Un modèle de qualité de la vie subjective adapté aux essais thérapeutiques : intérêt chez les patients dépressifs

Cet article présente les bases conceptuelles qui ont présidé à l'élaboration d'un questionnaire (« Profil de la Qualité de Vie Subjective » ou « PQVS ») évaluant la qualité de vie subjective des patients en pathologie somatique et psychiatrique. Une description de l'instrument précède les données concernant la validation de ce questionnaire ainsi que les résultats déjà obtenus sur environ 1500 sujets présentant des pathologies différentes. Les premiers résultats montrent qu'à chaque pathologie correspond un profil différent de patients; qu'il est possible, grâce à ce nouvel instrument d'évaluation, de mettre en évidence des changements spécifiques et parfois inattendus chez les patients; et qu'enfin, dans un certain nombre de cas, l'on peut dégager des hypothèses explicatives de ces changements.This article presents the conceptual foundations on which was built a questionnaire ("Profil de la Qualité de Vie Subjective" or "PQVS") designed to evaluate the subjective quality of life of patients marked by psychiatric or somatic pathology. Following a description of the instrument, the authors supply data relating to the questionnaire's validation, as well as the results obtained from a sampling of approximately 1,500 subjects with various pathologies. Initial results show that every pathology has a different patient profile. These results also point to the measuring instrument's ability to highlight specific and, at times, unexpected changes undergone by patients. Finally, the results enable the authors to advance hypotheses which may explain such changes in a certain number of cases

An Extragalactic 12CO J=3-2 survey with the Heinrich-Hertz-Telescope

We present results of a ^{12}CO J = 3-2 survey of 125 nearby galaxies obtained with the 10-m Heinrich-Hertz-Telescope, with the aim to characterize the properties of warm and dense molecular gas in a large variety of environments. With an angular resolution of 22'', ^{12}CO 3-2 emission was detected in 114 targets. Based on 61 galaxies observed with equal beam sizes the ^{12}CO 3-2/1-0 integrated line intensity ratio R_{31} is found to vary from 0.2 to 1.9, with an average value of 0.81. No correlations are found for R_{31} to Hubble type and far infrared luminosity. Possible indications for a correlation with inclination angle and the 60mum/100mum color temperature of the dust are not significant. Higher R_{31} ratios than in ``normal'' galaxies, hinting at enhanced molecular excitation, may be found in galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei. Even higher average values are determined for galaxies with bars or starbursts, the latter being identified by the ratio of infrared luminosity versus isophotal area, log[(L_{FIR}/L_{SUN})/(D_{25}/kpc)^2)] > 7.25. (U)LIRGs are found to have the highest averaged R_{31} value. This may be a consequence of particularly vigorous star formation activity, triggered by galaxy interaction and merger events. The nuclear CO luminosities are slightly sublinearly correlated with the global FIR luminosity in both the ^{12}CO J = 3-2 and the 1-0 lines. The slope of the log-log plots rises with compactness of the respective galaxy subsample, indicating a higher average density and a larger fraction of thermalized gas in distant luminous galaxies. While linear or sublinear correlations for the ^{12}CO J = 3-2 line can be explained, if the bulk of the observed J = 3-2 emission originates from molecular gas with densities below the critical one, the case of the ^{12}CO J = 1-0 line with its small critical density remains a puzzle.Comment: 26 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (Part 1

Ammonia as a Temperature Tracer in the Ultraluminous Galaxy Merger Arp220

(abridged) We present ATCA and GBT observations of ammonia (NH3) toward the ultraluminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) merger Arp220. We detect the NH3 (1,1), (2,2), (3,3), (4,4), (5,5), and (6,6) inversion lines in absorption against the unresolved, (62+/-9)mJy continuum source at 1.2cm. The peak apparent optical depths of the NH3 lines range from ~0.05 to 0.18. The absorption depth of the NH3 (1,1) line is significantly shallower than expected based on the depths of the other transitions, which might be caused by contamination from emission by a hypothetical, cold (<~20K) gas layer with an estimated column density of <~ 2x10^14 cm^-2. The widths of the NH3 absorption lines are ~120-430 km s^-1, in agreement with those of other molecular tracers. We cannot confirm the extremely large linewidths of up to ~1800km s^-1 previously reported. We determine a rotational temperature of (124+/-19)K, corresponding to a kinetic temperature of T_kin=(186+/-55)K. NH3 column densities depend on the excitation temperature. For an excitation temperature of 50K, we estimate (8.4+/-0.5)x10^16cm^-2. The relation scales linearly for possible higher excitation temperatures. In the context of a model with a molecular ring that connects the two nuclei in Arp220, we estimate the H2 gas density to be ~f_V^-0.5 x (1-4)x10^3, (f_V: volume filling factor). In addition to NH3, our ATCA data show an absorption feature adjacent in frequency to the NH3 (3,3) line. If we interpret the line to be from the OH ^2Pi_3/2 J=9/2 F=4-4 transition, it would have a linewidth, systemic velocity, and apparent optical depth similar to what we detect in the NH3 lines. If this association with OH is correct, it marks the first detection of the highly excited (~511K above ground state) ^2Pi_3/2 J=9/2 F=4-4 OH line in an extragalactic object.Comment: 31 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Stress System Dynamics during “Life As It Is Lived”: An Integrative Single-Case Study on a Healthy Woman

Little is known about the dynamic characteristics of stress system activity during “life as it is lived”. Using as representative a study design as possible, this investigation sought to gain insights into this area. A healthy 25-year-old woman collected her entire urine over a period of 63 days in 12-h intervals (126 measurements) to determine cortisol and neopterin (immune activation marker) levels. In addition, she filled out questionnaires on emotional state and daily routine in 12-h intervals, and was interviewed weekly to identify emotionally negative and positive everyday incidents. Adjusted cross-correlational analyses revealed that stressful incidents were associated with cyclic response patterns in both urinary cortisol and urinary neopterin concentrations. Urinary cortisol levels first decreased 12–24 h after stressful incidents occurred (lag 1: −.178; p = 0.048) and then increased a total of 72–84 h later (lag 6: +.224; p = 0.013). Urinary neopterin levels first increased 0–12 h before the occurrence of stressful incidents (−lag 1: +.185; p = 0.040) and then decreased a total of 48–60 h following such stressors (lag 4: −.181; p = 0.044). Decreases in urinary neopterin levels were also found 24–36 and 48–60 h after increases in pensiveness (lag 2: −.215; p = 0.017) and depressiveness (lag 4: −.221; p = 0.014), respectively. Findings on emotionally positive incidents sharply contrasted with those dealing with negative experiences. Positive incidents were followed first by urinary cortisol concentration increases within 12 h (lag 0: +.290; p = 0.001) and then by decreases after a total of 60–72 h (lag 5: −.186; p = 0.039). Urinary neopterin levels first decreased 12–24 h before positive incidents occurred (−lag 2: −.233; p = 0.010) and then increased a total of 12–24 h following these incidents (lag 1: +.222; p = 0.014). As with previous investigations on patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), this study showed that stress system response can be considerably longer and more complex and differentiated than findings from conventional group studies have suggested. Further integrative single-case studies will need to be conducted in order to draw firm conclusions about stress system dynamics under real-life conditions

Employment status among individuals afflicted by acquired brain injury: exploring economic consequences for both the affected person and their family (Situación laboral en personas con lesión cerebral adquirida: estudio sobre el impacto económico individual y familiar)

Background: Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) are conditions that can result in decreased workforce engagement and economic earnings. This research study aims to explore the impact of ABIs on employability, and their potential to reduce individual and family income. // Method: Using data from the II National Survey on Disability, a cohort of 9,835 individuals aged 18 to 65 was chosen. Subsequently, a sample of 110 ABI-affected individuals was selected, employing propensity score matching to ensure equivalence with a control group of healthy subjects (n = 110). // Results: The study found that the presence of ABI and disability decreases the likelihood of employment and labour force engagement. These differences persist even after accounting for covariate effects. However, no conclusive predictive association was established regarding individual and family income levels, despite observed disparities across the analysed groups. // Discussion: The obtained findings can contribute to raising awareness regarding the general employment situation of individuals with ABI, and facilitate policy-making in the context of inclusion and vocational rehabilitation initiatives. // RESUMEN: // Antecedentes: Las Lesiones Cerebrales Adquiridas (LCA) constituyen patologías que pueden disminuir la participación laboral y los ingresos económicos. El estudio busca examinar si las LCA afectan las posibilidades de tener empleo y disminuyen los ingresos individuales y familiares. Método: Se utilizaron datos de la II Encuesta Nacional de Discapacidad. Se seleccionó una muestra de 9,835 personas entre 18–65 años. Posteriormente, se seleccionó una muestra de 110 personas afectadas por una LCA y muestra control de sujetos sanos (n = 110) mediante pareamiento por puntaje de propensión. Resultados: Se encontró que tener una LCA y la discapacidad disminuye las posibilidades de tener empleo y participar laboralmente. Las diferencias también se observan al controlar la influencia de covariables. No se encontró asociación predictiva respecto a los niveles de ingresos individuales y familiares, aún cuando se observan brechas respecto a los grupos. Discusión: Los hallazgos encontrados pueden ayudar a visibilizar la situación laboral de personas con LCA, así como fomentar el desarrollo de políticas en materias de inclusión y rehabilitación vocacional

WATER at z=2.286 ?

We have used the IRAM 30m telescope to search for rotational lines of water and molecular oxygen in the very distant galaxy IRAS 10214+4724 at a redshift of 2.286. We report the tentative detection of the 2(11) --> 2(02) para transition of H2O at 752.0 GHz. This would be the first time that a thermal rotational line of water is detected. The ortho transitions 1(10) --> 1(01) and 4(14) --> 3(21) at 556.9 and 380.2 GHz are not detected with intensities at most twice that of the detected 752 GHz line. We cannot derive the water abundance since the line is likely optically thick. Assuming that the levels are thermalized at 100 K, the surface filling factor of the H2O emitting cores with respect to the total galaxy size of 8 kpc is about 3 10(-3). We have also observed three lines of molecular oxygen towards the same source, but detected none. Relative to H-2, this implies an abundance ratio [O2]/[H-2] less-than-or-equal-to 3 10(-4)

HST observations of the interacting galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163

Original article can be found at: http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/AJ/--Copyright American Astronomical SocietyHubble Space Telescope (HST ) images of the galaxies NGC 2207 and IC 2163 show star formation and dust structures in a system that has experienced a recent grazing encounter. Tidal forces from NGC 2207 compressed and elongated the disk of IC 2163, forming an oval ridge of star formation along a caustic where the perturbed gas rebounded after its inward excursion. Gas flowing away from this ridge has a peculiar structure characterized by thin parallel dust filaments transverse to the direction of motion. The filaments become thicker and longer as the gas approaches the tidal arm. Star formation that occurs in the filaments consistently lags behind, as if the exponential disk pressure gradient pushes outward on the gas but not on the young stars. Numerical models suggest that the filaments come from flocculent spiral arms that were present before the interaction. The arms stretch out into parallel filaments as the tidal tail forms. A dust lane at the outer edge of the tidal tail is a shock front where the Ñow abruptly changes direction. Gas at small-to-intermediate radii along this edge flows back toward the galaxy, while elsewhere in the tidal arm, the gas flows outward.Peer reviewe

Affinité populationnelle en Afrique de l’ouest précoloniale : le cas de la grotte sépulcrale d’Iroungou (Gabon, XIVe-XVe siècles EC)

International audienceNos connaissances sur les populations d’Afrique sub-saharienne des périodes précédant la colonisation européenne sont limitées. Peu de sites archéologiques contenant des restes humains ont été identifiés, et les sources écrites pour ces périodes sont rares. La découverte en 2018 de la grotte sépulcrale d’Iroungou (Gabon), dont l’utilisation remonte au XIVe-XVe siècles, avant l’arrivée des Portugais, constitue une source d’information exceptionnelle : au moins 28 individus associés à de nombreux artefacts métalliques y ont été retrouvés. Les restes anthropobiologiques ont été laissés in situ, néanmoins, les huit crânes les mieux préservés ont été numérisés. Cette étude s’intéresse aux affinités populationnelles de ces crânes, dont la morphologie a été décrite à l’aide de 237 points-repères répartis sur le massif facial supérieur et le calvarium. Des analyses par morphométrie géométrique ont permis de comparer les spécimens d’Iroungou avec 154 individus représentants 12 populations africaines bien définies. Après alignement des conformations (analyse Procrustes généralisée), l’affinité morphologique a été évaluée à l’aide des distances procrustes, euclidienne et mahalanobis, ainsi que des probabilités postérieures d’appartenance à une population (analyse discriminante). Les résultats indiquent que les huit crânes d’Iroungou présentent en moyenne plus d’affinités avec les populations pygmées Bayaka, suiviesdes bantus d’Afrique centrale. Cette affinité moyenne recouvre une réalité complexe : la population d’Iroungou est la plus hétérogène de notre échantillon et les huit crânes peuvent être séparés en différents groupes d’affinités : avec les Bayakas et les Bantus d’Afrique Centrale, les KhoeSan, et avec les Bantus d’Afrique de l’est. Enfin, un individuprésente une affinité très forte avec les Somalis de notre échantillon. Cette cartographie phénétique de la population d’Iroungou interroge sur le profil des individus déposés dans la grotte dans une zone géographique connue pour ses royaumes précoloniaux dont les relations avec les populations pygmées sont mal connues

Mortuary behaviour and cultural practices in pre-colonial West Central Africa: new data from the Iroungou burial cave, Gabon

International audienceThis study presents preliminary results of recent explorations at Iroungou (Gabon), a pre-colonial burial cave containing scattered skeletal remains of at least 28 men, women and children. The individuals, whose crania show cultural tooth ablation, were buried with abundant metallic objects, a combination with no known equivalent in West Central Africa