The Relationship Between Vagal Tone, A Marker of Parasympathetic Activity, and Pro-Social Behavior

Vagal tone, a measure of parasympathetic activity via the vagus nerve, is known to be associated with positive emotion because it promotes social engagement and self-soothing behavior. Heart rate variability (HRV), especially high frequency oscillation, is a direct measure of vagal tone, and has been used in previous studies to test the correlation between vagal tone and positive emotion. This study aims to determine if the two major oscillations of heart rate variability, high frequency (HF-HRV) and low frequency (LF-HRV) can predict pro-social behavior, which is classified as giving donations to charities. Baseline LF- and HF-HRV levels were recorded, and compared to how much each participant donated after watching several donation appeals by charities. Results showed there was no significant difference in either LF- or HF-HRV levels between donors and non-donors. A negative correlation was found between both LF and HF-HRV levels and donation behavior, contradicting research that predicts a positive correlation between the two variables. There was no significant effect of gender on donation amount. This research gives insight in to how physiological changes can affect psychological processes, such as emotional expression

Real-Time Fault Classification for Plasma Processes

Plasma process tools, which usually cost several millions of US dollars, are often used in the semiconductor fabrication etching process. If the plasma process is halted due to some process fault, the productivity will be reduced and the cost will increase. In order to maximize the product/wafer yield and tool productivity, a timely and effective fault process detection is required in a plasma reactor. The classification of fault events can help the users to quickly identify fault processes, and thus can save downtime of the plasma tool. In this work, optical emission spectroscopy (OES) is employed as the metrology sensor for in-situ process monitoring. Splitting into twelve different match rates by spectrum bands, the matching rate indicator in our previous work (Yang, R.; Chen, R.S. Sensors 2010, 10, 5703–5723) is used to detect the fault process. Based on the match data, a real-time classification of plasma faults is achieved by a novel method, developed in this study. Experiments were conducted to validate the novel fault classification. From the experimental results, we may conclude that the proposed method is feasible inasmuch that the overall accuracy rate of the classification for fault event shifts is 27 out of 28 or about 96.4% in success

Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder: State of the Preclinical Science.

The purpose of this article is to provide a succinct summary of the different experimental approaches that have been used in preclinical postoperative cognitive dysfunction research, and an overview of the knowledge that has accrued. This is not intended to be a comprehensive review, but rather is intended to highlight how the many different approaches have contributed to our understanding of postoperative cognitive dysfunction, and to identify knowledge gaps to be filled by further research. The authors have organized this report by the level of experimental and systems complexity, starting with molecular and cellular approaches, then moving to intact invertebrates and vertebrate animal models. In addition, the authors' goal is to improve the quality and consistency of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and perioperative neurocognitive disorder research by promoting optimal study design, enhanced transparency, and "best practices" in experimental design and reporting to increase the likelihood of corroborating results. Thus, the authors conclude with general guidelines for designing, conducting and reporting perioperative neurocognitive disorder rodent research

Telecommunication for Advance Care Planning in Heart Failure

Heart failure is a chronic illness that carries a significant burden for patients, caregivers and health systems alike. The integration of palliative care and telehealth is a growing area of interest in heart failure management to help alleviate these burdens. This review focuses on the incorporation of advance care planning for complex decision-making in heart failure in the setting of increasing virtual care and telehealth. The review will also consider the role of virtual education for advance care planning and serious illness communication. Telecommunication for clinical care and clinical education are both described as non-inferior to in-person methods. Nevertheless, more research is needed to discern best practices and the optimal integration of methods

Pharmacological treatments for fatigue associated with palliative care: executive summary of a Cochrane Collaboration systematic review.

BACKGROUND: In palliative care patients, fatigue can be severely debilitating and is often not counteracted with rest, thereby impacting daily activity and quality of life. Further complicating issues are the multidimensionality, subjective nature and lack of a consensus definition of fatigue. The review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of pharmacological treatments for fatigue in palliative care, with a focus on patients at an advanced stage of disease, including patients with cancer and other chronic diseases. METHODS: We considered randomized controlled trials concerning adult palliative care with a focus on pharmacological treatment of fatigue compared with placebo, application of two drugs, usual care or a non-pharmacological intervention. The primary outcome had to be non-specific fatigue (or related terms such as asthenia). We searched the CENTRAL, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and EMBASE, and a selection of cancer journals up to 28 April 2014. Two review authors independently assessed trial quality and extracted the data. RESULTS: We screened 1645 publications of which 45 met the inclusion criteria. In total, we analysed data from 18 drugs and 4696 participants. There was a very high degree of statistical and clinical heterogeneity in the trials. Meta-analysis of data was possible for modafinil, pemoline, and methylphenidate. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the limited evidence, we cannot recommend a specific drug for the treatment of fatigue in palliative care patients. Some drugs, which may be beneficial for the treatment of fatigue associated with palliative care such as amantadine, methylphenidate, and modafinil, should be further researched

Komposisi dan Kemelimpahan Fitoplankton di Laguna Glagah Kabupaten Kulonprogo Provinsi Daerah Istimewa YOGYAKARTA

Penelitian bertujuan untuk: 1) mengidentifikasi jenis fitoplankton di laguna Glagah; 2) meng-identifikasi kemelimpahan fitoplankton di laguna Glagah; 3) mempelajari hubungan faktor fisiko-kimia lingkungan dengan kemelimpahan fitoplankton di laguna Glagah. Penelitian dilaksanakan pada tanggal 10 Desember 2012 di laguna Glagah desa Glagah kecamatan Temon Kabupaten Kulonprogo DIY. Pengambilan sampel dilakukan pada 3 stasiun pengamatan untuk mengidentifikasi faktor fisiko-kimia (pH, DO, dan alkalinitas) dan mengidentifikasi fitoplankton. Pengamatan dilakukan sebanyak 2 kali yaitu pada pukul 08.00 WIB (pagi) dan 13.00 WIB (siang). Pengujian faktor fisiko-kimia dan identifikasi fito-plankton dilakukan di laboratorium ekologi Fakultas Biologi UGM. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa fitoplankton yang ditemukan di laguna Glagah berjumlah 9 spesies dalam 3 fungsional grup dengan kemelimpahan rata-rata sebesar 1839.667 individu/L pada pagi hari dan 1640,333 pada siang hari. Fitoplankton yang paling melimpah adalah diatom. Berdasarkan analisis regresi korelasi antara kemelimpahan fitoplankton dan faktor fisiko-kimia perairan Laguna Glagah maka diperoleh kesimpulan bahwa terdapat hubungan antara faktor fisiko kimia meliputi pH, DO, dan alkalinitas dengan kemelimpahan fitoplankton

Influence of depression and gender on symptom burden among patients with advanced heart failure: Insight from the pain assessment, incidence and nature in heart failure study

Introduction Patients with advanced heart failure (HF) experience many burdensome symptoms that increase patient suffering. Methods Comparative secondary analysis of 347 patients with advanced HF. Symptom burden was measured with the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-HF. Depression was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Results Mean number of symptoms was 13.6. The three most frequent symptoms were non-cardiac pain, shortness of breath, and lack of energy. Patients with depression reported higher symptom burden. Symptom burden differed when compared by gender. Women reported higher symptom burden for other pain, dry mouth, swelling of the arms and legs, sweats, feeling nervous, nausea, and vomiting. Men reported higher symptom burden with sexual problems. Conclusions Given the high rates of symptoms and distress, interventions are needed to alleviate the symptom burden of patients with advanced HF. Reported symptom burden in patients with advanced heart failure was higher when depressive symptoms were present. Women reported varied number and severity of symptoms than men