Private Warfare: History of the Increasing Dependency on Private Military Corporations and Implications

A history of the private military industry, how and why it emerged, and why nations around the globe are becoming increasingly dependent on them. Investigates limitations and implications of these corporations and possible policy prescriptions to correct many of the imperfections currently found in the system

Autobiographically Significant Concepts: More Episodic than Semantic in Nature? An Electrophysiological Investigation of Overlapping Types of Memory

A common assertion is that semantic memory emerges from episodic memory, shedding the distinctive contexts associated with episodes over time and/or repeated instances. Some semantic concepts, however, may retain their episodic origins or acquire episodic information during life experiences. The current study examined this hypothesis by investigating the ERP correlates of autobiographically significant (AS) concepts, that is, semantic concepts that are associated with vivid episodic memories. We inferred the contribution of semantic and episodic memory to AS concepts using the amplitudes of the N400 and late positive component, respectively. We compared famous names that easily brought to mind episodic memories (high AS names) against equally famous names that did not bring such recollections to mind (low AS names) on a semantic task (fame judgment) and an episodic task (recognition memory). Compared with low AS names, high AS names were associated with increased amplitude of the late positive component in both tasks. Moreover, in the recognition task, this effect of AS was highly correlated with recognition confidence. In contrast, the N400 component did not differentiate the high versus low AS names but, instead, was related to the amount of general knowledge participants had regarding each name. These results suggest that semantic concepts high in AS, such as famous names, have an episodic component and are associated with similar brain processes to those that are engaged by episodic memory. Studying AS concepts may provide unique insights into how episodic and semantic memory interact

Modelling of diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management, and quality of life: a cross-sectional study with an Australian sample.

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is an important aspect of wellbeing for people with chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, making it a noteworthy outcome. Knowledge about diabetes, attitudes, and self-management of diabetes are key factors that might directly or indirectly impact QoL. However, little is known about the inter-relationships between diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management and QoL among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to examine a model describing the relationship between diabetes knowledge, attitudes, self-management, and QoL of people with T2DM that is based on previous research linking pairs of these variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed in this research. A total of 291 participants, 192 males and 99 females, with T2DM, whose mean age was 55.8 (standard deviation = 11.09) completed questionnaires measuring diabetes knowledge (Diabetes Knowledge Scale), attitudes (Diabetes Integration Scale -19), self-management (Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Scale), including the aspects of diet, exercise, blood glucose testing, and foot care, and QoL (Diabetes Quality of Life Scale), comprising the aspects of satisfaction and impact on QoL respectively. To examine the model we proposed relating these variables, data were analysed using the path analysis. Results: In the final model, diabetes knowledge was a significant predictor for attitudes and self-management in terms of blood glucose testing. Attitudes was a significant predictor for self-management in terms of diet. In addition, self-management in terms of blood glucose testing was a significant predictor of impact of QoL, and self-management in terms of diet was a significant predictor of satisfaction and impact of QoL. Self-management in terms of exercise was a significant predictor of satisfaction in QoL. The final model reflected a good fit (χ2 (14) = 22.52, p = 0.069; CFI = 0.983; GFI = 0.983; RMSEA = 0.046). Conclusions: Diabetes knowledge, attitudes, and self-management are important factors that can impact the QoL among people with type 2 diabetes

Rural-urban Differences in Work Patterns Among Adults with Depressive Symptoms

This study addresses the issue of poor mental health among young to middle-career rural residents and how their employment may be affected. Using the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY), a nationally representative survey of adults, the authors investigate how depressive symptoms affect employment patterns, and the extent to which such effects differ by rural and urban residence. Analysis of the data identified the rural sample as more likely to be married, have less education, are less likely to be black or Hispanic, and less likely to have health insurance than the urban sample. For both rural and urban subjects, individuals with depressive symptoms work less than those not depressed. Although the findings indicate no significant difference between depressed rural and urban residents in maintaining employment, questions remain about rural access to mental health services, such as employee assistance, productivity on the job, and the survival or coping strategies of rural workers with depressive symptoms

Campaign Activity by Churches: Legal Analysis of Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act

This report provides an overview of Legal Analysis of Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act related to Campaign Activity by Churches

Alphavirus Replicon Particles Expressing TRP-2 Provide Potent Therapeutic Effect on Melanoma through Activation of Humoral and Cellular Immunity

Malignant melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer and is refractory to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Therefore alternative approaches to treat this disease, such as immunotherapy, are needed. Melanoma vaccine design has mainly focused on targeting CD8+ T cells. Activation of effector CD8+ T cells has been achieved in patients, but provided limited clinical benefit, due to immune-escape mechanisms established by advanced tumors. We have previously shown that alphavirus-based virus-like replicon particles (VRP) simultaneously activate strong cellular and humoral immunity against the weakly immunogenic melanoma differentiation antigen (MDA) tyrosinase. Here we further investigate the antitumor effect and the immune mechanisms of VRP encoding different MDAs.VRP encoding different MDAs were screened for their ability to prevent the growth of the B16 mouse transplantable melanoma. The immunologic mechanisms of efficacy were investigated for the most effective vaccine identified, focusing on CD8+ T cells and humoral responses. To this end, ex vivo immune assays and transgenic mice lacking specific immune effector functions were used. The studies identified a potent therapeutic VRP vaccine, encoding tyrosinase related protein 2 (TRP-2), which provided a durable anti-tumor effect. The efficacy of VRP-TRP2 relies on a novel immune mechanism of action requiring the activation of both IgG and CD8+ T cell effector responses, and depends on signaling through activating Fcγ receptors.This study identifies a VRP-based vaccine able to elicit humoral immunity against TRP-2, which plays a role in melanoma immunotherapy and synergizes with tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses. These findings will aid in the rational design of future immunotherapy clinical trials

Foregut microbiome in development of esophageal adenocarcinoma

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EA), the type of cancer linked to heartburn due to gastroesophageal reflux diseases (GERD), has increased six fold in the past 30 years. This cannot currently be explained by the usual environmental or by host genetic factors. EA is the end result of a sequence of GERD-related diseases, preceded by reflux esophagitis (RE) and Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Preliminary studies by Pei and colleagues at NYU on elderly male veterans identified two types of microbiotas in the esophagus. Patients who carry the type II microbiota are >15 fold likely to have esophagitis and BE than those harboring the type I microbiota. In a small scale study, we also found that 3 of 3 cases of EA harbored the type II biota. The findings have opened a new approach to understanding the recent surge in the incidence of EA. 

Our long-term goal is to identify the cause of GERD sequence. The hypothesis to be tested is that changes in the foregut microbiome are associated with EA and its precursors, RE and BE in GERD sequence. We will conduct a case control study to demonstrate the microbiome disease association in every stage of GERD sequence, as well as analyze the trend in changes in the microbiome along disease progression toward EA, by two specific aims. Aim 1 is to conduct a comprehensive population survey of the foregut microbiome and demonstrate its association with GERD sequence. Furthermore, spatial relationship between the esophageal microbiota and upstream (mouth) and downstream (stomach) foregut microbiotas as well as temporal stability of the microbiome-disease association will also be examined. Aim 2 is to define the distal esophageal metagenome and demonstrate its association with GERD sequence. Detailed analyses will include pathway-disease and gene-disease associations. Archaea, fungi and viruses, if identified, also will be correlated with the diseases. A significant association between the foregut microbiome and GERD sequence, if demonstrated, will be the first step for eventually testing whether an abnormal microbiome is required for the development of the sequence of phenotypic changes toward EA. If EA and its precursors represent a microecological disease, treating the cause of GERD might become possible, for example, by normalizing the microbiota through use of antibiotics, probiotics, or prebiotics. Causative therapy of GERD could prevent its progression and reverse the current trend of increasing incidence of EA

Synchronizing Cardiac Cycle Phase with Foot Strike to Optimize Cardiac Performance in Patients with Chronic Systolic Heart Failure and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT)

Despite advances in medical and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT), patients with chronic systolic heart failure (HF) have persistent symptoms including dyspnea on exertion and exercise intolerance. Novel strategies to improve exercise performance in these patients, such as optimizing cardio-locomotor coupling, could be particularly beneficial to improve functional capacity. For example, runners display a lower heart rate and higher oxygen pulse, suggestive of a higher stroke volume (SV), when foot strike occurs in diastole. Whether patients with HF undergoing CRT can similarly increase SV is unknown. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of diastolic versus systolic foot strike timing on exercise hemodynamics in patients with HF and CRT. METHODS: Ten patients (Age: 58 ± 17 years, 40% Female) with HF and previously implanted CRT pacemakers completed repeated 5-minute bouts of walking on a treadmill at a fixed but individualized speed (range: 1.5-3mph). Participants were randomized to walking to an auditory tone to synchronize their foot strike to either the systolic (ECG R-wave; 0 or 100%±15% or R-R interval) or diastolic phase (45±15% of the R-R interval) of their cardiac cycle. Participants were included if ≥50% of their steps were valid (i.e. in time). Patients wore a chest strap with an attached ECG sensor and accelerometer (CounterpaceR). Foot strike timing and associated valid step counts were assessed via CounterpaceR or post-hoc analysis of foot strike waveforms. Cardiopulmonary parameters were measured breath by breath via indirect calorimetry and cardiac output was measured via acetylene rebreathing, with SV calculated as the quotient of cardiac output and heart rate. RESULTS: There was no difference in oxygen uptake between conditions (1.02 ± 0.44 vs. 1.04 ± 0.44 L/min, P=0.298). When compared to systolic walking, stepping in diastole was associated with higher SV (Diastolic: 80 ± 28 vs. Systolic: 74 ± 26 ml, P=0.003) and cardiac output (8.3 ± 3.5 vs. 7.9 ± 3.4 L/min, P=0.004); heart rate (paced) was not different between conditions (101 ± 15 vs. 103 ± 14 bpm, P=0.300). Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower during diastolic walking (85 ± 12 vs. 98 ± 20 mmHg, P=0.007). CONCLUSION: In patients with HF and previous CRT, synchronizing foot strike with diastole during walking increased SV and cardiac output and reduced arterial pressure. Our findings indicate that in such paced hearts, diastolic stepping increases oxygen delivery and decreases afterload, which may facilitate increased exercise capacity. Therefore, if added to pacemakers, this cardio-locomotor coupling technology may maximize CRT efficiency and increase exercise participation and quality of life in patients with HF

Examining the role of parental self-regulation in family physical activity: a mixed-methods approach.

Physical activity (PA) is essential for good health. However, parents risk becoming less active because of the demands of parenting. This has consequences for children as parents are role models. The present study used a mixed-methods approach to explore parental self-regulation associated with PA. Data were collected from 36 parents with preschool-aged children. They were interviewed about their PA and their family's PA. Parents also completed PA and self-regulation questionnaires and wore an accelerometer for five days. Qualitative data were examined using an inductive approach to thematic analysis. It showed that parents felt that they had limited time for personal PA. Mothers' self-regulation was driven by an ethic of care and subjective norms, whereas fathers' self-regulation was driven by beliefs about the importance of autonomy. Nevertheless, both parents saw caring for their children as the main priority. Quantitative data were examined using multiple regression analyses. Results showed that different self-regulatory behaviours predicted the PA of mothers and fathers. Which predictors were significant depended on the type of activity and how it was measured. The findings warrant longitudinal research that would enable the effect of family dynamics on self-regulation associated with PA to be assessed