Psychological impact of identifying character strengths in people with psychosis

A one group pre-post test design investigated the impact of identifying character strengths using the Values In Action Inventory of Strengths (VIA-IS) with individuals with early psychosis (N = 29). Post-test improvements in positive affect and cognitive performance were observed. Neither self-esteem nor self-efficacy improved. The technique appears feasible for use within early intervention services. Adverse consequences should be monitored and additional components considered to enhance benefits

Systematic review and meta-analysis of therapeutic alliance, engagement and outcome in psychological therapies for psychosis

Aim: The moderate association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and psychological therapy outcome is well established. Historically, the field has not focused on people with a severe mental illness. This is the first review to conduct a meta-analysis of associations between TA and therapeutic engagement as well as outcome in psychological therapy for psychosis. / Eligibility criteria: Eligible studies conducted a quantitative investigation of the relationship between TA during a psychological therapy and outcome at a subsequent time-point. / Method: A systematic review examined the relationship between TA and engagement as well as outcome measures within psychological therapy for psychosis. Correlational meta-analyses using an aggregate random effects model were conducted. / Results: Twenty-four studies were eligible for inclusion (n = 1,656) of which 13 were included in the meta-analyses. Client- and therapist-rated TA were associated with engagement in therapy (rclient (c) = 0.36, p = .003; rtherapist (t) = 0.40, p = .0053). TA was also associated with reduction in global (rc = 0.29, p = .0005; rt = 0.24, p = .0015) and psychotic symptoms (rc = 0.17, p = .0115; rt = 0.30, p = .0003). The systematic review identified no evidence or limited evidence for a relationship between TA during therapy and depression, substance use, physical health behaviours, global as well as social functioning, overall mental health recovery, and self-esteem at follow-up. Although number of studies was small, TA was related to a reduced risk of subsequent hospitalization in 40% of analyses (across two studies) and improved cognitive outcome in 50% of analyses (across three studies). / Conclusions: The observed TA-therapy engagement and TA-outcome associations were broadly consistent with those identified across non-psychotic diagnostic groups. Well-powered studies are needed to investigate the relationship between TA and process as well as outcome in psychological therapy for psychosis specifically. / Practitioner points: This is the first review to conduct a meta-analytic synthesis of the association between therapeutic alliance (TA) and both engagement and change in outcome in psychological therapies for psychosis. TA (as rated by therapist and client) was associated with the extent of therapeutic engagement as well as reduction in global mental health symptoms and psychotic symptoms. The significant associations between TA and engagement as well as change in outcome identified in the current review are broadly consistent with those observed across non-psychotic diagnostic groups. We consider factors that could impact upon the dynamic and potentially interdependent relationships between TA and therapeutic techniques, including attachment security and severity of paranoid ideation

Frequency multipliers based on hybrid technology with high harmonic suppression

A wideband frequency multipliers using SiGe bipolar transistors are proposed in this paper. The main circuit of these frequency multipliers consists of an attenuator followed by a bias network and a band pass filter which selects the desired harmonic at the output. The designed doubler can convert a 2–3 GHz input signal to a 4–6 GHz signal, with high suppressions of 59 dB, and 41 dB on the fundamental, and the third harmonic respectively. The tripler can convert a 2.3−2.7 GHz input signal to a 7–8 GHz signal, with suppressions of 68 dB, 52 dB, and 43 dB on the fundamental, the second, and fourth harmonics respectively.This work has been realized thanks to the service provide in the research project “Support and Consulting in the TTC&RF Active Area” from Thales Alenia Space in Spain. This work was also supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) under research projects TEC2014-60283-C3-1-R and TEC2017-88242-C3-1-R

Physiology and Metabolic Anomalies of Dopamine in Horses: A Review

Dopamine (DA) is an important endogenous catecholamine that exerts generalized effects on both neuronal (as a neurotransmitter) and non-neuronal tissues (as an autocrine or paracrine agent). In the central nervous system (CNS), DA binds to specific membrane receptors present in neurons and plays a key role in the control of motor activity, learning, cognition, affectivity and attention. Horses can also present with hyper- and hypo-dopaminergic conditions, including stereotypic behaviors and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction and Parkinsonian’s syndrome, respectively. DA biosynthesis also occurs in peripheral tissues, and receptors in various organs such as the kidney, pancreas, lungs and blood vessels outside the CNS have been detected. DA emulates the actions related to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), promoting the increase in heart rate, blood pressure, electrolyte balance and gastrointestinal (GI) motility. In fact, GI alterations in dopaminergic transmission have been directly or indirectly related to hypomotility and/or postoperative ileus (POI). On the other hand, there are physiological factors, such as breed, age, exercise and reproductive status that modify DA concentrations. In reproduction, the administration of DA antagonists in the middle/end of the spring and anestrus transition period advances the first ovulation of the year in mares. This chapter offers a brief description of the importance of DA as a neurotransmitter and peripheral hormone. Special attention is paid to: (1) functional alterations that occur in the brain and GI tract in various diseases and (2) current therapy to correct alterations in DA systems

Clinical Aspects Related to Plasma Serotonin in the Horse

Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter that has important functions such as the physiological regulation of hemostasis, blood clotting, bone metabolism, cardiovascular growth, contractile activity and gastrointestinal motility, renal function, and stress and sexual behavior, among others. In this review, we consider the potential of 5-HT to contribute to the development of various pathological conditions, including metabolic, vascular, and nervous disorders in horses. The values of 5-HT in circulation are modified under common pathological conditions. Thus, laminitis, endotoxemia, surgical cramps, recurrent airway obstruction, Cushing’s syndrome, central fatigue, and certain behavioral alterations such as stereotypes and other acute or chronic conditions can cause increased levels of 5-HT

Can virtual reality be used to understand persecutory delusions?

Persecutory delusions can be conceptualised as beliefs about the intentions of others. Contemporary models of persecutory delusions have different approaches to understanding interpersonal processes in paranoia. The current paper provides a critical review of the theoretical approaches and the empirical evidence on interpersonal processes across the continuum of paranoia. The three main models of persecutory delusions (Bentall and colleagues' Delusions-as-defence model, Freeman and Colleagues' Threat anticipation model and Trower and Chadwick Interpersonal theory of the self) propose that the social environment is involved in the development of persecutory delusions but they put forward different mechanisms to explain this. The evidence on interpersonal processes is organised in five main areas: interpersonal life events, attachment, schematic beliefs about relationships, social cognition and interpersonal behaviour. The review concludes with a summary of the evidence in relation to the three theoretical approaches, a discussion of methodological issues and the implications for future research

Action Mechanisms and Pathophysiological Characteristics of Cortisol in Horses

Cortisol (CORT), also known as stress hormone, plays a vital role in physiological processes such as electrolyte and fluid balance, cardiovascular homeostasis, carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism, immune and inflammatory responses, and sexual development and reproduction. Cortisol levels are influenced by various physiological factors such as race, age, circadian rhythm, seasonality, exercise and pregnancy. Also, some stressful conditions including isolation or transport, among others, modify levels of this hormone in the body. Excesses or deficiencies of cortisol cause important clinical problems such as Cushing’s and Addison’s syndromes, which contribute substantially to morbidity in equine medicine. Thus, in this review, we will develop the mechanisms of synthesis and regulation, as well as the physiological factors involved and the most important diseases related to the alteration of cortisol secretion in horses and foals

A hybrid bipolar wideband VCO with linearized tuning behaviour for a new generation TTC transponder

This paper presents a wideband voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) using hybrid technology based on bipolar transistors for a new generation TTC Transponder. The VCO is based on microstrip three-pole combline bandpass filter with just one varactor diode. The bandpass filter is embedded into the feed-back loop to treat as a frequency stabilization element. The VCO delivered 4.63 dBm maximum output power at 3.4 GHz with a current consumption of 17.4 mA for a supply voltage of 3 V and it has a tuning range achieved from 600 MHz being the frequency range from 2.8 GHz to 3.4 GHz. The developed VCO with three pole combline filter is experimentally demonstrated at 3.4 GHz with a phase noise of − 126 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset frequency. In addition, over this frequency range, all the phase noises measured at 1 MHz are better than −118 dBc/Hz.This work has been realized thanks to the financing of Thales Alenia Space España, the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF/FEDER) under research projects TEC2014-60283-C3-1-R and TEC2017-88242-C3-1-R, “SUPPORT AND CONSULTING IN THE TTC&RF ACTIVE AREA” from Thales Alenia Space in Spain

Relating behaviours and therapeutic actions during AVATAR therapy dialogue: an observational study

OBJECTIVES: AVATAR therapy is a novel relational approach to working with distressing voices by engaging individuals in direct dialogue with a digital representation of their persecutory voice (the avatar). Critical to this approach is the avatar transition from abusive to conciliatory during the course of therapy. To date, no observational study has examined the moment-to-moment dialogical exchanges of this innovative therapy. We aim to (1) map relating behaviours between participants and their created avatars and (2) examine therapeutic actions delivered within AVATAR dialogue. METHOD: Twenty-five of the fifty-three AVATAR therapy completers were randomly selected from a randomized controlled trial (Craig et al. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5, 2018 and 31). Seventy-five audio recordings of active dialogue from sessions 1 and 4 and the last session were transcribed and analysed using a newly developed coding frame. Inter-rater reliability was good to excellent. RESULTS: Fine-grained analysis of 4,642 observations revealed nuanced communication around relational power and therapeutic activity. Early assertiveness work, reinforced by the therapist, focussed on increasing power and distancing. Participants’ submissive behaviours reduced during therapy, but the shift was gradual. Once the transition to a more conciliatory tone took place, the dialogue primarily involved direct communication between participant and avatar, focussing on sense of self and developmental and relational understanding of voices. CONCLUSIONS: AVATAR therapy supports voice-hearers in becoming more assertive towards a digital representation of their abusive voice. Direct dialogue with carefully characterized avatars aims to build the voice-hearers’ positive sense of self, supporting the person to make sense of their experiences. PRACTITIONER POINTS: AVATAR therapy enables voice-hearers to engage in face-to-face dialogue with a digital representation (‘avatar’) of their persecutory voice. Fine-grained analyses showed how relating behaviours and therapeutic actions evolve during active AVATAR therapy dialogue. Carefully characterized avatars and direct therapist input help voice-hearers become more assertive over the avatar, enhance positive sense of self, and support individuals to make sense of their experiences