Change Index Research Articles

Mindful With Your Baby/Toddler: A Single Case Design (SCD) Study.

Transitioning to motherhood comes with new and intensive tasks that may cause parental stress, low parental self-efficacy, and internalizing problems. This can in turn negatively affect the mother-child relationship. Mindful with your Baby/Toddler (MwyB/T) is a mindfulness-based intervention for parents of young children experiencing parental stress and internalizing problems. Previous evaluative studies showed promising results, but methodology of these studies was limited. The current study used a single case design, including a baseline, intervention, posttest, and follow-up phase, to evaluate the effectiveness of MwyB/T. Ten participants were included and completed daily administered personalized items and validated questionnaires measuring mindfulness, mindful parenting, parental self-efficacy, internalizing problems, and parental stress, for 10 participants. Personalized items were first coded into themes and then assessed using visual analysis and descriptive effect size measures. Reliable change indices were computed for the questionnaires. All mothers improved on personalized items, with most improving on most (or all) of their items. On the questionnaires the majority of mothers improved. Results indicate that MwyB/T could benefit mothers with various intervention goals. More research is needed on the role of personalized items, both as a research measure and an as a possible additional element of interventions.

Quantifying neurobehavioral profiles across neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes and idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorders.

To examine neurobehavioral findings in three genetic syndromes (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome, Malan syndrome [mutations in the NFIX gene], and SYNGAP1-related disorder), a mixed group of other neurodevelopmental genetic syndromes (NDGS), idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorder, and neurotypical control participants. Using a longitudinal case-control design, caregivers reported neurobehavioral information for 498 participants (PTEN hamartoma tumor syndrome n = 112, Malan syndrome n = 24, SYNGAP1-related disorder n = 47, other NDGS n = 72, idiopathic neurodevelopmental disorder n = 54, neurotypical siblings n = 74, and unrelated neurotypical control participants n = 115) at three timepoints (baseline, and 1-month and 4-month follow-ups) using the online-administered Neurobehavioral Evaluation Tool (NET). NET scales had good scale and test-retest reliability. Unique patterns of neurobehavioral findings emerged, with SYNGAP1-related disorder and Malan syndrome showing generally more severe symptom and skill patterns than for other groups of patients. Patterns could be partly accounted for by estimated cognitive level, speech level, and the presence of autism spectrum disorder. However, even when accounting for these factors, group differences remained. Reliable change indices are reported. Genetic syndromes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders present with unique neurobehavioral profiles that can inform selection of outcome measures in future clinical trials. The NET may be a useful screening and monitoring instrument in clinical practice, where frequent in-person clinic attendance is difficult for many patients.

Evaluation of the Pregnancy to Parenthood program: A dyadic intervention for mothers with perinatal mental disorders and their infants.

Dyadic interventions targeting maternal mental health and the mother-infant relationship in the perinatal period are critical due to the potential consequences of perinatal mental illness and relational disturbance for the mother, the infant, and their family. This paper describes the Pregnancy to Parenthood (P2P) model of care, a dyadic mother-infant community-based program designed to support vulnerable families in Western Australia in the context of an identified need to build workforce capacity. A pragmatic service evaluation study was conducted by analyzing routine clinical data collected from 105 dyads who completed pre- and post-intervention measures, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS), and the Mother Object Relations Scale-Short Form (MORS-SF). Reliable change index and cut-off analyses indicated a clinically reliable pre-post reduction in perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms for 71% and 68% of the sample, respectively. Significant pre-post improvements with medium effect sizes (r=-.46, r=-.32) were found for caregiving representations on the MORS-SF, suggesting representations became more balanced. These results provide provisional evidence that the P2P model of care may be effective in improving maternal mental health and caregiving representations. Further research is required to evaluate the efficacy of P2P in relation to enhancing family well-being, and to inform policy and mental health service development.

Delineating anticipatory arousal from reward consumption: evaluating fixed-intervals in cocaine seeking-taking response chains.

Anticipation is a critical antecedent to drug use, in which the prospect of imminent drug availability can potently motivate instrumental actions directed to procure it. Models that capture the behavioral dynamics that precede drug access may allow for the dissociation of key neural mechanisms underlying appetitive or consummatory processes in drug self-administration. We aimed to isolate measurements attributed to the procurement and consumption of a reward by defining distinct actions for each using a chain-schedule of reinforcement. Male Long-Evans rats were trained to self-administer cocaine or saccharin under a chained schedule of reinforcement (FI-FR) in order to dissociate appetitive ('seeking') from consummatory ('taking') behaviors. Completion of a fixed-interval (5min) was followed by 5min of continuously reinforced responding (FR1) on another lever. The FI-FR chain procedure appears to provide sensitive and dissociable dimensions of cocaine self-administration within a single experimental session. Importantly, we demonstrate that responding during the FI (i.e., seeking) link tracks with the incentive value of anticipated reward access - whereby response rates corresponded to expected reward magnitude, degree of reward-specific satiety, and general motivational state. The FI component is a sensitive and reliable index of motivational changes induced by either the extrinsic incentive value of reinforcement (i.e., anticipated dose) or intrinsic motive states (i.e., satiety or deprivation). This procedure provides a valuable tool for interrogating the neural dynamics of drug-seeking and -taking behavior, in isolation.

Spatiotemporal Changes and Utilization Intensity of the Zhoushan Archipelago Coastline over Four Decades

Coastal changes in China, notably in the Zhoushan Islands, have primarily been driven by coastal reclamation since the establishment of New China. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of the Zhoushan Archipelago shoreline spanning four decades, employing remote sensing, aerial photographs, and shoreline data since 1984, along with GIS (Geographic Information System) technology. We assessed shoreline changes using the shoreline change index and shoreline artificialization index, as well as examined the influence of the Yangtze River’s suspended sediment and impoldering activities on Zhoushan’s shoreline. Furthermore, the correlation between local economic development and shoreline development was explored. The results revealed the following key findings: (1) From 1984 to 2018, the Zhoushan Archipelago shoreline decreased by 7.05 km. Temporally, the shoreline change index was −0.08%, with the most significant reduction occurring between 2008 and 2018. Spatially, differences among island groups were not pronounced. (2) The shoreline diversity index consistently increased, indicating greater diversity and complexity in shoreline use over the four decades. (3) The shoreline artificiality index steadily rose, particularly after 2000. It was highest in the south, followed by the center, and lowest in the north. (4) The intensity index of coastal land use continuously increased, with the southern island group having a higher index compared to the Zhoushan Islands. (5) The Yangtze River contributed significantly to sand inflow, influencing shoreline changes and beach shaping in Zhejiang. However, reclamation projects were identified as the primary and direct factor. (6) A positive correlation existed between Zhoushan City’s economic development and the intensity of coastal land use. This study emphasized the need for improving the control over reclamation projects and the better management of coastal protection and use. These measures could optimize resource allocation and establish a more scientific and rational coastal zone pattern.

Biological variation and analytical performance specification study of erythrocyte and related parameters

Objective: To study biological variation (BV) and analytical performance specifications (APS) of 15 erythrocyte and related parameters. Methods: Sixty healthy participants from Beijing Hospital were prospectively recruited for the study, from July to December, 2023, including 30 males [aged (41.3±11.9) years] and 30 females [aged (40.3±12.4) years]. The study was designed based on the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist and the characteristics of erythrocyte detection. Whole blood samples were collected 10 times at 2-week intervals during 20 weeks. All samples were tested in duplicate using Mindray BC-7500 hematology analyzer and its accompanying reagents. Within-subject biological variation (CVI) and between-subject biological variation (CVG) were estimated by the nested ANOVA method. The BV data in this study were compared with the BV data of the European Database of Biological Variation. APS, reference change value (RCV) and index of individuality (II) were calculated. Results: The CVI for 15 parameters ranged from 0.49% to 86.46%, and the CVI data for red cell distribution width (RDW)-CV, RDW-SD, reticulocyte (RET) percentage, RET count, reticulocyte hemoglobin content (RHE), medium fluorescence reticulocyte (MFR) and high fluorescence reticulocyte (HFR) were significantly higher in females than in males (all P<0.05). The CVG ranged from 1.27% to 100.79%, and the CVG data for HFR were significantly different between genders (P<0.05). The CVI data for red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and RHE in this study were lower than those recommended by the European database. The derived indicators of most parameters were influenced by gender. The II values for all parameters were<1.4, where the II values of MCHC and HFR were between 0.6 and 1.4; the II values for the remaining 13 parameters were<0.6. Conclusions: A BV study protocol for erythrocyte parameters is designed. When the reference intervals differ between genders, BV data should be calculated separately and the lower BV data are recommended for calculating APS; the RCV should be set separately for each gender.

Collaborative and side-by-side artmaking: reducing social isolation in refugee youth group art therapy

ABSTRACT Background Research on social isolation in refugee youth is important because it affects their sense of belonging, mental health and wellbeing; integration and acculturation into a new country; education; and future employment opportunities. There is limited art therapy research in Australia in this area, leaving a compelling gap in understanding the effectiveness of collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy to connect refugee youth with their peers. Aims This study aimed to explore whether collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy would connect youth more effectively; alleviate their social isolation from trauma, displacement and re-settlement experiences; provide a safe environment and platform to express themselves; and improve their mental health and wellbeing. Methods The triangular mixed-methods approach used standardised scales and semi-structured interviews to gather information from youth, teachers and art therapists. Mixed-method data analysis was applied using the Reliable Change Index, line graphs, descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis. Results Refugee youths’ self-esteem and confidence seemed to increase through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking. Results highlighted the importance of social connection, self-esteem, confidence and a sense of safety for making positive connections during artmaking. Conclusions Findings indicate potential benefits of pportunities for refugee youth to connect with their peers in the school environment and of group art therapy. Implications for practice and future research Opportunities could be achieved through collaborative and side-by-side artmaking in group art therapy. A larger study, longer programme and mixed populations in the school setting are recommended for future research. Plain-language summary The research aimed to examine if there was an effect of a six-week art therapy programme on social isolation for five 14–15-year-old female refugee youth. This research is important because social isolation affects youth’s mental health and wellbeing. Through creating art individually and next to each other (side-by-side artmaking), and creating artworks together (collaborative artmaking), the programme aimed to reduce social isolation and increase connections between youth during the sessions and in the school environment. The research was conducted in an early intervention creative therapies service onsite at a Queensland English-language transition secondary school. The service is provided by accredited art therapists and uses creative methods to support culturally diverse refugee youth in resettling, learning and recovering from trauma and stress. During the research, youth participants engaged in art activities, such as drawing and painting, while listening to music. Interventions were designed to establish group bonds, build self-esteem and resilience, and empower youth in a safe and supportive environment. Art therapists and teachers observed youth during the research period, completed standardised scales before and after the programme and participated in semi-structured interviews. The youth participants also completed standardised scales and were interviewed before and after the programme. The results showed that after the six-week programme, youths’ wellbeing and connections to each other increased. Three central themes were identified: (1) social connection is important within the school environment; (2) self-esteem and confidence are related to connecting to others and social isolation; and (3) there is a sense of safety in artmaking individually and collaboratively with peers. The study found that the art therapy programme positively affected youth mental health and wellbeing. This suggests the programme effectively reduced participants’ social isolation, potentially offering positive opportunities to connect other youth at risk of social isolation.

Reliable change indices for the Italian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in non-demented Parkinson’s disease patients

Background. The present study aimed at deriving regression-based reliable change indices (RCIs) for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in an Italian cohort of non-demented Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients.MethodsN = 33 consecutive, non-demented PD patients were followed-up at a 5-to-8-month interval (M = 6.6; SD = 0.6) with the MoCA. Practice effects and test-retest reliability were assessed via dependent-sample t-tests and intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients, respectively. RCIs were derived separately for raw and demographically adjusted MoCA scores according to a standardized regression-based approach by accounting for both baseline confounders (i.e., demographics, disease duration and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale scores) and retest interval.ResultsNo practice effects were found (t(32) = 0.29; p = .778), with acceptable test-retest reliability being detected (ICC = 0.67). MoCA scores at T0 proved to be the only significant predictor of T1 MoCA performances within both the model addressing raw scores and that addressing adjusted scores (ps < 0.001).ConclusionsThe present study provides Italian practitioners and researchers with regression-based RCIs for the MoCA in non-demented PD patients, which can be reliably adopted for retest interval ≥ 5 and ≤ 8 months without encountering any practice effect.

Italian Evaluation and Excellence in REMS (ITAL-EE-REMS): appropriate placement of forensic patients in REMS forensic facilities

BackgroundWe set out to assess the appropriateness of current placement of mentally disordered offenders allocated by the courts in Italy to REMS or to forensic community residences. We hypothesised that as in other countries, the match between a standardised assessment and the decision of the court would be imperfect.MethodsThe DUNDRUM Toolkit was translated into Italian. The translation had good psychometric properties. In order to compare the current level of therapeutic security with a calculated safest current placement, we compared the DUNDRUM-1 triage security assessment of need for therapeutic security prior to treatment, with evidence for progress made in treatment (DUNDRUM-3) and forensic recovery (DUNDRUM-4). The more conservative of these two would be taken as the safe current level of need for therapeutic security.ResultsThe Italian translation of the DUNDRUM Toolkit had good internal consistency and mean scores had a Reliable Change Index less than one unit. 3.7% of those in REMS (medium security) were assessed as needing high security and 38% were ready to move to a less secure place. In low secure places, 56% were assessed as needing a higher level of therapeutic security and 6% could have moved to open non-secure places.ConclusionsThe Italian translation of the DUNDRUM Toolkit allows an assessment of the current working of the model of care for forensic psychiatry following the reforms of 2015. Most patients are safely placed. A small but important proportion needed high secure places that are not currently available. (3.7% of 604 nationally, 95% Confidence Interval 1.2% to 8.4%, 7 to 50). A greater use of such measures would enable better health gains and safer outcomes.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06018298 Unique Protocol ID: ITAL-EE-REMS.

Boston Naming Test as a Screening Tool for Early Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction in Elderly Patients After Major Noncardiac Surgery.

The Boston naming test (BNT), as a simple, fast, and easily administered neuropsychological test, was demonstrated to be useful in detecting language function. In this study, BNT was investigated whether it could be a screening tool for early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). This prospective observational cohort study included 132 major noncardiac surgery patients and 81 nonsurgical controls. All participants underwent a mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and BNT 1 day before and 7 days after surgery. Early POCD was assessed by reliable change index and control group results. Seven days after surgery, among 132 patients, POCD was detected in 30 (22.7%) patients (95% CI, 15.5%-30.0%) based on MMSE, and 45 (34.1%) patients (95% CI, 26.3%-41.9%) were found with postoperative language function decline based on BNT and MMSE. Agreement between the BNT spontaneous naming and MMSE total scoring was moderate (Kappa .523), and the sensitivity of BNT spontaneous naming for detecting early POCD was .767. Further analysis showed that areas under receiver operating characteristics curves (AUC) did not show statistically significant differences when BNT spontaneous naming (AUC .862) was compared with MMSE language functional subtests (AUC .889), or non-language functional subtests (AUC .933). This study indicates the feasibility of implementing the BNT spontaneous naming test to screen early POCD in elderly patients after major noncardiac surgery.

Dielectric Barrier Discharge Cold Plasma Improves Storage Stability in Paddy Rice by Activating the Phenylpropanoid Biosynthesis Pathway.

A nonthermal pretreatment using dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBD-CP) was developed to improve the stress resistance of paddy rice during postharvest storage. The physicochemical properties, bioactive characteristics, and secondary metabolites of paddy rice were assessed after applying an optimized DBD-CP procedure, with enzyme activities and gene expression monitored over a 60 day storage period at 35 °C. A 17.06% reduction in the total color change index was noted in the DBD-CP group. Bioactive compounds, particularly gallic acid, were significantly increased, enhancing the defense mechanisms against high-temperature stress. Nontargeted metabolomics analysis indicated an upregulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism in DBD-CP-treated rice compared to controls, with notable increases in secondary metabolites such as coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and sinapic acid, suggesting potential biomarkers for stress resistance. Further verification showed significant enhancements in key enzymes of phenylpropanoid metabolism, including phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), cinnamic acid-4-hydroxylase (C4H), plant coumaric acid-3-hydroxylase (C3H), and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), with increases ranging from 1.71 to 2.28 times. Gene expression levels of OsPAL7, OsC4H4, and OsCAD2 aligned with these enzymatic changes post-DBD-CP treatment. In conclusion, DBD-CP treatment can modulate phenylpropanoid metabolism in paddy rice, thereby enhancing bioactive compound levels to reduce stress damage during high-temperature storage.

The influence of food flavors’ odorimetric characteristics on the indicators of human physiological state

Introduction. The purpose of the study is to analyze the effects of odours of various nature and strength in experimental conditions on the parameters of the cardiovascular system and the person’s functional state in order to update objective and informative methods for assessing early changes in the body due to the adverse effects of odorous substances. Material and methods. The specified concentrations of food flavors (orange, cognac and coffee) were supplied to the participants of the study using an ECOMA T08 olfactometer. The composition of the aerosols was controlled by chromatography-mass spectrometry. The physiological parameters of the volunteers were assessed by measuring blood pressure, heart rate and calculating the index of functional changes (IFC). Results. In an experiment with an odour characterized as “pleasant”, the study participants found a statistically significant decrease in heart rate and diastolic blood pressure when exposed to the maximum noticeable concentrations of volatile substances of the flavor relative to the initial state: p1-3=0,001 and p1-3=0,003, respectively. At the same time, a significant decrease in IFC was determined already at the threshold concentrations of the flavor (p&lt;0,01), indicating a favorable effect of the odour and increasing the level of adaptive capabilities of the body. According to the results of the odour identified as “unpleasant”, a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure (p1-2=0,011) was revealed, but only when exposed to a threshold concentration, when the odour has not yet acquired an “intrusive”, “annoying” character. Limitations. The lack of standardized methods of exposure, the influence of individual preferences and past experience on odour-induced effects. Conclusion. Indicators of the functional state of the cardiovascular system can be used as one of the criteria for evaluating the body’s reflex response to environmental pollution in areas where odour-producing enterprises, including food production, are located. The issue of conducting such an assessment is particularly relevant for emissions with a predominantly “pleasant” odour, since their ability to cause annoyance and, consequently, to have a negative impact on the health and quality of life of the population is often questioned.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy as Applied to Turkish Families: Effectiveness for Children with Behavior Problems and Their Caregivers

This study assessed the impact of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) on caregiver and child outcomes in Türkiye using a non-concurrent multiple baseline design (N = 3). Improvements in child disruptive behavior frequency were observed, with a large effect across participants (Tau-U = −0.74) and perceived problematic child behaviors (Tau-U = −0.87). School refusal, anxiety symptoms, and child emotion regulation improved with reliable change indices indicating clinically significant improvements (>1.96). Clinically significant decreases (RCI >1.96) in parenting stress and parent emotion regulation difficulties were also observed. Parents demonstrated improvements in parenting skills, as outlined by the PCIT protocol. This study highlights PCIT’s efficacy within a novel cultural context.

Exploring Climate Change Impacts on Temperature Extremes in the South Saskatchewan River Watershed, Alberta, Canada

In recent years, the frequency and intensity of extreme temperature events have escalated, posing unprecedented challenges to ecosystems, economies, and human health. As global temperatures rise, these events are emerging as critical threats; therefore, understanding their changes is essential for developing strategies to mitigate their growing risks under global warming. In this study, we used ETCCDI (Expert Team on Climate Change Detection, Monitoring, and Indices) temperature indices to analyze future changes in extreme temperature events in the South Saskatchewan River Watershed (SSRW) in Southern Alberta, Canada, a critical area for irrigation, agriculture, and food production. This analysis is based on an ensemble of 26 Global Circulation Models (GCMs) and three Shared Socio-economic Pathway (SSP) scenarios, in three periods (2015–2030, 2041–2060, 2071–2100), compared against the base period of 1951–1990. The results suggest substantial changes in most of the studied indices towards higher temperatures, with a significant rise in both the numbers of days with extreme temperatures and the magnitude of the temperature itself, as well as a notable drop in the number of cold days. As a result of warming, the growing season length is 16 days longer in 2015–2030 compared to the base period and is projected to increase substantially by the end of the century. A longer growing season might seem favourable for agriculture, but it can disrupt water availability and cause unpleasant environmental consequences. Overall, the scenarios considered in this research suggest that the SSRW could experience warming at a significant rate. This finding underscores the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation actions to enhance resilience and sustainability.

NeuropsychopharmARCology: Shaping Neuroplasticity through Arc/Arg3.1 Modulation

Activity-regulated cytoskeletal associated protein (aka activity-regulated gene Arg3.1) belongs to the effector gene family of the immediate early genes. This family encodes effector proteins, which act directly on cellular homeostasis and function. Arc/Arg3.1 is localized at dendritic processes, allowing the protein local synthesis on demand, and it is considered a reliable index of activitydependent synaptic changes. Evidence also exists showing the critical role of Arc/Arg3.1 in memory processes. The high sensitivity to changes in neuronal activity, its specific localization as well as its involvement in long-term synaptic plasticity indeed make this effector gene a potential, critical target of the action of psychotropic drugs. In this review, we focus on antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs as well as on psychostimulants, which belong to the category of drugs of abuse but can also be used as drugs for specific disorders of the central nervous system (i.e., Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). It is demonstrated that psychotropic drugs with different mechanisms of action converge on Arc/Arg3.1, providing a means whereby Arc/Arg3.1 synaptic modulation may contribute to their therapeutic activity. The potential translational implications for different neuropsychiatric conditions are also discussed, recognizing that the treatment of these disorders is indeed complex and involves the simultaneous regulation of several dysfunctional mechanisms.

Asymmetric impact of climate change on banking system stability in selected sub-Saharan economies

This study is an empirical examination of the asymmetric impact of climate change on banking system stability in selected sub-Saharan economies. The study leverages a quantitative research approach through a panel non-linear ARDL framework and data from 29 selected economies, which spans 1996-2017. Findings from the study reveal that in the long term, partial sums of temperature have an insignificant relationship with banking system stability. Further, partial sums of precipitation are negatively related to banking system stability in the long term. The finding indicates that both positive and negative precipitation do harm banking system stability in the selected sub-Saharan economies. Moreover, we find that partial sums of greenhouse gas emissions had an insignificant relationship with banking system stability. In addition, we conclude that greenhouse gases (positive and negative) do not impair banking system stability in selected sub-Saharan economies in the long term. We surmise from the findings that both positive and negative climate change indexes are harmful to banking system stability. On the short-term asymmetric impact, we discover that partial sums of temperature, precipitation, and climate change index do not harm banking system stability. However, negative greenhouse gas emissions are pernicious to the banking system’s stability in the short term. Conversely, positive greenhouse gas levels were statistically insignificant. The study recommends that central banks and monetary authorities in Sub-Saharan Africa design green banking policies to push the climate change agenda in the banking sector.

Results of a randomized waitlist-controlled trial of online cognitive behavioral sex therapy and online mindfulness-based sex therapy for hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction in women.

This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of two internet-delivered psychological treatments for hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD) in women: internet-based cognitive behavioral sex therapy (iCBST) and internet-based mindfulness-based sex therapy (iMBST). Women with HSDD were randomly assigned to one of three groups: iCBST, iMBST, or a waitlist control group. The interventions consisted of eight modules delivered via an e-health platform with e-coach support to enhance adherence. Sexual desire and sexual distress were assessed at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups (active conditions only). Per protocol, of the 266 consenting women, 106 were randomized to iCBST (Mage = 36.1, SD = 10.3), 106 to iMBST (Mage = 36.4, SD = 0.2), and 54 to the control condition (Mage = 36.7, SD = 11.0). Primary analyses utilized an intention-to-treat approach with linear mixed models. Clinical significance, assessed with clinical cutoffs and the reliable change index, was examined for active conditions. Compared to the control condition, both iCBST and iMBST demonstrated significant improvements in sexual desire and sexual distress at 3-month (d = 0.89-1.14) and 6-month follow-up (d = 0.74-1.18). Results were sustained at 12-month follow-up, with 35 and 41% demonstrating reliable improvements and additional 20 and 24% achieving clinically significant improvements in sexual desire after iCBST and iMBST. Regarding sexual distress, 49 and 42% exhibited reliable change, with an additional 37%-42% achieving clinically significant improvements. Results provide support for the overall long-term efficacy of psychological therapies in treating HSDD in women. However, fewer than one in four women showed improvements in sexual desire that met the threshold for clinically significant change. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Bleaching efficacy, decomposition rate and pH of experimental bleaching gels incorporating bioactive materials

Aim: To evaluate the bleaching efficacy, decomposition rate, and pH of experimental gels containing 35% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and different concentrations of 45S5-bioglass (BG) or Biosilicate® (BS). Methods: Bovine enamel/dentin blocks (n=10) were allocated into the groups HP_BG or HP_BS (2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt%) and HP (35% HP – positive control). The blocks were submitted to three sessions of 40 min and 7-day intervals. During the interval, the blocks were kept in artificial saliva at 37ºC. Color change (ΔE00) and whiteness index change (ΔWID) were determined after staining with black tea (T1) and 24 h after the 3rd bleaching session (T2). HP decomposition rate (%) and pH were evaluated for 40 min. Two-way ANOVA and Tukey analyzed ΔE00 and ΔWID data, while the Kruskal-Wallis test determined the decomposition rate and pH of the gels. Results: There were no differences in ΔE00 and ΔWID among the experimental bleaching gels containing BG or BS and 35% HP (p &gt; 0.05), but BG and BS gels displayed lower HP concentration than 35% HP, regardless of the bioactive material concentration (p &lt; 0.05). The experimental BG and BS gels exhibited alkaline pH (ranging from 9.28 to 9.82), which was higher than that of 35% HP (p &lt; 0.05). But regardless of the gel, all kept the pH values stable for 40 min. Conclusion: The experimental gels containing BG and BS did not hamper the 35% HP bleaching efficacy. Moreover, BG or BS gels decreased the hydrogen peroxide concentration and exhibited alkaline pH values.

The spatial correlation of economic institutional change in China and its impact on economic growth: A social network analysis approach.

Economic institutional change is a vital driving force behind the rapid rise of China's economy. However, the incremental approach to economic institutional change has caused unbalanced transformation and economic growth. To this end, we adopted the entropy method to measure the economic institutional change index, and employed social network analysis to reveal its spatial correlation characteristics. We then applied QAP analysis to empirically demonstrate the impact of China's economic institutional change on regional disparities in economic growth. The findings indicated a gradual increase in the level of economic institutions over time and a spatial gradient between the eastern, central, and western regions. Moreover, the spatial correlation network of China's economic institutional change is stable and gradually improving. Nevertheless, the role of provinces in the process of economic institutional change varies: the eastern coastal provinces play a dominant role, the central and western provinces benefit to a lesser extent, and some provinces in northeastern China play a "bridging" and "intermediary" role. Regional differences in China's economic institutional change have widened the regional disparities in China's economic growth, and the impact of each dimension of economic institutions on regional disparities in economic growth is characterized by phases.

Spontaneous speech: a robust measurement before, during and after awake brain surgery in patients with glioma

Background Patients with glioma often report language complaints with devastating effect on daily life. Analysing spontaneous speech can help to understand underlying language problems. Spontaneous speech monitoring is also of importance during awake brain surgery: it can guide tumour resection and contributes to maintaining language function. We aimed to investigate the spontaneous speech of patients with glioma in the perioperative period and the additional value of spontaneous speech analyses compared to standardised language testing. Methods We elicited and transcribed spontaneous speech of eight patients with glioma elected for awake brain surgery preoperatively, intraoperatively and 2.0–3.5 months postoperatively. Linguistic errors were coded. Type Token Ratio, Mean Length of Utterance of words, minimal utterances, and errors were extracted from the transcriptions. Patients were categorised based on total error patterns: stable, decrease or increase during surgery. Reliable Change Index scores were calculated for all spontaneous speech variables to objectify changes between time points. Language performance on language tests was compared to spontaneous speech variables. Results Most errors occurred in lexico-syntax, followed by phonology/articulation, syntax, and semantics. The predominant errors were Repetitions, Self-corrections, and Incomplete sentences. Most patients remained stable over time in almost all spontaneous speech variables, except in Incomplete sentences, which deteriorated in most patients postoperatively compared to intraoperatively. Some spontaneous speech variables (total errors, MLUw, TTR) gave more information on language change than a standard language test. Conclusions While the course of spontaneous speech over time remained relatively stable in most patients, Incomplete sentences seems to be a robust marker of language difficulties patients with glioma. These errors can be prioritised in spontaneous speech analysis to save time, especially to determine intra- to postoperative deterioration. Importantly, spontaneous speech analyses can give more information on language change than standardised language testing and should therefore be used in addition to standardised language tests.