right-starters who reported that they usually start counting small numbers with their left and right hand, respectively. Despite the absence of overt hand movements, the hemisphere contralateral to the hand used for counting small numbers was activated when small numbers were presented. The correspondence between finger counting habits and hemispheric motor activation is consistent with an intrinsic functional link between finger counting and number processing. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Lateralization of music processing with noises in the auditory cortex: an fNIRS study.

PubMed

Santosa, Hendrik; Hong, Melissa Jiyoun; Hong, Keum-Shik

2014-01-01

The present study is to determine the effects of background noise on the hemispheric lateralization in music processing by exposing 14 subjects to four different auditory environments: music segments only, noise segments only, music + noise segments, and the entire music interfered by noise segments. The hemodynamic responses in both hemispheres caused by the perception of music in 10 different conditions were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. As a feature to distinguish stimulus-evoked hemodynamics, the difference between the mean and the minimum value of the hemodynamic response for a given stimulus was used. The right-hemispheric lateralization in music processing was about 75% (instead of continuous music, only music segments were heard). If the stimuli were only noises, the lateralization was about 65%. But, if the music was mixed with noises, the right-hemispheric lateralization has increased. Particularly, if the noise was a little bit lower than the music (i.e., music level 10~15%, noise level 10%), the entire subjects showed the right-hemispheric lateralization: This is due to the subjects' effort to hear the music in the presence of noises. However, too much noise has reduced the subjects' discerning efforts.

Lateralization of music processing with noises in the auditory cortex: an fNIRS study

PubMed Central

Santosa, Hendrik; Hong, Melissa Jiyoun; Hong, Keum-Shik

2014-01-01

The present study is to determine the effects of background noise on the hemispheric lateralization in music processing by exposing 14 subjects to four different auditory environments: music segments only, noise segments only, music + noise segments, and the entire music interfered by noise segments. The hemodynamic responses in both hemispheres caused by the perception of music in 10 different conditions were measured using functional near-infrared spectroscopy. As a feature to distinguish stimulus-evoked hemodynamics, the difference between the mean and the minimum value of the hemodynamic response for a given stimulus was used. The right-hemispheric lateralization in music processing was about 75% (instead of continuous music, only music segments were heard). If the stimuli were only noises, the lateralization was about 65%. But, if the music was mixed with noises, the right-hemispheric lateralization has increased. Particularly, if the noise was a little bit lower than the music (i.e., music level 10~15%, noise level 10%), the entire subjects showed the right-hemispheric lateralization: This is due to the subjects' effort to hear the music in the presence of noises. However, too much noise has reduced the subjects' discerning efforts. PMID:25538583

77 FR 60008 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-10-01

... in a CMV. Terry J. Edwards Mr. Edwards, 53, has a prosthetic right eye due to a traumatic injury... left eye due to a traumatic injury sustained at age 2. The best corrected visual acuity in his right... his right eye due to a traumatic injury sustained 10 years ago. The visual acuity in his right eye is...

Effect of cooking on the concentration of bioactive compounds in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. Avenger) and cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. Alphina F1) grown in an organic system.

PubMed

Dos Reis, Luzia Caroline Ramos; de Oliveira, Viviani Ruffo; Hagen, Martine Elisabeth Kienzle; Jablonski, André; Flôres, Simone Hickmann; de Oliveira Rios, Alessandro

2015-04-01

Brassica vegetables have been shown to have antioxidant capacities due to the presence of carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamins. This study evaluates the influence of different processing conditions (boiling, steaming, microwaving and sous vide) on the stability of flavonoids, carotenoids and vitamin A in broccoli and cauliflower inflorescences grown in an organic system. Results indicated that sous vide processing resulted in greater antioxidant capacity and that all processes contributed in some way to an increased content of antioxidant compounds in both cauliflower and broccoli. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lignocellulosic ethanol production at high-gravity: challenges and perspectives.

PubMed

Koppram, Rakesh; Tomás-Pejó, Elia; Xiros, Charilaos; Olsson, Lisbeth

2014-01-01

In brewing and ethanol-based biofuel industries, high-gravity fermentation produces 10-15% (v/v) ethanol, resulting in improved overall productivity, reduced capital cost, and reduced energy input compared to processing at normal gravity. High-gravity technology ensures a successful implementation of cellulose to ethanol conversion as a cost-competitive process. Implementation of such technologies is possible if all process steps can be performed at high biomass concentrations. This review focuses on challenges and technological efforts in processing at high-gravity conditions and how these conditions influence the physiology and metabolism of fermenting microorganisms, the action of enzymes, and other process-related factors. Lignocellulosic materials add challenges compared to implemented processes due to high inhibitors content and the physical properties of these materials at high gravity. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Planum Temporale Morphology in Children with Developmental Dyslexia

PubMed Central

Bloom, Juliana Sanchez; Garcia-Barrera, Mauricio A.; Miller, Carlin J.; Miller, Scott R.; Hynd, George W.

2013-01-01

The planum temporale is a highly lateralized cortical region, located within Wernicke’s area, which is thought to be involved in auditory processing, phonological processing, and language. Research has linked abnormal morphology of the planum temporale to developmental dyslexia, although results have varied in large part due to methodological inconsistencies in the literature. This study examined the asymmetry of the planum temporale in 29 children who met criteria for dyslexia and 26 children whose reading was unimpaired. Leftward asymmetry of the planum temporale was found in the total sample and this leftward asymmetry was significantly reduced in children with dyslexia. This reduced leftward asymmetry in children with dyslexia was due to a planum temporale that is larger in the right hemisphere. This study lends support to the idea that planum temporale asymmetry is altered in children with developmental dyslexia. PMID:23707683

Two-digit number comparison: Decade-unit and unit-decade produce the same compatibility effect with number words.

PubMed

Macizo, Pedro; Herrera, Amparo

2010-03-01

This study explored the processing of 2-digit number words by examining the unit-decade compatibility effect in Spanish. Participants were required to choose the larger of 2-digit number words presented in verbal notation. In compatible trials the decade and unit comparisons led to the same response (e.g., 53-68) while in incompatible trials the decade and unit comparisons led to different responses (e.g., 59-74). Participants were slower on compatible trials as compared to incompatible trials. In Experiments 2 and 3, we evaluated whether the reverse compatibility effect in Spanish was only due to a pure left-to-right encoding which favours the decade processing in this language (decade-unit order). When participants processed 2-digit number words presented in reverse form (in the unit-decade order), the same reverse compatibility effect was found. This pattern of results suggests that participants have learnt a language-dependent process for analysing written numbers which is used irrespective of the specific arrangement of units and decades in the comparison task. 2010 APA, all rights reserved.

Involvement of Right STS in Audio-Visual Integration for Affective Speech Demonstrated Using MEG

PubMed Central

Hagan, Cindy C.; Woods, Will; Johnson, Sam; Green, Gary G. R.; Young, Andrew W.

2013-01-01

Speech and emotion perception are dynamic processes in which it may be optimal to integrate synchronous signals emitted from different sources. Studies of audio-visual (AV) perception of neutrally expressed speech demonstrate supra-additive (i.e., where AV>[unimodal auditory+unimodal visual]) responses in left STS to crossmodal speech stimuli. However, emotions are often conveyed simultaneously with speech; through the voice in the form of speech prosody and through the face in the form of facial expression. Previous studies of AV nonverbal emotion integration showed a role for right (rather than left) STS. The current study therefore examined whether the integration of facial and prosodic signals of emotional speech is associated with supra-additive responses in left (cf. results for speech integration) or right (due to emotional content) STS. As emotional displays are sometimes difficult to interpret, we also examined whether supra-additive responses were affected by emotional incongruence (i.e., ambiguity). Using magnetoencephalography, we continuously recorded eighteen participants as they viewed and heard AV congruent emotional and AV incongruent emotional speech stimuli. Significant supra-additive responses were observed in right STS within the first 250 ms for emotionally incongruent and emotionally congruent AV speech stimuli, which further underscores the role of right STS in processing crossmodal emotive signals. PMID:23950977

The right hemisphere's contribution to discourse processing: A study in temporal lobe epilepsy.

PubMed

Lomlomdjian, Carolina; Múnera, Claudia P; Low, Daniel M; Terpiluk, Verónica; Solís, Patricia; Abusamra, Valeria; Kochen, Silvia

2017-08-01

Discourse skills - in which the right hemisphere has an important role - enables verbal communication by selecting contextually relevant information and integrating it coherently to infer the correct meaning. However, language research in epilepsy has focused on single word analysis related mainly to left hemisphere processing. The purpose of this study was to investigate discourse abilities in patients with right lateralized medial temporal lobe epilepsy (RTLE) by comparing their performance to that of patients with left temporal lobe epilepsy (LTLE). 74 pharmacoresistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients were evaluated: 34 with RTLE and 40 with LTLE. Subjects underwent a battery of tests that measure comprehension and production of conversational and narrative discourse. Disease related variables and general neuropsychological data were evaluated. The RTLE group presented deficits in interictal conversational and narrative discourse, with a disintegrated speech, lack of categorization and misinterpretation of social meaning. LTLE group, on the other hand, showed a tendency to lower performance in logical-temporal sequencing. RTLE patients showed discourse deficits which have been described in right hemisphere damaged patients due to other etiologies. Medial and anterior temporal lobe structures appear to link semantic, world knowledge, and social cognition associated areas to construct a contextually related coherent meaning. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Involvement of right STS in audio-visual integration for affective speech demonstrated using MEG.

PubMed

Hagan, Cindy C; Woods, Will; Johnson, Sam; Green, Gary G R; Young, Andrew W

2013-01-01

Speech and emotion perception are dynamic processes in which it may be optimal to integrate synchronous signals emitted from different sources. Studies of audio-visual (AV) perception of neutrally expressed speech demonstrate supra-additive (i.e., where AV>[unimodal auditory+unimodal visual]) responses in left STS to crossmodal speech stimuli. However, emotions are often conveyed simultaneously with speech; through the voice in the form of speech prosody and through the face in the form of facial expression. Previous studies of AV nonverbal emotion integration showed a role for right (rather than left) STS. The current study therefore examined whether the integration of facial and prosodic signals of emotional speech is associated with supra-additive responses in left (cf. results for speech integration) or right (due to emotional content) STS. As emotional displays are sometimes difficult to interpret, we also examined whether supra-additive responses were affected by emotional incongruence (i.e., ambiguity). Using magnetoencephalography, we continuously recorded eighteen participants as they viewed and heard AV congruent emotional and AV incongruent emotional speech stimuli. Significant supra-additive responses were observed in right STS within the first 250 ms for emotionally incongruent and emotionally congruent AV speech stimuli, which further underscores the role of right STS in processing crossmodal emotive signals.

An Investigation of Demographic and Academic Factors as Predictors of Disproportionate Discretionary In-School Suspensions of Black High School Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rochelle, Lori Patrice

2012-01-01

School districts were faced with numerous lawsuits for violating students' due process rights in the early 1980's. In response, schools began using other disciplinary responses to discipline violators such as in-school suspension (Adams 2000; Hanson 2005). In-school suspension provided a softer and less punitive approach to discipline and allowed…

Board of Curators of the University of Missouri v. Horowitz: Student Due Process Rights and Judicial Deference to Academic Dismissals.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brock, Allan D.

1979-01-01

The Horowitz case is consistent with the general reluctance of courts to sustain constitutional challenges to decisions by educators in academic matters. Precedent is heavily weighted in favor of the academic community and should be overcome in future challenges. (Journal availability: Willamette University College of Law, Salem, OR 97301, $5.00…

Visual Similarity of Words Alone Can Modulate Hemispheric Lateralization in Visual Word Recognition: Evidence From Modeling Chinese Character Recognition.

PubMed

Hsiao, Janet H; Cheung, Kit

2016-03-01

In Chinese orthography, the most common character structure consists of a semantic radical on the left and a phonetic radical on the right (SP characters); the minority, opposite arrangement also exists (PS characters). Recent studies showed that SP character processing is more left hemisphere (LH) lateralized than PS character processing. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether this is due to phonetic radical position or character type frequency. Through computational modeling with artificial lexicons, in which we implement a theory of hemispheric asymmetry in perception but do not assume phonological processing being LH lateralized, we show that the difference in character type frequency alone is sufficient to exhibit the effect that the dominant type has a stronger LH lateralization than the minority type. This effect is due to higher visual similarity among characters in the dominant type than the minority type, demonstrating the modulation of visual similarity of words on hemispheric lateralization. Copyright © 2015 Cognitive Science Society, Inc.

Reduced nitrification and abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria in acidic soil amended with biochar.

PubMed

Wang, Zhenyu; Zong, Haiying; Zheng, Hao; Liu, Guocheng; Chen, Lei; Xing, Baoshan

2015-11-01

Adding biochar into soils has potential to manipulate soil nitrification process due to its impacts on nitrogen (N) cycling, however, the exact mechanisms underlying the alteration of nitrification process in soils are still not clear. Nitrification in an acidic orchard soil amended with peanut shell biochar (PBC) produced at 400 °C was investigated. Nitrification was weakened by PBC addition due to the decreased NH4(+)-N content and reduced ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) abundance in PBC-amended soils. Adding phenolic compounds (PHCs) free biochar (PBC-P) increased the AOB abundance and the DGGE band number, indicating that PHCs remaining in the PBC likely reduced AOB abundance and diversity. However, PBC addition stimulated rape growth and increased N bioavailability. Overall, adding PBC could suppress the nitrification process and improve N bioavailability in the agricultural soils, and thus possibly mitigate the environmental negative impacts and improving N use efficiency in the acidic soils added with N fertilizer. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The adolescent patient: parental responsibility, the right to be informed and the right to be heard.

PubMed

Delbon, P; Dianiskova, S; Laffranchi, L; Conti, A

2015-12-01

The increasing emphasis placed on patients' rights, in dentistry as well as in other areas, is also having repercussions on the structure of the relationship between health care staff, the under-age patient and his /her parents. The authors reflect about the decision-making process when the patient is a minor in the field of dentistry and underline the role of the parties involved (dentist, parents, under-age patient) in different circumstances (e.g. ordinary care or non-routine care; urgent situations; conflict between parents; refusal of the parents; disagreement between the parents and the child, refusal of the under-age patient; etc.). The Law must first ensure that the minors' needs for protection are met by awarding their parents the power and duty to care for them and, thus, also to take health care decisions in their interest. At the same time, domestic legislation and international legislation supports the need to give greater weight to minors' opinions as they approach the age of majority and, therefore, as they acquire a certain degree of maturity. The rights of under-age patients are safeguarded by actively involving them in the decision-making process, with particular reference to their right to information and right to be heard, to the extent that their age and understanding allow, with due consideration to the specific situation.

Surface amorphization of NiTi alloy induced by Ultrasonic Nanocrystal Surface Modification for improved mechanical properties.

PubMed

Ye, Chang; Zhou, Xianfeng; Telang, Abhishek; Gao, Hongyu; Ren, Zhencheng; Qin, Haifeng; Suslov, Sergey; Gill, Amrinder S; Mannava, S R; Qian, Dong; Doll, Gary L; Martini, Ashlie; Sahai, Nita; Vasudevan, Vijay K

2016-01-01

We report herein the effects of Ultrasonic Nano-crystal Surface Modification (UNSM), a severe surface plastic deformation process, on the microstructure, mechanical (hardness, wear), wettability and biocompatibility properties of NiTi shape memory alloy. Complete surface amorphization of NiTi was achieved by this process, which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The wear resistance of the samples after UNSM processing was significantly improved compared with the non-processed samples due to increased surface hardness of the alloy by this process. In addition, cell culture study demonstrated that the biocompatibility of the samples after UNSM processing has not been compromised compared to the non-processed sample. The combination of high wear resistance and good biocompatibility makes UNSM an appealing process for treating alloy-based biomedical devices. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Laterality of basic auditory perception.

PubMed

Sininger, Yvonne S; Bhatara, Anjali

2012-01-01

Laterality (left-right ear differences) of auditory processing was assessed using basic auditory skills: (1) gap detection, (2) frequency discrimination, and (3) intensity discrimination. Stimuli included tones (500, 1000, and 4000 Hz) and wide-band noise presented monaurally to each ear of typical adult listeners. The hypothesis tested was that processing of tonal stimuli would be enhanced by left ear (LE) stimulation and noise by right ear (RE) presentations. To investigate the limits of laterality by (1) spectral width, a narrow-band noise (NBN) of 450-Hz bandwidth was evaluated using intensity discrimination, and (2) stimulus duration, 200, 500, and 1000 ms duration tones were evaluated using frequency discrimination. A left ear advantage (LEA) was demonstrated with tonal stimuli in all experiments, but an expected REA for noise stimuli was not found. The NBN stimulus demonstrated no LEA and was characterised as a noise. No change in laterality was found with changes in stimulus durations. The LEA for tonal stimuli is felt to be due to more direct connections between the left ear and the right auditory cortex, which has been shown to be primary for spectral analysis and tonal processing. The lack of a REA for noise stimuli is unexplained. Sex differences in laterality for noise stimuli were noted but were not statistically significant. This study did establish a subtle but clear pattern of LEA for processing of tonal stimuli.

Laterality of Basic Auditory Perception

PubMed Central

Sininger, Yvonne S.; Bhatara, Anjali

2010-01-01

Laterality (left-right ear differences) of auditory processing was assessed using basic auditory skills: 1) gap detection 2) frequency discrimination and 3) intensity discrimination. Stimuli included tones (500, 1000 and 4000 Hz) and wide-band noise presented monaurally to each ear of typical adult listeners. The hypothesis tested was: processing of tonal stimuli would be enhanced by left ear (LE) stimulation and noise by right ear (RE) presentations. To investigate the limits of laterality by 1) spectral width, a narrow band noise (NBN) of 450 Hz bandwidth was evaluated using intensity discrimination and 2) stimulus duration, 200, 500 and 1000 ms duration tones were evaluated using frequency discrimination. Results A left ear advantage (LEA) was demonstrated with tonal stimuli in all experiments but an expected REA for noise stimuli was not found. The NBN stimulus demonstrated no LEA and was characterized as a noise. No change in laterality was found with changes in stimulus durations. The LEA for tonal stimuli is felt to be due to more direct connections between the left ear and the right auditory cortex which has been shown to be primary for spectral analysis and tonal processing. The lack of a REA for noise stimuli is unexplained. Sex differences in laterality for noise stimuli were noted but were not statistically significant. This study did establish a subtle but clear pattern of LEA for processing of tonal stimuli. PMID:22385138

Processing of metaphors in transcortical motor aphasia

PubMed Central

Mancopes, Renata; Schultz, Fernanda

2008-01-01

Great emphasis has been placed on the right hemisphere, due to its possible selective contribution, in the processing of metaphorical statements. Objectives To describe the processing of metaphors in the case of a patient with transcortical motor aphasia, using specific tests for patients with encephalic injuries of the right hemisphere, and to contribute to the discussion on the inter-hemispheric relationships associated with this function. Methods A 54 year-old man with transcortical motor aphasia was evaluated three years after a left hemisphere stroke. The tasks of comprehension of metaphors were based on the subtest Metaphor Comprehension Task of the Montreal Evaluation of Communications Scale (MEC). Two metaphor comprehension tests were applied, in 45-minute sessions with a 48 hour interval between each. Test 1 involved comprehension of the metaphors according to the options offered, and Test 2 the comprehension of metaphors measured by response time and visual field. Results Although the right hemisphere was not affected by the stroke in this case, difficulties were observed in the processing of metaphors. Conclusions This study suggests that the left hemisphere participates in the processing of figurative meanings. The adaptability of the brain can also re-accommodate the uninjured areas of the brain, causing the dynamic of the brain to be modified. As a result, deducing cerebral functions based on clinical data can be problematic. The value of this study is that it can contribute to clinical aspects of language rehabilitation. PMID:29213596

Identification of 4th intercostal space using sternal notch to xiphoid length for accurate electrocardiogram lead placement.

PubMed

Day, Kevin; Oliva, Isabel; Krupinski, Elizabeth; Marcus, Frank

2015-01-01

Precordial ECG lead placement is difficult in obese patients with increased chest wall soft tissues due to inaccurate palpation of the intercostal spaces. We investigated whether the length of the sternum (distance between the sternal notch and xiphoid process) can accurately predict the location of the 4th intercostal space, which is the traditional location for V1 lead position. Fifty-five consecutive adult chest computed tomography examinations were reviewed for measurements. The sternal notch to right 4th intercostal space distance was 67% of the sternal notch to xiphoid process length with an overall correlation of r=0.600 (p<0.001). The above measurement may be utilized to locate the 4th intercostal space for accurate placement of the precordial electrodes in adults in whom the 4th intercostal space cannot be found by physical exam. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An integer batch scheduling model considering learning, forgetting, and deterioration effects for a single machine to minimize total inventory holding cost

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yusriski, R.; Sukoyo; Samadhi, T. M. A. A.; Halim, A. H.

2018-03-01

This research deals with a single machine batch scheduling model considering the influenced of learning, forgetting, and machine deterioration effects. The objective of the model is to minimize total inventory holding cost, and the decision variables are the number of batches (N), batch sizes (Q[i], i = 1, 2, .., N) and the sequence of processing the resulting batches. The parts to be processed are received at the right time and the right quantities, and all completed parts must be delivered at a common due date. We propose a heuristic procedure based on the Lagrange method to solve the problem. The effectiveness of the procedure is evaluated by comparing the resulting solution to the optimal solution obtained from the enumeration procedure using the integer composition technique and shows that the average effectiveness is 94%.

Reading compounds in neglect dyslexia: the headedness effect.

PubMed

Semenza, Carlo; Arcara, Giorgio; Facchini, Silvia; Meneghello, Francesca; Ferraro, Marco; Passarini, Laura; Pilosio, Cristina; Vigato, Giovanna; Mondini, Sara

2011-09-01

Reading compound words was studied in neglect dyslexia in order to assess the influence of 'headedness'. The 'head' of a compound is the component that determines the grammatical category, the syntactic (e.g., the gender) and the semantic properties of the compound as a whole. For example, in the word 'blackberry'berry is the compound's head. The question was addressed of whether or not the privileged status of the head constituent influences processing and determines behavioural patterns in the breakdown of spatial attention in neglect. Italian right-headed (e.g. capobanda, band leader) and left-headed compounds (e.g. astronave, spaceship) were administered to 18 participants affected by neglect dyslexia. Left-headed compounds were read better than right-headed compounds. This result was not due to factors such as frequency, familiarity, age of acquisition or imageability, since these effects were controlled. It is suggested that attention is captured by the head component after implicit reading of the whole word. The head would require a relatively lighter processing load than the modifier and benefit from top-down facilitation. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reproductive Disorders in Snakes.

PubMed

Di Girolamo, Nicola; Selleri, Paolo

2017-05-01

Reproduction of snakes is one of the challenging aspects of herpetology medicine. Due to the complexity of reproduction, several disorders may present before, during, or after this process. This article describes the physical examination, and radiographic, ultrasonographic, and endoscopic findings associated with reproductive disorders in snakes. Surgical techniques used to resolve reproductive disorders in snakes are described. Finally, common reproductive disorders in snakes are individually discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Note on in situ (scanning) transmission electron microscopy study of liquid samples.

PubMed

Jiang, Nan

2017-08-01

Liquid cell (scanning) transmission electron microscopy has been developed rapidly, using amorphous SiN x membranes as electron transparent windows. The current interpretations of electron beam effects are mainly based on radiolytic processes. In this note, additional effects of the electric field due to electron-beam irradiation are discussed. The electric field can be produced by the charge accumulation due to the emission of secondary and Auger electrons. Besides various beam-induced phenomena, such as nanoparticle precipitation and gas bubble formation and motion, two other effects need to be considered; one is the change of Gibbs free energy of nucleation and the other is the violation of Brownian motion due to ion drifting driven by the electric field. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chitosan as a bioactive polymer: Processing, properties and applications.

PubMed

Muxika, A; Etxabide, A; Uranga, J; Guerrero, P; de la Caba, K

2017-12-01

Chitin is one of the most abundant natural polysaccharides in the world and it is mainly used for the production of chitosan by a deacetylation process. Chitosan is a bioactive polymer with a wide variety of applications due to its functional properties such as antibacterial activity, non-toxicity, ease of modification, and biodegradability. This review summarizes the most common chitosan processing methods and highlights some applications of chitosan in various industrial and biomedical fields. Finally, environmental concerns of chitosan-based films, considering the stages from raw materials extraction up to the end of life after disposal, are also discussed with the aim of finding more eco-friendly alternatives. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Setting the time and place for a hearing before an administrative law judge. Final rules.

PubMed

2010-07-08

We are amending our rules to state that our agency is responsible for setting the time and place for a hearing before an administrative law judge (ALJ). This change creates a 3-year pilot program that will allow us to test this new authority. Our use of this authority, consistent with due process rights of claimants, may provide us with greater flexibility in scheduling both in-person and video hearings, lead to improved efficiency in our hearing process, and reduce the number of pending hearing requests. This change is a part of our broader commitment to maintaining a hearing process that results in accurate, high-quality decisions for claimants.

A survey of emergency physicians regarding due process, financial pressures, and the ability to advocate for patients.

PubMed

McNamara, Robert M; Beier, Kevin; Blumstein, Howard; Weiss, Larry D; Wood, Joseph

2013-07-01

A 1998 survey of emergency physicians indicated that many were threatened with adverse actions when advocating regarding the quality of care or raising concerns about financial issues. To assess the current state of these issues. An anonymous electronic survey of emergency physicians was conducted using the American Medical Association's database. Of the 1035 emergency physicians who received the survey, 389 (37.6%) answered the questions. Over half had been in practice for 16 or more years and 86% were board certified. Of those who knew the answer to the question, 62% (197 of 317) reported that their employer could terminate them without full due process and 76% (216 of 284) reported that the hospital administration could order their removal from the clinical schedule. Nearly 20% reported a possible or real threat to their employment if they raised quality-of-care concerns. Financial pressures related to admission, discharge, and transfer of patients were also noted by a number of respondents. Physicians who worked for contract management companies reported a higher incidence of impaired practice rights. Practicing emergency physicians continue to report substantial concerns regarding their ability to speak up about the quality of care and pressure regarding financial matters related to patient care. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Paradigm shift in the management of milk and egg allergy: baked milk and egg diet.

PubMed

Konstantinou, George N; Kim, Jennifer S

2012-02-01

Heat treatment of several foods, including all types of cooking, has been mainly used to minimize the number of viable microbes, reduce pathogenicity, and destroy the undesirable enzymes, maintaining food quality. In addition, food processing improves sensory, nutritional, and physical properties of the foods, due to food protein denaturation. Heat-induced alterations of food proteins can attenuate allergenicity. In this article, the authors review the important role of thermal processing on milk and egg proteins, which comprise the commonest food allergies in infancy and early childhood. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

High resolution neurography of the lumbosacral plexus on 3T magneteic resonance imaging.

PubMed

Cejas, C; Escobar, I; Serra, M; Barroso, F

2015-01-01

Magnetic resonance neurography is a technique that complements clinical and electrophysiological study of the peripheral nerves and brachial and lumbosacral plexuses. Numerous focal processes (inflammatory, traumatic, primary tumors, secondary tumors) and diffuse processes (diabetic polyneuropathy, chronic idiopathic demyelinating polyneuropathy due to amyloidosis or Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease) can involve the lumbosacral plexus. This article reviews the anatomy of the lumbosacral plexus, describes the technique for neurography of the plexus at our institution, and shows the diverse diseases that affect it. Copyright © 2014 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Styloid-carotid artery syndrome treated surgically with Piezosurgery: a case report and literature review.

PubMed

Hoffmann, Eike; Räder, Christian; Fuhrmann, Hendrik; Maurer, Peter

2013-03-01

Styloid-carotid artery syndrome was first described by Eagle and is associated with cervical and facial pain caused by head movement resulting from mechanical compression of the carotid nerve plexus due to an elongated styloid process. The case of a 49-year-old man with persistent cervical pain, neurological symptoms and an elongated styloid process of 7.5 cm is reported here; this patient was successfully treated using Piezosurgery. In addition, a literature review is included. Copyright © 2012 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phylogenetic analyses of bacteria associated with the processing of iru and ogiri condiments.

PubMed

Ademola, Oluwatoyin M; Adeyemi, Taiwo E; Ezeokoli, Obinna T; Ayeni, Kolawole I; Obadina, Adewale O; Somorin, Yinka M; Omemu, Adebukola M; Adeleke, Rasheed A; Nwangburuka, Cyril C; Oluwafemi, Flora; Oyewole, Olusola B; Ezekiel, Chibundu N

2018-06-27

Analysis of the bacterial community dynamics during the production of traditional fermented condiments is important for food safety assessment, quality control and development of starter culture technology. In this study, bacteria isolated during the processing of iru and ogiri, two commonly consumed condiments in Nigeria, were characterised based on phylogenetic analyses of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. A total of 227 isolates were obtained and clustered into 12 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on 97% 16S rRNA gene similarity. The OTUs spanned three phyla (Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria), and nine genera: Acinetobacter, Aerococcus, Bacillus, Enterococcus, Enterobacter, Lysinibacillus, Micrococcus, Proteus and Staphylococcus. OTUs closely related to species of Bacillus dominated the processing stages of both condiments. Although no single OTU occurred throughout iru processing stages, an OTU (mostly related to B. safensis) dominated the ogiri processing stages indicating potentials for the development of starter culture. However, other isolates such as those of Enterococcus spp. and Lysinibacillus spp. may be potential starters for iru fermentation. Presumptive foodborne pathogens were also detected at some stages of the condiments' processing, possibly due to poor hygienic practices. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Transverse plane of apical vertebra of structural thoracic curve: vertebra displacement versus vertebral deformation.

PubMed

Kotwicki, Tomasz; Napiontek, Marek; Nowakowski, Andrzej

2006-01-01

CT transversal scans of the trunk provided at the level of Th8 or Th9 (apical vertebra) of 23 patients with structural thoracic scoliosis were reviewed. The following parameters were studied: 1) alpha angle formed by the axis of vertebra and the axis of spinous process, 2) beta concave and beta convex angle between the spinous process and the left and right transverse process respectively, 3) gamma concave and gamma convex angle between the axis of vertebra and the left and right transverse process respectively, 4) rotation angle to the sagittal plane according to Aaro and Dahlborn, 5) Cobb angle. Values of measured parameters demonstrated a common pattern of intravertebral deformity: counter clockwise deviation of the spinous process (alpha angle 15,0 +/-8,5 degrees), beta concave (69,8 +/-8,5 degrees) significantly greater than beta convex (38,8 +/-8,5 degrees), gamma concave (54,3 +/-7,8 degrees) not different from gamma convex (56,0 +/-8,0 degrees). Strong linear positive correlation between alpha angle and Aaro-Dahlborn angle was observed (r=0,78, p<0,05). Changes in morphology of apical vertebra due to intravertebral bone remodelling followed the vertebral spatial displacement and there existed a linear correlation in between. The two processes develop in opposite directions.

The convergence of HIV/AIDS and customary tenure on women's access to land in rural Malawi.

PubMed

Tschirhart, Naomi; Kabanga, Lucky; Nichols, Sue

2015-01-01

This paper examines the convergence of HIV/AIDS and the social processes through which women access customary land in rural Malawi. Data were collected from focus group discussions with women in patrilineal and matrilineal communities. Women's land tenure is primarily determined through kinship group membership, customary inheritance practices and location of residence. In patrilineal communities, land is inherited through the male lineage and women access land through relationships with male members who are the rightful heirs. Conversely in matrilineal matrilocal communities, women as daughters directly inherit the land. This research found that in patrilineal communities, HIV/AIDS, gendered inequalities embedded in customary inheritance practices and resource shortages combine to affect women's access to land. HIV/AIDS may cause the termination of a woman's relationship with the access individual due to stigma or the individual's death. Termination of such relationships increases tenure insecurity for women accessing land in a community where they do not have inheritance rights. In contrast to the patrilineal patrilocal experience, research on matrilineal matrilocal communities demonstrates that where women are the inheritors of the land and have robust land tenure rights, they are not at risk of losing their access to land due to HIV/AIDS.

Effect of unilateral versus bilateral electrostimulation in subthalamic nucleus on speech in Parkinsons disease

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Emily; Verhagen Metman, Leo; Bakay, Roy; Arzbaecher, Jean; Bernard, Bryan

2004-05-01

Previously, it was found that 16 right-handed patients with idiopathic Parkinsons disease who underwent unilateral implantation of deep brain stimulator in subthalamic nucleus (STN) showed significant improvement in their nonspeech motor functions. Eight of the 16 patients had stimulator in the left STN and eight in the right STN. In contrast, their speech function showed very mild improvement that was limited to the respiratory/phonotory subsystems. Further, there seemed a trend that the patients with right STN stimulation did better than those with left STN stimulation. It was speculated that the difference might be due to a micro lesion caused by the surgical procedure to the corticobulbar fibers run in the left internal capsule. This paper reports speech changes associated with bilateral DBS in STN in four of the 16 subjects who elected to have deep brain stimulator implanted in STN on the opposite side of the brain at a later time. Results show negative changes in speech after bilateral DBS in STN. The changes were not limited to the micro lesion effect due to the surgery itself, but also related to the active stimulation on the dominant hemisphere for speech processing. [Work supported by NIH.

Brain natriuretic peptide and right heart dysfunction after heart transplantation.

PubMed

Talha, Samy; Charloux, Anne; Piquard, François; Geny, Bernard

2017-06-01

Heart transplantation (HT) should normalize cardiac endocrine function, but brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels remain elevated after HT, even in the absence of left ventricular hemodynamic disturbance or allograft rejection. Right ventricle (RV) abnormalities are common in HT recipients (HTx), as a result of engraftment process, tricuspid insufficiency, and/or repeated inflammation due to iterative endomyocardial biopsies. RV function follow-up is vital for patient management as RV dysfunction is a recognized cause of in-hospital death and is responsible for a worse prognosis. Interestingly, few and controversial data are available concerning the relationship between plasma BNP levels and RV functional impairment in HTx. This suggests that infra-clinical modifications, such as subtle immune system disorders or hypoxic conditions, might influence BNP expression. Nevertheless, due to other altered circulating molecular forms of BNP, a lack of specificity of BNP assays is described in heart failure patients. This phenomenon could exist in HT population and could explain elevated BNP plasmatic levels despite a normal RV function. In clinical practice, intra-individual change in BNP over time, rather than absolute BNP values, might be more helpful in detecting right cardiac dysfunction in HTx. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Multi-material classification of dry recyclables from municipal solid waste based on thermal imaging.

PubMed

Gundupalli, Sathish Paulraj; Hait, Subrata; Thakur, Atul

2017-12-01

There has been a significant rise in municipal solid waste (MSW) generation in the last few decades due to rapid urbanization and industrialization. Due to the lack of source segregation practice, a need for automated segregation of recyclables from MSW exists in the developing countries. This paper reports a thermal imaging based system for classifying useful recyclables from simulated MSW sample. Experimental results have demonstrated the possibility to use thermal imaging technique for classification and a robotic system for sorting of recyclables in a single process step. The reported classification system yields an accuracy in the range of 85-96% and is comparable with the existing single-material recyclable classification techniques. We believe that the reported thermal imaging based system can emerge as a viable and inexpensive large-scale classification-cum-sorting technology in recycling plants for processing MSW in developing countries. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Comprehensive Assessment of Psychiatric Residents: An Addition to the Program Admission Process].

PubMed

Luis, E Jaramillo G; Elena, Martín C

2012-01-01

The training of medical specialists is a long and complex process. Its purpose is to guarantee the society that they are the right professionals to meet the health needs of the population. The first step to ensure this objective is the admission process. In psychiatry this process, monitoring resident students and the criteria for each one are different in each country. Admission in Colombia is a heterogeneous process, not standardized, which varies greatly from one university to another, even between private and public universities. At the National University of Colombia, the admissions process is handled by the Admissions Office and includes: a written test for which you must obtain a minimum score, a resume rating and an interview. The Teaching Committee and the Department of Psychiatry considered the admission procedure in general to be good, but in need of refinement. Due to the experience of some teachers and given the current rules, a "comprehensive assessment" for master and doctoral students was required and in 1996 it was decided that this method of assessment for admission to a specialization in Psychiatry would serve to complement the admission process. The article describes the experience of the process and its outcomes, strengths and weaknesses. Copyright © 2012 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Catalytic fast pyrolysis of durian rind using silica-alumina catalyst: Effects of pyrolysis parameters.

PubMed

Tan, Y L; Abdullah, A Z; Hameed, B H

2018-05-18

Silica-alumina catalyst was prepared and used in the catalytic fast pyrolysis of durian rind in a drop-type two-stage reactor. The effects of catalytic temperature (400 °C-600 °C) and catalyst-to-durian rind ratio (1:30-3:30) were evaluated. Bio-oil yield was increased with increased catalytic temperature due to considerable dehydration process, but it was reduced with high catalyst loading due to the overcracking of organics into light gases. Silica-alumina catalyst possessed good selectivity and the products changed according to the temperature. The major components in bio-oil were hydrocarbons, furan derivatives, and aromatic compounds at 400 °C, 500 °C, and 600 °C, respectively. The hydrogen and carbon contents of bio-oil were reduced with high catalyst loading due to the overcracking of organics, and the deoxygenation process became unfavorable. The silica-alumina catalyst worked well in catalytic fast pyrolysis of durian rind, and the condition may be adjusted based on the desired products. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hemispheric Asymmetries in Price Estimation: Do Brain Hemispheres Attribute Different Monetary Values?

PubMed Central

Giuliani, Felice; D’Anselmo, Anita; Tommasi, Luca; Brancucci, Alfredo; Pietroni, Davide

2017-01-01

The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect has been associated with a wide range of magnitude processing. This effect is due to an implicit relationship between numbers and horizontal space, according to which weaker magnitudes and smaller numbers are represented on the left, whereas stronger magnitudes and larger numbers are represented on the right. However, for some particular type of magnitudes such as price, judgments may be also influenced by perceived quality and thus involving valence attribution biases driven by brain asymmetries. In the present study, a lateralized tachistoscopic presentation was used in a price estimation task, using a weight estimation task as a control, to assess differences in asymmetries between these two attributes. Results show a side bias in the former condition but not in the latter, thus indicating that other non-numerical mechanisms are involved in price estimation. Specifically, prices were estimated lower in the left visual field than in the right visual field. The proposed explanation is that price appraisal might involve a valence attribution mechanism leading to a better perceived quality (related to higher prices) when objects are processed primarily in the left hemisphere, and to a lower perceived quality (related to lower prices) when objects are processed primarily in the right hemisphere. PMID:29213252

Hemispheric Asymmetries in Price Estimation: Do Brain Hemispheres Attribute Different Monetary Values?

PubMed

Giuliani, Felice; D'Anselmo, Anita; Tommasi, Luca; Brancucci, Alfredo; Pietroni, Davide

2017-01-01

The Spatial Numerical Association of Response Codes (SNARC) effect has been associated with a wide range of magnitude processing. This effect is due to an implicit relationship between numbers and horizontal space, according to which weaker magnitudes and smaller numbers are represented on the left, whereas stronger magnitudes and larger numbers are represented on the right. However, for some particular type of magnitudes such as price, judgments may be also influenced by perceived quality and thus involving valence attribution biases driven by brain asymmetries. In the present study, a lateralized tachistoscopic presentation was used in a price estimation task, using a weight estimation task as a control, to assess differences in asymmetries between these two attributes. Results show a side bias in the former condition but not in the latter, thus indicating that other non-numerical mechanisms are involved in price estimation. Specifically, prices were estimated lower in the left visual field than in the right visual field. The proposed explanation is that price appraisal might involve a valence attribution mechanism leading to a better perceived quality (related to higher prices) when objects are processed primarily in the left hemisphere, and to a lower perceived quality (related to lower prices) when objects are processed primarily in the right hemisphere.

[Visual Texture Agnosia in Humans].

PubMed

Suzuki, Kyoko

2015-06-01

Visual object recognition requires the processing of both geometric and surface properties. Patients with occipital lesions may have visual agnosia, which is impairment in the recognition and identification of visually presented objects primarily through their geometric features. An analogous condition involving the failure to recognize an object by its texture may exist, which can be called visual texture agnosia. Here we present two cases with visual texture agnosia. Case 1 had left homonymous hemianopia and right upper quadrantanopia, along with achromatopsia, prosopagnosia, and texture agnosia, because of damage to his left ventromedial occipitotemporal cortex and right lateral occipito-temporo-parietal cortex due to multiple cerebral embolisms. Although he showed difficulty matching and naming textures of real materials, he could readily name visually presented objects by their contours. Case 2 had right lower quadrantanopia, along with impairment in stereopsis and recognition of texture in 2D images, because of subcortical hemorrhage in the left occipitotemporal region. He failed to recognize shapes based on texture information, whereas shape recognition based on contours was well preserved. Our findings, along with those of three reported cases with texture agnosia, indicate that there are separate channels for processing texture, color, and geometric features, and that the regions around the left collateral sulcus are crucial for texture processing.

The right ear advantage revisited: speech lateralisation in dichotic listening using consonant-vowel and vowel-consonant syllables.

PubMed

Sætrevik, Bjørn

2012-01-01

The dichotic listening task is typically administered by presenting a consonant-vowel (CV) syllable to each ear and asking the participant to report the syllable heard most clearly. The results tend to show more reports of the right ear syllable than of the left ear syllable, an effect called the right ear advantage (REA). The REA is assumed to be due to the crossing over of auditory fibres and the processing of language stimuli being lateralised to left temporal areas. However, the tendency for most dichotic listening experiments to use only CV syllable stimuli limits the extent to which the conclusions can be generalised to also apply to other speech phonemes. The current study re-examines the REA in dichotic listening by using both CV and vowel-consonant (VC) syllables and combinations thereof. Results showed a replication of the REA response pattern for both CV and VC syllables, thus indicating that the general assumption of left-side localisation of processing can be applied for both types of stimuli. Further, on trials where a CV is presented in one ear and a VC is presented in the other ear, the CV is selected more often than the VC, indicating that these phonemes have an acoustic or processing advantage.

[Transcient ischemic attack, a rare manifestation of Eagle syndrome].

PubMed

Usseglio, J; Montoro, F Macian; Martin, S; Lerat, J; Laloze, J; Taibi, A; Brie, J

2016-12-01

Clinical presentation of Eagle syndrome (ES) is very variable and non-specific, making its diagnosis difficult. It is usually limited to pain. Transient neurological manifestations are exceptional. We report one case in which the diagnosis of ES has been made based on neurological events occurring during left anterolateral head bending, without pain. A 47-year-old man presented with transient neurological events progressing since two years, half-right body paresthesia and reduced field of vision on the left side type, triggered by left anterolateral head flexion and regressive in neutral position. Transcranial Doppler and CT angiography of the supra-aortic trunks were performed in neutral position and in right and left head rotation that showed a disruption of the left sylvian flow and an extrinsic compression of the left internal carotid artery, due to a musculoskeletal impediment involving the lower end of the temporal styloid process. Complete recovering was achieved after surgical resection of this process. A control CT angiography confirmed the cessation of the compression. ES has non-specific and highly variable clinical manifestations making diagnosis difficult or leading to misdiagnosis. ES should be considered in any transient neurological deficit, especially when occurring during head rotation. Treatment relies on surgical resection of the excessively long styloid process. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

29 CFR 452.86 - Vote conditioned on payment of dues.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... where a member is laid off but desires to maintain his good standing and thus his membership rights by... AND DISCLOSURE ACT OF 1959 Right To Vote § 452.86 Vote conditioned on payment of dues. A labor organization may condition the exercise of the right to vote upon the payment of dues, which is a basic...

75 FR 34209 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-16

.... Martinez, 47, has had macular scarring and retinal detachment in his right eye due to a traumatic injury.... Aaron L. Paustian Mr. Paustian, 42, has macular scarring in his right eye due to a traumatic injury... in a CMV. Kenneth R. Riener Mr. Riener, 48, has a prosthetic right eye due to a traumatic injury...

77 FR 15184 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-03-14

... vision in his right eye due to a traumatic injury sustained in 1998. The best corrected visual acuity in.... Brooks Mr. Brooks, 61, has had complete loss of vision in his right eye due to a traumatic injury.... Donald J. Garrison Mr. Garrison, 67, has a corneal scar in his right eye due to a traumatic injury...

Free Energy Wells and Barriers to Ion Transport Across Membranes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rempe, Susan

2014-03-01

The flow of ions across cellular membranes is essential to many biological processes. Ion transport is also important in synthetic materials used as battery electrolytes. Transport often involves specific ions and fast conduction. To achieve those properties, ion conduction pathways must solvate specific ions by just the ``right amount.'' The right amount of solvation avoids ion traps due to deep free energy wells, and avoids ion block due to high free energy barriers. Ion channel proteins in cellular membranes demonstrate this subtle balance in solvation of specific ions. Using ab initio molecular simulations, we have interrogated the link between binding site structure and ion solvation free energies in biological ion binding sites. Our results emphasize the surprisingly important role of the environment that surrounds ion-binding sites for fast transport of specific ions. We acknowledge support from Sandia's LDRD program. Sandia National Labs is a multi-program laboratory operated by Sandia Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corp., for the US DOE's NNSA under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.

Cerebral somatic pain modulation during autogenic training in fMRI.

PubMed

Naglatzki, R P; Schlamann, M; Gasser, T; Ladd, M E; Sure, U; Forsting, M; Gizewski, E R

2012-10-01

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies are increasingly employed in different conscious states. Autogenic training (AT) is a common clinically used relaxation method. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cerebral modulation of pain activity patterns due to AT and to correlate the effects to the degree of experience with AT and strength of stimuli. Thirteen volunteers familiar with AT were studied with fMRI during painful electrical stimulation in a block design alternating between resting state and electrical stimulation, both without AT and while employing the same paradigm when utilizing their AT abilities. The subjective rating of painful stimulation and success in modulation during AT was assessed. During painful electrical stimulation without AT, fMRI revealed activation of midcingulate, right secondary sensory, right supplementary motor, and insular cortices, the right thalamus and left caudate nucleus. In contrast, utilizing AT only activation of left insular and supplementary motor cortices was revealed. The paired t-test revealed pain-related activation in the midcingulate, posterior cingulate and left anterior insular cortices for the condition without AT, and activation in the left ventrolateral prefrontal cortex under AT. Activation of the posterior cingulate cortex and thalamus correlated with the amplitude of electrical stimulation. This study revealed an effect on cerebral pain processing while performing AT. This might represent the cerebral correlate of different painful stimulus processing by subjects who are trained in performing relaxation techniques. However, due to the absence of a control group, further studies are needed to confirm this theory. © 2012 European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters.

[Synchronous acute cholecystolithiasis and perforated acute appendicitis. Case report].

PubMed

Padrón-Arredondo, Guillermo; de Atocha Rosado-Montero, Manuel

2016-01-01

Acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis are among the most common diagnoses that general surgeons operate on. However, it is rarely described in its synchronous form. A 43 year-old woman attending the clinic for right upper quadrant pain of 11 days duration. The patient refers to intermittent radiating pain in the right side, with positive Murphy, tachycardia, and fever. The laboratory results showed white cells 16,200/mm(3), glucose 345 mg/dl, abnormal liver function tests. Acute cholecystitis was reported with ultrasound. A Masson-type incision was made, noting an enlarged pyogenic gallbladder with thickened walls, sub-hepatic abscess of approximately 300 ml, greenish-yellow colour, and foetid. An anterograde subtotal cholecystectomy is performed due to difficulty in identifying elements of Calot triangle due to the inflammatory process, opening it and extracting stones. The right iliac fossa is reviewed, finding a plastron and a sub-serous retrocaecal appendix perforated in its middle third with free fecalith and an abscess in the pelvic cavity. An anterograde appendectomy was performed and the patient progressed satisfactorily, later being discharged due to improvement. In this patient, with a history of recurrent episodes of gallbladder pain and disseminated acute abdominal pain without peritoneal irritation, clinical suspicion was exacerbated cholecystitis with probable empyema of the gallbladder. Open surgery approach for this patient allowed access to both the appendix and gallbladder in order to perform a complete exploration of the abdominal cavity. The synchronous presentation of cholecystolithiasis and complicated appendicitis has not been reported in the literature. Copyright © 2015 Academia Mexicana de Cirugía A.C. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

76 FR 49528 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-08-10

... had ruptured globe in his right eye due to a traumatic injury he sustained in 2001. The best corrected... his right eye due to an injury sustained in 1978. The best corrected visual acuity in his right eye is.... Harrison Mr. Harrison, 56, has had complete loss of vision in his left eye due an injury in 1971. The best...

Pulmonary embolism due to right ventricular thrombus in a case of Behcet's disease.

PubMed

Yasuo, M; Nagano, S; Yazaki, Y; Koizumi, T; Kitabayashi, H; Imamura, H; Amano, J; Isobe, M

1999-11-01

Right ventricular thrombus is a very rare manifestation of cardiovascular Behcet's disease. A 25-year-old man was admitted to hospital due to cough and fever of unknown origin. He experienced repetitive pulmonary embolism due to a right ventricular thrombus, which was surgically removed. A diagnosis of Behcet's disease was made based on his clinical course and the histological findings of the right ventricular wall and the skin lesion. He was quickly relieved of his symptoms after warfarinization and cyclosporine therapy.

Neural correlates of audiotactile phonetic processing in early-blind readers: an fMRI study.

PubMed

Pishnamazi, Morteza; Nojaba, Yasaman; Ganjgahi, Habib; Amousoltani, Asie; Oghabian, Mohammad Ali

2016-05-01

Reading is a multisensory function that relies on arbitrary associations between auditory speech sounds and symbols from a second modality. Studies of bimodal phonetic perception have mostly investigated the integration of visual letters and speech sounds. Blind readers perform an analogous task by using tactile Braille letters instead of visual letters. The neural underpinnings of audiotactile phonetic processing have not been studied before. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to reveal the neural correlates of audiotactile phonetic processing in 16 early-blind Braille readers. Braille letters and corresponding speech sounds were presented in unimodal, and congruent/incongruent bimodal configurations. We also used a behavioral task to measure the speed of blind readers in identifying letters presented via tactile and/or auditory modalities. Reaction times for tactile stimuli were faster. The reaction times for bimodal stimuli were equal to those for the slower auditory-only stimuli. fMRI analyses revealed the convergence of unimodal auditory and unimodal tactile responses in areas of the right precentral gyrus and bilateral crus I of the cerebellum. The left and right planum temporale fulfilled the 'max criterion' for bimodal integration, but activities of these areas were not sensitive to the phonetical congruency between sounds and Braille letters. Nevertheless, congruency effects were found in regions of frontal lobe and cerebellum. Our findings suggest that, unlike sighted readers who are assumed to have amodal phonetic representations, blind readers probably process letters and sounds separately. We discuss that this distinction might be due to mal-development of multisensory neural circuits in early blinds or it might be due to inherent differences between Braille and print reading mechanisms.

Bimanual tapping of a syncopated rhythm reveals hemispheric preferences for relative movement frequencies.

PubMed

Pflug, Anja; Gompf, Florian; Kell, Christian Alexander

2017-08-01

In bimanual multifrequency tapping, right-handers commonly use the right hand to tap the relatively higher rate and the left hand to tap the relatively lower rate. This could be due to hemispheric specializations for the processing of relative frequencies. An extension of the double-filtering-by-frequency theory to motor control proposes a left hemispheric specialization for the control of relatively high and a right hemispheric specialization for the control of relatively low tapping rates. We investigated timing variability and rhythmic accentuation in right handers tapping mono- and multifrequent bimanual rhythms to test the predictions of the double-filtering-by-frequency theory. Yet, hemispheric specializations for the processing of relative tapping rates could be masked by a left hemispheric dominance for the control of known sequences. Tapping was thus either performed in an overlearned quadruple meter (tap of the slow rhythm on the first auditory beat) or in a syncopated quadruple meter (tap of the slow rhythm on the fourth auditory beat). Independent of syncopation, the right hand outperformed the left hand in timing accuracy for fast tapping. A left hand timing benefit for slow tapping rates as predicted by the double-filtering-by-frequency theory was only found in the syncopated tapping group. This suggests a right hemisphere preference for the control of slow tapping rates when rhythms are not overlearned. Error rates indicate that overlearned rhythms represent hierarchically structured meters that are controlled by a single timer that could potentially reside in the left hemisphere. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Toolmarks made by lathe chuck jaws.

PubMed

Finkelstein, Nir; Aronson, Ayal; Tsach, Tsadok

2017-06-01

This paper presents a forensic method to evidentially tie a workpiece with a specific lathe. Examining using this method can prove or exclude a connection between the two. The importance of this method is mostly due to the growing trend among lawbreakers of manufacturing improvised firearm parts using machining processes. This method is based on comparing jaw impressions made by the chuck on a workpiece. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Co-occurring anxiety influences patterns of brain activity in depression.

PubMed

Engels, Anna S; Heller, Wendy; Spielberg, Jeffrey M; Warren, Stacie L; Sutton, Bradley P; Banich, Marie T; Miller, Gregory A

2010-03-01

Brain activation associated with anhedonic depression and co-occurring anxious arousal and anxious apprehension was measured by fMRI during performance of an emotion word Stroop task. Consistent with EEG findings, depression was associated with rightward frontal lateralization in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), but only when anxious arousal was elevated and anxious apprehension was low. Activity in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) was also reduced for depression under the same conditions. In contrast, depression was associated with more activity in the anterior cingulate cortex (dorsal ACC and rostral ACC) and the bilateral amygdala. Results imply that depression, particularly when accompanied by anxious arousal, may result in a failure to implement top-down processing by appropriate brain regions (left DLPFC, right IFG) due to increased activation in regions associated with responding to emotionally salient information (right DLPFC, amygdala).

Co-occurring Anxiety Influences Patterns of Brain Activity in Depression

PubMed Central

Engels, Anna S.; Heller, Wendy; Spielberg, Jeffrey M.; Warren, Stacie L.; Sutton, Bradley P.; Banich, Marie T.; Miller, Gregory A.

2011-01-01

Brain activation associated with anhedonic depression and co-occurring anxious arousal and anxious apprehension was measured by fMRI during performance of an emotion-word Stroop task. Consistent with EEG findings, depression was associated with rightward frontal lateralization in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), but only when anxious arousal was elevated and anxious apprehension was low. Activity in right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) was also reduced for depression under the same conditions. In contrast, depression was associated with more activity in anterior cingulate cortex (dACC and rACC) and bilateral amygdala. Results imply that depression, particularly when accompanied by anxious arousal, may result in a failure to implement top-down processing by appropriate brain regions (left DLPFC, right IFG) due to increased activation in regions associated with responding to emotionally salient information (right DLPFC, amygdala). PMID:20233962

From exclusion to acceptance: a case history of homosexuality in the U.S. Court of Military Appeals.

PubMed

Wilson-Buford, Kellie

2013-01-01

Policing the legality and normalcy of service members' sexual lives was a contentious process for military courts throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s that resulted in the inconsistent enforcement of the homosexual exclusion policy. Military personnel of all ranks and occupations harbored a variety of attitudes and beliefs about homosexuality that challenged the legitimacy and uniformity of the military's legal assault on sexual deviance. Over half of the active duty personnel originally accused of homosexual tendencies received either sentence reductions or sentence reversals as a result of this highly contested process by which official military policy was translated into practice via courts-martial. Paradoxically, the very policies that discriminated against alleged homosexual service members generated legal avenues through which gays and lesbians exercised their rights to due process, and, ultimately, their rights as American citizens embodied in the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. Rather than being an ideologically homophobic monolith, the Cold War American military rocked with contestation over an exclusion policy that attempted--unsuccessfully--to eliminate all gay and lesbian service members.

You can count on the motor cortex: Finger counting habits modulate motor cortex activation evoked by numbers

PubMed Central

Tschentscher, Nadja; Hauk, Olaf; Fischer, Martin H.; Pulvermüller, Friedemann

2012-01-01

The embodied cognition framework suggests that neural systems for perception and action are engaged during higher cognitive processes. In an event-related fMRI study, we tested this claim for the abstract domain of numerical symbol processing: is the human cortical motor system part of the representation of numbers, and is organization of numerical knowledge influenced by individual finger counting habits? Developmental studies suggest a link between numerals and finger counting habits due to the acquisition of numerical skills through finger counting in childhood. In the present study, digits 1 to 9 and the corresponding number words were presented visually to adults with different finger counting habits, i.e. left- and right-starters who reported that they usually start counting small numbers with their left and right hand, respectively. Despite the absence of overt hand movements, the hemisphere contralateral to the hand used for counting small numbers was activated when small numbers were presented. The correspondence between finger counting habits and hemispheric motor activation is consistent with an intrinsic functional link between finger counting and number processing. PMID:22133748

Selective dry etching of silicon containing anti-reflective coating

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sridhar, Shyam; Nolan, Andrew; Wang, Li; Karakas, Erdinc; Voronin, Sergey; Biolsi, Peter; Ranjan, Alok

2018-03-01

Multi-layer patterning schemes involve the use of Silicon containing Anti-Reflective Coating (SiARC) films for their anti-reflective properties. Patterning transfer completion requires complete and selective removal of SiARC which is very difficult due to its high silicon content (>40%). Typically, SiARC removal is accomplished through a non-selective etch during the pattern transfer process using fluorine containing plasmas, or an ex-situ wet etch process using hydrofluoric acid is employed to remove the residual SiARC, post pattern transfer. Using a non-selective etch may result in profile distortion or wiggling, due to distortion of the underlying organic layer. The drawbacks of using wet etch process for SiARC removal are increased overall processing time and the need for additional equipment. Many applications may involve patterning of active structures in a poly-Si layer with an underlying oxide stopping layer. In such applications, SiARC removal selective to oxide using a wet process may prove futile. Removing SiARC selectively to SiO2 using a dry etch process is also challenging, due to similarity in the nature of chemical bonds (Si - O) in the two materials. In this work, we present highly selective etching of SiARC, in a plasma driven by a surface wave radial line slot antenna. The first step in the process involves an in-situ modification of the SiARC layer in O2 plasma followed by selective etching in a NF3/H2 plasma. Surface treatment in O2 plasma resulted in enhanced etching of the SiARC layer. For the right processing conditions, in-situ NF3/H2 dry etch process demonstrated selectivity values greater than 15:1 with respect to SiO2. The etching chemistry, however, was sensitive to NF3:H2 gas ratio. For dilute NF3 in H2, no SiARC etching was observed. Presumably, this is due to the deposition of ammonium fluorosilicate layer that occurs for dilute NF3/H2 plasmas. Additionally, challenges involved in selective SiARC removal (selective to SiO2, organic and Si layers) post pattern transfer, in a multi-layer structure will be discussed.

Degradation of estrone in water and wastewater by various advanced oxidation processes.

PubMed

Sarkar, Shubhajit; Ali, Sura; Rehmann, Lars; Nakhla, George; Ray, Madhumita B

2014-08-15

A comprehensive study was conducted to determine the relative efficacy of various advanced oxidation processes such as O3, H2O2, UV, and combinations of UV/O3, UV/H2O2 for the removal of estrone (E1) from pure water and secondary effluent. In addition to the parent compound (E1) removal, performance of the advanced oxidation processes was characterized using removal of total organic carbon (TOC), and estrogenicity of the effluent. Although E1 removal was high for all the AOPs, intermediates formed were more difficult to degrade leading to slow TOC removal. Energy calculations and cost analysis indicated that, although UV processes have low electricity cost, ozonation is the least cost option ($ 0.34/1000 gallons) when both capital and operating costs were taken into account. Ozonation also is superior to the other tested AOPs due to higher removal of TOC and estrogenicity. The rate of E1 removal decreased linearly with the background TOC in water, however, E1 degradation in the secondary effluent from a local wastewater treatment plant was not affected significantly due to the low COD values in the effluent. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hemispheric differences in orthographic and semantic processing as revealed by event-related potentials

PubMed Central

Dickson, Danielle S.; Federmeier, Kara D.

2015-01-01

Differences in how the right and left hemispheres (RH, LH) apprehend visual words were examined using event-related potentials (ERPs) in a repetition paradigm with visual half-field (VF) presentation. In both hemispheres (RH/LVF, LH/RVF), initial presentation of items elicited similar and typical effects of orthographic neighborhood size, with larger N400s for orthographically regular items (words and pseudowords) than for irregular items (acronyms and meaningless illegal strings). However, hemispheric differences emerged on repetition effects. When items were repeated in the LH/RVF, orthographically regular items, relative to irregular items, elicited larger repetition effects on both the N250, a component reflecting processing at the level of visual form (orthography), and on the N400, which has been linked to semantic access. In contrast, in the RH/LVF, repetition effects were biased toward irregular items on the N250 and were similar in size across item types for the N400. The results suggest that processing in the LH is more strongly affected by wordform regularity than in the RH, either due to enhanced processing of familiar orthographic patterns or due to the fact that regular forms can be more readily mapped onto phonology. PMID:25278134

People in Interest of S.P.B.

PubMed

1982-10-12

The Supreme Court of Colorado announced that, under both the federal and state constitutions, neither due process nor equal protection is violated by the Uniform Parentage Act. The Act imposes the duty of child support on both parents without according the father a right either to decide that the fetus should be aborted or to avoid child support obligations by showing that he offered to pay for an abortion during the first trimester. In reaching its decision the court commented that a woman has a fundamental right to decide with her physician whether to terminate her pregnancy, and that she cannot be required to obtain consent from a man to whom she is not married.

On the dependence of response inhibition processes on sensory modality.

PubMed

Bodmer, Benjamin; Beste, Christian

2017-04-01

The ability to inhibit responses is a central sensorimotor function but only recently the importance of sensory processes for motor inhibition mechanisms went more into the research focus. In this regard it is elusive, whether there are differences between sensory modalities to trigger response inhibition processes. Due to functional neuroanatomical considerations strong differences may exist, for example, between the visual and the tactile modality. In the current study we examine what neurophysiological mechanisms as well as functional neuroanatomical networks are modulated during response inhibition. Therefore, a Go/NoGo-paradigm employing a novel combination of visual, tactile, and visuotactile stimuli was used. The data show that the tactile modality is more powerful than the visual modality to trigger response inhibition processes. However, the tactile modality loses its efficacy to trigger response inhibition processes when being combined with the visual modality. This may be due to competitive mechanisms leading to a suppression of certain sensory stimuli and the response selection level. Variations in sensory modalities specifically affected conflict monitoring processes during response inhibition by modulating activity in a frontal parietal network including the right inferior frontal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex and the temporoparietal junction. Attentional selection processes are not modulated. The results suggest that the functional neuroanatomical networks involved in response inhibition critically depends on the nature of the sensory input. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1941-1951, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Delayed right hepatic artery haemorrhage after iatrogenic gallbladder by laparoscopic cholecystectomy that required a liver transplant due to acute liver failure: clinical case and review of the literature].

PubMed

Robles Campos, Ricardo; Marín Hernández, Caridad; Fernández Hernández, Juan Angel; Sanchez Bueno, Francisco; Ramirez Romero, Pablo; Pastor Perez, Patricia; Parrilla Paricio, Pascual

2011-12-01

Right hepatic artery (RHA) injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may go unnoticed clinically, but can sometimes cause necrosis of the right lobe. Exceptionally, when the necrosis spreads to segment IV, fulminant liver failure (FLF) may occur, and an urgent liver transplantation (LT) may be required. We provide a review of the literature on patients with indication for an LT due to vascular damage caused by bile duct injury following LC. The case reported herein is the fourth described in the specialized literature of LT due to RHA injury after LC and the second of FLF after RHA injury. LT due to RHA injury was performed in 3 of 13 patients reported in the literature: one LT was performed at 3 months due to FLF, after an extended right hepatectomy was performed, and the remaining two were performed due to secondary biliary cirrhosis. Our patient was transplanted due to FLF 15 days after the injury. RHA injury after LC may require LT due to FLF. Although exceptional, this possibility should be considered when there are RHA complications that may require occlusion. Copyright © 2011 AEC. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Economic valuation of environmental benefits from wastewater treatment processes: an empirical approach for Spain.

PubMed

Hernández-Sancho, Francesc; Molinos-Senante, María; Sala-Garrido, Ramón

2010-01-15

Economic research into the design and implementation of policies for the efficient management of water resources has been emphasized by the European Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC). The efficient implementation of policies to prevent the degradation and depletion of water resources requires determining their value in social and economic terms and incorporating this information into the decision-making process. A process of wastewater treatment has many associated environmental benefits. However, these benefits are often not calculated because they are not set by the market, due to inadequate property rights, the presence of externalities, and the lack of perfect information. Nevertheless, the valuation of these benefits is necessary to justify a suitable investment policy and a limited number of studies exist on the subject of the economic valuation of environmental benefits. In this paper, we propose a methodology based on the estimation of shadow prices for the pollutants removed in a treatment process. This value represents the environmental benefit (avoided cost) associated with undischarged pollution. This is a pioneering approach to the economic valuation of wastewater treatment. The comparison of these benefits with the internal costs of the treatment process will provide a useful indicator for the feasibility of wastewater treatment projects. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrophysiological correlates of brand names.

PubMed

Cheung, Mei-chun; Chan, Agnes S; Sze, Sophia L

2010-11-26

EEG coherence has been used extensively in the investigation of language processing of different words categories. In contrast, relatively less is known about EEG coherence pattern of processing brand names. The present study aimed to investigate EEG coherence pattern associated with brand names in English and Chinese. EEG coherence of 32 healthy normal participants during 4 reading conditions, including concrete English words, concrete Chinese characters, English brand names and their translated Chinese brand names, were computed and compared. Regardless whether it was in English or Chinese, brand names were generally associated with higher intrahemispheric beta coherence in both the left and right hemispheres than concrete words or characters. Compared to English brand names, Chinese brand names demonstrated increased interhemispheric theta coherence in the frontal and temporal cortical regions. These results suggest that brand names tend to be processed through semantic routes. Similar to proper names and nonwords, they are represented in the lexical systems of both hemispheres. In addition, English and Chinese brand names are processed similarly at the semantic level and the difference in EEG coherence patterns associated with English and Chinese brand names is more likely due to phonological and orthographic processing that are associated with English and Chinese, respectively. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characteristic of nitrous oxide production in partial denitrification process with high nitrite accumulation.

PubMed

Du, Rui; Peng, Yongzhen; Cao, Shenbin; Wang, Shuying; Niu, Meng

2016-03-01

Nitrous oxide (N2O) production during the partial denitrification process with nitrate (NO3(-)-N) to nitrite (NO2(-)-N) transformation ratio of 80% was investigated in this study. Results showed that N2O was seldom observed before complete depletion of NO3(-)-N, but it was closely related to the reduction of NO2(-)-N rather than NO3(-)-N. High COD/NO3(-)-N was in favor of N2O production in partial denitrification with high NO2(-)-N accumulation. It was seriously enhanced at constant acidic pH due to the free nitrous acid (FNA) inhibition. However, the N2O production was much lower at initial pH of 5.5 and 6.5 due to the pH increase during denitrification process. Significantly, the pH turning point could be chosen as a controlled parameter to denote the end of NO3(-)-N reduction, which could not only achieve high NO2(-)-N accumulation but also decrease the N2O production significantly for practical application. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A novel conditioning process for enhancing dewaterability of waste activated sludge by combination of zero-valent iron and persulfate.

PubMed

Zhou, Xu; Wang, Qilin; Jiang, Guangming; Liu, Peng; Yuan, Zhiguo

2015-06-01

Improvement of sludge dewaterability is crucial for reducing the costs of sludge disposal in wastewater treatment plants. This study presents a novel conditioning method for improving waste activated sludge dewaterability by combination of persulfate and zero-valent iron. The combination of zero-valent iron (0-30g/L) and persulfate (0-6g/L) under neutral pH substantially enhanced the sludge dewaterability due to the advanced oxidization reactions. The highest enhancement of sludge dewaterability was achieved at 4g persulfate/L and 15g zero-valent iron/L, with which the capillary suction time was reduced by over 50%. The release of soluble chemical oxygen demand during the conditioning process implied the decomposition of sludge structure and microorganisms, which facilitated the improvement of dewaterability due to the release of bound water that was included in sludge structure and microorganism. Economic analysis showed that the proposed conditioning process with persulfate and ZVI is more economically favorable for improving WAS dewaterability than classical Fenton reagent. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Novel integrated electrodialysis/electro-oxidation process for the efficient degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

PubMed

Raschitor, A; Llanos, J; Cañizares, P; Rodrigo, M A

2017-09-01

This work presents a novel approach of wastewater treatment technology that consists of a combined electrodialysis/electro-oxidation process, specially designed to allow increasing the efficiency in the oxidation of ionic organic pollutants contained in diluted waste. Respect to conventional electrolysis, the pollutant is simultaneously concentrated and oxidized, enhancing the performance of the cell due to the higher concentration achieved in the nearness of the anode. A proof of concept is tested with the ionic pesticide 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) and results show that the efficiency of this new technology overcomes that electrolysis by more than double, regardless the supporting electrolyte used (either NaCl or Na 2 SO 4 ). Moreover, the removal rate of 2,4-D when using NaCl was found to be more efficient, due to the best performance of the electrode material selected (DSA ® ) towards the formation of oxidants in chloride supporting electrolyte. These results open the way for overcoming the efficiency limitations of electrochemical treatment processes for the treatment of solutions with low concentrated ionic pollutants. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Disconnection mechanism and regional cortical atrophy contribute to impaired processing of facial expressions and theory of mind in multiple sclerosis: a structural MRI study.

PubMed

Mike, Andrea; Strammer, Erzsebet; Aradi, Mihaly; Orsi, Gergely; Perlaki, Gabor; Hajnal, Andras; Sandor, Janos; Banati, Miklos; Illes, Eniko; Zaitsev, Alexander; Herold, Robert; Guttmann, Charles R G; Illes, Zsolt

2013-01-01

Successful socialization requires the ability of understanding of others' mental states. This ability called as mentalization (Theory of Mind) may become deficient and contribute to everyday life difficulties in multiple sclerosis. We aimed to explore the impact of brain pathology on mentalization performance in multiple sclerosis. Mentalization performance of 49 patients with multiple sclerosis was compared to 24 age- and gender matched healthy controls. T1- and T2-weighted three-dimensional brain MRI images were acquired at 3Tesla from patients with multiple sclerosis and 18 gender- and age matched healthy controls. We assessed overall brain cortical thickness in patients with multiple sclerosis and the scanned healthy controls, and measured the total and regional T1 and T2 white matter lesion volumes in patients with multiple sclerosis. Performances in tests of recognition of mental states and emotions from facial expressions and eye gazes correlated with both total T1-lesion load and regional T1-lesion load of association fiber tracts interconnecting cortical regions related to visual and emotion processing (genu and splenium of corpus callosum, right inferior longitudinal fasciculus, right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, uncinate fasciculus). Both of these tests showed correlations with specific cortical areas involved in emotion recognition from facial expressions (right and left fusiform face area, frontal eye filed), processing of emotions (right entorhinal cortex) and socially relevant information (left temporal pole). Thus, both disconnection mechanism due to white matter lesions and cortical thinning of specific brain areas may result in cognitive deficit in multiple sclerosis affecting emotion and mental state processing from facial expressions and contributing to everyday and social life difficulties of these patients.

On the influence of surfactant on the coarsening of aqueous foams.

PubMed

Briceño-Ahumada, Zenaida; Langevin, Dominique

2017-06-01

We review the coarsening process of foams made with various surfactants and gases, focusing on physico-chemical aspects. Several parameters strongly affect coarsening: foam liquid fraction and foam film permeability, this permeability depending on the surfactant used. Both parameters may evolve with time: the liquid fraction, due to gravity drainage, and the film permeability, due to the decrease of capillary pressure during bubble growth, and to the subsequent increase in film thickness. Bubble coalescence may enhance the bubble's growth rate, in which case the bubble polydispersity increases. The differences found between the experiments reported in the literature and between experiments and theories are discussed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Institutional Mapping Towards Developing a Framework for Sustainable Marine Spatial Planning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yatim, M. H. M.; Omar, A. H.; Abdullah, N. M.; Hashim, N. M.

2016-09-01

Within few years before, the urge to implement the marine spatial planning is due to increasing numbers of marine activities that will lead into uncertainties of rights, restrictions and responsibilities of the maritime nations. Marine authorities in this situation that deal with national rights and legislations are the government institutions that engage with marine spatial information. There are several elements to be considered when dealing with the marine spatial planning; which is institutional sustainability governance. Providing the importance of marine spatial planning towards sustainable marine spatial governance, the focus should highlight the role marine institutions towards sustainable marine plan. The iterative process of marine spatial planning among marine institutions is important as the spatial information governance is scattered from reflected rights, restrictions and responsibilities of marine government institutions. Malaysia is one of the maritime nations that conjures the initial step towards establishing the sustainable marine spatial planning. In order to have sustainable institutions in marine spatial planning process, it involves four main stages; planning phase, plan evaluation phase, implementation phase and post implementation phase. Current situation has witnessed the unclear direction and role of marine government institutions to manage the marine spatial information. This review paper is focusing on the institutional sustainability upon interaction of marine government institutions in the marine spatial planning process based on Institutional Analysis Framework. The outcome of the integration of institutional sustainability and marine spatial planning process will propose a framework of marine institutional sustainable plan.

Microbial communities, processes and functions in acid mine drainage ecosystems.

PubMed

Chen, Lin-xing; Huang, Li-nan; Méndez-García, Celia; Kuang, Jia-liang; Hua, Zheng-shuang; Liu, Jun; Shu, Wen-sheng

2016-04-01

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is generated from the oxidative dissolution of metal sulfides when water and oxygen are available largely due to human mining activities. This process can be accelerated by indigenous microorganisms. In the last several decades, culture-dependent researches have uncovered and validated the roles of AMD microorganisms in metal sulfides oxidation and acid generation processes, and culture-independent studies have largely revealed the diversity and metabolic potentials and activities of AMD communities, leading towards a full understanding of the microbial diversity, functions and interactions in AMD ecosystems. This review describes the diversity of microorganisms and their functions in AMD ecosystems, and discusses their biotechnological applications in biomining and AMD bioremediation according to their capabilities. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of air pollution index and meteorological elements in Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang, China.

PubMed

Huading, Shi; Critto, Andrea; Torresan, Silvia; Qingxian, Gao

2018-06-13

With the rapid economic development and the continuous population growth, several important cities in China suffer serious air pollution, especially in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic developing area. Based on the daily air pollution index (API) and surface meteorological elements in Beijing, Tianjin and Shijiazhuang from 2001 to 2010, the relationships between API and meteorological elements were analyzed. The statistical analysis focused on the relationships at seasonal and monthly average scales, on different air pollution grades and air pollution processes. The results revealed that the air pollution conditions in the three areas gradually improved from 2001 to 2010, especially during summer; and the worst conditions in air quality were recorded in Beijing in spring due to the influences of dust, while in Tianjin and Shijiazhuang in winter due to household heating. Meteorological elements exhibited different influences on air pollution, showing similar relationships between API in monthly averages and four meteorological elements (i.e., the average, maximum and minimum temperatures, maximum air pressure, vapor pressure, and maximum wind speed); while the relationships on a seasonal average scale demonstrated significant differences. Compared with seasonal and monthly average scales of API, the relation coefficients based on different air pollution grades were significatively lower; while the relationship between API and meteorological elements based on air pollution process reduced the smoothing effect due to the average processing of seasonal and monthly API and improved the accuracy of the results based on different air pollution grades. Finally, statistical analysis of the distribution of pollution days in different wind directions indicated the directions of extreme and maximum wind speeds that mainly influence air pollution; representing a valuable information that could support the definition of air pollution control strategies through the identification of the regions (and the located emission sources) where to focus the implementation of emission reduction actions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Are microRNAs true sensors of ageing and cellular senescence?

PubMed

Williams, Justin; Smith, Flint; Kumar, Subodh; Vijayan, Murali; Reddy, P Hemachandra

2017-05-01

All living beings are programmed to death due to aging and age-related processes. Aging is a normal process of every living species. While all cells are inevitably progressing towards death, many disease processes accelerate the aging process, leading to senescence. Pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and skin diseases have been associated with deregulated aging. Healthy aging can delay onset of all age-related diseases. Genetics and epigenetics are reported to play large roles in accelerating and/or delaying the onset of age-related diseases. Cellular mechanisms of aging and age-related diseases are not completely understood. However, recent molecular biology discoveries have revealed that microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential sensors of aging and cellular senescence. Due to miRNAs capability to bind to the 3' untranslated region (UTR) of mRNA of specific genes, miRNAs can prevent the translation of specific genes. The purpose of our article is to highlight recent advancements in miRNAs and their involvement in cellular changes in aging and senescence. Our article discusses the current understanding of cellular senescence, its interplay with miRNAs regulation, and how they both contribute to disease processes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) modulates wound healing through regulation of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Serrano, Isabel; Diez-Marques, Maria L.; Rodriguez-Puyol, Manuel

2012-11-15

Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is an intracellular effector of cell-matrix interactions and regulates many cellular processes, including growth, proliferation, survival, differentiation, migration, invasion and angiogenesis. The present work analyzes the role of ILK in wound healing in adult animals using a conditional knock-out of the ILK gene generated with the tamoxifen-inducible Cre-lox system (CRE-LOX mice). Results show that ILK deficiency leads to retarded wound closure in skin. Intracellular mechanisms involved in this process were analyzed in cultured mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) isolated from CRE-LOX mice and revealed that wounding promotes rapid activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and ILK. Knockdown of ILKmore » resulted in a retarded wound closure due to a decrease in cellular proliferation and loss of HGF protein expression during the healing process, in vitro and in vivo. Alterations in cell proliferation and wound closure in ILK-deficient MEF or mice could be rescued by exogenous administration of human HGF. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that the activation of PI3K and ILK after skin wounding are critical for HGF-dependent tissue repair and wound healing. -- Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer ILK deletion results in decreased HGF expression and delayed scratch wound repair. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer PI3K/ILK/AKT pathway signals through HGF to regulate wound healing. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An ILK-dependent increase in HGF expression is responsible for wound healing in vivo. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer ILK-KO mice are used to confirm the requirement for ILK function in wound healing. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Human HGF treatment restores delayed wound closure in vitro and in vivo.« less

Characterization of cellulosic wastes and gasification products from chicken farms

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Joseph, Paul, E-mail: p.joseph@ulster.ac.uk; Tretsiakova-McNally, Svetlana; McKenna, Siobhan

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The gas chromatography indicated the variable quality of the producer gas. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The char had appreciable NPK values, and can be used as a fertiliser. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The bio-oil produced was of poor quality, having high moisture content and low pH. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Mass and energy balances showed inadequate level energy recovery from the process. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Future work includes changing the operating parameters of the gasification unit. - Abstract: The current article focuses on gasification as a primary disposal solution for cellulosic wastes derived from chicken farms, and the possibility to recover energy from this process. Wood shavings and chickenmore » litter were characterized with a view to establishing their thermal parameters, compositional natures and calorific values. The main products obtained from the gasification of chicken litter, namely, producer gas, bio-oil and char, were also analysed in order to establish their potential as energy sources. The experimental protocol included bomb calorimetry, pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry (PCFC), thermo-gravimetric analyses (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analyses, X-ray diffraction (XRD), mineral content analyses and gas chromatography. The mass and energy balances of the gasification unit were also estimated. The results obtained confirmed that gasification is a viable method of chicken litter disposal. In addition to this, it is also possible to recover some energy from the process. However, energy content in the gas-phase was relatively low. This might be due to the low energy efficiency (19.6%) of the gasification unit, which could be improved by changing the operation parameters.« less

Mechanisms of hemispheric lateralization: Asymmetric interhemispheric recruitment in the face perception network.

PubMed

Frässle, Stefan; Paulus, Frieder Michel; Krach, Sören; Schweinberger, Stefan Robert; Stephan, Klaas Enno; Jansen, Andreas

2016-01-01

Perceiving human faces constitutes a fundamental ability of the human mind, integrating a wealth of information essential for social interactions in everyday life. Neuroimaging studies have unveiled a distributed neural network consisting of multiple brain regions in both hemispheres. Whereas the individual regions in the face perception network and the right-hemispheric dominance for face processing have been subject to intensive research, the functional integration among these regions and hemispheres has received considerably less attention. Using dynamic causal modeling (DCM) for fMRI, we analyzed the effective connectivity between the core regions in the face perception network of healthy humans to unveil the mechanisms underlying both intra- and interhemispheric integration. Our results suggest that the right-hemispheric lateralization of the network is due to an asymmetric face-specific interhemispheric recruitment at an early processing stage - that is, at the level of the occipital face area (OFA) but not the fusiform face area (FFA). As a structural correlate, we found that OFA gray matter volume was correlated with this asymmetric interhemispheric recruitment. Furthermore, exploratory analyses revealed that interhemispheric connection asymmetries were correlated with the strength of pupil constriction in response to faces, a measure with potential sensitivity to holistic (as opposed to feature-based) processing of faces. Overall, our findings thus provide a mechanistic description for lateralized processes in the core face perception network, point to a decisive role of interhemispheric integration at an early stage of face processing among bilateral OFA, and tentatively indicate a relation to individual variability in processing strategies for faces. These findings provide a promising avenue for systematic investigations of the potential role of interhemispheric integration in future studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Distinctive characteristics of Madeira wine regarding its traditional winemaking and modern analytical methodologies.

PubMed

Perestrelo, Rosa; Albuquerque, Francisco; Rocha, Sílvia M; Câmara, José S

2011-01-01

Madeira wine, a fortified wine produced in Madeira Island, is a special wine among all types of wine due its specific winemaking process. The aim of this chapter is to describe important aspects of Madeira winemaking and some scientific research currently carried out in these particular kinds of wines. The first part of the chapter concerns the most important aspects of winemaking technology used in Madeira wine production. The second part, the more extensive, deals with the different groups of compounds and how these are modified during the various steps of the production process, namely the aging period. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Motility Disorders in Children.

PubMed

Nurko, Samuel

2017-06-01

Gastrointestinal motility disorders in the pediatric population are common and can range from benign processes to more serious disorders. Performing and interpreting motility evaluations in children present unique challenges. There are primary motility disorders but abnormal motility may be secondary due to other disease processes. Diagnostic studies include radiographic scintigraphic and manometry studies. Although recent advances in the genetics, biology, and technical aspects are having an important impact and have allowed for a better understanding of the pathophysiology and therapy for gastrointestinal motility disorders in children, further research is needed to be done to have better understanding of the pathophysiology and for better therapies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Colorectal cancer in Spain: Temporary disability and preventive occupational strategies].

PubMed

Vicente-Herrero, M T; Terradillos-García, M J; Ramírez-Iñiguez-de la Torre, M V; Capdevila-García, L M; López-González, A A

2013-01-01

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequent cancers in both sexes and the most frequent in the developed countries, if men and women are considered together as a group. It has an important associated morbidity and mortality in all countries and constitutes a public health problem with a high direct and indirect economic cost. The number of workdays lost due to temporary disability (TD) is one of the quantifiable references of these indirect costs. To determine the indirect cost associated with TD due to colorectal cancer in Spain during the year 2011, a cost that aids in the prevention cost/benefit estimation. The number of TD processes, the number of workdays lost due to TD, and the mean duration of those processes, based on the CIE 9-MC codes related to this pathology, as well as the calculated cost, using the Spanish minimum wage as a reference, during the period of January to December 2011, were all reviewed. Colorectal cancer in Spain during 2011 represented 1,046 TD processes, 202,784 workdays lost, and a mean process duration of 194 days/year. The resulting cost of the pathology due to TD was 4,335,521.92 euros. These results are beneficial for evaluating the usefulness of implementing public health support strategies for a greater reduction in colorectal cancer prevalence and mortality, and an improvement in quality of life of the affected individuals and their families, together with an economic savings resulting from a reduction in TD as a consequence of this disease. Copyright © 2012 Asociación Mexicana de Gastroenterología. Published by Masson Doyma México S.A. All rights reserved.

A review on adult pragmatic assessments

PubMed Central

Sobhani Rad, Davood

2014-01-01

Pragmatics is defined as appropriate use of language either to comprehend ideas or to interact in social situations effectively. Pragmatic competence, which is processed in the right hemisphere, comprises a number of interrelated skills that manifest in a range of adaptive behaviors. Due to the widespread influence of language in communication, studying pragmatic profiles, by developing appropriate tools, is of importance. Here, a range of pragmatic theories and assessment instruments available for use in adult patients is reviewed. PMID:25422728

Investigation to biodiesel production by the two-step homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification.

PubMed

Ye, Jianchu; Tu, Song; Sha, Yong

2010-10-01

For the two-step transesterification biodiesel production made from the sunflower oil, based on the kinetics model of the homogeneous base-catalyzed transesterification and the liquid-liquid phase equilibrium of the transesterification product, the total methanol/oil mole ratio, the total reaction time, and the split ratios of methanol and reaction time between the two reactors in the stage of the two-step reaction are determined quantitatively. In consideration of the transesterification intermediate product, both the traditional distillation separation process and the improved separation process of the two-step reaction product are investigated in detail by means of the rigorous process simulation. In comparison with the traditional distillation process, the improved separation process of the two-step reaction product has distinct advantage in the energy duty and equipment requirement due to replacement of the costly methanol-biodiesel distillation column. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Cortical morphology of visual creativity.

PubMed

Gansler, David A; Moore, Dana W; Susmaras, Teresa M; Jerram, Matthew W; Sousa, Janelle; Heilman, Kenneth M

2011-07-01

The volume of cortical tissue devoted to a function often influences the quality of a person's ability to perform that function. Up to now only white matter correlates of creativity have been reported, and we wanted to learn if the creative visuospatial performance on the figural Torrance Test of Creative Thinking (TTCT) is associated with measurements of cerebral gray matter volume in the regions of the brain that are thought to be important in divergent reasoning and visuospatial processing. Eighteen healthy college educated men (mean age=40.78; 15 right-handers) were recruited (via advertisement) as participants. High-resolution MRI scans were acquired on a 1.5T MRI scanner. Voxel-based morphometry regression analyses of TTCT to cortical volume were restrained within the anatomic regions identified. One significant positive focus of association with TTCT emerged within the right parietal lobe gray matter (MNI coordinates: 44, -24, 63; 276 voxels). Based on theories of parietal lobe function and the requirements of the TTCT, the area observed may be related due to its dominant role in global aspects of attention and visuospatial processing including the capacity for manipulating spatial representations. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Haapio, Appu, E-mail: appu.haapio@vtt.fi

Requirements for the assessment tools of buildings have increased, assessing of building components or separate buildings is not enough. Neighbourhoods, built environment, public transportations, and services, should be considered simultaneously. Number of population living in urban areas is high and increasing rapidly. Urbanisation is a major concern due to its detrimental effects on the environment. The aim of this study is to clarify the field of assessment tools for urban communities by analysing the current situation. The focus is on internationally well known assessment tools; BREEAM Communities, CASBEE for Urban Development and LEED for Neigborhood Development. The interest towards certificationmore » systems is increasing amongst the authorities, and especially amongst the global investors and property developers. Achieved certifications are expected to bring measureable publicity for the developers. The assessment of urban areas enables the comparison of municipalities and urban areas, and notably supports decision making processes. Authorities, city planners, and designers would benefit most from the use of the tools during the decision making process. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The urban assessment tools have strong linkage to the region. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The tools promote complementary building and retrofitting existing sites. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sharing knowledge and experiences is important in the development of the tools.« less

Right-hemispheric dominance for visual remapping in humans.

PubMed

Pisella, L; Alahyane, N; Blangero, A; Thery, F; Blanc, S; Pelisson, D

2011-02-27

We review evidence showing a right-hemispheric dominance for visuo-spatial processing and representation in humans. Accordingly, visual disorganization symptoms (intuitively related to remapping impairments) are observed in both neglect and constructional apraxia. More specifically, we review findings from the intervening saccade paradigm in humans--and present additional original data--which suggest a specific role of the asymmetrical network at the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) in the right hemisphere in visual remapping: following damage to the right dorsal posterior parietal cortex (PPC) as well as part of the corpus callosum connecting the PPC to the frontal lobes, patient OK in a double-step saccadic task exhibited an impairment when the second saccade had to be directed rightward. This singular and lateralized deficit cannot result solely from the patient's cortical lesion and, therefore, we propose that it is due to his callosal lesion that may specifically interrupt the interhemispheric transfer of information necessary to execute accurate rightward saccades towards a remapped target location. This suggests a specialized right-hemispheric network for visuo-spatial remapping that subsequently transfers target location information to downstream planning regions, which are symmetrically organized.

Right-hemispheric dominance for visual remapping in humans

PubMed Central

Pisella, L.; Alahyane, N.; Blangero, A.; Thery, F.; Blanc, S.; Pelisson, D.

2011-01-01

We review evidence showing a right-hemispheric dominance for visuo-spatial processing and representation in humans. Accordingly, visual disorganization symptoms (intuitively related to remapping impairments) are observed in both neglect and constructional apraxia. More specifically, we review findings from the intervening saccade paradigm in humans—and present additional original data—which suggest a specific role of the asymmetrical network at the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) in the right hemisphere in visual remapping: following damage to the right dorsal posterior parietal cortex (PPC) as well as part of the corpus callosum connecting the PPC to the frontal lobes, patient OK in a double-step saccadic task exhibited an impairment when the second saccade had to be directed rightward. This singular and lateralized deficit cannot result solely from the patient's cortical lesion and, therefore, we propose that it is due to his callosal lesion that may specifically interrupt the interhemispheric transfer of information necessary to execute accurate rightward saccades towards a remapped target location. This suggests a specialized right-hemispheric network for visuo-spatial remapping that subsequently transfers target location information to downstream planning regions, which are symmetrically organized. PMID:21242144

Microstructural evolution and mechanical property of Ti-6Al-4V wall deposited by continuous plasma arc additive manufacturing without post heat treatment.

PubMed

Lin, Jianjun; Lv, Yaohui; Liu, Yuxin; Sun, Zhe; Wang, Kaibo; Li, Zhuguo; Wu, Yixiong; Xu, Binshi

2017-05-01

Plasma arc additive manufacturing (PAM) is a novel additive manufacturing (AM) technology due to its big potential in improving efficiency, convenience and being cost-savings compared to other AM processes of high energy bea\\m. In this research, several Ti-6Al-4V thin walls were deposited by optimized weld wire-feed continuous PAM process (CPAM), in which the heat input was gradually decreased layer by layer. The deposited thin wall consisted of various morphologies, which includes epitaxial growth of prior β grains, horizontal layer bands, martensite and basket weave microstructure, that depends on the heat input, multiple thermal cycles and gradual cooling rate in the deposition process. By gradually reducing heat input of each bead and using continuous current in the PAM process, the average yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation reach about 877MPa, 968MPa and 1.5%, respectively, which exceed the standard level of forging. The mechanical property was strengthened and toughened due to weakening the aspect ratio of prior β grains and separating nano-dispersoids among α lamellar. Furthermore, this research demonstrates that the CPAM process has a potential to manufacture or remanufacture in AM components of metallic biomaterials without post-processing heat treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Trend and current practices of palm oil mill effluent polishing: Application of advanced oxidation processes and their future perspectives.

PubMed

Bello, Mustapha Mohammed; Abdul Raman, Abdul Aziz

2017-08-01

Palm oil processing is a multi-stage operation which generates large amount of effluent. On average, palm oil mill effluent (POME) may contain up to 51, 000 mg/L COD, 25,000 mg/L BOD, 40,000 TS and 6000 mg/L oil and grease. Due to its potential to cause environmental pollution, palm oil mills are required to treat the effluent prior to discharge. Biological treatments using open ponding system are widely used for POME treatment. Although these processes are capable of reducing the pollutant concentrations, they require long hydraulic retention time and large space, with the effluent frequently failing to satisfy the discharge regulation. Due to more stringent environmental regulations, research interest has recently shifted to the development of polishing technologies for the biologically-treated POME. Various technologies such as advanced oxidation processes, membrane technology, adsorption and coagulation have been investigated. Among these, advanced oxidation processes have shown potentials as polishing technologies for POME. This paper offers an overview on the POME polishing technologies, with particularly emphasis on advanced oxidation processes and their prospects for large scale applications. Although there are some challenges in large scale applications of these technologies, this review offers some perspectives that could help in overcoming these challenges. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Postdonation information: the French fourth hemovigilance sub-process].

PubMed

Py, J-Y; Sandid, I; Jbilou, S; Dupuis, M; Adda, R; Narbey, D; Djoudi, R

2014-11-01

Postdonation information is the knowledge of information about the donor or his donation, occurring after it, which challenges quality or safety of the blood products stemming from this or other donations. Classical hemovigilance sub-processes concerning donors or recipients adverse events do not cover this topic. France is just about to make it official as a fourth sub-process. Less formal management of postdonation information is already set up for more than ten years. French data of the year 2013 are presented, including the regional notification level and the national reporting one. A significant level of heterogeneity is observed as for other hemovigilance sub-processes. It is mainly due to subjective rather than objective differences in risk appreciation. A real consensual work is expected about it in the future. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Hypothyroidism associated with parathyroid disorders.

PubMed

Mantovani, Giovanna; Elli, Francesca Marta; Corbetta, Sabrina

2017-03-01

Hypothyroidism may occur in association with congenital parathyroid disorders determining parathyroid hormone insufficiency, which is characterized by hypocalcemia and concomitant inappropriately low secretion of parathormone (PTH). The association is often due to loss of function of genes common to thyroid and parathyroid glands embryonic development. Hypothyroidism associated with hypoparathyroidism is generally mild and not associated with goiter; moreover, it is usually part of a multisystemic involvement not restricted to endocrine function as occurs in patients with 22q11 microdeletion/DiGeorge syndrome, the most frequent disorders. Hypothyroidism and hypoparathyroidism may also follow endocrine glands' damages due to autoimmunity or chronic iron overload in thalassemic disorders, both genetically determined conditions. Finally, besides PTH deficiency, hypocalcemia can be due to PTH resistance in pseudohypoparathyroidism; when hormone resistance is generalized, patients can suffer from hypothyroidism due to TSH resistance. In evaluating patients with hypothyroidism and hypocalcemia, physical examination and clinical history are essential to drive the diagnostic process, while routine genetic screening is not recommended. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MR volumetric analysis of the course of nephroblastomatosis under chemotherapy in childhood.

PubMed

Günther, Patrick; Tröger, Jochen; Graf, Norbert; Waag, Karl Ludwig; Schenk, Jens-Peter

2004-08-01

Nephroblastomatosis is a paediatric renal disease that may undergo malignant transformation. When neoadjuvant chemotherapy is indicated for nephroblastomatosis or bilateral Wilms' tumours, exact volumetric analysis using high-speed data processing and visualization may aid in determining tumour response. Using 3D-volume-rendering software, the 0.5-T MRI data of a 2-year-old girl with bilateral nephroblastomatosis was analysed. Exact volume determination of foci of nephroblastomatosis was performed by automatic and manual segmentation, and the relation to normal renal parenchyma was determined over a 12-month period. At the first visit, 80% (460/547 ml) of the extremely enlarged right kidney was due to nephroblastomatosis. Total tumour volume within the right kidney decreased to 74 ml under chemotherapy. Volume analysis of the two emerging right-sided masses after treatment correctly suggested Wilms' tumour. Three-dimensional rendering of the growing masses aided the surgeon in nephron-sparing surgery during tumour resection.

Cortical regions involved in semantic processing investigated by repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation and object naming.

PubMed

Sollmann, Nico; Tanigawa, Noriko; Tussis, Lorena; Hauck, Theresa; Ille, Sebastian; Maurer, Stefanie; Negwer, Chiara; Zimmer, Claus; Ringel, Florian; Meyer, Bernhard; Krieg, Sandro M

2015-04-01

Knowledge about the cortical representation of semantic processing is mainly derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or direct cortical stimulation (DCS) studies. Because DCS is regarded as the gold standard in terms of language mapping but can only be used during awake surgery due to its invasive character, repetitive navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS)—a non-invasive modality that uses a similar technique as DCS—seems highly feasible for use in the investigation of semantic processing in the healthy human brain. A total number of 100 (50 left-hemispheric and 50 right-hemispheric) rTMS-based language mappings were performed in 50 purely right-handed, healthy volunteers during an object-naming task. All rTMS-induced semantic naming errors were then counted and evaluated systematically. Furthermore, since the distribution of stimulations within both hemispheres varied between individuals and cortical regions stimulated, all elicited errors were standardized and subsequently related to their cortical sites by projecting the mapping results into the cortical parcellation system (CPS). Overall, the most left-hemispheric semantic errors were observed after targeting the rTMS to the posterior middle frontal gyrus (pMFG; standardized error rate: 7.3‰), anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG; 5.6‰), and ventral postcentral gyrus (vPoG; 5.0‰). In contrast to that, the highest right-hemispheric error rates occurred after stimulation of the posterior superior temporal gyrus (pSTG; 12.4‰), middle superior temporal gyrus (mSTG; 6.2‰), and anterior supramarginal gyrus (aSMG; 6.2‰). Although error rates were low, the rTMS-based approach of investigating semantic processing during object naming shows convincing results compared to the current literature. Therefore, rTMS seems a valuable, safe, and reliable tool for the investigation of semantic processing within the healthy human brain. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of acute psychosocial stress on neural activity to emotional and neutral faces in a face recognition memory paradigm.

PubMed

Li, Shijia; Weerda, Riklef; Milde, Christopher; Wolf, Oliver T; Thiel, Christiane M

2014-12-01

Previous studies have shown that acute psychosocial stress impairs recognition of declarative memory and that emotional material is especially sensitive to this effect. Animal studies suggest a central role of the amygdala which modulates memory processes in hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and other brain areas. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate neural correlates of stress-induced modulation of emotional recognition memory in humans. Twenty-seven healthy, right-handed, non-smoker male volunteers performed an emotional face recognition task. During encoding, participants were presented with 50 fearful and 50 neutral faces. One hour later, they underwent either a stress (Trier Social Stress Test) or a control procedure outside the scanner which was followed immediately by the recognition session inside the scanner, where participants had to discriminate between 100 old and 50 new faces. Stress increased salivary cortisol, blood pressure and pulse, and decreased the mood of participants but did not impact recognition memory. BOLD data during recognition revealed a stress condition by emotion interaction in the left inferior frontal gyrus and right hippocampus which was due to a stress-induced increase of neural activity to fearful and a decrease to neutral faces. Functional connectivity analyses revealed a stress-induced increase in coupling between the right amygdala and the right fusiform gyrus, when processing fearful as compared to neutral faces. Our results provide evidence that acute psychosocial stress affects medial temporal and frontal brain areas differentially for neutral and emotional items, with a stress-induced privileged processing of emotional stimuli.

Disability and capability: exploring the usefulness of Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach for the UN disability rights convention.

PubMed

Harnacke, Caroline

2013-01-01

I explore the usefulness of Martha Nussbaum's capabilities approach in regard to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). The CRPD aims at empowering people with disabilities by granting them a number of civil and political, but also economic, social and cultural rights. Implementing the CRPD will clearly be politically challenging and also very expensive for states. Thus, questions might arise as to whether the requirements set in the CRPD can be justified from an ethical perspective. I will first investigate if Nussbaum's capabilities approach provides support for the rights claimed in the CRPD. Second, I will investigate to what extent Nussbaum's capabilities approach is a useful tool to set priorities among rights in the course of the implementation of the convention. This is an urgent question because seen realistically, it will not be possible to realize all rights at once and thus some rights need to receive greater priority than others. I will argue that the capabilities approach can be regarded as supporting the rights specified in the CRPD, but that it proves unable to guide the implementation process due to an insufficient grounding of the capabilities. Employing the capabilities approach thus leads to only limited results. © 2013 American Society of Law, Medicine & Ethics, Inc.

[About creativity].

PubMed

Rubia Vila, Francisco José

2006-01-01

The term 'creativity', meaning to produce something out of nothing, is not accurate. A definition that included the establishment, the founding or the introduction of something anew for the first time would be rather appropiate. The most accurate interpretation of the creativity process is the one proposed by Alfred Rothenberg which establishes the hypothesis that creativity is due to what he calls a 'janusian thinking' characterized by conceiving simultaneously two or more opposed ideas, images or concepts. Two examples illustrate such way of thinking: one is Einstein's General Theory of Relativity and the other is Darwin's Theory of Natural Selection. The overcome of a dualistic thinking while keeping full consciousnees, that is, the utilization of both the primary and the secondary processes postulated by Freud, would be the key to creative thinking. From a neurophysiological point of view, it is very likely that the right hemisphere is rather connected to creativity, given that it is a mental state that requires non-focalized attention, greater right hemisphere activation, and low levels of prefrontal cortical activation allowing cognitive inhibition.

Impact of canning and storage on apricot carotenoids and polyphenols.

PubMed

Le Bourvellec, Carine; Gouble, Barbara; Bureau, Sylvie; Reling, Patrice; Bott, Romain; Ribas-Agusti, Albert; Audergon, Jean-Marc; Renard, Catherine M G C

2018-02-01

Apricot polyphenols and carotenoids were monitored after industrial and domestic cooking, and after 2months of storage for industrial processing. The main apricot polyphenols were flavan-3-ols, flavan-3-ol monomers and oligomers, with an average degree of polymerization between 4.7 and 10.7 and caffeoylquinic acids. Flavonols and anthocyanins were minor phenolic compounds. Upon processing procyanidins were retained in apricot tissue. Hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ol monomers, flavonols and anthocyanins leached in the syrup. Flavonol concentrations on per-can basis were significantly increased after processing. Industrial processing effects were higher than domestic cooking probably due to higher temperature and longer duration. After 2months of storage, among polyphenols only hydroxycinnamic acids, flavan-3-ol monomers and anthocyanins were reduced. Whichever the processing method, no significant reductions of total carotenoids were observed after processing. The cis-β-carotene isomer was significantly increased after processing but with a lower extent in domestic cooking. Significant decreased in total carotenoid compounds occurred during storage. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Current legal framework conditions for running and utilization of biobanks: Part 3: ownership and rights of use].

PubMed

Haier, J

2014-10-01

The organizing institution of a biobank can be of public or private law in nature and the form can be freely selected. Biomaterials must be legally valued as objects whereby inalienable personality rights are still valid even if ownership is transferred. The treating physician does not automatically acquire a comprehensive right of ownership or utilization for the materials taken during the treatment. The biobank acquires tangible property and user rights on the samples by a legal agreement between the donor and the biobank. Reutilization clauses in submission contracts should not be used due to the danger of a formularization development and surprise clauses. During the processing of biomaterials within the biobank substantially new characteristics can appear which have an effect on ownership and commercialization rights. The donor does not have a utilization right in the sense of a patent or copyright. If there are changes in the legal form and the use by third parties, the declaration of consent by the donor remains fully effective. There are special risks for the donor if the biobank transfers these biomaterials. This must be clarified before finalizing the agreement on sample transference and utilization in the sense of an informed decision.

Antibody reactivity to the major fish allergen parvalbumin is determined by isoforms and impact of thermal processing.

PubMed

Saptarshi, Shruti R; Sharp, Michael F; Kamath, Sandip D; Lopata, Andreas L

2014-04-01

The EF-hand calcium binding protein, parvalbumin, is a major fish allergen. Detection of this allergen is often difficult due to its structural diversity among various fish species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-reactivity of parvalbumin in a comprehensive range of bony and cartilaginous fish, from the Asia-Pacific region, and conduct a molecular analysis of this highly allergenic protein. Using the monoclonal anti-parvalbumin antibody PARV-19, we demonstrated the presence of monomeric and oligomeric parvalbumin in all fish analysed, except for gummy shark a cartilaginous fish. Heat processing of this allergen greatly affected its antibody reactivity. While heating caused a reduction in antibody reactivity to multimeric forms of parvalbumins for most bony fish, a complete loss of reactivity was observed for cartilaginous fish. Molecular analysis demonstrated that parvalbumin cross-reactivity, among fish species, is due to the molecular phylogenetic association of this major fish allergen. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calibration of skill and judgment in driving: development of a conceptual framework and the implications for road safety.

PubMed

Horrey, William J; Lesch, Mary F; Mitsopoulos-Rubens, Eve; Lee, John D

2015-03-01

Humans often make inflated or erroneous estimates of their own ability or performance. Such errors in calibration can be due to incomplete processing, neglect of available information or due to improper weighing or integration of the information and can impact our decision-making, risk tolerance, and behaviors. In the driving context, these outcomes can have important implications for safety. The current paper discusses the notion of calibration in the context of self-appraisals and self-competence as well as in models of self-regulation in driving. We further develop a conceptual framework for calibration in the driving context borrowing from earlier models of momentary demand regulation, information processing, and lens models for information selection and utilization. Finally, using the model we describe the implications for calibration (or, more specifically, errors in calibration) for our understanding of driver distraction, in-vehicle automation and autonomous vehicles, and the training of novice and inexperienced drivers. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Halophiles, coming stars for industrial biotechnology.

PubMed

Yin, Jin; Chen, Jin-Chun; Wu, Qiong; Chen, Guo-Qiang

2015-11-15

Industrial biotechnology aims to produce chemicals, materials and biofuels to ease the challenges of shortage on petroleum. However, due to the disadvantages of bioprocesses including energy consuming sterilization, high fresh water consumption, discontinuous fermentation to avoid microbial contamination, highly expensive stainless steel fermentation facilities and competing substrates for human consumption, industrial biotechnology is less competitive compared with chemical processes. Recently, halophiles have shown promises to overcome these shortcomings. Due to their unique halophilic properties, some halophiles are able to grow in high pH and high NaCl containing medium under higher temperature, allowing fermentation processes to run contamination free under unsterile conditions and continuous way. At the same time, genetic manipulation methods have been developed for halophiles. So far, halophiles have been used to produce bioplastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), ectoines, enzymes, and bio-surfactants. Increasing effects have been made to develop halophiles into a low cost platform for bioprocessing with advantages of low energy, less fresh water consumption, low fixed capital investment, and continuous production. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

In situ biodiesel production from greasy sewage sludge using acid and enzymatic catalysts.

PubMed

Sangaletti-Gerhard, Naiane; Cea, Mara; Risco, Vicky; Navia, Rodrigo

2015-03-01

This study proposes to select the most appropriate sewage sludge (greasy, primary and secondary) for in situ transesterification and to compare the technical, economic and energetic performance of an enzymatic catalyst (Novozym®435) with sulfuric acid. Greasy sludge was selected as feedstock for biodiesel production due to its high lipid content (44.4%) and low unsaponifiable matter. Maximum methyl esters yield (61%) was reached when processing the wet sludge using sulfuric acid as catalyst and n-hexane, followed by dried-greasy sludge catalyzed by Novozym®435 (57% methyl esters). Considering the economic point of view, the process using acid catalyst was more favorable compared to Novozym®435 catalyst due to the high cost of lipase. In general, greasy sludge (wet or dried) showed high potential to produce biodiesel. However, further technical adjustments are needed to make biodiesel production by in situ transesterification using acid and enzymatic catalyst feasible. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Expansive development of the French regulation of the genetic print files after the recent reforms (Part I)].

PubMed

Etxeberria Guridi, José Francisco

2003-01-01

French regulations related to "genetic prints" and its later incorporation to an automatized file in the frame of the penal process, initially deserved (1998) a positive judgement due to the guarantees surrounding such techniques, considering that with its use an interference was made with the freedom and rights of the individual. This primary regulation is watching a legislative evolution that brings serious doubts about the current guarantee system. A couple of legal reforms with security as their main axis (2001 and 2003) give more importance to the "genetic print" file by extending the causes in which it starts functioning going against the proportionality that must be observed when freedoms and rights of the individual can be affected.

How Should Physicians Respond When the Best Treatment for an Individual Patient Conflicts with Practice Guidelines about the Use of a Limited Resource?

PubMed

Howe, Edmund G

2017-06-01

The case presents a physician's ethical conflict, due to limited resources, between his obligations to meet the needs of a community and those of his patient. Elements of the decision-making process (and who should make the decision) are discussed, including the limitations of what ethical reasoning can offer and risks of arbitrary outcomes. Additionally, potential benefits to physicians and their patients of discussing these conflicts, including reducing the physician's moral distress, are noted. I argue that physicians' abilities to make "right" decisions in such situations are limited, and I suggest ways in which physicians can try to preserve their relationships with patients. © 2017 American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.

Emotional words can be embodied or disembodied: the role of superficial vs. deep types of processing

PubMed Central

Abbassi, Ensie; Blanchette, Isabelle; Ansaldo, Ana I.; Ghassemzadeh, Habib; Joanette, Yves

2015-01-01

Emotional words are processed rapidly and automatically in the left hemisphere (LH) and slowly, with the involvement of attention, in the right hemisphere (RH). This review aims to find the reason for this difference and suggests that emotional words can be processed superficially or deeply due to the involvement of the linguistic and imagery systems, respectively. During superficial processing, emotional words likely make connections only with semantically associated words in the LH. This part of the process is automatic and may be sufficient for the purpose of language processing. Deep processing, in contrast, seems to involve conceptual information and imagery of a word’s perceptual and emotional properties using autobiographical memory contents. Imagery and the involvement of autobiographical memory likely differentiate between emotional and neutral word processing and explain the salient role of the RH in emotional word processing. It is concluded that the level of emotional word processing in the RH should be deeper than in the LH and, thus, it is conceivable that the slow mode of processing adds certain qualities to the output. PMID:26217288

Emotional words can be embodied or disembodied: the role of superficial vs. deep types of processing.

PubMed

Abbassi, Ensie; Blanchette, Isabelle; Ansaldo, Ana I; Ghassemzadeh, Habib; Joanette, Yves

2015-01-01

Emotional words are processed rapidly and automatically in the left hemisphere (LH) and slowly, with the involvement of attention, in the right hemisphere (RH). This review aims to find the reason for this difference and suggests that emotional words can be processed superficially or deeply due to the involvement of the linguistic and imagery systems, respectively. During superficial processing, emotional words likely make connections only with semantically associated words in the LH. This part of the process is automatic and may be sufficient for the purpose of language processing. Deep processing, in contrast, seems to involve conceptual information and imagery of a word's perceptual and emotional properties using autobiographical memory contents. Imagery and the involvement of autobiographical memory likely differentiate between emotional and neutral word processing and explain the salient role of the RH in emotional word processing. It is concluded that the level of emotional word processing in the RH should be deeper than in the LH and, thus, it is conceivable that the slow mode of processing adds certain qualities to the output.

Probabilistic exposure assessment model to estimate aseptic-UHT product failure rate.

PubMed

Pujol, Laure; Albert, Isabelle; Magras, Catherine; Johnson, Nicholas Brian; Membré, Jeanne-Marie

2015-01-02

Aseptic-Ultra-High-Temperature (UHT) products are manufactured to be free of microorganisms capable of growing in the food at normal non-refrigerated conditions at which the food is likely to be held during manufacture, distribution and storage. Two important phases within the process are widely recognised as critical in controlling microbial contamination: the sterilisation steps and the following aseptic steps. Of the microbial hazards, the pathogen spore formers Clostridium botulinum and Bacillus cereus are deemed the most pertinent to be controlled. In addition, due to a relatively high thermal resistance, Geobacillus stearothermophilus spores are considered a concern for spoilage of low acid aseptic-UHT products. A probabilistic exposure assessment model has been developed in order to assess the aseptic-UHT product failure rate associated with these three bacteria. It was a Modular Process Risk Model, based on nine modules. They described: i) the microbial contamination introduced by the raw materials, either from the product (i.e. milk, cocoa and dextrose powders and water) or the packaging (i.e. bottle and sealing component), ii) the sterilisation processes, of either the product or the packaging material, iii) the possible recontamination during subsequent processing of both product and packaging. The Sterility Failure Rate (SFR) was defined as the sum of bottles contaminated for each batch, divided by the total number of bottles produced per process line run (10(6) batches simulated per process line). The SFR associated with the three bacteria was estimated at the last step of the process (i.e. after Module 9) but also after each module, allowing for the identification of modules, and responsible contamination pathways, with higher or lower intermediate SFR. The model contained 42 controlled settings associated with factory environment, process line or product formulation, and more than 55 probabilistic inputs corresponding to inputs with variability conditional to a mean uncertainty. It was developed in @Risk and run through Monte Carlo simulations. Overall, the highest SFR was associated with G. stearothermophilus (380000 bottles contaminated in 10(11) bottles produced) and the lowest to C. botulinum (3 bottles contaminated in 10(11) bottles produced). Unsurprisingly, SFR due to G. stearothermophilus was due to its ability to survive the UHT treatment. More interestingly, it was identified that SFR due to B. cereus (17000 bottles contaminated in 10(11) bottles produced) was due to an airborne recontamination of the aseptic tank (49%) and a post-sterilisation packaging contamination (33%). A deeper analysis (sensitivity and scenario analyses) was done to investigate how the SFR due to B. cereus could be reduced by changing the process settings related to potential air recontamination source. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Application of photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and a cellulose membrane for calcaneal pressure ulcer treatment in a diabetic patient: A case report.

PubMed

Rosa, Luciano Pereira; da Silva, Francine Cristina; Vieira, Regiane Lima; Tanajura, Beatriz Rocha; da Silva Gusmão, Alana Gonçalves; de Oliveira, Janeide Muritiba; Dos Santos, Nathalia Aparecida Campanário; Bagnato, Vanderlei Salvador

2017-09-01

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in which a person has high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production by the pancreas. Wounds in these individuals cannot heal properly over time due to circulatory changes that hinder and stagnate the healing process. We report the case of an 82-year-old female type 2 diabetes mellitus carrier, presenting to clinical-dermatological examination pressure ulcer (PU) in the right calcaneus region. The patient was treated with photodynamic therapy using curcumin and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs), laser therapy, and the application of a cellulose membrane in order to promote ulcer decontamination by local action, accelerate wound healing, and maintain favorable conditions of asepsis and moisture, respectively. The ulcer healing occurred after 30days of treatment and total epithelialization was observed. From the results obtained in this case report, we conclude that the combination of photodynamic therapy, laser therapy, and coating with a cellulose membrane is a promising treatment for the healing of PU in diabetic patients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multi-Product Microalgae Biorefineries: From Concept Towards Reality.

PubMed

't Lam, G P; Vermuë, M H; Eppink, M H M; Wijffels, R H; van den Berg, C

2018-02-01

Although microalgae are a promising biobased feedstock, industrial scale production is still far off. To enhance the economic viability of large-scale microalgae processes, all biomass components need to be valorized, requiring a multi-product biorefinery. However, this concept is still too expensive. Typically, downstream processing of industrial biotechnological bulk products accounts for 20-40% of the total production costs, while for a microalgae multi-product biorefinery the costs are substantially higher (50-60%). These costs are high due to the lack of appropriate and mild technologies to access the different product fractions such as proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids. To reduce the costs, simplified processes need to be developed for the main unit operations including harvesting, cell disruption, extraction, and possibly fractionation. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Testing for coevolutionary diversification: linking pattern with process.

PubMed

Althoff, David M; Segraves, Kari A; Johnson, Marc T J

2014-02-01

Coevolutionary diversification is cited as a major mechanism driving the evolution of diversity, particularly in plants and insects. However, tests of coevolutionary diversification have focused on elucidating macroevolutionary patterns rather than the processes giving rise to such patterns. Hence, there is weak evidence that coevolution promotes diversification. This is in part due to a lack of understanding about the mechanisms by which coevolution can cause speciation and the difficulty of integrating results across micro- and macroevolutionary scales. In this review, we highlight potential mechanisms of coevolutionary diversification, outline approaches to examine this process across temporal scales, and propose a set of minimal requirements for demonstrating coevolutionary diversification. Our aim is to stimulate research that tests more rigorously for coevolutionary diversification. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A case of mental nerve paresthesia due to dynamic compression of alveolar inferior nerve along an elongated styloid process.

PubMed

Gooris, Peter J J; Zijlmans, Jan C M; Bergsma, J Eelco; Mensink, Gertjan

2014-07-01

Spontaneous paresthesia of the mental nerve is considered an ominous clinical sign. Mental nerve paresthesia has also been referred to as numb chin syndrome. Several potentially different factors have been investigated for their role in interfering with the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) and causing mental nerve neuropathy. In the present case, the patient had an elongated calcified styloid process that we hypothesized had caused IAN irritation during mandibular movement. This eventually resulted in progressive loss of sensation in the mental nerve region. To our knowledge, this dynamic irritation, with complete recovery after resection of the styloid process, has not been previously reported. Copyright © 2014 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Imageability effects on sentence judgement by right-brain-damaged adults

PubMed Central

Lederer, Lisa Guttentag; Scott, April Gibbs; Tompkins, Connie A.; Dickey, Michael W.

2009-01-01

Background For decades researchers assumed visual image generation was the province of the right hemisphere. The lack of corresponding evidence was only recently noted, yet conflicting results still leave open the possibility that the right hemisphere plays a role. This study assessed imagery generation in adult participants with and without right hemisphere damage (RHD). Imagery was operationalised as the activation of representations retrieved from long-term memory similar to those that underlie sensory experience, in the absence of the usual sensory stimulation, and in the presence of communicative stimuli. Aims The primary aim of the study was to explore the widely held belief that there is an association between the right hemisphere and imagery generation ability. We also investigated whether visual and visuo-motor imagery generation abilities differ in adults with RHD. Methods & Procedures Participants included 34 adults with unilateral RHD due to cerebrovascular accident and 38 adults who served as non-brain-damaged (NBD) controls. To assess the potential effects of RHD on the processing of language stimuli that differ in imageability, participants performed an auditory sentence verification task. Participants listened to high- and low-imageability sentences from Eddy and Glass (1981) and indicated whether each sentence was true or false. The dependent measures for this task were performance accuracy and response times (RT). Outcomes & Results In general, accuracy was higher, and response time lower, for low-imagery than for high-imagery items. Although NBD participants’ RTs for low-imagery items were significantly faster than those for high-imagery items, this difference disappeared in the group with RHD. We confirmed that this result was not due to a speed–accuracy trade-off or to syntactic differences between stimulus sets. A post hoc analysis also suggested that the group with RHD was selectively impaired in motor, rather than visual, imagery generation. Conclusions The disproportionately high RT of participants with RHD in response to low-imagery items suggests that these items had other properties that made their verification difficult for this population. The nature and extent of right hemisphere patients’ deficits in processing different types of imagery should be considered. In addition, the capacity of adults with RHD to generate visual and motor imagery should be investigated separately in future studies. PMID:20054429

Implication of defamation for dental educators.

PubMed

Moore, R N

1987-08-01

Recent court decisions have indicated that in dealing with their students and colleagues, faculty must balance academic freedom and the individual right of fair consideration. It is also important for faculty and administrators to distinguish between decision-making procedures and criteria. It is quite clear from two recent United States Supreme Court cases that subjective evaluation by professional judgment is permissible as long as standard procedures of procedural due process are followed. In short, courts are more likely to review the application of the criteria than their substance.

Time-resolved EPR study on the photochemical reactions of benzil

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mukai, Masahiro; Yamnauchi, Seigo; Hirota, Noboru

1992-04-16

TREPR and optical studies on the photochemical reactions of benzil in 2-propanol and benzene-TEA conclude that emissive signals are due to the reaction from T{sub n} produced via the S{sub n} pointing right T{sub n} intersystem crossing process. The free-pair radical-pair mechanism can account for the main features of the slow rise component of the chemically induced dynamic electron polarization signal of the ketyl radical in 2-propanol. 27 refs., 10 figs., 2 tabs.

[Pharmacological treatment].

PubMed

Arriola Manchola, Enrique; Álaba Trueba, Javier

2016-06-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic degenerative and inflammatory process leading to synapticdysfunction and neuronal death. A review about the pharmacological treatment alternatives is made: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI), a nutritional supplement (Souvenaid) and Ginkgo biloba. A special emphasis on Ginkgo biloba due to the controversy about its use and the approval by the European Medicines Agency is made. Copyright © 2016 Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Security Systems Consideration: A Total Security Approach

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Margariti, S. V.; Meletiou, G.; Stergiou, E.; Vasiliadis, D. C.; Rizos, G. E.

2007-12-01

The "safety" problem for protection systems is to determine in a given situation whether a subject can acquire a particular right to an object. Security and audit operation face the process of securing the application on computing and network environment; however, storage security has been somewhat overlooked due to other security solutions. This paper identifies issues for data security, threats and attacks, summarizes security concepts and relationships, and also describes storage security strategies. It concludes with recommended storage security plan for a total security solution.

Synthetic and semi-synthetic chondroitin sulfate oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycomimetics.

PubMed

Bedini, Emiliano; Parrilli, Michelangelo

2012-07-15

Chondroitin sulfate (CS) is a sulfated polysaccharide involved in a myriad of biological processes. Due to the variable sulfation pattern of CS polymer chains, the need to study in detail structure-activity relationships regarding CS biomedical features has provoked much interest in obtaining synthetic CS species. This paper reviews two decades of synthetic and semi-synthetic CS oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, and glycomimetics obtained by chemical, chemoenzymatic, enzymatic, and microbiological-chemical strategies. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Developing Process Maps as a Tool for a Surgical Infection Prevention Quality Improvement Initiative in Resource-Constrained Settings.

PubMed

Forrester, Jared A; Koritsanszky, Luca A; Amenu, Demisew; Haynes, Alex B; Berry, William R; Alemu, Seifu; Jiru, Fekadu; Weiser, Thomas G

2018-06-01

Surgical infections cause substantial morbidity and mortality in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). To improve adherence to critical perioperative infection prevention standards, we developed Clean Cut, a checklist-based quality improvement program to improve compliance with best practices. We hypothesized that process mapping infection prevention activities can help clinicians identify strategies for improving surgical safety. We introduced Clean Cut at a tertiary hospital in Ethiopia. Infection prevention standards included skin antisepsis, ensuring a sterile field, instrument decontamination/sterilization, prophylactic antibiotic administration, routine swab/gauze counting, and use of a surgical safety checklist. Processes were mapped by a visiting surgical fellow and local operating theater staff to facilitate the development of contextually relevant solutions; processes were reassessed for improvements. Process mapping helped identify barriers to using alcohol-based hand solution due to skin irritation, inconsistent administration of prophylactic antibiotics due to variable delivery outside of the operating theater, inefficiencies in assuring sterility of surgical instruments through lack of confirmatory measures, and occurrences of retained surgical items through inappropriate guidelines, staffing, and training in proper routine gauze counting. Compliance with most processes improved significantly following organizational changes to align tasks with specific process goals. Enumerating the steps involved in surgical infection prevention using a process mapping technique helped identify opportunities for improving adherence and plotting contextually relevant solutions, resulting in superior compliance with antiseptic standards. Simplifying these process maps into an adaptable tool could be a powerful strategy for improving safe surgery delivery in LMICs. Copyright © 2018 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Improving the treatment planning and delivery process of Xoft electronic skin brachytherapy.

PubMed

Manger, Ryan; Rahn, Douglas; Hoisak, Jeremy; Dragojević, Irena

2018-05-14

To develop an improved Xoft electronic skin brachytherapy process and identify areas of further improvement. A multidisciplinary team conducted a failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA) by developing a process map and a corresponding list of failure modes. The failure modes were scored for their occurrence, severity, and detectability, and a risk priority number (RPN) was calculated for each failure mode as the product of occurrence, severity, and detectability. Corrective actions were implemented to address the higher risk failure modes, and a revised process was generated. The RPNs of the failure modes were compared between the initial process and final process to assess the perceived benefits of the corrective actions. The final treatment process consists of 100 steps and 114 failure modes. The FMEA took approximately 20 person-hours (one physician, three physicists, and two therapists) to complete. The 10 most dangerous failure modes had RPNs ranging from 336 to 630. Corrective actions were effective at addressing most failure modes (10 riskiest RPNs ranging from 189 to 310), yet the RPNs were higher than those published for alternative systems. Many of these high-risk failure modes remained due to hardware design limitations. FMEA helps guide process improvement efforts by emphasizing the riskiest steps. Significant risks are apparent when using a Xoft treatment unit for skin brachytherapy due to hardware limitations such as the lack of several interlocks, a short source lifespan, and variability in source output. The process presented in this article is expected to reduce but not eliminate these risks. Copyright © 2018 American Brachytherapy Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis on Causes of Employees' Damaged Rights in Perspective of Property Rights

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Xiuzhi; Lin, Lijie

An employment contract is a contract of human capital property rights transaction between employees and employer. Due to its incompleteness, the employees' rights can not be fully defined in the employment contract. Therefore, some rights of employees lie in "Public Domain". Due to the rule of "Power Defining Property" in the prosperity dealing, employers with great power are able to grab at employees' rights in "Public Domain". In this paper, the theoretical foundation on the source of violations to employees' rights, the value of labor contract law and the role of labor union playing in the labor relationship are presented in perspective of property rights.

Investigating factors leading to fogging of glass vials in lyophilized drug products.

PubMed

Abdul-Fattah, Ahmad M; Oeschger, Richard; Roehl, Holger; Bauer Dauphin, Isabelle; Worgull, Martin; Kallmeyer, Georg; Mahler, Hanns-Christian

2013-10-01

Vial "Fogging" is a phenomenon observed after lyophilization due to drug product creeping upwards along the inner vial surface. After the freeze-drying process, a haze of dried powder is visible inside the drug product vial, making it barely acceptable for commercial distribution from a cosmetic point of view. Development studies were performed to identify the root cause for fogging during manufacturing of a lyophilized monoclonal antibody drug product. The results of the studies indicate that drug product creeping occurs during the filling process, leading to vial fogging after lyophilization. Glass quality/inner surface, glass conversion/vial processing (vial "history") and formulation excipients, e.g., surfactants (three different surfactants were tested), all affect glass fogging to a certain degree. Results showed that the main factor to control fogging is primarily the inner vial surface hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity. While Duran vials were not capable of reliably improving the level of fogging, hydrophobic containers provided reliable means to improve the cosmetic appearance due to reduction in fogging. Varying vial depyrogenation treatment conditions did not lead to satisfying results in removal of the fogging effect. Processing conditions of the vial after filling with drug product had a strong impact on reducing but not eliminating fogging. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Inter-species competition-facilitation in stochastic riparian vegetation dynamics.

PubMed

Tealdi, Stefano; Camporeale, Carlo; Ridolfi, Luca

2013-02-07

Riparian vegetation is a highly dynamic community that lives on river banks and which depends to a great extent on the fluvial hydrology. The stochasticity of the discharge and erosion/deposition processes in fact play a key role in determining the distribution of vegetation along a riparian transect. These abiotic processes interact with biotic competition/facilitation mechanisms, such as plant competition for light, water, and nutrients. In this work, we focus on the dynamics of plants characterized by three components: (1) stochastic forcing due to river discharges, (2) competition for resources, and (3) inter-species facilitation due to the interplay between vegetation and fluid dynamics processes. A minimalist stochastic bio-hydrological model is proposed for the dynamics of the biomass of two vegetation species: one species is assumed dominant and slow-growing, the other is subdominant, but fast-growing. The stochastic model is solved analytically and the probability density function of the plant biomasses is obtained as a function of both the hydrologic and biologic parameters. The impact of the competition/facilitation processes on the distribution of vegetation species along the riparian transect is investigated and remarkable effects are observed. Finally, a good qualitative agreement is found between the model results and field data. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Interventional Management of Massive Hemothorax Due to Inadvertent Puncture of an Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jahnke, Thomas, E-mail: thomas.jahnke@gmx.net; Schaefer, Phillip Jost; Heller, Martin

2008-07-15

We report a case of massive hemothorax due to inadvertent puncture of an aberrant right subclavian artery during central venous access. Iatrogenic laceration at the origin of the right internal thoracic artery was successfully treated with coil embolization of the internal thoracic artery followed by stent-graft placement into the subclavian artery. Due to its elongated and abnormal course, an aberrant right subclavian artery may predispose to inadvertent puncture during vein catheterization and should be recognized as a potential threat for such procedures. Our case emphasizes that ultrasound guidance should be used routinely for central venous lines wherever possible.

76 FR 8992 - National Trails System Act and Railroad Rights-of-Way

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-02-16

...] National Trails System Act and Railroad Rights-of-Way AGENCY: Surface Transportation Board, DOT. ACTION... procedures regarding the use of railroad rights-of-way for railbanking and interim trail use under the National Trails System Act (Trails Act). DATES: Comments are due by April 12, 2011; replies are due by May...

The value of decision tree analysis in planning anaesthetic care in obstetrics.

PubMed

Bamber, J H; Evans, S A

2016-08-01

The use of decision tree analysis is discussed in the context of the anaesthetic and obstetric management of a young pregnant woman with joint hypermobility syndrome with a history of insensitivity to local anaesthesia and a previous difficult intubation due to a tongue tumour. The multidisciplinary clinical decision process resulted in the woman being delivered without complication by elective caesarean section under general anaesthesia after an awake fibreoptic intubation. The decision process used is reviewed and compared retrospectively to a decision tree analytical approach. The benefits and limitations of using decision tree analysis are reviewed and its application in obstetric anaesthesia is discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microgravity

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-04-15

Comparison of ground-based (left) and Skylab (right) electron beam welds in pure tantalum (Ta) (10X magnification). Residual votices left behind in the ground-based sample after the electron beam passed were frozen into the grain structure. These occurred because of the rapid cooling rate at the high temperature. Although the thermal characteristics and electron beam travel speeds were comparable for the skylab sample, the residual vortices were erased in the grain structure. This may have been due to the fact that final grain size of the solidified material was smaller in the Skylab sample compared to the ground-based sample. The Skylab sample was processed in the M512 Materials Processing Facility (MPF) during Skylab SL-2 Mission. Principal Investigator was Richard Poorman.

Principles and processes behind promoting awareness of rights for quality maternal care services: a synthesis of stakeholder experiences and implementation factors.

PubMed

George, Asha S; Branchini, Casey

2017-08-31

Promoting awareness of rights is a value-based process that entails a different way of thinking and acting, which is at times misunderstood or deemed as aspirational. Guided by the SURE framework, we undertook a secondary analysis of 26 documents identified by an earlier systematic review on promoting awareness of rights to increase use of maternity care services. We thematically analysed stakeholder experiences and implementation factors across the diverse initiatives to derive common elements to guide future efforts. Interventions that promote awareness of rights for maternal health varied in nature, methodological orientation, depth and quality. Materials included booklets, posters, pamphlets/ briefs and service standards/charters. Target populations included women, family members, communities, community structures, community-based and non governmental organizations, health providers and administrators, as well as elected representatives. While one initiative only focused on raising awareness, most were embedded within larger efforts to improve the accountability and responsiveness of service delivery through community monitoring and advocacy, with a few aiming to change policies and contest elections. Underlying these action oriented forms of promoting awareness of rights, was a critical consciousness and attitudinal change gained through iterative capacity-building for all stakeholders; materials and processes that supported group discussion and interaction; the formation or strengthening of community groups; situational analysis to ensure adaptation to local context; facilitation to ensure common ground and language across stakeholders; and strategic networking and alliance building across health system levels. While many positive experiences are discussed, few challenges or barriers to implementation are documented. The limited documentation and poor quality of information found indicate that while various examples of promoting awareness of rights for maternal health exists, research partnerships to systematically evaluate their processes, learning and effects are lacking. Rather than being aspirational, several examples of promoting awareness of women's rights for quality maternity care services exist. More than mainly disseminate information, they aim to change stakeholder mindsets and relationships across health system levels. Due to their transformatory intent they require sustained investment, with strategic planning, concrete operationalization and political adeptness to manage dynamic stakeholder expectations and reactions overtime. More investment is also required in research partnerships that support such initiatives and better elucidate their context specific variations.

Aiming to complete the matrix: Eye-movement analysis of processing strategies in children's relational thinking.

PubMed

Chen, Zhe; Honomichl, Ryan; Kennedy, Diane; Tan, Enda

2016-06-01

The present study examines 5- to 8-year-old children's relation reasoning in solving matrix completion tasks. This study incorporates a componential analysis, an eye-tracking method, and a microgenetic approach, which together allow an investigation of the cognitive processing strategies involved in the development and learning of children's relational thinking. Developmental differences in problem-solving performance were largely due to deficiencies in engaging the processing strategies that are hypothesized to facilitate problem-solving performance. Feedback designed to highlight the relations between objects within the matrix improved 5- and 6-year-olds' problem-solving performance, as well as their use of appropriate processing strategies. Furthermore, children who engaged the processing strategies early on in the task were more likely to solve subsequent problems in later phases. These findings suggest that encoding relations, integrating rules, completing the model, and generalizing strategies across tasks are critical processing components that underlie relational thinking. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Problematic effects of antibiotics on anaerobic treatment of swine wastewater.

PubMed

Cheng, D L; Ngo, H H; Guo, W S; Chang, S W; Nguyen, D D; Kumar, S Mathava; Du, B; Wei, Q; Wei, D

2018-05-04

Swine wastewaters with high levels of organic pollutants and antibiotics have become serious environmental concerns. Anaerobic technology is a feasible option for swine wastewater treatment due to its advantage in low costs and bioenergy production. However, antibiotics in swine wastewater have problematic effects on micro-organisms, and the stability and performance of anaerobic processes. Thus, this paper critically reviews impacts of antibiotics on pH, COD removal efficiencies, biogas and methane productions as well as the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the anaerobic processes. Meanwhile, impacts on the structure of bacteria and methanogens in anaerobic processes are also discussed comprehensively. Furthermore, to better understand the effect of antibiotics on anaerobic processes, detailed information about antimicrobial mechanisms of antibiotics and microbial functions in anaerobic processes is also summarized. Future research on deeper knowledge of the effect of antibiotics on anaerobic processes are suggested to reduce their adverse environmental impacts. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Power effects on cognitive control: Turning conflict into action.

PubMed

Schmid, Petra C; Kleiman, Tali; Amodio, David M

2015-06-01

Power is known to promote effective goal pursuit, especially when it requires one to overcome distractions or bias. We proposed that this effect involves the ability to engage and implement cognitive control. In Study 1, we demonstrated that power enhances behavioral performance on a response conflict task and that it does so by enhancing controlled processing rather than by reducing automatic processing. In Study 2, we used an event-related potential index of anterior cingulate activity to test whether power effects on control were due to enhanced conflict sensitivity or action implementation. Power did not significantly affect neural sensitivity to conflict; rather, high power was associated with a stronger link between conflict processing and intended action, relative to low power. These findings suggest a new perspective on how social factors can affect controlled processing and offer new evidence regarding the transition between conflict detection and the implementation of action control. (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved).

Marine Enzymes and Microorganisms for Bioethanol Production.

PubMed

Swain, M R; Natarajan, V; Krishnan, C

Bioethanol is a potential alternative fuel to fossil fuels. Bioethanol as a fuel has several economic and environmental benefits. Though bioethanol is produced using starch and sugarcane juice, these materials are in conflict with food availability. To avoid food-fuel conflict, the second-generation bioethanol production by utilizing nonfood lignocellulosic materials has been extensively investigated. However, due to the complexity of lignocellulose architecture, the process is complicated and not economically competitive. The cultivation of lignocellulosic energy crops indirectly affects the food supplies by extensive land use. Marine algae have attracted attention to replace the lignocellulosic feedstock for bioethanol production, since the algae grow fast, do not use land, avoid food-fuel conflict and have several varieties to suit the cultivation environment. The composition of algae is not as complex as lignocellulose due to the absence of lignin, which renders easy hydrolysis of polysaccharides to fermentable sugars. Marine organisms also produce cold-active enzymes for hydrolysis of starch, cellulose, and algal polysaccharides, which can be employed in bioethanol process. Marine microoorganisms are also capable of fermenting sugars under high salt environment. Therefore, marine biocatalysts are promising for development of efficient processes for bioethanol production. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Comparing the role of selective and divided attention in the composite face effect: Insights from Attention Operating Characteristic (AOC) plots and cross-contingency correlations.

PubMed

Fitousi, Daniel

2016-03-01

Composite faces combine the top half of one face with the bottom half of another to create a compelling illusion of a new face. Evidence for holistic processing with composite faces comes primarily from a matching procedure in a selective attention task. In the present study, a dual-task approach has been employed to study whether composite faces reflect genuine holistic (i.e., fusion of parts) or non-holistic processing strategies (i.e., switching, resource sharing). This has been accomplished by applying the Attention Operation Characteristic methodology (AOC, Sperling & Melchner, 1978a, 1978b) and cross-contingency correlations (Bonnel & Prinzmetal, 1998) to composite faces. Overall, the results converged on the following conclusions: (a) observers can voluntarily allocate differential amounts of attention to the top and bottom parts in both spatially aligned and misaligned composite faces, (b) the interaction between composite face halves is due to attentional limitations, not due to switching or fusion strategies, and (c) the processing of aligned and misaligned composite faces is quantitatively and qualitatively similar. Taken together, these results challenge the holistic interpretation of the composite face illusion. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A new and reliable method for live imaging and quantification of reactive oxygen species in Botrytis cinerea: technological advancement.

PubMed

Marschall, Robert; Tudzynski, Paul

2014-10-01

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced in conserved cellular processes either as by-products of the cellular respiration in mitochondria, or purposefully for defense mechanisms, signaling cascades or cell homeostasis. ROS have two diametrically opposed attributes due to their highly damaging potential for DNA, lipids and other molecules and due to their indispensability for signaling and developmental processes. In filamentous fungi, the role of ROS in growth and development has been studied in detail, but these analyses were often hampered by the lack of reliable and specific techniques to monitor different activities of ROS in living cells. Here, we present a new method for live cell imaging of ROS in filamentous fungi. We demonstrate that by use of a mixture of two fluorescent dyes it is possible to monitor H2O2 and superoxide specifically and simultaneously in distinct cellular structures during various hyphal differentiation processes. In addition, the method allows for reliable fluorometric quantification of ROS. We demonstrate that this can be used to characterize different mutants with respect to their ROS production/scavenging potential. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of pre- vs. post-reward attainment on EEG asymmetry in melancholic depression.

PubMed

Shankman, Stewart A; Sarapas, Casey; Klein, Daniel N

2011-02-01

Clinical investigators have long theorized about the role of reward processing and positive affect in depression. One theory posits that compared to nonmelancholic depressives, melancholic depressives experience less consummatory (i.e., post-reward), but comparably low anticipatory (prior to reward), positive affect. We tested whether frontal EEG asymmetry, a putative marker of the anticipatory reward system, is present only before an individual receives a reward or also after receiving a reward (i.e., during consummatory reward processing). We also examined whether melancholic depression, a condition characterized by a deficit in consummatory reward processing, is associated with abnormal EEG asymmetries in alpha band power. Effects in other frequency bands (delta, theta, or beta) were also explored. EEG was recorded in 34 controls, 48 nonmelancholic depressives, and 17 melancholic depressives during a slot machine task designed to elicit anticipatory and consummatory reward processing. Results indicated that, for alpha, the frontal EEG asymmetry of greater relative left activity was specific to anticipatory reward processing. During the consummatory phase, individuals with melancholic depression exhibited different posterior EEG asymmetries than individuals with nonmelancholic depression (and controls at a trend level). This second finding was largely due to melancholics exhibiting relatively lower right posterior activity and nonmelancholics exhibiting relatively lower left activity. These results suggest that a posterior asymmetry may be a marker for melancholic depression and aberrant consummatory reward processing. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparative study of the effect of pharmaceutical additives on the elimination of antibiotic activity during the treatment of oxacillin in water by the photo-Fenton, TiO2-photocatalysis and electrochemical processes.

PubMed

Serna-Galvis, Efraim A; Silva-Agredo, Javier; Giraldo, Ana L; Flórez-Acosta, Oscar A; Torres-Palma, Ricardo A

2016-01-15

Synthetic pharmaceutical effluents loaded with the β-lactam antibiotic oxacillin were treated using advanced oxidation processes (the photo-Fenton system and TiO2 photocatalysis) and chloride mediated electrochemical oxidation (with Ti/IrO2 anodes). Combinations of the antibiotic with excipients (mannitol or tartaric acid), an active ingredient (calcium carbonate, i.e. bicarbonate ions due to the pH) and a cleaning agent (sodium lauryl ether sulfate) were considered. Additionally, urban wastewater that had undergone biological treatment was doped with oxacillin and treated with the tested systems. The evolution of antimicrobial activity was monitored as a parameter of processes efficiency. Although the two advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) differ only in the way they produce OH, marked differences were observed between them. There were also differences between the AOPs and the electrochemical system. Interestingly, each additive had a different effect on each treatment. For water loaded with mannitol, electrochemical treatment was the most suitable option because the additive did not significantly affect the efficiency of the system. Due to the formation of a complex with Fe(3+), tartaric acid accelerated the elimination of antibiotic activity during the photo-Fenton process. For TiO2 photocatalysis, the presence of bicarbonate ions contributed to antibiotic activity elimination through the possible formation of carbonate and bicarbonate radicals. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate negatively affected all of the processes. However, due to the higher selectivity of HOCl compared with OH, electrochemical oxidation showed the least inhibited efficiency. For the urban wastewater doped with oxacillin, TiO2 photocatalysis was the most efficient process. These results will help select the most suitable technology for the treatment of water polluted with β-lactam antibiotics. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Severe tricuspid regurgitation and isolated right heart failure due to thyrotoxicosis

PubMed Central

Bonou, Maria; Lampropoulos, Konstantinos M.; Andriopoulou, Maria; Kotsas, Dimitrios; Lakoumentas, John; Barbetseas, John

2012-01-01

We describe the case of a patient presented with isolated right heart failure with atrial fibrillation and severe tricuspid regurgitation due to hyperthyroidism. Treatment of the thyroid disease resulted in the disappearance of signs of right heart failure and resolution of the valve incompetence and normalization of the heart rhythm. Although thyrotoxicosis may be associated with congestive heart failure, isolated right heart failure with marked tricuspid regurgitation is rarely seen. PMID:23253416

Quantitative and qualitative processes of change during staff-coaching sessions: an exploratory study.

PubMed

van Oorsouw, Wietske M W J; Embregts, Petri J C M; Bosman, Anna M T

2013-05-01

Staff training is one of the interventions that managers can embed in their organizations to help staff improve their professional competences related to challenging behaviour of clients with intellectual disabilities. Individual coaching adds learning opportunities that are feasible but difficult to achieve in an in-service setting. In the present study, we have followed the coaching process of three staff members. Based on differences in the Linell balance of power across sessions, we explored the question: do different coaching processes have similar patterns in the development of dominance and coherence in interactions between coach and staff? Additionally, a qualitative approach was conducted to illustrate and enrich the meaning of quantitative outcomes. Processes were different regarding the balance of power at the start of the coaching, probably due to differences in resistance and insecurity. As a consequence of different starting points and differences in learning styles, each coaching process had its unique development over time. At the end, all dyads were comparable in the sense that all dyads were highly satisfied about the outcomes and process of coaching. This is in line with similar levels of power at the end of the coaching sessions suggesting equal contributions and leadership. The present findings suggest some relevant competencies of coaches within health-care services. Due to the small number of participants, the results have to be interpreted with caution. The present study provides suggestions for future research and clinical practice. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Pulmonary hypertension and predominant right heart failure in thyrotoxicosis.

PubMed

Paran, Yael; Nimrod, Adi; Goldin, Yelena; Justo, Dan

2006-05-01

In this report we discuss a patient with predominant right heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, caused by thyrotoxicosis due to Graves disease, which deteriorated to asystole, due to amiodarone administration for rapid atrial fibrillation.

77 FR 27847 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-11

... vision in his right eye due to a traumatic injury sustained at age 14. The best corrected visual acuity... CMV. John C. Smith Mr. Smith, 54, has a prosthetic right eye due to a traumatic injury sustained in... CMV. John F. Lynch Mr. Lynch, 35, has complete loss of vision in his left eye due to a traumatic...

Individual differences in reasoning and visuospatial attention are associated with prefrontal and parietal white matter tracts in healthy older adults.

PubMed

Monge, Zachary A; Greenwood, Pamela M; Parasuraman, Raja; Strenziok, Maren

2016-07-01

Although reasoning and attention are 2 cognitive processes necessary for ensuring the efficiency of many everyday activities in older adults, the role of white matter integrity in these processes has been little studied. This is an important question due to the role of white matter integrity as a neural substrate of cognitive aging. Here, we sought to examine the white matter tracts subserving reasoning and visuospatial attention in healthy older adults. Sixty-one adults ages 60 and older completed a battery of cognitive tests to assess reasoning and visuospatial attention. In addition, diffusion tensor images were collected to assess fractional anisotropy (FA), a measure of white matter integrity. A principle components analysis of the test scores yielded 2 components: reasoning and visuospatial attention. Whole-brain correlations between FA and the cognitive components were submitted to probabilistic tractography analyses for visualization of cortical targets of tracts. For reasoning, bilateral thalamo-anterior prefrontal, anterior corpus callosum, and corpus callosum body tracts interconnecting the superior frontal cortices and right cingulum bundle were found. For visuospatial attention, a right inferior fronto-parietal tract and bilateral parietal and temporal connections were found. We conclude that in older adults, prefrontal cortex white matter tracts and interhemispheric communication are important in higher order cognitive functioning. On the other hand, right-sided fronto-parietal tracts appear to be critical for supporting control of cognitive processes, such as redirecting attention. Researchers may use our results to develop neuroscience-based interventions for older adults targeting brain mechanisms involved in cognitive plasticity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Actual management and prognosis of severe isolated tricuspid regurgitation associated with atrial fibrillation without structural heart disease.

PubMed

Takahashi, Yusuke; Izumi, Chisato; Miyake, Makoto; Imanaka, Miyako; Kuroda, Maiko; Nishimura, Shunsuke; Yoshikawa, Yusuke; Amano, Masashi; Imamura, Sari; Onishi, Naoaki; Tamaki, Yodo; Enomoto, Soichiro; Tamura, Toshihiro; Kondo, Hirokazu; Kaitani, Kazuaki; Nakagawa, Yoshihisa

2017-09-15

Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) without structural heart diseases can show severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), especially among aged people. The aim of this study was to clarify the actual management, prognosis, and prognostic factors for severe isolated TR associated with AF without structural heart diseases. We retrospectively investigated actual management in 178 consecutive patients with severe isolated TR associated with AF between 1999 and 2011 in our institution. Prognosis and its predictors were also investigated in 115 patients (68 persistent TR and 47 transient TR) who were followed-up for >1year. During the follow-up period (mean: 5.9years), event free rate from death due to right-sided heart failure (RHF) was 97% at 5years. Persistent TR was associated with higher risk of hospitalization due to RHF than transient TR (log-rank P=0.048) and death due to RHF were all seen in patients with persistent TR who experienced hospitalization due to RHF. Among patients with persistent TR, right ventricular outflow tract dimension >35.3mm, right atrial area >40.3cm 2 , and tenting height >2.1mm were associated with higher risk of hospitalization due to RHF (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.32, 3.83, and 2.89, respectively; P=0.003, 0.002, and 0.009, respectively). The prognosis of severe isolated TR associated with AF was good with a focus on cardiac death. However, the incidence of cardiac death increased among patients who experienced hospitalization due to RHF. Larger right ventricular outflow tract dimension, right atrial area and tenting height were predictors of hospitalization due to RHF. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Loss of job-related right to healthcare is associated with reduced quality and clinical outcomes of diabetic patients in Mexico.

PubMed

Doubova, Svetlana V; Borja-Aburto, Víctor Hugo; Guerra-Y-Guerra, Germán; Salgado-de-Snyder, V Nelly; González-Block, Miguel Ángel

2018-05-01

The Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) provides a package of health, economic and social benefits to workers employed in private firms within the formal labour market and to their economic dependants. Affiliates have a right to these benefits only while they remain contracted, thus posing a risk for the continuity of healthcare. This study evaluates the association between the time (in days) without the right to healthcare due to job loss in the formal labour market and the quality of healthcare and clinical outcomes among IMSS affiliates with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Retrospective cohort study 2013-2015. Six IMSS family medicine clinics (FMC) in Mexico City. T2DM patients (n = 27 217) affiliated with job-related health insurance and at least one consultation with a family doctor during 2013. IMSS affiliation department database and electronic health records and clinical laboratory databases. Quality of the processes (eight indicators) and outcomes (three indicators) of healthcare. The results indicated that losing IMSS right to healthcare is frequent, occurring to one-third of T2DM patients during the follow-up period. The time without the right to healthcare in the observed period was of 120 days on average and was associated with a 43.2% loss of quality of care and a 19.2% reduction in clinical outcomes of T2DM. Policies aimed at ensuring access and continuity of care, regardless of job status, are critical for improving the quality of processes and outcomes of healthcare for diabetic patients.

The Universal Periodic Review: A Platform for Dialogue, Accountability, and Change on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights.

PubMed

Gilmore, Kate; Mora, Luis; Barragues, Alfonso; Mikkelsen, Ida Krogh

2015-12-10

This paper argues that the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council can be a critical avenue for promoting a human rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health and well-being due to its reliance on the principles of participation and accountability. Drawing on evidence from the UPR process since its inception in 2008, the paper analyzes the impact of the UPR in advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. The evidence collected speaks to the political opportunity represented by the UPR at the country level to enhance government accountability and national dialogue on sexual and reproductive health and rights among key stakeholders. However, the UPR should not be seen in isolation from other human rights mechanisms. Countries' implementation of UPR recommendations should be done conjointly with the guidance provided by other human rights mechanisms, including the expert views of United Nations treaty monitoring bodies and Special Procedures, and alongside strong national human rights protection systems. Copyright © 2015 Gilmore, Mora, Barragues, and Mikkelsen. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Manufacturing Process Selection of Composite Bicycle’s Crank Arm using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Luqman, M.; Rosli, M. U.; Khor, C. Y.; Zambree, Shayfull; Jahidi, H.

2018-03-01

Crank arm is one of the important parts in a bicycle that is an expensive product due to the high cost of material and production process. This research is aimed to investigate the potential type of manufacturing process to fabricate composite bicycle crank arm and to describe an approach based on analytical hierarchy process (AHP) that assists decision makers or manufacturing engineers in determining the most suitable process to be employed in manufacturing of composite bicycle crank arm at the early stage of the product development process to reduce the production cost. There are four types of processes were considered, namely resin transfer molding (RTM), compression molding (CM), vacuum bag molding and filament winding (FW). The analysis ranks these four types of process for its suitability in the manufacturing of bicycle crank arm based on five main selection factors and 10 sub factors. Determining the right manufacturing process was performed based on AHP process steps. Consistency test was performed to make sure the judgements are consistent during the comparison. The results indicated that the compression molding was the most appropriate manufacturing process because it has the highest value (33.6%) among the other manufacturing processes.

The thermostimulated luminescence of radiation defects in KCl, KBr and KI crystals at elastic and plastic deformation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shunkeyev, K.; Myasnikova, L.; Barmina, A.; Zhanturina, N.; Sagimbaeva, Sh; Aimaganbetova, Z.; Sergeyev, D.

2017-05-01

The efficiency of radiation defects formation in alkali halide crystals (AHC) was studied by the method of absorption spectroscopy. However, it is not possible to study the deformation-stimulated processes in detail by the absorption spectrum of radiation defects due to the limited sensitivity compared with luminescent spectroscopy. In this regard, thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) of radiation defects at elastic and plastic deformation was applied in AHC. In the absence of deformation, the dominant peaks in TSL are ≤ft( {X_3^ - } \\right)aca^0-centers. After elastic deformation, low temperature peaks of TSL corresponding to F‧-, VK- and VF-centers became dominant. After plastic deformation, the peaks of TSL corresponding to ≤ft( {X_3^ - } \\right)aca^0-centers became dominant. The elastic deformation contributes to the increase in concentration of low-temperature F‧-, VK- and VF-centers, and the plastic one contributes to that of high temperature ≤ft( {X_3^ - } \\right)aca^0-centers (peaks of TSL in KCl at 360K, in KBr at 365K, in KI at 340K), composed by divacancies created by plastic deformation. At elastic deformation, unrelaxed interstitial halogen atoms are converted into VK- and VF-centers, and due to this fact the long-range interaction is absent, the result of which are the X_3^ - -centers.

Solidification observations and sliding wear behavior of vacuum arc melting processed Ni-Al-TiC composites

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karantzalis, A.E., E-mail: akarantz@cc.uoi.gr; Lekatou, A.; Tsirka, K.

2012-07-15

Monolithic Ni{sub 3}Al and Ni-25 at.%Al intermetallic matrix TiC-reinforced composites were successfully produced by vacuum arc melting. TiC crystals were formed through a dissolution-reprecipitation mechanism and their final morphology is explained by means of a) Jackson's classical nucleation and growth phenomena and b) solidification rate considerations. The TiC presence altered the matrix microconstituents most likely due to specific melt-particle interactions and crystal plane epitaxial matching. TiC particles caused a significant decrease on the specific wear rate of the monolithic Ni{sub 3}Al alloy and the possible wear mechanisms are approached by means of a) surface oxidation, b) crack/flaws formation, c) materialmore » detachment and d) debris-counter surfaces interactions. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Vacuum arc melting (VAM) of Ni-Al based intermetallic matrix composite materials. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Solidification phenomena examination. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer TiC crystal formation and growth mechanisms. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sliding wear examination.« less

Atypical temporal activation pattern and central-right brain compensation during semantic judgment task in children with early left brain damage.

PubMed

Chang, Yi-Tzu; Lin, Shih-Che; Meng, Ling-Fu; Fan, Yang-Teng

In this study we investigated the event-related potentials (ERPs) during the semantic judgment task (deciding if the two Chinese characters were semantically related or unrelated) to identify the timing of neural activation in children with early left brain damage (ELBD). The results demonstrated that compared with the controls, children with ELBD had (1) competitive accuracy and reaction time in the semantic judgment task, (2) weak operation of the N400, (3) stronger, earlier and later compensational positivities (referred to the enhanced P200, P250, and P600 amplitudes) in the central and right region of the brain to successfully engage in semantic judgment. Our preliminary findings indicate that temporally postlesional reorganization is in accordance with the proposed right-hemispheric organization of speech after early left-sided brain lesion. During semantic processing, the orthography has a greater effect on the children with ELBD, and a later semantic reanalysis (P600) is required due to the less efficient N400 at the former stage for semantic integration. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[MRI for brain structure and function in patients with first-episode panic disorder].

PubMed

Zhang, Yan; Duan, Lian; Liao, Mei; Yang, Fan; Liu, Jun; Shan, Baoci; Li, Lingjiang

2011-12-01

To determine the brain function and structure in patinets with first-episode panic disorder (PD). All subjects (24 PD patients and 24 healthy subjects) received MRI scan and emotional counting Stroop task during the functional magnetic resonance imaging. Blood oxygenation level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging and voxel-based morphometric technology were used to detect the gray matter volume. Compared with the healthy controls, left thalamus, left medial frontal gyrus, left anterior cingulate gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus, left insula (panic-related words vs. neutral words) lacked activation in PD patients, but the over-activation were found in right brain stem, right occipital lobe/lingual gyrus in PD patients. Compared with the healthy controls, the gray matter volume in the PD patients significantly decreased in the left superior temporal gyrus, right medial frontal gyrus, left medial occipital gyrus, dorsomedial nucleus of left thalamus and right anterior cingulate gyrus. There was no significantly increased gray matter volume in any brain area in PD patients. PD patients have selective attentional bias in processing threatening information due to the depression and weakening of the frontal cingulated gyrus.

A spectroscopic study on the interaction between gold nanoparticles and hemoglobin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Garabagiu, Sorina, E-mail: sgarabagiu@itim-cj.ro

2011-12-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The interaction was studied using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Gold nanoparticles quench the fluorescence emission of hemoglobin solution. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The binding and thermodynamic constants were calculated. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Major impact: electrochemical applications of the complex onto a substrate. -- Abstract: The interaction between horse hemoglobin and gold nanoparticles was studied using optical spectroscopy. UV-vis and fluorescence spectra show that a spontaneous binding process occurred between hemoglobin and gold nanoparticles. The Soret band of hemoglobin in the presence of gold nanoparticles does not show significant changes, which proves that the protein retained its biological function. A shift to longermore » wavelengths appears in the plasmonic band of gold nanoparticles upon the attachment of hemoglobin molecules. Gold nanoparticles quench the fluorescence emission of tryptophan residues in the structure of hemoglobin. The Stern-Volmer quenching constant, the binding constant and the number of binding sites were also calculated. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that the binding was mainly due to hydrophobic interactions.« less

Right hemisphere advantage for social recognition in the chick.

PubMed

Vallortigara, G

1992-09-01

Recognition of familiar and unfamiliar conspecifics was studied in pair-reared chicks tested binocularly or with only one eye in use. Chicks were tested on day 3 in pairs composed of either cagemates or strangers. Social discrimination, as measured by the ratio "number of pecks at the strangers/total number of pecks" was impaired in right-eyed chicks with respect to left-eyed and binocular chicks. Male chicks showed higher levels of social pecking than females, and chicks that used both eyes showed higher pecking than monocular chicks. There were no significant differences in the total number of pecks (i.e. pecks at companions plus pecks at strangers) between right- and left-eyed chicks: the impairment in social discrimination of right-eyed chicks seemed to be due partly to a reduction in pecking at strangers and partly to an increase in pecking at companions. It is suggested that neural structures fed by the left eye (mainly located at the right hemisphere) are better at processing and/or storing of visual information which allows recognition of individual conspecifics. This may be part of a wider tendency to respond to small changes in any of a variety of intrinsic stimulus properties.

Quantification of the power changes in BOLD signals using Welch spectrum method during different single-hand motor imageries.

PubMed

Zhang, Jiang; Yuan, Zhen; Huang, Jin; Yang, Qin; Chen, Huafu

2014-12-01

Motor imagery is an experimental paradigm implemented in cognitive neuroscience and cognitive psychology. To investigate the asymmetry of the strength of cortical functional activity due to different single-hand motor imageries, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data from right handed normal subjects were recorded and analyzed during both left-hand and right-hand motor imagery processes. Then the average power of blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals in temporal domain was calculated using the developed tool that combines Welch power spectrum and the integral of power spectrum approach of BOLD signal changes during motor imagery. Power change analysis results indicated that cortical activity exhibited a stronger power in the precentral gyrus and medial frontal gyrus with left-hand motor imagery tasks compared with that from right-hand motor imagery tasks. These observations suggest that right handed normal subjects mobilize more cortical nerve cells for left-hand motor imagery. Our findings also suggest that the approach based on power differences of BOLD signals is a suitable quantitative analysis tool for quantification of asymmetry of brain activity intensity during motor imagery tasks. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Systemic hypertension and the right-sided cardiovascular system: a review of the available evidence.

PubMed

Pedrinelli, Roberto; Dell'Omo, Giulia; Talini, Enrica; Canale, Maria Laura; Di Bello, Vitantonio

2009-02-01

Abnormal vasoconstriction of the lesser circulation characterizes a subset of patients with essential hypertension, a possible effect of mechanisms, such as enhanced sympathetic tone, increased delivery of blood-borne vasoconstrictor substances or abnormal local release of vasoactive factors, acting on both sides of the circulation or to backward transmission of increased pressure due to stiffer left ventricles with more advanced diastolic dysfunction. Elevated systemic pressure also associates with thickening of the right ventricle, a central element of the low-pressure system. Right ventricular remodelling develops in parallel with a similar process occurring at the left side, likely as a result of ventricular interdependence under the influence of trophic factors targeting both ventricles, though other mechanisms, including increased pulmonary afterload, may also be operative. By and large independent of the extent of structural remodelling of both ventricles, systemic hypertension also conditions an impaired filling rate of the right ventricle that accompanies a similar phenomenon at the left side. Thus, quite in contrast with the common and simplistic assumption of a separate behaviour of the two ventricles, the right-sided cardiovascular system is not immune to the effect of systemic hypertension, a concept whose clinical and pathophysiological implications require further studies.

Idiopathic annular dilation: a rare cause of isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation.

PubMed

Girard, S E; Nishimura, R A; Warnes, C A; Dearani, J A; Puga, F J

2000-03-01

The management of patients with severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) requires the clinician to clarify the mechanism of regurgitation. Primary disorders of the tricuspid valve, either congenital or acquired, may be readily identified by echocardiography. Severe TR most often results from left-sided heart disease and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Cardiomyopathic processes may also cause right ventricular failure and functional TR. We report three patients with severe TR due to idiopathic annular dilation. The tricuspid valves were otherwise normal on surgical inspection, and the pulmonary pressures were not significantly elevated. Each patient was aged over 65 years and had chronic atrial fibrillation with preserved left ventricular systolic function. Surgical treatment was associated with marked clinical improvement. Clinicians should recognize this unusual but treatable cause of right-sided congestive heart failure.

Pure word deafness following left temporal damage: Behavioral and neuroanatomical evidence from a new case.

PubMed

Maffei, Chiara; Capasso, Rita; Cazzolli, Giulia; Colosimo, Cesare; Dell'Acqua, Flavio; Piludu, Francesca; Catani, Marco; Miceli, Gabriele

2017-12-01

Pure Word Deafness (PWD) is a rare disorder, characterized by selective loss of speech input processing. Its most common cause is temporal damage to the primary auditory cortex of both hemispheres, but it has been reported also following unilateral lesions. In unilateral cases, PWD has been attributed to the disconnection of Wernicke's area from both right and left primary auditory cortex. Here we report behavioral and neuroimaging evidence from a new case of left unilateral PWD with both cortical and white matter damage due to a relatively small stroke lesion in the left temporal gyrus. Selective impairment in auditory language processing was accompanied by intact processing of nonspeech sounds and normal speech, reading and writing. Performance on dichotic listening was characterized by a reversal of the right-ear advantage typically observed in healthy subjects. Cortical thickness and gyral volume were severely reduced in the left superior temporal gyrus (STG), although abnormalities were not uniformly distributed and residual intact cortical areas were detected, for example in the medial portion of the Heschl's gyrus. Diffusion tractography documented partial damage to the acoustic radiations (AR), callosal temporal connections and intralobar tracts dedicated to single words comprehension. Behavioral and neuroimaging results in this case are difficult to integrate in a pure cortical or disconnection framework, as damage to primary auditory cortex in the left STG was only partial and Wernicke's area was not completely isolated from left or right-hemisphere input. On the basis of our findings we suggest that in this case of PWD, concurrent partial topological (cortical) and disconnection mechanisms have contributed to a selective impairment of speech sounds. The discrepancy between speech and non-speech sounds suggests selective damage to a language-specific left lateralized network involved in phoneme processing. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum sensing signal molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl) homoserine lactone enhances keratinocyte migration and induces Mmp13 gene expression in vitro

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paes, Camila, E-mail: camilaquinetti@gmail.com; Nakagami, Gojiro, E-mail: gojiron-tky@umin.ac.jp; Minematsu, Takeo, E-mail: tminematsu-tky@umin.ac.jp

2012-10-19

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An evidence of the positive effect of AHL on epithelialization process is provided. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer AHL enhances keratinocyte's ability to migrate in an in vitro scratch wound model. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer AHL induces the expression of Mmp13. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Topical application of AHL represents a possible strategy to treat chronic wounds. -- Abstract: Re-epithelialization is an essential step of wound healing involving three overlapping keratinocyte functions: migration, proliferation and differentiation. While quorum sensing (QS) is a cell density-dependent signaling system that enables bacteria to regulate the expression of certain genes, the QS molecule N-(3-oxododecanoyl) homoserine lactone (AHL) exerts effects also on mammalianmore » cells in a process called inter-kingdom signaling. Recent studies have shown that AHL improves epithelialization in in vivo wound healing models but detailed understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms are needed. The present study focused on the AHL as a candidate reagent to improve wound healing through direct modulation of keratinocyte's activity in the re-epithelialization process. Results indicated that AHL enhances the keratinocyte's ability to migrate in an in vitro scratch wound healing model probably due to the high Mmp13 gene expression analysis after AHL treatment that was revealed by real-time RT-PCR. Inhibition of activator protein 1 (AP-1) signaling pathway completely prevented the migration of keratinocytes, and also resulted in a diminished Mmp13 gene expression, suggesting that AP-1 might be essential in the AHL-induced migration. Taken together, these results imply that AHL is a promising candidate molecule to improve re-epithelialization through the induction of migration of keratinocytes. Further investigation is needed to clarify the mechanism of action and molecular pathway of AHL on the keratinocyte migration process.« less

Disappearance of six pesticides in fresh and processed zucchini, bioavailability and health risk assessment.

PubMed

Oliva, J; Cermeño, S; Cámara, M A; Martínez, G; Barba, A

2017-08-15

A field study was carried out on the dissipation of three insecticides and three fungicides during the freezing of zucchini. A simultaneous residue analysis method is validated using QuEChERS extraction with acetonitrile and CG-MS and LC-MS analysis. The residues detected after field application never exceeded the established maximum residue limits. The processing factors calculated (fresh product/frozen product) are lower than 1, indicating a clear influence of the stages of the freezing process, especially the washing and blanching. The in vitro study of bioavailability establishes a low percentage of stomach absorption capacity. The level of residues detected in fresh zucchini and the Estimated Daily Intake calculated for Spain suggest that there is no risk of acute toxicity due to dietary exposure. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

To what extent do neurobiological sleep-waking processes support psychoanalysis?

PubMed

Gottesmann, Claude

2010-01-01

Sigmund Freud's thesis was that there is a censorship during waking that prevents memory of events, drives, wishes, and feelings from entering the consciousness because they would induce anxiety due to their emotional or ethical unacceptability. During dreaming, because the efficiency of censorship is decreased, latent thought contents can, after dream-work involving condensation and displacement, enter the dreamer's consciousness under the figurative form of manifest content. The quasi-closed dogma of psychoanalytic theory as related to unconscious processes is beginning to find neurobiological confirmation during waking. Indeed, there are active processes that suppress (repress) unwanted memories from entering consciousness. In contrast, it is more difficult to find neurobiological evidence supporting an organized dream-work that would induce meaningful symbolic content, since dream mentation most often only shows psychotic-like activities. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A laboratory information management system for the analysis of tritium (3H) in environmental waters.

PubMed

Belachew, Dagnachew Legesse; Terzer-Wassmuth, Stefan; Wassenaar, Leonard I; Klaus, Philipp M; Copia, Lorenzo; Araguás, Luis J Araguás; Aggarwal, Pradeep

2018-07-01

Accurate and precise measurements of low levels of tritium ( 3 H) in environmental waters are difficult to attain due to complex steps of sample preparation, electrolytic enrichment, liquid scintillation decay counting, and extensive data processing. We present a Microsoft Access™ relational database application, TRIMS (Tritium Information Management System) to assist with sample and data processing of tritium analysis by managing the processes from sample registration and analysis to reporting and archiving. A complete uncertainty propagation algorithm ensures tritium results are reported with robust uncertainty metrics. TRIMS will help to increase laboratory productivity and improve the accuracy and precision of 3 H assays. The software supports several enrichment protocols and LSC counter types. TRIMS is available for download at no cost from the IAEA at www.iaea.org/water. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Methods of downstream processing for the production of biodiesel from microalgae.

PubMed

Kim, Jungmin; Yoo, Gursong; Lee, Hansol; Lim, Juntaek; Kim, Kyochan; Kim, Chul Woong; Park, Min S; Yang, Ji-Won

2013-11-01

Despite receiving increasing attention during the last few decades, the production of microalgal biofuels is not yet sufficiently cost-effective to compete with that of petroleum-based conventional fuels. Among the steps required for the production of microalgal biofuels, the harvest of the microalgal biomass and the extraction of lipids from microalgae are two of the most expensive. In this review article, we surveyed a substantial amount of previous work in microalgal harvesting and lipid extraction to highlight recent progress in these areas. We also discuss new developments in the biodiesel conversion technology due to the importance of the connectivity of this step with the lipid extraction process. Furthermore, we propose possible future directions for technological or process improvements that will directly affect the final production costs of microalgal biomass-based biofuels. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Life-cycle assessment of typical Portuguese cork oak woodlands.

PubMed

González-García, Sara; Dias, Ana Cláudia; Arroja, Luis

2013-05-01

Cork forest systems are responsible for making an important economic contribution to the Mediterranean region, especially Portugal where the cork oak woodlands or montados contain about 32% of the world's area. The environmental profile derived from reproduction cork production and extraction in two Portuguese regions (Tagus valley and Alentejo) representative of the Portuguese sector were assessed in detail using the Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology from a cradle-to-gate perspective. The production line was divided into four stages considering all the processes involved: stand establishment, stand management, cork stripping and field recovery. According to the environmental results, there were remarkable differences between the two production scenarios mainly due to the intensity and repetition of forest activities even though the cork yield was reported to be the same. The management system in the Alentejo region presented the worse environmental profile in almost all the impact categories under assessment, mainly due to the shorter cycle duration of the mechanical cleaning and pruning processes. Cork stripping was identified in both scenarios as the production stage with the highest contribution to the environmental profile due to the cleaning and pruning processes. A sensitivity assessment concerning the cork yield was performed since the average production yields in the Portuguese montados are lower than the ones used in this study. Thus, if the cork yield is reduced, the environmental profile in both scenarios gets worse since almost all the forest activities involved are the same. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Integrating seawater desalination and wastewater reclamation forward osmosis process using thin-film composite mixed matrix membrane with functionalized carbon nanotube blended polyethersulfone support layer.

PubMed

Choi, Hyeon-Gyu; Son, Moon; Choi, Heechul

2017-10-01

Thin-film composite mixed matrix membrane (TFC MMM) with functionalized carbon nanotube (fCNT) blended in polyethersulfone (PES) support layer was synthesized via interfacial polymerization and phase inversion. This membrane was firstly tested in lab-scale integrating seawater desalination and wastewater reclamation forward osmosis (FO) process. Water flux of TFC MMM was increased by 72% compared to that of TFC membrane due to enhanced hydrophilicity. Although TFC MMM showed lower water flux than TFC commercial membrane, enhanced reverse salt flux selectivity (RSFS) of TFC MMM was observed compared to TFC membrane (15% higher) and TFC commercial membrane (4% higher), representing membrane permselectivity. Under effluent organic matter (EfOM) fouling test, 16% less normalized flux decline of TFC MMM was observed compared to TFC membrane. There was 8% less decline of TFC MMM compared to TFC commercial membrane due to fCNT effect on repulsive foulant-membrane interaction enhancement, caused by negatively charged membrane surface. After 10 min physical cleaning, TFC MMM displayed higher recovered normalized flux than TFC membrane (6%) and TFC commercial membrane (4%); this was also supported by visualized characterization of fouling layer. This study presents application of TFC MMM to integrated seawater desalination and wastewater reclamation FO process for the first time. It can be concluded that EfOM fouling of TFC MMM was suppressed due to repulsive foulant-membrane interaction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Left-right symmetry and the charged Higgs bosons at the LHC

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bambhaniya, G.; Chakrabortty, J.; Gluza, J.; Kordiaczynska, M.; Szafron, R.

2014-05-01

The charged Higgs boson sector of the Minimal Manifest Left-Right Symmetric model (MLRSM) is investigated in the context of LHC discovery search for new physics beyond Standard Model. We discuss and summarise the main processes within MLRSM where heavy charged Higgs bosons can be produced at the LHC. We explore the scenarios where the amplified signals due to relatively light charged scalars dominate against heavy neutral Z 2 and charged gauge W 2 as well as heavy neutral Higgs bosons signals which are dumped due to large vacuum expectation value v R of the right-handed scalar triplet. Consistency with FCNC effects implies masses of two neutral Higgs bosons to be at least of 10 TeV order, which in turn implies that in MLRSM only three of four charged Higgs bosons, namely and ,and can be simultaneously light. In particular, production processes with one and two doubly charged Higgs bosons are considered. We further incorporate the decays of those scalars leading to multi lepton signals at the LHC. Branching ratios for heavy neutrino N R , W 2 and Z 2 decay into charged Higgs bosons are calculated. These effects are substantial enough and cannot be neglected. The tri- and four-lepton final states for different benchmark points are analysed. Kinematic cuts are chosen in order to strength the leptonic signals and decrease the Standard Model (SM) background. The results are presented using di-lepton invariant mass and lepton-lepton separation distributions for the same sign (SSDL) and opposite sign (OSDL) di-leptons as well as the charge asymmetry are also discussed. We have found that for considered MLRSM processes tri-lepton and four-lepton signals are most important for their detection when compared to the SM background. Both of the signals can be detected at 14 TeV collisions at the LHC with integrated luminosity at the level of 300 fb-1 with doubly charged Higgs bosons up to approximately 600 GeV. Finally, possible extra contribution of the charged MLRSM scalar particles to the measured Higgs to di-photon ( → γγ) decay is computed and pointed out.

On the exfoliating polymeric cellular dosage forms for immediate drug release.

PubMed

Blaesi, Aron H; Saka, Nannaji

2016-06-01

The most prevalent pharmaceutical dosage forms at present-the oral immediate-release tablets and capsules-are granular solids. Though effective in releasing drug rapidly, development and manufacture of such dosage forms are fraught with difficulties inherent to particulate processing. Predictable dosage form manufacture could be achieved by liquid-based processing, but cast solid dosage forms are not suitable for immediate drug release due to their resistance to fluid percolation. To overcome this limitation, we have recently introduced cellular dosage forms that can be readily prepared from polymeric melts. It has been shown that open-cell structures comprising polyethylene glycol 8000 (PEG 8k) excipient and a drug exfoliate upon immersion in a dissolution medium. The drug is then released rapidly due to the large specific surface area of the exfoliations. In this work, we vary the molecular weight of the PEG excipient and investigate its effect on the drug release kinetics of structures with predominantly open-cell topology. We demonstrate that the exfoliation rate decreases substantially if the excipient molecular weight is increased from 12 to 100kg/mol, which causes the drug dissolution time to increase by more than a factor of ten. A model is then developed to elucidate the exfoliation behavior of cellular structures. Diverse transport processes are considered: percolation due to capillarity, diffusion of dissolution medium through the cell walls, and viscous flow of the saturated excipient. It is found that the lower exfoliation rate and the longer dissolution time of the dosage forms with higher excipient molecular weight are primarily due to the greater viscosity of the cell walls after fluid penetration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The role of the amygdala and the basal ganglia in visual processing of central vs. peripheral emotional content.

PubMed

Almeida, Inês; van Asselen, Marieke; Castelo-Branco, Miguel

2013-09-01

In human cognition, most relevant stimuli, such as faces, are processed in central vision. However, it is widely believed that recognition of relevant stimuli (e.g. threatening animal faces) at peripheral locations is also important due to their survival value. Moreover, task instructions have been shown to modulate brain regions involved in threat recognition (e.g. the amygdala). In this respect it is also controversial whether tasks requiring explicit focus on stimulus threat content vs. implicit processing differently engage primitive subcortical structures involved in emotional appraisal. Here we have addressed the role of central vs. peripheral processing in the human amygdala using animal threatening vs. non-threatening face stimuli. First, a simple animal face recognition task with threatening and non-threatening animal faces, as well as non-face control stimuli, was employed in naïve subjects (implicit task). A subsequent task was then performed with the same stimulus categories (but different stimuli) in which subjects were told to explicitly detect threat signals. We found lateralized amygdala responses both to the spatial location of stimuli and to the threatening content of faces depending on the task performed: the right amygdala showed increased responses to central compared to left presented stimuli specifically during the threat detection task, while the left amygdala was better prone to discriminate threatening faces from non-facial displays during the animal face recognition task. Additionally, the right amygdala responded to faces during the threat detection task but only when centrally presented. Moreover, we have found no evidence for superior responses of the amygdala to peripheral stimuli. Importantly, we have found that striatal regions activate differentially depending on peripheral vs. central processing of threatening faces. Accordingly, peripheral processing of these stimuli activated more strongly the putaminal region, while central processing engaged mainly the caudate nucleus. We conclude that the human amygdala has a central bias for face stimuli, and that visual processing recruits different striatal regions, putaminal or caudate based, depending on the task and on whether peripheral or central visual processing is involved. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bioactivities, isolation and purification methods of polysaccharides from natural products: A review.

PubMed

Shi, Lei

2016-11-01

Polysaccharides play multiple roles and have extensive bioactivities in life process and an immense potential in healthcare, food and cosmetic industries, due to their therapeutic effects and relatively low toxicity. This review describes their major functions involved in antitumor, anti-virus, and anti-inflammatory bioactivities. Due to their enormous structural heterogeneity, the approaches for isolation and purification of polysaccharides are distinct from that of the other macromolecules such as proteins, etc. Yet, to achieve the homogeneity is the initial step for studies of polysaccharide structure, pharmacology, and its structure-activity relationships. According to the experiences accumulated by our lab and the published literatures, this review also introduces the methods widely used in isolation and purification of polysaccharides. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mesoscale modeling: solving complex flows in biology and biotechnology.

PubMed

Mills, Zachary Grant; Mao, Wenbin; Alexeev, Alexander

2013-07-01

Fluids are involved in practically all physiological activities of living organisms. However, biological and biorelated flows are hard to analyze due to the inherent combination of interdependent effects and processes that occur on a multitude of spatial and temporal scales. Recent advances in mesoscale simulations enable researchers to tackle problems that are central for the understanding of such flows. Furthermore, computational modeling effectively facilitates the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Among other methods, dissipative particle dynamics and the lattice Boltzmann method have become increasingly popular during recent years due to their ability to solve a large variety of problems. In this review, we discuss recent applications of these mesoscale methods to several fluid-related problems in medicine, bioengineering, and biotechnology. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of sewage sludge content on gas quality and solid residues produced by cogasification in an updraft gasifier

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Seggiani, Maurizia, E-mail: m.seggiani@diccism.unipi.it; Puccini, Monica, E-mail: m.puccini@diccism.unipi.it; Raggio, Giovanni, E-mail: g.raggio@tiscali.it

2012-10-15

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Cogasification of sewage sludge with wood pellets in updraft gasifier was analysed. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The effects of sewage sludge content on the gasification process were examined. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Sewage sludge addition up to 30 wt.% reduces moderately the process performance. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer At high sewage sludge content slagging and clinker formation occurred. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Solid residues produced resulted acceptable at landfills for non-hazardous waste. - Abstract: In the present work, the gasification with air of dehydrated sewage sludge (SS) with 20 wt.% moisture mixed with conventional woody biomass was investigated using a pilot fixed-bed updraft gasifier. Attention was focused on the effectmore » of the SS content on the gasification performance and on the environmental impact of the process. The results showed that it is possible to co-gasify SS with wood pellets (WPs) in updraft fixed-bed gasification installations. However, at high content of sewage sludge the gasification process can become instable because of the very high ash content and low ash fusion temperatures of SS. At an equivalent ratio of 0.25, compared with wood pellets gasification, the addition of sewage sludge led to a reduction of gas yield in favor of an increase of condensate production with consequent cold gas efficiency decrease. Low concentrations of dioxins/furans and PAHs were measured in the gas produced by SS gasification, well below the limiting values for the exhaust gaseous emissions. NH{sub 3}, HCl and HF contents were very low because most of these compounds were retained in the wet scrubber systems. On the other hand, high H{sub 2}S levels were measured due to high sulfur content of SS. Heavy metals supplied with the feedstocks were mostly retained in gasification solid residues. The leachability tests performed according to European regulations showed that metals leachability was within the limits for landfilling inert residues. On the other hand, sulfate and chloride releases were found to comply with the limits for non-hazardous residues.« less

Visualization of DNA in highly processed botanical materials.

PubMed

Lu, Zhengfei; Rubinsky, Maria; Babajanian, Silva; Zhang, Yanjun; Chang, Peter; Swanson, Gary

2018-04-15

DNA-based methods have been gaining recognition as a tool for botanical authentication in herbal medicine; however, their application in processed botanical materials is challenging due to the low quality and quantity of DNA left after extensive manufacturing processes. The low amount of DNA recovered from processed materials, especially extracts, is "invisible" by current technology, which has casted doubt on the presence of amplifiable botanical DNA. A method using adapter-ligation and PCR amplification was successfully applied to visualize the "invisible" DNA in botanical extracts. The size of the "invisible" DNA fragments in botanical extracts was around 20-220 bp compared to fragments of around 600 bp for the more easily visualized DNA in botanical powders. This technique is the first to allow characterization and visualization of small fragments of DNA in processed botanical materials and will provide key information to guide the development of appropriate DNA-based botanical authentication methods in the future. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Modelling the energy costs of the wastewater treatment process: The influence of the aging factor.

PubMed

Castellet-Viciano, Lledó; Hernández-Chover, Vicent; Hernández-Sancho, Francesc

2018-06-01

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are aging and its effects on the process are more evident as time goes by. Due to the deterioration of the facilities, the efficiency of the treatment process decreases gradually. Within this framework, this paper proves the increase in the energy consumption of the WWTPs with time, and finds differences among facilities size. Accordingly, the paper aims to develop a dynamic energy cost function capable of predicting the energy cost of the process in the future. The time variable is used to introduce the aging effects on the energy cost estimation in order to increase the accuracy of the estimation. For this purpose, the evolution of energy costs will be assessed and modelled for a group of WWTPs using the methodology of cost functions. The results will be useful for the managers of the facilities in the decision making process. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Emphasizing the only character: emphasis, attention and contrast.

PubMed

Chen, Lijing; Yang, Yufang

2015-03-01

In conversations, pragmatic information such as emphasis is important for identifying the speaker's/writer's intention. The present research examines the cognitive processes involved in emphasis processing. Participants read short discourses that introduced one or two character(s), with the character being emphasized or non-emphasized in subsequent texts. Eye movements showed that: (1) early processing of the emphasized word was facilitated, which may have been due to increased attention allocation, whereas (2) late integration of the emphasized character was inhibited when the discourse involved only this character. These results indicate that it is necessary to include other characters as contrastive characters to facilitate the integration of an emphasized character, and support the existence of a relationship between Emphasis and Contrast computation. Taken together, our findings indicate that both attention allocation and contrast computation are involved in emphasis processing, and support the incremental nature of sentence processing and the importance of contrast in discourse comprehension. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cooling treatment of olive paste during the oil processing: Impact on the yield and extra virgin olive oil quality.

PubMed

Veneziani, G; Esposto, S; Taticchi, A; Urbani, S; Selvaggini, R; Di Maio, I; Sordini, B; Servili, M

2017-04-15

In recent years, the temperature of processed olives in many olive-growing areas was often close to 30°C, due to the global warming and an early harvesting period. Consequently, the new trends in the extraction process have to include the opportunity to cool the olives or olive paste before processing to obtain high quality EVOO. A tubular thermal exchanger was used for a rapid cooling treatment (CT) of olive paste after crushing. The results did not show a significant difference in the oil yield or any modifications in the legal parameters. The cooling process determined a significant improvement of phenolic compounds in all the three Italian cultivar EVOOs analyzed, whereas the volatile compounds showed a variability largely affected by the genetic origin of the olives with C 6 aldehydes that seem to be more stable than C 6 alcohols and esters. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Enzymatic saccharification of pretreated wheat straw: comparison of solids-recycling, sequential hydrolysis and batch hydrolysis.

PubMed

Pihlajaniemi, Ville; Sipponen, Satu; Sipponen, Mika H; Pastinen, Ossi; Laakso, Simo

2014-02-01

In the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose materials, the recycling of the solid residue has previously been considered within the context of enzyme recycling. In this study, a steady state investigation of a solids-recycling process was made with pretreated wheat straw and compared to sequential and batch hydrolysis at constant reaction times, substrate feed and liquid and enzyme consumption. Compared to batch hydrolysis, the recycling and sequential processes showed roughly equal hydrolysis yields, while the volumetric productivity was significantly increased. In the 72h process the improvement was 90% due to an increased reaction consistency, while the solids feed was 16% of the total process constituents. The improvement resulted primarily from product removal, which was equally efficient in solids-recycling and sequential hydrolysis processes. No evidence of accumulation of enzymes beyond the accumulation of the substrate was found in recycling. A mathematical model of solids-recycling was constructed, based on a geometrical series. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Natural polymer biocomposites produced from processing raw wood flour by severe shear deformation.

PubMed

Zhang, Xiaoqing; Wu, Xiaolin; Haryono, Hengky; Xia, Kenong

2014-11-26

Wood flour (WF) based natural polymer biocomposites were produced using the equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) technique. The wood particle structures were disrupted and the cellulose crystallinity was decreased while bulk materials were formed with continuous phase structures by the severe shear-deformation during ECAP. The mechanical properties of the processed WF materials were enhanced when the processing temperature was increased due to enhanced intermolecular interactions and thermal crosslinking reactions among WF components. The processing capability was improved by using wheat gluten (WG) as additives, leading to significantly reduced processing temperature. Effective chain penetration and strong intermolecular interactions in conjunction with chemical crosslinking occurred between WG and the amorphous components in WF. However, the thermal decomposition of the WG component also occurred at increased temperatures, resulting in a decrease in the mechanical strength of the WF/WG composites. The result has demonstrated that ECAP is a promising methodology to produce renewable and degradable biocomposites from wood waste. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

76 FR 29022 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-19

... due to a traumatic injury sustained in 1982. The visual acuity in his right eye is 20/20 and in his.... Newman Mr. Newman, 50, has no light perception in his left eye due to a traumatic injury that occurred... in a CMV. Eric C. Esplin Mr. Esplin, 46, has loss of vision in his right eye due to a traumatic...

76 FR 25766 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-05-05

..., age 51, has loss of vision in his left eye due to a traumatic injury that occurred in 2002. The best.... Mr. Dean, 67, has complete loss of vision in his right eye due to a traumatic injury sustained as a.... Smith Harry, Jr. Mr. Harry, 41, has a prosthetic right eye due to a traumatic injury sustained during...

Light Scattered from Polished Optical Surfaces: Wings of the Point Spread Function

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kenknight, C. E.

1984-01-01

Random figure errors from the polishing process plus particles on the main mirrors in a telescope cause an extended point spread function (PSF) declining approximately as the inverse square of the sine of the angle from a star from about 100 micro-rad to a right angle. The decline in at least one case, and probably in general, proceeds as the inverse cube at smaller angles where the usual focal plane aperture radius is chosen. The photometric error due to misalignment by one Airy ring spacing with an aperture of n rings depends on the net variance in the figure. It is approximately 60/(n+1)(3) when using the data of Kormendy (1973). A typical value is 6 x 10 to the -5th power per ring of misalignment with n = 100 rings. The encircled power may be modulated on a time scale of hours by parts per thousand in a wavelength dependent manner due to relative humidity effects on mirror dust. The scattering according to an inverse power law is due to a random walk in aberration height caused by a multitude of facets and slope errors left by the polishing process. A deviation from such a law at grazing emergence may permit monitoring the dust effects.

Design of a right ventricular mock circulation loop as a test bench for right ventricular assist devices.

PubMed

Mueller, Indra; Jansen-Park, So-Hyun; Neidlin, Michael; Steinseifer, Ulrich; Abel, Dirk; Autschbach, Rüdiger; Rossaint, Rolf; Schmitz-Rode, Thomas; Sonntag, Simon Johannes

2017-04-01

Right heart failure (RHF), e.g. due to pulmonary hypertension (PH), is a serious health issue with growing occurrence and high mortality rate. Limited efficacy of medication in advanced stages of the disease constitutes the need for mechanical circulatory support of the right ventricle (RV). An essential contribution to the process of developing right ventricular assist devices (RVADs) is the in vitro test bench, which simulates the hemodynamic behavior of the native circulatory system. To model healthy and diseased arterial-pulmonary hemodynamics in adults (mild and severe PH and RHF), a right heart mock circulation loop (MCL) was developed. Incorporating an anatomically shaped silicone RV and a silicone atrium, it not only enables investigations of hemodynamic values but also suction events or the handling of minimal invasive RVADs in an anatomical test environment. Ventricular pressure-volume loops of all simulated conditions as well as pressure and volume waveforms were recorded and compared to literature data. In an exemplary test, an RVAD was connected to the apex to further test the feasibility of studying such devices with the developed MCL. In conclusion, the hemodynamic behavior of the native system was well reproduced by the developed MCL, which is a useful basis for future RVAD tests.

Non-spatial neglect for the mental number line.

PubMed

van Dijck, Jean-Philippe; Gevers, Wim; Lafosse, Christophe; Doricchi, Fabrizio; Fias, Wim

2011-07-01

Several psychophysical investigations, expanding the classical introspective observations by Galton, have suggested that the mental representation of numbers takes the form of a number line along which magnitude is positioned in ascending order according to reading habits, i.e. from left to right in Western cultures. In keeping with the evidence, pathological rightward deviations in the bisection of number intervals due to right brain damage are generally interpreted as originating from a purely spatial-attentional deficit in the processing of the left side of number intervals. However, consistent double dissociations between defective processing of the left side of physical and mental number space have called into question the universality of this interpretation. Recent evidence suggests a link between rightward deviations in number space and defective memory for both spatial and non-spatial sequences of items. Here we describe the case of a left brain-damaged patient exhibiting right-sided neglect for extrapersonal and representational space, and left-sided neglect on the mental number line. Accurate neuropsychological examination revealed that the apparent left-sided neglect in the bisection of number intervals had a purely non-spatial origin and was based on mnemonic difficulties for the initial items of verbal sequences presented visually at an identical spatial position. These findings show that effective position-based verbal working memory might be crucial for numerical tasks that are usually considered to involve purely spatial representation of numerical magnitudes. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Composite wastewater treatment by aerated electrocoagulation and modified peroxi-coagulation processes.

PubMed

Kumar, Abhijeet; Nidheesh, P V; Suresh Kumar, M

2018-08-01

Treatment of composite wastewater generating from the industrial estates is a great challenge. The present study examines the applicability of aerated electrocoagulation and modified peroxi-coagulation processes for removing color and COD from composite wastewater. Iron plates were used as anodes and cathodes in both electrochemical processes and experiments were carried out in a working volume of 2 L. Aeration enhanced the efficiency of electrocoagulation process significantly. More than 50% of COD and 60% of color were removed after 1 h of electrocoagulation process operated at pH 3 and applied voltage of 1 V. Efficiency of the modified peroxi-coagulation process was significantly higher than that of aerated electrocoagulation. COD and color removal efficiencies of the modified peroxi-coagulation process were found as 77.7% and 97%, respectively after 1 h of electrolysis operated at 1 V, solution pH 3 and 50 mM hydrogen peroxide addition. This improved efficiency of modified peroxi-coagulation compared to aerated electrocoagulation is mainly due to the attack of in-situ generated hydroxyl radicals. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanistic investigation of industrial wastewater naphthenic acids removal using granular activated carbon (GAC) biofilm based processes.

PubMed

Islam, Md Shahinoor; Zhang, Yanyan; McPhedran, Kerry N; Liu, Yang; Gamal El-Din, Mohamed

2016-01-15

Naphthenic acids (NAs) found in oil sands process-affected waters (OSPW) have known environmental toxicity and are resistant to conventional wastewater treatments. The granular activated carbon (GAC) biofilm treatment process has been shown to effectively treat OSPW NAs via combined adsorption/biodegradation processes despite the lack of research investigating their individual contributions. Presently, the NAs removals due to the individual processes of adsorption and biodegradation in OSPW bioreactors were determined using sodium azide to inhibit biodegradation. For raw OSPW, after 28 days biodegradation and adsorption contributed 14% and 63% of NA removal, respectively. For ozonated OSPW, biodegradation removed 18% of NAs while adsorption reduced NAs by 73%. Microbial community 454-pyrosequencing of bioreactor matrices indicated the importance of biodegradation given the diverse carbon degrading families including Acidobacteriaceae, Ectothiorhodospiraceae, and Comamonadaceae. Overall, results highlight the ability to determine specific processes of NAs removals in the combined treatment process in the presence of diverse bacteria metabolic groups found in GAC bioreactors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Early process development of API applied to poorly water-soluble TBID.

PubMed

Meise, Marius; Niggemann, Matthias; Dunens, Alexandra; Schoenitz, Martin; Kuschnerow, Jan C; Kunick, Conrad; Scholl, Stephan

2018-05-01

Finding and optimising of synthesis processes for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) is time consuming. In the finding phase, established methods for synthesis, purification and formulation are used to achieve a high purity API for biological studies. For promising API candidates, this is followed by pre-clinical and clinical studies requiring sufficient quantities of the active component. Ideally, these should be produced with a process representative for a later production process and suitable for scaling to production capacity. This work presents an overview of different approaches for process synthesis based on an existing lab protocol. This is demonstrated for the production of the model drug 4,5,6,7-tetrabromo-2-(1H-imidazol-2-yl) isoindolin-1,3-dione (TBID). Early batch synthesis and purification procedures typically suffer from low and fluctuating yields and purities due to poor process control. In a first step the literature synthesis and purification procedure was modified and optimized using solubility measurements, targeting easier and safer processing for consecutive studies. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Resistance spot welding of ultra-fine grained steel sheets produced by constrained groove pressing: Optimization and characterization

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Khodabakhshi, F.; Kazeminezhad, M., E-mail: mkazemi@sharif.edu; Kokabi, A.H.

2012-07-15

Constrained groove pressing as a severe plastic deformation method is utilized to produce ultra-fine grained low carbon steel sheets. The ultra-fine grained sheets are joined via resistance spot welding process and the characteristics of spot welds are investigated. Resistance spot welding process is optimized for welding of the sheets with different severe deformations and their results are compared with those of as-received samples. The effects of failure mode and expulsion on the performance of ultra-fine grained sheet spot welds have been investigated in the present paper and the welding current and time of resistance spot welding process according to thesemore » subjects are optimized. Failure mode and failure load obtained in tensile-shear test, microhardness, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and scanning electron microscope images have been used to describe the performance of spot welds. The region between interfacial to pullout mode transition and expulsion limit is defined as the optimum welding condition. The results show that optimum welding parameters (welding current and welding time) for ultra-fine grained sheets are shifted to lower values with respect to those for as-received specimens. In ultra-fine grained sheets, one new region is formed named recrystallized zone in addition to fusion zone, heat affected zone and base metal. It is shown that microstructures of different zones in ultra-fine grained sheets are finer than those of as-received sheets. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Resistance spot welding process is optimized for joining of UFG steel sheets. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Optimum welding current and time are decreased with increasing the CGP pass number. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Microhardness at BM, HAZ, FZ and recrystallized zone is enhanced due to CGP.« less

Agnosia for mirror stimuli: a new case report with a small parietal lesion.

PubMed

Martinaud, Olivier; Mirlink, Nicolas; Bioux, Sandrine; Bliaux, Evangéline; Lebas, Axel; Gerardin, Emmanuel; Hannequin, Didier

2014-11-01

Only seven cases of agnosia for mirror stimuli have been reported, always with an extensive lesion. We report a new case of an agnosia for mirror stimuli due to a circumscribed lesion. An extensive battery of neuropsychological tests and a new experimental procedure to assess visual object mirror and orientation discrimination were assessed 10 days after the onset of clinical symptoms, and 5 years later. The performances of our patient were compared with those of four healthy control subjects matched for age. This test revealed an agnosia for mirror stimuli. Brain imaging showed a small right occipitoparietal hematoma, encompassing the extrastriate cortex adjoining the inferior parietal lobe. This new case suggests that: (i) agnosia for mirror stimuli can persist for 5 years after onset and (ii) the posterior part of the right intraparietal sulcus could be critical in the cognitive process of mirror stimuli discrimination. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Doe v. Attorney General.

PubMed

1992-06-01

Michigan's Court of Appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part a lower court decision in an action brought by infertile couples and prospective surrogate mothers. The plaintiffs asserted that if Michigan's Surrogate Parenting Act were interpreted as banning outright surrogacy contracts for pay, the statute would deny them their constitutionally protected privacy rights and would offend the due process and equal protection clauses of the state and federal constitutions. They argued that in order to be constitutional, the Act must be read as permitting surrogacy contracts as long as payment to the birth mother is not contingent upon her relinquishing her parental rights. The Court of Appeals affirmed that the state had sufficient interests to warrant its intrusion into the protected area of privacy in the matter of reproduction. The court held that in order to be found void, unenforceable, unlawful, and prohibited in the language of the Surrogate Parenting Act, a surrogate parenting contract must contain two elements: (1) conception by a surrogate, and (2) her voluntary relinquishment of her parental rights.

Neuronal generator patterns at scalp elicited by lateralized aversive pictures reveal consecutive stages of motivated attention.

PubMed

Kayser, Jürgen; Tenke, Craig E; Abraham, Karen S; Alschuler, Daniel M; Alvarenga, Jorge E; Skipper, Jamie; Warner, Virginia; Bruder, Gerard E; Weissman, Myrna M

2016-11-15

Event-related potential (ERP) studies have provided evidence for an allocation of attentional resources to enhance perceptual processing of motivationally salient stimuli. Emotional modulation affects several consecutive components associated with stages of affective-cognitive processing, beginning as early as 100-200ms after stimulus onset. In agreement with the notion that the right parietotemporal region is critically involved during the perception of arousing affective stimuli, some ERP studies have reported asymmetric emotional ERP effects. However, it is difficult to separate emotional from non-emotional effects because differences in stimulus content unrelated to affective salience or task demands may also be associated with lateralized function or promote cognitive processing. Other concerns pertain to the operational definition and statistical independence of ERP component measures, their dependence on an EEG reference, and spatial smearing due to volume conduction, all of which impede the identification of distinct scalp activation patterns associated with affective processing. Building on prior research using a visual half-field paradigm with highly controlled emotional stimuli (pictures of cosmetic surgery patients showing disordered [negative] or healed [neutral] facial areas before or after treatment), 72-channel ERPs recorded from 152 individuals (ages 13-68years; 81 female) were transformed into reference-free current source density (CSD) waveforms and submitted to temporal principal components analysis (PCA) to identify their underlying neuronal generator patterns. Using both nonparametric randomization tests and repeated measures ANOVA, robust effects of emotional content were found over parietooccipital regions for CSD factors corresponding to N2 sink (212ms peak latency), P3 source (385ms) and a late centroparietal source (630ms), all indicative of greater positivity for negative than neutral stimuli. For the N2 sink, emotional effects were right-lateralized and modulated by hemifield, with larger amplitude and asymmetry for left hemifield (right hemisphere) presentations. For all three factors, more positive amplitudes at parietooccipital sites were associated with increased ratings of negative valence and greater arousal. Distributed inverse solutions of the CSD-PCA-based emotional effects implicated a sequence of maximal activations in right occipitotemporal cortex, bilateral posterior cingulate cortex, and bilateral inferior temporal cortex. These findings are consistent with hierarchical activations of the ventral visual pathway reflecting subsequent processing stages in response to motivationally salient stimuli. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Biosensor-based real-time monitoring of paracetamol photocatalytic degradation.

PubMed

Calas-Blanchard, Carole; Istamboulié, Georges; Bontoux, Margot; Plantard, Gaël; Goetz, Vincent; Noguer, Thierry

2015-07-01

This paper presents for the first time the integration of a biosensor for the on-line, real-time monitoring of a photocatalytic degradation process. Paracetamol was used as a model molecule due to its wide use and occurrence in environmental waters. The biosensor was developed based on tyrosinase immobilization in a polyvinylalcohol photocrosslinkable polymer. It was inserted in a computer-controlled flow system installed besides a photocatalytic reactor including titanium dioxide (TiO2) as photocatalyst. It was shown that the biosensor was able to accurately monitor the paracetamol degradation with time. Compared with conventional HPLC analysis, the described device provides a real-time information on the reaction advancement, allowing a better control of the photodegradation process. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Supervised restoration of degraded medical images using multiple-point geostatistics.

PubMed

Pham, Tuan D

2012-06-01

Reducing noise in medical images has been an important issue of research and development for medical diagnosis, patient treatment, and validation of biomedical hypotheses. Noise inherently exists in medical and biological images due to the acquisition and transmission in any imaging devices. Being different from image enhancement, the purpose of image restoration is the process of removing noise from a degraded image in order to recover as much as possible its original version. This paper presents a statistically supervised approach for medical image restoration using the concept of multiple-point geostatistics. Experimental results have shown the effectiveness of the proposed technique which has potential as a new methodology for medical and biological image processing. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Massive ovarian edema, due to adjacent appendicitis.

PubMed

Callen, Andrew L; Illangasekare, Tushani; Poder, Liina

2017-04-01

Massive ovarian edema is a benign clinical entity, the imaging findings of which can mimic an adnexal mass or ovarian torsion. In the setting of acute abdominal pain, identifying massive ovarian edema is a key in avoiding potential fertility-threatening surgery in young women. In addition, it is important to consider other contributing pathology when ovarian edema is secondary to another process. We present a case of a young woman presenting with subacute abdominal pain, whose initial workup revealed marked enlarged right ovary. Further imaging, diagnostic tests, and eventually diagnostic laparoscopy revealed that the ovarian enlargement was secondary to subacute appendicitis, rather than a primary adnexal process. We review the classic ultrasound and MRI imaging findings and pitfalls that relate to this diagnosis.

The analysis of EEG coherence reflects middle childhood differences in mathematical achievement.

PubMed

González-Garrido, Andrés A; Gómez-Velázquez, Fabiola R; Salido-Ruiz, Ricardo A; Espinoza-Valdez, Aurora; Vélez-Pérez, Hugo; Romo-Vazquez, Rebeca; Gallardo-Moreno, Geisa B; Ruiz-Stovel, Vanessa D; Martínez-Ramos, Alicia; Berumen, Gustavo

2018-07-01

Symbolic numerical magnitude processing is crucial to arithmetic development, and it is thought to be supported by the functional activation of several brain-interconnected structures. In this context, EEG beta oscillations have been recently associated with attention and working memory processing that underlie math achievement. Due to that EEG coherence represents a useful measure of brain functional connectivity, we aimed to contrast the EEG coherence in forty 8-to-9-year-old children with different math skill levels (High: HA, and Low achievement: LA) according to their arithmetic scores in the Fourth Edition of the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT-4) while performing a symbolic magnitude comparison task (i.e. determining which of two numbers is numerically larger). The analysis showed significantly greater coherence over the right hemisphere in the two groups, but with a distinctive connectivity pattern. Whereas functional connectivity in the HA group was predominant in parietal areas, especially involving beta frequencies, the LA group showed more extensive frontoparietal relationships, with higher participation of delta, theta and alpha band frequencies, along with a distinct time-frequency domain expression. The results seem to reflect that lower math achievements in children mainly associate with cognitive processing steps beyond stimulus encoding, along with the need of further attentional resources and cognitive control than their peers, suggesting a lower degree of numerical processing automation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Correction: Correction to 'Clinical Policy: Critical Issues in the Evaluation of Adult Patients With Suspected Transient Ischemic Attack in the Emergency Department' [Annals of Emergency Medicine 68 (2016) 354-370.e29].

PubMed

Lo, Bruce M; Carpenter, Christopher R; Hatten, Benjamin W; Wright, Brian J; Brown, Michael D

2017-11-01

Due to a miscommunication during the process of transferring this manuscript from our editorial team to Production, the Members of the American College of Emergency Physicians Clinical Policies Committee (Oversight Committee) were not properly indexed in PubMed. This has now been corrected online. The publisher would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused. Copyright © 2017 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Sleep Deprivation.

PubMed

Abrams, Robert M

2015-09-01

Sleep deprivation occurs when inadequate sleep leads to decreased performance, inadequate alertness, and deterioration in health. It is incompletely understood why humans need sleep, although some theories include energy conservation, restoration, and information processing. Sleep deprivation has many deleterious health effects. Residency programs have enacted strict work restrictions because of medically related errors due to sleep deprivation. Because obstetrics is an unpredictable specialty with long irregular hours, enacting a hospitalist program enhances patient safety, decreases malpractice risk, and improves the physician's quality of life by allowing obstetricians to get sufficient rest. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Laboratory testing in primary care: A systematic review of health IT impacts.

PubMed

Maillet, Éric; Paré, Guy; Currie, Leanne M; Raymond, Louis; Ortiz de Guinea, Ana; Trudel, Marie-Claude; Marsan, Josianne

2018-08-01

Laboratory testing in primary care is a fundamental process that supports patient management and care. Any breakdown in the process may alter clinical information gathering and decision-making activities and can lead to medical errors and potential adverse outcomes for patients. Various information technologies are being used in primary care with the goal to support the process, maximize patient benefits and reduce medical errors. However, the overall impact of health information technologies on laboratory testing processes has not been evaluated. To synthesize the positive and negative impacts resulting from the use of health information technology in each phase of the laboratory 'total testing process' in primary care. We conducted a systematic review. Databases including Medline, PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched. Studies eligible for inclusion reported empirical data on: 1) the use of a specific IT system, 2) the impacts of the systems to support the laboratory testing process, and were conducted in 3) primary care settings (including ambulatory care and primary care offices). Our final sample consisted of 22 empirical studies which were mapped to a framework that outlines the phases of the laboratory total testing process, focusing on phases where medical errors may occur. Health information technology systems support several phases of the laboratory testing process, from ordering the test to following-up with patients. This is a growing field of research with most studies focusing on the use of information technology during the final phases of the laboratory total testing process. The findings were largely positive. Positive impacts included easier access to test results by primary care providers, reduced turnaround times, and increased prescribed tests based on best practice guidelines. Negative impacts were reported in several studies: paper-based processes employed in parallel to the electronic process increased the potential for medical errors due to clinicians' cognitive overload; systems deemed not reliable or user-friendly hampered clinicians' performance; and organizational issues arose when results tracking relied on the prescribers' memory. The potential of health information technology lies not only in the exchange of health information, but also in knowledge sharing among clinicians. This review has underscored the important role played by cognitive factors, which are critical in the clinician's decision-making, the selection of the most appropriate tests, correct interpretation of the results and efficient interventions. By providing the right information, at the right time to the right clinician, many IT solutions adequately support the laboratory testing process and help primary care clinicians make better decisions. However, several technological and organizational barriers require more attention to fully support the highly fragmented and error-prone process of laboratory testing. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Receptive amusia: evidence for cross-hemispheric neural networks underlying music processing strategies.

PubMed

Schuppert, M; Münte, T F; Wieringa, B M; Altenmüller, E

2000-03-01

Perceptual musical functions were investigated in patients suffering from unilateral cerebrovascular cortical lesions. Using MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) technique, a standardized short test battery was established that covers local (analytical) as well as global perceptual mechanisms. These represent the principal cognitive strategies in melodic and temporal musical information processing (local, interval and rhythm; global, contour and metre). Of the participating brain-damaged patients, a total of 69% presented with post-lesional impairments in music perception. Left-hemisphere-damaged patients showed significant deficits in the discrimination of local as well as global structures in both melodic and temporal information processing. Right-hemisphere-damaged patients also revealed an overall impairment of music perception, reaching significance in the temporal conditions. Detailed analysis outlined a hierarchical organization, with an initial right-hemisphere recognition of contour and metre followed by identification of interval and rhythm via left-hemisphere subsystems. Patterns of dissociated and associated melodic and temporal deficits indicate autonomous, yet partially integrated neural subsystems underlying the processing of melodic and temporal stimuli. In conclusion, these data contradict a strong hemispheric specificity for music perception, but indicate cross-hemisphere, fragmented neural substrates underlying local and global musical information processing in the melodic and temporal dimensions. Due to the diverse profiles of neuropsychological deficits revealed in earlier investigations as well as in this study, individual aspects of musicality and musical behaviour very likely contribute to the definite formation of these widely distributed neural networks.

Policy reform to shift the health and human rights environment for vulnerable groups: the case of Kyrgyzstan's Instruction 417.

PubMed

Beletsky, Leo; Thomas, Rachel; Smelyanskaya, Marina; Artamonova, Irina; Shumskaya, Natalya; Dooronbekova, Aijan; Mukambetov, Aibek; Doyle, Heather; Tolson, Rebecca

2012-12-15

Police activities shape behavior and health outcomes among drug users, sex workers, and other vulnerable groups. Interventions to change the policing of drug consumption and sex work in ways that facilitate public health programming and respect for human rights have included policy reforms, education, and litigation. In 2009, the Kyrgyz government promulgated "Instruction 417," prohibiting police interference with "harm reduction" programs, re-enforcing citizen rights, addressing police occupational safety concerns, and institutionalizing police-public health collaboration. Although ample evidence points to gaps between intended and actual impact of policy and other structural interventions, there is little research on the impact of initiatives designed to align policing, health, and human rights. We conducted a police officer survey to assess links between Instruction 417 knowledge and legal and public health knowledge, attitudes towards harm reduction programs, and intended practices targeting vulnerable groups. In a 319-officer sample, 79% understood key due process regulations, 71.1% correctly characterized law on sex work, 54.3% understood syringe possession law, while only 44.4% reported familiarity with Instruction 417. Most (72.9%) expressed positive attitudes toward condom distribution, while only 56% viewed syringe access favorably. Almost half (44%) agreed that police should refer vulnerable groups to disease prevention programs, but only 20% reported doing so. In multivariate analysis, knowledge of Instruction 417 was associated with significantly better knowledge about (aOR=1.84, 95%CI: 1.12-3.00) and attitudes towards harm reduction programs (aOR=3.81, 95%CI:1.35-10.75), and knowledge of due process for the detention of sex workers (aOR=2.53, 95%CI:1.33-4.80). Younger, junior officers and those in rural areas may not be well-informed about the policy. While reflecting positively on Instruction 417 as a structural approach to aligning policing and public health, this analysis highlights gaps in policy dissemination and calls for further research to assess street-level impact of interventions on the health and human rights environment for vulnerable groups. Copyright © 2012 Beletsky et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/), which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

76 FR 18824 - Qualification of Drivers; Exemption Applications; Vision

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-04-05

... vision in his left eye due to a traumatic injury that occurred in 1978. The visual acuity in his right..., has had complete loss of vision in his right eye due to a traumatic injury that occurred in 1999. The... speed limit by 10 mph. James O. Cook Mr. Cook, 62, has a central scar in his left eye due to a traumatic...

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome with situs oppositus

PubMed Central

Guruprasad, Yadavalli; Prabhu, Prashanth R.

2010-01-01

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcicoma syndrome, is caused due to a genetic alteration produced by a mutation in the “Patched” tumor suppressor gene, and it is inherited in a dominant autosomal way, though sporadic cases have been found. This syndrome shows a high penetrance and variable expressiveness. It is a multisystemic process that is characterized by the presence of multiple pigmented basocellular carcinomas, keratocysts in the jaws, palmar and/or plantar pits and calcification of the falx cerebri. Together with these major features, a great number of processes considered as minor features have also been described. The latter include numerous skeletal, dermatology related and neurological anomalies, among others. In some occasions, the presence of very aggressive basocellular carcinomas has been described as well as other malignant neoplasia. Due to the importance of oral maxillofacial manifestations of this syndrome, it is fundamental to know its characteristics in order to make a diagnosis, to provide an early preventive treatment and to establish right genetic advice. We report a rare association of Gorlin–Goltz syndrome with situs oppositus. PMID:22442553

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome with situs oppositus.

PubMed

Guruprasad, Yadavalli; Prabhu, Prashanth R

2010-01-01

Gorlin-Goltz syndrome, also known as nevoid basal cell carcicoma syndrome, is caused due to a genetic alteration produced by a mutation in the "Patched" tumor suppressor gene, and it is inherited in a dominant autosomal way, though sporadic cases have been found. This syndrome shows a high penetrance and variable expressiveness. It is a multisystemic process that is characterized by the presence of multiple pigmented basocellular carcinomas, keratocysts in the jaws, palmar and/or plantar pits and calcification of the falx cerebri. Together with these major features, a great number of processes considered as minor features have also been described. The latter include numerous skeletal, dermatology related and neurological anomalies, among others. In some occasions, the presence of very aggressive basocellular carcinomas has been described as well as other malignant neoplasia. Due to the importance of oral maxillofacial manifestations of this syndrome, it is fundamental to know its characteristics in order to make a diagnosis, to provide an early preventive treatment and to establish right genetic advice. We report a rare association of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome with situs oppositus.

Microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) and its copolymers: A review of recent advancements.

PubMed

Anjum, Anbreen; Zuber, Mohammad; Zia, Khalid Mahmood; Noreen, Aqdas; Anjum, Muhammad Naveed; Tabasum, Shazia

2016-08-01

Traditional mineral oil based plastics are important commodity to enhance the comfort and quality of life but the accumulation of these plastics in the environment has become a major universal problem due to their low biodegradation. Solution to the plastic waste management includes incineration, recycling and landfill disposal methods. These processes are very time consuming and expensive. Biopolymers are important alternatives to the petroleum-based plastics due to environment friendly manufacturing processes, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Therefore use of novel biopolymers, such as polylactide, polysaccharides, aliphatic polyesters and polyhydroxyalkanoates is of interest. PHAs are biodegradable polyesters of hydroxyalkanoates (HA) produced from renewable resources by using microorganisms as intracellular carbon and energy storage compounds. Even though PHAs are promising candidate for biodegradable polymers, however, the production cost limit their application on an industrial scale. This article provides an overview of various substrates, microorganisms for the economical production of PHAs and its copolymers. Recent advances in PHAs to reduce the cost and to improve the performance of PHAs have also been discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of acoustic fingerprinting of nitromethane and some triazole derivatives using UV 266 nm pulsed photoacoustic pyrolysis technique.

PubMed

Rao, K S; Chaudhary, A K; Yehya, F; Kumar, A Sudheer

2015-08-05

We report a comparative study of acoustic fingerprints of nitromethane, nitrobenzene and some nitro rich triazole derivatives using pulsed photoacoustic technique. UV 266 nm wavelength i.e. Fourth harmonic of Q-switched Nd: YAG laser having pulse duration 7 ns and 10 Hz repetition rate is employed to record the time resolved PA spectrum. The PA fingerprint is produced due to absorption of incident UV light by molecule itself and photo dissociation of nitromethane and nitrobenzene at room temperature while in case of triazole it is attributed to the combination of thermal and photo-dissociation process. The entire dissociation process follows the root of cleavage of C-NO₂ bond to produce free NO, NO₂ and other by product gases due to π(∗)←n excitation. In addition, we have studied the thermal stability criteria of nitro rich triazoles based on the quality factor of acoustic resonance frequencies of the PA cavity. We have also studied the effect of data acquisition time to ascertain the decay behavior of HEMs samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gaussian Process modelling of blood glucose response to free-living physical activity data in people with type 1 diabetes.

PubMed

Valletta, John Joseph; Chipperfield, Andrew J; Byrne, Christopher D

2009-01-01

Good blood glucose control is important to people with type 1 diabetes to prevent diabetes-related complications. Too much blood glucose (hyperglycaemia) causes long-term micro-vascular complications, while a severe drop in blood glucose (hypoglycaemia) can cause life-threatening coma. Finding the right balance between quantity and type of food intake, physical activity levels and insulin dosage, is a daily challenge. Increased physical activity levels often cause changes in blood glucose due to increased glucose uptake into tissues such as muscle. To date we have limited knowledge about the minute by minute effects of exercise on blood glucose levels, in part due to the difficulty in measuring glucose and physical activity levels continuously, in a free-living environment. By using a light and user-friendly armband we can record physical activity energy expenditure on a minute-by-minute basis. Simultaneously, by using a continuous glucose monitoring system we can record glucose concentrations. In this paper, Gaussian Processes are used to model the glucose excursions in response to physical activity data, to study its effect on glycaemic control.

Binaural speech processing in individuals with auditory neuropathy.

PubMed

Rance, G; Ryan, M M; Carew, P; Corben, L A; Yiu, E; Tan, J; Delatycki, M B

2012-12-13

Auditory neuropathy disrupts the neural representation of sound and may therefore impair processes contingent upon inter-aural integration. The aims of this study were to investigate binaural auditory processing in individuals with axonal (Friedreich ataxia) and demyelinating (Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A) auditory neuropathy and to evaluate the relationship between the degree of auditory deficit and overall clinical severity in patients with neuropathic disorders. Twenty-three subjects with genetically confirmed Friedreich ataxia and 12 subjects with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A underwent psychophysical evaluation of basic auditory processing (intensity discrimination/temporal resolution) and binaural speech perception assessment using the Listening in Spatialized Noise test. Age, gender and hearing-level-matched controls were also tested. Speech perception in noise for individuals with auditory neuropathy was abnormal for each listening condition, but was particularly affected in circumstances where binaural processing might have improved perception through spatial segregation. Ability to use spatial cues was correlated with temporal resolution suggesting that the binaural-processing deficit was the result of disordered representation of timing cues in the left and right auditory nerves. Spatial processing was also related to overall disease severity (as measured by the Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale and Charcot-Marie-Tooth Neuropathy Score) suggesting that the degree of neural dysfunction in the auditory system accurately reflects generalized neuropathic changes. Measures of binaural speech processing show promise for application in the neurology clinic. In individuals with auditory neuropathy due to both axonal and demyelinating mechanisms the assessment provides a measure of functional hearing ability, a biomarker capable of tracking the natural history of progressive disease and a potential means of evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Copyright © 2012 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dark fermentation process as pretreatment for a sustainable denaturation of asbestos containing wastes.

PubMed

Spasiano, Danilo

2018-05-05

A cement asbestos compound (CAC) sample was detoxified by a treatment train based on a dark fermentation (DF) process followed by a hydrothermal phase, which led to the complete degradation of the chrysotile fibers. During the biological pretreatment, the glucose was converted in biogas rich in H 2 and volatile fatty acids (VFA). The latter caused the dissolution of all the Ca-based compounds and the solubilisation of 50% brucite-like layers of chrysotile fibers contained in the CAC suspended in the bioreactor (5 g/L). XRD analysis of the solids contained in the effluents of the DF process highlighted the disappearance of the chrysotile fiber peaks. However, a complete destruction of all the asbestos fibers is hard to prove and a hydrothermal treatment was carried out to dissolve the "brucite" layers still present in solution. Due to the presence of the VFA produced during the DF, a complete destruction of chrysotile fibers was achieved by a 24 h hydrothermal process performed with a [H 2 SO 4 ]/[CAC] ratio 50% lower than that adopted in a previous finding. Consequently, the DF pre-treatment can contribute to lower the H 2 SO 4 and the energy consumption of a CAC hydrothermal treatment, due to the production of VFA and H 2 . Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

High Solid Fed-batch Butanol Fermentation with Simultaneous Product Recovery: Part II - Process Integration.

PubMed

Qureshi, Nasib; Klasson, K Thomas; Saha, Badal C; Liu, Siqing

2018-04-25

In these studies liquid hot water (LHW) pretreated and enzymatically hydrolyzed Sweet Sorghum Bagasse (SSB) hydrolyzates were fermented in a fed-batch reactor. As reported in the preceding paper, the culture was not able to ferment the hydrolyzate I in a batch process due to presence of high level of toxic chemicals, in particular acetic acid released from SSB during the hydrolytic process. To be able to ferment the hydrolyzate I obtained from 250 gL -1 SSB hydrolysis, a fed-batch reactor with in-situ butanol recovery was devised. The process was started with the hydrolyzate II and when good cell growth and vigorous fermentation were observed, the hydrolyzate I was slowly fed to the reactor. In this manner the culture was able to ferment all the sugars present in both the hydrolyzates to acetone butanol ethanol (ABE). In a control batch reactor in which ABE was produced from glucose, ABE productivity and yield of 0.42 gL -1 h -1 and 0.36 were obtained, respectively. In the fed-batch reactor fed with SSB hydrolyzates these productivity and yield values were 0.44 gL -1 h -1 and 0.45, respectively. ABE yield in the integrated system was high due to utilization of acetic acid to convert to ABE. In summary we were able to utilize both the hydrolyzates obtained from LHW pretreated and enzymatically hydrolyzed SSB (250 gL -1 ) and convert them to ABE. Complete fermentation was possible due to simultaneous recovery of ABE by vacuum. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

Mobility of rare earth elements, yttrium and scandium from a phosphogypsum stack: Environmental and economic implications.

PubMed

Cánovas, Carlos Ruiz; Macías, Francisco; Pérez López, Rafael; Nieto, José Miguel

2018-03-15

This paper investigates the mobility and fluxes of REE, Y and Sc under weathering conditions from an anomalously metal-rich phosphogypsum stack in SW Spain. The interactions of the phosphogypsum stack with rainfall and organic matter-rich solutions, simulating the weathering processes observed due to its location on salt-marshes, were simulated by leaching tests (e.g. EN 12457-2 and TCLP). Despite the high concentration of REE, Y and Sc contained in the phosphogypsum stack, their mobility during the leaching tests was very low; <0.66% and 1.8% of the total content of these elements were released during both tests. Chemical and mineralogical evidences suggest that phosphate minerals may act as sources of REE and Y in the phosphogypsum stack while fluoride minerals may act as sinks, controlling their mobility. REE fractionation processes were identified in the phosphogypsum stack; a depletion of LREE in the saturated zone was identified due probably to the dissolution of secondary LREE phosphates previously formed during apatite dissolution in the industrial process. Thus, the vadose zone of the stack would preserve the original REE signature of phosphate rocks. On the other hand, an enrichment of MREE in relation to HREE of edge outflows is observed due to the higher influence of estuarine waters on the leaching process of the phosphogypsum stack. Despite the low mobility of REE, Y and Sc in the phosphogypsum, around 104kg/yr of REE and 40kg/yr of Y and Sc are released from the stack to the estuary, which may imply an environmental concern. The information obtained in this study could be used to optimize extraction methods aimed to recover REE, Y and Sc from phosphogypsum, mitigating the pollution to the environment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Corrosion and tribocorrosion behavior of Ti-B4C composite intended for orthopaedic implants.

PubMed

Toptan, F; Rego, A; Alves, A C; Guedes, A

2016-08-01

Poor wear resistance of titanium is a major concern since relative movements due to the cyclic loads in body environment cause wear between the bone and the implant material leading to detachment of the wear debris and release of metal ions due to the simultaneous action of corrosion and wear, defined as tribocorrosion. In order to increase the tribocorrosion resistance, Grade 2 Ti matrix 24vol% B4C particle reinforced composites were processed by hot pressing. Corrosion behaviour was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization in 9g/L NaCl solution at body temperature. Tribocorrosion tests were performed under open circuit potential, as well as under potentiodynamic polarization using a reciprocating ball-on-plate tribometer. Results suggested that the addition of B4C particles provided lower tendency to corrosion and lower corrosion kinetics under sliding, along with significantly reduced wear loss, mainly due to the load carrying effect given by the reinforcement particles. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Water evaporation in silica colloidal deposits.

PubMed

Peixinho, Jorge; Lefèvre, Grégory; Coudert, François-Xavier; Hurisse, Olivier

2013-10-15

The results of an experimental study on the evaporation and boiling of water confined in the pores of deposits made of mono-dispersed silica colloidal micro-spheres are reported. The deposits are studied using scanning electron microscopy, adsorption of nitrogen, and adsorption of water through attenuated total reflection-infrared spectroscopy. The evaporation is characterized using differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Optical microscopy is used to observe the patterns on the deposits after evaporation. When heating at a constant rate and above boiling temperature, the release of water out of the deposits is a two step process. The first step is due to the evaporation and boiling of the surrounding and bulk water and the second is due to the desorption of water from the pores. Additional experiments on the evaporation of water from membranes having cylindrical pores and of heptane from silica deposits suggest that the second step is due to the morphology of the deposits. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Assessing the impact of the urbanization process on net primary productivity in China in 1989-2000.

PubMed

Tian, Guangjin; Qiao, Zhi

2014-01-01

Urban development affects the material circulation and energy flow of ecosystems, thereby affecting the Net Primary Productivity (NPP). The loss of NPP due to urban expansion was calculated integrating GLO-PEM with remote sensing and GIS techniques in China during the period of 1989-2000. Using urban expansion and the mean NPP for the different land use types in the fourteen regions, the total loss of NPP was calculated as 0.95 Tg C, which accounted for 0.03% of the national NPP of 1989. The total loss of NPP due to the transformation from cropland to urban land accounted for 91.93%, followed by forest (7.17%) and grassland (0.69%). However, the conversion from unused land, industrial and construction land, and water bodies to urban land resulted in an increase in the NPP. The regions locating in eastern China and middle China had large reductions in the total NPP due to urban expansion. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Multi-step high-throughput conjugation platform for the development of antibody-drug conjugates.

PubMed

Andris, Sebastian; Wendeler, Michaela; Wang, Xiangyang; Hubbuch, Jürgen

2018-07-20

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) form a rapidly growing class of biopharmaceuticals which attracts a lot of attention throughout the industry due to its high potential for cancer therapy. They combine the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) and the cell-killing capacity of highly cytotoxic small molecule drugs. Site-specific conjugation approaches involve a multi-step process for covalent linkage of antibody and drug via a linker. Despite the range of parameters that have to be investigated, high-throughput methods are scarcely used so far in ADC development. In this work an automated high-throughput platform for a site-specific multi-step conjugation process on a liquid-handling station is presented by use of a model conjugation system. A high-throughput solid-phase buffer exchange was successfully incorporated for reagent removal by utilization of a batch cation exchange step. To ensure accurate screening of conjugation parameters, an intermediate UV/Vis-based concentration determination was established including feedback to the process. For conjugate characterization, a high-throughput compatible reversed-phase chromatography method with a runtime of 7 min and no sample preparation was developed. Two case studies illustrate the efficient use for mapping the operating space of a conjugation process. Due to the degree of automation and parallelization, the platform is capable of significantly reducing process development efforts and material demands and shorten development timelines for antibody-drug conjugates. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

An fMRI study of magnitude comparison and exact addition in children.

PubMed

Meintjes, Ernesta M; Jacobson, Sandra W; Molteno, Christopher D; Gatenby, J Christopher; Warton, Christopher; Cannistraci, Christopher J; Gore, John C; Jacobson, Joseph L

2010-04-01

By contrast to the adult literature, in which a consistent parietofrontal network for number processing has been identified, the data from studies of number processing in children have been less consistent, probably due to differences in study design and control conditions. Number processing was examined using functional magnetic resonance imaging in 18 right-handed children (8-12 years) from the Cape Coloured community in Cape Town, South Africa, using Proximity Judgment and Exact Addition (EA) tasks. The findings were consistent with the hypothesis that, as in adults, the anterior horizontal intraparietal sulcus (HIPS) plays a major role in the representation and manipulation of quantity in children. The posterior medial frontal cortex, believed to be involved in performance monitoring in more complex arithmetic manipulations in adults, was extensively activated even for relatively simple symbolic number processing in the children. Other areas activated to a greater degree in the children included the left precentral sulcus, which may mediate number knowledge and, for EA, the head of the caudate nucleus, which is part of a fronto-subcortical circuit involved in the behavioral execution of sequences. Two regions that have been linked to number processing in adults - the angular gyrus and posterior superior parietal lobule - were not activated in the children. The data are consistent with the inference that although the functional specialization of the anterior HIPS may increase as symbolic number processing becomes increasingly automatic, this region and other elements of the parietofrontal network identified in adults are already reliably and robustly activated by middle childhood. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Reduced temporal processing in older, normal-hearing listeners evident from electrophysiological responses to shifts in interaural time difference.

PubMed

Ozmeral, Erol J; Eddins, David A; Eddins, Ann C

2016-12-01

Previous electrophysiological studies of interaural time difference (ITD) processing have demonstrated that ITDs are represented by a nontopographic population rate code. Rather than narrow tuning to ITDs, neural channels have broad tuning to ITDs in either the left or right auditory hemifield, and the relative activity between the channels determines the perceived lateralization of the sound. With advancing age, spatial perception weakens and poor temporal processing contributes to declining spatial acuity. At present, it is unclear whether age-related temporal processing deficits are due to poor inhibitory controls in the auditory system or degraded neural synchrony at the periphery. Cortical processing of spatial cues based on a hemifield code are susceptible to potential age-related physiological changes. We consider two distinct predictions of age-related changes to ITD sensitivity: declines in inhibitory mechanisms would lead to increased excitation and medial shifts to rate-azimuth functions, whereas a general reduction in neural synchrony would lead to reduced excitation and shallower slopes in the rate-azimuth function. The current study tested these possibilities by measuring an evoked response to ITD shifts in a narrow-band noise. Results were more in line with the latter outcome, both from measured latencies and amplitudes of the global field potentials and source-localized waveforms in the left and right auditory cortices. The measured responses for older listeners also tended to have reduced asymmetric distribution of activity in response to ITD shifts, which is consistent with other sensory and cognitive processing models of aging. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy, 660 nm, in Experimental Septic Arthritis

PubMed Central

Araujo, Bruna Formentão; Silva, Lígia Inez; Meireles, Anamaria; Rosa, Camila Thieimi; Gioppo, Nereida Mello da Rosa; Jorge, Alex Sandro; Kunz, Regina Inês; Ribeiro, Lucinéia de Fátima Chasko; Brancalhão, Rose Meire Costa; Bertolini, Gladson Ricardo Flor

2013-01-01

The effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the presence of an infectious process has not been well elucidated. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of LLLT in an experimental model of septic arthritis. Methods. Twenty-one Wistar rats were divided as follows: control group, no bacteria; placebo group, bacteria were inoculated; Treated group, bacteria were injected and treatment with LLLTwas performed. To assess nociception, a von Frey digital analgesimeter was applied. Synovial fluid was streaked to analyze bacterial growth. The standard strain of S. aureus was inoculated in the right knee. LLLT was performed with 660 nm, 2 J/cm2, over 10 days. After treatment, the knees were fixed and processed for morphological analysis by light microscopy. Results. It was found that nociception increases in the right knee. There was a lack of results for the seeding of the synovial fluid. The morphological analysis showed slight recovery areas in the articular cartilage and synovia; however, there was the maintenance of the inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusion. The parameters used were not effective in the nociception reduction, even with the slight tissue recovery due to the maintenance of inflammatory infiltrate, but produced no change in the natural history of resolution of the infectious process. PMID:23997964

Bioprocessing for elimination antibiotics and hormones from swine wastewater.

PubMed

Cheng, D L; Ngo, H H; Guo, W S; Liu, Y W; Zhou, J L; Chang, S W; Nguyen, D D; Bui, X T; Zhang, X B

2018-04-15

Antibiotics and hormones in swine wastewater have become a critical concern worldwide due to the severe threats to human health and the eco-environment. Removal of most detectable antibiotics and hormones, such as sulfonamides (SAs), SMs, tetracyclines (TCs), macrolides, and estrogenic hormones from swine wastewater utilizing various biological processes were summarized and compared. In biological processes, biosorption and biodegradation are the two major removal mechanisms for antibiotics and hormones. The residuals in treated effluents and sludge of conventional activated sludge and anaerobic digestion processes can still pose risks to the surrounding environment, and the anaerobic processes' removal efficiencies were inferior to those of aerobic processes. In contrast, membrane bioreactors (MBRs), constructed wetlands (CWs) and modified processes performed better because of their higher biodegradation of toxicants. Process modification on activated sludge, anaerobic digestion and conventional MBRs could also enhance the performance (e.g. removing up to 98% SMs, 88.9% TCs, and 99.6% hormones from wastewater). The hybrid process combining MBRs with biological or physical technology also led to better removal efficiency. As such, modified conventional biological processes, advanced biological technologies and MBR hybrid systems are considered as a promising technology for removing toxicants from swine wastewater. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Error Analysis Of Students Working About Word Problem Of Linear Program With NEA Procedure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santoso, D. A.; Farid, A.; Ulum, B.

2017-06-01

Evaluation and assessment is an important part of learning. In evaluation process of learning, written test is still commonly used. However, the tests usually do not following-up by further evaluation. The process only up to grading stage not to evaluate the process and errors which done by students. Whereas if the student has a pattern error and process error, actions taken can be more focused on the fault and why is that happen. NEA procedure provides a way for educators to evaluate student progress more comprehensively. In this study, students’ mistakes in working on some word problem about linear programming have been analyzed. As a result, mistakes are often made students exist in the modeling phase (transformation) and process skills (process skill) with the overall percentage distribution respectively 20% and 15%. According to the observations, these errors occur most commonly due to lack of precision of students in modeling and in hastiness calculation. Error analysis with students on this matter, it is expected educators can determine or use the right way to solve it in the next lesson.

European consumer attitudes on the associated health benefits of neutraceutical-containing processed meats using Co-enzyme Q10 as a sample functional ingredient.

PubMed

Tobin, Brian D; O'Sullivan, Maurice G; Hamill, Ruth; Kerry, Joseph P

2014-06-01

This study accumulated European consumer attitudes towards processed meats and their use as a functional food. A survey was set up using an online web-application to gather information on consumer perception of processed meats as well as neutraceutical-containing processed meats. 548 responses were obtained and statistical analysis was carried out using a statistical software package. Data was summarized as frequencies for each question and statistical differences analyzed using the Chi-Square statistical test with a significance level of 5% (P<0.05). The majority of consumer attitudes towards processed meat indicate that they are unhealthy products. Most believe that processed meats contain large quantities of harmful chemicals, fat and salt. Consumers were found to be very pro-bioactive compounds in yogurt style products but unsure of their feelings in meat based products, which is likely due to the lack of familiarity to these products. Many of the respondents were willing to consume meat based functional foods but were not willing to pay more for them. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Combined heterogeneous Electro-Fenton and biological process for the treatment of stabilized landfill leachate.

PubMed

Baiju, Archa; Gandhimathi, R; Ramesh, S T; Nidheesh, P V

2018-03-15

Treatment of stabilized landfill leachate is a great challenge due to its poor biodegradability. Present study made an attempt to treat this wastewater by combining electro-Fenton (E-Fenton) and biological process. E-Fenton treatment was applied prior to biological process to enhance the biodegradability of leachate, which will be beneficial for the subsequent biological process. This study also investigates the efficiency of iron molybdophosphate (FeMoPO) nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst in E-Fenton process. The effects of initial pH, catalyst dosage, applied voltage and electrode spacing on Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal efficiency were analyzed to determine the optimum conditions. Heterogeneous E-Fenton process gave 82% COD removal at pH 2, catalyst dosage of 50 mg/L, voltage 5 V, electrode spacing 3 cm and electrode area 25 cm 2 . Combined E-Fenton and biological treatment resulted an overall COD removal of 97%, bringing down the final COD to 192 mg/L. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ethanol precipitation for purification of recombinant antibodies.

PubMed

Tscheliessnig, Anne; Satzer, Peter; Hammerschmidt, Nikolaus; Schulz, Henk; Helk, Bernhard; Jungbauer, Alois

2014-10-20

Currently, the golden standard for the purification of recombinant humanized antibodies (rhAbs) from CHO cell culture is protein A chromatography. However, due to increasing rhAbs titers alternative methods have come into focus. A new strategy for purification of recombinant human antibodies from CHO cell culture supernatant based on cold ethanol precipitation (CEP) and CaCl2 precipitation has been developed. This method is based on the cold ethanol precipitation, the process used for purification of antibodies and other components from blood plasma. We proof the applicability of the developed process for four different antibodies resulting in similar yield and purity as a protein A chromatography based process. This process can be further improved using an anion-exchange chromatography in flowthrough mode e.g. a monolith as last step so that residual host cell protein is reduced to a minimum. Beside the ethanol based process, our data also suggest that ethanol could be replaced with methanol or isopropanol. The process is suited for continuous operation. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Novel process for the coproduction of xylo-oligosaccharides, fermentable sugars, and lignosulfonates from hardwood.

PubMed

Huang, Caoxing; Jeuck, Ben; Du, Jing; Yong, Qiang; Chang, Hou-Min; Jameel, Hasan; Phillips, Richard

2016-11-01

Many biorefineries have not been commercialized due to poor economic returns from final products. In this work, a novel process has been developed to coproduce valuable sugars, xylo-oligosaccharides, and lignosulfonates from hardwood. The modified process includes a mild autohydrolysis pretreatment, which enables for the recovery of the xylo-oligosaccharides in auto-hydrolysate. Following enzymatic hydrolysis, the residue is sulfomethylated to produce lignosulfonates. Recycling the sulfomethylation residues increased both the glucan recovery and lignosulfonate production. The glucose recovery was increased from 81.7% to 87.9%. Steady state simulation using 100g of hardwood produced 46.7g sugars, 5.9g xylo-oligosaccharides, and 25.7g lignosulfonates, which were significantly higher than that produced from the no-recycling process with 39.1g sugars, 5.9g xylo-oligosaccharides, and 15.0g lignosulfonates. The results indicate that this novel biorefinery process can improve the production of fermentable sugars and lignosulfonate from hardwood as compared to a conventional biorefinery process. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The role of anaerobic digestion in the emerging energy economy.

PubMed

Batstone, Damien John; Virdis, Bernardino

2014-06-01

Anaerobic digestion is the default process for biological conversion of residue organics to renewable energy and biofuel in the form of methane. However, its scope of application is expanding, due to availability of new technologies, and the emerging drivers of energy and nutrient conservation and recovery. Here, we outline two of these new application areas, namely wastewater nutrient and energy recovery, and generation of value added chemicals through mixed culture biotechnology. There exist two options for nutrient and energy recovery from domestic wastewater: low energy mainline and partition-release-recovery. Both are heavily dependent on anaerobic digestion as an energy generating and nutrient release step, and have been enabled by new technologies such as low emission anaerobic membrane processes. The area of mixed culture biotechnology has been previously identified as a key industrial opportunity, but is now moving closer to application due application of existing and new technologies. As well as acting as a core technology option in bioproduction, anaerobic digestion has a key role in residual waste valorization and generation of energy for downstream processing. These new application areas and technologies are emerging simultaneously with substantial advances in knowledge of underlying mechanisms such as electron transfer, understanding of which is critical to development of the new application areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A greener approach for resource recycling: Manganese bioleaching.

PubMed

Ghosh, S; Mohanty, S; Akcil, A; Sukla, L B; Das, A P

2016-07-01

In view of unremitting diminution of mineral resources, rising energy economics along with increasing global consumption of Manganese (Mn), development of environment friendly technologies for tapping alternate sources of Mn has gained importance lately. Mn recovery from mining residues using conventional approaches is extremely expensive due to high capital and energy costs involved. However lean grade ores present in millions of tons awaits the development of competent and cost effective extractive process. Mn recovery by biomining with diverse microbes is thereby recommended as a superior and green alternative to the current pyro metallurgical techniques. The synergistic effects of different factors are known to influence microbial leaching of mineral ores which includes microbiological, mineralogical, physicochemical and process parameters. Bacterial bioleaching is mostly due to enzymatic influence, however fungal bioleaching is non enzymatic. Genomic studies on microbial diversity and an insight of its metabolic pathways provides unique dimension to the mechanism of biomining microorganisms. The extraction of Mn has a massive future prospective and will play a remarkable role in altering the situation of ever-decreasing grades of ore. This review aims to encompass the different aspects of Mn bioleaching, the plethora of organisms involved, the mechanisms driving the process and the recent trends and future prospects of this green technology. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Constitutional rights versus malpractice insurance settlements.

PubMed

Trentalance, A E

1994-08-01

The increasing costs and complexity of malpractice litigation have created an statutory right that allows malpractice insurance companies to settle malpractice claims regardless of the desires of the defendant physician. In the past, the consequences of settling a malpractice claim out of court were not as important as they are today. The Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986 mandates that any settlement in behalf of a physician be documented in the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB), which must be consulted every time the physician is credentialed. This NPDB requirement denies due process to health care providers and thus becomes a violation of the federal and many state constitutions. Physician executives and medical leaders must bring these issues to the table and negotiate solutions before damage to practicing physicians and the U.S. health care delivery system caused by this legal paradox become too severe.

Differentiation of Constriction and Restriction: Complex Cardiovascular Hemodynamics.

PubMed

Geske, Jeffrey B; Anavekar, Nandan S; Nishimura, Rick A; Oh, Jae K; Gersh, Bernard J

2016-11-29

Differentiation of constrictive pericarditis (CP) from restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a complex and often challenging process. Because CP is a potentially curable cause of heart failure and therapeutic options for RCM are limited, distinction of these 2 conditions is critical. Although different in regard to etiology, prognosis, and treatment, CP and RCM share a common clinical presentation of predominantly right-sided heart failure, in the absence of significant left ventricular systolic dysfunction or valve disease, due to impaired ventricular diastolic filling. Fundamental to the diagnosis of either condition is a clear understanding of the underlying hemodynamic principles and pathophysiology. We present a contemporary review of the pathophysiology, hemodynamics, diagnostic assessment, and therapeutic approach to patients presenting with CP and RCM. Copyright © 2016 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Muscle individual phospholipid classes throughout the processing of dry-cured ham: influence of pre-cure freezing.

PubMed

Pérez-Palacios, Trinidad; Ruiz, Jorge; Dewettinck, Koen; Le, Thien Trung; Antequera, Teresa

2010-03-01

This paper aims to study the profile of phospholipid (PL) classes of Iberian ham throughout its processing and the changes it underwent due to the influence of the pre-cure freezing treatment. The general profile of each PL class did not vary during the ripening stage. Phosphatidylcholine (PC) showed the highest proportion, followed by phosphatidyletanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylinositol (PI) being the minor PL. The four PL classes were highly hydrolysed during the salting stage and their degradation continued during the rest of the processing. Pre-cure freezing of Iberian ham influenced the levels of the four PL classes at the initial stage, all of them being higher in refrigerated (R) than in pre-cure frozen (F) hams. Moreover, the pattern of hydrolysis was not the same in these two groups. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bio-plasticizer production by hybrid acetone-butanol-ethanol fermentation with full cell catalysis of Candida sp. 99-125.

PubMed

Chen, Changjing; Cai, Di; Qin, Peiyong; Chen, Biqiang; Wang, Zheng; Tan, Tianwei

2018-06-01

Hybrid process that integrated fermentation, pervaporation and esterification was established aiming to improve the economic feasibility of the conventional acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation process. Candida sp 99-125 cells were used as full-cell catalyst. The feasibility of batch and fed-batch esterification using the ABE permeate of pervaporation (ranging from 286.9 g/L to 402.9 g/L) as substrate were compared. Valuable butyl oleate was produced along with ethyl oleate. For the batch esterification, due to severe inhibition of substrate to lipase, the yield of butyl oleate and ethyl oleate were only 24.9% and 3.3%, respectively. In contrast, 75% and 11.8% of butyl oleate and ethyl oleate were obtained, respectively, at the end of the fed-batch esterification. The novel integration process provides a promising strategy for in situ upgrading ABE products. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

When semantics aids phonology: A processing advantage for iconic word forms in aphasia.

PubMed

Meteyard, Lotte; Stoppard, Emily; Snudden, Dee; Cappa, Stefano F; Vigliocco, Gabriella

2015-09-01

Iconicity is the non-arbitrary relation between properties of a phonological form and semantic content (e.g. "moo", "splash"). It is a common feature of both spoken and signed languages, and recent evidence shows that iconic forms confer an advantage during word learning. We explored whether iconic forms conferred a processing advantage for 13 individuals with aphasia following left-hemisphere stroke. Iconic and control words were compared in four different tasks: repetition, reading aloud, auditory lexical decision and visual lexical decision. An advantage for iconic words was seen for some individuals in all tasks, with consistent group effects emerging in reading aloud and auditory lexical decision. Both these tasks rely on mapping between semantics and phonology. We conclude that iconicity aids spoken word processing for individuals with aphasia. This advantage is due to a stronger connection between semantic information and phonological forms. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Selective removal of cesium by ammonium molybdophosphate - polyacrylonitrile bead and membrane.

PubMed

Ding, Dahu; Zhang, Zhenya; Chen, Rongzhi; Cai, Tianming

2017-02-15

The selective removal of radionuclides with extremely low concentrations from environmental medium remains a big challenge. Ammonium molybdophosphate possess considerable selectivity towards cesium ion (Cs + ) due to the specific ion exchange between Cs + and NH 4 + . Ammonium molybdophosphate - polyacrylonitrile (AMP-PAN) membrane was successfully prepared for the first time in this study. Efficient removal of Cs + (95.7%, 94.1% and 91.3% of 1mgL -1 ) from solutions with high ionic strength (400mgL -1 of Na + , Ca 2+ or K + ) was achieved by AMP-PAN composite. Multilayer chemical adsorption process was testified through kinetic and isotherm studies. The estimated maximum adsorption capacities even reached 138.9±21.3mgg -1 . Specifically, the liquid film diffusion was identified as the rate-limiting step throughout the removal process. Finally, AMP-PAN membrane could eliminate Cs + from water effectively through the filtration adsorption process. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Development of a bioactive glass-polymer composite for wound healing applications.

PubMed

Moura, D; Souza, M T; Liverani, L; Rella, G; Luz, G M; Mano, J F; Boccaccini, A R

2017-07-01

This study reports the production and characterization of a composite material for wound healing applications. A bioactive glass obtained by sol-gel process and doped with two different metal ions was investigated. Silver (Ag) and cobalt (Co) were chosen due to their antibacterial and angiogenic properties, respectively, very beneficial in the wound healing process. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) fibers were produced by electrospinning (ES) from a polymeric solution using acetone as a solvent. After optimization of the ES parameters, two main suspensions were prepared, namely: PCL containing bioactive glass nanoparticles (BG-NP) and PCL with Ag 2 O and CoO doped BG-NP (DP BG-NP), which were processed with different concentrations of BG-NP (0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75wt%). The composite membranes were characterized in terms of morphology, fiber diameter, weight loss, mineralization potential and mechanical performance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A Single-use Strategy to Enable Manufacturing of Affordable Biologics.

PubMed

Jacquemart, Renaud; Vandersluis, Melissa; Zhao, Mochao; Sukhija, Karan; Sidhu, Navneet; Stout, Jim

2016-01-01

The current processing paradigm of large manufacturing facilities dedicated to single product production is no longer an effective approach for best manufacturing practices. Increasing competition for new indications and the launch of biosimilars for the monoclonal antibody market have put pressure on manufacturers to produce at lower cost. Single-use technologies and continuous upstream processes have proven to be cost-efficient options to increase biomass production but as of today the adoption has been only minimal for the purification operations, partly due to concerns related to cost and scale-up. This review summarizes how a single-use holistic process and facility strategy can overcome scale limitations and enable cost-efficient manufacturing to support the growing demand for affordable biologics. Technologies enabling high productivity, right-sized, small footprint, continuous, and automated upstream and downstream operations are evaluated in order to propose a concept for the flexible facility of the future.

TDDFT study on the sensing mechanism of a fluorescent sensor for fluoride anion: Inhibition of the ESPT process.

PubMed

Li, Guang-Yue; Liu, Dong; Zhang, Hang; Li, Wei-Wei; Wang, Feng; Liang, Ying-Hua

2015-01-01

The fluoride-sensing mechanism of a reported salicylaldehyde-based sensor (J. Photochem. Photobiol. B 2014, 138, 75) has been investigated by the TDDFT method. The present theoretical study indicates that there is an excited-state proton transfer (ESPT) process from the phenolic O-H moiety to the neighbor N atom in the sensor. The added fluoride anion could capture the proton in the O-H moiety and the corresponding phenolic anion is formed, which could inhibit the ESPT process. The experimental UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra are well reproduced by the calculated vertical excitation energies. Frontier molecular orbital analysis indicates that the local excited state of phenolic anion is responsible for its enhanced fluorescence. Due to this reason, the sensor can be used to sense fluoride anion by monitoring the fluorescent change. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Information processing in the vertebrate habenula.

PubMed

Fore, Stephanie; Palumbo, Fabrizio; Pelgrims, Robbrecht; Yaksi, Emre

2018-06-01

The habenula is a brain region that has gained increasing popularity over the recent years due to its role in processing value-related and experience-dependent information with a strong link to depression, addiction, sleep and social interactions. This small diencephalic nucleus is proposed to act as a multimodal hub or a switchboard, where inputs from different brain regions converge. These diverse inputs to the habenula carry information about the sensory world and the animal's internal state, such as reward expectation or mood. However, it is not clear how these diverse habenular inputs interact with each other and how such interactions contribute to the function of habenular circuits in regulating behavioral responses in various tasks and contexts. In this review, we aim to discuss how information processing in habenular circuits, can contribute to specific behavioral programs that are attributed to the habenula. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Performance and enhanced mechanism of a novel bio-diatomite biofilm pretreatment process treating polluted raw water.

PubMed

Yang, Guang-feng; Feng, Li-juan; Wang, Sha-fei; Yang, Qi; Xu, Xiang-yang; Zhu, Liang

2015-09-01

A lab-scale novel bio-diatomite biofilm process (BDBP) was established for the polluted raw water pretreatment in this study. Results showed that a shorter startup period of BDBP system was achieved under the completely circulated operation mode, and the removal efficiencies of nitrogen and disinfection by-product precursor were effective at low hydraulic retention time of 2-4 h due to high biomass attached to the carrier and diatomite. A maximum NH4(+)-N oxidation potential predicted by modified Stover-Kincannon model was 333.3 mg L(-1) d(-1) in the BDBP system, which was 4.7 times of that in the control reactor. Results demonstrated that the present of bio-diatomite favors the accumulation of functional microbes in the oligotrophic niche, and the pollutants removal performance of this novel process was enhanced for polluted raw water pretreatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Calcium in the pathomechanism of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - Taking center stage?

PubMed

Patai, Roland; Nógrádi, Bernát; Engelhardt, József I; Siklós, László

2017-02-19

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is an incurable, relentlessly progressive disease primarily affecting motor neurons. The cause of the disease, except for the mutations identified in a small fraction of patients, is unknown. The major mechanisms contributing to the degeneration of motor neurons have already been disclosed and characterized, including excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immune/inflammatory processes. During the progression of the disease these toxic processes are not discrete, but each facilitates the deleterious effect of the other. However, due to their common reciprocal calcium dependence, calcium ions may act as a common denominator and through a positive feedback loop may combine the individual pathological processes into a unified escalating mechanism of neuronal destruction. This mini-review provides an overview of the mutual calcium dependence of the major toxic mechanisms associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Valorisation of blueberry waste and use of compression to manufacture sustainable starch films with enhanced properties.

PubMed

Luchese, Cláudia Leites; Uranga, Jone; Spada, Jordana Corralo; Tessaro, Isabel Cristina; de la Caba, Koro

2018-08-01

Blueberry waste from juice processing was valorised to develop starch films by compression moulding. The compression process resulted in hydrophobic films with water contact angles even higher than 100° for the films prepared with the highest blueberry waste content. Additionally, the film solubility was reduced by the incorporation of blueberry waste, regardless of the solution pH. These films also exhibited good barrier properties against UV light due to the aromatic compounds present in the blueberry waste. Furthermore, films showed a homogenous surface, although some pores appeared in the cross-section for the films with the highest blueberry waste content. Results highlighted the use of thermo-mechanical processes such as compression to manufacture sustainable films with enhanced properties through waste valorisation by the techniques actually employed at industrial scale. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Unconscious emotion: A cognitive neuroscientific perspective.

PubMed

Smith, Ryan; Lane, Richard D

2016-10-01

While psychiatry and clinical psychology have long discussed the topic of unconscious emotion, and its potentially explanatory role in psychopathology, this topic has only recently begun to receive attention within cognitive neuroscience. In contrast, neuroscientific research on conscious vs. unconscious processes within perception, memory, decision-making, and cognitive control has seen considerable advances in the last two decades. In this article, we extrapolate from this work, as well as from recent neural models of emotion processing, to outline multiple plausible neuro-cognitive mechanisms that may be able to explain why various aspects of one's own emotional reactions can remain unconscious in specific circumstances. While some of these mechanisms involve top-down or motivated factors, others instead arise due to bottom-up processing deficits. Finally, we discuss potential implications that these different mechanisms may have for therapeutic intervention, as well as how they might be tested in future research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

On the so-called membrane coating granules in keratinized lichen planus lesions of the buccal mucosa.

PubMed

El-Labban, N G; Wood, R D

1982-11-01

Serial sections of the so-called membrane-coating granules have been examined in keratinized oral epithelium of lichen planus lesions. As with 'granules' apparent in non-keratinized epithelium, it is found they do not represent specialized intra-cytoplasmic organelles, but are the result of sectioning at different areas, levels and planes through the plasma membrane of interdigitating cell processes. Such 'granules' appear mostly in the superficial, but not deep, part of the cytoplasm of the upper prickle cells. This is considered to be due to topographic differences between the upper and under surfaces of these cells and the presence of narrower intercellular spaces than those between deeper epithelial cells. Such arrangement often results in cell processes in sections appearing free in the superficial part of the cell below. The appearance of 'granules' arises when the plane of section is not at right angles to the two plasma membranes surrounding these processes.

Physical aging in pharmaceutical polymers and the effect on solid oral dosage form stability.

PubMed

Kucera, Shawn A; Felton, Linda A; McGinity, James W

2013-12-05

The application of a polymeric film to a solid oral dosage form can be an effective technique to modify drug release. Most polymers used for such purposes are amorphous in nature and are subject to physical aging. This physical aging phenomenon has been shown to cause changes not only in the mechanical and drug release properties of polymeric films, but also the permeability of these films due to a densification and decrease in free volume of the polymer as the material relaxes to an equilibrated thermodynamic state. Temperature, humidity, and additional excipients in the coating formulations have been shown to influence the aging process. This review article discusses the process of physical aging in films prepared from aqueous dispersions, describes various analytical techniques that can be used to investigate the aging process, and highlights strategies to prevent such aging. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopy and energy transfer in lead borate glasses doubly doped with Dy(3)(+)-Tb(3+) and Tb(3)(+)-Eu(3+) ions.

PubMed

Pisarska, Joanna; Kos, Agnieszka; Pisarski, Wojciech A

2014-08-14

Lead borate glasses doubly doped with Dy(3)(+)-Tb(3+) and Tb(3+)-Eu(3+) were investigated using optical spectroscopy. Luminescence spectra of rare earths were detected under various excitation wavelengths. The main green emission band due to (5)D4→(7)F5 transition of Tb(3+) is observed under excitation of Dy(3+), whereas the main red emission band related to (5)D0→(7)F2 transition of Eu(3+) is successfully observed under direct excitation of Tb(3+). In both cases, the energy transfer processes from Dy(3+) to Tb(3+) and from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) in lead borate glasses occur through a nonradiative processes with efficiencies up to 16% and 18%, respectively. The presence of energy transfer process was also confirmed by excitation spectra measurements. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Right temporal cortical hypertrophy in resilience to trauma: an MRI study

PubMed Central

Nilsen, André Sevenius; Hilland, Eva; Kogstad, Norunn; Heir, Trond; Hauff, Edvard; Lien, Lars; Endestad, Tor

2016-01-01

Background In studies employing physiological measures such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), it is often hard to distinguish what constitutes risk-resilience factors to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following trauma exposure and what the effects of trauma exposure and PTSD are. Objective We aimed to investigate whether there were observable morphological differences in cortical and sub-cortical regions of the brain, 7–8 years after a single potentially traumatic event. Methods Twenty-four participants, who all directly experienced the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and 25 controls, underwent structural MRI using a 3T scanner. We generated cortical thickness maps and parcellated sub-cortical volumes for analysis. Results We observed greater cortical thickness for the trauma-exposed participants relative to controls, in a right lateralized temporal lobe region including anterior fusiform gyrus, and superior, middle, and inferior temporal gyrus. Conclusions We observed greater thickness in the right temporal lobe which might indicate that the region could be implicated in resilience to the long-term effects of a traumatic event. We hypothesize this is due to altered emotional semantic memory processing. However, several methodological and confounding issues warrant caution in interpretation of the results. Highlights of the article Following a traumatic event, most people do not develop long-lasting trauma-related symptoms.In a group who experienced a traumatic event 8 years prior, but showed low levels of trauma-related symptoms, we observed increased cortical thickness in the right temporal lobe.The right temporal lobe is implicated in emotional semantic memory processing, and thus might be associated with resilience to the long-term effects of a traumatic event. PMID:27473521

Haptic perception and body representation in lateral and medial occipito-temporal cortices.

PubMed

Costantini, Marcello; Urgesi, Cosimo; Galati, Gaspare; Romani, Gian Luca; Aglioti, Salvatore M

2011-04-01

Although vision is the primary sensory modality that humans and other primates use to identify objects in the environment, we can recognize crucial object features (e.g., shape, size) using the somatic modality. Previous studies have shown that the occipito-temporal areas dedicated to the visual processing of object forms, faces and bodies also show category-selective responses when the preferred stimuli are haptically explored out of view. Visual processing of human bodies engages specific areas in lateral (extrastriate body area, EBA) and medial (fusiform body area, FBA) occipito-temporal cortex. This study aimed at exploring the relative involvement of EBA and FBA in the haptic exploration of body parts. During fMRI scanning, participants were asked to haptically explore either real-size fake body parts or objects. We found a selective activation of right and left EBA, but not of right FBA, while participants haptically explored body parts as compared to real objects. This suggests that EBA may integrate visual body representations with somatosensory information regarding body parts and form a multimodal representation of the body. Furthermore, both left and right EBA showed a comparable level of body selectivity during haptic perception and visual imagery. However, right but not left EBA was more activated during haptic exploration than visual imagery of body parts, ruling out that the response to haptic body exploration was entirely due to the use of visual imagery. Overall, the results point to the existence of different multimodal body representations in the occipito-temporal cortex which are activated during perception and imagery of human body parts. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Eco-efficient waste glass recycling: Integrated waste management and green product development through LCA

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Blengini, Gian Andrea, E-mail: blengini@polito.it; CNR-IGAG, Institute of Environmental Geology and Geo-Engineering, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Turin; Busto, Mirko, E-mail: mirko.busto@polito.it

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer A new eco-efficient recycling route for post-consumer waste glass was implemented. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Integrated waste management and industrial production are crucial to green products. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Most of the waste glass rejects are sent back to the glass industry. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Recovered co-products give more environmental gains than does avoided landfill. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Energy intensive recycling must be limited to waste that cannot be closed-loop recycled. - Abstract: As part of the EU Life + NOVEDI project, a new eco-efficient recycling route has been implemented to maximise resources and energy recovery from post-consumer waste glass, through integrated waste management and industrial production.more » Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been used to identify engineering solutions to sustainability during the development of green building products. The new process and the related LCA are framed within a meaningful case of industrial symbiosis, where multiple waste streams are utilised in a multi-output industrial process. The input is a mix of rejected waste glass from conventional container glass recycling and waste special glass such as monitor glass, bulbs and glass fibres. The green building product is a recycled foam glass (RFG) to be used in high efficiency thermally insulating and lightweight concrete. The environmental gains have been contrasted against induced impacts and improvements have been proposed. Recovered co-products, such as glass fragments/powders, plastics and metals, correspond to environmental gains that are higher than those related to landfill avoidance, whereas the latter is cancelled due to increased transportation distances. In accordance to an eco-efficiency principle, it has been highlighted that recourse to highly energy intensive recycling should be limited to waste that cannot be closed-loop recycled.« less

Interhemispheric Transfer Time Asymmetry of Visual Information Depends on Eye Dominance: An Electrophysiological Study

PubMed Central

Chaumillon, Romain; Blouin, Jean; Guillaume, Alain

2018-01-01

The interhemispheric transfer of information is a fundamental process in the human brain. When a visual stimulus appears eccentrically in one visual-hemifield, it will first activate the contralateral hemisphere but also the ipsilateral one with a slight delay due to the interhemispheric transfer. This interhemispheric transfer of visual information is believed to be faster from the right to the left hemisphere in right-handers. Such an asymmetry is considered as a relevant fact in the context of the lateralization of the human brain. We show here using current source density (CSD) analyses of visually evoked potential (VEP) that, in right-handers and, to a lesser extent in left-handers, this asymmetry is in fact dependent on the sighting eye dominance, the tendency we have to prefer one eye for monocular tasks. Indeed, in right-handers, a faster interhemispheric transfer of visual information from the right to left hemisphere was observed only in participants with a right dominant eye (DE). Right-handers with a left DE showed the opposite pattern, with a faster transfer from the left to the right hemisphere. In left-handers, albeit a smaller number of participants has been tested and hence confirmation is required, only those with a right DE showed an asymmetrical interhemispheric transfer with a faster transfer from the right to the left hemisphere. As a whole these results demonstrate that eye dominance is a fundamental determinant of asymmetries in interhemispheric transfer of visual information and suggest that it is an important factor of brain lateralization. PMID:29515351

Interhemispheric Transfer Time Asymmetry of Visual Information Depends on Eye Dominance: An Electrophysiological Study.

PubMed

Chaumillon, Romain; Blouin, Jean; Guillaume, Alain

2018-01-01

The interhemispheric transfer of information is a fundamental process in the human brain. When a visual stimulus appears eccentrically in one visual-hemifield, it will first activate the contralateral hemisphere but also the ipsilateral one with a slight delay due to the interhemispheric transfer. This interhemispheric transfer of visual information is believed to be faster from the right to the left hemisphere in right-handers. Such an asymmetry is considered as a relevant fact in the context of the lateralization of the human brain. We show here using current source density (CSD) analyses of visually evoked potential (VEP) that, in right-handers and, to a lesser extent in left-handers, this asymmetry is in fact dependent on the sighting eye dominance, the tendency we have to prefer one eye for monocular tasks. Indeed, in right-handers, a faster interhemispheric transfer of visual information from the right to left hemisphere was observed only in participants with a right dominant eye (DE). Right-handers with a left DE showed the opposite pattern, with a faster transfer from the left to the right hemisphere. In left-handers, albeit a smaller number of participants has been tested and hence confirmation is required, only those with a right DE showed an asymmetrical interhemispheric transfer with a faster transfer from the right to the left hemisphere. As a whole these results demonstrate that eye dominance is a fundamental determinant of asymmetries in interhemispheric transfer of visual information and suggest that it is an important factor of brain lateralization.

Individual Differences in Reasoning and Visuospatial Attention are Associated with Prefrontal and Parietal White Matter Tracts in Healthy Older Adults

PubMed Central

Monge, Zachary A.; Greenwood, Pamela M.; Parasuraman, Raja; Strenziok, Maren

2016-01-01

Objective Although reasoning and attention are two cognitive processes necessary for ensuring the efficiency of many everyday activities in older adults, the role of white matter integrity in these processes has been little studied. This is an important question due to the role of white matter integrity as a neural substrate of cognitive aging. Here, we sought to examine the white matter tracts subserving reasoning and visuospatial attention in healthy older adults. Method Sixty-one adults aged 60 and older completed a battery of cognitive tests to assess reasoning and visuospatial attention. In addition, diffusion tensor images were collected to assess Fractional Anisotropy (FA) – a measure of white matter integrity. A principle component analysis of the test scores yielded two components: reasoning and visuospatial attention. Whole-brain correlations between FA and the cognitive components were submitted to probabilistic tractography analyses for visualization of cortical targets of tracts. Results For reasoning, bilateral thalamo-anterior prefrontal, anterior corpus callosum, and corpus callosum body tracts interconnecting the superior frontal cortices and right cingulum bundle were found. For visuospatial attention, a right inferior fronto-parietal tract, and bilateral parietal and temporal connections were found. Conclusions We conclude that in older adults, prefrontal cortex white matter tracts and interhemispheric communication are important in higher order cognitive functioning. On the other hand, right-sided fronto-parietal tracts appear to be critical for supporting control of cognitive processes, such as redirecting attention. Researchers may use our results to develop neuroscience-based interventions for older adults targeting brain mechanisms involved in cognitive plasticity. PMID:26986750

Magnetoencephalography reveals altered auditory information processing in youth with obsessive-compulsive disorder.

PubMed

Korostenskaja, Milena; Harris, Elana; Giovanetti, Cathy; Horn, Paul; Wang, Yingying; Rose, Douglas; Fujiwara, Hisako; Xiang, Jing

2013-05-30

Patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) often report sensory intolerances which may lead to significant functional impairment. This study used auditory evoked fields (AEFs) to address the question of whether neural correlates of sensory auditory information processing differ in youth with OCD compared with healthy comparison subjects (HCS). AEFs, recorded with a whole head 275-channel magnetoencephalography system, were elicited in response to binaural auditory stimuli from 10 pediatric subjects with OCD (ages 8-13, mean 11 years, 6 males) and 10 age- and gender-matched HCS. Three major neuromagnetic responses were studied: M70 (60-80 ms), M100 (90-120 ms), and M150 (130-190 ms). When compared with HCS, subjects with OCD demonstrated delayed latency of the M100 response. In subjects with OCD the amplitude of the M100 and M150 responses was significantly greater in the right hemisphere compared with the left hemisphere. Current results suggest that when compared with HCS, subjects with OCD have altered auditory information processing, evident from the delayed latency of the M100 response, which is thought to be associated with the encoding of physical stimulus characteristics. Interhemispheric asymmetry with increased M100 and M150 amplitudes over the right hemisphere compared with the left hemisphere was found in young OCD subjects. These results should be interpreted with caution due to the high variability rate of responses in both HCS and OCD subjects, as well as the possible effect of medication in OCD subjects. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neuropsychiatric features associated with nutritional and metabolic status in a gastric bypass patient.

PubMed

Waserman, Jessica E; Hategan, Ana; Bourgeois, James A

2015-01-01

Bariatric patients may present for psychiatric evaluation due to exacerbation of preexisting psychiatric disorders, new onset psychiatric disorders and/or neuropsychiatric complications associated with abnormal nutritional and metabolic states following the surgical procedure. These neuropsychiatric complications can be insidious, and clinical manifestations may vary, possibly due to the individual central nervous system (CNS) vulnerability to nutritional decline. Lack of awareness of these complications and their symptoms can result in delays in diagnosis and treatment. Identifying and correcting underlying pathophysiologic processes that lead to such neuropsychiatric syndromes can be challenging. We report a case of a patient who developed a protracted course of mood and cognitive disorder after gastric bypass surgery, which illustrates some of the complexities encountered in diagnosing and managing these patients. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn: managing the mother, fetus, and newborn.

PubMed

Delaney, Meghan; Matthews, Dana C

2015-01-01

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) affects 3/100 000 to 80/100 000 patients per year. It is due to maternal blood group antibodies that cause fetal red cell destruction and in some cases, marrow suppression. This process leads to fetal anemia, and in severe cases can progress to edema, ascites, heart failure, and death. Infants affected with HDFN can have hyperbilirubinemia in the acute phase and hyporegenerative anemia for weeks to months after birth. The diagnosis and management of pregnant women with HDFN is based on laboratory and radiographic monitoring. Fetuses with marked anemia may require intervention with intrauterine transfusion. HDFN due to RhD can be prevented by RhIg administration. Prevention for other causal blood group specificities is less studied. © 2015 by The American Society of Hematology. All rights reserved.

Authentication of whisky due to its botanical origin and way of production by instrumental analysis and multivariate classification methods.

PubMed

Wiśniewska, Paulina; Boqué, Ricard; Borràs, Eva; Busto, Olga; Wardencki, Waldemar; Namieśnik, Jacek; Dymerski, Tomasz

2017-02-15

Headspace mass-spectrometry (HS-MS), mid infrared (MIR) and UV-vis spectroscopy were used to authenticate whisky samples from different origins and ways of production ((Irish, Spanish, Bourbon, Tennessee Whisky and Scotch). The collected spectra were processed with partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) to build the classification models. In all cases the five groups of whiskies were distinguished, but the best results were obtained by HS-MS, which indicates that the biggest differences between different types of whisky are due to their aroma. Differences were also found inside groups, showing that not only raw material is important to discriminate samples but also the way of their production. The methodology is quick, easy and does not require sample preparation. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Weighing the stigma of weight: An fMRI study of neural reactivity to the pain of obese individuals.

PubMed

Azevedo, R T; Macaluso, E; Viola, V; Sani, G; Aglioti, S M

2014-05-01

Explicit negative attitudes and blameful beliefs (e.g. poor diet, laziness) towards obese individuals are well documented and are pervasive even among health professionals. Here we sought to determine whether obesity stigma is reflected in a fundamental feature of intersubjectivity namely the automatic neural resonance with others' affective experiences. During fMRI, normal-weight female participants observed short clips depicting normal-weight (NW) and obese (Ob) models experiencing pain. Importantly, participants believed that half of the Ob were overweight due to a hormonal disorder (HormOb) and ignored the cause of obesity of the remaining models (Unknown obese models; UnkOb). Analyses of hemodynamic responses showed reduced activity to the pain of Ob compared to that of NW in areas associated with pain processing and early visual processing. The comparison between the two Ob conditions revealed a further decrease of activity to HormOb's pain compared to UnkOb's (and NW) pain in the right inferior frontal gyrus, an area associated with emotional resonance. Our study demonstrates that stigma for obese individuals can be observed at implicit levels, and that it is modulated by knowledge concerning the etiology of obesity, with the seemingly surprising result that obesity due to disease may result in greater stigmatization. Moreover, the perceived similarity with the models and the ambivalent emotion of pity may index biased brain responses to obese individuals' pain. The study highlights a possibly important neural link between resonance with the pain of others and obesity stigma. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Heart valve bioprosthesis durability: a challenge to the new generation of porcine valves.

PubMed

Valente, M; Minarini, M; Maizza, A F; Bortolotti, U; Thiene, G

1992-01-01

Long-term experience with first generation porcine valve xenografts enabled identification of the major limitations to their durability: (1) prosthetic-ventricular mismatch due to the high profile of the stent in patients with mitral stenosis and a small left ventricle; (2) high-pressure fixation with loss of natural collagen crimping in the fibrosa, and wash-out of proteoglycans in the spongiosa; (3) xenograft tissue autolysis, due to the long interval between animal slaughter and aortic valve removal fixation; (4) muscle shelf in the right coronary cusp, which created a gradient and could undergo accelerated calcification and/or spontaneous perforation with time; (5) a flexible polypropylene stent, which could creep or even fracture with consequent inward bending of the stent; (6) progressive time-related dystrophic calcification; (7) host fibrous tissue ingrowth. An awareness of these limitations stimulated technical modifications, which frequently brought about distinct improvements: (1) the reduction of the stent profile eliminated the problem of mismatch, but resulted in a higher tendency towards cusp prolapse and earlier commissural tearing; (2) natural collagen waviness, proteoglycans and cusp extensibility were preserved by employing low or even zero pressure during the fixation process; (3) earlier valve fixation enabled preservation of cell integrity; (4) a new orifice for small valves was designed by replacing the right muscular cusp, thus achieving less gradient and avoiding muscle-shelf-related complications; (5) polypropylene was replaced by Delrin as stent material; (6) calcium-retarding agents like T6 and toluidine blue were applied during commercial processing and storage in order to mitigate tissue mineralization.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neural correlates of pragmatic language comprehension in autism spectrum disorders.

PubMed

Tesink, C M J Y; Buitelaar, J K; Petersson, K M; van der Gaag, R J; Kan, C C; Tendolkar, I; Hagoort, P

2009-07-01

Difficulties with pragmatic aspects of communication are universal across individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Here we focused on an aspect of pragmatic language comprehension that is relevant to social interaction in daily life: the integration of speaker characteristics inferred from the voice with the content of a message. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we examined the neural correlates of the integration of voice-based inferences about the speaker's age, gender or social background, and sentence content in adults with ASD and matched control participants. Relative to the control group, the ASD group showed increased activation in right inferior frontal gyrus (RIFG; Brodmann area 47) for speaker-incongruent sentences compared to speaker-congruent sentences. Given that both groups performed behaviourally at a similar level on a debriefing interview outside the scanner, the increased activation in RIFG for the ASD group was interpreted as being compensatory in nature. It presumably reflects spill-over processing from the language dominant left hemisphere due to higher task demands faced by the participants with ASD when integrating speaker characteristics and the content of a spoken sentence. Furthermore, only the control group showed decreased activation for speaker-incongruent relative to speaker-congruent sentences in right ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vMPFC; Brodmann area 10), including right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC; Brodmann area 24/32). Since vMPFC is involved in self-referential processing related to judgments and inferences about self and others, the absence of such a modulation in vMPFC activation in the ASD group possibly points to atypical default self-referential mental activity in ASD. Our results show that in ASD compensatory mechanisms are necessary in implicit, low-level inferential processes in spoken language understanding. This indicates that pragmatic language problems in ASD are not restricted to high-level inferential processes, but encompass the most basic aspects of pragmatic language processing.

Ultrasound-assisted leaching of rare earths from the weathered crust elution-deposited ore using magnesium sulfate without ammonia-nitrogen pollution.

PubMed

Yin, Shaohua; Pei, Jiannan; Jiang, Feng; Li, Shiwei; Peng, Jinhui; Zhang, Libo; Ju, Shaohua; Srinivasakannan, Chandrasekar

2018-03-01

The in situ leaching process of China's unique ion-adsorption rare earth ores has caused severe environmental damages due to the use of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 solution. This study reports that magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) as a leaching agent would replace (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 by ultrasonically assisted leaching to deal with the ammonia-nitrogen pollution problem and enhance leaching process. At leaching conditions of 3wt% MgSO 4 concentration, 3:1L/S ratio and 30min, the total rare earth leaching efficiency reaches 75.5%. Ultrasound-assisted leaching experiments show that the leaching efficiency of rare earths is substantially increased by introducing ultrasound, and nearly completely leached out after two stage leaching process. Thus, ultrasonic-assisted leaching process with MgSO 4 is not only effective but also environmentally friendly, and beneficial to leach rare earths at laboratory scale. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Food waste and food processing waste for biohydrogen production: a review.

PubMed

Yasin, Nazlina Haiza Mohd; Mumtaz, Tabassum; Hassan, Mohd Ali; Abd Rahman, Nor'Aini

2013-11-30

Food waste and food processing wastes which are abundant in nature and rich in carbon content can be attractive renewable substrates for sustainable biohydrogen production due to wide economic prospects in industries. Many studies utilizing common food wastes such as dining hall or restaurant waste and wastes generated from food processing industries have shown good percentages of hydrogen in gas composition, production yield and rate. The carbon composition in food waste also plays a crucial role in determining high biohydrogen yield. Physicochemical factors such as pre-treatment to seed culture, pH, temperature (mesophilic/thermophilic) and etc. are also important to ensure the dominance of hydrogen-producing bacteria in dark fermentation. This review demonstrates the potential of food waste and food processing waste for biohydrogen production and provides a brief overview of several physicochemical factors that affect biohydrogen production in dark fermentation. The economic viability of biohydrogen production from food waste is also discussed. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treatment of electronic waste to recover metal values using thermal plasma coupled with acid leaching--a response surface modeling approach.

PubMed

Rath, Swagat S; Nayak, Pradeep; Mukherjee, P S; Roy Chaudhury, G; Mishra, B K

2012-03-01

The global crisis of the hazardous electronic waste (E-waste) is on the rise due to increasing usage and disposal of electronic devices. A process was developed to treat E-waste in an environmentally benign process. The process consisted of thermal plasma treatment followed by recovery of metal values through mineral acid leaching. In the thermal process, the E-waste was melted to recover the metal values as a metallic mixture. The metallic mixture was subjected to acid leaching in presence of depolarizer. The leached liquor mainly contained copper as the other elements like Al and Fe were mostly in alloy form as per the XRD and phase diagram studies. Response surface model was used to optimize the conditions for leaching. More than 90% leaching efficiency at room temperature was observed for Cu, Ni and Co with HCl as the solvent, whereas Fe and Al showed less than 40% efficiency. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Process optimization for the preparation of antioxidant rich ginger candy using beetroot pomace extract.

PubMed

Kumar, Vikas; Kushwaha, Rinku; Goyal, Ankit; Tanwar, Beenu; Kaur, Jaspreet

2018-04-15

Now-a-days, there is an increased interest in fruits and vegetables processing by-products due to potential source of phytochemicals and pigments. Beetroot (Beta vulgaris) pomace extract is a rich source of betalain, phenolics and other bioactive components, which possess significant antioxidant activities. In the present study, process optimization was performed for developing ginger (Zingiber officinale) candy enriched with beetroot pomace extract using response surface methodology (RSM). The effect of two process variables: blanching time (0-10 min) and beetroot pomace extract (0-10%) was evaluated on physicochemical characteristics and phytochemicals content of the developed product. Maximum phytochemicals' activities were obtained under optimum conditions of 7.81 min blanching time and 9.24% beetroot pomace extract. FTIR analysis also confirmed the significant effect of beetroot pomace extract and it's blanching on the phytochemical potential of ginger candy. The study would be useful for developing similar novel and antioxidants rich food products supplemented with beetroot pomace extract. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in aqueous environment by chemical treatments: a review.

PubMed

Rubio-Clemente, Ainhoa; Torres-Palma, Ricardo A; Peñuela, Gustavo A

2014-04-15

Due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic potential, the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous environment using physical, biological and chemical processes has been studied by several researchers. This paper reviews the current state of knowledge concerning PAHs including their physico-chemical properties, input sources, occurrence, adverse effects and conventional and alternative chemical processes applied for their removal from water. The mechanisms and reactions involved in each treatment method are reported, and the effects of various variables on the PAH degradation rate as well as the extent of degradation are also discussed. Extensive literature analysis has shown that an effective way to perform the conversion and mineralization of this type of substances is the application of advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Furthermore, combined processes, particularly AOPs coupled with biological treatments, seem to be one of the best solutions for the treatment of effluents containing PAHs. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The experience of freedom in decisions - Questioning philosophical beliefs in favor of psychological determinants.

PubMed

Lau, Stephan; Hiemisch, Anette; Baumeister, Roy F

2015-05-01

Six experiments tested two competing models of subjective freedom during decision-making. The process model is mainly based on philosophical conceptions of free will and assumes that features of the process of choosing affect subjective feelings of freedom. In contrast, the outcome model predicts that subjective freedom is due to positive outcomes that can be expected or are achieved by a decision. Results heavily favored the outcome model over the process model. For example, participants felt freer when choosing between two equally good than two equally bad options. Process features including number of options, complexity of decision, uncertainty, having the option to defer the decision, conflict among reasons, and investing high effort in choosing generally had no or even negative effects on subjective freedom. In contrast, participants reported high freedom with good outcomes and low freedom with bad outcomes, and ease of deciding increased subjective freedom, consistent with the outcome model. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Competence to proceed in SVP commitment hearings: Irrelevant or fundamental due process right?

PubMed

Fanniff, Amanda M; Otto, Randy K; Petrila, John

2010-01-01

Sexually Violent Predator (SVP) civil commitment, intended to incapacitate offenders and protect the public, has been implemented in 21 jurisdictions. While respondents in traditional civil commitment proceedings need not be competent to proceed, SVP commitment may present a greater deprivation of liberty and therefore greater procedural protections may be merited. Statutes and case law regarding competence in this context address two issues: competence to challenge unproven sexual offense allegations and competence to participate in the SVP commitment process. Of the 14 states that have addressed the issue, one concluded that respondents must be competent to challenge unproven allegations and one concluded that all SVP respondents must be competent to participate in the commitment process. Differences between SVP and traditional civil commitment, the rationale underlying the competence requirement, and decisions regarding competence in SVP commitment are reviewed to inform debate regarding whether SVP respondents must be competent to proceed with the commitment process. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

How product trial changes quality perception of four new processed beef products.

PubMed

Saeed, Faiza; Grunert, Klaus G; Therkildsen, Margrethe

2013-01-01

The purpose of this paper is the quantitative analysis of the change in quality perception of four new processed beef products from pre to post trial phases. Based on the Total Food Quality Model, differences in pre and post-trial phases were measured using repeated measures technique for cue evaluation, quality evaluation and purchase motive fulfillment. For two of the tested products, trial resulted in a decline of the evaluation of cues, quality and purchase motive fulfillment compared to pre-trial expectations. For these products, positive expectations were created by giving information about ingredients and ways of processing, which were not confirmed during trial. For the other two products, evaluations on key sensory dimensions based on trial exceeded expectations, whereas the other evaluations remained unchanged. Several demographic factors influenced the pattern of results, notably age and gender, which may be due to underlying differences in previous experience. The study gives useful insights for testing of new processed meat products before market introduction. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Novel technologies for reverse osmosis concentrate treatment: a review.

PubMed

Joo, Sung Hee; Tansel, Berrin

2015-03-01

Global water shortages due to droughts and population growth have created increasing interest in water reuse and recycling and, concomitantly, development of effective water treatment processes. Pressured membrane processes, in particular reverse osmosis, have been adopted in water treatment industries and utilities despite the relatively high operational cost and energy consumption. However, emerging contaminants are present in reverse osmosis concentrate in higher concentrations than in the feed water, and have created challenges for treatment of the concentrate. Further, standards and guidelines for assessment and treatment of newly identified contaminants are currently lacking. Research is needed regarding the treatment and disposal of emerging contaminants of concern in reverse osmosis concentrate, in order to develop cost-effective methods for minimizing potential impacts on public health and the environment. This paper reviews treatment options for concentrate from membrane processes. Barriers to emerging treatment options are discussed and novel treatment processes are evaluated based on a literature review. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Production of furfural from pentosan-rich biomass: analysis of process parameters during simultaneous furfural stripping.

PubMed

Agirrezabal-Telleria, I; Gandarias, I; Arias, P L

2013-09-01

Among the furan-based compounds, furfural (FUR) shows interesting properties as building-block or industrial solvent. It is produced from pentosan-rich biomass via xylose cyclodehydration. The current FUR production makes use of homogeneous catalysts and excessive amounts of steam. The development of greener furfural production and separation techniques implies the use of heterogeneous catalysts and innovative separation processes. This work deals with the conversion of corncobs as xylose source to be dehydrated to furfural. The results reveal differences between the use of direct corncob hydrolysis and dehydration to furfural and the prehydrolysis and dehydration procedures. Moreover, this work focuses on an economical analysis of the main process parameters during N2-stripping and its economical comparison to the current steam-stripping process. The results show a considerable reduction of the annual utility costs due to use of recyclable nitrogen and the reduction of the furfural purification stages. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of aging and divided attention on memory for items and their contexts.

PubMed

Craik, Fergus I M; Luo, Lin; Sakuta, Yuiko

2010-12-01

It is commonly found that memory for context declines disproportionately with aging, arguably due to a general age-related deficit in associative memory processes. One possible mechanism for such deficits is an age-related reduction in available processing resources. In two experiments we compared the effects of aging to the effects of division of attention in younger adults on memory for items and context. Using a technique proposed by Craik (1989), linear functions relating memory performance for items and their contexts were derived for a Young Full Attention group, a Young Divided Attention group, and an Older Adult group. Results suggested that the Old group showed an additional deficit in associative memory that was not mimicked by divided attention. It is speculated that both divided attention and aging are associated with a loss of available processing resources that may reflect inefficient frontal lobe functioning, whereas the additional age-related decrement in associative memory may reflect inefficient processing in medial-temporal regions. (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Conflict processing is modulated by positive emotion: ERP data from a flanker task.

PubMed

Kanske, Philipp; Kotz, Sonja A

2011-06-01

Recent evidence shows that negative emotional stimuli speed up the resolution of conflict between opposing response tendencies. This mechanism ensures rapid reactions in potentially threatening situations. However, it is unclear whether positive emotion has a similar effect on conflict processing. We therefore presented positive emotional words in a version of the flanker conflict task, in which conflict is elicited by incongruent target and flanker stimuli. Response times to incongruent stimuli were shortened in positive words, indicating a speeding up of conflict resolution. We also observed an enlargement of the first conflict-sensitive event-related potential (ERP) of the electroencephalogram, the N200, in positive emotional trials. The data suggest that positive emotion already modulates first stages of conflict processing. The results demonstrate that positive, reward-predicting stimuli influence conflict processing in a similar manner to threat signals. Positive emotion thus reduces the time that an organism is unable to respond due to simultaneously present conflicting action tendencies. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

White-matter structural connectivity predicts short-term melody and rhythm learning in non-musicians.

PubMed

Vaquero, Lucía; Ramos-Escobar, Neus; François, Clément; Penhune, Virginia; Rodríguez-Fornells, Antoni

2018-06-18

Music learning has received increasing attention in the last decades due to the variety of functions and brain plasticity effects involved during its practice. Most previous reports interpreted the differences between music experts and laymen as the result of training. However, recent investigations suggest that these differences are due to a combination of genetic predispositions with the effect of music training. Here, we tested the relationship of the dorsal auditory-motor pathway with individual behavioural differences in short-term music learning. We gathered structural neuroimaging data from 44 healthy non-musicians (28 females) before they performed a rhythm- and a melody-learning task during a single behavioural session, and manually dissected the arcuate fasciculus (AF) in both hemispheres. The macro- and microstructural organization of the AF (i.e., volume and FA) predicted the learning rate and learning speed in the musical tasks, but only in the right hemisphere. Specifically, the volume of the right anterior segment predicted the synchronization improvement during the rhythm task, the FA in the right long segment was correlated with the learning rate in the melody task, and the volume and FA of the right whole AF predicted the learning speed during the melody task. This is the first study finding a specific relation between different branches within the AF and rhythmic and melodic materials. Our results support the relevant function of the AF as the structural correlate of both auditory-motor transformations and the feedback-feedforward loop, and suggest a crucial involvement of the anterior segment in error-monitoring processes related to auditory-motor learning. These findings have implications for both the neuroscience of music field and second-language learning investigations. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

A novel dismantling process of waste printed circuit boards using water-soluble ionic liquid.

PubMed

Zeng, Xianlai; Li, Jinhui; Xie, Henghua; Liu, Lili

2013-10-01

Recycling processes for waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) have been well established in terms of scientific research and field pilots. However, current dismantling procedures for WPCBs have restricted the recycling process, due to their low efficiency and negative impacts on environmental and human health. This work aimed to seek an environmental-friendly dismantling process through heating with water-soluble ionic liquid to separate electronic components and tin solder from two main types of WPCBs-cathode ray tubes and computer mainframes. The work systematically investigates the influence factors, heating mechanism, and optimal parameters for opening solder connections on WPCBs during the dismantling process, and addresses its environmental performance and economic assessment. The results obtained demonstrate that the optimal temperature, retention time, and turbulence resulting from impeller rotation during the dismantling process, were 250 °C, 12 min, and 45 rpm, respectively. Nearly 90% of the electronic components were separated from the WPCBs under the optimal experimental conditions. This novel process offers the possibility of large industrial-scale operations for separating electronic components and recovering tin solder, and for a more efficient and environmentally sound process for WPCBs recycling. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of sorghum grain decortication on bioethanol production and quality of the distillers' dried grains with solubles using cold and conventional warm starch processing.

PubMed

Nkomba, Edouard Y; van Rensburg, Eugéne; Chimphango, Annie F A; Görgens, Johann F

2016-03-01

Very high gravity hydrolysis-fermentation of whole and decorticated sorghum grains were compared using conventional and cold hydrolysis methods to assess the extent by which decortication could minimize enzymes dosages and affect the quality of the distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS). All processing configurations achieved ethanol concentrations between 126 and 132 g/L (16.0-16.7%v/v), although decortication resulted in a decreased ethanol yield. Decortication resulted in a decreased volumetric productivity during warm processing from 1.55 to 1.25 g L(-1)h(-1), whereas the required enzyme dosage for cold processing was decreased from 250 to 221 μl/100 gstarch. Cold processing decreased the average acid detergent fibre (ADF) from 35.59% to 29.32% and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) from 44.04% to 32.28% in the DDGS compared to the conventional (warm) processing. Due to lower enzyme requirements, the use of decorticated grains combined with cold processing presents a favourable process configuration and source of DDGS for non-ruminants. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treatment of winery wastewater by physicochemical, biological and advanced processes: a review.

PubMed

Ioannou, L A; Li Puma, G; Fatta-Kassinos, D

2015-04-09

Winery wastewater is a major waste stream resulting from numerous cleaning operations that occur during the production stages of wine. The resulting effluent contains various organic and inorganic contaminants and its environmental impact is notable, mainly due to its high organic/inorganic load, the large volumes produced and its seasonal variability. Several processes for the treatment of winery wastewater are currently available, but the development of alternative treatment methods is necessary in order to (i) maximize the efficiency and flexibility of the treatment process to meet the discharge requirements for winery effluents, and (ii) decrease both the environmental footprint, as well as the investment/operational costs of the process. This review, presents the state-of-the-art of the processes currently applied and/or tested for the treatment of winery wastewater, which were divided into five categories: i.e., physicochemical, biological, membrane filtration and separation, advanced oxidation processes, and combined biological and advanced oxidation processes. The advantages and disadvantages, as well as the main parameters/factors affecting the efficiency of winery wastewater treatment are discussed. Both bench- and pilot/industrial-scale processes have been considered for this review. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Individual differences in working memory, secondary memory, and fluid intelligence: evidence from the levels-of-processing span task.

PubMed

Rose, Nathan S

2013-12-01

Individual differences in working memory (WM) are related to performance on secondary memory (SM), and fluid intelligence (gF) tests. However, the source of the relation remains unclear, in part because few studies have controlled for the nature of encoding; therefore, it is unclear whether individual variation is due to encoding, maintenance, or retrieval processes. In the current study, participants performed a WM task (the levels-of-processing span task; Rose, Myerson, Roediger III, & Hale, 2010) and a SM test that tested for both targets and the distracting processing words from the initial WM task. Deeper levels of processing at encoding did not benefit WM, but did benefit subsequent SM, although the amount of benefit was smaller for those with lower WM spans. This result suggests that, despite encoding cues that facilitate retrieval from SM, low spans may have engaged in shallower, maintenance-focused processing to maintain the words in WM. Low spans also recalled fewer targets, more distractors, and more extralist intrusions than high spans, although this was partially due to low spans' poorer recall of targets, which resulted in a greater number of opportunities to commit recall errors. Delayed recall of intrusions and commission of source errors (labeling targets as processing words and vice versa) were significant negative predictors of gF. These results suggest that the ability to use source information to recall relevant information and withhold recall of irrelevant information is a critical source of both individual variation in WM and the relation between WM, SM, and gF. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).

The effects of bilateral presentations on lateralized lexical decision.

PubMed

Fernandino, Leonardo; Iacoboni, Marco; Zaidel, Eran

2007-06-01

We investigated how lateralized lexical decision is affected by the presence of distractors in the visual hemifield contralateral to the target. The study had three goals: first, to determine how the presence of a distractor (either a word or a pseudoword) affects visual field differences in the processing of the target; second, to identify the stage of the process in which the distractor is affecting the decision about the target; and third, to determine whether the interaction between the lexicality of the target and the lexicality of the distractor ("lexical redundancy effect") is due to facilitation or inhibition of lexical processing. Unilateral and bilateral trials were presented in separate blocks. Target stimuli were always underlined. Regarding our first goal, we found that bilateral presentations (a) increased the effect of visual hemifield of presentation (right visual field advantage) for words by slowing down the processing of word targets presented to the left visual field, and (b) produced an interaction between visual hemifield of presentation (VF) and target lexicality (TLex), which implies the use of different strategies by the two hemispheres in lexical processing. For our second goal of determining the processing stage that is affected by the distractor, we introduced a third condition in which targets were always accompanied by "perceptual" distractors consisting of sequences of the letter "x" (e.g., xxxx). Performance on these trials indicated that most of the interaction occurs during lexical access (after basic perceptual analysis but before response programming). Finally, a comparison between performance patterns on the trials containing perceptual and lexical distractors indicated that the lexical redundancy effect is mainly due to inhibition of word processing by pseudoword distractors.

Age-dependent effects of acute methylphenidate on amygdala reactivity in stimulant treatment-naive patients with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

PubMed

Bottelier, Marco A; Schrantee, Anouk; Ferguson, Bart; Tamminga, Hyke G H; Bouziane, Cheima; Kooij, J J Sandra; de Ruiter, Michiel B; Reneman, Liesbeth

2017-11-30

In the present study, we investigate whether methylphenidate (MPH) affects emotional processing and whether this effect is modulated by age. We measured amygdala reactivity with functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) during processing of angry and fearful facial expressions in male stimulant treatment-naive patients with ADHD (N = 35 boys; N = 46 men) and 23 healthy control subjects (N = 11 boys; N = 12 men). In ADHD patients, we also measured amygdala reactivity 90min after an acute oral challenge with MPH (0.5mg/kg). Mean amygdala reactivity was analyzed for all subjects using a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Whole-brain maps were analyzed for the patients only. At baseline, we found a age*diagnosis effect approaching significance (p = 0.05) in the right amygdala due to lower reactivity in children with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) vs. controls (-31%), but higher reactivity in adults with ADHD vs. controls (+31%). MPH significantly reduced right amygdala reactivity in all patients, resulting in further reductions in children. In the left amygdala, reduction of amygdala reactivity was confined to adult ADHD patients whereas there was no change in children with ADHD. MPH-induced decrease of amygdala reactivity in adults might be a promising avenue for managing emotional dysregulation when replicated for chronic MPH treatment. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Thymoquinone-rich fraction nanoemulsion (TQRFNE) decreases Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels by modulating APP processing, up-regulating IDE and LRP1, and down-regulating BACE1 and RAGE in response to high fat/cholesterol diet-induced rats.

PubMed

Ismail, Norsharina; Ismail, Maznah; Azmi, Nur Hanisah; Bakar, Muhammad Firdaus Abu; Yida, Zhang; Abdullah, Maizaton Atmadini; Basri, Hamidon

2017-11-01

Though the causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are yet to be understood, much evidence has suggested that excessive amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation due to abnormal amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) processing and Aβ metabolism are crucial processes towards AD pathogenesis. Hence, approaches aiming at APP processing and Aβ metabolism are currently being actively pursued for the management of AD. Studies suggest that high cholesterol and a high fat diet have harmful effects on cognitive function and may instigate the commencement of AD pathogenesis. Despite the neuropharmacological attributes of black cumin seed (Nigella sativa) extracts and its main active compound, thymoquinone (TQ), limited records are available in relation to AD research. Nanoemulsion (NE) is exploited as drug delivery systems due to their capacity of solubilising non-polar active compounds and is widely examined for brain targeting. Herewith, the effects of thymoquinone-rich fraction nanoemulsion (TQRFNE), thymoquinone nanoemulsion (TQNE) and their counterparts' conventional emulsion in response to high fat/cholesterol diet (HFCD)-induced rats were investigated. Particularly, the Aβ generation; APP processing, β-secretase 1 (BACE1), γ-secretases of presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and presenilin 2 (PSEN2), Aβ degradation; insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), Aβ transportation; low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) and receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) were measured in brain tissues. TQRFNE reduced the brain Aβ fragment length 1-40 and 1-42 (Aβ40 and Aβ42) levels, which would attenuate the AD pathogenesis. This reduction could be due to the modulation of β- and γ-secretase enzyme activity, and the Aβ degradation and transportation in/out of the brain. The findings show the mechanistic actions of TQRFNE in response to high fat and high cholesterol diet associated to Aβ generation, degradation and transportation in the rat's brain tissue. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

[The situation of pediatric patients' rights in the Transylvanian healthcare].

PubMed

Albert-Lőrincz, Csanád

2018-03-01

This study summarizes the results of the author's PhD thesis presenting the research process and the most important findings regarding the situation of Transylvanian healthcare. Our data are based on the knowledge and compliance of pediatric patients' rights as they are seen by healthcare specialists, parents and children. A number of 751 persons were involved in the research: 200 healthcare specialists, 200 parents, 200 children aged from 7 to 17 years who have been experiencing health services at least three times over the past year and a control group of 151 children who did not have this kind of experience. Based on our data, it was possible to highlight the major problems encountered in children's healthcare. We found that children are treated by obsolete principles of medical practice despite the fact that the rights of pediatric patients are well known to doctors. Neither the parents nor the children themselves are sufficiently aware of their rights. Healthcare professionals are not prepared to overcome communication difficulties due to the age-specific characteristics of children, so the fundamental rights of children are just partially enforced: children are usually heard, but not properly informed, their medical decisions are usually not taken into account violating the right to self-determination. The chances to access adequate health services are lower for vulnerable children living in poverty. Orv Hetil. 2018; 159(11): 423-429.

Processes of lithosphere evolution: New evidence on the structure of the continental crust and uppermost mantle

USGS Publications Warehouse

Artemieva, I.M.; Mooney, W.D.; Perchuc, E.; Thybo, H.

2002-01-01

We discuss the structure of the continental lithosphere, its physical properties, and the mechanisms that formed and modified it since the early Archean. The structure of the upper mantle and the crust is derived primarily from global and regional seismic tomography studies of Eurasia and from global and regional data on seismic anisotropy. These data as documented in the papers of this special issue of Tectonophysics are used to illustrate the role of different tectonic processes in the lithospheric evolution since Archean to present. These include, but are not limited to, cratonization, terrane accretion and collision, continental rifting (both passive and active), subduction, and lithospheric basal erosion due to a relative motion of cratonic keels and the convective mantle. ?? 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Composting technology in waste stabilization: On the methods, challenges and future prospects.

PubMed

Onwosi, Chukwudi O; Igbokwe, Victor C; Odimba, Joyce N; Eke, Ifeanyichukwu E; Nwankwoala, Mary O; Iroh, Ikemdinachi N; Ezeogu, Lewis I

2017-04-01

Composting technology has become invaluable in stabilization of municipal waste due to its environmental compatibility. In this review, different types of composting methods reportedly applied in waste management were explored. Further to that, the major factors such as temperature, pH, C/N ratio, moisture, particle size that have been considered relevant in the monitoring of the composting process were elucidated. Relevant strategies to improve and optimize process effectiveness were also addressed. However, during composting, some challenges such as leachate generation, gas emission and lack of uniformity in assessing maturity indices are imminent. Here in, these challenges were properly addressed and some strategies towards ameliorating them were proffered. Finally, we highlighted some recent technologies that could improve composting. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mechanical properties and biocorrosion resistance of the Mg-Gd-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy processed by equal channel angular pressing.

PubMed

Zhang, Junyi; Kang, Zhixin; Wang, Fen

2016-11-01

A Mg-Gd-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy was processed by equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 375°C. The grain size of Mg-Gd-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy was refined to ~2.5μm with the spherical precipitates (β1 phase) distributing in the matrix. The mechanical properties of ECAPed alloy were significantly improved as a result of the grain refinement and precipitation strengthening. The corrosion rate of the ECAPed magnesium alloy in simulated body fluid dramatically decreased from 0.236mm/a to 0.126mm/a due to the strong basal texture and refined microstructure. This wrought magnesium alloy shows potentials in biomedical application. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Letter to the Editor: History and clinical implications of PAPP-A2 in human growth: When reflecting on idiopathic short stature leads to a specific and new diagnosis: Understanding the concept of "low IGF-I availability".

PubMed

Argente, Jesús; Pérez-Jurado, Luis A

2018-06-01

As a result of our publication of the first patients with short stature due to a mutation in the gene for PAPP-A2 the question, "Why did you continue to study these patients when they were not more than 2 SDS below normal?" has been proposed surprisingly frequently. We would like to communicate our opinions on why these patients were studied and share the experience on how this process took place. In addition, the choice of treatment is also discussed. We believe that this discovery process is a good example of good clinical practice and international collaboration. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Classification, processing and application of hydrogels: A review.

PubMed

Ullah, Faheem; Othman, Muhammad Bisyrul Hafi; Javed, Fatima; Ahmad, Zulkifli; Md Akil, Hazizan

2015-12-01

This article aims to review the literature concerning the choice of selectivity for hydrogels based on classification, application and processing. Super porous hydrogels (SPHs) and superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) represent an innovative category of recent generation highlighted as an ideal mould system for the study of solution-dependent phenomena. Hydrogels, also termed as smart and/or hungry networks, are currently subject of considerable scientific research due to their potential in hi-tech applications in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, bioseparation, biosensor, agriculture, oil recovery and cosmetics fields. Smart hydrogels display a significant physiochemical change in response to small changes in the surroundings. However, such changes are reversible; therefore, the hydrogels are capable of returning to its initial state after a reaction as soon as the trigger is removed. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Multilateral approach on enhancing economic viability of lipid production from microalgae: A review.

PubMed

Shin, Ye Sol; Choi, Hong Il; Choi, Jin Won; Lee, Jeong Seop; Sung, Young Joon; Sim, Sang Jun

2018-06-01

Microalgae have been rising as a feedstock for biofuel in response to the energy crisis. Due to a high lipid content, composed of fatty acids favorable for the biodiesel production, microalgae are still being investigated as an alternative to biodiesel. Environmental factors and process conditions can alternate the quality and the quantity of lipid produced by microalgae, which can be critical for the overall production of biodiesel. To maximize both the lipid content and the biomass productivity, it is necessary to start with robust algal strains and optimal physio-chemical properties of the culture environment in combination with a novel culture system. These accumulative approaches for cost reduction can take algal process one step closer in achieving the economic feasibility. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering on industrial production of fine chemicals.

PubMed

Jullesson, David; David, Florian; Pfleger, Brian; Nielsen, Jens

2015-11-15

Industrial bio-processes for fine chemical production are increasingly relying on cell factories developed through metabolic engineering and synthetic biology. The use of high throughput techniques and automation for the design of cell factories, and especially platform strains, has played an important role in the transition from laboratory research to industrial production. Model organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli remain widely used host strains for industrial production due to their robust and desirable traits. This review describes some of the bio-based fine chemicals that have reached the market, key metabolic engineering tools that have allowed this to happen and some of the companies that are currently utilizing these technologies for developing industrial production processes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Distinct functions of human RecQ helicases during DNA replication.

PubMed

Urban, Vaclav; Dobrovolna, Jana; Janscak, Pavel

2017-06-01

DNA replication is the most vulnerable process of DNA metabolism in proliferating cells and therefore it is tightly controlled and coordinated with processes that maintain genomic stability. Human RecQ helicases are among the most important factors involved in the maintenance of replication fork integrity, especially under conditions of replication stress. RecQ helicases promote recovery of replication forks being stalled due to different replication roadblocks of either exogenous or endogenous source. They prevent generation of aberrant replication fork structures and replication fork collapse, and are involved in proper checkpoint signaling. The essential role of human RecQ helicases in the genome maintenance during DNA replication is underlined by association of defects in their function with cancer predisposition. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chinese ethnic meat products: Continuity and development.

PubMed

Zeng, Weicai; Wen, Wenting; Deng, Yue; Tian, Yuanyuan; Sun, Honghu; Sun, Qun

2016-10-01

With their distinctive sensory characterizations and unique processing technologies, Chinese ethnic meat products possess great potential for development and continuity in modern China's meat industry. Due to the greater demand for meat products and higher quality and safety concerns in economically fast growing China, the development and continuity of ethnic meat products face its own unique challenges. In this review, the classification of typical ethnic products and their characteristics, and the research progress on their quality and processing technologies are discussed. The application of innovative and green technologies to improve the safety and quality of ethnic meat products for greater industrialization and sustainable development is highlighted. Furthermore, the strategy for promoting the production of Chinese ethnic meat products during the next five years is presented. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Rational design and evolutional fine tuning of Saccharomyces cerevisiae for biomass breakdown.

PubMed

Hasunuma, Tomohisa; Ishii, Jun; Kondo, Akihiko

2015-12-01

Conferring biomass hydrolysis activity on yeast through genetic engineering has paved the way for the development of groundbreaking processes for producing liquid fuels and commodity chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass. However, the overproduction and misfolding of heterologous and endogenous proteins can trigger cellular stress, increasing the metabolic burden and retarding growth. Improving the efficiency of lignocellulosic breakdown requires engineering of yeast secretory pathway based on system-wide metabolic analysis as well as DNA constructs for enhanced cellulase gene expression with advanced molecular biology tools. Also, yeast is subjected to severe stress due to toxic compounds generated during lignocellulose pretreatment in consolidated saccharification and fermentation processes. The prospect for development of robust yeast strains makes combining evolutionary and rational engineering strategies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Functional fatigue behavior of superelastic beta Ti-22Nb-6Zr(at%) alloy for load-bearing biomedical applications.

PubMed

Sheremetyev, V; Brailovski, V; Prokoshkin, S; Inaekyan, K; Dubinskiy, S

2016-01-01

Ti-22Nb-6Zr (at.%) alloy with different processing-induced microstructures (highly-dislocated partially recovered substructure, polygonized nanosubgrained (NSS) dislocation substructure, and recrystallized structure) was subjected to strain-controlled tension-tension fatigue testing in the 0.2...1.5% strain range (run-out at 10^6 cycles). The NSS alloy obtained after cold-rolling with 0.3 true strain and post-deformation annealing at 600 °C showed the lowest Young's modulus and globally superior fatigue performance due to the involvement of reversible stress-induced martensitic transformation in the deformation process. This NSS structure appears to be suitable for biomedical applications with an extended variation range of loading conditions (orthopedic implants). Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Eco-Evolutionary Genomics of Chromosomal Inversions.

PubMed

Wellenreuther, Maren; Bernatchez, Louis

2018-05-03

Chromosomal inversions have long fascinated evolutionary biologists due to their suppression of recombination, which can protect co-adapted alleles. Emerging research documents that inversions are commonly linked to spectacular phenotypes and have a pervasive role in eco-evolutionary processes, from mating systems, social organisation, environmental adaptation, and reproductive isolation to speciation. Studies also reveal that inversions are taxonomically widespread, with many being old and large, and that balancing selection is commonly facilitating their maintenance. This challenges the traditional view that the role of balancing selection in maintaining variation is relatively minor. The ubiquitous importance of inversions in ecological and evolutionary processes suggests that structural variation should be better acknowledged and integrated in studies pertaining to the molecular basis of adaptation and speciation. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Membrane bending: the power of protein imbalance.

PubMed

Derganc, Jure; Antonny, Bruno; Copič, Alenka

2013-11-01

Many cellular processes require membrane deformation, which is driven by specialized protein machinery and can often be recapitulated using pure lipid bilayers. However, biological membranes contain a large amount of embedded proteins. Recent research suggests that membrane-bound proteins with asymmetric distribution of mass across the bilayer can influence membrane bending in a nonspecific manner due to molecular crowding. This mechanism is physical in nature and arises from collisions between such 'mushroom-shaped' proteins. It can either facilitate or impede the action of protein coats, for example COPII, during vesicle budding. We describe the physics of how molecular crowding can influence membrane bending and discuss the implications for other cellular processes, such as sorting of glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins (GPI-APs) and production of intraluminal vesicles. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

When a loved one feels unfamiliar: a case study on the neural basis of Capgras delusion.

PubMed

Thiel, Christiane M; Studte, Sara; Hildebrandt, Helmut; Huster, Rene; Weerda, Riklef

2014-03-01

Perception of familiar faces depends on a core system analysing visual appearance and an extended system dealing with inference of mental states and emotional responses. Damage to the core system impairs face perception as seen in prosopagnosia. In contrast, patients with Capgras delusion show intact face perception but believe that closely related persons are impostors. It has been suggested that two deficits are necessary for the delusion, an aberrant perceptual or affective experience that leads to a bizarre belief as well as an impaired ability to evaluate beliefs. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we compared neural activity to familiar and unfamiliar faces in a patient with Capgras delusion and an age matched control group. We provide evidence that Capgras delusion is related to dysfunctional activity in the extended face processing system. The patient, who developed the delusion for the partner after a large right prefrontal lesion sparing the ventromedial and medial orbitofrontal cortex, lacked neural activity to the partner's face in left posterior cingulate cortex and left posterior superior temporal sulcus. Further, we found impaired functional connectivity of the latter region with the left superior frontal gyrus and to a lesser extent with the right superior frontal sulcus/middle frontal gyrus. The findings of this case study suggest that the first factor in Capgras delusion may be reduced neural activity in the extended face processing system that deals with inference of mental states while the second factor may be due to a lesion in the right middle frontal gyrus. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

When 1+1=1: the unification of independent actors revealed through joint Simon effects in crossed and uncrossed effector conditions.

PubMed

Welsh, Timothy N

2009-12-01

The "Simon effect" describes a pattern of reaction times (RTs) where responses to symbolic information are shorter when the information is presented on the same side of space as the desired response than when it is on the opposite side of space. For example, if right hand responses are required for green targets and left hand responses for red targets, RTs with the right hand are shorter when the green target appears on the right side than on the left side. It has been reported that Simon effects also appear when two individuals perform independent components of a Simon effect task. It has been suggested that such joint Simon effects occur because participants represent the action of their partner. It is unclear, however, if the joint Simon effect emerges because: (1) each partner represents the other's action; (2) each partner is using the other person or their response as an environmental reference; or (3) an intra-hemispheric processing advantage due to the lateralized cerebral organization of perceptual and motor systems. The present study distinguished between these possibilities by asking pairs of participants to perform in conditions in which they crossed their arms into the other person's space. Consistent with within-person Simon effects, joint Simon effects were observed in uncrossed- and crossed limb conditions. These results support a response co-representation explanation of joint Simon effects. It is suggested that the processes underlying the evoked representations have developed to allow two independent agents to form temporary synergies to facilitate efficient task completion. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

34 CFR 300.511 - Impartial due process hearing.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 34 Education 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Impartial due process hearing. 300.511 Section 300.511... Impartial due process hearing. (a) General. Whenever a due process complaint is received under § 300.507 or... process hearing, consistent with the procedures in §§ 300.507, 300.508, and 300.510. (b) Agency...

Status of pharmaceuticals in African water bodies: Occurrence, removal and analytical methods.

PubMed

Madikizela, Lawrence Mzukisi; Tavengwa, Nikita Tawanda; Chimuka, Luke

2017-05-15

In this review paper, the milestones and challenges that have been achieved and experienced by African Environmental Scientists regarding the assessment of water pollution caused by the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in water bodies are highlighted. The identification and quantification of pharmaceuticals in the African water bodies is important to the general public at large due to the lack of information. The consumption of pharmaceuticals to promote human health is usually followed by excretion of these drugs via urine or fecal matter due to their slight transformation in the human metabolism. Therefore, large amounts of pharmaceuticals are being discharged continuously from wastewater treatment plants into African rivers due to inefficiency of employed sewage treatment processes. Large portions of African communities do not even have proper sanitation systems which results in direct contamination of water resources with human waste that contains pharmaceutical constituents among other pollutants. Therefore, this article provides the overview of the recent studies published, mostly from 2012 to 2016, that have focused on the occurrence of different classes of pharmaceuticals in African aqueous systems. Also, the current analytical methods that are being used in Africa for pharmaceutical quantification in environmental waters are highlighted. African Scientists have started to investigate the materials and remediation processes for the elimination of pharmaceuticals from water. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Responsibility for the loss of opportunity in malignant cancer care in the Spanish public healthcare system].

PubMed

Sardinero-García, Carlos; Santiago-Sáez, Andrés; Bravo, M Del Carmen; Perea-Pérez, Bernardo; Albarrán-Juan, M Elena; Labajo-González, Elena; Benito-León, Julián

The loss of chance in healthcare has been forcibly introduced in the adjudications pronounced in recent years. Our objective was to analyse the verdicts of guilt resulting from the loss of chance ordered by the Contentious-Administrative Court (i.e., in the public healthcare system), in which both the origin of the disease to be treated and the sequelae were oncological processes. We analysed 137 cancer-related court judgments from the Contentious-Administrative Court, which referred to the concept of loss of chance, issued in Spain up to May 2014. Of the 137 sentences, 119 (86.9%), were pronounced due to diagnostic error and 14 (10.2%) due to inadequate treatment. Since 2010, 100 sentences have been passed (73.0%), representing an increase of more than 170% with respect to the 37 (27.0%) ordered in the first six years of the study (from 2004 to 2009). Most of the patients (68.6%) died, predominantly from breast cancer and gynaecological cancer (24.1%), and gastrointestinal cancers (21.1%). These malignancies were the ones most often involved in the sentences. The litigant activity due to loss of chance in oncological processes in the public health care has significantly increased in the last years. The judgments were mainly given because of diagnostic error or inadequate treatment. Copyright © 2016 SESPAS. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Vinegar decreases allergenic response in lentil and egg food allergy.

PubMed

Armentia, A; Dueñas-Laita, A; Pineda, F; Herrero, M; Martín, B

2010-01-01

Food allergy results from an atypical response of the mucosal immune system to orally consumed allergens. Antacid medication inhibits the digestion of dietary proteins and causes food allergy. A decrease of the gastric pH might enhance the function of digestion and reduce the risk of food allergy. To test a possible decrease in the allergenicity of powerful food allergens (egg, chicken, lentils) with the addition of vinegar during the cooking process. We included seven patients who suffered from anaphylaxis due to egg, chicken and lentils. We added vinegar to egg, chicken and lentil processed extracts used for skin prick tests (SPT) and compared the wheal areas obtained with the same extracts sources and the same way but without vinegar addition. Immunodetection was performed with the different processed extracts and patients' sera. Only one patient consented food challenge with vinegar-marinated-chicken. Wheal areas were significantly minor with the food extract with vinegar. Immunodetection showed a decrease of the response with vinegar processed extracts. Vinegar addition during the cooking process may decrease lentil and chicken allergenicity. Copyright 2009 SEICAP. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Speed-accuracy trade-off in skilled typewriting: decomposing the contributions of hierarchical control loops.

PubMed

Yamaguchi, Motonori; Crump, Matthew J C; Logan, Gordon D

2013-06-01

Typing performance involves hierarchically structured control systems: At the higher level, an outer loop generates a word or a series of words to be typed; at the lower level, an inner loop activates the keystrokes comprising the word in parallel and executes them in the correct order. The present experiments examined contributions of the outer- and inner-loop processes to the control of speed and accuracy in typewriting. Experiments 1 and 2 involved discontinuous typing of single words, and Experiments 3 and 4 involved continuous typing of paragraphs. Across experiments, typists were able to trade speed for accuracy but were unable to type at rates faster than 100 ms/keystroke, implying limits to the flexibility of the underlying processes. The analyses of the component latencies and errors indicated that the majority of the trade-offs were due to inner-loop processing. The contribution of outer-loop processing to the trade-offs was small, but it resulted in large costs in error rate. Implications for strategic control of automatic processes are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved).

Towards an integrated understanding of how micro scale processes shape groundwater ecosystem functions.

PubMed

Schmidt, Susanne I; Cuthbert, Mark O; Schwientek, Marc

2017-08-15

Micro scale processes are expected to have a fundamental role in shaping groundwater ecosystems and yet they remain poorly understood and under-researched. In part, this is due to the fact that sampling is rarely carried out at the scale at which microorganisms, and their grazers and predators, function and thus we lack essential information. While set within a larger scale framework in terms of geochemical features, supply with energy and nutrients, and exchange intensity and dynamics, the micro scale adds variability, by providing heterogeneous zones at the micro scale which enable a wider range of redox reactions. Here we outline how understanding micro scale processes better may lead to improved appreciation of the range of ecosystems functions taking place at all scales. Such processes are relied upon in bioremediation and we demonstrate that ecosystem modelling as well as engineering measures have to take into account, and use, understanding at the micro scale. We discuss the importance of integrating faunal processes and computational appraisals in research, in order to continue to secure sustainable water resources from groundwater. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Hydrologic and biogeochemical controls of river subsurface solutes under agriculturally enhanced ground water flow

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wildman, R.A.; Domagalski, Joseph L.; Hering, J.G.

2009-01-01

The relative influences of hydrologic processes and biogeochemistry on the transport and retention of minor solutes were compared in the riverbed of the lower Merced River (California, USA). The subsurface of this reach receives ground water discharge and surface water infiltration due to an altered hydraulic setting resulting from agricultural irrigation. Filtered ground water samples were collected from 30 drive point locations in March, June, and October 2004. Hydrologic processes, described previously, were verified by observations of bromine concentrations; manganese was used to indicate redox conditions. The separate responses of the minor solutes strontium, barium, uranium, and phosphorus to these influences were examined. Correlation and principal component analyses indicate that hydrologic processes dominate the distribution of trace elements in the ground water. Redox conditions appear to be independent of hydrologic processes and account for most of the remaining data variability. With some variability, major processes are consistent in two sampling transects separated by 100 m. Copyright ?? 2009 by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America. All rights reserved.

Homogeneous sonophotolysis of food processing industry wastewater: Study of synergistic effects, mineralization and toxicity removal.

PubMed

Durán, A; Monteagudo, J M; Sanmartín, I; Gómez, P

2013-03-01

The mineralization of industrial wastewater coming from food industry using an emerging homogeneous sonophotolytic oxidation process was evaluated as an alternative to or a rapid pretreatment step for conventional anaerobic digestion with the aim of considerably reducing the total treatment time. At the selected operation conditions ([H(2)O(2)]=11,750ppm, pH=8, amplitude=50%, pulse length (cycles)=1), 60% of TOC is removed after 60min and 98% after 180min when treating an industrial effluent with 2114ppm of total organic carbon (TOC). This process removed completely the toxicity generated during storing or due to intermediate compounds. An important synergistic effect between sonolysis and photolysis (H(2)O(2)/UV) was observed. Thus the sonophotolysis (ultrasound/H(2)O(2)/UV) technique significantly increases TOC removal when compared with each individual process. Finally, a preliminary economical analysis confirms that the sono-photolysis with H(2)O(2) and pretreated water is a profitable system when compared with the same process without using ultrasound waves and with no pretreatment. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Early warning indicators for process failure due to organic overloading by rapeseed oil in one-stage continuously stirred tank reactor, sewage sludge and waste digesters.

PubMed

Kleyböcker, A; Liebrich, M; Verstraete, W; Kraume, M; Würdemann, H

2012-11-01

Early warning indicators for process failures were investigated to develop a reliable method to increase the production efficiency of biogas plants. Organic overloads by the excessive addition of rapeseed oil were used to provoke the decrease in the gas production rate. Besides typical monitoring parameters, as pH, methane and hydrogen contents, biogas production rate and concentrations of fatty acids; carbon dioxide content, concentrations of calcium and phosphate were monitored. The concentration ratio of volatile fatty acids to calcium acted as an early warning indicator (EWI-VFA/Ca). The EWI-VFA/Ca always clearly and reliably indicated a process imbalance by exhibiting a 2- to 3-fold increase 3-7days before the process failure occurred. At this time, it was still possible to take countermeasures successfully. Furthermore, increases in phosphate concentration and in the concentration ratio of phosphate to calcium also indicated a process failure, in some cases, even earlier than the EWI-VFA/Ca. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Patients' rights in England and the United States of America: The Patient's Charter and the New Jersey Patient Bill of Rights: a comparison.

PubMed

Silver, M H

1997-08-01

The Patient's Charter has been in effect for nearly five years. This article considers the purpose and value of the document through a comparison with the New Jersey Patient Bill of Rights. Patient rights statements have been posted in American hospitals for more than twenty years. However, the New Jersey document and the patient rights programme it established seven years ago, have proven to be economically effective, successful in their representation of patients and enforceable, due to the adoption of state legislation and regulation to oversee the process. Several examples of how the programme works are included in the comparison, with a similar review of The Patient's Charter. In the comparison the author argues that for the programme to succeed as it has done in New Jersey, the government will need to develop legislative backing to ensure enforcement, and an efficient system for monitoring compliance. The programme will need to become credible in the eyes of the health service user. The author suggests this may be best achieved by developing an efficient, accessible and user-friendly means of redress, should the patient consider his or her rights have been violated. A "mish-mash" of quality assurance standards and levels of care which patients can "expect" from the health service providers only serves to distract the health service user from the government's failure to commit the resources that would empower the patients rights portion of The Patient's Charter.

5 CFR 732.301 - Due process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Due process. 732.301 Section 732.301 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS Due Process and Reporting § 732.301 Due process. When an agency makes an...

5 CFR 732.301 - Due process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Due process. 732.301 Section 732.301 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS Due Process and Reporting § 732.301 Due process. When an agency makes an...

5 CFR 732.301 - Due process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Due process. 732.301 Section 732.301 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS Due Process and Reporting § 732.301 Due process. When an agency makes an...

5 CFR 732.301 - Due process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Due process. 732.301 Section 732.301 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS Due Process and Reporting § 732.301 Due process. When an agency makes an...

5 CFR 732.301 - Due process.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Due process. 732.301 Section 732.301 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL SECURITY POSITIONS Due Process and Reporting § 732.301 Due process. When an agency makes an...

Hemispheric asymmetries in discourse processing: evidence from false memories for lists and texts.

PubMed

Ben-Artzi, Elisheva; Faust, Miriam; Moeller, Edna

2009-01-01

Previous research suggests that the right hemisphere (RH) may contribute uniquely to discourse and text processing by activating and maintaining a wide range of meanings, including more distantly related meanings. The present study used the word-lists false memory paradigm [Roediger, H. L., III, & McDermott, K. B. (1995). Creating false memories: Remembering words not presented in lists. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition, 21, 803-814.] to examine the hypothesis that difference between the two cerebral hemispheres in discourse processing may be due, at least partly, to memory representations for implicit text-related semantic information. Specifically, we tested the susceptibility of the left hemisphere (LH) and RH to unpresented target words following the presentation of semantically related words appearing in either word lists or short texts. Findings showed that the RH produced more false alarms than the LH for unpresented target words following either word lists or texts. These findings reveal hemispheric differences in memory for semantically related information and suggest that RH advantage in long-term maintenance of a wide range of text-related word meanings may be one aspect of its unique contribution to the construction of a discourse model. The results support the RH coarse semantic coding theory [Beeman, M. (1998). Coarse semantic coding and discourse comprehension. In M. Beeman & C. Chiarello (Eds.), Right hemisphere language comprehension: Perspectives from cognitive neuroscience (pp. 255-284). Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.] and suggest that hemispheric differences in semantic processing during language comprehension extend also to verbal memory.

Feasibility study for production of I-131 radioisotope using MNSR research reactor.

PubMed

Elom Achoribo, A S; Akaho, Edward H K; Nyarko, Benjamin J B; Osae Shiloh, K D; Odame Duodu, Godfred; Gibrilla, Abass

2012-01-01

A feasibility study for (131)I production using a Low Power Research Reactor was conducted to predict the yield of (131)I by cyclic activation technique. A maximum activity of 5.1GBq was achieved through simulation using FORTRAN 90, for an irradiation of 6h. But experimentally only 4h irradiation could be done, which resulted in an activity of 4.0×10(5)Bq. The discrepancy in the activities was due to the fact that beta decays released during the process could not be considered. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Light sheet microscopy.

PubMed

Weber, Michael; Mickoleit, Michaela; Huisken, Jan

2014-01-01

This chapter introduces the concept of light sheet microscopy along with practical advice on how to design and build such an instrument. Selective plane illumination microscopy is presented as an alternative to confocal microscopy due to several superior features such as high-speed full-frame acquisition, minimal phototoxicity, and multiview sample rotation. Based on our experience over the last 10 years, we summarize the key concepts in light sheet microscopy, typical implementations, and successful applications. In particular, sample mounting for long time-lapse imaging and the resulting challenges in data processing are discussed in detail. © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders.

PubMed

Abbott, Sabra M; Reid, Kathryn J; Zee, Phyllis C

2015-12-01

The circadian system regulates the timing and expression of nearly all biological processes, most notably, the sleep-wake cycle, and disruption of this system can result in adverse effects on both physical and mental health. The circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders (CRSWDs) consist of 5 disorders that are due primarily to pathology of the circadian clock or to a misalignment of the timing of the endogenous circadian rhythm with the environment. This article outlines the nature of these disorders, the association of many of these disorders with psychiatric illness, and available treatment options. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Anatomic pathology in Cuba before 1959: a personal recollection.

PubMed

Buesa, René J

2016-04-01

Reminiscing when reaching life's twilight is a human condition and hopefully leads to an objective self-evaluation of the past years. I have just done that with this recollection and now I can conclude that, in spite of the outcome of my professional life in Cuba, I remain convinced that one should not complete a journey just because it was started, that everything we learn in life will be sued in due time, and that we should always pursue our dreams because we become our best in the process. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Care of older people in migration contexts: local and transnational arrangements between Peru and Spain.

PubMed

Gorfinkiel, Magdalena Díaz; Escrivá, Ángeles

2012-01-01

Care arrangements for the elderly are becoming a main social process in contemporary societies due to socio-political and lifestyle changes over the last few decades. The family and the State play a basic role in the construction of care systems and in the establishment of strategies to access care resources. In the present context of migration, these resources interact at a transnational level, challenging family and State migratory regimes. These new realities need the recognition of basic international social rights, as the experiences of Peruvians living in a migration context in Spain show.