85 research outputs found
Characterisation of gas reference materials for underpinning atmospheric measurements of stable isotopes of nitrous oxide
The precise measurement of the amount fraction of atmospheric
nitrous oxide (N2O) is required to understand global emission trends.
Analysis of the site-specific stable isotopic composition of N2O
provides a means to differentiate emission sources. The availability of
accurate reference materials of known N2O amount fractions and isotopic
composition is critical for achieving these goals. We present the
development of nitrous oxide gas reference materials for underpinning
measurements of atmospheric composition and isotope ratio. Uncertainties
target the World Metrological Organisation Global Atmosphere Watch (WMO-GAW) compatibility goal of 0.1ânmolâmolâ1 and extended compatibility goal of
0.3ânmolâmolâ1, for atmospheric N2O measurements in an amount
fraction range of 325â335ânmolâmolâ1. We also demonstrate the stability
of amount fraction and isotope ratio of these reference materials and
present a characterisation study of the cavity ring-down spectrometer used
for analysis of the reference materials.</p
BEfree: A new psychological program for binge eating that integrates psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion
Background
Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with several psychological and medical problems, such as obesity. Approximately 30% of individuals seeking weight loss treatments present binge eating symptomatology. Moreover, current treatments for BED lack efficacy at followâup assessments. Developing mindfulness and selfâcompassion seem to be beneficial in treating BED, although there is still room for improvement, which may include integrating these different but complimentary approaches. BEfree is the first program integrating psychoeducationâ, mindfulnessâ, and compassionâbased components for treating women with binge eating and obesity.
Objective
To test the acceptability and efficacy up to 6âmonth postintervention of a psychological program based on psychoeducation, mindfulness, and selfâcompassion for obese or overweight women with BED.
Design
A controlled longitudinal design was followed in order to compare results between BEfree (n = 19) and waiting list group (WL; n = 17) from preintervention to postintervention. Results from BEfree were compared from preintervention to 3â and 6âmonth followâup.
Results
BEfree was effective in eliminating BED; in diminishing eating psychopathology, depression, shame and selfâcriticism, bodyâimage psychological inflexibility, and bodyâimage cognitive fusion; and in improving obesityârelated quality of life and selfâcompassion when compared to a WL control group. Results were maintained at 3â and 6âmonth followâup. Finally, participants rated BEfree helpful for dealing with impulses and negative internal experiences.
Conclusions
These results seem to suggest the efficacy of BEfree and the benefit of integrating different components such as psychoeducation, mindfulness, and selfâcompassion when treating BED in obese or overweight women.
Key Practitioner Message
The current study provides evidence of the acceptability of a psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion program for binge eating in obesity (BEfree);
Developing mindfulness and selfâcompassionate skills is an effective way of diminishing binge eating, eating psychopathology and depression, and increasing quality of life in women with obesity;
Integrating psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion seem to be effective in diminishing binge eating, with results maintained up to 6âmonth postintervention
Do gastrointestinal complaints increase the risk for subsequent medically certified long-term sickness absence? The HUSK study
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gastrointestinal complaints are very common in the general population and very often co-occur with common mental disorders. We aimed to study the prospective impact of gastrointestinal complaints on long term sickness absence, and address the contribution from co-occurring common mental disorders and other somatic symptoms.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Health data on 13 880 40-45 year olds from the Hordaland Health Study (1997-99) were linked to national registries on sickness absence. As part of a wider health screening, gastrointestinal complaints were ascertained. Participant's anxiety and depression, and the presence of other somatic symptoms were evaluated. In Cox regression models, we predicted sickness absences over an average 5.4 years follow-up, with adjustment for confounders, anxiety and depression and other somatic symptoms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After adjusting for gender, level of education and smoking, those reporting GI complaints had higher risk for later sickness absence (HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.34-1.51). GI complaints were associated with both anxiety (OR = 3.66, 95% CI 3.31-4.04) and depression (OR = 3.28, 95% CI 2.89-3.72), and a high level of other somatic symptoms (OR = 8.50, 95% CI 7.69-9.40). The association of GI complaints was still independently associated with future sickness absence (HR = 1.17, 95% CI 1.10-1.16) adjusting for mental illness and other somatic symptoms.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>Sickness absence is a complex behavioural outcome, but our results suggest GI complaints contribute by increasing the risk of long term sickness absence independently of comorbid mental illness and presence of other somatic symptoms. Occupational consequences of illness are important, and should also be addressed clinically with patients presenting with GI complaints.</p
High-utilizing Crohn's disease patients under psychosomatic therapy*
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objective</p> <p>Few studies have been published on health care utilization in Crohn's disease and the influence of psychological treatment on high utilizers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The present sub study of a prospective multi center investigation conducted in 87 of 488 consecutive Crohn's disease (CD) patients was designed to investigate the influence of the course of Crohn's disease on health care utilization (hospital days (HD) and sick leave days (SLD) collected by German insurance companies) and to examine the conditions of high-utilizing patients. Predictors of health care utilization should be selected. Based on a standardized somatic treatment, high health care utilizing patients of the psychotherapy and control groups should be compared before and after a one-year treatment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Multivariate regression analysis identified disease activity at randomization as an important predictor of the clinical course (r<sup>2 </sup>= 0.28, p < 0.01). Health care utilization correlated with duration of disease (p < 0.04), but the model was not significant (r<sup>2 </sup>= 0.15, p = 0.09). The patients' level of anxiety, depression and lack of control at randomization predicted their health-related quality of life at the end of the study (r<sup>2 </sup>= 0.51, p < 0.00001). Interestingly, steroid intake and depression (t1) predicted the combined outcome measure (clinical course, HRQL, health care utilization) of Crohn's disease at the end of the study (r<sup>2 </sup>= 0.22, p < 0.001).</p> <p>Among high utilizers, a significantly greater drop in HD (p < 0.03) and in mean in SLD were found in the treatment compared to the control group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The course of Crohn's disease is influenced by psychological as well as somatic factors; especially depression seems important here. A significant drop of health care utilization demonstrates the benefit of psychological treatment in the subgroup of high-utilizing CD patients. Further studies are needed to replicate the findings of the clinical outcome in this CD subgroup.</p
Invisible interpretations: reflections on the digital humanities and intellectual history
Much has been made of the digital humanities, yet it remains an underexplored field in relation to intellectual history. This paper aims to add to the little literature which does exist by offering a survey of the ideas and issues facing would-be practitioners. This includes: an overview of what the digital humanities are; reflections on what they offer intellectual history and how they may be problematic in regard to, first, accessing texts, and second, analysing source material; a conclusion with three reflections on future best practices â to be sceptical of digital sources, to be reflective of methodologies and how they may need to be modified when engaging with the digital humanities, and to embrace more directly the methodological, statistical, and technical aspects behind digital humanities. The aim is not to provide all the answers â at this stage that is impossible â but to be part of an emerging and ongoing discussion
Hostile Terrain 94
This research project is committed to acknowledge and raise awareness about the violent impact of immigration policies at the U.S. and Mexican border. It aims to contextualize the pop-up exhibition Hostile Terrain 94 (HT-94), a multidisciplinary project created by the Undocumented Migration project based on the research of anthropologist Professor Jason De Leon. HT-94 is a wall of toe tags representing the death of migrants in the Sonoran Desert. The research analyzes the rhetoric and system of immigration policy and how it has led to increased violence and migrant deaths. The interviews, anthropologic evidence, statistical studies, and material culture show the direct consequences of immigration policy on migrants, their communities, and more broadly society. The project takes into account how the geography of the Sonoran Desert functions as a tool for violence on migrants and how border conflict impacts indigenous communities. We are analyzing the personal, economic, and political motivation that was developed from the U.S. over time and how it has affected migration at the southern border. This research will culminate in an exhibition in collaboration with the Emile H. Mathis Gallery which will include primary source, text, photographs, oral histories, and objects left behind by migrants crossing the desert, in addition to HT 94, Overall, our goal is to use this exhibition and coordinate events that support and involve the migrant communities in Milwaukee and on our campus
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