Experiential Avoidance and Technological Addictions in Adolescents

Background and aims This study focuses on the use of popular information and communication technologies (ICTs) by adolescents: the Internet, mobile phones, and video games. The relationship of ICT use and experiential avoidance (EA), a construct that has emerged as underlying and transdiagnostic to a wide variety of psychological problems, including behavioral addictions, is examined. EA refers to a self-regulatory strategy involving efforts to control or escape from negative stimuli such as thoughts, feelings, or sensations that generate strong distress. This strategy, which may be adaptive in the short term, is problematic if it becomes an inflexible pattern. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore whether EA patterns were associated with addictive or problematic use of ICT in adolescents. Methods A total of 317 students of the Spanish southeast between 12 and 18 years old were recruited to complete a questionnaire that included questions about general use of each ICTs, an experiential avoidance questionnaire, a brief inventory of the Big Five personality traits, and specific questionnaires on problematic use of the Internet, mobile phones, and video games. Results Correlation analysis and linear regression showed that EA largely explained results regarding the addictive use of the Internet, mobile phones, and video games, but not in the same way. As regards gender, boys showed a more problematic use of video games than girls. Concerning personality factors, conscientiousness was related to all addictive behaviors. Discussion and conclusions We conclude that EA is an important construct that should be considered in future models that attempt to explain addictive behaviors

Capitales en el azúcar. Los hacendados cubanos ante la rentabilidad económica y la oportunidad de inversión (1878-1895)

This article studies the great hacienda-owners and, in particular, the strategies they applied in order to diversify their income through investment in sugar and other alternative activities, both in and outside Cuba. Investments on these alternative sectors stemmed form return estimations rather than from lack of financial resources.Estudio de los grandes hacendados y en particular de las estrategias de diversificación que utilizaron a la hora de invertir en el azúcar y en otras actividades alternativas en Cuba y en el exterior. Las inversiones en cada uno de estos sectores y actividades guardó más relación con un cálculo de rendimientos que con la falta de recursos financieros

Presentación

Not available.El actual número de Revista de Indias selecciona un número de temas que tienen como eje la renovación y conservación de la esclavitud entre finales del XVIII y comienzos del XIX, las resistencias y vías de emancipación dentro del sistema, las condiciones demográficas y de producción que subsisten en una coyuntura distinta a la del esplendor de la economía esclavista, que antecede y anuncia la abolición. En sus páginas, de una u otra forma, están presentes a cada momento las políticas de la esclavitud, menos como disposiciones legales y orientaciones de gobierno como en su construcción cotidiana a través de una combinación de normas jurídicas, prácticas sociales y reclamos materiales. Los artículos aquí reunidos ofrecen distintas perspectivas metodológicas sobre temas que apuntan a la convergencia de la trayectoria histórica de la esclavitud negra en Brasil y en Cuba. Con este volumen esperamos estimular a los investigadores que se ocupan de esos dos espacios a integrar, en un cuadro de análisis unificado, el examen de los dos últimos imperios esclavistas de Occidente. Es una tarea que, ciertamente, corresponderá antes a esfuerzos colectivos que a iniciativas aisladas de investigación

Phenomenological methodology for assessing the influence of flow conditions on the acoustic response of exhaust aftertreatment systems

[EN] The increasing limits of standards on aerosol and gaseous emissions from internal combustion engines have led to the progressive inclusion of different exhaust aftertreatment systems (EATS) as a part of the powertrain. Regulated emissions are generally abated making use of devices based on monolithic structures with different chemical functions. As a side effect, wave transmission across the device is affected and so is the boundary at the exhaust line inlet, so that the design of the latter is in turn affected. While some models are available for the prediction of these effects, the geometrical complexity of many devices makes still necessary in many cases to rely on experimental measurements, which cannot cover all the diversity of flow conditions under which these devices operate. To overcome this limitation, a phenomenological methodology is proposed in this work that allows for the sound extrapolation of experimental results to flow conditions different from those used in the measurements. The transfer matrix is obtained from tests in an impulse rig for different excitation amplitudes and mean flows. The experimental coefficients of the transmission matrix of the device are fitted to Fourier series. It allows treating the influence of the flow conditions on the acoustic response, which is manifested on changes in the characteristic periods, separately from the specific properties of every device. In order to provide predictive capabilities to the method, the Fourier series approach is coupled to a gas dynamics model able to account for the sensitivity of propagation velocity to variations in the flow conditions. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This work has been partially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad through Grant no. TRA2013-40853-R. Additionally, the Ph.D. student E.J. Sanchis has been funded by a grant from Universitat Politecnica de Valencia with reference FPI-2016-S2-1355. These supports are gratefully acknowledged by the authors. Finally, the authors wish also to acknowledge the suggestions of the referees, which have resulted in a considerable improvement of the text.Torregrosa, AJ.; Arnau Martínez, FJ.; Piqueras, P.; Sanchis-Pacheco, EJ.; Tartoussi, H. (2017). Phenomenological methodology for assessing the influence of flow conditions on the acoustic response of exhaust aftertreatment systems. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 396:289-306. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2017.02.03328930639

Assessment of acoustic reciprocity and conservativeness in exhaust aftertreatment systems

[EN] Tightening emission standards limiting gas and aerosol emissions from internal combustion engines have led to the extensive use of exhaust aftertreatment systems (EATS) with different chemical functions as a solution to meet standards requirements. Incidentally, the placement of aftertreatment monolithic devices into the exhaust line also plays a key role on the exhaust noise emission. Their presence disturbs the pattern of the pressure waves and sets the boundary conditions for the silencer design. The impact of the EATS on wave transmission can be analyzed by means of the transmission or scattering matrix. The present work discusses the implications of acoustic reciprocity and conservativeness on the definition of the scattering matrix elements. The fulfillment of these properties in real operating conditions was evaluated against a set of experimental data obtained for several exhaust aftertreatment monolithic bricks in an impulse test rig. The influence of different excitation amplitudes and superimposed mean flows was also considered. Once it was shown that the devices are reciprocal, the need to account for dissipation phenomena was evidenced. Finally, the application of reciprocity and conservativeness together with dissipation provided simple expressions allowing to predict the response of the EATS in the inverse direction, i.e. from outlet to inlet, from the transmission and reflection properties obtained in the direct direction. Thus, the proposed procedure becomes useful to reduce both the required number of tests and the gas dynamics modelling work in methodologies driven to assess the acoustic response of EATS based on the use of experimental and computational tools. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.This research has been partially supported by FEDER and the Government of Spain through project TRA2016-79185-R. Additionally, the Ph.D. student Enrique José Sanchis has been funded by a grant from Universitat Politècnica de València with reference FPI-2016-S2-1355.Torregrosa, AJ.; Piqueras, P.; Sanchis-Pacheco, EJ.; Guilain, S.; Dubarry, M. (2018). Assessment of acoustic reciprocity and conservativeness in exhaust aftertreatment systems. Journal of Sound and Vibration. 436:46-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsv.2018.08.032S466143

The Glial Cell of Human Cutaneous Sensory Corpuscles: Origin, Characterization, and Putative Roles

Sensory corpuscles of human skin are structures located at the peripheral end of the mechanoreceptive neurons and function as low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs). In its structure, in addition to the axon, there are glial cells, not myelinating, that are organized in different ways according to the morphotype of sensitive corpuscle, forming the so-called laminar cells of Meissner’s corpuscles, the laminar cells of the inner core of Pacinian corpuscles, or cells of the inner core in Ruffini’s corpuscles. Classically the glial cells of sensory corpuscles have been considered support cells and passive in the process of mechanotransduction. However, the presence of ion channels and synapses-like systems between them and the axon suggests that corpuscular glial cells are actively involved in the transformation of mechanical into electrical impulses. This chapter is an update on the origin, development, cytoarchitecture, and protein profile of glial cells of sensitive corpuscles especially those of human glabrous skin

Ajuste psicosocial en cibervíctimas y ciberagresores en educación secundaria

The rise of cyberbullying among high school students and the importance of certain variables of psychological adjustment for the comprehension of this type of violent behavior both in bullies and in victims. This work aims to analyze the psychological profile of individuals involved in situations of cyberbullying, both victims and bullies. The adjustment variables analyzed were self-concept, perceived stress, loneliness, depressive symptomatology, social anxiety, life satisfaction, and emotional intelligence. Using a sample of 1318 adolescents (47% boys), aged between 11 and 18 years (M = 13.8, SD = 1.32), three contrast groups were established for cybervictims (severe cybervictims, moderate cybervictims, and non-cybervictims) and three groups for cyberbullies (severe cyberbullies, moderate cyberbullies, and non-cyberbullies). The results obtained through analysis of variance showed that both cybervictims and cyberbullies show deterioration in most of the studied dimensions, albeit with a different profile. Severe cybervictims showed higher scores in perceived stress, loneliness, depression, and social anxiety, and lower scores in self-concept, life satisfaction, and emotional intelligence, in comparison with non-cybervictims. Severe cyberbullies obtained higher scores in perceived stress, loneliness, and depression, and lower scores in self-concept and life satisfaction, compared to non-cyberbullies. These results allow deepening our comprehension of cyberbullying among students to improve preventive and intervention programs in schools.El auge de las agresiones cibernéticas entre estudiantes de secundaria y la importancia de ciertas variables de ajuste psicosocial para la comprensión de este tipo de conducta violenta, tanto en agresores como en víctimas, plantean como objetivo en el presente trabajo analizar el perfil psicosocial de ambos implicados en situaciones de ciberagresión. Las variables de ajuste analizadas fueron autoconcepto, estrés percibido, soledad, sintomatología depresiva, ansiedad social, satisfacción con la vida e inteligencia emocional. A partir de una muestra de 1318 adolescentes (47% chicos), de entre 11 y 18 años, se establecieron tres grupos de contraste para cibervíctimas (víctimas severas, moderadas y no cibervíctimas) y tres grupos para ciberagresores (ciberagresores severos, moderados y no ciberagresores). El análisis de varianza mostró que los implicados presentan perfiles psicosociales diferentes y deteriorados. Las cibervíctimas severas mostraron mayor estrés percibido, soledad, depresión y ansiedad social, y menor autoconcepto, satisfacción con la vida e IE, en comparación con las no cibervíctimas. Los ciberagresores severos mostraron mayor estrés percibido, soledad y depresión, y menor autoconcepto y satisfacción con la vida, comparativamente con los no ciberagresores. Estos resultados permiten profundizar en la comprensión del ciberacoso entre estudiantes y mejorar los programas preventivos y de intervención en escuelas

Fear of COVID-19 and emotional dysfunction problems: Intrusive, avoidance and hyperarousal stress as key mediators

Background: There is mounting empirical evidence of the detrimental effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on mental health. Previous research has underscored the effects of similar destabilizing situations such as war, natural disasters or other pandemics on acute stress levels which have been shown to exacerbate current and future psychopathological symptoms. Aim: To explore the role of acute stress responses (intrusive, avoidance and hyperarousal) as mediators in the association between fear of COVID-19 and emotional dysfunction-related problems: Depression, agoraphobia, panic, obsessive-compulsive, generalized anxiety, social anxiety and health anxiety symptoms. Methods: A sample of 439 participants from a university community in Spain (age: mean ± SD: 36.64 ± 13.37; 73.1% females) completed several measures assessing their fear of COVID-19, acute stress responses and emotional dysfunction syndromes through an online survey. Data collection was carried out from the start of home confinement in Spain until May 4, 2020, coinciding with initial de-escalation measures. Processing of the dataset included descriptive and frequency analyses, Mann-Whitney U Test of intergroup comparisons and path analysis for direct and indirect effects. This is an observational, descriptive-correlational and cross-sectional study. Results: The prevalence of clinical symptoms in our sample, reported since the beginning of the pandemic, reached 31.44%. The female group presented higher scores although the effect size was small. Overall, the participants who exceeded the clinical cut-off points in emotional problems showed higher levels of fear of COVID-19 and of cognitive, motor and psychophysiological responses of acute stress, unlike the group with normative scores. In addition, the results show significant mediated effects of hyperarousal stress among fear of COVID-19 and emotional dysfunction psychopathology. However, the clinical syndromes most related to the consequences of the pandemic (e.g., social contact avoidance or frequent hand washing), such as agoraphobia and obsessive-compulsive symptoms, were in fact predicted directly by fear of COVID-19 and/or the acute stress response associated with the pandemic and had a greater predictive power. Conclusion: The present study illustrates a clearer picture of the role of acute stress on several forms of psychopathology during the COVID-19 crisis and home confinement

Evidencias de Validez Diagnóstica de la Escala Detectaweb-Malestar

Evidence of diagnostic validity of the DetectaWeb-Distress ScaleAbstract: The DetectaWeb-Distress Scale is a web-based scale for screening and detecting internalizing disorder symptoms (anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress, obsessions and compulsions, and suicidality) in children and adolescents. Previous studies examined the validity and reliability of the scale, however, there are no data on its diagnostic validity. The objective of this study was to examine the evidence of diagnostic validity of the DetectaWeb-Distress scale in a sample of 244 children and adolescents from clinical (n = 51) and community (n = 193) settings, all of them with the diagnostic process completed. The results indicated that the DetectaWeb-Distress scale is a useful measure from a diagnostic point of view, as it discriminates between people with emotional disorders such as anxiety and depressive disorders and suicidality, and those without, presenting ROC values of approximately .80 and good sensitivity and specificity for detecting the main emotional disorders. The DetectaWeb-Distress Scale is a valid measure and diagnostically useful for detecting and identifying children and adolescents with anxiety disorders, depression and suicidality, with the advantage that it is a short measure, specifically developed for Internet use, especially relevant in the era of COVID-19.Keywords: DetectaWeb-Distress; assessment, anxiety, depression, children, adolescents.Evidencias de Validez Diagnóstica de la Escala Detectaweb-Malestar Resumen: La Escala DetectaWeb-Malestar es una escala de detección del malestar emocional a través de internet que evalúa síntomas de trastornos interiorizados (ansiedad, depresión, estrés postraumático, obsesiones y compulsiones y suicidalidad) en niños y adolescentes. Estudios anteriores han examinado la validez y fiabilidad de la escala, sin embargo, no cuenta con datos relativos a su validez diagnóstica. El objetivo de este estudio es examinar las evidencias de validez diagnóstica de la escala DetectaWeb-Malestar en una muestra de 244 niños y adolescentes procedentes de contextos clínico (n = 51) y comunitario (n = 193), todos con un proceso diagnóstico completado. Los resultados indicaron que la escala DetectaWeb-Malestar es una medida útil desde el punto de vista diagnóstico, ya que discrimina entre personas con trastornos de emocionales, como son los de ansiedad, depresión y suicidalidad y los que no lo padecen, presentando valores ROC en torno a .80 y adecuada sensibilidad y especificidad para detectar los principales trastornos emocionales. La escala DetectaWeb-Malestar es una medida válida y útil desde el punto de vista diagnóstico para detectar e identificar niños y adolescentes con problemas de ansiedad, depresión y suicidalidad, con la ventaja de que es una medida breve y desarrollada específicamente para su uso a través de Internet, especialmente relevante en la era de la COVID-19.Palabras clave: DetectaWeb-Malestar; evaluación; ansiedad; depresión; niños y adolescentes