Experiential avoidance as a mechanism of change across cognitive-behavioral therapy in a sample of participants with heterogeneous anxiety disorders

Despite the substantial evidence that supports the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy for the treatment of anxiety and related disorders, our understanding of mechanisms of change throughout treatment remains limited. The goal of the current study was to examine changes in experiential avoidance across treatment in a sample of participants (N = 179) with heterogeneous anxiety disorders receiving various cognitive-behavioral therapy protocols. Univariate latent growth curve models were conducted to examine change in experiential avoidance across treatment, followed by parallel process latent growth curve models to examine the relationship between change in experiential avoidance and change in anxiety symptoms. Finally, bivariate latent difference score models were conducted to examine the temporal precedence of change in experiential avoidance and change in anxiety. Results indicated that there were significant reductions in experiential avoidance across cognitive-behavioral treatment, and that change in experiential avoidance was significantly associated with change in anxiety. Results from the latent difference score models indicated that change in experiential avoidance preceded and predicted subsequent changes in anxiety, whereas change in anxiety did not precede and predict subsequent changes in experiential avoidance. Taken together, these results provide additional support for reductions in experiential avoidance as a transdiagnostic mechanism in cognitive-behavioral therapy.First author draf

Reading is thinking: improving reading comprehension using the think-aloud method

Esta investigación tuvo como fin reportar el impacto generado por la estrategia de pensar en voz alta en la comprensión de lectura de 5 estudiantes de ingles pre-intermedio de una universidad pública de la ciudad de Pereira. Así mismo, se reportarán las percepciones de los estudiantes con respecto a la estrategia de pensar en voz alta. Los métodos usados para llevar a cabo la recolección de datos para esta investigación fueron: diarios, observaciones y entrevistas. Los resultados obtenidos al final de esta investigación fueron positivos en términos de comprensión de lectura en ingles, ya que después de implementar la estrategia de pensar en voz alta los estudiantes lograron una mejor comprensión de los textos leídos en clase. De igual manera, los estudiantes que hicieron parte de este proceso alcanzaron cambios favorables en aspectos del idioma Inglés tales como: el vocabulario, pronunciación, escucha y escritura.The aim of this study was to report the impact generated by the think-aloud method in the English reading comprehension of 5 pre-intermediate students who belong to a public urban university in Pereira. Likewise, the perceptions of these students in regards to the think aloud strategy are reported. The methods used to collect all the data in this investigation were: journals, observations and interviews. The results obtained at the end of this study were positive in terms of English reading comprehension, since after implementing the think-aloud method; these pre-intermediate students achieved a better comprehension of the texts used in the English classes. In the same way, the students who took part of this process reach positive changes in English such as: vocabulary, pronunciation, listening and writing

Treating depressive disorders with the unified protocol: A preliminary randomized evaluation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the efficacy of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders (UP) for individuals diagnosed with a depressive disorder. METHOD: Participants included 44 adults who met criteria for major depressive disorder, persistent depressive disorder, or another specified depressive disorder according to the Anxiety Disorder Interview Schedule (ADIS). These individuals represent a subset of patients from a larger clinical trial comparing the UP to single-disorder protocols (SDPs) for discrete anxiety disorders and a waitlist control (WLC) condition (Barlow et al., 2017); inclusion criteria for the parent study required participants to have a principal anxiety disorder. RESULTS: Significant reductions in depressive symptoms were observed within the UP condition across clinician-rated and self-report measures of depression from baseline to post-treatment, as well as to the 12-month follow-up assessment. Compared to the WLC group, individuals in the UP condition demonstrated significantly lower levels on our continuous, clinician-rated measure of depressive symptoms at post-treatment. There were no differences between the UP and SDP conditions on depressive symptoms at post-treatment or at the 12-month follow-up timepoint. CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory set of analyses, the UP evidenced efficacy for reduction of depressive symptoms, adding to the growing support for its utility in treating depression.R01 MH090053 - NIMH NIH HHSAccepted manuscrip

Efficacy Of Different Protocols Of Ovulation Synchronization And Resynchronization In Argentinian Buffalo Herds

During the last years bufalo reproductive researchers have been tried to develop and apply fxed timed artifcial insemination protocols to increase pregnancy rates to maximize improvement. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the pregnancy rates of diferent protocols of synchronization (Ovsynch and progesterone implants) and resynchronization of ovulation in a meat water bufalo herd during reproductive season of 2016. 194 mature Mediterranean females, were randomly assigned to four diferent protocols, ultrasound evaluation were used to determine cyclicity (presence of corpus luteum or follicles ≥7 mm de diameter). 18 days after insemination all females were resynchronized and at day 25 ultrasound were performed, those nonpregnant females were inseminated 28 days after frst insemination. All inseminations were performed by the same technician and only one bull was used. InfoStat software was used, statistical signifcance was considered when p value was lower than α of the 5%. No statistical signifcance were found within the protocols. Early embryonic dead 50 days after IA was 3.4%. Pregnancy rate was 47.9% and 53.5% for insemination and reinsemination respectively and the fnal pregnancy rate after the adjust for early pregnancy loss 73.2%, during the 28 days of the breeding period. The results obtained allow breeders to choose the best pharmacological option to use FTAI in their herds based on their own needs to improve production without afecting pregnancy rates.Fil: Crudeli, Gustavo Angel. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Konrad, José Luis. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: de la Sota, Rodolfo Luzbel. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Yuponi, Roberto Gregorio. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Vallejos, Natalia. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Cardona Maya, Walter Darío. Universidad Nacional de Colombia; ColombiaFil: Berdugo, Jesus Alfredo. Universidad de Antioquia; Colombi

The Generational Fight for Affirmative Equality: Understanding and Dismantling the Assault on Affirmative Action

The Generational Fight for Affirmative Equality: Understanding and Dismantling the Assault on Affirmative Action by Leewana Thomas, Kiah Zellner-Smith, Aaron Brink-Johnson, Felicia Johnson, Isela Gomez , Jocelyne Cardona , Maya Vilaplana, Ryan Brownlow, Whitney Zilton,and Grace Zaima

Dispositivo completamente de fibra óptica basado en fibra de cristal fotónico con electrodos integrados e infiltrada selectivamente con cristales líquidos

Resumen: Indudablemente, la transformación del mundo en los últimos años se debe a las tecnologías de la información y la telecomunicación (TIC). Toda la información se transmite a través de redes de comunicaciones basadas, principalmente, en tecnologías fotónicas; y cada vez se hace más necesario buscar nuevas formas de satisfacer las necesidades de capacidad y fiabilidad de la transmisión de la información. Es por esta necesidad que surge la motivación de trabajar en tecnologías completamente a fibra óptica, aptas para ser usadas en distintas aplicaciones en telecomunicaciones. Esta tesis de maestría aborda el diseño de un dispositivo multifuncional completamente a fibra óptica basada en fibras de cristal fotónico con electrodos integrados e infiltrada selectivamente con cristales líquidos (LCPCF). Los resultados muestran que la LCPCF diseñada sirve como acoplador óptico direccional y como filtro óptico, componentes fundamentales en sistemas de comunicaciones por fibra óptica y que ahora se pueden tener en un mismo dispositivo. El punto significativo de la tesis es el desarrollo de una herramienta computacional robusta que acopla la multi-física de la electroestática, la termo/electro-óptica de los cristales líquidos y la fotónica de la propagación de la luz en guías de onda dieléctricas anisotrópicas.Abstract: Undoubtedly, the transformation of the world in recent years is due to information technology and telecommunications. All information is transmitted through communication networks based primarily on photonic technologies ; and it is becoming more necessary to find new ways to meet the needs of capacity and reliability of the transmission of information. It is for this need that arises motivation to work in a completely fiber optic technologies, suitable to be used in different applications in telecommunications. This master thesis deals with the design of an all-fiber Multifunctional Device Based On Selectively Liquid-Crystal-Infiltrated Photonic Crystal Fiber. The results show that the design serves as a directional optical coupler optical filter, fundamental device in communication systems and fiber optic components, and now they can be in one device. The significant point of the thesis is to develop a robust computational tool that couples the multiphysics of electrostatic, thermo / electro - optics and liquid crystals photonics propagation of light in anisotropic dielectric waveguides.Maestrí

A Performance Analysis Framework for WiFi/WiMAX Heterogeneous Metropolitan Networks Based on Cross-Layer Design

The communication between network nodes within different protocol domains is often regarded simply as a black box with unknown configuration conditions in the path. We address network heterogeneity using a white box approach and focus on its interconnection processes. To achieve this purpose, a Performance Analysis Framework (PAF) is proposed which is composed of the formalization of the latter using process algebra (PA) and the corresponding teletraffic performance models. In this contribution, we target the IEEE 802.16 and IEEE 802.11 protocols. For the teletraffic models, we extend previous models for such scenario with the inclusion of the following protocol operational parameters (metrics): bit error rate (BER), packet error ratio (PER), and packet length (pl). From the framework teletraffic models, the optimal packet length (OPL), end to end throughput, delay, and packet loss are obtained. The PAF outperforms previous modeling solutions in terms of delay and throughput relative to NS3 simulation results. </jats:p

Análisis cuantitativo del movimiento de espermatozoides humanos aplicando un programa de uso libre, estudio-piloto

The aim of this study was to evaluate human sperm motility using the Image J program and the Manual Tracking pluging. A pilot study in order to assess motility in six semen samples by the proposed system and conventional analysis was performed. The results using the Imag J software to quantify the movement of sperm are similar to the results obtained by conventional analysis by an expert technician. Furthermore, using the software it was possible to calculate curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity and linearity. This is a first approach to the quantitative assessment of sperm motility with an open source software which will allow in the future to develop a quantitative analysis system for sperm motility, generating more information for better clinical analysis.El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la movilidad espermática humana, mediante el programa Image J, usando el complemento Manual Tracking. Se realizó un estudio piloto, con el fin de determinar el desplazamiento espermática en seis muestras de semen, a través del sistema propuesto y el análisis convencional manual, ejecutado por un técnico experto. El análisis, mediante el software libre, cuantifica el desplazamiento de los espermatozoides, con resultados similares a los obtenidos por el análisis convencional. Adicionalmente, permite cuantificar la velocidad espermática promedio, la velocidad espermática lineal hacia delante y la linealidad media que, por medio del análisis cualitativo, no es posible. Esta es una primera aproximación para la evaluación cuantitativa de la movilidad espermática, aplicando un programa de uso libre, el cual, permitirá, en el futuro, desarrollar un sistema de análisis cuantitativo para la movilidad espermática, generan do mayor información para un mejor análisis clínico

Human spaceflight: to infertility and beyond

Garrett-Bakelman FE et al, demonstrated a spectrum of molecular and physiological changes attributed to spaceflight in their recently published “NASA Twins Study”.1 During his 340 days in space onboard the International Space Station (ISS), one of a pair of monozygotic twins was not only challenged by noise, isolation, hypoxia, and alterations in the circadian rhythm, but more importantly the exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) and microgravity. Terrestrials are subjected constantly to surface gravity and most if not all physiological processes have adapted accordingly. It is therefore easy to envisage that weightlessness can have consequences for space travellers.