Showing papers by "Saint Anselm College published in 2011"
TL;DR: Rearfoot striking was more common among the authors' sample of mostly recreational distance runners than has been previously reported for samples of faster runners and the frequency of discrete foot strike asymmetry declined from the 10 km to the 32 km location.
Abstract: Although the biomechanical properties of the various types of running foot strike (rearfoot, midfoot, and forefoot) have been studied extensively in the laboratory, only a few studies have attempted to quantify the frequency of running foot strike variants among runners in competitive road races. We classified the left and right foot strike patterns of 936 distance runners, most of whom would be considered of recreational or sub-elite ability, at the 10 km point of a half-marathon/marathon road race. We classified 88.9% of runners at the 10 km point as rearfoot strikers, 3.4% as midfoot strikers, 1.8% as forefoot strikers, and 5.9% of runners exhibited discrete foot strike asymmetry. Rearfoot striking was more common among our sample of mostly recreational distance runners than has been previously reported for samples of faster runners. We also compared foot strike patterns of 286 individual marathon runners between the 10 km and 32 km race locations and observed increased frequency of rearfoot s...
281 citations
TL;DR: Veterans with PTSD, compared to those without PTSD, exhibited decreased rCBF in mPFC during mental imagery of trauma-unrelated stressful personal experiences.
Abstract: BackgroundNeuroimaging research has demonstrated medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) hyporesponsivity and amygdala hyperresponsivity to trauma-related or emotional stimuli in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Relatively few studies have examined brain responses to the recollection of stressful, but trauma-unrelated, personal events in PTSD. In the current study, we sought to determine whether regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) abnormalities in mPFC and amygdala in PTSD could be observed during the recollection of trauma-unrelated stressful personal events.MethodParticipants were 35 right-handed male combat veterans (MCVs) and female nurse veterans (FNVs) who served in Vietnam: 17 (seven male, 10 female) with current military-related PTSD and 18 (nine male, nine female) with no current or lifetime PTSD. We used positron emission tomography (PET) and script-driven imagery to study rCBF during the recollection of trauma-unrelated stressful versus neutral and traumatic events.ResultsVoxelwise tests revealed significant between-group differences for the trauma-unrelated stressful versus neutral comparison in mPFC, specifically in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Functional region of interest (ROI) analyses demonstrated that this interaction in mPFC represented greater rCBF decreases in the PTSD group during trauma-unrelated stressful imagery relative to neutral imagery compared to the non-PTSD group. No differential amygdala activation was observed between groups or in either group separately.ConclusionsVeterans with PTSD, compared to those without PTSD, exhibited decreased rCBF in mPFC during mental imagery of trauma-unrelated stressful personal experiences. Functional neuroanatomical models of PTSD must account for diminished mPFC responses that extend to emotional stimuli, including stressful personal experiences that are not directly related to PTSD.
61 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors argue for new concepts in theological ethics: structures of virtue and structures of vice, which more accurately capture the moral nature of social structures and have the capacity to produce just or unjust outcomes, and play a significant role in the character formation of persons.
Abstract: The paper argues for new concepts in theological ethics: structures of virtue and structures of vice. The Catholic tradition's development of the ‘structures of sin’ in the 1970's and 80's was a significant contribution to magisterial teaching. However, this concept should be updated in light of the trajectory and concepts of post-Vatican II theological ethics. The article proceeds in two parts. Part one recapitulates the development of the concept of structures of sin in the Catholic tradition from the Second Vatican Council to Pope Benedict XVI's recent social encyclical, Caritas in veritate. Part two reflects on the findings of part one, and proceeds to define and defend the concepts structure of virtue and structures of vice. These related concepts more accurately capture the moral nature of social structures. Social structures have the capacity to produce just or unjust outcomes, and to play a significant role in the character formation of persons. Therefore, the structures of virtue and structures of vice are offered as insightful ways of discussing the moral status of social structures.
37 citations
TL;DR: In this article, an experiment using a multiple-species laminar flow reaction vessel coupled to a singlet oxygen generator was conducted to investigate the resistance of aluminum clusters to reactivity with oxygen.
Abstract: Recently, it was discovered that specific aluminum clusters (e.g., Al13–) that demonstrate enhanced resistance to reactivity with oxygen may do so not only because of a closed electronic jellium shell as originally supposed but also because of a forbidden spin-flip in the transition state of the reaction. Herein, we discuss an experiment using a multiple-species laminar flow reaction vessel coupled to a singlet oxygen generator. The present results suggest that all clusters react with singlet oxygen. Additionally, we observe Al9–, a cluster previously unidentified as having any notable stability, as being resistant to reaction with triplet oxygen. Furthermore, we discuss a means of estimating rate constants in a multiple-species flow tube where the products and reactants do not allow the use of traditional methods.
26 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The timing of returning to work significantly influenced the risk of weaning and policies that allow for at least 12 weeks' maternity leave would be likely to increase breastfeeding duration for employed Black women.
Abstract: Black women have lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and duration than other racial groups have, but the effects of employment on breastfeeding, specifically for Black women, have not been studied extensively. The purpose of this research was to determine the influence of work or maternity leave on breastfeeding duration in a sample of Black women. Participants were recruited in the first postpartum week, and then followed monthly for six months or until complete weaning. The timing of returning to work significantly influenced the risk of weaning. Women who returned to work prior to 12 weeks were more likely to wean their babies than both those who returned to work after 12 weeks as well as those who remained at home. Policies that allow for at least 12 weeks' maternity leave would be likely to increase breastfeeding duration for employed Black women. Interdisciplinary research is needed to address health and economic issues of maternity leave and to eliminate racial disparities.
21 citations
TL;DR: The present results show that NO(+)(H(2)O)(4) plays an increasing role in the conversion as the temperature is lowered, and the rate constants for the clustering increase substantially with the lowering of the temperature.
Abstract: The kinetics for conversion of NO + (H 2 O) n to H 3 O + (H 2 O) n has been investigated as a function of temperature from 150 to 400 K. In contrast to previous studies, which show that the conversion goes completely through a reaction of NO + (H 2 O) 3 , the present results show that NO + (H 2 O) 4 plays an increasing role in the conversion as the temperature is lowered. Rate constants are derived for the clustering of H 2 O to NO + (H 2 O) 1―3 and the reactions of NO + (H 2 O) 3,4 with H 2 O to form H 3 O + (H 2 O) 2,3 , respectively. In addition, thermal dissociation of NO + (H 2 O) 4 to lose HNO 2 was also found to be important. The rate constants for the clustering increase at substantially with the lowering of the temperature. Flux be calculations show that NO + (H 2 O) 4 accounts for over 99% of the conversion at 150 K and even 20% at 300 K, although it is too small to be detectable. The experimental data are complimented by modeling of the falloff curves for the clustering reactions. The modeling shows that, for many of the conditions, the data correspond to the falloff regime of third body association.
18 citations
TL;DR: A portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer and portable Raman spectrophotometer were utilized at the Coriglia, Castel Viscardo excavation site near Orvieto, Italy to study pigments found on fresco as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: A portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer and portable Raman spectrophotometer were utilized at the Coriglia, Castel Viscardo excavation site near Orvieto, Italy to study pigments found on fresco. Over eighty fresco samples were analyzed. Identified pigments included vermillion, red ochre, yellow ochre, terre verte, Egyptian blue, and hematite. XRF spectroscopic data were collected utilizing three separate sets of instrument conditions. Various data processing and analysis approaches were evaluated for the XRF and Raman spectroscopic data including scatterplots and analysis of variance on integrated peak areas, live time correction of the XRF spectral intensities, principle components analysis on both the integrated peak areas and spectra, and data fusion of the spectra. Fusion of the high voltage and low voltage under vacuum XRF spectroscopic data provided improved data clustering results over single technique data. Fusion of high voltage XRF spectroscopic data with Raman data also was demonstrated to provide improved differentiation results for certain pigments. Data from individual pigments were then evaluated using these demonstrated best approaches for possible source variations with encouraging results.
17 citations
TL;DR: This work synthesized a parallel series of chroman compounds and showed that repositioning the oxygen atom in the heterocyclic ring decreases potency and confers D2‐like receptor selectivity to these compounds.
Abstract: A novel class of isochroman dopamine analogues, originally reported by Abbott Laboratories, have >100-fold selectivity for D1-like over D2-like receptors. We synthesized a parallel series of chroman compounds and showed that repositioning the oxygen atom in the heterocyclic ring decreases potency and confers D2-like receptor selectivity to these compounds. In silico modeling supports the hypothesis that the altered pharmacology for the chroman series is due to potential intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the oxygen in the chroman ring and the meta-hydroxy group of the catechol moiety. This interaction realigns the catechol hydroxy groups and disrupts key interactions between these ligands and critical serine residues in TM5 of the D1-like receptors. This hypothesis was tested by the synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a parallel series of carbocyclic compounds. Our results suggest that if the potential for intramolecular hydrogen bonding is removed, D1-like receptor potency and selectivity are restored.
17 citations
TL;DR: Free energies of the reactions involving 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis-trifluoromethylsulfonylimide determined by ab initio quantum mechanical calculations indicate that ion exchange or ion addition are energetically more favorable than charge-transfer processes, whereas charge- transfer processes can be important in reactions involving1-butyl-3,methy Limidazlium dicyanamide.
Abstract: Room-temperature ionic liquids exert vanishingly small vapor pressures under ambient conditions. Under reduced pressure, certain ionic liquids have demonstrated volatility, and they are thought to vaporize as intact cation-anion ion pairs. However, ion pair vapors are difficult to detect because their concentration is extremely low under these conditions. In this Letter, we report the products of reacting ions such as NO(+), NH4(+), NO3(-), and O2(-) with vaporized aprotic ionic liquids in their intact ion pair form. Ion pair fragmentation to the cation or anion as well as ion exchange and ion addition processes are observed by selected-ion flow tube mass spectrometry. Free energies of the reactions involving 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis-trifluoromethylsulfonylimide determined by ab initio quantum mechanical calculations indicate that ion exchange or ion addition are energetically more favorable than charge-transfer processes, whereas charge-transfer processes can be important in reactions involving 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide.
11 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that stimulus reinforcer relationships play a role in the discriminative stimulus effects of drugs with regard to response rate, but vary pharmacologically and as a function of the context in which extinction occurs.
Abstract: Operant extinction contingencies can undermine the discriminative stimulus effects of drugs Here, nicotine (04 mg/kg) and ethanol (08 g/kg) first functioned as either an SD or SD, in SΔ, in a counterbalanced one-lever go/no-go (across sessions) operant drug discrimination procedure Pavlovian extinction in the training context (levers removed) grossly undermined the response rates and discriminative stimulus functions of nicotine, but not ethanol; presentation of the drugs in the home cage had no impact on stimulus control for either drug but lowered overall response rates This result was replicated between, and within, groups of rats that differed in the order of extinction phases These data suggest that stimulus reinforcer relationships play a role in the discriminative stimulus effects of drugs with regard to response rate, but vary pharmacologically and as a function of the context in which extinction occurs
10 citations
TL;DR: A unitary pattern emerged within the lives of spousal caregivers following their spouses’ discharge from the hospital after coronary artery bypass graft surgery, which added empirical support to the theory of health as expanding consciousness and provided a new way to examine the sposeal caregiving experience.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to recognize a unitary pattern within the lives of spousal caregivers following their spouses' discharge from the hospital after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The unitary pattern emerged through four themes: dyadic relationship life patterns influenced caregivers' roles and responsibilities, life patterns of caring for self and others were altered, life patterns of certainty and knowing were limiting, awareness of life pattern gave meaning, and new perception on life left to live. The study added empirical support to the theory of health as expanding consciousness and provided a new way to examine the spousal caregiving experience.
TL;DR: It is shown that the generalized Langevin equation may have nonergodic (nonstationary) solutions even if the integral of the memory function is finite and diffusion is normal.
Abstract: It is known that in the regime of superlinear diffusion, characterized by zero integral friction (vanishing integral of the memory function), the generalized Langevin equation may have nonergodic solutions that do not relax to equilibrium values. It is shown that the equation may have nonergodic (nonstationary) solutions even if the integral of the memory function is finite and diffusion is normal.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: This work discusses the parallel implementation of Genetic Algorithms and Evolution Strategy on General-Purpose Graphical Units, using the OpenCL framework, with different approaches for parallelism, for small and large problem sizes.
Abstract: We discuss the parallel implementation of Genetic Algorithms and Evolution Strategy on General-Purpose Graphical Units, using the OpenCL framework. Multiple evolutionary operators are tested (tournament, roulette wheel selection, uniform and Gaussian mutation, crossover, recombination), as well as different approaches for parallelism, for small and large problem sizes. We use the Island Model of Parallel GA, with random migration. Performance is measured using two graphic cards: NVidia GeForce GTX 560Ti and AMD Radeon 6950. Tests are performed in a distributed grid, using the Java Parallel Processing Framework.
TL;DR: Generalized fluctuation-dissipation relations are derived and shown to ensure convergence to thermal equilibrium to any order in λ.
Abstract: We discuss the structure and asymptotic long-time properties of coupled equations for the moments of a Brownian particle's momentum p(n)((t)) derived microscopically beyond the lowest approximation in the weak coupling parameter λ. Generalized fluctuation-dissipation relations are derived and shown to ensure convergence to thermal equilibrium to any order in λ.
TL;DR: Studies of macrogeographic variation in birdsong involve populations incapable of interbreeding because of physical barriers or separation by large distances, and different patterns have emerged.
Abstract: Studies of macrogeographic variation in birdsong involve populations incapable of interbreeding because of physical barriers or separation by large distances. Different patterns have emerged from t...
TL;DR: The development and psychometric properties of the Fogg Intent-to-Screen for HIV questionnaire (ITS HIV), which measures peoples' beliefs and intentions toward HIV screening, suggest the ITS HIV questionnaire is appropriate for use in clinical practice or to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Abstract: In this paper, we describe the development and psychometric properties of the Fogg Intent-to-Screen for HIV questionnaire (ITS HIV), which measures peoples' beliefs and intentions toward HIV screening. The ITS HIV was developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior as the framework for a developmental process that included qualitative interviews, a validation phase, two pilot tests, and a field test of the final 55-item questionnaire. The field test involved 312 homeless persons from five New England states. Cronbach alphas of the direct measures scales ranged from .72 to .90. Findings from a path analysis verified the construct validity. The psychometric estimates from these analyses suggest the ITS HIV questionnaire is appropriate for use in clinical practice or to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.
Posted Content•
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that both classical and quantum physics include limits that prevent us from definitively answering the question "Is the universe digital or analog?" They argue that classical physics is itself really nothing more than a convenient approximation.
Abstract: Is the universe digital or analog? In this essay I argue that both classical and quantum physics include limits that prevent us from definitively answering that question. That quantum physics does so is no surprise. That classical physics does so is rather unexpected. In fact, I argue that classical physics is itself really nothing more than a convenient approximation. Either way, it turns out that our knowledge of the universe is discrete and so it is extraordinarily difficult, perhaps even impossible, to determine the underlying continuity of the universe itself.
TL;DR: Sider argues that a binary afterlife is inconsistent with a proportionally just God because no just criterion for placing persons in such an afterlife exists as mentioned in this paper, and he provides a possible account whereby God can remain proportionally fair and allow binary afterlife.
Abstract: Ted Sider argues that a binary afterlife is inconsistent with a proportionally just God because no just criterion for placing persons in such an afterlife exists I provide a possible account whereby God can remain proportionally just and allow a binary afterlife On my account, there is some maximum amount of people God can allow into Heaven without sacrificing some greater good God gives to all people at least their due but chooses to allow some who do not deserve Heaven to enter out of grace Although this model implies a precise cutoff between those who enter Heaven and those who do not, I have argued that there is a precise point where God best serves justice and some greater good Although God’s actions may appear arbitrary and ‘whimsically generous,’ it is merely because we are ignorant of the precise cutoff point that best serves his purposes
08 Dec 2011
TL;DR: The paper defines the BC programming environment, describes its implementation in Scheme and presents its use for developing real applications for functional nano-devices.
Abstract: The emergent nano-technologies must be used to design functional nano-devices with complexity in the range of their size. The way to achieve this goal is to define parallel programmable engines. The concept of FP System, introduced by John Backus in 1978, is used to define a high level architectural environment: Backus-Connex Parallel Functional Programming System. The functional forms of FP Systems correspond perfect with the four types of parallelism derived for ConnexArray™ from the Kleene's computational model. The paper defines the BC programming environment, describes its implementation in Scheme and presents its use for developing real applications for functional nano-devices.
TL;DR: The East India Company was a house of many rooms and did more to bring the various parts of the Indian Ocean into contact with each other than any other agency, though routinely using force to achieve that aim as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: tion straddling the collective and the individual. An ongoing historiographical tradition has emphasized how the East India Company could not free itself of high overhead costs and practices of representation that weighed heavily on its balance sheet. The company was a house of many rooms, however, and did more to bring the various parts of the Indian Ocean into contact with each other than any other agency, though routinely using force to achieve that aim. The system began to unravel after 1680, owing to increasing local restrictions in trade, combined with growing English competition. gregory hanlon Dalhousie University
TL;DR: In this article, the kinetics of eighteen positive ions with chlorine azide (ClN3) were studied using a selected ion flow tube (SIFT), which allowed for the estimation of both the ionization energy, >930 kJ/mol−1 (>9.6 eV), and the proton affinity, 713 −± −41kJ/min−1, of the positive ions.