Search

Autonomous healing is a very promising technique in self-healing concrete systems. For capsules to achieve their anticipated performance, they should be able to survive the harsh mixing conditions of concrete, yet rupture upon concrete cracking. At present, there are no standard test methods, either experimental or analytical, for determining the capsule survival rate during concrete mixing. This study investigates the correlation between the capsules' shell properties, concrete rheological properties, the capsules' external forces, and capsule survival rate during concrete mixing. Finite element and statistical modeling techniques were employed to evaluate the capsule performance and predict the survival rate of capsules during concrete mixing, with 68% confidence. The results revealed that the capsules' survivability during concrete mixing is highly influenced by the capsule's radius-to-thickness ratio, the rheological properties of the fresh concrete, the average-paste-thickness (APT) of the concrete mix, the aggregate content and angularity, and the speed of the mixer. In brief, capsules with a radius-to-thickness ratio between 30 and 45 are likely to survive concrete mixing and yet still rupture upon concrete cracking.

Encapsulation is a very promising technique that is being explored to enhance the autonomous self-healing of cementitious materials. However, its success requires the survival of self-healing capsules during mixing and placing conditions, while still trigger the release of a healing agent upon concrete cracking. A review of the literature revealed discontinuities and inconsistencies in the design and performance evaluation of self-healing cementitious material. A finite element model was developed to study the compatibility requirements for the capsule and the cementing material properties while the cement undergoes volume change due to hydration and/or drying. The FE results have provided insights into the observed inconsistencies and the importance of having capsules' mechanical and geometrical properties compatible with the cementitious matrix.

Background and Aim: Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a known cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS). We aimed at identifying the prevalence of BS in patients with BCS, analyzing different clinical presentations, treatment modalities and outcome of these patients., Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study, in which all medical records of patients who were presented to Tropical Medicine Department, Ain Shams University with a confirmed diagnosis of primary BCS from May 2005 to December 2016 were collected and analyzed., Results: In total, 271 patients had a confirmed diagnosis of primary BCS, included Group I: 232 (85.6%) patients with BCS without BS and Group II: 39 patients (14.4%) with BCS due to BS. Male gender (P=0.000), oral ulcers, genital ulcers, Prominent abdominal veins, lower limb swellings, lower extremity deep venous thrombosis (P=0.000) and jaundice (P=0.003) were more frequent in group II patients. The presence of intrahepatic collaterals (P=0.004) and IVC thrombosis (P=0.000) was significant in group II. Medical treatment alone in the form of immunosuppressive drugs and anticoagulation (66.7% vs. 24.1%)±IVC stenting (23% vs. 1.3%) (P=0.000) were the main treatment modalities for BCS related to BS. The frequency of HCC in BS was significantly higher (10.26% vs. 2.59%) (P=0.013)., Conclusions: The prevalence of BS in Egyptian patients with BCS is considerably high. The clinical presentation of these patients was different from those without BS. Besides, the incidence of HCC was higher in patients with BS, whereas the mortality did not differ between the two groups., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

We studied the synchronization dynamics of a therapist and patient during a psychotherapy session. This investigation was developed in order to explore a new possible perspective and methodology for studying the expression of emotions. More specifically, literature concerning synchronization of in-session non-verbal variables emphasises its positive correlation with empathy and therapeutic outcomes. We compared the dynamics of galvanic skin response (GSR) and linguistic prosody, chosen as indicators of emotional expression in different domains. We studied their synchronization through complementary methodologies: Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Markov Transition Matrix (MTM) and Cross-Recurrence Quantification Analysis (CRQA). We investigated the nonlinearity of GSR in terms of self-similarity and power-law, as emerged in autocorrelation functions and signal variations. We considered time-lagged correlations as a measure of dynamical systems' memory. This article concludes by highlighting the importance of a deeper study of all variables related to the psychotherapeutic process and their synchronization in order to extend our knowledge of general human dynamics.

Exercise is one of the most powerful non-pharmacological strategies, which can affect nearly all cells and organs in the body. Changes in the behavior of adult stem cells have been shown to occur in response to exercise. Exercise may act on regenerative potential of tissues by altering the ability to generate new stem cells and differentiated cells that are able to carry out tissue specific functions. The purpose of this study was to reveal the role of aerobic and anaerobic training programs on CD34+ Stem Cells and chosen physiological variables. Twenty healthy male athletes aged 18-24 years were recruited for this study. Healthy low active males and BMI matched participants (n=10) aged 20-22 years were recruited as controls. Aerobic and anaerobic training programs for 12 weeks were conducted. VO2max pulse observation was carried out using the Astrand Rhyming protocol. RBCs, WBCs, HB and hematocrit were estimated using a coulter counter, lactate by the Accusport apparatus, CD34+ stem cells by flow cytometry. VO2max was increased significantly in case of the aerobic training program compared to anaerobic one (62±2.2 ml/kg/min vs. 54±2.1 ml/kg/min). Haemotological values increased significantly in the anaerobic program when compared to the aerobic one, RBCs (5.3±0.3 and 4.9±0.2 mln/ul), WBCs (6.6±0.5 and 6.1±0.4 thous/ul), HB (15.4±0.4 and 14.2±0.5 g/de), Hematocrit (4.6±1.2 and 4.4±1.1 %), CD34+ stem cells count increased significantly in case of the anaerobic program compared to the aerobic (251.6±21.64 and 130±14.61) and sedentary one (172±24.10). These findings suggest that anaerobic training programs provoke better adaptation to exercise and stem cell counts may differ between trained and sedentary subjects. Circulating immature cells are likely to be involved in angiogenesis and repair process, both mechanisms being associated with strenuous exercise. Knowledge of the physiological effects of training on stem cells might be of potential clinical use.

In a postrationalist approach to cognitive psychotherapy the therapeutic relationship becomes a tool for exploring, by which, the patient manages to understand the rules which govern the rigid logical processes of his own personal meaning organization. A more accurate knowledge of one's own attitudes is the crucial variable that lets the patient assimilate problematic experiences. The therapist role assume the form of a "strategical oriented emotive disturber" who is extremely careful to utilize the emotional swings that he live in reciprocity with the patient, and who is aware of is own, as it is his emotions which modulate the patient's perceptions and understanding of problems.

This prospective follow-up study was designed to analyze the causes and outcome of upper gastrointestinal bleeding among patients presenting by hematemesis and/or melena to Emergency Endoscopy Unit, Ain Shams University Hospitals. One thousand patients presented by upper GIT bleeding were subjected to complete clinical evaluation, emergency upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and therapeutic interventions as indicated. Follow up was done for occurrence of re-bleeding or mortality. Variceal causes of bleeding were the most common, representing 70.1% followed by non-variceal causes (26.1%) and obscure causes (3.8%). Esophageal varices (EV) alone represented 17.8% of causes of variceal bleeding, while combined esophageal and gastric varices represented 39.5% and isolated gastric varices 12.8%. Gastric lesions were the most common causes of non variceal bleeding. Recurrence of bleeding occurred in 19.4% of variceal group in comparison to 6.1% of non variceal group, while mortality was found in 4.3% of variceal group in comparison to 1.5% of non variceal group with very highly significant difference (P <0.001). Hypertension, ascites, EV columns, EV grade IV, presence of gastric varices and associated respiratory disorder were independent factors associated with recurrence of bleeding in variceal group. In non variceal group, recurrence of bleeding was significantly related only to the presence of gastric ulcers (P=0.035). Independent factors associated with mortality in studied patients were age, associated diabetes, presence of esophageal varices and associated duodenal ulcer.

Many studies have been carried out about the effectiveness of optimism as a psychological phenomenon, leading to various theoretical formulations of the same concept, conceptualized as "disposition", "attributional style", "cognitive bias", or "shared illusion". This overview is an attempt to explore the "optimism" concept and its relations with mental health, physical health, coping, quality of life and adaptation of purpose, health lifestyle and risk perception. Positive and negative expectations regarding the future are important for understanding the vulnerability to mental disorders, in particular mood and anxiety disorders, as well as to physical illness. A significant positive relation emerges between optimism and coping strategies focused on social support and emphasis on positive aspects of stressful situations. Through employment of specific coping strategies, optimism exerts an indirect influence also on the quality of life. There is evidence that optimistic people present a higher quality of life compared to those with low levels of optimism or even pessimists. Optimism may significantly influence mental and physical well-being by the promotion of a healthy lifestyle as well as by adaptive behaviours and cognitive responses, associated with greater flexibility, problem-solving capacity and a more efficient elaboration of negative information.

Background/objective: To compare the frequency of ICD-10 depressive episodes in a community sample of Sardinian immigrants in Argentina and a community sample of Sardinian residents in Sardinia, Italy., Method: A search of telephone directories provided all subscribers with Sardinian surnames in the Argentinean area involved. A 75.8% of all subjects thus identified took part in the study (n = 210). The characteristics of randomisation methods used to identify the community sample in Sardinia (n = 1040) have already been published elsewhere. All subjects were interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Simplified., Results: A higher frequency of depressive disorders was observed among the Sardinian immigrants in Argentina (26.7 vs. 13.5%, P < 0.0001). Females in particular showed a higher risk with respect to the Sardinian sample resident in Sardinia., Discussion: On comparison of the present findings with the lifetime rate of depressive episodes in Sardinian immigrants in Paris (France), reported in a previous research study, a lower prevalence was observed among the latter group than in Sardinian immigrants in Argentina but the young male immigrants in Paris were at risk., Conclusion: The results obtained seem to suggest that emigration to a country where economic conditions have since dramatically changed may predispose subjects to depressive disorders, particularly when compared to the percentage of affected subjects in their native population and among subjects who had emigrated to more economically stable countries. Further epidemiological studies are warranted in order to confirm the present results and to clarify the determinants of the major risk for females in such a condition.

Background: The lifetime prevalence of Social Phobia (SP) in European countries other than Italy has been estimated to range from 3.5% to 16.0%. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of SP in Sardinia (Italy) in order to verify the evidence of a lower frequency of SP in Italy observed in previous studies (from 1.0% to 3.1%)., Methods: A randomised cross sample of 1040 subjects, living in Cagliari, in rural areas, and in a mining district in Sardinia were interviewed using a Simplified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDIS). Diagnoses were made according to the 10th International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10)., Results: Lifetime prevalence of SP was 2.2% (males: 1.5%, females: 2.8%) whereas 6-month prevalence resulted in 1.5% (males: 0.9%, females: 2.1%). Mean age at onset was 16.2 +/- 9.3 years. A statistically significant association was found with Depressive Episode, Dysthymia and Generalized Anxiety Disorder., Conclusions: The study is consistent with findings reported in several previous studies of a lower prevalence of SP in Italy. Furthermore, the results confirm the fact that SP, due to its early onset, might constitute an ideal target for early treatment aimed at preventing both the accumulation of social disabilities and impairments caused by anxiety and avoidance behaviour, as well as the onset of more serious, associated complications in later stages of the illness.

Based on the findings of previous studies carried out by our group, which will be briefly summarised, the present paper puts forward several hypotheses to account for the evolution of depressive symptoms and the possible increase observed in risk of depression subsequent to social changes. The particular mood disorders presented by Senegalese emigrants and several protective factors which appear to determine a low risk in these populations, such as a strong social support, will be examined. Based on a previous investigation carried out by our group, which seems to indicate the presence of depressive pictures among poorly westernised populations such as the Peul nomads or Dogon farmers from the Sub-Saharian regions, the hypothesis that "westernalisation" (considered as the loss at an individual level of traditional ways of life, working habits, cultural patterns and languages in favour of different attitudes influenced by western culture) may represent a risk factor for depressive illness, in its clinical expressions commonly observed in western contexts, has been considered. In these populations, with the exception of educated individuals, the albeit rare depressive symptoms appear to be secondary to serious somatic disorders. Research performed identified two well-defined means of clinical expression, which has been termed, respectively, "western style" or "guilty" and "traditional" or "dislocation from the group". Further studies carried out in rapidly changing areas seem to indicate how environmental factors are able to influence the evolution of depressive symptoms from the first form to the latter and to modify the threshold of onset of emotive, behavioural and depressive patterns. It has been hypothesised that rapid changes in the social organisation tend to exacerbate attitudes of "compulsive hyper-responsibilisation", a cognitive set of basic assumptions which may be considered at the same time both as a product of "westernalization" at an individual level and a risk factor for depression. Individuals who possess these basic characteristics, subsequent to the opportunities afforded by the social changes, tend to develop new complex systems of interpreting reality, causality, controlling of events and ways of expressing emotions. Accordingly, we herewith propose a reviewal of the entire threshold concept and provide a means of interpreting the transformation in depressive phenomena in view of the fact that, although the new levels of knowledge and learning better equip subjects to face the new situations, they also render them more vulnerable to depression.

A total of 127 individuals of different age and sex; 92 from Kafr-Sendewa, Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt, in comparison to 23 cases with hydatidosis and fascioliasis as a parasitic control group, and 12 healthy control group from non-endemic area. All cases were screened by clinical examination, urine, stool, rectal snip, abdominal ultrasonographic examination and indirect haemagglutination test (IHAT). Accordingly, they were grouped into active intestinal schistosomiasis group, seropositive group by (IHAT), normal control group from the same endemic area, parasitic control group and normal control group. All cases were subjected to detection of IgG, IgM, IgG4, anti-soluble egg antigen (SEA) and anti-excretory-secretory egg antigen (ESEA) by ELISA tests; and circulating egg antigens by double-sandwich ELISA techniques. The results showed that IgG4 anti-SEA is the best diagnostic test, as it gave the best diagnostic efficacy (90%). Also, it is a good screening test which can be used in endemic area as it gave significant difference between the active intestinal schistosomiasis cases with each of the endemic control group (P < 0.001) and the seropositive cases (P < 0.05). Other valid diagnostic egg specific antibodies tests were IgM anti-SEA and IgG anti-SEA as their diagnostic efficacy were 80% and 76.6% respectively (P < 0.05). The diagnostic efficacy of circulating antigen detection (C.Ag) test was 70% (P < 0.05). In addition, it was the most specific test with 100% specificity. IG4-anti-ESEA gave the least cross-reaction with other parasites (17.3%). The mean optical density (OD) level of circulating antigen detection test was significantly higher in the organomegalic (hepatosplenomegaly) cases than the non-organomegalic cases (P < 0.05).

Background: Although the relationships between social and cultural factors and African psychopathology have largely been considered from a theoretical point of view, empirical studies are still few and far between. This paper reports the results of a mental health survey conducted in the village of Namwera (Malawi, South-East Africa) to explore the link between social conditions, in particular occupational role, and psychopathology., Methods: A modified version of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire translated into Chichewa language was administered to 161 women (23 dressmakers, 46 nurses, 92 housewives). A Socio-Anamnestic Questionnaire and a Clinical Interview were also applied., Results: Dressmakers and housewives appeared more at risk of psychological suffering than nurses. Psychosomatic symptoms are more frequent among housewives, while dressmakers show more typical depressive symptoms, including suicidal thoughts and self-blame., Conclusions: Data confirm that also in an African context, some social factors are related to depression among female groups., (Copyright 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Background: The present paper reports the findings of principal components analysis performed on the basis of answers to the Questionnaire pour le Depistage en Santé Mentale (QDSM) administered to subjects from the Bandiagara plateau (Mali), who had been evaluated in a previously published report., Methods: The study sample was made up of 466 subjects (253 males, 213 females), 273 of whom belonged to the Dogon ethnic group, 163 were Peul and the remaining 30 belonged to other groups (Sonrai, Bozo, Tuareg, Bambara). All subjects were submitted to QDSM, a structured interview derived from the Self Reporting Questionnaire. Data obtained were processed by means of principal components analysis, in order to obtain syndromic aggregations., Results: Eight factors with an Eigen value greater than 1 were extracted, which provided sufficient explanation for the overall variance observed among the 23 items. These factors may be termed as follows: Sadness (factor 1); Dysphoria (factor 2); Nightmares (factor 3); Persecution (factor 4); Somatic symptoms (factor 5); Special powers (factor 6); Hopelessness (factor 7); Loss of Interest (factor 8)., Conclusions: The findings from this study support the hypothesis of an independence of "psychosomatic" from depressive symptoms. In particular, contrary to some evidence derived from other African studies, the present research appears to suggest a possible counterposition of these two ways of expressing depression, commonly considered as autonomous.

The accuracy of the 14-item Italian version of the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale (IDAS-14) as a screening tool for depression among elderly people is evaluated and compared with the BDI. Results for the IDAS-14 are most satisfactory, since high levels of both specificity (0.95) and sensitivity (0.89) may be obtained at a given cut-off score (56).