Virtual hand illusion induced by visuomotor correlations

Our body schema gives the subjective impression of being highly stable. However, a number of easily-evoked illusions illustrate its remarkable malleability. In the rubber-hand illusion, illusory ownership of a rubber-hand is evoked by synchronous visual and tactile stimulation on a visible rubber arm and on the hidden real arm. Ownership is concurrent with a proprioceptive illusion of displacement of the arm position towards the fake arm. We have previously shown that this illusion of ownership plus the proprioceptive displacement also occurs towards a virtual 3D projection of an arm when the appropriate synchronous visuotactile stimulation is provided. Our objective here was to explore whether these illusions (ownership and proprioceptive displacement) can be induced by only synchronous visuomotor stimulation, in the absence of tactile stimulation.

Sellulinjojen rejektinkäsittelyn tehokkuuden arviointi

Työssä kartoitettiin sellulinjojen rejektinkäsittelyn toimintaa ja arvioitiin rejektinkäsittelyssä liikkuvan rejektin laatua. Tavoitteena oli arvioida rejektinkäsittelyn toiminnan hyvyyttä ja löytää mahdollisia ongelmakohtia. Toiminnan hyvyyttä arvioitiin rejektinkäsittelyn ajettavuuden, hallinnan ja käytettävyyden sekä rejektin laadun perusteella. Työn kirjallisuusosassa käsitellään yleisesti sellulinjoilla esiintyviä epäpuhtauksia ja kemiallisen massan lajittelua. Kirjallisuusosan pääpaino on sellulinjan ruskean massan lajittelun ja erityisesti lajittamon rejektinkäsittelyn esittelyssä. Rejektinkäsittelyosuus käsittelee nykyaikaiseen rejektinkäsittelyyn kuuluvia laitteita ja toimintoja sekä esittelee erilaisia rejektinkäsittelyjärjestelmiä ja –vaihtoehtoja. Työn kokeellisessa osassa arvioitiin kolmen sellutehtaan kuitulinjan rejektinkäsittelyn toiminnan hyvyyttä. Arvioitavat tehdaskohteet olivat Stora Enson Kaukopään sellutehdas, Botnian Joutsenon sellutehdas sekä UPM-Kymmenen Kaukaan sellutehdas. Tavoitteena oli selvittää ruskean massan lajittelun rejektinkäsittelyssä liikkuvan rejektin laatua, jonka perusteella toiminnan hyvyyttä voitiin arvioida. Tutkimus tehtiin siten, että tehdaskäyntien aikana otettiin arviointiin tarvittavat tehdasnäytteet sekä kerättin muu arviointiin tarvittava tieto. Tehdyn tutkimuksen perusteella saatiin kokonaiskuva kolmen nykyaikaisen sellutehtaan rejektinkäsittelyn toiminnasta. Työssä saatiin runsaasti tietoa rejektinkäsittelyyn ajettavan rejektin laadusta ja määristä sekä rejektinkäsittelylaitteiden toimivuudesta. Prosessista poistettavan rejektin määrän ja laadun selvittäminen oli tehtaille erityisen tärkeä asia selvittää. Kuitutappioiden muodossa prosessista poistettavan rejektin laadulla on myös jonkinlainen taloudellinen merkitys. Arvokasta tietoa saatiin myös prosessissa liikkuvista ja poistettavista hiekkamääristä. Yleisenä havaintona oli, että työhön kuuluneilla sellutehtailla rejektinkäsittely oli hyvin hallinnassa eikä suuria ongelmakohtia löytynyt.

Chemical, physico-chemical and sensory characterization of mixed açai (Euterpe oleracea) and cocoa´s honey (Theobroma cacao) jellies

Four formulations of mixed açaí (Euterpe oleracea) (A) and cocoa´s honey (Theobroma cacao) (CH) jellies were prepared according to the following proportions: T1 (40% A:60% CH), T2 (50% A:50% CH), T3 (60% A: 40% CH) and T4 (100% A - control). All formulations were prepared using a rate 60:40 (w/w) of sucrose and pulp, plus 0.5% pectin and the products reached to average of 65% soluble solids content. The jellies were analyzed by chemical and physicochemical (titratable acidity, pH, soluble solid content, dry matter, total protein, lipids, vitamin C and calories) and sensory characteristics; also were evaluated levels of P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn. It was used a hedonic scale of 7 points to evaluate the attributes: overall impression, spreadability, brightness, flavor, texture and color, and also was verified the purchase intention score. The titratable acidity and pH ranged from 0.46 to 0.64% and 3.35 to 3.64, respectively, that are within the range found at most fruit jellies. The soluble solids content ranged between 65.2 and 65.5 ºBrix. The sensory acceptance results showed that all treatments (T1, T2, T3 and T4) presented means of sensory attributes above 4, demonstrating good acceptance of the product, but the treatment T1 presented the higher scores for the evaluated attributes. Cocoa´s honey added a positive influence on the attributes of color, texture and spreadability.

Softkalanteroinnin optimointi luettelopaperin viimeistelyssä

Työssä tutkittiin softkalanteroinnin vaikutus heat set web offset-luettelopaperin laatu- ja painatusominaisuuksiin. Tavoitteena oli löytää luettelopaperin laatuvaatimukset täyttävä ajotapa softkalanterille. Työn kirjallisessa osassa käsitellään softkalanteroinnin teoriaa, softkalanteroinnin vaikutusta sanomalehti-paperin laatuun sekä soft- ja konekalanteroinnin eroja. Lisäksi käsitellään painatusta; densiteettiä ja sen vaikutusta paperin läpipainatukseen. Työn kokeellisessa osassa tutkittiin softkalanterin lämpötilan ja viivapaineen vaikutus luettelopaperin laatuun. Paras laatu sileyden, kiillon sekä painojäljen kannalta saavutetaan käyttämällä korkeaa kalanterin lämpötilaa ja viivapainetta. Massaseoksessa tulisi olla niin paljon hioketta kuin paperin lujuusominaisuudet sallivat. Hioke antaa paperille tasaisen painojäljen. Täyteainetta tulisi käyttää, koska se nostaa opasiteettia ja pienentää läpipainatusta sekä helpottaa kalanteroitumista. Helpommin kalanteroituva paperi pienentää paperin huokostilavuutta, jolla on edullinen vaikutus paperin läpipainatukseen. Luettelopaperin kalanteroiminen yhdellä nipillä on mahdollista, mutta ei suotavaa. Tällöin paperista tulee toispuoleista karheuden suhteen.

Efficacy of brief interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention for motor conversion disorder and nonepileptic attacks.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare a brief interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention to standard care as treatments for patients recently diagnosed with severe motor conversion disorder or nonepileptic attacks. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial of 23 consecutive patients compared (a) an interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention group receiving four to six sessions by a consultation liaison psychiatrist, the first and last sessions adding a neurological consultation and a joint psychiatric and neurological consultation, and (b) a standard care group. After intervention, patients were assessed at 2, 6 and 12 months with the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), Clinical Global Impression scale, Rankin scale, use of medical care, global mental health [Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, mental health component of Short Form (SF)-36] and quality of life (SF-36). We calculated linear mixed models. RESULTS: Our intervention brought a statistically significant improvement of physical symptoms [as measured by the SDQ-20 (P<.02) and the Clinical Global Impression scale (P=.02)] and psychological symptoms [better scores on the mental health component of the SF-36 (P<.05) and on the Beck Depression Inventory (P<.05)] and a reduction in new hospital stays after intervention (P<.05). CONCLUSION: A brief psychotherapeutic intervention taking advantage of a close collaboration with neurology consultants in the setting of consultation liaison psychiatry appears effective.

The gender-based stereotype about food is on the table. Food choice also depends on co-eater's gender

Previous research has shown that different foods are stereotypically associated with gender and that eating in a role-congruent way fulfills an impression management function. On the other hand, other studies revealed that adapting one's food consumption to that of the co-eaters is a means to gain social approval as well. In the present study, we bridge these two distinct lines of research by studying what happens when the two norms (conforming to the gender-based stereotype and imitating the co-eater) conflict, that is with opposite-sex co-eaters. Results indicated that the tendency to match the co-eaters' supposed consumption generally appeared over and above one's gender-congruent choice. In addition, as expected, gender differences also emerged: while men were always willing to adapt to the co-eaters, women's intention to eat the feminine food was independent from the co-eaters' gender.

Maaomaisuuden strateginen johtaminen ja tunnuslukujärjestelmän kehittäminen Case:UPM-Kymmene Oyj Metsä

Tutkielman päätavoitteena oli muodostaa konstruktio yrityksen maaomaisuuden liiketaloudellisten tavoitteiden ja erityisesti kannattavuuden laskentaan. Tutkielman pääpaino oli metsätalouden käytössä olevan maaomaisuuden problematiikassa. Tutkimusmetodologiana käytettiin konstruktiivista tutkimusotetta. Tutkielman teoriaosuudessa analysoitiin maaomaisuuden strategista asemaa ja toisaalta strategista johtamista metsäteollisuudessa. Lisäksi tarkasteltiin metsätalouden kannattavuuden laskentaan liittyviä erityispiirteitä. Empiirisessä osiossa tarkasteltiin erityisesti metsätalouden kannattavuuden tunnuslukuihin liittyvän puutaseen laskennan problematiikkaa. Tuloksissa havaittiin, että puutaseen laskennalla on erittäin merkittävä vaikutus metsätalouden tunnuslukuihin ja kannattavuudesta saatavaan käsitykseen. Myös pääoman arvostamisen menetelmällä on erittäin suuri vaikutus. Voidaankin todeta, että näiden seikkojen huomioon ottaminen on oleellista pohdittaessa strategiseen päätöksentekoon liittyviä kysymyksiä maaomaisuuden osalta.

"Efficacy of brief interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention for moto conversion disorder and non-epileptic attacks"

Comparer une intervention psychothérapeutique interdisciplinaire brève à une prise en charge standard comme traitements pour des patients ayant récemment été diagnostiqués comme souffrant d'un trouble de conversion moteur sévère ou d'attaques non-épileptiques. Méthodes Cette étude randomisée contrôlée de 23 patients consécutifs a comparé a) un groupe d'intervention psychothérapeutique interdisciplinaire recevant 4-6 séances par un psychiatre de liaison, la première et dernière séance étant couplée à une consultation neurologique et à une consultation conjointe par le neurologue et le psychiatre; b) un groupe de prise en charge standard. Après l'intervention, les patients ont été évalués à 2, 6 et 12 mois par le questionnaire de dissociation somatoforme SDQ-20, l'échelle d'impression clinique globale, l'échelle de Rankin, l'utilisation des services de santé, la santé mentale en général (MADRS, échelle de dépression de Beck, composante de santé mentale du SF-36), la qualité de vie (SF-36). Nous avons calculé des modèles linéaires mixtes. Résultats Notre intervention a mené à une amélioration statistiquement significative ? des symptômes physiques (par une mesure du SDQ-20 (p<0.02), et par l'échelle de l'impression clinique globale (p=0.02)) ? des symptômes psychologiques (meilleurs scores à la composante de santé mentale du SF-36 (p<0.05) et à l'inventaire de dépression de Beck (p<0.05)) ? et à une réduction des nouvelles hospitalisations après l'intervention (p<0.05). Conclusion Une intervention psychothérapeutique interdisciplinaire brève en étroite collaboration avec des spécialistes en neurologie dans un cadre de psychiatrie de consultation et liaison a un effet statistiquement significatif sur l'amélioration de patients souffrant de trouble de conversion moteur et d'attaques non-épileptiques.

Smiling in a job interview: When less is more

Two studies examined the effect of applicants' smiling on hireability. In a pre-test study, participants were asked to rate the expected behavior for four types of applicants. Newspaper reporter applicants were expected to be more serious than applicants for other jobs. In Study 1, participants were randomly assigned to be an applicant or interviewer for a newspaper reporting job. Smiling was negatively related to hiring, and smiling mediated the relation between applicants' motivation to make a good impression and hiring. Hiring was maximized when applicants smiled less in the middle of the interview relative to the start and end. In Study 2, participants watched Study 1 clips and were randomly assigned to believe the applicants were applying to one of four jobs. Participants rated more suitability when applicants smiled less, especially for jobs associated with a serious demeanor. This research shows that job type is an important moderator of the impact of smiling on hiring.

Brightness of multilayer boards

A good appearance of a package enhances the sale of the product. The packing gives information about the content and instructions for the usage. In this master’s thesis, the optical properties of multilayer packaging board is studied. Especially means of increasing brightness of the multilayer board are evaluated. In the literature part, the effect of different factors on optical properties of a multilayer board are evaluated with the help of light scattering and absorption coefficients. The Kubelka-Munk theory can be used also in modelling brightness of the multilayer board. A large variety of different process factors, chemical aids and machine variables affect optical properties of board. In the experimental part, different methods to increase brightness of a 3-layer board were evaluated. It was discovered that brightness variation of broke (30 % share of the center layer pulp) have only minor influence on brightness of the board. The brightness variation must be high, roughly 9 % in order to alter brightness of the board by 1 %. Higher brightness can be achieved by bleaching the pulp, which holds the largest share of the center layer pulp. Here, 2,6 % increase in brightness of the pulp (60 % share of the center layer pulp) increased brightness of the board by 1 %. In a trial run at a board machine, there was no indication of decreased bulk of the board due to extended bleaching of the pulp. With pulp dyeing appearance and optical properties of a multilayer board can be influenced. By using bluish dyes the natural yellowness of pulps can be decreased and impression of whiteness is then increased. Brightness may deteriorate though, because of increasing light absorption of the dyed pulps. When the yellowness comes from the center layer pulp, the dye should be introduced there. Then the brightness decreasing effect of the dye decreases brightness of the board less. It was noticed that it is more important to maintain brightness of the top layer than brightness of the center layer, because the top layer pulp affects on brightness of the board the most. By introducing fillers into the top layer of a multilayer board it is possible to increase brightness of the board. Fillers with the highest light scattering increased the brightness of the board the most. Increasing light scattering increases brightness and also opacity. Higher opacity in the top layer decreases also the darkening effect of the center layer. Calcinated kaolin and PCC was found to increase the light scattering of the top layer the most at the filler comparison. Introducing fillers into the top layer of multilayer board may decrease bulk and modulus of elasticity of the top layer. This could lead to deteriorated bending stiffness.

Prévention de l'état de stress post-traumatique : efficacité des interventions pharmacologiques ? : Revue cochrane pour le praticien

Après un ou plusieurs événements potentiellement traumatisants (EPT), tels qu'accidents, mort inattendue d'une personne aimée, chirurgie invasive, guerre, violences physiques et sexuelles par exemple, certaines personnes peuvent développer un état de stress posttraumatique (ESPT). Elles ont l'impression de revivre le traumatisme et présentent des comportements d'évitement, une hyperexcitation ainsi que des émotions négatives. L'ESPT est associé à une réduction de la qualité de vie des patients concernéset a un impact majeur sur leur fonctionnement. Son coût économique est également important. Sa prévalence varie en Europe de 0,6 à 6,7 %. En Suisse, elle est estimée à 0,7 % mais peut atteindre des niveaux beaucoup plus élevés selon les populations ; 13 % des hommes demandeurs d'asile déboutés souffrent d'ESPT par exemple. Des études suggèrent que des changements cérébraux d'hormones de stress peuvent contribuer à l'ESPT. Cette revue systématique cherche à déterminer si la prescription d'une médication active au niveau cérébral est susceptible de prévenir l'apparition d'un ESPT.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for the Treatment of Chronic Tinnitus: A Randomized Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: Tinnitus is an often disabling condition for which there is no effective therapy. Current research suggests that tinnitus may develop due to maladaptive plastic changes and altered activity in the auditory and prefrontal cortex. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) modulates brain activity and has been shown to transiently suppress tinnitus in trials. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of tDCS in the treatment of chronic subjective tinnitus. METHODS: In a randomized, parallel, double-blind, sham-controlled study, the efficacy and safety of cathodal tDCS to the auditory cortex with anode over the prefrontal cortex was investigated in five sessions over five consecutive days. Tinnitus was assessed after the last session on day 5, and at follow-up visits 1 and 3 months post stimulation using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI, primary outcome measure), Subjective Tinnitus Severity Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, Visual Analogue Scale, and Clinical Global Impression scale. RESULTS: 42 patients were investigated, 21 received tDCS and 21 sham stimulation. There were no beneficial effects of tDCS on tinnitus as assessed by primary and secondary outcome measures. Effect size assessed with Cohen's d amounted to 0.08 (95% CI: -0.52 to 0.69) at 1 month and 0.18 (95% CI: -0.43 to 0.78) at 3 months for the THI. CONCLUSION: tDCS of the auditory and prefrontal cortices is safe, but does not improve tinnitus. Different tDCS protocols might be beneficial.

Vertailuanalyysin käyttö termohydraulisten koelaitteistojen tulosten laitosmittakaavaan skaalautumisen tutkimisessa

Työn tavoitteena oli tarkastella termohydraulisten koelaitteistojen skaalauksessa käytettäviä periaatteita ja menettelyjä sekä vertailla Apros-simulaattoriohjelmalla laskettuja kanden koelaitteistomallin ja EPR-mallin tuloksia. Tarkoituksena oli saada käsitys siitä, miten hyvin tarkastellut koelaitteistot kuvaavat EPR-Iaitostyypin käyttäytymistä onnettomuustilanteessa. Malleilla tutkittiin jäähdytteen määrän vaikutusta primääripiirin käyttäytymiseen. Koelaitteistomallien tuloksissa toistuvat samat ilmiöt kuin EPR-mallin tuloksissa. Laskettuja PKL-koelaitteistomallin tuloksia vertailtiin myös koelaitteistolla suoritettuun kokeeseen. PKL-mallin todettiin toistavan hyvin kokeen tulokset. Koelaitteistojen tuloksien perusteella kelpoistetaan laskentaohjelmia, joita käytetään ydinvoimalaitosten turvallisuustutkimuksessa. Erityistä harkintaa tulee käyttää koelaitteistojen tulosten hyödyntämisessä, sillä mittakaava vaikuttaa ilmiöiden esiintymiseen.

Clinical consequences of switching from olanzapine to risperidone and vice versa in outpatients with schizophrenia: 36-month results from the worldwide schizophrenia outpatients health outcomes (W-SOHO) study

BACKGROUND: With many atypical antipsychotics now available in the market, it has become a common clinical practice to switch between atypical agents as a means of achieving the best clinical outcomes. This study aimed to examine the impact of switching from olanzapine to risperidone and vice versa on clinical status and tolerability outcomes in outpatients with schizophrenia in a naturalistic setting. METHODS: W-SOHO was a 3-year observational study that involved over 17,000 outpatients with schizophrenia from 37 countries worldwide. The present post hoc study focused on the subgroup of patients who started taking olanzapine at baseline and subsequently made the first switch to risperidone (n=162) and vice versa (n=136). Clinical status was assessed at the visit when the first switch was made (i.e. before switching) and after switching. Logistic regression models examined the impact of medication switch on tolerability outcomes, and linear regression models assessed the association between medication switch and change in the Clinical Global Impression-Schizophrenia (CGI-SCH) overall score or change in weight. In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox-proportional hazards models were used to analyze the time to medication switch as well as time to relapse (symptom worsening as assessed by the CGI-SCH scale or hospitalization). RESULTS: 48% and 39% of patients switching to olanzapine and risperidone, respectively, remained on the medication without further switches (p=0.019). Patients switching to olanzapine were significantly less likely to experience relapse (hazard ratio: 3.43, 95% CI: 1.43, 8.26), extrapyramidal symptoms (odds ratio [OR]: 4.02, 95% CI: 1.49, 10.89) and amenorrhea/galactorrhea (OR: 8.99, 95% CI: 2.30, 35.13). No significant difference in weight change was, however, found between the two groups. While the CGI-SCH overall score improved in both groups after switching, there was a significantly greater change in those who switched to olanzapine (difference of 0.29 points, p=0.013). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that patients who switched from risperidone to olanzapine were likely to experience a more favorable treatment course than those who switched from olanzapine to risperidone. Given the nature of observational study design and small sample size, additional studies are warranted.

Predictors of remission in the treatment of major depressive disorder: real-world evidence from a 6-month prospective observational study

BACKGROUND: This study examined potential predictors of remission among patients treated for major depressive disorder (MDD) in a naturalistic clinical setting, mostly in the Middle East, East Asia, and Mexico. METHODS: Data for this post hoc analysis were taken from a 6-month prospective, noninterventional, observational study that involved 1,549 MDD patients without sexual dysfunction at baseline in 12 countries worldwide. Depression severity was measured using the Clinical Global Impression of Severity and the 16-item Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology Self-Report (QIDS-SR16). Depression-related pain was measured using the pain-related items of the Somatic Symptom Inventory. Remission was defined as a QIDS-SR16 score ≤5. Generalized estimating equation regression models were used to examine baseline factors associated with remission during follow-up. RESULTS: Being from East Asia (odds ratio [OR] 0.48 versus Mexico; P<0.001), a higher level of depression severity at baseline (OR 0.77, P=0.003, for Clinical Global Impression of Severity; OR 0.92, P<0.001, for QIDS-SR16), more previous MDD episodes (OR 0.92, P=0.007), previous treatments/therapies for depression (OR 0.78, P=0.030), and having any significant psychiatric and medical comorbidity at baseline (OR 0.60, P<0.001) were negatively associated with remission, whereas being male (OR 1.29, P=0.026) and treatment with duloxetine (OR 2.38 versus selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, P<0.001) were positively associated with remission. However, the association between Somatic Symptom Inventory pain scores and remission no longer appeared to be significant in this multiple regression (P=0.580), (P=0.008 in descriptive statistics), although it remained significant in a subgroup of patients treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR 0.97, P=0.023), but not in those treated with duloxetine (P=0.182). CONCLUSION: These findings are largely consistent with previous reports from the USA and Europe. They also highlight the potential mediating role of treatment with duloxetine on the negative relationship between depression-related pain and outcomes of depression.