489 research outputs found
Augmented cognitive behavioral therapy for post stroke depressive symptoms:a randomized controlled trial
Item does not contain fulltextOBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of individually tailored cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for reducing depressive symptoms with or without anxiety poststroke. DESIGN: Multicenter, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Ambulatory rehabilitation setting. PARTICIPANTS: Patients who had a Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-depression subscale (HADS-D) score >7 at least 3 months poststroke (N=61). INTERVENTIONS: Participants were randomly allocated to either augmented CBT or computerized cognitive training (CCT). The CBT intervention was based on the principles of recognizing, registering, and altering negative thoughts and cognitions. CBT was augmented with goal-directed real-life activity training given by an occupational or movement therapist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: HADS-D was the primary outcome, and measures of participation and quality of life were secondary outcomes. Outcome measurements were performed at baseline, immediately posttreatment, and at 4- and 8-month follow-up. Analysis was performed with linear mixed models using group (CBT vs CCT) as the between-subjects factor and time (4 assessments) as the within-subjects factor. RESULTS: Mixed model analyses showed a significant and persistent time effect for HADS-D (mean difference, -4.6; 95% confidence interval, -5.7 to -3.6; P<.001) and for participation and quality of life in both groups. There was no significant group x time effect for any of the outcome measures. CONCLUSIONS: Our augmented CBT intervention was not superior to CCT for the treatment of mood disorders after stroke. Future studies should determine whether both interventions are better than natural history.8 p
Anesthesia of Epinephelus marginatus with essential oil of Aloysia polystachya: an approach on blood parameters
This study investigated the anesthetic potential of the essential oil (EO) of Aloysia polystachya in juveniles of dusky grouper (Epinephelus marginatus). Fish were exposed to different concentrations of EO of A. polystachya to evaluate time of induction and recovery from anesthesia. In the second experiment, fish were divided into four groups: control, ethanol and 50 or 300 mu L L-1 EO of A. polystachya, and each group was submitted to induction for 3.5 min and recovery for 5 or 10 min. The blood gases and glucose levels showed alterations as a function of the recovery times, but Na+ and K+ levels did not show any alteration. In conclusion, the EO from leaves of A. polystachya is an effective anesthetic for dusky grouper, because anesthesia was reached within the recommended time at EO concentrations of 300 and 400 mu L L-1. However, most evaluated blood parameters showed compensatory responses due to EO exposure.Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul/Programa de Apoio a Nucleos de Excelencia (FAPERGS/PRONEX) [10/0016-8]; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) [470964/2009-0]; Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior, Brazil (CAPES)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Developing nanotechnology in Latin America
This article investigates the development of nanotechnology in Latin America with a particular focus on Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Based on data for nanotechnology research publications and patents and suggesting a framework for analyzing the development of R&D networks, we identify three potential strategies of nanotechnology research collaboration. Then, we seek to identify the balance of emphasis upon each of the three strategies by mapping the current research profile of those four countries. In general, we find that they are implementing policies and programs to develop nanotechnologies but differ in their collaboration strategies, institutional involvement, and level of development. On the other hand, we find that they coincide in having a modest industry participation in research and a low level of commercialization of nanotechnologies
Effective Lagrangian for self-interacting scalar field theories in curved spacetime
We consider a self-interacting scalar field theory in a slowly varying
gravitational background field. Using zeta-function regularization and
heat-kernel techniques, we derive the one-loop effective Lagrangian up to
second order in the variation of the background field and up to quadratic terms
in the curvature tensors. Specializing to different spacetimes of physical
interest, the influence of the curvature on the phase transition is considered.Comment: 14 pages, LaTex, UTF 29
Multi-level evidence of an allelic hierarchy of USH2A variants in hearing, auditory processing and speech/language outcomes.
Language development builds upon a complex network of interacting subservient systems. It therefore follows that variations in, and subclinical disruptions of, these systems may have secondary effects on emergent language. In this paper, we consider the relationship between genetic variants, hearing, auditory processing and language development. We employ whole genome sequencing in a discovery family to target association and gene x environment interaction analyses in two large population cohorts; the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) and UK10K. These investigations indicate that USH2A variants are associated with altered low-frequency sound perception which, in turn, increases the risk of developmental language disorder. We further show that Ush2a heterozygote mice have low-level hearing impairments, persistent higher-order acoustic processing deficits and altered vocalizations. These findings provide new insights into the complexity of genetic mechanisms serving language development and disorders and the relationships between developmental auditory and neural systems
Free and self-interacting scalar fields in the presence of conical singularities
Free and self-interacting scalar fields in the presence of conical
singularities are analized in some detail. The role of such a kind of
singularities on free and vacuum energy and also on the one-loop effective
action is pointed out using -function regularization and heat-kernel
techniques.Comment: 20 Pages, RevTex, UTF30
Continuation for thin film hydrodynamics and related scalar problems
This chapter illustrates how to apply continuation techniques in the analysis
of a particular class of nonlinear kinetic equations that describe the time
evolution through transport equations for a single scalar field like a
densities or interface profiles of various types. We first systematically
introduce these equations as gradient dynamics combining mass-conserving and
nonmass-conserving fluxes followed by a discussion of nonvariational amendmends
and a brief introduction to their analysis by numerical continuation. The
approach is first applied to a number of common examples of variational
equations, namely, Allen-Cahn- and Cahn-Hilliard-type equations including
certain thin-film equations for partially wetting liquids on homogeneous and
heterogeneous substrates as well as Swift-Hohenberg and Phase-Field-Crystal
equations. Second we consider nonvariational examples as the
Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation, convective Allen-Cahn and Cahn-Hilliard
equations and thin-film equations describing stationary sliding drops and a
transversal front instability in a dip-coating. Through the different examples
we illustrate how to employ the numerical tools provided by the packages
auto07p and pde2path to determine steady, stationary and time-periodic
solutions in one and two dimensions and the resulting bifurcation diagrams. The
incorporation of boundary conditions and integral side conditions is also
discussed as well as problem-specific implementation issues
Quantum Fields and Extended Objects in Space-Times with Constant Curvature Spatial Section
The heat-kernel expansion and -regularization techniques for quantum
field theory and extended objects on curved space-times are reviewed. In
particular, ultrastatic space-times with spatial section consisting in manifold
with constant curvature are discussed in detail. Several mathematical results,
relevant to physical applications are presented, including exact solutions of
the heat-kernel equation, a simple exposition of hyperbolic geometry and an
elementary derivation of the Selberg trace formula. With regards to the
physical applications, the vacuum energy for scalar fields, the one-loop
renormalization of a self-interacting scalar field theory on a hyperbolic
space-time, with a discussion on the topological symmetry breaking, the finite
temperature effects and the Bose-Einstein condensation, are considered. Some
attempts to generalize the results to extended objects are also presented,
including some remarks on path integral quantization, asymptotic properties of
extended objects and a novel representation for the one-loop (super)string free
energy.Comment: Latex file, 122 page
Implementation of access and benefit-sharing measures has consequences for classical biological control of weeds:
The Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol establish that genetic resources shall be accessed only upon the existence of prior informed consent of the country that provides those resources and that benefits arising from their utilization shall be shared. Pursuant to both agreements several countries have adopted regulations on access and benefit-sharing. These regulations have created a challenging obstacle to classical biological control of weeds. This paper reviews the experiences of Argentina, Brazil, South Africa, the USA, Canada and CABI in implementing access and benefit-sharing regulations and the implications these measures have on the effective and efficient access, exchange and utilization of biological control agents
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