Computerized cognitive remediation therapy on cognitive impairment and social function in patients with chronic schizophrenia

BACKGROUND Patients with schizophrenia may have various disease manifestations,most of which gradually tend toward incurable chronic decline,leading to mental disability.The basic symptoms of the disease can impair social function,whereas long-term hospitalization produces hospitalization syndrome,causing serious damage to social function.AIM To investigate the effects of Computerized Cognitive Remediation Therapy(CCRT)on cognitive and social functioning in patients with chronic schizophrenia.METHODS A retrospective analysis of 120 patients with chronic schizophrenia in Shanghai Pudong New Area Mental Health Center was performed.They were divided into an intervention group(60 cases treated with CCRT combined with conventional medication)and a control group(60 cases treated with conventional medication).After treatment,effects on cognitive function and social roles were observed in both groups.The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS)was used to assess the patients'psychiatric symptoms.The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST)was used to assess the patients'cognitive functioning,and the Social Functioning Scale for Psychiatric Inpatients(SSPI)was used to assess the social functioning of the inpatient psychiatric patients.RESULTS No significant differences were observed in the PANSS,WCST,and SSPI intergroup scores before treatment(P>0.05).After 2,4,and 6 wk of therapy,general psychopathological factors,positive symptoms,negative symptoms,and total PANSS scores of PANSS in the intervention group were lower than in the control group(P<0.05).After 2,4,and 6 wk of treatment,the number of false responses,number of persistent bugs,and total responses in the WCST were significantly lower in the intervention group than in the control group(P<0.05),and the amount of completed classification was significantly higher than in the control group(P<0.05).After 2,4,and 6 wk of therapy,the SSPI scores were significantly greater than those of the controls(P<0.05).After 6 wk of treatment,the efficacy rates of the control and intervention groups were 81.67%and 91.67%,respectively.The curative effect in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION CCRT can significantly improve cognitive function and social abilities in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Urban spatial structure analysis:quantitative identification of urban social functions using building footprints

Analysis of urban spatial structures is an effective way to explain and solve increasingly serious urban problems.However,many of the existing methods are limited because of data quality and availability,and usually yield inaccurate results due to the unclear description of urban social functions.In this paper,we present an investigation on urban social function based spatial structure analysis using building footprint data.An improved turning function(TF)algorithm and a selforganizing clustering method are presented to generate the variable area units(VAUs)of high-homogeneity from building footprints as the basic research units.Based on the generated VAUs,five spatial metrics are then developed for measuring the morphological characteristics and the spatial distribution patterns of buildings in an urban block.Within these spatial metrics,three models are formulated for calculating the social function likelihoods of each urban block to describe mixed social functions in an urban block,quantitatively.Consequently,the urban structures can be clearly observed by an analysis of the spatial distribution patterns,the development trends,and the hierarchy of different social functions.The results of a case study conducted for Munich validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Relationship between primary caregivers’social support function,anxiety,and depression after interventional therapy for acute myocardial infarction patients

BACKGROUND An acute myocardial infarction(AMI)is often treated with direct coronary intervention and requires home-based rehabilitation.Caregivers of patients with AMI need adequate social support to maintain high-quality care;however,their social support function is low,and relevant indicators for intervention must be identified.AIM To analyze the correlation between social support for primary caregivers,their anxiety,and depression,when caring for patients with AMI after interventional therapy.METHODS Using convenience sampling,we selected 300 primary caregivers of patients with AMI who had undergone interventional therapy.The Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),and Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS)were used to assess the primary caregivers.A Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations between the SSRS,SAS,and SDS,and a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors influencing the low social support function of primary caregivers.The receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve(AUC)were used to evaluate the predictive ability of the SAS and SDS for low social support function in primary caregivers.RESULTS Considering the norm among Chinese people,AMI caregivers’objective support,subjective support,support utilization,and SSRS scores were lower,while their SAS and SDS scores were higher.The SSRS scores of female caregivers were higher than those of the male caregivers(t=2.123,P=0.035).The Pearson correlation analysis showed that objective support,subjective support,support utilization,and SSRS total scores were significantly correlated with both SAS(r=-0.414,-0.460,-0.416,-0.535)and SDS scores(r=-0.463,-0.379,-0.349,-0.472).Among the 300 AMI caregivers,56 cases(18.67%)had a low level of support function(SSRS≤22 points).Logistic regression model analysis showed that SAS and SDS were independent risk factors for low social support function of AMI caregivers,regardless of adjustment for other variables(P<0.05).SAS and SDS predicted that the AUC of AMI caregivers with low support function was 0.84,sensitivity was 67.9 and 71.4,and specificity was 84.0 and 70.9,respectively.CONCLUSION The social support function of the primary caregiver of patients with AMI after interventional therapy was lower and negatively correlated with anxiety and depression in the primary caregiver.

Effect of non-pharmacological treatment on the full recovery of social functioning in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

BACKGROUND Long-term treatment of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD)is associated with adverse events,such as nausea and vomiting,dizziness,and sleep disturbances,and poor maintenance of late ADHD medication compromises treatment outcomes and prolongs the recovery of patients’social functioning.AIM To evaluate the effect of non-pharmacological treatment on the full recovery of social functioning in patients with ADHD.METHODS A total of 90 patients diagnosed with ADHD between May 2019 and August 2020 were included in the study and randomly assigned to either the pharmacological group(methylphenidate hydrochloride and tomoxetine hydrochloride)or the non-pharmacological group(parental training,behavior modification,sensory integration therapy,and sand tray therapy),with 45 cases in each group.Outcome measures included treatment compliance,Swanson,Nolan,and Pelham,Version IV(SNAP-IV)scores,Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire(PSQ)scores,and Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale(WFIRS)scores.RESULTS The non-pharmacological interventions resulted in significantly higher compliance in patients(95.56%)compared with medication(71.11%)(P<0.05).However,no significant differences in SNAP-IV and PSQ scores,in addition to the learning/school,social activities,and adventure activities of the WFIRS scores were observed between the two groups(P>0.05).Patients with non-pharmacological interventions showed higher WFIRS scores for family,daily life skills,and self-concept than those in the pharmacological group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Non-pharmacological interventions,in contrast to the potential risks of adverse events after longterm medication,improve patient treatment compliance,alleviate patients’behavioral symptoms of attention,impulsivity,and hyperactivity,and improve their cognitive ability,thereby improving family relationships and patient self-evaluation.

Assessment on self-care, mobility and social function of children with spina bifida in Turkey

The aim of the study was to investigate the functional performance in children with spina bifida, using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory （PEDI） to look into capacity of twen- ty-eight children with spina bifida with lesions at different levels in different dimensions of self- care, mobility and social function. Mean age of the patients was 3.5 ± 2.3 （1-10） years. In the muscle test carried out, 13 patients （44.8%） had no movements including pelvic elevation in lower extremity muscles and they were at level 5. Sixteen patients （54%） were non-ambulatory according to the Hoofer ambulation classification. Raw and scale scores in the self-care, mobil- ity and social function domains both in the functional skill scale and in the caregiver scale were found to be lower compared to the data of the normal population. A statistically significant correlation was observed in the self-care values of the Functional Skills Scales and the Caregiver Assistance Scale measurements, which was positive for age and negative for Functional Ambu- lation Scale and muscle test （P 〈 0.05）. A positive relation was found between the Functional Skills Scales-mobility area and age while a negative relation was observed between Functional Ambulation Scale and muscle test （P 〈 0.005）. A negative relation was also found between Care- giver Assistance Scale-mobility and Functional Ambulation Scale and muscle test （P 〈 0.005）. In our study, the functional performance of the children was found to be low. Low-level lesions, encouraging muscular strength and independence in mobility are all very important factors for functional independence.

Modem Consumption Under Consumer Culture Context and Its Social Function

Consumption has drawn scholars＇ attention from many fields and is studied from many perspectives. With the overwhelmingly powerful position of consumption in the society, new meanings have been endowed with the behavior of consumption. This paper tries to introduce the consumer culture theory, referring mainly to the French sociologist Baudrillard and to explore the social functions, namely differentiation and alienation of consumption under the consumer culture context.

Clinical Correlates Associated with Basic Ability of Social Life in Schizophrenia Inpatients

Objective: The aim of the present study is to explore clinical factors associated with basic ability of social life in schizophrenia inpatients. Methods: The subjects were 50 inpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV). Their mean age was 53.08 (SD = 12.08) years. Social life functioning was evaluated using the Rehabilitation Evaluation of Hall and Baker (REHAB). Cognitive function was assessed with the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and clinical symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia and the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale (DIEPSS). Results: The REHAB deviant behavior score showed a significant correlation with the PANSS positive syndrome score (r = 0.55, p < 0.01) and the REHAB general behavior score had significant correlations with the PANSS positive syndrome score (r = 0.28, p < 0.05), the PANSS negative syndrome score (r = 0.53, p < 0.01), and the DIEPSS score (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between the scores of the REHAB and the BACS. Conclusion: These results suggest that negative and drug-induced extrapyramidal symptoms are much more important factors related to lowered basic ability of social life of schizophrenia inpatients than cognitive function.

Effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy on rehabilitation of community patients with schizophrenia:A short-term randomized control trial

BACKGROUND The efficacy of cognitive behavioral group therapy(CBGT)for cognitive dysfunction and negative symptoms of schizophrenia is established,but more evidence is required.AIM To assess the effectiveness of CBGT combined with mental health education as a treatment for schizophrenia compared with mental health education alone.METHODS In all,120 schizophrenia out-patients were randomized into CBGT combined with mental health education or single mental health education.The primary outcomes were positive and negative symptoms,cognitive function,excitatory factor,anxiety and depression symptom improvements on the positive and negative syndrome scale score.Secondary outcome measures included social function and drug compliance.RESULTS There were significant differences between CBGT combined with mental health education and single mental health education on measures of positive and negative symptoms,cognitive functions,excitatory factor,anxiety and depression symptoms,and social functions.No other significant difference in outcomes was observed.CONCLUSION CBGT combined with mental health education may be relevant beneficial treatment method in reducing symptoms,cognitive and social functions of patients with schizophrenia.

Consumer satisfaction, quality of life and distress with regard to social function and gender in severe mental illness

OBJECTIVE. The relationships between subjective satisfaction, distress and quality of life for severely mental ill patients with different functional levels and gender was investigated in a multi-center cohort, using a balanced mix of subjective and clinician ratings in an outcome-informed model for a clinical management based on shared decision making, 'The Quality star'. METHODS. Naturalistic data for 2552 persons, mainly with schizophrenia diagnoses, in long-term treatment and rehabilitation, were analyzed in a cross-sectional study. RESULTS. With increasing Social Function, rated with the split-GAF Disability/Functioning scale, the better were patients' Satisfaction, subjective Quality of life and Perceived Global Distress. Women were more satisfied with the care but also more distressed. CONCLUSION. Main findings were in line with other studies. However, the gender differences are in line with some, but not with other, studies. This poses questions how patient factors, instrument constructs, and treatment, especially shared decision making, influence subjective reports.

Effect of Social Skill Training on Social Function in Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective:To explore the effect of Social Skills Training(SST)on the social function of inpatients with schizophrenia.Methods:A total of 40 patients with schizophrenia(20 in the intervention group and 20 in the control group)were selected from a psychiatric hospital in Shanghai for 10 times(once a week)of social skills training.The control group was treated with routine hospitalization(drug therapy and routine hospitalization nursing)for 10 weeks.Social Disability Screening Schedule before and after intervention for patients enrolled in the intervention group(Social Disability Screening Schedule,SDSS and Scale of Social Function in Psychosis Inpatients,SSPI).Conclusion:The results of social skills training on SDSS and SSPI were different between the two groups,and there was no statistical value(P>0.05).Observation of patients in this group,when undergoing social skills training,SSPI score was significantly better than the control group(P<0.01)and SDSS score was significantly lower than the control group(P<0.01),the differences were statistically significant.Social skills training and social work group intervention can improve psychiatric symptoms and further enhance social function in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia.

Dynamic programming methodology for multi-criteria group decision-making under ordinal preferences

A method of minimizing rankings inconsistency is proposed for a decision-making problem with rankings of alternatives given by multiple decision makers according to multiple criteria. For each criteria, at first, the total inconsistency between the rankings of all alternatives for the group and the ones for every decision maker is defined after the decision maker weights in respect to the criteria are considered. Similarly, the total inconsistency between their final rankings for the group and the ones under every criteria is determined after the criteria weights are taken into account. Then two nonlinear integer programming models minimizing respectively the two total inconsistencies above are developed and then transformed to two dynamic programming models to obtain separately the rankings of all alternatives for the group with respect to each criteria and their final rankings. A supplier selection case illustrated the proposed method, and some discussions on the results verified its effectiveness. This work develops a new measurement of ordinal preferences’ inconsistency in multi-criteria group decision-making （MCGDM） and extends the cook-seiford social selection function to MCGDM considering weights of criteria and decision makers and can obtain unique ranking result.

Welfare Balance of Different Interest Groups During Rural-urban Land Conversion

Rural-urban land conversion is currently a common social economic phenomenon during the process of economic development and rural urbanization in China. Rural-urban land conversion is positively effective as far as social and economic benefits are concerned (Yang, 2002), but its negative effect is also evident, resulting in such problems as low efficiency of rural land configuration and loss of social welfare. Consequently, farm-ers should also have an equal chance to enjoy the social welfare enhanced by land conversion. Based on the theories of welfare economy, this paper puts forward policy suggestions by discussing the welfare changes of various interest groups, builds the model of welfare distribution, and analyzes the conditions of maximizing social welfare. The absolute and opposite value of social welfare is closely related with the speed of rural-urban land conversion, and governments should give farmers and collectives fair compensa-tion to make up for the utility loss caused by land expropriation, which are conclusions drawn from this paper. This study aims to provide a theoretical basis for regulating targets and evaluation criteria, realizing the mechanism and implementation of public po-lices during rural-urban land conversion.

On Mao Dun’s Two“Lost Pearls”and His Thoughts in Xinjiang Daily

This paper takes Mr.Mao Dun’s“Some Important Meanings Obtained from the Painting Exhibition”and“About the Characters in the Novel”published in Xinjiang Daily as the research object to explore his literary thoughts.He adhered to the utilitarian literary and artistic view of“guiding life”,dialectically absorbed foreign literary theories such as“naturalism”and“positivism”,focused on reality,emphasized the author’s correct outlook on life,world outlook and positive attitude towards life,paid more attention to the experience and perception of public life,constantly enriched and expanded the literary connotation of revolutionary realism,and made outstanding contributions to the popularization and popularization of literature and art in Xinjiang.

A Comparative Study of British and American Feminist Criticism

Feminism generally agree that their goals are to expose patriarchal premises and resulting prejudices, to promote discovery and reevaluation of literature by women, and to examine social, cultural, and psychosexual contexts of literature and literary criticism. comparatively speaking; British Feminist criticism emphasizes the women＇s self-awareness, social critical function and prefers traditional realistic techniques. While American feminism approaches focuses on self-expression and feminine identity.

Cancer Survivors’ Experience of Health-Related Quality of Life Six to Eight Years after Diagnosis—A Qualitative Study

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is affected for many years following cancer treatment. With an increasing number of long-term cancer survivors, HRQOL will be a key concern in the future. There is a lack of qualitative studies investigating long-term cancer survivors’ needs and experience of late effects and HRQOL. Objective: The aim of this sub-study is to describe cancer survivors’ own experience of late effects affecting HRQOL six to eight years after diagnosis. Methods: We used a qualitative methodology with semi-structured focus group interviews to gain an in-depth understanding of participants’ experience of their HRQOL. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: All of the participants reported late effects at some point after the treatment. Some of the experienced late effects had improved over the years, while the late effects mentioned in this article were still prominent six to eight years after the diagnosis. They described, among others, late effects such as reduced physical strength, cognitive difficulties, lack of energy and increased sensitivity. The participants described the late effects as bearable, but still affecting their HRQOL by limiting their activity level, their ability to work and their social interactions. Conclusions: Six to eight years post-treatment, cancer survivors still experienced physical and cognitive late effects affecting their HRQOL. The findings indicate that some late effects affect HRQOL for a long time. To prepare cancer survivors for post-treatment life and to optimize their HRQOL, they need information concerning potential late effects before, during and after cancer treatment, as well as support services and follow-up in the municipalities.

An Empirical Study on Codeswitching of Chinese English Teachers on Tertiary Level

The paper explores the universal laws of codeswitching among the three language varieties, namely, English, the Standard Chinese, and dialects on the part of Chinese English teachers at tertiary level on the basis of the questionnaire data derived from thirty-one doctoral graduate teachers. The Chi-square test results confirm American sociolinguist J. Fishman＇s Domain Theory. However, the author holds that the theory should be revised when applied to the study of codeswitching by Chinese English teachers at tertiary level, the original church domain is to be deleted, a novel public affairs domain is to be added to. Meanwhile the author further points out that the SC acquires linguistically functional reversibility whereas English and dialects are functionally irreversible. Finally the. author interprets that the nature of codeswitching turns out the reestablishment of social situation attempting to bring about intended social status and distance to the interlocutors.

Identifying urban land use social functional units:a case study using OSM data

Urban land use is always the central focus of urban planners and policymakers when pursuing urban sustainable development.Currently,many studies have explored urban land use using satellite data,but few of them can identify the social function of land use through these data.In this research,OpenStreetMap(OSM)data are used to extract urban land use social functional units.Firstly,the OSM data are transferred to actual land use types based on the established mapping rules between OSM data and the urban land use classification standards.Then,the improved DBSCAN algorithm is applied with OSM data of the study area after estimating the parameters of the neighborhood radius(Eps)and the minimum polygons(MinPolys)based on the polygon density.With the two estimated parameters,the improved DBSCAN algorithm is used to cluster residential,commercial and public service land use social functional polygons of the OSM data.Following that,the clusters of the three land use types are processed into land use social functional units.The results show that OSM data perform well in determining these three land use social functional clusters using the improved DBSCAN algorithm,and the social functional units display obvious spatial features.

Chinese Ageing in Minority Cultures： The Role of Social Functioning

The increasing proportions of older people in the populations of many societies and the patterns of increasing global mobility make social services with ageing ethnic minorities of ever greater importance to social work practitioners. The paper reviews current knowledge and understanding of factors that contribute to social functioning within and outside the family among one migrant group： older ethnic Chinese in Western countries. The findings show that the capacity to maintain a functional social role varies across different groups of Chinese ethnic elders： some are marginalized and excluded from mainstream social engagement on a number of different levels. Some have difl!iculty in accessing public services; some are in a disadvantageous position with regard to wider social connections; and others are empowered in later life in terms of income, social engagement, autonomy and being in a collective, reciprocal relationship. The impact of these factors is complicated by the mixture of the older people＇s cultural heritage, degree of acculturation, socioeconomic status, educational achievements, patterns and history of immigration, refigious beliefs, and family dynamics. Similarly these factors must be understood by social service professionals for providing services to match the needs of ethnic Chinese older people.

Linguistic expressions of despondency:an investigation of Sangness-related Chinese catchwords

Catchwords,as important social and cultural symbols,are the barometer of a country's society and culture.In China,various catchwords are coined and used every year by Chinese people,especially the young.Of these catchwords,one particular type that expresses despondency or Sangness is increasingly gaining scholarly attention.This study takes a socio-linguistic approach to investigating the most frequently used Sangness-related Chinese catchwords in the past ten years.By examining the annual top ten catchwords selected by Biting Words and Chewing Words between 2013 and 2022,it finds that the most frequently used Sangness-related Chinese catchwords in the past decade have been(1)Ge You Slouch,(2)feeling awful and wanting to cry,(3)Buddha-like,(4)996 work schedule,(5)life is too hard for me,(6)laborer,(7)involution,(8)lying flat,and(9)mental internal friction.These catchwords mainly serve the functions of deconstructing mainstream values,expressing self-mockery,and seeking value recognition.The development of these Sangness-related catchwords is characterized by an increasing diversity and a strongerapplicability.

Interpersonal coordination in schizophrenia:a concise update on paradigms,computations,and neuroimaging findings

Social function deficits are a ubiquitous manifestation of many psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia(Burns,2006;Green et al,2015;Schilbach,2016).Patients with schizophrenia(PSZ)exhibit a variety of abnormalities in social cognition related to social perception,facial emotion recognition,mentalization,and interpersonal coordination(Turetsky et al,2007;Schilbach,2016;Green et al,2019).