Entendimiento filosófico de la esquizofrenia

Una orientación filosófica en la esquizofrenia no sobra. Las teorías neuropsicológicas al uso todavía no ofrecen una explicación cabal, después de más de cien años, incluyendo la década del cerebro. Y lo que es todavía peor, ahora ni siquiera se proponen ofrecer al menos un entendimiento. Así que ni explicación ni comprensión. Ahora bien, sin un entendimiento que se haga cargo de la experiencia y de la conducta que supone el trastorno llamado esquizofrenia, difícilmente se puede alcanzar una explicación que merezca el nombre de científica (por mucho vestuario cienti-forme con el que se presente). El entendimiento que se propone aquí retoma la tradición de la fenomenología, de acuerdo con los nuevos desarrollos que, a pesar de las tendencias dominantes, siguen activos en la psiquiatría y la psicología clínica. Se replantea la esquizofrenia como un trastorno básicamente de la auto-conciencia y del sentido común. En este sentido, se ofrecen unos apuntes de fenomenología aplicados a los síntomas negativos, las alucinaciones y los delirios. Bien entendido, en todo caso, que se considera la esquizofrenia como una figura unitaria (no un cuadro) dentro de ser variable su configuración.Among approaches to schizophrenia, the philosophical perspective has every right to be taken into account. Current neuropsychological theories have yet to provide a sound explanation, after more than 100 years, including the Decade of the Brain. And worse still, they no longer even set out to offer an understanding. So we are left with neither an explanation nor an understanding. But without an attempt to comprehend the experience and behaviour involved in the disorder called ‘schizophrenia’, there is scarce likelihood of achieving an explanation worthy of being called ‘scientific’ (however well dressed up in the clothing of scientific forms). The understanding we propose here takes up the phenomenological tradition, in accordance with the new developments that, in spite of the dominant tendencies, continue to be active in psychiatry and clinical psychology. Schizophrenia is reappraised as a disorder basically affecting self-awareness and common sense. Thus, we apply a phenomenological approach to the negative symptoms, hallucinations and delusions. Bearing in mind, naturally, the consideration of schizophrenia as a unitary concept (not a set of symptoms), albeit variable in its form

Development of a critical structure state alarm system based on the instrumentation of the Botafoc breakwater nº 8 caisson

Balearic Port Authority has developed an instrumentation system for the #8 caisson of the Botafoc breakwater that integrates 12 pressure sensors located at three surfaces, two in contact with the sea water and another with the bottom. This design was completed with an inertial system that measures the angular velocities and the accelerations over the three Cartesian axes. Consequently, the system measures actions (pressures) and reactions (movements and accelerations) experimented by the caisson, due to sea waves and/or other service loads. R+D department of the Port Authority and Polytechnic University of Madrid are working on two directions, the development of new theories on vertical breakwater design that go beyond Goda and Sainflou, and on the creation of a real-time critical structure alarm system, based on the instrumentation installed. This alarm system has two main parts: the instrumentation itself that collects data and processes it on real-time (the data processing compares the pressure law suffered by the caisson in every step process with the design critical state of the caisson, in this case the Goda pressure law for a 6.5 m wave), giving a security coefficient that points out the risk level on real-time; and the alarm system consisting of a monitoring panel located in the Port Control Center that shows the risk level and advises in case of an incidental evacuation of this critical portuary installation

Molecular barcoding confirms the presence of exotic Asian seaweeds (Pachymeniopsis gargiuli and Grateloupia turuturu) in the Cantabrian Sea, Bay of Biscay

Background The introduction of exotic species can have serious consequences for marine ecosystems. On the shores of the Cantabrian Sea (North of Spain) there are no routine examinations of seaweeds that combine molecular and morphological methods for early detection of exotic species making it difficult to assess in the early stages their establishment and expansion processes as a result of anthropogenic activities (e.g., shipping and/or aquaculture). Methods In this work we used both morphological identification and molecular barcoding (COI-5P and rbcL genes) of red algae collected in Asturias, Bay of Biscay (Gijón and Candás harbours) and from the University of Oviedo’s herbarium samples. Results The results confirmed the presence of exotic Asian seaweeds Pachymeniopsis gargiuli and Grateloupia turuturu Yamada on Cantabrian Sea shores. Several individuals of these species were fertile and developing cystocarps when collected, underlining the risk of possible expansion or continued establishment. This study constitutes the first report of the Asian P. gargiuli in this area of the Bay of Biscay. Conclusions Here the presence of the exotic species of the Halymeniales P. gargiuli is confirmed. We hypothesize that this species may have been established some time ago as a cryptic introduction with G. turuturu in Galician shores. The detection of these species on the shores of the Cantabrian Sea is relevant since introductions of Pachymeniopsis species could have been overlooked on other European coasts, probably mixed with G. turuturu and P. lanceolata. Our results confirm one new alien seaweed species that has been detected using molecular methods (COI-5P region and rbcL genes barcoding) on North Atlantic shores: the Asian native P. gargiuli. This demonstrates that routine screening for early detection of exotic algae in the Cantabrian Sea can be used for risk assessment. Genetic barcoding should be done using both rbcL gene and COI-5P regions since, although COI-databases are still poorer in sequences and this inhibits successful outcomes in Grateloupia-related species identifications, it is nonetheless a useful marker for species-level identifications in seaweeds

Rethinking Schizophrenia in the Context of the Person and Their Circumstances: Seven Reasons

We know a great deal about schizophrenia, but the current state of the art is one of uncertainty. Researchers are confused, and patients feel misunderstood. This situation has been identified as due largely to the fact that the dominant neurobiological perspective leaves out the person. The aim of the present article is to review and integrate a series of clinical, phenomenological, historical, cultural, epidemiological, developmental, epigenetic and therapeutic phenomena in support of a suggestion that schizophrenia is above all a disorder of the person rather than of the brain. Specifically, we review seven phenomena, beginning with the conception of schizophrenia as a particular disorder of the self. We continue by looking at its recent origin, as a modern phenomenon, its juvenile onset, related to the formation of the self, the better prognosis in developing countries compared to developed countries, and the high incidence of the disorder among migrants. In the context of these phenomena of a marked socio-cultural nature, we consider the so-called genetic myth, according to which schizophrenia would have a genetic origin. On reviewing the current genetic emphasis in the light of epigenetics, it emerges that the environment and behaviour recover their prominent role in the vicissitudes of development. The seventh reason, which closes the circle of the argument, concerns the role of interpersonal chemistry in recovery of the sense of self

Influence of metacognitive variables on paranoid ideation

Based on the Self-Regulatory Executive Function (S-REF) model, the aim of the present correlational study is to investigate whether metacognitive variables have any influence on paranoid ideation in non-clinical subjects. For this purpose, a battery of tests was administered to 148 participants in an attempt to identify the type of metacognitive beliefs that characterized them and to measure their levels of paranoid ideation and trait anxiety. The results show that, once the subject’s level of anxiety is controlled, loss of cognitive confidence is the only metacognitive variable that predicts subjects’ scores in paranoid ideation. Without this statistical control of trait anxiety, the regression equation would include two more metacognitive factors related to uncontrollability and danger of thoughts and positive beliefs about worry. These results are discussed in the light of recent contributions supporting the extension of models already consolidated in the field of emotional disorders, as the S-REF model, to that of psychotic symptoms.Con base en el modelo conocido como “Self-Regulatory Executive Function” (S-REF) el presente estudio correlacional pretende averiguar si las variables metacognitivas tienen alguna influencia sobre la ideación paranoide en sujetos no-clínicos. Con este fin se administró una batería de tests a 148 participantes dirigida a indagar el tipo de creencias metacognitivas por el que se caracterizaban así como su nivel de ideación paranoide y su nivel de ansiedad-rasgo. Los resultados muestran que, una vez controlado el nivel de ansiedad de los sujetos, la pérdida de la confianza cognitiva es la única variable metacognitiva que predice la puntuación de los sujetos en ideación paranoide. De no efectuarse este control estadístico de la ansiedad-rasgo, se incluirían en la ecuación de regresión dos factores metacognitivos más relativos a la incontrolabilidad y peligro de los pensamientos y a las creencias positivas sobre la preocupación. Estos resultados son discutidos a la luz de recientes aportaciones favorables a la extensión de modelos ya consolidados en el campo de los trastornos emocionales, como el modelo S-REF, a los síntomas psicóticos.Com base no modelo conhecido por “Função Executiva de Auto-regulação” (S-REF) o presente estudo correlacional pretende averiguar se as variáveis metacognitivas têm alguma influência sobre a ideação paranoide em sujeitos não clínicos. Com este fim, administrou-se uma bateria de testes a 148 participantes destinada a questionar o tipo de crenças metacognitivas pelas quais se caracterizavam, assim como o seu nível de ideação paranoide e o seu nível de ansiedade-traço. Os resultados mostram que, uma vez controlado o nível de ansiedade dos sujeitos, a perda de confiança cognitiva é a única variável metacognitiva que prediz a pontuação dos sujeitos em ideação paranoide. Sem se efectuar este controlo estadístico da ansiedade-traço, incluíram-se na equação de regressão dois factores metacognitivos mais relativos à incontrolabilidade e perigo dos pensamentos e às crenças positivas sobre a preocupação. Estes resultados são discutidos à luz de recentes contribuições favoráveis à extensão de modelos já consolidados no campo das perturbações emocionais, como o modelo S-REF, aos sintomas psicóticos.This work was carried out within framework of Research Grnat MCT-02-BSO-01173, whose principal researcher is Marino Pérez-Álvarez

Analyzing the social factors that influence willingness to pay for the management of invasive alien species under two different strategies: eradication and prevention

This an accepted author's manuscript (AAM) version of an article published in Environmental Management, 48 (2011): 418-43

The role of meta-cognitions and thought control techniques in predisposition to auditory and visual hallucinations

Objectives. This study examines the relationship between a predisposition to hallucinations and meta-cognitive variables and thought-control techniques, controlling for the possible effect of anxiety. In order to do so, we start out with the hypothesis that anxiety does not, in itself, explain the association between meta-cognitions and a predisposition to auditory and visual hallucinations. Design. A within-participants correlational design was employed. Methods. Four psychometric tests relating to predisposition to hallucinations, anxiety, meta-cognitions and thought-control techniques were administered to 150 participants. Results. It was found that, after controlling for participants' anxiety levels, the ‘loss of cognitive confidence’ factor predicted the score on the scale of predisposition to both auditory and visual hallucinations. Thought-control strategies based on worry were also found to be predictive of a greater predisposition to hallucinations, regardless of whether or not participants' anxiety level was controlled. Conclusions. Meta-cognitive variables of cognitive confidence and thought control through worry are positively associated with a predisposition to hallucinations. Limitations. The correlational nature of the design does not allow inferences about causal relationships

Experimental validation of COMETA model of mental workload in air traffic control

The sustained increase in air traffic during the last decades represents a challenge to the air traffic management system in general. Thus, it is of utmost importance to develop strategies that can safely increase air traffic controller's handling capacity without increasing task related strain. This research proposes and validates a predictive model of air traffic controller's mental workload. Our model is based on COMETA, a model that considers the effect of the most relevant air traffic events in the cognitive complexity of the task. In the version of COMETA used in this study we include the online effects of the controllers' actions on the state of the airspace. To validate the model, a laboratory experiment was conducted using a simulator to precisely control the task workload factors. We used traffic density and airspace complexity as experimental factors because they are the most commonly acknowledged sources of mental workload in air traffic control literature. The measured dependent variables were selected because they have been found to correlate with mental workload in ATC tasks, namely, ISA and NASA indexes, electrodermal activity, heart rate, and different performance measures. The results demonstrate that our model can successfully predict air traffic controllers' mental workload across a wide range of task workload conditions. In addition, our results provide a clear portrait of the complex interactions between the different sources of task workload and their effects on mental workload. In the conclusion we consider the limitations and opportunities for the application of this model to improve policie

Early Evaluation of Mobile Applications’ Resource Consumption and Operating Costs

The explosive growth of the mobile application market in recent years has led to a large concomitant mobile software industry whose components are, in many cases, startups and small-size software providers. The success of these applications and the firms behind them depends on a subtle balance between different dimensions mainly affected by their architectural design, such as user satisfaction, resource consumption, operating costs, and timing. The present communication describes a framework with a specific set of practices for identifying the boundaries of different architectural designs —in this article we apply it to estimate both the smartphone’s resource consumption and the operating costs in the cloud— and thus help in the architectural decision-making process. This will enable mobile software developers to predict at early stages which architectural design best suits their business model in accordance with the number of users and the expected use of the application and even provide an advance alert of when architectural choices will need to be reviewed, obviating the need for costly architectural re-design in further phasesMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades RTI2018-094591-B-I00Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades PGC2018-094905-B-I00Junta de Andalucía APOLO (US-1264651)Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación HORATIO (RTI2018-101204–B–C21)Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades RED2018-102654-TInterreg V-A España-Portugal (POCTEP) 0499-4IE-PLUS-4-EJunta de Andalucía UMA18-FEDERJA-180Junta de Extremadura GR18112Junta de Extremadura IB1803