Stories from Experience:Using the Phenomenological Psychological Method to Understand the Needs of Victims of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident

Michael Edwards 경남대학교 극동문제연구소 2013 ASIAN PERSPECTIVE Vol.37 No.4

In order to assist the victims of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, we first need to understand people’s lived experiences of the disaster in its social, cultural, and historical context. In this article I outline how phenomenological psychology, a qualitative research approach based upon in-depth interviewing, can be the source of such knowledge. Case vignettes highlight the unique psychological situation of seven individuals, with implications for helping victims of this disaster more generally.

The Rhetoric of Friendship in the Attic Orators

Michael Edwards 한국서양고전학회 2023 西洋古典學硏究 Vol.62 No.3

This paper addresses the importance in the forensic rhetoric of classical Athens of the concept of friendship (philia), and also of its counterpart enmity (echthra). I examine how speakers use friendships to support both the credibility of their narratives and the justice of their case, as well as the injustice of their opponent’s case. Examples are taken from the orators Antiphon (speech 1), Lysias (speeches 1 and 12), Isaeus (speeches 4, 5 and 6), Demosthenes (speech 54), and Apollodorus ([Dem.] 47).

The Safety and Tolerability of SOF/VEL/VOX for 8/12 Weeks in >1,000 Patients Treated in the POLARIS Studies: An Integrated Analysis

( Michael Manns ),( Edward J. Gane ),( Bernard E. Willems ),( Stuart K. Roberts ),( Steven Flamm ),( Marc Bourlière ),( Tarik Asselah ),( Laurent Alric ),( Sunjin Hwang ),( Robert H. Hyland ),( Luisa 대한간학회 2017 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2017 No.1

Aims: The once-daily fixed-dose combination tablet of sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir/voxilaprevir (SOF/VEL/VOX) was evaluated for the treatment of genotype 1-6 HCV patients with and without compensated cirrhosis. Treatment was for 12 weeks for DAA-experienced patients (POLARIS-1 and POLARIS-4) and for 8 weeks for DAA-naive patients (POLARIS-2 and POLARIS-3). This analysis describes the safety of these 4 Phase 3 studies. Methods: Treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) and laboratory abnormalities were assessed in patients who received SOF/VEL/VOX or placebo for 12 weeks(POLARIS-1), SOF/VEL/VOX or SOF/VEL for 12 weeks(POLARIS-4), or SOF/VEL/VOX for 8 weeks or SOF/VEL for 12 weeks(POLARIS-2 and POLARIS-3). SAEs and deaths were followed until post-treatment Week 24. Results: 1056 patients were treated with SOF/VEL/VOX for 8 (n=611) or 12 (n=445) weeks, 700 received SOF/VEL for 12 weeks, and 152 received placebo. 38% had compensated cirrhosis, 28% had a BMI ≥30 kg/m2, 36% were female, and 12% were ≥65 years old. Two deaths were reported, one illicit drug overdose and one attributed to hypertension, neither were related to treatment. SAEs and discontinuations were more frequent in the placebo group and occurred with similar frequency in the other groups; none were related to study treatment. Headache, fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea were the most common AEs. Mild diarrhea and nausea occurred more frequently in the SOF/VEL/VOX groups. Overall, 5.1 - 6.6% of patients who received SOF/VEL/VOX or SOF/VEL had Grade 3 or 4 laboratory abnormalities. Among patients receiving VOX, one patient each had a Grade 3 elevation in ALT and bilirubin. Conclusions: SOF/VEL/VOX for 8 or 12 weeks in the POLARIS studies was well tolerated with a low frequency of Grade 3 or 4 AEs, SAEs, and AEs leading to discontinuation. The frequency of AEs in the SOF/VEL/VOX groups was similar to SOF/VEL and placebo groups, with higher rates of mild diarrhea and nausea compared to SOF/VEL.

Effects of Mode and Rhythm on Working Memory as Measured by Sequential Digit Recall Performance

Michael J. Silverman,Edward Todd Schwartzberg 한국음악치료학회 2014 한국음악치료학회지 Vol.16 No.1

Empirical research is warranted to determine effective ways to utilize paired associate music to facilitate recall and learning. The purpose of this study was to isolate and determine the effects of mode and rhythm on working memory as measured by sequential digit recall performance. Participants were music majors (n=30) and nonmusic majors (n=30) at a large comprehensive university. Participants listened to six different treatment stimuli of monosyllabic digits paired with: (a) a major melody and rhythm, (b) a natural minor melody and rhythm, (c) a mixolydian melody and rhythm, (d) a major melody without rhythm, (e) a natural minor melody without rhythm, and (f) a mixolydian melody without rhythm. Results indicated a significant interaction between mode and rhythm, demonstrating that rhythm facilitated recall most during the natural minor mode condition but not during the mixolydian mode condition. Analyses of estimated marginal means indicated that participants were able to recall information paired with major modes best, followed by minor and mixolydian modes, respectively. Additionally, participants were able to recall information paired with melodies that contained a rhythmic component better than information paired with melodies without a rhythmic component. Although not significant, music majors tended to slightly outperform nonmusic majors. Consistent with previous research, participants were able to recall information in primacy and recency serial positions most accurately. From the results of this study, memory and learning may be enhanced by pairing information with major melodies and rhythm. Limitations, implications for clinical practice, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Music from Second Sound: How Advanced Physics Inspired Der Rufer for percussion quartet

Michael Edward Edgerton(마이클 에드워드 에저튼) 한국전자음악협회 2023 에밀레 Vol.21 No.-

This report will discuss how principles from the advanced physics of cryogenics influenced my composition Der Rufer for percussion quartet. In this paper I explain how I translated information and concepts from superfluid helium (He II) to music composition. Achieved using different methods ranging from purely intuitive to quasi-quantitative, I transferred the following eight principles from ultra-cold physics into organized sound, including: anisotropy, isotrophy, vortices, vortex rotation, bifurcations, mutual friction, turbulence past an obstacle, and second sound. Written for Professor Olaf Tzschoppe, director of the Bremen Percussion Quartet, this work is the first result of a planned long-term collaboration with J.G. Weisend II, a Deputy Head of Accelerator Projects at the European Spallation Source (E.S.S.).

HBV : No Detectable Tenofovir Resistance with Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) or Emtricitabine+TDF (FTC/TDF) through 96 Weeks in Lamivudine Resistance CHB Patients

( Edward Gane ),( Amoreena C Corsa ),( Yang Liu ),( Ben C Mitchell2 ),( John F Flaherty ),( Michael D Miller ),( Kathryn M Kitrinos ),( Scott Fung ) 대한간학회 2013 춘·추계 학술대회 (KASL) Vol.2013 No.1

Background/Aim: To evaluate amino acid changes within HBV pol/RT after 96 weeks of treatment with TDF or FTC/ TDF and determine their potential association with TDF resistance. Methods: In Study GS-US-174-0121, 280 patients receiving lamivudine (LAM) with detectable LAM-resistance mutations in HBV pol/RT (LAM-R: rtM204V/I±rtL180M) were randomized 1:1 to receive blinded treatment with TDF or FTC/TDF for 96 weeks. Virologic breakthrough (VB) was defined as confirmed HBV DNA >1 log10 increase from nadir or HBV DNA ≥400 copies/mL (69 IU/mL) after <400 copies/mL. Resistance genotyping by HBV pol/RT sequencing was attempted for all patients at baseline and if viremic (HBV DNA ≥400 copies/ mL) at Week 96/study discontinuation. Results: Overall, 18 patients (9 TDF, 9 FTC/TDF) were viremic viremic at Week 96/last visit. The mean baseline HBV DNA was significantly higher for viremic patients (8.04 log10 copies/mL) compared to patients who did not qualify for genotyping (6.39 log10 copies/mL). In the TDF arm, 3 patients had conserved site changes/reversions (1 with VB), 1 had unique polymorphic site changes, 2 had no change, and 3 were unable to be genotyped. In the FTC/TDF arm, 2 patients had conserved site changes/reversions, 1 had unique polymorphic site changes, 4 had no change, and 2 were unable to be genotyped. No phenotypic resistance to TDF was observed. Four of eight (50%) patients had LAM-R reversions (rtV/I204M±rtM180L) on TDF while 1/8 (12.5%) patients on FTC/TDF had LAM-R reversions. Thirteen patients (4.6%) with prior entecavir (ETV) exposure and 25 patients (8.9%) with baseline ETV-R were enrolled; neither had an impact on viral kinetics. Conclusions: No TDF resistance has been detected through 96 weeks of treatment with either TDF or FTC/TDF in LAM-R patients. The presence of ETV-R or ETV exposure did not impact viral kinetics through 96 weeks. Resistance surveillance in this population will continue through Year 5.

Species-specific biomass drives macroalgal benthic primary production on temperate rocky reefs

Spector, Michael,Edwards, Matthew S. The Korean Society of Phycology 2020 ALGAE Vol.35 No.3

Temperate rocky reefs dominated by the giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, support diverse assemblages of benthic macroalgae that provide a suite of ecosystem services, including high rates of primary production in aquatic ecosystems. These forests and the benthic macroalgae that inhabit them are facing both short-term losses and long-term declines throughout much of their range in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Here, we quantified patterns of benthic macroalgal biomass and irradiance on rocky reefs that had intact kelp forests and nearby reefs where the benthic macroalgae had been lost due to deforestation at three sites along the California, USA and Baja California, MEX coasts during the springs and summers of 2017 and 2018. We then modeled how the loss of macroalgae from these reefs impacted net benthic productivity using species-specific, mass-dependent rates of photosynthesis and respiration that we measured in the laboratory. Our results show that the macroalgal assemblages at these sites were dominated by a few species of stipitate kelps and fleshy red algae whose relative abundances were spatially and temporally variable, and which exhibited variable rates of photosynthesis and respiration. Together, our model estimates that the dominant macroalgae on these reefs contribute 15 to 4,300 mg C m^-2 d^-1 to net benthic primary production, and that this is driven primarily by a few dominant taxa that have large biomasses and high rates of photosynthesis and / or respiration. Consequently, we propose that the loss of these macroalgae results in the loss of an important contribution to primary production and overall ecosystem function.

A load-bearing structural element with energy dissipation capability under harmonic excitation

Pontecorvo, Michael E.,Barbarino, Silvestro,Gandhi, Farhan S.,Bland, Scott,Snyder, Robert,Kudva, Jay,White, Edward V. Techno-Press 2015 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.2 No.3

This paper focuses on the design, fabrication, testing and analysis of a novel load-bearing element with energy dissipation capability. A single element comprises two von-Mises trusses (VMTs), which are sandwiched between two plates and connected to dashpots that stroke as the VMTs cycle between stable equilibrium states. The elements can be assembled in-plane to form a large plate-like structure or stacked with different properties in each layer for improved load-adaptability. Also introduced in the elements are pre-loaded springs (PLSs) that provide high initial stiffness and allow the element to carry a static load even when the VMTs cannot under harmonic disturbance input. Simulations of the system behavior using the Simscape environment show good overall correlation with test data. Good energy dissipation capability is observed over a frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 2 Hz. The test and simulation results show that a two layer prototype, having one soft VMT layer and one stiff VMT layer, can provide good energy dissipation over a decade of variation in harmonic load amplitude, while retaining the ability to carry static load due to the PLSs. The paper discusses how system design parameter changes affect the static load capability and the hysteresis behavior.

Molecular mechanisms of subtype-specific inhibition of neuronal T-type calcium channels by ascorbate.

Nelson, Michael T,Joksovic, Pavle M,Su, Peihan,Kang, Ho-Won,Van Deusen, Amy,Baumgart, Joel P,David, Laurence S,Snutch, Terrance P,Barrett, Paula Q,Lee, Jung-Ha,Zorumski, Charles F,Perez-Reyes, Edward Society for Neuroscience 2007 The Journal of neuroscience Vol.27 No.46

<P>T-type Ca2+ channels (T-channels) are involved in the control of neuronal excitability and their gating can be modulated by a variety of redox agents. Ascorbate is an endogenous redox agent that can function as both an anti- and pro-oxidant. Here, we show that ascorbate selectively inhibits native Ca(v)3.2 T-channels in peripheral and central neurons, as well as recombinant Ca(v)3.2 channels heterologously expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, by initiating the metal-catalyzed oxidation of a specific, metal-binding histidine residue in domain 1 of the channel. Our biophysical experiments indicate that ascorbate reduces the availability of Ca(v)3.2 channels over a wide range of membrane potentials, and inhibits Ca(v)3.2-dependent low-threshold-Ca2+ spikes as well as burst-firing in reticular thalamic neurons at physiologically relevant concentrations. This study represents the first mechanistic demonstration of ion channel modulation by ascorbate, and suggests that ascorbate may function as an endogenous modulator of neuronal excitability.</P>

Accuracy and Safety of Percutaneous Lumbosacral Pedicle Screw Placement Using Dual-Planar Intraoperative Fluoroscopy

Conor Dunn,Michael Faloon,Edward Milman,Sina Pourtaheri,Kumar Sinah,Ki Hwang,Arash Emami 대한척추외과학회 2018 Asian Spine Journal Vol.12 No.2

Study Design: Retrospective case series with prospective arm. Purpose: To assess the safety and accuracy of percutaneous lumbosacral pedicle screw placement (PLPSP) in the lumbosacral spine using intraoperative dual-planar fluoroscopy (DPF). Overview of Literature: There are several techniques available for achieving consistent, safe, and accurate results with PLPSP. There is a paucity of literature describing the beneficial operative, economic, and clinical outcomes of DPF, the most readily accessible image guidance system. Methods: From 2004 to 2014, 451 consecutive patients underwent PLPSP using DPF, for a total of 2,345 screw placement. The results of prospectively obtained postoperative computed tomography (CT) examinations of an additional 41 consecutive patients were compared with the results of 104 CT examinations obtained postoperatively due to clinical symptomatology; these results were interpreted by three reviewers. The rates of revision indicated by misplaced screws with consistent clinical symptomatology were compared between groups. Pedicle screw placement was graded according to 2-mm increments in medial pedicle wall breach and measurement of screw axis placement. Results: Seven of the 2,345 pedicle screws placed percutaneously with the use of the dual-planar fluoroscopic technique required revision because of a symptomatic misplaced screw, for a screw revision rate of 0.3%. There were no statistically significant demographic differences between patients who had screws revised and those who did not. All screws registered greater than 10 mA on electromyographic stimulation. In the 41 prospectively obtained CT examinations, one out of 141 screws (0.7%) was revised due to pedicle wall breach; whereas among the 104 patients with 352 screws, three screws were revised (0.9%). Conclusions: DPF is an extremely accurate, safe, and reproducible technique for placement of percutaneous pedicle screws and is a readily available and cost-effective alternative to CT-guided pedicle screw placement techniques. Postoperative CT evaluation is not necessary with PLPSP unless the patient is symptomatic. Acceptable electromyographic thresholds may need to be reevaluated.