Integrating Geriatrics in Primary Care: Progress and Prospects

Educational Objectives 1. Demonstrate the need for primary care redesign to better meet the needs of older patients. 2. Identify prospective redesign solutions. 3. Appreciate educational implication that redesign engenders

A geometrical approach to the motion planning problem for a submerged rigid body

The main focus of this paper is the motion planning problem for a deeply submerged rigid body. The equations of motion are formulated and presented by use of the framework of differential geometry and these equations incorporate external dissipative and restoring forces. We consider a kinematic reduction of the affine connection control system for the rigid body submerged in an ideal fluid, and present an extension of this reduction to the forced affine connection control system for the rigid body submerged in a viscous fluid. The motion planning strategy is based on kinematic motions; the integral curves of rank one kinematic reductions. This method is of particular interest to autonomous underwater vehicles which can not directly control all six degrees of freedom (such as torpedo shaped AUVs) or in case of actuator failure (i.e., under-actuated scenario). A practical example is included to illustrate our technique

The Column Density Distribution Function at z=0 from HI Selected Galaxies

We have measured the column density distribution function, f(N), at z=0 using 21-cm HI emission from galaxies selected from a blind HI survey. f(N) is found to be smaller and flatter at z=0 than indicated by high-redshift measurements of Damped Lyman-alpha (DLA) systems, consistent with the predictions of hierarchical galaxy formation. The derived DLA number density per unit redshift, dn/dz =0.058, is in moderate agreement with values calculated from low-redshift QSO absorption line studies. We use two different methods to determine the types of galaxies which contribute most to the DLA cross-section: comparing the power law slope of f(N) to theoretical predictions and analysing contributions to dn/dz. We find that comparison of the power law slope cannot rule out spiral discs as the dominant galaxy type responsible for DLA systems. Analysis of dn/dz however, is much more discriminating. We find that galaxies with log M_HI < 9.0 make up 34% of dn/dz; Irregular and Magellanic types contribute 25%; galaxies with surface brightness > 24 mag arcsec^{-2} account for 22% and sub-L* galaxies contribute 45% to dn/dz. We conclude that a large range of galaxy types give rise to DLA systems, not just large spiral galaxies as previously speculated.Comment: 13 pages, low resolution figures in the appendix, MNRAS accepte

Do continuum beliefs reduce schizophrenia stigma? Effects of a laboratory intervention on behavioral and self-reported stigma

Background and objectives Correlational research shows that belief in a continuum of psychiatric problems predicts decreased public stigma. However, the correlational findings fail to inform the stigma reduction prospects of manipulating continuum beliefs. All extant experimental work has been executed online. This study examined effects of a laboratory-based continuum intervention on behavioral and self-report measures of psychiatric stigma. Methods Sixty-nine undergraduates believed that they would meet a man with schizophrenia. They then read a bogus scientific article that attested to a categorical view of schizophrenia, a continuum view, or that merely described schizophrenia. Some participants then completed a task that required reflection on their differences from (categorical group) or similarities to (continuum group) the man with schizophrenia. Participants eventually moved to an adjacent room and sat in one of several seats that varied in their proximity to a seat ostensibly occupied by the man with schizophrenia. Results The continuum intervention decreased self-reported social distance and the categorical intervention increased endorsement of damaging stereotypes. Seat selection was unaffected by our manipulation, but we obtained evidence of significant links to validated stigma measures. Limitations Our sample was small, and our behavioral stigma measure could be modified to maximize variability in participants\u27 seat selection. Conclusions The study offers modest support of the stigma reduction effect of continuum belief intervention. It offers new evidence of the pernicious consequences of interventions that inflate perceptions of the “otherness” of individuals with psychiatric problems. Finally, it shines new light on stigma-related behavior measurable in the laboratory

Local Column Density Distribution Function from HI selected galaxies

The cross-section of sky occupied by a particular neutral hydrogen column density provides insight into the nature of Lyman-alpha absorption systems. We have measured this column density distribution at z=0 using 21-cm HI emission from a blind survey. A subsample of HI Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS) galaxies have been imaged with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA). The contribution of low HI mass galaxies 10^7.5 to 10^8 M_solar is compared to that of M_star (10^10 to 10^10.5 M_solar) galaxies. We find that the column density distribution function is dominated by low HI mass galaxies with column densities in the range 3x10^18 to 2x10^20 cm^-2. This result is not intuitively obvious. M_star galaxies may contain the bulk of the HI gas, but the cross-section presented by low HI mass galaxies 10^7.5 to 10^8 M_solar is greater at moderate column densities. This result implies that moderate column density Lyman-alpha absorption systems may be caused by a range of galaxy types and not just large spiral galaxies as originally thought.Comment: 5 pages, including 1 figure. To appear in "Extragalactic Gas at Low Redshift" (ASP Conf. Series, Weymann Conf.

Inhibition of beta amyloid fibril formation to prevent development of Alzheimer's disease [abstract]

Abstract only availableFaculty Mentor: Dr. Renee JiJi, ChemistryStudies have indicated that Alzheimer's disease may be caused by the buildup of plaques in the brain, both intraneuronal and extracellular (Tanzi, 1989). The buildup of these plaques is caused by the aggregation of the beta amyloid peptide that is normally found in its monomeric form in the human blood stream. Development of a viable inhibitor to the aggregation of this peptde could result in a pharmaceutical application capable of preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Several candidates for inhibitors were proposed, one of which was myricetin. Myricetin is a flavonoid that occurs naturally, found in some fruits and vegetables. To determine the inhibitive properties of myricetin, beta amyloid peptide was dissolved into a solution under conditions intended to mimic those of the human body. After various incubation periods, a fluorescent indicator that would only bind with the aggregated peptide was added, allowing for the quantification of the degree of aggregation that occurred in the solution.Studies have indicated that Alzheimer's disease may be caused by the buildup of plaques in the brain, both intraneuronal and extracellular (Tanzi, 1989). The buildup of these plaques is caused by the aggregation of the beta amyloid peptide that is normally found in its monomeric form in the human blood stream. Development of a viable inhibitor to the aggregation of this peptde could result in a pharmaceutical application capable of preventing the onset of Alzheimer's disease. Several candidates for inhibitors were proposed, one of which was myricetin. Myricetin is a flavonoid that occurs naturally, found in some fruits and vegetables. To determine the inhibitive properties of myricetin, beta amyloid peptide was dissolved into a solution under conditions intended to mimic those of the human body. After various incubation periods, a fluorescent indicator that would only bind with the aggregated peptide was added, allowing for the quantification of the degree of aggregation that occurred in the solution