Seeking Froebel's mother songs in daycare for babies

In 2013, we undertook a small exploratory study that involved baby room practitioners who work in full daycare settings in southeast England caring for babies from 3 weeks to around 18 months of age. We had received funding from The Froebel Trust to examine whether Froebel’s principles for early childhood education and care and the particular emphasis he placed on singing with babies and young children resonated with contemporary practices in settings that did not express any affiliation to Froebelian ideas. We adopted an interpretative approach, used predominantly narrative methods for data collection (including practitioners’ reflections on filmed observations of their practice) and applied thematic methods for qualitative data analysis. Our enquiry was framed and guided by findings from our previous research into the processes and practice of baby rooms (Goouch and Powell 2013) and a rapid review of literature about the benefits of singing to/with babies and Froebel’s writings on the subject. Our initial conceptual framework was underpinned by four propositions, which guided our research questions and design for the study. Although this pilot left us with many questions requiring further exploration, we were reasonably confident that our four propositions had been affirmed by our enquiries. Namely, that singing can facilitate intimacy; supports language development; can be a means to improve relationships with families; and enhances the wellbeing of practitioners during their working day. But we also discovered that singing is not overtly promoted in policy nor are its multiple facets and benefits necessarily recognised in practice. Consequently, although the practitioners involved frequently demonstrated that they broadly concurred with Froebel’s ideas about the value of singing, they did so only when it was drawn to their attention. Also they were largely unaware of Froebel’s principles and any resonance was coincidental. But they were fascinated by the enquiry, keen to learn about research on singing and Froebel’s beliefs, enthusiastic in their engagement in the project and replete with suggestions about how they could explore singing as a tool for connecting with babies’ parents and home lives

EAPC task force on education for psychologists in palliative care

It is argued that psychological aspects of care and psychosocial problems are essential components of palliative care. However, the provision of appropriate services remains somewhat arbitrary. Unlike medical and nursing care, which are clearly delivered by doctors and nurses respectively, psychological and psychosocial support in palliative care are not assigned exclusively to psychologists. It is generally expected that all professionals working in palliative care should have some knowledge of the psychological dynamics in terminal illness, as well as skills in communication and psychological risk assessment. On the one hand, palliative care education programmes for nurses and doctors comprise a considerable amount of psychological and psychosocial content. On the other hand, only a few palliative care associations provide explicit information on the role and tasks of psychologists in palliative care. Psychologists’ associations do not deal much with this issue either. If they refer to it at all, it is in the context of the care of the aged, end-of-life care or how to deal with grief

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy systems: Phase 3, full-scale power plant development

A 25 cell stack of the 13 inch x 23 inch cell size (about 4kW) remains on test after 6000 hours, using simulated reformate fuel. A similar stack was previously shut down after 7000 hours on load. These tests were carried out for the purpose of assessing the durability of fuel cell stack components developed through the end of 1983. In light of the favorable results obtained, a 25kW stack that will contain 175 cells of the same size is being constructed using the same technology base. The components for the 25kW stack have been completed. A methanol steam reformer with a design output equivalent to 50kW has been constructed to serve as a hydrogen generator for the 25kW stack. This reformer and the balance of the fuel processing sub system are currently being tested and debugged. The stack technology development program focused on cost reduction in bipolar plates, nonmetallic cooling plates, and current collecting plates; more stable cathode catalyst support materials; more corrosion resistant metal hardware; and shutdown/start up tolerance

Develop and test fuel cell powered on-site integrated total energy systems

On-going testing of an 11 cell, 10.7 in. x 14 in. stack (about 1 kW) reached 2600 hours on steady load. Nonmetallic cooling plates and an automated electrolyte replenishment system continued to perform well. A 10 cell, 10.7 in. x 14 in. stack was constructed with a modified electrolyte matrix configuration for the purpose of reducing cell IR loss. The desired effect was achieved, but the general cell performance level was irregular. Evaluation is continuing. Preparations for a long term 25 cell, 13 in. x 23 in. test stack (about 4 kW) approached completion. Start up in early May 1984 is expected

Develop and test fuel cell powered on site integrated total energy sysems: Phase 3: Full-scale power plant development

A 25-cell stack of the 13 inch x 23 inch cell size (about 4kW) remains on test after 8300 hours, using simulated reformate fuel. A similar stack was previously shut down after 7000 hours on load. These tests have been carried out for the purpose of assessing the durability of fuel cell stack components developed through the end of 1983. A 25kW stack containing 175 cells of the same size and utilizing a technology base representative of the 25-cell stacks has been constructed and is undergoing initial testing. A third 4kW stack is being prepared, and this stack will incorporate several new technology features

Reducing seed viability of flaxleaf fleabane, feathertop Rhodes grass and awnless barnyard grass

In the sub-tropical grain region of Australia, cotton and grains systems are now dominated by flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist), feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata Sw.) and awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona (L.) Link). While control of these weed species is best achieved when they are young, previous studies have shown a potential for reducing seed viability and minimising seed bank replenishment by applying herbicides when plants are reproductive. Pot trials were established over two growing seasons to examine the effects of 2,4-D, 2,4-D + picloram, glyphosate and glufosinate which had been successful on other species, along with paraquat and haloxyfop (grasses only). Herbicides were applied at ¾ field rates in an attempt not to kill the plants. Flaxleaf fleabane plants were sprayed at two growth stages (budding and flowering) and the grasses were sprayed at two stages (late tillering/booting and flowering). Spraying flaxleaf fleabane at flowering reduced seed viability to 0% (of untreated) in all treatments except glyphosate (51%) and 2,4-D + picloram (8%). Seed viability was not reduced with the first and second regrowths with the exception of 2,4-D + picloram where viability was reduced to 20%. When sprayed at budding only 2,4-D + picloram reduced seed viability in both trials. Spraying the grasses at late tillering/booting did not reduce viability except for glufosinate on awnless barnyard grass (50%). Applying herbicides at flowering resulted in 0% seed viability in awnless barnyard grass from glufosinate, paraquat and glyphosate and 0% viability in feathertop Rhodes grass for glufosinate. These herbicides were less effective on heads that emerged and flowered after spraying, only slightly reducing seed viability. These trials have shown that attempts to reduce seed viability have potential, however flaxleaf fleabane and feathertop Rhodes grass are able to regrow and will need on-going monitoring and control measures

Reducing seed viability of flaxleaf fleabane, feathertop Rhodes grass and awnless barnyard grass

In the sub-tropical grain region of Australia, cotton and grains systems are now dominated by flaxleaf fleabane (Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist), feathertop Rhodes grass (Chloris virgata Sw.) and awnless barnyard grass (Echinochloa colona (L.) Link). While control of these weed species is best achieved when they are young, previous studies have shown a potential for reducing seed viability and minimising seed bank replenishment by applying herbicides when plants are reproductive. Pot trials were established over two growing seasons to examine the effects of 2,4-D, 2,4-D + picloram, glyphosate and glufosinate which had been successful on other species, along with paraquat and haloxyfop (grasses only). Herbicides were applied at ¾ field rates in an attempt not to kill the plants. Flaxleaf fleabane plants were sprayed at two growth stages (budding and flowering) and the grasses were sprayed at two stages (late tillering/booting and flowering). Spraying flaxleaf fleabane at flowering reduced seed viability to 0% (of untreated) in all treatments except glyphosate (51%) and 2,4-D + picloram (8%). Seed viability was not reduced with the first and second regrowths with the exception of 2,4-D + picloram where viability was reduced to 20%. When sprayed at budding only 2,4-D + picloram reduced seed viability in both trials. Spraying the grasses at late tillering/booting did not reduce viability except for glufosinate on awnless barnyard grass (50%). Applying herbicides at flowering resulted in 0% seed viability in awnless barnyard grass from glufosinate, paraquat and glyphosate and 0% viability in feathertop Rhodes grass for glufosinate. These herbicides were less effective on heads that emerged and flowered after spraying, only slightly reducing seed viability. These trials have shown that attempts to reduce seed viability have potential, however flaxleaf fleabane and feathertop Rhodes grass are able to regrow and will need on-going monitoring and control measures

Gottron's Papules Exhibit Dermal Accumulation of CD44 Variant 7 (CD44v7) and Its Binding Partner Osteopontin: A Unique Molecular Signature

The accumulated mucin in non-Gottron's dermatomyositis (DM) lesions is primarily chondroitin-4-sulfate (C4S), which is immunomodulatory in vitro. Gottron's papules are a particularly resistant manifestation of DM that often persist after other lesions have resolved with therapy. We examined non-Gottron's DM lesions and Gottron's papule skin biopsies for C4S, CD44 variant 7 (CD44v7), a chondroitin sulfate-binding isoform causally implicated in autoimmunity, and osteopontin (OPN), a CD44v7 ligand implicated in chronic inflammation. Gottron's papule dermis contained more C4S and CD44v7 than non-Gottron's lesions. Normal skin showed less CD44v7 over joints relative to Gottron's lesions. All DM dermis had increased OPN compared with healthy skin. Mechanically stretching cultured fibroblasts for 6hours induced CD44v7 mRNA and protein, whereas IFN-γ treatment induced OPN mRNA and protein. OPN alone did not induce CD44v7, but stretching dermal fibroblasts in the presence of OPN increased human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1) monocyte binding, which is blunted by anti-CD44v7 blocking antibody. C4S, CD44v7, and OPN are three molecules uniquely present in Gottron's papules that contribute to inflammation individually and in association with one another. We propose that stretch-induced CD44v7 over joints, in concert with dysregulated OPN levels in the skin of DM patients, increases local inflammatory cell recruitment and contributes to the pathogenesis and resistance of Gottron's papules

Self-energy correction to the bound-electron g factor in H-like ions

The one-loop self-energy correction to the 1s electron g factor is evaluated to all orders in Z\alpha with an accuracy, which is essentially better than that of previous calculations of this correction. As a result, the uncertainty of the theoretical prediction for the bound-electron g factor in H-like carbon is reduced by a factor of 3. This improves the total accuracy of the recent electron-mass determination [Beier et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 011603 (2002)]. The new value of the electron mass is found to be m_e = 0.000 548 579 909 3(3) u