Deep gray matter atrophy in multiple sclerosis: a tensor based morphometry.

Tensor based morphometry (TBM) was applied to determine the atrophy of deep gray matter (DGM) structures in 88 relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. For group analysis of atrophy, an unbiased atlas was constructed from 20 normal brains. The MS brain images were co-registered with the unbiased atlas using a symmetric inverse consistent nonlinear registration. These studies demonstrate significant atrophy of thalamus, caudate nucleus, and putamen even at a modest clinical disability, as assessed by the expanded disability status score (EDSS). A significant correlation between atrophy and EDSS was observed for different DGM structures: (thalamus: r=-0.51, p=3.85 x 10(-7); caudate nucleus: r=-0.43, p=2.35 x 10(-5); putamen: r=-0.36, p=6.12 x 10(-6)). Atrophy of these structures also correlated with 1) T2 hyperintense lesion volumes (thalamus: r=-0.56, p=9.96 x 10(-9); caudate nucleus: r=-0.31, p=3.10 x 10(-3); putamen: r=-0.50, p=6.06 x 10(-7)), 2) T1 hypointense lesion volumes (thalamus: r=-0.61, p=2.29 x 10(-10); caudate nucleus: r=-0.35, p=9.51 x 10(-4); putamen: r=-0.43, p=3.51 x 10(-5)), and 3) normalized CSF volume (thalamus: r=-0.66, p=3.55 x 10(-12); caudate nucleus: r=-0.52, p=2.31 x 10(-7), and putamen: r=-0.66, r=2.13 x 10(-12)). More severe atrophy was observed mainly in thalamus at higher EDSS. These studies appear to suggest a link between the white matter damage and DGM atrophy in MS

Optimised clinical study recruitment in palliative care: success strategies and lessons learned

© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2020. Recruitment challenges to clinical research studies in palliative care settings, particularly in hospices, are well documented. However, a recent study (Hospice Inpatient Deep vein thrombosis Detection (HIDDen) study) performed across five hospices in the UK recruited above target and on time. We describe strategies that aided successful recruitment in this study, and the lessons learnt for improving future studies. A recent review suggested that the ' Social Marketing Mix Framework' (SMMF) could help researchers with recruitment strategies in palliative care. We describe the recruiting strategies employed through the Social Marketing Mix lens and consider if it would be a useful framework for future researchers to use at the planning stage. Successful recruitment strategies employed in HIDDen study included: (i) addressing particular study-related factors, (ii) ensuring all patients were screened and offered participation if eligible, (iii) reducing impact on the clinical team through dedicated research nurses at sites, (iv) addressing research team issues with cross-cover between sites, where geographically possible, and (v) regular video conferencing meetings for support and collaborative solving of challenges. Limited pre-existing research infrastructure at most of the recruiting hospices created particular challenges. The SMMF provides a potential structure to help researchers to plan recruitment. However, to fully streamline trial set up and in order for hospice involvement in research to be realised systematically, a centralised approach to governance, organisational culture change whereby hospices embrace research as a legitimate purpose and consistent access to research staff are identified as key strategic elements promoting recruitment to studies in hospices

PRINCÍPIO DA IMPARCIALIDADE DO JUIZ: CONFLITOS COM OS PROCESSOS MENTAIS HUMANOS

The research aims to analyze the relationship between cognitive psychology and judicial decisions, wondering the impartiality and neutrality of the judge exist when analyzing evidence and taking decisions. The work dealt with human mental cognitive processes and their importance in daily activities, as well as explain theories that contributed greatly to unveiling the development of human knowledge and how they form their actions. The emphasis of the work lies in the conflict between the mental functions (sensation, perception, thought, language, emotions, and memories) and the essentiality of the impartiality of the judge in the stage of instruction and procedural judgment. The reflection was made that human neutrality in a judicial decision is not possible and that impartiality exists in different proportions, enhancing the idea of a just sentence through an instructor judge and a judging judge. La investigación tiene por objetivo analizar las decisiones judiciales bajo la perspectiva de la psicología cognitiva. El problema se basa en el cuestionamiento de la existencia de la imparcialidad y de la neutralidad del juez en los análisis de las pruebas y tomas de decisiones. Se utilizó el método de investigación hipotético-deductivo con abordaje cualitativo y objetivos exploratorios. El trabajo abordó los procesos cognitivos mentales humanos y su importancia en las actividades en el cotidiano, además de explicar teorías que contribuyen a desvelar el desarrollo del conocimiento humano y la formación de sus acciones. El énfasis del trabajo está en el conflicto existente entre las funciones mentales (sensación, percepción, pensamiento, lenguaje, emociones y memorias) y la esencialidad de la imparcialidad del juez en la fase de instrucción y de juicio procesal. En las consideraciones finales, se señala que la neutralidad humana en una decisión judicial no es posible y que la imparcialidad existe en diferentes proporciones, mejorando la idea de sentencia justa por medio de un juez instructor y un juez juzgador.A pesquisa tem por objetivo analisar as decisões judiciais sob a perspectiva da psicologia cognitiva. O problema se assenta sobre o questionamento da (in) existência da imparcialidade e da neutralidade do juiz quando das análises das provas e tomadas de decisões. Utilizou-se do método de pesquisa hipotético-dedutivo com abordagem qualitativa e objetivos exploratórios. O trabalho abordou os processos cognitivos mentais humanos e sua importância nas atividades no cotidiano, além de explicar teorias que contribuem para desvendar o desenvolvimento do conhecimento humano e a formação de suas ações. A ênfase do trabalho está no conflito existente entre as funções mentais (sensação, percepção, pensamento, linguagem, emoções e memórias) e a essencialidade da imparcialidade do juiz na fase de instrução e de julgamento processual. Nas considerações finais, aponta-se que a neutralidade humana em uma decisão judicial não é possível e que a imparcialidade existe em diferentes proporcionalidades, aprimorando a ideia de sentença justa por meio de um juiz instrutor e um juiz julgador

Plataformas educativas implementadas con Cloud Computing

Este trabajo plantea el uso del modelo de Cloud Computing como alternativa que permita impulsar la creación y el funcionamiento de plataformas educativas gracias a sus características de funcionamiento y bajo costo de inversión. Este modelo permite la virtualización de software y hardware al encontrarse disponibles como un servicio. Si bien se está hablando de una filosofía de trabajo emergente, es importante señalar sus aplicaciones en educación como un instrumento facilitador y mediador en el acceso y construcción al conocimiento por parte de los actores del proceso educativo. El objetivo del presente estudio es sentar las bases conceptuales para abordar la construcción de plataformas educativas basadas en este modelo. La forma de representación no solo sirve como vehículo para trasmitir conocimiento, sino una forma de generar concepciones de acceso a educación más abierta y democrática.Presentado en el IX Workshop Tecnología Informática aplicada en Educación (WTIAE)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Desarrollo de aplicaciones para Cloud Computing

La cloud computing es vista por algunos autores como la Cuarta Generación de aplicaciones y se espera que sea la forma en que en estos próximos años se consumirán los recursos informáticos. Lograr un Cloud abierto, que soporte la diversidad de equipos y que funciones adecuadamente además para plataformas heterogéneas es el desafío más importante que se presenta para los diseñadores de sistemas. El objetivo que se pretende alcanzar con este trabajo de investigación es la construcción de una plataforma para construir Cloud Públicas y Abiertas, que sean accedidas desde cualquier tipo de dispositivo y se comporte conforme a las características del cliente.Presentado en el II Workshop Innovación en Sistemas de Software (WISS)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

UV-Vis spectroscopy and chemometrics applied to residues monitoring in sewage

Edible oil residues (EOR) and detergents/soaps (NBDS) are a considerable problem in the water systems. The layer due to presence of these residuals covers the water surface damaging the aquatic life by hampering the sun light to touch its bottom, diminishing algae quantity and, consequently, microorganisms and fishes, which depend on it to survive, changing the local biosphere. Knowing this potential effect, the objective was monitor edible oil residues and detergents/soaps presence in two sewage treatment station located in Brazil. To this, samples were collected from 3 different sewage treatment stages and evaluated by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Chemometrics was applied to recover spectra profiles and relative concentration of residuals. The results indicate that the proposed methodology is feasible to monitoring these residues in sewage

Desarrollo de aplicaciones para Cloud Computing

La cloud computing es vista por algunos autores como la Cuarta Generación de aplicaciones y se espera que sea la forma en que en estos próximos años se consumirán los recursos informáticos. Lograr un Cloud abierto, que soporte la diversidad de equipos y que funciones adecuadamente además para plataformas heterogéneas es el desafío más importante que se presenta para los diseñadores de sistemas. El objetivo que se pretende alcanzar con este trabajo de investigación es la construcción de una plataforma para construir Cloud Públicas y Abiertas, que sean accedidas desde cualquier tipo de dispositivo y se comporte conforme a las características del cliente.Presentado en el II Workshop Innovación en Sistemas de Software (WISS)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Desarrollo de aplicaciones para Cloud Computing

La cloud computing es vista por algunos autores como la Cuarta Generación de aplicaciones y se espera que sea la forma en que en estos próximos años se consumirán los recursos informáticos. Lograr un Cloud abierto, que soporte la diversidad de equipos y que funciones adecuadamente además para plataformas heterogéneas es el desafío más importante que se presenta para los diseñadores de sistemas. El objetivo que se pretende alcanzar con este trabajo de investigación es la construcción de una plataforma para construir Cloud Públicas y Abiertas, que sean accedidas desde cualquier tipo de dispositivo y se comporte conforme a las características del cliente.Presentado en el II Workshop Innovación en Sistemas de Software (WISS)Red de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Magnetic resonance imaging outcomes from a phase III trial of teriflunomide

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of oral teriflunomide on multiple sclerosis (MS) pathology inferred by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Methods: Patients ( n=1088) with relapsing MS were randomized to once-daily teriflunomide 7 mg or 14 mg, or placebo, for 108 weeks. MRI was recorded at baseline, 24, 48, 72 and 108 weeks. Annualized relapse rate and confirmed progression of disability (sustained ≥12 weeks) were the primary and key secondary outcomes. The principal MRI outcome was change in total lesion volume. Results: After 108 weeks, increase in total lesion volume was 67.4% ( p=0.0003) and 39.4% ( p=0.0317) lower in the 14 and 7 mg dose groups versus placebo. Other measures favoring teriflunomide were accumulated enhanced lesions, combined unique activity, T2-hyperintense and T1-hypointense component lesion volumes, white matter volume, and a composite MRI score; all were significant for teriflunomide 14 mg and most significant for 7 mg versus placebo. Conclusions: Teriflunomide provided benefits on brain MRI activity across multiple measures, with a dose effect evident on several markers. These effects were also consistent across selected subgroups of the study population. These findings complement clinical data showing significant teriflunomide-related reductions in relapse rate and disease progression, and demonstrate containment of MRI-defined disease progression

Barriers to and Facilitators of a Career as a Physician‐Scientist Among Rheumatologists in the US

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/113102/1/acr22569.pd