Small-Scale Irregularities Within Polarization Jet/SAID During Geomagnetic Activity.

We study the spatial structure of a polarization jet/Sub-Auroral Ion Drift (PJ/SAID) based on data from the NorSat-1 and Swarm satellites during a geomagnetic storm. Observations of plasma parameters inside the PJ/SAID are obtained with NorSat-1 using a system of Langmuir probes with a nominal sampling rate of up to 1 kHz, which allowed measurements with such a high temporal resolution for the first time. A comparative analysis of plasma parameters and electron density spectra inside PJ according to the data from both satellites is presented. Our results show that fluctuations of plasma parameters inside the PJ increase at all scales with increasing geomagnetic activity. Small-scale irregularities in the PJ are measured in situ down to hundreds of meters. The role of large-scale effects in the PJ increases in comparison with the small-scale ones during high geomagnetic activity. The PJ consists of structures ∼0.2° latitude in size within which small-scale irregularities are present.

Same-gender distractors are not so easy to reject: ERP evidence of gender categorization.

Social categorization appears to be an automatic process that occurs during person perception. Understanding social categorization better is important because mere categorization can lead to stereotype activation and, in turn, to discrimination. In the present study we used a novel approach to examine event-related potentials (ERPs) of gender categorization in the "Who said what?" memory paradigm, thus allowing for a more in-depth understanding of the specific mechanisms underlying identity versus categorization processing. After observing video clips showing a "discussion" among female and male targets, participants were shown individual statements, each accompanied by one of the discussants' faces. While we measured ERPs, participants had to decide whether or not a given statement had previously been made by the person with the accompanying face. In same-person trials, statements were paired with the correct person, whereas in the distractor trials, either a same-gender or a different-gender distractor was shown. As expected, participants were able to reject different-gender distractors faster than same-gender distractors, and they were more likely to falsely choose yes for a same-gender than for a different-gender distractor. Both findings indicate gender-based categorization. ERPs, analyzed in a 300- to 400-ms time window at occipito-temporal channels, indicated more negative amplitudes for yes responses both for the same person and for same-gender distractors, relative to different-gender distractors. Overall, these results show gender-based categorization even when the task was to assess the identifying information in a gender-neutral context. These findings are interpreted as showing that gender categorization occurs automatically during person perception, but later than race- or age-based categorization.

The use of cartographic modeling to assess the impacts of coastal flooding: a case study of Port Said Governorate, Egypt.

Low-set coastal areas are expected to aggravate inundation on account of sea level rise (SLR). The present study is planned to appraise the impacts of coastal flooding in Port Said city, Egypt by using remote sensing, GIS, and cartographic modeling techniques. To accomplish this scope, Landsat 8-OLI image dated 2016 and SRTM 1Arc-Second Digital Elevation Model (DEM) data were used. Landsat image was classified into seven land use and land cover (LULC) classes by using remote sensing and GIS's software. Different inundation scenarios 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0-m coastal elevation were used to figure the influence of SLR on the study area. Estimation of potential losses under SLR was made by overlaying the expected scenarios on land use. The inundation areas under the expected SLR scenarios of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 m were estimated at 827.49, 1072.67, and 1179.41 km2, respectively. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that expected coastal flooding scenarios will lead up to serious impacts on LULC classes and coastal features in the study area.

Can the Effects of Religion and Spirituality on Both Physical and Mental Health be Scientifically Measured? An Overview of the Key Sources, with Particular Reference to the Teachings of Said Nursi.

Within Western secular societies, everything has to be substantiated by empirical evidence; this means it has to be quantifiable and measurable. Research, particularly quantitative research, then, is the criterion by which everything, including religion, is either accepted or rejected. The separation of religion from science began with the Renaissance, the Reformation and the advent of the Enlightenment. It was perceived that religion did not match the language of science and that there was no logical proof or empirical evidence for the existence of God. Religion therefore, due to its inability to be measured and quantified, has since been largely marginalised. In recent times, in order to integrate 'religion' into everyday life, attempts have been made to argue and bring in scientific proof for the effectiveness of religion for improved health and well-being. The psychiatrist Harold Koenig has been one of the key people whose collation of research evidence has shown that religion has a positive effect on both physical and mental health. By looking firstly at the definitions of religion and spirituality and then discussing various opinions from both secular and religious perspectives, including those of Said Nursi, this paper aimed to determine whether religion and spirituality can indeed be measured.

Amphibole asbestos as an environmental trigger for systemic autoimmune diseases.

A growing body of evidence supports an association between systemic autoimmune disease and exposure to amphibole asbestos, a form of asbestos typically with straight, stiff, needle-like fibers that are easily inhaled. While the bulk of this evidence comes from the population exposed occupationally and environmentally to Libby Amphibole (LA) due to the mining of contaminated vermiculite in Montana, studies from Italy and Australia are broadening the evidence to other sites of amphibole exposures. What these investigations have done, that most historical studies have not, is to evaluate amphibole asbestos separately from chrysotile, the most common commercial asbestos in the United States. Here we review the current and historical evidence summarizing amphibole asbestos exposure as a risk factor for autoimmune disease. In both mice and humans, amphibole asbestos, but not chrysotile, drives production of both antinuclear autoantibodies (ANA) associated with lupus-like pathologies and pathogenic autoantibodies against mesothelial cells that appear to contribute to a severe and progressive pleural fibrosis. A growing public health concern has emerged with revelations that a) unregulated asbestos minerals can be just as pathogenic as commercial (regulated) asbestos, and b) bedrock and soil occurrences of asbestos are far more widespread than previously thought. While occupational exposures may be decreasing, environmental exposures are on the rise for many reasons, including those due to the creation of windborne asbestos-containing dusts from urban development and climate change, making this topic an urgent challenge for public and heath provider education, health screening and environmental regulations.

Experimental determination of dynamic pseudo-equilibrium moisture content: A practical limit for the drying process.

Simulation and rigorous design of industrial dryers combine a large number of models, which feed three fundamental balances: (1) mass; (2) energy; and (3) quantity of movement of the material through the dryer. Many of these models represent physical phenomena affecting the three balances at the same time, which makes these calculations extremely complex, hence, accurate models are essential. The hypothesis that the kinetic stage of drying of any material culminates in the thermodynamic moisture equilibrium between solid and drying gas has been in effect for many years. However, recent findings show that there is a transition stage between the kinetic stage and the thermodynamic equilibrium, which, experimentally, looks like an equilibrium. The beginning of this transition stage or dynamic pseudo-equilibrium stage would mark the end of the drying kinetics models, which has been named as the dynamic pseudo-equilibrium moisture contents (Xdpe). The non-observance of this phenomenon presupposes a model limited in its prediction capacity, especially in the last stages of drying and even more so at low drying temperatures. As a consequence, sizes of industrial dryers could be underestimated during the simulation and rigorous design process, or underestimate drying times, in batch dryers. On the other hand, the optimal conditions may never be found, during the optimization of existing industrial drying processes. The objective of this work is to present the procedure to determine Xdpe, during the experimental determination of drying curves of any material. Likewise, to propose the practical moisture ratio, which uses Xdpe, instead of the equilibrium moisture, to be used in the modeling of the drying kinetics.•The drying process is divided into three stages: kinetic, transition, and equilibrium.•The dynamic pseudo-equilibrium moisture content divides the kinetic and the transition stages.•The practical moisture ratio should be used in rigorous industrial dryer design calculations.

Social Categorization of Sexual Orientation via Verbal Cues: Evidence From a "Who Said What?" Study.

Even though an abundant amount of research has demonstrated the ability to identify others' sexual orientation via minimal nonverbal cues, few studies, if any, have investigated the role of verbal information sources on the social cognition of sexual orientation. Herein, we aimed to explore whether verbal cues (gendered names) are adequate for triggering social categorization processes. Additionally, whether participant gender, target gender, and attributions toward homosexual targets differentiate sexual orientation-based categorization was examined. Our data showed that (1) participants categorized targets based on sexual orientation via semantic information, (2) female participants' categorization tendencies were marginally stronger than the males', and (3) negative attributions toward homosexual targets did not influence the categorization levels. Accordingly, the results contribute to the existing literature indicating the automatic detection of sexual orientation and clarify that perceivers not only use numerous nonverbal sources to extract categorical information about sexual orientation but also verbal cues.

Genetics of somatic auto-inflammatory disorders.

Systemic autoinflammatory disorders (SAIDs) encompass a heterogeneous group of monogenic disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of systemic and organ-specific inflammation. Genetic studies have facilitated the identification of Mendelian forms of SAIDs but many patients still remain without a diagnosis. Recent studies have uncovered that somatic (acquired) mutations can cause later-onset SAIDs. In this review, we will discuss the current knowledge surrounding the genetics of these acquired auto-inflammatory disorders (AAIDs), with a focus on VEXAS, NLRP3-associated AAIDs and Schnitzler's syndrome and provide suggestions for future research in this field.

USAID Associated with Myeloid Neoplasm and VEXAS Syndrome: Two Differential Diagnoses of Suspected Adult Onset Still's Disease in Elderly Patients.

BACKGROUND: Patients with solid cancers and hematopoietic malignancy can experience systemic symptoms compatible with adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD). The newly described VEXAS, associated with somatic UBA1 mutations, exhibits an overlap of clinical and/or biological pictures with auto inflammatory signs and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). OBJECTIVES: To describe a cohort of patients with signs of undifferentiated systemic autoinflammatory disorder (USAID) concordant with AOSD and MDS/chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) and the prevalence of VEXAS proposed management and outcome. METHODS: A French multicenter retrospective study from the MINHEMON study group also used for other published works with the support of multidisciplinary and complementary networks of physicians and a control group of 104 MDS/CMML. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients were included with a median age at first signs of USAID of 70.5 years with male predominance (4:1). Five patients met the criteria for confirmed AOSD. The most frequent subtypes were MDS with a blast excess (31%) and MDS with multilineage dysplasia (18%). Seven patients presented with acute myeloid leukemia and twelve died during a median follow-up of 2.5 years. Six out of 18 tested patients displayed a somatic UBA1 mutation concordant with VEXAS, including one woman. High-dose corticosteroids led to a response in 13/16 cases and targeted biological therapy alone or in association in 10/12 patients (anakinra, tocilizumab, and infliximab). Azacytidine resulted in complete or partial response in systemic symptoms for 10/12 (83%) patients including 3 VEXAS. CONCLUSIONS: Systemic form of VEXAS syndrome can mimic AOSD. The suspicion of USAID or AOSD in older males with atypia should prompt an evaluation of underlying MDS and assessment of somatic UBA1 mutation.

Systemic autoinflammatory disease in adults.

Systemic autoinflammatory disorders comprise an expanding group of rare conditions. They are mediated by dysfunction of the innate immune system and share a core of phenotypic manifestations including recurrent attacks of fever, cutaneous signs, chest or abdominal pain, lymphadenopathy, vasculopathy, and musculoskeletal symptoms. Diagnosis is often established in childhood, but a growing number of adult patients are being recognized with systemic autoinflammatory disorders, including adult-onset disease. In this review, we provide a concise update on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic approach of systemic autoinflammatory disorders with an emphasis on the adult patient population. Despite the recent advances in genetic testing, the diagnosis of autoinflammatory disease in adult patients is often based on a thorough knowledge of the clinical phenotype. Becoming acquainted with the clinical features of these rare disorders may assist in developing a high index of suspicion for autoinflammatory disease in patients presenting with unexplained episodes of fever or inflammation.

An exposé of Frappellian Motion.

Contrary to the well-recognised role of an abstract in helping to summarise the main points of the following article, this abstract takes its influence from Peter B. Frappell ('Frapps') and, therefore, is distracted from its key purpose. While the abstract was supposed to discuss the serious phenomenon of 'Frappellian Motion' (FM), someone just passed along some gossip that is heaps more exciting, so "let's go grab a beer and I'll talk at you".

Recent Advances in the Design of Topical Ophthalmic Delivery Systems in the Treatment of Ocular Surface Inflammation and Their Biopharmaceutical Evaluation.

Ocular inflammation is one of the most common symptom of eye disorders and diseases. The therapeutic management of this inflammation must be rapid and effective in order to avoid deleterious effects for the eye and the vision. Steroidal (SAID) and non-steroidal (NSAID) anti-inflammatory drugs and immunosuppressive agents have been shown to be effective in treating inflammation of the ocular surface of the eye by topical administration. However, it is well established that the anatomical and physiological ocular barriers are limiting factors for drug penetration. In addition, such drugs are generally characterized by a very low aqueous solubility, resulting in low bioavailability as only 1% to 5% of the applied drug permeates the cornea. The present review gives an updated insight on the conventional formulations used in the treatment of ocular inflammation, i.e., ointments, eye drops, solutions, suspensions, gels, and emulsions, based on the commercial products available on the US, European, and French markets. Additionally, sophisticated formulations and innovative ocular drug delivery systems will be discussed. Promising results are presented with micro- and nanoparticulated systems, or combined strategies with polymers and colloidal systems, which offer a synergy in bioavailability and sustained release. Finally, different tools allowing the physical characterization of all these delivery systems, as well as in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo evaluations, will be considered with regards to the safety, the tolerance, and the efficiency of the drug products.

Munchausen by proxy syndrome mimicking systemic autoinflammatory disease: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) represent a growing number of monogenic, polygenic or multifactorial disorders that are often difficult to diagnose. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a patient who was initially erroneously diagnosed and treated for SAID. Symptoms consisted of recurrent fever, erythematous and/or blistering skin lesions, angioedema, susceptibility to bleeding, external ear infections and reversible anisocoria in the absence of laboratory evidence of systemic inflammation. After two and a half years of extensive diagnostic work-up and multiple empirical therapies, a final diagnosis of Munchausen by proxy syndrome (MBPS) was established. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of SAID needs to be carefully reassessed if measurable systemic inflammation is missing, and MBPS should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Prevalence and clinical significance of rare antinuclear antibody patterns.

While some of the more frequent antinuclear (auto)antibodies (ANA) patterns such as homogenous nuclear staining have been extensively studied, the prevalence and clinical significance of rare antinuclear antibody patterns are not well understood. For the purpose of this review, we defined rare patterns as patterns occurring in less than 1% of patients that test positive on indirect immunofluorescence. The prevalence of different ANA patterns was determined in 68,128 consecutive patients who attended the outpatient clinic or were hospitalized at the University Hospitals Leuven over a 14-year period (1998-2011). To avoid bias, we only included the first sample for each patient and patients who tested positive in the period 1980-1997 were excluded. There were 9268 patients who tested positive for ANA. With the exception of the clinical association of anti-multiple nuclear dots (at higher titers) and anti-nuclear envelope autoantibodies with autoimmune liver disease, there was no good clinical association of rare ANA patterns with the diagnosis of auto-immune disorders. The most important non-autoimmune cause of rare ANA patterns was carcinoma, particularly in patients with rare cell-cycle related ANAs.

Altered Th17 cells and Th17/regulatory T-cell ratios indicate the subsequent conversion from undifferentiated connective tissue disease to definitive systemic autoimmune disorders.

A shift in the balance between Th17-cells and regulatory T-cells (Treg) is an important feature of systemic autoimmune diseases (SAID), and may also contribute to their development. Hereby, we assessed the distribution of peripheral Th17 and Treg-cells in patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), the forerunner of SAIDs and followed these parameters during the development towards definitive SAIDs. Fifty-one UCTD patients were investigated and followed-up for 3 years. Flow cytometry was used to identify and follow three cell-populations: Th17-cells (CD4+IL-17+ T-cells), natural regulatory T-cells (CD4(+)CD25(bright)FoxP3(+); nTregs) and IL-10 producing Type-1 regulatory T-cells (CD4+IL-10+ T-cells; Tr1). Altogether 37.3% of these patients progressed into SAIDs. Th17-cells were increased in UCTD vs. controls, which further increased in those, whom developed SAIDs eventually. The Th17/nTreg ratio gradually increased from controls through UCTD patients, reaching the highest values in SAID-progressed patients. Regarding the Th17/Tr1 ratios, a similar tendency was observed moreover Th17/Tr1 could distinguish between UCTD patients with, or without subsequent SAID progression in a very early UCTD stage. Various immunoserological markers showed association with Th17 and Th17/nTreg at baseline, indicating the consecutive development of a distinct SAID. The derailed Th17/Treg balance may contribute to disease progression therefore could function as a prognostic marker.

Uma ética a serviço do sujeito / An ethic to serve the subject

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo discutir os fundamentos da psicanálise, com o intuito de traçar um panorama de como opera o psicanalista em sua prática, delineando, assim, o que se conhece como clínica do desejo ­ o dispositivo tradicional da psicanálise, buscando compreender o modo pelo qual o mesmo opera com o sujeito em análise. Busca, ainda, vislumbrar possíveis alcances e limitações deste fazer. Para tanto, discutiremos, de maneira breve, a formação do sujeito com o qual a psicanálise exerce seu trabalho clínico, entendendo que o mesmo sujeito é, para a psicanálise, construído. Desse modo, é pertinente realizar uma reflexão, sob a forma de uma análise crítica, tanto numa perspectiva cultural, quanto tomando o referencial psicanalítico do ponto de vista teórico, técnico e prático, para aqui compreender o que alguns autores têm discutido acerca da posição assumida pelo sujeito na contemporaneidade, assim como pelo psicanalista diante dos conflitos que esse sujeito traz para a sua clínica. Nesse sentido, foram utilizados textos de Freud e de Lacan, que contribuíram para a construção desse mesmo arcabouço teórico. Assim como foram utilizados textos de referências secundárias, de comentadores que exploram e esclarecem temas e conceitos desenvolvidos por Freud e Lacan ao longo de suas construções teóricas.

This paper aims at discussing the fundaments of psychoanalysis, in order to give an overview of how the psychoanalyst operates in his/her practice, thus delineating what is known as a clinic of desire ­ the traditional device of psychoanalysis, seeking to understand the way in which the analytical device operates with the subject under analysis, as well as, envision possible scopes and limitations of this métier. To do so, we will also discuss, briefly, the formation of the subject with which psychoanalysis exerts in clinical work, understanding that this subject is, for psychoanalysis, built. Thus, it is pertinent to conduct a reflection, in the form of a critical analysis, both from a cultural perspective, as taking the psychoanalytic framework of the theoretical, technical and practical point of view, in order to understand what some authors have discussed about the position taken by the subject in contemporary times, as well as by the psychoanalyst facing the conflicts that this subjects brings to his/her clinic. In this sense, texts of Freud and Lacan, who contributed to build this same theoretical framework were used. As well as texts of secondary references, commentators who explore and clarify themes and concepts developed by Freud and Lacan throughout their theoretical constructs.