Connecting Art and the Brain: An Artist's Perspective on Visual Indeterminacy.

In this article I will discuss the intersection between art and neuroscience from the perspective of a practicing artist. I have collaborated on several scientific studies into the effects of art on the brain and behavior, looking in particular at the phenomenon of "visual indeterminacy." This is a perceptual state in which subjects fail to recognize objects from visual cues.

Whole-body and multi-joint kinematic control strategy variability during backward rotating dismounts from beam.

The aim of this study was to develop insight into the whole-body and multi-joint kinematic control strategy variability associated with the execution of fundamental backward rotating dismounts from beam. Two-dimensional joint centre coordinate data were obtained for ten backward piked and backward tucked somersault dismount skills performed by four female gymnasts (N = 80 trials). Gymnast-specific and group variability in whole-body and multi-joint discrete kinematic measures were compared for the aerial and impact phase of backward piked and backward tucked skills.

Computer-aided methods in bespoke breast prosthesis design and fabrication.

This case study presents a method of utilizing computer-aided design technologies to provide bespoke, external breast prostheses. The technique is illustrated through a case study of a mastectomy patient. Photogrammetry methods were used to capture the breast form when supported by a brassiere and the unsupported breast and defect side.

Effect of manuka honey on the expression of universal stress protein A in meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Staphylococcus aureus is an important pathogen that can cause many problems, from impetigo to endocarditis. With its continued resistance to multiple antibiotics, S. aureus remains a serious health threat.

The effect of a supported exercise programme in patients with newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes: a pilot study.

The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of either a standard care programme (n = 9) or a 12-week supported exercise programme (n = 10) on glycaemic control, β-cell responsiveness, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles in newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes patients. The standard care programme consisted of advice to exercise at moderate to high intensity for 30 min five times a week; the supported exercise programme consisted of three 60-min supported plus two unsupported exercise sessions per week. Between-group analyses demonstrated a difference for changes in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol only (standard care programme 0.

Recall agreement between actual and retrospective reports of competitive anxiety: a comparison of intensity and frequency dimensions.

Using a mixed-method design, we compared athletes' abilities to recall intensity and frequency of competitive anxiety. In Phase 1, performers (n = 35) completed the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (Martens, Burton, Vealey, Bump, & Smith, 1990) at four pre-competition and four post-competition intervals to compare actual and recalled responses. In Phase 2, follow up interviews (n = 6) explored the perceived mechanisms underpinning the quantitative results.

Effect of different types of conditioning contraction on upper body postactivation potentiation.

Muscle contractions preceding an activity can result in increased force generation (postactivation potentiation [PAP]). Although the type of muscular contractions could affect subsequent strength and power performance, little information exists on their effects. The purpose of this study was to examine PAP effects produced by isometric (ISO), concentric (CON), eccentric (ECC), or concentric-eccentric (DYN) conditioning contractions on upper body force and power performance.

Workers' exposure to dust, endotoxin and β-(1-3) glucan at four large-scale composting facilities.

Objectives: To characterise compost workers' exposure to dust, endotoxin and β-(1-3) glucan during various operational practices and investigate whether dust concentrations are a useful indicator of endotoxin exposure in compost workers.

Methods: This study assessed inhalable dust fractions, bacterial endotoxin and β-(1-3) glucan in 117 personal samples and 88 ambient samples from four large-scale composting facilities.

Results: Employees' exposures to inhalable dust, endotoxin and β-(1-3) glucan exhibited a large range.

Effects of graded heat stress on global left ventricular function and twist mechanics at rest and during exercise in healthy humans.

Increased left ventricular (LV) twist and untwisting (LV twist mechanics) contribute to the maintenance of stroke volume during passive heat stress. However, it remains unknown whether changes in LV twist mechanics are related to the magnitude of heat stress and whether performing exercise during heat stress alters this response. We examined global LV function and LV twist mechanics in 10 healthy men at baseline and three progressive levels of heat stress, at rest and during knee-extensor exercise.

The effect of manuka honey on the structure of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of manuka honey on the structural integrity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of manuka honey for P. aeruginosa were determined by a microtitre plate method, and the survival of bacteria exposed to a bactericidal concentration of manuka honey was monitored.

Rosiglitazone induces the unfolded protein response, but has no significant effect on cell viability, in monocytic and vascular smooth muscle cells.

Given the safety concerns expressed over negative cardiovascular outcomes resulting from the clinical use of rosiglitazone, and the view that rosiglitazone exerts PPARγ-independent effects alongside its insulin-sensitising PPARγ-dependent effects, we hypothesised that rosiglitazone may trigger Unfolded Protein Responses (UPRs) due to disruptions in [Ca(2+)](i) homeostasis within two cardiovascular cell types: monocytic (MM6) and vascular smooth muscle (A7r5) cells. In microsomal samples derived from both cell types, pre-incubation with rosiglitazone rapidly (30min) brought about concentration-dependent PPARγ-independent inhibition of Ca(2+)ATPase activity (IC(50) ∼2μM). Fluo-3 fluorimetric data demonstrated in intact cells that 1h treatment with 1 or 10μM rosiglitazone caused Ca(2+) ions to leak into the cytoplasm.

Honey, health and longevity.

Honey is a broad spectrum antimicrobial agent which can enhance wound healing. A beneficial effect in cancer has been shown in cell cultures and in animal studies and a number of further nutritional and physiological effects of relevance to health and function have been shown for honey. A representative sub-sample of 665 men within the Caerphilly Cohort kept a weighed dietary record for seven days.

Specificity of the Acute Tryptophan and Tyrosine Plus Phenylalanine Depletion and Loading Tests Part II: Normalisation of the Tryptophan and the Tyrosine Plus Phenylalanine to Competing Amino Acid Ratios in a New Control Formulation.

Current formulations for acute tryptophan (Trp) or tyrosine (Tyr) plus phenylalanine (Phe) depletion and loading cause undesirable decreases in ratios of Trp or Tyr + Phe to competing amino acids (CAA), thus undermining the specificities of these tests. Branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) cause these unintended decreases, and lowering their content in a new balanced control formulation in the present study led to normalization of all ratios. Four groups (n = 12 each) of adults each received one of four 50 g control formulations, with 0% (traditional), 20%, 30%, or 40% less of the BCAA.

Low-intensity exercise enhances expression of markers of alternative activation in circulating leukocytes: roles of PPARγ and Th2 cytokines.

Objective: Pharmacological activation of the nuclear receptor PPARγ is linked to numerous beneficial effects in the contexts of inflammation, lipid homeostasis, Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) and atherosclerosis. These beneficial effects include priming of circulating monocytes for differentiation towards an 'alternative' anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype. As we have recently shown that participation in low-intensity exercise increases PPARγ expression and activity in leukocytes from previously sedentary individuals, we aimed to elucidate whether low-intensity exercise elicited a pattern of gene expression similar to that reported for M2 monocyte-macrophage differentiation.

Specificity of the acute tryptophan and tyrosine plus phenylalanine depletion and loading tests I. Review of biochemical aspects and poor specificity of current amino Acid formulations.

The acute tryptophan or tyrosine plus phenylalanine depletion and loading tests are powerful tools for studying the roles of serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline in normal subjects and those with behavioural disorders. The current amino acid formulations for these tests, however, are associated with undesirable decreases in ratios of tryptophan or tyrosine plus phenylalanine to competing amino acids resulting in loss of specificity. This could confound biochemical and behavioural findings.

Anagrelide represses GATA-1 and FOG-1 expression without interfering with thrombopoietin receptor signal transduction.

Background:  Anagrelide is a selective inhibitor of megakaryocytopoiesis used to treat thrombocytosis in patients with chronic myeloproliferative disorders. The effectiveness of anagrelide in lowering platelet counts is firmly established, but its primary mechanism of action remains elusive.

Objectives And Methods:  Here, we have evaluated whether anagrelide interferes with the major signal transduction cascades stimulated by thrombopoietin in the hematopoietic cell line UT-7/mpl and in cultured CD34(+) -derived human hematopoietic cells.

Absence of bacterial resistance to medical-grade manuka honey.

Clinical use of honey in the topical treatment of wounds has increased in Europe and North America since licensed wound care products became available in 2004 and 2007, respectively. Honey-resistant bacteria have not been isolated from wounds, but there is a need to investigate whether honey has the potential to select for honey resistance. Two cultures of bacteria from reference collections (Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 10017 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) and four cultures isolated from wounds (Escherichia coli, methicillin-resistant S.

Postactivation potentiation following different modes of exercise.

The performance characteristics of skeletal muscle are transient in nature and have been shown to be significantly affected by its contractile history, where the phenomenon of acute enhancement is termed postactivation potentiation (PAP). Acute enhancement of dynamic activity has been observed when preceded by resistance exercises; however little information exists for plyometric activity as a conditioning stimulus. In addition, no study has examined PAP effects on more than one subsequent performance trial.

Intralimb joint coordination patterns of the lower extremity in maximal velocity phase sprint running.

This study aimed to develop insight into the lower extremity joint coupling motions used in the maximal velocity phase of sprint running. Two-dimensional coordinate data were used to derive sagittal plane joint angle profiles of sprint running trials. Intralimb joint coupling motions were examined using a continuous relative phase (CRP) analysis.

Musculoskeletal work preceding the outward and inward Tkachev on uneven bars in artistic gymnastics.

Outward facing Tkachevs on uneven bars have been the traditional technique employed by artistic gymnasts. Changes in bar spacing and judging have increased the popularity of the inward version of the skill, in which the gymnast faces towards the low bar as she straddles over the high bar. The purpose of this study was to compare these two variants of the women's Tkachev to examine the influence of the positioning of the low bar on the musculoskeletal demands placed on the gymnast.

Neural control of leg stiffness during hopping in boys and men.

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether boys and men utilise different control strategies whilst hopping. Eleven boys (11-12yr old) and ten men completed hopping at 1.5Hz, 3.

A biomechanical analysis of common lunge tasks in badminton.

The lunge is regularly used in badminton and is recognized for the high physical demands it places on the lower limbs. Despite its common occurrence, little information is available on the biomechanics of lunging in the singles game. A video-based pilot study confirmed the relatively high frequency of lunging, approximately 15% of all movements, in competitive singles games.

Perceptions of social support and eating disorder characteristics.

Poor social support is a risk factor for the development of eating disorders (Ghaderi, 2003). We designed this study to investigate the relationship between social support and eating disorder symptomatology among a female, nonclinical population. The work is of international interest because disordered eating behavior is common across many nations.

Personal aspirations and concerns inventory for offenders: developments in the measurement of offenders' motivation.

Background: It is important to attend to offenders' motivation for treatment and behaviour change, either as a treatment selection criterion or a pre-treatment need. One measure of motivation that has been used with forensic populations is the Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI) and a PCI-Offender Adaptation (PCI-OA). As well as demonstrating promise in measuring offenders' motivation, the administration of the PCI and PCI-OA shows potential as a motivation enhancer.

Emergency planning and preparedness for the deliberate release of toxic industrial chemicals.

Introduction: Society in developed and developing countries is hugely dependent upon chemicals for health, wealth, and economic prosperity, with the chemical industry contributing significantly to the global economy.

Toxic Industrial Chemicals: Many chemicals are synthesized, stored, and transported in vast quantities and classified as high production volume chemicals; some are recognized as being toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). Chemical accidents involving chemical installations and transportation are well recognized.