Reversibility and further properties of FCFS infinite bipartite matching

The model of FCFS infinite bipartite matching was introduced in caldentey-kaplan-weiss 2009. In this model there is a sequence of items that are chosen i.i.d. from $\mathcal{C}=\{c_1,\ldots,c_I\}$ and an independent sequence of items that are chosen i.i.d. from $\mathcal{S}=\{s_1,\ldots,s_J\}$, and a bipartite compatibility graph $G$ between $\mathcal{C}$ and $\mathcal{S}$. Items of the two sequences are matched according to the compatibility graph, and the matching is FCFS, each item in the one sequence is matched to the earliest compatible unmatched item in the other sequence. In adan-weiss 2011 a Markov chain associated with the matching was analyzed, a condition for stability was verified, a product form stationary distribution was derived and the rates $r_{c_i,s_j}$ of matches between compatible types $c_i$ and $s_j$ were calculated. In the current paper, we present several new results that unveil the fundamental structure of the model. First, we provide a pathwise Loynes' type construction which enables to prove the existence of a unique matching for the model defined over all the integers. Second, we prove that the model is dynamically reversible: we define an exchange transformation in which we interchange the positions of each matched pair, and show that the items in the resulting permuted sequences are again independent and i.i.d., and the matching between them is FCFS in reversed time. Third, we obtain product form stationary distributions of several new Markov chains associated with the model. As a by product, we compute useful performance measures, for instance the link lengths between matched items.Comment: 33 pages, 12 figure

Patología dual. Conocimiento actual y retos futuros.

Los pacientes con PD en tratamiento y abstinentes durante más de tres meses presentan menor amplitud circadiana, peor rendimiento neuropsicológico (atención, memoria, funcionamiento ejecutivo y toma de decisiones) y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud, así como estrategias de afrontamiento al tratamiento más desadaptativas respecto a los pacientes sólo con TUS o TMS. Ello es especialmente patente con TMS de esquizofrenia. Además su patrón de personalidad es mixto respecto al perfil que caracteriza al TUS y al TMS comórbido, pudiéndose destacar la elevada Impulsividad, Búsqueda de Sensaciones y Evitación del Riesgo, así como la baja Persistencia y Dependencia a la Recompensa. Entre las variables moduladoras destaca la edad, los intentos de suicidio, el tratamiento psicofarmacológico y el consumo de cafeína. Todo ello sugiere que la PD es una entidad diagnóstica con características idiosincráticas y no la mera adición de las características asociadas al TUS y al TMS. Considerar aspectos rítmicos, cognitivos y de personalidad en los pacientes con PD puede beneficiar su respuesta al tratamiento y minimizar las recaídas, la cronificación y los problemas psicosociales que presentan.La patología dual (PD), considerada como la coexistencia de un trastorno por uso de sustancias (TUS) y un trastorno mental severo (TMS), supone en la actualidad un reto tanto en el ámbito de conocimiento básico como en el clínico. La prevalencia de PD es muy elevada, a pesar de que no se considere como entidad en los manuales diagnósticos psiquiátricos. Así, datos recientes en España la sitúan entre el 65-85% en la red de atención a las drogodependencias y en el 45% en la de salud mental. La PD se asocia a peor adherencia y respuesta al tratamiento, mayor tasa de recaídas y aumento de los problemas familiares, sociales y legales. En la actualidad queda mucho camino por recorrer en la caracterización de estos pacientes así como en el estudio de aspectos comunes y diferenciales respecto a la existencia de un único diagnóstico, bien sea TUS o TMS. En esta conferencia se expondrá un resumen del trabajo realizado durante los últimos 6 años en nuestro grupo de investigación, formado por investigadores del área de Psicobiología de la Universidad de Barcelona y la Universidad de Málaga.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The circadian typology is related to differences in emotional intelligence

This study examines the relationships between circadian typology and emotional intelligence taking into account the possible interactions between sex and physical exercise, and controlling for age. A sample of 1011 participants (649 women; 26.92 ± 6.53 yr) completed the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale-24. Women showed higher emotional attention scores, while men showed higher emotional repair scores (p< .035). Subjects who do physical exercise weekly showed higher emotional repair scores (p=.001). Morning-type had lower emotional attention than evening and neither-type; neither-type exhibited lower emotional repair than morning-type, and lower emotional clarity than both evening and morning-type (p<.046). Circadian typology modulated sex differences in emotional attention, only morning-type group men showed lower emotional attention scores than women. Morning typology may be a protective factor in terms of general health, while we should be aware that the neither-type may present a vulnerability to develop psychological problemsCTS-19

Circadian functioning and quality of life in substance use disorder patients with and without comorbid major depressive disorder

Aim: Although a relationship between circadian disruption and development of several psychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and substance use disorder (SUD), has been observed, knowledge on this area is scarce yet. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the circadian functioning and quality of life (QOL) in SUD patients with and without comorbid MDD, two highly prevalent clinical entities with difficult therapeutic management. Methods: One hundred sixty-three male patients under treatment, 81 with SUD and 82 with SUD comorbid major depressive disorder (SUD + MDD), were evaluated. For the circadian functioning assessment, we calculated Social Jet Lag (SJL) and used the reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). QOL was measured using the shortened version of the World Health Organization's Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). We collected sociodemographic and clinical variables to evaluate their possible influence on the circadian functioning. Intergroup differences among the variables were examined by different analyses of covariance (ANCOVA and MANCOVA). The possible relationships of quantitative clinical variables with rMEQ, PSQI, and WHOQOL-BREF were explored using bivariate correlation analysis. Results: Lower SJL appears in the SUD + MDD group compared with SUD. The intermediate-type was more prevalent in the SUD group, while a higher percentage of morning-type patients was found in the SUD + MDD. Sleep quality (including latency and daytime dysfunction) was worse for SUD + MDD patients than for SUD even after controlling age and age of SUD onset variables. Last, QOL was poorer in patients with SUD + MDD and, for them, psychological health had a negative relationship with SJL and severity of depression. Conclusions: Our data support and extend previous findings indicating that SUD + MDD is associated with worse clinical characteristics, more sleep problems, and poorer QOL than SUD patients. These results underline the importance of a precise assessment of these measurements in future studies conducted in SUD patients with/without MDD comorbidity that could be considered from a therapeutic point of view

Personality Profile and Clinical Correlates of Patients With Substance Use Disorder With and Without Comorbid Depression Under Treatment

Background: Among patients with substance use disorder (SUD), major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent. Even though, personality plays an important role in treatment outcomes for individuals with SUD and SUD + MDD, few studies have explored personality characteristics in these samples. This study aims to describe personality for patients with SUD taking into account the comorbid MDD, using the Alternative Five Factor Model (AFFM). We also aim to compare SUD + MDD patients with population norms and to elucidate possible personality clinical correlates. Methods: For our study, 116 male patients undergoing for SUD treatment were divided in two groups: SUD only (N = 58) and SUD + MDD (N = 58). To examine personality, we used the Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire and multiple analyses of covariance were performed to identify differences. In a first analysis, age was introduced as a covariate whereas in a second analysis the continuous variables that showed to have a discriminant value for the groups were added as covariates. Variables predicting the presence of dual diagnosis and personality clinical correlates were analyzed by logistic and linear regression models, respectively. We observed that patients with SUD + MDD show distinctive personality characteristics compared with patients with SUD only and population norms. Results: According to the AFFM, SUD + MDD patients are characterized by higher Neuroticism-Anxiety (positively associated to depressive symptoms) and Impulsivity; and by lower Parties and Friends. Moreover, the probability of having a dual depressive disorder was represented by the amount of medications and substances used. The preference for hard work and the energy self-reported levels (Work Activity trait) are linked to these clinical variables rather than to the presence/absence of a dual depressive disorder. Conclusions: Even when controlling clinical variables related to a higher probability of having a dual depressive disorder, the Neuroticism-Anxiety is a personality trait that strongly differentiates between SUD only and SUD + MDD patients. Further investigation is needed to explore the role of this personality trait as endophenotype in dual depressive men. Our results underline the importance of a dimensional understanding of personality and its clinical correlates among patients with SUD + MDD; this approach could provide us information on specific treatment strategies to improve the prognosis of patients

Patología Dual y rasgos de personalidad:situación actual y líneas futuras de trabajo

Dual diagnosis (DD) is the co-occurrence, in the same person, of a mental disorder (MD) and a substance use disorder (SUD). Nowadays, the study of the personality with DD is realized mainly from a categorical view, focusing on the detection of personality disorders and not on the traits associated to DD and the possible differential profile compared to those patients with only MD or SUD. Studies analyzing personality traits of patients with DD and their possible differential profile are very limited. However, existing data indicates that DD patients show higher levels of Sensation Seeking, Impulsivity, Harm Avoidance and Neuroticism; and lower levels of Persistence, Self-Direction, Self-Transcendence and Cooperation. Therefore, DD is associated to personality characteristics that suggest more disruptive behaviors, fewer resources for recovering and keeping abstinent and worse prognosis compared to those with only one disorder. Progress in the characterization of personality traits in DD, taking into consideration the methodological aspects to be improved could allow better adaptation of the integrated treatment of these patients in the future

¿Mejora la cafeína nuestro rendimiento?

La cafeína es la sustancia con efecto estimulante más consumida en todo el mundo. Esta se halla integrada en la dieta. Los preparados más utilizados son el café y el té, aunque también existe un consumo relevante de yerba mate, refrescos de cola y bebidas energéticas

Tipología circadiana y problemas de salud mental

La tipología circadiana (matutina, vespertina o intermedia) es una diferencia individual que se ha relacionado con numerosos aspectos de la salud mental. En este estudio se revisan los principales hallazgos publicados en el área. Tras la búsqueda bibliográfica en las principales bases de datos se seleccionaron un total de 70 artículos publicados en castellano e inglés entre los años 1990 y 2012, recogidos en las bases de datos ISI, Scopus y Medline, donde se muestra que los individuos vespertinos presentan una mayor prevalencia de trastorno afectivo estacional, depresión mayor, trastorno bipolar, esquizofrenia, trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, trastornos del sueño, conductas adictivas, TDAH y mayores niveles de ansiedad que los matutinos. La tipología vespertina se perfila como un factor de riesgo y la matutina como un factor protector para el desarrollo de diversas psicopatologías, apuntándose como posibles causas polimorfismos de los genes reloj, el jet-lag social y algunos rasgos de personalidad. La tipología circadiana debe considerarse en la evaluación, tratamiento y prevención de las psicopatologías, pues afecta al inicio, curso, remisión y recaída de las mismas. La utilización de terapia cronobiológica es un factor a tener en cuenta en el abordaje terapéutico cuando la expresión rítmica circadiana se halla alterada