77823 research outputs found
Sort by
RegulEm, a smartphone app based on the unified protocol for the transdiagnostic treatment of emotional disorders: description of its application in blended format in a clinical case
Get PDFObjective
The Spanish national health system (SNHS) faces significant barriers to psychological care, such as long waiting lists and a lack of human resources. In addition, with emotional disorders being the most prevalent disorders worldwide, and less than half of those affected receiving proper treatment, there is an urgent need for new treatment alternatives for this group of disorders. The Unified Protocol (UP) is presented as a possible solution that has amply demonstrated its efficacy in different formats and contexts. Another promising alternative involves the use of blended formats, combining face-to-face UP sessions with a UP-based application. This manuscript focuses on the description of RegulEm, a UP-based application developed following a participatory design approach. In addition, a case example of receiving UP in a blended format in a specialized mental health unit of the SNHS is presented.
Methods
The following components of RegulEm are described: content and exercises of the modules; aesthetics and multimedia-based content; intervention delivery; testimonials section; emotional and motivation assessment; exposure hierarchy for guided in vivo and imaginal exposure; emergency button and Gamification. A case example of a 26-year-old male patient with anxiety and depressive symptoms receiving UP in a blended format in a specialized mental health unit of the SNHS is presented.
Results
The user showed improvements in emotional regulation skills, anxiety, and depressive symptoms over time, though stressors remained. RegulEm allowed independent progress between face-to-face UP sessions, but low internalization of some content emphasized the importance of therapist guidance in face-to-face sessions. User feedback highlighted satisfaction with the intervention but improvement proposals for RegulEm were identified, such as simplifying emotional exposure exercises.
Conclusion
This manuscript describes in detail the first UP-based smartphone application's components and illustrates important implications, such as enabling users to progress at their own pace between sessions and advancing more quickly in the intervention
Characterization of semi-infinite inhomogeneous delaminations using lock-in thermography
No full textDelaminations are buried defects parallel to the surface. Beyond detection, the challenge is to size the geometrical parameters of the delamination. For detection and characterization purposes, we propose using optically excited lock-in infrared thermography. In previous papers we dealt with infinite and semi-infinite delaminations featuring homogeneous thickness, i.e. constant thermal resistance. In this work, with the aim of approaching real life flaws, we propose to characterize semi-infinite heterogeneous delaminations, i.e. of varying thickness. We calculate the surface temperature oscillation analytically. Then, we perform experiments on calibrated delaminations of triangular cross-section. By fitting the analytical model to the experiments, we obtain the morphological parameters of the delamination. The quality of the fittings allows us to unambiguously distinguish between homogeneous and heterogeneous delaminations
Novel hydrogel-based cancer-on-a-chip models for growth of 3D multi-cellular structures and investigation of early angiogenesis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Get PDFCancer-on-a-chip models have enormous potential for the study of tumour development events. Here, we investigated hydrogels of egg white (EW) and gelatin for growth of 3D multi-cellular structures and investigation of early angiogenesis inside microfluidic devices. We focused on pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a devastating gastrointestinal malignancy. EW/gelatin hydrogels were stiffer and showed porous globular structures compared to the fibrous network of collagen I molecules. PANC-1 cells preferentially formed significantly larger spheroids in collagen I than in EW/gelatin hydrogels, whilst cell aggregates in the shape of grape-like clusters were significantly larger and more abundant in EW/gelatin. Cells inside the aggregates showed active cell unions, secreted matrix, and formed active unions with the surrounding EW/gelatin hydrogel. Early stages of PDAC were recreated by co-culture of two different microenvironments, one for PANC-1 and another one for fibroblasts, for investigating the secretion of soluble angiogenic factors, which depended on the role of each factor in the angiogenic and tumorigenic processes. Overall, cancer cell proliferation and establishment of a tumour vasculature were favoured. This study demonstrates the importance of the microenvironment in tumour cells behaviour as well as the complex interplay between the different cells present in PDAC to establish a tumoural vasculature
Yeast protein extraction assisted by Pulsed Electric Fields: Balancing electroporation and recovery
No full textPulsed Electric Fields (PEF) technology is a promising method for extracting intracellular proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by inducing membrane permeabilization. The degree of permeabilization, influenced by the number and size of pores formed, is expected to affect extraction efficiency. However, the impact of PEF treatment intensity on protein recovery remains unclear, particularly regarding the balance between membrane permeabilization and potential protein denaturation due to treatment. In this study, yeast cells were treated with PEF at 15 kV/cm across a total specific energy range (43.3–207.0 kJ/kg), and electroporation was assessed via flow cytometry. The release of amino acids, peptides, proteins, and protease activity was monitored over incubation time. The impact of field strength (5–20 kV/cm) on protein solubility was also analyzed. Lower-intensity treatments (43.3–84.0 kJ/kg) enabled up to 80 % protein recovery after 24 h, driven by protease activation and sustained hydrolysis. In contrast, higher-intensity treatments (≥121.1 kJ/kg) induced greater electroporation but reduced extraction efficiency (30–50 %) due to electric field–temperature synergy causing protein denaturation and loss of solubility. These findings highlight the need to optimize PEF conditions to balance electroporation and protein recovery, reinforcing PEF as a viable method for sustainable, high-quality protein recovery from yeast biomass
Assessing the implementation and impact of a social prescribing protocol in primary care
Get PDFBackground: Social prescribing allows clinicians to refer people to resources or activities in their community to improve their abilities and health. Implementation of social prescribing is growing. However, there is not enough evidence on several related issues. The aim of study was to analyse the implementation of the asset-based model in the primary care teams in Aragón and to describe the profile of people who benefit most and are most satisfied with social prescribing.
Methods: It is an analytical observational study in the 123 primary healthcare teams of Aragon from September2018 to December2022. The data were obtained from Electronical Health Record, checked and cleaned. A descriptive analysis was performed for qualitative and mean and standard deviation for quantitative variables. To analyse the associations between attendance, satisfaction, and improvement with all variables, several analyses were conducted using different methods. Finally, a cluster analysis was developed with the most benefited and satisfied people.
Results: During the study period, 2,735 asset recommendations were made to 2,578 different people and 1,050 follow-ups to 552. There was an increase in the use of the protocol over time, except during the COVID pandemic. Most recommendations were made to women (73.3%–2,006). The average age was 65. There were more referrals in the smallest places (3.11 referrals/1000inhabitants). The most frequent linked health issues were psychological problems (572 − 20.9%). Physical skills were the abilities that professionals most tried to promote (28.4–1,709). In the follow-ups, the 81.4%(373) reported attending to the asset regularly. There were differences according to age and health problems. The average of improvement was 3.87/5 with differences by age, municipality size and health problems. For satisfaction, the average was 4.57/5 with differences by age and health problems. The lowest level of improvement and satisfaction was found for social problems. The cluster analysis highlighted several groups. Three profiles were distinguished in terms of high improvement and four of high satisfaction. In both cases, the variables related to areas for enhancement primarily defined the profiles.
Conclusions: It is necessary to continue research with strong methodological and complementary approaches. This manuscript is optimistic about the use and impact of the social prescription in primary health care
The language of evaluation and stance in crowdfunding project proposals
Get PDFToday, digital crowdfunding platforms allow researchers to increasingly use digital resources to reach and engage diversified audiences, making scientific content accessible to everyone. This paper explores how evaluation in text contributes information relevant to understanding how scientists use language to express their expert opinions of scientific research and their attitudes about the value of their projects. Starting from the compilation and analysis of a 50-science project corpus from Experiment.com, evaluative stance expressions in this work were classified according to Biber’s (2004) taxonomy into the following stance categories: verbs, adverbs, adjectives and nouns. Subsequently, genre analysis was applied to identify the discourse functions of these evaluative words in each rhetorical section of the project proposals. Results show that the analysed crowdfunding proposals are rich in stance verbs (52.65%) and, to a lesser extent, stance adjectives (23.52%), serving to express values of effort, improvement and diligence in the proposed projects, as well as judgement regarding experiments and ‘Lab Notes’ updates, respectively. This can be useful for both theoretical advancement and pedagogical purposes, that is, to apply scientists’ findings to digital communication teaching and learning
Cu‐Ln (Ln = Gd, Eu, Sm) Dinuclear Complexes Based on Schiff Base <i>o‐van‐en</i> Ligand: Syntheses, Crystal Structures, and Magnetic Properties
Get PDFThree new dinuclear complexes [CuCl(o‐van‐en)Ln(H2O)3 Cl]Cl·C2H6O (Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3); H2(o‐van‐en) is the Schiff base formed by 2/1 condensation of o‐vanillin and ethylenediamine) were prepared in a single crystal form by the method of horizontal diffusion. The prepared complexes were characterized by chemical analyses and IR spectroscopy. The three complexes are isostructural and the Cu(II) is situated in the smaller cavities while the larger cavities accommodate larger Ln(III) atoms. The pentacoordination of the Cu(II) atoms is completed by a chlorido ligand in the apical position, while the octacoordination of the Ln(III) atoms is achieved by three additional aqua and one chlorido coligands. AC susceptibility studies have shown that complexes 2 and 3 exhibit field supported slow magnetic relaxation while complex 1 does not display AC activity
Numerical simulation of methanol combustion in dry air with a spark-plug electric discharge ignition
No full textThis study explores the complexities of plasma-assisted methanol combustion, at the molecular level. A methanol–air mixture is considered, assuming that species N2, O2, and CH3OH are initially in thermodynamic equilibrium, with initial densities of 77%, 18%, and 5% (molecular ratio 1525:381:100), respectively. The original mixture is homogeneously distributed in a 2D axial symmetric domain, concentric with the bottom spark-plug electrode and r=20mm. The plasmo-chemical kinetic model comprises 112 species interconnected by 1081 physical and chemical processes, including cross-sections resulting from electron impact, covering excitation, ionization, dissociation, recombination, attachment, and detachment. Heat and mass transfers are also considered, along with fluid dynamics. By comparing simulations and analyzing reaction rates, the research sheds light on the contribution of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) and key reagents such as H, OH, and H2O in methanol decomposition. Additionally, it highlights the role of the duty cycle in producing atmospheric pollutants (NOx, CO, CO2, and CH2O). Through detailed analysis of reaction pathways, the study reveals crucial plasma-chemical processes and their implications for combustion and environmental pollution
Grass Clippings Mulching Improves Infiltrability of Low-Permeability Dryland Soils
Get PDFIn arid and semiarid regions, the high compactness and poor water permeability of the soils severely limit agricultural production. This study aims to shed light on techniques to enhance the permeability of these soils—specifically, by improving soil properties through mulching with organic grass clippings. We evaluated the effects of mulching with clippings of two organic grasses: alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on soil porosity, water-holding capacity, and infiltrability of low-permeability soil. Following mulching with the 5-cm-long organic grass clippings, we found that the water-holding capacity and soil porosity improved compared with untreated soils. The saturated water content of soil mulched with Medicago sativa and Lolium perenne increased by 8% and 12%, respectively. The total porosity of the soils mulched with Medicago sativa and Lolium perenne increased by 2% and 1%, respectively, and the non-capillary porosity increased by 16% and 33%, respectively. In addition, compared with untreated soils, the soils treated with grass mulching saw increases in initial and steady-state infiltration rates. By demonstrating the clear benefits of grass mulching for improving soil physical parameters, such as soil porosity and permeability, this study provides a tested theoretical basis for incorporating grass mulching of low-permeability soils to enhance the sustainability of croplands
Mirar para transformar. La fotografía consciente, reveladora de la esencia urbana
Get PDFEl artículo explora cómo la "fotografía consciente" puede ser clave en la transformación de la ciudad. Destaca la importancia de una mirada creativa, reflexiva y proyectual en conexión con la esencia emocional y cultural del espacio urbano, superando la visión superficial contem-poránea. A través de una mirada introspectiva, plantea interrogantes sobre cómo la fotografía no solo documenta la ciudad, sino que también tiene el potencial de influir en su transforma-ción futura. Mediante la revisión de obras de autores y teóricos de la imagen, el texto invita a desarrollar una comprensión más profunda del entorno urbano, alentando el uso de la fo-tografía como puente entre la acción urbanística y la preservación de la esencia e identidad de la ciudad. La propuesta reflexiona sobre el uso de la fotografía no sólo como herramienta documental y analítica, sino también como desencadenante proyectual de los aspectos más conceptuales y humanísticos de la transformación urbana.
The article explores how “conscious photography” can be key in the transformation of the city. It highlights the importance of a creative, reflective and projective gaze in connection with the emotional and cultural essence of urban space, overcoming the contemporary su-perficial vision. Through an introspective gaze, it raises questions about how photography not only documents the city but also has the potential to influence its future transformation. By reviewing works by authors and image theorists, the text fosters to develop a deeper unders-tanding of the urban environment, encouraging the use of photography as a bridge between urban action and the preservation of the essence and identity of the city. The proposal re-flects on the use of photography not only as a documentary and analytical tool, but also as a projective trigger for the more conceptual and humanistic aspects of urban transformation