Avaliação da Validade Convergente e Discriminante em Testes Computadorizados da Tomada de Decisões

El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la validez convergente y discriminante entre tests de impulsividad, funcionamiento ejecutivo, toma de decisiones (TD) con y sin componente emocional y de TD centrado en el agente. Mediante un diseño instrumental, se evaluaron 217 participantes (64,5% mujeres) entre 18 y 30 años de edad (M=23,22, ±2,44). El Análisis de Componentes Principales mostró 4 componentes que explicaron el 83,88% de la varianza y agruparon los tests de acuerdo a lo esperado. Además, el estudio de las correlaciones mostró que los tests de TD verídica fueron levemente correlacionados, sugiriendo convergencia parcial entre ellas. No se encontraron correlaciones significativas entre los tests de TD verídica y los tests de TD centrados en el agente, función ejecutiva e impulsividad. Los resultados coincidieron con las expectativas y con los estudios previos sobre el tema.The objective of this study was to analyze the convergent and discriminant validity between impulsivity, executive functioning, and decision-making (DM) tests with and without emotional component and and agent centered DM. Through an Instrumental design, 217 participants were evaluated, 64.5% women, between 18 and 30 years of age (M=23.22 ± 2.44). The Principal Component Analysis showed four components that explained 83.88% of variance and grouped the tests as expected. In addition, the correlation study shows that the true DM tests were poorly correlated, suggesting partial convergence between them. No significant correlations were found between true DM testing and DM testing with agent focus, executive function and impulsivity. The results coincide with expectations and previous studies on the subject.O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a validade convergente e discriminante entre testes de impulsividade, de funcionamento executivo, de tomada de decisão (TD) com e sem componente emocional e de TD focada no agente. Através de um desenho Instrumental, foram avaliados 217 participantes (64,5% mulheres) entre 18 e 30 anos (M=23,22 ± 2,44). A Análise de Componentes Principais mostrou quatro componentes que explicaram 83,88% de variância e agrupo os testes como foi esperado. Além disso, o estudo das correlações mostra que os testes da TD verdadeira foram fracamente correlacionados, sugerindo convergência parcial entre elas. Não foram encontradas correlações significativas entre os testes da TD verdadeira e os testes da TD com foco no agente, função executiva e impulsividade. Os resultados coincidem com as expectativas e com estudos prévios sobre o assunto.Fil: Acuña, Hugo Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Michelini, Yanina Noelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Guzman, Juan Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Godoy, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; Argentin

Validación argentina de la escala de consideración de las consecuencias futuras (CFC-14)

La consideración de las consecuencias futuras se define como el grado en el cual las personas anticipan y son influenciadas por las potenciales consecuencias futuras de su comportamiento actual, y una herramienta muy utilizada para medirla es la Escala de Consideración de las Consecuencias Futuras (CFC-14). Esta escala ha exhibido propiedades psicométricas adecua- das en varios idiomas y se encuentra conformada por dos factores: CFC-Inmediato (CFC-I, 7 ítems) y CFC-Futuro (CFC-F, 7 ítems). El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar las propiedades psicométricas y la consistencia interna de la versión en español de la CFC-14 en una muestra argentina, además de identificar las evidencias de validez convergente con la Escala de Impulsividad y la invarianza en función del género y la edad de los participantes. Para esto, se evaluó mediante una encuesta online a 512 participantes (75.2 % mujeres) de 13 a 74 años (M = 30.8) y se realizó un AFC en el que se encontró un modelo de dos factores como aquel con mejor ajuste para una versión de la escala de 13 ítems (CFI = .961; TLI = .952; RMSEA = .064; IC 90 % = .054-.074; WRMR = 0.979). Específicamente, los pesos de regresión estandarizados (p ≤ .05) fueron de .50 a .66 para CFC-F y de .43 a .83 para CFC-I; los valores de confiabilidad compuesta fueron adecuados, con un ρ = .80 para CFC-F y un ρ = .82 para CFC-I; no se observaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en función del sexo y la edad de los participantes, no obstante, hubo una invarianza progresiva entre estos grupos; y las correlaciones entre las subescalas de la Escala de Impulsividad (UPPPS-P) y la CFC-F fueron negativas y significativas, siendo llamativa la correlación negativa y moderada entre la falta de premeditación y la CFC-F (r = –.41). De este modo, la CFC-14 mostró propiedades psicométricas adecuadas en una muestra argentina, aunque se necesita de más estudios para determinar la robustez de estos resultados.Consideration of future consequences is the extent to which people anticipate and are influenced by the potential future consequences of their current behavior. A well-established tool to measure this behavior is the 14-item Consideration of Future Consequences Scale (CFC-14). The CFC-14 has shown appropriate psychometric properties in several languages. This scale comprises two factors: the CFC-Immediate (CFC-I, 7 items) and the CFC-Future (CFC-F, 7 items). The main goal of this study was to assess the psychometric properties and internal consistency of the CFC-14 Scale in Spanish, using an Argentine sample. A second goal was to determine its convergent validity with impulsivity, and determine differences and invariance across gender and age groups. Using a web-based survey, data were collected from 512 participants (75.2% women) aged 13-74 years (M = 30.8). CFA showed a two-factor model as the best solution for the 13-items version (CFI .961, TLI .952, RMSEA .064 90%IC .054/.074, WRMR 0.979). Standardized regression weights (p≤ .05) ranged from .50 to .66 for CFC-F and between .43 and .83 for CFC-I. Composite reliability was also adequate: CFC-F achieved ρ = .80 and CFC-I ρ = .82. There were no differences across gender and age, but there was a progressive invariance between these groups. The CFC-F and UPPS-P subscales correlations were negative and significant, highlighting the negative and moder-ate correlation between CFC-F and the lack of premeditation (r=-.41). Thus, CFC-14 has adequate psychometric properties in an Argentine population, although more studies are necessary to determine the robustness of these findings.Fil: Acuña, Hugo Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; ArgentinaFil: Zalazar Jaime, Mauricio Federico. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; ArgentinaFil: Michelini, Yanina Noelia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; ArgentinaFil: Guzman, Juan Ignacio. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Godoy, Juan Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Psicológicas; ArgentinaFil: Galarce, Ezequiel. Rally Health; Estados UnidosFil: Joireman, Jeffrey. Washington State University; Estados Unido

Molecules involved in the sperm interaction in the human uterine tube: a histochemical and immunohistochemical approach

In humans, even where millions of spermatozoa are deposited upon ejaculation in the vagina, only a few thousand enter the uterine tube (UT). Sperm transiently adhere to the epithelial cells lining the isthmus reservoir, and this interaction is essential in coordinating the availability of functional spermatozoa for fertilization. The binding of spermatozoa to the UT epithelium (mucosa) occurs due to interactions between cell-adhesion molecules on the cell surfaces of both the sperm and the epithelial cell. However, in humans, there is little information about the molecules involved. The aim of this study was to perform a histological characterization of the UT focused on determining the tissue distribution and deposition of some molecules associated with cell adhesion (F-spondin, galectin-9, osteopontin, integrin αV/β3) and UT’s contractile activity (TNFα-R1, TNFα-R2) in the follicular and luteal phases. Our results showed the presence of galectin-9, F-spondin, osteopontin, integrin αV/β3, TNFα-R1, and TNFα-R2 in the epithelial cells in ampullar and isthmic segments during the menstrual cycle. Our results suggest that these molecules could form part of the sperm-UT interactions. Future studies will shed light on the specific role of each of the identified molecules

Canagliflozin and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes and nephropathy

BACKGROUND Type 2 diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of kidney failure worldwide, but few effective long-term treatments are available. In cardiovascular trials of inhibitors of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), exploratory results have suggested that such drugs may improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this double-blind, randomized trial, we assigned patients with type 2 diabetes and albuminuric chronic kidney disease to receive canagliflozin, an oral SGLT2 inhibitor, at a dose of 100 mg daily or placebo. All the patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 30 to <90 ml per minute per 1.73 m2 of body-surface area and albuminuria (ratio of albumin [mg] to creatinine [g], >300 to 5000) and were treated with renin–angiotensin system blockade. The primary outcome was a composite of end-stage kidney disease (dialysis, transplantation, or a sustained estimated GFR of <15 ml per minute per 1.73 m2), a doubling of the serum creatinine level, or death from renal or cardiovascular causes. Prespecified secondary outcomes were tested hierarchically. RESULTS The trial was stopped early after a planned interim analysis on the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring committee. At that time, 4401 patients had undergone randomization, with a median follow-up of 2.62 years. The relative risk of the primary outcome was 30% lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group, with event rates of 43.2 and 61.2 per 1000 patient-years, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.82; P=0.00001). The relative risk of the renal-specific composite of end-stage kidney disease, a doubling of the creatinine level, or death from renal causes was lower by 34% (hazard ratio, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.81; P<0.001), and the relative risk of end-stage kidney disease was lower by 32% (hazard ratio, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.86; P=0.002). The canagliflozin group also had a lower risk of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke (hazard ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67 to 0.95; P=0.01) and hospitalization for heart failure (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.80; P<0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of amputation or fracture. CONCLUSIONS In patients with type 2 diabetes and kidney disease, the risk of kidney failure and cardiovascular events was lower in the canagliflozin group than in the placebo group at a median follow-up of 2.62 years

Production of He-4 and (4) in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S=2.76 TeV at the LHC

Results on the production of He-4 and (4) nuclei in Pb-Pb collisions at root(NN)-N-S = 2.76 TeV in the rapidity range vertical bar y vertical bar <1, using the ALICE detector, are presented in this paper. The rapidity densities corresponding to 0-10% central events are found to be dN/dy4(He) = (0.8 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.3 (syst)) x 10(-6) and dN/dy4 = (1.1 +/- 0.4 (stat) +/- 0.2 (syst)) x 10(-6), respectively. This is in agreement with the statistical thermal model expectation assuming the same chemical freeze-out temperature (T-chem = 156 MeV) as for light hadrons. The measured ratio of (4)/He-4 is 1.4 +/- 0.8 (stat) +/- 0.5 (syst). (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.Peer reviewe

Search for gravitational-lensing signatures in the full third observing run of the LIGO-Virgo network

Gravitational lensing by massive objects along the line of sight to the source causes distortions of gravitational wave-signals; such distortions may reveal information about fundamental physics, cosmology and astrophysics. In this work, we have extended the search for lensing signatures to all binary black hole events from the third observing run of the LIGO--Virgo network. We search for repeated signals from strong lensing by 1) performing targeted searches for subthreshold signals, 2) calculating the degree of overlap amongst the intrinsic parameters and sky location of pairs of signals, 3) comparing the similarities of the spectrograms amongst pairs of signals, and 4) performing dual-signal Bayesian analysis that takes into account selection effects and astrophysical knowledge. We also search for distortions to the gravitational waveform caused by 1) frequency-independent phase shifts in strongly lensed images, and 2) frequency-dependent modulation of the amplitude and phase due to point masses. None of these searches yields significant evidence for lensing. Finally, we use the non-detection of gravitational-wave lensing to constrain the lensing rate based on the latest merger-rate estimates and the fraction of dark matter composed of compact objects

Diferencias en el funcionamiento neurocognitivo e impulsividad rasgo según el patrón de consumo de alcohol en jóvenes de 18 a 30 años

Introducción: La adolescencia es un período caracterizado por las conductas impulsivas y la toma de decisiones (TD) riesgosas lo cual se asocia al inicio y la progresión del consumo de alcohol y de otras drogas. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto del patrón de consumo de alcohol (PCA) sobre la TD, la función ejecutiva (FE) y la impulsividad rasgo en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios de 18 a 30 años. Metodología: se usó un diseño ex post facto prospectivo para evaluar el efecto del consumo de alcohol en la TD y en la impulsividad rasgo. Para evaluar la TD se utilizó la IGT, la GDT y la CBT y, para evaluar FE, la WCST. Para medir la impulsividad rasgo se consideraron los puntajes en las sub-escalas de la Escala UPPS-P. Resultados: los participantes clasificados como PCA intensivo y PCA pesado tuvieron peor rendimiento en las tareas IGT y CBT y, además, puntuaron más alto en todas las dimensiones de impulsividad medidas con la UPPS-P. Adicionalmente, tuvieron menos respuestas correctas en la WCST. Conclusión: Los PCA más severos se asocian con un rendimiento neurocognitivo más pobre en jóvenes argentinos de 18 a 30 años de edad.Fil: Acuña, Hugo Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Michelini, Yanina Noelia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Guzman, Juan Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; ArgentinaFil: Godoy, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones y Estudio sobre Cultura y Sociedad. Centro de Investigaciones de la Facultad de Psicología - Grupo Vinculado CIPSI; Argentin

F-Spondin Is the Signal by Which 2-Methoxyestradiol Induces Apoptosis in the Endometrial Cancer Cell Line Ishikawa

The metabolite 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME) is an endogenous estrogen metabolite with potential therapeutic properties in reproductive cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms by which 2ME exerts its anticancer activity are not well elucidated. The purpose of this study was to determine the molecular signals associated with the apoptotic effects of 2ME in a human endometrial cancer cell line. Ishikawa cells were treated with non-apoptotic (0.1 &micro;M) or apoptotic concentrations (5 &micro;M) of 2ME, and 12 hours later mRNA levels for Scd2, Snx6, and Spon1 were determined by real-time PCR. We then investigated by immunofluorescence and Western blot the expression and distribution of F-spondin, encoded by Spon1, in Ishikawa cells treated with 2ME 5 &micro;M at 6, 12, or 24 h after treatment. The role of estrogen receptors (ER) in the effect of 2ME on the Spon1 level was also investigated. Finally, we examined whether 2ME 5 &micro;M induces cell death in Ishikawa cells pre-incubated with a neutralizing F-spondin antibody. Non-apoptotic or apoptotic concentrations of 2ME decreased Scd2 and increased Snx6. However, Spon1 was only increased with the 2ME apoptotic concentration. F-spondin protein was also increased at 12 and 24 h after 2ME treatment, while 2ME-induced Spon1 increase was independent of ER. Neutralization of F-spondin blocked the effect of 2ME on the cell viability. These results show that F-spondin signaling is one of the components in the apoptotic effects of 2ME on Ishikawa cells and provide experimental evidence underlying the mechanism of action of this estrogen metabolite on cancer cells