A RCT of a Transdiagnostic Internet-Delivered Treatment for Three Anxiety Disorders: Examination of Support Roles and Disorder-Specific Outcomes

BACKGROUND: Anxiety disorders share common vulnerabilities and symptoms. Disorder-specific treatment is efficacious, but few access evidence-based care. Administering transdiagnostic cognitive-behavioral therapy via the internet (iCBT) may increase access to evidence-based treatment, with a recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) providing preliminary support for this approach. This study extends those findings and aims to answer three questions: Is a transdiagnostic iCBT program for anxiety disorders efficacious and acceptable? Does it result in change for specific disorders? Can good clinical outcomes be obtained when guidance is provided via a Coach rather than a Clinician? METHOD: RCT (N = 131) comparing three groups: Clinician-supported (CL) vs. Coach-supported (CO) vs. waitlist control (Control). Individuals met DSM-IV criteria for a principal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social phobia (SP) or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (Pan/Ag). Treatment consisted of an 8-lesson/10 week iCBT program with weekly contact from a Clinician or Coach, and follow-up at 3-months post-treatment. RESULTS: Outcomes for the pooled treatment groups (CL+CO) were superior to the Control group on measures of anxiety, depression and disability, were associated with medium to large effect sizes (Cohen's d = .76-1.44) (response rate = 89-100%), and were maintained at follow-up. Significant reductions were found on disorder-specific outcomes for each of the target diagnoses, and were associated with large effect sizes. CO participants achieved similar outcomes to CL participants at post-treatment, yet had significantly lower symptom severity scores on general anxiety, panic-disorder, depression and disability at follow-up (d = .45-.46). Seventy-four percent of CO and 76% of CL participants completed the program. Less than 70 minutes of Clinician or Coach time was required per participant during the program. DISCUSSION: This transdiagnostic iCBT course for anxiety appears to be efficacious, associated with significant change for three target disorders, and is efficacious when guided by either a Clinician or Coach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12610000242022

Macronuclear Genome Sequence of the Ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, a Model Eukaryote

The ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila is a model organism for molecular and cellular biology. Like other ciliates, this species has separate germline and soma functions that are embodied by distinct nuclei within a single cell. The germline-like micronucleus (MIC) has its genome held in reserve for sexual reproduction. The soma-like macronucleus (MAC), which possesses a genome processed from that of the MIC, is the center of gene expression and does not directly contribute DNA to sexual progeny. We report here the shotgun sequencing, assembly, and analysis of the MAC genome of T. thermophila, which is approximately 104 Mb in length and composed of approximately 225 chromosomes. Overall, the gene set is robust, with more than 27,000 predicted protein-coding genes, 15,000 of which have strong matches to genes in other organisms. The functional diversity encoded by these genes is substantial and reflects the complexity of processes required for a free-living, predatory, single-celled organism. This is highlighted by the abundance of lineage-specific duplications of genes with predicted roles in sensing and responding to environmental conditions (e.g., kinases), using diverse resources (e.g., proteases and transporters), and generating structural complexity (e.g., kinesins and dyneins). In contrast to the other lineages of alveolates (apicomplexans and dinoflagellates), no compelling evidence could be found for plastid-derived genes in the genome. UGA, the only T. thermophila stop codon, is used in some genes to encode selenocysteine, thus making this organism the first known with the potential to translate all 64 codons in nuclear genes into amino acids. We present genomic evidence supporting the hypothesis that the excision of DNA from the MIC to generate the MAC specifically targets foreign DNA as a form of genome self-defense. The combination of the genome sequence, the functional diversity encoded therein, and the presence of some pathways missing from other model organisms makes T. thermophila an ideal model for functional genomic studies to address biological, biomedical, and biotechnological questions of fundamental importance

Conditions of applicability of clays as geological sealing barriers: Example of the clays rom Budy Mszczonowskie (central Poland)

Storage is one of the most widely applied methods of neutralisation of wastes, prevailing over thermal, chemical and biological treatment. Waste disposal site must be harm-less for the natural environment and for the human’s life and health. Its sealing must be reliable. However, the recently used synthetic liners are not sufficient. Experiments showed that the proper protection of the natural environment against the interaction with wastes may be achieved by using naturally occurring grounds, or by composing artificial mineral sealing barriers. The deposits to be used a as a barrier must have specific characteristics required by the binding regulations. On the example of the clays from the pit in Budy Mszczonowskie, the paper presents the range of investigations needed to evaluate applicability of the Neogene expansive soils as the sealing barriers

Superkondensatory jako materiały do magazynowania energii

Kondensatory elektrochemiczne, zwane także superkondensatorami lub ultrakondensatorami, magazynują energię w polu elektrycznym elektrochemicznej warstwy podwójnej. Zastosowanie elektrod o rozwiniętej powierzchni powoduje uzyskanie dużych wartości pojemności. Już od wielu lat dostępne są na rynku matę kondensatory elektrochemiczne, które stosowane są w niewielkich urządzeniach elektronicznych. Ogromny postęp w inżynierii materiałowej, ewoluującej w kierunku nanotechnologii, sprawia, iż superkondensatory stają się coraz bardziej niezawodnymi urządzeniami współpracującymi zarówno z elektrowniami wiatrowymi, jak i systemami ogniw fotowoltaicznych. Doskonalenie technologii superkondensatorów polega na polepszeniu ich parametrów pracy, zwłaszcza zakresu napięć, oraz uzyskiwanej mocy. W niniejszej pracy przedstawione zostaną podstawowe zasady działania superkondensatorów, charakterystyka ich pracy oraz przykłady ich użycia

Reliable renewable energy – application of electrochemical capacitors for electrical energy storage

W artykule przedstawiono urządzenia służące do magazynowania energii, jakim są kondensatory elektrochemiczne, i przybliżono zasadę ich działania. Omówiono również najważniejsze materiały elektrodowe wykorzystywane w technologii wytwarzania superkondensatorów. W części doświadczalnej opisano badania własne nad nowym nanokompozytem składającym się z wielościennych nanorurek węglowych oraz polimeru przewodzącego, a także przedstawiono wyniki badań nad możliwością oraz zaletami zastosowania komercyjnych superkondensatorów do akumulowania energii elektrycznej wytworzonej w ogniwach fotowoltaicznych.This paper presents electrical energy storage devices such as electrochemical capacitors, their principle of operation and electrode materials most commonly used in their manufacturing technology. Moreover, our research on development of new nanocomposite materials based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and conducting polymer is shown. Additionally, the possibility and advantages of application of supercapacitors for accumulation of electrical energy generated by photovoltaic cells are presented

Utilisation of barley meal in bread production

Stosowanie tradycyjnych technologii produkcji pieczywa pszennego z dodatkiem produktów pochodzących z innych zbóż wymaga doświadczalnego określenia ich udziału, aby nie pogorszyć cech fizycznych i sensorycznych pieczywa. Stąd celem niniejszej pracy było badanie wpływu udziału mączki jęczmiennej na właściwości reologiczne ciasta i jakość uzyskanego chleba. Do wypieku chleba stosowano mieszanki mąki pszennej typu 500 z mączką jęczmienną. W mieszankach udział mączki jęczmiennej zwiększał się od 5 do 40%. Ciasto z mąki pszennej i z miesza-nek przygotowywano metodą jednofazową, dzielono do foremek i wypiekano w piecu elektrycznym w temperaturze 230ºC przez 30 min. Oznaczano podstawowy skład chemiczny mąki pszennej i mączki jęczmiennej. Właściwości reologiczne ciasta określano w farinografie i alweografie. Ocena jakości chleba obejmowała: objętość oraz twardość i barwę miękiszu. Oznaczając skład chemiczny chleba uwzględniono zawartość: wody, białka ogółem, tłuszczów oraz składników mineralnych (popiół ogółem). Przeprowadzono także punktową ocenę jakości chleba. Stwierdzono, że mączka jęczmienna zawierała więcej tłuszczów i składników mineralnych. Zwiększenie udziału mączki jęczmiennej w mieszankach wpływało na wzrost ich wodochłonności, jednak niekorzystnym zmianom ulegały właściwości reologiczne ciasta, decydujące o jakości uzyskanego chleba. Optymalny udział mączki jęczmiennej w chlebie pszennym wynosił 10%. Przy takim dodatku nie wystąpiło obniżenie jakości chleba w porównaniu z chlebem pszennym (I poziom jakości), a istotnie wzrosła w nim zawartość składników mineralnych.Applying the traditional technologies of wheat bread production with the addition of products coming from different cereals requires the experimental qualification of their percentage share so as not to worsen the physical and sensory features of bread. The investigation of the influ-ence of the part of barley meal on the rheological proprieties of dough and bread quality was the aim of this work. The baking mixtures were prepared from wheat flour of the type 500 and of barley meal. The percentage share of barley meal in the mixtures was increased from 5 to 40%. The dough from wheat flour or from the mixtures was prepared with the single-phase method and baked in tins at temperature of 230ºC for 30 minutes. The basic chemical composition of wheat flour and barley meal was studied. The dough rheological proprieties were determined in farinograph and alveograph tests. The quality evaluation of bread included bread volume, hardness and the colour of crumb. The contents of water, protein, fat and mineral components (ash total) were considered in the chemical composition of bread. Also sensory evaluation of the quality of bread was conducted. The barley meal contained more fats and mineral components. Increase of the percentage content of barley meal in the mixtures caused higher water absorption, however, the dough rheological properties of the cake underwent unfavourable changes, decisive about the good bread quality. Only bread with the 10% share of barley meal receives similar ratings of sensory features to those of wheat bread (level I of quality). The optimum share of the barley meal in wheat bread was determined to be 10%. The quality of bread did not decrease under such addition, and the content of mineral compo-nents increased

A graphical user interface for a comparative anatomy information system: design, implementation and usage scenarios

ABSTRAC