Suncus etruscus (Soricomorpha, Soricidae): A new species for Elba Island (Tuscan Archipelago, Italy)

The following study contains a report regarding the first record of presence of Suncus etruscus on the island of Elba. We considered original and literature data obtained from the analysis of Barn owl (Tyto alba) pellets. Three roosts located in different areas of Elba (Marciana: Colle d'Orano-Patresi; Campo nell'Elba: La Grotta; Portoferraio: Casa Rossa) have been monitored since 1968. The presence of the Pygmy white-toothed shrew has only been observed at one roost (Casa Rossa) since 2004. We performed a biometrical analysis of 15 skull characters on 67 specimens of 'S. etruscus. From the results, we conclude that a colonization of the island by S. etruscus is in progress, but long-term monitoring is needed in order to control the status of the population

The relationship between teachers and pupils with down syndrome: a qualitative study in primary schools

Down syndrome (DS), due the presence of an intellectual disability and a precarious health condition, involves important challenges for developing skills at school. The study explores the relational dynamics between teachers and students with DS and how the latter influence the processes of socialization and learning at school. The study involved 15 (n = 15) special education teachers (M age = 40.4; SD = 9.3) from primary schools in Italy who were or had previously been in charge of a pupil with DS. The teachers were interviewed through a semi-structured interview, built ad hoc. The data were analyzed through the grounded theory method supported by ATLAS.ti software. Data analysis produced 20 (n = 20) categories grouped into 6 (n = 6) macro-categories: (1) psychophysical characteristics; (2) learnings; (3) relational aspects; (4) collaborations; (5) extracurricular activities; and (6) teacher training. The research shows that students with DS have good relationships with their peers; however, there are still some important critical issues, including poor training of teachers on certain topics and on the application of collaborative and relationship support strategies, the limited collaboration between support teachers and curricular teachers, and the absence of support from ad hoc professional figures

Episodic future thinking in generalized anxiety disorder

Research on future-oriented cognition in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has primarily focused on worry, while less is known about the role of episodic future thinking (EFT), an imagery-based cognitive process. To characterize EFT in this disorder, we used the experimental recombination procedure, in which 21 GAD and 19 healthy participants simulated positive, neutral and negative novel future events either once or repeatedly, and rated their phenomenological experience of EFT. Results showed that healthy controls spontaneously generated more detailed EFT over repeated simulations. Both groups found EFT easier to generate after repeated simulations, except when GAD participants simulated positive events. They also perceived higher plausibility of negative-not positive or neutral-future events than did controls. These results demonstrate a negativity bias in GAD individuals' episodic future cognition, and suggest their relative deficit in generating vivid EFT. We discuss implications for the theory and treatment of GAD.R01 MH060941 - NIMH NIH HHS; R01 MH078308 - NIMH NIH HHS; R01AG08441 - NIA NIH HHS; R01 AT007257 - NCCIH NIH HHS; R01MH60941 - NIMH NIH HHS; R01 AG008441 - NIA NIH HHS; R34 MH099311 - NIMH NIH HHS; R21MH102646 - NIMH NIH HHS; R01AT007257 - NCCIH NIH HHS; R21 MH102646 - NIMH NIH HHS; R34MH078308 - NIMH NIH HH

Pharmacokinetics of ibuprofen in man. I. Free and total area/dose relationships

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/110022/1/cptclpt1983136.pd

Protention and retention in biological systems

This paper proposes an abstract mathematical frame for describing some features of cognitive and biological time. We focus here on the so called "extended present" as a result of protentional and retentional activities (memory and anticipation). Memory, as retention, is treated in some physical theories (relaxation phenomena, which will inspire our approach), while protention (or anticipation) seems outside the scope of physics. We then suggest a simple functional representation of biological protention. This allows us to introduce the abstract notion of "biological inertia".Comment: This paper was made possible only as part of an extended collaboration with Francis Bailly (see references), a dear friend and "ma\^itre \'a penser", who contributed to the key ideas. Francis passed away in february 2008: we continue here our inspiring discussions and joint wor

Numerical Study of a Mixed Ising Ferrimagnetic System

We present a study of a classical ferrimagnetic model on a square lattice in which the two interpenetrating square sublattices have spins one-half and one. This model is relevant for understanding bimetallic molecular ferrimagnets that are currently being synthesized by several experimental groups. We perform exact ground-state calculations for the model and employ Monte Carlo and numerical transfer-matrix techniques to obtain the finite-temperature phase diagram for both the transition and compensation temperatures. When only nearest-neighbor interactions are included, our nonperturbative results indicate no compensation point or tricritical point at finite temperature, which contradicts earlier results obtained with mean-field analysis.Comment: Figures can be obtained by request to [email protected] or [email protected]

A nonlinear physiologic pharmacokinetic model: I. Steady-state

The two-compartment model of Rowland et al., (2) has been extended by replacing first order elimination with Michaelis-Menten elimination kinetics. All of the equations for steady-state concentrations and clearances for zero order (constant rate) input orally (into compartment #2) and intravenously (into compartment #1) are derived and reported. The steady-state concentration in compartment #1, following intravenous administration, is shown to be a nonlinear function of maximal velocity of metabolism , V m , the Michaelis constant , K m , and liver blood flow , Q; and, following oral administration is dependent only upon V m and K m and is independent of Q. However, oral bioavailability is a function of V m , K m , and Q. The model allows physiologic pharmacokinetic interpretation of both linear and nonlinear data; and, together with simple modification of the model, can explain much observed pharmacokinetic data to date particularly for first-pass drugs. Future articles in the series will be concerned with single doses, evaluation of literature data in terms of the model, application of the theory in toxicology and in clinical pharmacokinetics and therapeutics .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45033/1/10928_2005_Article_BF01073657.pd

Your space or mine? : Mapping self in time

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Spontaneous and deliberate future thinking: A dual process account

© 2019 Springer Nature.This is the final published version of an article published in Psychological Research, licensed under a Creative Commons Attri-bution 4.0 International License. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-019-01262-7.In this article, we address an apparent paradox in the literature on mental time travel and mind-wandering: How is it possible that future thinking is both constructive, yet often experienced as occurring spontaneously? We identify and describe two ‘routes’ whereby episodic future thoughts are brought to consciousness, with each of the ‘routes’ being associated with separable cognitive processes and functions. Voluntary future thinking relies on controlled, deliberate and slow cognitive processing. The other, termed involuntary or spontaneous future thinking, relies on automatic processes that allows ‘fully-fledged’ episodic future thoughts to freely come to mind, often triggered by internal or external cues. To unravel the paradox, we propose that the majority of spontaneous future thoughts are ‘pre-made’ (i.e., each spontaneous future thought is a re-iteration of a previously constructed future event), and therefore based on simple, well-understood, memory processes. We also propose that the pre-made hypothesis explains why spontaneous future thoughts occur rapidly, are similar to involuntary memories, and predominantly about upcoming tasks and goals. We also raise the possibility that spontaneous future thinking is the default mode of imagining the future. This dual process approach complements and extends standard theoretical approaches that emphasise constructive simulation, and outlines novel opportunities for researchers examining voluntary and spontaneous forms of future thinking.Peer reviewe