A Meta-Analytic Review of Studies Examining the Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Women

Childhood sexual abuse is a prevalent problem that impacts adult women and the mental health professionals who treat them. Decades of studies have been conducted examining the impact of childhood sexual abuse in order to be better able to treat clients with this history. Yet, few clear guidelines have resulted from these activities. In order to gain a clearer picture of this research, a meta-analysis was conducted on 41 published studies to describe the nature of the problem, the subjects involved in these studies, the measures used to determine effect, and the impact of eight variables that potentially mediate the effect of childhood sexual abuse. The results of this meta-analysis show that authors use different definitions, sample from different populations, report different demographic data, and use different measures of outcome. Typical studies use definitions based on the relationship of the victim to the perpetrator and difference between victim and perpetrator in age. While many reviewers discuss the potential impact and importance of several demographic variables, including age, educational level, and marital status, few studies in this meta-analysis included this information. Subjects are typically mental health clients or students; however, some studies did a:tempt to use a random sample from the general population. Most studies used a life-history interview or questionnaire in order to obtain demographic data and information about the nature of the sexual abuse. Most studies also utilized an objective measure of outcome, typically a measure of psychopathology; however, few studies used the same tool. It was concluded that there is evidence to indicate a negative effect of sexual abuse in women. However, this evidence is not overwhelming. Also, it was concluded that in order to increase the level of understanding in this area, it is imperative to begin to standardize a protocol for this research. A standardized protocol would include a clearly stated definition of childhood sexual abuse, clearly stated demographic information, and clearly reported use of outcome measures and the outcomes. Standardization would enable researchers to replicate studies and compare results, processes which are invaluable to increase scientific understanding of the long-term effects of sexual abuse in adult women

Effect of Plasma Antenna Shape on the Antenna Performance Using Plasma Computer Simulation Technology (CST)

The manipulation of fluorescent lamps in terms of size and shape was done to investigate the performance of the fluorescent-based plasma antenna. In order to fully utilize different types of commercially available fluorescent lamps, this research dealt with the effects of different shapes and types of fluorescents lamp available in the market. The aim of this research is to test the performance of fluorescent lamps with three basic shapes, namely tubular, 2U and 3U as plasma antennas by means of return loss, gain, directivity and radiation pattern. The electrical properties were determined using the current and voltage probes connected to a digital oscilloscope. Glomac programming was used to generate the average electron density and electron temperature values, using the measured electrical properties. Those parameters are crucial for calculating the plasma parameters i.e., collisions and plasma frequencies. Plasma parameter values were used in Computer Simulation Technology (CST) to simulate antenna performance. From the s-parameter or return loss results, this kind of plasma antenna radiated best at frequencies ranging from 3 to 5 GHz with the best at -41 dB using the 2U type. The gain was within the range of 0.6 dB to 2.3 dB allowing the tubular type to have the best result. The best radiation pattern was shown by tubular shaped lamp due to its uniform and symmetric main lobes in the lower and upper planes. The physical parameters of the fluorescent lamp influenced the amount of current needed to ionize the gas in the lamp. This caused the production of many electrons which altered the average electron density and its temperature. As a result, it can be concluded that by varying the shape of lamps, the plasma and collision frequencies will be affected, and consequently affecting the plasma antenna performance

A Patternless Piezoelectric Energy Harvester for Ultra Low Frequency Applications

This paper presents a pattern less piezoelectric harvester for ultra low power energy applications. Usually patterned cantilevers are used as vibration energy harvester which results additional fabrication process. Hence, to reduce the process, a four layer cantilever configuration is used to design the harvester with Aluminum, Silicon and Zinc Oxide. The device dimension is settled to 12×10×≈0.5009 mm3 with ≈300 nm deposition thickness for each layer. The modeling and fabrication processes are demonstrated in detail. The induced voltage by the cantilever is obtained through the analytical and practical measurements. From the measurements, it is found that, the maximum induced voltage is 91.2 mV from practical measurement with voltage density of 1.517 mV/mm3. It is evident from the results that, this pattern less model can be useful for next generation vibration energy harvester with simpler technology

Development of Low Cost HF Antenna for Amplitude Observation at Equatorial Region

In this paper the development of low cost antenna for High Frequency (HF) has been proposed. The proposed antenna is designed to operate from 3 MHz until 30 MHz for space weather observation. The antenna consists of small loop with primary and secondary loop. The primary and secondary purpose for radiating element while a lumped element being placed in series with the secondary loop for frequency tuning. Circumference size is taken from the 1/10 or 10% of wavelength, with circumference of 2.14 M and diameter of 0.64 M and able to capture the frequency at 15.21 and 15.34 MHz respectively. 4nec2 software has been used to bear out the simulation results. The antennas prototype has been designed, constructed and measured. The return loss measurement of antenna is -30dB, at 14 MHz. An omni directional radiation pattern measurement has been carried out at 15 MHz for signal transmitting

Toxoplasma gondii IgG Associations with Sleepwake Problems, Sleep Duration and Timing

Background: Evidence links Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a neurotropic parasite, with schizophrenia, mood disorders and suicidal behavior, all of which are associated and exacerbated by disrupted sleep. Moreover, low-grade immune activation and dopaminergic overstimulation, which are consequences of T. gondii infection, could alter sleep patterns and duration. Methods: Sleep data on 833 Amish participants [mean age (SD) = 44.28 (16.99) years; 59.06% women] were obtained via self-reported questionnaires that assessed sleep problems, duration and timing. T. gondii IgG was measured with ELISA. Data were analyzed using multivariable logistic regressions and linear mixed models, with adjustment for age, sex and family structure. Results: T. gondii seropositives reported less sleep problems (p \u3c 0.005) and less daytime problems due to poor sleep (p \u3c 0.005). Higher T. gondii titers were associated with longer sleep duration (p \u3c 0.05), earlier bedtime (p \u3c 0.005) and earlier mid-sleep time (p \u3c 0.05). Conclusions: It seems unlikely that sleep mediates the previously reported associations between T. gondii and mental illness. Future longitudinal studies with objective measures are necessary to replicate our findings

Phosphorous application improves drought tolerance of phoebe zhennan

Phoebe zhennan (Gold Phoebe) is a threatened tree species in China and a valuable and important source of wood and bioactive compounds used in medicine. Apart from anthropogenic disturbances, several biotic constraints currently restrict its growth and development. However, little attention has been given to building adaptive strategies for its conservation by examining its morphological and physio-biochemical responses to drought stress, and the role of fertilizers on these responses. A randomized experimental design was used to investigate the effects of two levels of irrigation (well-watered and drought-stressed) and phosphorous (P) fertilization treatment (with and without P) to assess the morphological and physio-biochemical responses of P. zhennan seedlings to drought stress. In addition, we evaluated whether P application could mitigate the negative impacts of drought on plant growth and metabolism. Drought stress had a significant negative effect on the growth and metabolic processes of P. zhennan. Despite this, reduced leaf area, limited stomatal conductance, reduced transpiration rate, increased water use efficiency, enhanced antioxidant enzymes activities, and osmolytes accumulation suggested that the species has good adaptive strategies for tolerating drought stress. Application of P had a significant positive effect on root biomass, signifying its improved water extracting capacity from the soil. Moreover, P fertilization significantly increased leaf relative water content, net photosynthetic rate, and maximal quantum efficiency of PSII under drought stress conditions. This may be attributable to several factors, such as enhanced root biomass, decreased malondialdehyde content, and the up-regulation of chloroplast pigments, osmolytes, and nitrogenous compounds. However, P application had only a slight or negligible effect on the growth and metabolism of well-watered plants. In conclusion, P. zhennan has a strong capability for drought resistance, while P application facilitates and improves drought tolerance mostly through physio-biochemical adjustments, regardless of water availability. It is imperative to explore the underlying metabolic mechanisms and effects of different levels of P fertilization on P. zhennan under drought conditions in order to design appropriate conservation and management strategies for this species, which is at risk of extinction.Fil: Tariq, Akash. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Pan, Kaiwen. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Olatunji, Olusanya A.. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Graciano, Corina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Fisiología Vegetal; ArgentinaFil: Li, Zilong. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Sun, Feng. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Sun, Xiaoming. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Song, Dagang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Chen, Wenkai. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Zhang, Aiping. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Wu, Xiaogang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Zhang, Lin. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Mingrui, Deng. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Xiong, Qinli. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de ChinaFil: Liu, Chenggang. Chinese Academy of Sciences; República de Chin

Performance analysis of photovoltaic and wind turbine grid-connected systems under LVRT conditions

The integration of grid-connected renewable energy systems has gained significant attention and introduces several challenges and considerations. One of these challenges is ensuring the reliable and stable operation of these systems under various grid conditions. For example, faults at the grid could lead problems such as DC-link over-voltage and AC over-current that may cause disconnection or damage to inverter. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the performance of photovoltaic (PV) and doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) wind turbine grid-connected systems under low voltage ride-through (LVRT) conditions. The study aims to investigate their behavior, and stability during LVRT events and provide insights for enhancing their grid integration capabilities. The PV and DFIG systems are modelled and simulated using MATLAB Simulink under three difference conditions, with and without using reactive current injection and DC chopper circuit. Various performance parameters, including grid voltage, grid current, DC-link voltage, active power, and reactive power, are analyzed to assess the system's behavior and compare their responses. The principal results reveal distinct performance characteristics of the PV and DFIG systems. The PV system shows higher overshoot currents, over-voltage, and significant drops in active power during fault occurrences, while the DFIG system exhibits lower overshoot currents and better stability in the DC-link voltage. Reactive power responses differ between the systems, with the PV system demonstrating a higher capability for support. The implementation of DC chopper shows more effective in the reduction of DC-link voltage and overshoot grid current in the PV system compared to the DFIG system

Association mapping of stigma and spikelet characteristics in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Stigma and spikelet characteristics play an essential role in hybrid seed production. A mini-core of 90 accessions developed from USDA rice core collection was phenotyped in field grown for nine traits of stigma and spikelet and genotyped with 109 DNA markers, 108 SSRs plus an indel. Three major clusters were built upon Rogers’ genetic distance, indicative of indicas, and temperate and tropical japonicas. A mixed linear model combining PC-matrix and K-matrix was adapted for mapping marker-trait associations. Resulting associations were adjusted using false discovery rate technique. We identified 34 marker-trait associations involving 22 SSR markers for eight traits. Four markers were associated with single stigma exsertion (SStgE), six with dual exsertion (DStgE) and five with total exsertion. RM5_Chr1 played major role indicative of high regression with not only DStgE but also SStgE. Four markers were associated with spikelet length, three with width and seven with L/W ratio. Numerous markers were co-associated with multiple traits that were phenotypically correlated, i.e. RM12521_Chr2 associated with all three correlated spikelet traits. The co-association should improve breeding efficiency because single marker could be used to assist breeding for multiple traits. Indica entry 1032 (cultivar 50638) and japonica entry 671 (cultivar Linia 84 Icar) with 80.65 and 75.17% of TStgE, respectively are recommended to breeder for improving stigma exsertion

The coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase is necessary for muscle differentiation - CARM1 coactivates myocyte enhancer factor-2

Studies with the myogenic basic helix-loop-helix and MADS box factors suggest that efficient transactivation is dependent on the recruitment of the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC) and the cofactors p300 and p300/CBP-associated factor. SRCs have been demonstrated to recruit CARM1 (coactivator-associated arginine methyltransferase-1), a member of the S-adenOSyl-L-methionine-dependent PRMTI-5 (protein-arginine N-methyltransferase-1-5) family, which catalyzes the methylation of arginine residues. This prompted us to investigate the functional role of CARM1/PRMT4 during skeletal myogenesis. We demonstrate that CARM1 and the SRC cofactor GRIP-1 cooperatively stimulate the activity of myocyte enhancer factor-2C (MEF2C). Moreover, there are direct interactions among MEF2C, GRIP-1, and CARM1. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrated the in vivo recruitment of MEF2 and CARM1 to the endogenous muscle creatine kinase promoter in a differentiation-dependent manner. Furthermore, CARM1 is expressed in somites during embryogenesis and in the nuclei of muscle cells. Treatment of myogenic cells with the methylation inhibitor adenosine dialdehyde or tet-regulated CARM1 antisense expression did not affect expression of MyoD. However, inhibition of CARM1. inhibited differentiation and abrogated the expression of the key transcription factors (myogenin and MEF2) that initiate the differentiation cascade. This work clearly demonstrates that the arginine methyltransferase CARM1 potentiates myogenesis and supports the positive role of arginine methylation in mammalian differentiation