Cognitive, creative, functional, and clinical symptom improvements in schizophrenia after an integrative cognitive remediation program: a randomized controlled trial

This study analyzed the effectiveness of an integrative cognitive remediation program (REHACOP) in improving neurocognition, social cognition, creativity, functional outcome, and clinical symptoms in patients with schizophrenia. In addition, possible mediators predicting improvement in functional outcomes were explored. The program combined cognitive remediation with social cognitive training and social and functional skill training over 20 weeks. The sample included 94 patients, 47 in the REHACOP group and 47 in the active control group (occupational activities). Significant differences were found between the two groups in change scores of processing speed, working memory, verbal memory (VM), inhibition, theory of mind, emotion processing (EP), figural creative strengths, functional competence, disorganization, excitement, and primary negative symptoms. A mediational analysis revealed that changes in VM, inhibition, and EP partially explained the effect of cognitive remediation on functional competence improvement. This study provides initial evidence of the effect of integrative cognitive remediation on primary negative symptoms and creativity.

The Functional Competence of a Judge in Administrative Offense Proceedings

The article considers the functional competence of a judge in the proceedings on administrative offenses as an element of his administrative-procedural status. In this case, the competence is defined as the basis of this status and at the same time-as an element of the procedural and legal mechanism for the implementation of justice in cases of administrative offenses. Revealing the content of the functional competence of the judge, the paper analyzes his jurisdictional and organizational-guiding procedural powers and gives their characteristics.

INVESTIGATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPONENTS OF PROFESSORS PSYCHOLOGICAL EMPOWERMENT WITH THE ICT PROCESS IN THE CORONAVIRUS CONDITIONS (STUDY SAMPLE IN THE FACULTIES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCES OF ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY OF IRAN)

Background & aim: Educational organizations of the country need changes in empowerment activities of their human resources in accordance with the growth of information and communication technology. The purpose of this study was to Investigating the relationship between the components of professor' psychological empowerment with the ICT process in the coronavirus conditions in the faculties of physical education and sports sciences of Islamic Azad University of Iran. Methods: This research is applied in terms of purpose and correlational in terms of method and the statistical population is 86 that creates physical education in Islamic Azad University. Standard questionnaires were used. The collected data were analyzed by K-S tests and Pearson Correlation Coefficient, Manova and stepwise using SPSS software were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that the correlation between cognitive competence and psychological empowerment was 0.271, functional competence and cognitive empowerment was 0.267, emotional competence and psychological empowerment was 0.063, general skill and psychological empowerment was 0.194 and specialized skill was psychological empowerment. Is 0.201. Statistical results showed that there is a significant relationship between ICT and psychological empowerment in physical education professor (0.001). Conclusion: According to the study findings, information and communication technology can play an important role in sports professor’ empowerment and the use of empowerment training classes are essential to rehabilitate educational centers. Keywords: Functional competence, specialized skills, general skills, empowerment, professors

Quinoline Derivative Enhances Human Sperm Motility and Improves the Functional Competence

In this study, we aimed to explore the beneficial properties of novel quinoline derivatives on human sperm motility and its functional competence. Nine novel quinoline derivatives were screened for their effect on motility in human spermatozoa from normozoospermic ejaculates. Compounds with impressive sperm motility enhancement properties were further assessed for their effect on functional competence of human spermatozoa. To determine the effect on the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa processed with quinoline derivatives and to assess developmental competence of embryos derived, in vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed using mouse model. Among the nine quinoline derivatives, 2 compounds (6MQT and 2,6DQT) exhibited significant enhancement in sperm progressive motility and survival at 24 h. Further, non-significant increase in curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL), and amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) was observed. Capacitation, intracellular cAMP level and tyrosine phosphorylated sperm proteins were significantly higher in 6MQT (P < 0.05) and 2,6DQT (P < 0.001) compared to control. In vitro fertilization (IVF) experiments using Swiss albino mice revealed that spermatozoa processed with 6MQT had non-significantly higher blastocyst rate and a superior blastocyst quality, while, 2,6DQT resulted in significantly lower blastocyst rate (P < 0.05) compared to control. Quinoline derivative 6MQT has significant motility enhancement property under in vitro conditions.

PSYCHO SOCIAL DETERMINATS OF FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCE IN THE SENIOR CITIZENS: AN INDEX FOR REHABILITATION NEEDS

Decline of functional competence is one of the markers of old age. Low functional competence imposes not only restrictions in mobility and increases dependency during old age. This study is an attempt to assess the patterns of functional competence in a sample of 300 elderly living in semi urban areas of Chittoor District. Patterns of functional competence were measured through ADL, IADL, PBADL and SPFC. Findings suggest a differential pattern of functional competence across physical and mental activities, social supports, health practices, age, gender and economic groups etc. The outcome of the study highlights the need for rehabilitation services for the need based vulnerable elderly.