Investigating defensive functioning and alexithymia in substance use disorder patients

Background: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) causes a great deal of personal suffering for patients. Recent evidence highlights how defenses and emotion regulation may play a crucial part in the onset and development of this disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the defensive functioning between SUD patients and non-clinical controls. Secondly, we aimed at investigating the relationships between alexithymia and maladaptive/assimilation defenses. Methods: The authors assessed defensive functioning (Response Evaluation Measure-71, REM-71), personality (MMPI-II), and alexithymia (TAS-20) of 171 SUD patients (17% female; mean age = 36.5), compared to 155 controls. Authors performed a series of ANOVAs to investigate the defensive array in SUD patients compared to that of nonclinical controls. Student t test for indipendent samples was used to compare clinical characteristics between the SUD group and the controls. To investigate the role of single defenses in explaining alexithimia’s subscores, stepwise multiple regression analysis were carried out on socio-demographic characteristics of participants (gender, age, and years of education), with REM-71 defenses as predictors. Results: SUD patients presented a more maladaptive/assimilation (Factor 1) defensive array (p < .001). Among SUD sub-groups, Alcohol Use Disorder patients showed more disfuncional defenses. Factor 1 defenses were related to a worse psychological functioning. In addition, alexyhimia (particularly DIF) was strongly related to Factor 1 defenses, expecially Projection (38% of variance explained, β = .270, p < .001). Conclusion: The REM-71 and the TAS-20 might be useful screening instruments among SUD patients

Residual Stress and Tribological Performance of ZrN Coatings Produced by Reactive Bipolar Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering

In the past few decades, ZrN thin films have been identified as wear resistant coatings for tribological applications. The mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN thin layers depend on internal stress induced by the adopted deposition techniques and deposition parameters such as pressure, temperature, and growth rate. In sputtering deposition processes, the selected target voltage waveform and the plasma characteristics also play a crucial influence on physical properties of produced coatings. In present work, ZrN thin films, obtained setting different values of duty cycle in a reactive bipolar pulsed dual magnetron sputtering plant, were investigated to evaluate their residual stress through the substrate curvature method. A considerable progressive increase of residual stress values was measured at decreasing duty cycle, attesting the significant role of voltage waveform in stress development. An evident correlation was also highlighted between the values of the duty cycle and those of wear factor. The performed analysis attested an advantageous effect of internal stress, having the samples with high compressive stress, higher wear resistance. A downward trend for wear rate with the increase of internal residual stress was observed. The choice of suitable values of duty cycle allowed to produce ceramic coatings with improved tribological performance

Residual stress and tribological performance of ZrN coatings produced by reactive bipolar magnetron sputtering

In the past few decades, ZrN thin films have been identified as wear resistant coatings for tribological applications. The mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN thin layers depend on internal stress induced by the adopted deposition techniques and deposition parameters such as pressure, temperature, and growth rate. In sputtering deposition processes, the selected target voltage waveform and the plasma characteristics also play a crucial influence on physical properties of produced coatings. In present work, ZrN thin films, obtained setting different values of duty cycle in a reactive bipolar pulsed dual magnetron sputtering plant, were investigated to evaluate their residual stress through the substrate curvature method. A considerable progressive increase of residual stress values was measured at decreasing duty cycle, attesting the significant role of voltage waveform in stress development. An evident correlation was also highlighted between the values of the duty cycle and those of wear factor. The performed analysis attested an advantageous effect of internal stress, having the samples with high compressive stress, higher wear resistance. A downward trend for wear rate with the increase of internal residual stress was observed. The choice of suitable values of duty cycle allowed to produce ceramic coatings with improved tribological performance

The Transcription Factors ADR1 or CAT8 are Required for RTG Pathway Activation and Evasion from Yeast Acetic Acid-Induced Programmed Cell Death in Raffinose

Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on glucose undergoes programmed cell death (PCD) induced by acetic acid (AA-PCD), but evades PCD when grown in raffinose. This is due to concomitant relief of carbon catabolite repression (CCR) and activation of mitochondrial retrograde signaling, a mitochondria-to-nucleus communication pathway causing up-regulation of various nuclear target genes, such as CIT2, encoding peroxisomal citrate synthase, dependent on the positive regulator RTG2 in response to mitochondrial dysfunction. CCR down-regulates genes mainly involved in mitochondrial respiratory metabolism. In this work, we investigated the relationships between the RTG and CCR pathways in the modulation of AA-PCD sensitivity under glucose repression or de-repression conditions. Yeast single and double mutants lacking RTG2 and/or certain factors regulating carbon source utilization, including MIG1, HXK2, ADR1, CAT8, and HAP4, have been analyzed for their survival and CIT2 expression after acetic acid treatment. ADR1 and CAT8 were identified as positive regulators of RTG-dependent gene transcription. ADR1 and CAT8 interact with RTG2 and with each other in inducing cell resistance to AA-PCD in raffinose and controlling the nature of cell death. In the absence of ADR1 and CAT8, AA-PCD evasion is acquired through activation of an alternative factor/pathway repressed by RTG2, suggesting that RTG2 may play a function in promoting necrotic cell death in repressing conditions when RTG pathway is inactive. Moreover, our data show that simultaneous mitochondrial retrograde pathway activation and SNF1-dependent relief of CCR have a key role in central carbon metabolism reprogramming which modulates the yeast acetic acid-stress response

The transcription factors ADR1 or CAT8 are required for RTG pathway activation and evasion from yeast acetic acid-induced programmed cell death in raffinose

Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on glucose undergoes programmed cell death (PCD) induced by acetic acid (AA-PCD), but evades PCD when grown in raffinose. This is due to concomitant relief of carbon catabolite repression (CCR) and activation of mitochondrial retrograde signaling, a mitochondria-to-nucleus communication pathway causing up-regulation of various nuclear target genes, such as CIT2, encoding peroxisomal citrate synthase, dependent on the positive regulator RTG2 in response to mitochondrial dysfunction. CCR down-regulates genes mainly involved in mitochondrial respiratory metabolism. In this work, we investigated the relationships between the RTG and CCR pathways in the modulation of AA-PCD sensitivity under glucose repression or de-repression conditions. Yeast single and double mutants lacking RTG2 and/or certain factors regulating carbon source utilization, including MIG1, HXK2, ADR1, CAT8, and HAP4, have been analyzed for their survival and CIT2 expression after acetic acid treatment. ADR1 and CAT8 were identified as positive regulators of RTG-dependent gene transcription. ADR1 and CAT8 interact with RTG2 and with each other in inducing cell resistance to AA-PCD in raffinose and controlling the nature of cell death. In the absence of ADR1 and CAT8, AA-PCD evasion is acquired through activation of an alternative factor/pathway repressed by RTG2, suggesting that RTG2 may play a function in promoting necrotic cell death in repressing conditions when RTG pathway is inactive. Moreover, our data show that simultaneous mitochondrial retrograde pathway activation and SNF1-dependent relief of CCR have a key role in central carbon metabolism reprogramming which modulates the yeast acetic acid-stress response

Chi crede alle Fake News? Aspetti psicologici e criminologici dei protagonisti dell’era della post-verità

This article offers a review of scientific reading on the subject of susceptibility to disinformation. Although it is an insidious problem, little attention is still given to the psychological variables involved in this phenomenon, just as there are still no editorial rules that protect the correct dissemination of online news. After defining the multiple facets of fake news, the Authors explore the individual differences involved in perceived correct or incorrect accuracy in Fake News and in sharing behavior. In conclusion, starting from the analysis of the criminological-clinical aspects of the phenomenon of in-terest, the attention of the scholars of the criminological and psychological disciplines is drawn to the need to initiate more studies, research and contribute to establishing strategies for dealing with the phenomenon, possibly considering authors and victims of fake news.Questo articolo propone una rassegna della lettura scientifica sul tema della suscettibilità alla disin-formazione. Sebbene sia una problematica insidiosa, poca attenzione è stata data alle variabili psicologiche coinvolte in tale fenomeno, così come non esistono ancora norme editoriali che tutelino la corretta diffusione delle notizie online. Gli Autori, dopo aver definito le molteplici sfaccettature delle notizie false, esplorano le differenze individuali implicate nella corretta o errata accuratezza percepita nelle Fake News e nel comportamento di condivisione delle stesse. In conclusione, premettendo l’analisi degli aspetti criminologico-clinici del fenomeno di interesse, si richiama l’attenzione dei cultori della criminologia per avviare uno studio scientifico diretto alla progettazione di strategie di fronteggiamento considerando autori e vittime di fake news

STRATEGIES OF INTERVENTION AGAINST HOMO-TRANSPHOBIC DISCRIMINATION: A “NETWORK TRAINING” EXPERIENCE

The purpose of the current contribution is to present the preliminary results of a “research-action and network training” between the University and the Municipality of Bari, aimed at overcoming discrimination processes based on sexual orientation and gender identity in the working context. The provided training was oriented to the deconstruction of prejudices against LGBTQI people, paying attention to the implementation of a diversity management able to produce a “LGBTQI friendly culture”. The basic principle of the carried out training was the acquisition of knowledge and methodological skills to guarantee equal opportunities for all citizens through the promotion of a “culture of differences” in the professional contexts. A preliminary correlational survey aimed at measuring the levels of homophobia and transphobia in the Municipal employees was carried out, involving 1,882 participants (973 males and 909 females). Specifically, the training course includes six modules (for a total of 24 hours of training for each employee), as follows: 1. basic constructs of sexual identity; 2. Homosexuality/homophobia; 3. Transsexualism/transphobia; 4. culture of differences and education processes; 5. LGBTQI rights; 6. mission of LGBTQI associations. The following professional categories were the specific targets of the training activities: 160 nursery educators and kindergarten teachers; 72 social workers; 12 professional educators; 150 municipal police workers; 70 employees in public information office and demographic services. This contribution presented the results of the first step of the training session which involved the municipal police workers, nursery educators and kindergartens teachers, and described the specific activities performed toensure thedeconstruction ofhomo-transphobicprejudices within these professional contexts, focusing the attention on the role of clinical psychologists as trainers in promoting individual and organizational wellbeing

Investigating defensive functioning and alexithymia in substance use disorder patients.

BACKGROUND: Substance Use Disorder (SUD) causes a great deal of personal suffering for patients. Recent evidence highlights how defenses and emotion regulation may play a crucial part in the onset and development of this disorder. The aim of this study was to investigate potential differences in the defensive functioning between SUD patients and non-clinical controls. Secondly, we aimed at investigating the relationships between alexithymia and maladaptive/assimilation defenses. METHODS: The authors assessed defensive functioning (Response Evaluation Measure-71, REM-71), personality (MMPI-II), and alexithymia (TAS-20) of 171 SUD patients (17% female; mean age = 36.5), compared to 155 controls. Authors performed a series of ANOVAs to investigate the defensive array in SUD patients compared to that of non-clinical controls. RESULTS: SUD patients presented a more maladaptive/assimilation (Factor 1) defensive array (p < .001). Among SUD sub-groups, Alcohol Use Disorder patients showed more disfuncional defenses. Factor 1 defenses were related to a worse psychological functioning. In addition, alexyhimia (particularly DIF) was strongly related to Factor 1 defenses, expecially Projection (38% of variance explained, β = .270, p < .001). CONCLUSION: The REM-71 and the TAS-20 might be useful screening instruments among SUD patients. [Note: alexithymia refers to a multidimensional personality construct, defined by a set of four characteristics: 1) difficulty in identifying feelings and in distinguishing feelings from bodily sensations of emotional arousal, 2) difficulty in describing and in communicating feelings to others, 3) lack of fantasy and imagination, and 4) an externally oriented style of thinking

Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research and Psychosocial Functioning in Multiple Sclerosis

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by an unpredictable course and heterogeneous symptoms. Individuals with MS suffer from higher rates of anxiety and depression than the general population and have poorer quality of life scores when compared to range of chronic conditions. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at investigating for the first time the prevalence of Diagnostic Criteria for Psychosomatic Research (DCPR) in patients with MS and the ability of the DCPR syndromes in predicting psychosocial functioning in addition to psychopathological symptoms and neurological disability. METHODS: 150 consecutive outpatients with MS, referred to Multiple Sclerosis Unit, Vito Fazzi Hospital, were recruited between October 2013 and December 2014. The Structured Interview for DCPR, Symptom Check List-90-R (SCL-90-R), Multiple Sclerosis Quality of life-54 (MSQoL-54), and the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) were used to perform psychometric and clinical assessment. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients (71.3%) met criteria for at least one DCPR and 60 patients (40%) had more than one DCPR. The more prevalent DCPR syndromes were Alexithymia (32.7%), Type A behavior (29.3%), and Demoralization (22.7%). Psychosomatic syndromes were associated with poor psychosocial functioning. GSI and Demoralization independently predicted the physical and mental component of psychosocial dysfunction over and above the level of neurological disabilities. CONCLUSIONS: DCPR classification can provide clinicians with a set of sensitive diagnostic criteria for a comprehensive assessment of MS patients. Among the DCPR, Demoralization more strongly affected the patients’ quality of life and might play a significant mediating role in the course of MS