The Effectiveness of the Mitchell Method Relaxation Technique for the Treatment of Fibromyalgia Symptoms: A Three-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Mitchell Method Relaxation Technique (MMRT) in reducing symptoms of fibromyalgia. Design: A randomised controlled trial was used to compare the effectiveness of self-administered MMRT (n= 67) with attention control (n = 66) and usual care (n = 56) groups. Main Outcome Measures: Primary outcomes included self-reported fatigue, pain, and sleep. Secondary outcomes were daily functioning, quality of life, depression, and coping, anxiety and perceived stress. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention (four weeks) and followup (eight weeks). Results: A significant combined improvement on outcomes (p<.005), specific significant effects for sleep problems (d=0.29, p<.05), sleep inadequacy (d=0.20, p<.05), and fatigue (d=0.47, p<.05) were present in the MMRT group. At the follow-up, fatigue did not differ to the post-intervention score (p=.25) indicating short-term sustainability of the effect. The effects on sleep problems and sleep inadequacy were not sustained. The pain levels decreased when the MMRT was practiced three times a week (p<.001). Conclusion: MMRT was effective in reducing pain, sleep problems, and fatigue. High rates of relative risk reduction for fatigue (37%) and pain (42.8%) suggest clinical significance

THE POTENTIAL OF THE SYSTEM OF ADDITIONAL EDUCATION IN THE ORGANIZATION OF PROGRAMMES FOR STUDENTS

Additional professional education is an essential part of continuing education. It is presented by a wide range of educational programs in various areas. Today the society needs additional education for the student audience as well. In this article the author presents a view on designing APE programs for students.Система ДПО является неотъемлемым компонентом непрерывного образования и представлена широким спектром образовательных программ различной направленности. Сегодня в обществе появилась необходимость дополнительного образования и для студенческой аудитории. В данной статье автором представлен взгляд на проектирование программ ДПО для студентов

Understanding challenges that students experience during their first year at Nazarbayev University

Students face challenges during the first year at university. Some students find it difficult to adapt to the new environment, while others have a smoother transition to university life. Master program students at Graduate School of Education conducted a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative) research to explore academic and non-academic challenges that Nazarbayev University students experience. We assumed that students" previous academic backgrounds as well as social life at university have impact on students" academic achievements in their first year of study

Financial statements of a company as an information base for decision-making in a transforming economy

In connection with the development of transforming the economy, the need for forecasting and analyzing the consequences of managerial decisions becomes more pressing. To substantiate and evaluate such decisions, a tool for prospective analysis of financial statements of companies is used. In recent years, the content and structure of a company's financial statements have undergone significant changes. With the development of economic relations, the principles of organization and methodology of accounting and reporting are also dynamically changing. The issues of reforming financial statements of a company are constantly discussed at international congresses of accountants and other professional forums. The purpose of the study is to improve the concept of preparing financial statements of a company as an information base for taking decisions in a transforming economy. As a result of the research, the economic essence of company's financial statements is substantiated from the point of view of an integrated approach; the importance of financial statements of an organization for effective management is determined; the main financial and non-financial indicators are systematized; it is proposed to introduce a mandatory requirement for disclosure of non-financial indicators in the corporate reporting system; proposals have been elaborated to improve the methods for analyzing financial statements as a tool for managing a company.peer-reviewe

Efficacy of interventions to increase physical activity for people with heart failure: a meta-analysis

Objectives: This meta-analysis aims to (1) evaluate the efficacy of physical activity interventions in heart failure and (2) to identify intervention characteristics significantly associated with the interventions’ efficacy. Methods: Randomised controlled trials reporting intervention effects on physical activity in heart failure were combined in a meta-analysis using a random-effect model. Exploratory meta-analysis was performed by specifying the general approach (eg, cardiac rehabilitation), strategies used (eg, action planning), setting (eg, centre based), mode of delivery (eg, face to face or online), facilitator (eg, nurse), contact time and behavioural change theory use as predictors in the random-effect model. Results: Interventions (n=21) had a significant overall effect (SMD=0.54, 95% CI (0.13 to 0.95), p<0.0005). Combining an exercise programme with behavioural change intervention was found efficacious (SMD=1.26, 95% CI (0.26 to 2.26), p<0.05). Centre-based (SMD=0.98, 95% CI (0.35 to 1.62), and group-based (SMD=0.89, 95% CI (0.29 to 1.50),) delivery by a physiotherapist (SMD=0.84, 95% CI (0.03 to 1.65),) were significantly associated with efficacy. The following strategies were identified efficacious: prompts/cues (SMD=3.29, 95% CI (1.97 to 4.62)), credible source (standardised mean difference, SMD=2.08, 95% CI (0.95;3.22)), adding objects to the environment (SMD=1.47, 95% CI (0.41 to 2.53)), generalisation of the target behaviour SMD=1.32, 95% CI (0.22 to 2.41)), monitoring of behaviour by others without feedback (SMD=1.02, 95% CI (0.05 to 1.98)), self-monitoring of outcome(s) of behaviour (SMD=0.79, 95% CI (0.06 to 1.52), graded tasks (SMD=0.73, 95% CI (0.22 to 1.24)), behavioural practice/rehearsal (SMD=0.72, 95% CI (0.26 to 1.18)), action planning (SMD=0.62, 95% CI (0.03 to 1.21)) and goal setting (behaviour) (SMD=0.56, 95% CI (0.03 to 1.08)). Conclusion: The meta-analysis suggests intervention characteristics that may be suitable for promoting physical activity in heart failure. There is moderate evidence in support of an exercise programme combined with a behavioural change intervention delivered by a physiotherapist in a group-based and centre-based settings

β- and γ-amino acetals containing phosphine oxide groups. Synthesis and reactions with resorcinol derivatives

New β- and γ-amino acetals containing phosphine oxide groups were synthesized by the Kabachnik-Fields reaction of β- and γ-amino acetals with paraformaldehyde and dialkylphosphine oxides. Heating of the resulting β- and γ-amino acetals with 2-methylresorcinol and pyrogallol in boiling trifluoroacetic acid afforded (dialkylphosphoryl)(ω, ω-diarylalkyl)ammonium trifluoromethanesulfonates. © 2014 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd

Perceived barriers and enablers influencing physical activity in heart failure: A qualitative one-to-one interview study

In heart failure (HF), increased physical activity is associated with improved quality of life, reduced hospitalisation, and increased longevity and is an important aim of treatment. However, physical activity levels in individuals living with HF are typically extremely low. This qualitative study with one-to-one interviews systematically explores perceived clinical, environmental, and psychosocial barriers and enablers in older adults (≥70 years old) living with HF. Semi-structured interviews (N = 16) based on the Theoretical Domains Framework elicited 39 belief statements describing the barriers and enablers to physical activity. Theoretical domains containing these beliefs and corresponding constructs that were both pervasive and common were deemed most relevant. These were: concerns about physical activity (Beliefs about Consequences), self-efficacy (Beliefs about Capabilities), social support (Social Influences), major health event (Environmental Context and Resources), goal behavioural (Goal), action planning (Behavioural Regulation). This work extends the limited research on the modifiable barriers and enablers for physical activity participation by individuals living with HF. The research findings provide insights for cardiologists, HF-specialist nurses, and physiotherapists to help co-design and deliver a physical activity intervention more likely to be effective for individuals living with HF

Homogeneous Liquid Phase Transfer of Graphene Oxide into Epoxy Resins

© 2017 American Chemical Society.The quality of polymer composite materials depends on the distribution of the filler in the polymer matrix. Due to the presence of the oxygen functional groups, graphene oxide (GO) has a strong affinity to epoxy resins, providing potential opportunity for the uniform distribution of GO sheets in the matrix. Another advantage of GO over its nonoxidized counterpart is its ability to exfoliate to single-atomic-layer sheets in water and in some organic solvents. However, these advantages of GO have not yet been fully realized due to the lack of the methods efficiently introducing GO into the epoxy resin. Here we develop a novel homogeneous liquid phase transfer method that affords uniform distribution, and fully exfoliated condition of GO in the polymer matrix. The most pronounced alteration of properties of the cured composites is registered at the 0.10%-0.15% GO content. Addition of as little as 0.10% GO leads to the increase of the Young's modulus by 48%. Moreover, we demonstrate successful introduction of GO into the epoxy matrix containing an active diluent-modifier; this opens new venues for fabrication of improved GO-epoxy-modifier composites with a broad range of predesigned properties. The experiments done on reproducing the two literature methods, using alternative GO introduction techniques, lead to either decrease or insignificant increase of the Young's modulus of the resulting GO-epoxy composites

New aminophosphonates (aminophosphine oxides) containing acetal groups in reactions with polyatomic phenols

© 2016 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.A wide range of phosphorylated α-,β-,γ-aminoacetals of various structure were obtained by Kabachnik- Fields reaction. Acid-catalyzed reactions of phenols with α-,β-,γ -aminoacetals provide a new approach to the synthesis of different polyphenols, containing aminophosphonate and aminophosphine oxide moieties, arylsubstituted heterocycles containing phosphonate and phosphinoxide groups. Herein we present a short overview of these reactions