Vaeltava puu

Trees are “rooted.” Nevertheless, long-term scientific observations have proved that trees do migrate through landscapes and regions, very slowly and over decades to survive the impacts of climate change which advances faster than they do. The Wandering Tree project by artist Agnes Meyer-Brandis observes tree migration in different ecosystems, in Finland at Siikaneva peatland. The project creates narratives and raises questions of the effects of climate change on the ecosystems considered “naturally” unchangeable. This visual essay illustrates yet undiscovered stories of a tree. What happens in the peatland when we are not there? What stories will entangle with the new path of the pine

Meyer Foundation Annual Report 2002

https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/bss/1306/thumbnail.jp

The Effect of Realia as Teaching Media in Students’ Writing of Descriptive Text at Eight Grade in SMP N 6 Pangaribuan

Realia adalah benda nyata yang digunakan sebagai media pembelajaran yang dapat dilihat, diraba, dilihat, dan diamati melalui panca indera. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh media pembelajaran realia dalam menulis teks deskriptif siswa kelas VIII SMP N 6 Pangaribuan. Penelitian ini dilakukan dengan menerapkan penelitian kuantitatif eksperimental. Sampel penelitian ini adalah siswa kelas VIII SMP N 6 Pangaribuan. Peneliti mengambil kelas 8-A sebagai kelompok eksperimen yang terdiri dari 20 siswa dan kelas 8-B yang terdiri dari 20 siswa. Populasi penelitian ini adalah 40 siswa, sampel dipilih secara acak. Instrumen penelitian dalam penelitian ini berupa tes menulis. Kemudian tes dibagi menjadi dua yaitu pre-test dan post-test. Nilai rata-rata pre-test di kelas eksperimen adalah 61,65 dan post-test adalah 74,6. Nilai rata-rata pre-test pada kelompok kontrol adalah 62,25 dan post-test adalah 66,25. Hal ini dilakukan agar kelompok eksperimen lebih tinggi dari kelompok kontrol. Hasil bahwa t-hitung > t-tabel sebagai taraf signifikansi p = 0,05(10 > 2,024). Hipotesis alternatif (Ha) diterima dan hipotesis nol (Ho) ditolak. Artinya ada pengaruh yang signifikan penggunaan Realia sebagai media pembelajaran dalam menulis teks deskriptif siswa kelas VIII SMP N 6 Pangaribuan

Effects of aleglitazar, a balanced dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ agonist on glycemic and lipid parameters in a primate model of the metabolic syndrome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Glycemic control and management of dyslipidemia to reduce cardiovascular risk are major therapeutic goals in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of aleglitazar, a balanced dual peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) agonist, on both lipid and glycemic parameters in obese, hypertriglyceridemic, insulin-resistant rhesus monkeys.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A 135-day efficacy study was performed in six rhesus monkeys. After a 28-day baseline assessment (vehicle only), monkeys received oral aleglitazar 0.03 mg/kg per day for 42 days, followed by a 63-day washout period. Plasma levels of markers of glycemic and lipid regulation were measured at baseline, at the end of the dosing period, and at the end of the washout period.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared with baseline values, aleglitazar 0.03 mg/kg per day reduced triglyceride levels by an average of 89% (328 to 36 mg/dL; P = 0.0035 when normalized for baseline levels) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels by 125% (46 to 102 mg/dL; P = 0.0007). Furthermore, aleglitazar reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (41%) and increased levels of apolipoprotein A-I (17%) and A-II (17%). Aleglitazar also improved insulin sensitivity by 60% (P = 0.001). Mean body weight was reduced by 5.9% from baseline values with aleglitazar at this dose (P = 0.043).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Aleglitazar, a dual PPARα/γ agonist, has beneficial effects on both lipid and glucose parameters and may have a therapeutic role in modifying cardiovascular risk factors and improving glycemic control in patients with T2DM.</p

Association Between Drinking Goal and Alcohol Use One Year After Residential Treatment: A Multicenter Study

This study examined whether patients’ drinking goals at admission to and discharge from 12 residential alcohol use disorder treatment programs were associated with alcohol-related outcomes at 1-year follow-up. Detoxified patients (N D 289) completed assessments at admission, after treatment, and at 1-year follow-up. Drinking goals of abstinence, conditional abstinence (in principle abstinence but potential occurrence of lapses or drinking, when urges are strong), and controlled drinking changed during treatment and predicted the 1-year follow-up outcomes (abstinence, number of standard drinks, and number of days to the first alcohol use). Goals at discharge had a better predictive value. The goal of abstinence at discharge had better outcomes than conditional abstinence; the poorest had controlled drinking

Piezoresistive Membrane Surface Stress Sensors for Characterization of Breath Samples of Head and Neck Cancer Patients

For many diseases, where a particular organ is affected, chemical by-products can be found in the patient’s exhaled breath. Breath analysis is often done using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, but interpretation of results is difficult and time-consuming. We performed characterization of patients’ exhaled breath samples by an electronic nose technique based on an array of nanomechanical membrane sensors. Each membrane is coated with a different thin polymer layer. By pumping the exhaled breath into a measurement chamber, volatile organic compounds present in patients’ breath diffuse into the polymer layers and deform the membranes by changes in surface stress. The bending of the membranes is measured piezoresistively and the signals are converted into voltages. The sensor deflection pattern allows one to characterize the condition of the patient. In a clinical pilot study, we investigated breath samples from head and neck cancer patients and healthy control persons. Evaluation using principal component analysis (PCA) allowed a clear distinction between the two groups. As head and neck cancer can be completely removed by surgery, the breath of cured patients was investigated after surgery again and the results were similar to those of the healthy control group, indicating that surgery was successful

Efficacy of Integrated Social Cognitive Remediation vs. Neurocognitive Remediation in Improving Functional Outcome in Schizophrenia: Concept and Design of a Multicenter, Single-Blind RCT (The ISST Study)

Background: Although clinically effective treatment is available for schizophrenia, recovery often is still hampered by persistent poor psychosocial functioning, which in turn is limited by impairments in neurocognition, social cognition, and social behavioral skills. Although cognitive remediation has shown general efficacy in improving cognition and social functioning, effects still need to be improved and replicated in appropriately powered, methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Existing evidence indicates that effects can most likely be optimized by combining treatment approaches to simultaneously address both social cognitive and social behavioral processes. Objectives: To assess whether Integrated Social Cognitive and Behavioral Skill Therapy (ISST) ismore efficacious in improving functional outcome in schizophrenia than the active control treatment Neurocognitive Remediation Therapy (NCRT). Methods: The present study is a multicenter, prospective, rater-blinded, two-arm RCT being conducted at six academic study sites in Germany. A sample of 180 at least partly remitted patients with schizophrenia are randomly assigned to either ISST or NCRT. ISST is a compensatory, strategy-based program that targets social cognitive processes and social behavioral skills. NCRT comprisesmainly drill and practice-oriented neurocognitive training. Both treatments consist of 18 sessions over 6 months, and participants are subsequently followed up for another 6 months. The primary outcome is all-cause discontinuation over the 12-month study period; psychosocial functioning, quality of life, neurocognitive and social cognitive performance, and clinical symptoms are assessed as secondary outcomes at baseline before randomization (V1), at the end of the six-month treatment period (V6), and at the six-month follow-up (V12). Discussion: This RCT is part of the German Enhancing Schizophrenia Prevention and Recovery through Innovative Treatments (ESPRIT) research network, which aims at using innovative treatments to enhance prevention and recovery in patients with schizophrenia. Because this study is one of the largest and methodologically most rigorous RCTs on the efficacy of cognitive remediation approaches in schizophrenia, it will not only help to identify the optimal treatment options for improving psychosocial functioning and thus recovery in patients but also allow conclusions to be drawn about factors influencing and mediating the effects of cognitive remediation in these patients

Patterns of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignancy in the head and neck. The prognosis remains poor and late recurrences often occur after 5 years and later. To date, there are no reliable prognostic markers for ACC. In several solid tumors, tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) are associated with improved survival. This study aims to investigate the role of distribution patterns of tumor infiltrating immune cells (TIL) in ACC. A cohort of 50 patients from three different cancer centers was available for analysis. Sections were stained for CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD20 and evaluated with regard to their distribution of TIL. Patterns were determined as infiltrated-excluded, infiltrated-inflamed and presence of tertiary lymphoid structures. About half of the cases showed an infiltrated-excluded TIL pattern and only a minority of six cases had TLS present within the tumor. Within the inflamed phenotype CD3+ cells were by far the most abundant lymphocyte subtype, and within this compartment, CD8+ T cells were predominant. There was no influence on overall or disease-free survival by any of the TIL patterns. This indicates that ACC is a tumor with very low immunogenicity and even abundance of lymphocytes does not seem to improve prognosis for this disease. Therefore, the observed lack of response towards immunotherapy is not surprising and other methods to induce recognition of ACC by the immune system must be found

Berichte vom Historikertag 2012

Unter dem Motto „Ressourcen-Konflikte“ fand vom 25. bis 28. September 2012 der 49. Deutsche Historikertag an der Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz statt. H-Soz-u-Kult hat den Kongress in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Mainzer Organisationsbüro als offizieller Medienpartner begleitet. In knapp 70 Sektionen und Podiumsdiskussionen waren unterschiedlichste Epochen, Themenbereiche und methodische Zugänge vertreten. Die Ergebnisse des Historikertags wurden von zahlreichen Autor/innen für H-Soz-u-Kult in Sektionsberichten dokumentiert. Ergänzt werden diese durch Querschnittsberichte, die epochale oder thematische Zugänge mehrerer Sektionen in den Blick nehmen und so übergreifende Fragestellungen sichtbar machen. Schon im Vorfeld des Historikertages hat H-Soz-u-Kult das Kongressmotto zum Anlass genommen, um mit sechs kompetenten Kolleginnen und Kollegen über "Ressourcen in den Geschichtswissenschaften" zu diskutieren. Die Ergebnisse dieser Debatte und die gesamte Berichterstattung sind in diesem Band zusammengestellt, der dauerhaft auf dem Publikationsserver der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin zugänglich sein wird

Pre-hospital management protocols and perceived difficulty in diagnosing acute heart failure

Aim To illustrate the pre-hospital management arsenals and protocols in different EMS units, and to estimate the perceived difficulty of diagnosing suspected acute heart failure (AHF) compared with other common pre-hospital conditions. Methods and results A multinational survey included 104 emergency medical service (EMS) regions from 18 countries. Diagnostic and therapeutic arsenals related to AHF management were reported for each type of EMS unit. The prevalence and contents of management protocols for common medical conditions treated pre-hospitally was collected. The perceived difficulty of diagnosing AHF and other medical conditions by emergency medical dispatchers and EMS personnel was interrogated. Ultrasound devices and point-of-care testing were available in advanced life support and helicopter EMS units in fewer than 25% of EMS regions. AHF protocols were present in 80.8% of regions. Protocols for ST-elevation myocardial infarction, chest pain, and dyspnoea were present in 95.2, 80.8, and 76.0% of EMS regions, respectively. Protocolized diagnostic actions for AHF management included 12-lead electrocardiogram (92.1% of regions), ultrasound examination (16.0%), and point-of-care testings for troponin and BNP (6.0 and 3.5%). Therapeutic actions included supplementary oxygen (93.2%), non-invasive ventilation (80.7%), intravenous furosemide, opiates, nitroglycerine (69.0, 68.6, and 57.0%), and intubation 71.5%. Diagnosing suspected AHF was considered easy to moderate by EMS personnel and moderate to difficult by emergency medical dispatchers (without significant differences between de novo and decompensated heart failure). In both settings, diagnosis of suspected AHF was considered easier than pulmonary embolism and more difficult than ST-elevation myocardial infarction, asthma, and stroke. Conclusions The prevalence of AHF protocols is rather high but the contents seem to vary. Difficulty of diagnosing suspected AHF seems to be moderate compared with other pre-hospital conditions