Changes in pain-related beliefs, coping, and catastrophizing predict changes in pain intensity, pain interference, and psychological functioning in individuals with myotonic muscular dystrophy and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy

The primary aim of this study was to test hypothesized associations between changes in psychological variables (i.e., pain beliefs, catastrophizing and coping strategies) and changes in pain intensity and related adjustment (i.e., pain interference and psychological functioning) in individuals with Myotonic Muscular Dystrophy (MMD) and Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy (FSHD). Methods: A sample of 107 adults with a diagnosis of MMD or FSHD, reporting pain in the past three months, completed assessments at two time-points, separated by about 24 months. Results showed that changes in pain-related psychological variables were significantly associated with changes in psychological functioning, pain intensity and pain interference. Specifically, increases in the belief that emotion influences pain, and catastrophizing were associated with decreases in psychological functioning. Increases in the coping strategies of asking for assistance and resting, and the increases of catastrophizing were associated with increases in pain intensity. Finally, increases in pain intensity and asking for assistance were associated with increases in pain interference. Discussion: The results support the utility of the biopsychosocial model of pain for understanding pain and its impact in individuals with MMD or FSHD. These findings may inform the design and implementation of psychosocial pain treatments for people with muscular dystrophy and chronic pain

The era of sustainable development and the challenge of climate change

Sustainability makes it possible to understand that the human being is facing a world with exhaustible resources and limited needs, with a population in constant growth and with economic progress based on obsolete technologies that generate a huge energy consumption, apart from billions of tons of wastes added to the ecosystem. These factors unleash catastrophic climatic consequences that have put the “world” on alert when is understood that there is a limit of planetary support capacity and that we are approaching the collapse of the ecosystem and endangering future generations, in addition to undermining the quality of life of all living beings because they exceed the capacity for natural balance of the ecosystems that support it. The increase in poverty, the overproduction of waste, the enormous North-South differences, the desertification and climate change are some of the main factors that human beings must face with great urgency. Regarding this last factor, it should be noted that today it has become a problem of multidimensional proportions that involves governments, organizations and entire societies with the aim of reducing its catastrophic global consequences and has been categorized as one of the greatest challenges of the world in the 21st century. Damage to the environment is becoming an issue that has received greater interest and attention over the years. Therefore, it is necessary a construct that includes ecological and development perspectives, that is, Sustainable Development. Under this context, this article aims to analyse in detail this concept, its origins and evolution, as well as its dimensions, to also establish its link with climate change, both inseparable factors.Sustainability makes it possible to understand that human beings are facing a world with exhaustible resources, with a constantly growing population and with economic progress based on obsolete technologies that generate overflowing energy consumption, generating billions of tonnes of waste that are added to the ecosystem. These factors trigger catastrophic climatic consequences that have put the “world” on alert as it realizes that there is a planetary carrying capacity limit and that we are approaching the collapse of the ecosystem and endangering future generations. In addition to undermining the quality of life of all living beings present, by exceeding the natural equilibrium capacity of the ecosystems that sustain it. In order to answer this question, this article has reviewed the literature on the subject that is the subject of so much debate. The aim of this article is therefore to analyse the concept in detail, in order to establish its link with climate change, both of which are inseparable factors. It has concluded that climate change today has become a problem of multidimensional proportions, that involves entire institutions and societies, in order to mitigate its catastrophic global consequences, and has been categorized as one of the greatest challenges of this century. Not only that, but social justice is becoming increasingly important for social actors interacting with the environment

The automotive sector in Spain. Influence of R&D investment on the improvement of total factor productivity

Obecne zglobalizowane środowisko zostało poprzedzone ogólnym wzrostem rozpowszechnienia i wykorzystania technologii informacyjno-komunikacyjnych (ICT), jak również dużymi inwestycjami przedsiębiorstw w badania i rozwój (R&D). Okoliczność ta sprawia, że korzystanie z tych technologii ma zasadnicze znaczenie dla sektora motoryzacyjnego i gwarantuje rosnącą konkurencyjność międzynarodową. W związku z tym właściwe wykorzystanie technologii informacyjno-komunikacyjnych zapewnia poprawę wydajności, a tym samym konkurencyjności przedsiębiorstw. W artykule przeanalizowano ewolucję całkowitej produktywności czynników produkcji (TFP) w hiszpańskim sektorze motoryzacyjnym w roku 2017, w celu określenia wpływu tej zmiennej na poprawę całkowitej produktywności czynników produkcji.The current globalised environment has been preceded by a generalised increase in the diffusion and use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), as well as by a large investment in Research and Development (R&D) by companies. This circumstance makes the use of these technologies fundamental for the automotive sector to face with guarantees the growing international competitivity. Thus, the correct use of ICT provides an improvement in productivity, and therefore in the competitiveness of enterprises. This article analyses the evolution of total factor productivity (TFP) in the Spanish automotive sector for the year 2017, in order to determine the influence this variable has on the improvement of total factor productivity

Validation of a method for ionospheric electron density reconstruction by means of vertical incidence data during quiet and storm periods

A preliminary validation of the technique developed using the NeQuick ionospheric model and the «effective ionization parameter» Az, based on vertical total electron content data ingestion, was carried out in a previous study. The current study was performed to extend the analyzed conditions and confirm the results. The method to validate this technique is based on a comparison between hourly F2 peak values measured with Vertical Incidence (VI) soundings and those calculated with the new technique. Data corresponding to different hours and seasons (equinox, summer solstice, and winter solstice) during the period 2000-2003 (high and medium solar activity conditions) were compared for all available ionosonde stations. The results show a good agreement between foF2 and hmF2 values obtained with the new technique and measurements from vertical incidence soundings during quiet and storms conditions

Longitudinal Differences Observed in the Ionospheric F-Region During the Major Geomagnetic Storm of March 31, 2001

A new ionospheric sounding station using a Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI) was established for routine measurements by the “Universidade do Vale do Paraiba (UNIVAP)” at S˜ao Jos´e dos Campos (23.2_ S, 45.9_ W), Brazil, in August 2000. A major geomagnetic storm with gradual commencement at about 01:00 UT was observed on 31 March 2001. In this paper, we present and discuss salient features from the ionospheric sounding measurements carried out at S. J. Campos on the three consecutive UT days 30 March (quiet), 31 March (disturbed) and 1 April (recovery) 2001. During most of the storm period, the foF2 values showed negative phase, whereas during the two storm-time peaks, large F-region height variations were observed. In order to study the longitudinal differences observed in the F-region during the storm, the simultaneous ionospheric sounding measurements carried out at S. J. Campos, El Arenosillo (37.1_ N, 6.7_W), Spain, Okinawa (26.3_ N, 127.8_ E), Japan and Wakkanai (45.5_ N, 141.7_ E), Japan, during the period 30 March–1 April 2001, have been analyzed. A comparison of the observed ionospheric parameters (h0F and foF2) in the two longitudinal zones (1. Japanese and 2. Brazilian-Spanish) shows both similarities and differences associated with the geomagnetic disturbances. Some latitudinal differences are also observed in the two longitudinal zones. In addition, global ionospheric TEC maps from the worldwide network of GPS receivers are presented, showing widespread TEC changes during both the main and recovery phases of the storm. The ionospheric sounding measurements are compared with the ASPEN-TIMEGCM model runs appropriate for the storm conditions. The model results produce better agreement during the quiet period. During the disturbed period, some of the observed F-region height variations are well reproduced by the model results. The model foF2 and TEC results differ considerably during the recovery period and indicate much stronger negative phase at all the stations, particularly at the low-latitude ones

A model assisted ionospheric electron density reconstruction method based on vertical TEC data ingestion

A technique to reconstruct the electron density of the ionosphere starting from total electron content values has been developed using the NeQuick ionospheric electron density model driven by its effective ionization parameter Az. The technique is based on the computation of Az values for a suitable worldwide grid of points. A simple way to obtain relevant Az grids is to use global vertical Total Electron Content (TEC) maps to define for each grid point as Az value, the one that minimizes the difference between the experimental and the modeled vertical TEC. Having a global grid of Az values it is possible to compute the electron density at any point in the ionosphere using NeQuick. As a consequence, slant TEC values for specific ground station to satellite links or ionosphere peak parameter values at any location can be calculated. The results of the comparisons between experimental and reconstructed slant TEC as well as experimental and reconstructed peak parameters values indicate that the proposed reconstruction method can be used to reproduce the observed ionosphere in a realistic way

Mechanisms of hypnosis: toward the development of a biopsychosocial model

Evidence supports the efficacy of hypnotic treatments, but there remain many unresolved questions regarding how hypnosis produces its beneficial effects. Most theoretical models focus more or less on biological, psychological, and social factors. This scoping review summarizes the empirical findings regarding the associations between specific factors in each of these domains and response to hypnosis. The findings indicate that (a) no single factor appears primary, (b) different factors may contribute more or less to outcomes in different subsets of individuals or for different conditions, and (c) comprehensive models of hypnosis that incorporate factors from all 3 domains may ultimately prove to be more useful than more restrictive models that focus on just 1 or a very few factors

The role of the emergency department in the management of acute heart failure: an international perspective on education and research

Emergency departments are a major entry point for the initial management of acute heart failure (AHF) patients throughout the world. The initial diagnosis, management and disposition - the decision to admit or discharge - of AHF patients in the emergency department has significant downstream implications. Misdiagnosis, under or overtreatment, or inappropriate admission may place patients at increased risk for adverse events, and add costs to the healthcare system. Despite the critical importance of initial management, data are sparse regarding the impact of early AHF treatment delivered in the emergency department compared to inpatient or chronic heart failure management. Unfortunately, outcomes remain poor, with nearly a third of patients dying or re-hospitalised within 3 months post-discharge. In the absence of robust research evidence, consensus is an important source of guidance for AHF care. Thus, we convened an international group of practising emergency physicians, cardiologists and advanced practice nurses with the following goals to improve outcomes for AHF patients who present to the emergency department or other acute care setting through: (a) a better understanding of the pathophysiology, presentation and management of the initial phase of AHF care; (b) improving initial management by addressing knowledge gaps between best practices and current practice through education and research; and (c) to establish a framework for future emergency department-based international education and research