An investigation of some principles, problems, and techniques of music therapy and the place of music in the rehabilitation program at Sonoma State Hospital

It is the purpose of this study (1) to discover the nature, history, and present day use of music in therapy; (2) to discover the types of patients at Sonoma State Hospital and their general needs in terms of rehabilitation services; (3) to discover the scope of the total rehabilitation program at Sonoma State Hospital and the part which music therapy plays; and (4) to discover the general principles, problems and techniques of music therapy used at Sonoma State Hospital

Semillas de Cucumis melo L. como prometedora fuente natural de aceite rico en sustancias biológicamente activas: composición, compuestos fenólicos y propiedades térmicas

This study aimed to evaluate the characteristic features, phenolic compounds and thermal analysis of melon seed oil (Maazoun variety), in order to determine its potential applications in food or pharmaceutical industries. The physicochemical properties of the seed oil revealed a high degree of unsaturation. The average contents of carotenoid and chlorophyll were 2.43 mg/kg and 5.70 mg/kg, respectively. The main fatty acids of melon seed oil were linoleic acid (68.98%) and oleic acid (15.84%), which makes this oil nutritionally valuable. Furthermore, trilinolein (LLL), accounted for 28.99% and constitutes the most abundant triacylglycerol. A chromatographic analysis showed that amentoflavone and luteolin-7-glycoside were the major phenolic compounds. A thermal analysis of melon seed oil was performed by differential scanning calorimetery (DSC). The results of sensorial properties indicated that melon seed oil is appreciated by tasters. The findings suggested that because of its composition, melon seed oil could be used successfully as an alternative source in the food and nutraceutical industries as a functional ingredient.El objetivo de este estudio fue la caracterización, evaluación de compuestos fenólicos y el análisis térmico del aceite de semillas de melón (variedad Maazoun), con el fin de conocer sus potenciales aplicaciones en la industria alimentaria o farmacéutica. Las propiedades fisicoquímicas del aceite de semilla mostraron un alto grado de insaturación. El contenido promedio de carotenoides y clorofila fue de 2,43 mg/kg y 5,70 mg/kg, respectivamente. Los principales ácidos grasos del aceite de semilla de melón fueron el linoleico (68,98%) y oleico (15,84%), lo que hace que este aceite sea nutricionalmente valioso. Además, la trilinoleína (LLL) que representó el 28,99% constituye el triacilglicerol más abundante. El análisis cromatográfico mostró que amentoflavona y luteolin-7-glucósido eran los principales compuestos fenólicos. El análisis térmico del aceite de semilla de melón se realizó mediante calorimetría diferencial de barrido (DSC). Los resultados de las propiedades sensoriales indicaron que los catadores aprecian el aceite de semilla de melón. Los hallazgos sugieren que, debido a su composición, el aceite de semilla de melón podría utilizarse con éxito como una fuente alternativa en la industria alimentaria y nutracéutica como ingrediente funcional

Strong Purcell effect observed in single thick shell CdSe/CdS nanocrystals coupled to localized surface plasmons

High quality factor dielectric cavities designed to a nanoscale accuracy are mostly used to increase the spontaneous emission rate of a single emitter. Here we show that the coupling, at room temperature, between thick shell CdSe/CdS nanocrystals and random metallic films offers a very promising alternative approach. Optical modes confined at the nanoscale induce strong Purcell factors reaching values as high as 60. Moreover the quantum emission properties can be tailored: strong antibunching or radiative biexcitonic cascades can be obtained with high photon collection efficiency and extremely reduced blinking.Comment: 16 pages, 7 figure

Climatic factors interference with the occurrence of Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae in cultivated soil

Description of method and recommendation of laboratory and field procedures for the isolation of soil borne entomopathogenic fungi (specifically Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae) is presented. Baiting technique method was used for screening of occurrence of indigenous populations of entomopathogenic fungi. Totally, 2068 alive greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella L.) were used to trap entomopathogenic fungi present in the soil. Site selected was the experimental farm of Assiut University; only 105 larvae were infected by entomopathogenic fungi representing 5.08% mortality. B. bassiana caused 85.71% of the mortality  represented by 90 isolates. M. anisopliae caused 14.29% of the mortality giving only 15 isolates of M. anisopliae. Data showed that B. bassiana seems to be the most economically important entomopathogenic fungi inhabiting soil cultivated with wheat and cotton plants. The highest number of the isolates was recorded during spring and autumn seasons. The relationship between the incidence of B. bassiana and M. anisopliae and the selected weather factors was statistically analyzed using multiple regression analysis.Key words: Entomopathogenic fungi, Galleria mellonella, baiting technique, soil

Desmin Knock-Out Cardiomyopathy: A Heart on the Verge of Metabolic Crisis

Desmin mutations cause familial and sporadic cardiomyopathies. In addition to perturbing the contractile apparatus, both desmin deficiency and mutated desmin negatively impact mitochondria. Impaired myocardial metabolism secondary to mitochondrial defects could conceivably exacerbate cardiac contractile dysfunction. We performed metabolic myocardial phenotyping in left ventricular cardiac muscle tissue in desmin knock-out mice. Our analyses revealed decreased mitochondrial number, ultrastructural mitochondrial defects, and impaired mitochondria-related metabolic pathways including fatty acid transport, activation, and catabolism. Glucose transporter 1 and hexokinase-1 expression and hexokinase activity were increased. While mitochondrial creatine kinase expression was reduced, fetal creatine kinase expression was increased. Proteomic analysis revealed reduced expression of proteins involved in electron transport mainly of complexes I and II, oxidative phosphorylation, citrate cycle, beta-oxidation including auxiliary pathways, amino acid catabolism, and redox reactions and oxidative stress. Thus, desmin deficiency elicits a secondary cardiac mitochondriopathy with severely impaired oxidative phosphorylation and fatty and amino acid metabolism. Increased glucose utilization and fetal creatine kinase upregulation likely portray attempts to maintain myocardial energy supply. It may be prudent to avoid medications worsening mitochondrial function and other metabolic stressors. Therapeutic interventions for mitochondriopathies might also improve the metabolic condition in desmin deficient hearts

Reassessment of pre-industrial fire emissions strongly affects anthropogenic aerosol forcing

Uncertainty in pre-industrial natural aerosol emissions is a major component of the overall uncertainty in the radiative forcing of climate. Improved characterisation of natural emissions and their radiative effects can therefore increase the accuracy of global climate model projections. Here we show that revised assumptions about pre-industrial fire activity result in significantly increased aerosol concentrations in the pre-industrial atmosphere. Revised global model simulations predict a 35% reduction in the calculated global mean cloud albedo forcing over the Industrial Era (1750–2000 CE) compared to estimates using emissions data from the Sixth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project. An estimated upper limit to pre-industrial fire emissions results in a much greater (91%) reduction in forcing. When compared to 26 other uncertain parameters or inputs in our model, pre-industrial fire emissions are by far the single largest source of uncertainty in pre-industrial aerosol concentrations, and hence in our understanding of the magnitude of the historical radiative forcing due to anthropogenic aerosol emissions