Users’ Opinion About a Virtual Reality System as an Adjunct to Psychological Treatment for Stress-Related Disorders: A Quantitative and Qualitative Mixed-Methods Study

This study aims to explore patients’ and therapists’ attitudes about the psychological treatment they received (patients) or applied (therapists). The treatments were standard CBT protocols for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complicated grief (CG), or adjustment disorders (ADs), depending on each patient diagnosis. The treatments were delivered following a traditional format or supported by a virtual reality (VR) system “EMMA’s WORLD” designed for the treatment of stress-related disorders. “EMMA’s WORLD” is a VR application in which patients can explore negative experiences using different virtual elements that can be customized to make them more meaningful to the user. The sample was composed of two groups: the “professionals” ( N = 10) were all clinical psychologists who applied the same psychological treatment in both the traditional format (“traditional condition”) and using the VR system (“ EMMA” condition). The second group consisted of a sample of patients ( N = 50) who met the criteria for at least one of three different diagnoses: PTSD ( N = 15), CG ( N = 15), or AD ( N = 20). 25 patients received treatment in the traditional format and 25 supported by the VR system. The patients were asked about their expectations (before treatment) and satisfaction (after treatment) with the treatment they received. All the therapists were asked their opinions about both treatment conditions. A mixed-methods approach using quantitative and qualitative methodologies was used. In both conditions, high scores were observed, and the patient’s opinions were even better when they have already received the treatments. A more pronounced pre-test–post-test change in the EMMA therapy group than in the traditional group was observed. EMMA’s World was well- accepted by both patients and therapists, and it helped to foster motivation in patients, while helping the therapist to apply the treatment. Thus, VR can be useful as an adjunct tool to enhance the treatmen

Argentina: Ornamental meadow plants in the Institute of Floriculture

Sustainable landscaping proposes systems that reduce energy consumption, minimizing the carbon footprint. The possibility of replacing the traditional lawn with an ornamental meadow composed of spontaneous, native, and non-native vegetation constitutes one of the most beneficial design opportunities for the environment. These systems require less investment in maintenance by reducing the energy involved in the periodic mowing of the grass, its fertilization, and watering. In addition, this kind of environment increases the supply of food and provides shelter for insects and small animals, favoring biodiversity.Fil: Bugallo, Veronica Lucia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Floricultura; ArgentinaFil: Facciuto, Gabriela Rosa. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Floricultura; Argentin

Standard dialectical behavioral therapy for bipolar I disorder: a case study with two year follow-up

Este trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar la efectividad de la terapia conductual dialéctica (DBT) en un individuo diagnosticado de trastorno bipolar I después de un año de tratamiento y un seguimiento realizado dos años después del tratamiento. El paciente sufría de un trastorno de larga evolución que había recibido numerosos tratamientos psicológicos y psiquiátricos antes de comenzar el programa DBT. Los resultados indicaron que la DBT fue efectiva ya que hubo una disminución en los síntomas clínicos más relevantes, como el número de episodios afectivos y el número de ingresos en la sala de emergencias, así como un aumento en la regulación del afecto y la adherencia a la farmacoterapia. La mejora también se reflejó en el nivel de rendimiento general. Los resultados se mantuvieron a los 2 años de seguimiento. Estos hallazgos respaldan la conveniencia de utilizar estrategias destinadas a mejorar la regulación emocional y el comportamiento, de acuerdo con otros estudios que demuestran la eficacia de DBT en el tratamiento de individuos que presentan una desregulación de la emoción generalizada.This work aims to analyze the effectiveness of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) in an individual diagnosed of bipolar disorder I after a year of treatment and a follow-up conducted two years after the treatment. The patient was suffering from a disorder of long evolution having received numerous psychological and psychiatric treatments before starting the DBT program. The results indicated that DBT was effective as there was a decrease in the most relevant clinical symptoms, such as the number of mood episodes and the number of emergency room admissions, as well as an increase in the regulation of affect and adherence to pharmacotherapy. The improvement was also reflected in the level of overall performance. The outcomes were maintained at 2-year follow-up. These findings support the convenience of using strategies aimed to improve emotion and behavioral regulation in line with other studies demonstrating the efficacy of DBT in the treatment of individuals presenting pervasive emotion dysregulation

Il rapporto tra ospedale e territorio nell’attuazione della continuità assistenziale. Il caso del fine vita

La continuità assistenziale è un principio fondamentale nelle cure primarie. Essa risponde all’obiettivo di creare una integrazione e una collaborazione tra le varie strutture e servizi di assistenza sanitaria. A livello organizzativo rappresenta l’erogazione di servizi inseriti all’interno di un piano gestionale condiviso che dovrebbe sostanziarsi nella capacità di avviare e mantenere attivo un modello di lavoro in rete. Implementare un lavoro di rete tra ospedale e territorio implica un cambiamento culturale radicale che sembra essere perseguito con molta difficoltà nella realtà italiana. La difficoltà di questa sfida è più evidente nella gestione del fine vita, specialmente per il personale medico. A questo proposito il nostro studio si pone le seguenti domande di ricerca: Come i medici si rappresentano la continuità tra ospedale e strutture del territorio deputate alla gestione di pazienti terminali? quali sono le connotazioni culturali prevalenti della struttura ospedaliera e dell’hospice? Come viene trattata la questione del fine vita? L’obiettivo principale della ricerca è stato quello di esplorare i modelli culturali che organizzano le rappresentazioni che i medici hanno della continuità della cura nel fine vita. A questo proposito sono stati intervistati, attraverso un’intervista semi-strutturata, 10 medici (4 appartenenti all’UOC di Oncologia medica dell’ospedale, 4 appartenenti all’UOC di Medicina d’urgenza dell’ospedale e 2 appartenenti all’hospice), operanti nel territorio di un capoluogo di provincia umbro. I testi delle interviste sono stati interamente trascritti e analizzati attraverso l'Analisi Fenomenologica Interpretativa (IPA). Complessivamente i dati emersi evidenziano una offerta dei servizi al paziente terminale non inserita in una rete condivisa, una cultura della continuità assistenziale ancora debole ma fortemente differente nei due contesti di riferimento. Il processo di handover appare una pratica sostanzialmente formale e adempitiva, non basata su una comunicazione efficace e costruita sulle esigenze di paziente e familiare, quanto piuttosto agita in tempi strettissimi e quando il fine vita è imminente. Viene, infine, discussa la funzione della professione di psicologo, evidenziando la necessità di una sua collocazione all'interno del team di assistenza, non solo con compiti di assistenza agli utenti, ma anche di facilitazione dei processi di lavoro e di costruzione dell’handoverContinuity of care is a fundamental principle in primary care. It responds to the integration and collaboration principle between different health-care services. At the organizational level, continuity of care is the provision of services included in a management plan that uses a shared model of network work. Implementing the network between hospital and territory implies a radical cultural change, which shows many difficulties to be achieved in Italian reality. The complexity of this challenge is most evident in the management of end of life, especially for physicians. In this regard, in our study we posed the following research questions: As physicians represent the continuity between hospital and territory in the management of terminal patients? What are the cultural characteristics of the Hospital and Hospice? How it is treated the issue of the end of life? So, main objective of the research was to investigate the cultural models that organize the representations of physicians regarding continuity of care in the end of life. Through semi-structured interview, were interviewed 10 physicians (4 UOC of Medical Oncology Hospital, 4 of the 'Division of Emergency Medicine Hospital and 2 of hospice), operating in Umbria territory. The texts of the interviews were fully transcribed and analyzed through the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Overall, the findings highlight a offer of services to the terminal patient not included in a shared network and a culture of continuity of care still weak but strongly different in the two contexts. The handover process appears to be a formal practice, not built on the patient and family’s needs, and acted when the end of life is imminent. The function of the psychological profession is discussed, highlighting the need for its placement within the care team, not only with tasks of assistance to users but even on the facilitation of the working group processes and handover construction

Multimedia augmented reality game for learning math

The traditional method for learning the multiplication tables is a repetitive and boring task. Teachers try to find new methods to motivate children in this tedious duty, and one of the lines to consider is to integrate en- tertainment into educational processes. This work presents a new multimedia interaction approach in order to allow children to practice these math opera- tions and have fun. The learning process has been gamified by means of two mini-games designed for mobile platforms, based on meromictic or repetitive learning. The genre of these mini-games have been selected according to chil- dren preferences: one turn-based fighting and other throwing-objects game. A series of proposed multiplications have to be solved during the play to per- form the player actions. Moreover, in order to support learning engagement, both have been visualized through Augmented Reality, combining real and virtual reality. This paper discusses the good results of mixing entertainment with some learning tasks, due to the engagement of the children to the mobile based games. A pilot study has been performed in order to evaluate the learn- ing effectiveness and usability of the proposal. Results support that playing the video games makes this tedious multiplication practice more enjoyable and attractive for children so they improve their math skills

Burials and offerings: mortuary, agricultural and culinary practices in the XIII and XIV centuries in Tinogasta (Catamarca, Argentina)

This paper presents the archaeobotanical assemblage analysis carried out at two burial contexts from Western Tinogasta (Catamarca, Argentina). Las Champas and Bebé de La Troya sites show botanical macro remains that allow inquiring into the role of these vegetables in funerary practices and its implications within societies of Catamarca during the late period. Our aims are to characterize social practices involved in the presence of plant remains as grave goods, identifying cooking processing on these remains, trying in this way to go beyond the taxonomic identification. In both archaeological sites, plant macroremains and soil samples were analyzed with naked eye, stereo-binocular microscope, and transmitted light microscope. Archaeological plant samples were taxonomically identified based on diagnostic characters and post-harvest processing practices were detected following ethnoarchaeological features. At Las Champas site Cucurbita aff. maxima subsp. maxima and Chenopodium quinoa var. melanospermum seeds with processing features, together with a Lagenaria siceraria artifact were recovered. Grasses and cf. Zea mays microremains were present in soil samples. At Bebé de La Troya, Cucurbita aff. maxima subsp. maxima seeds and Prosopis sp. endocarps without processing features were identified. These results enable to suggest the presence of seeds, food and clothes as grave goods. These three ways of plant deposits show different intentional funerary practices as well as allow inquiring into culinary and agricultural aspects of later societies of Catamarca province.En este trabajo se presentan los análisis realizados sobre las asociaciones arqueobotánicas recuperadas en dos contextos funerarios del oeste de Tinogasta (Catamarca, Argentina). Los sitios Las Champas y Bebé de La Troya presentan macrorrestos vegetales junto a inhumaciones que permiten indagar el rol de dichos restos y sus implicancias dentro de las sociedades tardías catamarqueñas. Nuestro objetivo es caracterizar las prácticas sociales que intervinieron en el depósito de restos de plantas como acompañamiento funerario, al identificar la presencia de marcas diagnósticas de procesamiento culinario en dichos restos, que además son identificados taxonómicamente. En ambos sitios tanto los macrorrestos como los sedimentos asociados fueron analizados a ojo desnudo, lupa binocular y microscopio óptico. Las muestras fueron identificadas taxonómicamente siguiendo la descripción de caracteres diagnósticos botánicos y etnoarqueológicos para prácticas de procesamiento. En el sitio Las Champas se recuperaron semillas de Cucurbita aff. maxima subsp. maxima y Chenopodium quinoa var. melanospermum con rasgos de procesamiento, como así también un artefacto confeccionado sobre Lagenaria siceraria. Los análisis microscópicos dieron por resultado la presencia de gramíneas y cf. Zea mays. En Bebé de la Troya se identificaron también semillas de Cucurbita aff. maxima subsp. maxima y endocarpos de Prosopis sp., sin marcas de procesamiento. Los resultados obtenidos permiten sugerir la presencia de restos de plantas como simientes, comidas y vestimenta, formando parte del contexto funerario. Estas tres formas de depósito vegetal demuestran prácticas intencionales diferentes durante las inhumaciones como así también permiten indagar en el aspecto culinario y agrario de las sociedades tardías catamarqueñas.Fil: Ratto, Norma Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. Museo Etnográfico "Juan B. Ambrosetti"; ArgentinaFil: Lema, Veronica Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Laboratorio de Etnobotánica y Botánica Aplicada; ArgentinaFil: Lopez, María Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Departamento Científico de Arqueología; Argentin