<i>SPITZER</i>MICROLENS MEASUREMENT OF A MASSIVE REMNANT IN A WELL-SEPARATED BINARY

Shvartzvald, Y.,Udalski, A.,Gould, A.,Han, C.,Bozza, V.,Friedmann, M.,Hundertmark, M.,Beichman, C.,Bryden, G.,Novati, S. Calchi,Carey, S.,Fausnaugh, M.,Gaudi, B. S.,Henderson, C. B.,Kerr, T.,Pogge, R. IOP Publishing 2015 The Astrophysical journal Vol.814 No.2

<P>We report the detection and mass measurement of a binary lens OGLE-2015-BLG-1285La, b, with the more massive component having M-1 > 1.35M(circle dot) (80% probability). A main-sequence star in this mass range is ruled out by limits on blue light, meaning that a primary in this mass range must be a neutron star (NS) or black hole (BH). The system has a projected separation r(perpendicular to) = 6.1 +/- 0.4 AU and lies in the Galactic bulge. These measurements are based on the 'microlens parallax' effect, i.e., comparing the microlensing light curve as seen from Spitzer, which lay at 1.25 AU projected from Earth, to the light curves from four ground-based surveys, three in the optical and one in the near-infrared. Future adaptive optics imaging of the companion by 30 m class telescopes will yield a much more accurate measurement of the primary mass. This discovery both opens the path and defines the challenges to detecting and characterizing BHs and NSs in wide binaries, with either dark or luminous companions. In particular, we discuss lessons that can be applied to future Spitzer and Kepler K2 microlensing parallax observations.</P>

Calcium Microcrystal Formation in Recurrent Herniation Patients After Autologous Disc Cell Transplantation

Stefan Schwan,C. Ludtka,A. Friedmann,T. Mendel,H. J. Meisel,A. Heilmann,I. Kaden,F. Goehre 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2017 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.14 No.6

Autologous disc cell transplantation (ADCT) is a cell-based therapy aiming to initiate regeneration of intervertebral disc (IVD) tissue, but little is known about potential risks. This study aims to investigate the presence of structural phenomena accompanying the transformation process after ADCT treatment in IVD disease. Structural phenomena of ADCT-treated patients (Group 1, n = 10) with recurrent disc herniation were compared to conventionally-treated patients with recurrent herniation (Group 2, n = 10) and patients with a first-time herniation (Group 3, n = 10). For ethical reasons, a control group of ADCT patients who did not have a recurrent disc herniation was not possible. Tissue samples were obtained via micro-sequestrectomy after disc herniation and analyzed by micro-computed tomography, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and histology in terms of calcification zones, tissue structure, cell density, cell morphology, and elemental composition. The major differentiator between sample groups was calcium microcrystal formation in all ADCT samples, not found in any of the control group samples, which may indicate disc degradation. The incorporation of mineral particles provided clear contrast between the different materials and chemical analysis of a single particle indicated the presence of magnesium-containing calcium phosphate. As IVD calcification is a primary indicator of disc degeneration, further investigation of ADCT and detailed investigations assessing each patient’s Pfirrmann degeneration grade following herniation is warranted. Structural phenomena unique to ADCT herniation prompt further investigation of the therapy’s mechanisms and its effect on IVD tissue. However, the impossibility of a perfect control group limits the generalizable interpretation of the results.

Mindfulness based intervention with an attentional comparison group in at risk young adolescents: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Kristen E Rawlett,Erika Friedmann,Sue A. Thomas 한국한의학연구원 2019 Integrative Medicine Research Vol.8 No.2

Background: Risky behaviors are related to poor outcomes among young adolescents. This study piloted a mindfulness based intervention, Learning 2 Breath Mindfulness Curriculum, focusing on the feasibility of programming and intervention effects on coping, affect, and trait mindfulness among at-risk adolescents. Further, the mindfulness based intervention was compared to an attention intervention. Methods: Sixth-grade level female students in a boarding school for at-risk youth randomly allocated to either the mindfulness intervention (n = 12) or an attention intervention (n = 11) for six weeks. Outcomes (i.e., primary coping, positive affect, and trait mindfulness) were assessed before and after the interventions. Results: Intervention groups did not differ in demographics or outcomes at baseline. Twenty-two of 23 (95.7%) registered participants attended all of the sessions. Participants completed 86.4% of study tools. Separate repeated measures ANOVAs revealed no significant interactions among group and time for primary coping, positive affect, or mindfulness. However, positive affect did increase [F(1, 17) = 10.675, p = 0.005, partial η2 = 0.39] over time for both groups and there was a slight increase in trait mindfulness over time (although not statistically significant; p = 0.095, partial η2 = 0.155]). Primary coping did not change with time. Conclusion: The mindfulness intervention utilized in the present study exhibited feasibility in this population. Although preliminary, mindfulness based interventions may contribute to positive affect among at-risk youth in a boarding school. Limitations and future directions are discussed.

Changes in Depressive Symptoms in Spouses of Post Myocardial Infarction Patients

Heesook Son,Erika Friedmann,Sue A. Thomas 한국간호과학회 2012 Asian Nursing Research Vol.6 No.4

Purpose: To identify parsimonious models for changes in depression in spouses of post myocardial infarction (MI) patients over 2 years based on the biopsychosocial model. Methods: A total of 442 community living patients who had experienced an MI and their spouses were included for analysis. Patients and spouses completed psychosocial assessments at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years after enrollment in the Patients’ and Families’ Psychological Response to Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial. Linear mixed models were used for testing hypotheses. Results: A total of 15.2% (baseline), 11.5% (1-year follow up), and 8.1% (2-year follow up) of spouses were depressed. Spouse biological factors did not influence changes in depression.Amongall spouses, twogroups of spouses showed increased depression over time: spouses with lower baseline depression scores (p < .001), and spouses of patients who had higher baseline depression scores (p = .001). Among psychologically distressed (anxious or depressed) spouses, three groups of spouses showed increased depression over time: spouses who had lower baseline depression scores (p < .001), spouses who had more social support at baseline (p = .023), and spouses of patientswho had higher baseline depression scores (p < .001). Conclusion: Spouse and patient baseline depression significantly predicted changes in depression for all spouses and psychologically distressed spouses. Among psychologically distressed spouses, higher baseline social support predicted higher depression scores over time. This study is an important step in understanding longitudinal changes in the psychological status of spouses ofMI patients for evaluating the need for interventions. It is crucial that patient couples’ psychosocial factors are continuously assessed. Purpose: To identify parsimonious models for changes in depression in spouses of post myocardial infarction (MI) patients over 2 years based on the biopsychosocial model. Methods: A total of 442 community living patients who had experienced an MI and their spouses were included for analysis. Patients and spouses completed psychosocial assessments at baseline, 1 year, and 2 years after enrollment in the Patients’ and Families’ Psychological Response to Home Automated External Defibrillator Trial. Linear mixed models were used for testing hypotheses. Results: A total of 15.2% (baseline), 11.5% (1-year follow up), and 8.1% (2-year follow up) of spouses were depressed. Spouse biological factors did not influence changes in depression.Amongall spouses, twogroups of spouses showed increased depression over time: spouses with lower baseline depression scores (p < .001), and spouses of patients who had higher baseline depression scores (p = .001). Among psychologically distressed (anxious or depressed) spouses, three groups of spouses showed increased depression over time: spouses who had lower baseline depression scores (p < .001), spouses who had more social support at baseline (p = .023), and spouses of patientswho had higher baseline depression scores (p < .001). Conclusion: Spouse and patient baseline depression significantly predicted changes in depression for all spouses and psychologically distressed spouses. Among psychologically distressed spouses, higher baseline social support predicted higher depression scores over time. This study is an important step in understanding longitudinal changes in the psychological status of spouses ofMI patients for evaluating the need for interventions. It is crucial that patient couples’ psychosocial factors are continuously assessed.