Cognitive behaviour therapy versus counselling intervention for anxiety in young people with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders: a pilot randomised controlled trial

The use of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) as a treatment for children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been explored in a number of trials. Whilst CBT appears superior to no treatment or treatment as usual, few studies have assessed CBT against a control group receiving an alternative therapy. Our randomised controlled trial compared use of CBT against person-centred counselling for anxiety in 36 young people with ASD, ages 12–18. Outcome measures included parent- teacher- and self-reports of anxiety and social disability. Whilst each therapy produced improvements inparticipants, neither therapy was superior to the other to a significant degree on any measure. This is consistent with findings for adults

Extended RetroauricularTemporal Flap with Conchal Cartilage for Alar or Columellar Reconstruction

Background:The retroauricular-temporal or Washio flap has been introduced for reconstruction of partial nose and cheek defects, and has many advantages. We decided to evaluate the extended use of this technique in order to repair full thickness nasal defects. Methods: Superficial temporal and retroauricular arteries are identified with Doppler flowmetry. Selection points A, B, C and D are delineated. Point Ais the point around which the entire flap rotates, and is a fixed point in front of the anterior end of the helix and behind the superficial temporal artery. The next step is the selection of point C for the flap to reach the defect.We operated 8 cases utilizing this method to reconstruct alar and columellar defects with chondrum. Results: We found this technique very useful. The advantages of this technique include suitable flap color, good texture,no need for microsurgery experience,donor and recipient sites for surgery are in one field, and the donor site scar is inconspicuous. Conclusion: We find this technique very effective in repairing total subunit (nasal tip) defects. To fully appreciate it, we have to expand the distal part of the flap by including conchal cartilage with it.

Compaction and strength testing of industrial waste blends as potential port reclamation fill

This paper reports on preliminary laboratory geotechnical investigations conducted to explore the compaction and unconfined compression strength (qu) behaviour of granular waste mixtures of coal wash (CW) and steel furnace slag (SFS). Compaction was conducted under relatively dry and submerged conditions. Proctor compaction test results show that the higher the SFS content, the greater the maximum dry density of mixtures, while the optimum moisture content (OMC) is rather constant. However, for mixtures compacted at their OMC, qu decreases with increasing SFS content. In contrast, for mixtures compacted under submergence and cured in seawater for up to 28 days, qu increases with both the SFS content and curing time. The preliminary findings suggest that CW-SFS mixtures have good potential as fill for port reclamation. However, two different mixtures, in terms of SFS content, should be used for dry and submerged fills

Effects of different designs of implant supported fixed partial dentures on peri-implant bone stress distribution during mandibular-flexture

Statement of Problem: In the treatment of edentulous patients with implant supported fixed partial dentures several factors such as implant numbers, implant position, superstructure pattern and cantilever length must be considered. Mandibular flexture in function exerts forces in peri-implant bone, however; this phenomenon has received little attention. Purpose: The goal of this finite element analysis (FEA) study was to evaluate the effect of mandibular dimensional changes on peri-implant bone stress in different prosthesis and implant treatment plans. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, three dimensional finite element computer model of mandible was simulated according to data from CT-Scan in 0.5 mm sections. The model of 4.110 mm ITI implant, measured by profile projector, was simulated in solid works 2003 software. Implant models were inserted, in two different patterns, on mandible and three different superstructures were placed on implants. Two clenching tasks were modeled (incisal clench and right molar clench). Results: Analysis of Von Misses stress for peri-implant bone revealed the lowest stress values in three-piece superstructure. Conclusion: According to this study, additional placement of implants in order to fabricate independent prostheses and to achieve the freedom of mandibular flexture are recommended

Finding The Socially Optimal Solution For California\u27S Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Problem

The Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta is the major hub of water supply and is central to the ecosystem of many native threatened and endangered species in California. This multi-benefit system with two major competitors, namely the economy and the environment, is currently in crisis. Four central strategic options, compatible with the two co-equal goals for future Delta management (1-conservation of the ecosystem; and 2- creation of a reliable water supply for California) have been proposed for solving the Delta problem. The uncertainty associated with the performance of these alternatives under the two equally-weighted selection criteria, environmental sustainability and the economic cost, makes selection of the appropriate solution challenging. This paper applies a Monte-Carlo social choice making procedure, based on a variety of social choice rules, to identify the socially optimal solution for California\u27s Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta problem in face of uncertainties. Results suggest that building a peripheral conveyance for water exports is the socially optimal solution to the Delta problem. © 2011 ASCE

Influence of plane bed on the force exerted on a cylinder oscillating in still water

The wall pressure field on a cylinder oscillating over a plane bed in still water is reported in this paper. Two gaps between the cylinder and the bed were considered. Pressures on the periphery of the cylinder were measured by a transducer and were found to be essentially repeatable from one cycle to the next. The forces determined from the pressure profiles compare well with those measured directly by a force transducer except significantly at Keulegan-Carpenter number of 15.0. The importance of the plane bed when it is stationary or moving with the cylinder is examined. The significance of the roughness of the bed with respect to the oscillatory forces exerted on the cylinder is also assessed

A PSO-DP Based Method to Determination of the Optimal Number, Location, and Size of FACTS Devices in Power Systems

The presence of reactive component of current in transmission lines causes adverse impact on the network, including power losses, reduction of line capacity, and voltage drop. These adverse impacts can be reduced by using the first or second generation of FACTS devices. In this paper, these adverse impacts can be reduced optimally by using one of the modern optimization techniques, i.e., particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO algorithm). By using this algorithm, the optimal size of the static VAr compensator (FACTS devices) in a 30 bus IEEE test system is determined. At first, the load flow equations of the 30 bus IEEE test system is defined in the MATLAB software by means of dynamic programming method, and the number of SVCs will be determined by using the system sensitivity function (power losses and the sum of buses voltage drop square); then, the optimal sizes of the FACTS devices is obtained by means of PSO algorithm