A Content Analysis of Caregiver\u27s Computer-Mediated Communication on Loneliness

Loneliness is a mental health epidemic that affects all generations, genders, and cultures. Loneliness is an emotional and social state that requires social interaction to alleviate the symptoms, but meaningful social interaction can be hard to find. Lonely people are stigmatized, which can inhibit self-disclosure, and other stigmatized conditions (e.g., AIDS, depression) can add more barriers in self-disclosure. Communication technologies (e.g., social media, online forums) are positioned to connect remote, isolated people, by providing space for like-minded people to connect. One such group that is vulnerable to loneliness is family caregivers. Due to the inordinate amount of time and energy spent taking care of ailing family members, caregivers can suffer from significant loneliness and social isolation, so websites with online forums are an important alternative for caregivers with limitations. Website forums were chosen because the threads and posts can offer more text space than social media and website forums can better target a specific population than social media. Even though online communication is an option for people to connect, it is unclear what type of social support websites actually provide for caregivers.This study sought to identify how caregivers communicate loneliness on targeted websites, as well as examine the responses received. A content analysis was conducted on threads collected between August 2018 and January 2019 from AgingCare.com, a website dedicated to the needs of caregivers. An examination of threads tagged with the keyword “loneliness” helped determine how caregivers talked about feelings of loneliness and how other caregivers provided support.The results from the content analysis indicated that while loneliness was being identified by caregivers, the loneliness appeared to be seen as a symptom of greater problems rather than the problem itself. While the online community provided space and attention for caregivers who needed to discuss their feelings, it was less clear if loneliness was being solved in online forums. Although this research helped identify how caregivers communicate about loneliness online, future research can shed light on the efficacy of online communication in alleviating loneliness

Unsere bisherigen, an Phthisikern gemachten Erfahrungen mit dem neuen Antipyreticum "Maretin"

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Memórias de infância sobre as práticas parentais, acontecimentos de vida negativos e saúde mental na adultez

O presente estudo tem por objetivo averiguar o impacto das memórias sobre as práticas parentais e sobre os Acontecimentos de Vida Negativos (AVN) experienciados na infância e o seu impacto na sintomatologia psicopatológica expressa no presente. Participaram no estudo 162 sujeitos adultos da população geral (94 sujeitos do sexo feminino e 68 sujeitos do sexo masculino). Foi também objetivo do presente trabalho estudar a relação entre as Memórias das Práticas Educativas Parentais (EMBU) e os Acontecimentos de Vida Negativos relatados pelos participantes. Propusemo-nos ainda, analisar, de que forma é que os Acontecimentos de Vida Negativos na infância moderam a relação entre a perceção de práticas parentais pautadas por Apoio Emocional pelo pai e pela mãe e a prevalência de psicopatologia na adultez. Para a concretização dos objetivos propostos foram aplicados os seguintes instrumentos: um questionário de dados sociodemográficos, o EMBU (Perris et al., 1980; Canavarro, 1996), o Inventário de Acontecimentos de Vida Negativos (IAV_N) (Brás & Cruz, 2008) e o Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) (Derogatis, 1982; Canavarro, 1999). Os resultados obtidos indicam uma relação significativa entre a presença de Abusos Físicos e Sexuais na infância e a perceção de Rejeição pelo pai. De igual modo, foi encontrada uma relação significativa entre pontuações mais elevadas na escala de Rejeição pela mãe e a existência de Abuso Psicológico e de Ambiente Familiar Adverso. Quanto às Memórias das Práticas Educativas Parentais, as subescalas de Apoio Emocional e Rejeição, tanto em relação à mãe como em relação ao pai, correlacionaram-se de forma significativa com a sintomatologia psicopatológica na adultez. Em suma, no que se refere às Práticas Educativas Parentais percebidas, estas surgem estatisticamente associadas com a frequência dos Acontecimentos de Vida Negativos experienciados na infância. Foi também encontrada uma relação estatisticamente significativa entre a Memória das Práticas Educativas Parentais e a sintomatologia psicopatológica na idade adulta. Os resultados são discutidos de acordo com o modelo de vinculação de Bowlby.This study aims to investigate the impact of childhood memories about parents’ educational practices on the Negative Life Events and in the psychopathological symptoms in adulthood. A community sample of 162 adult individuals (94 female subjects and 68 male subjects) participated in the study. It was also the objective of this study to investigate the relationship between the Memories of Parental Educational Practices and the Negative Life Events reported by the participants. It was also our purpose to analyze whether Negative Life Events - AVN experienced in childhood moderate the relationship between the parenting practices perceived (Emotional Support by the father and the mother) and the prevalence of psychopathology. In order to characterize the sample a sociodemographic questionnaire was applied. The following instruments were also applied: the EMBU (Perris et al., 1980; Canavarro 1996), the Inventory of Negative Life Events - IAV_N (Brás & Cruz, 2008) and the Brief Symptom Inventory - BSI (Derogatis, 1982; Canavarro, 1999). The results indicate a significant relationship between the presence of physical and sexual abuse in childhood and the perception of Rejection by the father, as well as a significant relationship between higher scores on the Rejection by the mother subscale and the presence of psychological and family abuse. Furthermore, perceived Emotional Support and Rejection either concerning the mother and the father were significantly related with psychopathological symptoms in adulthood. Overall, regarding the perceived Parental Educational Practices, these were associated with the frequency of Negative Life Events experienced in childhood. Also, a statistically significant relationship between the Memory of Parental Educational Practices and psychopathological symptoms in adulthood were found. These results are discussed accordingly to Bowlby’s attachment model

Initial characterization of the human central proteome

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>On the basis of large proteomics datasets measured from seven human cell lines we consider their intersection as an approximation of the human central proteome, which is the set of proteins ubiquitously expressed in all human cells. Composition and properties of the central proteome are investigated through bioinformatics analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We experimentally identify a central proteome comprising 1,124 proteins that are ubiquitously and abundantly expressed in human cells using state of the art mass spectrometry and protein identification bioinformatics. The main represented functions are proteostasis, primary metabolism and proliferation. We further characterize the central proteome considering gene structures, conservation, interaction networks, pathways, drug targets, and coordination of biological processes. Among other new findings, we show that the central proteome is encoded by exon-rich genes, indicating an increased regulatory flexibility through alternative splicing to adapt to multiple environments, and that the protein interaction network linking the central proteome is very efficient for synchronizing translation with other biological processes. Surprisingly, at least 10% of the central proteome has no or very limited functional annotation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our data and analysis provide a new and deeper description of the human central proteome compared to previous results thereby extending and complementing our knowledge of commonly expressed human proteins. All the data are made publicly available to help other researchers who, for instance, need to compare or link focused datasets to a common background.</p

An agent-based approach for energy-efficient sensor networks in logistics

As part of the fourth industrial revolution, logistics processes are augmented with connected information systems to improve their reliability and sustainability. Above all, customers can analyse process data obtained from the networked logistics operations to reduce costs and increase margins. The logistics of managing liquid goods is particularly challenging due to the strict transport temperature requirements involving monitoring via sensors attached to containers. However, these sensors transmit much redundant information that, at times, does not provide additional value to the customer, while consuming the limited energy stored in the sensor batteries. This paper aims to explore and study alternative approaches for location tracking and state monitoring in the context of liquid goods logistics. This problem is addressed by using a combination of data-driven sensing and agent-based modelling techniques. The simulation results show that the longest life span of batteries is achieved when most sensors are put into sleep mode yielding an increase of ×21.7 and ×3.7 for two typical routing scenarios. However, to allow for situations in which high quality sensor data is required to make decisions, agents need to be made aware of the life cycle phase of individual containers. Key contributions include (1) an agent-based approach for modelling the dynamics of liquid goods logistics to enable monitoring and detect inefficiencies (2) the development and analysis of three sensor usage strategies for reducing the energy consumption, and (3) an evaluation of the trade-offs between energy consumption and location tracking precision for timely decision making in resource constrained monitoring systems

Predictors and outcomes in primary depression care (POKAL) – a research training group develops an innovative approach to collaborative care

BACKGROUND: The interdisciplinary research training group (POKAL) aims to improve care for patients with depression and multimorbidity in primary care. POKAL includes nine projects within the framework of the Chronic Care Model (CCM). In addition, POKAL will train young (mental) health professionals in research competences within primary care settings. POKAL will address specific challenges in diagnosis (reliability of diagnosis, ignoring suicidal risks), in treatment (insufficient patient involvement, highly fragmented care and inappropriate long-time anti-depressive medication) and in implementation of innovations (insufficient guideline adherence, use of irrelevant patient outcomes, ignoring relevant context factors) in primary depression care. METHODS: In 2021 POKAL started with a first group of 16 trainees in general practice (GPs), pharmacy, psychology, public health, informatics, etc. The program is scheduled for at least 6 years, so a second group of trainees starting in 2024 will also have three years of research-time. Experienced principal investigators (PIs) supervise all trainees in their specific projects. All projects refer to the CCM and focus on the diagnostic, therapeutic, and implementation challenges. RESULTS: The first cohort of the POKAL research training group will develop and test new depression-specific diagnostics (hermeneutical strategies, predicting models, screening for suicidal ideation), treatment (primary-care based psycho-education, modulating factors in depression monitoring, strategies of de-prescribing) and implementation in primary care (guideline implementation, use of patient-assessed data, identification of relevant context factors). Based on those results the second cohort of trainees and their PIs will run two major trials to proof innovations in primary care-based a) diagnostics and b) treatment for depression. CONCLUSION: The research and training programme POKAL aims to provide appropriate approaches for depression diagnosis and treatment in primary care

Database of cattle candidate genes and genetic markers for milk production and mastitis

A cattle database of candidate genes and genetic markers for milk production and mastitis has been developed to provide an integrated research tool incorporating different types of information supporting a genomic approach to study lactation, udder development and health. The database contains 943 genes and genetic markers involved in mammary gland development and function, representing candidates for further functional studies. The candidate loci were drawn on a genetic map to reveal positional overlaps. For identification of candidate loci, data from seven different research approaches were exploited: (i) gene knockouts or transgenes in mice that result in specific phenotypes associated with mammary gland (143 loci); (ii) cattle QTL for milk production (344) and mastitis related traits (71); (iii) loci with sequence variations that show specific allele-phenotype interactions associated with milk production (24) or mastitis (10) in cattle; (iv) genes with expression profiles associated with milk production (207) or mastitis (107) in cattle or mouse; (v) cattle milk protein genes that exist in different genetic variants (9); (vi) miRNAs expressed in bovine mammary gland (32) and (vii) epigenetically regulated cattle genes associated with mammary gland function (1). Fourty-four genes found by multiple independent analyses were suggested as the most promising candidates and were further in silico analysed for expression levels in lactating mammary gland, genetic variability and top biological functions in functional networks. A miRNA target search for mammary gland expressed miRNAs identified 359 putative binding sites in 3′UTRs of candidate genes