Evaluation of the use of pharmacological treatment with prisoners experiencing high levels of hypersexual disorder

This paper presents an evaluation of the impact of pharmacological treatment in reducing hypersexual disorder in adult males who have been incarcerated following conviction for a sexual offence. The evaluation compares two types of pharmacological treatment, one of which is part of the current NICE guidance for treatment of hypersexuality (Antiandrogens), whilst the other type (SSRIs) is off-label use in the UK for hypersexuality. The participant pool comprised 127 adult male prisoners serving sentences for sexual offences in a UK prison. Participants had been voluntarily referred for pharmacological treatment to manage hypersexual disorder. The results demonstrated a significant reduction of hypersexual disorder pre- and post-medication and contribute to the evidence base for the use of pharmacological treatment with individuals for whom hypersexual disorder may be a salient factor in their offending. Limitations of the current research are discussed

A wirelessly powered and controlled device for optical neural control of freely-behaving animals

Optogenetics, the ability to use light to activate and silence specific neuron types within neural networks in vivo and in vitro, is revolutionizing neuroscientists' capacity to understand how defined neural circuit elements contribute to normal and pathological brain functions. Typically, awake behaving experiments are conducted by inserting an optical fiber into the brain, tethered to a remote laser, or by utilizing an implanted light-emitting diode (LED), tethered to a remote power source. A fully wireless system would enable chronic or longitudinal experiments where long duration tethering is impractical, and would also support high-throughput experimentation. However, the high power requirements of light sources (LEDs, lasers), especially in the context of the extended illumination periods often desired in experiments, precludes battery-powered approaches from being widely applicable. We have developed a headborne device weighing 2 g capable of wirelessly receiving power using a resonant RF power link and storing the energy in an adaptive supercapacitor circuit, which can algorithmically control one or more headborne LEDs via a microcontroller. The device can deliver approximately 2 W of power to the LEDs in steady state, and 4.3 W in bursts. We also present an optional radio transceiver module (1 g) which, when added to the base headborne device, enables real-time updating of light delivery protocols; dozens of devices can be controlled simultaneously from one computer. We demonstrate use of the technology to wirelessly drive cortical control of movement in mice. These devices may serve as prototypes for clinical ultra-precise neural prosthetics that use light as the modality of biological control.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (NIH Director’s New Innovator Award (DP2OD002002))National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1R01DA029639)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1RC1MH088182)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1RC2DE020919)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1R01NS067199)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (Grant 1R43NS070453)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (CAREER award)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF Grant DMS 1042134)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF Grant DMS 0848804)National Science Foundation (U.S.) (NSF Grant EFRI 0835878)Benesse FoundationGoogle (Firm)Dr. Gerald Burnett and Marjorie BurnettUnited States. Dept. of Defense (CDMRP PTSD Program)Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyBrain & Behavior Research FoundationAlfred P. Sloan FoundationSociety for NeuroscienceMassachusetts Institute of Technology. Media LaboratoryMcGovern Institute for Brain Research at MITWallace H. Coulter Foundatio

Estimation of uncertainty in three-dimensional coordinate measurement by comparison with calibrated points

This paper details a method of estimating the uncertainty of dimensional measurement for a three-dimensional coordinate measurement machine. An experimental procedure was developed to compare three-dimensional coordinate measurements with calibrated reference points. The reference standard used to calibrate these reference points was a fringe counting interferometer with a multilateration-like technique employed to establish three-dimensional coordinates. This is an extension of the established technique of comparing measured lengths with calibrated lengths. Specifically a distributed coordinate measurement device was tested which consisted of a network of Rotary-Laser Automatic Theodolites (R-LATs), this system is known commercially as indoor GPS (iGPS). The method was found to be practical and was used to estimate that the uncertainty of measurement for the basic iGPS system is approximately 1 mm at a 95% confidence level throughout a measurement volume of approximately 10 m × 10 m × 1.5 m. © 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd

Cambio demográfico, migración y salud reproductiva : el papel de las mujeres senegalesas en la constitución de las familias

En aquest paper presentem en primer lloc els trets més característics de la transició de la nupcialitat i de la fecunditat a Senegal fent referència a alguns indicadors de la salut sexual i reproductiva de les dones. A continuació presentem els indicadors que resumeixen la biografia migratòria, nupcial i reproductiva d'un col·lectiu de dones senegaleses que han immigrat a Catalunya i que estan construint les seves famílies a cavall de dues cultures i de dos continents, fent referència entre altres coses a la poligamia, al lloc de naixement i residència dels seus fills i a la utilització de mètodes de planificació familiar. Acabem la comunicació amb algunes reflexions sobre el paper de les dones com agents actius en les decisions en materia de sexualitat i reproducció, en una societat que no és la seva, de la qual agraeixen els serveis de salut públics però sense deixar de banda la seva pròpia concepció de la família i de la salut.En este artículo presentamos en primer lugar los elementos más rellevantes de la transición de la nupcialidad y de la fecundidad en Senegal haciendo referencia a algunos indicadores de salud sexual y reproductiva de las mujeres. A continuación presentamos los indicadores que resumen la biografía migratoria, nupcial y reproductiva de un colectivo de mujeres de Senegal que han inmigrado a Cataluña y que están formando sus familias en el contexto de dos culturas y de dos continentes, haciendo referencia entre otras cosas a la poligamia, al lugar de nacimiento y residencia de sus hijos y a la utilización de métodos de planificación familiar. Finalizamos la comunicación con algunas reflexiones sobre el papel de las mujeres como agentes activos en las decisiones en materia de sexualidad y reproducción, en una sociedad que no es la suya propia, de la que agradecen los servicios de salud públicos pero sin olvidar su propia concepción de la familia y de la salud.In this paper we present the main characteristics from Senegal's nuptuality and fertility transition according to a group of measures related to women's sexual and reproductive health. We then show those indicators that summarise Senegal's women biography in terms of their migration, nuptuality and reproduction for those who have immigrated to Catalunya and have to raise a family between two cultures and two continents. In this way the article makes reference, among other things, to polygamy, the birthplace and residence of their offspring, as well as the existence of family planning. Lastly, we finish this paper with some ideas about the role of Senegal's women making sexual and reproduction decisions in a different society where they can obtain public health services while keeping their own approach to family and health issues