Character of superposed states under deterministic LOCC

In this paper we investigate the effect of superposition of states on local conversion of pure bipartite states under deterministic LOCC. We are able to form a bridge between comparable and incomparable classes of states through the linear superposition of states. For example, if we consider two pairs of incomparable states, then their superposition may result into a comparable pair of states. We investigate many such cases and provide some of the results in tabular form. We also investigate the entanglement behavior of such classes of states, specifically their monotone nature. Finally we provide some bounds of different measures of entanglement based on the idea of comparability and incomparability under deterministic LOCC.Comment: 9 pages, pdflatex, no figure, to appear in the journal Quantum Information Processin

Сложности дифференциальной диагностики дисфункции вокальных хорд и бронхиальной астмы

Aim. Differential diagnosis of vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) and asthma.Methods. 105 patients with partially controlled asthma were examined. We used specific examinations for VCD: psychological scales , questionnaires for monitoring symptoms of VCD, transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy, conventional and electronic lung auscultation with the analysis of the amplitude-frequency characteristics (AFC) of wheezing in the chest and in the region of the larynx on the left and right. Spirometry was performed using Vitalograph ALPHA spirometer (England). The patients were divided into three groups: group 1 included patients with asthma; group 2 included patients with asthma and VCD (asthma-plus syndrome); group 3 included patients with VCD.Results. Conventional auscultation revealed wheezing over the lungs with a decrease in its intensity on the neck surface in group 1. In groups 2 and 3, the maximal wheezing was observed on the anterior surface of the neck and less intense wheezing was heard over the lungs. Electronic auscultation found mid-tonal wheezing over the lungs and over the larynx in group 1; high-pitched wheezing over the larynx and mid-tonal wheezing over the lungs in groups 2 and 3. Score of dyspnea according to the Borg scale was highest in the asthma-plus group – 4,8 (5,2 – 6,5) points, and lowest in the 1st group – 4,2 (3,7 – 4,9) points. The sensation of wheezing is maximal in VCD – 7,1 (6,5 – 7,9) points. The scores of symptoms of VCD were strongly correlated with the intensity of wheezing, dyspnea, and AFC of wheezing. Spirometry was close to normal in the group of patients with VCD; obstructive disorders were noted in groups 1 and 2. Transnasal laryngoscopy demonstrated paradoxical movement of the vocal cords during inspiration in groups 2 and 3. The triggers of episodes of VCD in the subjects were numerous; vocal loads predominated. Specific treatment of VCD in groups 2 and 3 improved the respiratory performance significantly.Conclusion. The primary diagnosis of asthma cannot be made without an examination for VCD. Psychological questionnaires and VCD questionnaires should be used. It is important to use electronic auscultation over the larynx for diagnosis. Correction of treatment in accordance with VCD in patients with asthma can significantly reduce the doses of inhaled and oral corticosteroids.Целью исследования явилась дифференциальная диагностика дисфункции вокальных хорд (ДВХ) и бронхиальной астмы (БА).Материалы и методы. Обследованы пациенты (n = 105) с частично контролируемой БА, у которых применялись специфические методы обследования на ДВХ – психологические опросники и анкеты мониторинга симптомов при ДВХ, трансназальная оптическая ларингоскопия, традиционная и электронная аускультация легких с анализом амплитудно-частотных характеристик (АЧХ) хрипов на грудной клетке и в области гортани слева и справа. Проводилась спирометрия при помощи спирометра Vitalograph ALPHA (Англия). Пациенты были разделены на 3 группы: 1-я – пациенты с БА; 2-я – больные БА с ДВХ (синдром «астма плюс»); 3-я – лица с ДВХ.Результаты. При традиционной аускультации у больных 1-й группы выслушивались хрипы над легкими с уменьшением их интенсивности на поверхности шеи; максимум выслушивания хрипов у пациентов 2-й и 3-й групп – передняя поверхность шеи с уменьшением их интенсивности над легкими. При электронной аускультации у больных 1-й группы выслушивались среднетональные хрипы над легкими и гортанью, 2-й и 3-й групп – высокотональные хрипы – над гортанью и среднетональные – над легкими. Наибольшая выраженность одышки по шкале Борга – 4,8 (5,2–6,5) балла отмечена у пациентов группы «астма плюс», наименьшая – 4,2 (3,7–4,9) балла – у пациентов 1-й группы; максимальное ощущение свистящего дыхания при ДВХ – 7,1 (6,5–7,9) балла. Выявлена прямая сильная корреляционная зависимость показателей опросников симптомов ДВХ и степени интенсивности хрипов, одышки и АЧХ хрипов. Близкие к нормальным показатели спирометрии отмечены при ДВХ. Обструктивные нарушения выявлены у пациентов 1-й и 2-й групп. При трансназальной ларингоскопии у больных 2-й и 3-й групп продемонстрировано парадоксальное движение голосовых связок во время вдоха. Триггеры эпизодов ДВХ у обследуемых многочисленны, преобладали голосовые нагрузки. При специфическом лечении ДВХ у больных 2-й и 3-й групп заметно улучшились респираторные показатели.Заключение. Продемонстрировано, что для установления первичного диагноза БА необходимо обследование на наличие ДВХ. Актуально использование психологических опросников и анкет по диагностике ДВХ. Отмечено, что в процессе диагностики важно применять электронную аускультацию над гортанью, а коррекция лечения с учетом наличия ДВХ у пациентов с БА позволяет значительно снизить дозы ингаляционных и пероральных глюкокортикостероидов

Knowledge and competency standards for specialized cognitive behavior therapy for adult obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a leading cause of disability world-wide (World Health Organization, 2008). Treatment of OCD is a specialized field whose aim is recovery from illness for as many patients as possible. The evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatment for OCD is specialized cognitive behavior therapy (CBT, NICE, 2005, Koran and Simpson, 2013). However, these treatments are not accessible to many sufferers around the world. Currently available guidelines for care are deemed to be essential but insufficient because of highly variable clinician knowledge and competencies specific to OCD. The phase two mandate of the 14 nation International OCD Accreditation Task Force (ATF) created by the Canadian Institute for Obsessive Compulsive Disorders is development of knowledge and competency standards for specialized treatments for OCD through the lifespan deemed by experts to be foundational to transformative change in this field. This paper presents knowledge and competency standards for specialized CBT for adult OCD developed to inform, advance, and offer a model for clinical practice and training for OCD. During upcoming ATF phases three and four criteria and processes for training in specialized treatments for OCD through the lifespan for certification (individuals) and accreditation (sites) will be developed based on the ATF standards

Effectiveness of counseling for anxiety and depression in mothers of children ages 0-30 months by community workers in Karachi, Pakistan: a quasi experimental study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence of anxiety/depression is quite high during the perinatal period but unfortunately its detection and treatment have been less than satisfactory. Moreover, many women are reluctant to take pharmacotherapy for fear of excretion of drugs into their breast milk. This study assesses the effectiveness of counseling from minimally trained community health workers in reducing anxiety/depression, the rate of recurrence and the interval preceding recurrence in women during first two and a half years after childbirth.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In a quasi-experimental study, community women from two under-privileged communities were trained in data gathering, teaching healthy child-rearing practices, basic counseling skills, and screening for anxiety/depression by using an indigenously developed questionnaire, the Aga Khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS). The diagnosis was further confirmed by a clinical psychologist using DSM IV criteria. After obtaining consent, 420 women were screened and 102 were identified as having anxiety/depression. Screening was carried out after 1, 2, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 months of a live birth. Only 62 out of 102 agreed to be counseled and received eight weekly sessions. AKUADS was re-administered at 4 weeks and 8 weeks after the beginning of counseling; this was followed by the clinical psychologist's interview for confirmation of response. After recovery, screening was continued every 3 months for detection of recurrence throughout the study period. Out of the women who had declined counseling 12 agreed to retake AKUADS after 4 and 8 weeks of diagnosis. Independent samples t-test, chi-square test, Repeated Measures ANOVA and Kaplan Meier technique were used for the analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A significant decline in level of anxiety/depression was found in both the counseled and the non-counseled groups at 4 and 8 weeks (p-value < 0.001) but the counseled group fared better than the non-counseled for recovery, reduction in the rate of recurrence and increase in the duration before relapse.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>As our results cannot be generalized; further studies need to be carried out, to assess the benefit of incorporating minimal counseling skills in the training of community health workers.</p

Outcome of crisis intervention for borderline personality disorder and post traumatic stress disorder: a model for modification of the mechanism of disorder in complex post traumatic syndromes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study investigates the outcome of crisis intervention for chronic post traumatic disorders with a model based on the theory that such crises manifest trauma in the present. The sufferer's behavior is in response to the current perception of dependency and entrapment in a mistrusted relationship. The mechanism of disorder is the sufferer's activity, which aims to either prove or disprove the perception of entrapment, but, instead, elicits more semblances of it in a circular manner. Patients have reasons to keep such activity private from therapy and are barely aware of it as the source of their symptoms.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The hypothesis is that the experimental intervention will reduce symptoms broadly within 8 to 24 h from initiation of treatment, compared to treatment as usual. The experimental intervention sidesteps other symptoms to engage patients in testing the trustworthiness of the troubled relationship with closure, thus ending the circularity of their own ways. The study compares 32 experimental subjects with 26 controls at similar crisis stabilization units.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) supported the hypothesis (both in total score and for four of five subscales), as did results with Client Observation, a pilot instrument designed specifically for the circular behavior targeted by the experimental intervention. Results were mostly non-significant from two instruments of patient self-observation, which provided retrospective pretreatment scores.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The discussion envisions further steps to ascertain that this broad reduction of symptoms ensues from the singular correction that distinguishes the experimental intervention.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>Protocol Registration System NCT00269139. The PRS URL is <url>https://register.clinicaltrials.gov</url></p

Cognitive-behavioral therapy for older adults with anxiety and cognitive impairment: Adaptations and illustrative case study

Anxiety is a prevalent condition in older adults with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. Interventions based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) appear to be an emerging area of treatment innovation for treating anxiety in older adults with cognitive impairment. Drawing on the empirical literature on CBT for late-life anxiety and recent trials of CBT for anxiety in persons with mild-to-moderate dementia, this article provides an overview of the customization of CBT to the needs of older adults with anxiety and cognitive impairment. Adaptations for assessment, case conceptualization, socialization, therapeutic alliance, and treatment strategies are discussed. A case study to illustrate implementation of these adaptations is presented. Limitations to the current state of the literature on the efficacy and feasibility of CBT for anxiety in older adults with cognitive impairment are identified, and future directions for treatment research are proposed

Development of a suicidal ideation detection tool for primary healthcare settings: using open access online psychosocial data

Background: Suicidal patients often visit healthcare professionals in their last month before suicide, but medical practitioners are unlikely to raise the issue of suicide with patients because of time constraints and uncertainty regarding an appropriate approach. Introduction: A brief tool called the e-PASS Suicidal Ideation Detector (eSID) was developed for medical practitioners to help detect the presence of suicidal ideation (SI) in their clients. If SI is detected, the system alerts medical practitioners to address this issue with a client. The eSID tool was developed due to the absence of an easy-to-use, evidence-based SI detection tool for general practice. Material and Methods: The tool was developed using binary logistic regression analyses of data provided by clients accessing an online psychological assessment function. Ten primary healthcare professionals provided advice regarding the use of the tool. Results: The analysis identified eleven factors in addition to the Kessler-6 for inclusion in the model used to predict the probability of recent SI. The model performed well across gender and age groups 18-64 (AUR 0.834, 95% CI 0.828-0.841, N = 16,703). Healthcare professionals were interviewed; they recommended that the tool be incorporated into existing medical software systems and that additional resources be supplied, tailored to the level of risk identified. Conclusion: The eSID is expected to trigger risk assessments by healthcare professionals when this is necessary. Initial reactions of healthcare professionals to the tool were favorable, but further testing and in situ development are required