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People living with HIV can experience posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Complex relationships exist between HIV, PTSD and cognitive impairments. This cross-sectional study compared three cognitive impairments (false memory, attentional bias, deficits in future thinking) among people living with HIV with and without PTSD in Iran. People living with HIV with PTSD (n = 20) and without PTSD (n = 20) completed measures of psychological symptomatology, dot-probe task, Deese Roediger McDermott paradigm and future thinking task at Razavi Khorasan Health Center. The PTSD group, when compared to the non-PTSD group, recognised a significantly greater number of false memories (p < 0.001; [eta] [superscript 2] = 0.58), had an attentional bias toward threat-related words (p < 0.001; [eta] [superscript 2] = 0.35) and imagined fewer specific future events (p < 0.001; [eta] [superscript 2] = 0.31). People living with HIV with PTSD may have difficulties with false memory, attentional biases, and generating future events. Since psychological treatments are limited in Iran, this research highlighted some potential cognitive targets for people living with HIV.

Cancer as a life-threatening illness can be shocking and may lead to Post Traumatic-Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is associated with autobiographical memory bias as its core defining symptom. This study investigated the effectiveness of Competitive Memory Training (COMET) as an intervention for modifying the processing of autobiographical information and reducing PTSD symptoms. Autobiographical memory bias was measured using an Autobiographical Memory Task (AMT) modified for our population, who was diagnosed with cancer and experienced from PTSD. The Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL) was employed to measure symptoms of PTSD and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaire was used to assess depression symptoms. These measures were administered to a COMET (n = 30) and a MEmory Specificity Training (MEST) (n = 30) group. The COMET and the MEST groups underwent seven and six weekly sessions, respectively. All the assessments were re-conducted after the treatment and three-months later (follow-up). There was a significant alleviation in autobiographical memory bias and significantly fewer depression symptoms in the COMET group compared to the MEST group. This study indicates that the COMET intervention is a promising intervention for targeting cognitive biases including memory bias in cancer patients with PTSD., Author(s): Sharareh Farahimanesh [sup.1] [sup.2] , Alireza Moradi [sup.3] , Meysam Sadeghi [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.412502.0, 0000 0001 0686 4748, Institute for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, [...]

Effects of incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and short carbon fibers (SCFs) into the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam core on the flexural behavior of sandwich beams are investigated. Upper and lower skins are made of laminated composites and an initial debonded interface among the upper skin and core is considered. The mechanical properties of the hybrid CNT/SCF/PVC core are determined employing micromechanical models. To inspect the flexural behavior of sandwich beams at macro-scale, end notched shear (ENS) test is simulated using the finite element method (FEM). The results indicate an increase in flexural stiffness in the presence of CNT and SCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a new method for accurately measuring the aperture of a fluid-driven fracture. This method uses an eddy current probe located within a completion tool specifically designed to obtain the fracture aperture in the wellbore at the location where the fluid is injected into the fracture. The probe induces an eddy current in a target object, producing a magnetic field that affects the overall magnetic field. It does not have any limitations with respect to fluid pressure and temperature within a large range, making it unlike other methods. We demonstrate the accuracy and performance of the sensor under laboratory conditions. A hydraulic fracture experiment in a porous sandstone is conducted and discussed. The obtained measurement of the evolution of the fracture inlet aperture by the eddy current probe during the multiple injection cycles performed provided robust information. The residual fracture aperture (after the test) measured by the probe is in line with estimations from image processing of X-ray CT scan images as well as a thin-section analysis of sub-parts of the fractured specimen. The robustness and accuracy of this electromagnetic induction probe demonstrated herein under laboratory conditions indicate an interesting potential for field deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study examined executive functioning and episodic future thinking among Iranian women with breast cancer. Method: We recruited 40 healthy female community volunteers and 80 females with breast cancer (either currently undergoing chemotherapy n = 40 or not undergoing chemotherapy n = 40). Participants were assessed using cognitive tasks that assessed executive functioning and episodic future thinking and a measure of cancer-related fatigue. Results: Both cancer groups had poorer performance than controls on all measures of executive functioning and episodic future thinking. Those undergoing chemotherapy had poorer performance on all measures of executive functioning than those not undergoing chemotherapy. Cross-sectional mediation analyses revealed cancer-related fatigue had a significant mediator role between cancer group and executive functioning and episodic future thinking. Conclusion: Those with breast cancer, particularly those undergoing chemotherapy, may be experiencing cognitive difficulties. These cognitive concerns should be considered by health teams as addressing these impairments may assist in improving quality of life and treatment adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: To evaluate the risk of uterine rupture during pregnancy, researchers use two-dimensional (2D) transvaginal ultrasound to assess lower uterine segment (LUS) thickness in the third trimester of pregnancy. This study aimed to compare the thickness of the LUS provided in a 2D transvaginal ultrasound with the findings during a cesarean section (C/S) of pregnant women with a history of previous C/S. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 40 pregnant women referred to Izadi Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital in Qom. All the women underwent transvaginal ultrasound followed by C/S within a maximum of one week later. Also, an expert gynecologist classified LUS thickness into four grades in the operation room. Results: The mean age of women was 31.58 ± 4.56 years, and the mean thickness of the LUS was 2.17 ± 0.51 cm. Moreover, 57.5% of the women have graded I of LUS based on intraoperative findings. Results indicated that the mean thickness of the LUS measured by ultrasound significantly differed between the three grades detected by the gynecologist (P=0.04). However, there were no significant differences between maternal age, gestational age, parity, and time of last C/S among women with different LUS grades (P=0.05). Transvaginal ultrasound could be helpful in evaluating the risk of scar dehiscence and uterine rupture among women with LUS grades I and II with a history of previous C/S. Conclusion: Transvaginal Ultrasonography, Lower Uterine Segment Thickness, Cesarean Section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal performance of composites enriched with hollow spheres has been reported in contemporary literature, whereas their thermal properties have received less attention. In this regard, a finite element method (FEM)-based micromechanical model has been developed systematically to investigate the role of intra-matrix embedding of hollow spheres on the thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of unidirectional fiber-reinforced hybrid composites. In so doing, the concept of representative volume element (RVE) considers microstructures comprising an epoxy matrix, E-glass fiber, and E-glass hollow spheres, assuming perfect bonding (ideal interface) between the components and modified approximate periodic boundary conditions. By computing the longitudinal and transverse temperature gradients generated due to the application of uniform heat flux as well as the geometrical variation in RVE owing to temperature enhancement, thermal conductivity and CTE have been respectively determined. Comprehensive evaluations have been conducted to examine the effects of microstructural-level features, including fiber volume content and orientation, plus volume content and thickness of hollow spheres, on the effective thermal conductivity and CTE of pseudo-porous ternary E-glass/epoxy composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]