Interdisciplinary Collaboration Challenges Faced by Counselors in Places Where Professional Counseling is Nascent

The counseling profession may be considered well established in some parts of the world; however, in most countries it remains non-existent or a nascent profession. For the internationalization of counseling to take place, leading to establishment and advancement, the counseling profession needs to engage in interdisciplinary collaboration. Such a process enables a meaningful inclusion of counselors in professional spaces to allow them to meet the socio-emotional needs of clients and communities. In this article, the authors examine the challenges and barriers counselors experience when participating in interdisciplinary professional environments, specifically in places where the counseling profession is a nascent field. We also recommend strategies for counselor educators, supervisors, trainees, practitioners, and professional organization leaders to employ in efforts to address and overcome some of the challenges and barriers and advocate for the inclusion of counselors as valued members in interdisciplinary settings

Passive Microwave Remote Sensing for Sea Ice Thickness Retrieval Using Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm

Abstract-Over the years, global warming has gained much attention from the global community. The fact that the sea ice plays an important role and has significant effects towards the global climate has prompted scientists to conduct various researches on the sea ice in the Polar Regions. One of the important parameters being studied is the sea ice thickness as it is a direct key indication towards the climate change. However, to conduct studies on the sea ice scientists are often facing with tough challenges due to the unfavorable harsh weather conditions and the remoteness of the Polar Regions. Thus, microwave remote sensing offers an attractive mean for the observation and monitoring of the changes of sea ice in the Polar Regions for the scientists. In this paper, we will be presenting 2 approaches using passive microwave remote sensing to retrieve sea ice thickness. The first approach involves the training and testing of the neural network (NN) by using data sets generated from the Radiative Transfer Theory with Dense Medium Phase and Amplitude Correction Theory (RT-DMPACT) forward scattering model. Once training is completed, the inversion for sea ice thickness could be done speedily. The second approach utilizes a genetic algorithm (GA) which would perform a search routine to identify possible solutions in sea ice thickness that would match the corresponding brightness temperatures profile of the sea ice. The results obtained from both approaches are presented and tested by using Special Scanning Microwave Imager (SSM/I) data with the aid of the sea ice measurements in the Arctic sea

Performance of solar air collector-thermoelectric hybrid system

Solar collectors are technologies which using sunlight to collect heat energy. In this study, solar air collector-thermoelectric hybrid systemis designed and constructed. Performance testing is conducted in the lab. The size of this hybrid system is 97.5 × 59 × 12 cm. The manipulating factor is the mass flow rate which is fixed at 0.033, 0.0385, 0.044, 0.0495 and0.055 kg/s. The intensity of solar radiation is set at 700 W/m2. Maximum temperature change (To -Ti) reaches 7.5 °C while maximum temperature change (Tback - Thollow) reaches 16.7 °C. Maximum thermal efficiency of this hybrid system reaches 79.0% at the highest mass flow rate of 0.055 kg/s. The maximum electrical efficiency reaches 5.3% at the lowest mass flow rate of 0.033 kg/s. Maximum overall efficiency reaches 79% at the highest mass flow rate. The hybrid system has better thermal efficiency than a stand-alone solar air collector. Due to the increased overall efficiency, the proposed hybrid system is anticipated to promote wider application of thermoelectric hybrid system

Exploration of Road Traffic Tweets for Congestion Monitoring

Online social network services such as Twitter and Facebook have gained popularity in recent years with continuous increase of users. This is especially true for Twitter, a popular micro-blogging service that enables users to send tweets which contain valuable data in real-time. Real-time tweets information can be used in many areas and one of the least explored areas is crowdsourcing of road traffic conditions. We have found that not many people tweet about traffic conditions; however, there are formal sources that keep their accounts updated with the latest traffic info. In this paper, we present an analysis of tweets that are related to the traffic conditions in Malaysia. Detailed analysis was conducted to understand the structures and the nature of the traffic tweets. Based on our analysis, we found that the real-time nature of the tweets is useful in reporting road traffic conditions and such information will be useful to the road-user

Performance enhancement of photovoltaic modules with passive cooling multidirectional tapered fin heat sinks (MTFHS)

The electrical output of photovoltaic (PV) modules degrades with continued exposure to extreme temperatures caused by solar radiation. The uniqueness of this research lies in the utilization of multidirectional fins with varying heights, which effectively accelerate heat transfer in PV cooling systems by inducing a transition in the boundary layer within the confined zone of the fins. The research aims to investigate the effect of using Multidirectional Tapered Fin Heat Sinks (MTFHS) to improve the efficiency of PV modules by utilizing aluminum alloy material as heatsinks. The proposed multidirectional design aims to facilitate enhanced heat transfer by promoting airflow in the central area of the PV module. The experimental procedures in our study differ from previous research as we utilized the latest generation of PV modules (405 Wp, PERC Half-cut cells) to fill the discrepancy between laboratory-based investigations and practical applications. Two PV modules were tested for an outdoor parametric analysis under outdoor operating conditions, with solar irradiance recorded from 200 to 1000 W/m2 and ambient temperatures ranging from 26° to 38 °C. Findings indicated that the proposed MTFHS could lower PV module temperatures by 12 ⁰C. Reduced temperature boosts PV module efficiency by 1.53%. Cooling advancements proved vital in contributing to sustainability in PV system installations

The impact of atrial fibrillation on prognosis in aortic stenosis

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) and aortic stenosis (AS) are both highly prevalent and often coexist. Various studies have focused on the prognostic value of AF in patients with AS, but rarely considered left ventricular (LV) diastolic function as a prognostic factor. Objective To evaluate the prognostic impact of AF in patients with AS while correcting for LV diastolic function. Methods Patients with first diagnosis of significant AS were selected and stratified according to history of AF. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results In total, 2849 patients with significant AS (mean age 72 +/- 12 years, 54.8% men) were evaluated, and 686 (24.1%) had a history of AF. During a median follow-up of 60 (30-97) months, 1182 (41.5%) patients died. Ten-year mortality rate in patients with AF was 46.8% compared to 36.8% in patients with sinus rhythm (SR) (log-rank P < 0.001). On univariable (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.25-1.62; P < 0.001) and multivariable Cox regression analysis (HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.02-1.38; P = 0.026), AF was independently associated with mortality. However, when correcting for indexed left atrial volume, E/e' or both, AF was no longer independently associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusion Patients with significant AS and AF have a reduced survival as compared to patients with SR. Nonetheless, when correcting for markers of LV diastolic function, AF was not independently associated with outcomes in patients with significant AS.Cardiolog

The impact of atrial fibrillation on prognosis in aortic stenosis

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and aortic stenosis (AS) are both highly prevalent and often coexist. Various studies have focused on the prognostic value of AF in patients with AS, but rarely considered left ventricular (LV) diastolic function as a prognostic factor. Objective: To evaluate the prognostic impact of AF in patients with AS while correcting for LV diastolic function. Methods: Patients with first diagnosis of significant AS were selected and stratified according to history of AF. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: In total, 2849 patients with significant AS (mean age 72 +/- 12 years, 54.8% men) were evaluated, and 686 (24.1%) had a history of AF. During a median follow-up of 60 (30-97) months, 1182 (41.5%) patients died. Ten-year mortality rate in patients with AF was 46.8% compared to 36.8% in patients with sinus rhythm (SR) (log-rank P P P = 0.026), AF was independently associated with mortality. However, when correcting for indexed left atrial volume, E/e' or both, AF was no longer independently associated with all-cause mortality. Conclusion: Patients with significant AS and AF have a reduced survival as compared to patients with SR. Nonetheless, when correcting for markers of LV diastolic function, AF was not independently associated with outcomes in patients with significant AS.</p

Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Laxative Effect of Flavonol Naringenin on Rat Constipation Model

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Symptoms of constipation are extremely common, especially in the elderly. The present study aim to identify an efficacious treatment strategy for constipation by evaluating the secretion-promoting and laxative effect of a herbal compound, naringenin, on intestinal epithelial anion secretion and a rat constipation model, respectively. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: In isolated rat colonic crypts, mucosal addition of naringenin (100 microM) elicited a concentration-dependent and sustained increase in the short-circuit current (I(SC)), which could be inhibited in Cl- free solution or by bumetanide and DPC (diphenylamine-2-carboxylic acid), but not by DIDS (4, 4'- diisothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2'-disulfonic acid). Naringenin could increase intracellular cAMP content and PKA activity, consisted with that MDL-12330A (N-(Cis-2-phenyl-cyclopentyl) azacyclotridecan-2-imine-hydrochloride) pretreatment reduced the naringenin-induced I(SC). In addition, significant inhibition of the naringenin-induced I(SC) by quinidine indicated that basolateral K+ channels were involved in maintaining this cAMP-dependent Cl- secretion. Naringenin-evoked whole cell current which exhibited a linear I-V relationship and time-and voltage- independent characteristics was inhibited by DPC, indicating that the cAMP activated Cl- conductance most likely CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) was involved. In rat constipation model, administration of naringenin restored the level of fecal output, water content and mucus secretion compared to loperamide-administrated group. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that naringenin could stimulate Cl- secretion in colonic epithelium via a signaling pathway involving cAMP and PKA, hence provide an osmotic force for subsequent colonic fluid secretion by which the laxative effect observed in the rat constipation model. Naringenin appears to be a novel alternative treatment strategy for constipation

Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Patients with Moderate Aortic Stenosis

BackgroundModerate aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with an increased risk for adverse events. Although reduced left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is associated with worse outcomes in patients with severe AS, its prognostic value in patients with moderate AS is unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic implications of LV GLS in patients with moderate AS.MethodsLV GLS was evaluated using speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with moderate AS (aortic valve area 1.0-1.5 cm2) and reported as absolute (i.e., positive) values. Patients were divided into three groups: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ResultsA total of 760 patients (mean age, 71 ± 12 years; 61% men) were analyzed. During a median follow-up period of 50 months (interquartile range, 26-94 months), 257 patients (34%) died. Patients with LVEF P P = .592). LV GLS discriminated higher risk patients even among those with LVEF ≥ 60% (P P P P ConclusionsIn patients with moderate AS, reduced LV GLS is associated with an increased risk for all-cause mortality, even if LVEF is still preserved.</p

Clostridium perfringens epsilon toxin increases the small intestinal permeability in mice and rats

Epsilon toxin is a potent neurotoxin produced by Clostridium perfringens types B and D, an anaerobic bacterium that causes enterotoxaemia in ruminants. In the affected animal, it causes oedema of the lungs and brain by damaging the endothelial cells, inducing physiological and morphological changes. Although it is believed to compromise the intestinal barrier, thus entering the gut vasculature, little is known about the mechanism underlying this process. This study characterizes the effects of epsilon toxin on fluid transport and bioelectrical parameters in the small intestine of mice and rats. The enteropooling and the intestinal loop tests, together with the single-pass perfusion assay and in vitro and ex vivo analysis in Ussing's chamber, were all used in combination with histological and ultrastructural analysis of mice and rat small intestine, challenged with or without C. perfringens epsilon toxin. Luminal epsilon toxin induced a time and concentration dependent intestinal fluid accumulation and fall of the transepithelial resistance. Although no evident histological changes were observed, opening of the mucosa tight junction in combination with apoptotic changes in the lamina propria were seen with transmission electron microscopy. These results indicate that C. perfringens epsilon toxin alters the intestinal permeability, predominantly by opening the mucosa tight junction, increasing its permeability to macromolecules, and inducing further degenerative changes in the lamina propria of the bowel. © 2009 Goldstein et al