Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy among depressed individuals with disabilities in Nigeria: A randomized controlled trial

The objective of this paper was to examine the efficacy of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) in decreasing depressive symptoms and intellectual disabilities (ID) among individuals with depression in Nigeria. In this randomized controlled trial, 101 participants with depression and ID, aged 18-60 years, who obtained 14 scores in the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), scores 4 and above on Shaheen Disability Scale (SDS), were randomly assigned into the interventions (n = 50) and active control group (n = 51). The MBCT group has shown a statistically significant effect on the SDS and BDI-II variables by decreasing depressive symptoms and disabilities following MBCT (p<0.05). The assessment revealed that participants reported an improvement in their experience of depression and ID. The most significant impact was in the reduced levels of ID reported. The results of the evaluation suggest that depressed people with intellectual disabilities benefit from a structured MBCT group intervention and the results are maintained at 2-months follow-up

The role of depression, anxiety and illness characteristics on risky sexual behaviour among people with HIV

Background: People living with HIV (PLHIV) have a longer lifespan with treatment and continue to be sexually active. To date, the extent of risky sexual behaviour among local PLHIV and its associated factors were undetermined. Objective: To examine the role of depression, anxiety and illness characteristics on risky sexual behaviour among PLHIV attending care in a Malaysian tertiary reference hospital (N= 406). Methods: It was a cross-sectional study. Subjects were recruited by systematic random sampling. Risky sexual behaviour was determined by using the modified National Youth Risk Behaviour Survey. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were used to measure the depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Chi-square test was used to examine the association between the variables. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the predictors of the study. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered significant and odds ratio was used as the measure of risk association. Results: Our study showed that 29.3% had risky sexual behaviour. Meanwhile, 21.9% and 26.4% had depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Risky sexual behaviour was significantly associated with age, religion, education level, duration of HIV diagnosis, depressive and anxiety symptoms. From multivariate logistic regression, duration of HIV diagnosis and anxiety symptoms significantly predicted risky sexual behaviour. Conclusion: This study highlights that a substantial number of PLHIV had risky sexual behaviour and psychological symptoms. It is important for psychological interventions that reduce risky sexual behaviour among PLHIV who attend treatment, especially during the early phase

Practical issues related to the application of piezoelectric based wave propagation technique in monitoring of concrete curing

Smart piezoelectric material, namely, the Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) has recently found its application in concrete curing and strength development monitoring using the wave propagation (WP) technique. Real-life application of this technique is sometimes questioned as various practical issues have not been attended. In this paper, a series of experimental studies are performed to investigate a range of practical issues related to the application of this technique, in an attempt to reduce the gap between laboratory studies and real-life applications. Issues such as the consistency of wave velocities and repeatability of the sensor’s electrical signatures, the optimum frequency of actuation, the effect of PZT transducer’s spacing and sizes, the waveform of actuation signatures, the effect of input voltage amplification, the effect of different surface roughness, the environmental effect and the effect of different types of coarse aggregates are experimentally studied. Results showed that 5-peaks sinusoidal tone burst actuated at 30 kHz or 120 kHz are preferred input voltage. Spacing of transducers should be approximately 90 mm. Smooth and even surface of the host structure is preferred for bonding. The WP technique is found to be reliable and its performance is consistent across different specimens up to a period of 365 days. It is also capable of differentiating the strength concrete with different types of coarse aggregate. Studies conducted in this paper provide basic understanding into various practical issues, which is expected to serve as guidelines to future development, design, optimization and commercialization of a more effective PZT based WP technique in monitoring of concrete curing

Non-destructive concrete strength evaluation using smart piezoelectric transducer : a comparative study

Concrete strength monitoring, providing information related to the readiness of the structure for service, is important for the safety and resource planning in the construction industry. In this paper, a semi-analytical model of surface bonded piezoelectric (lead zirconate titanate) based wave propagation (WP) technique was developed for strength evaluation of mortar with different mix, throughout the curing process. Mechanical parameters of the mortar specimen were mathematically evaluated from the surface wave (R-wave) and pressure wave (P-wave) using elastic wave equations. These parameters were then empirically correlated to the strength. The model was found to be very robust as it could be generalized to account for different water to cement (W/C) ratio. The performance of the WP technique was then compared to the electromechanical impedance technique and other conventional techniques, such as the ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) test and the rebound hammer test. Results showed that the WP technique performed equally well as the conventional counterparts. The proposed technique is also advantageous over embedded WP technique and the UPV test, in terms of its capability to capture two types of waves for the evaluation of dynamic modulus of elasticity and Poisson\u27s ratio. A separate study was finally conducted to verify the applicability of this technique on heterogeneous concrete specimen. With the inherent capability of the WP technique in enabling autonomous, real-time, online and remote monitoring, it could potentially replace its conventional counterparts, in providing a more effective technique for the monitoring of concrete strength

Parametric study and modeling of PZT based wave propagation technique related to practical issues in monitoring of concrete curing

This paper presents a series of investigative studies, mainly parametric and numerical, into various issues related to the practical application of the wave propagation (WP) technique in monitoring of concrete curing using smart material (PZT). This paper is an extension of a range of experimental studies presented in the authors’ recent publication. Coupled field finite element (FE) simulation of the PZT-structure interaction in WP technique is conducted on mortar and concrete specimens. Identification of the pressure wave (P-wave) and the surface wave (R-wave) velocities simulated in the FE model is attempted. Results are found to be matching closely with the experiment. The verified FE model, together with the theoretical model are then used to perform parametric study on selected factors related to the practical application of the technique, in particular those uncontrollable in the experiment, including the dynamic modulus of elasticity, the Poisson’s ratio and the damping coefficient. Further experimental and analytical studies on the effect of varying temperature and humidity are also presented. A semi-analytical model previously proposed by the authors is finally adopted to generate a strength calibration chart for concrete with different coarse aggregates. The theoretical and FE models are proven to be useful alternatives to the experiment, which can be used in future design and optimization of the PZT based WP technique in monitoring of concrete curing

Students' participation in collaborative research should be recognised

Letter to the editor