Investigating Physiological Determinants of Mental Health in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background Fifty-seven percent of children with cerebral palsy (CP) experience mental health symptoms including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Although CP is non progressive, secondary conditions can have progressive effects on an individuals’ functional abilities. Particularly, untreated mental health symptoms can negatively affect a child’s quality of life. Children with CP also experience fatigue, pain, poor physical activity, and sleep disturbances. The presence of these physiological symptoms, separate and in combination, may impact mental health; however, it has not been systematically examined. Identifying factors that contribute to mental health symptoms may prevent the maintenance of these issues into adulthood. Objectives This study aimed to understand the associations between fatigue, pain, sleep, physical activity and mental health symptoms for children with CP. We hypothesized that moderate levels of fatigue, pain and/or sleep difficulties were associated with presence of psychological symptoms. In addition, we hypothesized that lower levels of physical activity were associated with mental health symptoms. Methods An observational study was conducted to assess physiological and mental health symptoms and physical activity in children with CP. Twenty-six participants and their caregivers responded to risk factor specific questionnaires before wearing accelerometers for one week, providing non-invasive data on movement patterns and sleep cycles. Using pairwise correlations and backward stepwise linear regressions, we examined the associations between the risk factors and severity of mental health symptoms. Results Significant regression models demonstrated associations for behavioural, depressive and anxiety related symptoms in children with CP. Models were able to explain 61%, 18% and 41% of the variance in child report internalizing behaviours, caregiver reported depression and anxiety, respectively. Conclusion Fatigue, pain severity, sleep efficiency and physical activity outcomes all contributed in some way to mental health outcomes. Longitudinal research is required to determine causal relationships. Future Applications This study will help develop evidence-based interventions to treat these factors and have the potential to inform clinicians on the determinants of mental health outcomes in this population. Individualized, targeted interventions can be developed and implemented to address the modifiable risk factors that threaten the wellbeing of children with CP

Greenrelisient: Agroecological approch to organic greenhouse production in Europe

All over Europe, organic greenhouse production systems are usually very intensive, which threatens their sustainability and the consumer trust. The implementation of less intensive production systems based on low energy consumption, appropriate crop rotations, use of agroecological service crops, and local organic inputs is possible at almost any latitude in Europe

Worsening renal function and outcome in heart failure patients with reduced and preserved ejection fraction and the impact of angiotensin receptor blocker treatment: data from the CHARM-study programme

Aims We investigated the association between worsening renal function (WRF) that occurs during renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibition initation and outcome in heart failure (HF) patients with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) and compared this with HF patients with reduced ejection fraction (HFREF). Methods and results We examined changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the relationship between WRF (defined as ≥26.5 µmol/L and ≥25% increase in serum creatinine from baseline to 6 weeks) and outcome, according to randomized treatment, in patients with HFREF (EF <45%; n = 1569) and HFPEF (EF ≥45%; n = 836) in the CHARM programme. The primary outcome was cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization. Estimated GFR decreased 9.0 ± 21 vs. 4.0 ± 21 mL/min/1.73 m2 with candesartan and placebo, respectively, and this was similar in HFREF and HFPEF. WRF developed more frequently with candesartan, 16% vs. 7%, P < 0.001, with similar findings in patients with HFREF and HFPEF. WRF was associated with a higher risk of the primary outcome: multivariable hazard ratio (HR) 1.26, 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.54, P = 0.022, in both treatment groups, and in both HFREF and HFPEF (P for interaction 0.98). In HFREF, WRF was mostly related to HF hospitalization, while in HFPEF, WRF seemed more associated with mortality. Conclusions GFR decreased more and WRF was more common with candesartan compared with placebo, and this was similar in HFREF and HFPEF. WRF was associated with worse outcomes in HFREF and HFPEF. Although no formal interaction was present, the association between candesartan treatment, WRF, and type of clinical outcome was slightly different between HFREF and HFPEF

Mulch-based no-tillage effects on weed community and management in an organic vegetable system

Weeds can cooperate with the agroecosystem\u2019s functioning by providing ecosystem services. Effective weed management should mitigate negative weed\u2013crop interference, while maintaining a functional and balanced weed community. In a two-year trial, the in-line/roller crimper (RC) was used to terminate an agroecological service crop (ASC; here barley, Hordeum vulgare L.) before organic zucchini (Cucurbita pepo, L.) and compared with green manure (GM) ASC and tilled no-ASC with Mater-Bi mulch on the rows (No_ASC). Zucchini yield, soil N availability, weed density/cover, biomass, and community composition were assessed. Analysis of variance, exploratory statistical analysis, and non-parametric inferential approaches were run, respectively, on agronomic data, species-specific weed frequencies, and Shannon diversity. Zucchini yield was the highest in No_ASC, due to soil N immobilization under high C:N barley residues in GM and RC. Multivariate analysis discriminated RC from tilled systems, outlining a specific ensemble of weed species correlated to Shannon diversity. From zucchini fruit set, RC selectively favored Polygonum aviculare L. and Helminthotheca echioides (L.), reasonably because of their oligotrophy and creeping habit. Their dominance finally caused low RC weed control. Results highlight strong weed selective pressure by the mulch-based no-tillage. Understanding the mechanisms underpinning the impact of soil management practices on weed community can drive towards a tailor-made and more effective weed management

SVILUPPO DI UN PROCESSO A BASSO COSTO PER REALIZZARE MATERIALI COMPOSITI A MATRICE DI TITANIO MEDIANTE “ROLL DIFFUSION BONDING”.

rappresentano ad oggi la famiglia di materiali a più elevata resistenza specifica nel campo di temperature fino a 800°C. La maggiore riserva per una introduzione incisiva nelle applicazioni industriali è ancora il costo di questi materiali. Costo che è rappresentato dalla somma dei costi dei materiali costituenti e del processo di fabbricazione. Per quanto una diminuzione dei costi dei materiali costituenti sia sicuramente possibile per effetto dell’aumento dei volumi prodotti, le maggiori riserve sono concentrate sul processo di fabbricazione. Il processo standard consiste nella preparazione di lotti di precursori che vengono comunemente consolidati per compattazione isostatica a caldo, [2-7]. In questo filone il CSM ha investito risorse per ottenere una soluzione innovativa che ha permesso il contenimento della voce “costo di fabbricazione” rispetto alla linea di Compattazione Isostatica a Caldo (HIP) con un risparmio finale che ha raggiunto il 40%

The Dissociation Energy of the New Diatomic Molecules SiPb and GePb

The diatomic molecules SiPb and GePb were for the first time identified by producing high temperature vapors of the constituent pure elements in a double-oven-like molecular-effusion assembly. The partial pressures of the atomic, heteronuclear, and homonuclear gaseous species observed in the vapor, namely, Si, Ge, Pb, SiPb, GePb, Pb2, Gen, and Sin (n=2-3), were mass-spectrometrically measured in the overall temperature ranges 1753-1961 K (Ge-Pb) and 1992-2314 K (Si-Pb). The dissociation energies of the new species were determined by second- and third-law analyses of both the direct dissociation reactions and isomolecular exchange reactions involving homonuclear molecules. The selected values of the dissociation energies at 0 K (D0 degrees) are 165.1+/-7.3 and 141.6+/-6.9 kJ/mol, respectively, for SiPb and GePb, and the corresponding enthalpies of formation (DeltafH0 degrees) are 476.4+/-7.3 and 419.3+/-6.9 kJ/mol. The ionization efficiency curves of the two species were measured, giving the following values for the first ionization energies: 7.0+/-0.2 eV (SiPb) and 7.1+/-0.2 eV (GePb). A computational study of the species SiPb and GePb was also carried out at the CCSD(T) level of theory using the relativistic electron core potential approach. Molecular parameters, adiabatic ionization energies, adiabatic electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the title species were calculated, as well as the enthalpy changes of the exchange reactions involving the other Pb-containing diatomics of group 14. Finally, a comparison between the experimental and theoretical results is presented, and from a semiempirical correlation the unknown dissociation energies of the SiSn and PbC molecules are predicted as 234+/-7 and 185+/-11 kJ/mol, respectively

The Dissociation Energy of the New Diatomic Molecules SiPb and GePb

The diatomic molecules SiPb and GePb were for the first time identified by producing high temperature vapors of the constituent pure elements in a double-oven-like molecular-effusion assembly. The partial pressures of the atomic, heteronuclear, and homonuclear gaseous species observed in the vapor, namely, Si, Ge, Pb, SiPb, GePb, Pb2, Gen, and Sin (n=2-3), were mass-spectrometrically measured in the overall temperature ranges 1753-1961 K (Ge-Pb) and 1992-2314 K (Si-Pb). The dissociation energies of the new species were determined by second- and third-law analyses of both the direct dissociation reactions and isomolecular exchange reactions involving homonuclear molecules. The selected values of the dissociation energies at 0 K (D0 degrees) are 165.1+/-7.3 and 141.6+/-6.9 kJ/mol, respectively, for SiPb and GePb, and the corresponding enthalpies of formation (DeltafH0 degrees) are 476.4+/-7.3 and 419.3+/-6.9 kJ/mol. The ionization efficiency curves of the two species were measured, giving the following values for the first ionization energies: 7.0+/-0.2 eV (SiPb) and 7.1+/-0.2 eV (GePb). A computational study of the species SiPb and GePb was also carried out at the CCSD(T) level of theory using the relativistic electron core potential approach. Molecular parameters, adiabatic ionization energies, adiabatic electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the title species were calculated, as well as the enthalpy changes of the exchange reactions involving the other Pb-containing diatomics of group 14. Finally, a comparison between the experimental and theoretical results is presented, and from a semiempirical correlation the unknown dissociation energies of the SiSn and PbC molecules are predicted as 234+/-7 and 185+/-11 kJ/mol, respectively