Whole-cell Voltage Clamp Of Junctional Conductances In Insect Cell Pairs

Gap junction (GJ) channels are dynamic intercellular structures that open and close (gate) in response to cellular signals (e.g. voltage), and may be important in regulating cell-to-cell communication in insect development. This thesis presents one of the first biophysical characterizations of GJ channels in insect cell pairs. Double whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were employed on epidermal cells from the larval flour beetle, Tenebrio molitor, to measure the conductances and substate gating properties of individual GJ channels and the effects of voltage and ATP on gating. In addition, these techniques were used to examine the early events of rapid GJ formation between hemocyte couplets from the cockroach, Periplaneta americana. For this, methods were developed for isolating epidermal cells and for preventing rapid flattening of hemocytes by using lipophorin-coated coverlips.;GJ formation between hemocyte couplets occurred within one second after contact and junctional conductance (G{dollar}\rm\sb{lcub}J{rcub}{dollar}) increased in steps of {dollar}\sim{dollar}345 pS. Each step corresponds to a new channel added to the growing gap junction.;Pharate pupal epidermal (PPE) and newly-moulted epidermal (NME) cells suitable for whole-cell recording were isolated. Single cells from both stages had large nonjunctional resistances ({dollar}\u3e{dollar}5 G{dollar}\Omega{dollar}). NME but not PPE cells expressed a hyperpolarization-activated inward current.;Isolated PPE and NME cell pairs had functional gap junctions. G{dollar}\rm\sb{lcub}J{rcub}{dollar} dropped during whole-cell recording, however, adding 5 mM ATP but not nonhydrolysable ATP analogues to the pipette solution slowed uncoupling suggesting that ATP probably acts through an ATP-utilizing enzymatic process.;G{dollar}\rm\sb{lcub}J{rcub}{dollar} in epidermal cells is mostly membrane-potential (V{dollar}\rm\sb{lcub}M{rcub}{dollar}) dependent, although transjunctional-voltage dependence is also present.;Conductances of individual GJ channels in poorly-coupled PPE cell pairs were large (197 to 403 pS). This GJ channel is one of the first described capable of existing in a range of partially-closed substates.;GJ-channel gating mechanisms presented herein may be important in regulating cell-to-cell communication in insects. For instance, V{dollar}\rm\sb{lcub}M{rcub}{dollar}-dependence may provide a mechanism for controlling the overall level of coupling. Moreover, GJ-channel substates may account for selective regulation of junctional permeability in developing tissues

Nature and technology in GDR literature

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A novel approach for treating type II endoleaks utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Endoleaks are a frequent and well-known complication after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms. An endoleak can lead to increased intrasac pressure, sac enlargement, and potential aneurysm rupture. Type II endoleaks result from retrograde filling of aortic branch vessels and can be treated with surgical, endovascular, or direct percutaneous approaches. Direct percutaneous treatment typically involves embolization of the perfused endoleak cavity typically using a translumbar approach with fluoroscopic guidance. We illustrate a novel image-guided approach for percutaneous transabdominal endoleak treatment using contrast-enhanced ultrasound in combination with fluoroscopy

Psychological treatment of postpartum depression: A meta-analysis.

Postpartum depression is a widespread and disruptive depressive disorder seriously affecting the lives of new mothers and their families. We conducted a meta-analysis of controlled and comparative studies of psychological treatments of postpartum depression. Seventeen studies were included. The mean standardized effect size of all psychological treatments compared to control conditions was 0.61 (95% CI: 0.37-0.85). Several subgroup analyses were conducted. Studies with waiting list control groups had a larger mean effect size (0.96; 95% CI: 0.63-1.29) than studies with a care-asusual control group (0.41; 95% CI: 0.25-0.58). No definite conclusions can be drawn about the longer term effects. Too few studies were available to draw conclusions about the relative effects of psychological treatments compared to pharmacological and other treatment

Poloidal asymmetries in edge transport barriers

Measurements of impurities in Alcator C-Mod indicate that in the pedestal region, significant poloidal asymmetries can exist in the impurity density, ion temperature, and main ion density. In light of the observation that ion temperature and electrostatic potential are not constant on a flux surface [Theiler et al., Nucl. Fusion 54, 083017 (2014)], a technique based on total pressure conservation to align profiles measured at separate poloidal locations is presented and applied. Gyrokinetic neoclassical simulations with XGCa support the observed large poloidal variations in ion temperature and density, and that the total pressure is approximately constant on a flux surface. With the updated alignment technique, the observed in-out asymmetry in impurity density is reduced from previous publishing [Churchill et al., Nucl. Fusion 53, 122002 (2013)], but remains substantial (nz,H/nz,L∼6). Candidate asymmetry drivers are explored, showing that neither non-uniform impurity sources nor localized fluctuation-driven transport are able to explain satisfactorily the impurity density asymmetry. Since impurity density asymmetries are only present in plasmas with strong electron density gradients, and radial transport timescales become comparable to parallel transport timescales in the pedestal region, it is suggested that global transport effects relating to the strong electron density gradients in the pedestal are the main driver for the pedestal in-out impurity density asymmetry.United States. Department of Energy (DE-FC02-99ER54512)United States. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-06ER54845)United States. Department of Energy (DE-FG02-86ER53223)United States. Department of Energy (DE-AC02-09CH11466

Influence of innovation capability and customer experience on reputation and loyalty

This research employs complexity theory to understand the effect of innovation capability and customer experience on reputation and loyalty. In addition, it aims to investigate the contribution of consumer demographics to such relationships. To this end, this paper recognizes effective and intellectual experiences as key elements of customer experience to propose a conceptual framework with research propositions. To examine the research propositions, this study used confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) using a sample of 606 consumers of international retail brands. The findings contribute to academic literature on innovation, customer and brand management. It also provides guidelines for managers to create customer value by deploying technical innovation capability (new services, service operations and technology) and non-technical innovation capability (management, sales, and marketing) together in a retail environment. Furthermore, it reflects on the linkage between the consumer shopping experience and firm reputation and loyalty

Dance movement therapy for depression

BACKGROUND: Depression is a debilitating condition affecting more than 350 million people worldwide (WHO 2012) with a limited number of evidence-based treatments. Drug treatments may be inappropriate due to side effects and cost, and not everyone can use talking therapies.There is a need for evidence-based treatments that can be applied across cultures and with people who find it difficult to verbally articulate thoughts and feelings. Dance movement therapy (DMT) is used with people from a range of cultural and intellectual backgrounds, but effectiveness remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of DMT for depression with or without standard care, compared to no treatment or standard care alone, psychological therapies, drug treatment, or other physical interventions. Also, to compare the effectiveness of different DMT approaches. SEARCH METHODS: The Cochrane Depression, Anxiety and Neurosis Review Group's Specialised Register (CCDANCTR-Studies and CCDANCTR-References) and CINAHL were searched (to 2 Oct 2014) together with the World Health Organization's International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) and ClinicalTrials.gov. The review authors also searched the Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC) and Dissertation Abstracts (to August 2013), handsearched bibliographies, contacted professional associations, educational programmes and dance therapy experts worldwide. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria were: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) studying outcomes for people of any age with depression as defined by the trialist, with at least one group being DMT. DMT was defined as: participatory dance movement with clear psychotherapeutic intent, facilitated by an individual with a level of training that could be reasonably expected within the country in which the trial was conducted. For example, in the USA this would either be a trainee, or qualified and credentialed by the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA). In the UK, the therapist would either be in training with, or accredited by, the Association for Dance Movement Psychotherapy (ADMP, UK). Similar professional bodies exist in Europe, but in some countries (e.g. China) where the profession is in development, a lower level of qualification would mirror the situation some decades previously in the USA or UK. Hence, the review authors accepted a relevant professional qualification (e.g. nursing or psychodynamic therapies) plus a clear description of the treatment that would indicate its adherence to published guidelines including Levy 1992, ADMP UK 2015, Meekums 2002, and Karkou 2006. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Study methodological quality was evaluated and data were extracted independently by the first two review authors using a data extraction form, the third author acting as an arbitrator. MAIN RESULTS: Three studies totalling 147 participants (107 adults and 40 adolescents) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-four participants took part in DMT treatment, while 73 comprised the control groups. Two studies included male and female adults with depression. One of these studies included outpatient participants; the other study was conducted with inpatients at an urban hospital. The third study reported findings with female adolescents in a middle-school setting. All included studies collected continuous data using two different depression measures: the clinician-completed Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D); and the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) (self-rating scale).Statistical heterogeneity was identified between the three studies. There was no reliable effect of DMT on depression (SMD -0.67 95% CI -1.40 to 0.05; very low quality evidence). A planned subgroup analysis indicated a positive effect in adults, across two studies, 107 participants, but this failed to meet clinical significance (SMD -7.33 95% CI -9.92 to -4.73).One adult study reported drop-out rates, found to be non-significant with an odds ratio of 1.82 [95% CI 0.35 to 9.45]; low quality evidence. One study measured social functioning, demonstrating a large positive effect (MD -6.80 95 % CI -11.44 to -2.16; very low quality evidence), but this result was imprecise. One study showed no effect in either direction for quality of life (0.30 95% CI -0.60 to 1.20; low quality evidence) or self esteem (1.70 95% CI -2.36 to 5.76; low quality evidence). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The low-quality evidence from three small trials with 147 participants does not allow any firm conclusions to be drawn regarding the effectiveness of DMT for depression. Larger trials of high methodological quality are needed to assess DMT for depression, with economic analyses and acceptability measures and for all age groups

Enjoyment of the shopping experience:impact on customers’ repatronage intentions and gender influence

In this paper the authors investigate enjoyment of the shopping experience, its influence on consumers’ intention to repatronise a regional shopping centre and the effect of gender differences on shopping enjoyment. Four dimensions of shopping enjoyment are proposed and a 16-item measure is developed to assess 536 consumer perceptions of the shopping experience across five counties in the United Kingdom. Findings indicate that shopping experience enjoyment has a significant positive influence upon customers’ repatronage intentions. Furthermore, men are found to have a stronger relationship of enjoyment with repatronage than women. The implications of these results are discussed, together with managerial implications, study limitations, and future research directions

Dance movement therapy fro depression (protocol)

To assess the effects of dance movement therapy (DMT) for depression compared with no treatment (waiting list) or to standard care in both child and adult populations\ud \ud \ud \ud To compare DMT with other psychological interventions (e.g. psychodynamic psychotherapy or IPT, counselling or CBT)\ud \ud \ud \ud To compare DMT with pharmacological interventions (e.g. anti-depressants, minor tranquillisers or mood stabilisers)\ud \ud \ud \ud To compare DMT with other physical interventions (e.g. dance or exercise)\ud \ud \ud \ud To compare different forms of DMT (e.g. Laban-based DMT, Chacian DMT or Authentic Movement) (see below for explanations of these

Have I got PND? A thematic analysis of an online forum for antenatal/postnatal depression

Background: Early research in attachment hypothesized that parents’ state of mind regarding attachment explained the intergenerational transmission of attachment from parent to child. Meta-analyses found that there was not always a direct link between the two. As a result, many researchers began investigating ways to better understand intergenerational attachment, including examining the caregiving system. Research so far has utilized methodologies that are primarily interview based, which can be time and cost prohibitive. In order to address the need for a simpler method, the Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire (Brennan, George, & Solomon, 2013) was developed and validated in a US population. The questionnaire includes 5 scales which are associated with caregiving representation defensive processes: one organized secure scale, two scales of organized insecurity, and two scales of disorganized insecurity. Aim and Objectives: The aim of this study was to collect data which examined the cross-cultural validity and reliability of the measure for use in the UK. The wording of two items was changed to better reflect the British English language. Method: Mothers of children aged 1.5-5 years (n = 88) who spoke British English as their first language and were living in the UK were recruited online. They completed the Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire, the Child Behaviour Checklist (Achenbach & Edelbrock, 1990) and the Parenting Stress Index – Short Form (Abidin, 1995). Results: Some scales were more reliable than others, Cronbach’s alphas for the defensive processing scales ranged from .44-.79. Correlations between measures were found in the hypothesized directions, but not all were significant. Interpretation: An overrepresentation of security in the current sample might have affected reliability and validity. Conclusions: Further research with a more diverse sample might determine if this measure is valid for use in a UK population. References: Abidin, R. R. (1995). Parenting stress index (3rd ed.). Odessa, FL: Psychological Assessment Resources. Achenbach, T. M., & Edelbrock, C. (1990). Manual for the Child Behavior Checklist and Revised Child Behavior Profile. Burlington, VT: University of Vermont Department of Psychiatry. Brennan, J., George, C., & Solomon, J. (2013) The Caregiving Experiences Questionnaire: Age 1 1/2 to 5 years. Unpublished manuscript. Oakland, CA: Mills Colleg