scholarly journals Validation of Cognitive-based Mindfulness Program to Reduce Suicidal Ideation in Individuals with Depression

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 55
Author(s):  
Ainurizan Ridho Rahmatulloh ◽  
Sofia Retnowati
Keyword(s):  
Suicidal Ideation ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Global Epidemic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
Mean Trend ◽  
Level Analysis

Suicide is a global epidemic phenomenon that is the third most common cause of death in the world. However, not many studies have focused on developing an intervention that specifically targets symptoms of suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation is seen as part of a depressed condition. The purpose of this study was to validate a cognitive-based mindfulness program to reduce suicidal ideation in people with depression. The study was conducted through internal validity tests using expert judgment and external validity tests using the small-n AB design method, which involved three participants (n = 3). The visual inspection analysis was performed on the mean, trend, and level. Analysis of repeated measurements showed a decrease in suicidal ideation in all participants. This program has the potential to be developed as a companion to conventional interventions and can be an alternate activity to fill the waiting time for individuals to get the main intervention.

Reversion Toward the Mean Independently of Regression Toward the Mean

Methodology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merton S. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Random Error ◽  
Evaluation Studies ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Intervention Evaluation ◽  
Population Mean ◽  
Experimental Intervention ◽  
Sample Data ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Regression Toward The Mean

There is another important artifactual contributor to the apparent improvement of persons subjected to an experimental intervention which may be mistaken for regression toward the mean. This is the phenomenon of random error and extreme selection, which does not at all involve the population regression of posttest on pretest scores but involves a quite different and independent reversion of subjects’ scores toward the population mean. These two independent threats to the internal validity of intervention evaluation studies, however, can be detected and differentiated on the sample data of such studies.

Kidney function decline is associated with an accelerated increase in plasma homocysteine in older adults: a longitudinal study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Hui Zhang ◽  
Yi Li ◽  
Meng Hao ◽  
Xiaoyan Jiang ◽  
Jiucun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Function ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Pronounced Increase ◽  
Crude Model ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Kidney Function Decline ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background: Few studies have been conducted to investigate the association of kidney function decline with the trajectories of homocysteine (Hcy) over time, using repeated measurements. We aimed to investigate the association of kidney function with changes in plasma Hcy levels over time. Methods: Data were collected from the Rugao Longevity and Ageing Study. In detail, plasma Hcy and creatinine levels were measured in both waves (waves 2, 3 and 4) during the 3.5-year follow-up (N = 1135). Wave 2 was regarded as the baseline survey. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on creatinine. Subjects were categorized into four groups according to quartiles of eGFR at baseline. Linear mixed-effect models were used to investigate the association of eGFR with subsequent plasma Hcy levels. Results: The mean eGFR at baseline was 90.84 (11.42) mL/min/1.73 m2. The mean plasma Hcy level was 14.09 (6.82) at baseline and increased to 16.28 (8.27) and 17.36 (10.39) μmol/L during follow-ups. In the crude model, the interaction between time and eGFR at baseline was significant (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.01, p = 0.002). After adjusting for confounding factors, a significant relationship remained (β = −0.02, 95% CI: −0.02 to −0.01, p = 0.003), suggesting that kidney function decline at baseline was associated with a faster increase in Hcy levels. Conclusion: Kidney function decline is associated with a more pronounced increase in plasma Hcy levels. Further studies with longer follow-up periods and larger sample sizes are needed to validate our findings.

A modified sonographic technique for assessment of gastric emptying of liquid

2003 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 340-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. F. Pedersen
Keyword(s):  
Gastric Emptying ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Intraindividual Variation ◽  
Ultrasound Technique ◽  
Liquid Meal ◽  
Ultrasound Monitoring ◽  
Gastric Emptying Time ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Antral Area ◽  
Emptying Time

Purpose: Ultrasound scanning is replacing scintigraphy in studies of gastric emptying of liquid, but both have considerable day-to-day variability. This study describes a modified ultrasound technique for assessing gastric emptying of liquid, and evaluates the inter- and intraindividual variation in emptying time. Material and Methods: On different days, each of 12 healthy volunteers had meals of 350 ml broth. The antral area was measured at sonography 5 times before the meal as a baseline, and every 1–4 min after the meal. The time until the antral area had decreased to 150% of baseline (T150) was determined and used as surrogate expression of gastric emptying time. Results: The mean T150 for a broth meal was 12.6 min (range 5–21) and 13.5 min (6–23) (first and second meal, respectively). The standard deviation of the differences between the 12 pairs of repeated measurements was 3.1 min and the coefficient of variation was 24%. Conclusion: Ultrasound monitoring of antral size after a liquid meal is a well suited method for assessing gastric emptying of liquid.

A Pretest – Posttest Pilot Study for the Development and Preliminary validation of a tool for the clinical assessment of Radioiodine Induced Sialadenitis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
ANDRI CHRISTOU ◽  
Evridiki Papastavrou ◽  
Anastasios Merkouris ◽  
Andreas Charalambous
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Internal Validity ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Systematic Assessment ◽  
Reliable Tool ◽  
Kappa Test ◽  
Validity Tests ◽  
Eortc Qlq

Abstract Background: The clinical assessment of radioiodine -induced sialadenitis is relied on the observer-defined toxicity grading model. However, this model has significant limitations, the major one being the lack of systematic assessment based on objective criteria. The main aim of this study was the development and testing of an assessment tool which could examine the severity of post irradiation sialadenitis.Methods: The development of the Sialadenitis Assessment Tool proceeded through three phases. The first and second phase included a literature review and the development of the tool which derived from the review, respectively. The third phase involved a pilot testing of the Assessment Tool to a sample of 34 patients undergoing I131. The assessment was carried out by two independent HCPs, pre- and post-radioiodine therapy. The results of the assessment tool were compared to other scales, including the DIRIX and EORTC H&N35.Results: The Cohen’s kappa test, suggested that the Sialadenitis Assessment Tool (SAT) is a reliable tool for the assessment of sialadenitis (Cohen’s K =1). The concurrent and internal validity tests, showed a tendency of association with most variables (p <0.001) in the DIRIX s and EORTC QLQ-HN35 scales.Conclusions: Preliminary evidence show that Sialadenitis Assessment Tool is a valid and reliable tool to assess radioiodine-induced sialadenitis in patients undergoing I131 therapy post thyroidectomy.

scholarly journals Different trends between extreme and median surface aerosol extinction coefficients over China inferred from quality controlled visibility data

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Li ◽  
Chengcai Li ◽  
Chunsheng Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Northwest China ◽  
Positive Trend ◽  
Median Surface ◽  
Aerosol Extinction ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
The North ◽  
Synoptic Conditions ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Trend ◽  
Year 2000

Abstract. Although the temporal changes of aerosol properties have been widely investigated, the majority focused on the averaged condition without much emphasis on the extremes. However, the latter can be more important in terms of human health and climate change. This study uses a previously validated, quality-controlled visibility dataset to investigate the long-term trends of extreme surface aerosol extinction coefficient (AEC) over China, and compare them with the median trends. Two methods are used to independently evaluate the trends, which arrive at consistent results. The sign of extreme and median trends are generally coherent, whereas their magnitudes show distinct spatial and temporal differences. In the 1980s, an overall positive trend is found throughout China with the extreme trend exceeding the mean trend, except for Northwest China and the North China Plain. In the 1990s, AEC over Northeast and Northwest China starts to decline while the rest of the country still exhibits an increase. The extreme trends continue to dominate in the south while it yields to the mean trend in the north. After year 2000, the extreme trend becomes weaker than the mean trend overall in terms of both the magnitude and significance level. The annual trend can be primarily attributed to winter and fall trends. The results suggest that the decadal changes of pollution in China may be governed by different mechanisms. Synoptic conditions that often result in extreme air quality changes might dominate in the 1980s, whereas emission increase might be the main factor for the 2000s.

Comparison of Papanicolaou Test With Visual Detection Tests in Screening for Cervical Cancer and Developing the Optimal Strategy for Low Resource Settings

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 862-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pakhee Aggarwal ◽  
Swaraj Batra ◽  
Gauri Gandhi ◽  
Vijay Zutshi
Keyword(s):  
Cervical Cancer ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Visual Detection ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Papanicolaou Test ◽  
Low Resource Settings ◽  
Low Resource ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Objectives:To compare the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of Papanicolaou test with visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA)/VIA using magnification devices (VIAM) and develop the best strategy for screening in low resource settings.Materials and Methods:This is a prospective cross-sectional study on 408 symptomatic multiparous women in the reproductive age group, sequentially using the Papanicolaou test, the VIA, and the VIAM for screening. Women with a positive screening test underwent guided biopsy and endocervical curettage. The site of biopsy was recorded. Histopathological findings were taken as the "gold" standard in comparing the methods.Results:The mean (SD) age was 32.3 (6.8) years (range, 15-49 years), whereas the mean (SD) parity was 2.9 (1.2) (range, 1-9). Abnormal cytological findings were detected in 2.9% patients, whereas the remaining smears were negative for any intraepithelial lesion or malignancy. A total of 113 cases were screened positive by one/all methods. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the Papanicolaou test, the VIA, and the VIAM were 24, 98, 42, 96, and 94%; 95, 78, 19, 99, and 79%; and 95, 78, 19, 99, and 79%, respectively, for high-grade lesions.Conclusions:The Papanicolaou test had low sensitivity but high specificity, whereas visual detection methods had a high sensitivity in addition to being cheaper. Alternative methods of screening such as VIA/VIAM can be a valuable alternative to the Papanicolaou test for cervical cancer screening in low resource settings. Visual inspection using magnification devices may be of benefit over VIA in doubtful cases.

scholarly journals Occurrence of nematodes of the genus Anisakis in Mediterranean and Atlantic fish marketed in Sardinia

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Casti ◽  
Christian Scarano ◽  
Maria Cristina Piras ◽  
Paolo Merella ◽  
Sonia Muglia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visual Inspection ◽  
Sensu Stricto ◽  
Body Cavity ◽  
The Body ◽  
Type I ◽  
Merluccius Merluccius ◽  
Commercial Fish ◽  
Scomber Colias ◽  
Third Stage ◽  
The Mean

Anisakiasis is a gastrointestinal fishborne zoonosis caused by the ingestion of third stage larvae of the genus <em>Anisakis</em>. Between January and December 2013, 1112 specimens of four commercial fish species (<em>Engraulis encrasicolus, Merluccius merluccius, Scomber colias</em> and <em>Trachurus mediterraneus</em>) marketed in Sardinia (Italy) were examined for <em>Anisakis</em> sp. The overall prevalence of <em>Anisakis</em> spp larvae was 39.9%, all morphologically identified as Type I. <em>Scomber colias</em> showed the highest prevalence (100%), followed by <em>M. merluccius</em> (Atlantic 91.0%, Mediterranean 71.2%), <em>T. mediterraneus</em> (32.7%) and <em>E. encrasicolus</em> (25.9%). All the larvae found in Mediterranean hosts were genetically identified as <em>Anisakis pegreffii</em>, whereas 90.0% of the larvae found in the Atlantic <em>M. merluccius</em> belonged to <em>Anisakis simplex sensu stricto</em> and 10.0% to <em>A. pegreffii</em>. The mean abundance of <em>Anisakis</em> sp. larvae was positively correlated with fish size in <em>E. encrasicolus</em>, Atlantic <em>M. merluccius</em> and local <em>M. merluccius</em>. The prevalence of infection was greater in the body cavity (37.9%) than in the edible muscle (9.4%). However, 1.8% of the examined fish were infected exclusively in the muscle. Therefore, the risk associated to the consumption of raw or undercooked fishery products poses the need of measures such as visual inspection and preventive treatments to guarantee consumers’ health.

A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE URINARY EXCRETION OF INDIVIDUAL STEROIDS IN CHILDREN FROM 3 TO 7 YEARS OLD

1971 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Gupta ◽  
W. A. Marshall
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Urinary Excretion ◽  
Skeletal Maturity ◽  
Older Children ◽  
Significant Relationships ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Trend ◽  
Steroid Excretion ◽  
Cortisol Metabolites

ABSTRACT A longitudinal study was made of the daily urinary excretion, on or near each birthday, of a number of C19 and C21 steroids in 9 healthy girls and 5 healthy boys aged 3 to 7 years. The amount of androsterone excreted by each individual increased slowly during the period of study but the absolute amounts varied greatly between individuals. The excretion of aetiocholanolone was greater than that of androsterone, contrary to reported findings in older children. Small amounts of DHA were found. Testosterone was found in only about 40% of samples; epitestosterone in 70 % and 11β-OH-androsterone in only 62 %. Cortisol metabolites were excreted in amounts which increased with age and all three metabolites of corticosterone were present in most specimens. 11-Deoxycortisol was found in about 50 % of the samples and THS in 63 %. The mean trend in the ratio of glucuronides to sulphates of the 11-deoxy-17-oxosteroids decreased with increasing age, but the 11-deoxy-11-oxy ratio of 17-oxosteroids increased as did the 5α/5β ratio of the C19 and C21 steroids. No sex differences were observed. The excretion of cortisol metabolites showed a positive correlation with height and weight. 11-Deoxy-17-oxosteroids were positively correlated with the weight. No significant relationships between steroid excretion and skeletal maturity were found.

THE ENERGY METABOLISM OF INFANTS AND YOUNG CHILDREN DURING POSTPRANDIAL SLEEP

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1956 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 739-749
Author(s):  
Virginia A. Lee ◽  
Alberta Iliff
Keyword(s):  
Energy Metabolism ◽  
Surface Area ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Open Circuit ◽  
Healthy Infants ◽  
Effect Of Food ◽  
Standard Values ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Trend ◽  
Infants And Young Children

The energy metabolism of healthy infants, from 1 through 37 months of age, was measured with an open circuit chamber within 3½ hours of the time they had been fed and while they slept with little or no motion. Satisfactory results were obtained in 248 tests on 38 boys and 246 tests on 40 girls. A statistical analysis of the results of these determinations included the means, the standard error of the means, and the standard deviations of the means for cal/hr, cal/hr/m2, cal/hr/kg, and cal/hr/cm referred to age, as well as cal/hr referred to weight, height, and surface area, respectively, for boys and girls. Scatter diagrams for cal/hr and cab/hr/ m2 referred to age for boys were given. In order to differentiate normal thyroid activity from abnormal activity in children of this age, it was found that the best methods of reference to use for comparison, i.e., the methods which gave the least dispersion from the mean in healthy infants, were cal/hr/m2 referred to age and cal/hr referred to surface area, while the least desirable methods of reference for such use, i.e., the methods which showed the widest dispersion from the mean, were cal/hr/kg and cal/hr referred to age. Tentative standard values obtained from the mean trend lines were given for cal/hr/m2 for age and cal/hr for surface area. It was found that, from ½ to 3½ hours after feeding, there was no change in the effect of food on the metabolic rate or on the respiratory quotients. No significant changes were found in the respiratory quotients with age. It was concluded that differences between the energy production of boys and girls up to 3 years of age could be attributed to differences between the sexes in body size for age and body weight for height. The mean heat production of children from 18 to 36 months of age was found to be from 3 to 9% lower in tests done during sleep in the postprandial state than in those done during the usual awake fasting conditions.

A Robust and Efficient Method of Designing Piles for Landslide Stabilization

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 481-492
Author(s):  
Yang Yu ◽  
Xingmin Li ◽  
Xiaohua Pan ◽  
Qing Lü
Keyword(s):  
Efficient Method ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Polynomial Function ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Quadratic Polynomial ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Stabilizing Piles ◽  
Geotechnical Design ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Landslide Stabilization

ABSTRACT Stabilizing pile is a widely used method to reduce the development of large-scale landslides. Optimizing the pile geometry is a great challenge in the design of stabilizing piles with the purpose of cost-effectiveness, especially for soil strength parameters with large uncertainty. The objective of this study is to propose a robust and efficient method of designing piles for landslide stabilization with the consideration of the safety of slope, uncertainty of soil parameters, and cost of stabilizing piles. A new response surface, which incorporates soil parameters and stabilizing force into a quadratic polynomial function, is first proposed. Unknown coefficients of the quadratic polynomial function are solved with a numerical method at typical sampling points. Based on the solved quadratic polynomial function, the mean and standard deviation of factor of safety (FOS) of the pile-stabilized slope as well as the signal-to-noise factor are then calculated in order to evaluate the design robustness. A framework based on the concept of robust geotechnical design is presented, and its feasibility is illustrated by two cases of soil slopes. The results indicate that the proposed robust geotechnical design method could be used to optimize the design of landslide-stabilizing piles.

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