The Effect of Content and Physical Properties of Affective Pictures on Emotional Responses

The aim of this research was to study the influence of both the emotional content and the physical characteristics of affective stimuli on the psychophysiological, behavioural and cognitive indexes of the emotional response. We selected 54 pictures from the IAPS, depicting unpleasant, neutral, and pleasant contents, and used two picture sizes as experimental conditions (120 90 cm and 52 42 cm). Sixty-one subjects were randomly assigned to each experimental condition. We recorded the startle blink reflex, skin conductance response, heart rate, free viewing time, and picture valence and arousal ratings. In line with previous research (e.g., Bradley, Codispoti, Cuthbert, & Lang, 2001), our data showed an effect of the affective content on all the measurements recorded. Importantly, effects of the size of the affective pictures on emotional responses were not found, indicating that the emotional content is more important than the formal properties of the stimuli in evoking the emotional response.El objetivo de esta investigación fue estudiar la influencia del contenido emocional y de las características físicas de los estímulos afectivos sobre los índices psicofisiológicos, conductuales y cognitivos de la respuesta emocional. Seleccionamos 54 imágenes del IAPS, representando contenidos desagradables, neutros y agradables y usamos dos tamaños de imagen como condiciones experimentales (120 90 cm y 52 42 cm). Los 61 sujetos que conformaban la muestra experimental se asignaron de forma aleatoria a cada condición experimental. Registramos el parpadeo reflejo de sobresalto, la respuesta de conductancia de la piel, la frecuencia cardiaca, el tiempo de visión y las estimaciones de valencia afectiva y arousal de las imágenes. De acuerdo con la investigación previa (p. ej., Bradley, Codispoti, Cuthbert y Lang, 2001), nuestros datos mostraron un efecto del contenido afectivo en todas las medidas registradas. Nuestros resultados no mostraron, sin embargo, efectos del tamaño de las imágenes afectivas sobre ninguna de las medidas registradas, lo que indica que el contenido afectivo es más importante que las propiedades formales de los estímulos para provocar respuestas emocionales

Psychophysiological, behavioral, and cognitive indices of the emotional response: a factor-analytic study

La investigación previa sobre los componentes de la respuesta emocional empleando estudios de análisis factorial ha proporcionado una estructura de dos factores (Lang, Greenwald, Bradley y Hamm, 1993; Cuthbert, Schupp, Bradley, Birbaumer y Lang, 2000). Sin embargo, el parpadeo reflejo de sobresalto, una medida ampliamente empleada de respuesta emocional, no se ha considerado hasta la fecha. Decidimos incluir dos parámetros del reflejo de sobresalto (magnitud y latencia) para explorar si esta respuesta se ajusta al modelo bifactorial de la emoción. Registramos el parpadeo reflejo de sobresalto acústico, la respuesta de conductancia de la piel, la tasa cardiaca, el tiempo de visión, y las evaluaciones de valencia y de arousal de 45 sujetos mientas miraban 54 representaciones del IAPS (18 desagradables, 18 neutrales, y 18 agradables). La factorización de todas las medidas proporcionó una solución de dos factores (valencia y arousal) que explicaban el 70% de la varianza. Aunque algunas medidas, incluyendo el cambio en tasa cardiaca, no se comportaban como se había predicho, nuestros resultados refuerzan el modelo bidimensional de la emoción y demuestran que el sobresalto se ajusta al modelo.Previous research on the components of the emotional response employing factor analytic studies has yielded a two-factor structure (Lang, Greenwald, Bradley, & Hamm, 1993; Cuthbert, Schupp, Bradley, Birbaumer, & Lang, 2000). However, the startle blink reflex, a widely employed measure of the emotional response, has not been considered to date. We decided to include two parameters of the startle reflex (magnitude and latency) in order to explore further how this response fits into the two-factor model of emotion. We recorded the acoustic startle blink response, skin conductance response, heart rate, free viewing time, and picture valence and arousal ratings of 45 subjects while viewing 54 pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS; 18 unpleasant, 18 neutral, and 18 pleasant). Factorizations of all measures gave a two-factor solution (valence and arousal) that accounted for 70% of the variance. Although some measurements, including heart rate change, did not behave as predicted, our results reinforce the two-dimension model of the emotion, and show that startle fits into the model

Sexuality amongst heterosexual women with morbid obesity in a bariatric surgery programme: A qualitative study

Aims: The objective of this study is to describe and understand the experiences of sexuality amongst heterosexual women with morbid obesity (MO) who are in a bariatric surgery program. Background: Morbid obesity is a chronic, metabolic disease that affects women's physical, psychological and sexual health. MO is associated with anxiety, depression and body image disorders. Bariatric surgery is a reliable method for weight loss in people with MO. Design: A qualitative descriptive study research design was adopted. Methods: Twenty-one heterosexual women with MO in a bariatric surgery program were recruited through purposive sampling. Data collection included individual semi-structured interviews conducted between November 2018 and May 2019. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using a computer-assisted qualitative data. Findings: Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) trapped in a body that limits my sexuality; (2) between neglect and hope and (3) the partner as a source of support for sexuality in women with MO. Conclusion: Women hide a body that they do not accept and ignore their own sexuality, focusing on that of their partner. Although the women have doubts about their partners’ desire for them, they share the decision-making process with them whilst waiting for bariatric surgery, on which they place all of their hopes for improved sexuality and quality of life. Impact: The findings highlight the importance of exploring the experiences and sexual issues faced by heterosexual women with MO in a bariatric surgery program. Bariatric nurses have a privileged position to assess these women's sexuality, recommend alternatives to sexual intercourse or refer them to sexologists. As part of the multidisciplinary team, nurses can contribute to managing the expectations of women with MO and their partners in relation to the improvement of their sex lives following bariatric surgery

Sexuality amongst heterosexual men with morbid obesity in a bariatric surgery programme: A qualitative study

Aim and Objectives: To describe and understand the experiences of sexuality amongst heterosexual men diagnosed with morbid obesity (MO) who are in a bariatric surgery programme. Background: Morbid obesity is a chronic metabolic disease that affects men’s physical, psychological and sexual health. Evidence suggests that MO could be linked to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, sexual life and social disorders. Bariatric surgery is a reliable method for weight loss in patients with MO. Design: This is a qualitative study based on Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology, and the COREQ checklist was employed to report on the current study. Methods: Convenience and purposive sampling was carried out and included 24 indepth interviews with heterosexual men with MO in a bariatric surgery programme between October 2018–March 2019 in Spain. Results: Two main themes emerged from the analysis: (a) a corporality which is judged and condemned; and (b) adapting sexual practices to bariatric surgery. Conclusions: Men with MO reject a body that limits their physical, social and sexual life. A negative body image and low self-esteem, which do not respond to the traditional masculine role or new masculinities, reduce men's self-concept. Men with MO feel rejection, stigma and isolation. Support from their partner is fundamental to adapt. Relevance to clinical practice: The results of the study draw attention to how heterosexual men with MO experience their sexuality in a bariatric surgery programme and the challenges nurses face. Recognising the problem, helping to develop coping strategies or referring to specialists in sexuality could improve the quality of life in patients and their partners

Social Support for People with Morbid Obesity in a Bariatric Surgery Programme: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Background—Morbid obesity (MO) is a chronic metabolic disease affecting physical, psychological and social wellbeing. Bariatric surgery is a reliable method for losing weight in the long term, improving the quality of life, body image and social life of people with MO. Current literature recognises the importance of social support in controlling weight and coping with MO. The objective of this study was to describe and understand experiences related to social support for patients with MO included in a bariatric surgery programme. Methods—A qualitative descriptive study, where data collection included thirty-one interviews with people diagnosed with MO involved in a bariatric surgery programme. Results—Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) accepting the problem in order to ask for help, (2) the need for close support and (3) professional support: opposing feelings. Conclusions—A partner, family and friends are the key pillars of social support for those with MO included in a bariatric surgery programme. Healthcare professionals gave formal support; the bariatric surgery team provided information, trust and assurance. Nurses provided healthcare 24 h a day, making them the main formal support for people in the bariatric surgery programme

Concordance between circulating tumor cells and clinical status during follow-up in anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) non-small-cell lung cancer patients

Background: The identification of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangements is found in approximately 5% of non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). However, the development of liquid biopsies as a diagnostic tool is less developed in these cases. This study investigates the use of CTCs during treatment, together with an extended follow-up to correlate with clinical evolution. Patients and Methods: A total of 13 patients out of a cohort of 212 patients with lung adenocarcinoma, presented ALK rearrangements (6%) confirmed by tumor biopsy. A total of 60 serial blood samples were collected from these patients who were prospectively enrolled in the study. Results: All patients had a positive CTC count at baseline (mean = 3). The median follow-up was 9 months (range 1-17 months). Three patients underwent surgery and their CTC counts decreased after the procedure but still remained detectable. After radiotherapy, 3 cases showed an average decrease of 5 CTCs. A total of 6 patients were treated with ALK inhibitors and a partial response was observed in 3 of them, who also presented decreased CTC counts. The other 3 patients presented primary resistance, and their CTC counts were higher than those obtained prior to progression. Conclusion: We believe that the use of CTCs for dynamic monitoring of NSCLC with ALK rearrangement and to detect disease persistence or recurrence may be a reliable technique. CTC counts may also have potential use to monitor the efficacy of ALK inhibitors, facilitating detection of resistance to treatmentThis study was supported by Carlos III Institute of Health, Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and European Regional Development Fund (grant number: PI16/01818 and PIE14/00064), D. Pérez-Callejo is supported by SEOM-Río-Hortega contract, A Romero is supported by Joan Rodés fellowship (grant number: JR14/00017) and M Sánchez-Beato is supported by Miguel Servet contract (CP11/00018 and CPII16/00024

Variable downcanyon morphology controlling the recent activity of shelf-incised submarine canyons (Alboran Sea, western Mediterranean)

Special issue Submarine Geomorphology and Processes: from coast to deep abyssal plains.-- 22 pages, 12 figures, 4 tables.-- Data availability: Data will be made available on requestThis research aims to distinguish genetic sedimentary processes building canyon geomorphological patterns and the factors driving different sedimentary activities in two nearby Mediterranean shelf-incised submarine canyons (Carchuna and Motril) that exhibit different degrees of incision on the narrow margin of the northern Alboran Sea. The straight Carchuna Canyon incises the shelf up to 200 m off the coastline and exhibit steep canyon walls featuring narrow terraces, muddy sands with high contents of organic matter along the thalweg, and transported shelf benthic foraminifera in distal settings. The Motril Canyon head is wider and incises the shelf edge, ca. 2 km off the coastline. It exhibits a sinuous morphology and less steep walls, wider terraces, and higher sedimentation rates with muddy sediments along the thalweg. In both canyons, cross-section relief, width, incision, and area decrease downslope, although these parameters increase locally. The downslope variations of geomorphological parameters are attributed to enhanced erosional/depositional processes promoted by tectonically controlled abrupt changes of the axial channel orientation. The degree of shelf incision, the location of the canyon heads in relation with the local sediment sources, and the seasonally variable hydrodynamic regimes determine the different degrees of recent canyon activity. The Motril Canyon is interpreted as a mature system that reflects episodic activity, collecting fine-grained sediments from the nearby Guadalfeo River. The Carchuna Canyon exhibits a youthful developmental stage whose activity is more continuous and involves sediment trapping of littoral cells and continuous downslope sand transportThis research was executed in the framework of the following projects: Alboran Shelf-Slope cOupling processes and deep sediMent trAnsfeR: Source To Sink approaches and implications for biodiversity–ALSSOMAR S2S (CTM2017-88237-P), funded by “Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad”, Spanish government, and Sediment gravity flows and ANthropogenic Impacts in a MEDiterranean deltaic-and-canyon environment: Causal relationships and consequences–SANIMED (PID2021-125489OB-I00) funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, UE. This study is also part of Cerrillo-Escoriza's PhD project, supported by Grant PRE2018-084812 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FSE “Invierte en tu future”. [...] I.M. acknowledges to Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for Research Assistant contracts DL57/2016/CP1361/CT0009, CEECINST/00052/2021/CP2792/CT0012 and projects UID/0350/2020 CIMA, LA/P/0069/2020ARNET. A.L.Q. is grateful for funding provided by FJC2021-047046-I (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100 011033 and NextGenerationEU/PRTR)With the institutional support of the ‘Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence’ accreditation (CEX2019-000928-S)Peer reviewe

Actividades de aprendizaje colaborativo en la docencia online: tutorías colaborativas y otras iniciativas de aprendizaje de apoyo mutuo entre estudiantes

Memoria del proyecto de innovación docente para la aplicación de estrategias de aprendizaje colaborativo y apoyo mutuo entre estudiantes, con especial atención a las tutorías colaborativas, en los Grados de ADE y Comercio

RETOS Y OPORTUNIDADES EN LA INTEGRACIÓN DE SOCIEDADES COOPERATIVAS

La presente publicación contiene las actas del Curso de Verano titulado “Retos y oportunidades en la integración de cooperativas” que se celebró en la sede de la Cartuja de Sevilla de la Universidad Internacional de Andalucía (UNIA) entre los días 11 a 15 de septiembre de 2017 y que se organizó en el marco del Proyecto Investigación de Excelencia de la Junta de Andalucía "Retos y oportunidades en la concentración e integración de empresas agroalimentaria" (P12-SEJ-2555) del que el profesor Vargas Vasserot es el Investigador Principal. Una de las peculiaridades que tuvo el curso es que gran parte de los asistentes eran a su vez especialistas en las materias impartidas y miembros del proyecto de investigación de la Junta de Andalucía que organizaba el curso, por lo que con objeto de darle mayor participación se habilitó la posibilidad de presentar comunicaciones científicas, como si fuera un congreso. Una vez terminado el curso, se vio que los materiales facilitados a los alumnos por los distintos profesores del curso junto a las comunicaciones científicas presentadas por parte de los asistentes era un material que debía ser puesto a disposición de todas las personas e instituciones interesadas en los procesos de integración de cooperativas y, además, sin mucha demora por la importancia que actualmente tienen todas estas cuestiones. Además de las ponencias y comunicaciones que se presentarons, hemos includio en la publicación un anexo con legislación y normativa de interés y los resultados de una encuesta sobre los procesos de integración realizada en el sector hortofrutícola almeriense que realizamos a lo largo de 2016 en el marco del citado proyecto de investigación de la Junta de Andalucía

Body mass index and disease activity in chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases: results of the Cardiovascular in Rheumatology (Carma) Project

Objective: Since obesity has been associated with a higher inflammatory burden and worse response to therapy in patients with chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases (CIRD), we aimed to confirm the potential association between body mass index (BMI) and disease activity in a large series of patients with CIRDs included in the Spanish CARdiovascular in rheuMAtology (CARMA) registry. Methods: Baseline data analysis of patients included from the CARMA project, a 10-year prospective study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) attending outpatient rheumatology clinics from 67 Spanish hospitals. Obesity was defined when BMI (kg/m2) was >30 according to the WHO criteria. Scores used to evaluate disease activity were Disease Activity Score of 28 joints (DAS28) in RA, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in AS, and modified DAS for PsA. Results: Data from 2234 patients (775 RA, 738 AS, and 721 PsA) were assessed. The mean ± SD BMI at the baseline visit were: 26.9 ± 4.8 in RA, 27.4 ± 4.4 in AS, and 28.2 ± 4.7 in PsA. A positive association between BMI and disease activity in patients with RA (β = 0.029; 95%CI (0.01- 0.05); p = 0.007) and PsA (β = 0.036; 95%CI (0.015-0.058); p = 0.001) but not in those with AS (β = 0.001; 95%CI (-0.03-0.03); p = 0.926) was found. Disease activity was associated with female sex and rheumatoid factor in RA and with Psoriasis Area Severity Index and enthesitis in PsA. Conclusions: BMI is associated with disease activity in RA and PsA, but not in AS. Given that obesity is a potentially modifiable factor, adequate control of body weight can improve the outcome of patients with CIRD and, therefore, weight control should be included in the management strategy of these patients