Conscious Action Theory extends quantum theory to macroscopic phenomena and suggests physical correlates of consciousness occur at the intersection of external measurement signals and internally ...generated signals from memories that model the outside world. This physical theory predicts conscious phenomena happen at all scales and differ only by the size and complexity of material organizations involved. At the scale of the human “Brain” consciousness is predicted to happen where the processing loop of activity in the Glial network interfaces with the real world input-output processing loop of the Nuronal network. This happens at the Tripartite synapses creating an intersection plenum in biological systems that produces the experience of empty space and the objects it contains. Analysis of the transmitter-receptor strengths implementing the control and feedback between the Glial and Neuronal networks indicate imbalances can be directly related to schizophrenia, mania, epilepsy, and depression.
This paper addresses three topics supporting the above mechanisms for normal consciousness functioning and its medical deviations. First we preset the architecture of a pan-psychic physical theory, which supports the hypothesis that tri-partite synapses are the location of human conscious experience. Second we discuss the inner workings of the Glial network to support long term memory and control functions corresponding to the inner feeling of the “I” self. Third, we consider the relation between psychiatric conditions and the balance states between the number of neuronal transmitters and astrocytic receptors.
OBJECTIVE: To determine if family members perceive that hospice improves the care of dying nursing home residents during the last 3 months of life.
DESIGN: Mailed survey.
PARTICIPANTS: Family members ...for all nursing home hospice enrollees in North Carolina during a 6‐month period.
MEASUREMENTS: After residents' deaths, family members answered questions about the quality of care for symptoms before and after hospice, the added value of hospice, the effect of hospice on hospitalization, and special services provided by nursing home staff or by hospice staff.
RESULTS: A total of 292 (73%) of 398 eligible family members completed surveys. The average age of the nursing home residents who had received hospice was 79.5 years; 50% had cancer and 76% were dependent for self‐care. In their last 3 months, 70% of decedents had severe or moderate pain, 56% had severe or moderate dyspnea, and 61% had other symptoms. Quality of care for physical symptoms was rated good or excellent by 64% of family before hospice and 93% after hospice (P < .001). Dying residents' emotional needs included care for moderate or severe depression (47%), anxiety (50%), and loneliness (35%). Quality of care for emotional needs was rated good or excellent by 64% of family before hospice and 90% after hospice (P < .001). Fifty‐three percent of respondents believed hospice prevented hospitalizations. Family estimated the median added value of hospice to be $75 per day and described distinct special services provided by hospice and by nursing home staff.
CONCLUSIONS: Family members believe that nursing home hospice improves quality of care for symptoms, reduces hospitalizations, and adds value and services for dying nursing home residents. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:879‐882, 2000.
Background
CCL5 (RANTES, regulated upon activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted) is secreted not only by T‐cells, but also by melanoma cells into the tumor microenvironment. The current ...project is part of a bigger effort by our laboratory to determine how the stimuli present in the tumor microenvironment may contribute to the progression of melanoma. Here, we explore CCL5 receptor expression on monocytes, macrophages, and melanoma cells, and whether endogenous or exogenous CCL5 stimulation of THP‐1 macrophages produce phenotypical changes that affect melanoma migratory behavior.
Methods
We used WM278 and LM‐Mel‐45 melanoma cells and THP‐1 monocytes before and after conversion to macrophages by 2 days exposure to 50 ng/ml PMA. To examine expression of the 3 key CCL5 receptors, we compared median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of antibody‐exposed cells to MFI of unlabeled cells using antibodies for CCR1, CCR3, and CCR5. We gated out debris and multiples, corrected for spillover, and analyzed the samples on a Bio‐Rad S3e cell sorter. We used recombinant CCL5 (100 ng/ml), the CCR1 & CCR3 receptor antagonist, UCB35625 (100 nM) and the CCR5 antagonist, maraviroc (100 ng/ml). Melanoma migration rate was measured by a 16 h wound‐closure assay. Treatments included: Control, CCL5 only, maraviroc only, UCB35625 only, maraviroc and UCB35625 together, and CCL5 plus both blockers. Wound closure of LM‐Mel‐45 melanoma alone, a 1:4 mixture of macrophages to melanoma, or LM‐Mel‐45 melanoma treated with macrophage‐conditioned medium were compared in each treatment condition.
Results
CCL5 receptor expression was not found on WM278 melanoma cells. LM‐Mel‐45 melanoma express CCR1 but not CCR3 or CCR5. CCR1 and CCR5, but not CCR3, are expressed by both THP‐1 monocytes and THP‐1 macrophages. Melanoma cells alone or when co‐cultured with previously treated macrophages migrated at 14.3 ± 0.4 μm/h, but neither CCL5 stimulation nor receptor blockade changed migration significantly. When LM‐Mel‐45 melanoma cells were treated with conditioned macrophage medium, velocity increased to 16.8 ± 0.7 μm/h.
Conclusions
This work suggests that CCL5 does not directly impact melanoma migration either by endogenous expression or by exogenous addition. Even in the presence of CCL5 or antagonist‐exposed macrophages, we found no phenotypical changes that altered the physical interactions of macrophages on melanoma migratory rate. There is a small but significant increase in velocity of melanoma cells when treated with conditioned macrophage medium.
A suite of three optical instruments has been developed to observe Comet 9P/Tempel 1, the impact of a dedicated impactor spacecraft, and the resulting crater formation for the Deep Impact mission. ...The high-resolution instrument (HRI) consists of an f/35 telescope with 10.5 m focal length, and a combined filtered CCD camera and IR spectrometer. The medium-resolution instrument (MRI) consists of an f/17.5 telescope with a 2.1 m focal length feeding a filtered CCD camera. The HRI and MRI are mounted on an instrument platform on the flyby spacecraft, along with the spacecraft star trackers and inertial reference unit. The third instrument is a simple unfiltered CCD camera with the same telescope as MRI, mounted within the impactor spacecraft. All three instruments use a Fairchild split-frame-transfer CCD with 1,024 1,024 active pixels. The IR spectrometer is a two-prism (CaF sub(2) and ZnSe) imaging spectrometer imaged on a Rockwell HAWAII-1R HgCdTe MWIR array. The CCDs and IR FPA are read out and digitized to 14 bits by a set of dedicated instrument electronics, one set per instrument. Each electronics box is controlled by a radiation-hard TSC695F microprocessor. Software running on the microprocessor executes imaging commands from a sequence engine on the spacecraft. Commands and telemetry are transmitted via a MIL-STD-1553 interface, while image data are transmitted to the spacecraft via a low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS) interface standard. The instruments are used as the science instruments and are used for the optical navigation of both spacecraft. This paper presents an overview of the instrument suite designs, functionality, calibration and operational considerations.
DIE REIHE: SCHRIFTENREIHE ZU ORDNUNGSFRAGEN DER WIRTSCHAFT herausgegeben von Thomas Apolte, Martin Leschke, Albrecht F. Michler, Christian Müller, Rahel M. Schomaker und Dirk Wentzel Die Reihe ...diskutiert aktuelle ordnungspolitische und institutionenökonomische Fragestellungen. Durch die methodische Vielfalt richtet sie sich an Fachleute, an die Öffentlichkeit und an die Politikberatung.
Anyone wearing rose-tinted glasses might be forgiven if s/he comes to the conclusion that the world out there is rosier than it actually is. With his Fish Story, Sir Arthur Eddington warned us how ...analogous illusions might have happened in our models of the physical world. His allegory
describes how observer characteristics can be inadvertently assigned to the systems being observed. If Eddington's conjecture is applicable, the most fundamental properties of nature will turn out to be the construction rules of the observer who measures nature. Since no one exactly knows
how the brain works and because it is the final measuring instrument that collapses the wave function at the end of von Neumann's measurement chain, it is likely that observer characteristics have been falsely attributed to physical reality and our theories of it. These errors may prevent
us from understanding consciousness because they mask the actual operations of the psyche. Starting with Velmans' model of consciousness I analyse the role of cognitive models in the development of science. I then model how both the set-up of experiments and the interpretation of resulting
data could be influenced to arrive at erroneous theories. Using examples I show how potential errors, due to our incomplete understanding of the conscious process, have crept into physics. These need to be corrected if we are to evolve a concept of physical reality that includes conscious
experiences.
Lacerated flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) tendons in zone 1 and distal zone 2 were reconstructed in 73 consecutive cases using the motion-stable Mantero technique during a 7-year period. Sixty-five ...(89%) of these patients were re-examined an average of 40 (26–82) months postoperatively. According to Moiemen and Elliot (2000) assessment by Strickland's original and modified criteria and in addition the Buck-Gramcko score showed excellent and good results of 54%, 72% and 91% respectively. In contrast, examination of the results measuring the range of movement of the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint alone provided a more realistic assessment in DIP joint function after Mantero technique with excellent and good results of only 38%.
Computer-aided clinical cases (CACC) have the potential to complement and/or supplement other types of problem-based learning exercises in modern medical curricula. Deploying a CACC learning ...experience requires institutional commitment to technology and a belief by administration, faculty, and students that “climbing a steep growth curve” is worth the effort. Several aspects of the institutional environment at the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (KCOM) led to the development of the CACC exercise described in this article, including the need to design a uniform, supplemental, Internet-based learning experience and assessment exercises for students doing clinical rotations at off-site facilities. The CACC learning experience was enthusiastically accepted by second-year medical students as an integrative and clinically relevant educational experience. The success of this CACC exercise has helped to promote the development of other innovative applications of technology to medical education at KCOM.
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