Phantom limbs: pain, embodiment, and scientific advances in integrative therapies.

PubMed

Lenggenhager, Bigna; Arnold, Carolyn A; Giummarra, Melita J

2014-03-01

Research over the past two decades has begun to identify some of the key mechanisms underlying phantom limb pain and sensations; however, this continues to be a clinically challenging condition to manage. Treatment of phantom pain, like all chronic pain conditions, demands a holistic approach that takes into consideration peripheral, spinal, and central neuroplastic mechanisms. In this review, we focus on nonpharmacological treatments tailored to reverse the maladaptive neuroplasticity associated with phantom pain. Recent scientific advances emerging from interdisciplinary research between neuroscience, virtual reality, robotics, and prosthetics show the greatest promise for alternative embodiment and maintaining the integrity of the multifaceted representation of the body in the brain. Importantly, these advances have been found to prevent and reduce phantom limb pain. In particular, therapies that involve sensory and/or motor retraining, most naturally through the use of integrative prosthetic devices, as well as peripheral (e.g., transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) or central (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation or deep brain stimulation) stimulation techniques, have been found to both restore the neural representation of the missing limb and to reduce the intensity of phantom pain. While the evidence for the efficacy of these therapies is mounting, but well-controlled and large-scale studies are still needed. WIREs Cogn Sci 2014, 5:221-231. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1277 CONFLICT OF INTEREST: The authors have no financial or other relationship that might lead to a conflict of interest. For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Deep brain stimulation for psychiatric disorders: where we are now.

PubMed

Cleary, Daniel R; Ozpinar, Alp; Raslan, Ahmed M; Ko, Andrew L

2015-06-01

Fossil records showing trephination in the Stone Age provide evidence that humans have sought to influence the mind through physical means since before the historical record. Attempts to treat psychiatric disease via neurosurgical means in the 20th century provided some intriguing initial results. However, the indiscriminate application of these treatments, lack of rigorous evaluation of the results, and the side effects of ablative, irreversible procedures resulted in a backlash against brain surgery for psychiatric disorders that continues to this day. With the advent of psychotropic medications, interest in invasive procedures for organic brain disease waned. Diagnosis and classification of psychiatric diseases has improved, due to a better understanding of psychiatric patho-physiology and the development of disease and treatment biomarkers. Meanwhile, a significant percentage of patients remain refractory to multiple modes of treatment, and psychiatric disease remains the number one cause of disability in the world. These data, along with the safe and efficacious application of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for movement disorders, in principle a reversible process, is rekindling interest in the surgical treatment of psychiatric disorders with stimulation of deep brain sites involved in emotional and behavioral circuitry. This review presents a brief history of psychosurgery and summarizes the development of DBS for psychiatric disease, reviewing the available evidence for the current application of DBS for disorders of the mind.

Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy/Fabricated and Induced Illness: does the diagnosis serve economic vested interests, rather than the interests of children?

PubMed

Wrennall, Lynne

2007-01-01

The discourse of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy/Fabricated and Induced Illness posits the widespread incidence of a highly dangerous form of child abuse in which illness and developmental delay in children, is caused by their parents or carers. The discourse has been linked to false allegations of child abuse, hostile adoptions and miscarriages of justice. It has also stimulated concerns that the children's real medical and developmental needs are neglected when their conditions are misdiagnosed as child abuse. This study examines the critical claims that have been levelled against the Munchausen discourse. They provide explanations of the children's problems that compete with the discourse. The claim of the discourse to scientific validity is thereby shown to be questionable. The explanations have been distilled into specific hypotheses, to stimulate further research. The literature from which the hypotheses were derived, identifies problems in the MSbP/FII discourse in five broad areas of science, regarding: the test validity of techniques; construct validity; statistical methods; evidentiary standards and adverse impacts. The main conclusion is that the detailed critical hypotheses, cohere around the central claim that the discourse of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy/Fabricated and Induced Illness serves economic vested interests, rather than the interests of children. The hypotheses predict adverse health and social outcomes, as a result of the discourse. Consequently, the continued deployment of the discourse would probably be "unsafe and therefore unwise".

Charge It! Translating Electric Vehicle Research Results to Engage 7th and 8th Grade Girls

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Egbue, Ona; Long, Suzanna; Ng, Ean-Harn

2015-10-01

Despite attempts to generate interest in science and technology careers, US students continue to show reduced interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors at the collegiate level. If girls are not engaged in STEM learning by the middle school level, studies show that they are even less likely to choose a science- or engineering-related major. This article presents results from a workshop for 7th and 8th grade girls designed to promote knowledge building in the area of sustainability and alternative energy use in transportation and to stimulate greater interest in STEM subjects. The workshop based on research conducted at University X focused on basic concepts of electric vehicles and electric vehicles' batteries. Tests were conducted to evaluate the students' knowledge and perceptions of electric vehicles and to determine the impact of the workshop. Early exposure to meaningful engineering experiences for these young girls may boost interest and the eventual pursuit of engineering and technology education paths.

Design strategies for dynamic closed-loop optogenetic neurocontrol in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bolus, M. F.; Willats, A. A.; Whitmire, C. J.; Rozell, C. J.; Stanley, G. B.

2018-04-01

Objective. Controlling neural activity enables the possibility of manipulating sensory perception, cognitive processes, and body movement, in addition to providing a powerful framework for functionally disentangling the neural circuits that underlie these complex phenomena. Over the last decade, optogenetic stimulation has become an increasingly important and powerful tool for understanding neural circuit function, owing to the ability to target specific cell types and bidirectionally modulate neural activity. To date, most stimulation has been provided in open-loop or in an on/off closed-loop fashion, where previously-determined stimulation is triggered by an event. Here, we describe and demonstrate a design approach for precise optogenetic control of neuronal firing rate modulation using feedback to guide stimulation continuously. Approach. Using the rodent somatosensory thalamus as an experimental testbed for realizing desired time-varying patterns of firing rate modulation, we utilized a moving average exponential filter to estimate firing rate online from single-unit spiking measured extracellularly. This estimate of instantaneous rate served as feedback for a proportional integral (PI) controller, which was designed during the experiment based on a linear-nonlinear Poisson (LNP) model of the neuronal response to light. Main results. The LNP model fit during the experiment enabled robust closed-loop control, resulting in good tracking of sinusoidal and non-sinusoidal targets, and rejection of unmeasured disturbances. Closed-loop control also enabled manipulation of trial-to-trial variability. Significance. Because neuroscientists are faced with the challenge of dissecting the functions of circuit components, the ability to maintain control of a region of interest in spite of changes in ongoing neural activity will be important for disambiguating function within networks. Closed-loop stimulation strategies are ideal for control that is robust to such changes, and the employment of continuous feedback to adjust stimulation in real-time can improve the quality of data collected using optogenetic manipulation.

Effectiveness of Three Case Studies and Associated Teamwork in Stimulating Freshman Interest in an Introduction to Engineering Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McIntyre, Joseph S.

2011-01-01

The effectiveness of three case studies and associated teamwork to stimulate interest of college freshman in engineering was investigated by observing students. Case studies were assigned as laboratory team exercises in an introduction to engineering course at Auburn University. Student interest in the case studies was evaluated qualitatively…

Category III chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: insights from the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network studies.

PubMed

Nickel, J Curtis; Alexander, Richard B; Anderson, Rodney; Berger, Richard; Comiter, Craig V; Datta, Nand S; Fowler, Jackson E; Krieger, John N; Landis, J Richard; Litwin, Mark S; McNaughton-Collins, Mary; O'Leary, Michael P; Pontari, Michel A; Schaeffer, Anthony J; Shoskes, Daniel A; White, Paige; Kusek, John; Nyberg, Leroy

2008-07-01

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome remains an enigmatic medical condition. Creation of the National Institutes of Health-funded Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network (CPCRN) has stimulated a renewed interest in research on and clinical aspects of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Landmark publications of the CPCRN document a decade of progress. Insights from these CPCRN studies have improved our management of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome and offer hope for continued progress.

Nd:YAP laser pulse compression by three-stage transient stimulated Brillouin and Raman scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kubeček, V.; Hamal, K.; Procházka, I.; Buzelis, R.; Girdauskas, V.; Dementiev, A.

1991-08-01

There is a continuous effort to generate stable, powerful picosecond laser pulses for application in spectroscopy, nonlinear optics and parametric light generation, as well. One of the possible methods is the compression of longer nanosecond laser pulses by stimulated Brillouin and stimulated Raman scattering. The advantages of such a technique, in comparison to the used mode locked picosecond lasers, are as follows: the absence of the active and/or passive mode lockers used to generate a train of picosecond pulses, and the absence of a fast electrooptical shutter used to select a single pulse from a train of pulses. The application of stimulated Brillouin and stimulated Raman scattering permits to generate picosecond pulses in the wavelength regions not covered by mode locked lasers. Of special interest is the wavelength region of 0·8 μm, which may be amplified by the attractive Titanium Sapphire lasers. In this paper we are summarizing our results in theoretical modelling and in real generation of picosecond pulses by means of cascaded stimulated Brillouin and Raman scattering. The models of scattering processes have been investigated. The stable generation of 5, 7, 3 picosecond pulses have been optimized for the wavelengths of 0·8, 0·64 and 0·54 μm, respectively. In all these cases, the pulses exhibited the far field pattern close to Gaussian, with the pulse energy ranging from 0·2 to 1 mJ.

[Breastfeeding (part III): Breastfeeding complications--Guidelines for clinical practice].

PubMed

Marcellin, L; Chantry, A A

2015-12-01

Provide guidelines for management of breastfeeding complications. Systematically review of the literature between 1972 and May 2015 from the database Medline, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, and the international recommendations about inhibition of lactation with establishment of levels of evidence (EL) and grades of recommendation. Nipple stimulation preparation techniques or antenatal correction an anatomical variation of the nipple are not recommended to decrease nipple complications or improve the success of breastfeeding (grade B). The use of lanolin and application of breast milk may have an interest in diseases of the nipple (EL4). The current published data are insufficient to conclude on the effectiveness of nipple shield, (professional consensus). Manual breast expression or using a breast pump may have an interest in preventing breast engorgement (professional agreement). A bacteriological sample of milk for mastitis is necessary to decide an antibiotic and interrupt breastfeeding with breast infected while continuing its drainage with a breast pump (professional consensus). Incision and drainage of breast abscess are recommended (professional consensus) and iterative puncture is an alternative to surgical drainage in the moderate forms (professional consensus). Breastfeeding is not contraindicated for women with a past history of esthetic breast surgery or breast cancer (professional consensus). There is no scientific justification to recommend the use of breast pumps to improve breastfeeding (grade B). Because of the potential side effects, the use of domperidone and metoclopramide are not recommended in the stimulation of lactation (grade C). Breastfeeding exposes women to specific complications, which may impede the continuation of breastfeeding. Prevention of mastitis is essential. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Rate of Homologous Desensitization and Internalization of the GLP-1 Receptor.

PubMed

Shaaban, Ghina; Oriowo, Mabayoje; Al-Sabah, Suleiman

2016-12-26

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) is an important target in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of agonist stimulated desensitization and internalization of GLP-1R. To this end, an N-terminally myc-tagged GLP-1R was stably expressed in HEK-293 cells. Homologous desensitization was assessed by measuring the cAMP response to agonist stimulation following pre-incubation with agonist for up to 120 min. Receptor internalization was monitored using an indirect ELISA-based method and confocal microscopy. Pre-incubation with GLP-1 resulted in a time-dependent loss of response to a second stimulation. Washing cells following pre-incubation failed to bring cAMP levels back to basal. Taking this into account, two desensitization rates were calculated: "apparent" (t 1/2 = 19.27 min) and "net" (t 1/2 = 2.99 min). Incubation of cells with GLP-1 also resulted in a time-dependent loss of receptor cell surface expression (t 1/2 = 2.05 min). Rapid agonist-stimulated internalization of GLP-1R was confirmed using confocal microscopy. Stimulation of GLP-1R with GLP-1 results in rapid desensitization and internalization of the receptor. Interestingly, the rate of "net" desensitization closely matches the rate of internalization. Our results suggest that agonist-bound GLP-1R continues to generate cAMP after it has been internalized.

Contralateral Bimodal Stimulation: A Way to Enhance Speech Performance in Arabic-Speaking Cochlear Implant Patients.

PubMed

Abdeltawwab, Mohamed M; Khater, Ahmed; El-Anwar, Mohammad W

2016-01-01

The combination of acoustic and electric stimulation as a way to enhance speech recognition performance in cochlear implant (CI) users has generated considerable interest in the recent years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the bimodal advantage of the FS4 speech processing strategy in combination with hearing aids (HA) as a means to improve low-frequency resolution in CI patients. Nineteen postlingual CI adults were selected to participate in this study. All patients wore implants on one side and HA on the contralateral side with residual hearing. Monosyllabic word recognition, speech in noise, and emotion and talker identification were assessed using CI with fine structure processing/FS4 and high-definition continuous interleaved sampling strategies, HA alone, and a combination of CI and HA. The bimodal stimulation showed improvement in speech performance and emotion identification for the question/statement/order tasks, which was statistically significant compared to patients with CI alone, but there were no significant statistical differences in intragender talker discrimination and emotion identification for the happy/angry/neutral tasks. The poorest performance was obtained with HA only, and it was statistically significant compared to the other modalities. The bimodal stimulation showed enhanced speech performance in CI patients, and it improves the limitations provided by electric or acoustic stimulation alone. © 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Deep brain stimulation in the central nucleus of the amygdala decreases 'wanting' and 'liking' of food rewards.

PubMed

Ross, Shani E; Lehmann Levin, Emily; Itoga, Christy A; Schoen, Chelsea B; Selmane, Romeissa; Aldridge, J Wayne

2016-10-01

We investigated the potential of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) in rats to modulate functional reward mechanisms. The CeA is the major output of the amygdala with direct connections to the hypothalamus and gustatory brainstem, and indirect connections with the nucleus accumbens. Further, the CeA has been shown to be involved in learning, emotional integration, reward processing, and regulation of feeding. We hypothesized that DBS, which is used to treat movement disorders and other brain dysfunctions, might block reward motivation. In rats performing a lever-pressing task to obtain sugar pellet rewards, we stimulated the CeA and control structures, and compared stimulation parameters. During CeA stimulation, animals stopped working for rewards and rejected freely available rewards. Taste reactivity testing during DBS exposed aversive reactions to normally liked sucrose tastes and even more aversive taste reactions to normally disliked quinine tastes. Interestingly, given the opportunity, animals implanted in the CeA would self-stimulate with 500 ms trains of stimulation at the same frequency and current parameters as continuous stimulation that would stop reward acquisition. Neural recordings during DBS showed that CeA neurons were still active and uncovered inhibitory-excitatory patterns after each stimulus pulse indicating possible entrainment of the neural firing with DBS. In summary, DBS modulation of CeA may effectively usurp normal neural activity patterns to create an 'information lesion' that not only decreased motivational 'wanting' of food rewards, but also blocked 'liking' of rewards. © 2016 Federation of European Neuroscience Societies and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

New psychoactive substances (NPS) on cryptomarket fora: An exploratory study of characteristics of forum activity between NPS buyers and vendors.

PubMed

Van Hout, Marie Claire; Hearne, Evelyn

2017-02-01

The continual diversification of new psychoactive substances (NPS) circumventing legislation creates a public health and law enforcement challenge, and one particularly challenged by availability on Hidden Web cryptomarkets. This is the first study of its kind which aimed to explore and characterise cryptomarket forum members' views and perspectives on NPS vendors and products within the context of Hidden Web community dynamics. An internal site search was conducted on two cryptomarkets popular with NPS vendors and hosting fora; Alphabay and Valhalla, using the search terms of 40 popular NPS in the seven categories of stimulant/cathinone; GABA activating; hallucinogen, dissociative, cannabinoid, opioid and other/unspecified/uncategorised NPS. 852 identified threads relating to the discussion of these NPS were generated. Following exclusion of duplicates, 138 threads remained. The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method of data analysis was applied. Four themes and 32 categories emerged. 120 vendors selling NPS were visible on Alphabay, and 21 on Valhalla. Themes were 'NPS Cryptomarkets and Crypto-community interest in NPS'; 'Motives for NPS use'; 'Indigenous Crypto Community Harm Reduction'; and 'Cryptomarket Characteristics underpinning NPS trafficking', with two higher levels of abstraction centring on 'NPS vendor reputation' and 'NPS transactioning for personal use'. NPS cryptomarket characteristics centred on generation of trust, honesty and excellent service. Users appeared well informed, with harm reduction and vendor information exchange central to NPS market dynamics. GABA activating substances appeared most popular in terms of buyer interest on cryptomarkets. Interest in sourcing 'old favorite' stimulant and dissociative NPS was evident, alongside the sequential and concurrent poly use of NPS, and use of NPS with illicit drugs such as MDMA. Continued monitoring of new trends in NPS within Surface Web and cryptomarkets are warranted. A particular focus on the rising market in prescribed benzodiazepine and Z-hypnotic drugs should be included. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Detection of Norepinephrine in Whole Blood via Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry.

PubMed

Nicolai, Evan N; Trevathan, James K; Ross, Erika K; Lujan, J Luis; Blaha, Charles D; Bennet, Kevin E; Lee, Kendall H; Ludwig, Kip A

2017-05-01

Bioelectronic Medicines is an emerging field that capitalizes on minimally-invasive technology to stimulate the autonomic nervous system in order to evoke therapeutic biomolecular changes at the end-organ. The goal of Bioelectronic Medicines is to realize both 'precision and personalized' medicine. 'Precise' stimulation of neural circuitry creates biomolecular changes targeted exactly where needed to maximize therapeutic effects while minimizing off-target changes associated with side-effects. The therapy is then 'personalized' by utilizing implanted sensors to measure the biomolecular concentrations at, or near, the end-organ of interest and continually adjusting therapy to account for patient-specific biological changes throughout the day. To realize the promise of Bioelectronic Medicines, there is a need for minimally invasive, real-time measurement of biomarkers associated with the effects of autonomic nerve stimulation to be used for continuous titration of therapy. In this study we examine the feasibility of using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to measure norepinephrine levels, a neurochemical relevant to end-organ function, directly from blood. FSCV is a well-understood method for measuring electroactive neurochemicals in the central nervous system with high temporal and high spatial resolution that has yet to be adapted to the study of the autonomic nervous system. The results demonstrate that while detecting the electroactive neurochemical norepinephrine in blood is more challenging than obtaining the same FSCV measurements in a buffer solution due to biofouling of the electrode, it is feasible to utilize a minimally invasive FSCV electrode to obtain neurochemical measurements in blood.

OCCUPATIONS FOR YOU, PART ONE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DES ROCHES, DEAN L.

DEVELOPED AS PART OF A CURRICULUM PROJECT DESCRIBED IN VT 004 454 TO HELP YOUNG PEOPLE LEARN BASIC PRINCIPLES AND CONCEPTS OF MECHANICS AND TECHNOLOGY, THIS BOOK WAS DESIGNED TO STIMULATE INTEREST AND ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT VOCATIONAL CHOICE, STIMULATE INTEREST IN READING, AND PROVIDE CONTENT TO RELATE TO ACADEMIC STUDY. THE MATERIALS DEVELOPED IN…

Stimulate Students' Interest by Genetics Exordium Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Yan

2009-01-01

Genetics is the important specialized course of bioscience and whether exordium is taught wonderfully or not plays the important and pivotal role. Well teaching exordium class may stimulate students, deep interest and intense desire for knowledge in this class. This text, according to teaching experience and taste, puts forward several teaching…

In memoriam: John Warren Aldrich, 1906-1995

USGS Publications Warehouse

Banks, Richard C.

1997-01-01

John Aldrich was born in Providence, Rhode Island, on 23 February 1906, and went to the Providence public schools. He developed a broad interest in natural history at an early age, being stimulated by his mother, a kindergarten teacher, who introduced him to nature books. His interest was strengthened by Harold L. Madison, Director of the Park Museum in Providence, an Associate ( = member) of the AOU. As a high school student, John taught nature study at the Rhode Island Boy Scout Camp in summers. John was President of his class at Classical High School, and manager of the school's football team in his senior year. Also in that year, 1923, John published his first paper, a note in Bird-Lore on the occurrence of the Mockingbird in Rhode Island. That paper is a literary gem, showing that his skill in writing developed as early as his knowledge of birds. His early interest in football continued as well; he was a devoted fan of the Washington Redskins in his later years.

Category III Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Insights from The National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network Studies

PubMed Central

Nickel, J. Curtis; Alexander, Richard B.; Anderson, Rodney; Berger, Richard; Comiter, Craig V.; Datta, Nand S.; Fowler, Jackson E.; Krieger, John N.; Landis, J. Richard; Litwin, Mark S.; McNaughton-Collins, Mary; O'Leary, Michael P.; Pontari, Michel A.; Schaeffer, Anthony J.; Shoskes, Daniel A.; White, Paige; Kusek, John; Nyberg, Leroy

2010-01-01

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) remains an enigmatic medical condition. Creation of the (NIH) Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network (CPCRN) funded by the National Institutes of Health has stimulated a renewed interest in the research and clinical aspects of CP/CPPS. Landmark publications of the NIH-CPCRN over the last 10 years document a decade of progress. Insights from these CPCRN studies have improved our management of patients diagnosed with CP/CPPS and offer hope for continued progress. PMID:18765132

Proceedings of the Conference on Chemical Risk Assessment in the DoD: science, Policy, and Practice Held in Dayton, Ohio on April 8-11, 1991

DTIC Science & Technology

1993-01-01

eroforom their craft and trades." Ranmzini describes the prin- ample, doe odds are one in a billion that a person ciplecaus as: will die from cancer by...birth of mden quanitative risk assessment can be Our coimuiy’s entry into the " space race" stimulated Ix x Chemick Risk Asessment interest in the...health effects of continuous exposures to space - to the chemical or material in the specific situation of concern; cabin environments. In response to this

Recovery of supraspinal control of leg movement in a chronic complete flaccid paraplegic man after continuous low-frequency pelvic nerve stimulation and FES-assisted training

PubMed Central

Possover, Marc; Forman, Axel

2017-01-01

Introduction: More than 30 years ago, functional electrical stimulation (FES) was developed as an orthotic system to be used for rehabilitation for SCI patients. In the present case report, FES-assisted training was combined with continuous low-frequency stimulation of the pelvic somatic nerves in a SCI patient. Case Presentation: We report on unexpected findings in a 41-year-old man with chronic complete flaccid paraplegia, since he was 18 years old, who underwent spinal stem cell therapy and a laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis (LION procedure) in the pelvic lumbosacral nerves. The patient had complete flaccid sensomotoric paraplegia T12 as a result of a motor vehicle accident in 1998. In June 2011, he underwent a laparoscopic implantation of stimulation electrodes to the sciatic and femoral nerves for continuous low-frequency electrical stimulation and functional electrical stimulation of the pelvic nerves. Neither intraoperative direct stimulation of the pelvic nerves nor postoperative stimulation induced any sensation or muscle reactions. After 2 years of passive continuous low-frequency stimulation, the patient developed progressive recovery of electrically assisted voluntary motor functions below the lesions: he was first able to extend the right knee and 6 months later, the left. He is currently capable of voluntary weight-bearing standing and walking (with voluntary knee movements) about 50 m with open cuff crutches and drop foot braces. Discussion: Our findings suggest that continuous low-frequency pelvic nerve stimulation in combination with FES-assisted training might induce changes that affect both the upper and the lower motor neuron and allow supra- and infra-spinal inputs to engage residual spinal and peripheral pathways. PMID:28503316

Sequential segmental neuromuscular stimulation reduces fatigue and improves perfusion in dynamic graciloplasty.

PubMed

Zonnevijlle, E D; Somia, N N; Abadia, G P; Stremel, R W; Maldonado, C J; Werker, P M; Kon, M; Barker, J H

2000-09-01

Dynamic graciloplasty is used as a treatment modality for total urinary incontinence caused by a paralyzed sphincter. A problem with this application is undesirable fatigue of the muscle caused by continuous electrical stimulation. Therefore, the neosphincter must be trained via a rigorous regimen to transform it from a fatigue-prone state to a fatigue-resistant state. To avoid or shorten this training period, the application of sequential segmental neuromuscular stimulation (SSNS) was examined. This form of stimulation proved previously to be highly effective in acutely reducing fatigue caused by electrical stimulation. The contractile function and perfusion of gracilis muscles employed as neosphincters were compared between conventional, single-channel, continuous stimulation, and multichannel sequential stimulation in 8 dogs. The sequentially stimulated neosphincter proved to have an endurance 2.9 times longer (as measured by halftime to fatigue) than continuous stimulation and a better blood perfusion during stimulation (both of which were significant changes, p < 0.05). Clinically, this will not antiquate training of the muscle, but SSNS could reduce the need for long and rigorous training protocols, making dynamic graciloplasty more attractive as a method of treating urinary or fecal incontinence.

Ten Project Areas to Stimulate an Interest in Reading.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leigh, Robert K.; And Others

The result of an International Reading Association committee organized to identify successful community programs that stimulate an interest in reading, this paper identifies and describes 10 selected program areas that might be used as models for other communities. Following a brief description of the project and the submission criteria, the 10…

Basal activity of voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels controls the IP3-mediated contraction by α(1)-adrenoceptor stimulation of mouse aorta segments.

PubMed

Leloup, Arthur J; Van Hove, Cor E; De Meyer, Guido R Y; Schrijvers, Dorien M; Fransen, Paul

2015-08-05

α1-Adrenoceptor stimulation of mouse aorta causes intracellular Ca(2+) release from sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) stores via stimulation of inositoltriphosphate (IP3) receptors. It is hypothesized that this Ca(2+) release from the contractile and IP3-sensitive Ca(2+) store is under the continuous dynamic control of time-independent basal Ca(2+) influx via L-type voltage-gated Ca(2+) channels (LCC) residing in their window voltage range. Mouse aortic segments were α1-adrenoceptor stimulated with phenylephrine in the absence of external Ca(2+) (0Ca) to measure phasic isometric contractions. They gradually decreased with time in 0Ca, were inhibited with 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, and declined with previous membrane potential hyperpolarization (levcromakalim) or with previous inhibition of LCC (diltiazem). Former basal stimulation of LCC with depolarization (15 mM K(+)) or with BAY K8644 increased the subsequent phasic contractions by phenylephrine in 0Ca. Although exogenous NO (diethylamine NONOate) reduced the phasic contractions by phenylephrine, stimulation of endothelial cells with acetylcholine in 0Ca failed to attenuate these phasic contractions. Finally, inhibition of the basal release of NO with N(Ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester also attenuated the phasic contractions by phenylephrine. Results indicated that α1-adrenoceptor stimulation with phenylephrine causes phasic contractions, which are controlled by basal LCC and endothelial NO synthase activity. Endothelial NO release by acetylcholine was absent in 0Ca. Given the growing interest in the active regulation of arterial compliance, the dependence of contractile SR Ca(2+) store-refilling in basal conditions on the activity of LCC and basal eNOS may contribute to a more thorough understanding of physiological mechanisms leading to arterial stiffness. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Changes in the frequency of swallowing during electrical stimulation of superior laryngeal nerve in rats.

PubMed

Tsuji, Kojun; Tsujimura, Takanori; Magara, Jin; Sakai, Shogo; Nakamura, Yuki; Inoue, Makoto

2015-02-01

The aim of the present study was to investigate the adaptation of the swallowing reflex in terms of reduced swallowing reflex initiation following continuous superior laryngeal nerve stimulation. Forty-four male Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethane. To identify swallowing, electromyographic activity of the left mylohyoid and thyrohyoid muscles was recorded. To evoke the swallowing response, the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), recurrent laryngeal nerve, or cortical swallowing area was electrically stimulated. Repetitive swallowing evoked by continuous SLN stimulation was gradually reduced, and this reduction was dependent on the resting time duration between stimulations. Prior SLN stimulation also suppressed subsequent swallowing initiation. The reduction in evoked swallows induced by recurrent laryngeal nerve or cortical swallowing area stimulation was less than that following superior laryngeal nerve stimulation. Decerebration had no effect on the reduction in evoked swallows. Prior subthreshold stimulation reduced subsequent initiation of swallowing, suggesting that there was no relationship between swallowing movement evoked by prior stimulation and the subsequent reduction in swallowing initiation. Overall, these data suggest that reduced sensory afferent nerve firing and/or trans-synaptic responses, as well as part of the brainstem central pattern generator, are involved in adaptation of the swallowing reflex following continuous stimulation of swallow-inducing peripheral nerves and cortical areas. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

rTMS Induced Tinnitus Relief Is Related to an Increase in Auditory Cortical Alpha Activity

PubMed Central

Müller, Nadia; Lorenz, Isabel; Langguth, Berthold; Weisz, Nathan

2013-01-01

Chronic tinnitus, the continuous perception of a phantom sound, is a highly prevalent audiological symptom. A promising approach for the treatment of tinnitus is repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as this directly affects tinnitus-related brain activity. Several studies indeed show tinnitus relief after rTMS, however effects are moderate and vary strongly across patients. This may be due to a lack of knowledge regarding how rTMS affects oscillatory activity in tinnitus sufferers and which modulations are associated with tinnitus relief. In the present study we examined the effects of five different stimulation protocols (including sham) by measuring tinnitus loudness and tinnitus-related brain activity with Magnetoencephalography before and after rTMS. Changes in oscillatory activity were analysed for the stimulated auditory cortex as well as for the entire brain regarding certain frequency bands of interest (delta, theta, alpha, gamma). In line with the literature the effects of rTMS on tinnitus loudness varied strongly across patients. This variability was also reflected in the rTMS effects on oscillatory activity. Importantly, strong reductions in tinnitus loudness were associated with increases in alpha power in the stimulated auditory cortex, while an unspecific decrease in gamma and alpha power, particularly in left frontal regions, was linked to an increase in tinnitus loudness. The identification of alpha power increase as main correlate for tinnitus reduction sheds further light on the pathophysiology of tinnitus. This will hopefully stimulate the development of more effective therapy approaches. PMID:23390539

The Stimulation of Students' Interest in the Teaching by Competency-Based Approach: Latin American Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhyzhko, Olena

2017-01-01

This article presents the results of scientific-pedagogical research, which consisted in identifying, what are the best strategies of stimulation of students' interest in the teaching by competency-based approach studying the works of Latin American scientists. With support in the pedagogic-comparative study the author has found out that in the…

Chart Audit and Chart Stimulated Recall as Methods of Needs Assessment in Continuing Professional Health Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Affleck, Louise; Jennett, Penny

1998-01-01

Chart audit (assessment of patient medical records) is a cost-effective continuing-education needs-assessment method. Chart stimulated recall, in which physicians' memory of particular cases is stimulated by records, potentially increases content validity and exploration of clinical reasoning as well as the context of clinical decisions. (SK)

Visual cortex responses reflect temporal structure of continuous quasi-rhythmic sensory stimulation.

PubMed

Keitel, Christian; Thut, Gregor; Gross, Joachim

2017-02-01

Neural processing of dynamic continuous visual input, and cognitive influences thereon, are frequently studied in paradigms employing strictly rhythmic stimulation. However, the temporal structure of natural stimuli is hardly ever fully rhythmic but possesses certain spectral bandwidths (e.g. lip movements in speech, gestures). Examining periodic brain responses elicited by strictly rhythmic stimulation might thus represent ideal, yet isolated cases. Here, we tested how the visual system reflects quasi-rhythmic stimulation with frequencies continuously varying within ranges of classical theta (4-7Hz), alpha (8-13Hz) and beta bands (14-20Hz) using EEG. Our findings substantiate a systematic and sustained neural phase-locking to stimulation in all three frequency ranges. Further, we found that allocation of spatial attention enhances EEG-stimulus locking to theta- and alpha-band stimulation. Our results bridge recent findings regarding phase locking ("entrainment") to quasi-rhythmic visual input and "frequency-tagging" experiments employing strictly rhythmic stimulation. We propose that sustained EEG-stimulus locking can be considered as a continuous neural signature of processing dynamic sensory input in early visual cortices. Accordingly, EEG-stimulus locking serves to trace the temporal evolution of rhythmic as well as quasi-rhythmic visual input and is subject to attentional bias. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Detection of Norepinephrine in Whole Blood via Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry

PubMed Central

Nicolai, Evan N.; Trevathan, James K.; Ross, Erika K.; Lujan, J. Luis; Blaha, Charles D.; Bennet, Kevin E.; Lee, Kendall H.; Ludwig, Kip A.

2017-01-01

Bioelectronic Medicines is an emerging field that capitalizes on minimally-invasive technology to stimulate the autonomic nervous system in order to evoke therapeutic biomolecular changes at the end-organ. The goal of Bioelectronic Medicines is to realize both ‘precision and personalized’ medicine. ‘Precise’ stimulation of neural circuitry creates biomolecular changes targeted exactly where needed to maximize therapeutic effects while minimizing off-target changes associated with side-effects. The therapy is then ‘personalized’ by utilizing implanted sensors to measure the biomolecular concentrations at, or near, the end-organ of interest and continually adjusting therapy to account for patient-specific biological changes throughout the day. To realize the promise of Bioelectronic Medicines, there is a need for minimally invasive, real-time measurement of biomarkers associated with the effects of autonomic nerve stimulation to be used for continuous titration of therapy. In this study we examine the feasibility of using fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) to measure norepinephrine levels, a neurochemical relevant to end-organ function, directly from blood. FSCV is a well-understood method for measuring electroactive neurochemicals in the central nervous system with high temporal and high spatial resolution that has yet to be adapted to the study of the autonomic nervous system. The results demonstrate that while detecting the electroactive neurochemical norepinephrine in blood is more challenging than obtaining the same FSCV measurements in a buffer solution due to biofouling of the electrode, it is feasible to utilize a minimally invasive FSCV electrode to obtain neurochemical measurements in blood. PMID:29177248

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation-coil design with improved focality

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rastogi, P.; Lee, E. G.; Hadimani, R. L.; Jiles, D. C.

2017-05-01

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a technique for neuromodulation that can be used as a non-invasive therapy for various neurological disorders. In TMS, a time varying magnetic field generated from an electromagnetic coil placed on the scalp is used to induce an electric field inside the brain. TMS coil geometry plays an important role in determining the focality and depth of penetration of the induced electric field responsible for stimulation. Clinicians and basic scientists are interested in stimulating a localized area of the brain, while minimizing the stimulation of surrounding neural networks. In this paper, a novel coil has been proposed, namely Quadruple Butterfly Coil (QBC) with an improved focality over the commercial Figure-8 coil. Finite element simulations were conducted with both the QBC and the conventional Figure-8 coil. The two coil's stimulation profiles were assessed with 50 anatomically realistic MRI derived head models. The coils were positioned on the vertex and the scalp over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to stimulate the brain. Computer modeling of the coils has been done to determine the parameters of interest-volume of stimulation, maximum electric field, location of maximum electric field and area of stimulation across all 50 head models for both coils.

Introducing Past and Present Technical Writing into the Freshman Composition Course.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weaver, Laura H.

Using technical writing in the regular freshman composition course stimulates student interest by having the appeal of novelty and expands the horizons of students in the humanities and the pure and applied sciences. To begin the unit, one might stimulate interest in the content and style of technical writing of the past by using Robert M.…

The biological activities and chemical composition of Pereskia species (Cactaceae)--a review.

PubMed

Pinto, Nícolas de Castro Campos; Scio, Elita

2014-09-01

The exploration of nature as a source of sustainable, novel bioactive substances continues to grow as natural products play a significant role in the search for new therapeutic and agricultural agents. In this context, plants of the genus Pereskia (Cactaceae) have been studied for their biological activities, and are evolving as an interesting subject in the search for new, bioactive compounds. These species are commonly used as human foodstuffs and in traditional medicine to treat a variety of diseases. This review focuses on the bioactivity and chemical composition of the genus Pereskia, and aims to stimulate further studies on the chemistry and biological potential of the genus.

Novel Therapeutic Strategies for Alcohol and Drug Addiction: Focus on GABA, Ion Channels and Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

PubMed Central

Addolorato, Giovanni; Leggio, Lorenzo; Hopf, F Woodward; Diana, Marco; Bonci, Antonello

2012-01-01

Drug addiction represents a major social problem where addicts and alcoholics continue to seek and take drugs despite adverse social, personal, emotional, and legal consequences. A number of pharmacological compounds have been tested in human addicts with the goal of reducing the level or frequency of intake, but these pharmacotherapies have often been of only moderate efficacy or act in a sub-population of humans. Thus, there is a tremendous need for new therapeutic interventions to treat addiction. Here, we review recent interesting studies focusing on gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors, voltage-gated ion channels, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. Some of these treatments show considerable promise to reduce addictive behaviors, or the early clinical studies or pre-clinical rationale suggest that a promising avenue could be developed. Thus, it is likely that within a decade or so, we could have important new and effective treatments to achieve the goal of reducing the burden of human addiction and alcoholism. PMID:22030714

The ISMAAR proposal on terminology for ovarian stimulation for IVF.

PubMed

Nargund, G; Fauser, B C J M; Macklon, N S; Ombelet, W; Nygren, K; Frydman, R

2007-11-01

IVF is performed with oocytes collected in natural and stimulated cycles. Different approaches to ovarian stimulation have been employed worldwide. Following the introduction of GnRH antagonists and strategies to reduce multiple births such as single embryo transfer, there is a genuine scientific interest in the revival of natural cycle and mild approaches to ovarian stimulation in IVF. Recent evidence suggests that application of natural and mild IVF is patient-centred, aimed at reducing the cost of treatment, patient discomfort and multiple pregnancies. However, there seems to be no consistency in the terminology used for definitions and protocols for ovarian stimulation in IVF cycles. Following the recent International Society for Mild Approaches in Assisted Reproduction (ISMAAR) meeting and communication with interested international experts, this article has recommended revised definitions and terminology for natural cycle IVF and different protocols used in ovarian stimulation for IVF. It is proposed that these terms are adopted internationally in order to achieve a consistency in clinical practice, research publications and communication with patients.

Multistability and hidden attractors in an impulsive Goodwin oscillator with time delay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhusubaliyev, Z. T.; Mosekilde, E.; Churilov, A. N.; Medvedev, A.

2015-07-01

The release of luteinizing hormone (LH) is driven by intermittent bursts of activity in the hypothalamic nerve centers of the brain. Luteinizing hormone again stimulates release of the male sex hormone testosterone (Te) and, via the circulating concentration of Te, the hypothalamic nerve centers are subject to a negative feedback regulation that is capable of modifying the intermittent bursts into more regular pulse trains. Bifurcation analysis of a hybrid model that attempts to integrate the intermittent bursting activity with a continuous hormone secretion has recently demonstrated a number of interesting nonlinear dynamic phenomena, including bistability and deterministic chaos. The present paper focuses on the additional complexity that arises when the time delay in the continuous part of the model exceeds the typical bursting interval of the feedback. Under these conditions, the hybrid model is capable of displaying quasiperiodicity and border collisions as well as multistability and hidden attractors.

Robotics in Orthopedics: A Brave New World.

PubMed

Parsley, Brian S

2018-02-16

Future health-care projection projects a significant growth in population by 2020. Health care has seen an exponential growth in technology to address the growing population with the decreasing number of physicians and health-care workers. Robotics in health care has been introduced to address this growing need. Early adoption of robotics was limited because of the limited application of the technology, the cumbersome nature of the equipment, and technical complications. A continued improvement in efficacy, adaptability, and cost reduction has stimulated increased interest in robotic-assisted surgery. The evolution in orthopedic surgery has allowed for advanced surgical planning, precision robotic machining of bone, improved implant-bone contact, optimization of implant placement, and optimization of the mechanical alignment. The potential benefits of robotic surgery include improved surgical work flow, improvements in efficacy and reduction in surgical time. Robotic-assisted surgery will continue to evolve in the orthopedic field. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the tripolar electrode stimulation method by numerical analysis and animal experiments for cochlear implants.

PubMed

Miyoshi, S; Sakajiri, M; Ifukube, T; Matsushima, J

1997-01-01

We have proposed the Tripolar Electrode Stimulation Method (TESM) which may enable us to narrow the stimulation region and to move continuously the stimulation site for the cochlear implants. We evaluated whether or not TESM works according to a theory based on numerical analysis using the auditory nerve fiber model. In this simulation, the sum of the excited model fibers were compared with the compound actions potentials obtained from animal experiments. As a result, this experiment showed that TESM could narrow a stimulation region by controlling the sum of the currents emitted from the electrodes on both sides, and continuously move a stimulation site by changing the ratio of the currents emitted from the electrodes on both sides.

Neurostimulation in the treatment of primary headaches

PubMed Central

Miller, Sarah; Sinclair, Alex J; Davies, Brendan; Matharu, Manjit

2016-01-01

There is increasing interest in using neurostimulation to treat headache disorders. There are now several non-invasive and invasive stimulation devices available with some open-label series and small controlled trial studies that support their use. Non-invasive stimulation options include supraorbital stimulation (Cefaly), vagus nerve stimulation (gammaCore) and single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (SpringTMS). Invasive procedures include occipital nerve stimulation, sphenopalatine ganglion stimulation and ventral tegmental area deep brain stimulation. These stimulation devices may find a place in the treatment pathway of headache disorders. Here, we explore the basic principles of neurostimulation for headache and overview the available methods of neurostimulation. PMID:27152027

Characteristics of the work environment related to older employees' willingness to continue working: intrinsic motivation as a mediator.

PubMed

van den Berg, Peter T

2011-08-01

The relationships between older employees' willingness to continue working and characteristics of the work environment for older workers were investigated, as well as a possible mediation by intrinsic motivation. 103 employees ages 50 to 65 years, from various sectors of the Dutch labor market, completed questionnaires that measured willingness to continue working, intrinsic motivation, organizational stimulation, work variety, work challenge, and job autonomy. Hierarchical regression analyses showed organizational stimulation, as well as the various job characteristics, were positively related to employees' willingness to continue working. Moreover, intrinsic motivation fully mediated the relationship of work variety with willingness to continue working and partially mediated the relationships of organizational stimulation, work challenge, and job autonomy with willingness to continue working. It was concluded that organizations can encourage older workers to work until age 65 and beyond by shifting their focus from extrinsic to intrinsic rewards.

The effect of subthreshold continuous electrical stimulation on the facial function of patients with Bell's palsy.

PubMed

Kim, Jin; Choi, Jae Young

2016-01-01

The drug regimen plus electrical stimulation was more effective in treating Bell's palsy than the conventional drug treatment alone. The effectiveness of such a sub-threshold, continuous, low frequency electrical stimulation suggests a new therapeutic approach to accelerate nerve regeneration and improve functional recovery after injury. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sub-threshold, continuous electrical stimulation at 20 Hz facilitates functional recovery of patients with Bell's palsy. The authors performed a prospective randomized study that included 60 patients with mild-to-moderate grade Bell's palsy (HB grade ≤4, SB grade ≥40), to evaluate the effect of developed electrical stimulation on the resolution of symptoms. Thirty patients were treated with prednisolone or/and acyclovir plus electrical stimulation within 7 days of the onset of symptoms. The other 30 patients were treated with only prednisolone or/and acyclovir as a control group. The overall rate of patient recovery among those treated with prednisolone or/and acyclovir plus electrical stimulation (96%) was significantly better (p < 0.05) than the rate among those treated with only prednisolone or/and acyclovir (88%).

Adaptive deep brain stimulation in advanced Parkinson disease.

PubMed

Little, Simon; Pogosyan, Alex; Neal, Spencer; Zavala, Baltazar; Zrinzo, Ludvic; Hariz, Marwan; Foltynie, Thomas; Limousin, Patricia; Ashkan, Keyoumars; FitzGerald, James; Green, Alexander L; Aziz, Tipu Z; Brown, Peter

2013-09-01

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) could potentially be used to interact with pathological brain signals to intervene and ameliorate their effects in disease states. Here, we provide proof-of-principle of this approach by using a BCI to interpret pathological brain activity in patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD) and to use this feedback to control when therapeutic deep brain stimulation (DBS) is delivered. Our goal was to demonstrate that by personalizing and optimizing stimulation in real time, we could improve on both the efficacy and efficiency of conventional continuous DBS. We tested BCI-controlled adaptive DBS (aDBS) of the subthalamic nucleus in 8 PD patients. Feedback was provided by processing of the local field potentials recorded directly from the stimulation electrodes. The results were compared to no stimulation, conventional continuous stimulation (cDBS), and random intermittent stimulation. Both unblinded and blinded clinical assessments of motor effect were performed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. Motor scores improved by 66% (unblinded) and 50% (blinded) during aDBS, which were 29% (p = 0.03) and 27% (p = 0.005) better than cDBS, respectively. These improvements were achieved with a 56% reduction in stimulation time compared to cDBS, and a corresponding reduction in energy requirements (p < 0.001). aDBS was also more effective than no stimulation and random intermittent stimulation. BCI-controlled DBS is tractable and can be more efficient and efficacious than conventional continuous neuromodulation for PD. Copyright © 2013 American Neurological Association.

Scientific retreats with 'speed dating': networking to stimulate new interdisciplinary translational research collaborations and team science.

PubMed

Ranwala, Damayanthi; Alberg, Anthony J; Brady, Kathleen T; Obeid, Jihad S; Davis, Randal; Halushka, Perry V

2017-02-01

To stimulate the formation of new interdisciplinary translational research teams and innovative pilot projects, the South Carolina Clinical and Translational Research (SCTR) Institute (South Carolina Clinical and Translational Science Award, CTSA) initiated biannual scientific retreats with 'speed dating' networking sessions. Retreat themes were prioritized based on the following criteria; cross-cutting topic, unmet medical need, generation of novel technologies and methodologies. Each retreat begins with an external keynote speaker followed by a series of brief research presentations by local researchers focused on the retreat theme, articulating potential areas for new collaborations. After each session of presentations, there is a 30 min scientific 'speed dating' period during which the presenters meet with interested attendees to exchange ideas and discuss collaborations. Retreat attendees are eligible to compete for pilot project funds on the topic of the retreat theme. The 10 retreats held have had a total of 1004 participants, resulted in 61 pilot projects with new interdisciplinary teams, and 14 funded projects. The retreat format has been a successful mechanism to stimulate novel interdisciplinary research teams and innovative translational research projects. Future retreats will continue to target topics of cross-cutting importance to biomedical and public health research. Copyright © 2016 American Federation for Medical Research.

Scientific Retreats with ‘Speed Dating’: Networking to Stimulate New Interdisciplinary Translational Research Collaborations and Team Science

PubMed Central

Alberg, Anthony J.; Brady, Kathleen T.; Obeid, Jihad S.; Davis, Randal; Halushka, Perry V.

2016-01-01

To stimulate the formation of new interdisciplinary translational research teams and innovative pilot projects, the South Carolina Clinical & Translational Research (SCTR) Institute (South Carolina Clinical and Translational Science Award, CTSA) initiated biannual scientific retreats with “speed dating” networking sessions. Retreat themes were prioritized based on the following criteria; cross-cutting topic, unmet medical need, generation of novel technologies and methodologies. Each retreat commences with an external keynote speaker followed by a series of brief research presentations by local researchers focused on the retreat theme, articulating potential areas for new collaborations. After each session of presentations, there is a 30 minute scientific “speed dating” period during which the presenters meet with interested attendees to exchange ideas and discuss collaborations. Retreat attendees are eligible to compete for pilot project funds on the topic of the retreat theme. The 10 retreats held have had a total of 1004 participants, resulted in 61 pilot projects with new interdisciplinary teams, and 14 funded projects. The retreat format has been a successful mechanism to stimulate novel interdisciplinary research teams and innovative translational research projects. Future retreats will continue to target topics of cross-cutting importance to biomedical and public health research. PMID:27807146

21 CFR 868.2775 - Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. 868.2775... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Monitoring Devices § 868.2775 Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. (a) Identification. An electrical peripheral nerve stimulator (neuromuscular blockade monitor) is...

21 CFR 868.2775 - Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. 868.2775... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Monitoring Devices § 868.2775 Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. (a) Identification. An electrical peripheral nerve stimulator (neuromuscular blockade monitor) is...

21 CFR 868.2775 - Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. 868.2775... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Monitoring Devices § 868.2775 Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. (a) Identification. An electrical peripheral nerve stimulator (neuromuscular blockade monitor) is...

Using Situational Interest to Enhance Individual Interest and Science-Related Behaviours

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, David; Dixon, Jeanette; Archer, Jennifer

2017-01-01

Situational interest is a relatively transient reaction to highly stimulating factors in the immediate environment, whereas individual interest is a relatively long-term preference for a particular subject or activity. It has been proposed that regular experiences of situational interest in a subject may eventually lead to the development of…

Effects of patterned peripheral nerve stimulation on soleus spinal motor neuron excitability

PubMed Central

Dileone, Michele; Campolo, Michela; Carrasco-Lopez, Carmen; Moitinho-Ferreira, Fabricia; Gallego-Izquierdo, Tomas; Siebner, Hartwig R.; Valls-Solé, Josep; Aguilar, Juan

2018-01-01

Spinal plasticity is thought to contribute to sensorimotor recovery of limb function in several neurological disorders and can be experimentally induced in animals and humans using different stimulation protocols. In healthy individuals, electrical continuous Theta Burst Stimulation (TBS) of the median nerve has been shown to change spinal motoneuron excitability in the cervical spinal cord as indexed by a change in mean H-reflex amplitude in the flexor carpi radialis muscle. It is unknown whether continuous TBS of a peripheral nerve can also shift motoneuron excitability in the lower limb. In 26 healthy subjects, we examined the effects of electrical TBS given to the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa on the excitability of lumbar spinal motoneurons as measured by H-reflex amplitude of the soleus muscle evoked by tibial nerve stimulation. Continuous TBS was given at 110% of H-reflex threshold intensity and compared to non-patterned regular electrical stimulation at 15 Hz. To disclose any pain-induced effects, we also tested the effects of TBS at individual sensory threshold. Moreover, in a subgroup of subjects we evaluated paired-pulse inhibition of H-reflex. Continuous TBS at 110% of H-reflex threshold intensity induced a short-term reduction of H-reflex amplitude. The other stimulation conditions produced no after effects. Paired-pulse H-reflex inhibition was not modulated by continuous TBS or non-patterned repetitive stimulation at 15 Hz. An effect of pain on the results obtained was discarded, since non-patterned 15 Hz stimulation at 110% HT led to pain scores similar to those induced by EcTBS at 110% HT, but was not able to induce any modulation of the H reflex amplitude. Together, the results provide first time evidence that peripheral continuous TBS induces a short-lasting change in the excitability of spinal motoneurons in lower limb circuitries. Future studies need to investigate how the TBS protocol can be optimized to produce a larger and longer effect on spinal cord physiology and whether this might be a useful intervention in patients with excessive excitability of the spinal motorneurons. PMID:29451889

Improvement of both dystonia and tics with 60 Hz pallidal deep brain stimulation.

PubMed

Hwynn, Nelson; Tagliati, Michele; Alterman, Ron L; Limotai, Natlada; Zeilman, Pamela; Malaty, Irene A; Foote, Kelly D; Morishita, Takashi; Okun, Michael S

2012-09-01

Deep brain stimulation has been utilized in both dystonia and in medication refractory Tourette syndrome. We present an interesting case of a patient with a mixture of disabling dystonia and Tourette syndrome whose coexistent dystonia and tics were successfully treated with 60 Hz-stimulation of the globus pallidus region.

Pulse-train Stimulation of Primary Somatosensory Cortex Blocks Pain Perception in Tail Clip Test

PubMed Central

Lee, Soohyun; Hwang, Eunjin; Lee, Dongmyeong

2017-01-01

Human studies of brain stimulation have demonstrated modulatory effects on the perception of pain. However, whether the primary somatosensory cortical activity is associated with antinociceptive responses remains unknown. Therefore, we examined the antinociceptive effects of neuronal activity evoked by optogenetic stimulation of primary somatosensory cortex. Optogenetic transgenic mice were subjected to continuous or pulse-train optogenetic stimulation of the primary somatosensory cortex at frequencies of 15, 30, and 40 Hz, during a tail clip test. Reaction time was measured using a digital high-speed video camera. Pulse-train optogenetic stimulation of primary somatosensory cortex showed a delayed pain response with respect to a tail clip, whereas no significant change in reaction time was observed with continuous stimulation. In response to the pulse-train stimulation, video monitoring and local field potential recording revealed associated paw movement and sensorimotor rhythms, respectively. Our results show that optogenetic stimulation of primary somatosensory cortex at beta and gamma frequencies blocks transmission of pain signals in tail clip test. PMID:28442945

[Hypoglossal nerve stimulation in patients with CPAP failure : Evolution of an alternative treatment for patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

PubMed

Heiser, C; Hofauer, B

2017-02-01

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disease in western industrialized countries with increasing prevalence. Gold standard of therapy is nocturnal positive pressure ventilation by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). Due to complications and side effects of ventilation, therapy adherence is limited. Recently an alternative surgical treatment has become available for these patients, which uses established techniques to stimulate the hypoglossus nerve to open the upper airway during sleep. The aim of this work is to provide an overview of the history and current state of scientific knowledge of this therapy in the treatment of OSA. Currently, two systems are available on the market: respiratory-driven hypoglossal nerve stimulation (Inspire Medical Systems) and continuous hypoglossal nerve stimulation (ImThera Medical). For respiratory-driven hypoglossal nerve stimulation, a solid body of evidence is available and the therapy has been investigated in numerous multicenter clinical studies with regard to safety and efficacy. Only a small number of publications is available for continuous hypoglossal nerve stimulation. At the end of the last century, promising clinical results were shown in the first patients treated with hypoglossal nerve stimulation. Consequent technological and scientific development of respiratory-driven hypoglossal nerve stimulation in recent years led to its implementation in today's clinical routine. This therapy significantly broadens the spectrum of therapies in the treatment of OSA, especially for patients with CPAP intolerance.

21 CFR 874.1820 - Surgical nerve stimulator/locator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Surgical nerve stimulator/locator. 874.1820... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 874.1820 Surgical nerve stimulator/locator. (a) Identification. A surgical nerve stimulator/locator is a device that is intended to...

Enhanced methane generation during theromophilic co-digestion of confectionary waste and grease-trap fats and oils with municipal wastewater sludge.

PubMed

Gough, Heidi L; Nelsen, Diane; Muller, Christopher; Ferguson, John

2013-02-01

Recent interest in carbon-neutral biofuels has revived interest in co-digestion for methane generation. At wastewater treatment facilities, organic wastes may be co-digested with sludge using established anaerobic digesters. However, changes to organic loadings may induce digester instability, particularly for thermophilic digesters. To examine this problem, thermophilic (55 degrees C) co-digestion was studied for two food-industry wastes in semi-continuous laboratory digesters; in addition, the wastes' biochemical methane potentials were tested. Wastes with high chemical oxygen demand (COD) content were selected as feedstocks allowing increased input of potential energy to reactors without substantially altering volumetric loadings. Methane generation increased while reactor pH and volatile solids remained stable. Lag periods observed prior to methane stimulation suggested that acclimation of the microbial community may be critical to performance during co-digestion. Chemical oxygen demand mass balances in the experimental and control reactors indicated that all of the food industry waste COD was converted to methane.

Intra-organizational dynamics as drivers of entrepreneurship among physicians and managers in hospitals of western countries.

PubMed

Koelewijn, Wout T; Ehrenhard, Michel L; Groen, Aard J; van Harten, Wim H

2012-09-01

During the past decade, entrepreneurship in the healthcare sector has become increasingly important. The aging society, the continuous stream of innovative technologies and the growth of chronic illnesses are jeopardizing the sustainability of healthcare systems. In response, many European governments started to reform healthcare during the 1990s, replacing the traditional logic of medical professionalism with business-like logics. This trend is expected to continue as many governments will have to reduce their healthcare spending in response to the current growing budget deficits. In the process, entrepreneurship is being stimulated, yet little is known about intra-hospital dynamics leading to entrepreneurial behavior. The purpose of this article is to review existing literature concerning the influence of intra-organizational dynamics on entrepreneurship among physicians and managers in hospitals of Western countries. Therefore, we conducted a theory-led, systematic review of how intra-organizational dynamics among hospital managers and physicians can influence entrepreneurship. We designed our review using the neo-institutional framework of Greenwood and Hinings (1996). We analyze these dynamics in terms of power dependencies, interest dissatisfaction and value commitments. Our search revealed that physicians' dependence on hospital management has increased along with healthcare reforms and the resulting emphasis on business logics. This has induced various types of responses by physicians. Physicians can be pushed to adopt an entrepreneurial attitude as part of a defensive value commitment toward the business-like healthcare logic, to defend their traditionally dominant position and professional autonomy. In contrast, physicians holding a transformative attitude toward traditional medical professionalism seem more prone to adopt the entrepreneurial elements of business-like healthcare, encouraged by the prospect of increased autonomy and income. Interest dissatisfaction and competing value commitments can also stimulate physicians' entrepreneurship and, depending on their relative importance, determine whether it is necessity-based or opportunity-driven. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neural stimulation for Parkinson's disease: current therapies and future directions.

PubMed

Neimat, Joseph S; Hamani, Clement; Lozano, Andres M

2006-01-01

Neural stimulation has rapidly become an integral tool in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Today it serves as an important adjunct to medical therapy that continues to gain applicability to patients in whom the disease has progressed significantly. Studies have demonstrated efficacy in several deep-brain targets, with prolonged benefit exceeding 5-year follow-up times. Continuing study is teaching us more about the mechanism of deep-brain stimulation effect. New targets, which may treat the disease more successfully, are being examined. In this review, the history of deep-brain stimulation, the rationale for the known targets of stimulation; the clinical evidence demonstrating their benefit and, finally, future perspectives on new treatments that are being investigated and may have an impact on the field are discussed.

Pathways from parental stimulation of children's curiosity to high school science course accomplishments and science career interest and skill

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eskeles Gottfried, Adele; Johnson Preston, Kathleen Suzanne; Gottfried, Allen W.; Oliver, Pamella H.; Delany, Danielle E.; Ibrahim, Sirena M.

2016-08-01

Curiosity is fundamental to scientific inquiry and pursuance. Parents are important in encouraging children's involvement in science. This longitudinal study examined pathways from parental stimulation of children's curiosity per se to their science acquisition (SA). A latent variable of SA was indicated by the inter-related variables of high school science course accomplishments, career interest, and skill. A conceptual model investigated parental stimulation of children's curiosity as related to SA via science intrinsic motivation and science achievement. The Fullerton Longitudinal Study provided data spanning school entry through high school (N = 118). Parental stimulation of curiosity at age 8 years comprised exposing children to new experiences, promoting curiosity, encouraging asking questions, and taking children to a museum. Intrinsic motivation was measured at ages 9, 10, and 13 years, and achievement at ages 9, 10, and 11 years. Structural equation modelling was used for analyses. Controlling for socio-economic status, parental stimulation of curiosity bore positive and significant relations to science intrinsic motivation and achievement, which in turn related to SA. Gender neither related to stimulation of curiosity nor contributed to the model. Findings highlight the importance of parental stimulation of children's curiosity in facilitating trajectories into science, and relevance to science education is discussed.

Past challenges faced: an overview of current educational activities of IUTOX.

PubMed

Dybing, Erik; MacGregor, Judith; Malmfors, Torbjörn; Chipman, J Kevin; Wright, Paul

2005-09-01

Over the past decade, educational programmes have been the main focus of the activities of the International Union of Toxicology (IUTOX). The IUTOX educational programmes are dynamic and have been growing in scope and frequency each year. It is envisaged that this growth will continue with guidance from our member societies and the continuing support of our sponsors. Presently, IUTOX is engaged in the following educational programmes: (1) International congresses that provide the opportunity for direct communication of current toxicological information. Fellowships are sponsored to facilitate attendance at these congresses for toxicologists in need. (2) Workshops that permit interaction on a more localised level of topics of more regional interest. Workshops have served to help stimulate formation of toxicology societies by bringing together sufficient scientists to facilitate these discussions. (3) Continuing educational (CE) programmes at member society meetings. Topics are prioritized based on input received from the local societies. Programmes often are those from CE courses given at meetings, such as conferences of the US Society of Toxicology (US SOT) and EUROTOX from the previous year. (4) Biennial Risk Assessment Summer School (RASS), an intensive week-long interaction between senior toxicologists who serve as faculty with attendees providing individual training. (5) Dissemination of donated printed toxicological books from publishers and syllabi from continuing education courses to regional locations. (6) Web-based interactive training programmes in regions where formal toxicological educational programmes are limited or lacking. (7) Preparation and distribution of monographs on selected topics of very current interest. Monographs on environmental oestrogens and genetically-modified foods have been published. The recent activities in each of these programmes are reviewed in this paper.

No significant effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) found on simple motor reaction time comparing 15 different simulation protocols.

PubMed

Horvath, Jared Cooney; Carter, Olivia; Forte, Jason D

2016-10-01

Research exploring the behavioral impact of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over M1 has produced homogenous results. The most common explanations to address this homogeneity concerns the differential impact of varied tDCS parameters (such as stimulation intensity or electrode montage). To explore this, we systematically examined the effects of 15 different tDCS protocols on a well-elucidated neurobehavioral system: simple visual motor reaction time (smRT). For the initial phase of this study, 150 healthy participants were randomly assigned to one of 5 experimental groups (2mA anodal, 2mA cathodal, 1mA anodal, 1mA cathodal, or sham) across 3 different conditions (orbitofrontal, bilateral, or extracephalic reference electrode location). The active electrode was always placed over M1 and tDCS lasted for 20min. Starting ~5min prior to stimulation and running continuously for ~30min, participants were repeatedly presented with a visual cue centered on a computer monitor and asked to press a response button as quickly as possible at stimulus onset (stimuli number: 100 pre-, 400 during-, and 100-post stimulation - interstimulus interval: 1-3s). Ex-gaussian distribution curves, miss, and error rates were determined for each normalized batch of 100 RTs and compared using a two-way ANOVA. As the largest group differences were seen with 2mA anodal (compared to sham) stimulation using an orbitofrontal montage, an additional 60 healthy participants were recruited to further test for significance in this condition. No significant impact of tDCS was seen on any parameter of smRT distribution, error rate, or miss rate, regardless of polarity, stimulation intensity, electrode montage, or stimulation-to-task relationship. Our results suggest that tDCS over M1 might not have a predictable or reliable effect on short duration smRT. Our results raise interesting questions regarding the mechanisms by which tDCS might modulate more complex motor behaviors. Additional research utilizing multiple tDCS protocols as undertaken here will help address and clarify these concerns. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

High-Frequency Transcutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation Induces a Higher Increase of Heat Pain Threshold in the Cutaneous Area of the Stimulated Nerve When Confronted to the Neighbouring Areas

PubMed Central

Buonocore, M.; Camuzzini, N.; Cecini, M.; Dalla Toffola, E.

2013-01-01

Background. TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is probably the most diffused physical therapy used for antalgic purposes. Although it continues to be used by trial and error, correct targeting of paresthesias evoked by the electrical stimulation on the painful area is diffusely considered very important for pain relief. Aim. To investigate if TENS antalgic effect is higher in the cutaneous area of the stimulated nerve when confronted to neighbouring areas. Methods. 10 volunteers (4 males, 6 females) underwent three different sessions: in two, heat pain thresholds (HPTs) were measured on the dorsal hand skin before, during and after electrical stimulation (100 Hz, 0.1 msec) of superficial radial nerve; in the third session HPTs, were measured without any stimulation. Results. Radial nerve stimulation induced an increase of HPT significantly higher in its cutaneous territory when confronted to the neighbouring ulnar nerve territory, and antalgic effect persisted beyond the stimulation time. Conclusions. The location of TENS electrodes is crucial for obtaining the strongest pain relief, and peripheral nerve trunk stimulation is advised whenever possible. Moreover, the present study indicates that continuous stimulation could be unnecessary, suggesting a strategy for avoiding the well-known tolerance-like effect of prolonged TENS application. PMID:24027756

Continuous-wave infrared optical nerve stimulation for potential diagnostic applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tozburun, Serhat; Cilip, Christopher M.; Lagoda, Gwen A.; Burnett, Arthur L.; Fried, Nathaniel M.

2010-09-01

Optical nerve stimulation using infrared laser radiation has recently been developed as a potential alternative to electrical nerve stimulation. However, recent studies have focused primarily on pulsed delivery of the laser radiation and at relatively low pulse rates. The objective of this study is to demonstrate faster optical stimulation of the prostate cavernous nerves using continuous-wave (cw) infrared laser radiation for potential diagnostic applications. A thulium fiber laser (λ=1870 nm) is used for noncontact optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves in vivo. Optical nerve stimulation, as measured by an intracavernous pressure (ICP) response in the penis, is achieved with the laser operating in either cw mode, or with a 5-ms pulse duration at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 Hz. Successful optical stimulation is observed to be primarily dependent on a threshold nerve temperature (42 to 45 °C), rather than an incident fluence, as previously reported. cw optical nerve stimulation provides a significantly faster ICP response time using a lower power (and also less expensive) laser than pulsed stimulation. cw optical nerve stimulation may therefore represent an alternative mode of stimulation for intraoperative diagnostic applications where a rapid response is critical, such as identification of the cavernous nerves during prostate cancer surgery.

Functional correlates of the therapeutic and adverse effects evoked by thalamic stimulation for essential tremor

PubMed Central

Gibson, William S.; Jo, Hang Joon; Testini, Paola; Cho, Shinho; Felmlee, Joel P.; Welker, Kirk M.; Klassen, Bryan T.; Min, Hoon-Ki

2016-01-01

Deep brain stimulation is an established neurosurgical therapy for movement disorders including essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. While typically highly effective, deep brain stimulation can sometimes yield suboptimal therapeutic benefit and can cause adverse effects. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that intraoperative functional magnetic resonance imaging could be used to detect deep brain stimulation-evoked changes in functional and effective connectivity that would correlate with the therapeutic and adverse effects of stimulation. Ten patients receiving deep brain stimulation of the ventralis intermedius thalamic nucleus for essential tremor underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging during stimulation applied at a series of stimulation localizations, followed by evaluation of deep brain stimulation-evoked therapeutic and adverse effects. Correlations between the therapeutic effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (3 months postoperatively) and deep brain stimulation-evoked changes in functional and effective connectivity were assessed using region of interest-based correlation analysis and dynamic causal modelling, respectively. Further, we investigated whether brain regions might exist in which activation resulting from deep brain stimulation might correlate with the presence of paraesthesias, the most common deep brain stimulation-evoked adverse effect. Thalamic deep brain stimulation resulted in activation within established nodes of the tremor circuit: sensorimotor cortex, thalamus, contralateral cerebellar cortex and deep cerebellar nuclei (FDR q < 0.05). Stimulation-evoked activation in all these regions of interest, as well as activation within the supplementary motor area, brainstem, and inferior frontal gyrus, exhibited significant correlations with the long-term therapeutic effectiveness of deep brain stimulation (P < 0.05), with the strongest correlation (P < 0.001) observed within the contralateral cerebellum. Dynamic causal modelling revealed a correlation between therapeutic effectiveness and attenuated within-region inhibitory connectivity in cerebellum. Finally, specific subregions of sensorimotor cortex were identified in which deep brain stimulation-evoked activation correlated with the presence of unwanted paraesthesias. These results suggest that thalamic deep brain stimulation in tremor likely exerts its effects through modulation of both olivocerebellar and thalamocortical circuits. In addition, our findings indicate that deep brain stimulation-evoked functional activation maps obtained intraoperatively may contain predictive information pertaining to the therapeutic and adverse effects induced by deep brain stimulation. PMID:27329768

Increasing High School Student Interest in Science: An Action Research Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vartuli, Cindy A.

2016-01-01

An action research study was conducted to determine how to increase student interest in learning science and pursuing a STEM career. The study began by exploring 10th-grade student and teacher perceptions of student interest in science in order to design an instructional strategy for stimulating student interest in learning and pursuing science.…

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Reveals Auditory and Frontal Cortical Regions Involved with Speech Perception and Loudness Adaptation.

PubMed

Berding, Georg; Wilke, Florian; Rode, Thilo; Haense, Cathleen; Joseph, Gert; Meyer, Geerd J; Mamach, Martin; Lenarz, Minoo; Geworski, Lilli; Bengel, Frank M; Lenarz, Thomas; Lim, Hubert H

2015-01-01

Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of hearing loss with auditory implants. However, there are still many implanted patients that experience hearing deficiencies, such as limited speech understanding or vanishing perception with continuous stimulation (i.e., abnormal loudness adaptation). The present study aims to identify specific patterns of cerebral cortex activity involved with such deficiencies. We performed O-15-water positron emission tomography (PET) in patients implanted with electrodes within the cochlea, brainstem, or midbrain to investigate the pattern of cortical activation in response to speech or continuous multi-tone stimuli directly inputted into the implant processor that then delivered electrical patterns through those electrodes. Statistical parametric mapping was performed on a single subject basis. Better speech understanding was correlated with a larger extent of bilateral auditory cortex activation. In contrast to speech, the continuous multi-tone stimulus elicited mainly unilateral auditory cortical activity in which greater loudness adaptation corresponded to weaker activation and even deactivation. Interestingly, greater loudness adaptation was correlated with stronger activity within the ventral prefrontal cortex, which could be up-regulated to suppress the irrelevant or aberrant signals into the auditory cortex. The ability to detect these specific cortical patterns and differences across patients and stimuli demonstrates the potential for using PET to diagnose auditory function or dysfunction in implant patients, which in turn could guide the development of appropriate stimulation strategies for improving hearing rehabilitation. Beyond hearing restoration, our study also reveals a potential role of the frontal cortex in suppressing irrelevant or aberrant activity within the auditory cortex, and thus may be relevant for understanding and treating tinnitus.

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging Reveals Auditory and Frontal Cortical Regions Involved with Speech Perception and Loudness Adaptation

PubMed Central

Berding, Georg; Wilke, Florian; Rode, Thilo; Haense, Cathleen; Joseph, Gert; Meyer, Geerd J.; Mamach, Martin; Lenarz, Minoo; Geworski, Lilli; Bengel, Frank M.; Lenarz, Thomas; Lim, Hubert H.

2015-01-01

Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of hearing loss with auditory implants. However, there are still many implanted patients that experience hearing deficiencies, such as limited speech understanding or vanishing perception with continuous stimulation (i.e., abnormal loudness adaptation). The present study aims to identify specific patterns of cerebral cortex activity involved with such deficiencies. We performed O-15-water positron emission tomography (PET) in patients implanted with electrodes within the cochlea, brainstem, or midbrain to investigate the pattern of cortical activation in response to speech or continuous multi-tone stimuli directly inputted into the implant processor that then delivered electrical patterns through those electrodes. Statistical parametric mapping was performed on a single subject basis. Better speech understanding was correlated with a larger extent of bilateral auditory cortex activation. In contrast to speech, the continuous multi-tone stimulus elicited mainly unilateral auditory cortical activity in which greater loudness adaptation corresponded to weaker activation and even deactivation. Interestingly, greater loudness adaptation was correlated with stronger activity within the ventral prefrontal cortex, which could be up-regulated to suppress the irrelevant or aberrant signals into the auditory cortex. The ability to detect these specific cortical patterns and differences across patients and stimuli demonstrates the potential for using PET to diagnose auditory function or dysfunction in implant patients, which in turn could guide the development of appropriate stimulation strategies for improving hearing rehabilitation. Beyond hearing restoration, our study also reveals a potential role of the frontal cortex in suppressing irrelevant or aberrant activity within the auditory cortex, and thus may be relevant for understanding and treating tinnitus. PMID:26046763

What's new in tuberculosis vaccines?

PubMed Central

Ginsberg, Ann M.

2002-01-01

Over the past 10 years, tuberculosis (TB) vaccine development has resurged as an active area of investigation. The renewed interest has been stimulated by the recognition that, although BCG is delivered to approximately 90% of all neonates globally through the Expanded Programme on Immunization, Mycobacterium tuberculosis continues to cause over 8 million new cases of TB and over 2 million deaths annually. Over one hundred TB vaccine candidates have been developed, using different approaches to inducing protective immunity. Candidate vaccines are typically screened in small animal models of primary TB disease for their ability to protect against a virulent strain of M. tuberculosis. The most promising are now beginning to enter human safety trials, marking real progress in this field for the first time in 80 years. PMID:12132007

Climate Change, CO2, and Defense: The Metabolic, Redox, and Signaling Perspectives.

PubMed

Noctor, Graham; Mhamdi, Amna

2017-10-01

Ongoing human-induced changes in the composition of the atmosphere continue to stimulate interest in the effects of high CO 2 on plants, but its potential impact on inducible plant defense pathways remains poorly defined. Recently, several studies have reported that growth at elevated CO 2 is sufficient to induce defenses such as the salicylic acid pathway, thereby increasing plant resistance to pathogens. These reports contrast with evidence that defense pathways can be promoted by photorespiration, which is inhibited at high CO 2 . Here, we review signaling, metabolic, and redox processes modulated by CO 2 levels and discuss issues to be resolved in elucidating the relationships between primary metabolism, inducible defense, and biotic stress resistance. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Human Factors Topics in Flight Simulation: An Annotated Bibliography

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-01-01

and technical information; - Continuously stimulating advances in the aerospace sciences relevant to strengthening the common defence posture...Topics treated under cost effectiveness are effectiveness as a function of training procedures, physical stimulation versus psychological stimulation ...fidelity of physical stimulation . HUDDLESTON. H.F. and ROLFE, J.M. Behaviouralfactors influencing aircrew response in training and research simulators

LTP in Hippocampal Area CA1 Is Induced by Burst Stimulation over a Broad Frequency Range Centered around Delta

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grover, Lawrence M.; Kim, Eunyoung; Cooke, Jennifer D.; Holmes, William R.

2009-01-01

Long-term potentiation (LTP) is typically studied using either continuous high-frequency stimulation or theta burst stimulation. Previous studies emphasized the physiological relevance of theta frequency; however, synchronized hippocampal activity occurs over a broader frequency range. We therefore tested burst stimulation at intervals from 100…

Role of 5-HT7 receptors in the inhibition of the vasodepressor sensory CGRPergic outflow in pithed rats.

PubMed

Cuesta, Cristina; García-Pedraza, José Ángel; García, Mónica; Villalón, Carlos M; Morán, Asunción

2014-10-01

The role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the modulation of vascular tone has been widely documented. Indeed, electrical stimulation of the perivascular sensory outflow in pithed rats induces vasodepressor responses by activation of CGRP receptors. This study investigated the role of 5-HT7 receptors in the inhibition of the rat vasodepressor sensory outflow. Male Wistar pithed rats were pretreated with i.v. continuous infusions of hexamethonium and methoxamine, followed by physiological saline or AS-19 (a 5-HT7 receptor agonist). Then, electrical stimulation of the spinal cord resulted in frequency-dependent decreases in DBP. The infusions of AS-19, as compared to those of saline, inhibited the vasodepressor responses induced by electrical stimulation without affecting those to i.v. bolus injections of exogenous α-CGRP. This inhibition by AS-19 was abolished by the antagonists pimozide (5-HT7) or sulfisoxazole (ETA), but not by indomethacin (COX1/2) or losartan (AT1), at doses that did not affect per se the electrically-induced vasodepressor responses. Interestingly, glibenclamide (an ATP-dependent K(+) channel blocker) attenuated these vasodepressor responses. The present results suggest that AS-19-induced inhibition of the rat vasodepressor sensory CGRPergic outflow is mainly mediated by 5-HT7 receptors via endothelin release, with the possible involvement of ATP-dependent K(+) channels. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abuse-resistant drug delivery.

PubMed

DuPont, Robert L; Bensinger, Peter B

2006-08-01

In attempting to reduce the nonmedical use of controlled substances, a reasonable step is to educate the physicians prescribing controlled substances, including the prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD, as well as patients and family members, about the risks of nonmedical use and the dangers of giving or selling these medicines to persons for whom they were not prescribed. Patients who find benefits in the use of such medicines have a significant interest in protecting their continued access to them. Such access is potentially threatened by concerns about widespread nonmedical use. Physicians can help protect the appropriate medical use of prescription stimulants by considering the abuse potential of various medicines used to treat patients with ADHD, especially when these patients also have a history of nonmedical substance use. In addition, we suggest that today there is an opportunity to add a new and perhaps more hopeful paradigm: the wider use of drug delivery systems that make products less attractive to drug abusers. This new drug abuse prevention paradigm holds great promise for efforts to reduce the nonmedical use of prescription controlled substances, including the prescription stimulants used to treat ADHD. To achieve the full potential of this new paradigm to reduce prescription drug abuse, it will be necessary to develop standards to assess the relative abuse resistance of various drug formulations and delivery systems, as well as meaningful incentives to foster the development of these abuse-resistant delivery systems for controlled substances.

The Development of the STEM Career Interest Survey (STEM-CIS)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kier, Meredith W.; Blanchard, Margaret R.; Osborne, Jason W.; Albert, Jennifer L.

2014-01-01

Internationally, efforts to increase student interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers have been on the rise. It is often the goal of such efforts that increased interest in STEM careers should stimulate economic growth and enhance innovation. Scientific and educational organizations recommend that efforts to…

Use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to prevent recurrent clozapine-induced neutropenia on drug rechallenge: A systematic review of the literature and clinical recommendations.

PubMed

Myles, Nicholas; Myles, Hannah; Clark, Scott R; Bird, Robert; Siskind, Dan

2017-10-01

Clozapine is the most effective medication for treatment-refractory schizophrenia; however, its use is contraindicated in people who have had previous clozapine-induced neutropenia. Co-prescription of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor may prevent recurrent neutropenia and allow continuation or rechallenge of clozapine. Systematic review of literature reporting the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor to allow rechallenge or continuation of clozapine in people with previous episodes of clozapine-induced neutropenia. The efficacy of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor and predictors of successful rechallenge will be determined to elucidate whether evidence-based recommendations can be made regarding the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in this context. A total of 17 articles were identified that reported on clozapine rechallenge with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor support. In all, 76% of cases were able to continue clozapine at median follow-up of 12 months. There were no clear clinical or laboratory predictors of successful rechallenge; however, initial neutropenia was more severe in successful cases compared to unsuccessful cases. Cases co-prescribed lithium had lower success rates of rechallenge (60%) compared to those who were not prescribed lithium (81%). The most commonly reported rechallenge strategy was use of filgrastim 150-480 µg between daily to three times a week. There were no medication-specific side effects of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor reported apart from euphoria in one case. Three cases who failed granulocyte-colony stimulating factor had bacterial infection at time of recurrent neutropenia. No deaths were reported. Preliminary data suggest granulocyte-colony stimulating factor is safe and effective in facilitating rechallenge with clozapine. Clinical recommendations for use are discussed.

Tolerance to extended galvanic vestibular stimulation: optimal exposure for astronaut training.

PubMed

Dilda, Valentina; MacDougall, Hamish G; Moore, Steven T

2011-08-01

We have developed an analogue of postflight sensorimotor dysfunction in astronauts using pseudorandom galvanic vestibular stimulation (GVS). To date there has been no study of the effects of extended GVS on human subjects and our aim was to determine optimal exposure for astronaut training based on tolerance to intermittent and continuous galvanic stimulation. There were 60 subjects who were exposed to a total of 10.5 min of intermittent GVS at a peak current of 3.5 mA or 5 mA. A subset of 24 subjects who tolerated the intermittent stimulus were subsequently exposed to 20-min continuous stimulation at 3.5 mA or 5 mA. During intermittent GVS the large majority of subjects (78.3%) reported no or at most mild motion sickness symptoms, 13.3% reported moderate symptoms, and 8.3% experienced severe nausea and requested termination of the stimulus. During 20-min continuous exposure, 83.3% of subjects reported no or at most mild motion sickness symptoms and 16.7% (all in the 5-mA group) experienced severe nausea. Based on these results, we propose two basic modes of GVS application to minimize the incidence of motion sickness: intermittent high (5 mA) amplitude, suited to simulation of intensive operator tasks requiring a high-fidelity analogue of postflight sensorimotor dysfunction such as landing or docking maneuvers; and continuous low (3.5 mA) amplitude stimulation, for longer simulation scenarios such as extra vehicular activity. Our results suggest that neither mode of stimulation would induce motion sickness in the large majority of subjects for up to 20 min exposure.

Long-term detection of Parkinsonian tremor activity from subthalamic nucleus local field potentials.

PubMed

Houston, Brady; Blumenfeld, Zack; Quinn, Emma; Bronte-Stewart, Helen; Chizeck, Howard

2015-01-01

Current deep brain stimulation paradigms deliver continuous stimulation to deep brain structures to ameliorate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. This continuous stimulation has undesirable side effects and decreases the lifespan of the unit's battery, necessitating earlier replacement. A closed-loop deep brain stimulator that uses brain signals to determine when to deliver stimulation based on the occurrence of symptoms could potentially address these drawbacks of current technology. Attempts to detect Parkinsonian tremor using brain signals recorded during the implantation procedure have been successful. However, the ability of these methods to accurately detect tremor over extended periods of time is unknown. Here we use local field potentials recorded during a deep brain stimulation clinical follow-up visit 1 month after initial programming to build a tremor detection algorithm and use this algorithm to detect tremor in subsequent visits up to 8 months later. Using this method, we detected the occurrence of tremor with accuracies between 68-93%. These results demonstrate the potential of tremor detection methods for efficacious closed-loop deep brain stimulation over extended periods of time.

The role of frequency in the effects of long-term intermittent stimulation of denervated slow-twitch muscle in the rat.

PubMed Central

Al-Amood, W S; Lewis, D M

1987-01-01

1. Rat soleus muscle was denervated by sciatic transection and electrically stimulated for periods of between 3 and 9 weeks with intermittent 1 s bursts of pulses. Most of the bursts were either repeated every 90 s and pulses within them had frequencies between 10 and 100 Hz, or had a frequency of 50 Hz and were repeated at intervals between 60 and 600 s. Comparisons were made with continuous stimulation at 10 Hz. 2. At the end of the period of stimulation, isometric twitches and tetani were measured and, in a proportion, also isotonic shortening velocity. 3. Isometric twitch duration (contraction and relaxation) decreased with time of stimulation. Very similar effects were seen in all animals in which intermittent stimulation had been used. There was a significant relationship between the change in twitch duration and the frequency used within the bursts of chronic stimulation, with slightly larger effects at frequencies of 40 and 60 Hz. The lowest burst repetition rate produced the largest effects. 4. It was confirmed that similar changes were found in denervated muscles that were not stimulated, although these changes were smaller and developed more slowly. 5. The extreme loss of tetanic tension induced in the muscle by denervation was reduced by chronic stimulation, with no significant difference between different regimes, although there were small differences which showed the same patterns of effectiveness described for twitch durations. 6. Continuous stimulation at 10 Hz maintained the twitch contraction and relaxation phases at the values found 3 weeks after denervation, that is it prevented secondary shortening of the twitch. Continuous stimulation reduced tension loss but was, perhaps, less effective than intermittent stimulation. 7. Twitch-tetanus ratio increased with denervation with little spontaneous reversal later. Stimulation at all frequencies reduced the ratio, but it did not reach normal values. 8. Isotonic shortening velocity was measured in many of the muscles. Maximum velocity was estimated and normalized by muscle length.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS) Images Fig. 3 PMID:3446785

Language Development in Children Who Are Prelingually Deaf Who Have Used the SPEAK or CIS Stimulation Strategies since Initial Stimulation.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Svirsky, Mario A.; Chute, Patricia M.; Green, Janet; Bollard, Priscilla; Miyamoto, Richard T.

2000-01-01

A study examined language skills in 44 pediatric cochlear implant users. All participants received implants before age 6 and were programmed with state-of-the-art stimulation strategies (Continuous Interleaved Sampler or Spectral Peak) since the day of initial stimulation. Postimplantation language development proceeded at a pace that was not…

Prostaglandin E2 acts via bone marrow macrophages to block PTH-stimulated osteoblast differentiation in vitro

PubMed Central

Choudhary, Shilpa; Blackwell, Katherine; Voznesensky, Olga; Roy, Abhijit Deb; Pilbeam, Carol

2014-01-01

Intermittent PTH is the major anabolic therapy for osteoporosis while continuous PTH causes bone loss. PTH acts on the osteoblast (OB) lineage to regulate bone resorption and formation. PTH also induces cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), producing prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) that can act on both OBs and osteoclasts (OCs). Because intermittent PTH is more anabolic in Cox-2 knockout (KO) than wild type (WT) mice, we hypothesized COX-2 might contribute to the effects of continuous PTH by suppressing PTH-stimulated differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into OBs. We compared effects of continuous PTH on bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and primary OBs (POBs) from Cox-2 KO mice, mice with deletion of PGE2 receptors (Ptger4 and Ptger2 KO mice), and WT controls. PTH increased OB differentiation in BMSCs only in the absence of COX-2 expression or activity. In the absence of COX-2, PTH stimulated differentiation if added during the first week of culture. In Cox-2 KO BMSCs, PTH-stimulated differentiation was prevented by adding PGE2 to cultures. Co-culture of POBs with M-CSF-expanded bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) showed that the inhibition of PTH-stimulated OB differentiation required not only COX-2 or PGE2 but also BMMs. Sufficient PGE2 to mediate the inhibitory effect was made by either WT POBs or WT BMMs. The inhibitory effect mediated by COX-2/PGE2 was transferred by conditioned media from RANKL-treated BMMs and could be blocked by osteoprotegerin, which interferes with RANKL binding to its receptor on OC lineage cells. Deletion of Ptger4, but not Ptger2, in BMMs prevented the inhibition of PTH-stimulated OB differentiation. As expected, PGE2 also stimulated OB differentiation, but when given in combination with PTH, the stimulatory effects of both were abrogated. These data suggest that PGE2, acting via EP4R on BMMs committed to the OC lineage, stimulated secretion of a factor or factors that acted to suppress PTH-stimulated OB differentiation. This suppression of OB differentiation could contribute to the bone loss seen with continuous PTH in vivo. PMID:23639875

New stimulation regimens: endogenous and exogenous progesterone use to block the LH surge during ovarian stimulation for IVF.

PubMed

Massin, Nathalie

2017-03-01

The advent of embryo and oocyte vitrification today gives reproductive specialists an opportunity to consider new strategies for improving the practice and results of IVF attempts. As the freezing of entire cohorts does not compromise, and may even improve, the results of IVF attempts, it is possible to break away from the standard sequence of stimulation-retrieval-transfer. The constraints associated with ovarian stimulation in relation to the potential harmful effects of the hormonal environment on endometrial receptivity can be avoided. This review will look at the new stimulation protocols where progesterone is used to block the LH surge. Thanks to 'freeze all' strategies, the increase in progesterone could actually be no longer a cause for concern. There are two ways of using progesterone, whether it be endogenous, as in luteal phase stimulation, or exogenous, as in the use of progesterone in the follicular phase i.e. progestin primed ovarian stimulation. A literature search was carried out (until September 2016) on MEDLINE. The following text words were utilized to generate the list of citations: progestin primed ovarian stimulation, luteal phase stimulation, luteal stimulation, duostim, double stimulation, random start. Articles and their references were then examined in order to identify other potential studies. All of the articles are reported in this review. The use of progesterone during ovarian stimulation is effective in blocking the LH surge, whether endogenous or exogenous, and it does not affect the number of oocytes collected or the quality of the embryos obtained. Its main constraint is that it requires total freezing and delayed transfer. A variety of stimulation protocols can be derived from these two methods, and their implications are discussed, from fertility preservation to ovarian response profiles to organization for the patients and clincs. These new regimens enable more flexibility and are of emerging interest in daily practice. However, their medical and economic significance remains to be demonstrated. The use of luteal phase or follicular phase protocols with progestins could rapidly develop in the context of oocyte donation and fertility preservation not related to oncology. Their place could develop even more in the general population of patients in IVF programs. The strategy of total freezing continues to develop, thanks to technical improvements, in particular vitrification and PGS on blastocysts, and thanks to studies showing improvements in embryo implantation when the transfer take place far removed from the hormonal changes caused by ovarian stimulation. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Impact of Prefrontal Theta Burst Stimulation on Clinical Neuropsychological Tasks.

PubMed

Viejo-Sobera, Raquel; Redolar-Ripoll, Diego; Boixadós, Mercè; Palaus, Marc; Valero-Cabré, Antoni; Marron, Elena M

2017-01-01

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) protocols hold high promise in neuropsychological rehabilitation. Nevertheless, their ability to either decrease (continuous, cTBS) or increase (intermittent, iTBS) cortical excitability in areas other than the primary motor cortex, and their consistency modulating human behaviors with clinically relevant tasks remain to be fully established. The behavioral effects of TBS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) are particularly interesting given its involvement in working memory (WM) and executive functions (EF), often impaired following frontal brain damage. We aimed to explore the ability of cTBS and iTBS to modulate WM and EF in healthy individuals, assessed with clinical neuropsychological tests (Digits Backward, 3-back task, Stroop Test, and Tower of Hanoi). To this end, 36 participants were assessed using the four tests 1 week prior to stimulation and immediately following a single session of either cTBS, iTBS, or sham TBS, delivered to the left dlPFC. No significant differences were found across stimulation conditions in any of the clinical tasks. Nonetheless, in some of them, active stimulation induced significant pre/post performance modulations, which were not found for the sham condition. More specifically, sham stimulation yielded improvements in the 3-back task and the Color, Color-Word, and Interference Score of the Stroop Test, an effect likely caused by task practice. Both, iTBS and cTBS, produced improvements in Digits Backward and impairments in 3-back task accuracy. Moreover, iTBS increased Interference Score in the Stroop Test in spite of the improved word reading and impaired color naming, whereas cTBS decreased the time required to complete the Tower of Hanoi. Differing from TBS outcomes reported for cortico-spinal measures on the primary motor cortex, our analyses did not reveal any of the expected performance differences across stimulation protocols. However, if one considers independently pre/post differences for each individual outcome measure and task, either one or both of the active protocols appeared to modulate WM and EF. We critically discuss the value, potential explanations, and some plausible interpretations for this set of subtle impacts of left dlPFC TBS in humans.

Impact of Prefrontal Theta Burst Stimulation on Clinical Neuropsychological Tasks

PubMed Central

Viejo-Sobera, Raquel; Redolar-Ripoll, Diego; Boixadós, Mercè; Palaus, Marc; Valero-Cabré, Antoni; Marron, Elena M.

2017-01-01

Theta burst stimulation (TBS) protocols hold high promise in neuropsychological rehabilitation. Nevertheless, their ability to either decrease (continuous, cTBS) or increase (intermittent, iTBS) cortical excitability in areas other than the primary motor cortex, and their consistency modulating human behaviors with clinically relevant tasks remain to be fully established. The behavioral effects of TBS over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) are particularly interesting given its involvement in working memory (WM) and executive functions (EF), often impaired following frontal brain damage. We aimed to explore the ability of cTBS and iTBS to modulate WM and EF in healthy individuals, assessed with clinical neuropsychological tests (Digits Backward, 3-back task, Stroop Test, and Tower of Hanoi). To this end, 36 participants were assessed using the four tests 1 week prior to stimulation and immediately following a single session of either cTBS, iTBS, or sham TBS, delivered to the left dlPFC. No significant differences were found across stimulation conditions in any of the clinical tasks. Nonetheless, in some of them, active stimulation induced significant pre/post performance modulations, which were not found for the sham condition. More specifically, sham stimulation yielded improvements in the 3-back task and the Color, Color-Word, and Interference Score of the Stroop Test, an effect likely caused by task practice. Both, iTBS and cTBS, produced improvements in Digits Backward and impairments in 3-back task accuracy. Moreover, iTBS increased Interference Score in the Stroop Test in spite of the improved word reading and impaired color naming, whereas cTBS decreased the time required to complete the Tower of Hanoi. Differing from TBS outcomes reported for cortico-spinal measures on the primary motor cortex, our analyses did not reveal any of the expected performance differences across stimulation protocols. However, if one considers independently pre/post differences for each individual outcome measure and task, either one or both of the active protocols appeared to modulate WM and EF. We critically discuss the value, potential explanations, and some plausible interpretations for this set of subtle impacts of left dlPFC TBS in humans. PMID:28867993

Investigating Students' Interest in Chemistry through Self-Generated Questions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Demirdogen, Betul; Cakmakci, Gultekin

2014-01-01

This study investigates Turkish students' (age 15 or older) interest in chemistry by analysing 1027 of their self-generated chemistry-related questions, which had been submitted to a popular science magazine. These questions were classified based on the field of interest, the cognitive level of the question, and the stimulating impetus for asking…

Examining the Issues. Proceedings of the American Council on Consumer Interests 23rd Annual Conference.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

American Council on Consumer Interests, Columbia, MO.

The document contains proceedings of a conference on consumer interests. The proceedings are proposed for those who attended the conference and other interested professionals. The major purpose of these proceedings is to stimulate thought and discussion regarding consumer issues. The first general session focuses on consumer representation. Three…

Stressing the Importance of Public Affairs Knowledge in an Era of Declining Political Interest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fife, Brian L.

Public affairs instructors must routinely contend with the reality that stressing the importance of political knowledge is challenging in an era of declining student interest in politics and political institutions. Yet enhancing students' knowledge about public affairs can stimulate more interest and engagement in public affairs, particularly if…

21 CFR 340.10 - Stimulant active ingredient.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 5 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Stimulant active ingredient. 340.10 Section 340.10 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) DRUGS FOR HUMAN USE STIMULANT DRUG PRODUCTS FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER HUMAN USE Active Ingredient § 340.10...

Focal clonus elicited by electrical stimulation of the motor cortex in humans.

PubMed

Hamer, Hajo M; Lüders, Hans O; Rosenow, Felix; Najm, Imad

2002-09-01

Focal clonic seizures are a frequent epileptic phenomenon. However, there are little data about their pathomechanism. In four patients with focal epilepsy and subdural electrodes, focal clonus was elicited by electrical stimulation of the motor cortex. Three additional patients underwent intraoperative stimulation of the spinal cord. Rhythmic clonic muscle responses were elicited by cortical stimulation with 20-50 Hz. The clonus consisted of simultaneous trains of compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) in agonistic and antagonistic muscles alternating with periods of muscular silence despite continuous stimulation. Clonus frequency decreased from 4.0-8.0 Hz at 50 Hz stimulation to 3.0-3.5 Hz at 20 Hz paralleled by a prolongation of the trains of CMAP. The stimulation frequency correlated with the number of stimuli blocked during relaxation. During the stable stimulation periods, the clonus frequency decreased over time. The number of stimuli which formed a train of CMAP and which were blocked during relaxation increased towards the end of the stimulation periods. Increasing intensity of stimulation at the same frequency converted a clonic to a tonic response. There was always an 1:1 relationship between stimulus and CMAP during spinal cord stimulation. We hypothesize that during cortical stimulation, clonus is elicited by synchronous activation of pyramidal tract (PT) neurons which results in excitation of intracortical GABA(B)ergic interneurons by recurrent axon-collaterals. This leads to stepwise hyperpolarization of PT neurons intermittently suppressing the output of PT neurons despite continuous stimulation. This mechanism can explain our finding that temporal and spatial summation of the stimuli were needed for clonus generation. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.

Fiber-optic two-photon optogenetic stimulation.

PubMed

Dhakal, K; Gu, L; Black, B; Mohanty, S K

2013-06-01

Optogenetic stimulation of genetically targeted cells is proving to be a powerful tool in the study of cellular systems, both in vitro and in vivo. However, most opsins are activated in the visible spectrum, where significant absorption and scattering of stimulating light occurs, leading to low penetration depth and less precise stimulation. Since we first (to the best of our knowledge) demonstrated two-photon optogenetic stimulation (TPOS), it has gained considerable interest in the probing of cellular circuitry by precise spatial modulation. However, all existing methods use microscope objectives and complex scanning beam geometries. Here, we report a nonscanning method based on multimode fiber to accomplish fiber-optic TPOS of cells.

Transcranial direct current stimulation in psychiatric disorders

PubMed Central

Tortella, Gabriel; Casati, Roberta; Aparicio, Luana V M; Mantovani, Antonio; Senço, Natasha; D’Urso, Giordano; Brunelin, Jerome; Guarienti, Fabiana; Selingardi, Priscila Mara Lorencini; Muszkat, Débora; Junior, Bernardo de Sampaio Pereira; Valiengo, Leandro; Moffa, Adriano H; Simis, Marcel; Borrione, Lucas; Brunoni, André R

2015-01-01

The interest in non-invasive brain stimulation techniques is increasing in recent years. Among these techniques, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been the subject of great interest among researchers because of its easiness to use, low cost, benign profile of side effects and encouraging results of research in the field. This interest has generated several studies and randomized clinical trials, particularly in psychiatry. In this review, we provide a summary of the development of the technique and its mechanism of action as well as a review of the methodological aspects of randomized clinical trials in psychiatry, including studies in affective disorders, schizophrenia, obsessive compulsive disorder, child psychiatry and substance use disorder. Finally, we provide an overview of tDCS use in cognitive enhancement as well as a discussion regarding its clinical use and regulatory and ethical issues. Although many promising results regarding tDCS efficacy were described, the total number of studies is still low, highlighting the need of further studies aiming to replicate these findings in larger samples as to provide a definite picture regarding tDCS efficacy in psychiatry. PMID:25815258

Bringing Marketing Research to Life via Secret Shopping

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geissler, Gary L.

2014-01-01

A key challenge in marketing courses is to stimulate student curiosity and interest in marketing research. Depending on how the material is presented, student perceptions are often favorably or unfavorably polarized on this subject. That is, research can be perceived as either intriguing and intellectually stimulating or uninteresting and…

Hemodynamic monitoring in different cortical layers with a single fiber optical system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yu, Linhui; Noor, M. Sohail; Kiss, Zelma H. T.; Murari, Kartikeya

2018-02-01

Functional monitoring of highly-localized deep brain structures is of great interest. However, due to light scattering, optical methods have limited depth penetration or can only measure from a large volume. In this research, we demonstrate continuous measurement of hemodynamics in different cortical layers in response to thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) using a single fiber optical system. A 200-μm-core-diameter multimode fiber is used to deliver and collect light from tissue. The fiber probe can be stereotaxically implanted into the brain region of interest at any depth to measure the di use reflectance spectra from a tissue volume of 0.02-0.03 mm3 near the fiber tip. Oxygenation is then extracted from the reflectance spectra using an algorithm based on Monte Carlo simulations. Measurements were performed on the surface (cortical layer I) and at 1.5 mm depth (cortical layer VI) of the motor cortex in anesthetized rats with thalamic DBS. Preliminary results revealed the oxygenation changes in response to DBS. Moreover, the baseline as well as the stimulus-evoked change in oxygenation were different at the two depths of cortex.

21 CFR 882.5870 - Implanted peripheral nerve stimulator for pain relief.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882... the stimulating pulses across the patient's skin to the implanted receiver. (b) Classification. Class...

Global trends in infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface.

PubMed

Wiethoelter, Anke K; Beltrán-Alcrudo, Daniel; Kock, Richard; Mor, Siobhan M

2015-08-04

The role and significance of wildlife-livestock interfaces in disease ecology has largely been neglected, despite recent interest in animals as origins of emerging diseases in humans. Scoping review methods were applied to objectively assess the relative interest by the scientific community in infectious diseases at interfaces between wildlife and livestock, to characterize animal species and regions involved, as well as to identify trends over time. An extensive literature search combining wildlife, livestock, disease, and geographical search terms yielded 78,861 publications, of which 15,998 were included in the analysis. Publications dated from 1912 to 2013 and showed a continuous increasing trend, including a shift from parasitic to viral diseases over time. In particular there was a significant increase in publications on the artiodactyls-cattle and bird-poultry interface after 2002 and 2003, respectively. These trends could be traced to key disease events that stimulated public interest and research funding. Among the top 10 diseases identified by this review, the majority were zoonoses. Prominent wildlife-livestock interfaces resulted largely from interaction between phylogenetically closely related and/or sympatric species. The bird-poultry interface was the most frequently cited wildlife-livestock interface worldwide with other interfaces reflecting regional circumstances. This review provides the most comprehensive overview of research on infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface to date.

Global trends in infectious diseases at the wildlife–livestock interface

PubMed Central

Wiethoelter, Anke K.; Beltrán-Alcrudo, Daniel; Kock, Richard; Mor, Siobhan M.

2015-01-01

The role and significance of wildlife–livestock interfaces in disease ecology has largely been neglected, despite recent interest in animals as origins of emerging diseases in humans. Scoping review methods were applied to objectively assess the relative interest by the scientific community in infectious diseases at interfaces between wildlife and livestock, to characterize animal species and regions involved, as well as to identify trends over time. An extensive literature search combining wildlife, livestock, disease, and geographical search terms yielded 78,861 publications, of which 15,998 were included in the analysis. Publications dated from 1912 to 2013 and showed a continuous increasing trend, including a shift from parasitic to viral diseases over time. In particular there was a significant increase in publications on the artiodactyls–cattle and bird–poultry interface after 2002 and 2003, respectively. These trends could be traced to key disease events that stimulated public interest and research funding. Among the top 10 diseases identified by this review, the majority were zoonoses. Prominent wildlife–livestock interfaces resulted largely from interaction between phylogenetically closely related and/or sympatric species. The bird–poultry interface was the most frequently cited wildlife–livestock interface worldwide with other interfaces reflecting regional circumstances. This review provides the most comprehensive overview of research on infectious diseases at the wildlife–livestock interface to date. PMID:26195733

Gab1 Mediates Hepatocyte Growth Factor-Stimulated Mitogenicity and Morphogenesis in Multipotent Myeloid Cells

PubMed Central

Felici, Angelina; Giubellino, Alessio; Bottaro, Donald P.

2012-01-01

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-stimulated mitogenesis, motogenesis and morphogenesis in various cell types begins with activation of the Met receptor tyrosine kinase and the recruitment of intracellular adaptors and kinase substrates. The adapter protein Gab1 is a critical effector and substrate of activated Met, mediating morphogenesis, among other activities, in epithelial cells. To define its role downstream of Met in hematopoietic cells, Gab1 was expressed in the HGF-responsive, Gab1-negative murine myeloid cell line 32D. Interestingly, the adhesion and motility of Gab1-expressing cells were significantly greater than parental cells, independent of growth factor treatment. Downstream of activated Met, Gab1 expression was specifically associated with rapid Shp-2 recruitment and activation, increased mitogenic potency, suppression of GATA-1 expression and concomitant upregulation of GATA-2 transcription. In addition to enhanced proliferation, continuous culture of Gab1-expressing 32D cells in HGF resulted in cell attachment, filopodia extension and phenotypic changes suggestive of monocytic differentiation. Our results suggest that in myeloid cells, Gab1 is likely to enhance HGF mitogenicity by coupling Met to Shp-2 and GATA-2 expression, thereby potentially contributing to normal myeloid differentiation as well as oncogenic transformation. PMID:20506405

Walking behavior in a circular arena modified by pulsed light stimulation in Drosophila melanogaster w1118 line.

PubMed

Qiu, Shuang; Xiao, Chengfeng

2018-05-01

The Drosophila melanogaster white-eyed w 1118 line serves as a parental stock, allowing genetic recombination of any gene of interest along with a readily recognizable marker. w 1118 flies display behavioral susceptibility to environmental stimulation such as light. It is of great importance to characterize the behavioral performance of w 1118 flies because this would provide a baseline from which the effect of the gene of interest could be differentiated. Little work has been performed to characterize the walking behavior in adult w 1118 flies. Here we show that pulsed light stimulation increased the regularity of walking trajectories of w 1118 flies in circular arenas. We statistically modeled the distribution of distances to center and extracted the walking structures of w 1118 flies. Pulsed light stimulation redistributed the time proportions for individual walking structures. Specifically, pulsed light stimulation reduced the episodes of crossing over the central region of the arena. An addition of four genomic copies of mini-white, a common marker gene for eye color, mimicked the effect of pulsed light stimulation in reducing crossing in a circular arena. The reducing effect of mini-white was copy-number-dependent. These findings highlight the rhythmic light stimulation-evoked modifications of walking behavior in w 1118 flies and an unexpected behavioral consequence of mini-white in transgenic flies carrying w 1118 isogenic background. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Situational Interest of High School Students Who Visit an Aquarium

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dohn, Niels Bonderup

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate how situational interest of high school students was triggered during a field trip to an aquarium. Although the role of museums in stimulating interest among students has been acknowledged for some time, empirical evidence about how the specific variable of a museum setting might trigger situational…

Helicopter Aeromechanics

DTIC Science & Technology

1985-04-01

evaluation is predominantly based on the impressions he gets from the stimulation of his sensual receptors, i.e. visual, motional and auditorial cues. For...Exchanging of scientific and technical information; - Continuously stimulating advances in the aerospace sciences relevant to strengthening the...extented. International cooperation has always been stimulating . Strong technology transfer restrictions could result in a technical isolation with

21 CFR 340.50 - Labeling of stimulant drug products.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 5 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Labeling of stimulant drug products. 340.50 Section 340.50 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) DRUGS FOR HUMAN USE STIMULANT DRUG PRODUCTS FOR OVER-THE-COUNTER HUMAN USE Labeling § 340.50...

Laser stimulation can activate autophagy in HeLa cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Yisen; Lan, Bei; He, Hao; Hu, Minglie; Cao, Youjia; Wang, Chingyue

2014-10-01

For decades, lasers have been a daily tool in most biological research for fluorescent excitation by confocal or multiphoton microscopy. More than 20 years ago, cell photodamage caused by intense laser stimulation was noticed by generating reactive oxygen species, which was then thought as the main damage effect by photons. In this study, we show that laser stimulation can induce autophagy, an important cell lysosomal pathway responding to immune stimulation and starvation, without any biochemical treatment. Two different types of laser stimulations are found to be capable of activating autophagy: continuous scanning by continuous-wave visible lasers and a short-time flash of femtosecond laser irradiation. The autophagy generation is independent from wavelength, power, and scanning duration of the visible lasers. In contrast, the power of femtosecond laser is very critical to autophagy because the multiphoton excited Ca2+ dominates autophagy signaling. In general, we show here the different mechanisms of autophagy generation by such laser stimulation, which correspond to confocal microscopy and cell surgery, respectively. Those results can help further understanding of photodamage and autophagy signaling.

Laser stimulation can activate autophagy in HeLa cells

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

Wang, Yisen; Hu, Minglie; Wang, Chingyue

For decades, lasers have been a daily tool in most biological research for fluorescent excitation by confocal or multiphoton microscopy. More than 20 years ago, cell photodamage caused by intense laser stimulation was noticed by generating reactive oxygen species, which was then thought as the main damage effect by photons. In this study, we show that laser stimulation can induce autophagy, an important cell lysosomal pathway responding to immune stimulation and starvation, without any biochemical treatment. Two different types of laser stimulations are found to be capable of activating autophagy: continuous scanning by continuous-wave visible lasers and a short-time flashmore » of femtosecond laser irradiation. The autophagy generation is independent from wavelength, power, and scanning duration of the visible lasers. In contrast, the power of femtosecond laser is very critical to autophagy because the multiphoton excited Ca{sup 2+} dominates autophagy signaling. In general, we show here the different mechanisms of autophagy generation by such laser stimulation, which correspond to confocal microscopy and cell surgery, respectively. Those results can help further understanding of photodamage and autophagy signaling.« less

Uncovering the mechanism(s) of deep brain stimulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gang, Li; Chao, Yu; Ling, Lin; C-Y Lu, Stephen

2005-01-01

Deep brain stimulators, often called `pacemakers for the brain', are implantable devices which continuously deliver impulse stimulation to specific targeted nuclei of deep brain structure, namely deep brain stimulation (DBS). To date, deep brain stimulation (DBS) is the most effective clinical technique for the treatment of several medically refractory movement disorders (e.g., Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, and dystonia). In addition, new clinical applications of DBS for other neurologic and psychiatric disorders (e.g., epilepsy and obsessive-compulsive disorder) have been put forward. Although DBS has been effective in the treatment of movement disorders and is rapidly being explored for the treatment of other neurologic disorders, the scientific understanding of its mechanisms of action remains unclear and continues to be debated in the scientific community. Optimization of DBS technology for present and future therapeutic applications will depend on identification of the therapeutic mechanism(s) of action. The goal of this review is to address our present knowledge of the effects of high-frequency stimulation within the central nervous system and comment on the functional implications of this knowledge for uncovering the mechanism(s) of DBS.

Technology of Articulated Transit Buses

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1982-03-01

Since the first major demonstration of articulated buses in the mid 1970s and the first purchase in late 1978, interest in articulated buses in U.S. transit service has remained strong. This interest has been stimulated by the desire of public transi...

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) or continuous unilateral distal experimental pain stimulation in healthy subjects does not bias visual attention towards one hemifield.

PubMed

Filippopulos, Filipp M; Grafenstein, Jessica; Straube, Andreas; Eggert, Thomas

2015-11-01

In natural life pain automatically draws attention towards the painful body part suggesting that it interacts with different attentional mechanisms such as visual attention. Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) patients who typically report on chronic distally located pain of one extremity may suffer from so-called neglect-like symptoms, which have also been linked to attentional mechanisms. The purpose of the study was to further evaluate how continuous pain conditions influence visual attention. Saccade latencies were recorded in two experiments using a common visual attention paradigm whereby orientating saccades to cued or uncued lateral visual targets had to be performed. In the first experiment saccade latencies of healthy subjects were measured under two conditions: one in which continuous experimental pain stimulation was applied to the index finger to imitate a continuous pain situation, and one without pain stimulation. In the second experiment saccade latencies of patients suffering from CRPS were compared to controls. The results showed that neither the continuous experimental pain stimulation during the experiment nor the chronic pain in CRPS led to an unilateral increase of saccade latencies or to a unilateral increase of the cue effect on latency. The results show that unilateral, continuously applied pain stimuli or chronic pain have no or only very limited influence on visual attention. Differently from patients with visual neglect, patients with CRPS did not show strong side asymmetries of saccade latencies or of cue effects on saccade latencies. Thus, neglect-like clinical symptoms of CRPS patients do not involve the allocation of visual attention.

The effects of acylation stimulating protein supplementation VS antibody neutralization on energy expenditure in wildtype mice.

PubMed

Paglialunga, Sabina; Fisette, Alexandre; Munkonda, Mercedes; Gao, Ying; Richard, Denis; Cianflone, Katherine

2010-04-23

Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipogenic hormone that stimulates triglyceride (TG) synthesis and glucose transport in adipocytes. Previous studies have shown that ASP-deficient C3 knockout mice are hyperphagic yet lean, as they display increased oxygen consumption and fatty acid oxidation compared to wildtype mice. In the present study, antibodies against ASP (Anti-ASP) and human recombinant ASP (rASP) were tested in vitro and in vivo. Continuous administration for 4 weeks via osmotic mini-pump of Anti-ASP or rASP was evaluated in wildtype mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) to examine their effects on body weight, food intake and energy expenditure. In mature murine adipocytes, rASP significantly stimulated fatty acid uptake (+243% vs PBS, P < 0.05) while Anti-ASP neutralized the rASP response. Mice treated with Anti-ASP showed elevated energy expenditure (P < 0.0001), increased skeletal muscle glucose oxidation (+141%, P < 0.001), reduced liver glycogen (-34%, P < 0.05) and glucose-6-phosphate content (-64%, P = 0.08) compared to control mice. There was no change in body weight, food intake, fasting insulin, adiponectin, CRP or TG levels compared to controls. Interestingly, HFD mice treated with rASP showed the opposite phenotype with reduced energy expenditure (P < 0.0001) and increased body weight (P < 0.05), cumulative food intake (P < 0.0001) and liver glycogen content (+59%, P < 0.05). Again, there was no change in circulating insulin, adiponectin, CRP or TG levels, however, plasma free fatty acids were reduced (-48%, P < 0.05). In vitro, Anti-ASP effectively neutralized ASP stimulated fatty acid uptake. In vivo, Anti-ASP treatment increased whole body energy utilization while rASP increased energy storage. Therefore, ASP is a potent anabolic hormone that may also be a mediator of energy expenditure.

Fronto-temporal interactions are functionally relevant for semantic control in language processing.

PubMed

Wawrzyniak, Max; Hoffstaedter, Felix; Klingbeil, Julian; Stockert, Anika; Wrede, Katrin; Hartwigsen, Gesa; Eickhoff, Simon B; Classen, Joseph; Saur, Dorothee

2017-01-01

Semantic cognition, i.e. processing of meaning is based on semantic representations and their controlled retrieval. Semantic control has been shown to be implemented in a network that consists of left inferior frontal (IFG), and anterior and posterior middle temporal gyri (a/pMTG). We aimed to disrupt semantic control processes with continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) over left IFG and pMTG and to study whether behavioral effects are moderated by induced alterations in resting-state functional connectivity. To this end, we applied real cTBS over left IFG and left pMTG as well as sham stimulation on 20 healthy participants in a within-subject design. Stimulation was followed by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging and a semantic priming paradigm. Resting-state functional connectivity of regions of interest in left IFG, pMTG and aMTG revealed highly interconnected left-lateralized fronto-temporal networks representing the semantic system. We did not find any significant direct modulation of either task performance or resting-state functional connectivity by effective cTBS. However, after sham cTBS, functional connectivity between IFG and pMTG correlated with task performance under high semantic control demands in the semantic priming paradigm. These findings provide evidence for the functional relevance of interactions between IFG and pMTG for semantic control processes. This interaction was functionally less relevant after cTBS over aIFG which might be interpretable in terms of an indirect disruptive effect of cTBS.

Using transcranial magnetic stimulation of the undamaged brain to identify lesion sites that predict language outcome after stroke

PubMed Central

Lorca-Puls, Diego L.; Gajardo-Vidal, Andrea; Seghier, Mohamed L.; Leff, Alexander P.; Sethi, Varun; Prejawa, Susan; Hope, Thomas M. H.; Devlin, Joseph T.

2017-01-01

Abstract Transcranial magnetic stimulation focused on either the left anterior supramarginal gyrus or opercular part of the left inferior frontal gyrus has been reported to transiently impair the ability to perform phonological more than semantic tasks. Here we tested whether phonological processing abilities were also impaired following lesions to these regions in right-handed, English speaking adults, who were investigated at least 1 year after a left-hemisphere stroke. When our regions of interest were limited to 0.5 cm3 of grey matter centred around sites that had been identified with transcranial magnetic stimulation-based functional localization, phonological impairments were observed in 74% (40/54) of patients with damage to the regions and 21% (21/100) of patients sparing these regions. This classification accuracy was better than that observed when using regions of interest centred on activation sites in previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of phonological processing, or transcranial magnetic stimulation sites that did not use functional localization. New regions of interest were generated by redefining the borders of each of the transcranial magnetic stimulation sites to include areas that were consistently damaged in the patients with phonological impairments. This increased the incidence of phonological impairments in the presence of damage to 85% (46/54) and also reduced the incidence of phonological impairments in the absence of damage to 15% (15/100). The difference in phonological processing abilities between those with and without damage to these ‘transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided’ regions remained highly significant even after controlling for the effect of lesion size. The classification accuracy of the transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided regions was validated in a second sample of 108 patients and found to be better than that for (i) functional magnetic resonance imaging-guided regions; (ii) a region identified from an unguided lesion overlap map; and (iii) a region identified from voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping. Finally, consistent with prior findings from functional imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy participants, we show how damage to our transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided regions affected performance on phonologically more than semantically demanding tasks. The observation that phonological processing abilities were impaired years after the stroke, suggests that other brain regions were not able to fully compensate for the contribution that the transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided regions make to language tasks. More generally, our novel transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided lesion-deficit mapping approach shows how non-invasive stimulation of the healthy brain can be used to guide the identification of regions where brain damage is likely to cause persistent behavioural effects. PMID:28430974

Using transcranial magnetic stimulation of the undamaged brain to identify lesion sites that predict language outcome after stroke.

PubMed

Lorca-Puls, Diego L; Gajardo-Vidal, Andrea; Seghier, Mohamed L; Leff, Alexander P; Sethi, Varun; Prejawa, Susan; Hope, Thomas M H; Devlin, Joseph T; Price, Cathy J

2017-06-01

Transcranial magnetic stimulation focused on either the left anterior supramarginal gyrus or opercular part of the left inferior frontal gyrus has been reported to transiently impair the ability to perform phonological more than semantic tasks. Here we tested whether phonological processing abilities were also impaired following lesions to these regions in right-handed, English speaking adults, who were investigated at least 1 year after a left-hemisphere stroke. When our regions of interest were limited to 0.5 cm3 of grey matter centred around sites that had been identified with transcranial magnetic stimulation-based functional localization, phonological impairments were observed in 74% (40/54) of patients with damage to the regions and 21% (21/100) of patients sparing these regions. This classification accuracy was better than that observed when using regions of interest centred on activation sites in previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of phonological processing, or transcranial magnetic stimulation sites that did not use functional localization. New regions of interest were generated by redefining the borders of each of the transcranial magnetic stimulation sites to include areas that were consistently damaged in the patients with phonological impairments. This increased the incidence of phonological impairments in the presence of damage to 85% (46/54) and also reduced the incidence of phonological impairments in the absence of damage to 15% (15/100). The difference in phonological processing abilities between those with and without damage to these 'transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided' regions remained highly significant even after controlling for the effect of lesion size. The classification accuracy of the transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided regions was validated in a second sample of 108 patients and found to be better than that for (i) functional magnetic resonance imaging-guided regions; (ii) a region identified from an unguided lesion overlap map; and (iii) a region identified from voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping. Finally, consistent with prior findings from functional imaging and transcranial magnetic stimulation in healthy participants, we show how damage to our transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided regions affected performance on phonologically more than semantically demanding tasks. The observation that phonological processing abilities were impaired years after the stroke, suggests that other brain regions were not able to fully compensate for the contribution that the transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided regions make to language tasks. More generally, our novel transcranial magnetic stimulation-guided lesion-deficit mapping approach shows how non-invasive stimulation of the healthy brain can be used to guide the identification of regions where brain damage is likely to cause persistent behavioural effects. © The Author (2017). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain.

A new way of setting rFSH deposit: a case of severe injection error in IVF/ICSI cycle ending with live birth.

PubMed

Mayer, Richard Bernhard; Ebner, Thomas; Shebl, Omar; Tews, Gernot

2012-01-01

a 25- year old woman with secondary infertility caused by a male factor was enrolled in our IVF/ICSI-ET program. Stimulation was performed in a long- protocol and ovarian stimulation, using rFSH follitropin beta, starting on the third day of the menstrual cycle. The rFSH dose per day was 900 IU-0 IU-0 IU-0 IU. Due to normal ovarian response and follicle growth, stimulation was continued and there was no detriment in oocyte quality and no symptoms of OHSS. Following blastocyte transfer cesarean section was unpreventable at 37+5 weeks of gestation due to an impacted transverse lie. Different stimulation protocols are needed for appropriate treatment of various patients provided that the administration of treatment was done correctly. In the case of injection errors, continuing stimulation protocol seems to be achievable in certain cases considering hormone levels and the process of follicle growth.

A new way of setting rFSH deposit: a case of severe injection error in IVF/ICSI cycle ending with live birth

PubMed Central

Mayer, Richard Bernhard; Ebner, Thomas; Shebl, Omar; Tews, Gernot

2012-01-01

We present a case with a severe injection error: a 25- year old woman with secondary infertility caused by a male factor was enrolled in our IVF/ICSI-ET program. Stimulation was performed in a long- protocol and ovarian stimulation, using rFSH follitropin beta, starting on the third day of the menstrual cycle. The rFSH dose per day was 900 IU-0 IU-0 IU-0 IU. Due to normal ovarian response and follicle growth, stimulation was continued and there was no detriment in oocyte quality and no symptoms of OHSS. Following blastocyte transfer cesarean section was unpreventable at 37+5 weeks of gestation due to an impacted transverse lie. Different stimulation protocols are needed for appropriate treatment of various patients provided that the administration of treatment was done correctly. In the case of injection errors, continuing stimulation protocol seems to be achievable in certain cases considering hormone levels and the process of follicle growth. PMID:24592042

Graphene induces spontaneous cardiac differentiation in embryoid bodies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahadian, Samad; Zhou, Yuanshu; Yamada, Shukuyo; Estili, Mehdi; Liang, Xiaobin; Nakajima, Ken; Shiku, Hitoshi; Matsue, Tomokazu

2016-03-01

Graphene was embedded into the structure of mouse embryoid bodies (EBs) using the hanging drop technique. The inclusion of 0.2 mg per mL graphene in the EBs did not affect the viability of the stem cells. However, the graphene decreased the stem cell proliferation, probably by accelerating cell differentiation. The graphene also enhanced the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the EBs. Interestingly, the cardiac differentiation of the EB-graphene was significantly greater than that of the EBs at day 5 of culture, as confirmed by high-throughput gene analysis. Electrical stimulation (voltage, 4 V; frequency, 1 Hz; and duration, 10 ms for 2 continuous days) further enhanced the cardiac differentiation of the EBs, as demonstrated by analyses of the cardiac protein and gene expression and the beating activity of the EBs. Taken together, the results demonstrated that graphene played a major role in directing the cardiac differentiation of EBs, which has potential cell therapy and tissue regeneration applications.Graphene was embedded into the structure of mouse embryoid bodies (EBs) using the hanging drop technique. The inclusion of 0.2 mg per mL graphene in the EBs did not affect the viability of the stem cells. However, the graphene decreased the stem cell proliferation, probably by accelerating cell differentiation. The graphene also enhanced the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of the EBs. Interestingly, the cardiac differentiation of the EB-graphene was significantly greater than that of the EBs at day 5 of culture, as confirmed by high-throughput gene analysis. Electrical stimulation (voltage, 4 V; frequency, 1 Hz; and duration, 10 ms for 2 continuous days) further enhanced the cardiac differentiation of the EBs, as demonstrated by analyses of the cardiac protein and gene expression and the beating activity of the EBs. Taken together, the results demonstrated that graphene played a major role in directing the cardiac differentiation of EBs, which has potential cell therapy and tissue regeneration applications. Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Fig. S1-S3, Tables S1-S4, and Movies S1-S4. See DOI: 10.1039/c5nr07059g

Neglected Aspects and Truncated Appraisals in Vocational Counseling: Interpreting the Interest-Efficacy Association from a Broader Perspective--Comment on Armstrong and Vogel (2009)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lubinski, David

2010-01-01

Invited commentary on Armstrong and Vogel's (2009) article on interpreting the interest-efficacy association stimulated an appraisal from a broader perspective. Like empirical research, scale development, and theorizing emanating from social cognitive career theory (SCCT), their conclusion about the importance of assessing both interests and…

Update on 1-benzylpiperazine (BZP) party pills.

PubMed

Monteiro, Márcia Sá; Bastos, Maria de Lourdes; Guedes de Pinho, Paula; Carvalho, Márcia

2013-06-01

N-benzylpiperazine (BZP) has become popular among recreational drug users as the major active ingredient of "party pills" due to its stimulant and euphoric properties. Before BZP legal restrictions, these pills were sold as a safe and legal alternative to classical amphetamines like ecstasy. New Zealand, given the size of its legal market prior to BZP control, is the country that most contributed to the knowledge about the patterns of use, motivations and positive and adverse effects resulting from its consumption, though the interest in BZP-party pills was observed all over the world. The use of these pills has been associated with hospitalizations for adverse events and continued availability over the Internet makes this intoxication a continued concern. This paper provides a review on the characteristics of BZP recreational use, specifically the target population, patterns and motivations of use, and evolution of legal status. Moreover, the in vivo and in vitro studies performed in order to understand its pharmacology, toxicology and kinetics are also discussed. Lastly, analytical methodologies for the identification of BZP in clinical and forensic settings are addressed.

Current Events in Basic Business Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Hook, Barry L.

1974-01-01

The author suggests the use of current events to stimulate student interest in basic business courses. Suggested topics described are monetary devaluation, interest rate adjustments, Illinois no-fault automobile insurance, labor-management disputes, Dow-Jones average, Picasso's death, energy crisis, sale of surplus wheat, local consumer assistance…

A Stand-Alone Interactive Physics Showcase

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pfaff, Daniel; Hagelgans, Anja; Weidemuller, Matthias; Bretzer, Klaus

2012-01-01

We present a showcase with interactive exhibits of basic physical experiments that constitutes a complementary method for teaching physics and interesting students in physical phenomena. Our interactive physics showcase, shown in Fig. 1, stimulates interest for science by letting the students experience, firsthand, surprising phenomena and…

How do I provide leukapheresis products? Blood center experience and evidence for process improvement.

PubMed

Ginzburg, Yelena; Kessler, Debra; Narici, Manlio; Caltabiano, Melinda; Rebosa, Mark; Strauss, Donna; Shaz, Beth

2013-10-01

The past few decades have seen a resurgence of interest in leukapheresis products to improve the survival of infected patients with neutropenia. These products have a short shelf life and require donor stimulation with dexamethasone before collection. Additionally, a system with good communications and logistical support is essential. A recent survey of blood centers in North America revealed that the majority of centers collecting leukapheresis products use steroid-stimulated donors. The survey results suggested that an analysis of the process and potential process improvement would be of interest to the transfusion medicine community. Data from 2008 to 2011 regarding donor selection, donor dexamethasone stimulation, leukapheresis collection, and correlations between potentially pertinent variables for process improvement were analyzed. Results from an analysis of cost are also included. We evaluate 432 leukapheresis donations and demonstrate correlations between 1) pre- and poststimulation white blood cell (WBC) count (p<0.0001), 2) interval (donor stimulation to collection) and poststimulation WBC count (p<0.0001), and 3) poststimulation WBC count and leukapheresis product granulocyte yield (p<0.0001). Significant improvement in granulocyte quality and yield can be accomplished in dexamethasone-stimulated donors, by selecting eligible donors with relatively high normal prestimulation WBC counts and/or previously good responses to dexamethasone, increasing the duration between dexamethasone stimulation and granulocyte collection, and maintaining optimal hematocrit (5%-10%) in granulocyte collections. Because the majority of surveyed blood centers collecting stimulated granulocytes use steroids alone, modifications presented here may prove useful. Further assessment of correlation between granulocyte yield and clinical outcome will await results of additional studies. © 2012 American Association of Blood Banks.

Stimulation-Based Control of Dynamic Brain Networks

PubMed Central

Pasqualetti, Fabio; Gu, Shi; Cieslak, Matthew

2016-01-01

The ability to modulate brain states using targeted stimulation is increasingly being employed to treat neurological disorders and to enhance human performance. Despite the growing interest in brain stimulation as a form of neuromodulation, much remains unknown about the network-level impact of these focal perturbations. To study the system wide impact of regional stimulation, we employ a data-driven computational model of nonlinear brain dynamics to systematically explore the effects of targeted stimulation. Validating predictions from network control theory, we uncover the relationship between regional controllability and the focal versus global impact of stimulation, and we relate these findings to differences in the underlying network architecture. Finally, by mapping brain regions to cognitive systems, we observe that the default mode system imparts large global change despite being highly constrained by structural connectivity. This work forms an important step towards the development of personalized stimulation protocols for medical treatment or performance enhancement. PMID:27611328

Transient suppression of seizures by repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in a case of Rasmussen's encephalitis.

PubMed

Rotenberg, Alexander; Depositario-Cabacar, Dewi; Bae, Erica Hyunji; Harini, Chellamani; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro; Takeoka, Masanori

2008-07-01

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been applied with variable success to terminate the seizures of epilepsia partialis continua. The rationale for using this technique to suppress ongoing seizures is the capacity of rTMS to interrupt ongoing neuronal activity, and to produce a lasting decrease in cortical excitability with low-frequency (1 Hz) stimulation. We report a case of epilepsia partialis continua in a child with Rasmussen's encephalitis, in whom seizures were transiently suppressed by 1-Hz rTMS delivered in nine daily 30-minute sessions. In this case, total ictal time was significantly reduced during stimulation, but the daily baseline seizure rate remained unchanged. Notably, the detection and quantification of this short-lived improvement were enabled by recording EEG continuously during the rTMS session. Thus, we present this case to illustrate a potential utility of combined continuous EEG recording and rTMS in seizure treatment.

Family Socioeconomic Status and Consistent Environmental Stimulation in Early Childhood

PubMed Central

Crosnoe, Robert; Leventhal, Tama; Wirth, R. J.; Pierce, Kim M.; Pianta, Robert

2010-01-01

The transition into school occurs at the intersection of multiple environmental settings. This study applied growth curve modeling to a sample of 1,364 American children, followed from birth through age six, who had been categorized by their exposure to cognitive stimulation at home and in preschool child care and first grade classrooms. Of special interest was the unique and combined contribution to early learning of these three settings. Net of socioeconomic selection into different settings, children had higher math achievement when they were consistently stimulated in all three, and they had higher reading achievement when consistently stimulated at home and in child care. The observed benefits of consistent environmental stimulation tended to be more pronounced for low-income children. PMID:20573117

Flow-injection analysis of catecholamine secretion from bovine adrenal medulla cells on microbeads.

PubMed

Herrera, M; Kao, L S; Curran, D J; Westhead, E W

1985-01-01

Bovine adrenal medullary cells have been cultured on microbeads which are placed in a low-volume flow system for measurements of stimulation-response parameters. Electronically controlled stream switching allows stimulation of cells with pulse lengths from 1 s to many minutes; pulses may be repeated indefinitely. Catecholamines secreted are detected by an electrochemical detector downstream from the cells. This flow-injection analysis technique provides a new level of sensitivity and precision for measurement of kinetic parameters of secretion. A manual injection valve allows stimulation by higher levels of stimulant in the presence of constant low levels of stimulant. Such experiments show interesting differences between the effects of K+ and acetylcholine on cells partially desensitized to acetylcholine.

A Prospective Examination of the Association of Stimulant Medication History and Drug Use Outcomes among Community Samples of ADHD Youths

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Winters, Ken C.; Lee, Susanne; Botzet, Andria; Fahnhorst, Tamara; Realmuto, George M.; August, Gerald J.

2011-01-01

A continuing debate in the child psychopathology literature is the extent to which pharmacotherapy for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), in particular stimulant treatment, confers a risk of subsequent drug abuse. If stimulant treatment for ADHD contributes to drug abuse, then the risk versus therapeutic benefits of…

21 CFR 874.1800 - Air or water caloric stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Air or water caloric stimulator. 874.1800 Section 874.1800 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES EAR, NOSE, AND THROAT DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 874.1800 Air or water caloric stimulator. (a) Identification. An air or wate...

THE ROLE OF DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF LEARNING DISABILITY IN CHILDHOOD.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

KRAMER, ROBERT A.

THIS PAPER ATTEMPTS TO REVIEW THE STATUS OF DRUGS IN THE AREA OF LEARNING DISABILITY. THE PEDIATRICIAN'S TRAINING MUST INCLUDE EXPOSURE TO PRACTICAL AND THEORETICAL PROBLEMS OF LEARNING. OF INTEREST TO THE PEDIATRICIAN IS THE USE OF DRUGS WHICH MODIFY LEARNING RESPONSES. THESE DRUGS ARE CLASSIFIED AS GENERAL STIMULANTS, SPECIFIC STIMULANTS,…

Continuous-waveform constant-current isolated physiological stimulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holcomb, Mark R.; Devine, Jack M.; Harder, Rene; Sidorov, Veniamin Y.

2012-04-01

We have developed an isolated continuous-waveform constant-current physiological stimulator that is powered and controlled by universal serial bus (USB) interface. The stimulator is composed of a custom printed circuit board (PCB), 16-MHz MSP430F2618 microcontroller with two integrated 12-bit digital to analog converters (DAC0, DAC1), high-speed H-Bridge, voltage-controlled current source (VCCS), isolated USB communication and power circuitry, two isolated transistor-transistor logic (TTL) inputs, and a serial 16 × 2 character liquid crystal display. The stimulators are designed to produce current stimuli in the range of ±15 mA indefinitely using a 20V source and to be used in ex vivo cardiac experiments, but they are suitable for use in a wide variety of research or student experiments that require precision control of continuous waveforms or synchronization with external events. The device was designed with customization in mind and has features that allow it to be integrated into current and future experimental setups. Dual TTL inputs allow replacement by two or more traditional stimulators in common experimental configurations. The MSP430 software is written in C++ and compiled with IAR Embedded Workbench 5.20.2. A control program written in C++ runs on a Windows personal computer and has a graphical user interface that allows the user to control all aspects of the device.

Vagus nerve stimulation: state of the art of stimulation and recording strategies to address autonomic function neuromodulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guiraud, David; Andreu, David; Bonnet, Stéphane; Carrault, Guy; Couderc, Pascal; Hagège, Albert; Henry, Christine; Hernandez, Alfredo; Karam, Nicole; Le Rolle, Virginie; Mabo, Philippe; Maciejasz, Paweł; Malbert, Charles-Henri; Marijon, Eloi; Maubert, Sandrine; Picq, Chloé; Rossel, Olivier; Bonnet, Jean-Luc

2016-08-01

Objective. Neural signals along the vagus nerve (VN) drive many somatic and autonomic functions. The clinical interest of VN stimulation (VNS) is thus potentially huge and has already been demonstrated in epilepsy. However, side effects are often elicited, in addition to the targeted neuromodulation. Approach. This review examines the state of the art of VNS applied to two emerging modulations of autonomic function: heart failure and obesity, especially morbid obesity. Main results. We report that VNS may benefit from improved stimulation delivery using very advanced technologies. However, most of the results from fundamental animal studies still need to be demonstrated in humans.

Taurine supplementation increases skeletal muscle force production and protects muscle function during and after high-frequency in vitro stimulation.

PubMed

Goodman, Craig A; Horvath, Deanna; Stathis, Christos; Mori, Trevor; Croft, Kevin; Murphy, Robyn M; Hayes, Alan

2009-07-01

Recent studies report that depletion and repletion of muscle taurine (Tau) to endogenous levels affects skeletal muscle contractility in vitro. In this study, muscle Tau content was raised above endogenous levels by supplementing male Sprague-Dawley rats with 2.5% (wt/vol) Tau in drinking water for 2 wk, after which extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were examined for in vitro contractile properties, fatigue resistance, and recovery from fatigue after two different high-frequency stimulation bouts. Tau supplementation increased muscle Tau content by approximately 40% and isometric twitch force by 19%, shifted the force-frequency relationship upward and to the left, increased specific force by 4.2%, and increased muscle calsequestrin protein content by 49%. Force at the end of a 10-s (100 Hz) continuous tetanic stimulation was 6% greater than controls, while force at the end of the 3-min intermittent high-frequency stimulation bout was significantly higher than controls, with a 12% greater area under the force curve. For 1 h after the 10-s continuous stimulation, tetanic force in Tau-supplemented muscles remained relatively stable while control muscle force gradually deteriorated. After the 3-min intermittent bout, tetanic force continued to slowly recover over the next 1 h, while control muscle force again began to decline. Tau supplementation attenuated F(2)-isoprostane production (a sensitive indicator of reactive oxygen species-induced lipid peroxidation) during the 3-min intermittent stimulation bout. Finally, Tau transporter protein expression was not altered by the Tau supplementation. Our results demonstrate that raising Tau content above endogenous levels increases twitch and subtetanic and specific force in rat fast-twitch skeletal muscle. Also, we demonstrate that raising Tau protects muscle function during high-frequency in vitro stimulation and the ensuing recovery period and helps reduce oxidative stress during prolonged stimulation.

The nuclear issue: where do we go from here?.

PubMed

Rotblat, Joseph

2003-01-01

The drive for the elimination of nuclear weapons is going badly and there is currently little support from the general public. The United States Nuclear Posture Review incorporates nuclear capability into conventional war planning. The Stockpile Stewardship Program is designed to maintain nuclear weapon capability. The US is planning an essentially new earth-penetrating nuclear weapon and is prepared to test this in the national interest if thought necessary. These policies could stimulate nuclear proliferation by others, do nothing to deter terrorism, promote persisting polarization of the world, are a clear breach of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and rest world security on a continued balance of terror. A renewed mass campaign to counteract all this, on legal and moral grounds in particular, is urgently needed. IPPNW and kindred organizations must restore sanity in our policies and humanity to our actions.

Electrical Cerebral Stimulation Modifies Inhibitory Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cuéllar-Herrera, M.; Rocha, L.

2003-09-01

Electrical stimulation of the nervous tissue has been proposed as a method to treat some neurological disorders, such as epilepsy. Epileptic seizures result from excessive, synchronous, abnormal firing patterns of neurons that are located predominantly in the cerebral cortex. Many people with epilepsy continue presenting seizures even though they are under regimens of antiepileptic medications. An alternative therapy for treatment resistant epilepsy is cerebral electrical stimulation. The present study is focused to review the effects of different types of electrical stimulation and specifically changes in amino acids.

Treatment of Post-Herpetic Neuralgia by Prolonged Electric Stimulation

PubMed Central

Nathan, P. W.; Wall, P. D.

1974-01-01

The results of treating patients with severe post-herpetic neuralgia with prolonged self-administered electric stimulation from a portable apparatus were good in 11 out of 30 patients. None of these patients had had as good relief of pain with other forms of treatment. In 10 patients some effects from stimulation continued after stimulation stopped. In eight there was an improvement in the course of the neuralgia, and in two there was a cure. Imagesp646-a PMID:4425789

The use of the OSCE in postgraduate education.

PubMed

Arnold, R C; Walmsley, A D

2008-08-01

The Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a method of assessing the clinical skills of undergraduates in medicine, dentistry and other health sciences and is employed increasingly in postgraduate education. To describe the application of the OSCE to the development of Lifelong Learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for General Dental Practitioners (GDPs). A postgraduate course was designed as an OSCE for GDPs. The OSCE comprised 12 stations covering different aspects of general dentistry. After an introductory seminar outlining the aim of the course, the participants spent 7 min at each station. Each question or task required 10 answers and was designed to highlight areas of weakness or interest and to stimulate further study of the presenting topic. Solutions and answers were provided at each station for self-assessment along with a list of locally presented courses related to that subject. Participants were invited to leave contact details and to make suggestions for future postgraduate courses. The final session consisted of a group discussion and participants were invited to complete an evaluation form to express opinions on the course. The evaluation demonstrated that most candidates found participation in the OSCE stimulated their interest in CPD. The OSCE also highlighted areas of weakness in knowledge of certain clinical procedures. Group discussion confirmed that practitioners found the hands-on component valuable and that they were likely to participate in further OSCEs to enhance their CPD. Suggestions received during the discussion were used to modify the course. The OSCE course fulfilled its aim of assisting practitioners to organise their CPD. The reflective nature of the course was helpful in evaluating clinical knowledge and the unique multidisciplinary style fulfilled its objective in promoting thoughts regarding future study.

A CONTINUED INVESTIGATION OF ELECTRICALLY STIMULATED FABRIC FILTRATION

EPA Science Inventory

The report summarizes three experiments performed by Southern Research Institute under a cooperative agreement with EPA. First was a demonstration of electrostatically stimulated fabric filtration (ESFF) used to collect particulate matter (PM) from fossil fuel electrical power pl...

The Use and Evaluation of Interest Inventories and Simulations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Holland, John L.

This paper provides a general perspective for evaluating interest inventories and simulations and outlines some activities to stimulate the development of more useful inventories. Previous evaluations have been primarily instrument-specific; have relied generally on opinion rather than evidence; and have focused only on possible sex, age, race, or…

Origin of political conflict in Arctic wilderness areas

Treesearch

James N. Gladden

2002-01-01

There are several important factors related to political conflict associated with arctic wilderness areas: scientific studies, economic interests, ethnic identities, geographic differences, and national histories. How groups with an interest in these wilderness areas inject their values into these factors stimulates political debate with each other and with stewarding...

Billy and the Three Billy-Goats Gruff or, How Billy Learned to Read Naturally.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huffman, Gail M.

1981-01-01

Presents an example of one five-year-old child's efforts to learn to read. Concludes that teachers can make learning to read easier by knowing the interests of their students and by providing them with books and other materials that stimulate those interests. (FL)

A Portable, Arbitrary Waveform, Multichannel Constant Current Electrotactile Stimulator

PubMed Central

Cornman, Jesse; Akhtar, Aadeel; Bretl, Timothy

2017-01-01

In this paper, we present the design and performance of a portable, arbitrary waveform, multichannel constant current electrotactile stimulator that costs less than $30 in components. The stimulator consists of a stimulation controller and power supply that are less than half the size of a credit card and can produce ±15 mA at ±150 V. The design is easily extensible to multiple independent channels that can receive an arbitrary waveform input from a digital-to-analog converter, drawing only 0.9 W/channel (lasting 4–5 hours upon continuous stimulation using a 9 V battery). Finally, we compare the performance of our stimulator to similar stimulators both commercially available and developed in research. PMID:29250302

[Sacral nerve stimulation in fecal incontinence].

PubMed

Rasmussen, Ole Ø; Christiansen, John

2002-08-12

Sacral nerve stimulation for the treatment of faecal incontinence has gained increasing use in Europe over the last two years. Experience with the first patients treated in Denmark is described here. Fourteen patients with severe faecal incontinence were given sacral nerve stimulation. The first treatment was temporary, and if this was successful they had a device for permanent stimulation implanted. The result of the test stimulation was good in ten of the 14 patients and a permanent system was implanted. After a median of 4.5 months' stimulation, nine of the ten patients continued to respond to respond well. Sacral nerve stimulation in the treatment of faecal incontinence shows promising results. Compared to other more advanced forms of treatment, this method is minimally invasive.

Continuous-wave optical stimulation of the rat prostate nerves using an all-single-mode 1455 nm diode laser and fiber system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tozburun, Serhat; Lagoda, Gwen A.; Burnett, Arthur L.; Fried, Nathaniel M.

2011-03-01

Optical nerve stimulation (ONS) has recently been reported as a potential alternative to electrical nerve stimulation. Continuous-wave (CW) laser stimulation of the prostate cavernous nerves (CN) in a rat model, in vivo, has also been demonstrated in our previous studies. The objective of this study is to present a new all-single-mode-fiber configuration for ONS with the laser operating in CW mode for potential diagnostic applications. An infrared pigtailed single-mode diode laser (λ = 1455 nm) was used in this study for noncontact ONS. This new all-fiber approach introduces several advantages including: (1) a less expensive and more compact ONS system, (2) elimination of alignment of optical components, and (3) an improved spatial beam profile. Successful optical stimulation of the rat CN using this new design was observed after the CN reached a threshold temperature of ~ 41 °C with response times as short as 3 s. Upon further study, this configuration may be useful for identification and preservation of the cavernous nerves during prostate cancer surgery.

Two-Photon Excitation STED Microscopy with Time-Gated Detection

PubMed Central

Coto Hernández, Iván; Castello, Marco; Lanzanò, Luca; d’Amora, Marta; Bianchini, Paolo; Diaspro, Alberto; Vicidomini, Giuseppe

2016-01-01

We report on a novel two-photon excitation stimulated emission depletion (2PE-STED) microscope based on time-gated detection. The time-gated detection allows for the effective silencing of the fluorophores using moderate stimulated emission beam intensity. This opens the possibility of implementing an efficient 2PE-STED microscope with a stimulated emission beam running in a continuous-wave. The continuous-wave stimulated emission beam tempers the laser architecture’s complexity and cost, but the time-gated detection degrades the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and signal-to-background ratio (SBR) of the image. We recover the SNR and the SBR through a multi-image deconvolution algorithm. Indeed, the algorithm simultaneously reassigns early-photons (normally discarded by the time-gated detection) to their original positions and removes the background induced by the stimulated emission beam. We exemplify the benefits of this implementation by imaging sub-cellular structures. Finally, we discuss of the extension of this algorithm to future all-pulsed 2PE-STED implementationd based on time-gated detection and a nanosecond laser source. PMID:26757892

Human Behaviour in High Stress Situations in Aerospace Operations Conference Proceedings Held in The Hague, The Netherlands on 24-28 October 1988

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-06-01

Continuously stimulating advances in the aerospace sciences relevant to strengthening the common defence posture; - Improving the co-operation among member...very stimulating symposium. vii KI-1 PREDICTION OF PERSONALITY Harald T. Andersen M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc,D.Av.Med. Director RNoAF Institute of Aviation...audio tape recorder which was connected to the aircraft communication system. This recorder provided a continuous auditory record of each mission so that

Continuous 4-1BB co-stimulatory signals for the optimal expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes for adoptive T-cell therapy.

PubMed

Chacon, Jessica Ann; Pilon-Thomas, Shari; Sarnaik, Amod A; Radvanyi, Laszlo G

2013-09-01

Co-stimulation through members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR) family appears to be critical for the generation of T cells with optimal effector-memory properties for adoptive cell therapy. Our work suggests that continuous 4-1BB/CD137 co-stimulation is required for the expansion of T cells with an optimal therapeutic profile and that the administration of 4-1BB agonists upon adoptive cell transfer further improves antitumor T-cell functions.

26 CFR 1.856-5 - Interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.856-5 Interest. (a) In general. In computing the... loan value of the real property is equal to or exceeds the amount of the loan, then the entire interest...

26 CFR 1.856-5 - Interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.856-5 Interest. (a) In general. In computing the... loan value of the real property is equal to or exceeds the amount of the loan, then the entire interest...

26 CFR 1.856-5 - Interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.856-5 Interest. (a) In general. In computing the... loan value of the real property is equal to or exceeds the amount of the loan, then the entire interest...

26 CFR 1.856-5 - Interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.856-5 Interest. (a) In general. In computing the... loan value of the real property is equal to or exceeds the amount of the loan, then the entire interest...

Enhancing adoptive cancer immunotherapy with Vγ2Vδ2 T cells through pulse zoledronate stimulation.

PubMed

Nada, Mohanad H; Wang, Hong; Workalemahu, Grefachew; Tanaka, Yoshimasa; Morita, Craig T

2017-01-01

Human γδ T cells expressing Vγ2Vδ2 T cell receptors monitor foreign- and self-prenyl pyrophosphate metabolites in isoprenoid biosynthesis to mediate immunity to microbes and tumors. Adoptive immunotherapy with Vγ2Vδ2 T cells has been used to treat cancer patients with partial and complete remissions. Most clinical trials and preclinical studies have used continuous zoledronate exposure to expand Vγ2Vδ2 cells where zoledronate is slowly diluted over the course of the culture. Zoledronate inhibits farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDPS) in monocytes causing isopentenyl pyrophosphate to accumulate that then stimulates Vγ2Vδ2 cells. Because zoledronate inhibition of FDPS is also toxic for T cells, we hypothesized that a short period of exposure would reduce T cell toxicity but still be sufficient for monocytes uptake. Additionally, IL-15 increases the anti-tumor activity of murine αβ T cells in mice but its effect on the in vivo anti-tumor activity of human Vγ2Vδ2 cells has not been assessed. Human Vγ2Vδ2 T cells were expanded by pulse or continuous zoledronate stimulation with IL-2 or IL-15. Expanded Vγ2Vδ2 cells were tested for their expression of effector molecules and killing of tumor cells as well as their in vivo control of human prostate cancer tumors in immunodeficient NSG mice. Pulse zoledronate stimulation with either IL-2 or IL-15 resulted in more uniform expansion of Vγ2Vδ2 cells with higher purity and cell numbers as compared with continuous exposure. The Vγ2Vδ2 cells had higher levels of CD107a and perforin and increased tumor cytotoxicity. Adoptive immunotherapy with Vγ2Vδ2 cells derived by pulse stimulation controlled human PC-3 prostate cancer tumors in NSG mice significantly better than those derived by continuous stimulation, halting tumor growth. Although pulse zoledronate stimulation with IL-15 preserved early memory subsets, adoptive immunotherapy with IL-15-derived Vγ2Vδ2 cells equally inhibited PC-3 tumor growth as those derived with IL-2. Pulse zoledronate stimulation maximizes the purity, quantity, and quality of expanded Vγ2Vδ2 cells for adoptive immunotherapy but there is no advantage to using IL-15 over IL-2 in our humanized mouse model. Pulse zoledronate stimulation is a simple modification to existing protocols that will enhance the effectiveness of adoptively transferred Vγ2Vδ2 cells by increasing their numbers and anti-tumor activity.

Digestive efficiency, free amino acid pools and quality of growth performance in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) affected by light regimes and vaccine types.

PubMed

Rungruangsak-Torrissen, Krisna; Sunde, Jan; Berg, Arne Erik; Nordgarden, Ulla; Fjelldal, Per Gunnar; Oppedal, Frode

2009-06-01

This study comprised the results of three different seawater trials using unique combination of techniques to study protease digestive efficiency and growth performance quality to illustrate the effects of light regimes and vaccine types in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Fish with higher growth had higher trypsin (T) and chymotrypsin (C) specific activities with higher T/C ratio or slope T/C ratio [calculated from the regression between trypsin (y) and chymotrypsin (x) specific activities] in the pyloric caeca. The T/C ratios indicated fish growth rates over a period of 1-2 months, while the slope T/C ratios indicated fish growth rates at sampling. Adaptation period for adjustment to the new environment of continuous light was 70 days, indicated by the differences in trypsin specific activities and the crossing of slope T/C ratio regressions following with the changes in growth rate directions between the control and the treated group. Vaccine types affected fish vertebral growth, and additional continuous light enhanced the impact of vaccines on fish growth during springtime, indicated by differences in slope T/C ratios. Continuous light stimulated fish growth during winter to spring, when the natural day length was short, without significantly changing white muscle and oocyte qualities in the fish of about 500 g, except for significantly increased white muscle RNA concentration. Continuous light also reduced fish growth rate later during summer, when the natural day length was long, by precedently decreasing the T/C ratio in late spring. Interestingly, plasma levels of free lysine related to tryptic digestion were correlated with trypsin specific activity levels. Continuous light caused higher levels of most free amino acids (FAA) involved in nitrogen metabolism, higher incorporation of essential FAA for protein synthesis, and higher protein turnover rate (free hydroxyproline levels) in both plasma and white muscle. However, continuous light did not affect higher protein content, intracellular buffering capacity and RNA levels in the white muscle of the fish of about 1 kg, probably due to limitation of FAA available for protein synthesis. It is therefore suggested that enhancing fish growth by continuous light stimulation should be accompanied by increasing availability or content of dietary protein (and probably minerals), which in turn would improve the quality of fish growth performance through increasing fillet protein concentration, strengthening vertebral growth, and delaying oocyte development.

Pathways from Parental Stimulation of Children's Curiosity to High School Science Course Accomplishments and Science Career Interest and Skill

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gottfried, Adele Eskeles; Preston, Kathleen Suzanne Johnson; Gottfried, Allen W.; Oliver, Pamella H.; Delany, Danielle E.; Ibrahim, Sirena M.

2016-01-01

Curiosity is fundamental to scientific inquiry and pursuance. Parents are important in encouraging children's involvement in science. This longitudinal study examined pathways from parental stimulation of children's curiosity per se to their science acquisition (SA). A latent variable of SA was indicated by the inter-related variables of high…

Spinal Cord Stimulation for the Relief of Pain: Proceedings of a Symposium during the 4th International Congress of the International Neuromodulation Society, September 16-20, 1998, Lucerne, Switzerland.

PubMed

Oakley, J C

1999-07-01

Spinal cord stimulation has become an accepted technique used in the management of chronic neuropathic pain syndromes. However, a number of problematic questions remain unanswered. This introduction states some of these problems and concentrates on the problem of whether low back pain can be relieved by stimulation. This paper introduces subsequent contributions to this symposium, which offer some interesting new techniques, and attempts to answer some of the problems presented.

[A new hypothesis for the treatment of amblyopia: the flicker stimulator].

PubMed

Parrozzani, A; Fedriga, P; Ferrari, E; De Vincentiis, L

1984-01-01

A variety of cells are involved in the pathogenesis of amblyopia : ON, OFF, ON-OFF cells, postsynaptic cells, neurons of striate cortex and the select interest of the macula. The need for stimulation of these cells in treating amblyopia forms the theoretical basis of the Flicker stimulator with red monochromatic light (LED, 655 nm). The authors present a clinical investigation on 35 subjects with anisometropic or strabismic amblyopia, before extensive treatment with classic anti-amblyopic techniques without satisfactory improvement obtaining significant statistical results (p less than 0,001).

Age Differences of Salivary Alpha-Amylase Levels of Basal and Acute Responses to Citric Acid Stimulation Between Chinese Children and Adults.

PubMed

Yang, Ze-Min; Chen, Long-Hui; Zhang, Min; Lin, Jing; Zhang, Jie; Chen, Wei-Wen; Yang, Xiao-Rong

2015-01-01

It remains unclear how salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels respond to mechanical stimuli in different age groups. In addition, the role played by the sAA gene (AMY1) copy number and protein expression (glycosylated and non-glycosylated) in sAA activity has also been rarely reported. In this study, we analyzed saliva samples collected before and after citric acid stimulation from 47 child and 47 adult Chinese subjects. We observed that adults had higher sAA activity and sAA glycosylated levels (glycosylated sAA amount/total sAA amount) in basal and stimulated saliva when compared with children, while no differences were found in total or glycosylated sAA amount between them. Interestingly, adults showed attenuated sAA activity levels increase over those of children after stimulation. Correlation analysis showed that total sAA amount, glycosylated sAA amount, and AMY1 copy number × total sAA amount were all positively correlated with sAA activity before and after stimulation in both groups. Interestingly, correlation r between sAA levels (glycosylated sAA amount and total sAA amount) and sAA activity decreased after stimulation in children, while adults showed an increase in correlation r. In addition, the correlation r between AMY1 copy number × total sAA amount and sAA activity was higher than that between AMY1 copy number, total sAA amount, and sAA activity, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that total sAA amount, glycosylated sAA amount, and the positive interaction between AMY1 copy number and total sAA amount are crucial in influencing sAA activity before and after stimulation in children and adults.

Age Differences of Salivary Alpha-Amylase Levels of Basal and Acute Responses to Citric Acid Stimulation Between Chinese Children and Adults

PubMed Central

Yang, Ze-Min; Chen, Long-Hui; Zhang, Min; Lin, Jing; Zhang, Jie; Chen, Wei-Wen; Yang, Xiao-Rong

2015-01-01

It remains unclear how salivary alpha-amylase (sAA) levels respond to mechanical stimuli in different age groups. In addition, the role played by the sAA gene (AMY1) copy number and protein expression (glycosylated and non-glycosylated) in sAA activity has also been rarely reported. In this study, we analyzed saliva samples collected before and after citric acid stimulation from 47 child and 47 adult Chinese subjects. We observed that adults had higher sAA activity and sAA glycosylated levels (glycosylated sAA amount/total sAA amount) in basal and stimulated saliva when compared with children, while no differences were found in total or glycosylated sAA amount between them. Interestingly, adults showed attenuated sAA activity levels increase over those of children after stimulation. Correlation analysis showed that total sAA amount, glycosylated sAA amount, and AMY1 copy number × total sAA amount were all positively correlated with sAA activity before and after stimulation in both groups. Interestingly, correlation r between sAA levels (glycosylated sAA amount and total sAA amount) and sAA activity decreased after stimulation in children, while adults showed an increase in correlation r. In addition, the correlation r between AMY1 copy number × total sAA amount and sAA activity was higher than that between AMY1 copy number, total sAA amount, and sAA activity, respectively. Taken together, our results suggest that total sAA amount, glycosylated sAA amount, and the positive interaction between AMY1 copy number and total sAA amount are crucial in influencing sAA activity before and after stimulation in children and adults. PMID:26635626

Real-time measurement of cerebral blood flow during and after repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation: A near-infrared spectroscopy study.

PubMed

Park, Eunhee; Kang, Min Jae; Lee, Ahee; Chang, Won Hyuk; Shin, Yong-Il; Kim, Yun-Hee

2017-07-13

To confirm the interhemispheric modulation induced by low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over the primary motor cortex, real-time regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in the contralateral primary motor cortex (M1) and premotor cortex (PM). Ten right-handed healthy subjects completed two experimental sessions that were randomly arranged for real or sham rTMS session. In the real rTMS session, fNIRS data were acquired from the right M1 and PM area, while the motor hot spot of the left M1 was stimulated with 1Hz rTMS for 1200 pulses with two boosters. In the sham stimulation session, stimulation was delivered with a disconnected coil. During the real rTMS session, the concentration of oxyhemoglobin ([oxy-Hb]) in the right M1 increased continuously until the end of the stimulation. These changes lasted for 20min, while the right PM did not show a change in [oxy-Hb] concentration. On the other hand, the concentration of deoxy-hemoglobin ([deoxy-Hb]) decreased continuously in the right M1 and PM during the real rTMS stimulation, and this change lasted for 20min after the stimulation. The sham stimulation did not exhibit any significant change in both [oxy-Hb] and [deoxy-Hb] concentration during or after the stimulation. Application of 1Hz rTMS over M1 resulted in changes of rCBF in contralateral M1 and PM, which seemed to constitute a function of interhemispheric modulation of rTMS. The fNIRS data was able to detect this physiological change of neuromodulatory action of rTMS in real-time. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

26 CFR 1.803-3 - Interest paid or accrued.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Life Insurance Companies § 1.803-3 Interest paid or accrued. Interest... year but does not include interest paid or accrued on deferred dividends. Life insurance reserves as defined in § 1.803-1 are not indebtedness. Dividends left with the company to accumulate at interest are a...

26 CFR 1.803-3 - Interest paid or accrued.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

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26 CFR 1.803-3 - Interest paid or accrued.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Life Insurance Companies § 1.803-3 Interest paid or accrued. Interest... year but does not include interest paid or accrued on deferred dividends. Life insurance reserves as defined in § 1.803-1 are not indebtedness. Dividends left with the company to accumulate at interest are a...

26 CFR 1.803-3 - Interest paid or accrued.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Life Insurance Companies § 1.803-3 Interest paid or accrued. Interest... year but does not include interest paid or accrued on deferred dividends. Life insurance reserves as defined in § 1.803-1 are not indebtedness. Dividends left with the company to accumulate at interest are a...

A translational platform for prototyping closed-loop neuromodulation systems

PubMed Central

Afshar, Pedram; Khambhati, Ankit; Stanslaski, Scott; Carlson, David; Jensen, Randy; Linde, Dave; Dani, Siddharth; Lazarewicz, Maciej; Cong, Peng; Giftakis, Jon; Stypulkowski, Paul; Denison, Tim

2013-01-01

While modulating neural activity through stimulation is an effective treatment for neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, an opportunity for improving neuromodulation therapy remains in automatically adjusting therapy to continuously optimize patient outcomes. Practical issues associated with achieving this include the paucity of human data related to disease states, poorly validated estimators of patient state, and unknown dynamic mappings of optimal stimulation parameters based on estimated states. To overcome these challenges, we present an investigational platform including: an implanted sensing and stimulation device to collect data and run automated closed-loop algorithms; an external tool to prototype classifier and control-policy algorithms; and real-time telemetry to update the implanted device firmware and monitor its state. The prototyping system was demonstrated in a chronic large animal model studying hippocampal dynamics. We used the platform to find biomarkers of the observed states and transfer functions of different stimulation amplitudes. Data showed that moderate levels of stimulation suppress hippocampal beta activity, while high levels of stimulation produce seizure-like after-discharge activity. The biomarker and transfer function observations were mapped into classifier and control-policy algorithms, which were downloaded to the implanted device to continuously titrate stimulation amplitude for the desired network effect. The platform is designed to be a flexible prototyping tool and could be used to develop improved mechanistic models and automated closed-loop systems for a variety of neurological disorders. PMID:23346048

A translational platform for prototyping closed-loop neuromodulation systems.

PubMed

Afshar, Pedram; Khambhati, Ankit; Stanslaski, Scott; Carlson, David; Jensen, Randy; Linde, Dave; Dani, Siddharth; Lazarewicz, Maciej; Cong, Peng; Giftakis, Jon; Stypulkowski, Paul; Denison, Tim

2012-01-01

While modulating neural activity through stimulation is an effective treatment for neurological diseases such as Parkinson's disease and essential tremor, an opportunity for improving neuromodulation therapy remains in automatically adjusting therapy to continuously optimize patient outcomes. Practical issues associated with achieving this include the paucity of human data related to disease states, poorly validated estimators of patient state, and unknown dynamic mappings of optimal stimulation parameters based on estimated states. To overcome these challenges, we present an investigational platform including: an implanted sensing and stimulation device to collect data and run automated closed-loop algorithms; an external tool to prototype classifier and control-policy algorithms; and real-time telemetry to update the implanted device firmware and monitor its state. The prototyping system was demonstrated in a chronic large animal model studying hippocampal dynamics. We used the platform to find biomarkers of the observed states and transfer functions of different stimulation amplitudes. Data showed that moderate levels of stimulation suppress hippocampal beta activity, while high levels of stimulation produce seizure-like after-discharge activity. The biomarker and transfer function observations were mapped into classifier and control-policy algorithms, which were downloaded to the implanted device to continuously titrate stimulation amplitude for the desired network effect. The platform is designed to be a flexible prototyping tool and could be used to develop improved mechanistic models and automated closed-loop systems for a variety of neurological disorders.

Academic development for urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq.

PubMed

Kok, Dirk J; Maghdid, Delshad M; Mohammed, Maqsood S; Sherwani, Govand H S

2014-03-01

Continuous education is mandatory for all urologists, and undertaking cooperative research is a very effective means for this. We describe the experience and possibilities for continuing education for urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. We hope to provide a framework for stimulating urological education and research in other countries where urologists face the same obstacles. Data were obtained from the perspective of two academics who co-operate with urologists from Iraq, and from the perspective of two officials from the Ministry of Higher education of the Kurdistan Regional Government who are responsible for stimulating continuous education. Based on a co-operative and supportive attitude of both Government and Academics, urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq have brought the standards of education and cooperative research to an internationally competitive level. The authors hope that the examples given here can stimulate urologists from Arab countries to fully engage in new urological developments, despite the obstacles that they perceive.

Academic development for urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq

PubMed Central

Kok, Dirk J.; Maghdid, Delshad M.; Mohammed, Maqsood S.; Sherwani, Govand H.S.

2013-01-01

Objectives Continuous education is mandatory for all urologists, and undertaking cooperative research is a very effective means for this. We describe the experience and possibilities for continuing education for urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. We hope to provide a framework for stimulating urological education and research in other countries where urologists face the same obstacles. Methods Data were obtained from the perspective of two academics who co-operate with urologists from Iraq, and from the perspective of two officials from the Ministry of Higher education of the Kurdistan Regional Government who are responsible for stimulating continuous education. Results Based on a co-operative and supportive attitude of both Government and Academics, urologists in the Kurdistan region of Iraq have brought the standards of education and cooperative research to an internationally competitive level. Conclusion The authors hope that the examples given here can stimulate urologists from Arab countries to fully engage in new urological developments, despite the obstacles that they perceive. PMID:26019930

Teaching for quality learning in chemistry

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Teixeira-Dias, José J. C.; Pedrosa de Jesus, Helena; Neri de Souza, Francislê; Watts, Mike

2005-09-01

In Portugal, the number of students in higher education increased from 80,000 in 1975 to 381,000 in 2000 (a change from 11% to 53% in the age group 18 22), meaning a major change in the diversity of student population with consequences well known and studied in other countries. The teaching of chemistry at the University of Aveiro, for the first-year students of science and engineering, has been subjected to continuous attention to implement quality and student-centred approaches. The work devoted to excellence and deep learning by several authors has been carefully followed and considered. This communication reports research work on chemistry teaching, associated with those developments for first-year students. The work included the design of strategies and the adoption of teaching and learning activities exploring ways to stimulate active learning by improving the quality of classroom interactions. In addition to regular lectures, large classes' teaching based on student-generated questions was explored. In order to improve students' motivation and stimulate their curiosity, conference-lectures were adopted to deal with selected topics of wide scientific, technological and social interest. Quantitative analysis and discussion of selected case studies, together with the organization of laboratory classes based on selected enquiry-based experiments, planned and executed by students, stimulated deep learning processes. A sample of 32 students was followed in the academic year of 2000/01 and the results obtained are here discussed in comparison with those of a sample of 100 students followed in 2001/02. Particular attention was paid to the quality of classroom interactions, the use of questions by students and their views about the course design.

Microscopic magnetic stimulation of neural tissue

PubMed Central

Bonmassar, Giorgio; Lee, Seung Woo; Freeman, Daniel K.; Polasek, Miloslav; Fried, Shelley I.; Gale, John T.

2012-01-01

Electrical stimulation is currently used to treat a wide range of cardiovascular, sensory and neurological diseases. Despite its success, there are significant limitations to its application, including incompatibility with magnetic resonance imaging, limited control of electric fields and decreased performance associated with tissue inflammation. Magnetic stimulation overcomes these limitations but existing devices (that is, transcranial magnetic stimulation) are large, reducing their translation to chronic applications. In addition, existing devices are not effective for deeper, sub-cortical targets. Here we demonstrate that sub-millimeter coils can activate neuronal tissue. Interestingly, the results of both modelling and physiological experiments suggest that different spatial orientations of the coils relative to the neuronal tissue can be used to generate specific neural responses. These results raise the possibility that micro-magnetic stimulation coils, small enough to be implanted within the brain parenchyma, may prove to be an effective alternative to existing stimulation devices. PMID:22735449

Transcranial direct-current stimulation as treatment in epilepsy.

PubMed

Gschwind, Markus; Seeck, Margitta

2016-12-01

Neuromodulation (NM) is a complementary therapy for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Vagal nerve stimulation and deep brain stimulation of the anterior thalamus are established techniques and have shown their efficacy in lowering seizure frequency, but they are invasive and rarely render patients seizure-free. Non-invasive NM techniques are therefore increasingly investigated in a clinical context. Areas covered: Current knowledge about transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) and other non-invasive NM in patients with epilepsy, based on the available animal and clinical studies from PubMed search. Expert commentary: tDCS modulates neuronal membrane potentials, and consequently alters cortical excitability. Cathodal stimulation leads to cortical inhibition, which is of particular importance in epilepsy treatment. The antiepileptic efficacy is promising but still lacks systematic studies. The beneficial effect, seen in ~20%, outlasts the duration of stimulation, indicating neuronal plasticity and is therefore of great interest to obtain long-term effects.

Bio-heat transfer model of deep brain stimulation-induced temperature changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Elwassif, Maged M.; Kong, Qingjun; Vazquez, Maribel; Bikson, Marom

2006-12-01

There is a growing interest in the use of chronic deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of medically refractory movement disorders and other neurological and psychiatric conditions. Fundamental questions remain about the physiologic effects of DBS. Previous basic research studies have focused on the direct polarization of neuronal membranes by electrical stimulation. The goal of this paper is to provide information on the thermal effects of DBS using finite element models to investigate the magnitude and spatial distribution of DBS-induced temperature changes. The parameters investigated include stimulation waveform, lead selection, brain tissue electrical and thermal conductivities, blood perfusion, metabolic heat generation during the stimulation and lead thermal conductivity/heat dissipation through the electrode. Our results show that clinical DBS protocols will increase the temperature of surrounding tissue by up to 0.8 °C depending on stimulation/tissue parameters.

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26 CFR 1.216-1 - Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing corporation.

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26 CFR 1.1014-8 - Bequest, devise, or inheritance of a remainder interest.

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2012-04-01

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26 CFR 1.216-1 - Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing corporation.

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2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to... OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Additional Itemized Deductions for Individuals § 1.216-1 Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing...

26 CFR 1.216-1 - Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing corporation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to... OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Additional Itemized Deductions for Individuals § 1.216-1 Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing...

26 CFR 1.1014-8 - Bequest, devise, or inheritance of a remainder interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Basis Rules of General Application § 1.1014-8... adding to (or subtracting from) the part of the adjusted uniform basis assigned to the remainder interest... between— (i) The value of the remainder interest included in the remainderman's estate, and (ii) The basis...

26 CFR 1.1014-8 - Bequest, devise, or inheritance of a remainder interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Basis Rules of General Application § 1.1014-8... adding to (or subtracting from) the part of the adjusted uniform basis assigned to the remainder interest... between— (i) The value of the remainder interest included in the remainderman's estate, and (ii) The basis...

26 CFR 1.216-1 - Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing corporation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to... OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Additional Itemized Deductions for Individuals § 1.216-1 Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing...

New modalities of brain stimulation for stroke rehabilitation

PubMed Central

Lucas, T. H.; Carey, J. R.; Fetz, E. E.

2014-01-01

Stroke is a leading cause of disability, and the number of stroke survivors continues to rise. Traditional neurorehabilitation strategies aimed at restoring function to weakened limbs provide only modest benefit. New brain stimulation techniques designed to augment traditional neurorehabilitation hold promise for reducing the burden of stroke-related disability. Investigators discovered that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), trans-cranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and epidural cortical stimulation (ECS) can enhance neural plasticity in the motor cortex post-stroke. Improved outcomes may be obtained with activity-dependent stimulation, in which brain stimulation is contingent on neural or muscular activity during normal behavior. We review the evidence for improved motor function in stroke patients treated with rTMS, tDCS, and ECS and discuss the mediating physiological mechanisms. We compare these techniques to activity-dependent stimulation, discuss the advantages of this newer strategy for stroke rehabilitation, and suggest future applications for activity-dependent brain stimulation. PMID:23192336

Generation of femtosecond γ-ray bursts stimulated by laser-driven hosing evolution

PubMed Central

Ma, Yong; Chen, Liming; Li, Dazhang; Yan, Wenchao; Huang, Kai; Chen, Min; Sheng, Zhengming; Nakajima, Kazuhisa; Tajima, Toshiki; Zhang, Jie

2016-01-01

The promising ability of a plasma wiggler based on laser wakefield acceleration to produce betatron X-rays with photon energies of a few keV to hundreds of keV and a peak brilliance of 1022–1023 photons/s/mm2/mrad2/0.1%BW has been demonstrated, providing an alternative to large-scale synchrotron light sources. Most methods for generating betatron radiation are based on two typical approaches, one relying on an inherent transverse focusing electrostatic field, which induces transverse oscillation, and the other relying on the electron beam catching up with the rear part of the laser pulse, which results in strong electron resonance. Here, we present a new regime of betatron γ-ray radiation generated by stimulating a large-amplitude transverse oscillation of a continuously injected electron bunch through the hosing of the bubble induced by the carrier envelope phase (CEP) effect of the self-steepened laser pulse. Our method increases the critical photon energy to the MeV level, according to the results of particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations. The highly collimated, energetic and femtosecond γ-ray bursts that are produced in this way may provide an interesting potential means of exploring nuclear physics in table top photo nuclear reactions. PMID:27457890

Breaking the cycle of loneliness? Psychological effects of a friendship enrichment program for older women.

PubMed

Martina, C M S; Stevens, N L

2006-09-01

The present study examines effects of participation in the friendship enrichment program, an intervention that is designed to stimulate improvement in friendship, self-esteem and subjective well-being, as well as reduction in loneliness among older women. The intervention group was compared to a control group of women who were interested in the program or in improving their friendships. All respondents had been studied at three points in time: at a baseline, prior to the program; three months later, and 9-10 months after baseline. The results indicate that the program was successful in attracting lonely older women who were willing to work on their friendships. Many participants reported improvement in the quantity and quality of their friendships. The program was moderately successful in stimulating improvement in subjective well-being and awareness of the need for an active stance toward achieving goals in social relations, especially in friendship. Loneliness among the participants was reduced, but it also declined in the control group, and both groups continued to experience loneliness. One conclusion is that an effective intervention to help older women reduce their loneliness should be multi-dimensional focusing not only on friendship but also on other personal and situational factors contributing to loneliness.

Photochemical reactions of metal nitrosyl complexes. Mechanisms of NO reactions with biologically relevant metal centers

DOE PAGES

Ford, Peter C.

2001-01-01

Tmore » he discoveries that nitric oxide (a.k.a. nitrogen monoxide) serves important roles in mammalian bioregulation and immunology have stimulated intense interest in the chemistry and biochemistry of NO and derivatives such as metal nitrosyl complexes. Also of interest are strategies to deliver NO to biological targets on demand. One such strategy would be to employ a precursor which displays relatively low thermal reactivity but is photochemically active to release NO. his proposition led us to investigate laser flash and continuous photolysis kinetics of nitrosyl complexes such as the Roussin's iron-sulfur-nitrosyl cluster anions Fe 2 S 2 ( NO ) 4 2 − and Fe 4 S 3 ( NO ) 7 − and several ruthenium salen and porphyrin nitrosyls. hese include studies using metal-nitrosyl photochemistry as a vehicle for delivering NO to hypoxic cell cultures in order to sensitize γ -radiation damage. Also studied were the rates and mechanisms of NO “on” reactions with model water soluble heme compounds, the ferriheme protein met-myoglobin and various ruthenium complexes using ns laser flash photolysis techniques. An overview of these studies is presented.« less

On the history of the quantum. Introduction to the HQ2 special issue

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Dongen, Jeroen; Dieks, Dennis; Uffink, Jos; Kox, A. J.

The historiography of quantum theory exhibits a period of intense activity that started in the 1960s, with the Archives for the History of Quantum Physics project, and continued with the work of scholars like Max Jammer, Martin J. Klein, John Heilbron, Paul Forman and Thomas Kuhn. At the end of the 1970s, however, interest of historians seems to have shifted away, even if there have been notable exceptions, such as the multi-volume work by Jagdish Mehra and Helmut Rechenberg, and monographs like those of Olivier Darrigol and Mara Beller. Perhaps this development has had to do with a diminishing number of scholars possessing the necessary technical skills in physics together with historical sensitivity. Moreover, many historians of physics in this period have focused their interest on another subject, namely the development of the theory of relativity. Stimulated by the start of the Einstein Papers Project, and initiated by pioneers such as John Stachel and John Norton around 1980, very soon a dedicated group of scholars devoted time and energy to analyzing the genesis and development of general relativity, and other aspects of Einstein's science.

Continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (CIONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is sufficient as the only neuromonitoring technique in thyroidectomy performed because of benign goitre.

PubMed

Adamczewski, Zbigniew; Chwałkiewicz, Michał; Lewiński, Andrzej; Brzeziński, Jan; Dedecjus, Marek

2015-01-01

Recently, intraoperative neurophysiological neuromonitoring (IONM) of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) has been evolving quickly. This evolution touched many aspects of the technique, leading to continuous stimulation of the RLN with real time analysis of the electrical signal. The aim of the study was to estimate the value of continuous intraoperative neuromonitoring (CIONM) as the only technique for intraoperative neuromonitoring in thyroidectomy performed because of benign goitre. The study comprised 80 women qualified for thyroidectomy due to nodular goitre. The patients were divided into 4 groups depending on the technique used for RLN integrity verification: group 1 - thyroidectomy with CIONM; group 2 - thyroidectomy with direct, intermittent stimulation of RLN and vagus nerve (NX); group 3 - both CIONM and intermittent stimulation of RLN and NX; group 4 - thyroidectomy without any IONM. Mean operation time did not differ significantly among the groups with IONM, but was significantly longer in comparison to group 4, as well as the operation's cost. In the analysed groups there was no significant difference in complication ratio. CIONM with RLN visualization in thyroidectomy performed because of benign goitre is as safe as other methods of IONM and gives a continuous confirmation of the electrical integrity of the loop NX-RLN-vocal folds during almost the entire procedure. There is a clinical need for the development of external stimulation of NX (transdermal or trancranial), particularly for minimally invasive techniques in which access to NX is limited (i.e. transoral thyroidectomy).

Pedophilia is linked to reduced activation in hypothalamus and lateral prefrontal cortex during visual erotic stimulation.

PubMed

Walter, Martin; Witzel, Joachim; Wiebking, Christine; Gubka, Udo; Rotte, Michael; Schiltz, Kolja; Bermpohl, Felix; Tempelmann, Claus; Bogerts, Bernhard; Heinze, Hans Jochen; Northoff, Georg

2007-09-15

Although pedophilia is of high public concern, little is known about underlying neural mechanisms. Although pedophilic patients are sexually attracted to prepubescent children, they show no sexual interest toward adults. This study aimed to investigate the neural correlates of deficits of sexual and emotional arousal in pedophiles. Thirteen pedophilic patients and 14 healthy control subjects were tested for differential neural activity during visual stimulation with emotional and erotic pictures with functional magnetic resonance imaging. Regions showing differential activations during the erotic condition comprised the hypothalamus, the periaqueductal gray, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the latter correlating with a clinical measure. Alterations of emotional processing concerned the amygdala-hippocampus and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex. Hypothesized regions relevant for processing of erotic stimuli in healthy individuals showed reduced activations during visual erotic stimulation in pedophilic patients. This suggests an impaired recruitment of key structures that might contribute to an altered sexual interest of these patients toward adults.

Continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) over the lateral prefrontal cortex alters reinforcement learning bias.

PubMed

Ott, Derek V M; Ullsperger, Markus; Jocham, Gerhard; Neumann, Jane; Klein, Tilmann A

2011-07-15

The prefrontal cortex is known to play a key role in higher-order cognitive functions. Recently, we showed that this brain region is active in reinforcement learning, during which subjects constantly have to integrate trial outcomes in order to optimize performance. To further elucidate the role of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) in reinforcement learning, we applied continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) either to the left or right DLPFC, or to the vertex as a control region, respectively, prior to the performance of a probabilistic learning task in an fMRI environment. While there was no influence of cTBS on learning performance per se, we observed a stimulation-dependent modulation of reward vs. punishment sensitivity: Left-hemispherical DLPFC stimulation led to a more reward-guided performance, while right-hemispherical cTBS induced a more avoidance-guided behavior. FMRI results showed enhanced prediction error coding in the ventral striatum in subjects stimulated over the left as compared to the right DLPFC. Both behavioral and imaging results are in line with recent findings that left, but not right-hemispherical stimulation can trigger a release of dopamine in the ventral striatum, which has been suggested to increase the relative impact of rewards rather than punishment on behavior. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Publishing Magazines: To Meet Reader Needs and Interests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, Lane M.

A series of lectures presented by "Farm Journal's" editor-in-chief Lane Palmer to the advanced agricultural writing course of the University of Wisconsin's Department of Agricultural Journalism in the spring of 1970 formed the basis for this publication. The purpose of the lectures was to stimulate student interest in feature writing and magazine…

Crystallography: To Infinity and Beyond…

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bond, Charles

2014-01-01

William Henry Bragg moved from Cambridge in Britain to South Australia to take up a professorship at the University of Adelaide in 1885. He brought with him a broad interest in many areas of physics, but when Wilhelm Roentgen discovered X-rays in the 1890s, Bragg's interest was stimulated. William's Australian-born son, Lawrence (WL Bragg), began…

Changes in Clark-Trow Subcultures from 1976 to 2006: Implications for Addressing Undergraduates' Leisure Interests

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendel, Darwin D.; Harrold, Roger

2007-01-01

Unrest in the early 1970s stimulated a need to understand undergraduates' motivations. The Clark-Trow Typology (Clark & Trow, 1966) examined student behavior (i.e., academic, collegiate, vocational, and non-conformist) according to identification with the institution and involvement with ideas. The Student Interest Survey included questions…

Early Social Cognition: Understanding Others in the First Months of Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rochat, Philippe, Ed.

In recent years, much stimulating research has emerged in relation to children's theories of mind, construed as the understanding of others' intentions, beliefs, and desires. Within that context, there is renewed interest in the developmental origins of social cognition. An expression of that new interest, this book assembles current…

Implementing a Cooperative Learning Model in Universities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yi, Zeng; LuXi, Zhang

2012-01-01

In the past few years, many students have begun to lose interest in science and information and engineering technology courses because they find them too boring and hard to learn. To strengthen this field of education and stimulate students' motivation and interest in learning, this study introduces a theoretical pedagogical framework based on…

Promoting an Interest in Language To Stimulate College Students' Vocabulary Development.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wellington, Kathy

1999-01-01

Describes using the book "The Professor and the Madman" (which tells the story of how the "Oxford English Dictionary" came into being) in a college or developmental reading class. Notes it motivates students to take greater interest in language and work on expanding their vocabularies, thus promoting vocabulary development and…

New Interest in Wild Forest Products in Europe as an Expression of Biocultural Dynamics.

PubMed

Wiersum, K F

2017-01-01

In Europe, interest in wild forest products is increasing. Such products may be interpreted in a biological sense as deriving from autonomously growing forest species or in a biocultural sense as reflecting dynamics in human living with biodiversity through re-wilding of earlier domesticated species. In this article I elaborate the idea that the new interests reflect biocultural dynamics. First, I identify these dynamics as involving both domestication and re-wilding and characterize these processes as involving biological, environmental, and cultural dimensions. Next, I present a comparative review of two approaches to re-wilding forest production in the Netherlands: meat production from new types of natural grazing systems, and food production from plants re-introduced to the wild. The first approach is based on the stimulation of naturally occurring ecological processes and the second on the stimulation of new forms of experiencing bio-cultural heritage. The examples demonstrate that the new interests in wild forest products involve both a return to earlier stages of domestication in an ecological sense and a new phase of acculturation to evolving socio-cultural conditions.

Factors Influencing Participation in Continuing Professional Development: A Focus on Motivation Among Pharmacists.

PubMed

Tjin A Tsoi, Sharon L N M; de Boer, Anthonius; Croiset, Gerda; Koster, Andries S; Kusurkar, Rashmi A

2016-01-01

The interest in continuing education (CE) for pharmacists has increased because of patient safety issues, advancing science and the quick changes in the profession. Therefore, contemporary pharmaceutical care requires an effective and sustainable system for pharmacists to maintain and improve competencies. Although motivation plays an important role both as a facilitator (desire to learn) and a barrier (lack of motivation), there is little investigated about this specific factor. The aim of the study was to explore what factors influence pharmacists' participation in CE with a focus on motivation. The theoretical framework was self-determination theory (SDT), which describes autonomous motivation (AM) representing motivation from an internal locus of causality, controlled motivation (CM) originating from an external locus of causality, and relative autonomous motivation (RAM) that measures the AM in an individual after correcting for the CM. The relationship between pharmacists' characteristics, especially their motivation (AM, CM and RAM) in CE, and their participation in CE activities was explored using the AMS-questionnaire and the Dutch online portfolio system. RAM was positively correlated with CE participation of pharmacists and explained 7.8% of the variance. The correlations between the independent variables AM and CM and CE hours were negative (-0.301 and -0.476, respectively). Other factors influencing CE participation were pharmacy school (6.8%), traineeship (10.9%), and work experience (7.8%). Pharmacists participated for 27.0 hours on average in CE during 11 months and preferred face-to-face-learning (85.5%) above e-learning (13.8%). Our findings show a positive relationship between RAM and CE participation. The current CE system is probably not conducive to stimulation of AM. Further research is needed to understand the factors that stimulate pharmacists' motivation and participation in CE.

Auditory subliminal stimulation: a re-examination.

PubMed

Urban, M J

1992-04-01

Unconscious or subliminal perception has historically been a thorny issue in psychology. It has been the subject of debate and experimentation since the turn of the century. While psychologists now agree that the phenomenon of visual subliminal stimulation is real, disagreement continues over the effects of such stimulation as well as to its existence in other sensory modalities, notably the auditory. The present paper provides an overview of unresolved issues in auditory subliminal stimulation which explains much of the difficulty that has been encountered in experimental work in this area. A context is proposed for considering the effects of auditory subliminal stimulation and an overview of current investigations in this field is provided.

Time-dependent correlation of cerebral blood flow with oxygen metabolism in activated human visual cortex as measured by fMRI.

PubMed

Lin, Ai-Ling; Fox, Peter T; Yang, Yihong; Lu, Hanzhang; Tan, Li-Hai; Gao, Jia-Hong

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between relative cerebral blood flow (delta CBF) and relative cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (delta CMRO(2)) during continuous visual stimulation (21 min at 8 Hz) with fMRI biophysical models by simultaneously measuring of BOLD, CBF and CBV fMRI signals. The delta CMRO(2) was determined by both a newly calibrated single-compartment model (SCM) and a multi-compartment model (MCM) and was in agreement between these two models (P>0.5). The duration-varying delta CBF and delta CMRO(2) showed a negative correlation with time (r=-0.97, P<0.001); i.e., delta CBF declines while delta CMRO(2) increases during continuous stimulation. This study also illustrated that without properly calibrating the critical parameters employed in the SCM, an incorrect and even an opposite appearance of the flow-metabolism relationship during prolonged visual stimulation (positively linear coupling) can result. The time-dependent negative correlation between flow and metabolism demonstrated in this fMRI study is consistent with a previous PET observation and further supports the view that the increase in CBF is driven by factors other than oxygen demand and the energy demands will eventually require increased aerobic metabolism as stimulation continues.

21 CFR 882.5800 - Cranial electrotherapy stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Cranial electrotherapy stimulator. 882.5800 Section 882.5800 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5800 Cranial...

21 CFR 882.5820 - Implanted cerebellar stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Implanted cerebellar stimulator. 882.5820 Section 882.5820 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5820 Implanted...

21 CFR 882.5800 - Cranial electrotherapy stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Cranial electrotherapy stimulator. 882.5800 Section 882.5800 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5800 Cranial...

21 CFR 882.5820 - Implanted cerebellar stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Implanted cerebellar stimulator. 882.5820 Section 882.5820 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5820 Implanted...

Alpha Power Increase After Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation at Alpha Frequency (α-tACS) Reflects Plastic Changes Rather Than Entrainment

PubMed Central

Vossen, Alexandra; Gross, Joachim; Thut, Gregor

2015-01-01

Background Periodic stimulation of occipital areas using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at alpha (α) frequency (8–12 Hz) enhances electroencephalographic (EEG) α-oscillation long after tACS-offset. Two mechanisms have been suggested to underlie these changes in oscillatory EEG activity: tACS-induced entrainment of brain oscillations and/or tACS-induced changes in oscillatory circuits by spike-timing dependent plasticity. Objective We tested to what extent plasticity can account for tACS-aftereffects when controlling for entrainment “echoes.” To this end, we used a novel, intermittent tACS protocol and investigated the strength of the aftereffect as a function of phase continuity between successive tACS episodes, as well as the match between stimulation frequency and endogenous α-frequency. Methods 12 healthy participants were stimulated at around individual α-frequency for 11–15 min in four sessions using intermittent tACS or sham. Successive tACS events were either phase-continuous or phase-discontinuous, and either 3 or 8 s long. EEG α-phase and power changes were compared after and between episodes of α-tACS across conditions and against sham. Results α-aftereffects were successfully replicated after intermittent stimulation using 8-s but not 3-s trains. These aftereffects did not reveal any of the characteristics of entrainment echoes in that they were independent of tACS phase-continuity and showed neither prolonged phase alignment nor frequency synchronization to the exact stimulation frequency. Conclusion Our results indicate that plasticity mechanisms are sufficient to explain α-aftereffects in response to α-tACS, and inform models of tACS-induced plasticity in oscillatory circuits. Modifying brain oscillations with tACS holds promise for clinical applications in disorders involving abnormal neural synchrony. PMID:25648377

Alpha Power Increase After Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation at Alpha Frequency (α-tACS) Reflects Plastic Changes Rather Than Entrainment.

PubMed

Vossen, Alexandra; Gross, Joachim; Thut, Gregor

2015-01-01

Periodic stimulation of occipital areas using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at alpha (α) frequency (8-12 Hz) enhances electroencephalographic (EEG) α-oscillation long after tACS-offset. Two mechanisms have been suggested to underlie these changes in oscillatory EEG activity: tACS-induced entrainment of brain oscillations and/or tACS-induced changes in oscillatory circuits by spike-timing dependent plasticity. We tested to what extent plasticity can account for tACS-aftereffects when controlling for entrainment "echoes." To this end, we used a novel, intermittent tACS protocol and investigated the strength of the aftereffect as a function of phase continuity between successive tACS episodes, as well as the match between stimulation frequency and endogenous α-frequency. 12 healthy participants were stimulated at around individual α-frequency for 11-15 min in four sessions using intermittent tACS or sham. Successive tACS events were either phase-continuous or phase-discontinuous, and either 3 or 8 s long. EEG α-phase and power changes were compared after and between episodes of α-tACS across conditions and against sham. α-aftereffects were successfully replicated after intermittent stimulation using 8-s but not 3-s trains. These aftereffects did not reveal any of the characteristics of entrainment echoes in that they were independent of tACS phase-continuity and showed neither prolonged phase alignment nor frequency synchronization to the exact stimulation frequency. Our results indicate that plasticity mechanisms are sufficient to explain α-aftereffects in response to α-tACS, and inform models of tACS-induced plasticity in oscillatory circuits. Modifying brain oscillations with tACS holds promise for clinical applications in disorders involving abnormal neural synchrony. Copyright © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

A trial of scheduled deep brain stimulation for Tourette syndrome: moving away from continuous deep brain stimulation paradigms.

PubMed

Okun, Michael S; Foote, Kelly D; Wu, Samuel S; Ward, Herbert E; Bowers, Dawn; Rodriguez, Ramon L; Malaty, Irene A; Goodman, Wayne K; Gilbert, Donald M; Walker, Harrison C; Mink, Jonathan W; Merritt, Stacy; Morishita, Takashi; Sanchez, Justin C

2013-01-01

To collect the information necessary to design the methods and outcome variables for a larger trial of scheduled deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Tourette syndrome. We performed a small National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trials planning study of the safety and preliminary efficacy of implanted DBS in the bilateral centromedian thalamic region. The study used a cranially contained constant-current device and a scheduled, rather than the classic continuous, DBS paradigm. Baseline vs 6-month outcomes were collected and analyzed. In addition, we compared acute scheduled vs acute continuous vs off DBS. A university movement disorders center. Five patients with implanted DBS. A 50% improvement in the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) total score. RESULTS Participating subjects had a mean age of 34.4 (range, 28-39) years and a mean disease duration of 28.8 years. No significant adverse events or hardware-related issues occurred. Baseline vs 6-month data revealed that reductions in the YGTSS total score did not achieve the prestudy criterion of a 50% improvement in the YGTSS total score on scheduled stimulation settings. However, statistically significant improvements were observed in the YGTSS total score (mean [SD] change, -17.8 [9.4]; P=.01), impairment score (-11.3 [5.0]; P=.007), and motor score (-2.8 [2.2]; P=.045); the Modified Rush Tic Rating Scale Score total score (-5.8 [2.9]; P=.01); and the phonic tic severity score (-2.2 [2.6]; P=.04). Continuous, off, and scheduled stimulation conditions were assessed blindly in an acute experiment at 6 months after implantation. The scores in all 3 conditions showed a trend for improvement. Trends for improvement also occurred with continuous and scheduled conditions performing better than the off condition. Tic suppression was commonly seen at ventral (deep) contacts, and programming settings resulting in tic suppression were commonly associated with a subjective feeling of calmness. This study provides safety and proof of concept that a scheduled DBS approach could improve motor and vocal tics in Tourette syndrome. Refinements in neurostimulator battery life, outcome measure selection, and flexibility in programming settings can be used to enhance outcomes in a future larger study. Scheduled stimulation holds promise as a potential first step for shifting movement and neuropsychiatric disorders toward more responsive neuromodulation approaches. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01329198.

Induction of functional tissue-engineered skeletal muscle constructs by defined electrical stimulation.

PubMed

Ito, Akira; Yamamoto, Yasunori; Sato, Masanori; Ikeda, Kazushi; Yamamoto, Masahiro; Fujita, Hideaki; Nagamori, Eiji; Kawabe, Yoshinori; Kamihira, Masamichi

2014-04-24

Electrical impulses are necessary for proper in vivo skeletal muscle development. To fabricate functional skeletal muscle tissues in vitro, recapitulation of the in vivo niche, including physical stimuli, is crucial. Here, we report a technique to engineer skeletal muscle tissues in vitro by electrical pulse stimulation (EPS). Electrically excitable tissue-engineered skeletal muscle constructs were stimulated with continuous electrical pulses of 0.3 V/mm amplitude, 4 ms width, and 1 Hz frequency, resulting in a 4.5-fold increase in force at day 14. In myogenic differentiation culture, the percentage of peak twitch force (%Pt) was determined as the load on the tissue constructs during the artificial exercise induced by continuous EPS. We optimized the stimulation protocol, wherein the tissues were first subjected to 24.5%Pt, which was increased to 50-60%Pt as the tissues developed. This technique may be a useful approach to fabricate tissue-engineered functional skeletal muscle constructs.

Enhanced microbial coalbed methane generation: A review of research, commercial activity, and remaining challenges

USGS Publications Warehouse

Ritter, Daniel J.; Vinson, David S.; Barnhart, Elliott P.; Akob, Denise M.; Fields, Matthew W.; Cunningham, Al B.; Orem, William H.; McIntosh, Jennifer C.

2015-01-01

Coalbed methane (CBM) makes up a significant portion of the world’s natural gas resources. The discovery that approximately 20% of natural gas is microbial in origin has led to interest in microbially enhanced CBM (MECoM), which involves stimulating microorganisms to produce additional CBM from existing production wells. This paper reviews current laboratory and field research on understanding processes and reservoir conditions which are essential for microbial CBM generation, the progress of efforts to stimulate microbial methane generation in coal beds, and key remaining knowledge gaps. Research has been primarily focused on identifying microbial communities present in areas of CBM generation and attempting to determine their function, in-situ reservoir conditions that are most favorable for microbial CBM generation, and geochemical indicators of metabolic pathways of methanogenesis (i.e., acetoclastic or hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis). Meanwhile, researchers at universities, government agencies, and companies have focused on four primary MECoM strategies: 1) microbial stimulation (i.e., addition of nutrients to stimulate native microbes); 2) microbial augmentation (i.e., addition of microbes not native to or abundant in the reservoir of interest); 3) physically increasing microbial access to coal and distribution of amendments; and 4) chemically increasing the bioavailability of coal organics. Most companies interested in MECoM have pursued microbial stimulation: Luca Technologies, Inc., successfully completed a pilot scale field test of their stimulation strategy, while two others, Ciris Energy and Next Fuel, Inc., have undertaken smaller scale field tests. Several key knowledge gaps remain that need to be addressed before MECoM strategies can be implemented commercially. Little is known about the bacterial community responsible for coal biodegradation and how these microorganisms may be stimulated to enhance microbial methanogenesis. In addition, research is needed to understand what fraction of coal is available for biodegradation, and methods need to be developed to determine the extent of in-situ coal biodegradation by MECoM processes for monitoring changes to coal quality. Questions also remain about how well field-scale pilot tests will scale to commercial production, how often amendments will need to be added to maintain new methane generation, and how well MECoM strategies transfer between coal basins with different formation water geochemistries and coal ranks. Addressing these knowledge gaps will be key in determining the feasibility and commercial viability of MECoM technology.

Response of anterior parietal cortex to cutaneous flutter versus vibration.

PubMed

Tommerdahl, M; Delemos, K A; Whitsel, B L; Favorov, O V; Metz, C B

1999-07-01

The response of anesthetized squirrel monkey anterior parietal (SI) cortex to 25 or 200 Hz sinusoidal vertical skin displacement stimulation was studied using the method of optical intrinsic signal (OIS) imaging. Twenty-five-Hertz ("flutter") stimulation of a discrete skin site on either the hindlimb or forelimb for 3-30 s evoked a prominent increase in absorbance within cytoarchitectonic areas 3b and 1 in the contralateral hemisphere. This response was confined to those area 3b/1 regions occupied by neurons with a receptive field (RF) that includes the stimulated skin site. In contrast, same-site 200-Hz stimulation ("vibration") for 3-30 s evoked a decrease in absorbance in a much larger territory (most frequently involving areas 3b, 1, and area 3a, but in some subjects area 2 as well) than the region that undergoes an increase in absorbance during 25-Hz flutter stimulation. The increase in absorbance evoked by 25-Hz flutter developed quickly and remained relatively constant for as long as stimulation continued (stimulus duration never exceeded 30 s). At 1-3 s after stimulus onset, the response to 200-Hz stimulation, like the response to 25-Hz flutter, consisted of a localized increase in absorbance limited to the topographically appropriate region of area 3b and/or area 1. With continuing 200-Hz stimulation, however, the early response declined, and by 4-6 s after stimulus onset, it was replaced by a prominent and spatially extensive decrease in absorbance. The spike train responses of single quickly adapting (QA) neurons were recorded extracellularly during microelectrode penetrations that traverse the optically responding regions of areas 3b and 1. Onset of either 25- or 200-Hz stimulation at a site within the cutaneous RF of a QA neuron was accompanied by a substantial increase in mean spike firing rate. With continued 200-Hz stimulation, however, QA neuron mean firing rate declined rapidly (typically within 0.5-1.0 s) to a level below that recorded at the same time after onset of same-site 25-Hz stimulation. For some neurons, the mean firing rate after the initial 0.5-1 s of an exposure to 200-Hz stimulation of the RF decreased to a level below the level of background ("spontaneous") activity. The decline in both the stimulus-evoked increases in absorbance in areas 3b/1 and spike discharge activity of area 3b/1 neurons within only a few seconds of the onset of 200-Hz skin stimulation raised the possibility that the predominant effect of continuous 200-Hz stimulation for >3 s is inhibition of area 3b/1 QA neurons. This possibility was evaluated at the neuronal population level by comparing the intrinsic signal evoked in areas 3b/1 by 25-Hz skin stimulation to the intrinsic signal evoked by a same-site skin stimulus containing both 25- and 200-Hz sinusoidal components (a "complex waveform stimulus"). Such experiments revealed that the increase in absorbance evoked in areas 3b/1 by a stimulus having both 25- and 200-Hz components was substantially smaller (especially at times >3 s after stimulus onset) than the increase in absorbance evoked by "pure" 25-Hz stimulation of the same skin site. It is concluded that within a brief time (within 1-3 s) after stimulus onset, 200-Hz skin stimulation elicits a powerful inhibitory action on area 3b/1 QA neurons. The findings appear generally consistent with the suggestion that the activity of neurons in cortical regions other than areas 3b and 1 play the leading role in the processing of high-frequency (>/=200 Hz) vibrotactile stimuli.

Social Orienting and Attention Is Influenced by the Presence of Competing Nonsocial Information in Adolescents with Autism

PubMed Central

Unruh, Kathryn E.; Sasson, Noah J.; Shafer, Robin L.; Whitten, Allison; Miller, Stephanie J.; Turner-Brown, Lauren; Bodfish, James W.

2016-01-01

Background: Our experiences with the world play a critical role in neural and behavioral development. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) spend a disproportionate amount of time seeking out, attending to, and engaging with aspects of their environment that are largely nonsocial in nature. In this study we adapted an established method for eliciting and quantifying aspects of visual choice behavior related to preference to test the hypothesis that preference for nonsocial sources of stimulation diminishes orientation and attention to social sources of stimulation in children with ASD. Method: Preferential viewing tasks can serve as objective measures of preference, with a greater proportion of viewing time to one item indicative of increased preference. The current task used gaze-tracking technology to examine patterns of visual orientation and attention to stimulus pairs that varied in social (faces) and nonsocial content (high autism interest or low autism interest). Participants included both adolescents diagnosed with ASD and typically developing; groups were matched on IQ and gender. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA revealed that individuals with ASD had a significantly greater latency to first fixate on social images when this image was paired with a high autism interest image, compared to a low autism interest image pairing. Participants with ASD showed greater total look time to objects, while typically developing participants preferred to look at faces. Groups also differed in number and average duration of fixations to social and object images. In the ASD group only, a measure of nonsocial interest was associated with reduced preference for social images when paired with high autism interest images. Conclusions: In ASD, the presence of nonsocial sources of stimulation can significantly increase the latency of look time to social sources of information. These results suggest that atypicalities in social motivation in ASD may be context-dependent, with a greater degree of plasticity than is assumed by existing social motivation accounts of ASD. PMID:28066169

32 CFR 643.56 - Taxation of lessee's interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Taxation of lessee's interest. 643.56 Section 643.56 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (CONTINUED) REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE Leases § 643.56 Taxation of lessee's interest. The lessee's interest in leased...

32 CFR 643.56 - Taxation of lessee's interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 32 National Defense 4 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Taxation of lessee's interest. 643.56 Section 643.56 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (CONTINUED) REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE Leases § 643.56 Taxation of lessee's interest. The lessee's interest in leased...

Modulation of the Endocannabinoid System: Vulnerability Factor and New Treatment Target for Stimulant Addiction

PubMed Central

Olière, Stéphanie; Jolette-Riopel, Antoine; Potvin, Stéphane; Jutras-Aswad, Didier

2013-01-01

Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit substance among users of stimulants such as cocaine and amphetamines. Interestingly, increasing recent evidence points toward the involvement of the endocannabinoid system (ECBS) in the neurobiological processes related to stimulant addiction. This article presents an up-to-date review with deep insights into the pivotal role of the ECBS in the neurobiology of stimulant addiction and the effects of its modulation on addictive behaviors. This article aims to: (1) review the role of cannabis use and ECBS modulation in the neurobiological substrates of psychostimulant addiction and (2) evaluate the potential of cannabinoid-based pharmacological strategies to treat stimulant addiction. A growing number of studies support a critical role of the ECBS and its modulation by synthetic or natural cannabinoids in various neurobiological and behavioral aspects of stimulants addiction. Thus, cannabinoids modulate brain reward systems closely involved in stimulants addiction, and provide further evidence that the cannabinoid system could be explored as a potential drug discovery target for treating addiction across different classes of stimulants. PMID:24069004

A diode-pumped Tm:CaYAlO4 laser at 1851 nm

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lan, Jinglong; Guan, Xiaofeng; Xu, Bin; Moncorgé, Richard; Xu, Huiying; Cai, Zhiping

2017-07-01

Laser emission at ~1850 nm is of great interest for neural stimulation applications. In this letter, we report on the diode-pumped continuous-wave (CW) and Q-switched (QS) laser operation of Tm:CaYAlO4 at 1851 nm, for the first time to our knowledge. In the CW regime, a maximum output power up to 0.62 W is obtained with a laser slope efficiency of about 18.0%. Using a Cr:ZnSe saturable absorber, QS laser operation is achieved with a maximum average output power of 0.25 W, the narrowest pulse width of 107 ns and the highest repetition rate of 5.85 kHz. The corresponding pulse peak power and pulse energy are about 388 W and 42.8 µJ, respectively. In this Q-switched mode, wavelength tuning is also realized over about 3 nm by slightly tilting the saturable absorber.

Imaging of Brown Adipose Tissue: State of the Art

PubMed Central

Sampath, Srihari C.; Sampath, Srinath C.; Bredella, Miriam A.; Cypess, Aaron M.

2016-01-01

The rates of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disease have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. In recent years there has been renewed interest in combating these diseases not only by modifying energy intake and lifestyle factors, but also by inducing endogenous energy expenditure. This approach has largely been stimulated by the recent recognition that brown adipose tissue (BAT)—long known to promote heat production and energy expenditure in infants and hibernating mammals—also exists in adult humans. This landmark finding relied on the use of clinical fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and imaging techniques continue to play a crucial and increasingly central role in understanding BAT physiology and function. Herein, the authors review the origins of BAT imaging, discuss current preclinical and clinical strategies for imaging BAT, and discuss imaging methods that will provide crucial insight into metabolic disease and how it may be treated by modulating BAT activity. © RSNA, 2016 PMID:27322970

Salicylic acid derivatives: synthesis, features and usage as therapeutic tools.

PubMed

Ekinci, Deniz; Sentürk, Murat; Küfrevioğlu, Ömer İrfan

2011-12-01

In the field of medicinal chemistry, there is a growing interest in the use of small molecules. Although acetyl salicylic acid is well known for medical applications, little is known about other salicylic acid derivatives, and there is serious lack of data and information on the effects and biological evaluation that connect them. This review covers the synthesis and drug potencies of salicylic acid derivatives. After a brief overview of the information on salicylic acid and its features, a detailed review of salicylic acids as drugs and prodrugs, usage as cyclooxygenase inhibitors, properties in plants, synthesis and recent patents, is developed. Salicylic acid research is still an important area and innovations continue to arise, which offer hope for new therapeutics in related fields. It is anticipated that this review will guide the direction of long-term drug/nutraceutical safety trials and stimulate ideas for future research.

Imaging of Brown Adipose Tissue: State of the Art.

PubMed

Sampath, Srihari C; Sampath, Srinath C; Bredella, Miriam A; Cypess, Aaron M; Torriani, Martin

2016-07-01

The rates of diabetes, obesity, and metabolic disease have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. In recent years there has been renewed interest in combating these diseases not only by modifying energy intake and lifestyle factors, but also by inducing endogenous energy expenditure. This approach has largely been stimulated by the recent recognition that brown adipose tissue (BAT)-long known to promote heat production and energy expenditure in infants and hibernating mammals-also exists in adult humans. This landmark finding relied on the use of clinical fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography, and imaging techniques continue to play a crucial and increasingly central role in understanding BAT physiology and function. Herein, the authors review the origins of BAT imaging, discuss current preclinical and clinical strategies for imaging BAT, and discuss imaging methods that will provide crucial insight into metabolic disease and how it may be treated by modulating BAT activity. (©) RSNA, 2016.

Cationic Conjugated Polymers-Induced Quorum Sensing of Bacteria Cells.

PubMed

Zhang, Pengbo; Lu, Huan; Chen, Hui; Zhang, Jiangyan; Liu, Libing; Lv, Fengting; Wang, Shu

2016-03-15

Bacteria quorum sensing (QS) has attracted significant interest for understanding cell-cell communication and regulating biological functions. In this work, we demonstrate that water-soluble cationic conjugated polymers (PFP-G2) can interact with bacteria to form aggregates through electrostatic interactions. With bacteria coated in the aggregate, PFP-G2 can induce the bacteria QS system and prolong the time duration of QS signal molecules (autoinducer-2 (AI-2)) production. The prolonged AI-2 can bind with specific protein and continuously regulate downstream gene expression. Consequently, the bacteria show a higher survival rate against antibiotics, resulting in decreased antimicrobial susceptibility. Also, AI-2 induced by PFP-G2 can stimulate 55.54 ± 12.03% more biofilm in E. coli. This method can be used to understand cell-cell communication and regulate biological functions, such as the production of signaling molecules, antibiotics, other microbial metabolites, and even virulence.

Cerebral aneurysms: Formation, progression and developmental chronology

PubMed Central

Etminan, Nima; Buchholz, Bruce A.; Dreier, Rita; Bruckner, Peter; Torner, James C.; Steiger, Hans-Jakob; Hänggi, Daniel; Macdonald, R. Loch

2015-01-01

The prevalence of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UAIs) in the general population is up to 3%. Existing epidemiological data suggests that only a small fraction of UIAs progress towards rupture over the lifetime of an individual, but the surrogates for subsequent rupture and the natural history of UIAs are discussed very controversially at present. In case of rupture of an UIA, the case-fatality is up to 50%, which therefore continues to stimulate interest in the pathogenesis of cerebral aneurysm formation and progression. Actual data on the chronological development of cerebral aneurysm has been especially difficult to obtain and, until recently, the existing knowledge in this respect is mainly derived from animal or mathematical models or short-term observational studies. Here, we highlight the current data on cerebral aneurysm formation and progression as well as a novel approach to investigate the developmental chronology of cerebral aneurysms. PMID:24323717

Driving and sustaining culture change in Olympic sport performance teams: a first exploration and grounded theory.

PubMed

Cruickshank, Andrew; Collins, Dave; Minten, Sue

2014-02-01

Stimulated by growing interest in the organizational and performance leadership components of Olympic success, sport psychology researchers have identified performance director-led culture change as a process of particular theoretical and applied significance. To build on initial work in this area and develop practically meaningful understanding, a pragmatic research philosophy and grounded theory methodology were engaged to uncover culture change best practice from the perspective of newly appointed performance directors. Delivered in complex and contested settings, results revealed that the optimal change process consisted of an initial evaluation, planning, and impact phase adjoined to the immediate and enduring management of a multidirectional perception- and power-based social system. As the first inquiry of its kind, these findings provide a foundation for the continued theoretical development of culture change in Olympic sport performance teams and a first model on which applied practice can be based.

Application Of Interferometry To Optical Components And Systems Evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Houston, Joseph B., Jr.

1982-05-01

Interferometry provides opticians and lens designers with the ability to evaluate optical components and systems quantitatively. A variety of interferometers and interferometric test procedures have evolved over the past several decades. This evolution has stimulated an ever-increasing amount of interest in using a new generation of instrumentation and computer software for solving cost and schedule problems both in the shop and at field test sites. Optical engineers and their customers continue to gain confidence in their abilities to perform several operations such as assure component quality, analyze and optimize lens assemblies, and accurately predict end-item performance. In this paper, a set of typical test situations are addressed and some standard instrumentation is described, as a means of illustrating the special advantages of interferometric testing. Emphasis will be placed on the proper application of currently available hardware and some of the latest proven techniques.

Effectiveness of transcranial direct current stimulation and visual illusion on neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury

PubMed Central

Kumru, Hatice; Pelayo, Raul; Vidal, Joan; Tormos, Josep Maria; Fregni, Felipe; Navarro, Xavier; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro

2010-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of transcranial direct current stimulation of the motor cortex and techniques of visual illusion, applied isolated or combined, in patients with neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury. In a sham controlled, double-blind, parallel group design, 39 patients were randomized into four groups receiving transcranial direct current stimulation with walking visual illusion or with control illusion and sham stimulation with visual illusion or with control illusion. For transcranial direct current stimulation, the anode was placed over the primary motor cortex. Each patient received ten treatment sessions during two consecutive weeks. Clinical assessment was performed before, after the last day of treatment, after 2 and 4 weeks follow-up and after 12 weeks. Clinical assessment included overall pain intensity perception, Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory and Brief Pain Inventory. The combination of transcranial direct current stimulation and visual illusion reduced the intensity of neuropathic pain significantly more than any of the single interventions. Patients receiving transcranial direct current stimulation and visual illusion experienced a significant improvement in all pain subtypes, while patients in the transcranial direct current stimulation group showed improvement in continuous and paroxysmal pain, and those in the visual illusion group improved only in continuous pain and dysaesthesias. At 12 weeks after treatment, the combined treatment group still presented significant improvement on the overall pain intensity perception, whereas no improvements were reported in the other three groups. Our results demonstrate that transcranial direct current stimulation and visual illusion can be effective in the management of neuropathic pain following spinal cord injury, with minimal side effects and with good tolerability. PMID:20685806

Fast-to-slow transformation and nuclear import/export kinetics of the transcription factor NFATc1 during electrostimulation of rabbit muscle cells in culture

PubMed Central

Kubis, Hans-Peter; Scheibe, Renate J; Meißner, Joachim D; Hornung, Gunther; Gros, Gerolf

2002-01-01

Contractile activity imposed by chronic electrical stimulation of a primary skeletal muscle cell culture grown on microcarriers over several days led to an increase of slow myosin heavy chain I (MHCI) and a decrease of fast MHCII expression at mRNA and protein levels, indicating an ongoing fast-to-slow transformation. Only patterns with periods of continuous stimulation of > 5 min in a 45 min cycle were capable of inducing a fibre type transformation, and this was independent of the applied stimulation frequency over the range 1-10 Hz. We have shown before that the calcineurin-NFATc1 signalling pathway is indispensable in mediating MHCI upregulation during fibre type transformation. Therefore, subcellular localization of NFATc1 was studied immunocytochemically. This revealed that only one stimulation train lasting for > 5 min was sufficient to induce nuclear import of this factor, which was about complete after 20 min of continuous stimulation. For both induction of NFATc1 import and MHCI mRNA upregulation, the minimum stimulation interval of > 5 min was sufficient and stimulation frequency was not crucial between 1 and 10 Hz. Repetition of stimulation cycles, with pauses (< 40 min) shorter than the time required for complete export of NFATc1, led to an accumulation of NFATc1 in the nuclei with each cycle and thus to an amplification of the transformation signal during extended periods of electrostimulation. The temporal behaviour of NFATc import/export appears to determine the effectiveness of various electrostimulation protocols in inducing fast-to-slow fibre transformation. PMID:12068044

[Masturbation device (EGG) as a new penile rehabilitation tool: a pilot study].

PubMed

Sato, Yoshikazu; Tanda, Hitoshi; Nakajima, Hisao; Nitta, Toshikazu; Akagashi, Keigo; Hanzawa, Tatsuo; Tobe, Musashi; Haga, Kazunori; Uchida, Kosuke; Honma, Ichiya

2013-05-01

Erectile dysfunction following radical prostatectomy (RP) is still a significant burden as a post-operative morbidity, despite advances in nerve-sparing techniques and penile (erectile function) rehabilitation (PR) programs. We assessed the effects of stimulation with the masturbation device "EGG" on enhancement of erectile response along with administration of phospho diesterase type 5 inhibitor. We also studied the change of self-esteem and motivation for continuation of PR after stimulation with EGG. Eight nonresponders for PDE5-I who underwent retropubic RP were enrolled. Patients' median age was 71.5 years old. No patients received adjuvant therapy for prostate cancer. The patients' erectile response in the penile rehabilitation session (masturbation) with PDE5-I＋manual stimulation and PDE5-I＋stimulation with EGG were evaluated by erection hardness score (EHS). Changes of self-esteem and motivation for penile rehabilitation were assessed by the self-esteem subscale of the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire and one original question, respectively. PDE5-I ＋ stimulation with EGG significantly enhanced EHS compared to PDE5-I＋manual stimulation in the eight patients (p＝0.027). Transformed score of self-esteem subscale score of SEAR questionnaire was significantly increased in the PR session with EGG compared to the PR session with manual stimulation (p＝0.043). Six patients who showed a better erectile response with EGG retained motivation for continuation of PR. PDE5-I＋stimulation with EGG improved the erectile response in post-RP patients. EGG as a masturbation device may have a potential for contribution to successful PR.

New Stimulation Strategy to Improve the Bladder Function in Paraplegics: Chronic Experiments in Dogs

DTIC Science & Technology

2001-10-25

urinary system [4]. More recently, neurostimulation and neuromodulation of the sacral nerve root seems to be one of the most promising options to enhance...day. Expelled and residual urine volumes were measured. Also the applied parameters for the continuous low frequency / low amplitude neuromodulation ...VCUG) with neurostimulation was carried out after IVU study. Low-frequency only stimulation During the 7th month, daily stimulations were performed

21 CFR 882.1900 - Evoked response auditory stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Evoked response auditory stimulator. 882.1900 Section 882.1900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1900 Evoked response...

21 CFR 882.1880 - Evoked response mechanical stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Evoked response mechanical stimulator. 882.1880 Section 882.1880 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1880 Evoked response...

21 CFR 882.1890 - Evoked response photic stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Evoked response photic stimulator. 882.1890 Section 882.1890 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1890 Evoked response...

21 CFR 882.5830 - Implanted diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Implanted diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulator. 882.5830 Section 882.5830 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5830...

21 CFR 882.1900 - Evoked response auditory stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Evoked response auditory stimulator. 882.1900 Section 882.1900 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1900 Evoked response...

21 CFR 882.1890 - Evoked response photic stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Evoked response photic stimulator. 882.1890 Section 882.1890 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1890 Evoked response...

21 CFR 882.5830 - Implanted diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Implanted diaphragmatic/phrenic nerve stimulator. 882.5830 Section 882.5830 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Therapeutic Devices § 882.5830...

21 CFR 890.1850 - Diagnostic muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Diagnostic muscle stimulator. 890.1850 Section 890.1850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1850 Diagnostic...

21 CFR 890.1850 - Diagnostic muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Diagnostic muscle stimulator. 890.1850 Section 890.1850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1850 Diagnostic...

21 CFR 890.1850 - Diagnostic muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Diagnostic muscle stimulator. 890.1850 Section 890.1850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1850 Diagnostic...

21 CFR 890.5850 - Powered muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Powered muscle stimulator. 890.5850 Section 890.5850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Therapeutic Devices § 890.5850 Powered muscle...

21 CFR 890.5850 - Powered muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Powered muscle stimulator. 890.5850 Section 890.5850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Therapeutic Devices § 890.5850 Powered muscle...

21 CFR 890.5850 - Powered muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Powered muscle stimulator. 890.5850 Section 890.5850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Therapeutic Devices § 890.5850 Powered muscle...

21 CFR 890.5850 - Powered muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Powered muscle stimulator. 890.5850 Section 890.5850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Therapeutic Devices § 890.5850 Powered muscle...

21 CFR 890.5850 - Powered muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Powered muscle stimulator. 890.5850 Section 890.5850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Therapeutic Devices § 890.5850 Powered muscle...

21 CFR 890.1850 - Diagnostic muscle stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Diagnostic muscle stimulator. 890.1850 Section 890.1850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1850 Diagnostic...

Short-Term Effects of gamma-Irradiation on 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Metabolism in Early Climacteric Cherry Tomatoes : Comparison with Wounding.

PubMed

Larrigaudière, C; Latché, A; Pech, J C; Triantaphylidès, C

1990-03-01

gamma-Irradiation of early climacteric (breaker) cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon pimpinellifollium L.) caused a sharp burst in ethylene production during the first hour. The extent of ethylene production was dose dependent and was maximum at about 3 kilograys. The content of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), followed the same evolution as ethylene production, while malonyl ACC increased steadily with time in irradiated fruits. The burst in ethylene production was accompanied by a sharp stimulation of ACC synthase activity which began 15 minutes after irradiation. The stimulation was completely prevented by cycloheximide, but not by actinomycin d or cordycepin. In contrast with irradiation, mechanical wounding continuously stimulated ethylene production over several hours. gamma-Irradiation and cordycepin applied to wounded tissues both caused the cessation of this continuous increase, but the initial burst was still persisting. These data suggest that gamma-irradiation, like wounding, stimulates the translation of preexisting mRNAs. It also reduces, at least temporarily, the subsequent transcription-dependent stimulation of ethylene production. gamma-Irradiation greatly inhibited the activity of ethylene-forming enzyme at doses higher than 1 kilogray. Such sensitivity is in accordance with a highly integrated membranebound enzyme.

Short-Term Effects of γ-Irradiation on 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylic Acid Metabolism in Early Climacteric Cherry Tomatoes 1

PubMed Central

Larrigaudière, Christian; Latché, Alain; Pech, Jean Claude; Triantaphylidès, Christian

1990-01-01

γ-Irradiation of early climacteric (breaker) cherry tomatoes (Lycopersicon pimpinellifollium L.) caused a sharp burst in ethylene production during the first hour. The extent of ethylene production was dose dependent and was maximum at about 3 kilograys. The content of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC), followed the same evolution as ethylene production, while malonyl ACC increased steadily with time in irradiated fruits. The burst in ethylene production was accompanied by a sharp stimulation of ACC synthase activity which began 15 minutes after irradiation. The stimulation was completely prevented by cycloheximide, but not by actinomycin d or cordycepin. In contrast with irradiation, mechanical wounding continuously stimulated ethylene production over several hours. γ-Irradiation and cordycepin applied to wounded tissues both caused the cessation of this continuous increase, but the initial burst was still persisting. These data suggest that γ-irradiation, like wounding, stimulates the translation of preexisting mRNAs. It also reduces, at least temporarily, the subsequent transcription-dependent stimulation of ethylene production. γ-Irradiation greatly inhibited the activity of ethylene-forming enzyme at doses higher than 1 kilogray. Such sensitivity is in accordance with a highly integrated membranebound enzyme. PMID:16667318

26 CFR 1.103-9 - Interest on bonds to finance industrial parks.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 2 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Interest on bonds to finance industrial parks. 1.103-9 Section 1.103-9 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Items Specifically Excluded from Gross Income § 1.103-9 Interest on bonds to finance industrial...

Decreased insulin-stimulated brown adipose tissue glucose uptake after short-term exercise training in healthy middle-aged men.

PubMed

Motiani, Piryanka; Virtanen, Kirsi A; Motiani, Kumail K; Eskelinen, Joonas J; Middelbeek, Roeland J; Goodyear, Laurie J; Savolainen, Anna M; Kemppainen, Jukka; Jensen, Jørgen; Din, Mueez U; Saunavaara, Virva; Parkkola, Riitta; Löyttyniemi, Eliisa; Knuuti, Juhani; Nuutila, Pirjo; Kalliokoski, Kari K; Hannukainen, Jarna C

2017-10-01

To test the hypothesis that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) improve brown adipose tissue (BAT) insulin sensitivity. Healthy middle-aged men (n = 18, age 47 years [95% confidence interval {CI} 49, 43], body mass index 25.3 kg/m 2 [95% CI 24.1-26.3], peak oxygen uptake (VO 2peak ) 34.8 mL/kg/min [95% CI 32.1, 37.4] ) were recruited and randomized into six HIIT or MICT sessions within 2 weeks. Insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was measured using 2-[ 18 F]flouro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron-emission tomography in BAT, skeletal muscle, and abdominal and femoral subcutaneous and visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) depots before and after the training interventions. Training improved VO 2peak (P = .0005), insulin-stimulated glucose uptake into the quadriceps femoris muscle (P = .0009) and femoral subcutaneous WAT (P = .02) but not into BAT, with no difference between the training modes. Using pre-intervention BAT glucose uptake, we next stratified subjects into high BAT (>2.9 µmol/100 g/min; n = 6) or low BAT (<2.9 µmol/100 g/min; n = 12) groups. Interestingly, training decreased insulin-stimulated BAT glucose uptake in the high BAT group (4.0 [2.8, 5.5] vs 2.5 [1.7, 3.6]; training*BAT, P = .02), whereas there was no effect of training in the low BAT group (1.5 [1.2, 1.9] vs 1.6 [1.2, 2.0] µmol/100 g/min). Participants in the high BAT group had lower levels of inflammatory markers compared with those in the low BAT group. Participants with functionally active BAT have an improved metabolic profile compared with those with low BAT activity. Short-term exercise training decreased insulin-stimulated BAT glucose uptake in participants with active BAT, suggesting that training does not work as a potent stimulus for BAT activation. © 2017 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

[Sensory stimulation: new apparatus for demented men].

PubMed

de Groot, M D; Molenbroek, J F

2001-10-01

In order to study the feasibility of new sensorily stimulating material for elderly demented men, their behaviour was observed while the material was handed over to them. The newly developed materials consisted of five different constructions, i.e. a mirrorbox, a simple hand-operated stroboscope, a spring-operated ball for ringing a bell, two rotating wooden cogwheels, and a box having a sandpaper bottom of different grains causing a tactile contrast. In their verbal and nonverbal responses the demented men showed clear signs of interest in the constructions and the materials. The seven participating men showed much interest in materials made of wood and metal, and in the working of the constructions. The different constructions and materials could be combined into one complete 'snoezelproduct'.

Magnetic field therapy: a review.

PubMed

Markov, Marko S

2007-01-01

There is increasing interest in using permanent magnets for therapeutic purposes encouraged by basic science publications and clinical reports. Magnetotherapy provides a non invasive, safe, and easy method to directly treat the site of injury, the source of pain and inflammation, and other types of disease. The physiological bases for the use of magnetic fields for tissue repair as well as physical principles of dosimetry and application of various magnetic fields are subjects of this review. Analysis of the magnetic and electromagnetic stimulation is followed by a discussion of the advantage of magnetic field stimulation compared with electric current and electric field stimulation.

Modulating the Behaviors of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Via the Combination of High-Frequency Vibratory Stimulations and Fibrous Scaffolds

PubMed Central

Tong, Zhixiang; Duncan, Randall L.

2013-01-01

We are interested in the in vitro engineering of artificial vocal fold tissues via the strategic combination of multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), physiologically relevant mechanical stimulations, and biomimetic artificial matrices. We have constructed a vocal fold bioreactor that is capable of imposing vibratory stimulations on the cultured cells at human phonation frequencies. Separately, fibrous poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffolds emulating the ligamentous structure of the vocal fold were prepared by electrospinning, were incorporated in the vocal fold bioreactor, and were driven into a wave-like motion in an axisymmetrical fashion by the oscillating air. MSC-laden PCL scaffolds were subjected to vibrations at 200 Hz with a normal center displacement of ∼40 μm for a total of 7 days. A continuous (CT) or a 1 h-on-1 h-off (OF) regime with a total dynamic culture time of 12 h per day was applied. The dynamic loading did not cause any physiological trauma to the cells. Immunohistotochemical staining revealed the reinforcement of the actin filament and the enhancement of α5β1 integrin expression under selected dynamic culture conditions. Cellular expression of essential vocal fold extracellular matrix components, such as elastin, hyaluronic acid, and matrix metalloproteinase-1, was significantly elevated as compared with the static controls, and the OF regime is more conducive to matrix production than the CT vibration mode. Analyses of genes of typical fibroblast hallmarks (tenascin-C, collagen III, and procollagen I) as well as markers for MSC differentiation into nonfibroblastic lineages confirmed MSCs' adaptation of fibroblastic behaviors. Overall, the high-frequency vibratory stimulation, when combined with a synthetic fibrous scaffold, serves as a potent modulator of MSC functions. The novel bioreactor system presented here, as a versatile, yet well-controlled model, offers an in vitro platform for understanding vibration-induced mechanotransduction and for engineering of functional vocal fold tissues. PMID:23516973

Electrochemical characterization of high frequency stimulation electrodes: role of electrode material and stimulation parameters on electrode polarization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghazavi, Atefeh; Cogan, Stuart F.

2018-06-01

Objective. With recent interest in kilohertz frequency electrical stimulation for nerve conduction block, understanding the electrochemistry and role of electrode material is important for assessing the safety of these stimulus protocols. Here we describe an approach to determining electrode polarization in response to continuous kilohertz frequency sinusoidal current waveforms. We have also investigated platinum, iridium oxide, and titanium nitride as coatings for high frequency electrodes. The current density distribution at 50 kHz at the electrode–electrolyte interface was also modeled to demonstrate the importance of the primary current distribution in supporting charge injection at high frequencies. Approach. We determined electrode polarization in response to sinusoidal currents with frequencies in the 1–50 kHz range and current amplitudes from 100 to 500 µA and 1–5 mA, depending on the electrode area. The current density distribution at the interface was modeled using the finite element method (FEM). Main results. At low frequencies, 1–5 kHz, polarization on the platinum electrode was significant, exceeding the water oxidation potential for high amplitude (5 mA) waveforms. At frequencies of 20 kHz or higher, the polarization was less than 300 mV from the electrode open circuit potential. The choice of electrode material did not play a significant role in electrode polarization at frequencies higher than 10 kHz. The current density distribution modeled at 50 kHz is non-uniform and this non-uniformity persists throughout charge delivery. Significance. At high frequencies (>10 kHz) electrode double-layer charging is the principal mechanism of charge-injection and selection of the electrode material has little effect on polarization, with platinum, iridium oxide, and titanium nitride exhibiting similar behavior. High frequency stimulation is dominated by a highly nonuniform primary current distribution.

Pleiotropic Actions of Forskolin Result in Phosphatidylserine Exposure in Primary Trophoblasts

PubMed Central

Riddell, Meghan R.; Winkler-Lowen, Bonnie; Jiang, Yanyan; Davidge, Sandra T.; Guilbert, Larry J.

2013-01-01

Forskolin is an extract of the Coleus forskholii plant that is widely used in cell physiology to raise intracellular cAMP levels. In the field of trophoblast biology, forskolin is one of the primary treatments used to induce trophoblastic cellular fusion. The syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is a continuous multinucleated cell in the human placenta that separates maternal from fetal circulations and can only expand by fusion with its stem cell, the cytotrophoblast (CT). Functional investigation of any aspect of ST physiology requires in vitro differentiation of CT and de novo ST formation, thus selecting the most appropriate differentiation agent for the hypothesis being investigated is necessary as well as addressing potential off-target effects. Previous studies, using forskolin to induce fusion in trophoblastic cell lines, identified phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization to be essential for trophoblast fusion and showed that widespread PS externalization is present even after fusion has been achieved. PS is a membrane phospholipid that is primarily localized to the inner-membrane leaflet. Externalization of PS is a hallmark of early apoptosis and is involved in cellular fusion of myocytes and macrophages. We were interested to examine whether PS externalization was also involved in primary trophoblast fusion. We show widespread PS externalization occurs after 72 hours when fusion was stimulated with forskolin, but not when stimulated with the cell permeant cAMP analog Br-cAMP. Using a forskolin analog, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, which stimulates membrane transporters but not adenylate cyclase, we found that widespread PS externalization required both increased intracellular cAMP levels and stimulation of membrane transporters. Treatment of primary trophoblasts with Br-cAMP alone did not result in widespread PS externalization despite high levels of cellular fusion. Thus, we concluded that widespread PS externalization is independent of trophoblast fusion and, importantly, provide evidence that the common differentiation agent forskolin has previously unappreciated pleiotropic effects on trophoblastic cells. PMID:24339915

Pleiotropic actions of forskolin result in phosphatidylserine exposure in primary trophoblasts.

PubMed

Riddell, Meghan R; Winkler-Lowen, Bonnie; Jiang, Yanyan; Davidge, Sandra T; Guilbert, Larry J

2013-01-01

Forskolin is an extract of the Coleus forskholii plant that is widely used in cell physiology to raise intracellular cAMP levels. In the field of trophoblast biology, forskolin is one of the primary treatments used to induce trophoblastic cellular fusion. The syncytiotrophoblast (ST) is a continuous multinucleated cell in the human placenta that separates maternal from fetal circulations and can only expand by fusion with its stem cell, the cytotrophoblast (CT). Functional investigation of any aspect of ST physiology requires in vitro differentiation of CT and de novo ST formation, thus selecting the most appropriate differentiation agent for the hypothesis being investigated is necessary as well as addressing potential off-target effects. Previous studies, using forskolin to induce fusion in trophoblastic cell lines, identified phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization to be essential for trophoblast fusion and showed that widespread PS externalization is present even after fusion has been achieved. PS is a membrane phospholipid that is primarily localized to the inner-membrane leaflet. Externalization of PS is a hallmark of early apoptosis and is involved in cellular fusion of myocytes and macrophages. We were interested to examine whether PS externalization was also involved in primary trophoblast fusion. We show widespread PS externalization occurs after 72 hours when fusion was stimulated with forskolin, but not when stimulated with the cell permeant cAMP analog Br-cAMP. Using a forskolin analog, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin, which stimulates membrane transporters but not adenylate cyclase, we found that widespread PS externalization required both increased intracellular cAMP levels and stimulation of membrane transporters. Treatment of primary trophoblasts with Br-cAMP alone did not result in widespread PS externalization despite high levels of cellular fusion. Thus, we concluded that widespread PS externalization is independent of trophoblast fusion and, importantly, provide evidence that the common differentiation agent forskolin has previously unappreciated pleiotropic effects on trophoblastic cells.

The Annie Jump Cannon Video Project at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lupfer, C.; Welther, B. L.; Griswold, A.

1993-05-01

The heart of this poster paper is the screening of the new 25-minute educational video, ``Annie and the Stars of Many Colors.'' It explores the life and work of Annie Jump Cannon through the eyes of sixth-grade students. A production of the Science Media Group at the CfA, the video was created to interest and inspire girls and minorities, in particular, to continue their study of history and physical science in high school. Recent studies show that science teachers are successfully using videotapes in the classroom to supplement traditional methods of teaching. Other reports show that capable girls and minority students tend to drop science in high school. Our goal, then, was to create a video to stimulate the curiosity and natural interest in science of these younger students. With the help of the Public Affairs Office at the CfA, we arranged to visit local schools to talk to sixth-grade science teachers and their students about the video project. Boys and girls were both eager to participate in it. By lottery, we chose a dozen youngsters of multi-cultural backgrounds to attend a three-day workshop, during which we videotaped them discovering facts about Cannon's childhood and career. Barbara Welther, historian and principal investigator, took the group to the Harvard University Archives to look at some Cannon memorabilia. To learn about spectra, each student assembled a spectroscope from a kit and observed solar lines. CfA astronomers then led the group in various activities to explore the types of stellar spectra that Cannon classified and published in The Henry Draper Catalogue 75 years ago.% and that astronomers still study today. ``Annie and the Stars of Many Colors'' shows young people actively engaged in the process of discovery and offers teachers a novel tool to stimulate discussion of topics in science, history, women's studies, and careers. It is intended for use in schools, libraries, museums, planetariums, as well as for personal interest. For more information and/or a copy of the videotape, contact the authors at the CfA, Cambridge, MA.

Stimulating Situational Interest and Student Questioning through Three Types of Historical Introductory Texts

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Logtenberg, Albert; van Boxtel, Carla; van Hout-Wolters, Bernadette

2011-01-01

This study investigates questions students ask related to an introductory text about a new topic in the history classroom. The effects of a narrative, problematizing, and expository introductory text on the situational interest of students and the number and type of student-generated questions, are compared. Participants are 174 students in higher…

Increasing Interest in Social Studies: Social Perspective Taking and Self-Efficacy in Stimulating Simulations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gehlbach, Hunter; Brown, Scott W.; Ioannou, Andri; Boyer, Mark A.; Hudson, Natalie; Niv-Solomon, Anat; Maneggia, Donalyn; Janik, Laura

2008-01-01

This study examined the potential of simulations to bolster interest in middle school social studies classrooms. Using a pre-post-design, we examined 305 middle school students (49% female) who participated in the web-based "GlobalEd" simulation. In contrast to the motivation declines middle school students usually experience, participants in this…

Art enhances meaning by stimulating integrative complexity and aesthetic interest.

PubMed

Hagtvedt, Henrik; Vohs, Kathleen D

2017-01-01

Menninghaus et al. portrayed meaning in art as a vehicle for transforming negative emotions into pleasure. Although it is intuitively appealing that meaningful experiences should feel good, meaningfulness does not necessarily entail pleasure or positive emotions. Whereas easily comprehended art may elicit pleasure, meaningfulness is more closely tied to challenge and interest than to pleasure.

New Roles for Early Adolescents in Schools and Communities.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schine, Joan; And Others

This booklet is intended to stimulate new interest in the need of young adolescents to take on meaningful roles and to help planners and practitioneers to translate that interest into youth participation programs. There are three major sections. Section I examines the special needs and characteristics of youth in the 10 to 14 age group. Discussed…

Como ayudar a sus hijos a usar la biblioteca (Helping Your Child Use the Library).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perkinson, Kathryn

Focusing on the cooperative role of parents and public libraries in stimulating reading interests in children of all ages, this booklet addresses the following issues: (1) getting children interested in reading (reading aloud to children; encouraging children to read to you; starting a home library; showing children that you enjoy reading;…

26 CFR 1.273-1 - Life or terminable interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Life or terminable interests. 1.273-1 Section 1... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Items Not Deductible § 1.273-1 Life or terminable interests. Amounts paid as income to the holder of a life or a terminable interest acquired by gift, bequest, or...

26 CFR 1.273-1 - Life or terminable interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Life or terminable interests. 1.273-1 Section 1... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Items Not Deductible § 1.273-1 Life or terminable interests. Amounts paid as income to the holder of a life or a terminable interest acquired by gift, bequest, or...

26 CFR 1.273-1 - Life or terminable interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Life or terminable interests. 1.273-1 Section 1... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Items Not Deductible § 1.273-1 Life or terminable interests. Amounts paid as income to the holder of a life or a terminable interest acquired by gift, bequest, or...

26 CFR 1.273-1 - Life or terminable interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Life or terminable interests. 1.273-1 Section 1... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Items Not Deductible § 1.273-1 Life or terminable interests. Amounts paid as income to the holder of a life or a terminable interest acquired by gift, bequest, or...

Thrombopoiesis. Capturing the unicorn.

PubMed

Groopman, J E

1994-11-01

The elusive factor that stimulates megakaryocytes to produce platelets has at last been found; as well as its physiological interest, this factor--thrombopoietin--may be of considerable therapeutic importance.

21 CFR 862.1300 - Follicle-stimulating hormone test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Follicle-stimulating hormone test system. 862.1300 Section 862.1300 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 340.1 - Scope.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 5 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Scope. 340.1 Section 340.1 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) DRUGS FOR HUMAN USE STIMULANT... stimulant drug product in a form suitable for oral administration is generally recognized as safe and...

21 CFR 862.1300 - Follicle-stimulating hormone test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Follicle-stimulating hormone test system. 862.1300 Section 862.1300 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 862.1300 - Follicle-stimulating hormone test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Follicle-stimulating hormone test system. 862.1300 Section 862.1300 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 862.1300 - Follicle-stimulating hormone test system.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Follicle-stimulating hormone test system. 862.1300 Section 862.1300 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND CLINICAL TOXICOLOGY DEVICES Clinical Chemistry Test...

21 CFR 868.2775 - Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... a device used to apply an electrical current to a patient to test the level of pharmacological... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. 868.2775... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Monitoring Devices § 868.2775 Electrical peripheral nerve...

21 CFR 868.2775 - Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... a device used to apply an electrical current to a patient to test the level of pharmacological... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Electrical peripheral nerve stimulator. 868.2775... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES ANESTHESIOLOGY DEVICES Monitoring Devices § 868.2775 Electrical peripheral nerve...

Introduction to Foreign Languages and Cultures: A New Course to Stimulate Second Language Learning in the Public Schools.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watkins, Stephen A.

1978-01-01

Olympic View Middle School has established a program designed to stimulate interest in foreign languages and cultures. The course is intended as an introduction to foreign language and culture study, and is required for all 7th and 8th grade students. Program 1 of the course is taught during one semester of 7th grade, Program 2 during one semester…

Continuous electron stimulated desorption using a ZrO2/Ag permeation membrane

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Outlaw, R. A.; Hoflund, Gar B.; Davidson, M. R.

1989-01-01

During the development of an atomic oxygen beam generator for laboratory simulation of the atmospheric conditions in low earth orbit, a new technique for performing electron stimulated desorption (ESD) in a continuous manner has been developed. In this technique, oxygen permeates through an Ag membrane at elevated temperature thereby providing a continuous supply of oxygen atoms to the 1000-A ZrO2 coating at the vacuum interface. ESD then results in a large peak of neutral O2 molecules which ultimately decay into steady-state desorption. The ESD signal is linear with respect to primary beam flux (0.035 O2 molecules per electron at a primary beam energy of 1 keV) but nonlinear with respect to primary beam energy.

Prolonged mechanical noise restores tactile sense in diabetic neuropathic patients.

PubMed

Cloutier, Rachel; Horr, Samuel; Niemi, James B; D'Andrea, Susan; Lima, Christina; Harry, Jason D; Veves, Aristidis

2009-03-01

Acute application of stochastic resonance (SR), defined as a subsensory level of mechanical noise presented directly to sensory neurons, improves the vibration and tactile perception in diabetic patients with mild to moderate neuropathy. This study examined the effect of 1 hour of continuous SR stimulation on sensory nerve function. Twenty diabetic patients were studied. The effect of stimulation was measured at 2 time points, at the beginning and after 60 minutes of continual SR stimulation. This effect was measured using the vibration perception threshold (VPT) at the big toe under 2 conditions: a null (no SR) condition and active SR, defined as mechanical noise below the subject's own threshold of perception. The measurements under null and active conditions were done randomly and the examiner was blinded regarding the type of condition. Immediately after SR application, the VPT with SR in null condition was similar to baseline (32.2 +/- 13.1, P = nonsignificant) but was significantly lower during active SR (27.4 +/- 11.9) compared with both baseline (P = .018) and off position (P = .045). The 60 minutes VPT with active SR (28.7 +/- 11.1) reached significance comparing the baseline when one outlier was removed from the analysis (P = .031). It may be concluded that SR for a continuous 60-minute period can sustain the VPT improvement in diabetic patients with moderate to severe neuropathy. These results permit the conclusion that there is no short-term adaptation to the stimulation signal. Long-term application of this technique, perhaps in the form of a continually vibrating shoe insert, or insole, may result in sustained improvement of nerve function.

Ultrasound-guided placement of a permanent percutaneous femoral nerve stimulator leads for the treatment of intractable femoral neuropathy.

PubMed

Narouze, Samer N; Zakari, Adel; Vydyanathan, Amaresh

2009-01-01

Femoral nerve injury is a rare complication of cardiac catheterization and is usually caused by direct trauma during femoral artery access, compression from a hematoma, or prolonged digital pressure for post-procedural hemostasis. Peripheral nerve stimulation has been used to treat different pain syndromes in the upper and lower extremities with variable success and it typically requires direct vision with open surgical approach. Since the femoral nerve can be readily seen with ultrasonography, an ultrasound-guided lead placement seemed practical. A 61-year-old morbidly obese male who sustained femoral nerve injury during cardiac catheterization continued to complain of intractable femoral neuropathy 18 months afterwords. He failed multiple treatment modalities and continued to complain of severe neuropathic pains that markedly interfere with his daily activities. Two percutaneous leads were placed under real-time ultrasonography and the placement was confirmed with fluoroscopy. One lead was placed along the longitudinal axis of the nerve and the patient had good coverage over the anterior thigh but not below the knee. So another lead was placed horizontally across the femoral nerve in order to stimulate all the branches and the patient reported good coverage along the saphenous nerve distribution down to the foot. The patient continues to be pain free 20 months after the implant. Here we described a novel non-invasive percutaneous approach for femoral nerve stimulation with ultrasound guidance which allowed precise placement of the stimulating lead very close to the femoral nerve without the need for surgical exploration.

RF-powered BIONs for stimulation and sensing.

PubMed

Loeb, G E; Richmond, F J R; Singh, J; Peck, R A; Tan, W; Zou, Q; Sachs, N

2004-01-01

Virtually all bodily functions are controlled by electrical signals in nerves and muscles. Electrical stimulation can restore missing signals but this has been difficult to achieve practically because of limitations in the bioelectric interfaces. Wireless, injectable microdevices are versatile, robust and relatively inexpensive to implant in a variety of sites and applications. Several variants are now in clinical use or under development to perform stimulation and/or sensing functions and to operate autonomously or with continuous coordination and feedback control.

Femoral artery blood flow and microcirculatory perfusion during acute, low-level functional electrical stimulation in spinal cord injury.

PubMed

Barton, Thomas J; Low, David A; Janssen, Thomas W J; Sloots, Maurits; Smit, Christof A J; Thijssen, Dick H J

2018-04-19

Functional electrical stimulation (FES) may help to reduce the risk of developing macro- and microvascular complications in people with SCI. Low-intensity FES has significant clinical potential since this can be applied continuously throughout the day. This study examines the acute effects of low intensity FES using wearable clothing garment on vascular blood flow and oxygen consumption in people with SCI. Cross-sectional observation study METHODS: Eight participants with a motor complete SCI received 4x3 minutes of unilateral FES to the gluteal and hamstring muscles. Skin and deep femoral artery blood flow and oxygen consumption were measured at baseline and during each bout of stimulation. Femoral artery blood flow increased by 18.1% with the application of FES (P=0.02). Moreover, femoral artery blood flow increased further during each subsequent block of FES (P=0.004). Skin perfusion did not change during an individual block of stimulation (P=0.66). Skin perfusion progressively increased with each subsequent bout (P<0.001). There was no change in femoral or skin perfusion across time in the non-stimulated leg (all P>0.05). Low-intensity FES acutely increased blood flow during stimulation, with a progressive increase across subsequent FES bouts. These observations suggest continuous, low-intensity FES may represent a practical and effective strategy to improve perfusion and reduce the risk of vascular complications.

Physiological requirements for 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced rectal sac distention in the pupa of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

PubMed

Suzuki, Takumi; Sakurai, Sho; Iwami, Masafumi

2010-06-01

Successful insect development is achieved via appropriate fluctuation of ecdysteroid levels. When an insect's ecdysteroid level is disrupted, physiological and developmental defects occur. In the pupa of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the rectal sac is an essential organ that operates as a repository for degraded ecdysteroids, and it can be distended by administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Our previous study showed that rectal sac distention appears 4 days after 20E administration. Hemolymph ecdysteroid levels, however, decrease to lower level during this period. Thus, the timing of the rectal sac distention does not match with that of ecdysteroid elevation. Here, we examine how 20E induces rectal sac distention. A ligature experiment and ecdysteroid quantification showed that continuous 20E stimulation induces rectal sac distention. Thorax tissue contributed to the continuous 20E stimulation needed to induce distention. Ecdysteroid released from the thorax tissue may be converted to 20E by ecdysone 20-hydroxylase to produce continuous 20E stimulation. Thus, the ecdysone metabolic pathway plays a critical role in rectal sac distention. Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Differential impact of thalamic versus subthalamic deep brain stimulation on lexical processing.

PubMed

Krugel, Lea K; Ehlen, Felicitas; Tiedt, Hannes O; Kühn, Andrea A; Klostermann, Fabian

2014-10-01

Roles of subcortical structures in language processing are vague, but, interestingly, basal ganglia and thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation can go along with reduced lexical capacities. To deepen the understanding of this impact, we assessed word processing as a function of thalamic versus subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation. Ten essential tremor patients treated with thalamic and 14 Parkinson׳s disease patients with subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation performed an acoustic Lexical Decision Task ON and OFF stimulation. Combined analysis of task performance and event-related potentials allowed the determination of processing speed, priming effects, and N400 as neurophysiological correlate of lexical stimulus processing. 12 age-matched healthy participants acted as control subjects. Thalamic Deep Brain Stimulation prolonged word decisions and reduced N400 potentials. No comparable ON-OFF effects were present in patients with subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation. In the latter group of patients with Parkinson' disease, N400 amplitudes were, however, abnormally low, whether under active or inactive Deep Brain Stimulation. In conclusion, performance speed and N400 appear to be influenced by state functions, modulated by thalamic, but not subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation, compatible with concepts of thalamo-cortical engagement in word processing. Clinically, these findings specify cognitive sequels of Deep Brain Stimulation in a target-specific way. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of gonadotropin type on progesterone elevation during ovarian stimulation in GnRH antagonist cycles.

PubMed

Lawrenz, B; Beligotti, F; Engelmann, N; Gates, D; Fatemi, H M

2016-11-01

Does hormonal stimulation with corifollitropin alpha (CFA) only, mimicking a step down protocol, result in lower incidence of progesterone elevation on the day of hCGtrigger as compared to sustained stimulation with recombinant FSH (rFSH)? The current findings support the concept that sustained FSH stimulus contributes to premature progesterone elevation in stimulated IVF cycles. Serum progesterone rise during the follicular phase of ovarian stimulation for IVF treatment seems to be related to a poorer reproductive outcome. However, the mechanism by which the rise in progesterone is caused is not yet fully understood. This study was a post hoc analysis of data from two multi-center, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, active-controlled, non-inferiority trials, ENGAGE and PURSUE, conducted from June 2006 to January 2008 and from July 2010 to October 2012 respectively. In the ENGAGE-study, 1506 women, aged 18-36 years, were allocated to either a single injection of 150 mg CFA or daily injections of 200 IU rFSH in the first week of stimulation, using a standard GnRH antagonist protocol. In the PURSUE-study, a total of 1390 women, aged 35-42 years, were allocated to either a single injection of 150 mg of CFA or daily 300 IU of rFSH for the first week, again using a standard GnRH antagonist protocol. In both trials, daily rFSH was continued until three follicles reached >17 mm in size. All women had a body weight of between 50 and 90 kg, regular menstrual cycles and an indication for ovarian stimulation before IVF. The incidence of progesterone elevation on day of hCG-trigger in patients with CFA only or rFSH stimulation, and triggered on Day 8 of stimulation, was analyzed. Of patients with CFA only stimulation, 5.4% (13/239 patients) showed a progesterone elevation above 1.5 ng/ml on day of hCG-trigger, whereas patients with rFSH stimulation had a significant higher incidence of progesterone elevation (18.3%; 62/339 patients) (P < 0.001). Post hoc analysis of data from previously published trials could be considered as a reason for caution. Future studies should evaluate whether it would be possible to prevent a premature progesterone rise in cycles stimulated with daily FSH by using a step down protocol towards the end of the follicular phase. Financial/Material Support was provided by Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA. Davis Gates is an employee of Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA and may own stock and/or hold stock options in the company. Fabiola Beligotti is an employee of MSD, Italy, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ, USA and may own stock and/or hold stock options in the company. Barbara Lawrenz, Nils Engelmann and Human M. Fatemi have no conflict of interest. ENGAGE study: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NTC00696800. PURSUE-study: NCT01144416. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Investigation of a BeO-based optically stimulated luminescence dosemeter.

PubMed

Sommer, M; Henniger, J

2006-01-01

The optical sensitivity of BeO-based luminophors has been well-known for many years. The optical stimulation of BeO with blue light is most effective. Then the dosemeters emit luminescent light in the ultraviolet-range around 325 nm. Matched on these facts a simple optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) treatment has been developed. Intense blue light-emitting diodes are used for cw-stimulation. A Hamamatsu solar blind photomultiplier detects the OSL-light. Good separation of both spectral ranges by optical filters is very important. The dosemeter has a linear dose response between approximately 20 muGy and >10 Gy. It was suggested, that a modification of stimulation conditions would allow measurements down to 1 muGy. Fading, photon energy dependence and reproducibility of OSL-signal correspond well with requirements to clinical and personal dosemeters. In addition, basic questions of the OSL-process in BeO have been investigated. A relevant point of interest was the dependency of the OSL-signal on stimulation power.

Ventromedial prefrontal cortex stimulation enhances memory and hippocampal neurogenesis in the middle-aged rats

PubMed Central

Liu, Albert; Jain, Neeraj; Vyas, Ajai; Lim, Lee Wei

2015-01-01

Memory dysfunction is a key symptom of age-related dementia. Although recent studies have suggested positive effects of electrical stimulation for memory enhancement, its potential targets remain largely unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that spatially targeted deep brain stimulation of ventromedial prefrontal cortex enhanced memory functions in a middle-aged rat model. Our results show that acute stimulation enhanced the short-, but not the long-term memory in the novel-object recognition task. Interestingly, after chronic high-frequency stimulation, both the short- and long-term memories were robustly improved in the novel-object recognition test and Morris water-maze spatial task compared to sham. Our results also demonstrated that chronic ventromedial prefrontal cortex high-frequency stimulation upregulated neurogenesis-associated genes along with enhanced hippocampal cell proliferation. Importantly, these memory behaviors were strongly correlated with the hippocampal neurogenesis. Overall, these findings suggest that chronic ventromedial prefrontal cortex high-frequency stimulation may serve as a novel effective therapeutic target for dementia-related disorders. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.04803.001 PMID:25768425

5 CFR 831.405 - Interest on voluntary contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Interest on voluntary contributions. 831.405 Section 831.405 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) RETIREMENT Voluntary Contributions § 831.405 Interest on voluntary contributions. (a...

5 CFR 831.405 - Interest on voluntary contributions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 5 Administrative Personnel 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Interest on voluntary contributions. 831.405 Section 831.405 Administrative Personnel OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (CONTINUED) CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS (CONTINUED) RETIREMENT Voluntary Contributions § 831.405 Interest on voluntary contributions. (a...

3D visualisation and artistic imagery to enhance interest in `hidden environments' - new approaches to soil science

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gilford, J.; Falconer, R. E.; Wade, R.; Scott-Brown, K. C.

2014-09-01

Interactive Virtual Environments (VEs) have the potential to increase student interest in soil science. Accordingly a bespoke 'soil atlas' was created using Java3D as an interactive 3D VE, to show soil information in the context of (and as affected by) the over-lying landscape. To display the below-ground soil characteristics, four sets of artistic illustrations were produced, each set showing the effects of soil organic-matter density and water content on fungal density, to determine potential for visualisations and interactivity in stimulating interest in soil and soil illustrations, interest being an important factor in facilitating learning. The illustrations were created using 3D modelling packages, and a wide range of styles were produced. This allowed a preliminary study of the relative merits of different artistic styles, scientific-credibility, scale, abstraction and 'realism' (e.g. photo-realism or realism of forms), and any relationship between these and the level of interest indicated by the study participants in the soil visualisations and VE. The study found significant differences in mean interest ratings for different soil illustration styles, as well as in the perception of scientific-credibility of these styles, albeit for both measures there was considerable difference of attitude between participants about particular styles. There was also found to be a highly significant positive correlation between participants rating styles highly for interest and highly for scientific-credibility. There was furthermore a particularly high interest rating among participants for seeing temporal soil processes illustrated/animated, suggesting this as a particularly promising method for further stimulating interest in soil illustrations and soil itself.

The first nanocar race

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rapenne, Gwénaël; Joachim, Christian

2017-06-01

The first race involving molecular 'cars' stimulated technical advances in scanning tunnelling microscopy and provided insights in surface science and synthetic chemistry — it also attracted wide interest from the public.

Education: Chemistry made Interesting for NonScientists

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chemical and Engineering News, 1972

1972-01-01

The author advocates chemistry courses, for nonscience majors, based on intellectually stimulating questions such as whether the evolution of life from nonliving precursors is a natural phenomenon. (CP)

Demonstration of Tuning to Stimulus Orientation in the Human Visual Cortex: A High-Resolution fMRI Study with a Novel Continuous and Periodic Stimulation Paradigm

PubMed Central

Sun, Pei; Gardner, Justin L.; Costagli, Mauro; Ueno, Kenichi; Waggoner, R. Allen; Tanaka, Keiji; Cheng, Kang

2013-01-01

Cells in the animal early visual cortex are sensitive to contour orientations and form repeated structures known as orientation columns. At the behavioral level, there exist 2 well-known global biases in orientation perception (oblique effect and radial bias) in both animals and humans. However, their neural bases are still under debate. To unveil how these behavioral biases are achieved in the early visual cortex, we conducted high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging experiments with a novel continuous and periodic stimulation paradigm. By inserting resting recovery periods between successive stimulation periods and introducing a pair of orthogonal stimulation conditions that differed by 90° continuously, we focused on analyzing a blood oxygenation level-dependent response modulated by the change in stimulus orientation and reliably extracted orientation preferences of single voxels. We found that there are more voxels preferring horizontal and vertical orientations, a physiological substrate underlying the oblique effect, and that these over-representations of horizontal and vertical orientations are prevalent in the cortical regions near the horizontal- and vertical-meridian representations, a phenomenon related to the radial bias. Behaviorally, we also confirmed that there exists perceptual superiority for horizontal and vertical orientations around horizontal and vertical meridians, respectively. Our results, thus, refined the neural mechanisms of these 2 global biases in orientation perception. PMID:22661413

A novel dual-wavelength laser stimulator to elicit transient and tonic nociceptive stimulation.

PubMed

Dong, Xiaoxi; Liu, Tianjun; Wang, Han; Yang, Jichun; Chen, Zhuying; Hu, Yong; Li, Yingxin

2017-07-01

This study aimed to develop a new laser stimulator to elicit both transient and sustained heat stimulation with a dual-wavelength laser system as a tool for the investigation of both transient and tonic experimental models of pain. The laser stimulator used a 980-nm pulsed laser to generate transient heat stimulation and a 1940-nm continuous-wave (CW) laser to provide sustained heat stimulation. The laser with 980-nm wavelength can elicit transient pain with less thermal injury, while the 1940-nm CW laser can effectively stimulate both superficial and deep nociceptors to elicit tonic pain. A proportional integral-derivative (PID) temperature feedback control system was implemented to ensure constancy of temperature during heat stimulation. The performance of this stimulator was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo animal experiments. In vitro experiments on totally 120 specimens fresh pig skin included transient heat stimulation by 980-nm laser (1.5 J, 10 ms), sustained heat stimulation by 1940-nm laser (50-55 °C temperature control mode or 1.5 W, 5 min continuous power supply), and the combination of transient/sustained heat stimulation by dual lasers (1.5 J, 10 ms, 980-nm pulse laser, and 1940-nm laser with 50-55 °C temperature control mode). Hemoglobin brushing and wind-cooling methods were tested to find better stimulation model. A classic tail-flick latency (TFL) experiment with 20 Wistar rats was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of transient and tonic pain stimulation with 15 J, 100 ms 980-nm single laser pulse, and 1.5 W constant 1940-nm laser power. Ideal stimulation parameters to generate transient pain were found to be a 26.6 °C peak temperature rise and 0.67 s pain duration. In our model of tonic pain, 5 min of tonic stimulation produced a temperature change of 53.7 ± 1.3 °C with 1.6 ± 0.2% variation. When the transient and tonic stimulation protocols were combined, no significant difference was observed depending on the order of stimuli. Obvious tail-flick movements were observed. The TFL value of transient pain was 3.0 ± 0.8 s, and it was 4.4 ± 1.8 s for tonic pain stimulation. This study shows that our novel design can provide effective stimulation of transient pain and stable tonic pain. Furthermore, it can also provide a reliable combination of transient and consistent stimulations for basic studies of pain perception.

Differential impact of continuous theta-burst stimulation over left and right DLPFC on planning.

PubMed

Kaller, Christoph P; Heinze, Katharina; Frenkel, Annekathrein; Läppchen, Claus H; Unterrainer, Josef M; Weiller, Cornelius; Lange, Rüdiger; Rahm, Benjamin

2013-01-01

Most neuroimaging studies on planning report bilateral activations of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC). Recently, these concurrent activations of left and right dlPFC have been shown to double dissociate with different cognitive demands imposed by the planning task: Higher demands on the extraction of task-relevant information led to stronger activation in left dlPFC, whereas higher demands on the integration of interdependent information into a coherent action sequence entailed stronger activation of right dlPFC. Here, we used continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) to investigate the supposed causal structure-function mapping underlying this double dissociation. Two groups of healthy subjects (left-lateralized stimulation, n = 26; right-lateralized stimulation, n = 26) were tested within-subject on a variant of the Tower of London task following either real cTBS over dlPFC or sham stimulation over posterior parietal cortex. Results revealed that, irrespective of specific task demands, cTBS over left and right dlPFC was associated with a global decrease and increase, respectively, in initial planning times compared to sham stimulation. Moreover, no interaction between task demands and stimulation type (real vs. sham) and/or stimulation side (left vs. right hemisphere) were found. Together, against expectations from previous neuroimaging data, lateralized cTBS did not lead to planning-parameter specific changes in performance, but instead revealed a global asymmetric pattern of faster versus slower task processing after left versus right cTBS. This global asymmetry in the absence of any task-parameter specific impact of cTBS suggests that different levels of information processing may span colocalized, but independent axes of functional lateralization in the dlPFC. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Alpha-emitting nuclides in the marine environment

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pentreath, R. J.

1984-06-01

The occurrence of alpha-emitting nuclides and their daughter products in the marine environment continues to be a subject of study for many reasons. Those nuclides which occur naturally, in the uranium, thorium and actinium series, are of interest because of their value in determining the rates of geological and geochemical processes in the oceans. Studies of them address such problems as the determination of rates of transfer of particulate matter, deposition rates, bioturbation rates, and so on. Two of the natural alpha-series nuclides in which a different interest has been expressed are 210Po and 226Ra, because their concentrations in marine organisms are such that they contribute to a significant fraction of the background dose rates sustained both by the organisms themselves and by consumers of marine fish and shellfish. To this pool of naturally-occurring nuclides, human activities have added the transuranium nuclides, both from the atmospheric testing of nuclear devices and from the authorized discharges of radioactive wastes into coastal waters and the deep sea. Studies have therefore been made to understand the chemistry of these radionuclides in sea water, their association with sedimentary materials, and their accumulation by marine organisms, the last of these being of particular interest because the transuranics are essentially "novel" elements to the marine fauna and flora. The need to predict the long-term behaviour of these nuclides has, in turn, stimulated research on those naturally-occurring nuclides which may behave in a similar manner.

Auditory steady state responses and cochlear implants: Modeling the artifact-response mixture in the perspective of denoising

PubMed Central

Mina, Faten; Attina, Virginie; Duroc, Yvan; Veuillet, Evelyne; Truy, Eric; Thai-Van, Hung

2017-01-01

Auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) in cochlear implant (CI) patients are contaminated by the spread of a continuous CI electrical stimulation artifact. The aim of this work was to model the electrophysiological mixture of the CI artifact and the corresponding evoked potentials on scalp electrodes in order to evaluate the performance of denoising algorithms in eliminating the CI artifact in a controlled environment. The basis of the proposed computational framework is a neural mass model representing the nodes of the auditory pathways. Six main contributors to auditory evoked potentials from the cochlear level and up to the auditory cortex were taken into consideration. The simulated dynamics were then projected into a 3-layer realistic head model. 32-channel scalp recordings of the CI artifact-response were then generated by solving the electromagnetic forward problem. As an application, the framework’s simulated 32-channel datasets were used to compare the performance of 4 commonly used Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithms: infomax, extended infomax, jade and fastICA in eliminating the CI artifact. As expected, two major components were detectable in the simulated datasets, a low frequency component at the modulation frequency and a pulsatile high frequency component related to the stimulation frequency. The first can be attributed to the phase-locked ASSR and the second to the stimulation artifact. Among the ICA algorithms tested, simulations showed that infomax was the most efficient and reliable in denoising the CI artifact-response mixture. Denoising algorithms can induce undesirable deformation of the signal of interest in real CI patient recordings. The proposed framework is a valuable tool for evaluating these algorithms in a controllable environment ahead of experimental or clinical applications. PMID:28350887

Auditory steady state responses and cochlear implants: Modeling the artifact-response mixture in the perspective of denoising.

PubMed

Mina, Faten; Attina, Virginie; Duroc, Yvan; Veuillet, Evelyne; Truy, Eric; Thai-Van, Hung

2017-01-01

Auditory steady state responses (ASSRs) in cochlear implant (CI) patients are contaminated by the spread of a continuous CI electrical stimulation artifact. The aim of this work was to model the electrophysiological mixture of the CI artifact and the corresponding evoked potentials on scalp electrodes in order to evaluate the performance of denoising algorithms in eliminating the CI artifact in a controlled environment. The basis of the proposed computational framework is a neural mass model representing the nodes of the auditory pathways. Six main contributors to auditory evoked potentials from the cochlear level and up to the auditory cortex were taken into consideration. The simulated dynamics were then projected into a 3-layer realistic head model. 32-channel scalp recordings of the CI artifact-response were then generated by solving the electromagnetic forward problem. As an application, the framework's simulated 32-channel datasets were used to compare the performance of 4 commonly used Independent Component Analysis (ICA) algorithms: infomax, extended infomax, jade and fastICA in eliminating the CI artifact. As expected, two major components were detectable in the simulated datasets, a low frequency component at the modulation frequency and a pulsatile high frequency component related to the stimulation frequency. The first can be attributed to the phase-locked ASSR and the second to the stimulation artifact. Among the ICA algorithms tested, simulations showed that infomax was the most efficient and reliable in denoising the CI artifact-response mixture. Denoising algorithms can induce undesirable deformation of the signal of interest in real CI patient recordings. The proposed framework is a valuable tool for evaluating these algorithms in a controllable environment ahead of experimental or clinical applications.

Ecdysteroid hormone titer and its relationship to vitellogenesis in the soft tick, Ornithodoros moubata (Acari: Argasidae).

PubMed

Ogihara, Kazumasa; Horigane, Mari; Nakajima, Yoshiro; Moribayashi, Atsuko; Taylor, DeMar

2007-02-01

A blood meal is required for reproduction in most argasid female ticks. The blood meal appears to stimulate an organ in the posterior end to produce a fat body stimulating factor (FSF), which is thought to be an ecdysteroid, to induce vitellogenin (Vg) synthesis. In this study, the relationship of vitellogenesis and ecdysteroids was investigated by measuring Vg and ecdysteroid titers while observing oocyte development and oviposition in mated and virgin females. Oviposition occurred from day 10 after engorgement in mated females and continued up to 40-50 days, whereas egg maturation and oviposition did not occur in virgin females. Vg titers in the hemolymph peaked on day 6 after engorgement and subsequently declined in mated females. Interestingly, Vg synthesis occurred and ovarian development progressed to the development of early vitellogenic oocytes in virgin females but oocyte maturation and oviposition did not occur. Topical application of ecdysteroids induced oviposition in fed virgin females indicating that ecdysteroids may induce oviposition. Concentrations of ecdysteroids for 20 days after engorgement revealed several peaks in mated female whole body extracts, but no peaks in virgin female extracts. In the hemolymph of only mated females, ecdysteroid titers showed two peaks that followed the early peak of ecdysteroids in the whole body on day 4 and 6 after engorgement. In addition, ecdysteroids in the reproductive tissues increased with the development of the ovary in mated females and this increase coincided with the latter peaks of the whole body. These observations indicate that physiological elevation of ecdysteroids accelerate Vg synthesis, and may induce egg maturation and stimulate oviposition in fed mated Ornithodoros moubata females.

Using the ACEI Global Guidelines Assessment to Evaluate the Quality of Early Child Care in Greek Settings

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rentzou, Konstantina

2010-01-01

In recent years, there has been a significant growth of interest in ensuring that child care provision for children is of a high quality. This interest has been stimulated by research evidence according to which good quality child care has a positive influence on children's overall development. The global quality in Greek preschool and…

Self-Expression Assignment as a Teaching Approach to Enhance the Interest of Kuwaiti Women in Biological Sciences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

El-Sabban, Farouk

2008-01-01

Stimulating the interest of students in biological sciences necessitates the use of new teaching methods and motivating approaches. The idea of the self-expression assignment (SEA) has evolved from the prevalent environment at the College for Women of Kuwait University (Safat, State of Kuwait), a newly established college where the number of…

Electrical Stimulation of Coleopteran Muscle for Initiating Flight.

PubMed

Choo, Hao Yu; Li, Yao; Cao, Feng; Sato, Hirotaka

2016-01-01

Some researchers have long been interested in reconstructing natural insects into steerable robots or vehicles. However, until recently, these so-called cyborg insects, biobots, or living machines existed only in science fiction. Owing to recent advances in nano/micro manufacturing, data processing, and anatomical and physiological biology, we can now stimulate living insects to induce user-desired motor actions and behaviors. To improve the practicality and applicability of airborne cyborg insects, a reliable and controllable flight initiation protocol is required. This study demonstrates an electrical stimulation protocol that initiates flight in a beetle (Mecynorrhina torquata, Coleoptera). A reliable stimulation protocol was determined by analyzing a pair of dorsal longitudinal muscles (DLMs), flight muscles that oscillate the wings. DLM stimulation has achieved with a high success rate (> 90%), rapid response time (< 1.0 s), and small variation (< 0.33 s; indicating little habituation). Notably, the stimulation of DLMs caused no crucial damage to the free flight ability. In contrast, stimulation of optic lobes, which was earlier demonstrated as a successful flight initiation protocol, destabilized the beetle in flight. Thus, DLM stimulation is a promising secure protocol for inducing flight in cyborg insects or biobots.

Induction of panic attack by stimulation of the ventromedial hypothalamus.

PubMed

Wilent, W Bryan; Oh, Michael Y; Buetefisch, Cathrin M; Bailes, Julian E; Cantella, Diane; Angle, Cindy; Whiting, Donald M

2010-06-01

Panic attacks are sudden debilitating attacks of intense distress often accompanied by physical symptoms such as shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Numerous brain regions, hormones, and neurotransmitter systems are putatively involved, but the etiology and neurocircuitry of panic attacks is far from established. One particular brain region of interest is the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). In cats and rats, electrical stimulation delivered to the VMH has been shown to evoke an emotional "panic attack-like" escape behavior, and in humans, stimulation targeting nuclei just posterior or anterior to the VMH has reportedly induced panic attacks. The authors report findings obtained in an awake patient undergoing bilateral implantation of deep brain stimulation electrodes into the hypothalamus that strongly implicates the VMH as being critically involved in the genesis of panic attacks. First, as the stimulating electrode progressed deeper into the VMH, the intensity of stimulation required to evoke an attack systematically decreased; second, while stimulation of the VMH in either hemisphere evoked panic, stimulation that appeared to be in the center of the VMH was more potent. Thus, this evidence supports the role of the VMH in the induction of panic attacks purported by animal studies.

Electrical Stimulation of Coleopteran Muscle for Initiating Flight

PubMed Central

Choo, Hao Yu; Li, Yao; Cao, Feng; Sato, Hirotaka

2016-01-01

Some researchers have long been interested in reconstructing natural insects into steerable robots or vehicles. However, until recently, these so-called cyborg insects, biobots, or living machines existed only in science fiction. Owing to recent advances in nano/micro manufacturing, data processing, and anatomical and physiological biology, we can now stimulate living insects to induce user-desired motor actions and behaviors. To improve the practicality and applicability of airborne cyborg insects, a reliable and controllable flight initiation protocol is required. This study demonstrates an electrical stimulation protocol that initiates flight in a beetle (Mecynorrhina torquata, Coleoptera). A reliable stimulation protocol was determined by analyzing a pair of dorsal longitudinal muscles (DLMs), flight muscles that oscillate the wings. DLM stimulation has achieved with a high success rate (> 90%), rapid response time (< 1.0 s), and small variation (< 0.33 s; indicating little habituation). Notably, the stimulation of DLMs caused no crucial damage to the free flight ability. In contrast, stimulation of optic lobes, which was earlier demonstrated as a successful flight initiation protocol, destabilized the beetle in flight. Thus, DLM stimulation is a promising secure protocol for inducing flight in cyborg insects or biobots. PMID:27050093

Commentary: physical approaches for the treatment of epilepsy: electrical and magnetic stimulation and cooling.

PubMed

Löscher, Wolfgang; Cole, Andrew J; McLean, Michael J

2009-04-01

Physical approaches for the treatment of epilepsy currently under study or development include electrical or magnetic brain stimulators and cooling devices, each of which may be implanted or applied externally. Some devices may stimulate peripheral structures, whereas others may be implanted directly into the brain. Stimulation may be delivered chronically, intermittently, or in response to either manual activation or computer-based detection of events of interest. Physical approaches may therefore ultimately be appropriate for seizure prophylaxis by causing a modification of the underlying substrate, presumably with a reduction in the intrinsic excitability of cerebral structures, or for seizure termination, by interfering with the spontaneous discharge of pathological neuronal networks. Clinical trials of device-based therapies are difficult due to ethical issues surrounding device implantation, problems with blinding, potential carryover effects that may occur in crossover designs if substrate modification occurs, and subject heterogeneity. Unresolved issues in the development of physical treatments include optimization of stimulation parameters, identification of the optimal volume of brain to be stimulated, development of adequate power supplies to stimulate the necessary areas, and a determination that stimulation itself does not promote epileptogenesis or adverse long-term effects on normal brain function.

Classification of methods in transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) and evolving strategy from historical approaches to contemporary innovations.

PubMed

Guleyupoglu, Berkan; Schestatsky, Pedro; Edwards, Dylan; Fregni, Felipe; Bikson, Marom

2013-10-15

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) encompasses all methods of non-invasive current application to the brain used in research and clinical practice. We present the first comprehensive and technical review, explaining the evolution of tES in both terminology and dosage over the past 100 years of research to present day. Current transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) approaches such as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) descended from Electrosleep (ES) through Cranial Electro-stimulation Therapy (CET), Transcerebral Electrotherapy (TCET), and NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) while others like Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES) descended from Electroanesthesia (EA) through Limoge, and Interferential Stimulation. Prior to a contemporary resurgence in interest, variations of transcranial Direct Current Stimulation were explored intermittently, including Polarizing current, Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS), and Transcranial Micropolarization. The development of these approaches alongside Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and pharmacological developments are considered. Both the roots and unique features of contemporary approaches such as transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) are discussed. Trends and incremental developments in electrode montage and waveform spanning decades are presented leading to the present day. Commercial devices, seminal conferences, and regulatory decisions are noted. We conclude with six rules on how increasing medical and technological sophistication may now be leveraged for broader success and adoption of tES. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Classification of methods in transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) and evolving strategy from historical approaches to contemporary innovations

PubMed Central

Guleyupoglu, Berkan; Schestatsky, Pedro; Edwards, Dylan; Fregni, Felipe; Bikson, Marom

2013-01-01

Transcranial Electrical Stimulation (tES) encompasses all methods of non-invasive current application to the brain used in research and clinical practice. We present the first comprehensive and technical review, explaining the evolution of tES in both terminology and dosage over the past 100 years of research to present day. Current transcranial Pulsed Current Stimulation (tPCS) approaches such as Cranial Electrotherapy Stimulation (CES) descended from Electrosleep (ES) through Cranial Electro-stimulation Therapy (CET), Transcerebral Electrotherapy (TCET), and NeuroElectric Therapy (NET) while others like Transcutaneous Cranial Electrical Stimulation (TCES) descended from Electroanesthesia (EA) through Limoge, and Interferential Stimulation. Prior to a contemporary resurgence in interest, variations of trans-cranial Direct Current Stimulation were explored intermittently, including Polarizing current, Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation (GVS), and Transcranial Micropolarization. The development of these approaches alongside Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) and pharmacological developments are considered. Both the roots and unique features of contemporary approaches such as transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) and transcranial Random Noise Stimulation (tRNS) are discussed. Trends and incremental developments in electrode montage and waveform spanning decades are presented leading to the present day. Commercial devices, seminal conferences, and regulatory decisions are noted. We conclude with six rules on how increasing medical and technological sophistication may now be leveraged for broader success and adoption of tES. PMID:23954780

7 CFR 1779.33 - Interest rates.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 12 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Interest rates. 1779.33 Section 1779.33 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) WATER AND WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAMS GUARANTEED LOANS § 1779.33 Interest rates. (a) General. Rates...

Using Proton Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy to Understand Brain "Activation"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baslow, Morris H.; Guilfoyle, David N.

2007-01-01

Upon stimulation, areas of the brain associated with specific cognitive processing tasks may undergo observable physiological changes, and measures of such changes have been used to create brain maps for visualization of stimulated areas in task-related brain "activation" studies. These perturbations usually continue throughout the period of the…

Long-term leucine induced stimulation of muscle protein synthesis is amino acid dependent

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Infusing leucine for 1 h increases skeletal muscle protein synthesis in the neonate, but this is not sustained for 2 h unless the corresponding fall in amino acids is prevented. This study aimed to determine whether a continuous leucine infusion can stimulate protein synthesis for a prolonged period...

Relationships between Sensory Stimulation and Stereotyped Behaviour in Severely Mentally Retarded and Autistic Children.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Goodall, Elizabeth; Corbett, J.

1982-01-01

The reinforcing properties of four sensory stimuli (continuous and flashing light, vibration, and sound), which were under the subject's control, were examined and the effect on stereotyped behavior of 24 severely retarded and autistic children were observed. Findings were interpreted to support the self-stimulation theory of stereotypy despite…

26 CFR 1.483-3 - Test rate of interest applicable to a contract.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 6 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Test rate of interest applicable to a contract... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Adjustments § 1.483-3 Test rate of interest applicable to a contract. (a) General rule. For purposes of section 483, the test rate of interest for a contract is the...

Designing an Experimental "Accident"

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Picker, Lester

1974-01-01

Describes an experimental "accident" that resulted in much student learning, seeks help in the identification of nematodes, and suggests biology teachers introduce similar accidents into their teaching to stimulate student interest. (PEB)

Sandbox Holography.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bettencourt, D. G.; And Others

1979-01-01

Describes simple methods of making both a reflection and a transmission hologram, as a teaching aid to stimulate students' interest in physics. Lists the various items of equipment necessary for making a hologram. (GA)

[Obsessive-compulsive disorder, a new model of basal ganglia dysfunction? Elements from deep brain stimulation studies].

PubMed

Haynes, W I A; Millet, B; Mallet, L

2012-01-01

Deep brain stimulation was first developed for movement disorders but is now being offered as a therapeutic alternative in severe psychiatric disorders after the failure of conventional therapies. One of such pathologies is obsessive-compulsive disorder. This disorder which associates intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive irrepressible rituals (compulsions) is characterized by a dysfunction of a cortico-subcortical loop. After having reviewed the pathophysiological evidence to show why deep brain stimulation was an interesting path to take for severe and resistant cases of obsessive-compulsive disorder, we will present the results of the different clinical trials. Finally, we will provide possible mechanisms for the effects of deep brain stimulation in this pathology. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Effect of Tree Species on Enzyme Secretion by the Shiitake Medicinal Mushroom, Lentinus edodes (Agaricomycetes).

PubMed

Plotnikov, Evgeny V; Glukhova, Lubov B; Sokolyanskaya, Ludmila O; Karnachuk, Olga V; Solioz, Marc

2016-01-01

We compared cold and hot wood extracts of 3 endemic Siberian trees-namely, Prunus padus (bird cherry), Populus tremula (aspen), and Betula sp. (birch)-on biomass production and laccase and peroxidase secretion in submerged cultures by the medicinal mushroom Lentinus edodes. Of the conditions tested, only hot Prunus extracts stimulated biomass production, whereas all extracts stimulated laccase and peroxidase secretion, albeit to different extents. A large, differential stimulation of manganese peroxidase was observed by hot Prunus extracts. The results highlight important differences between tree species in the stimulation of biomass and enzyme production by L. edodes and point to potentially interesting stimulatory factors present in hot Prunus extracts. These findings are of relevance in the use of L. edodes for medicinal or biotechnological applications.

Camptocormia and deep brain stimulation: The interesting overlapping etiologies and the therapeutic role of subthalamic nucleus-deep brain stimulation in Parkinson disease with camptocormia.

PubMed

Ekmekci, Hakan; Kaptan, Hulagu

2016-01-01

Camptocormia is known as "bent spine syndrome" and defined as a forward hyperflexion. The most common etiologic factor is related with the movement disorders, mainly in Parkinson's disease (PD). We present the case of a 51-year-old woman who has been followed with PD for the last 10 years, and also under the therapy for PD. An unappreciated correlation low back pain with camptocormia developed. She underwent deep brain stimulation (DBS) in the subthalamic nucleus bilaterally and improved her bending posture. The relationship between the DBS and camptocormia is discussed in this unique condition.

On-off closed-loop control of vagus nerve stimulation for the adaptation of heart rate.

PubMed

Ugalde, Hector Romero; Le Rolle, Virginie; Bel, Alain; Bonnet, Jean-Luc; Andreu, David; Mabo, Philippe; Carrault, Guy; Hernández, Alfredo I

2014-01-01

Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a potential therapeutic approach in a number of clinical applications. Although VNS is commonly delivered in an open-loop approach, it is now recognized that closed-loop approaches may be necessary to optimize the therapy and minimize side effects of neuro-stimulation devices. In this paper, we describe a prototype system for real-time control of the instantaneous heart rate, working synchronously with the heart period. As a first step, an on-off control method has been integrated. The system is evaluated on one sheep with induced heart failure, showing the interest of the proposed approach.

The effect of temperature on basal tension and thyroarytenoid muscle contraction in an isolated rat glottis model.

PubMed

Wang, Hsing-Won; Chu, Yueng-Hsiang; Chao, Pin-Zhir; Lee, Fei-Peng

2014-10-01

The pitch of voice is closely related to the vocal fold tension, which is the end result of coordinated movement of the intralaryngeal muscles, and especially the thyroarytenoid muscle. It is known that vocal quality may be affected by surrounding temperature; however, the effect of temperature on vocal fold tension is mostly unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of temperature on isolated rat glottis and thyroarytenoid muscle contraction induced by electrical field stimulation. In vitro isometric tension of the glottis ring from 30 Sprague-Dawley rats was continuously recorded by the tissue bath method. Electrical field stimulation was applied to the glottis ring with two wire electrodes placed parallel to the glottis and connected to a direct-current stimulator. The tension changes of the rat glottis rings that were either untreated or treated with electrical field stimulation were recorded continuously at temperatures from 37 to 7 °C or from 7 to 37 °C. Warming from 7 to 37 °C increased the basal tension of the glottis rings and decreased the electrical field stimulation-induced glottis ring contraction, which was chiefly due to thyroarytenoid muscle contraction. In comparison, cooling from 37 to 7 °C decreased the basal tension and enhanced glottis ring contraction by electrical field stimulation. We concluded that warming increased the basal tension of the glottis in vitro and decreased the amplitude of electrical field stimulation-induced thyroarytenoid muscle contraction. Thus, vocal pitch and the fine tuning of vocal fold tension might be affected by temperature in vivo.

Effect of continuous theta burst stimulation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on cerebral blood flow changes during decision making.

PubMed

Cho, Sang Soo; Pellecchia, Giovanna; Ko, Ji Hyun; Ray, Nicola; Obeso, Ignacio; Houle, Sylvain; Strafella, Antonio P

2012-04-01

Decision making is a cognitive function relaying on a complex neural network. In particular, the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) plays a key role within this network. We used positron emission tomography (PET) combined with continuous theta burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) to investigate neuronal and behavioral changes in normal volunteers while performing a delay discounting (DD) task. We aimed to test whether stimulation of right DLPFC would modify the activation pattern of the neural circuit underlying decision making during the DD task and influence discounting behavior. We found that cTBS of the right DLPFC influenced decision making by reducing impulsivity and inducing participants to favor large but delayed rewards instead of immediate but small rewards. Stimulation also affected activation in several prefrontal areas associated with DD. In particular, we observed a reduced regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the ipsilateral DLPFC (BA 46) extending into the rostral part of the prefrontal cortex (BA 10) as well as a disrupted relationship between impulsivity (k-value) and rCBF in these and other prefrontal areas. These findings suggest that transcranial magnetic stimulation of the DLPFC influences the neural network underlying impulsive decision making behavior. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functional significance of the pattern of renal sympathetic nerve activation.

PubMed

Dibona, G F; Sawin, L L

1999-08-01

To assess the renal functional significance of the pattern of renal sympathetic nerve activation, computer-generated stimulus patterns (delivered at constant integrated voltage) were applied to the decentralized renal sympathetic nerve bundle and renal hemodynamic and excretory responses determined in anesthetized rats. When delivered at the same integrated voltage, stimulus patterns resembling those observed in in vivo multifiber recordings of renal sympathetic nerve activity (diamond-wave patterns) produced greater renal vasoconstrictor responses than conventional square-wave patterns. Within diamond-wave patterns, increasing integrated voltage by increasing amplitude produced twofold greater renal vasoconstrictor responses than by increasing duration. With similar integrated voltages that were subthreshold for renal vasoconstriction, neither diamond- nor square-wave pattern altered glomerular filtration rate, whereas diamond- but not square-wave pattern reversibly decreased urinary sodium excretion by 25 +/- 3%. At the same number of pulses per second, intermittent stimulation produced faster and greater renal vasoconstriction than continuous stimulation. At the same number of pulses per second, increases in rest period during intermittent stimulation proportionally augmented the renal vasoconstrictor response compared with that observed with continuous stimulation; the maximum augmentation of 55% occurred at a rest period of 500 ms. These results indicate that the pattern of renal sympathetic nerve stimulation (activity) significantly influences the rapidity, magnitude, and selectivity of the renal vascular and tubular responses.

29 CFR 1912.6 - Conflict of interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 29 Labor 7 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Conflict of interest. 1912.6 Section 1912.6 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON STANDARDS Organizational Matters § 1912.6 Conflict of interest. No members...

29 CFR 1912.6 - Conflict of interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 29 Labor 7 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Conflict of interest. 1912.6 Section 1912.6 Labor Regulations Relating to Labor (Continued) OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (CONTINUED) ADVISORY COMMITTEES ON STANDARDS Organizational Matters § 1912.6 Conflict of interest. No members...

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Activity Bound to Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) Receptor, which Is Continuously Sustained by IGF-I Stimulation, Is Required for IGF-I-induced Cell Proliferation*

PubMed Central

Fukushima, Toshiaki; Nakamura, Yusaku; Yamanaka, Daisuke; Shibano, Takashi; Chida, Kazuhiro; Minami, Shiro; Asano, Tomoichiro; Hakuno, Fumihiko; Takahashi, Shin-Ichiro

2012-01-01

Continuous stimulation of cells with insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in G1 phase is a well established requirement for IGF-induced cell proliferation; however, the molecular components of this prolonged signaling pathway that is essential for cell cycle progression from G1 to S phase are unclear. IGF-I activates IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) tyrosine kinase, followed by phosphorylation of substrates such as insulin receptor substrates (IRS) leading to binding of signaling molecules containing SH2 domains, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) to IRS and activation of the downstream signaling pathways. In this study, we found prolonged (>9 h) association of PI3K with IGF-IR induced by IGF-I stimulation. PI3K activity was present in this complex in thyrocytes and fibroblasts, although tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS was not yet evident after 9 h of IGF-I stimulation. IGF-I withdrawal in mid-G1 phase impaired the association of PI3K with IGF-IR and suppressed DNA synthesis the same as when PI3K inhibitor was added. Furthermore, we demonstrated that Tyr1316-X-X-Met of IGF-IR functioned as a PI3K binding sequence when this tyrosine is phosphorylated. We then analyzed IGF signaling and proliferation of IGF-IR−/− fibroblasts expressing exogenous mutant IGF-IR in which Tyr1316 was substituted with Phe (Y1316F). In these cells, IGF-I stimulation induced tyrosine phosphorylation of IGF-IR and IRS-1/2, but mutated IGF-IR failed to bind PI3K and to induce maximal phosphorylation of GSK3β and cell proliferation in response to IGF-I. Based on these results, we concluded that PI3K activity bound to IGF-IR, which is continuously sustained by IGF-I stimulation, is required for IGF-I-induced cell proliferation. PMID:22767591

A Holographic Road Show.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kirkpatrick, Larry D.; Rugheimer, Mac

1979-01-01

Describes the viewing sessions and the holograms of a holographic road show. The traveling exhibits, believed to stimulate interest in physics, include a wide variety of holograms and demonstrate several physical principles. (GA)

Non-Invasive Electrical Brain Stimulation Montages for Modulation of Human Motor Function.

PubMed

Curado, Marco; Fritsch, Brita; Reis, Janine

2016-02-04

Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation (NEBS) is used to modulate brain function and behavior, both for research and clinical purposes. In particular, NEBS can be applied transcranially either as direct current stimulation (tDCS) or alternating current stimulation (tACS). These stimulation types exert time-, dose- and in the case of tDCS polarity-specific effects on motor function and skill learning in healthy subjects. Lately, tDCS has been used to augment the therapy of motor disabilities in patients with stroke or movement disorders. This article provides a step-by-step protocol for targeting the primary motor cortex with tDCS and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), a specific form of tACS using an electrical current applied randomly within a pre-defined frequency range. The setup of two different stimulation montages is explained. In both montages the emitting electrode (the anode for tDCS) is placed on the primary motor cortex of interest. For unilateral motor cortex stimulation the receiving electrode is placed on the contralateral forehead while for bilateral motor cortex stimulation the receiving electrode is placed on the opposite primary motor cortex. The advantages and disadvantages of each montage for the modulation of cortical excitability and motor function including learning are discussed, as well as safety, tolerability and blinding aspects.

Electrical stimulation therapy for dysphagia: a follow-up survey of USA dysphagia practitioners.

PubMed

Barikroo, Ali; Carnaby, Giselle; Crary, Michael

2017-12-01

The aim of this study was to compare current application, practice patterns, clinical outcomes, and professional attitudes of dysphagia practitioners regarding electrical stimulation (e-stim) therapy with similar data obtained in 2005. A web-based survey was posted on the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Special Interest Group 13 webpage for 1 month. A total of 271 survey responses were analyzed and descriptively compared with the archived responses from the 2005 survey. Results suggested that e-stim application increased by 47% among dysphagia practitioners over the last 10 years. The frequency of weekly e-stim therapy sessions decreased while the reported total number of treatment sessions increased between the two surveys. Advancement in oral diet was the most commonly reported improvement in both surveys. Overall, reported satisfaction levels of clinicians and patients regarding e-stim therapy decreased. Still, the majority of e-stim practitioners continue to recommend this treatment modality to other dysphagia practitioners. Results from the novel items in the current survey suggested that motor level e-stim (e.g. higher amplitude) is most commonly used during dysphagia therapy with no preferred electrode placement. Furthermore, the majority of clinicians reported high levels of self-confidence regarding their ability to perform e-stim. The results of this survey highlight ongoing changes in application, practice patterns, clinical outcomes, and professional attitudes associated with e-stim therapy among dysphagia practitioners.

Pharmacists' Interest in and Commitment to Obtaining an Advanced Pharmacy Degree through Continuing Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Riley, David A.

1986-01-01

Describes results of a survey of all West Virginia pharmacists concerning their views on continuing education and advanced pharmacy degrees. Conclusions indicate a small percentage of pharmacists are interested in a higher degree via continuing education. (Author/CT)

Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater

DOEpatents

Hazen, Terry C.; Fliermans, Carl B.

1995-01-01

An apparatus and method for in situ remediation of contaminated subsurface soil or groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons. A nutrient fluid is selected to stimulate the growth and reproduction of indigenous subsurface microorganisms that are capable of degrading the contaminants; an oxygenated fluid is selected to create a generally aerobic environment for these microorganisms to degrade the contaminants, leaving only pockets that are anaerobic. The nutrient fluid is injected periodically while the oxygenated fluid is injected continuously and both are extracted so that both are drawn across the plume. The nutrient fluid stimulates microbial colony growth; withholding it periodicially forces the larger, healthy colony of microbes to degrade the contaminants. Treatment is continued until the subsurface concentration of contaminants is reduced to an acceptable, preselected level. The nutrient fluid can be methane and the oxygenated fluid air for stimulating production of methanotrophs to break down chlorohydrocarbons, especially trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene.

Bioremediation of contaminated groundwater

DOEpatents

Hazen, T.C.; Fliermans, C.B.

1995-01-24

An apparatus and method are described for in situ remediation of contaminated subsurface soil or groundwater contaminated by chlorinated hydrocarbons. A nutrient fluid is selected to stimulate the growth and reproduction of indigenous subsurface microorganisms that are capable of degrading the contaminants. An oxygenated fluid is selected to create a generally aerobic environment for these microorganisms to degrade the contaminants, leaving only pockets that are anaerobic. The nutrient fluid is injected periodically while the oxygenated fluid is injected continuously and both are extracted so that both are drawn across the plume. The nutrient fluid stimulates microbial colony growth. Withholding it periodically forces the larger, healthy colony of microbes to degrade the contaminants. Treatment is continued until the subsurface concentration of contaminants is reduced to an acceptable, preselected level. The nutrient fluid can be methane and the oxygenated fluid air for stimulating production of methanotrophs to break down chlorohydrocarbons, especially trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene. 3 figures.

Continuous-wave vs. pulsed infrared laser stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tozburun, Serhat; Cilip, Christopher M.; Lagoda, Gwen A.; Burnett, Arthur L.; Fried, Nathaniel M.

2011-03-01

Optical nerve stimulation has recently been developed as an alternative to electrical nerve stimulation. However, recent studies have focused primarily on pulsed delivery of the laser radiation and at relatively low pulse rates. The objective of this study is to demonstrate faster optical stimulation of the prostate cavernous nerves using continuouswave (CW) infrared laser radiation, for potential diagnostic applications. A Thulium fiber laser (λ = 1870 nm) was used for non-contact optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves, in vivo. Optical nerve stimulation, as measured by an intracavernous pressure (ICP) response in the penis, was achieved with the laser operating in either CW mode, or with a 5-ms pulse duration at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 Hz. Successful optical stimulation was observed to be primarily dependent on a threshold nerve temperature (42-45 °C), not an incident fluence, as previously reported. CW optical nerve stimulation provides a significantly faster ICP response time using a laser with lower power output than pulsed stimulation. CW optical nerve stimulation may therefore represent an alternative mode of stimulation for intra-operative diagnostic applications where a rapid response is critical, such as identification of the cavernous nerves during prostate cancer surgery.

Continuous light after a long-day treatment is equivalent to melatonin implants to stimulate testosterone secretion in Alpine male goats.

PubMed

Delgadillo, J A; Vélez, L I; Flores, J A

2016-04-01

In rams, artificial long days followed by continuous light stimulate testosterone secretion during the non-breeding season. The objective of this study was to determine whether artificial long days followed by continuous light could stimulate testosterone secretion in Alpine bucks as well as in those exposed to long days followed by a melatonin treatment. All bucks were kept in shaded open pens. Control males were exposed to natural photoperiod conditions (n=5). Males of the two experimental groups were exposed to 2.5 months of long days from 1 December (n=5 each). On 16 February, one group of males was exposed to 24 h of light per day until 30 June; the other group was exposed to natural variations of photoperiod and received two s.c. melatonin implants. Testicular weight was determined every 2 weeks, and the plasma testosterone concentrations once a week. In the control and the two photoperiodic-treated groups, a treatment×time interaction was detected for testicular weight and plasma testosterone concentrations (P<0.001). In control bucks, testicular weight increased from January and peaked in June, whereas in both photoperiodic-treated groups, this variable increased from January, but peaked in April, when the values were higher than in controls (P<0.05). In the control group, plasma testosterone concentrations remained low from January to June, whereas in both photoperiodic-treated groups, this variable remained low from January to March; thereafter, these levels increased in both photoperiodic-treated groups, and were higher than controls in April and May (P<0.05). We conclude that continuous light after a long-day treatment stimulate testosterone secretion in Alpine male goats during the non-breeding season as well as the long days followed by a melatonin treatment. Therefore, continuous light could replace the implants of melatonin.

A Suprachoroidal Electrical Retinal Stimulator Design for Long-Term Animal Experiments and In Vivo Assessment of Its Feasibility and Biocompatibility in Rabbits

PubMed Central

Zhou, J. A.; Woo, S. J.; Park, S. I.; Kim, E. T.; Seo, J. M.; Chung, H.; Kim, S. J.

2008-01-01

This article reports on a retinal stimulation system for long-term use in animal electrical stimulation experiments. The presented system consisted of an implantable stimulator which provided continuous electrical stimulation, and an external component which provided preset stimulation patterns and power to the implanted stimulator via a paired radio frequency (RF) coil. A rechargeable internal battery and a parameter memory component were introduced to the implanted retinal stimulator. As a result, the external component was not necessary during the stimulation mode. The inductive coil pair was used to pass the parameter data and to recharge the battery. A switch circuit was used to separate the stimulation mode from the battery recharging mode. The implantable stimulator was implemented with IC chips and the electronics, except for the stimulation electrodes, were hermetically packaged in a biocompatible metal case. A polyimide-based gold electrode array was used. Surgical implantation into rabbits was performed to verify the functionality and safety of this newly designed system. The electrodes were implanted in the suprachoroidal space. Evoked cortical potentials were recorded during electrical stimulation of the retina. Long-term follow-up using OCT showed no chorioretinal abnormality after implantation of the electrodes. PMID:18317521

The GalileoMobile Project

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Del Pilar Becerra, A.&ída; Bhatt, Megha; Kobel, Philippe

2012-07-01

GalileoMobile is a traveling science education project by an international team of PhD students and recent graduates (partnering with the Universe Awareness program) that brings astronomy to young people in remote regions of developing countries. Our primary project goals are: (1) to stimulate students' curiosity and interest in learning, (2) to exchange different visions of the cosmos and cultures, and (3) to inspire a feeling of unity "under the same sky" between people from different parts of the world. In 2009, GalileoMobile traveled to 30 schools in Chile, Bolivia and Peru, bringing hands-on activities and Galileoscopes; the team also produced a documentary movie to share the experiences and culture with the world. In 2012, GalileoMobile plans an expedition to India from the 2nd to the 13th of July in villages between Bangalore and Mysore. We will again bring hands-on astronomy activities and telescopes to the schools, and share our experiences with the world via internet resources. GalileoMobile is also collaborating with the Galileo Teacher Training Program to provide workshops for local teachers, to encourage continuation of astronomy education beyond our visit. In this way, we expect to spark sustainable interest in astronomy in remote areas that have little access to science outreach, and to share the culture of these areas with the world -- "under the same sky."

A Molecular Genetics Laboratory Course Applying Bioinformatics and Cell Biology in the Context of Original Research

PubMed Central

Pruitt, Wendy M.; Robinson, Lucy C.

2008-01-01

Research based laboratory courses have been shown to stimulate student interest in science and to improve scientific skills. We describe here a project developed for a semester-long research-based laboratory course that accompanies a genetics lecture course. The project was designed to allow students to become familiar with the use of bioinformatics tools and molecular biology and genetic approaches while carrying out original research. Students were required to present their hypotheses, experiments, and results in a comprehensive lab report. The lab project concerned the yeast casein kinase 1 (CK1) protein kinase Yck2. CK1 protein kinases are present in all organisms and are well conserved in primary structure. These enzymes display sequence features that differ from other protein kinase subfamilies. Students identified such sequences within the CK1 subfamily, chose a sequence to analyze, used available structural data to determine possible functions for their sequences, and designed mutations within the sequences. After generating the mutant alleles, these were expressed in yeast and tested for function by using two growth assays. The student response to the project was positive, both in terms of knowledge and skills increases and interest in research, and several students are continuing the analysis of mutant alleles as summer projects. PMID:19047427

Communication Professionals: A New Market for Continuing Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, Debra A.; Rose, Patricia B.

1995-01-01

A survey of 1,058 American Advertising Federation members and 806 Public Relations Society of America members (564 total responses) revealed widespread interest in continuing education in the form of seminars and workshops to keep current and advance. Interest in degree programs decreased with years of experience. Topic interests included…

Reduced multimodal integration of memory features following continuous theta burst stimulation of angular gyrus.

PubMed

Yazar, Yasemin; Bergström, Zara M; Simons, Jon S

Lesions of the angular gyrus (AnG) region of human parietal cortex do not cause amnesia, but appear to be associated with reduction in the ability to consciously experience the reliving of previous events. We used continuous theta burst stimulation to test the hypothesis that the cognitive mechanism implicated in this memory deficit might be the integration of retrieved sensory event features into a coherent multimodal memory representation. Healthy volunteers received stimulation to AnG or a vertex control site after studying stimuli that each comprised a visual object embedded in a scene, with the name of the object presented auditorily. Participants were then asked to make memory judgments about the studied stimuli that involved recollection of single event features (visual or auditory), or required integration of event features within the same modality, or across modalities. Participants' ability to retrieve context features from across multiple modalities was significantly reduced after AnG stimulation compared to stimulation of the vertex. This effect was observed only for the integration of cross-modal context features but not for integration of features within the same modality, and could not be accounted for by task difficulty as performance was matched across integration conditions following vertex stimulation. These results support the hypothesis that AnG is necessary for the multimodal integration of distributed cortical episodic features into a unified conscious representation that enables the experience of remembering. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Newberry Well 55-29 Stimulation Data 2014

DOE Data Explorer

Trenton T. Cladouhos

2015-09-03

The Newberry Volcano EGS Demonstration in central Oregon, a 5 year project begun in 2010, tests recent technological advances designed to reduce the cost of power generated by EGS in a hot, dry well (NWG 55-29) drilled in 2008. First, the stimulation pumps used were designed to run for weeks and deliver large volumes of water at moderate well-head pressure. Second, to stimulate multiple zones, AltaRock developed thermo-degradable zonal isolation materials (TZIMs) to seal off fractures in a geothermal well to stimulate secondary and tertiary fracture zones. The TZIMs degrade within weeks, resulting in an optimized injection/ production profile of the entire well. Third, the project followed a project-specific Induced Seismicity Mitigation Plan (ISMP) to evaluate, monitor for, and mitigate felt induced seismicity. An initial stimulation was conducted in 2012 and continued for 7 weeks, with over 41,000 m3 of water injected. Further analysis indicated a shallow casing leak and an unstable formation in the open hole. The well was repaired with a shallow casing tieback and perforated liner in the open hole and re-stimulated in 2014. The second stimulation started September 23rd, 2014 and continued for 3 weeks with over 9,500 m3 of water injected. The well was treated with several batches of newly tested TZIM diverter materials and a newly designed Diverter Injection Vessel Assembly (DIVA), which was the main modification to the original injection system design used in 2012. A second round of stimulation that included two perforation shots and additional batches of TZIM was conducted on November 11th, 2014 for 9 days with an additional 4,000 m3 of water injected. The stimulations resulted in a 3-4 fold increase in injectivity, and PTS data indicates partial blocking and creation of flow zones near the bottom of the well.

Effects of Intramuscular Trunk Stimulation on Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Mechanics in Six Subjects with Spinal Cord Injury

PubMed Central

Triolo, Ronald J.; Bailey, Stephanie Nogan; Lombardo, Lisa M.; Miller, Michael E.; Foglyano, Kevin; Audu, Musa L.

2014-01-01

Objective To quantify the effects of stabilizing the paralyzed trunk and pelvis with electrical stimulation on manual wheelchair propulsion. Design Single-subject design case series with subjects acting as their own concurrent controls. Setting Hospital-based clinical biomechanics laboratory. Participants Six (4M, 2F age 46±10.8yrs) long-time users (6.1±3.9yrs) of implanted neuroprostheses for lower extremity function with chronic (8.6±2.8yrs) mid-cervical or thoracic level injuries (C6-T10). Interventions Continuous low level stimulation to the hip (gluteus maximus, posterior adductor or hamstrings) and trunk extensor (lumbar erector spinae and/or quadratus lumborum) muscles with implanted intramuscular electrodes. Main Outcome Measure(s) Pushrim kinetics (peak resultant force, fraction effective force), kinematics (cadence, stroke length and maximum forward lean), and peak shoulder moment at preferred speed over 10m level surface; speed, pushrim kinetics and subjective ratings of effort for level 100m sprints and up a 30.5m ramp of approximately 5% grade. Results Three out of five subjects demonstrated reduced peak resultant pushrim forces (p≤0.014) and improved efficiency, (p≤0.048) with stimulation during self-paced level propulsion. Peak sagittal shoulder moment remained unchanged in three subjects and increased in two others (p<0.001). Maximal forward trunk lean also increased by 19-26% (p<0.001) with stimulation in these three subjects. Stroke lengths were unchanged by stimulation in all subjects, and two showed extremely small (5%) but statistically significant increases in cadence (p≤0.021). Performance measures for sprints and inclines were generally unchanged with stimulation, however subjects consistently rated propulsion with stimulation to be easier for both surfaces. Conclusions Stabilizing the pelvis and trunk with low levels of continuous electrical stimulation to the lumbar trunk and hip extensors can positively impact the mechanics of manual wheelchair propulsion and reduce both perceived and physical measures of effort. PMID:23628377

The concept of invariance in school mathematics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Libeskind, Shlomo; Stupel, Moshe; Oxman, Victor

2018-01-01

In this paper, we highlight examples from school mathematics in which invariance did not receive the attention it deserves. We describe how problems related to invariance stimulated the interest of both teachers and students. In school mathematics, invariance is of particular relevance in teaching and learning geometry. When permitted change leaves some relationships or properties invariant, these properties prove to be inherently interesting to teachers and students.

Helping Your Child Learn History, with Activities for Children in Preschool through Grade 5. Revised

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Reed, Elaine; Lehr, Fran

2004-01-01

U.S. educators recognize that the study of history is a vital part of a child's overall education and that parents are in the best position to encourage their children's natural interest in history. This booklet is designed as a tool for parents to use in stimulating their children's interest in and knowledge about history. The booklet includes:…

BTG2 Antiproliferative Gene and Prostate Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

but at 4 hours following growth stimulation of quiescent cells, BTG2 is transiently sequestered in the nucleolus coinciding with transiently reduced...that were quiescent (0 hr) or had been stimulated to enter the growth cycle by addition of EGF (1 hr to 24 hr). Arrows show nucleolus . BTG2...Interestingly and unexpectedly, prior to 4 hr BTG2 does not accumulate in the nucleolus , but at 4hr (corresponding with the S-phase of the cell cycle

Electrical stimulation in exercise training

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kroll, Walter

1994-01-01

Electrical stimulation has a long history of use in medicine dating back to 46 A.D. when the Roman physician Largus found the electrical discharge of torpedo fishes useful in the treatment of pain produced by headache and gout. A rival Greek physician, Dioscorides, discounted the value of the torpedo fish for headache relief but did recommend its use in the treatment of hemorrhoids. In 1745, the Leyden jar and various sized electrostatic generators were used to treat angina pectoris, epilepsy, hemiplegia, kidney stones, and sciatica. Benjamin Franklin used an electrical device to treat successfully a young woman suffering from convulsive fits. In the late 1800's battery powered hydroelectric baths were used to treat chronic inflammation of the uterus while electrified athletic supporters were advertised for the treatment of male problems. Fortunately, such an amusing early history of the simple beginnings of electrical stimulation did not prevent eventual development of a variety of useful therapeutic and rehabilitative applications of electrical stimulation. Over the centuries electrical stimulation has survived as a modality in the treatment of various medical disorders with its primary application being in the rehabilitation area. Recently, a surge of new interest in electrical stimulation has been kindled by the work of a Russian sport scientist who reported remarkable muscle strength and endurance improvements in elite athletes. Yakov Kots reported his research on electric stimulation and strength improvements in 1977 at a Canadian-Soviet Exchange Symposium held at Concordia University in Montreal. Since then an explosion of new studies has been seen in both sport science and in medicine. Based upon the reported works of Kots and the present surge of new investigations, one could be misled as to the origin of electrical stimulation as a technique to increase muscle strength. As a matter of fact, electric stimulation has been used as a technique to improve muscle strength for over a century. Bigelow reported in 1894, for example, the use of electrical stimulation on a young man for the purpose of increasing muscle strength. Employing a rapidly alternating sinusoidal induced current and a dynamometer for strength testing, Bigelow reported that the total lifting capacity of a patient increased from 4328 pounds to 4639 pounds after only 25 minutes of stimulation. In 1965, Massey et al. reported on the use of an Isotron electrical stimulator that emitted a high frequency current. Interestingly enough, the frequencies used by Massey et al. and the frequencies used by Bigelow in 1894 were in the same range of frequencies reported by Kots as being the most effective in strength development. It would seem the Russian secret of high frequency electrical stimulation for strength development, then, is not a modern development at all.

Stimulation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi by mycotrophic and nonmycotrophic plant root systems.

PubMed

Schreiner, R P; Koide, R T

1993-08-01

Transformed root cultures of three nonmycotrophic and one mycotrophic plant species stimulated germination and hyphal growth of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum (Becker & Gerd.) in a gel medium. However, only roots of the mycotrophic species (carrot) supported continued hyphal exploration after 3 to 4 weeks and promoted appressoria formation by G. etunicatum.

Stimulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis in neonatal pigs by long-term infusion of leucine is amino acid dependent

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Infusing leucine for 1 hr increases skeletal muscle protein synthesis in neonatal pigs, but this is not sustained for 2 h unless the leucine-induced fall in amino acids is prevented. We aimed to determine whether continuous leucine infusion can stimulate protein synthesis for a prolonged period whe...

Female Sexual Dysfunction

MedlinePlus

... of sexual interest and willingness to be sexual. Sexual arousal disorder. Your desire for sex might be intact, ... or recurrent difficulty in achieving orgasm after sufficient sexual arousal and ongoing stimulation. Sexual pain disorder. You have ...

The Cosmos in the Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lazarev, V. G.

1976-01-01

Space biology and medicine provide conceptions and empirical data that serve as classroom topics and illustrations of biology. This approach spreads space achievement information, stimulates student interest, and relates theory to practice. (Author/ND)

26 CFR 1.852-10 - Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment trusts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... investment trusts. 1.852-10 Section 1.852-10 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.852-10 Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment...

26 CFR 1.852-10 - Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment trusts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... investment trusts. 1.852-10 Section 1.852-10 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.852-10 Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment...

26 CFR 1.852-10 - Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment trusts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... investment trusts. 1.852-10 Section 1.852-10 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.852-10 Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment...

26 CFR 1.852-10 - Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment trusts.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... investment trusts. 1.852-10 Section 1.852-10 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Regulated Investment Companies and Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.852-10 Distributions in redemption of interests in unit investment...

The coupling of nicotine and stimulant craving during treatment for stimulant dependence.

PubMed

Magee, Joshua C; Winhusen, Theresa

2016-03-01

Smoking prevalence is high among substance abusers, making it important to understand when nicotine abstinence will aid, impair, or not affect abstinence from other substances. This study tested novel hypotheses about the coupling of nicotine and stimulant craving over time during stimulant dependence treatment. Adults (N = 538) with cocaine and/or methamphetamine dependence completed a 10-week randomized controlled trial of substance use treatment with or without smoking cessation treatment. Participants reported nicotine and stimulant craving weekly and use twice per week. Latent change score modeling tested the association between weekly increases in nicotine craving and subsequent weekly changes in stimulant craving. Interestingly, results revealed a "substitution" effect: increases in nicotine craving predicted subsequent decreases in stimulant craving, γ = -.37, p = .001. Additionally, increases in nicotine craving predicted subsequent increases in nicotine use, γ = 1.26, p = .04, and decreases in stimulant use, γ = -.07, p = .03. As expected, the substitution effect between nicotine and stimulant craving was stronger when stimulants were administered through the same route as nicotine (i.e., smoking), γ = -.56, p = .005, versus other routes, γ = -.32, p = .06. Finally, smoking cessation treatment eliminated the coupling between nicotine craving and stimulant craving, γ = -.07, p = .39. Contrary to concerns about nicotine abstinence during substance dependence treatment, increases in nicotine craving may be associated with later reductions in stimulant craving and use, and unrelated when smoking cessation treatment is introduced. Weekly changes in nicotine craving convey information that can help clinicians to predict and understand shifts in stimulant craving and use during substance use disorder treatment. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Continuous-wave stimulated Raman scattering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bryant, C. H.; Golombok, M.

1991-04-01

The first observation of continuous-wave stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) is reported. Both forward and enhanced backward SRS were observed in liquids, and the large spectral frequency shift between pump and probe makes signal detection easy. No separate collection optics are necessary for the backscattered SRS, whose signal-to-noise ratio is much improved compared with that measured by forward or side scatter. This is attributed to the existence of a phase-conjugate beam. Higher orders of Stokes scattering are also observed in return. Contrary to theoretical expectation, both forward-scattered and backscattered signals have identical gains owing to saturation effects in a number of the high-gain liquids studied.

A Mobile Early Stimulation Program to Support Children with Developmental Delays in Brazil.

PubMed

Dias, Raquel da Luz; Silva, Kátia Cristina Correa Guimarães; Lima, Marcela Raquel de Oliveira; Alves, João Guilherme Bezerra; Abidi, Syed Sibte Raza

2018-01-01

Developmental delay is a deviation development from the normative milestones during the childhood and it may be caused by neurological disorders. Early stimulation is a standardized and simple technique to treat developmental delays in children (aged 0-3 years), allowing them to reach the best development possible and to mitigate neuropsychomotor sequelae. However, the outcomes of the treatment depending on the involvement of the family, to continue the activities at home on a daily basis. To empower and educate parents of children with neurodevelopmental delays to administer standardized early stimulation programs at home, we developed a mobile early stimulation program that provides timely and evidence-based clinical decision support to health professionals and a personalized guidance to parents about how to administer early stimulation to their child at home.

26 CFR 1.884-4 - Branch-level interest tax.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 9 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Branch-level interest tax. 1.884-4 Section 1.884-4 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Foreign Corporations § 1.884-4 Branch-level interest tax. (a) General rule—(1) Tax...

26 CFR 1.216-1 - Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to cooperative housing corporation.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... the cooperative housing corporation's total interest or real estate taxes as the fair market value of... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Amounts representing taxes and interest paid to... OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Additional Itemized Deductions for...

26 CFR 1.1014-8 - Bequest, devise, or inheritance of a remainder interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Basis Rules of General Application § 1.1014-8 Bequest, devise... basis of the remainderman's heir, legatee, or devisee for the remainder interest is determined by adding... between— (i) The value of the remainder interest included in the remainderman's estate, and (ii) The basis...

Hemodynamic changes in the brachial artery induced by acupuncture stimulation on the lower limbs: a single-blind randomized controlled trial.

PubMed

Watanabe, Masashi; Takayama, Shin; Hirano, Atsushi; Seki, Takashi; Yaegashi, Nobuo

2012-01-01

Acupuncture is commonly performed at acupoints. No comparisons of quantitative physiological alterations in the brachial artery (BA) induced by the stimulation of different acupoints in the lower limbs have been performed in humans. Therefore, we investigated changes in blood flow volume (BFV) in the BA as an indicator of the physiological effects induced by stimulation at 3 points. Seventy-five healthy participants aged 33 ± 9 years (mean ± SD) were enrolled and randomly assigned to 3 groups; they received stimulation at 3 different points located on the lower limbs: ST36, LR3, and a non-acupoint. Stimulation was performed bilaterally with manual rotation of the needles. Using ultrasonography, BFV was measured continuously from rest to 180 seconds after stimulation. LR3 stimulation significantly increased BFV compared to that before needle insertion. Meanwhile, stimulation at ST36 and the non-acupoint significantly decreased BFV compared to that before needle insertion. Stimulation at LR3 elicited a significant increase in BFV compared to that at ST36 and the non-acupoint. The results suggest that the stimulation of different points on the lower limbs causes distinct physiological effects on BFV in the BA.

Effects of sciatic nerve stimulation on the propagation of cortical spreading depression

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sun, Xiaoli; Yu, Zhidong; Zeng, Shaoqun; Luo, Qingming; Li, Pengcheng

2008-02-01

Cortical spreading depression (CSD) is an important pathological model of migraine and is related to other neural disorders, such as cerebral ischemia and epilepsy. It has been reported that brain stimulation is a quite effective way to treat neural diseases. However, direct stimulation could cause harm to brain. If peripheral nerve stimulation could have the same treatment, it would be essential to investigate the mechanisms of peripheral nerve and the study of sciatic nerve stimulation would have profound clinical meaning. In this paper, we used optical intrinsic signal imaging (OISI) and extracellular electrophysiologic recording techniques to study the effects of sciatic nerve stimulation on the propagation of CSD. We found that: (1) continuous sciatic nerve stimulation on rats caused a decrease in light intensity on the whole cortex, which meant an increase in cerebral blood volume(CBV); (2) the spreading velocity of CSD declined from 3.63+/- 0.272 mm/min to 3.06+/-0.260 mm/min during sciatic nerve stimulation, compared with that without sciatic nerve stimulation. In summary, data suggests that sciatic nerve stimulation elicits a response of cortex and causes a slowdown in the propagation of CSD.

Transfer research and impact studies program

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Freeman, J. E. (Editor)

1975-01-01

Methods developed for stimulating interest in the transfer of NASA-originated technology are described. These include: new information packaging concepts; technology transfer via people transfer; information management systems; data bank operations; and professional communication activities.

Students from Aurora Triumph in Competition of the Mind

Science.gov Websites

fast-paced questions about physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth educational programs to help stimulate young people's interest in science and math. NR-00797

High School Teams Compete in Science Bowl

Science.gov Websites

fire question and answer tournament which focuses on physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry National Science Bowl eight years ago to help stimulate interest in science and math. The competition has

National Science Bowl Competitors Win Trip to Colorado

Science.gov Websites

-elimination contests. Student teams faced off in a fast-paced match of questions about physics, math, biology stimulate students' interests in science and math. NR-02497 Follow NREL

International Coordination of Lunar Polar Volatiles Exploration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gruener, J. E.; Suzuki, N. H.; Carpenter, J. D.

2015-10-01

The International Space Exploration Coordination Group (ISECG) has established a study team to coordinate the worldwide interest in lunar polar volatiles, and in particular water ice, in an effort to stimulate cooperation and collaboration.

Noninvasive brain stimulation to suppress craving in substance use disorders: review of human evidence and methodological considerations for future work

PubMed Central

Hone-Blanchet, Antoine; Ciraulo, Domenic A; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro; Fecteau, Shirley

2016-01-01

Substance use disorders (SUDs) can be viewed as a pathology of neuroadaptation. The pharmacological overstimulation of neural mechanisms of reward, motivated learning and memory leads to drug-seeking behavior. A critical characteristic of SUDs is the appearance of craving, the motivated desire and urge to use, which is a main focus of current pharmacological and behavioral therapies. Recent proof-of-concept studies have tested the effects of non-invasive brain stimulation on craving. Although its mechanisms of action are not fully understood, this approach shows interesting potential in tuning down craving and possibly consumption of diverse substances. This article reviews available results on the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) in SUDs, specifically tobacco, alcohol and psychostimulant use disorders. We discuss several important factors that need to be addressed in future works to improve clinical assessment and effects of non-invasive brain stimulation in SUDs. Factors discussed include brain stimulation devices and parameters, study designs, brain states and subjects’ characteristics. PMID:26449761

After-effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on the excitability of the motor cortex in rats.

PubMed

Koo, Ho; Kim, Min Sun; Han, Sang Who; Paulus, Walter; Nitche, Michael A; Kim, Yun-Hee; Kim, Hyoung-Ihl; Ko, Sung-Hwa; Shin, Yong-Il

2016-09-21

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is increasingly seen as a useful tool for noninvasive cortical neuromodulation. A number of studies in humans have shown that when tDCS is applied to the motor cortex it can modulate cortical excitability. It is especially interesting to note that when applied with sufficient duration and intensity, tDCS can enable long-lasting neuroplastic effects. However, the mechanism by which tDCS exerts its effects on the cortex is not fully understood. We investigated the effects of anodal tDCS under urethane anesthesia on field potentials in in vivo rats. These were measured on the skull over the right motor cortex of rats immediately after stimulating the left corpus callosum. Evoked field potentials in the motor cortex were gradually increased for more than one hour after anodal tDCS. To induce these long-lasting effects, a sufficient duration of stimulation (20 minutes or more) was found to may be required rather than high stimulation intensity. We propose that anodal tDCS with a sufficient duration of stimulation may modulate transcallosal plasticity.

Noninvasive brain stimulation to suppress craving in substance use disorders: Review of human evidence and methodological considerations for future work.

PubMed

Hone-Blanchet, Antoine; Ciraulo, Domenic A; Pascual-Leone, Alvaro; Fecteau, Shirley

2015-12-01

Substance use disorders (SUDs) can be viewed as a pathology of neuroadaptation. The pharmacological overstimulation of neural mechanisms of reward, motivated learning and memory leads to drug-seeking behavior. A critical characteristic of SUDs is the appearance of craving, the motivated desire and urge to use, which is a main focus of current pharmacological and behavioral therapies. Recent proof-of-concept studies have tested the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation on craving. Although its mechanisms of action are not fully understood, this approach shows interesting potential in tuning down craving and possibly consumption of diverse substances. This article reviews available results on the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) in SUDs, specifically tobacco, alcohol and psychostimulant use disorders. We discuss several important factors that need to be addressed in future works to improve clinical assessment and effects of noninvasive brain stimulation in SUDs. Factors discussed include brain stimulation devices and parameters, study designs, brain states and subjects' characteristics. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Electrical brain stimulation (tES) improves learning more than performance: A meta-analysis.

PubMed

Simonsmeier, Bianca A; Grabner, Roland H; Hein, Julia; Krenz, Ugne; Schneider, Michael

2018-01-01

Researchers have recently started evaluating whether stimulating the brain noninvasively with a weak and painless electrical current (transcranial Electrical Stimulation, tES) enhances physiological and cognitive processes. Some studies found that tES has weak but positive effects on brain physiology, cognition, or assessment performance, which has attracted massive public interest. We present the first meta-analytic test of the hypothesis that tES in a learning phase is more effective than tES in an assessment phase. The meta-analysis included 246 effect sizes from studies on language or mathematical competence. The effect of tES was stronger when stimulation was administered during a learning phase (d=0.712) as compared to stimulation administered during test performance (d=0.207). The overall effect was stimulation-dosage specific and, as found in a previous meta-analysis, significant only for anodal stimulation and not for cathodal. The results provide evidence for the modulation of long-term synaptic plasticity by tES in the context of practically relevant learning tasks and highlight the need for more systematic evaluations of tES in educational settings. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The synergistic effect on osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells by diode laser-treated stimulating human umbilical vein endothelial cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kao, Chia-Tze; Hsu, Tuan-Ti; Huang, Tsui-Hsien; Wu, Yu-Tin; Chen, Yi-Wen; Shie, Ming-You

2016-02-01

Angiogenesis plays an important role in determining the biostimulation of bone regeneration, in either new bone or blood vessel formation. Human umbilical cord cells (HUVECs) are important effector cells in angiogenesis and are indispensable for osteogenesis and for their heterogeneity and plasticity. However, there are very few studies about the effects of HUVECs on diode laser-stimulated/regulated osteogenesis. In this study, we used diode laser as a model biostimulation to examine the role of HUVECs on laser-stimulated osteogenesis. Several bone formation-related proteins were also significantly up-regulated by the diode laser stimulation, indicating that HUVECs may participate in diode laser-stimulated osteogenesis. Interestingly, when human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) cultured with HUVECs were diode laser-treated, the osteogenesis differentiation of the hMSCs was significantly promoted, indicating the important role of HUVECs in diode laser-enhanced osteogenesis. Adequately activated HUVECs are vital for the success of diode laser-stimulated hard-tissue regeneration. These findings provided valuable insights into the mechanism of diode laser-stimulated osteogenic differentiation, and a strategy to optimize the evaluation system for the in vitro osteogenesis capacity of laser treatment in periodontal repair.

Communicating Biology Through Continuing Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carter, Jack L.

1978-01-01

The author describes the need for a national program in continuing adult education made available for interested students when they are interested. To finance these free community schools, federal support is required. (MA)

Effects of lower-cost incentives on stimulant abstinence in methadone maintenance treatment: a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network study.

PubMed

Peirce, Jessica M; Petry, Nancy M; Stitzer, Maxine L; Blaine, Jack; Kellogg, Scott; Satterfield, Frank; Schwartz, Marion; Krasnansky, Joe; Pencer, Eileen; Silva-Vazquez, Lolita; Kirby, Kimberly C; Royer-Malvestuto, Charlotte; Roll, John M; Cohen, Allan; Copersino, Marc L; Kolodner, Ken; Li, Rui

2006-02-01

Contingency management interventions that provide tangible incentives based on objective indicators of drug abstinence have improved treatment outcomes of substance abusers, but have not been widely implemented in community drug abuse treatment settings. To compare outcomes achieved when a lower-cost prize-based contingency management treatment is added to usual care in community methadone hydrochloride maintenance treatment settings. Random assignment to usual care with (n = 198) or without (n = 190) abstinence incentives during a 12-week trial. Six community-based methadone maintenance drug abuse treatment clinics in locations across the United States. Three hundred eighty-eight stimulant-abusing patients enrolled in methadone maintenance programs for at least 1 month and no more than 3 years. Participants submitting stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples earned draws for a chance to win prizes; the number of draws earned increased with continuous abstinence time. Total number of stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples provided, percentage of stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples provided, longest duration of abstinence, retention, and counseling attendance. Submission of stimulant- and alcohol-negative samples was twice as likely for incentive as for usual care group participants (odds ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-2.77). Achieving 4 or more, 8 or more, and 12 weeks of continuous abstinence was approximately 3, 9, and 11 times more likely, respectively, for incentive vs usual care participants. Groups did not differ on study retention or counseling attendance. The average cost of prizes was 120 dollars per participant. An abstinence incentive approach that paid 120 dollars in prizes per participant effectively increased stimulant abstinence in community-based methadone maintenance treatment clinics.

Multiple blocks of intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation applied via transcranial magnetic stimulation differently affect sensory responses in rat barrel cortex

PubMed Central

Thimm, Andreas; Funke, Klaus

2015-01-01

Cortical sensory processing varies with cortical state and the balance of inhibition to excitation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to modulate human cortical excitability. In a rat model, we recently showed that intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) applied to the corpus callosum, to activate primarily supragranular cortical pyramidal cells but fewer subcortical neurons, strongly reduced the cortical expression of parvalbumin (PV), indicating reduced activity of fast-spiking interneurons. Here, we used the well-studied rodent barrel cortex system to test how iTBS and continuous TBS (cTBS) modulate sensory responses evoked by either single or double stimuli applied to the principal (PW) and/or adjacent whisker (AW) in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Compared to sham stimulation, iTBS but not cTBS particularly enhanced late (>18 ms) response components of multi-unit spiking and local field potential responses in layer 4 but not the very early response (<18 ms). Similarly, only iTBS diminished the suppression of the second response evoked by paired PW or AW–PW stimulation at 20 ms intervals. The effects increased with each of the five iTBS blocks applied. With cTBS a mild effect similar to that of iTBS was first evident after 4–5 stimulation blocks. Enhanced cortical c-Fos and zif268 expression but reduced PV and GAD67 expression was found only after iTBS, indicating increased cortical activity due to lowered inhibition. We conclude that iTBS but less cTBS may primarily weaken a late recurrent-type cortical inhibition mediated via a subset of PV+ interneurons, enabling stronger late response components believed to contribute to the perception of sensory events. PMID:25504571

The leaky pipeline: factors associated with early decline in interest in premedical studies among underrepresented minority undergraduate students.

PubMed

Barr, Donald A; Gonzalez, Maria Elena; Wanat, Stanley F

2008-05-01

To determine the causes among underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups (URM) of a decline in interest during the undergraduate years in pursuing a career in medicine. From fall 2002 through 2007, the authors conducted a longitudinal study of 362 incoming Stanford freshmen (23% URM) who indicated on a freshman survey that they hoped to become physicians. Using a 10-point scale of interest, the authors measured the change in students' levels of interest in continuing premedical studies between the beginning of freshman year and the end of sophomore year. Follow-up interviews were conducted with 68 participants, approximately half of whom had experienced decreases in interest in continuing as premeds, and half of whom who had experienced increases in interest. URM students showed a larger decline in interest than did non-URM students; women showed a larger decline than did men, independent of race or ethnicity. The authors found no association between scholastic ability as measured by SAT scores and changes in level of interest. The principal reason given by students for their loss of interest in continuing as premeds was a negative experience in one or more chemistry courses. Students also identified problems in the university's undergraduate advising system as a contributor. Largely because of negative experiences with chemistry classes, URM students and women show a disproportionate decline in interest in continuing in premedical studies, with the result that fewer apply to medical school.

New oenological practice to promote non-Saccharomyces species of interest: saturating grape juice with carbon dioxide.

PubMed

Chasseriaud, Laura; Coulon, Joana; Marullo, Philippe; Albertin, Warren; Bely, Marina

2018-04-01

Non-Saccharomyces yeast species, naturally found in grape must, may impact wine quality positively or negatively. In this study, a mixture of five non-Saccharomyces species (Torulaspora delbrueckii, Metschnikowia spp., Starmerella bacillaris (formerly called Candida zemplinina), Hanseniaspora uvarum, Pichia kluyveri), mimicking the composition of the natural non-Saccharomyces community found in grape must, was used for alcoholic fermentation. The impact of CO 2 saturation of the grape juice was studied first on this mixture alone, and then in the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two isogenic strains of this species were used: the first with a short and the second a long fermentation lag phase. This study demonstrated that saturating grape juice with CO 2 had interesting potential as an oenological technique, inhibiting undesirable species (S. bacillaris and H. uvarum) and stimulating non-Saccharomyces of interest (T. delbrueckii and P. kluyveri). This stimulating effect was particularly marked when CO 2 saturation was associated with the presence of S. cerevisiae with long fermentation lag phase. The direct consequence of this association was an enhancement of 3-SH levels in the resulting wine.

Feasibility of controlled micturition through electric stimulation.

PubMed

Schmidt, R A; Tanagho, E A

1979-01-01

Historically, man has been aware of bioelectric phenomena for some 4,000 years. Yet it has only been during the last 20 years that technology has advanced to the stage where controlled bladder emptying has become feasible. A great deal of interest followed the introduction of transistor and bladder stimulation via the principle of radio frequency induction. Spinal cord, sacral, and pelvic nerve and direct bladder stimulation have all been attempted. Only direct bladder stimulation in lower motor neuron situations has shown any promise. The many difficulties associated with bladder stimulation include simultaneous sphincter contraction, pain, electrode and insulation difficulties, and fibroplasia due to movement of electrodes placed in pliable tissues. In addition, the role of the prostate, increased urethral length, and erection responses in the male have received little investigation. These problems are outlined and experimental observations of attempts to achieve controlled micturition in canines areresented. These studies were carried out over a 3-year period, and emphasize responses to stimulation of the spinal cord and sacral roots. It was concluded that the most efficient manner by which to effect simulated micturition is via stimulation of the ventral sacral root dominant for bladder responsiveness, and combine this with selective division of somatic fibers of only the root being stimulated.

The Importance of Accuracy, Stimulating writing, and Relevance in Middle School Science Textbook Writing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hubisz, John

2004-05-01

While accuracy in Middle School science texts is most important, the texts should also read well, stimulating the student to want to go on, and the material must be relevant to the subject at hand as the typical student is not yet prepared to ignore that which is irrelevant. We know that children will read if the material is of interest (witness The Lord of the Rings and the Harry Potter book sales) and so we must write in a way that stimulates the student to want to examine the subject further and eliminate that which adds nothing to the discipline. Examples of the good and the bad will be presented.

Electro-Quasistatic Simulations in Bio-Systems Engineering and Medical Engineering

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

van Rienen, U.; Flehr, J.; Schreiber, U.; Schulze, S.; Gimsa, U.; Baumann, W.; Weiss, D. G.; Gimsa, J.; Benecke, R.; Pau, H.-W.

2005-05-01

Slowly varying electromagnetic fields play a key role in various applications in bio-systems and medical engineering. Examples are the electric activity of neurons on neurochips used as biosensors, the stimulating electric fields of implanted electrodes used for deep brain stimulation in patients with Morbus Parkinson and the stimulation of the auditory nerves in deaf patients, respectively. In order to simulate the neuronal activity on a chip it is necessary to couple Maxwell's and Hodgkin-Huxley's equations. First numerical results for a neuron coupling to a single electrode are presented. They show a promising qualitative agreement with the experimentally recorded signals. Further, simulations are presented on electrodes for deep brain stimulation in animal experiments where the question of electrode ageing and energy deposition in the surrounding tissue are of major interest. As a last example, electric simulations for a simple cochlea model are presented comparing the field in the skull bones for different electrode types and stimulations in different positions.

26 CFR 1.642(a)(1)-1 - Partially tax-exempt interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Partially tax-exempt interest. 1.642(a)(1)-1 Section 1.642(a)(1)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Estates, Trusts, and Beneficiaries § 1.642(a)(1)-1...

26 CFR 1.860G-1 - Definition of regular and residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860G-1... or the amount of income from permitted investments (as defined in § 1.860G-2(g)); or (B) The timing... interest is affected by defaults on qualified mortgages and permitted investments, unanticipated expenses...

26 CFR 1.860G-1 - Definition of regular and residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860G-1... or the amount of income from permitted investments (as defined in § 1.860G-2(g)); or (B) The timing... interest is affected by defaults on qualified mortgages and permitted investments, unanticipated expenses...

26 CFR 1.860G-1 - Definition of regular and residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860G-1... or the amount of income from permitted investments (as defined in § 1.860G-2(g)); or (B) The timing... interest is affected by defaults on qualified mortgages and permitted investments, unanticipated expenses...

26 CFR 1.860G-1 - Definition of regular and residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860G-1... or the amount of income from permitted investments (as defined in § 1.860G-2(g)); or (B) The timing... interest is affected by defaults on qualified mortgages and permitted investments, unanticipated expenses...

26 CFR 1.642(a)(1)-1 - Partially tax-exempt interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Partially tax-exempt interest. 1.642(a)(1)-1 Section 1.642(a)(1)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Estates, Trusts, and Beneficiaries § 1.642(a)(1)-1...

26 CFR 1.642(a)(1)-1 - Partially tax-exempt interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Partially tax-exempt interest. 1.642(a)(1)-1 Section 1.642(a)(1)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Estates, Trusts, and Beneficiaries § 1.642(a)(1)-1...

26 CFR 1.642(a)(1)-1 - Partially tax-exempt interest.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Partially tax-exempt interest. 1.642(a)(1)-1 Section 1.642(a)(1)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Estates, Trusts, and Beneficiaries § 1.642(a)(1)-1...

United States Air Force High School Apprenticeship Program: 1989 Program Management Report. Volume 3

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-12-01

orrtent of visual or auditory stimulus exposed to the eyes o- oays -t a level below normal threshold, it is possible to perceive the subliminal stimuli...usually to small or vague to be consciously recognized, but they are declared to influence the 87-6 viewer’s subconsc’ious sex drive. Stimulation below...programs the mechanisms to stimulate career interests in science and technology in high school students showing promise in these areas. The Air Force High

Unilateral prefrontal direct current stimulation effects are modulated by working memory load and gender.

PubMed

Meiron, Oded; Lavidor, Michal

2013-05-01

Recent studies revealed that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) may improve verbal working memory (WM) performance in humans. In the present study, we evaluated executive attention, which is the core of WM capacity, considered to be significantly involved in tasks that require active maintenance of memory representations in interference-rich conditions, and is highly dependent on DLPFC function. We investigated verbal WM accuracy using a WM task that is highly sensitive to executive attention function. We were interested in how verbal WM accuracy may be affected by WM load, unilateral DLPFC stimulation, and gender, as previous studies showed gender-dependent brain activation during verbal WM tasks. We utilized a modified verbal n-Back task hypothesized to increase demands on executive attention. We examined "online" WM performance while participants received transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), and implicit learning performance in a post-stimulation WM task. Significant lateralized "online" stimulation effects were found only in the highest WM load condition revealing that males benefit from left DLPFC stimulation, while females benefit from right DLPFC stimulation. High WM load performance in the left DLPFC stimulation was significantly related to post-stimulation recall performance. Our findings support the idea that lateralized stimulation effects in high verbal WM load may be gender-dependent. Further, our post-stimulation results support the idea that increased left hemisphere activity may be important for encoding verbal information into episodic memory as well as for facilitating retrieval of context-specific targets from semantic memory. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The effect of non traditional teaching methods in entrepreneurship education on students entrepreneurial interest and business startups: A data article.

PubMed

Olokundun, Maxwell; Moses, Chinonye Love; Iyiola, Oluwole; Ibidunni, Stephen; Ogbari, Mercy; Peter, Fred; Borishade, Taiye

2018-08-01

Traditional methods of teaching entrepreneurship in universities involves more theoretical approaches which are less effective in motivating considerations for an entrepreneurship career. This owes to the fact that such techniques essentially make students develop a dormant attitude rather than active participation. Expert views suggest that experiential entrepreneurship teaching methods in universities which involve practical activities and active participation can be considered salient to students' development of entrepreneurial interest an business startup potentials. This present study presents data on the extent to which experiential teaching methods in entrepreneurship adopted by Nigerian universities stimulate students' entrepreneurial interest and business startups. Data have been gathered following a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative survey conducted among university students ( N = 600) of four selected institutions in Nigeria offering a degree programme in entrepreneurship. Hierarchical Multiple Regression Analysis was used in confirming the hypothesis proposed in the study using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.The findings from the analysis showed that the adoption of experiential practical activities considered as best practices in entrepreneurship teaching in Nigerian universities can stimulate students' interest and drive for engaging in business start-up activities even as undergraduates. The field data set is made extensively available to allow for critical investigation.

Stimulation of Vesicular-Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi by Mycotrophic and Nonmycotrophic Plant Root Systems

PubMed Central

Schreiner, R. Paul; Koide, Roger T.

1993-01-01

Transformed root cultures of three nonmycotrophic and one mycotrophic plant species stimulated germination and hyphal growth of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum (Becker & Gerd.) in a gel medium. However, only roots of the mycotrophic species (carrot) supported continued hyphal exploration after 3 to 4 weeks and promoted appressoria formation by G. etunicatum. Images PMID:16349030

Observation of strong stimulated photorefractive scattering and self-pumped phase conjugation in LiNbO3:Mg in the ultraviolet

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiao, Haijun; Tomita, Yasuo; Xu, Jingjun; Wu, Qiang; Zhang, Guoquan; Zhang, Guangyin

2005-09-01

We report on the observation of diffusion-dominant photorefraction and light-induced nonlinear forward and backward scattering in highly Mg-doped LiNbO3 at 351 nm. We also demonstrate what we believe to be the first continuous-wave self-pumped phase conjugation via stimulated photorefractive backscattering in the ultraviolet.

Epilepsia partialis continua responsive to neocortical electrical stimulation.

PubMed

Valentin, Antonio; Ughratdar, Ismail; Cheserem, Beverly; Morris, Robert; Selway, Richard; Alarcon, Gonzalo

2015-08-01

Epilepsia partialis continua (EPC), defined as a syndrome of continuous focal jerking, is a rare form of focal status epilepticus that usually affects a distal limb, and when prolonged, can produce long-lasting deficits in limb function. Substantial electrophysiologic evidence links the origin of EPC to the motor cortex; thus surgical resection carries the risk of significant handicap. We present two patients with focal, drug-resistant EPC, who were admitted for intracranial video-electroencephalography monitoring to elucidate the location of the epileptogenic focus and identification of eloquent motor cortex with functional mapping. In both cases, the focus resided at or near eloquent motor cortex and therefore precluded resective surgery. Chronic cortical stimulation delivered through subdural strips at the seizure focus (continuous stimulation at 60-130 Hz, 2-3 mA) resulted in >90% reduction in seizures and abolition of the EPC after a follow-up of 22 months in both patients. Following permanent implantation of cortical stimulators, no adverse effects were noted. EPC restarted when intensity was reduced or batteries depleted. Battery replacement restored previous improvement. This two-case report opens up avenues for the treatment of this debilitating condition. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2015 International League Against Epilepsy.

Vocal cord collapse during phrenic nerve-paced respiration in congenital central hypoventilation syndrome.

PubMed

Domanski, Mark C; Preciado, Diego A

2012-01-01

Phrenic nerve pacing can be used to treat congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS). We report how the lack of normal vocal cord tone during phrenic paced respiration can result in passive vocal cord collapse and produce obstructive symptoms. We describe a case of passive vocal cord collapse during phrenic nerve paced respiration in a patient with CCHS. As far as we know, this is the first report of this etiology of airway obstruction. The patient, a 7-year-old with CCHS and normal waking vocal cord movement, continued to require nightly continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) despite successful utilization of phrenic nerve pacers. On direct laryngoscopy, the patient's larynx was observed while the diaphragmatic pacers were sequentially engaged. No abnormal vocal cord stimulation was witnessed during engaging of either phrenic nerve stimulator. However, the lack of normal inspiratory vocal cord abduction during phrenic nerve-paced respiration resulted in vocal cord collapse and partial obstruction due to passive adduction of the vocal cords through the Bernoulli effect. Bilateral phrenic nerve stimulation resulted in more vocal cord collapse than unilateral stimulation. The lack of vocal cord abduction on inspiration presents a limit to phrenic nerve pacers.

Electrical stimulation vs. pulsed and continuous-wave optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves, in vivo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perkins, William C.; Lagoda, Gwen A.; Burnett, Arthur; Fried, Nathaniel M.

2015-07-01

Identification and preservation of the cavernous nerves (CNs) during prostate cancer surgery is critical for post-operative sexual function. Electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) mapping has previously been tested as an intraoperative tool for CN identification, but was found to be unreliable. ENS is limited by the need for electrode-tissue contact, poor spatial precision from electrical current spreading, and stimulation artifacts interfering with detection. Alternatively, optical nerve stimulation (ONS) provides noncontact stimulation, improved spatial selectivity, and elimination of stimulation artifacts. This study compares ENS to pulsed/CW ONS to explore the ONS mechanism. A total of eighty stimulations were performed in 5 rats, in vivo. ENS (4 V, 5 ms, 10 Hz) was compared to ONS using a pulsed diode laser nerve stimulator (1873 nm, 5 ms, 10 Hz) or CW diode laser nerve stimulator (1455 nm). Intracavernous pressure (ICP) response and nerve compound action potentials (nCAPs) were measured. All three stimulation modes (ENS, ONS-CW, ONS-P) produced comparable ICP magnitudes. However, ENS demonstrated more rapid ICP response times and well defined nCAPs compared to unmeasurable nCAPs for ONS. Further experiments measuring single action potentials during ENS and ONS are warranted to further understand differences in the ENS and ONS mechanisms.

Sequential segmental neuromuscular stimulation: an effective approach to enhance fatigue resistance.

PubMed

Zonnevijlle, E D; Somia, N N; Stremel, R W; Maldonado, C J; Werker, P M; Kon, M; Barker, J H

2000-02-01

Electrical stimulation of skeletal muscle flaps is used clinically in applications that require contraction of muscle and force generation at the recipient site, for example, to assist a failing myocardium (cardiomyoplasty) or to reestablish urinary or fecal continence as a neo-sphincter (dynamic graciloplasty). A major problem in these applications (muscle fatigue) results from the nonphysiologic manner in which most of the fibers within the muscle are recruited in a single burst-like contraction. To circumvent this problem, current protocols call for the muscle to be put through a rigorous training regimen to transform it from a fatigue-prone to a fatigue-resistant state. This process takes several weeks during which, aside from becoming fatigue-resistant, the muscle loses power and contraction speed. This study tested the feasibility of electrically stimulating a muscle flap in a more physiologic way; namely, by stimulating different anatomical parts of the muscle sequentially rather than the entire muscle all at once. Sequential segmental neuromuscular stimulation (SSNS) allows parts of the muscle to rest while other parts are contracting. In a paired designed study in dogs (n = 7), the effects of SSNS on muscle fatigability and muscle blood perfusion in gracilis muscles were compared with conventional stimulation: SSNS on one side and whole muscle stimulation on the other. In SSNS, electrodes were implanted in the muscles in such a way that four separate segments of each muscle could be stimulated separately. Then, each segment was stimulated so that part of the muscle was always contracted while part was always resting. This type of stimulation permitted sequential yet continuous force generation. Muscles in both groups maintained an equal amount of continuous force. In SSNS muscles, separate segments were stimulated so that the duty cycle for any one segment was 25, 50, 75, or 100 percent, thus varying the amount of work and rest that any segment experienced at any one time. With duty cycles of 25, 50, and 75 percent, SSNS produced significantly (p < 0.01) enhanced resistance to fatigue. In addition, muscle perfusion was significantly (p < 0.01) increased in these sequentially stimulated muscles compared with the controls receiving whole muscle stimulation. It was concluded that SSNS reduces muscle fatigue and enhances muscle blood flow during stimulation. These findings suggest that using SSNS in clinical myoplasty procedures could obviate the need for prolonged training protocols and minimize problems associated with muscle training.

26 CFR 1.265-2 - Interest relating to tax exempt income.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 3 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Interest relating to tax exempt income. 1.265-2 Section 1.265-2 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Items Not Deductible § 1.265-2 Interest relating to tax exempt income. (a...

Comparison of Mono-, Bi-, and Tripolar Configurations for Stimulation and Recording With an Interfascicular Interface.

PubMed

Nielsen, Thomas N; Sevcencu, Cristian; Struijk, Johannes J

2014-01-01

Previous studies have indicated that electrodes placed between fascicles can provide nerve recruitment with high topological selectivity if the areas of interest in the nerve are separated with passive elements. In this study, we investigated if this separation of fascicles also can provide topologically selective nerve recordings and compared the performance of mono-, bi-, and tripolar configurations for stimulation and recording with an intra-neural interface. The interface was implanted in the sciatic nerve of 10 rabbits and achieved a median selectivity of Ŝ=0.98-0.99 for all stimulation configurations, while recording selectivity configurations was in the range of Ŝ=0.70-0.80 with the monopolar configuration providing the lowest and the average reference configuration the highest recording selectivity. Interfascicular electrodes could provide an interesting addition to the bulk of peripheral nerve interfaces available for neural prosthetic devices. The separation of the nerve into chambers by the passive elements of the electrode could ensure a higher selectivity than comparable cuff electrodes and the intra-neural location could provide an option of targeting mainly central fascicles. Further studies are, however, still required to develop biocompatible electrodes and test their stability and safety in chronic experiments.

Partnering with AVID to create transportation scholars

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2010-10-01

The goal of this project was to team with the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) : program in local schools to stimulate student awareness of transportation and engineering careers and to : encourage interest in the science, technology, ...

Colorado Students Contend in Competition of the Mind

Science.gov Websites

-paced match of questions about physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth one of its premier educational programs to help stimulate young people's interest in science and math

Colorado Students Head to National Science Competition

Science.gov Websites

question and answer tournament that focuses on physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and nine years ago to help stimulate interest in science and math. The competition has evolved into one of

ACHP | News | ACHP Chairman's Statement on Preserve America

Science.gov Websites

communities in many diverse ways. It will stimulate public interest and action to better preserve our historic Preserve America initiative complements the Presidential action by calling the nation to participate in

Tardigrades: In the Classroom, Laboratory, and on the Internet.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miller, William R.; Case, Steve B.

1998-01-01

Details the development of the Tardigrade Survey, focusing on the questions related to how to present projects. Recommends challenging high school students in ways that stimulate their interest in the investigatory approach. (DDR)

A Five Dollar Physics Experiment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jacobson, David

1973-01-01

Describes the construction of a simple apparatus capable of converting solar energy into mechanical energy. Construction of the engine'' is inexpensive, and should stimulate student interest in the idea of producing power directly from the sun. (JR)

Developing a Valid Data Base for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Griffith, William S.

1981-01-01

Successful programs of continuing professional education must involve both the improvement of the learner's competence and the restructuring of the work environment to stimulate, encourage, recognize, and reward improved performance. (Journal availability: Subscription Manager, MOBIUS, University of California Press, Berkeley CA 94720.) (SK)

Smile and laughter elicited by electrical stimulation of the frontal operculum.

PubMed

Caruana, F; Gozzo, F; Pelliccia, V; Cossu, M; Avanzini, P

2016-08-01

Laughter and smile are typical expressions of mirth and fundamental means of social communication. Despite their general interest, the current knowledge about the brain regions involved in the production of these expressions is still very limited, and the principal insights come from electrical stimulation (ES) studies in patients, in which, nevertheless, laughter or smile have been elicited very rarely. Previous studies showed that laughter is evoked by the stimulation of nodes of an emotional network encompassing the anterior cingulate, the superior frontal and basal temporal cortex. A common feature of these stimulation studies is that the facial expression was always accompanied by motor awareness and often by mirth, in line with the affective functions attributed to these regions. Little is known, in contrast, on the neural basis of the voluntary motor control of this expression. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ES of the frontal operculum (FO), which is considered a crucial node for the linkage of the voluntary motor system for emotional expression and limbic emotional network. We report the case of ES applied to the frontal operculum (FO) in four patients with drug-resistant focal epilepsy undergoing stereo-electroencephalographic (SEEG) implantation of intracerebral electrodes. In all patients, ES applied to the FO produced laughter or smile. Interestingly, in one patient, the production of a smiling expression was also clearly accompanied by the lack of motor awareness. Since the lack of motor awareness has been previously observed only after the stimulation of the voluntary motor network, we speculate that FO is involved in the voluntary control of facial expressions, and is placed at the interface with the emotional network, gating limbic information to the motor system. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Real-time CARS imaging reveals a calpain-dependent pathway for paranodal myelin retraction during high-frequency stimulation.

PubMed

Huff, Terry B; Shi, Yunzhou; Sun, Wenjing; Wu, Wei; Shi, Riyi; Cheng, Ji-Xin

2011-03-03

High-frequency electrical stimulation is becoming a promising therapy for neurological disorders, however the response of the central nervous system to stimulation remains poorly understood. The current work investigates the response of myelin to electrical stimulation by laser-scanning coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging of myelin in live spinal tissues in real time. Paranodal myelin retraction at the nodes of Ranvier was observed during 200 Hz electrical stimulation. Retraction was seen to begin minutes after the onset of stimulation and continue for up to 10 min after stimulation was ceased, but was found to reverse after a 2 h recovery period. The myelin retraction resulted in exposure of Kv 1.2 potassium channels visualized by immunofluorescence. Accordingly, treating the stimulated tissue with a potassium channel blocker, 4-aminopyridine, led to the appearance of a shoulder peak in the compound action potential curve. Label-free CARS imaging of myelin coupled with multiphoton fluorescence imaging of immuno-labeled proteins at the nodes of Ranvier revealed that high-frequency stimulation induced paranodal myelin retraction via pathologic calcium influx into axons, calpain activation, and cytoskeleton degradation through spectrin break-down.

The role of the mesolimbic dopamine system in the formation of blood-oxygen-level dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex during high-frequency stimulation of the rat perforant pathway.

PubMed

Helbing, Cornelia; Brocka, Marta; Scherf, Thomas; Lippert, Michael T; Angenstein, Frank

2016-12-01

Several human functional magnetic resonance imaging studies point to an activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system during reward, addiction and learning. We previously found activation of the mesolimbic system in response to continuous but not to discontinuous perforant pathway stimulation in an experimental model that we now used to investigate the role of dopamine release for the formation of functional magnetic resonance imaging responses. The two stimulation protocols elicited blood-oxygen-level dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens. Inhibition of dopamine D 1/5 receptors abolished the formation of functional magnetic resonance imaging responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex during continuous but not during discontinuous pulse stimulations, i.e. only when the mesolimbic system was activated. Direct electrical or optogenetic stimulation of the ventral tegmental area caused strong dopamine release but only electrical stimulation triggered significant blood-oxygen level-dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens. These functional magnetic resonance imaging responses were not affected by the D 1/5 receptor antagonist SCH23390 but reduced by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist MK801. Therefore, glutamatergic ventral tegmental area neurons are already sufficient to trigger blood-oxygen-level dependent responses in the medial prefrontal/anterior cingulate cortex and nucleus accumbens. Although dopamine release alone does not affect blood-oxygen-level dependent responses it can act as a switch, permitting the formation of blood-oxygen-level dependent responses. © The Author(s) 2015.

Effects of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on event-related potential P300

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Torii, Tetsuya; Sato, Aya; Iwahashi, Masakuni; Iramina, Keiji

2012-04-01

The present study analyzed the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on brain activity. P300 latency of event-related potential (ERP) was used to evaluate the effects of low-frequency and short-term rTMS by stimulating the supramarginal gyrus (SMG), which is considered to be the related area of P300 origin. In addition, the prolonged stimulation effects on P300 latency were analyzed after applying rTMS. A figure-eight coil was used to stimulate left-right SMG, and intensity of magnetic stimulation was 80% of motor threshold. A total of 100 magnetic pulses were applied for rTMS. The effects of stimulus frequency at 0.5 or 1 Hz were determined. Following rTMS, an odd-ball task was performed and P300 latency of ERP was measured. The odd-ball task was performed at 5, 10, and 15 min post-rTMS. ERP was measured prior to magnetic stimulation as a control. Electroencephalograph (EEG) was measured at Fz, Cz, and Pz that were indicated by the international 10-20 electrode system. Results demonstrated that different effects on P300 latency occurred between 0.5-1 Hz rTMS. With 1 Hz low-frequency magnetic stimulation to the left SMG, P300 latency decreased. Compared to the control, the latency time difference was approximately 15 ms at Cz. This decrease continued for approximately 10 min post-rTMS. In contrast, 0.5 Hz rTMS resulted in delayed P300 latency. Compared to the control, the latency time difference was approximately 20 ms at Fz, and this delayed effect continued for approximately 15 min post-rTMS. Results demonstrated that P300 latency varied according to rTMS frequency. Furthermore, the duration of the effect was not similar for stimulus frequency of low-frequency rTMS.

Fungal cellulose degradation by oxidative enzymes: from dysfunctional GH61 family to powerful lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase family.

PubMed

Morgenstern, Ingo; Powlowski, Justin; Tsang, Adrian

2014-11-01

Our understanding of fungal cellulose degradation has shifted dramatically in the past few years with the characterization of a new class of secreted enzymes, the lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMO). After a period of intense research covering structural, biochemical, theoretical and evolutionary aspects, we have a picture of them as wedge-like copper-dependent metalloenzymes that on reduction generate a radical copper-oxyl species, which cleaves mainly crystalline cellulose. The main biological function lies in the synergism of fungal LPMOs with canonical hydrolytic cellulases in achieving efficient cellulose degradation. Their important role in cellulose degradation is highlighted by the wide distribution and often numerous occurrences in the genomes of almost all plant cell-wall degrading fungi. In this review, we provide an overview of the latest achievements in LPMO research and consider the open questions and challenges that undoubtedly will continue to stimulate interest in this new and exciting group of enzymes. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

Bilateral Theta-Burst TMS to Influence Global Gestalt Perception

PubMed Central

Ritzinger, Bernd; Huberle, Elisabeth; Karnath, Hans-Otto

2012-01-01

While early and higher visual areas along the ventral visual pathway in the inferotemporal cortex are critical for the recognition of individual objects, the neural representation of human perception of complex global visual scenes remains under debate. Stroke patients with a selective deficit in the perception of a complex global Gestalt with intact recognition of individual objects – a deficit termed simultanagnosia – greatly helped to study this question. Interestingly, simultanagnosia typically results from bilateral lesions of the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). The present study aimed to verify the relevance of this area for human global Gestalt perception. We applied continuous theta-burst TMS either unilaterally (left or right) or bilateral simultaneously over TPJ. Healthy subjects were presented with hierarchically organized visual stimuli that allowed parametrical degrading of the object at the global level. Identification of the global Gestalt was significantly modulated only for the bilateral TPJ stimulation condition. Our results strengthen the view that global Gestalt perception in the human brain involves TPJ and is co-dependent on both hemispheres. PMID:23110106

Bilateral theta-burst TMS to influence global gestalt perception.

PubMed

Ritzinger, Bernd; Huberle, Elisabeth; Karnath, Hans-Otto

2012-01-01

While early and higher visual areas along the ventral visual pathway in the inferotemporal cortex are critical for the recognition of individual objects, the neural representation of human perception of complex global visual scenes remains under debate. Stroke patients with a selective deficit in the perception of a complex global Gestalt with intact recognition of individual objects - a deficit termed simultanagnosia - greatly helped to study this question. Interestingly, simultanagnosia typically results from bilateral lesions of the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ). The present study aimed to verify the relevance of this area for human global Gestalt perception. We applied continuous theta-burst TMS either unilaterally (left or right) or bilateral simultaneously over TPJ. Healthy subjects were presented with hierarchically organized visual stimuli that allowed parametrical degrading of the object at the global level. Identification of the global Gestalt was significantly modulated only for the bilateral TPJ stimulation condition. Our results strengthen the view that global Gestalt perception in the human brain involves TPJ and is co-dependent on both hemispheres.

Laboratory investigation of hypercoagulability.

PubMed

Francis, J L

1998-01-01

For many years, the laboratory investigation of patients with thrombophilia has lagged behind that of patients with bleeding diathesis. Improved understanding of the mechanisms that control and regulate coagulation, and the resultant recognition of new defects, have greatly stimulated clinical laboratory interest in this area. Assays to detect resistance to activated protein C; deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S; and the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies are widely available and should form part of the investigation of patients that present with idiopathic thrombosis. Such a work-up will likely provide an explanation for thrombosis in 40 to 60% of patients. Abnormalities of fibrinogen and fibrinolysis may explain still more, although such defects are currently considered rare. In addition, presently unrecognized defects almost certainly exist, and the identification of such individuals will undoubtedly improve our understanding of the hemostatic mechanism. Laboratory tests to define the hypercoagulable state are continually being developed. They include whole blood coagulation and platelet function tests and novel activation markers. However, acceptance of these approaches by clinical laboratories has been slow.

International Contest promoting Astronomy and Mathematics in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ros, Rosa M.

2010-10-01

Currently our society needs more and more scientists and technicians in order to continue its development. Moreover some areas of our society seem to be less and less interested in scientific issues. It is not possible to value something when we have no knowledge of it. This paper presents an example of a programme carried out in several Science Museums in Spain which puts the average citizen in contact with science. The main objectives of this project are: • to find innovative ideas in order to present science in a more attractive way • to emphasize the international nature of science • to stimulate European contacts • to produce materials for different levels of education • to involve researchers in science communication • to increase the scientific knowledge of citizens • to promote science within the society of participating countries • to reward the professional work of teachers and professors in their teaching activities • to recognize the efforts of journalists specializing in science

Study of optically stimulated luminescence in LiSrAlF6:Eu2+

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

More, Y. K.; Nikam, M. S.; Wankhede, S. P.; Moharil, S. V.

2018-05-01

In this context the results on beta induced thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence properties of LiSrAlF6:Eu2+ are reported. Phosphor shows good luminescence properties for both thermal and optical stimulation. The continuous wave optically stimulated luminescence (CW-OSL) signal as recorded using blue (470 nm) stimulation was found to be 37 % that of standard phosphor Lithium Magnesium Phosphate. The phosphor shows linear response of CW-OSL for various exposures ranging from 20 mGy to 10 Gy with minimum detectable dose approximately equal to 13 µGy. About 20% reduction in the TL signal of the phosphor after OSL readout was observed. About 50% fading of OSL signal was observed within three days of irradiation out of which about 35% OSL signal depleted within a day after irradiation.

The Coupling of Nicotine and Stimulant Craving During Treatment for Stimulant Dependence

PubMed Central

Magee, Joshua C.; Winhusen, Theresa

2015-01-01

Objective Smoking prevalence is high among substance abusers, making it important to understand when nicotine abstinence will aid, impair, or not affect abstinence from other substances. This study tested novel hypotheses about the coupling of nicotine and stimulant craving over time during stimulant dependence treatment. Method Adults (N=538) with cocaine and/or methamphetamine dependence completed a 10-week randomized controlled trial of substance use treatment with or without smoking cessation treatment. Participants reported nicotine and stimulant craving weekly and use twice per week. Results Latent Change Score modeling tested the association between weekly increases in nicotine craving and subsequent weekly changes in stimulant craving. Interestingly, results revealed a “substitution” effect: increases in nicotine craving predicted subsequent decreases in stimulant craving (γ=−.37, p=.001). Additionally, increases in nicotine craving predicted subsequent increases in nicotine use (γ=1.26, p=.04) and decreases in stimulant use (γ=−.07, p=.03). As expected, the substitution effect between nicotine and stimulant craving was stronger when stimulants were administered through the same route as nicotine (i.e., smoking; γ=−.56, p=.005) versus other routes (γ=−.32, p=.06). Finally, smoking cessation treatment eliminated the coupling between nicotine craving and stimulant craving (γ=−.07, p=.39). Conclusions Contrary to concerns about nicotine abstinence during substance dependence treatment, increases in nicotine craving may be associated with later reductions in stimulant craving and use, and unrelated when smoking cessation treatment is introduced. Weekly changes in nicotine craving convey information that can help clinicians to predict and understand shifts in stimulant craving and use during substance use disorder treatment. PMID:26460569

Tinnitus alters resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) in human auditory and non-auditory brain regions as measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)

PubMed Central

Hu, Xiao-Su; Issa, Mohamad; Bisconti, Silvia; Kovelman, Ioulia; Kileny, Paul; Basura, Gregory

2017-01-01

Tinnitus, or phantom sound perception, leads to increased spontaneous neural firing rates and enhanced synchrony in central auditory circuits in animal models. These putative physiologic correlates of tinnitus to date have not been well translated in the brain of the human tinnitus sufferer. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) we recently showed that tinnitus in humans leads to maintained hemodynamic activity in auditory and adjacent, non-auditory cortices. Here we used fNIRS technology to investigate changes in resting state functional connectivity between human auditory and non-auditory brain regions in normal-hearing, bilateral subjective tinnitus and controls before and after auditory stimulation. Hemodynamic activity was monitored over the region of interest (primary auditory cortex) and non-region of interest (adjacent non-auditory cortices) and functional brain connectivity was measured during a 60-second baseline/period of silence before and after a passive auditory challenge consisting of alternating pure tones (750 and 8000Hz), broadband noise and silence. Functional connectivity was measured between all channel-pairs. Prior to stimulation, connectivity of the region of interest to the temporal and fronto-temporal region was decreased in tinnitus participants compared to controls. Overall, connectivity in tinnitus was differentially altered as compared to controls following sound stimulation. Enhanced connectivity was seen in both auditory and non-auditory regions in the tinnitus brain, while controls showed a decrease in connectivity following sound stimulation. In tinnitus, the strength of connectivity was increased between auditory cortex and fronto-temporal, fronto-parietal, temporal, occipito-temporal and occipital cortices. Together these data suggest that central auditory and non-auditory brain regions are modified in tinnitus and that resting functional connectivity measured by fNIRS technology may contribute to conscious phantom sound perception and potentially serve as an objective measure of central neural pathology. PMID:28604786

26 CFR 1.614-3 - Rules relating to separate operating mineral interests in the case of mines.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 7 2011-04-01 2009-04-01 true Rules relating to separate operating mineral interests in the case of mines. 1.614-3 Section 1.614-3 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Natural Resources § 1...

26 CFR 1.860C-1 - Taxation of holders of residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 9 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Taxation of holders of residual interests. 1.860C-1 Section 1.860C-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860C-1 Taxation...

26 CFR 1.860C-1 - Taxation of holders of residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 9 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Taxation of holders of residual interests. 1.860C-1 Section 1.860C-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860C-1 Taxation...

26 CFR 1.860C-1 - Taxation of holders of residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 9 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Taxation of holders of residual interests. 1.860C-1 Section 1.860C-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860C-1 Taxation...

26 CFR 1.860C-1 - Taxation of holders of residual interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 9 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Taxation of holders of residual interests. 1.860C-1 Section 1.860C-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Real Estate Investment Trusts § 1.860C-1 Taxation...

Paradoxical augmented relapse in alcohol-dependent rats during deep-brain stimulation in the nucleus accumbens

PubMed Central

Hadar, R; Vengeliene, V; Barroeta Hlusicke, E; Canals, S; Noori, H R; Wieske, F; Rummel, J; Harnack, D; Heinz, A; Spanagel, R; Winter, C

2016-01-01

Case reports indicate that deep-brain stimulation in the nucleus accumbens may be beneficial to alcohol-dependent patients. The lack of clinical trials and our limited knowledge of deep-brain stimulation call for translational experiments to validate these reports. To mimic the human situation, we used a chronic-continuous brain-stimulation paradigm targeting the nucleus accumbens and other brain sites in alcohol-dependent rats. To determine the network effects of deep-brain stimulation in alcohol-dependent rats, we combined electrical stimulation of the nucleus accumbens with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and studied neurotransmitter levels in nucleus accumbens-stimulated versus sham-stimulated rats. Surprisingly, we report here that electrical stimulation of the nucleus accumbens led to augmented relapse behavior in alcohol-dependent rats. Our associated fMRI data revealed some activated areas, including the medial prefrontal cortex and caudate putamen. However, when we applied stimulation to these areas, relapse behavior was not affected, confirming that the nucleus accumbens is critical for generating this paradoxical effect. Neurochemical analysis of the major activated brain sites of the network revealed that the effect of stimulation may depend on accumbal dopamine levels. This was supported by the finding that brain-stimulation-treated rats exhibited augmented alcohol-induced dopamine release compared with sham-stimulated animals. Our data suggest that deep-brain stimulation in the nucleus accumbens enhances alcohol-liking probably via augmented dopamine release and can thereby promote relapse. PMID:27327255

Use of G-CSF-stimulated marrow in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation settings: a comprehensive review.

PubMed

Chang, Ying-Jun; Huang, Xiao-Jun

2011-01-01

In recent years, several researchers have unraveled the previously unrecognized effects of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on hematopoiesis and the immune cell functions of bone marrow in healthy donors. In human leukocyte antigen-matched or haploidentical transplant settings, available data have established the safety of using G-CSF-stimulated bone marrow grafts, as well as the ability of this source to produce rapid and sustained engraftment. Interestingly, G-CSF-primed bone marrow transplants could capture the advantages of blood stem cell transplants, without the increased risk of chronic graft-versus-host disease that is associated with blood stem cell transplants. This review summarizes the growing body of evidence that supports the use of G-CSF-stimulated bone marrow grafts as an alternative stem cell source in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

The dual role of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in modulating parthanatos and autophagy under oxidative stress in rat cochlear marginal cells of the stria vascularis.

PubMed

Jiang, Hong-Yan; Yang, Yang; Zhang, Yuan-Yuan; Xie, Zhen; Zhao, Xue-Yan; Sun, Yu; Kong, Wei-Jia

2018-04-01

Oxidative stress is reported to regulate several apoptotic and necrotic cell death pathways in auditory tissues. Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) can be activated under oxidative stress, which is the hallmark of parthanatos. Autophagy, which serves either a pro-survival or pro-death function, can also be stimulated by oxidative stress, but the role of autophagy and its relationship with parthanatos underlying this activation in the inner ear remains unknown. In this study, we established an oxidative stress model in vitro by glucose oxidase/glucose (GO/G), which could continuously generate low concentrations of H 2 O 2 to mimic continuous exposure to H 2 O 2 in physiological conditions, for investigation of oxidative stress-induced cell death mechanisms and the regulatory role of PARP-1 in this process. We observed that GO/G induced stria marginal cells (MCs) death via upregulation of PARP-1 expression, accumulation of polyADP-ribose (PAR) polymers, decline of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), which all are biochemical features of parthanatos. PARP-1 knockdown rescued GO/G-induced MCs death, as well as abrogated downstream molecular events of PARP-1 activation. In addition, we demonstrated that GO/G stimulated autophagy and PARP-1 knockdown suppressed GO/G-induced autophagy in MCs. Interestingly, autophagy suppression by 3-Methyladenine (3-MA) accelerated GO/G-induced parthanatos, indicating a pro-survival function of autophagy in GO/G-induced MCs death. Taken together, these data suggested that PARP-1 played dual roles by modulating parthanatos and autophagy in oxidative stress-induced MCs death, which may be considered as a promising therapeutic target for ameliorating oxidative stress-related hearing disorders. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

32 CFR 644.413 - Exchanges of fee-owned land and easement interests.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 4 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Exchanges of fee-owned land and easement interests. 644.413 Section 644.413 National Defense Department of Defense (Continued) DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY (CONTINUED) REAL PROPERTY REAL ESTATE HANDBOOK Disposal Disposal of Fee-Owned Real Property and Easement Interests § 644.413 Exchanges of fee-owned...

37 CFR 10.66 - Refusing to accept or continue employment if the interests of another client may impair the...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... continue employment if the interests of another client may impair the independent professional judgment of... employment if the interests of another client may impair the independent professional judgment of the... independent professional judgment in behalf of a client will be or is likely to be adversely affected by the...

26 CFR 1.673(c)-1 - Reversionary interest after income beneficiary's death.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 26 Internal Revenue 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Reversionary interest after income beneficiary's death. 1.673(c)-1 Section 1.673(c)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Grantors and Others Treated As Substantial Owners § 1.673(c)-1 Reversionary interest after...

26 CFR 1.430(h)(2)-1 - Interest rates used to determine present value.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

.... 1.430(h)(2)-1 Section 1.430(h)(2)-1 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES Certain Stock Options § 1.430(h)(2)-1 Interest... to the interest rates to be applied for a plan year under section 430(h)(2). Section 430(h)(2) and...

Hemicrania Continua: Beneficial Effect of Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation in a Patient With a Contraindication for Indomethacin.

PubMed

Eren, Ozan; Straube, Andreas; Schöberl, Florian; Schankin, Christoph

2017-02-01

Hemicrania continua (HC) is a primary chronic headache disorder, characterized by a continuous and strictly unilateral headache, with possible cranial autonomic symptoms during episodes of pain exacerbation. The unilateral headache generally responds well to indomethacin; however, continuous indomethacin intake is often not tolerated due to severe adverse effects, like hypertension, gastrointestinal discomfort (especially if combined with aspirin), slightly increased risk of vascular events, and bronchial spasms. Therefore, alternative treatment options are desperately needed. Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) has been shown to be effective in patients with cluster headache, another trigeminal autonomic cephalalgia (TAC), with cranial parasympathetic autonomic activation during the attacks. © 2016 American Headache Society.

The endosomal transcriptional regulator RNF11 integrates degradation and transport of EGFR

PubMed Central

Boncompain, Gaelle; Laketa, Vibor; Poser, Ina; Beck, Martin; Bork, Peer

2016-01-01

Stimulation of cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) induces internalization and partial degradation of the EGF receptor (EGFR) by the endo-lysosomal pathway. For continuous cell functioning, EGFR plasma membrane levels are maintained by transporting newly synthesized EGFRs to the cell surface. The regulation of this process is largely unknown. In this study, we find that EGF stimulation specifically increases the transport efficiency of newly synthesized EGFRs from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane. This coincides with an up-regulation of the inner coat protein complex II (COPII) components SEC23B, SEC24B, and SEC24D, which we show to be specifically required for EGFR transport. Up-regulation of these COPII components requires the transcriptional regulator RNF11, which localizes to early endosomes and appears additionally in the cell nucleus upon continuous EGF stimulation. Collectively, our work identifies a new regulatory mechanism that integrates the degradation and transport of EGFR in order to maintain its physiological levels at the plasma membrane. PMID:27872256

Effect of vibratory soldier alarm signals on the foraging behavior of subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae).

PubMed

Inta, R; Evans, T A; Lai, J C S

2009-02-01

Termite soldiers produce a vibratory alarm signal to warn conspecific workers. This study recorded and characterized the alarm signals of Coptotermes acinaciformis (Froggatt) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) and then investigated the effect of playing these recorded alarm signals on C. acinaciformis feeding activity. Foraging groups of termites were offered paired wooden blocks: either one block, continuously stimulated with a vibratory alarm signal, paired with a nonstimulated block (the alarm treatment), continuously stimulated with a pink noise signal, paired with a nonstimulated block (control for nonspecific vibrations) or two nonstimulated blocks (control for environmental effects), for 4 wk. The amount of wood eaten in the blocks stimulated by the alarm signals was significantly less than the paired nonstimulated blocks, while there seemed to be no preference in the case of the pink noise playback or control for direction. Importantly, the termites seemed not to have adapted to the recorded alarm signal over the 4-wk duration of the experiment, unlike previous studies using nonbiologically derived signals.

Taking the brakes off the learning curve.

PubMed

Gheysen, Freja; Lasne, Gabriel; Pélégrini-Issac, Mélanie; Albouy, Genevieve; Meunier, Sabine; Benali, Habib; Doyon, Julien; Popa, Traian

2017-03-01

Motor learning is characterized by patterns of cerebello-striato-cortical activations shifting in time, yet the early dynamic and function of these activations remains unclear. Five groups of subjects underwent either continuous or intermittent theta-burst stimulation of one cerebellar hemisphere, or no stimulation just before learning a new motor sequence during fMRI scanning. We identified three phases during initial learning: one rapid, one slow, and one quasi-asymptotic performance phase. These phases were not changed by left cerebellar stimulation. Right cerebellar inhibition, however, accelerated learning and enhanced brain activation in critical motor learning-related areas during the first phase, continuing with reduced brain activation but high-performance in late phase. Right cerebellar excitation did not affect the early learning process, but slowed learning significantly in late phase, along with increased brain activation. We conclude that the right cerebellum is a key factor coordinating other neuronal loops in the early acquisition of an explicit motor sequential skill. Hum Brain Mapp 38:1676-1691, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists Medical Guidelines for clinical practice for the evaluation and treatment of hypogonadism in adult male patients--2002 update.

PubMed

Petak, Steven M; Nankin, Howard R; Spark, Richard F; Swerdloff, Ronald S; Rodriguez-Rigau, Luis J

2002-01-01

In these clinical practice guidelines, specific recommendations are made for determining the most effective methods of diagnosing and treating hypogonadism in adult male patients. The target populations for these guidelines include the following: (1) men with primary testicular failure requiring testosterone replacement (hypergonadotropic hypogonadism); (2) male patients with gonadotropin deficiency or dysfunction who may have received testosterone replacement therapy or treatment for infertility (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism); and (3) aging men with symptoms relating to testosterone deficiency who could benefit from testosterone replacement therapy. Initial hormonal evaluation generally consists of a testosterone determination, in conjunction with a free testosterone or sex hormone-binding globulin level, inpatients with clear symptoms and signs but normal-range total testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin levels. Other possible tests include semen analysis, pituitary imaging studies, genetic studies, bone densitometry, testicular ultrasonography,testicular biopsy, and specialized hormonal dynamic testing. Therapeutic options generally consist of testosterone replacement by injections, patches, or topically applied gel in hypergonadotropic patients and in hypogonadotropic patients not interested in fertility. In hypogonadotropic patients interested in fertility, gonadal stimulation option scan be considered, including human chorionic gonadotropin stimulation therapy with or without human menopausal gonadotropin (or follicle-stimulating hormone) or gonadotropin-releasing hormone pump therapy. These therapies may be combined with assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, which may allow pregnancy to occur with very low numbers of sperm.

A bibliometric study of scientific literature in Scopus on botanicals for treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

PubMed

Rondanelli, Mariangela; Perna, Simone; Peroni, Gabriella; Guido, Davide

2016-06-01

In androgenetic alopecia, a number of botanicals are available that can effectively slow or reduce hair loss and inflammation or stimulate partial hair regrowth. The aim of this study was to provide a descriptive overview of the impact and production of literature on botanicals used for androgenetic alopecia and to perform a citation analysis of the related research articles. We searched for "alopecia" OR "androgenetic alopecia" OR "hair loss" AND "Camelia sinensis" OR (and other 15 botanicals) in ARTICLE (Title/Abstract/Keyword) in Scopus database. A total of 29 references, that is, research articles, were retrieved by SCOPUS search, and 93.1% had been published since 2000. The majority (48.3%) describe applications of hair grow stimulants, followed by inhibitors of 5-alpha-reductase applications (27.6%), and studies concerning inhibitors of inflammation (24.1%). The citation analysis revealed a growing interest for this topic and the papers on hair grow stimulants are most cited. Citation trend of inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase articles is growing in the last years. This study has highlighted three important aspects: (1) growing interest for this topic; (2) evidences mainly in hair grow stimulants and recently in the inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase, as demonstrated by article and citation counts across years; (3) in addition, all major studies have been focused on green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate, Serenoa repens, Citrullus colocynthis and Cuscuta reflexa. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

76 FR 65526 - Fisheries and Habitat Conservation; Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-21

..., the scientific community, Tribes, industry, or any other interested party on this notice. These... populations and stimulating the sport fishing and tourism industries. It will also help to restore impaired...

High School Students Gear Up for Battle of the Brains

Science.gov Websites

answer tournament, which focuses on physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth to help stimulate interest in science and math. The competition has evolved into one of the Energy

National Science Bowl Second Place Winners Explore Colorado

Science.gov Websites

-elimination contests. Student teams faced off in a fast-paced match of questions about physics, math, biology stimulate students' interests in science and math. Media are invited to cover the trip. NR-03997

Laser Communication--An Ideal Student Project.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leung, W. P.; And Others

1980-01-01

Describes a project on the application of the laser which aims to stimulate the interest of undergraduate students in applied physics and to demonstrate the interaction between light and ultrasonic waves by building a simple laser communication system. (SK)

Tut and the Titanic and Finding History Beneath the Sea.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hennessey, Gail Skroback; Ballard, Robert

1988-01-01

Two articles discuss the controversy about exploration of the shipwrecked Titanic. Suggested are questions for discussion and activities to stimulate student interest and to explore ethical issues involved in the treatment of historic artifacts. (CB)

Selecting Trade Books for Elementary Science Units.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rop, Charles J.; Rop, Sheri K.

2001-01-01

Explains the importance of using well-chosen trade books for stimulating student interest and motivation in the natural world. Discusses how to assess and select trade books. Lists selected trade books on the life cycles of plants. (YDS)

Antiobesity properties of mushroom polysaccharides – A Review

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Mushrooms are widely consumed for their nutritional and health benefits. To stimulate broader interest in the reported health-promoting properties of bioactive mushroom polysaccharides, this presentation will survey the chemistry (isolation and structural characterization) and reported antiobesity ...

Application of a weak magnetic field to improve microbial fuel cell performance.

PubMed

Tong, Zhong-Hua; Yu, Han-Qing; Li, Wen-Wei; Wang, Yun-Kun; Sun, Min; Liu, Xian-Wei; Sheng, Guo-Ping

2015-12-01

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have emerged as a promising technology for wastewater treatment with concomitant energy production but the performance is usually limited by low microbial activities. This has spurred intensive research interest for microbial enhancement. This study demonstrated an interesting stimulation effect of a static magnetic field (MF) on sludge-inoculated MFCs and explored into the mechanisms. The implementation of a 100-mT MF accelerated the reactor startup and led to increased electricity generation. Under the MF exposure, the activation loss of the MFC was decreased, but there was no increased secretion of redox mediators. Thus, the MF effect was mainly due to enhanced bioelectrochemical activities of anodic microorganisms, which are likely attributed to the oxidative stress and magnetohydrodynamic effects under an MF exposure. This work implies that weak MF may be applied as a simple and effective approach to stimulate microbial activities for various bioelectrochemical energy production and decontamination applications.

Between Clinic and Experiment: Wilder Penfield's Stimulation Reports and the Search for Mind, 1929-55.

PubMed

Guenther, Katja

In medicine, the realm of the clinic and the realm of experimentation often overlap and conflict, and physicians have to develop practices to negotiate their differences. The work of Canadian neurosurgeon Wilder Penfield (1891-1976) is a case in point. Engaging closely with the nearly 5,000 pages of unpublished and hitherto unconsidered reports of electrical cortical stimulation that Penfield compiled between 1929 and 1955, I trace how Penfield's interest shifted from the production of hospital-based records designed to help him navigate the brains of individual patients to the construction of universal brain maps to aid his search for an ever-elusive "mind." Reading the developments of Penfield's operation records over time, I examine the particular ways in which Penfield straddled the individual and the universal while attempting to align his clinical and scientific interests, thereby exposing his techniques to standardize and normalize his brain maps.

Feeding and Reward Are Differentially Induced by Activating GABAergic Lateral Hypothalamic Projections to VTA.

PubMed

Barbano, M Flavia; Wang, Hui-Ling; Morales, Marisela; Wise, Roy A

2016-03-09

Electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus (LH) has two motivational effects: long trains of stimulation induce drive-like effects such as eating, and short trains are rewarding. It has not been clear whether a single set of activated fibers subserves the two effects. Previous optogenetic stimulation studies have confirmed that reinforcement and induction of feeding can each be induced by selective stimulation of GABAergic fibers originating in the bed nucleus of the LH and projecting to the ventral tegmental area (VTA). In the present study we determined the optimal stimulation parameters for each of the two optogenetically induced effects in food-sated mice. Stimulation-induced eating was strongest with 5 Hz and progressively weaker with 10 and 20 Hz. Stimulation-induced reward was strongest with 40 Hz and progressively weaker with lower or higher frequencies. Mean preferred duration for continuous 40 Hz stimulation was 61.6 s in a "real-time" place preference task; mean preferred duration for 5 Hz stimulation was 45.6 s. The differential effects of high- and low-frequency stimulation of this pathway seem most likely to be due to differential effects on downstream targets. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/362975-11$15.00/0.

Induction of slow oscillations by rhythmic acoustic stimulation.

PubMed

Ngo, Hong-Viet V; Claussen, Jens C; Born, Jan; Mölle, Matthias

2013-02-01

Slow oscillations are electrical potential oscillations with a spectral peak frequency of ∼0.8 Hz, and hallmark the electroencephalogram during slow-wave sleep. Recent studies have indicated a causal contribution of slow oscillations to the consolidation of memories during slow-wave sleep, raising the question to what extent such oscillations can be induced by external stimulation. Here, we examined whether slow oscillations can be effectively induced by rhythmic acoustic stimulation. Human subjects were examined in three conditions: (i) with tones presented at a rate of 0.8 Hz ('0.8-Hz stimulation'); (ii) with tones presented at a random sequence ('random stimulation'); and (iii) with no tones presented in a control condition ('sham'). Stimulation started during wakefulness before sleep and continued for the first ∼90 min of sleep. Compared with the other two conditions, 0.8-Hz stimulation significantly delayed sleep onset. However, once sleep was established, 0.8-Hz stimulation significantly increased and entrained endogenous slow oscillation activity. Sleep after the 90-min period of stimulation did not differ between the conditions. Our data show that rhythmic acoustic stimulation can be used to effectively enhance slow oscillation activity. However, the effect depends on the brain state, requiring the presence of stable non-rapid eye movement sleep. © 2012 European Sleep Research Society.

Project Developmental Continuity Evaluation: Final Report. Executive Summary.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bond, James T.; Rosario, Jose

This executive summary presents the major results of the longitudinal evaluation of Project Developmental Continuity (PDC). A Head Start demonstration project initiated by the Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) in 1974, the PDC aimed to stimulate the development and implementation of comprehensive programs linking Head Start…

Using Speed Dating Sessions to Foster Collaboration in Continuing Interdisciplinary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laprise, Rejean; Thivierge, Robert L.

2012-01-01

Introduction: There are numerous examples of care gaps that could be reduced through enhanced knowledge exchange and practice collaboration between medical specialist physicians. In this paper, we report preliminary results on using speed-dating sessions (SDSs) to stimulate the development of continuing interdisciplinary education (CIDE)…

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

Doris, E.; Krasko, V.A.

State and local policymakers show increasing interest in spurring the development of customer-sited distributed generation (DG), in particular solar photovoltaic (PV) markets. Prompted by that interest, this analysis examines the use of state policy as a tool to support the development of a robust private investment market. This analysis builds on previous studies that focus on government subsidies to reduce installation costs of individual projects and provides an evaluation of the impacts of policies on stimulating private market development.

The short- and long-term benefit in chronic low back pain through adjuvant electrical versus manual auricular acupuncture.

PubMed

Sator-Katzenschlager, Sabine M; Scharbert, Gisela; Kozek-Langenecker, Sibylle A; Szeles, Jozef C; Finster, Gabriele; Schiesser, Andreas W; Heinze, Georg; Kress, Hans Georg

2004-05-01

Acupuncture is an established adjuvant analgesic modality for the treatment of chronic pain. Electrical stimulation of acupuncture points is considered to increase acupuncture analgesia. In this prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled study we tested the hypothesis that auricular electroacupuncture (EA) relieves pain more effectively than conventional manual auricular acupuncture (CO) in chronic low back pain patients with insufficient pain relief (visual analogue scale [VAS] > or = 5) treated with standardized analgesic therapy. Disposable acupuncture needles were inserted in the auricular acupuncture points 29, 40, and 55 of the dominant side and connected to a newly developed battery-powered miniaturized stimulator worn behind the ear. Patients were randomized into group EA (n = 31) with continuous low-frequency auricular EA (1 Hz biphasic constant current of 2 mA) and group CO (n = 30) without electrical stimulation (sham-electroacupuncture). Treatment was performed once weekly for 6 wk, and in each group needles were withdrawn 48 h after insertion. During the study period and a 3-mo follow-up, patients were asked to complete the McGill questionnaire. Psychological well being, activity level, quality of sleep, and pain intensity were assessed by means of VAS; moreover, analgesic drug consumption was documented. Pain relief was significantly better in group EA during the study and the follow-up period as compared with group CO. Similarly, psychological well-being, activity, and sleep were significantly improved in group EA versus group CO, the consumption of analgesic rescue medication was less, and more patients returned to full-time employment. Neuropathic pain in particular improved in patients treated with EA. There were no adverse side effects. These results are the first to demonstrate that continuous EA stimulation of auricular acupuncture points improves the treatment of chronic low back pain in an outpatient population. Continuous electrical stimulation of auricular acupuncture points using the new point stimulation device P-stim significantly decreases pain intensity and improves psychological well-being, activity, and sleep in chronic low back pain patients.

Dopamine Dynamics during Continuous Intracranial Self-Stimulation: Effect of Waveform on Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry Data

PubMed Central

2016-01-01

The neurotransmitter dopamine is heavily implicated in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS). Many drugs of abuse that affect ICSS behavior target the dopaminergic system, and optogenetic activation of dopamine neurons is sufficient to support self-stimulation. However, the patterns of phasic dopamine release during ICSS remain unclear. Early ICSS studies using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) rarely observed phasic dopamine release, which led to the surprising conclusion that it is dissociated from ICSS. However, several advances in the sensitivity (i.e., the use of waveforms with extended anodic limits) and analysis (i.e., principal component regression) of FSCV measurements have made it possible to detect smaller, yet physiologically relevant, dopamine release events. Therefore, this study revisits phasic dopamine release during ICSS using these tools. It was found that the anodic limit of the voltammetric waveform has a substantial effect on the patterns of dopamine release observed during continuous ICSS. While data collected with low anodic limits (i.e., +1.0 V) support the disappearance of phasic dopamine release observed in previous investigation, the use of high anodic limits (+1.3 V, +1.4 V) allows for continual detection of dopamine release throughout ICSS. However, the +1.4 V waveform lacks the ability to resolve narrowly spaced events, with the best balance of temporal resolution and sensitivity provided by the +1.3 V waveform. Ultimately, it is revealed that the amplitude of phasic dopamine release decays but does not fully disappear during continuous ICSS. PMID:27548680

Dopamine Dynamics during Continuous Intracranial Self-Stimulation: Effect of Waveform on Fast-Scan Cyclic Voltammetry Data.

PubMed

Rodeberg, Nathan T; Johnson, Justin A; Bucher, Elizabeth S; Wightman, R Mark

2016-11-16

The neurotransmitter dopamine is heavily implicated in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS). Many drugs of abuse that affect ICSS behavior target the dopaminergic system, and optogenetic activation of dopamine neurons is sufficient to support self-stimulation. However, the patterns of phasic dopamine release during ICSS remain unclear. Early ICSS studies using fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) rarely observed phasic dopamine release, which led to the surprising conclusion that it is dissociated from ICSS. However, several advances in the sensitivity (i.e., the use of waveforms with extended anodic limits) and analysis (i.e., principal component regression) of FSCV measurements have made it possible to detect smaller, yet physiologically relevant, dopamine release events. Therefore, this study revisits phasic dopamine release during ICSS using these tools. It was found that the anodic limit of the voltammetric waveform has a substantial effect on the patterns of dopamine release observed during continuous ICSS. While data collected with low anodic limits (i.e., +1.0 V) support the disappearance of phasic dopamine release observed in previous investigation, the use of high anodic limits (+1.3 V, +1.4 V) allows for continual detection of dopamine release throughout ICSS. However, the +1.4 V waveform lacks the ability to resolve narrowly spaced events, with the best balance of temporal resolution and sensitivity provided by the +1.3 V waveform. Ultimately, it is revealed that the amplitude of phasic dopamine release decays but does not fully disappear during continuous ICSS.

Situational Interest in Engineering Design Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bonderup Dohn, Niels

2013-08-01

The aim of the present mixed-method study was to investigate task-based situational interest of sixth grade students (n = 46), between 12 and 14 years old, during an eight-week engineering design programme in a Science & Technology-class. Students' interests were investigated by means of a descriptive interpretative analysis of qualitative data from classroom observations and informal interviews. The analysis was complemented by a self-report survey to validate findings and determine prevalence. The analysis revealed four main sources of interest: designing inventions, trial-and-error experimentation, achieved functionality of invention, and collaboration. These sources differ in terms of stimuli factors, such as novelty, autonomy (choice), social involvement, self-generation of interest, and task goal orientation. The study shows that design tasks stimulated interest, but only to the extent that students were able to self-regulate their learning strategies.

Local probing and stimulation of neuronal cells by optical manipulation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cojoc, Dan

2014-09-01

During development and in the adult brain, neurons continuously explore the environment searching for guidance cues, leading to the appropriate connections. Elucidating these mechanisms represents a gold goal in neurobiology. Here, I discuss our recent achievements developing new approaches to locally probe the growth cones and stimulate neuronal cell compartments with high spatial and temporal resolution. Optical tweezers force spectroscopy applied in conjunction with metabolic inhibitors reveals new properties of the cytoskeleton dynamics. On the other hand, using optically manipulated microvectors as functionalized beads or filled liposomes, we demonstrate focal stimulation of neurons by small number of signaling molecules.

Thermally stimulated nonlinear refraction in gelatin stabilized Cu-PVP nanocomposite thin films

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

Tamgadge, Y. S., E-mail: ystamgadge@gmail.com; Atkare, D. V.; Pahurkar, V. G.

2016-05-06

This article illustrates investigations on thermally stimulated third order nonlinear refraction of Cu-PVP nanocomposite thin films. Cu nanoparticles have been synthesized using chemical reduction method and thin films in PVP matrix have been obtained using spin coating technique. Thin films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopyfor structural and linear optical studies. Third order nonlinear refraction studies have been performed using closed aperture z-scan technique under continuous wave (CW) He-Ne laser. Cu-PVP nanocomposites are found to exhibit strong nonlinear refractive index stimulated by thermal lensing effect.

Current directions in non-invasive low intensity electric brain stimulation for depressive disorder.

PubMed

Schutter, Dennis J L G; Sack, Alexander T

2014-01-01

Non-invasive stimulation of the human brain to improve depressive symptoms is increasingly finding its way in clinical settings as a viable form of somatic treatment. Following successful modulation of neural excitability with subsequent antidepressant effects, neural polarization by administrating weak direct currents to the scalp has gained renewed interest. A new wave of basic and clinical studies seems to underscore the potential therapeutic value of direct current stimulation in the treatment of depression. Issues concerning the lack of mechanistic insights into the workings of modifying brain function through neural polarization and how this process translates to its antidepressant properties calls for additional research. The range of its clinical applicability has yet to be established.

Learning, Memory, and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation

PubMed Central

Brasil-Neto, Joaquim P.

2012-01-01

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been the subject of many studies concerning its possible cognitive effects. One of the proposed mechanisms of action for neuromodulatory techniques, such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and tDCS is induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD)-like phenomena. LTP and LTD are also among the most important neurobiological processes involved in memory and learning. This fact has led to an immediate interest in the study of possible effects of tDCS on memory consolidation, retrieval, or learning of various tasks. This review analyses published articles describing beneficial or disruptive effects of tDCS on memory and learning in normal subjects. The most likely mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed. PMID:22969734

Multiple blocks of intermittent and continuous theta-burst stimulation applied via transcranial magnetic stimulation differently affect sensory responses in rat barrel cortex.

PubMed

Thimm, Andreas; Funke, Klaus

2015-02-15

Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) applied via transcranial magnetic stimulation is able to modulate human cortical excitability. Here we investigated in a rat model how two different forms of TBS, intermittent (iTBS) and continuous (cTBS), affect sensory responses in rat barrel cortex. We found that iTBS but less cTBS promoted late (>18 ms) sensory response components while not affecting the earliest response (8-18 ms). The effect increased with each of the five iTBS blocks applied. cTBS somewhat reduced the early response component after the first block but had a similar effect as iTBS after four to five blocks. We conclude that iTBS primarly modulates the activity of (inhibitory) cortical interneurons while cTBS may first reduce general neuronal excitability with a single block but reverse to iTBS-like effects with application of several blocks. Cortical sensory processing varies with cortical state and the balance of inhibition to excitation. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to modulate human cortical excitability. In a rat model, we recently showed that intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) applied to the corpus callosum, to activate primarily supragranular cortical pyramidal cells but fewer subcortical neurons, strongly reduced the cortical expression of parvalbumin (PV), indicating reduced activity of fast-spiking interneurons. Here, we used the well-studied rodent barrel cortex system to test how iTBS and continuous TBS (cTBS) modulate sensory responses evoked by either single or double stimuli applied to the principal (PW) and/or adjacent whisker (AW) in urethane-anaesthetized rats. Compared to sham stimulation, iTBS but not cTBS particularly enhanced late (>18 ms) response components of multi-unit spiking and local field potential responses in layer 4 but not the very early response (<18 ms). Similarly, only iTBS diminished the suppression of the second response evoked by paired PW or AW-PW stimulation at 20 ms intervals. The effects increased with each of the five iTBS blocks applied. With cTBS a mild effect similar to that of iTBS was first evident after 4-5 stimulation blocks. Enhanced cortical c-Fos and zif268 expression but reduced PV and GAD67 expression was found only after iTBS, indicating increased cortical activity due to lowered inhibition. We conclude that iTBS but less cTBS may primarily weaken a late recurrent-type cortical inhibition mediated via a subset of PV+ interneurons, enabling stronger late response components believed to contribute to the perception of sensory events. © 2014 The Authors. The Journal of Physiology © 2014 The Physiological Society.

Impact of uncertain head tissue conductivity in the optimization of transcranial direct current stimulation for an auditory target

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schmidt, Christian; Wagner, Sven; Burger, Martin; van Rienen, Ursula; Wolters, Carsten H.

2015-08-01

Objective. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique to modify neural excitability. Using multi-array tDCS, we investigate the influence of inter-individually varying head tissue conductivity profiles on optimal electrode configurations for an auditory cortex stimulation. Approach. In order to quantify the uncertainty of the optimal electrode configurations, multi-variate generalized polynomial chaos expansions of the model solutions are used based on uncertain conductivity profiles of the compartments skin, skull, gray matter, and white matter. Stochastic measures, probability density functions, and sensitivity of the quantities of interest are investigated for each electrode and the current density at the target with the resulting stimulation protocols visualized on the head surface. Main results. We demonstrate that the optimized stimulation protocols are only comprised of a few active electrodes, with tolerable deviations in the stimulation amplitude of the anode. However, large deviations in the order of the uncertainty in the conductivity profiles could be noted in the stimulation protocol of the compensating cathodes. Regarding these main stimulation electrodes, the stimulation protocol was most sensitive to uncertainty in skull conductivity. Finally, the probability that the current density amplitude in the auditory cortex target region is supra-threshold was below 50%. Significance. The results suggest that an uncertain conductivity profile in computational models of tDCS can have a substantial influence on the prediction of optimal stimulation protocols for stimulation of the auditory cortex. The investigations carried out in this study present a possibility to predict the probability of providing a therapeutic effect with an optimized electrode system for future auditory clinical and experimental procedures of tDCS applications.

Improvements in Memory after Medial Septum Stimulation Are Associated with Changes in Hippocampal Cholinergic Activity and Neurogenesis

PubMed Central

Jeong, Da Un; Lee, Ji Eun; Lee, Sung Eun; Chang, Won Seok; Kim, Sung June; Chang, Jin Woo

2014-01-01

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been found to have therapeutic effects in patients with dementia, but DBS mechanisms remain elusive. To provide evidence for the effectiveness of DBS as a treatment for dementia, we performed DBS in a rat model of dementia with intracerebroventricular administration of 192 IgG-saporins. We utilized four groups of rats, group 1, unlesioned control; group 2, cholinergic lesion; group 3, cholinergic lesion plus medial septum (MS) electrode implantation (sham stimulation); group 4, cholinergic lesions plus MS electrode implantation and stimulation. During the probe test in the water maze, performance of the lesion group decreased for measures of time spent and the number of swim crossings over the previous platform location. Interestingly, the stimulation group showed an equivalent performance to the normal group on all measures. And these are partially reversed by the electrode implantation. Acetylcholinesterase activity in the hippocampus was decreased in lesion and implantation groups, whereas activity in the stimulation group was not different from the normal group. Hippocampal neurogenesis was increased in the stimulation group. Our results revealed that DBS of MS restores spatial memory after damage to cholinergic neurons. This effect is associated with an increase in hippocampal cholinergic activity and neurogenesis. PMID:25101288

Functional magnetic resonance imaging can be used to explore tactile and nociceptive processing in the infant brain

PubMed Central

Williams, Gemma; Fabrizi, Lorenzo; Meek, Judith; Jackson, Deborah; Tracey, Irene; Robertson, Nicola; Slater, Rebeccah; Fitzgerald, Maria

2015-01-01

Aim Despite the importance of neonatal skin stimulation, little is known about activation of the newborn human infant brain by sensory stimulation of the skin. We carried out functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to assess the feasibility of measuring brain activation to a range of mechanical stimuli applied to the skin of neonatal infants. Methods We studied 19 term infants with a mean age of 13 days. Brain activation was measured in response to brushing, von Frey hair (vFh) punctate stimulation and, in one case, nontissue damaging pinprick stimulation of the plantar surface of the foot. Initial whole brain analysis was followed by region of interest analysis of specific brain areas. Results Distinct patterns of functional brain activation were evoked by brush and vFh punctate stimulation, which were reduced, but still present, under chloral hydrate sedation. Brain activation increased with increasing stimulus intensity. The feasibility of using pinprick stimulation in fMRI studies was established in one unsedated healthy full-term infant. Conclusion Distinct brain activity patterns can be measured in response to different modalities and intensities of skin sensory stimulation in term infants. This indicates the potential for fMRI studies in exploring tactile and nociceptive processing in the infant brain. PMID:25358870

Exploring the additivity of binaural and monaural masking release

PubMed Central

Hall, Joseph W.; Buss, Emily; Grose, John H.

2011-01-01

Experiment 1 examined comodulation masking release (CMR) for a 700-Hz tonal signal under conditions of NoSo (noise and signal interaurally in phase) and NoSπ (noise in phase, signal out of phase) stimulation. The baseline stimulus for CMR was either a single 24-Hz wide narrowband noise centered on the signal frequency [on-signal band (OSB)] or the OSB plus, a set of flanking noise bands having random envelopes. Masking noise was either gated or continuous. The CMR, defined with respect to either the OSB or the random noise baseline, was smaller for NoSπ than NoSo stimulation, particularly when the masker was continuous. Experiment 2 examined whether the same pattern of results would be obtained for a 2000-Hz signal frequency; the number of flanking bands was also manipulated (two versus eight). Results again showed smaller CMR for NoSπ than NoSo stimulation for both continuous and gated masking noise. The CMR was larger with eight than with two flanking bands, and this difference was greater for NoSo than NoSπ. The results of this study are compatible with serial mechanisms of binaural and monaural masking release, but they indicate that the combined masking release (binaural masking-level difference and CMR) falls short of being additive. PMID:21476663

Longterm infrared neural stimulation in the chronic implanted cat

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matic, Agnella Izzo; Robinson, Alan M.; Young, Hunter K.; Badofsky, Ben; Rajguru, Suhrud M.; Richter, Claus-Peter

2013-03-01

Among neural prostheses cochlear implants (CIs) are considered the most successful devices. They restore some hearing to 210,000 severe-to-profound hearing impaired people. Despite the devices' success, the performance of the implanted individuals in noisy environments is poor and music perception is rudimentary. It has been argued that increasing the number of independent channels for stimulation can improve the performance of a CI user in challenging hearing environments. An optical method, stimulating neurons with infrared radiation, has been suggested as a novel approach to increase the number of independent channels. Infrared neural stimulation (INS) works through the deposition of heat into the tissue. Thermal damage is therefore a potential risk, particularly for longterm exposure. To verify the efficacy and safety of INS, cats were implanted for about 4 weeks and were continuously stimulated daily for 6-8 hours. Cochlear function did not change during the stimulation, and histology did not reveal signs of damage. Tissue growth following the implantation was largely localized at the cochleostomy.

Neuroprotective effects of vagus nerve stimulation on traumatic brain injury

PubMed Central

Zhou, Long; Lin, Jinhuang; Lin, Junming; Kui, Guoju; Zhang, Jianhua; Yu, Yigang

2014-01-01

Previous studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation can improve the prognosis of traumatic brain injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of the neuroprotective effects of vagus nerve stimulation in rabbits with brain explosive injury. Rabbits with brain explosive injury received continuous stimulation (10 V, 5 Hz, 5 ms, 20 minutes) of the right cervical vagus nerve. Tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-10 concentrations were detected in serum and brain tissues, and water content in brain tissues was measured. Results showed that vagus nerve stimulation could reduce the degree of brain edema, decrease tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β concentrations, and increase interleukin-10 concentration after brain explosive injury in rabbits. These data suggest that vagus nerve stimulation may exert neuroprotective effects against explosive injury via regulating the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and interleukin-10 in the serum and brain tissue. PMID:25368644

Enhancement of ultraweak photon emission with 3 MHz ultrasonic irradiation on transplanted tumor tissues of mice.

PubMed

Kim, Hongbae; Ahn, Saeyoung; Kim, Jungdae; Soh, Kwang-Sup

2008-07-01

We investigated photon emissions of various bio-samples which were induced by ultrasonic stimulation. It has been reported that ultrasonic stimulations induced the thermal excitation of the bio-tissues. After ultrasonic stimulation, any measurement of photon radiation in the visible spectral range has not been carried out yet. The instruments consisted of electronic devices for an ultrasonic generator of the frequency 3 MHz and a photomultiplier tube (PMT) system counting photons from bio-tissues. The transplanted tumor tissues of mice were prepared for the experiments and their liver and spleen tissues were also used for the controls. It was found that the continuous ultrasonic stimulations with the electrical power 2300 mW induced ultraweak photon emissions from the tumor tissues. The number of induced photon was dependent of the type of the tissues and the stimulation time intervals. The level of photon emission was increased from the mouse tumor exposed to the ultrasonic stimulations, and the changes were discriminated from those of the spleens and livers.

Closed loop deep brain stimulation: an evolving technology.

PubMed

Hosain, Md Kamal; Kouzani, Abbas; Tye, Susannah

2014-12-01

Deep brain stimulation is an effective and safe medical treatment for a variety of neurological and psychiatric disorders including Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, dystonia, and treatment resistant obsessive compulsive disorder. A closed loop deep brain stimulation (CLDBS) system automatically adjusts stimulation parameters by the brain response in real time. The CLDBS continues to evolve due to the advancement in the brain stimulation technologies. This paper provides a study on the existing systems developed for CLDBS. It highlights the issues associated with CLDBS systems including feedback signal recording and processing, stimulation parameters setting, control algorithm, wireless telemetry, size, and power consumption. The benefits and limitations of the existing CLDBS systems are also presented. Whilst robust clinical proof of the benefits of the technology remains to be achieved, it has the potential to offer several advantages over open loop DBS. The CLDBS can improve efficiency and efficacy of therapy, eliminate lengthy start-up period for programming and adjustment, provide a personalized treatment, and make parameters setting automatic and adaptive.

VCSEL technology for medical diagnostics and therapeutics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hibbs-Brenner, M. K.; Johnson, K. L.; Bendett, M.

2009-02-01

In the 1990's a new laser technology, Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Lasers, or VCSELs, emerged and transformed the data communication industry. The combination of performance characteristics, reliability and performance/cost ratio allowed high data rate communication to occur over short distances at a commercially viable price. VCSELs have not been widely used outside of this application space, but with the development of new attributes, such as a wider range of available wavelengths, the demonstration of arrays of VCSELs on a single chip, and a variety of package form factors, VCSELs can have a significant impact on medical diagnostic and therapeutic applications. One area of potential application is neurostimulation. Researchers have previously demonstrated the feasibility of using 1850nm light for nerve stimulation. The ability to create an array of VCSELs emitting at this wavelength would allow significantly improved spatial resolution, and multiple parallel channels of stimulation. For instance, 2D arrays of 100 lasers or more can be integrated on a single chip less than 2mm on a side. A second area of interest is non-invasive sensing. Performance attributes such as the narrow spectral width, low power consumption, and packaging flexibility open up new possibilities in non-invasive and/or continuous sensing. This paper will suggest ways in which VCSELs can be implemented within these application areas, and the advantages provided by the unique performance characteristics of the VCSEL. The status of VCSEL technology as a function of available wavelength and array size and form factors will be summarized.

Sensitivity to pulse phase duration in cochlear implant listeners: Effects of stimulation mode

PubMed Central

Chatterjee, Monita; Kulkarni, Aditya M.

2014-01-01

The objective of this study was to investigate charge-integration at threshold by cochlear implant listeners using pulse train stimuli in different stimulation modes (monopolar, bipolar, tripolar). The results partially confirmed and extended the findings of previous studies conducted in animal models showing that charge-integration depends on the stimulation mode. The primary overall finding was that threshold vs pulse phase duration functions had steeper slopes in monopolar mode and shallower slopes in more spatially restricted modes. While the result was clear-cut in eight users of the Cochlear CorporationTM device, the findings with the six user of the Advanced BionicsTM device who participated were less consistent. It is likely that different stimulation modes excite different neuronal populations and/or sites of excitation on the same neuron (e.g., peripheral process vs central axon). These differences may influence not only charge integration but possibly also temporal dynamics at suprathreshold levels and with more speech-relevant stimuli. Given the present interest in focused stimulation modes, these results have implications for cochlear implant speech processor design and protocols used to map acoustic amplitude to electric stimulation parameters. PMID:25096116

Fiber-based tissue identification for electrode placement in deep brain stimulation neurosurgery (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DePaoli, Damon T.; Lapointe, Nicolas; Goetz, Laurent; Parent, Martin; Prudhomme, Michel; Cantin, Léo.; Galstian, Tigran; Messaddeq, Younès.; Côté, Daniel C.

2016-03-01

Deep brain stimulation's effectiveness relies on the ability of the stimulating electrode to be properly placed within a specific target area of the brain. Optical guidance techniques that can increase the accuracy of the procedure, without causing any additional harm, are therefore of great interest. We have designed a cheap optical fiber-based device that is small enough to be placed within commercially available DBS stimulating electrodes' hollow cores and that is capable of sensing biological information from the surrounding tissue, using low power white light. With this probe we have shown the ability to distinguish white and grey matter as well as blood vessels, in vitro, in human brain samples and in vivo, in rats. We have also repeated the in vitro procedure with the probe inserted in a DBS stimulating electrode and found the results were in good agreement. We are currently validating a second fiber optic device, with micro-optical components, that will result in label free, molecular level sensing capabilities, using CARS spectroscopy. The final objective will be to use this data in real time, during deep brain stimulation neurosurgery, to increase the safety and accuracy of the procedure.

Influence of the on-line ELF-EMF stimulation on the electrophysiological properties of the rat hippocampal CA1 neurons in vitro

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zheng, Yu; Ma, Wei; Dong, Lei; Dou, Jun-rong; Gao, Yang; Xue, Jing

2017-10-01

The extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) have been shown to have an environmentally negative effect on humans' health; however, its treatment effect is beneficial for patients suffering from neurological disorders. Despite this success, the application of ELF-EMF has exceeded in the understanding of its internal mechanism. Recently, it was found that on-line magnetic stimulation may offer advantages over off-line magnetic exposure and has proven to be effective in activating the prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons in vitro. Here, we perform computational simulations of the stimulation coils in COMSOL modeling to describe the uniformity of the distribution of the on-line magnetic field. Interestingly, the modeling data and actual measurements showed that the densities of the magnetic flux that was generated by the on-line stimulation coils were similar. The on-line magnetic stimulator induced sodium channel currents as well as field excitatory postsynaptic potentials of the rat hippocampal CA1 neurons and successfully demonstrated its extensive applications to activate neuronal tissue. These findings further raise the possibility that the instrument of on-line magnetic stimulation may be an effective alternative for studies in the field of bioelectromagnetics.

75 FR 36659 - Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Brain Power! The NIDA Junior Scientist Program and the...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-28

... curriculum with pre- and post-test self-report measures. Surveys also will be administered to teachers after... increasing scientific literacy and stimulating interest in scientific careers. In order to test the...

High School Students Gear Up for Battle of the Brains

Science.gov Websites

tournament, which focuses on physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth sciences competition. DOE began the National Science Bowl 11 years ago to help stimulate interest in science and math

Students from Grand Junction High School Triumph in Colorado Science Bowl

Science.gov Websites

-fire questions about physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth sciences years ago to help stimulate interest in science and math. The competition has evolved into one of the

High School Students Gear Up for Battle of the Brains

Science.gov Websites

focuses on physics, math, biology, astronomy, chemistry, computers and the earth sciences. Each team is Science Bowl a decade ago to help stimulate interest in science and math. The competition has evolved into

EPA Biofuels Research: Biofuel Vapor Generation and Monitoring Methods

EPA Science Inventory

The interest in renewable fuels and alternative energy sources has stimulated development of alternatives to traditional petroleum-based fuels. The EPA's Office of Transportation Air Quality (OTAQ) requires information regarding the potential health hazards ofthese fuels regardin...

How-To-Do-It: Demonstrating the Anatomical Expression of Two Genes in the Garden Pea.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hawk, James A.

1980-01-01

Describes a rapid staining technique for investigating the anatomical expression of two recessive genes. The demonstration is intended to stimulate students who are interested in the practical applications of genetics. (Author/SA)

Aerospace Activities and Language Development

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert M.; Piper, Martha

1975-01-01

Describes how science activities can be used to stimulate language development in the elementary grades. Two aerospace activities are described involving liquid nitrogen and the launching of a weather balloon which integrate aerospace interests into the development of language skills. (BR)

Teaching Critical Response with Goethe's Werther.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guidry, Glenn A.

1991-01-01

Describes a course unit on Goethe's "Werther," in which an inductive approach to discussion teaching is used to introduce German literature to college students with little literary background through class activities and discussion topics to stimulate student interest. (Author/CB)

Topics in Social Psychology: Further Classroom Demonstrations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Singleton, Royce, Jr.; Kerber, Kenneth W.

1980-01-01

Presents ideas for stimulating students' interest in college level sociology courses by involving students in individual v group decision making, nonverbal communication, romantic love, and ethnic stereotypes. Tips for organizing classroom demonstrations around these topics are presented. (Author/DB)

Tension stimulation drives tissue formation in scaffold-free systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Jennifer K.; Huwe, Le W.; Paschos, Nikolaos; Aryaei, Ashkan; Gegg, Courtney A.; Hu, Jerry C.; Athanasiou, Kyriacos A.

2017-08-01

Scaffold-free systems have emerged as viable approaches for engineering load-bearing tissues. However, the tensile properties of engineered tissues have remained far below the values for native tissue. Here, by using self-assembled articular cartilage as a model to examine the effects of intermittent and continuous tension stimulation on tissue formation, we show that the application of tension alone, or in combination with matrix remodelling and synthesis agents, leads to neocartilage with tensile properties approaching those of native tissue. Implantation of tension-stimulated tissues results in neotissues that are morphologically reminiscent of native cartilage. We also show that tension stimulation can be translated to a human cell source to generate anisotropic human neocartilage with enhanced tensile properties. Tension stimulation, which results in nearly sixfold improvements in tensile properties over unstimulated controls, may allow the engineering of mechanically robust biological replacements of native tissue.

Transcranial electric and magnetic stimulation: technique and paradigms.

PubMed

Paulus, Walter; Peterchev, Angel V; Ridding, Michael

2013-01-01

Transcranial electrical and magnetic stimulation techniques encompass a broad physical variety of stimuli, ranging from static magnetic fields or direct current stimulation to pulsed magnetic or alternating current stimulation with an almost infinite number of possible stimulus parameters. These techniques are continuously refined by new device developments, including coil or electrode design and flexible control of the stimulus waveforms. They allow us to influence brain function acutely and/or by inducing transient plastic after-effects in a range from minutes to days. Manipulation of stimulus parameters such as pulse shape, intensity, duration, and frequency, and location, size, and orientation of the electrodes or coils enables control of the immediate effects and after-effects. Physiological aspects such as stimulation at rest or during attention or activation may alter effects dramatically, as does neuropharmacological drug co-application. Non-linear relationships between stimulus parameters and physiological effects have to be taken into account. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Electrographic Status Epilepticus in Slow-Wave Sleep.

PubMed

Carosella, Christopher M; Greiner, Hansel M; Byars, Anna W; Arthur, Todd M; Leach, James L; Turner, Michele; Holland, Katherine D; Mangano, Francesco T; Arya, Ravindra

2016-07-01

Electrographic status epilepticus in slow sleep or continuous spike and waves during slow-wave sleep is an epileptic encephalopathy characterized by seizures, neurocognitive regression, and significant activation of epileptiform discharges during nonrapid eye movement sleep. There is no consensus on the diagnostic criteria and evidence-based optimal treatment algorithm for children with electrographic status epilepticus in slow sleep. We describe a 12-year-old girl with drug-resistant electrographic status epilepticus in slow wave sleep that was successfully treated with vagus nerve stimulation. Her clinical presentation, presurgical evaluation, decision-making, and course after vagus nerve stimulator implantation are described in detail. After vagus nerve stimulator implantation, the girl remained seizure free for more than a year, resolved the electrographic status epilepticus in slow sleep pattern on electroencephalography, and exhibited significant cognitive improvement. Vagus nerve stimulation may be considered for electrographic status epilepticus in slow sleep. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

7 CFR 53.14 - Financial interest of official grader.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Financial interest of official grader. 53.14 Section 53.14 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing Practices), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS...

7 CFR 54.12 - Financial interest of official grader.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Financial interest of official grader. 54.12 Section 54.12 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing Practices), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS...

Seizure entrainment with polarizing low-frequency electric fields in a chronic animal epilepsy model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sunderam, Sridhar; Chernyy, Nick; Peixoto, Nathalia; Mason, Jonathan P.; Weinstein, Steven L.; Schiff, Steven J.; Gluckman, Bruce J.

2009-08-01

Neural activity can be modulated by applying a polarizing low-frequency (Lt100 Hz) electric field (PLEF). Unlike conventional pulsed stimulation, PLEF stimulation has a graded, modulatory effect on neuronal excitability, and permits the simultaneous recording of neuronal activity during stimulation suitable for continuous feedback control. We tested a prototype system that allows for simultaneous PLEF stimulation with minimal recording artifact in a chronic tetanus toxin animal model (rat) of hippocampal epilepsy with spontaneous seizures. Depth electrode local field potentials recorded during seizures revealed a characteristic pattern of field postsynaptic potentials (fPSPs). Sinusoidal voltage-controlled PLEF stimulation (0.5-25 Hz) was applied in open-loop cycles radially across the CA3 of ventral hippocampus. For stimulated seizures, fPSPs were transiently entrained with the PLEF waveform. Statistical significance of entrainment was assessed with Thomson's harmonic F-test, with 45/132 stimulated seizures in four animals individually demonstrating significant entrainment (p < 0.04). Significant entrainment for multiple presentations at the same frequency (p < 0.01) was observed in three of four animals in 42/64 stimulated seizures. This is the first demonstration in chronically implanted freely behaving animals of PLEF modulation of neural activity with simultaneous recording.

Effect of bilateral subthalamic electrical stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

PubMed

Broggi, G; Franzini, A; Ferroli, P; Servello, D; D'Incerti, L; Genitrini, S; Soliveri, P; Girotti, F; Caraceni, T

2001-08-01

Bilateral high frequency subthalamic stimulation has been reported to be effective in the treatment of Parkinson's disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesias. To analyze the results of this surgical procedure we critically reviewed 17 parkinsonian patients with advanced disease complicated by motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Between January 1998 and June 1999 these 17 consecutive patients (age 48-68 years; illness duration 8-27 years) underwent bilateral stereotactically guided implantation of electrodes into the subthalamic nucleus in the Department of Neurosurgery of the Istituto Nazionale Neurologico "C. Besta." Parameters used for continuous high-frequency stimulation were: frequency 160 Hz, pulse width 90 microsec, mean amplitude 2.05 +/- 0.45 V. Parts II and III of the UPDRS were used to assess motor performance before and after operation by the neurologic team. The follow-up ranged between 6 and 18 months. At latest examination, mean UPDRS II and III scores had improved by 30% (on stimulation, off therapy) with mean 50% reduction in daily off time. Peak dyskinesias and early morning dystonias also improved in relation to therapy reduction. Side effects were persistent postoperative supranuclear oculomotor palsy and postural instability in one case, worsened off-medication hypophonia in three, and temporary nocturnal confusion episodes in three. Postoperative MRI revealed a clinically silent intracerebral haematoma in one case. One electrode required repositioning. Continuous high frequency STN stimulation is an effective treatment for advanced PD. A functionally useful and safe electrode placement can be performed without microrecording.

[Experimental psychophysiological studies on the effects of fenetylline and mefenorex].

PubMed

Netter, P; Janke, W; Vetter, J; Schultz-Vetter, S

1978-01-01

16 male subjects were tested 1--7 h after the application of either 40 mg of the anorectic mefenorex, 50 mg of the stimulant fenetylline or a placebo by a battery of psychophysiological and psychological methods. Two problems of basic psychological interest were investigated: 1. covariation of appetite and central stimulation; 2. indicators of activation assessed by different parameters. The results concerning the first problem were inconclusive. The results with respect to the second show that pharmacological substances may cause dissociation of different indicators of activation.

Effects of intermittent theta burst stimulation on cerebral blood flow and cerebral vasomotor reactivity.

PubMed

Pichiorri, Floriana; Vicenzini, Edoardo; Gilio, Francesca; Giacomelli, Elena; Frasca, Vittorio; Cambieri, Chiara; Ceccanti, Marco; Di Piero, Vittorio; Inghilleri, Maurizio

2012-08-01

To determine whether intermittent theta burst stimulation influences cerebral hemodynamics, we investigated changes induced by intermittent theta burst stimulation on the middle cerebral artery cerebral blood flow velocity and vasomotor reactivity to carbon dioxide (CO(2)) in healthy participants. The middle cerebral artery flow velocity and vasomotor reactivity were monitored by continuous transcranial Doppler sonography. Changes in cortical excitability were tested by transcranial magnetic stimulation. In 11 healthy participants, before and immediately after delivering intermittent theta burst stimulation, we tested cortical excitability measured by the resting motor threshold and motor evoked potential amplitude over the stimulated hemisphere and vasomotor reactivity to CO(2) bilaterally. The blood flow velocity was monitored in both middle cerebral arteries throughout the experimental session. In a separate session, we tested the effects of sham stimulation under the same experimental conditions. Whereas the resting motor threshold remained unchanged before and after stimulation, motor evoked potential amplitudes increased significantly (P = .04). During and after stimulation, middle cerebral artery blood flow velocities also remained bilaterally unchanged, whereas vasomotor reactivity to CO(2) increased bilaterally (P = .04). The sham stimulation left all variables unchanged. The expected intermittent theta burst stimulation-induced changes in cortical excitability were not accompanied by changes in cerebral blood flow velocities; however, the bilateral increased vasomotor reactivity suggests that intermittent theta burst stimulation influences the cerebral microcirculation, possibly involving subcortical structures. These findings provide useful information on hemodynamic phenomena accompanying intermittent theta burst stimulation, which should be considered in research aimed at developing this noninvasive, low-intensity stimulation technique for safe therapeutic applications.

Open-access MIMIC-II database for intensive care research.

PubMed

Lee, Joon; Scott, Daniel J; Villarroel, Mauricio; Clifford, Gari D; Saeed, Mohammed; Mark, Roger G

2011-01-01

The critical state of intensive care unit (ICU) patients demands close monitoring, and as a result a large volume of multi-parameter data is collected continuously. This represents a unique opportunity for researchers interested in clinical data mining. We sought to foster a more transparent and efficient intensive care research community by building a publicly available ICU database, namely Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II (MIMIC-II). The data harnessed in MIMIC-II were collected from the ICUs of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from 2001 to 2008 and represent 26,870 adult hospital admissions (version 2.6). MIMIC-II consists of two major components: clinical data and physiological waveforms. The clinical data, which include patient demographics, intravenous medication drip rates, and laboratory test results, were organized into a relational database. The physiological waveforms, including 125 Hz signals recorded at bedside and corresponding vital signs, were stored in an open-source format. MIMIC-II data were also deidentified in order to remove protected health information. Any interested researcher can gain access to MIMIC-II free of charge after signing a data use agreement and completing human subjects training. MIMIC-II can support a wide variety of research studies, ranging from the development of clinical decision support algorithms to retrospective clinical studies. We anticipate that MIMIC-II will be an invaluable resource for intensive care research by stimulating fair comparisons among different studies.

Mechanisms Mediating the Perception of Complex Acoustic Patterns

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-11-09

units stimulated by the louder sound include the units stimulated by the fainter sound. Thus, auditory induction corresponds to a rather sophisticated...FIELD GRU - auditory perception, complex sounds I. I 19. ABSTRACT (Continue on reverse if necessary and identify by block number) Five studies were...show how auditory mechanisms employed for the processing of complex nonverbal patterns have been modified for the perception of speech. 2 Richard M

Optogenetic activation of striatal cholinergic interneurons regulates L-dopa-induced dyskinesias

PubMed Central

Heiss, Jaime; Zhang, Danhui; Quik, Maryka

2016-01-01

L-dopa-induced dyskinesias (LIDs) are a serious complication of L-dopa therapy for Parkinson's disease. Emerging evidence indicates that the nicotinic cholinergic system plays a role in LIDs, although the pathways and mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we used optogenetics to investigate the role of striatal cholinergic interneurons in LIDs. Mice expressing cre-recombinase under the control of the choline acetyltransferase promoter (ChAT-Cre) were lesioned by unilateral injection of 6-hydroxydopamine. AAV5-ChR2-eYFP or AAV5-control-eYFP was injected into the dorsolateral striatum, and optical fibers implanted. After stable virus expression, mice were treated with L-dopa. They were then subjected to various stimulation protocols for 2 h and LIDs rated. Continuous stimulation with a short duration optical pulse (1-5 ms) enhanced LIDs. This effect was blocked by the general muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) antagonist atropine indicating it was mAChR-mediated. By contrast, continuous stimulation with a longer duration optical pulse (20 ms to 1 s) reduced LIDs to a similar extent as nicotine treatment (~50%). The general nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist mecamylamine blocked the decline in LIDs with longer optical pulses showing it was nAChR-mediated. None of the stimulation regimens altered LIDs in control-eYFP mice. Lesion-induced motor impairment was not affected by optical stimulation indicating that cholinergic transmission selectively regulates LIDs. Longer pulse stimulation increased the number of c-Fos expressing ChAT neurons, suggesting that changes in this immediate early gene may be involved. These results demonstrate that striatal cholinergic interneurons play a critical role in LIDs and support the idea that nicotine treatment reduces LIDs via nAChR desensitization. PMID:26921469

Asymmetry in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and aggressive behavior: a continuous theta-burst magnetic stimulation study.

PubMed

Perach-Barzilay, N; Tauber, A; Klein, E; Chistyakov, A; Ne'eman, R; Shamay-Tsoory, S G

2013-01-01

Aggressive behavior is aimed at causing damage or pain to another individual. Aggression has been associated with structural and functional deficits in numerous brain areas, including the dorsolateral region of the prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), typically related to inhibition and impulse control. In this study, we used inhibitory continuous theta-burst magnetic stimulation (cTBS) to explore the role of the right and left DLPFC in aggression. Sixteen healthy right-handed volunteers underwent two sessions involving random, real and sham, right and left DLPFC stimulations. These sessions were followed by the Social Orientation Paradigm (SOP), a monetary task that was specially designed to assess participants' aggressive tendencies by measuring the patterns of their reactive aggression (a response to a perceived provocation) and proactive aggression (an aggressive act with goal-oriented purposes). Results indicate that using cTBS to target the left DLPFC was associated with a greater increase in aggressive responses than right DLPFC stimulation. This pattern of results was found for both reactive and proactive types of aggressive reactions. It is concluded that DLPFC asymmetry is involved in modulating reactive and proactive aggression. Our results are in line with recent studies suggesting that the left DLPFC plays a major role in aggressive behavior.

A compact, inexpensive infrared laser system for continuous-wave optical stimulation of the rat prostate cavernous nerves

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perkins, William C.; Lagoda, Gwen A.; Burnett, Arthur L.; Fried, Nathaniel M.

2014-03-01

Optical nerve stimulation (ONS) has been commonly performed in the laboratory using high-power, pulsed, infrared (IR) lasers including Holmium:YAG, diode, and Thulium fiber lasers. However, the relatively high cost of these lasers in comparison with conventional electrical nerve stimulation (ENS) equipment may represent a significant barrier to widespread adoption of ONS. Optical stimulation of the prostate cavernous nerves (CN's) has recently been reported using lower cost, continuous-wave (CW), all-fiber-based diode lasers. This preliminary study describes further miniaturization and cost reduction of the ONS system in the form of a compact, lightweight, cordless, and inexpensive IR laser. A 140-mW, 1560-nm diode laser was integrated with a green aiming beam and delivery optics into a compact ONS system. Surface and subsurface ONS was performed in a total of 5 rats, in vivo, with measurement of an intracavernous pressure (ICP) response during CW laser irradiation for 30 s with a spot diameter of 0.7 mm. Short-term, CW ONS of the prostate CN's is feasible using a compact, inexpensive, batterypowered IR laser diode system. This ONS system may represent an alternative to ENS for laboratory studies, and with further development, a handheld option for ONS in the clinic to identify and preserve the CN's during prostate cancer surgery.

Early alterations in soleus GLUT-4, glucose transport, and glycogen in voluntary running rats

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Henriksen, Erik J.; Halseth, Amy E.

1994-01-01

Voluntary wheel running (WR) by juvenile female rats was used as a noninterventional model of soleus muscle functional overload to study the regulation of insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity by the glucose transporter (GLUT-4 isoform) protein level and glycogen concentration. Soleus total protein content was significantly greater (+18%;P greater than 0.05) than in age-matched controls after 1 wk of WR, and this hypertrophic response continued in weeks 2-4 (+24-32%). GLUT-4 protein was 39% greater than in controls in 1-wk WR soleus, and this adaptation was accompanied by a similar increase in in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity(+29%). After 2 and 4 wk of WR, however, insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity had returned to control levels, despite a continued elevation (+25-28%) of GLUT-4 protein. At these two time points, glycogen concentration was significantly enhanced in WR soleus (+21-42%), which coincided with significant reductions in glycogen synthase activity ratios (-23 to-41%). These results indicate that, in this model of soleus muscle functional overload, the GLUT-4 protein level may initially regulate insulin-stimulated glucose transport activity in the absence of changes in other modifying factors. However,this regulation of glucose transport activity by GLUT-4 protein may be subsequently overridden by elevated glycogen concentration.

How To Write Good Science Books for Children & Youths. Asian Cultural Center Training Course on Book Production in Asia and the Pacific (25th, Tokyo, Japan, October 30-November 16, 1992).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Asian Cultural Centre for UNESCO, Tokyo (Japan).

It is of critical importance in the Asia/Pacific region to produce quality science books which are attractive and interesting for children and youths and which can also stimulate their interest in science and provide them with accurate scientific knowledge in an easily understandable way. This publication is a report of a training course on book…

The nursing shortage revisioning the future.

PubMed

Purnell, M J; Horner, D; Gonzalez, J; Westman, N

2001-04-01

A severe shortage of nurses is being experienced nationally and globally. In South Florida, one of the most severely impacted regions in the world, a group of healthcare organizations, educational institutions, and nursing organizations formed the Nursing Shortage Consortium to combat the nursing shortage. Strategic efforts to recruit and retain nurses are underway, with a focus on nurturing interest among young people and increasing opportunities to stimulate their interest, to increase the supply of appropriately prepared professional nurses.

26 CFR 1.642(c)-6 - Valuation of a remainder interest in property transferred to a pooled income fund.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... transferred to a pooled income fund. 1.642(c)-6 Section 1.642(c)-6 Internal Revenue INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY (CONTINUED) INCOME TAX (CONTINUED) INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) Estates, Trusts, and Beneficiaries § 1.642(c)-6 Valuation of a remainder interest in property transferred to a pooled income fund. (a...

7 CFR 58.37 - Financial interest of licensees.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Financial interest of licensees. 58.37 Section 58.37 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing Practices), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS UNDER THE...

7 CFR 70.24 - Financial interest of graders.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Financial interest of graders. 70.24 Section 70.24 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing Practices), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED) REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS UNDER THE...

Random Start Ovarian Stimulation for Oocyte or Embryo Cryopreservation in Women Desiring Fertility Preservation Prior to Gonadotoxic Cancer Therapy.

PubMed

Danis, Rachel B; Pereira, Nigel; Elias, Rony T

2017-11-10

Women of reproductive age diagnosed with cancer are often interested in preserving gametes or reproductive tissue that would allow for future genetic parenthood. Preservation of fertility is often accomplished in young cancer patients via ovarian stimulation followed by oocyte or embryo cryopreservation. Conventional stimulation protocols, however, require 2-4 weeks to complete ovarian stimulation, oocyte retrieval and possible fertilization. Such a strategy may not be feasible in patients requiring urgent cancer treatment. Recent studies have highlighted that random start ovarian stimulation can be initiated irrespective of the phase of the menstrual cycle and is an attractive alternative to conventional ovarian stimulation. The primary aim of the current review is to discuss the feasibility and success of random start ovarian stimulation for oocyte or embryo cryopreservation in women desiring fertility preservation prior to gonadotoxic cancer therapy. We performed a systematic review of medical literature published between January 2000 to June 2017 reporting the utility of random start ovarian stimulation for fertility preservation. Search terms included "fertility preservation," "cancer," "ovarian stimulation," "random-start ovarian stimulation," "embryo cryopreservation, and" "oocyte cryopreservation." Publications were included in this review only if patients underwent random start ovarian stimulation prior to cancer therapy. Nineteen publications were identified and perused by the authors. Most publications described the utility of random start ovarian stimulation in the setting of breast cancer. Radom-start stimulation was associated with a reduced time interval between ovarian stimulation initiation and oocyte or embryo cryopreservation. The yield of mature oocytes and their developmental potential into embryos was comparable between conventional and random-start protocols, albeit with higher gonadotropin doses in the latter. The current review suggests that random start ovarian stimulation can shorten the interval between ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval, with the yield of oocytes and embryos being comparable to conventional stimulation protocols. Thus, random start ovarian stimulation may serve as a better option for fertility preservation in patients requiring urgent cancer treatment. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.