10 research outputs found
Tract-based fractional anisotropy mediates the relationship between illness duration and cognitive performances in bipolar disorder
No full textTraditional health practitioners’ understanding of spirit possession in Gauteng province, South Africa
Get PDFDATA AVAILABITY STATEMENT: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, E.M.T., upon reasonable request.BACKGROUND: Traditional health practitioners (THPs) understand spirit possession as a cultural
or religious spirit occupying a person, while the mental healthcare providers understand it as
a mental illness. The different understanding is based on manifestations that mimic that of
mental illness, such as seeing and hearing things that others cannot see or hear. Spirit
possession holds different meanings in different cultures and religions that could be either
beneficial or detrimental. Furthermore, spirit possession is understood as a channel of
communication between the living and the dead or God or a supernatural phenomenon in
which a spirit owns a person.
AIM: This study explored and interpreted THPs’ understanding of spirit possession in Gauteng
province, South Africa.
METHOD: Hermeneutic phenomenology study explored and interpreted the THPs’
understanding of spirit possession in Gauteng province. In-depth individual interviews were
conducted with 12 THPs who were selected through snowball sampling techniques. Data
analysis followed Heidegger’s and Gadamer’s philosophies and Van Manen’s six steps of the
analytic approach.
RESULTS: The findings revealed that THPs understood spirit possession as spiritual illness,
ancestral calling and demonic spirit or witchcraft.
CONCLUSION: Traditional health practitioners’ understanding of spirit possession could promote
mental health and prevent mental illness by providing support to a spirit-possessed person and
referral to mental healthcare services.
CONTRIBUTION: This study contributed that not all manifestations presented by persons with
spirit possession are actual and clear-cut mental illness, but could be unwritten cultural and/
or religious illnesses that needs cultural and religious services also.Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University and The National Research Foundation of South Africa.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsagNursing ScienceSDG-03:Good heatlh and well-beingSDG-10:Reduces inequalitie
Parasitic Feed Elements for Reflector Antennas
No full textThe use of parasitic wire dipoles are examined when placed in the proximity of a focused dipole feed in a parabolic reflector antenna. These parasitic elements are rotated around the feed dipole and a search is performed for the ideal positioning so as to yield maximum radiated power and main beam shift in order to develop a novel form of angle diversity. In addition a comparison is made between 2 element dipole feed structures and linearly and circularly polarised patch feed structures. In order to analytically model the structure, mutual coupling between feed elements is calculated taking into account a varying reflection coe±cient due to an impedance mismatch between the transmission line and driven element. An analytical treatment of the calculation of the radiated co-polar and cross-polar feed pattern is presented in addition to the projected field at the reflector surface. A comparison is made to the results presented by E.M.T Jones in the 1954 IRE Transactions of Antennas and Propagation paper entitled 'Paraboloid Reflector and Hyperboloid Lens Antennas'. A theoretical treatment of the reflected field and far field radiation pattern is then presented using the methods of Geometrical Optics, Physical Optics and Fourier analysis. The author derives analytical equations for multiple element incident feed fields and surface current equations for half wave feeds of arbitrary position and number. The fndings are confirmed using a comparison of three methods. These are; original code developed from analytical derivations, the NEC2 Method of Moments using a meshed reflector model and finally, by experimental methods. Analysis of a 30cm 0.4 F/D prime focus reflector at 3GHz using a 2 element feed yields up to 2dB gain over a single dipole feed when the element is displaced either laterally or at 60 or 120 degrees from the feed axis. The optimum offset from the driven element is in the 0.4 to 0.6¸ range. Maximum beam shift for this structure at the half power points is shown to be approximately 10 degrees. When designed as a low-cost system with undemanding polarisation requirements the structure presented provides an easily implemented or retrofitted alternative to multiple antenna diversity solutions.Thesis (PhD Doctorate)Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)School of Microelectronic EngineeringFull Tex
Observation of Conductance Quantization in InSb Nanowire Networks
Get PDFMajorana zero modes (MZMs) are prime candidates for robust topological quantum bits, holding a great promise for quantum computing. Semiconducting nanowires with strong spin orbit coupling offer a promising platform to harness one-dimensional electron transport for Majorana physics. Demonstrating the topological nature of MZMs relies on braiding, accomplished by moving MZMs around each other in a certain sequence. Most of the proposed Majorana braiding circuits require nanowire networks with minimal disorder. Here, the electronic transport across a junction between two merged InSb nanowires is studied to investigate how disordered these nanowire networks are. Conductance quantization plateaus are observed in most of the contact pairs of the epitaxial InSb nanowire networks: the hallmark of ballistic transport behavior.QRD/Kouwenhoven LabQN/Conesa-Boj LabQN/Bakkers La
In vivo hippocampal subfield volumes in bipolar disorder—A mega-analysis from The Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis Bipolar Disorder Working Group
Get PDFThe hippocampus consists of anatomically and functionally distinct subfields that may be differentially involved in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD). Here we, the Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta‐Analysis Bipolar Disorder workinggroup, study hippocampal subfield volumetry in BD. T1‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans from 4,698 individuals (BD = 1,472, healthy controls [HC] = 3,226) from 23 sites worldwide were processed with FreeSurfer. We used linear mixed‐effects models and mega‐analysis to investigate differences in hippocampal subfield volumes between BD and HC, followed by analyses of clinical characteristics and medication use. BD showed significantly smaller volumes of the whole hippocampus (Cohen's d = −0.20), cornu ammonis (CA)1 (d = −0.18), CA2/3 (d = −0.11), CA4 (d = −0.19), molecular layer (d = −0.21), granule cell layer of dentate gyrus (d = −0.21), hippocampal tail (d = −0.10), subiculum (d = −0.15), presubiculum (d = −0.18), and hippocampal amygdala transition area (d = −0.17) compared to HC. Lithium users did not show volume differences compared to HC, while non‐users did. Antipsychotics or antiepileptic use was associated with smaller volumes. In this largest study of hippocampal subfields in BD to date, we show widespread reductions in nine of 12 subfields studied. The associations were modulated by medication use and specifically the lack of differences between lithium users and HC supports a possible protective role of lithium in BD
Conceptual Framework for Managing Uncertainty in a Collaborative Agri-Food Supply Chain Context
Get PDF[EN] Agri-food supply chains are subjected to many sources of uncertainty. If these uncertainties are not managed properly, they can have a negative impact on the agri-food supply chain (AFSC) performance, its customers, and the environment. In this sense, collaboration is proposed as a possible solution to reduce it. For that, a conceptual framework (CF) for managing uncertainty in a collaborative context is proposed. In this context, this paper seeks to answer the following research questions: What are the existing uncertainty sources in the AFSCs? Can collaboration be used to reduce the uncertainty of AFSCs? Which elements can integrate a CF for managing uncertainty in a collaborative AFSC? The CF proposal is applied to the weather source of uncertainty in order to show its applicability.The first author acknowledges the partial support of the Program of Formation of University Professors of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture, and Sport (FPU15/03595). The other authors acknowledge the partial support of the Project 691249, RUC-APS: Enhancing and implementing Knowledge based ICT solutions within high Risk and Uncertain Conditions for Agriculture Production Systems, funded by the EU under its funding scheme H2020-MSCA-RISE-2015.Esteso-Álvarez, A.; Alemany Díaz, MDM.; Ortiz Bas, Á. (2017). Conceptual Framework for Managing Uncertainty in a Collaborative Agri-Food Supply Chain Context. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology. 506:715-724. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-65151-4_64S715724506Taylor, D.H., Fearne, A.: Towards a framework for improvement in the management of demand in agri-food supply chains. Supply Chain Manag. Int. J. 11, 379–384 (2006)Matopoulos, A., Vlachopoulou, M., Manthou, V., Manos, B.: A conceptual framework for supply chain collaboration: empirical evidence from the agri-food industry. Supply Chain Manag. Int. J. 12, 177–186 (2007)Ahumada, O., Villalobos, J.R.: Application of planning models in the agri-food supply chain: a review. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 196, 1–20 (2009)Tsolakis, N.K., Keramydas, C.A., Toka, A.K., Aidonis, D.A., Iakovou, E.T.: Agrifood supply chain management: a comprehensive hierarchical decision-making framework and a critical taxonomy. Biosyst. Eng. 120, 47–64 (2014)van der Vorst, J.G., Da Silva, C.A., Trienekens, J.H.: Agro-industrial supply chain management: Concepts and applications. FAO (2007)Borodin, V., Bourtembourg, J., Hnaien, F., Kabadie, N.: Handling uncertainty in agricultural supply chain management: a state of the art. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 254, 348–359 (2016)van der Vorst, J.G.A.J., Beulens, A.J.M.: Identifying sources of uncertainty to generate supply chain redesign strategies. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manag. 32, 409–430 (2000)Klosa, E.: A concept of models for supply chain speculative risk analysis and management. J. Econ. Manag. 12, 45–59 (2013)Samson, S., Reneke, J.A., Wiecek, M.M.: A review of different perspectices on uncertainty and risk and an alternative modeling paradigm. Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf. 94, 558–567 (2009)Backus, G.B.C., Eidman, V.R., Dijkhuizen, A.A.: Farm decision making under risk and uncertainty. Neth. J. Agric. Sci. 45, 307–328 (1997)van der Vorst, J.G.: Effective food supply chains; Generating, modelling and evaluating supply chain scenarios. (2000)Amorim, P., Günther, H.O., Almada-Lobo, B.: Multi-objective integrated production and distribution planning of perishable products. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 138, 89–101 (2012)Amorim, P., Meyr, H., Almeder, C., Almada-Lobo, B.: Managing perishability in production-distribution planning: a discussion and review. Flex. Serv. Manuf. 25, 389–413 (2013)Costa, C., Antonucci, F., Pallottino, F., Aguzzi, J., Sarria, D., Menesatti, P.: A review on agri-food supply chain traceability by means of RFID technology. Food Bioprocess Technol. 6, 353–366 (2013)Pahl, J., Voss, S.: Integrating deterioration and lifetime constraints in production and supply chain planning: a survey. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 238, 654–674 (2014)Grillo, H., Alemany, M.M.E., Ortiz, A.: A review of Mathematical models for supporting the order promising process under Lack of Homogeneity in product and other sources of uncertainty. Comput. Ind. Eng. 91, 239–261 (2016)Zwietering, M.H., van’t Riet, K.: Modelling of the quality of food: optimization of a cooling chain. In: Management Studies and the Agri-business: Management of Agri-chains, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 108–117 (1994)Akkerman, R., Farahani, P., Grunow, M.: Quality, safety and sustainability in food distribution: a review of quantitative operations management approaches and challenges. Spectrum 32, 863–904 (2010)Apaiah, R.K., Hendrix, E.M.T., Meerdink, G., Linnemann, A.R.: Qualitative methodology for efficient food chain design. Trends Food Sci. Technol. 16, 204–214 (2005)Lehmann, R.J., Reiche, R., Schiefer, G.: Future internet and the agri-food sector: State-of-the-art in literature and research. Comput. Electron. Agric. 89, 158–174 (2012)Kusumastuti, R.D., van Donk, D.P., Teunter, R.: Crop-related harvesting and processing planning: a review. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 174, 76–92 (2016)Dreyer, H.C., Strandhagen, J.O., Hvolby, H.H., Romsdal, A., Alfnes, E.: Supply chain strategies for speciality foods: a Norwegian case study. Prod. Plan. Control 27, 878–893 (2016)Baghalian, A., Rezapour, S., Farahani, R.Z.: Robust supply chain network design with service level against disruptions and demand uncertainties: a real-life case. Eur. J. Oper. Res. 227, 199–215 (2013)Aggarwal, S., Srivastava, M.K.: Towards a grounded view of collaboration in Indian agri-food supply chains: a qualitative investigation. Br. Food J. 115, 1085–1106 (2016)Teimoury, E., Nedaei, H., Ansari, S., Sabbaghi, M.: A multi-objective analysis for import quota policy making in a perishable fruit and vegetable supply chain: a system dynamics approach. Comput. Electron. Agric. 93, 37–45 (2013)Opara, L.U.: Traceability in agriculture and food supply chain: a review of basic concepts, technological implications, and future prospects. J. Food Agric. Environ. 1, 101–106 (2003)Kruize, J.W., Wolfert, S., Goense, D., Scholten, H., Beulens, A., Veenstra, T.: Integrating ICT applications for farm business collaboration processes using Fl Space. In: 2014 Annual SRII Global Conference, pp. 232–240. IEEE (2014)Oriade, C.A., Dillon, C.R.: Developments in biophysical and bioeconomic simulation of agricultural systems: a review. Agric. Econ. 17, 45–58 (1997)Camarinha-Matos, L.M., Afsarmanesh, H.: Collaborative networks: value creation in a knowledge society. In: Wang, Kesheng, Kovacs, G.L., Wozny, Michael, Fang, Minglun (eds.) PROLAMAT 2006. IIFIP, vol. 207, pp. 26–40. Springer, Boston, MA (2006). doi: 10.1007/0-387-34403-9_4Prima Dania, W.A., Xing, K., Amer, Y.: Collaboration and sustainable agri-food supply chain: a literature review. MATEC Web Conf. 58 (2016)Simatupang, T.M., Sridharan, R.: The collaborative index: a measure for supply chain collaboration. Int. J. Phys. Distrib. Logist. Manag. 35, 44–62 (2005)Fischer, C., Hartmann, M., Reynolds, N., Leat, P., Revoredo-Giha, C., Henchion, M., Albisu, L.M., Gracia, A.: Factors influencing contractual choice and sustainable relationships in European agri-food supply chains. Eur. Rev. Agric. Econ. 36, 541–569 (2009
What we learn about bipolar disorder from large-scale neuroimaging: Findings and future directions from the ENIGMA Bipolar Disorder Working Group
Get PDFMRI-derived brain measures offer a link between genes, the environment and behavior and have been widely studied in bipolar disorder (BD). However, many neuroimaging studies of BD have been underpowered, leading to varied results and uncertainty regarding effects. The Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Bipolar Disorder Working Group was formed in 2012 to empower discoveries, generate consensus findings and inform future hypothesis-driven studies of BD. Through this effort, over 150 researchers from 20 countries and 55 institutions pool data and resources to produce the largest neuroimaging studies of BD ever conducted. The ENIGMA Bipolar Disorder Working Group applies standardized processing and analysis techniques to empower large-scale meta- and mega-analyses of multimodal brain MRI and improve the replicability of studies relating brain variation to clinical and genetic data. Initial BD Working Group studies reveal widespread patterns of lower cortical thickness, subcortical volume and disrupted white matter integrity associated with BD. Findings also include mapping brain alterations of common medications like lithium, symptom patterns and clinical risk profiles and have provided further insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of BD. Here we discuss key findings from the BD working group, its ongoing projects and future directions for large-scale, collaborative studies of mental illness
Widespread white matter microstructural abnormalities in bipolar disorder: evidence from mega- and meta-analyses across 3033 individuals
Get PDFFronto-limbic white matter (WM) abnormalities are assumed to lie at the heart of the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder (BD); however, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have reported heterogeneous results and it is not clear how the clinical heterogeneity is related to the observed differences. This study aimed to identify WM abnormalities that differentiate patients with BD from healthy controls (HC) in the largest DTI dataset of patients with BD to date, collected via the ENIGMA network. We gathered individual tensor-derived regional metrics from 26 cohorts leading to a sample size of N = 3033 (1482 BD and 1551 HC). Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) from 43 regions of interest (ROI) and average whole-brain FA were entered into univariate mega- and meta-analyses to differentiate patients with BD from HC. Mega-analysis revealed significantly lower FA in patients with BD compared with HC in 29 regions, with the highest effect sizes observed within the corpus callosum (R2 = 0.041, Pcorr 2 = 0.041, left: R2 = 0.040, Pcorr < 0.001). Lithium medication, later onset and short disease duration were related to higher FA along multiple ROIs. Results of the meta-analysis showed similar effects. We demonstrated widespread WM abnormalities in BD and highlighted that altered WM connectivity within the corpus callosum and the cingulum are strongly associated with BD. These brain abnormalities could represent a biomarker for use in the diagnosis of BD. Interactive three-dimensional visualization of the results is available at www.enigma-viewer.org
Search for B-→ Λ p ν ν with the B a B ar experiment SEARCH for B-→ Λ p ν ν ... LEES J. P. et al.
Get PDFA search for the rare flavor-changing neutral current process B-→Λpνν using data from the BABAR experiment has been performed. A total of 424 fb-1 of e+e-collision data collected at the center-of-mass energy of the Ï'(4S) resonance is used in this study, corresponding to a sample of (471±3)×106 BB pairs. Signal B-→Λpνν candidates are identified by first fully reconstructing a B+ decay in one of many possible exclusive decays to hadronic final states, then examining detector activity that is not associated with this reconstructed B+ decay for evidence of a signal B-→Λpνν decay. The data yield is found to be consistent with the expected background contribution under a null signal hypothesis, resulting in an upper limit of B(B-→Λpνν)<3.0×10-5 at the 90% confidence level
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental disorders. A critical review
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of the worldwide population. Citizens suffer the social, economic, physiological, and psychological effects of this pandemic. Primary sources, scientific articles, and secondary bibliographic indexes, databases, and web pages were used for a consensus critical review. The method was a narrative review of the available literature to summarize the existing literature addressing mental health concerns and stressors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The main search engines used in the present research were PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. We found the pandemic has had a direct impact on psychopathologies such as anxiety, increasing its ratios, and depression. Other syndromes such as burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder have increased with the pandemic, showing a larger incidence among medical personnel. Moreover, eating disorders and violence have also increased. Public authorities must prepare healthcare systems for increasing incidences of mental pathologies. Mental health apps are one of the tools that can be used to reach the general population.Clemente-Suárez, Vicente Javier-will be generated-orcid-0000-0002-2397-2801-600Martínez-González, Marina Begoña-will be generated-orcid-0000-0002-5840-6383-600Benitez Agudelo, Juan Camilo-will be generated-orcid-0000-0003-1995-1300-600Navarro Jiménez, Eduardo-will be generated-orcid-0000-0002-8171-662X-600Beltrán Velasco, Ana Isabel-will be generated-orcid-0000-0002-9893-0227-600Ruisoto, Pablo-will be generated-orcid-0000-0003-1252-0479-600Diaz Arroyo, Esperanza-will be generated-orcid-0000-0002-3286-022X-600Laborde Cardenas, Carmen Cecilia-will be generated-orcid-0000-0001-6225-8072-600Tornero Aguilera, José Francisco-will be generated-orcid-0000-0002-0747-8133-60
