600 research outputs found
Hardware support for real-time reconfigurable system-on-chip
This paper introduces a computer architecture suitable for embedded real-time applications where low power consumption is a requirement. This is achieved through the use of a hybrid hardware-software system. A system architecture is proposed which allows for modules of a system to be implemented at run-time in either hardware or software. Implementation choices may be made dynamically based on the loading of the host microprocessor, in a multi-tasking environment. An approach to inter-module communication is described, along with how this is affected by dynamic configuration. Some research goals are identified, including investigating the effects on real-time performance, power consumption and the design process involved in reconfigurable systems
Does having a school-based wellbeing dog influence childrenās socio-emotional development and learning? A thematic analysis of parent perspectives
This qualitative study explores the influence of having a ānewly acquiredā school-based wellbeing dog on childrenās socio-emotional development and learning, as reported by seven parents of children at a participating school. Results revealed three superordinate themes: Social Communication; Management of Emotions; and Attendance and Engagement. Parents held positive views towards the newly acquired wellbeing dog, especially regarding its role in their childās socio-emotional development as well as their school engagement. The findings add to sparse literature, advocating for a wider distribution of wellbeing dogs in mainstream schools to support the mental health and wellbeing of children
Longitudinal Changes in the Relationship between Money, Financial Responsibility and Mental Health in the UK:Are we Becoming Less Future Focused?
This paper investigated the changing relationship between socioeconomic factors and mental health over time. Data were analysed from the Understanding Society Database, a representative sample of the UK population consisting of a potential of 150,393 respondents. Multiple regression coefficients over 13 years were compared over time to analyse effects of various financial predictors on mental health. Data was then split according to who reported financial responsibility for the household to investigate the effect of financial responsibility. While analysis suggested a similar pattern of predictors for mental health from the range of socioeconomic variables selected relative to other studies, temporal analysis demonstrated that perception of one's future financial position diminished in influence on mental health over time, whereas financial variables which were grounded in oneās current situation increased in predictive power. The results suggest that individuals are more concerned with current financial pressures and are less affected by what may happen in the future. The results also suggested that financial responsibility was not a strong predictor of the influence of financial situation on mental health. This finding has potential implications for employers, policy makers and mental health practitioners
Adaptability and Social Support:Examining Links with Engagement, Burnout, and Wellbeing among Expat Teachers
(1) Background: Expatriate (expat) teachers, i.e., those living and working outside of their own country, face several unique challenges. Without sufficient protective resources, these challenges threaten to negatively impact upon their workplace engagement and psychological wellbeing, and lead to burnout. In the present study, we utilise the āconservation of resourcesā (COR) theory to examine the influence of expat teachersā adaptability (a personal resource) and social support (a conditional/situational resource) on their workplace engagement, burnout, and psychological wellbeing. (2) Methods: A sample of expat teachers (N = 88), mostly working and residing in Middle Eastern countries, completed a series of validated self-report scales to measure each substantive construct. (3) Results: Results revealed that adaptability, but not social support, was a significant positive predictor of both work engagement and psychological wellbeing. There were no significant interaction effects observed. Moreover, neither adaptability nor social support were associated with burnout in this study. Personal resources, such as adaptability, may be more significant determinants of workplace engagement and psychological wellbeing among expat teachers relative to conditional/situational resources, such as social support, according to this research. (4) Conclusions: These findings have important implications for researchers, practitioners, and businesses/organisations, underlining the need to concentrate on strengthening personal resources such as adaptability to improve workplace engagement and psychological wellbeing outcomes among expat teachers
Adaptability, Social Support, and Psychological Wellbeing Among Malaysian Adults
Malaysian adults are regularly exposed to a wide variety of complex stressors (exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic): these stressors, without sufficient protective resources, threaten to negatively impact upon psychological wellbeing. Recent literature has shown that personal resources (e.g., oneās adaptability) and situational resources (e.g., oneās social support) are associated with psychological wellbeing; however, limited research has examined the unique contribution of these resources to psychological wellbeing among collectivist cultures (e.g., Malaysian adults). Here, a sample of 136 Malaysian adults completed a survey measuring their adaptability and social support as well as different components of psychological wellbeing (i.e., flourishing, psychological distress, and life satisfaction). We found that adaptability and social support contribute significantly, and independently, to psychological wellbeing (all measures) among Malaysian adults, with social support being the stronger predictor in each case. Further, no significant interaction effects between adaptability and social support on psychological wellbeing were observed. The findings corroborate a developing literature suggesting that adaptability and social support may be targeted in efforts to enhance psychological wellbeing but also indicate that among Malaysian adults of a collectivist culture, social support may be more salient
Probing Electron Tunneling Pathways: Electrochemical Study of Rat Heart Cytochromecand Its Mutant on Pyridine-Terminated SAMs
The electron-transfer rates between gold electrodes and adsorbed cytochromes are compared for native cytochrome c and its mutant (K13A) using two different immobilization strategies. A recent study by Niki (Niki, K.; Hardy, W. R.; Hill, M. G.; Li, H.; Sprinkle, J. R.; Margoliash, E.; Fujita, K.; Tanimura, R.; Nakamura, N.; Ohno, H.; Richards, J. H.; Gray, H. B. J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 9947) showed that the electron-transfer rate for a particular mutant cytochrome c (K13A) is orders of magnitude slower than the native form when electrostatically adsorbed on SAM-coated gold electrodes. The current study directly ālinksā the protein's heme unit to the SAM, thereby āshort circuitingā the electron tunneling pathway. These findings demonstrate that the immobilization strategy can modify the electron-transfer rate by changing the tunneling pathway
Three-dimensional organization of the human interphase nucleus: Experiments compared to simulations.
Despite the successful linear sequencing of the human genome its three-dimensional structure is widely
unknown, although it is important for gene regulation and replication. For a long time the interphase nucleus has
been viewed as a 'spaghetti soup' of DNA without much internal structure, except during cell division. Only
recently has it become apparent that chromosomes occupy distinct 'territories' also in interphase. Two models for
the detailed folding of the 30 nm chromatin fibre within these territories are under debate: In the Random-
Walk/Giant-Loop-model big loops of 3 to 5 Mbp are attached to a non-DNA backbone. In the Multi-Loop-
Subcompartment (MLS) model loops of around 120 kbp are forming rosettes which are also interconnected by
the chromatin fibre. Here we show with a comparison between simulations and experiments an interdisciplinary
approach leading to a determination of the three-dimensional organization of the human genome:
For the predictions of experiments various models of human interphase chromosomes and the whole cell nucleus
were simulated with Monte Carlo and Brownian Dynamics methods. Only the MLS-model leads to the
formation of non-overlapping chromosome territories and distinct functional and dynamic subcompartments in
agreement with experiments. Fluorescence in situ hybridization is used for the specific marking of chromosome
arms and pairs of small chromosomal DNA regions. The labelling is visualized with confocal laser scanning
microscopy followed by image reconstruction procedures. Chromosome arms show only small overlap and
globular substructures as predicted by the MLS-model. The spatial distances between pairs of genomic markers
as function of their genomic separation result in a MLS-model with loop and linker sizes around 126 kbp. With
the development of GFP-fusion-proteins it is possible to study the chromatin distribution and dynamics resulting
from cell cycle, treatment by chemicals or radiation in vivo. The chromatin distributions are similar to those
found in the simulation of whole cell nuclei of the MLS-model. Fractal analysis is especially suited to quantify
the unordered and non-euclidean chromatin distribution of the nucleus. The dynamic behaviour of the chromatin
structure and the diffusion of particles in the nucleus are also closely connected to the fractal dimension. Fractal
analysis of the simulations reveal the multi-fractality of chromosomes. First fractal analysis of chromatin
distributions in vivo result in significant differences for different morphologies and might favour a MLS-modellike
chromatin distribution. Simulations of fragment distributions based on double strand breakage after carbonion
irradiation differ in different models. Here again a comparison with experiments favours a MLS-model
Three-dimensional organization of the human interphase nucleus.
To approach the three-dimensional organization of the human cell nucleus, the structural-, scaling- and dynamic
properties of interphase chromosomes and cell nuclei were simulated with Monte Carlo and Brownian Dynamics
methods. The 30 nm chromatin fibre was folded according to the Multi-Loop-Subcompartment (MLS) model, in
which ~100 kbp loops form rosettes, connected by a linker, and the Random-Walk/Giant-Loop (RW/GL)
topology, in which 1-5 Mbp loops are attached to a flexible backbone. Both the MLS and the RW/GL model
form chromosome territories but only the MLS rosettes result in distinct subcompartments visible with light
microscopy and low overlap of chromosomes, -arms and subcompartments. This morphology and the size of
subcompartments agree with the morphology found by expression of histone auto-fluorescent protein fusions
and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) experiments. Even small changes of the model parameters induced
significant rearrangements of the chromatin morphology. Thus, pathological diagnoses based on this
morphology, are closely related to structural changes on the chromatin level. The position of interphase
chromosomes depends on their metaphase location, and suggests a possible origin of current experimental
findings. The chromatin density distribution of simulated confocal (CLSM) images agrees with the MLS model
and with recent experiments. The scaling behaviour of the chromatin fiber topology and morphology of CLSM
stacks revealed fine-structured multi-scaling behaviour in agreement with the model prediction. Review and
comparison of experimental to simulated spatial distance measurements between genomic markers as function of
their genomic separation also favour an MLS model with loop and linker sizes of 63 to 126 kbp. Visual
inspection of the morphology reveals also big spaces allowing high accessibility to nearly every spatial location,
due to the chromatin occupancy <30% and a mean mesh spacing of 29 to 82 nm for nuclei of 6 to 12 Ī¼m
diameter. The simulation of diffusion agreed with this structural prediction, since the mean displacement for 10
nm sized particles of ~1 to 2 Ī¼m takes place within 10 ms. Therefore, the diffusion of biological relevant tracers
is only moderately obstructed, with the degree of obstruction ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 again in experimental
agreement
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