Today\u27s Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic musculoskeletal disorder which results in widespread pain, fatigue, cognitive difficulties, and emotional distress (CDC, 2017). It is also associated with abnormal pain processing. About 2% of US adults have Fibromyalgia, and the disease is more common in middle-aged women, particularly those who have other illnesses like Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis (CDC, 2017). The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is likely a combination of genetics, infections and physical and emotional trauma. Since the exact cause of Fibromyalgia is unknown, treatment options vary. Medication, stress management techniques and an exercise plan are all examples of treatments used for Fibromyalgia. Treatment is important due to the negative impact Fibromyalgia has on life functioning. Fibromyalgia research has progressed in recent years as more clinicians put definitive diagnostic measures in place, researchers investigated various theories on causes and they have continued to explore new treatment options

Two-photon excitation of nitric oxide fluorescence as a temperature indicator in unsteady gas-dynamic processes

A laser induced fluorescence technique, suitable for measuring fluctuating temperatures in cold turbulent flows containing very low concentrations of nitric oxide is described. Temperatures below 300 K may be resolved with signal to noise ratios greater than 50 to 1 using high peak power, tunable dye lasers. The method relies on the two photon excitation of selected ro-vibronic transitions. The analysis includes the effects of fluorescence quenching and shows the technique to be effective at all densities below ambient. Signal to noise ratio estimates are based on a preliminary measurement of the two photon absorptivity for a selected rotational transition in the NO gamma (0,0) band

The two-photon absorptivity of rotational transitions in the A2 Sigma hyperon + (v prime = O) - X-2 pion (v prime prime = O) gamma band of nitric oxide

A predominantly single-mode pulsed dye laser system giving a well characterized spatial and temporal output suitable for absolute two-photon absorptivity measurements was used to study the NO gamma(0,0) S11 + R21 (J double prime = 7-1/2) transition. Using a calibrated induced-fluorescence technique, an absorptivity parameter of 2.8 + or - 1.4 x 10 to the minus 51st power cm to the 6th power was obtained. Relative strengths of other rotational transitions in the gamma(0,0) band were also measured and shown to compare well with predicted values in all cases except the O12 (J double prime = 10-1/2) transition

Optical measurements of fluctuating temperatures in a supersonic turbulent flow using one- and two-photon, laser-induced fluorescence

A laser-induced fluorescence technique was developed that provides a practical means of nonintrusively measuring the instantaneous temperatures in low-temperature turbulent flows. The capabilities of the method are reviewed, and its application to a simple, two-dimensional, turbulent boundary-layer flow at Mach 2 is reported. Measurements of the average temperature distribution through the boundary layer and the magnitudes of temperature fluctuations about their average values are presented

Comparison of Compression Schemes for CLARA

CLARA (Compact Linear Advanced Research Accelerator)at Daresbury Laboratory is proposed to be the UK's national FEL test facility. The accelerator will be a ~250 MeV electron linac capable of producing short, high brightness electron bunches. The machine comprises a 2.5cell RF photocathode gun, one 2 m and three 5 m normal conducting S-band (2998MHz) accelerating structures and a variable magnetic compression chicane. CLARA will be used as a test bed for novel FEL configurations. We present a comparison of acceleration and compression schemes for the candidate machine layout.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figures, IPAC 201

Children’s Ability to Identify an Unusual Occurrence of a Repeated Event

Abstract Research on script memory shows that individuals have a difficult time isolating single instances of a repeated event because a generic script (e.g., one has a generic script for typical grocery shopping; grab a cart, gather items, then pay) has formed over time. Scripts capture the “gist” of what usually happens and allow individuals to predict what probably occurred based on the robustness of the script. Thus, individuals are able to identify details of what occurs; however, piecing which details came from a particular incident poses its challenges, especially for children. Source monitoring is the ability to accurately differentiate sources (e.g., “Was I at Sobeys or was I at Zehrs?”) and state the details which occurred during this one incident. Due to the formation of scripts and their general representation, it is challenging to source monitor. Federal laws require children testifying in court regarding abuse to give specific details of one incident in order to be credible. However, as described, due to the formation of scripts, the accuracy or ability to monitor the source of these details is jeopardized. The present study examined an interview technique focusing on “different times” (often referred to as “deviations”) from scripted memories which may aid children in accurately recalling details from particular incidents. Children (N = 89, 5-6 and 7-8-year olds) participated in five repeated incidents (referred to as “events”) where for half of the children, the fourth event was “different” from the usual script (e.g., one event was about animals and the other events were about the human body). Children in the control condition also engaged in five events, however, there was no “different event” in which half of the children experienced all five events about the human body and for the other half, all events were about animals. Three to seven days after the fifth (final) event, children were interviewed and asked to talk about the fourth event. For the “different” condition, this was a deviation from the usual event script, and for the control condition the fourth day is a usual scripted event-no “different event”. Results revealed that children in the “different” condition had higher accuracy scores as well as lower errors in the details provided compared to the control condition. However, the different condition did not recall a higher number of details about the events compared to those in the control condition. Additionally, both 7-8-year olds and 5-6-year olds performed equally well on accuracy scores and number of errors mentioned. Conclusions from this study reveal that focusing on deviations or “different days” aids children in reducing errors in the information they provide about that day compared to a “usual” scripted day. These findings could be beneficial for the types of questions forensic interviewers use with children who are testifying in court about multiple repeated events. Specifically, asking children questions about a time that stood out to them (i.e., a “different time”) could be beneficial for increasing source monitoring and number of details children describe, ultimately helping the child to become more credible in their testimony

The Construct Validity of the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II) and the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (RIAS-2)

The Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, Second Edition (WASI-II; Wechsler, 2011) and the Reynolds Intellectual Assessment Scales, Second Edition (RIAS-2; Reynolds & Kamphaus, 2015) are two intelligence tests created to assess general intelligence, using four subtests reflecting two verbal and two nonverbal (perceptual reasoning) tasks. Both tests overlap to assess individuals between the ages of 6 to 90, and while the WASI-II is specified by the publisher as a screening measure, the RIAS-2 is not. Tests like the WASI-II and RIAS-2 may provide more efficient assessment of general intelligence, which can reduce assessment time and allow professionals to engage in other professional responsibilities. Both the WASI-II and RIAS-2 manuals report comparison with several longer, so-called “comprehensive” intelligence tests to assess convergent validity and discriminant validity; however at this time, there are no independent studies comparing the WASI-II and RIAS-2. This present study (N = 60) examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the WASI-II and RIAS-2 with elementary and secondary school children, as well as adult volunteers, to assess the construct validity of both measures. Results support the construct validity of the WASI-II and RIAS-2. Results revealed strong convergent validity support for full scale composite scores, as well as their verbal and nonverbal estimates. Dissimilar IQ scales were correlated to a lesser degree compared to convergent validity. Using one of these assessments may be both time and cost effective within the educational setting to allow professionals more time providing interventions, consultation, teaming, and report writing

Optical stark effect in the 2-photon spectrum of NO

A large optical Stark effect has been observed in the two-photon spectrum X(2)Pi yields A(2)Sigma(+)_ in NO. It is explained as a near-resonant process in which the upper state of the two-photon transition is perturbed by interactions with higher-lying electronic states coupled by the laser field. A theoretical analysis is presented along with coupling parameters determined from ab initio wave functions. The synthetic spectrum reproduces the major experimental features

A Generation of Katnisses: The New Power of Female Protagonists in Young Adult Dystopian Literature

Considering emerging heroines in young adult dystopian fiction, this project first examines them in a literary review. Using feminist ethics of care as a baseline, the review considers their unique worlds, agency, and motivatio

The role of cosmic rays and Alfven waves in the structure of the galactic halo

The effect that cosmic rays and the Alfven waves they generate have on the structure of the plasma distribution perpendicular to the galactic disk is examined. It is shown that the plasma distribution exhibits two length scales and the predicted values of gas density far from the galactic plane indicate that models involving hydrostatic equilibrium should be replaced by those allowing for a galactic wind