The emerging role of quantitative imaging in asthma

2020 ◽  
pp. 20201133
Author(s):  
James G Krings ◽  
Sally E Wenzel ◽  
Mario Castro

Quantitative imaging of the lung has proved to be a valuable tool that has improved our understanding of asthma. CT, MRI, and positron emission tomography have all been utilized in asthma with each modality having its own distinct advantages and disadvantages. Research has now demonstrated that quantitative imaging plays a valuable role in characterizing asthma phenotypes and endotypes, as well as potentially predicting future asthma morbidity. Nonetheless, future research is needed in order to minimize radiation exposure, standardize reporting, and further delineate how imaging can predict longitudinal outcomes. With future work, quantitative imaging may make its way into the clinical care of asthma and change our practice.

Author(s):  
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff ◽  
Denise E. Wilfley

Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) is a focused, time-limited treatment that targets interpersonal problem(s) associated with the onset and/or maintenance of EDs. IPT is supported by substantial empirical evidence documenting the role of interpersonal factors in the onset and maintenance of EDs. IPT is a viable alternative to cognitive behavior therapy for the treatment of bulimia nervosa and binge eating disorder. The effectiveness of IPT for the treatment of anorexia nervosa requires further investigation. The utility of IPT for the prevention of obesity is currently being explored. Future research directions include enhancing the delivery of IPT for EDs, increasing the availability of IPT in routine clinical care settings, exploring IPT adolescent and parent–child adaptations, and developing IPT for the prevention of eating and weight-related problems that may promote full-syndrome EDs or obesity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1135-1147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao Quariguasi-Frota-Neto ◽  
Andrew Reade ◽  
Azadeh Dindarian ◽  
Andrew Gibson

Purpose – In 2011, a governmental initiative driven by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills invited the British Standards Institute (BSI) to write and publish a publicly available specification (PAS) for the reuse of waste electrical and electronic equipment entitled PAS 141. The specification's ambitious goals, chief among them to reduce the amount of e-waste generated in the UK, has prompted debate as to whether they are realistic and the extent to which they can be influenced by the certification. The purpose of this paper is to propose a comprehensive framework that can be used in future research to enhance understanding of the mechanisms by which the introduction of PAS 141 certification could lead to the fulfillment of its goals, that is, successful uptake. The authors believe this framework can serve as a roadmap for those interested in the investigation of this novel certification and its effect on the market for reusable electrical and electronic products. Design/methodology/approach – This paper is based on interviews with reuse organizations and first hand experience as a participant in the steering group that elaborated the certification being investigated, i.e. PAS 141. Findings – It is uncertain whether PAS 141 will fulfill its promises, which are, in the view of the authors, rather ambitious, e.g. reduce e-waste. Furthermore, more research is needed to examine the effect that the introduction of the certification has on the materialization of its goals, and on the complex inter-relationship that exist between the goals and what the authors define as intermediary necessary conditions. Research limitations/implications – This is the first attempt the outline the research needs that arise from the introduction of PAS-141, and the authors believe that there are other equally important questions that are yet to be presented and examined. Practical implications – This paper proposes 28 hypotheses which will help future work to empirically establish: the possibility of PAS-141 attaining its goals and the main necessary conditions for that to happen. This information is pivotal to determine whether the certification is working and to pinpoint opportunities for improvement. Social implications – This works contributes to the understanding of the role of certification on the market of reused products, which employs a large number of people, and in particular, whose coming from disadvantaged backgrounds. Originality/value – Although certification in general has been widely investigated in prior research, scant attention has been paid to certification in the context of electronic products. To the best of the knowledge, this is the first paper of its kind, as it is the first to examine certification in that context.


Author(s):  
Pim Cuijpers ◽  
Annet Kleiboer

This article examines self-directed approaches to the treatment of depression. It first considers some of the reasons why the uptake of mental health services by depressed people is low, despite the high prevalence of depressive disorders and the availability of evidence-based treatments. It then looks at the role of self-management in increasing access to evidence-based treatments for depression. It also defines what self-directed treatments are and goes on to discuss the different types of self-directed therapy, the common components of self-directed interventions for depression, Internet-based interventions for depression, and the advantages and disadvantages of self-directed interventions. Finally, it summarizes the findings from research on self-directed interventions for depression and suggests directions for future research and development in this area. Some titles of self-help books that can be used in self-directed interventions are presented.


Electronics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2162
Author(s):  
Changqi Sun ◽  
Cong Zhang ◽  
Naixue Xiong

Infrared and visible image fusion technologies make full use of different image features obtained by different sensors, retain complementary information of the source images during the fusion process, and use redundant information to improve the credibility of the fusion image. In recent years, many researchers have used deep learning methods (DL) to explore the field of image fusion and found that applying DL has improved the time-consuming efficiency of the model and the fusion effect. However, DL includes many branches, and there is currently no detailed investigation of deep learning methods in image fusion. In this work, this survey reports on the development of image fusion algorithms based on deep learning in recent years. Specifically, this paper first conducts a detailed investigation on the fusion method of infrared and visible images based on deep learning, compares the existing fusion algorithms qualitatively and quantitatively with the existing fusion quality indicators, and discusses various fusions. The main contribution, advantages, and disadvantages of the algorithm. Finally, the research status of infrared and visible image fusion is summarized, and future work has prospected. This research can help us realize many image fusion methods in recent years and lay the foundation for future research work.


2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 692-702
Author(s):  
Karen B Schmaling ◽  
Jessica L Fales ◽  
Sterling McPherson

This study investigated significant others’ behavior associated with fatigue, pain, and mental health outcomes among 68 individuals with chronic fatigue (43% also had fibromyalgia) over 18 months. More negative significant others’ responses were associated with more pain, poorer physical and mental health, and more fatigue-related symptoms over time. More fibromyalgia tender points covaried with more solicitous significant others’ responses over time. Better mental health covaried with more distracting significant others’ responses over time. The results are discussed in terms of theoretical models of the role of perceived significant others’ responses on patient outcomes and recommendations for future research.


Author(s):  
Amanda L. Thompson ◽  
Molly A. Gardner

Literature on adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer has largely focused on the biopsychosocial challenges of this developmental period, with limited attention paid to the role of gender or to gender differences in adjustment and outcomes. Differences have been found in the self-reported needs of AYA patients both during and after treatment, as well as in the information received regarding fertility preservation, psychological distress, positive growth, and benefit-finding and the role of social support in adjustment. Methodological limitations, however, impact our ability to draw robust conclusions about the role of gender in psychosocial adjustment and outcomes among AYAs with cancer. We present the limited research on gender in AYA patients and survivors, highlight significant gaps in the literature, provide recommendations for future research, and suggest early implications for clinical care.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 774-785 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vesna Spasojevic Brkic ◽  
Branislav Tomic

Purpose – Lean management and Six Sigma concepts are derived from two different points of view, but it is evident that the role of employees is crucial in both concepts. The purpose of this paper is to survey which employees’ behaviour dimensions can lead organization to better concepts integration and how Lean Six Sigma activity contributes to employees’ performance. Design/methodology/approach – Research methodology is designed to empirically check, on large sample of companies in multinational company supply chain, if employees’ factors are both predictor and response variables of Lean Six Sigma concept. To check stated hypothesis factor, reliability and multiple regression analysis are used. Findings – The first finding of this study is that reward system and training are significant predictors of Lean Six Sigma activities. The second part of findings shows that Lean Six Sigma dimensions, such as Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control/Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, and Validate, 5S and Kanban positively influences employees’ performance, described by employee satisfaction, absenteeism, salaries and benefits, employees’ commitment and employee turnover rate. Research limitations/implications – Poka-Yoke application is not found as a significant predictor of employees’ performance. Accordingly, to explore that interesting finding, possible future research topic is more detailed analysis of Poka-Yoke application in similar supply chains. A longitudinal analysis using structural equation is possible direction of future work, too. Practical implications – This survey answers the need for Lean and Six Sigma unified methodology achievement in soft factors area and gives applicable results for companies in supply chain that produces low-volume, high-complexity products. Originality/value – Original and valuable conclusion is that employees’ factors are both predictor and response variables of Lean Six Sigma concept application.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 187-201
Author(s):  
Gargi Sawhney ◽  
Thomas W. Britt ◽  
Chloe Wilson

The goal of the current study was to examine the interactive effect of perceiving a calling and meaningful work on employee attitudes. Specifically, we explored the multiplicative effect of perceiving a calling and meaningful work on work engagement, affective, and normative occupational commitment using a prospective design. Results indicated that meaningful work moderated the relation between perceiving a calling and affective occupational commitment. Specifically, the effects of perceiving a calling on affective occupational commitment were stronger for those who perceived less, but not more, meaning in their work. The interactive effect of perceiving a calling and meaningful work did not predict work engagement or normative occupational commitment. Implications and future research directions are discussed.


Neurosurgery ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1033-1042 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Frederick Cornelius ◽  
Karl Josef Langen ◽  
Gabriele Stoffels ◽  
Daniel Hänggi ◽  
Michael Sabel ◽  
...  

Abstract Meningiomas represent about 20% of intracranial tumors and are the most frequent nonglial primary brain tumors. Diagnosis is based on computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Mainstays of therapy are surgery and radiotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy is tested in clinical trials of phase II. Patients are followed clinically by imaging. However, classical imaging modalities such as CT and MRI have limitations. Hence, we need supplementary imaging tools. Molecular imaging modalities, especially positron emission tomography (PET), represent promising new instruments that are able to characterize specific metabolic features. So far, these modalities have only been part of limited study protocols, and their impact on clinical routine management is still under investigation. It may be expected that their extended use will provide new aspects about meningioma imaging and biology. In the present article, we summarize PET imaging for meningiomas based on a thorough review of the literature. We discuss and illustrate the potential role of PET imaging in the clinical management of meningiomas. Finally, we indicate current limitations and outline directions for future research.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sjanne Marie Elyse van den Groenendaal ◽  
Silvia Rossetti ◽  
Mattis van den Bergh ◽  
T.A.M. (Dorien) Kooij ◽  
Rob. F. Poell

PurposeAs the current “one size fits all” research approach is likely to be ineffective in identifying the conditions that promote the entrepreneurial career of the solo self-employed, this paper advances the current understanding of the heterogeneity among the solo self-employed.Design/methodology/approachA person-centered approach is used to identify groups among the solo self-employed based on their starting motives and to examine their engagement in proactive career behaviors.FindingsUsing Latent Class Analysis (LCA), six groups displaying distinct motivational profiles are identified: (1) the pushed by necessity, (2) entrepreneurs by heart, (3) control-seekers, (4) occupationally-driven, (5) challenge-seekers and (6) the family business-driven. In line with the argument that starting motives affect behavior because they reflect the future work selves that individuals aim for, results show that solo self-employed with distinct motivational profiles differ in their engagement in proactive career behaviors. For future research, it is recommended to examine the role of demographic characteristics in the engagement in proactive career behaviors.Originality/valueAlthough starting motives among self-employed people have been studied frequently, this research applies an innovative methodological approach by using LCA. Hereby, a potentially more advanced configuration of starting motives is explored. Additionally, this study applies a career perspective towards the domain of solo self-employment by exploring how solo self-employed with distinct motivational profiles differ in terms of managing their entrepreneurial careers.


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