Music-induced mood improves retention in visuomotor adaptation

Learning to adapt motor outputs in response to changes in sensory feedback, or sensorimotor adaptation, is crucial to rehabilitation following injury or disease. Adapted movements are often forgotten when the sensory distortion is removed, creating a barrier to long-term rehabilitation. Binary success-error feedback and pictorial reinforcement have been shown to improve retention of adapted motor outputs. In one previous study, positively valenced music improved adaptation rate but had no effects on retention. Pleasurable music has been found to improve performance on spatial intelligence and cognitive tasks, possibly because of its mood- and arousal-enhancing qualities, and has been found to have similar neural properties as reward. In Experiment 1, participants who listened to music that induced a positive or negative mood increased retention of movements adapted to a visual feedback distortion in comparison to silence. In Experiment 2, the combination of reward feedback in adaptation and music that induced a positive mood decreased retention, possibly because the rewarding properties of the music which were present during training (no visuomotor distortion) overrode the rewarding properties of the reinforcement when it were no longer present. These experiments provide evidence for a novel method of improving retention in sensorimotor adaptation

Structural and stress analysis in mining practice in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin

The irregular distribution of stress in rock mass is a decisive factor for the origin of rock bursts. Besides, a sound knowledge of stress distribution is very important in the excavation of mine workings. Stress state is affected both by natural stress, including the gravitational, tectonic, hydraulic and residual stress and the stress induced by mining operations. Natural stress fields are defined by their geological structure and rock properties. It is important in mining practice to understand that there is a close relationship between recent and residual tectonic stress, as defined by tectonic evolution and tectonic structure. Since 1994, a large number of horizontal stress measurements have been carried out at a depth of 600 m to 800 m under the surface. The application of the results obtained from the measurements of stress and their comparison with the results of structural analysis and their generalization for the Karviná subbasin can be an important contribution to optimize the timespace designs of the mining activity.Web of Science10226525

Le benchmarking comme une source d’avantage concurrentiel en Pologne. Cas Tele-Fonika SA

Tele-Fonika, Tentreprise crée en 1992 par les investisseurs privés, est en train de gagner 80% du marché des câbles en Pologne. La première Tusine de Tele-Fonika est totalement automatisée. Grâce aux transfere de savoir-faire et Tapplication de benchmarking Tele-Fonika est devenue leader du marché (avec exportation de 20% de production). L’objectif de Tauteur est d'expliquer comment Tele-Fonika, grâce à 1’applica tion du benchmarking et transfere de technologie a attendu sa positi

Synergistic action of estradiol and PGE2 on endometrial transcriptome in vivo resembles pregnancy effects better than estradiol alone

Successful pregnancy establishment in mammals depends on numerous interactions between embryos and the maternal organism. Estradiol-17β (E2) is the primary embryonic signal in the pig, and its importance has been questioned recently. However, E2 is not the only molecule of embryonic origin. In pigs, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is abundantly synthesized and secreted by conceptuses and endometrium. The present study aimed to determine the role of PGE2 and its simultaneous action with E2 in changes in porcine endometrial transcriptome during pregnancy establishment. The effects of PGE2 and PGE2 acting with E2 were studied using an in vivo model of intrauterine hormone infusions, and were compared to the effects of E2 alone and conceptuses' presence on day 12 of pregnancy. The endometrial transcriptome was profiled using gene expression microarrays followed by statistical analyses. Downstream analyses were performed using bioinformatics tools. Differential expression of selected genes was verified by quantitative PCR. Microarray analysis revealed 2413 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the endometrium treated simultaneously with PGE2 and E2 (P < 0.01). No significant effect of PGE2 administered alone on endometrial transcriptome was detected. Gene ontology annotations enriched for DEGs were related to multiple processes such as: focal adhesion, vascularization, cell migration and proliferation, glucose metabolism, tissue remodeling, and activation of immune response. Simultaneous administration of E2 and PGE2 induced more changes within endometrial transcriptome characteristic to pregnancy than infusion of E2 alone. The present findings suggest that synergistic action of estradiol-17β and PGE2 resembles the effects of pregnancy on endometrial transcriptome better than E2 alone

Determination of stress state in rock mass using strain gauge probes CCBO

The strain gauge probes of different construction are typically used for determination of stress state rock mass. The modified overcoring method known as the Compact Conical ended Borehole Overcoring method (CCBO) for stress state determination in rock mass was designed in Institute of Geonics of the CAS (IGN) in cooperation with Kumamoto University in Japan. The implemented adjustment of the overcoring method consists mainly in omitting the overcoring phase (stress relief phase). The probe is glued directly to the conically shaped end of a borehole. The data logger located within the conical probe enables continual strain monitoring directly in the conically shaped end of the borehohole during the overcoring procedure. The conical probe used to monitor stress changes, named Compact Conical ended Borehole Monitoring (CCBM), can continuously monitor rock strain changes in key locations due to mining. Many stress measurements using both strain gauge probes CCBO and CCBM were carried out in the last decade. These measurements were performed in varied rock mass adjacent to mine excavations. Most of the stress measurements were carried out in Carboniferous sedimentary rocks as part of the experimental work in the Czech part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB). Several stress measurements were carried out during the mine development operations and associated geotechnical exploration work while constructing the Milasín - Bukov underground gas storage (BUGS) [1], as well as the Bukov Underground Research Laboratory (BURL) [2]. Both underground facilities were designed within Rožná and Olší uranium deposits situated on the north-eastern margins of the Strážek Unit consisting of the metamorphic rock formations. Several measurements were carried out in granitic environments (igneous rocks) as part of the international Large-Scale Monitoring (LASMO) project in Grimsel (Switzerland) and in Josef underground laboratory (Bohemian massif). The article presents the basic principles and the methodology of stress measurements in rock mass using strain gauge probes and the data analysis from the variable rock environments

Verification of stress state monitoring in the surroundings of the roadway ahead of longwall mining based on the results of 3D scanning of roadway deformation, Bogdanka Mine, Poland

For designing precisely the reinforcement of mine tunnels and reinforcing underground structures in general, knowing stress and deformation states in the rock massive (hereinafter also referred to as the “RM”) in the immediate vicinity of these mine works as precisely as possible is absolutely decisive. Stress is usually determined by interpreting deformation processes in the RM. These can be monitored and measured relatively exactly. Tunnels are loaded especially by longwall pressures. In addition, the distribution of stress is also influenced significantly by older mining activities, edges and pillars in the rock cover, or by seams mined through old-workings. All of these factors can influence significantly stress and thus also deformation manifestations in the surroundings of mine works. For the purpose of checking changes in the state of stress in the RM induced by mining, the monitoring of the state of stress in the RM in connection with mining seam 385 using longwall G6 in the black coal mine of LW Bogdanka in Poland was designed and carried out. The purpose of the monitoring carried out was to verify changes in the stress tensor during the mining process. For the purpose of verifying the monitoring of stress, the survey of the state of the tunnels was carried out using a pulse 3D scanner in the place of the geotechnical station (GS). The purpose was to capture deformation changes ahead of the advancing longwall face in the surroundings of the GS

Supporting Academic Primary Care Teams Serving Refugees: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Primary care providers continue to experience significant challenges when caring for refugee patients, yet they are often refugees’ initial point of contact with the U.S. health care system. The purpose of this qualitative study is to expand our understanding of the experiences of academic primary care team members during clinical encounters with refugee patients. Methods: This multi-perspective, qualitative study included physicians (faculty and residents), nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, and medical assistants (n=10), who have been working with refugee patients for at least one year at two family medicine residency clinics and/or a community health center. Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted and audio-recorded, transcribed, and openly coded to identify emergent themes. Through an immersion/crystallization and consensus approach, data was categorized into domains and subthemes. Results: Major domains and subthemes emerged: Building relationships (over time, earning trust, cultural humility); Markers of success in clinical encounters (improving communication, adaptation); Knowledge of or lack of clinical resources (focused trainings, formal debriefs, access to resources, unwritten languages). Conclusion: Perceptions of success in clinical encounters with refugee patients were primarily associated with communication as opposed to achievement in numeric metrics (e.g. hypertension control). The development of any formalized trainings, tools, and resources to support primary care providers working with refugee patient populations should take these goals into consideration. Lastly, potential solutions were identified to address existing barriers for primary care providers in clinical encounters with refugee patients, but further research and development is necessary to assess their efficacy and utility

Deformation analysis in the surroundings of the roadway ahead of longwall mining, Staszic-Wujek mine, Poland

Accurate knowledge of the stress-strain state in rock mass is absolutely critical to optimise support design. Therefore, the rock mass stresses are often measured for reasons of safety and efficiency in underground mining. Investigation of the rock mass stress is usually carried out by interpretation of the rock mass deformation processes. These can be monitored and measured. The compact conical-ended borehole overcoring (CCBO) probe was used to measure the pre-mining full stress tensor and afterwards three compact conical-ended borehole monitoring (CCBM) probes were installed to continuously monitor stress changes in rock mass ahead of the advancing longwall II/501/C mining seam 501 in the Staszic-Wujek coal mine in Poland. The purpose of the monitoring was to quantify changes in stress tensor during the mining process. At the monitoring site the extracted seam had an average thickness of 3.4 m at a depth of about 890 m and lies within the Polish part of the Upper Silesian Coal Basin. The maximum measured stress of 30 MPa was oriented close to horizontal and amost parallel to the monitored roadway. The deformation analysis of roadway was carried out using a pulse 3D laser scanner at the geotechnical station. Due to favourable orientation of the lateral stress, the deformation changes in the roadway surroundings the monitoring station were minimal

Experimental and theoretical investigation of ligand effects on the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles with highly controllable particle sizes(less than 10 nm) were synthesized using organic capping ligands in Zn(Ac)2 ethanolic solution. The molecular structure of the ligands was found to have significant influence on the particle size. The multi-functional molecule tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane (THMA) favoured smaller particle distributions compared with ligands possessing long hydrocarbon chains that are more frequently employed. The adsorption of capping ligands on ZnnOn crystal nuclei (where n = 4 or 18 molecular clusters of(0001) ZnO surfaces) was modelled by ab initio methods at the density functional theory (DFT) level. For the molecules examined, chemisorption proceeded via the formation of Zn...O, Zn...N, or Zn...S chemical bonds between the ligands and active Zn2+ sites on ZnO surfaces. The DFT results indicated that THMA binds more strongly to the ZnO surface than other ligands, suggesting that this molecule is very effective at stabilizing ZnO nanoparticle surfaces. This study, therefore, provides new insight into the correlation between the molecular structure of capping ligands and the morphology of metal oxide nanostructures formed in their presence