On the relationship between subjective and objective measures of virtual reality experiences : a case study of a serious game

In this paper we present a Virtual Reality game related to Cultural Heritage. We contribute with an analysis of subjective measures taken from questionnaires filled by users after the VR experience, and objective measures taken from logs during the VR game. Specifically, we were interested on study data globally and in groups of user behaviour. Analysing data globally we see a high value of users’ subjective perceptions. Nevertheless, we found differences of subjective measures when splitting the Novice group. Specifically, the subjective perception of Strugglers is considerably lower than the rest of groups, and this difference is significant. Then, we propose strategies to provide a better experience to Strugglers. We also found correlations between objective and subjective data when they were analysed globally (i.e. without using groups), but these measures did not correlate when they were analysed using behaviour groups

ADGRL3 (LPHN3) variants predict substance use disorder

Genetic factors are strongly implicated in the susceptibility to develop externalizing syndromes such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and substance use disorder (SUD). Variants in the ADGRL3 (LPHN3) gene predispose to ADHD and predict ADHD severity, disruptive behaviors comorbidity, long-term outcome, and response to treatment. In this study, we investigated whether variants within ADGRL3 are associated with SUD, a disorder that is frequently co-morbid with ADHD. Using family-based, case-control, and longitudinal samples from disparate regions of the world (n = 2698), recruited either for clinical, genetic epidemiological or pharmacogenomic studies of ADHD, we assembled recursive-partitioning frameworks (classification tree analyses) with clinical, demographic, and ADGRL3 genetic information to predict SUD susceptibility. Our results indicate that SUD can be efficiently and robustly predicted in ADHD participants. The genetic models used remained highly efficient in predicting SUD in a large sample of individuals with severe SUD from a psychiatric institution that were not ascertained on the basis of ADHD diagnosis, thus identifying ADGRL3 as a risk gene for SUD. Recursive-partitioning analyses revealed that rs4860437 was the predominant predictive variant. This new methodological approach offers novel insights into higher order predictive interactions and offers a unique opportunity for translational application in the clinical assessment of patients at high risk for SUD

The Biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea: Estimates, Patterns, and Threats

The Mediterranean Sea is a marine biodiversity hot spot. Here we combined an extensive literature analysis with expert opinions to update publicly available estimates of major taxa in this marine ecosystem and to revise and update several species lists. We also assessed overall spatial and temporal patterns of species diversity and identified major changes and threats. Our results listed approximately 17,000 marine species occurring in the Mediterranean Sea. However, our estimates of marine diversity are still incomplete as yet—undescribed species will be added in the future. Diversity for microbes is substantially underestimated, and the deep-sea areas and portions of the southern and eastern region are still poorly known. In addition, the invasion of alien species is a crucial factor that will continue to change the biodiversity of the Mediterranean, mainly in its eastern basin that can spread rapidly northwards and westwards due to the warming of the Mediterranean Sea. Spatial patterns showed a general decrease in biodiversity from northwestern to southeastern regions following a gradient of production, with some exceptions and caution due to gaps in our knowledge of the biota along the southern and eastern rims. Biodiversity was also generally higher in coastal areas and continental shelves, and decreases with depth. Temporal trends indicated that overexploitation and habitat loss have been the main human drivers of historical changes in biodiversity. At present, habitat loss and degradation, followed by fishing impacts, pollution, climate change, eutrophication, and the establishment of alien species are the most important threats and affect the greatest number of taxonomic groups. All these impacts are expected to grow in importance in the future, especially climate change and habitat degradation. The spatial identification of hot spots highlighted the ecological importance of most of the western Mediterranean shelves (and in particular, the Strait of Gibraltar and the adjacent Alboran Sea), western African coast, the Adriatic, and the Aegean Sea, which show high concentrations of endangered, threatened, or vulnerable species. The Levantine Basin, severely impacted by the invasion of species, is endangered as well

Design and baseline characteristics of the finerenone in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity in diabetic kidney disease trial

Background: Among people with diabetes, those with kidney disease have exceptionally high rates of cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality and progression of their underlying kidney disease. Finerenone is a novel, nonsteroidal, selective mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist that has shown to reduce albuminuria in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) while revealing only a low risk of hyperkalemia. However, the effect of finerenone on CV and renal outcomes has not yet been investigated in long-term trials. Patients and Methods: The Finerenone in Reducing CV Mortality and Morbidity in Diabetic Kidney Disease (FIGARO-DKD) trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of finerenone compared to placebo at reducing clinically important CV and renal outcomes in T2D patients with CKD. FIGARO-DKD is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, event-driven trial running in 47 countries with an expected duration of approximately 6 years. FIGARO-DKD randomized 7,437 patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate >= 25 mL/min/1.73 m(2) and albuminuria (urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio >= 30 to <= 5,000 mg/g). The study has at least 90% power to detect a 20% reduction in the risk of the primary outcome (overall two-sided significance level alpha = 0.05), the composite of time to first occurrence of CV death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for heart failure. Conclusions: FIGARO-DKD will determine whether an optimally treated cohort of T2D patients with CKD at high risk of CV and renal events will experience cardiorenal benefits with the addition of finerenone to their treatment regimen. Trial Registration: EudraCT number: 2015-000950-39; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02545049

Using Rules to support Case-Based Reasoning for harmonizing melodies

This paper deals with the problem of harmonizing melodies based on a multimodal reasoning approach where general knowledge about harmonization, represented by rules, supports concrete knowledge represented by cases. Rules are applied when the cases cannot provide a solution. The combination of these two reasoning methods has proven to be useful and in general can be useful in domains where it is difficult to find enough cases and is not suitable to work only with general rules. Introduction The problem of harmonizing melodies has been usually approached using rule-based systems. In fact, this approach seems to be the most natural way because, traditionally, the art of harmonizing in music schools has been taught by means of rules. But if we analyze the phenomenon of harmony we will see that these rules are only a method (usually imperfect) to reflect the organization and structure inside a musical composition. In other words, the rules don&apos;t make the music, is the music which makes th..

Is the phase of the menstrual cycle relevant when getting the covid-19 vaccine?

Stability of the menstrual cycle is a key indicator of health, and its alteration can affect the physical, emotional, sexual, and social aspects of menstruating individuals¿ lives. A recently published study showed a statistically significant increase in cycle length after vaccination against COVID-19 and no significant changes in the menses length. However, there is no information about the potential association between vaccination time and change in cycle length. This study aims at assessing the association between the phase of the menstrual cycle at vaccination time and change in cycle length

Spatiotemporal analyses of tracking data reveal fine-scale, daily cycles in seabird–fisheries interactions

10 pages, 4 figures, 1 table.-- Data was generated within the frame of LIFE+ Project INDEMARES. Data are available at the following address: http://seabirdtracking.org/mapper/?dataset_id=874. Please contact specifically J. M. Arcos. SEO/BirdLife ([email protected])Human fisheries provide scavengers with abundant and predictable feeding opportunities that may schedule their behavioural patterns. Using miniaturized global positioning system (GPS) tracking technology, we evaluated how Audouin’s gull (Ichthyaetus audouinii), a Mediterranean endemic seabird that makes extensive use of feeding opportunities provided by fisheries, co-occurred (i.e. presumably interacted) with the most important fishing fleets operating off the NE Iberian Peninsula (i.e. diurnal trawlers and nocturnal purse seiners), both in space and time. Results showed that individuals were able to adapt their distribution and activity patterns to the scheduled routines of these fisheries. Waveform analyses based on co-occurring positions revealed that most interactions with trawlers occurred during the afternoon (16:00 h GMT + 1) when discarding occurs as vessels return to port. In contrast, gull-purse seiner interactions largely occurred at night (between 02:00 and 04:00 h) coinciding with the setting and hauling of the nets. Moreover, we found an individual component in seabird–fishery interactions, showing that there may be differential use of fisheries by individuals within the population. In addition to implications for our understanding of the behavioural ecology of this species, these results may have important management implications, particularly under the current European Union Common Fisheries Policy scenario of largely restricting discardsWith the funding support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S), of the Spanish Research Agency (AEI)This research was funded by the Spanish “Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad” (MEIyC; CGL2016-08963-R) and LIFE+ INDEMARES (LIFE 07NAT/E/00732). JO-C was supported by a Department Collaboration (18CO1/006033) from the Spanish "Miniterio de Educación y Formación Profesional". FR was funded by MEIyC “Subprograma Juan de la Cierva-Incorporación” (IJCI-2015-24531)Peer reviewe

Electrodermal activity monitoring on inpatient detoxification unit

Introduccion: Changes on electrodermal activity implied variations of skin conductance. It has been proposed as one of the best indicator of changes in sympathetic arousal and emotional states [1]. Its relevance has been explored in several clinical areas such as Epilepsy [3] or Autism Spectrum Disorder [4]. Substance use disorders are a public health concern, not only because its direct damage but also the medical and psychiatric commorbidities. It is not well known about factors that contribute to a better outcomes in detoxification process and abstinence achievement. Substance use disorders could increase arousal and anxiety levels during detoxification and withdrawal process trying to achieve abstinence. These signs and symptoms may affect electrodermal activity. We designed a preliminary study to validate its possible contribution in detoxification processes. © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe