Double Relaxation via AdS/CFT

We exploit the AdS/CFT correspondence to investigate thermalization in an N=2 strongly coupled gauge theory including massless fundamental matter (quark). More precisely, we consider the response of a zero temperature state of the gauge theory under variation of an external electric field leading to a time-dependent current. The holographic dual of the above set-up is given by introducing a time-dependent electric field on the probe D7-brane embedded in an AdS_5 X S^5 background. In the dual gravity theory, due to a time-dependent electric field an apparent horizon forms on the brane which, according to AdS/CFT dictionary, is the counterpart of the thermalization process in the gauge theory. We classify different functions for time-dependent electric field and study their effect on the apparent horizon formation. In the case of pulse functions where the electric field varies from zero to zero, apart from non-equilibrium phase, we observe that two apparent horizons form on the brane. On the gauge theory side, it means that the state of the gauge theory experiences two different temperatures during the time evolution.Comment: 28 pages, 13 figures, published versio

Cultural competence in nursing: A concept analysis

Background: Cultural competence is one of the principal foundations of clinical nursing. It has not yet been clearly defined and analysed and there are different views regarding this issue. Objective: Analyzing the concept of cultural competence in nursing. Design: A concept analysis. Data Sources: The literature was searched using electronic databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Wiley, Ovid, Magiran, and SID with no date limitation. Any quantitative or qualitative studies published in English or Persian, which were focused on cultural competence in nursing were included in the study. Review methods: Walker and Avant's strategy for concept analysis was used. The attributes, antecedents, consequences, and uses of the concept were identified. Results: A total of 43 articles were included. The six defining attributes of cultural competence were cultural awareness, cultural knowledge, cultural sensitivity, cultural skill, cultural proficiency, and dynamicity. Antecedents included cultural diversity, cultural encounter and interaction, cultural desire, cultural humility, general humanistic competencies, educational preparation, and organizational support. The consequences of cultural competence were also identified: those related to care receivers, those related to care providers, and health-related consequences. Conclusion: A theoretical definition and a conceptual model of cultural competence were developed. The attributes, antecedents, and consequences of cultural competence identified in this study can be used in nursing education, research, and managerial and organizational planning. © 201

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in an Adult Urban Population of the West of Iran

Objectives. We determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in an urban population of Zanjan, a province located to the west of Tehran. Methods. Randomly selected adults >20 years were studied using stratified sampling. Target study sample was 2941 (1396 males and 1545 females). Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed using Adult Treatment Panel-III (ATP-III) guidelines when any three of the following were present: central obesity, raised triglycerides ≥150 mg/dl, low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, blood pressure ≥ 130/ ≥ 85 mm Hg, and diabetes or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dl. Results. Metabolic syndrome was present in 697 (23.7%) subjects (CI 95%:22%–25%, P = .001), prevalence was 23.1% in men and 24.4% in women (P : .4). The prevalence increased from 7.5% in the population younger than 30 y to 45.6% in ages more than 50 years. Low HDL was the most common metabolic abnormality in both sexes. Most of those with metabolic syndrome had three components of the syndrome (75.6%), 170 subjects (24.4%) had four and none had five components simultaneously. The prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), hypercholesterolemia (≥200 mg/dl) and high LDL cholesterol (≥130 mg/dl) was greater in the metabolic syndrome group than normal subjects (P = .00). Conclusions. There is a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome in this urban population of the northern west of Iran. Focus of cardiovascular prevention should be undertaken in this area

Effects of a Staff Development Program on Head Nurses' Communication Skills and Job Satisfaction

Background: Communication skills of operational managers such as head nurses greatly influence the performance of nursing personnel and by extension, the quality of the care provided by them. Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the role of a development program on communication skills and job satisfaction in head nurses. Materials and Methods: This research was a non-randomized two-group trial. A random allocation of two hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences created an intervention and control group. In the intervention group, all head nurses were entered in a two-day communication skills development workshop using adult learning theory. The head nurses of the other hospital were allocated to the control group. Job satisfaction and communication skills of head nurses were investigated prior and 6 weeks following intervention in two groups. The data were analyzed by Chi-square, Fisher exact test, T-test, paired t test and analysis of covariance. Results: Following intervention, the communication skills scores achieved by intervention group were 127.5 ± 7.10 at pretest and increased to 134.11 ± 7.32 after the intervention (P < 0.01). The mean score of the communication skills did not alter significantly in the control group. Moreover, no significant change was observed in the mean scores of job satisfaction of head nurses in the intervention group compared to those of the control group (P = 0.102). Conclusions: The development programs of communication skills resulted in an increased level of communication skills in the head nurses. However, more effective steps have to be taken in professional and organization conditions to enhance head nurses’ job satisfaction level. Keywords: Job Satisfaction; Communication; Nursing, Supervisory; Growth and Developmen

Adjuvant administration of probiotic effects on sexual function in depressant women undergoing SSRIs treatment: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Background According to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Health Data Exchange (2023) it is estimated that 5% of all adults will experience depressive disorder. Amongst the general loss of pleasure and interest in everyday activities that are symptoms of low mood, reduced sexual desire and sexual dysfunction can be particularly overlooked. Human sexuality is complex, but finding solutions based on scientific evidence to limit the symptoms of depressive disorder and the iatrogenic impact of antidepressant treatment to improve this outcome is an important step in promoting psychological health and general wellbeing. Objective The present study aimed is to provide scientific evidence to assess the effect of oral probiotic on sexual function in women with depressive disorder treated with Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) in an Iranian population. Design This study was a double-blind randomized clinical trial. Eligible women were assigned to lactofem plus SSRIs (n = 58) or SSRIs alone (n = 54). In group A, SSRI antidepressants were prescribed together with Lactofem, and in group B, SSRI antidepressants were prescribed alone. Lactofem including Lactobacillus acidophilus 2 × 109 cfu/g, Bifidobacterium bifidus 2 × 109 cfu/g, Lactobacillus rutri 2 × 109 cfu/g, Lactobacillus fermentum 2 × 109 cfu/g; capsule weight of 500 mg bio-capsule administered orally and daily. The duration of intervention in two groups was two months. All questionnaires were completed by the patients before and after the intervention. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Larson's Sexual Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to evaluate sexual function, severity of depressive disorder and sexual satisfaction, respectively. Results Based on the results of the present study, there was a statistically significant difference in sexual satisfaction and severity of depressive disorder between the groups before and after the intervention (P < 0.05). Also, our findings showed that after eight weeks, the Lactofem plus SSRIs group showed significant improvement in FSFI domains and total scores compared to SSRIs alone group (P < 0.05). Conclusions The results of the present study show that taking probiotics for eight weeks may improve the severity of depressive disorder, sexual function and sexual satisfaction in depressed women treated with SSRIs. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govidentifier: IRCT20160524028038N14 (19/12/2022

Plant Phenology and Water Relations in a Saline Pan-Dune Mosaic in the Western Mojave Desert

An extensive mosaic of small clay pans and low stable dunes exists within Edwards Air Force Base in the western Mojave Desert of California. This pan-dune ecosystem, positioned between the large Rosamond and Rogers dry lakes on the old Pleistocene lakebed of Lake Thompson, provides an opportunity to study the seasonal patterns in growth and flowering phenology and water relations in a saltbush scrub community dominated by a mix of C3 and C4 species. C3 shrubs initiated vegetative growth in February, with current shoot and leaf production largely ceasing in most species by mid-April. The deeply rooted Tetradymia stenolepis and Ericameria nauseosa continued vegetative growth through May. C4 species including Atriplex and the grass Distichilis spicata typically began vegetative growth in mid- to late March, 2–6 weeks later than the first group and continued this growth in most cases through June and July. Reproductive growth commonly did not begin until June and continued into July and/or August. Shrub species showed a general pattern of slowly declining water potentials (increased stress) through the late spring and summer months, reflecting more limited soil water availability. Smaller changes in predawn water potential over this period were seen in the deeply rooted species. Soil moisture availability in the widespread Atriplex confertifolia showed a pattern of variation between pan, dune and open flat microhabtats

Community Structure and Demography in a Saline Pan-Dune Mosaic in the Western Mojave Desert

A unique saline ecological system formed by an extensive mosaic of small clay pans and low stable dunes exists within Edwards Air Force Base in the western Mojave Desert of California. This ecosystem lies between the large Rosamond and Rogers dry lakes on the old Pleistocene lakebed of Lake Thompson. Plant communities on the low and relatively stable dunes were broadly classed as saltbush scrub, with a total canopy cover of 30–36%. Atriplex confertifolia was the typical dominant, with Ericameria nauseosa as an important associate. Taller dunes of younger age and less saline soils had similar plant cover, but a distinct plant community with Atriplex canescens and Krascheninnikovia lanata as dominants and Yucca brevifolia as a common associate. Flat areas adjacent to the dunes were dominated by a virtual monoculture of Atriplex confertifolia. Aboveground shrub and bunchgrass biomass including dead material varied from 503 to 1204 kg ha−1, low in comparison to similar plant communities in the Great Basin. The absence of small saplings and seedlings of many shrub species suggests successful establishment is highly episodic. Seedlings were abundant only in Isocoma acradenia

Antioxidants: Positive or Negative Actors?

The term "antioxidant" is one of the most confusing definitions in biological/medical sciences. In chemistry, "antioxidant" is simply conceived "a compound that removes reactive species, mainly those oxygen-derived", while in a cell context, the conceptual definition of an antioxidant is poorly understood. Indeed, non-clinically recommended antioxidants are often consumed in large amounts by the global population, based on the belief that cancer, inflammation and degenerative diseases are triggered by high oxygen levels (or reactive oxygen species) and that through blocking reactive species production, organic unbalances/disorders can be prevented and/or even treated. The popularity of these chemicals arises in part from the widespread public mistrust of allopathic medicine. In fact, reactive oxygen species play a dual role in dealing with different disorders, since they may contribute to disease onset and/or progression but may also play a key role in disease prevention. Further, the ability of the most commonly used supplements, such as vitamins C, E, selenium, and herbal supplements to decrease pathologic reactive oxygen species is not clearly established. Hence, the present review aims to provide a nuanced understanding of where current knowledge is and where it should go.Antoni Sureda acknowledges the support of Institute of Health Carlos III (Project CIBEROBNCB12/03/30038). Natália Martins thank to Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT–Portugal) for the Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and “NORTE2020-Programa Operacional Regional do Norte” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012)

Antibacterial potential of Saussurea obvallata petroleum ether extract: A spiritually revered medicinal plant

Uttarakhand Himalayan region holds Asteraceae or Compositae as the largest family of flowering, medicinal and aromatic plants. Species belonging to this family rises from low altitude to the alpine region. Among Asteraceae, Saussurea obvallata (DC.) Edgew. is widely used in several indigenous systems of medicine. Flowers, leaves and rhizomes of S. obvallata are used for several traditional, religious, therapeutic and ornamental purposes. Aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition and antibacterial efficacy of petroleum ether extract (PEE) of S. obvallata. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was used for identifying phytochemicals present in the plant extract. Furthermore, the PEE was assessed for in-vitro antibacterial activity against selected Gram positive and negative strains. Structure of squalene and \u3b1-linolenic acid methyl ester were identified in PEE by GC-MS analysis, by comparing the results obtained with NIST library and literature reports. PEE exhibited significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis with IC50 value of 87.2 \ub1 1.6, 98.4 \ub1 1.1 and 90.2 \ub1 1.8 \u3bcg/ml, respectively. These results showed that squalene and a-linolenic acid derivative identified in S. obvallata may be responsible for the observed antibacterial activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report focused on the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of S. obvallata