Time perception and time processing as an aspect of the therapeutic process.

Examines the subtle and paradoxical issues surrounding clients' perceptions and processing of time. This paper illustrates that, though time perception and time processing are uniquely individual tasks with widespread variation, it is the diversity of these processes that enriches therapy and can provide both client and therapist with a deeper understanding of adaptability and coping. Five guidelines and accompanying techniques are identified that offer specific methods of addressing and altering temporal processing related to distress. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Blind source separation for ambulatory sleep recording.

This paper deals with the conception of a new system for sleep staging in ambulatory conditions. Sleep recording is performed by means of five electrodes: two temporal, two frontal and a reference. This configuration enables to avoid the chin area to enhance the quality of the muscular signal and the hair region for patient convenience. The electroencephalopgram (EEG), eletromyogram (EMG), and electrooculogram (EOG) signals are separated using the Independent Component Analysis approach. The system is compared to a standard sleep analysis system using polysomnographic recordings of 14 patients. The overall concordance of 67.2% is achieved between the two systems. Based on the validation results and the computational efficiency we recommend the clinical use of the proposed system in a commercial sleep analysis platform.     

New eukaryotic semaphorins with close homology to semaphorins of DNA viruses

Semaphorins were initially described as a family of repulsive guidance molecules in embryonal development. Their basic structure consists of an N-terminal signal sequence, the defining semaphorin domain ofapproximately 500 amino acids, an Ig-like domain,and a variable carboxy-terminus. We recently described a viral semaphorin homologue encoded by the alcelaphine herpesvirus type 1. Less conserved, truncated homologues were also identified in poxviruses. Here we describe new human and murine semaphorin homologues. The respective genes were cloned and sequenced, and they were termed H-Sema-L and M-Sema-L (HGMW-approved symbols SEMAL and Semal, respectively). A multiply spliced mRNA of 3.2 kb is expressed in human placenta, spleen, thymus, and gonadal tissue. H-Sema-L maps to chromosome 15q22.3-q23 and M-Sema-L to the homologous locus 9A3.3-B in the mouse genome. The expression patterns and the presence of related genes in large DNA viruses suggest that this new semaphorin has a relevant function in the immune system.     

Efficient serum-free retroviral gene transfer into primitive human hematopoietic progenitor cells by a defined, high-titer, nonconcentrated vector-containing medium

BACKGROUND: Home training in self-lowering of blood pressure using continuous blood pressure feedback has not previously been reported. Enhancement of laboratory-learned skills was hypothesized on the basis of outcomes from other intellectual, emotional and physical endeavours. OBJECTIVE: To examine the supplementary effect of home blood pressure biofeedback training. DESIGN: Thirty unmedicated, mild hypertensives participated in a randomized, double-blinded, modified contingency placebo-controlled study. METHOD: After suitable screening and baseline blood pressure measurements subjects undertook eight laboratory biofeedback sessions and then 12 home training sessions over 4 weeks using continuous finger blood pressure monitoring. RESULTS: In the laboratory those being administered active therapy (n=16) lowered systolic pressures by 5 +/- 5.4 mmHg compared with a lowering of 4 +/- 4.2 mmHg with placebo (NS). During the fourth week at home lowering for the active group (11 +/- 8 mmHg) was greater than that with placebo (4 +/- 6.2 mmHg, P=0.017). Arm-cuff blood pressures were not statistically different for groups and with time but that of the active group was lower by 9 +/- 15.4/7 +/- 10.2 mmHg, which is a clinically relevant change, after home biofeedback. CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of self-lowering of systolic blood pressure in mild hypertensives by continuous feedback was enhanced by 6 mmHg with 4 weeks of practice at home. Standard arm-cuff blood pressure was reduced by a clinically relevant amount. The home environment proved cost effective for this 'high-tech' approach.     

Hysterectomy in a Danish population. Weight-related factors, psychological factors and life style variables

The aim was to assess risk factors for hysterectomy performed for benign conditions. In a prevalence study, 2301 Danish women were selected at random in 1982. Information about weight and slimming history, life-styles, psychological factors, gynaecological history, and social background were obtained. In an incidence study, the cohort was followed from 1982 to 1990 to assess the incidence of hysterectomy. In the prevalence study, weight cycling (recurrent weight loss and weight gain of more than 5 kg) was associated with hysterectomy for benign disease (adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.05-2.99) independently of overweight, smoking, oral contraceptives, psychological and social factors. In the incidence study, weight cycling was the only significant weight-related risk factor for hysterectomy performed for benign disease (adjusted relative risk 2.49, 95% confidence interval 1.10-5.60), explaining the relation between hysterectomy and psychological factors. Weight cycling might be an important risk factor for premenopausal hysterectomy performed for benign conditions.     

Health policy and the nursing profession: a deafening silence

There is a need for continued collaboration between clinicians and researchers to further improve urinary continence outcomes. This article presents the perspectives of four nurses who conduct continence research or who have independent continence services practices. Each discusses continence outcomes used in long-term care facilities or the community as a researcher or clinician and suggests implications for future nursing development.     

Comparison of microwave and thermal cure of an epoxy/amine matrix

An investigation was carried out into the effect ofa microwave cure on an epoxy prepolymer with a cycloaliphatic diamine mixture, as compared to a standard thermal cure. The microwave waveguide and process (propagation mode TE₀₁) were adjusted to obtain large homogeneous samples. The extent of reaction, x, was measured during the microwave processing by size exclusion chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. A good estimate of x was found using a modified DiBenedetto equation correlating x and the glass transition temperature T_g. The homogeneity of the samples was checked during the last steps of cure, showing the efficiency of the microwave processing and waveguide. The influence of the nature of the mold (metallic or dielectric) on the reaction kinetic was also investigated. Samples cured by both thermal and microwave processing were characterized by dynamic and static mechanical properties and then compared with those of fully crosslinked networks, i.e., postcured at a high temperature.     

An overview of intelligent control systems in cement plants: shop floor to boardroom

This work has attempted to give a brief overview of the power and benefits of intelligent integrated management systems. ICSs monitor and cover the whole factory from shop floor to boardroom, giving all plant personnel appropriate information and control. The power of the ICS is the ability to recognize and consolidate a whole variety of various process, operational, and management and governmental factors that allow the decision makers in plants to make better or optimal decisions with regard to their production, profitability, and whatever other goals that are important to them. Some of the benefits to ICS are better-informed staff, improved operational control, and better decision making, all of which affect the bottom line of the business to some degree. This includes higher throughput, consistent quality, less down time, and other benefits, such as better training and fast detection of problems, which are not easy to qualify or quantify. In general, the end user cannot operate as efficiently without such systems.     

Counseling psychology and clinical psychology: Some preliminary comparative data.

Comments on L. F. Fitzgerald and S. H. Osipow's (see record 1986-25640-001) occupational analysis and statements regarding the lack of empirical bases to distinguish counseling psychologists from clinical psychologists by presenting findings from the present authors' own comparison of survey data from 716 counseling psychologists and 479 clinical psychologists. These data reveal several similarities and differences regarding counseling and clinical psychologists' theoretical orientations, occupational environments, amount of time devoted to specific professional and psychotherapeutic activities, and identification with a practitioner role. (17 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)