Quantifying Self Perception: Multisensory Temporal Asynchrony Discrimination As A Measure of Body Ownership

There are diffuse and distinct cortical networks involved in the various aspects of body representation that organize information from multiple sensory inputs and resolve conflicts when faced with incongruent situations. This coherence is typically maintained as we maneuver around the world, as our bodies change over the years, and as we gain experience. An important aspect of a congruent representation of the body in the brain is the visual perspective in which we are able to directly view our own body. There is a clear separation of the cortical networks involved in seeing our own body and that of another person. For the projects presented in my dissertation, I used an experimental design in which participants were required to make a multisensory temporal asynchrony discrimination after self-generated movements. I measured sensitivity for visual delay detection between the movement (proprioceptive, efferent and afferent information) and the visual image of that movement under differing visual, proprioceptive, and vestibular conditions. The self-advantage is a signature of body ownership and is characterized by a significantly lower threshold for delay detection for views of the body that are considered self compared to those that are regarded as other. Overall, the results from the collection of studies suggest that the tolerance for temporally matching visual, proprioceptive and efferent copy information that informs about the perceived position of body parts depends on: whether one is viewing ones own body or someone elses; the perspective in which the body is viewed; the dominant hand; and the reliability of vestibular cues which help us situate our body in space. Further, the self-advantage provides a robust measure of body ownership. The experiments provide a window on and support for the malleable nature of the representation of the body in the brain

Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Vaccine preventable diseases are illnesses that can be defended against with vaccines. Vaccines are drugs that make a person immune to an illness using the body’s natural defense mechanismshttps://digitalcommons.cedarville.edu/public_health_posters/1007/thumbnail.jp

Developing Youth Voice in Service Learning Projects

A qualitative study was conducted to collect information on youth and service learning to provide a template for educators\u27 use when incorporating service learning activities into their curriculums. Findings included that teens were able to articulate a definition of service learning and identify service activities. Most felt they had a voice in planning and implementation and saw adults as key in evaluating projects. However, some felt that adults have too great a voice in the planning stages. Recommendations include professional development for adults on working with teens and evaluating current programs to make certain that youth voice is present

Session 2A: \u3cem\u3eDeveloping Post-Incident Risk Communication Guidelines for Intentional Water Contamination Events\u3c/em\u3e

This panel will discuss a US EPA-funded research project intended to improve risk communication for post-incident decontamination and clearance activities associated with intentional contamination of a water system. The study incorporates two complementary methods conducted in successive phases. The recently-completed first phase included robust case study analyses of risk communication related to recent and significant contamination incidents. The second phase, which is currently underway, will identify ways in which disparate stakeholder groups in a metropolitan area differentially perceive risk and subsequent risk communication efforts

Microbiological efficacy of early MRSA treatment in cystic fibrosis in a randomised controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate microbiological effectiveness, that is, culture negativity of a non-blinded eradication protocol (Rx) compared with observation (Obs) in clinically stable cystic fibrosis participants with newly positive methicillin resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA) cultures. DESIGN: This non-blinded trial randomised participants ages 4-45 years with first or early (≤2 positive cultures within 3 years) MRSA-positive culture without MRSA-active antibiotics within 4 weeks 1:1 to Rx or Obs. The Rx protocol was: oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or if sulfa-allergic, minocycline plus oral rifampin; chlorhexidine mouthwash for 2 weeks; nasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine body wipes for 5 days and environmental decontamination for 21 days. The primary end point was MRSA culture status at day 28. RESULTS: Between 1 April 2011 to September 2014, 45 participants (44% female, mean age 11.5 years) were randomised (24 Rx, 21 Obs). At day 28, 82% (n=18/22) of participants in the Rx arm compared with 26% (n=5/19) in the Obs arm were MRSA-negative. Adjusted for interim monitoring, this difference was 52% (95% CI 23% to 80%, p<0.001). Limiting analyses to participants who were MRSA-positive at the screening visit, 67% (8/12) in the Rx arm and 13% (2/15) in the Obs arm were MRSA-negative at day 28, adjusted difference: 49% (95% CI 22% to 71%, p<0.001). Fifty-four per cent in the Rx arm compared with 10% participants in the Obs arm remained MRSA-negative through day 84. Mild gastrointestinal side effects were higher in the Rx arm. CONCLUSIONS: This MRSA eradication protocol for newly acquired MRSA demonstrated microbiological efficacy with a large treatment effect. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01349192

El fenómeno de globalización y la incidencia en América Latina

Los científicos sociales y jurídicos consideran de forma mayoritaria que el fenómeno de globalización o mundialización inicio&nbsp;&nbsp;en el Norte global, liderado por Estados Unidos y sus aliados europeos; después de varias décadas este fenómeno se transformó y afectó paradójicamente a sus promotores con la crisis económica de 2008 de la cual no se recupera, ni los Estados Unidos, ni la Unión Europea, y posibilito que aparecieran otros líderes globales que no coincidían con las pretensiones de los Estados que propiciaron el fenómeno, es el caso del BRICS, donde se encuentra de forma destacada Brasil, el Estado que más ha realizado transformaciones socioeconómicas en la región; a esto se suma que varios de los Estados latinoamericanos (incluida Brasil) Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba, Nicaragua, entre otros de menos protagonismo, han impulsado organizaciones supraestatales propias como el MERCOSUR, la UNASUR, la CELAC y el ALBA,&nbsp; que fomentan ruptura con la hegemonía estadounidense y que proyectan una región autónoma y fortalecida en el contexto socioeconómico en sus relaciones con el Sur, situación que incorpora las transformaciones constitucionales, que ha sido reconocido como el nuevo constitucionalismo latinoamericano

O fenômeno da Globalização e sua incidência na América Latina

Globalization is promoted by the central North-global States, with the United States and England promoting their deepening in the world through financial capitalism and the knowledge society. This research article analyzes how since the economic crisis of 2008, from which the United States and the European Union are not recovering, the emergence of other global leaders that do not have the pretensions of these States that propitiated the phenomenon was possible. The case of the BRICS was found, where Brazil and other Latin American States such as Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba and Nicaragua stand out, which have promoted their own supranational organizations such as MERCOSUR, UNASUR, CELAC and ALBA, which they promote rupture with the Euro-American hegemony and project an autonomous region strengthened in the socioeconomic context in its relations with the South. These innovations have been incorporated into the constitutions of these countries. It is concluded that the constitutional transformations give rise to a new Latin American constitutionalism that needs to be analyzed in depth.&nbsp;La globalización es promovida por los Estados centrales del Norte-global, siendo Estados Unidos e Inglaterra los que promueven su profundización en el mundo a través del capitalismo financiero y la sociedad del conocimiento. Este artículo de investigación analiza cómo desde la crisis económica de 2008, de la cual no se recuperan ni los Estados Unidos ni la Unión Europea se posibilitó la aparición de otros líderes globales que no tienen las pretensiones de estos Estados que propiciaron el fenómeno. Se encontró el caso del BRICS, donde se destacan Brasil y otros Estados latinoamericanos como Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador, Cuba y Nicaragua, que han impulsado organizaciones supraestatales propias como el MERCOSUR, la UNASUR, la CELAC y el ALBA, que fomentan ruptura con la hegemonía euro estadounidense y que proyectan una región autónoma y fortalecida en el contexto socioeconómico en sus relaciones con el Sur. Estas innovaciones se han incorporado en las constituciones de estos países. Se concluye que las transformaciones constitucionales dan origen a un nuevo constitucionalismo latinoamericano que es preciso analizar a fondo.Os cientistas sociais e jurídicos consideram, de forma majoritária, que o fenômeno da Globalização ou Modernização começou no Norte Global, liderado pelos Estados Unidos e seus aliados europeus. Depois de várias décadas, esse fenômeno se transformou e afetou paradoxalmente seus promotores com a crise econômica de 2008&nbsp; da que não se recupera, nem os Estados Unidos, nem a União Européia e possibilitou a aparição de outros líderes mundiais que não coincidem com as pretensões dos&nbsp; Estados que propiciaram o fenômeno. Este é o caso dos BRICS, onde o Brasil se destaca, o Estado que fez mais transformações socioeconômicas da região; a&nbsp; isso é acrescentado que vários Estados da América Latina, incluindo Brasil, Argentina, Uruguai; Venezuela, Bolívia, Equador, Cuba e Nicarágua, entre outros de menor proeminência, promovem suas próprias organizações supranacionais como Mercosul, Unasur, Celac e ALBA, que promovem uma ruptura com a hegemonia dos EUA e que projetam uma região autônoma e fortalecida no contexto socioeconômico nas suas relações com o Sul, uma situação que incorpora transformações constitucionais, reconhecidas como o novo constitucionalismo latino-americano

Chlamydia trachomatis Test-of-Cure Cannot Be Based on a Single Highly Sensitive Laboratory Test Taken at Least 3 Weeks after Treatment

Current test-of-cure practice in patients with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infection is to confirm cure with a single test taken at least 3 weeks after treatment. Effectiveness of single-time-point testing however lacks a scientific evidence basis and the high sensitivity of laboratory assays nowadays in use for this purpose may compromise the clinical significance of their results. Prospectively following 59 treated Ct infections, administering care as usual, the presence of Ct plasmid DNA and rRNA was systematically assessed by multiple time-sequential measurements, i.e. on 18 samples taken per patient during 8 weeks following treatment with a single dose of 1000 mg Azythromycin. A high proportion (42%) of Ct infections tested positive on at least one of the samples taken after 3 weeks. Patients' test results showed substantial inter-individual and intra-individual variation over time and by type of NAAT used. We demonstrated frequent intermittent positive patterns in Ct test results over time, and strongly argue against current test-of-cure practice

US Cancer Centers of Excellence Strategies for Increased Inclusion of Racial and Ethnic Minorities in Clinical Trials

PURPOSE:: Participation of racial and ethnic minority groups (REMGs) in cancer trials is disproportionately low despite a high prevalence of certain cancers in REMG populations. We aimed to identify notable practices used by leading US cancer centers that facilitate REMG participation in cancer trials. METHODS:: The National Minority Quality Forum and Sustainable Healthy Communities Diverse Cancer Communities Working Group developed criteria by which to identify eligible US cancer centers-REMGs comprise 10% or more of the catchment area; a 10% to 50% yearly accrual rate of REMGs in cancer trials; and the presence of formal community outreach and diversity enrollment programs. Cancer center leaders were interviewed to ascertain notable practices that facilitate REMG accrual in clinical trials. RESULTS:: Eight cancer centers that met the Communities Working Group criteria were invited to participate in in-depth interviews. Notable strategies for increased REMG accrual to cancer trials were reported across five broad themes: commitment and center leadership, investigator training and mentoring, community engagement, patient engagement, and operational practices. Specific notable practices included increased engagement of health care professionals, the presence of formal processes for obtaining REMG patient/caregiver input on research projects, and engagement of community groups to drive REMG participation. Centers also reported an increase in the allocation of resources to improving health disparities and increased dedication of research staff to REMG engagement. CONCLUSION:: We have identified notable practices that facilitate increased participation of REMGs in cancer trials. Wide implementation of such strategies across cancer centers is essential to ensure that all populations benefit from advances in an era of increasingly personalized treatment of cancer