An accurate, sensitive and reproducible method for colorimetric estimation of free fatty acids in plasma

A sensitive and reproducible method permitting the estimation of 0,030-3,000 mM of free fatty acids (FFA) in plasma with a standard error of 0,006 5 was developed. The method is based on the extraction of phosphate-buffered plasma with a chloroform-heptane-methanol mixture, formation of the cobalt complex and on the subsequent determination of the metal with 1-nitroso-2 naphthol. The method was used to obtain normal values (mean 0,547 mM range 0,147-1,197 mM) for Merino wethers fed lucerne hay.The articles have been scanned in colour with a HP Scanjet 5590; 300dpi. Adobe Acrobat XI Pro was used to OCR the text and also for the merging and conversion to the final presentation PDF-format

The parent?infant dyad and the construction of the subjective self

Developmental psychology and psychopathology has in the past been more concerned with the quality of self-representation than with the development of the subjective agency which underpins our experience of feeling, thought and action, a key function of mentalisation. This review begins by contrasting a Cartesian view of pre-wired introspective subjectivity with a constructionist model based on the assumption of an innate contingency detector which orients the infant towards aspects of the social world that react congruently and in a specifically cued informative manner that expresses and facilitates the assimilation of cultural knowledge. Research on the neural mechanisms associated with mentalisation and social influences on its development are reviewed. It is suggested that the infant focuses on the attachment figure as a source of reliable information about the world. The construction of the sense of a subjective self is then an aspect of acquiring knowledge about the world through the caregiver's pedagogical communicative displays which in this context focuses on the child's thoughts and feelings. We argue that a number of possible mechanisms, including complementary activation of attachment and mentalisation, the disruptive effect of maltreatment on parent-child communication, the biobehavioural overlap of cues for learning and cues for attachment, may have a role in ensuring that the quality of relationship with the caregiver influences the development of the child's experience of thoughts and feelings

Combining Ericksonian and sand play approaches to therapy with children who manifest depression as a developmental barrier

This study reports on the use of the Ericksonian approach combined with sand play therapy to assist children who present with depression, a troublesome developmental barrier. Participants were six children and/or adolescents with depression (twomales and four females; age range 7 to 8; ethnicity: five white and one black). The intervention occured once a week over a two-month period (eight 60 minute sessions in total). Outcome data were collected using qualitative interview and thematically analyzed. The Ericksonian approach to sandplay therapy had an overall positive effect on children who experienced depression as a developmental barrier.http://www.elliottfitzpatrick.com/jpa.htm

CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE PROJECTS OF THE ITHEMBA LABS

The cyclotron facilities at iThemba LABS have been<br />utilized for isotope production, nuclear physics research,<br />proton therapy and neutron therapy for nearly 25 years.<br />The upgrading and replacing of redundant systems is<br />essential, in order to keep the interruptions due to<br />equipment failure to a minimum. The computer control<br />system will be replaced by an Experimental Physics and<br />Industrial Control System (EPICS) and the analogue lowlevel<br />RF control systems will be replaced with digital<br />systems. The Minimafios ECR ion source is being<br />replaced with an ECR source that was used at the former<br />Hahn Meitner Institute. Another source, based on the<br />design of the Grenoble test source, will be commissioned<br />later this year. To increase the production of radioisotopes,<br />the 66 MeV proton beam is split with an electrostatic<br />channel to deliver two beams simultaneously. The first<br />results with the beam splitter will be reported. A phase<br />measuring system for the separated-sector cyclotron,<br />comprising 21 fixed probes, has been installed. The<br />progress of these projects and the status of the facilities<br />will be presented. Plans for new facilities for proton<br />therapy and radioactive beams will also be discussed