Inducing Illusory Ownership of a Virtual Body

We discuss three experiments that investigate how virtual limbs and bodies can come to feel like real limbs and bodies. The first experiment shows that an illusion of ownership of a virtual arm appearing to project out of a person's shoulder can be produced by tactile stimulation on a person's hidden real hand and synchronous stimulation on the seen virtual hand. The second shows that the illusion can be produced by synchronous movement of the person's hidden real hand and a virtual hand. The third shows that a weaker form of the illusion can be produced when a brain–computer interface is employed to move the virtual hand by means of motor imagery without any tactile stimulation. We discuss related studies that indicate that the ownership illusion may be generated for an entire body. This has important implications for the scientific understanding of body ownership and several practical applications

Reviewing the ecosystem services, societal goods, and benefits of marine protected areas

Marine protected areas (MPAs) are globally important environmental management tools that provide protection from the effects of human exploitation and activities, supporting the conservation of marine biological diversity, habitats, ecosystems and the processes they host, as well as resources in a broad sense. Consequently, they are also expected to manage and enhance marine ecosystem services and material, non-material, consumptive and non-consumptive goods, and benefits for humans. There is however certain confusion on what constitutes an ecosystem service, and it is not always easy to distinguish between them and societal benefits. The main nuance is that an ecosystem service is the aptitude an ecosystem has or develops naturally or as consequence of a management action, and that manifests through its own properties (productivity, diversity, stability, quality of its key parameters, etc.), while a societal benefit is the economic or other profitability (emotional, educational, scientific, etc.) that humans obtain from said service or quality. In this work, 268 publications, together with our own experiences in the different investigations carried out in the MPAs that are part of the BiodivERsA3-2015-21 RESERVEBENEFIT European project, have been selected, reviewed and discussed to analyze the knowledge status of the expected ecosystem services of MPAs and the societal benefits derived from them, sometimes providing information on their evidence, when they exist. We define and classify the effects of protection, ecosystem services and societal benefits and elaborate a conceptual model of the cause-effect relationships between them

Feasibility of a brief mindfulness-based program for burnout in pain healthcare professionals

Burnout; Health professionals; Pain clinicEsgotament; Professionals de la salut; Clínica del dolorAgotamiento; Profesionales de la salud; Clínica del dolorIntroduction: Stress inherent to health care, which is characterized by work overload and shortage of specialized staff, is associated with decreased quality of life and suboptimal patient care. Mindfulness-based programs have proved to be effective in reducing stress in healthcare providers. This study aims to assess the feasibility of an 8-week mindfulness program to reduce the burnout levels of the staff of a pain clinic in a tertiary public hospital. Materials and methods: A longitudinal study with a within subject pre/post-intervention design, consisting of daily face-to-face 10-min sessions and the creation of a virtual group using a social media platform. Variables measured: burnout, mindfulness, empathy, self-compassion, and demographic characteristics. Results: Program feasibility (i.e., reach, adherence, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness) was evaluated in 10 participants (6 physicians, 2 nurse practitioners, 1 nursing assistant, and 1 administrative). The results revealed a high reach (i.e., participation rate of 90%), excellent adherence to the program (daily practice 95% of times), and very good acceptability of the group format and satisfaction with most treatment components. Regarding potential effectiveness, we report the results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and its associated effect size (r). We observed improvements in mindfulness and all its subscales (−2.077 ≤ Z ≤ −2.703, 0.69 ≤ r ≤ 0.90, all p < 0.05) except for non-reactivity and all subcomponents of self-compassion (−2.501 ≤ Z ≤ −2.611, 0.83 ≤ r ≤ 0.87, all p < 0.05) but not on its global self-compassion score. Empathy and burnout did not change. In an exploratory manner, however, we found significant reductions in the burnout component of emotional exhaustion, but only in physicians (Z = −2.201, p = 0.028, r = 0.73). Discussion: We believe that the 8-week mindfulness-based program described in the present investigation might be a feasible and potentially effective method that can be easily implemented to reduce burnout and promote mindfulness in specialized pain clinics.This research was funded by Universitat Jaume I, grant number UJI-A2020-03

Feasibility of a brief mindfulness-based program for burnout in pain healthcare professionals

Stress inherent to health care, which is characterized by work overload and shortage of specialized staff, is associated with decreased quality of life and suboptimal patient care. Mindfulness-based programs have proved to be effective in reducing stress in healthcare providers. This study aims to assess the feasibility of an 8-week mindfulness program to reduce the burnout levels of the staff of a pain clinic in a tertiary public hospital. A longitudinal study with a within subject pre/post-intervention design, consisting of daily face-to-face 10-min sessions and the creation of a virtual group using a social media platform. Variables measured: burnout, mindfulness, empathy, self-compassion, and demographic characteristics. Program feasibility (i.e., reach, adherence, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness) was evaluated in 10 participants (6 physicians, 2 nurse practitioners, 1 nursing assistant, and 1 administrative). The results revealed a high reach (i.e., participation rate of 90%), excellent adherence to the program (daily practice 95% of times), and very good acceptability of the group format and satisfaction with most treatment components. Regarding potential effectiveness, we report the results of the Wilcoxon signed-rank tests and its associated effect size (r). We observed improvements in mindfulness and all its subscales (−2.077 ≤ Z ≤ −2.703, 0.69 ≤ r ≤ 0.90, all p < 0.05) except for non-reactivity and all subcomponents of self-compassion (−2.501 ≤ Z ≤ −2.611, 0.83 ≤ r ≤ 0.87, all p < 0.05) but not on its global self-compassion score. Empathy and burnout did not change. In an exploratory manner, however, we found significant reductions in the burnout component of emotional exhaustion, but only in physicians (Z = −2.201, p = 0.028, r = 0.73). We believe that the 8-week mindfulness-based program described in the present investigation might be a feasible and potentially effective method that can be easily implemented to reduce burnout and promote mindfulness in specialized pain clinic

Effects of a physical activity program on depression parameters in postmenopausal women

Aim: The aim of this survey was to meet the exercise-induced psychological modifications in postmenopausal women. Method: 30 postmenopausal women (54,00 ± 5,6 years) participated in this survey, they were classified in two groups: Depression Group (DG) (n=15) and Control Group (CG) (n=15). The program of physical activity had a duration of 6 months and consisted of low to moderate physical exercises (50-60% of the maximal hearth rate of reserve) and with a weekly frequency of 4 days. Results: the obtained results showed no improvement in the depression indexes, however a positive trend in the parameters of depression has been observed. Conclusion: results indicate that regular, systematic low intensity physical training, 4 days/week is not enough to reduce the depressive symptoms or to improve the mood state in postmenopausal depressive women. It is necessary more studies with different exercise intensity to clarify the effect on depression

Protective elements of mental health status during the COVID-19 outbreak in the Portuguese population

The outbreak of COVID-19 might produce dramatic psychological effects on individuals’ lives. In this study, we aimed to explore the elements that may reduce the negative effects on mental health of the quarantine period imposed by most governments during this worldwide crisis. We conducted an online survey to evaluate demographic, lifestyle and mental health variables in a sample of 1280 Portuguese individuals (79.8% females) with an average age of 37 years. We observed that factors related to living conditions, maintaining work either online or in the workplace, frequency of exercise and absence of previous psychological or physic disorders are protective features of psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, stress and obsessive-compulsive symptoms). Finally, the individuals previously receiving psychotherapeutic support exhibited better psychological indicators if they did not interrupt the process as a consequence of the outbreak. Our results indicate that the practice of physical exercise, reduced consumption of COVID-19 information and the implementation of remote mental healthcare measures might prevent larger impacts on mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.This work was funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project 110_596697345 (Research 4 COVID) and partially funded by the FEDER funds, through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme (COMPETE), and by national funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), under the scope of the project UID/Multi/50026/2019. This manuscript has been developed under the scope of the project NORTE 01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER)

Leaching of Potential Hazardous Elements of Coal Cleaning Rejects

The geochemical characteristics of coal cleaning rejects (CCR) in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, were investigated. Around 3.5 million ton/ year of coal waste are dumped in Santa Catarina State. Coal beneficiation by froth flotation results in large amounts of CCR composed of coaly and mineral matter, the latter characterized by the occurrence of sulphide minerals and a broad array of leachable elements. The total and leachable contents of more than 60 elements were analyzed. Atmospheric exposure promotes sulphide oxidation that releases substantial sulphate loads as well as Ca2+, K+, Mg2+, Cl- and Al3+. The metals with the most severe discharges were Zn, Cu, Mn, Co, Ni and Cd. Most trace pollutants in the CCR displayed a marked pH-dependent solubility, being immobile in near-neutral samples. The results highlight the complex interactions among mineral matter solubility, pH and the leaching of potentially hazardous elements. © 2010 Springer Science+Business Media B.V

Circulating clonotypic B cells in multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

This is an open-access paper.The B-cell compartment in which multiple myeloma stem cells reside remains unclear. We investigated the potential presence of mature, surface-membrane immunoglobulin-positive B lymphocytes clonally related to the tumor bone marrow plasma cells among different subsets of peripheral blood B cells from ten patients (7 with multiple myeloma and 3 with monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance). The presence of clonotypic immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangements was determined in multiple highly-purified fractions of peripheral blood B-lymphocytes including surface-membrane IgM+ CD27- naïve B-lymphocytes, plus surface-membrane IgG+, IgA+ and IgM+ memory CD27+ B cells, and normal circulating plasma cells, in addition to (mono)clonal plasma cells, by a highly-specific and sensitive allele-specific oligonucleotide polymerase chain reaction directed to the CDR3 sequence of the rearranged IGH gene of tumor plasma cells from individual patients. Our results showed systematic absence of clonotypic rearrangements in all the different B-cell subsets analyzed, including M-compo-nent isotype-matched memory B-lymphocytes, at frequencies <0.03 cells/mL (range: 0.0003-0.08 cells/mL); the only exception were the myeloma plasma cells detected and purified from the peripheral blood of four of the seven myeloma patients. These results indicate that circulating B cells from patients with multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathies of undetermined significance are usually devoid of clonotypic B cells while the presence of immunophenotypically aberrant myeloma plasma cells in peripheral blood of myeloma patients is a relatively frequent finding.This work was supported by grants from European Union FP6 STREP MSCNet (N. E06005FF), Cooperative Research Thematic Network on Cancer (RTICs; RTICC RD06/0020/0035-FEDER, RD06/0020/0006, RD12/0036/0048, RD12/0036/0069 and G03/136), Instituto de Salud Carlos III/Subdirección General de Investigación Sanitaria Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo (FIS: PI060339; 02/0905; 01/0089/01-02;PS09/01897, and PI06/0824-FEDER), Asociacion Española Contra el Cancer AECC (GCB120981SAN) and Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León; Ayuda de Excelencia de Castilla y León, Consejería de Educación (EDU/894/2009, GR37) Junta de Castilla y León, Valladolid, Spain. LST received a CAPES/Ministério da Educação scholarship from the Brazilian Government.Peer Reviewe

2000 days of SMOS at the Barcelona Expert Centre: a tribute to the work of Jordi Font

Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) is the first satellite mission capable of measuring sea surface salinity and soil moisture from space. Its novel instrument (the L-band radiometer MIRAS) has required the development of new algorithms to process SMOS data, a challenging task due to many processing issues and the difficulties inherent in a new technology. In the wake of SMOS, a new community of users has grown, requesting new products and applications, and extending the interest in this novel brand of satellite services. This paper reviews the role played by the Barcelona Expert Centre under the direction of Jordi Font, SMOS co-principal investigator. The main scientific activities and achievements and the future directions are discussed, highlighting the importance of the oceanographic applications of the mission.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Classification of MCI patients using vergence eye movements and pupil responses obtained during a visual oddball test

In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) patients can be identified based on the analysis of vergence eye movements and pupil responses. We recorded vergence and pupil responses in MCI patients (N = 22) and cognitive healthy elderly (N = 18) while performing a visual oddball task. Based on selected features, a classifier model computed probability scores predicting MCI. MCI patients were re-evaluated in a follow-up visit of 12–18 months. For validating the model, patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) (N = 9) were tested. High classification accuracy was obtained (AUC: 0.93). In addition, the probability scores showed significant predictive power of MCI conversion into possible AD. Our results show that MCI can be detected by assessing vergence and pupil responses during a simple and short task. Therefore, these responses could potentially be used as a marker tool for MCI diagnosis and to identify the risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease.This research was supported by grants from Spanish Ministry of Science (PGC2018–096074-B I00) and from AGAUR, Generalitat de Catalunya (2018-DI-75 & 2017-SGR-48)Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version