Quantifying the core deficit in classical schizophrenia

In the classical descriptions of schizophrenia, Kraepelin and Bleuler recognised disorganization and impoverishment of mental activity as fundamental symptoms. Their classical descriptions also included a tendency to persisting disability. The psychopathological processes underlying persisting disability in schizophrenia remain poorly understood. The delineation of a core deficit underlying persisting disability would be of value in predicting outcome and enhancing treatment. We tested the hypothesis that mental disorganization and impoverishment are associated with persisting impairments of cognition and role-function, and together reflect a latent core deficit that is discernible in cases diagnosed by modern criteria. We used Confirmatory Factor Analysis to determine whether measures of disorganisation, mental impoverishment, impaired cognition and role functioning in 40 patients with schizophrenia represent a single latent variable. Disorganization scores were computed from the variance shared between disorganization measures from three commonly used symptom scales. Mental impoverishment scores were computed similarly. A single factor model exhibited a good fit, supporting the hypothesis that these measures reflect a core deficit.Persisting brain disorders are associated with a reduction in Post Motor Beta Rebound (PMBR), the characteristic increase in electrophysiological beta amplitude that follows a motor response. Patients had significantly reduced PMBR compared with healthy controls. PMBR was negatively correlated with core deficit score.While the symptoms constituting impoverished and disorganised mental activity are dissociable in schizophrenia, nonetheless, the variance that these two symptom domains share with impaired cognition and role function, appears to reflect a pathophysiological process that might be described as the core deficit of classical schizophrenia

Role and users’ approach to social networking sites (SNSs): a study of universities of

Abstract Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and assess the awareness and extent of the use of social networking sites (SNSs) by the students and research scholars of universities of North India. Design/methodology/approach -The study is a questionnaire-based survey on the usage of SNSs among the students and research scholars of the universities of North India. The data of the study were collected through questionnaires, which were personally distributed to the identified population, i.e. undergraduate students, postgraduate students and research scholars, by the authors. The survey was based on a sample of 610 questionnaires; of which, 486 questionnaires were received, having a response rate of 79.67 per cent. Findings -The study showed that all the respondents were found to be aware of and making use of such applications in their academic affairs. It was revealed from the study that Facebook is the most popular SNS by all categories of respondents. To determine the purpose of SNSs, it emerged that SNSs are mostly used for entertainment and communication. The study also found that the majority of respondents were aware about the security aspects of SNSs. It signifies that excessive time consumption and fear of misusing personal information were the major hurdles in the way of accessing SNSs. Research limitations/implications -The study covers the students and research scholars of select universities of North India. It also signifies the use of SNSs in their research and academic environment. Originality/value -The paper provides reliable and authentic data. The study is worth, justifiable and enlightens the salient findings on the topic, which will be very useful for researchers in this area

State of the art review on the sustainable dry machining of advanced materials for multifaceted engineering applications: progressive advancements and directions for future prospects

In this article, the comprehensive review on the application, and indeed, a comparative analysis on dry machining of different types of materials (Inconel, steel, aluminum, cast iron, magnesium and advanced materials) used in machining (turning, drilling and milling operations) were carried out in the light of utmost works published in the literature. The work describes the scientific findings of the past twenty years, including sustainable methods (surface texture, solid lubricants, vibration-assisted machining, laser-assisted machining), tool coatings, and geometry of tools. Vibration-assisted machining is another direction that researchers have investigated without the use of cutting coolants, where the complete disposal of coolants is not possible. Various researchers have carried out rigorous experimental work on milling, drilling, and turning operations under dry conditions to machine numerous materials. A significant proportion of experimental data about tool wear, tool wear machining, surface quality, surface integrity, etc, has been analyzed under dry conditions. However, the critical analysis of dry machining for different conventional machining operations for a variety of industrial materials is still lacking for establishing dry machining as a sustainable process for industrial applications. Thus, the critical analysis of various machining parameters and their consequences on tool wear and the surface quality of machined work was carried out in this work. Finally, scientific recommendations based on critical findings were proposed for industrial implementation of dry machining