Iterative algorithms for nonexpansive mappings on Hadamard manifolds

Two iterative algorithms for nonexpansive mappings on Hadamard manifolds, which are extensions of the well-known Halpern's and Mann's algorithms in Euclidean spaces, are proposed and proved to be convergent to a fixed point of the mapping. Some numerical examples are provided.Dirección General de Enseñanza SuperiorNational Natural Science Foundations of ChinaJunta de AndalucíaMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovació

Monotone and accretive vector fields on Riemannian manifolds

The relationship between monotonicity and accretivity on Riemannian manifolds is studied in this paper and both concepts are proved to be equivalent in Hadamard manifolds. As a consequence an iterative method is obtained for approximating singularities of Lipschitz continuous, strongly monotone mappings. We also establish the equivalence between the strong convexity of convex functions and the strong monotonicity of its subdifferentials on Riemannian manifolds. These results are then applied to solve the minimization problem of convex functions on Riemannian manifolds.Ministerio de Ciencia e InnovaciónJunta de AndalucíaNational Natural Science Foundations of Chin

Gestural praxis in young adults with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities

[EN] Background: Praxis functioning in the population with intellectual disabilities (ID) has been poorly studied. The goal of this research was to look for a starting point to study the praxic functioning in young adults with mild to moderate ID. Method: Thirty young adults with ID and 30 young adults without ID, between the ages of 18 and 35 years, participated in this study. All participants completed tests that assessed gestural praxis. Results: It was possible to observe similar praxis behaviour in the group with ID in almost all domains studied, albeit showing statistical values lower than those of the group without ID. Discussions: Despite the high number of errors committed, the sample of participants with ID was able to reach the goal of praxic tasks performed; such errors may be associated with a deficit in the development of various brain functions and not only with praxis functioning, mainly related to a lower yield in terms of planning, monitoring and correcting intentional movement

Dynamic alterations in decoy VEGF receptor-1 stability regulate angiogenesis

Blood vessel expansion is driven by sprouting angiogenesis of endothelial cells, and is essential for development, wound healing and disease. Membrane-localized vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1 (mVEGFR1) is an endothelial cell-intrinsic decoy receptor that negatively modulates blood vessel morphogenesis. Here we show that dynamic regulation of mVEGFR1 stability and turnover in blood vessels impacts angiogenesis. mVEGFR1 is highly stable and constitutively internalizes from the plasma membrane. Post-translational palmitoylation of mVEGFR1 is a binary stabilization switch, and ligand engagement leads to depalmitoylation and lysosomal degradation. Trafficking of palmitoylation enzymes via Rab27a regulates mVEGFR1 stability, as reduced levels of Rab27a impaired palmitoylation of mVEGFR1, decreased its stability, and elevated blood vessel sprouting and in vivo angiogenesis. These findings identify a regulatory axis affecting blood vessel morphogenesis that highlights exquisite post-translational regulation of mVEGFR1 in its role as a molecular rheostat

Development of an ESL curriculum to educate Chinese immigrants about physical activity.

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of many chronic conditions. Multiple studies have shown that Asians in North America engage in less physical activity than the general population. One area for strategic development in the area of health education is the design and evaluation of English as a second language (ESL) curricula. The PRECEDE model and findings from focus groups were used to develop a physical activity ESL curriculum for Chinese immigrants. In general, focus group participants recognized that physical activity contributes to physical and mental wellbeing. However, the benefits of physical activity were most commonly described in terms of improved blood circulation, immune responses, digestion, and reflexes. The importance of peer pressure and the encouragement of friends in adhering to regular physical activity regimens were mentioned frequently. Reported barriers to regular physical activity included lack of time, weather conditions, and financial costs. The ESL curriculum aims to both promote physical activity and improve knowledge, and includes seven different ESL exercises. Our curriculum development methods could be replicated for other health education topics and in other limited English-speaking populations

Development of an ESL curriculum to educate Chinese immigrants about hepatitis B.

Chinese immigrants to North America have substantially higher rates of chronic hepatitis B infection than the general population. One area for strategic development in the field of health education is the design and evaluation of English-as-a-Second language (ESL) curricula. The theoretical perspective of the Health Behavior Framework, results from a community-based survey of Chinese Canadian immigrants with limited English proficiency, and findings from focus groups of ESL instructors as well as Chinese ESL students were used to develop a hepatitis B ESL educational module. This research was conducted in Vancouver, BC. Survey data showed that less than three-fifths of the respondents had been tested for hepatitis B, and documented some important hepatitis B knowledge deficits. Further, only about one-quarter had ever received a physician recommendation for hepatitis B serologic testing. The ESL curriculum aims to both promote hepatitis B testing and improve knowledge, and includes seven different ESL exercises: Warm-up, vocabulary cards, information-gap, video, jigsaw, guided discussion, and problem/advice cards. Our quantitative and qualitative methods for curriculum development could be replicated for other health education topics and in other limited English speaking populations

Ultrasound Molecular Imaging of VEGFR-2 in Clear-Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Tracks Disease Response to Antiangiogenic and Notch-Inhibition Therapy

Metastatic clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) affects thousands of patients worldwide each year. Antiangiogenic therapy has been shown to have beneficial effects initially, but resistance is eventually developed. Therefore, it is important to accurately track the response of cancer to different therapeutics in order to appropriately adjust the therapy to maximize efficacy. Change in tumor volume is the current gold standard for determining efficacy of treatment. However, functional variations can occur much earlier than measurable volume changes. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) is an important tool for assessing tumor progression and response to therapy, since it can monitor functional changes in the physiology. In this study, we demonstrate how ultrasound molecular imaging (USMI) can accurately track the evolution of the disease and molecular response to treatment

A Mixed Method Inquiry of Gas Flaring Consequences, Mitigation Strategies and Policy Implication for Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria

The issue of gas flaring in Nigeria has become a topical one in view of the devastating effect it has in the socio-economic lives of the people in the affected areas. This paper investigates the environmental implication and mitigating strategies of the victims in Nigeria. Mix method was adopted by conducting 60 semi-structured interviews in three communities. The data was transcribed and analyzed using ATLAS.ti and content analysis. Findings show that gas flaring is the major problem facing the Niger Delta communities having negative effects on resident’s health, source of income and farm produce without any legal framework to curb it. Findings also show that people mitigate by using self-strategies such as nose mask, fertilizer for farm produce and boiling of drinking water. Data collected from government shows that there is an annual increase in gas production but gas flaring decreases at a slower rate as depicted in the graph. The paper is the first to conduct research on the coping strategy of the victims of gas flaring in Niger Delta and the importance of technology in eradicating gas flaring. The study recommended technology transfer from technologically advanced countries in capturing the associated gas instead of flaring it. Keywords: Gas flaring, Environmental legislation, Health, Ecological Sustainability, Mitigating Strategy, Government. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-2-0