Preeti Mishra

The efficacy of cerebellar vermal deep high frequency (theta range) repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in schizophrenia: A randomized rater blind-sham controlled study

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a promising therapeutic for schizophrenia. Treatment effects of rTMS have been variable across different symptom clusters, with negative symptoms showing better response, followed by auditory hallucinations. Cerebellum, especially vermis and its abnormalities (both structural and functional) have been implicated in cognitive, affective and positive symptoms of schizophrenia. rTMS to this alternate site has been suggested as a novel target for treating patients with this disorder. Hypothesizing cerebellar vermal magnetic stimulation as an adjunct to treat schizophrenia psychopathology, we conducted a double blind randomized sham controlled rTMS study. In this study, forty patients were randomly allocated (using block randomization method) to active high frequency (theta patterned) rTMS (n=20) and sham (n=20) groups. They received 10 sessions over 2 weeks. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia (CDSS) scores were assessed at baseline, after last session and at 4 weeks (2 weeks post-rTMS). We found a significantly greater improvement in the group receiving active rTMS sessions, compared to the sham group on negative symptoms, and depressive symptoms. We conclude that cerebellar stimulation can be used as an effective adjunct to treat negative and affective symptoms.

Effect of Polyvinyl Alcohol on Hydration of Fly Ash Blended Cement

Polymers have been used in cement-based materials to modify important characteristics and properties such as rheology, water-retention ability, cohesion, adhesion, and toughness of fresh and hardened mortars, as well as concretes. In this paper, the characteristic properties of ordinary portland cement (OPC) hydration in the presence of fly ash (FA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) have been studied. The setting times of OPC are prolonged when FA and PVA are added separately or in combination. The compressive strength of FA-blended cement in the presence of PVA at 28 days of hydration is enhanced considerably. An interaction between PVA and hydrating blending cement is expected. Based on the results, the mechanism of action of PVA on the hydration of FA-blended cement is discussed.

Reactions of Trialkylamines with the Cyclocarbaphosphazene Cl2PN(ClCN)2: Selectivity in the Cleavage of Alkyl Groups

Reactions of unsymmetrically substituted trialkylamines MeNEt 2 , MeN(allyl) 2 , MeN(Benzyl) 2 , Me 2 N(Benzyl), EtNPr i 2 , MeNPr i 2 , MeN(c-C 6 H 11 ) 2 , and Me 2 N(c-C 6 H 11 ) with the carbaphosphazene (ClCN) 2 (Cl 2 PN) were carried out to understand the preference for the cleavage of various alkyl groups on the amino nitrogen. All the trialkylamines underwent dealkylation and the generated dialkylamino groups substituted regiospecifically on the carbon atoms of the cyclocarbaphosphazene. When MeNEt 2 was reacted with (ClCN) 2 (Cl 2 PN), one of its ethyl groups was preferentially cleaved. Deallylation was favored over the cleavage of methyl group in the reaction of MeN(allyl) 2 with (ClCN) 2 (Cl 2 PN). Benzyl and cyclohexyl groups were more readily cleaved than the methyl group when MeN(Benzyl) 2 , Me 2 N(Benzyl), MeN(c-C 6 H 11 ) 2 , and Me 2 N(c-C 6 H 11 ) were reacted with (ClCN) 2 (Cl 2 PN). The isopropyl group was found to be cleaved preferentially over ethyl and methyl groups in the reactions of EtNPr i 2 and MeNPr i 2 with (ClCN) 2 (Cl 2 PN). Sterically hindered trialkylamines also underwent dealkylation with monosubstitution of the carbaphosphazene. The results show that the ease of cleavage of the alkyl groups depends primarily on the stability of the alkyl carbocation of the cleaved group.

Geriatric Population: Suicide as a Road to Relief or to Release

Life has many phases and it forces a person to face what it offers. Those who survive go to the next phase but those who fail face significant emotional turmoil. The issue is what factor plays a predominant role when a person commits suicide? Suicide is common among all the ages but when it comes to suicide in elder people it leaves us with many unanswered questions. One of them being, ‘why at this stage of life?’ This is the phase where the person has lived almost all her/his entire life fulfilling all responsibilities. The concern is why at this last phase of life? Was that situation inevitable? Had the situation became so worse that ending life was the last resort to overcome the obstacle? These concerns gave rise to think whether suicide is a road to relief or to release? With this aim the current topic will explore and explain the factors, the conditions and the psyche of the elderly people who commit suicide and how and in what conditions it can be prevented.

Computer Based Psychological Interventions: Subject to the Efficacy of Psychological Services

Thedigitalworldandtechnologyhaveremainedaveryfascinatingprecinctinhuman life.Thispapercontainsempiricalevidenceontheacceptanceandefficacyofcomputer andinternet-basedinterventionsformentaldisordershasincreased.Despitegrowing evidenceofeffectivenessofdigitalinterventions,itisstillunclearhowthepracticeof interventionsshouldbemeasured,howthisisassociatedwithbenefits,andhowmuch interventionsshouldbeusedinordertogethealthbenefits.Guidedcomputer-based interventions combined with face to face therapeutic sessions give a very prolific resultinalongrun.Moreempiricalandresearch-basedsupportisrequiredtocompare thebenefitsanddrawbacksbetweencomputer-basedandface-to-faceassessmentand therapeutic interventions.This article focuseson thevarious aspectsof computerbasedinterventionandhowtheseupcomingdigital interventionsaresubject tothe efficacyoftraditionalface-to-facetherapeuticapproaches. KEywoRdS Computer, Efficacy, Internet, Interventions, Psychological Services

Suitability of Lime, Green Leaf, and Farm Yard Manure and Inorganic Fertilizers for Sustaining Green Gram Yield and Rainwater Use Efficiency Under Moist Sub-Humid Alfisols in India

ABSTRACT Field experiments were conducted to assess the effect of nutrients management practices on yield and rainwater use efficiency of green gram (Vigna radiata), and soil fertility under moist sub-humid Alfisols at Phulbani, India, during 2005–2008. Ten treatment combinations of lime @ 10% and 20% of lime requirement (LR) @ 8.3 t ha−1, farmyard manure (FYM) @ 5 t ha−1, green leaf manure @ 5 t ha−1, and nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N–P–K) (20–40–20 kg ha−1) were tested. The analysis of variance indicated that treatments differed significantly from each other in influencing yield and rainwater use efficiency. Application of lime @ 20% LR + FYM @ 5 t/ha + 40 kg P + 20 kg K ha−1 was superior with maximum mean yield of 531 kg ha−1, while lime @ 10% LR + FYM @ 5 t ha−1 + 40 kg P + 20 kg K ha−1 was the second best with 405 kg ha−1 and maintained maximum soil fertility of nutrients. The superior treatment gave maximum sustainability yield index of 67.5%, rainwater use efficiency of 0.49 kg ha−1 mm−1, improved soil pH, electrical conductivity, and soil nutrients over years.