Contemplative sciences: A future beyond mindfulness

Mindfulness is a psychological technique based on Eastern meditative practices that was developed in the late 1970s by Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts. Initially, there was a debate over whether it should be considered a scientific technique or labelled as part of the new wave practices. Today, mindfulness is omnipresent in modern societies but has suffered from merchandising and banalization, which has been strongly criticized. Despite some limitations regarding methodological aspects of mindfulness research, it is considered effective for treating many physical and psychological disorders, and even it is recommended in clinical guidelines such the British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. During the last 2500 years, mindfulness practices have moved from Northern India across most of Asia, but their mixing with Western science and culture at the end of the 20(th) century is considered a key event in recent history. For the first time in human history, due to globalization, the wisdom of all contemplative traditions can be shared with all human beings and assessed by science. Mindfulness practices, yoga included, are giving birth to a new field of knowledge, contemplative sciences, which go beyond mindfulness and is devoted to helping humanity to reach higher levels of happiness and mental peace

Segona aportació al coneixement dels macromicets de la zona de Garraf

En aquesta segona contribució a l 'estudi de la zona del Garraf (Parc Natural) i àrees properes, citem 249 espècies ( 1 2 mixomicets, 1 zigomicet, 53 ascomicets, 5 fongs mitospòrics i 1 78 basidiomicets), d'entre les quals destaquem, per la seva raresa Desmazierella acicola Lib., Mollisia junciseda P. Karst., Pachyella violaceonigra (Rehm) Pfister i Peziza boltonii Qué! ., entre els ascomicets, i Agaricus gennadii (Chatin et Boud.) PD. Orton, Clitocybe mortuosa (Fr. ) Sacc., Entoloma undulatosporum Arnolds et Noorde!., Gymnopilus picreus (Pers. : Fr.) P. Karst., lnonotus rheades (Pers.) Bondartsev et Singer, Lepiota xanthophylla P.D. Orton, Leucoagaricus bresadolae (Schulzer) Bon, Marasmius minutus Peck, Panaeolus dunensis Bon et Courtec. i Thelephora atra Weinrn., entre els basidiomicets.The present contribution covers the natural park of Garraf (SW of Barcelona, Catalonia) and neighbouring areas and incIudes records of 249 species ( 1 2 Myxomycetes, I Zygomycetes, 53 Ascomycetes, 5 Mitosporic fungi and 1 78 Basidiomycetes). Some species are noteworthy becau se of their rarity: the Ascomycetes Desmazierella acicola Lib., Mollisia junciseda P. Karst., Pachyella violaceonigra (Rehm) Pfister and Peziza boftonii Qué!., and the Basidiomycetes Agaricus gennadii (Chatin et Boud.) PD. Orton, Clitocybe mortuosa (Fr. ) Sacc., Entoloma undulatosporum Arnolds et Noorde!., Gymnopilus picreus (Pers. : Fr.) P. Karst., Inonotus rheades (Pers.) Bondartsev et Singer, Lepiota xanthophylla P.D. Orton, Leucoagaricus bresadolae (Schulzer) Bon, Marasmius minutus Peck, Panaeolus dunensis Bon et Courtec. and Thelephora afra Weinrn

Segona aportació al coneixement dels macromicets de la zona de Garraf

En aquesta segona contribució a l 'estudi de la zona del Garraf (Parc Natural) i àrees properes, citem 249 espècies ( 1 2 mixomicets, 1 zigomicet, 53 ascomicets, 5 fongs mitospòrics i 1 78 basidiomicets), d'entre les quals destaquem, per la seva raresa Desmazierella acicola Lib., Mollisia junciseda P. Karst., Pachyella violaceonigra (Rehm) Pfister i Peziza boltonii Qué! ., entre els ascomicets, i Agaricus gennadii (Chatin et Boud.) PD. Orton, Clitocybe mortuosa (Fr. ) Sacc., Entoloma undulatosporum Arnolds et Noorde!., Gymnopilus picreus (Pers. : Fr.) P. Karst., lnonotus rheades (Pers.) Bondartsev et Singer, Lepiota xanthophylla P.D. Orton, Leucoagaricus bresadolae (Schulzer) Bon, Marasmius minutus Peck, Panaeolus dunensis Bon et Courtec. i Thelephora atra Weinrn., entre els basidiomicets.The present contribution covers the natural park of Garraf (SW of Barcelona, Catalonia) and neighbouring areas and incIudes records of 249 species ( 1 2 Myxomycetes, I Zygomycetes, 53 Ascomycetes, 5 Mitosporic fungi and 1 78 Basidiomycetes). Some species are noteworthy becau se of their rarity: the Ascomycetes Desmazierella acicola Lib., Mollisia junciseda P. Karst., Pachyella violaceonigra (Rehm) Pfister and Peziza boftonii Qué!., and the Basidiomycetes Agaricus gennadii (Chatin et Boud.) PD. Orton, Clitocybe mortuosa (Fr. ) Sacc., Entoloma undulatosporum Arnolds et Noorde!., Gymnopilus picreus (Pers. : Fr.) P. Karst., Inonotus rheades (Pers.) Bondartsev et Singer, Lepiota xanthophylla P.D. Orton, Leucoagaricus bresadolae (Schulzer) Bon, Marasmius minutus Peck, Panaeolus dunensis Bon et Courtec. and Thelephora afra Weinrn

Fourier series diffractive lens with extended depth of focus

Angular diffractive lenses have been proven to achieve a narrow beam waist with a long depth of focus. We generalize these type of lenses by defining the angular distribution of the focal length as a Fourier series. The Fourier coefficients of the lens are optimized, using Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm, to minimize the beam width and increase its uniformity for a given depth of focus. In order to obtain a fast simulation during the optimization process, we used Chirp Z-transform algorithm. Finally, we performed an experimental verification of the results using a Spatial Light Modulator. The Fourier series diffractive lens presents a more uniform and narrower beam than previous angular lenses, in both simulations and experiments. These results may find applications in the design of contact and intraocular lenses with extended depth of focus, laser focusing and imaging systems

Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction and attachment-based compassion therapy for the treatment of depressive, anxious, and adjustment disorders in mental health settings: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: To study the effectiveness of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT) for reducing affective distress in a sample of outpatients with depressive, anxiety, or adjustment disorders, and to explore its mechanisms of action. Methods: This randomized controlled trial involved the assessment time points of pretreatment, posttreatment and 6-month follow-up. A total of 90 patients from three mental health units in Castellón, Spain, were recruited and randomly assigned to “ABCT + treatment as usual (TAU), ” “Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) + TAU” or “TAU” alone. Affective distress, as measured by the “Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales” (DASS-21) was the main outcome; self-compassion and mindfulness were also assessed. Multilevel mixed-effects models were used to estimate the effectiveness of the program, and path analyses were conducted to study the potential mechanistic role of mindfulness and self-compassion. Results: ABCT was not superior to MBSR in any outcome or at any assessment point. ABCT was superior to TAU alone both posttreatment (B = -13.20; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -19.57, -6.84) and at 6-month follow-up (B = -7.20; 95% CI: -13.63, -0.76) for reducing DASS-21, and MBSR was superior to TAU alone both posttreatment (B = -11.51; 95% CI: -17.97, -5.05) and at 6-month follow-up (B = -8.59; 95% CI: -15.09, -2.10), with large effects (d = 0.90). Changes produced by ABCT in DASS-21 were mediated by self-compassion, whereas changes produced by MBSR were mediated by both mindfulness and self-compassion. Conclusion: ABCT is effective for reducing affective distress in patients with anxiety, depressive and adjustment disorders, although its effect is not superior to that offered by MBSR. Self-compassion seems to be a significant mediator of the effects of ABCT. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LL

Fongs nous o poc citats de Catalunya i Andorra, II

New or rarely recorded fungi from Catalonia and Andorra, II. Account of 8 species of Ascomycetes and 48 species of Basidiomycetes selected from our recent collections, mainly made in SW Catalonia and in the Pyrenean range. Of special taxonomic and chorologic interest are: Rutstroemia luteovirescens (Rob. ex Desm.) White, Urnula craterium (Schw.) Fr., Amanita brunneoconulus Bas et Groger, Boletus junquilleus (Quél.) Boud., Coprinus idae Uljé, Hohenbuehelia cf. angustata (Berk.) Sing., Melanoleuca nauseosa (Boekhout) Bon, Mycena maurella Robich, Oudemansiella caussei (Maire) Moser ex Clémençon, Rugosomyces fallax (Peck ex Sacc.) Bon, Russula poichilochroa Sarnari f. eliochroma Samari and R. Werneri Maire.Selección de 8 especies de Ascomicetes y 48 de Basidiomicetes, de nuestras recolecciones recientes, principalmente hechas en el S y W de Cataluña y en los Pirineos. Un interés especial, taxonómico y coro lógico es el que muestran: Rutstroemia luteovirescens (Rob. ex Desm.) White, Urnula craterium (Schw.) Fr., Amanita brunneoconulus Bas et Groger, Boletus junquilleus (Quél.) Boud., Coprinus idae Uljé, Hohenbuehelia cf. angustata (Berk.) Sing., Melanoleuca nauseosa (Boekhout) Bon, Mycena maurella Robich, Oudemansiella caussei (Maire) Moser ex Clémençon, Rugosomyces fallax (Peck ex Sacc.) Bon, Russula poichilochroa Sarnari f. eliochroma Samari y R. Werneri Maire

Fongs nous o poc citats de Catalunya i Andorra, II

New or rarely recorded fungi from Catalonia and Andorra, II. Account of 8 species of Ascomycetes and 48 species of Basidiomycetes selected from our recent collections, mainly made in SW Catalonia and in the Pyrenean range. Of special taxonomic and chorologic interest are: Rutstroemia luteovirescens (Rob. ex Desm.) White, Urnula craterium (Schw.) Fr., Amanita brunneoconulus Bas et Groger, Boletus junquilleus (Quél.) Boud., Coprinus idae Uljé, Hohenbuehelia cf. angustata (Berk.) Sing., Melanoleuca nauseosa (Boekhout) Bon, Mycena maurella Robich, Oudemansiella caussei (Maire) Moser ex Clémençon, Rugosomyces fallax (Peck ex Sacc.) Bon, Russula poichilochroa Sarnari f. eliochroma Samari and R. Werneri Maire.Selección de 8 especies de Ascomicetes y 48 de Basidiomicetes, de nuestras recolecciones recientes, principalmente hechas en el S y W de Cataluña y en los Pirineos. Un interés especial, taxonómico y coro lógico es el que muestran: Rutstroemia luteovirescens (Rob. ex Desm.) White, Urnula craterium (Schw.) Fr., Amanita brunneoconulus Bas et Groger, Boletus junquilleus (Quél.) Boud., Coprinus idae Uljé, Hohenbuehelia cf. angustata (Berk.) Sing., Melanoleuca nauseosa (Boekhout) Bon, Mycena maurella Robich, Oudemansiella caussei (Maire) Moser ex Clémençon, Rugosomyces fallax (Peck ex Sacc.) Bon, Russula poichilochroa Sarnari f. eliochroma Samari y R. Werneri Maire

Predictors of adherence in three low-intensity intervention programs applied by ICTs for depression in primary care

Depression is one of the most common disorders in psychiatric and primary care settings, and is associated with disability, loss in quality of life, and economic costs. Internet-based psychological interventions have been shown to be effective in depression treatment but present problems with a low degree of adherence. The main aim of this study is to analyze the adherence predictors in three low-intensity interventions programs applied by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for depression. A multi-center, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted with 164 participants with depression, who were allocated to: Healthy Lifestyle Program, Positive Affect Promotion Program or Mindfulness Program. Sociodemographic characteristics, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Visual Analog Scale, Short Form Health Survey, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Five Facets Mindfulness Questionnaire, Pemberton Happiness Index and Treatment Expectancy Questionnaire were used to study adherence. Results showed that positive affect resulted in a predictor variable for Healthy Lifestyle Program and Positive Affect Promotion Program. Perceived health was also a negative adherence predictor for the Positive Affect Promotion Program. Our findings demonstrate that there are differences in clinical variables between treatment completers and non-completers and we provide adherence predictors in two intervention groups. Although new additional predictors have been examined, further research is essential in order to improve tailored interventions and increase adherence treatment

Effects of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT) on brain-derived neurotrophic factor and low-grade inflammation among fibromyalgia patients: A randomized controlled trial

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a disabling syndrome characterized by chronic pain associated with fatigue. Its pathogenesis is unknown, but alterations in central sensitization, involving an imbalance of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and inflammatory biomarkers, appear to be implicated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT) on levels of BDNF, the inflammatory markers TNF-a, IL-6, IL-10, and the C-reactive protein (CRP), analysing whether biomarkers play a mediating/moderating role in improvements in FM functional status. Thirty-four female patients with FM participated in a RCT and were assigned to ABCT or relaxation therapy. Blood extractions were conducted at baseline and post-intervention, with self-report assessments of functional status (FIQ) at baseline, post-intervention and 3-month follow-up. A pro-inflammatory composite was obtained by summing up IL-6, TNF-a and CRP normalized values. Non-parametric tests, analysis of variance and regression models were used to evaluate treatment and mediation/moderation. Compared to relaxation therapy, ABCT showed significant improvements in FIQ and decreases in BDNF, CRP, and pro-inflammatory composite. Changes in BDNF had a mediating role in FIQ. ABCT seems to reduce BDNF and appears to have anti-inflammatory effects in FM patients. Reductions in BDNF could be a mechanism of FM functional status improvement