scholarly journals A Pilot Study of Smartphone-Based Memory Bias Modification and Its Effect on Memory Bias and Depressive symptoms in an Unselected Population

2019 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damian A. Visser ◽  
Indira Tendolkar ◽  
Aart H. Schene ◽  
Livia van de Kraats ◽  
Henricus G. Ruhe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Autobiographical Memory ◽  
The Other ◽  
Memory Bias ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Biased Processing ◽  
Event Recall ◽  
Bias Modification

Abstract Memory bias modification (MBM) is a relatively new approach at targeting biased processing—a central cognitive factor causing and maintaining depression. In this pilot study we aimed to develop a smartphone-based autobiographical memory training, a novel form of MBM. A total of 153 unselected participants were randomly allocated to one of three experimental training conditions (positive, negative or sham memory training) conducted over a period of three days. Autobiographical memory bias and depressive scores were assessed pre- and post-training, whilst recent event recall and explicit self-referent memory bias were assessed post-training. Positive memory bias significantly increased in the positive training condition, however memory bias did not significantly differ post-training between the three conditions. Participants who received positive training recalled a positive autobiographical event more frequently compared to the other conditions. No significant difference between conditions was found in the other outcomes, including symptoms. The novel smartphone-based MBM intervention seems apt to affect autobiographical memory of emotional material. Future research should explore its possible (therapeutic) application.

Differentiating between teaching experience and expertise in the music studio: A pilot study

2020 ◽  
pp. 1321103X1989917
Author(s):  
Jennifer Blackwell
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Teaching Experience ◽  
Pedagogical Practices ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Expert Teachers ◽  
Secondary Purpose ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Demographic Survey

The purpose of this study was to develop a measure to investigate studio teacher’s observational skill as a function of the observer’s ability to identify effective pedagogical practices. A secondary purpose was to see if observational skill varied as a function of scores on a measure of empathy. Participants ( N = 60) were saxophonists who observed and wrote about the strengths and weaknesses of two 1-minute videos of private saxophone lessons and two private violin videos. To develop expertise criteria, four expert teachers observed the videos for their respective instruments and their responses were converted into lists of strengths and weaknesses. These lists were then compared to participants’ responses and used as criteria for determining the degree to which participants’ analyses matched the experts’ responses. Participants also completed a demographic survey and the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire. Results indicated that the degree to which participants’ analyses matched the experts did not vary as a function of teaching experience. The degree to which participants’ analyses matched the experts also did not vary as a function of empathy scores, though descriptive trends indicated that higher empathy scores were accompanied by a greater degree of match. There was a significant difference in degree of match between the participants and experts for the saxophone and violin videos. Implications for tool refinement and future research are discussed.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of autologous lipoinjection into the hand to improve function in patients with scleroderma: pilot study

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 2883
Author(s):  
Juan Pablo Espinosa-Torres ◽  
Pedro Grajeda-López ◽  
María Del Pilar Cruz-Domínguez ◽  
Luis Rodrigo Carazo-Quiroz ◽  
Edgar Ramírez-López ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Rare Disease ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Physiological Solution ◽  
The Other ◽  
Average Strength ◽  
Functional Scale ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Degree Of Severity

Background: Scleroderma is a rare disease of the tissues that is characterized for being inflammatory and developing fibrosis in the skin. Typically, this disease affects middle-aged women.Methods: A study was conducted in which 10 patients with scleroderma with involvement in the sclerotic stage were included. One of the hands was chosen randomly for treatment with fatty graft processed by Coleman technique and the other hand, physiological solution was placed. Patients were evaluated at 45 and 90 days after the procedure using the Cochin Hand Functional Scale (CHFS) questionnaire, modified Rodnan scale for the skin (mRSS), grip strength with dynamometer and measurement of fingertip to palm of hand in flexion.Results: The average of CHFS before treatment was 42.30 and 25.70 at 90 days p=0.007. The average strength in the experimental hand before treatment was 11.67 and 14.58 at 90 days p=0.007, in the control hand p=0.873. The mean finger-palm tip distance before treatment was 44.80 and from 36.00 to 90 days p=0.019, in the control hand p=0.149. There is a significant difference in the degree of severity at 90 days of the mRSS of the back of the hands p=0.011 and phalanges p=0.000 between the patients with lipoinjection and physiological solution.Conclusion: Significant improvement was observed in patients with scleroderma treated with autologous lipoinjection.

Development of the Global Self-Esteem Measure: A Pilot Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 863-873
Author(s):  
Gordana Rajlic ◽  
Jae Yung Kwon ◽  
Keren Roded ◽  
Anita M. Hubley
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Internal Consistency ◽  
Internal Consistency Reliability ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Single Factor ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Positive View

In the current study, we present the development of the Global Self-Esteem (GSE) measure. The six-item GSE fulfills a need for a short unidimensional measure of global self-esteem conceptualized as “overall positive view of self.” The construct is traditionally measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE); however, several important shortcomings of the scale have been highlighted in the recent research. To improve the operationalization of global self-esteem, the shortcomings of the RSE and of the other measures intended to measure the construct are addressed in the construction of the GSE. Initial psychometric characteristics of the GSE, obtained in a pilot study, are reported. The results of exploratory factor analysis indicated unidimensionality of the measure—a single factor accounted for 78% of the variance in the GSE items, and the magnitude of factor loadings ranged from .81 to .91. Internal consistency reliability was high (ordinal α = .95), and expected relations between the GSE scores and other self-esteem measures were found. The utility of the measure and goals for future research are discussed in the context of limitations of the current study.

scholarly journals ACTIVIDAD ANTIBACTERIANA DE NANOPARTÍCULAS DE PLATA INMOVILIZADAS EN CEMENTO DE ÓXIDO DE ZINC-EUGENOL CONTRA EL ENTEROCOCCUS FAECALIS: ESTUDIO IN VITRO

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Camilo Duque-Aristizabal ◽  
Liza Maria Isaza-Areiza ◽  
Diego Tobon-Calle ◽  
Martha Elena Londoño Lopez
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Enterococcus Faecalis ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Visible Spectroscopy ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Uv Visible

Introduction: the aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial capacity of silver nanoparticles immobilized in a zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) cement against Enterococcus faecalis for potential use in endodontic treatments. Method: experimental in vitro study, performing synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and UV-visible spectroscopy to confirm presence of AgNPs in the prepared solutions. The ZOE mixture was standardized, producing the integrated AgNPs/ZOE material. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to characterize the integrated material; a KirbyBauer assay was finally run to measure the inhibition halos produced by the compound-microorganism interaction. Results: the UV-visible spectroscopy showed presence of AgNPs in the created solution; both SEM and FTIR show that the AgNPs are integrated into the ZOE system, not altering their properties when performed under conditions like those found in the mouth. The Kirby-Bauer assay shows that all samples had inhibition halos. The AgNPs in guava extract had statistically significant differences with the halos of the other samples (p < 0.05). Conclusions: the obtained AgNPs show bactericidal activity against Enterococcus faecalis, as a statistically significant difference was found between the AgNPs suspended in guava extract and the other groups; this will be the starting point for future research

PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF SHIFT WORK

1989 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ebenezer Olutope Akinnawo
Keyword(s):  
Shift Work ◽  
Orthogonal Test ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
General Psychopathology ◽  
Benin City ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Somatic Disorders

This study examined the incidence and nature of general psychopathology among Nigerian shift workers. Three hundred and twenty subjects of both sexes were randomly selected from establishments running one type of shift or the other in Benin City, Nigeria. The Awaritefe Psychological Index (API) (Awaritefe, 1982) was used in the study. The data were analysed by 4 x 2 x 2 A NOVA supplemented Scheffe's orthogonal test of comparison. The shift workers were found to be more significantly psychopathological than the non-shift workers (p < 0.001). The prominent disorders found among the shift workers were intellectual, sleep, mood, and general somatic disorders. No significant difference could be attributed to sex and marital status of subjects. The relevance of the findings and their possible clinical implications are discussed. Recommendations for employers of shift workers and suggestions for future research are also made.

scholarly journals Effects of Maharishi Light Technology with Gems: A random-assignment, placebo-controlled, blinded pilot study

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 205031212091827
Author(s):  
Frederick Travis ◽  
Ayala Melzer ◽  
David Scharf
Keyword(s):  
Pilot Study ◽  
Research Program ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Mood States ◽  
The Other ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Profile Of Mood States ◽  
Physiological Measures ◽  
Random Assignment

Objectives: This blinded random-assignment, placebo-controlled pilot study investigated the effects of Maharishi Light Technology with Gems on three self-report measures: a questionnaire with a 5-point Likert-type scale, the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and an open-ended question. This pilot is the beginning of a research program to test the effects of this therapy. Methods: In total, 18 meditating subjects received two treatments on consecutive days, randomly either Maharishi Light Technology or placebo, then 2 weeks rest, and then the other treatment on consecutive days. Results: In comparison to placebo treatments, Maharishi Light Technology treatments were (1) rated as being significantly more settled, (2) higher on the Positive Self-Esteem subscale of the POMS and (3) described by the terms: healing, wholeness, and bliss. Conclusion: These treatments lead to significant improvements on self-report measures. Future research could assess their effects across both meditating and nonmeditating populations, using physiological measures to probe possible mechanisms of the effects.

scholarly journals TOURIST QUALITY OF SPAIN BEACHES UNDER THE PERSPECTIVE OF SUSTAINABILITY

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-39
Author(s):  
Mercedes Raquel García Revilla ◽  
Olga Martínez Moure ◽  
Dorin Paul Bac
Keyword(s):  
Average Cost ◽  
The Other ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Autonomous Community ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Autonomous Communities ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Tourism Expenditure ◽  
Average Expenditure

An exploration of the Autonomous Communities of Spain with the highest number of beaches with Q of quality is studied in this work. The purpose of this paper is to analyzed the Autonomous Community with the more Q of Quality and study the differences between the tourism expenditure in this region. The Q of quality is a certificate granted by the Institute for Spanish Tourism Quality that guarantees high quality in certain sectors. This study finds that Andalusia is the main autonomous community with the highest number of beaches with quality Q. In addition to this, a comparison between the average expenditure of residents in Spain and foreigners who take leisure trips is analyzed in this study. However, when comparing the average expenses of people who do tourism in Andalusia to the average cost throughout the entirety of Spain during their vacations and holidays, it was determined that they are not significantly different. Even so, a significant difference between the average expenditure of residents and tourists in Spain is determined. In future research, this study will be extended to the other Autonomous Communities of Spain to find differences among them.

Writing in Aphasia Rehabilitation: Cursive vs Manuscript

1976 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Boone ◽  
Harold M. Friedman
Keyword(s):  
Correct Response ◽  
The Other ◽  
Read Aloud ◽  
Writing Style ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Manual Responses ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Written Form ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Read Number

Reading and writing performance was observed in 30 adult aphasic patients to determine whether there was a significant difference when stimuli and manual responses were varied in the written form: cursive versus manuscript. Patients were asked to read aloud 10 words written cursively and 10 words written in manuscript form. They were then asked to write on dictation 10 word responses using cursive writing and 10 words using manuscript writing. Number of words correctly read, number of words correctly written, and number of letters correctly written in the proper sequence were tallied for both cursive and manuscript writing tasks for each patient. Results indicated no significant difference in correct response between cursive and manuscript writing style for these aphasic patients as a group; however, it was noted that individual patients varied widely in their success using one writing form over the other. It appeared that since neither writing form showed better facilitation of performance, the writing style used should be determined according to the individual patient’s own preference and best performance.

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