Enhancing the Evidence for Behavioral Counseling A Perspective From the Society of Behavioral Medicine

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) clinical guidelines at present rarely assign the highest grade recommendation to behavioral counseling interventions for chronic disease prevention or risk reduction because of concerns about the certainty and quality of the evidence base. As a result, the broad integration of behavioral counseling interventions in primary care remains elusive. Thus, there is an urgent need for novel perspectives on how to generate the highest-quality and -certainty evidence for primary care–focused behavioral counseling interventions. As members of the Society of Behavioral Medicine (SBM)—a multidisciplinary scientific organization committed to improving population health through behavior change—we review the USPSTF mandate and current recommendations for behavioral counseling interventions and provide a perspective for the future that calls for concerted and coordinated efforts among SBM, USPSTF, and other organizations invested in the rapid and wider uptake of beneficial, feasible, and referable primary care–focused behavioral counseling interventions. This perspective highlights five areas for further development, including (1) behavioral counseling–focused practice-based research networks; (2) promotion of USPSTF evidence standards and the increased use of pragmatic RCT design; (3) quality control and improvement procedures for behavioral counseling training; (4) systematic research on effective primary care–based collaborative care models; and (5) methodologic innovations that capitalize on disruptive technologies and healthcare transformation. Collective efforts to improve the health of all Americans in the 21st century and beyond must ensure that effective, feasible, and referable behavioral counseling interventions are embedded in modern primary care practice

Effect of dipolar interactions on the magnetization of a cubic array of nanomagnets

We investigated the effect of intermolecular dipolar interactions on a cubic 3D ensemble of 5X5X4=100 nanomagnets, each with spin $S = 5$. We employed the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation to solve for the magnetization $M(B)$ curves for several values of the damping constant $\alpha$, the induction sweep rate, the lattice constant $a$, the temperature $T$, and the magnetic anisotropy field $H_A$. We find that the smaller the $\alpha$, the stronger the maximum induction required to produce hysteresis. The shape of the hysteresis loops also depends on the damping constant. We find further that the system magnetizes and demagnetizes at decreasing magnetic field strengths with decreasing sweep rates, resulting in smaller hysteresis loops. Variations of $a$ within realistic values (1.5 nm - 2.5 nm) show that the dipolar interaction plays an important role in the magnetic hysteresis by controlling the relaxation process. The $T$ dependencies of $\alpha$ and of $M$ are presented and discussed with regard to recent experimental data on nanomagnets. $H_A$ enhances the size of the hysteresis loops for external fields parallel to the anisotropy axis, but decreases it for perpendicular external fields. Finally, we reproduce and test an $M(B)$ curve for a 2D-system [M. Kayali and W. Saslow, Phys. Rev. B {\bf 70}, 174404 (2004)]. We show that its hysteretic behavior is only weakly dependent on the shape anisotropy field and the sweep rate, but depends sensitively upon the dipolar interactions. Although in 3D systems, dipole-dipole interactions generally diminish the hysteresis, in 2D systems, they strongly enhance it. For both square 2D and rectangular 3D lattices with ${\bm B}||(\hat{\bm x}+\hat{\bm y})$, dipole-dipole interactions can cause large jumps in the magnetization.Comment: 15 pages 14 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

First principles calculations of the electronic and geometric structure of Ag27Cu7Ag_{27}Cu_{7} nanoalloy

\emph{Ab initio} calculations of the structure and electronic density of states (DOS) of the perfect core-shell $Ag_{27}Cu_{7}$ nanoalloy attest to its $D_{5h}$ symmetry and confirm that it has only 6 non-equivalent (2 $Cu$ and 4 $Ag$) atoms. Analysis of bond-length, average formation energy, heat of formation of $Ag_{27}Cu_{7}$ and $L1_2$ $Ag-Cu$ alloys provide an explanation for the relative stability of the former with respect to the other nanoalloys in the same family. The HOMO-LUMO gap is found to be 0.77 eV, in agreement with previous results. Analysis of the DOS of $Ag_{27}Cu_{7}$, $L1_2$ $Ag-Cu$ alloys and related systems provides insight into the effects of low coordination, contraction/expansion and the presence of foreign atoms on the DOS of $Cu$ and $Ag$. While some characteristics of the DOS are reminiscent of those of the phonon-stable $L1_2$ $Ag-Cu$ alloys, the $Cu$ and $Ag$ states hybridize significantly in $Ag_{27}Cu_{7}$, compensating the $d$-band narrowing that each atom undergoes and hindering the dip in the DOS found in the bulk alloys. Charge density plots of $Ag_{27}Cu_{7}$ provide further insights into the relative strengths of the various interatomic bonds. Our results for the electronic and geometric structure of this nanoalloy can be explained in terms of length and strength hierarchies of the bonds, which may have implications also for the stability of alloy in any phase or size.Comment: 16 figure

Enzyme production of d-gluconic acid and glucose oxidase: successful tales of cascade reactions

This review mainly focuses on the use of glucose oxidase in the production of D-gluconic acid, which is a reactant of undoubtable interest in different industrial areas. The enzyme has been used in numerous instances as a model reaction to study the problems of oxygen supply in bioreactors. One of the main topics in this review is the problem of the generated side product, hydrogen peroxide, as it is an enzyme-inactivating reagent. Different ways to remove hydrogen peroxide have been used, such as metal catalysts and use of whole cells; however, the preferred method is the coupling glucose oxidase with catalase. The different possibilities of combining these enzymes have been discussed (use of free enzymes, independently immobilized enzymes or co-immobilized enzymes). Curiously, some studies propose the addition of hydrogen peroxide to this co-immobilized enzyme system to produce oxygen in situ. Other cascade reactions directed toward the production of gluconic acid from polymeric substrates will be presented; these will mainly involve the transformation of polysaccharides (amylases, cellulases, etc.) but will not be limited to those (e.g., gluconolactonase). In fact, glucose oxidase is perhaps one of most successful enzymes, and it is involved in a wide range of cascade reactions. Finally, other applications of the enzyme have been reviewed, always based on the production of D-gluconic acid, which produces a decrease in the pH, a decrease in the oxygen availability or the production of hydrogen peroxide; in many instances, cascade reactions are also utilized. Thus, this review presents many different cascade reactions and discusses the advantages/drawbacks of the use of co-immobilized enzymes.We gratefully recognize the financial support from Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación-Spanish Government and FEDER funds (project number CTQ2017-86170-R, RTI2018-095291-BI00, MAT2017-87579-R) and Generalitat Valenciana (PROMETEO/2018/076). DC thank to Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion-Spanish Government by a FPI. PWT thanks to the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior – Brasil (CAPES) – Finance Code 001

A tool for predicting the dynamic response of biotrickling filters for VOC removal

This article presents the development of a MATLAB® computer program to simulate the performance of biotrickling filters. Since these filters behave differently during spraying and nonspraying cycles, the presented simulation tool is built on top of a mathematical description of each situation. The resulting variable-structure model is then used as the basis for simulation experiments. The model presented herein represents the first attempt to take into account the variable spraying pattern usually found in industrial installations. Overall, the software is flexible and easy to use, allowing the user to specify the emission concentration pattern, the gas concentration pattern, as well as the spraying cycle periods for up to two different emission patterns per day. The model is able to predict experimental data from a biotrickling filter treating isopropanol under intermittent conditions of loading and spraying. Simulation examples are then provided to study the effect of variable inlet concentrations and gas flow rates

Effect of c(2x2)-CO overlayer on the phonons of Cu(001): a first principles study

We have examined the effect of a c(2x2) overlayer of CO on the surface phonons of the substrate, Cu(001), by applying the density functional perturbation theory with both the local (LDA) and the generalized-gradient (GGA) density approximations, through the Hedin-Lundqvist and the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof functionals, respectively. Our results (GGA) trace the Rayleigh wave softening detected by helium atom scattering (HAS) experiments to changes in the force constants between the substrate surface atoms brought about by CO chemisorption, resolving an ongoing debate on the subject. The calculated surface phonon dispersion curves document the changes in the polarization of some modes and show those of the modes originally along the $\bar{Y}$ direction of the clean surface Brillouin zone (SBZ) which are back-folded along the $\bar{\Delta}$ direction of the chemisorbed SBZ, to be particularly consequential. The vertical and shear horizontal section of $S_1$ in the SBZ of the clean surface, for example, is back-folded as a longitudinal-vertical mode, indicating thereby that $S_1$ $-$ predicted a long time back along $\bar{\Delta}$ for the clean surface $-$ may be indirectly assessed at $\bar{X}$ upon CO adsorption by standard planar scattering techniques. These findings further suggest that some of the energy losses detected by HAS along $\bar{\Delta}$, which were associated to multiphonon excitations of the adlayer frustrated translation mode, may actually correspond to the back-folded substrate surface modes

Electrochemical Interaction of Few-Layer Molybdenum Disulfide Composites vs Sodium: New Insights on the Reaction Mechanism

The direct observation of real time electrochemical processes is of great importance for fundamental research on battery materials. Here, we use electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy to monitor the electrochemical reaction of sodium ions with few-layer MoS2 and its composite with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), thereby uncovering new details of the reaction mechanism. We propose that the sodiation reaction takes place initially in structural defects at the MoS2 surface that have been created during the synthetic process (ultrasonic exfoliation), leading to a decrease in the density of Mo5+ at low symmetry sites that can be related to the electrochemical irreversibility of the process. In the case of the few-layer MoS2/CNTs composite, we found metallic-type conduction behavior for the electrons associated with the Mo paramagnetic centers and improved electrochemical reversibility. The reversible nature of the EPR spectra implies that adsorption/desorption of Na+ ions occurs on the Mo5+ defects, or that they are neutralized during sodiation and subsequently created upon Na+ extraction. These effects help us to understand the higher capacities obtained in the exfoliated samples, as the sum of electrosorption of ions and faradaic effects, and support the suggestion of a different reaction mechanism in the few-layer chalcogenide, which is not exclusively an insertion process

Estimation of the tectonic slip-rate from Quaternary lacustrine facies within the intraplate Albacete province (SE of Spain)

The Quaternary lacustrine basin of Cordovilla (CB) represents one of the most active tectonic areas of the Prebetic Zone (Albacete, SE of Spain). The Quaternary sedimentary deposits of this basin are mainly endoreic lacustrine carbonate and alluvial deposits, developed in a semi-arid climate (Pleistocene-present). The basin is a NW–SE-elongated graben bounded by a major right-lateral oblique-fault, the Pozohondo Fault. This fault trendsNW–SE, with an approximate trace of 55 km, and is composed of various segments which are identified by fault scarps. In order to establish the slip-rate of the most active segment of the Pozohondo Fault, called the Cordovilla segment, we carried out a detailed study of the affected Quaternary lacustrine deposits. We found that the lacustrine facies could be related to episodic moderate paleoearthquakes. The slip-rate is calculated to be 0.05 and 0.09 mm/yr, using radiometric dating for the vertical offsets of the lacustrine facies. A trenching study at the northern part of the Cordovilla segment revealed two events caused by paleoearthquakes, with the most recent expressed as an oblique-fault off-setting a poorly-developed soil. The magnitude of the last event was greater than 6, using various empirical relationships for the fault displacement and the surface-length rupture. We estimate episodic activity across the Cordovilla segment, to be characterized by moderate-sized paleoearthquakes (M6), which is in agreement with the tectonic context of an intraplate zone of the Iberian plate

Implementing Precision Psychiatry: a Systematic Review of Individualized Prediction Models for Clinical Practice

BACKGROUND: The impact of precision psychiatry for clinical practice has not been systematically appraised. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of validated prediction models to estimate the individual risk of being affected with a condition (diagnostic), developing outcomes (prognostic), or responding to treatments (predictive) in mental disorders. METHODS: PRISMA/RIGHT/CHARMS-compliant systematic review of the Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Reviews, and Ovid/PsycINFO databases from inception until July 21, 2019 (PROSPERO CRD42019155713) to identify diagnostic/prognostic/predictive prediction studies that reported individualized estimates in psychiatry and that were internally or externally validated or implemented. Random effect meta-regression analyses addressed the impact of several factors on the accuracy of prediction models. FINDINGS: Literature search identified 584 prediction modeling studies, of which 89 were included. 10.4% of the total studies included prediction models internally validated (n = 61), 4.6% models externally validated (n = 27), and 0.2% (n = 1) models considered for implementation. Across validated prediction modeling studies (n = 88), 18.2% were diagnostic, 68.2% prognostic, and 13.6% predictive. The most frequently investigated condition was psychosis (36.4%), and the most frequently employed predictors clinical (69.5%). Unimodal compared to multimodal models (beta = .29, P = .03) and diagnostic compared to prognostic (beta = .84, p < .0001) and predictive (beta = .87, P = .002) models were associated with increased accuracy. INTERPRETATION: To date, several validated prediction models are available to support the diagnosis and prognosis of psychiatric conditions, in particular, psychosis, or to predict treatment response. Advancements of knowledge are limited by the lack of implementation research in real-world clinical practice. A new generation of implementation research is required to address this translational gapThis study was supported by the King’s College London Confidence in Concept award from the Medical Research Council (MC_PC_16048) to Dr Fusar-Poli. Dr Salazar de Pablo and Dr Vaquerizo-Serrano are supported by the Alicia Koplowitz Foundation. Dr Danese was funded by the Medical Research Council (grant no. P005918) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, and King’s College Londo

Pautas para el desarrollo e implementación de una unidad de control interno decentralizada para Gendarmería de Chile

Tesis (Contador Auditor)El presente informe tiene por objetivo principal entregar una herramienta de control a la gestión administrativa en Gendarmería de Chile, como asimismo, un elemento de apoyo para la toma de desiciones a los niveles superiores de la Institución