Mindfulness Disposition and Neural Correlates of Emotional Perception

Mindfulness disposition, defined as the ability to focus on present moment experiences, has been associated with enhanced attentional and emotional control. In this study, we examined if higher levels of mindfulness disposition in older adults were associated with the cortico-subcortico circuitry involved in emotional processing. Forty-four participants (25 older adults, 19 younger adults) performed an emotional perception task inside the scanner, and filled out questionnaires related to overall health and mindfulness disposition. Consistent with previous research, we found older adults to show increased recruitment of the prefrontal cortices, specifically the medial prefrontal cortices (mPFC) while processing negative, relative to neutral information. Mindfulness disposition was found to be associated with the neural regions supporting emotional perception. Higher levels of mindfulness disposition in older adults were associated with diminished reactivity of the orbitofrontal cortex and amygdala during the affect block, thus suggesting one pathway through which mindfulness training may enhance emotional regulation. Overall, our results indicate that mindfulness disposition may optimize the neural circuitry associated with emotion perception in older adults.No embarg

The Hydraulic Jump in Liquid Helium

We present the results of some experiments on the circular hydraulic jump in normal and superfluid liquid helium. The radius of the jump and the depth of the liquid outside the jump are measured through optical means. Although the scale of the apparatus is rather small, the location of the jump is found to be consistent with the assumption that the jump can be treated as a shock, if the surface tension is taken into account. The radius of the jump does not change when going down in temperature through the lambda point; we think that the flow is supercritical. A remarkable feature of the experiment is the observation of stationary ripples within the jump when the liquid is superfluid.Comment: Submitted to the proceedings of the 24th International Conference on Low Temperature Physics. 2 figure

Tissue Typing

At present, histocompatibility matching is an inexact science, and there are undoubtedly many histocompatibility antigens either poorly defined or undefined. With further definition of such antigens, improvement can be expected in the correlation of tissue typing with homograft function and survival. Further work also needs to be done to determine which method of tissue typing is best

Photovoltaic–thermoelectric temperature control using a closed-loop integrated cooler

The Closed-Loop Integrated Cooler (CLIC) is a novel technique deployed on experimental apparatus to accurately measure, monitor and control the temperature of optoelectronic devices. Demonstrated here within a Concentrator Photovoltaic-Thermoelectric (CPV-TE) hybrid device, the thermoelectric module was used as a solid state sensor and heat pump in order to control the operational temperature for a triple-junction solar cell. The technique was used to achieve stable, reproducible and repeatable Standard Test Conditions (STC) of 25oC cell temperature, with 1000W/m2 irradiance and AM1.5G spectrum. During testing with Secondary Optical Element (SOE) optics in a solar simulator, the CLIC enabled accurate temperature control of the CPV cell. This would otherwise be unfeasible due to the spectral, reflective and diffusive effects of the SOE optics. The CLIC was used to obtain temporal and spatial constant temperature of the CPV-TE hybrid receiver during Current-Voltage measurement. This method highlights the future potential of the CLIC for accurate temperature control of optoelectronic devices both during testing and in future semiconductor device applications where temperature control is essential to performance or lifetime

Developing targeted health service interventions using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model: two Australian case studies

 This paper provides an overview of the applicability of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model to the development of targeted nursing led chronic illness interventions. Background. Changing health care practice is a complex and dynamic process that requires consideration of social, political, economic, and organisational factors. An understanding of the characteristics of the target population, health professionals, and organizations plus identification of the determinants for change are also required. Synthesizing this data to guide the development of an effective intervention is a challenging process. The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model has been used in global health care settings to guide the identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation of various health improvement initiatives. Design. Using a reflective case study approach, this paper examines the applicability of the PRECEDE-PROCEED Model to the development of targeted chronic care improvement interventions for two distinct Australian populations: a rapidly expanding and aging rural population with unmet palliative care needs and a disadvantaged urban community at higher risk of cardiovascular disease. Results. The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model approach demonstrated utility across diverse health settings in a systematic planning process. In environments characterized by increasing health care needs, limited resources, and growing community expectations, adopting planning tools such as PRECEDE-PROCEED Model at a local level can facilitate the development of the most effective interventions. Relevance to Clinical Practice. The PRECEDE-PROCEED Model is a strong theoretical model that guides the development of realistic nursing led interventions with the best chance of being successful in existing health care environments

Reducing the risk of heart disease among Indian Australians: knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs regarding food practices - a focus group study

BACKGROUND: Australia has a growing number of Asian Indian immigrants. Unfortunately, this population has an increased risk for coronary heart disease (CHD). Dietary adherence is an important strategy in reducing risk for CHD. This study aimed to gain greater understanding of the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs relating to food practices in Asian Indian Australians. METHODS: Two focus groups with six participants in each were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. Verbatim transcriptions were made and thematic content analysis undertaken. RESULTS: Four main themes that emerged from the data included: migration as a pervasive factor for diet and health; importance of food in maintaining the social fabric; knowledge and understanding of health and diet; and elements of effective interventions. DISCUSSION: Diet is a complex constructed factor in how people express themselves individually, in families and communities. There are many interconnected factors influencing diet choice that goes beyond culture and religion to include migration and acculturation. CONCLUSIONS: Food and associated behaviors are an important aspect of the social fabric. Entrenched and inherent knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and traditions frame individuals\u27 point of reference around food and recommendations for an optimal diet

Height fluctuations of a contact line: a direct measurement of the renormalized disorder correlator

We have measured the center-of-mass fluctuations of the height of a contact line at depinning for two different systems: liquid hydrogen on a rough cesium substrate and isopropanol on a silicon wafer grafted with silanized patches. The contact line is subject to a confining quadratic well, provided by gravity. From the second cumulant of the height fluctuations, we measure the renormalized disorder correlator Delta(u), predicted by the Functional RG theory to attain a fixed point, as soon as the capillary length is large compared to the Larkin length set by the microscopic disorder. The experiments are consistent with the asymptotic form for Delta(u) predicted by Functional RG, including a linear cusp at u=0. The observed small deviations could be used as a probe of the underlying physical processes. The third moment, as well as avalanche-size distributions are measured and compared to predictions from Functional RG.Comment: 6 pages, 14 figure