The role of affect regulation in the treatment of people who have committed sexual offences

Affect regulation problems have been found to play an important role in the onset of problematic behavior, such as sexual abuse. The role of emotion and maladaptive coping has become relevant in both research and treatment interventions. Forensic treatments have been strongly influenced by conceptualizations of affect regulation that emphasize the control of emotional experience and expression. For a long time, emotions were treated as less important than cognition. However, the view of emotion as an adaptive resource and meaning system is now emerging in the forensic literature. General psychotherapy research has shown that improved affect regulation and deeper experiencing is associated with better outcomes in psychotherapy. These findings, in combination with the role of emotions in behavioral and relational functioning, are leading to a shift in forensic treatment approaches. In this paper, we review the literature on affect regulation in treatment programs for individuals who have committed sexual offences. The implications of this work for forensic practice will be considered. Finally, Emotion-Focused Therapy will be presented as a promising therapeutic approach for forensic treatment programs to promote clients' emotional engagement and processing, and to improve treatment outcomes

Quantum dot labeling of mesenchymal stem cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage, fat and muscle cells and are being investigated for their utility in cell-based transplantation therapy. Yet, adequate methods to track transplanted MSCs <it>in vivo </it>are limited, precluding functional studies. Quantum Dots (QDs) offer an alternative to organic dyes and fluorescent proteins to label and track cells <it>in vitro </it>and <it>in vivo</it>. These nanoparticles are resistant to chemical and metabolic degradation, demonstrating long term photostability. Here, we investigate the cytotoxic effects of <it>in vitro </it>QD labeling on MSC proliferation and differentiation and use as a cell label in a cardiomyocyte co-culture.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A dose-response to QDs in rat bone marrow MSCs was assessed in Control (no-QDs), Low concentration (LC, 5 nmol/L) and High concentration (HC, 20 nmol/L) groups. QD yield and retention, MSC survival, proinflammatory cytokines, proliferation and DNA damage were evaluated in MSCs, 24 -120 hrs post QD labeling. In addition, functional integration of QD labeled MSCs in an <it>in vitro </it>cardiomyocyte co-culture was assessed. A dose-dependent effect was measured with increased yield in HC vs. LC labeled MSCs (93 ± 3% vs. 50% ± 15%, p < 0.05), with a larger number of QD aggregates per cell in HC vs. LC MSCs at each time point (p < 0.05). At 24 hrs >90% of QD labeled cells were viable in all groups, however, at 120 hrs increased apoptosis was measured in HC vs. Control MSCs (7.2% ± 2.7% vs. 0.5% ± 0.4%, p < 0.05). MCP-1 and IL-6 levels doubled in HC MSCs when measured 24 hrs after QD labeling. No change in MSC proliferation or DNA damage was observed in QD labeled MSCs at 24, 72 and 120 hrs post labeling. Finally, in a cardiomyocyte co-culture QD labeled MSCs were easy to locate and formed functional cell-to-cell couplings, assessed by dye diffusion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Fluorescent QDs label MSC effectively in an <it>in vitro </it>co-culture model. QDs are easy to use, show a high yield and survival rate with minimal cytotoxic effects. Dose-dependent effects suggest limiting MSC QD exposure.</p

Affect regulation as a factor in sex offenders

Research and theory over the past 15 years indicate that affect regulation problems may play a role in the onset of sexual abuse. Affect regulation is often described as a developmental task that can be disturbed by attachment problems or traumatic experiences, potentially leading up to different psychological and behavioral problems. This review intends to integrate conceptual and empirical literature on affect regulation difficulties in adult male sex offenders. Specific attention is devoted to the role of affect regulation in the development of sexual offending and it's link with other criminogenic factors, such as intimacy deficits and sex as coping. Furthermore, implications for psychotherapeutic practice are discussed. Most current treatment programs focus highly on cognitions and behavior and consider affect and emotion as being of secondary importance. Based on this review, recommendations for future research are made and important target areas for treatment are discussed

The AARTFAAC All-Sky Monitor: System Design and Implementation

The Amsterdam-ASTRON Radio Transients Facility And Analysis Center (AARTFAAC) all sky monitor is a sensitive, real time transient detector based on the Low Frequency Array (LOFAR). It generates images of the low frequency radio sky with spatial resolution of 10s of arcmin, MHz bandwidths, and a time cadence of a few seconds, while simultaneously but independently observing with LOFAR. The image timeseries is then monitored for short and bright radio transients. On detection of a transient, a low latency trigger will be generated for LOFAR, which can interrupt its schedule to carry out follow-up observations of the trigger location at high sensitivity and resolutions. In this paper, we describe our heterogeneous, hierarchical design to manage the 240 Gbps raw data rate, and large scale computing to produce real-time images with minimum latency. We discuss the implementation of the instrumentation, its performance, and scalability.Comment: Submitted to Journal of Astronomical Instrumentation, Special issue on 'Digital Signal Processing (DSP) in Radio Astronomy

NPK Bilanzen von ökologischer und konventioneller Landwirtschaft im Vergleich: Ergebnisse eines 35-jährigen Feldversuches

Die Ausreichende Verfügbarkeit von Stickstoff (N), Phosphor (P) und Kalium (K) ist essentiell für einen konstanten Ernteertrag in landwirtschaftlichen Systemen. Im DOK-Versuch in Therwil (Schweiz) wird seit 1978 ein Systemvergleich zwischen ökologischer und konventioneller Landwirtschaft im Rahmen eines Feldversuches betrieben. Die Verfahren biologisch-dynamisch (DYN) und organisch-biologisch (ORG) werden nur mit Stallmist gedüngt, während im konventionellen Verfahren (KON) zusätzlich mit Mineraldünger ausgeglichen wird. Im mineralisch gedüngten Verfahren (MIN) wird nur Mineraldünger ausgebracht, in der ungedüngten Kontrollfläche (NON) erfolgt seit Versuchsbeginn keine Düngung. Die Verfahren DYN, ORG und KON werden auf zwei Düngestufen geführt (2 = praxisübliche Düngung; 1 = halbe praxisübliche Dündung), Verfahren MIN nur auf Düngestufe 2. Ziel der Arbeit war es eine NPK Bilanz für den DOK-Versuch zu errechnen, um eine Abschätzung des Verlustpotentials bzw. von Nährstoffmangel der Feldfrüchte im jeweiligen Bewirtschaftungssystem zu ermöglichen. Die Nährstoffbilanz errechnete sich aus dem Vergleich jährlicher Eintrag minus jährlicher Austrag pro Versuchsparzelle. Berücksichtigte Einträge für die Elemente N, P und K waren: 1) Düngung, 2) Deposition, 3) Saatgut. Für N wurde zusätzlich die 4) symbiotische N-fixierung durch Leguminosen sowie der 5) Transfer von fixiertem N zu Gräsern, basierend auf vorhergehenden Studien im DOK Versuch, geschätzt. Berücksichtigte Austräge für die Elemente N, P und K waren: 6) Entzug durch Ernteprodukte sowie 7) Auswaschungsversluste. Für die Elemente N und P wurden zusätzlich die Bodenvorräte aus jährlichen (N) oder 7-jährlichen (P) Messungen in Ober- und Unterboden errechnet und mit den Ergebnissen der Bilanzierung in Beziehung gesetzt. Die wichtigsten Parameter der Nährstoffbilanzen waren die Faktoren Düngung sowie Entzug durch Ernteprodukte, wobei in der N-Bilanz auch die symbiotische N-fixierung und deren Transfer zu Gräsern eine gewichtige Rolle spielte. Die Ergebnisse der NPK-Bilanzierung deuten auf unterschiedliche Nährstofflimitierungen sowohl im Bezug auf die Verfahren, als auch auf den unterschiedlichen Düngestufen hin. Die Resultate werden in Bezug auf eine nachhaltige Bodennutzung in verschiedenen landwirtschaftlichen Systemen diskutiert

A very brief description of LOFAR - the Low Frequency Array

LOFAR (Low Frequency Array) is an innovative radio telescope optimized for the frequency range 30-240 MHz. The telescope is realized as a phased aperture array without any moving parts. Digital beam forming allows the telescope to point to any part of the sky within a second. Transient buffering makes retrospective imaging of explosive short-term events possible. The scientific focus of LOFAR will initially be on four key science projects (KSPs): 1) detection of the formation of the very first stars and galaxies in the universe during the so-called epoch of reionization by measuring the power spectrum of the neutral hydrogen 21-cm line (Shaver et al. 1999) on the ~5' scale; 2) low-frequency surveys of the sky with of order $10^8$ expected new sources; 3) all-sky monitoring and detection of transient radio sources such as gamma-ray bursts, x-ray binaries, and exo-planets (Farrell et al. 2004); and 4) radio detection of ultra-high energy cosmic rays and neutrinos (Falcke & Gorham 2003) allowing for the first time access to particles beyond 10^21 eV (Scholten et al. 2006). Apart from the KSPs open access for smaller projects is also planned. Here we give a brief description of the telescope.Comment: 2 pages, IAU GA 2006, Highlights of Astronomy, Volume 14, K.A. van der Hucht, e

Different effects of deep inspirations on central and peripheral airways in healthy and allergen-challenged mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Deep inspirations (DI) have bronchodilatory and bronchoprotective effects in healthy human subjects, but these effects appear to be absent in asthmatic lungs. We have characterized the effects of DI on lung mechanics during mechanical ventilation in healthy mice and in a murine model of acute and chronic airway inflammation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Balb/c mice were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA) and exposed to nebulized OVA for 1 week or 12 weeks. Control mice were challenged with PBS. Mice were randomly selected to receive DI, which were given twice during the minute before assessment of lung mechanics.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DI protected against bronchoconstriction of central airways in healthy mice and in mice with acute airway inflammation, but not when OVA-induced chronic inflammation was present. DI reduced lung resistance induced by methacholine from 3.8 ± 0.3 to 2.8 ± 0.1 cmH₂O·s·mL^-1in healthy mice and 5.1 ± 0.3 to 3.5 ± 0.3 cmH₂O·s·mL^-1in acute airway inflammation (both <it>P </it>< 0.001). In healthy mice, DI reduced the maximum decrease in lung compliance from 15.9 ± 1.5% to 5.6 ± 0.6% (<it>P </it>< 0.0001). This protective effect was even more pronounced in mice with chronic inflammation where DI attenuated maximum decrease in compliance from 44.1 ± 6.6% to 14.3 ± 1.3% (<it>P </it>< 0.001). DI largely prevented increased peripheral tissue damping (G) and tissue elastance (H) in both healthy (G and H both <it>P </it>< 0.0001) and chronic allergen-treated animals (G and H both <it>P </it>< 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have tested a mouse model of potential value for defining mechanisms and sites of action of DI in healthy and asthmatic human subjects. Our current results point to potent protective effects of DI on peripheral parts of chronically inflamed murine lungs and that the presence of DI may blunt airway hyperreactivity.</p

LOFAR tied-array imaging and spectroscopy of solar S bursts

Context. The Sun is an active source of radio emission that is often associated with energetic phenomena ranging from nanoflares to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). At low radio frequencies (&lt;100 MHz), numerous millisecond duration radio bursts have been reported, such as radio spikes or solar S bursts (where S stands for short). To date, these have neither been studied extensively nor imaged because of the instrumental limitations of previous radio telescopes. Aims. Here, LOw Frequency ARray (LOFAR) observations were used to study the spectral and spatial characteristics of a multitude of S bursts, as well as their origin and possible emission mechanisms. Methods. We used 170 simultaneous tied-array beams for spectroscopy and imaging of S bursts. Since S bursts have short timescales and fine frequency structures, high cadence (~50 ms) tied-array images were used instead of standard interferometric imaging, that is currently limited to one image per second. Results. On 9 July 2013, over 3000 S bursts were observed over a time period of ~8 h. S bursts were found to appear as groups of short-lived (&lt;1 s) and narrow-bandwidth (~2.5 MHz) features, the majority drifting at ~3.5 MHz s-1 and a wide range of circular polarisation degrees (2−8 times more polarised than the accompanying Type III bursts). Extrapolation of the photospheric magnetic field using the potential field source surface (PFSS) model suggests that S bursts are associated with a trans-equatorial loop system that connects an active region in the southern hemisphere to a bipolar region of plage in the northern hemisphere. Conclusions. We have identified polarised, short-lived solar radio bursts that have never been imaged before. They are observed at a height and frequency range where plasma emission is the dominant emission mechanism, however, they possess some of the characteristics of electron-cyclotron maser emission