A novel methodology to spatially evaluate DGP classes by means of vertical illuminances. Preliminary results

A novel methodology to overcome the main limit of the Daylight Glare Probability DGP (i.e. the heavy computational time for an annual analysis of the DGP profile in one point) is presented. This uses a proxy based on the vertical illuminance (Ev) at the eye level. To do so, the most suitable value of Ev, to substitute DGP, is found by means of a comparison to the corresponding DGP value through a fault-detection diagnosis technique. The methodology was applied to a representative enclosed office with one South-facing window (Window-to-Wall Ratio of 50%) located in Turin. The glazing was assumed to have different transmission properties (specular and scattering) with different visible transmittances (in the range 3%-66%). The error in the estimation of the DGP classes calculated through the eye vertical illuminance was evaluated, for an analysis period of a whole year. The main advantages of the methodology proposed lie (i) in a significant reduction of the computational time required for its application and (ii) in the possibility of evaluating glare conditions not only for one or few points, but for a grid of points across a considered space. Its main limitation lies on its inability to quantify the exact DGP value, returning instead, at every time-step, the DGP class of performance

Light versus Energy Performance of Office Rooms with Curtain Walls: A Parametric Study

A parametric study aimed at identifying the best performing solution in terms of lighting, heating and cooling demand minimization for an office room is presented. Different orientations, room and façade lay-outs, glazing and lighting control systems have been combined and 192 configurations have been analysed through a two-step process: daylight factor and dynamic daylighting metrics and the corresponding energy demand for lighting were calculated in step 1 using Daysim; the energy demand for heating and cooling was determined in step 2 using a quasi-steady state approach, to verify whether the best configurations obtained in step 1 also resulted in the lowest global energy demand

Cistos No Interior De Nódulo Mamários Benignos: Risco De Malignidade

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)The objective of this study is to assess whether the largest cyst diameter is useful for BI-RADS ultrasonography classification of predominantly solid breast masses with an oval shape, circumscribed margins, and largest axis parallel to the skin, which, except for the cystic component, would be likely classified as benign. Methods This study received approval fromthe local institutional review board. From March 2009 to August 2014, we prospectively biopsied 170 breast masses from 164 women. We grouped the largest cyst and mass diameters according to histopathological diagnoses. We used Student’s t-test, linear regression, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for statistical assessment. Results Histopathological examination revealed 143 (84%) benign and 27 (16%)malignant masses. The mean largest mass diameter was larger among malignant (mean ± standard deviation, 34.1 ± 16.6 mm) than benign masses (24.7 ± 16.7 mm) (P < 0.008). The mean largest cyst diameter was also larger among malignant (9.9 ± 7.1 mm) than benign masses (4.6 ± 3.6 mm) (P < 0.001). Agreement between measurements of the largest mass and cyst diameters was low (R2 = 0.26). AUC for the largest cyst diameter (0.78) was similar to the AUC for the largest mass diameter (0.69) (p = 0.2). A largest cyst diameter < 3, ≥ 3 to < 11, and ≥ 11 mm had a positive predictive value of 0, 15, and 52%, respectively. Conclusion A largest cystic component < 3 mm identified within breast masses that show favorable characteristics may be considered clinically inconsequential in ultrasonography characterization. Conversely, masses with a largest cystic component ≥ 3 mm should be classified as BI-RADS-US category 4. © 2016 by Thieme Publicações Ltda, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.3841701762012/15059-8, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

A low-intensity internet-based intervention focused on the promotion of positive affect for the treatment of depression in Spanish primary care: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial

Background: A large number of low-intensity Internet-based interventions (IBIs) for the treatment of depression have emerged in Primary Care; most of them focused on decreasing negative emotions. However, recent studies have highlighted the importance of addressing positive affect (PA) as well. This study is a secondary analysis of a randomized control trial. We examine the role of an IBI focused on promoting PA in patients with depression in Primary Care (PC). The specific objectives were to explore the profile of the patients who benefit the most and to analyze the change mechanisms that predict a significantly greater improvement in positive functioning measures. Methods: 56 patients were included. Measures of depression, affect, well-being, health-related quality of life, and health status were administered. Results: Participants who benefited the most were those who had lower incomes and education levels and worse mental health scores and well-being at baseline (7.9%–39.5% of explained variance). Improvements in depression severity and PA were significant predictors of long-term change in well-being, F (3, 55) = 17.78, p < 0.001, R2 = 47.8%. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of implementing IBIs in PC and the relevance of PA as a key target in Major Depressive Disorder treatment

Long-range quantum discord in critical spin systems

We show that quantum correlations as quantified by quantum discord can characterize quantum phase transitions by exhibiting nontrivial long-range decay as a function of distance in spin systems. This is rather different from the behavior of pairwise entanglement, which is typically short-ranged even in critical systems. In particular, we find a clear change in the decay rate of quantum discord as the system crosses a quantum critical point. We illustrate this phenomenon for first-order, second-order, and infinite-order quantum phase transitions, indicating that pairwise quantum discord is an appealing quantum correlation function for condensed matter systems

Phase Change Materials in Glazing: Implications on Light Distribution and Visual Comfort. Preliminary Results

The visual comfort concerned with a technology with PCM embedded into a double glazing unit was analyzed, using the Daylight Probability Glare and the ‘Useful Illuminance’ (percent of workplane with an illuminance in the range 100-3000 lx). A sample office room was modeled using Radiance, under a clear sky and with the façade facing south. The visible transmittance of PCM was measured in laboratory and used as input in Radiance. The simulations were carried out for the two solstices and the Autumn equinox (four hours per day), for three sites (Östersund, 63.2°N; Turin, 45.2°N; Abu Dhabi, 24.4°N), considering the solid state of the PCM only

Quantum computation in continuous time using dynamic invariants

We introduce an approach for quantum computing in continuous time based on the Lewis-Riesenfeld dynamic invariants. This approach allows, under certain conditions, for the design of quantum algorithms running on a nonadiabatic regime. We show that the relaxation of adiabaticity can be achieved by processing information in the eigenlevels of a time dependent observable, namely, the dynamic invariant operator. Moreover, we derive the conditions for which the computation can be implemented by time independent as well as by adiabatically varying Hamiltonians. We illustrate our results by providing the implementation of both Deutsch-Jozsa and Grover algorithms via dynamic invariants.Comment: v3: 7 pages, 1 figure. Published versio

Efficacy of Three Low-Intensity, Internet-Based Psychological Interventions for the Treatment of Depression in Primary Care: Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Primary care is a major access point for the initial treatment of depression, but the management of these patients is far from optimal. The lack of time in primary care is one of the major difficulties for the delivery of evidence-based psychotherapy. During the last decade, research has focused on the development of brief psychotherapy and cost-effective internet-based interventions mostly based on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Very little research has focused on alternative methods of treatment for depression using CBT. Thus, there is a need for research into other therapeutic approaches. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 3 low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions (healthy lifestyle psychoeducational program [HLP], focused program on positive affect promotion [PAPP], and brief intervention based on mindfulness [MP]) compared with a control condition (improved treatment as usual [iTAU]). METHODS: A multicenter, 4-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial was conducted between March 2015 and March 2016, with a follow-up of 12 months. In total, 221 adults with mild or moderate major depression were recruited in primary care settings from 3 Spanish regions. Patients were randomly distributed to iTAU (n=57), HLP (n=54), PAPP (n=56), and MP (n=54). All patients received iTAU from their general practitioners. The main outcome was the Spanish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) from pretreatment (time 1) to posttreatment (time 2) and up to 6 (time 3) and 12 (time 4) months'' follow-up. Secondary outcomes included the visual analog scale of the EuroQol, the Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI). We conducted regression models to estimate outcome differences along study stages. RESULTS: A moderate decrease was detected in PHQ-9 scores from HLP (ß=-3.05; P=.01) and MP (ß=-3.00; P=.01) compared with iTAU at posttreatment. There were significant differences between all intervention groups and iTAU in physical SF-12 scores at 6 months after treatment. Regarding well-being, MP and PAPP reported better PHI results than iTAU at 6 months post treatment. PAPP intervention significantly decreased PANAS negative affect scores compared with iTAU 12 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The low-intensity, internet-based psychological interventions (HLP and MP) for the treatment of depression in primary care are more effective than iTAU at posttreatment. Moreover, all low-intensity psychological interventions are also effective in improving medium- and long-term quality of life. PAPP is effective for improving health-related quality of life, negative affect, and well-being in patients with depression. Nevertheless, it is important to examine possible reasons that could be implicated for PAPP not being effective in reducing depressive symptomatology; in addition, more research is still needed to assess the cost-effectiveness analysis of these interventions