Improving neural function in older adults through targeted exercise

This thesis explored age-related differences in neurophysiological function, and identified and compared the efficacy and time-course of adaptations following externally-paced strength training, balance and visuomotor training. Older adults were shown to have functional deficits compared to young adults, but the interventions induced neuroplasticity and resulted in improved functional outcomes.<br /

A neural-network model of the input/output characteristics of a high-power backward wave oscillator

This paper discusses an approach to model the input/output characteristics of the Sinus-6 electron beam accelerator-driven backward wave oscillator. Since the Sinus-6 is extremely fast to warrant the inclusion of dynamical effects, and since the sampling interval in the experiment is not fixed, a static continuous neural network model is used to fit the experimental data. Simulation results show that such a simple nonlinear model is sufficient to accurately describe the input/output behavior of the Sinus-6-driven backward wave oscillator (BWO) and that the fitted output waveforms are basically noiseless. This model will be used to control the BWO in order to maximize the radiated power and the efficiency. This paper is also intended to introduce high-power microwave researchers to control concepts that may enhance the outputs of a wide spectrum of sources

The norm-1-property of a quantum observable

A normalized positive operator measure $X\mapsto E(X)$ has the norm-1-property if \no{E(X)}=1 whenever $E(X)\ne O$. This property reflects the fact that the measurement outcome probabilities for the values of such observables can be made arbitrary close to one with suitable state preparations. Some general implications of the norm-1-property are investigated. As case studies, localization observables, phase observables, and phase space observables are considered.Comment: 14 page

Replicating the Networking, Mentoring and Venture Creation Benefits of Entrepreneurship Centres on a Shoestring: A Student-centred Approach to Entrepreneurship Education and Venture Creation

As support for both university-level entrepreneurial education and the use of experiential learning methods to foster student entrepreneurs increases, so too have the number of university-established or affiliated entrepreneurship centers. The activity at the center of this study aimed to combine experiential learning methods with assets associated with entrepreneurship centers, including venture creation, networking, and mentoring. Students were invited to participate in a competition wherein they were guided through the business creation process and pitched their ideas to investor judges who chose the winner and provided capital start-up funding and consulting. This research puts forth that university faculty at institutions without entrepreneurship centers can organize experiences to provide the benefits of entrepreneurship centers. The study used interviews to find that many of the benefits of entrepreneurship centers were able to be replicated using this method. The project is outlined, outcomes are analyzed, and the results and lessons learned are discussed

Patient satisfaction while enrolled in clinical trials: A literature review

Patient satisfaction surveys may not adequately reflect organizations that conduct research in patients who enroll in clinical trials. The purpose of this systematic literature review was to summarize the current state of knowledge of patient satisfaction while enrolled in clinical trials utilizing a widely used, validated patient satisfaction instrument. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycInfo, PubMed and Web of Science. Studies were evaluated in terms of clinical trial participation; assessment conducted during or after participation; utilization of a validated instrument; a pharmacological intervention; and the paper was published in English. Only nine studies met this review’s inclusion criteria. Eight studies utilized investigator-developed patient satisfaction instruments and only one study used a widely-used, validated patient satisfaction instrument. Two studies evaluated patient satisfaction during the development of the instrument. Of the nine studies identified, only five patient satisfaction domains were common across the studies and only study evaluated the associations of patient satisfaction responses with clinical outcomes. Given the importance of patient satisfaction surveys, future studies need to focus on this subset of patients enrolled in clinical trials to evaluate a patient’s experience and its impact on protocol compliance and protocol outcomes. Future studies need to focus on domains associated with clinical trial participation and look beyond the current patients’ general expectations about healthcare accessibility, facilities, healthcare team clinical skills, and their ability to focus and listen to the patients’ concerns. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Policy & Measurement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (https://www.theberylinstitute.org/ExperienceFramework). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens

Serum Concentrations of Myostatin and Myostatin-Interacting Proteins do not differ between young and Scarcopenic elderly men

Peer reviewedPostprin

Polyunsaturated fatty acids inhibit a pentameric ligand-gated ion channel through one of two binding sites

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) inhibit pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGICs) but the mechanism of inhibition is not well understood. The PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), inhibits agonist responses of the pLGIC, ELIC, more effectively than palmitic acid, similar to the effects observed in the GAB

Phage-Encoded Cationic Antimicrobial Peptide Required for Lysis

Abstract: Most phages of Gram-negative bacteria hosts encode spanins for disruption of the outer membrane, which is the last step in host lysis. However, bioinformatic analysis indicates that ∼15% of these phages lack a spanin gene, suggesting they have an alternate way of disrupting the outer membrane (OM). Here, we show that the T7-like coliphage phiKT causes an explosive cell lysis associated with spanin activity despite not encoding spanins. A putative lysis cassette cloned from the phiKT late gene region includes the hypothetical novel gene 28 located between the holin and endolysin genes and supports inducible lysis in Escherichia coli K-12. Moreover, induction of an isogenic construct lacking gene 28 resulted in divalent cation-stabilized spherical cells rather than lysis, implicating gp28 in OM disruption. Additionally, gp28 was shown to complement the lysis defect of a spanin-null λ lysogen. Gene 28 encodes a 56-amino acid cationic protein with predicted amphipathic helical structure and is membrane-associated after lysis. Urea and KCl washes did not release gp28 from the particulate, suggesting a strong hydrophobic membrane interaction. Fluorescence microscopy supports membrane localization of the gp28 protein before lysis. The protein gp28 is similar in size, charge, predicted fold, and membrane association to the human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide LL-37. Synthesized gp28 behaved similarly to LL-37 in standard assays mixing peptide and cells to measure bactericidal and inhibitory effects. Taken together, these results indicate that phiKT gp28 is a phage-encoded cationic antimicrobial peptide that disrupts bacterial outer membranes during host lysis and, thus, establishes a new class of phage lysis proteins, the disruptins. Importance: We provide evidence that phiKT produces an antimicrobial peptide for outer membrane disruption during lysis. This protein, designated a disruptin, is a new paradigm for phage lysis and has no similarities to other known lysis genes. Although many mechanisms have been proposed for the function of antimicrobial peptides, there is no consensus on the molecular basis of membrane disruption. Additionally, there is no established genetic system to support such studies. Therefore, the phiKT disruptin may represent the first genetically tractable antimicrobial peptide, facilitating mechanistic analyses

Localization and Capacitance Fluctuations in Disordered Au Nano-junctions

Nano-junctions, containing atomic-scale gold contacts between strongly disordered leads, exhibit different transport properties at room temperature and at low temperature. At room temperature, the nano-junctions exhibit conductance quantization effects. At low temperatures, the contacts exhibit Coulomb-Blockade. We show that the differences between the room-temperature and low temperature properties arise from the localization of electronic states in the leads. The charging energy and capacitance of the nano-junctions exhibit strong fluctuations with applied magnetic field at low temperature, as predicted theoretically.Comment: 20 pages 8 figure