Estrés vital: variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas predictoras del malestar emocional

Introduction: Personality and coping used to man­age stress play an important role in the development of mental health problems. The aim of this study was to analyse whether these variables, together with per­ceived stress and some relevant socio-demographic characteristics, could predict the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms presented in people diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder (AD). As well as analys­ing if the significant predictor variables were the same in the control group. Method: Perceived stress, personality, positivity, coping and symptoms were assessed in a group of patients with Adjustment Dis­order who went to a Mental Health Unit (N = 80) and a control group (N = 80). Regression analyses were carried out to predict symptomatology. Results: Psy­chological and some socio-demographic variables predicted symptomatology, however, the results were different depending on the group and type of symp­tom considered. In the control group, higher neuroti­cism and perceived stress, lower positivity, and un­employment status predicted more depressive symp­toms; whereas higher neuroticism, being a female, and unemployment predicted higher anxiety (coping was not relevant in any case). In the clinical group, the predictive capacity of variables was lower, espe­cially in the case of anxiety. Lower positivity, greater use of disengagement or avoidant coping, being a male and unemployment predicted higher depressive symptomatology, whereas only neuroticism predicted symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions: Personality, coping, perceived stress and socio-demographic characteristics could be factors of vulnerability that should be considered in the development of assess­ment, prevention and treatment strategies with people exposed to life stress. However, the characteristics of the group considered are a key factor in the selection of the most relevant strategyResumenIntroducción: La personalidad y las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas ante el estrés juegan un papel importante en el desarrollo de problemas de salud mental. El objetivo de este estudio fue comprobar si estas variables, junto con el estrés percibido y algunas variables sociodemográficas significativas, permitían predecir el nivel de sintomatología ansiosa y depresiva presentada en una muestra de personas con Trastorno Adaptativo (TA), y si las variables predictoras eran las mismas en una muestra control. Método: Se aplicó un protocolo compuesto por cuestionarios de estrés percibido, personalidad, positividad, afrontamiento y síntomas a un grupo de pacientes que acudieron a una Unidad de Salud Mental, diagnosticados de Trastorno Adaptativo (N = 80), y a un grupo control (N = 80). Se realizaron análisis de regresión sobre la sintomatología. Resultados: En general, las variables psicológicas y sociodemográficas consideradas contribuyeron en la predicción de la sintomatología, aunque los resultados variaron dependiendo del grupo considerado y del tipo de síntoma. En el grupo control, un mayor neuroticismo, menor positividad, mayor estrés percibido y estar en paro predijeron mayores puntuaciones en depresión, y mayor neuroticismo, estar en paro y ser mujer predijeron mayor ansiedad (no siendo relevante el afrontamiento en ningún caso). En el grupo clínico, la capacidad predictiva de las variables fue menor, especialmente en el caso de la ansiedad. Las variables que predijeron mayor sintomatología depresiva fueron ser menos positivo, un mayor uso del afrontamiento de falta de compromiso o evitativo, ser hombre y estar en paro, mientras que en la predicción de la sintomatología ansiosa sólo resultó significativo el neuroticismo. Conclusiones: Las características de personalidad y afrontamiento, el estrés percibido y las características sociodemográficas podrían ser factores de vulnerabilidad a considerar en el desarrollo de estrategias de evaluación, preventivas y de intervención en personas sometidas a estrés vital, aunque probablemente es importante considerar el tipo de muestra en la selección de las estrategias más relevantes. AbstractIntroduction: Personality and coping used to man­age stress play an important role in the development of mental health problems. The aim of this study was to analyse whether these variables, together with per­ceived stress and some relevant socio-demographic characteristics, could predict the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms presented in people diagnosed with Adjustment Disorder (AD). As well as analys­ing if the significant predictor variables were the same in the control group. Method: Perceived stress, personality, positivity, coping and symptoms were assessed in a group of patients with Adjustment Dis­order who went to a Mental Health Unit (N = 80) and a control group (N = 80). Regression analyses were carried out to predict symptomatology. Results: Psy­chological and some socio-demographic variables predicted symptomatology, however, the results were different depending on the group and type of symp­tom considered. In the control group, higher neuroti­cism and perceived stress, lower positivity, and un­employment status predicted more depressive symp­toms; whereas higher neuroticism, being a female, and unemployment predicted higher anxiety (coping was not relevant in any case). In the clinical group, the predictive capacity of variables was lower, espe­cially in the case of anxiety. Lower positivity, greater use of disengagement or avoidant coping, being a male and unemployment predicted higher depressive symptomatology, whereas only neuroticism predicted symptoms of anxiety. Conclusions: Personality, coping, perceived stress and socio-demographic characteristics could be factors of vulnerability that should be considered in the development of assess­ment, prevention and treatment strategies with people exposed to life stress. However, the characteristics of the group considered are a key factor in the selection of the most relevant strategy

Contribución del Neuroticismo, Rasgos Patológicos de Personalidad y Afrontamiento en la Predicción de la Evolución Clínica: Estudio de Seguimiento a los 5 Años de una Muestra de Pacientes con Trastorno Adaptativo

Numerosos estudios han demostrado que tanto la personalidad como las estrategias de afrontamiento utilizadas para manejar el estrés tienen un papel importante en el desarrollo de problemas de salud mental, entre los que se encuentra el trastorno adaptativo (TA). El objetivo de este estudio fue, en primer lugar, analizar las diferencias entre neuroticismo, comorbilidad y afrontamiento en un grupo de pacientes diagnosticados de TA con evolución clínica favorable (n = 58) y otro grupo con evolución desfavorable (n = 20); en segundo lugar, se comprobó si estas variables permitían predecir la evolución clínica a los 5 años. El grupo con evolución clínica desfavorable presentó un mayor neuroticismo, más presencia de rasgos comórbidos de personalidad patológica y un afrontamiento más desadaptativo. Además, los principales factores del riesgo de pertenecer al grupo con peor evolución fueron mayor neuroticismo, presencia de comorbilidad y uso del afrontamiento de negación, mientras que las estrategias de planificación y de apoyo instrumental redujeron dicho riesgo

Modelling, performance analysis and design of WPAN systems

This paper covers the main issues that must be solved in order to design and analyse the performance of Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) with the aid of simulation tools. We review state-of-the-art channel models to account for small- and large-scale propagation conditions in waveform- and system-level simulations. When dealing with waveform simulations, we also look at Montecarlo and importance sampling techniques that allow efficient estimation of error probabilities. Additionally, discrete channel models are introduced to efficiently link both waveform- and system-level approaches and we point out some methods to obtain the model parameters that are suitable for the wireless environment. The discussion of these techniques is complemented with two application examples that show the use of the different simulation levels for system design and performance study. With the paradigm of Bluetooth piconets we illustrate the usefulness of discrete channel models and we consider the design of an OFDM-based WPAN system to exemplify simulation from a waveform-level point of view.This work has been partially funded by European Commission (IST-2001–34157), Spanish Government (TIC2002–03498) and Madrid Community (UC3M-TEC-05–027).Publicad

Perceptions of entrepreneurs in rural SMEs in relation to ICT integration

[ES] El estudio es el fruto de una iniciativa cuya finalidad fue conocer las percepciones que poseen los empresarios de las pymes del ámbito rural con respecto a la utilización de las TIC en su actividad laboral. El objetivo principal es proporcionar una visión contextualizada de la utilización de las herramientas tecnológicas por parte de este sector empresarial, para identificar necesidades e implementar programas de formación, actualización y mejora profesionales del sector. El Centro Internacional de Tecnologías Avanzadas (CITA), ha puesto en marcha este proyecto que pretende obtener datos que faciliten crear una oferta formativa ad hoc. La metodología es de carácter cualitativo, recogiendo información de grupos focales en los que han participado 48 empresarios. Los resultados reflejan falta de información sobre el uso y potencialidades de las TIC necesitan asesoramiento para optimizar recursos, conseguir personal técnico y cursos de formación adaptados a las demandas.[EN] This study is the result of an initiative aimed at learning the perceptions that owners of SMEs in the rural context about the use of ICT in their work. Our main objective is to provide a practical view of the use of technological tools in the business sector in order to identify specific needs and implement programmes for training, updating, and improvement addressed to both entrepreneurs and their employees. The Internacional Center of Advance Technologies (CITA) has put this programme into practice with a view to obtaining the information necessary to create ad hoc training programmes. A quantitative methodology is used, and data were collected through focal groups in which participated 48 employers. The results reflect a lack of information on the use and potential of ICTs need advice to optimize resources, ensure technical and training courses tailored to the demands staff

Impacto de las tiendas virtuales y del marketing on line en las pequeñas empresas del ámbito rural

[ES] La Era Digital ofrece nuevas oportunidades a las pequeñas empresas de zonas rurales que se han visto afectadas negativamente por la situación de crisis actual y la globalización. El estudio que se presenta es iniciativa del Centro Internacional de Tecnologías Avanzadas (CITA) con el objetivo de establecer un modelo práctico que facilite el impulso a través del uso de las TIC en las Pymes y microPymes del ámbito rural. La metodología es cualitativa y cuantitativa, utilizando la técnica del grupo focal y un cuestionario. La muestra está constituída por 48 empresarios. Los resultados del estudio muestran que las tiendas virtuales son un recurso poco utilizado por la mayor parte de ellos debido a la falta de adaptación de los servicios tecnológicos actuales a las necesidades de las Pymes y microPymes rurales, su escasa financiación en TIC y la falta de preparación de los empresarios.[POR] A era digital oferece novas oportunidades para as pequenas empresas em áreas rurais que foram prejudicadas pela crise corrente e a globalização. O estudo apresentado é uma pesquisa do Centro Internacional de Tecnologias Avançadas (CITA), a fim de fornecer um quadro preciso que facilita a dinâmica pela utilização das TICs nas PME e microPme da área rural. A metodologia é qualitativa e quantitativa, através da coleta de dados por meio de grupos de discussão e questionário. A amostra é composta por 48 empresários. Os resultados do estudo mostram que as lojas virtuais são um recurso subutilizado pela maioria deles devido à falta de adaptação de serviços de tecnologia existente para as necessidades das PME e microPme rural, falta de recursos das TICs e a falta de formação de empresários.[EN] The Digital Age offers new opportunities for small and medium-sized companies in rural areas that have been negatively affected by the current economic crisis and globalization. The study presented here is an initiative of the Centro International de Tecnologías Avanzadas (CITA – International Centre for Advanced Technolgies), aimed at establishing a practical model to facilitate the use of ICT in rural SMEs and micro-enterprises. The methodology is both qualitative and quantitative, employing the focal group technique and a questionnaire. The sample comprises 48 business owners. Results show that virtual shops are rarely used as a resource by these companies owing to a lack of adaptation of current technological services to the needs of rural SMEs and microenterprises, scarce financing of ICT and lack of preparation on the part of entrepreneurs

Aprendizaje basado en retos aplicado a la educación para la sostenibilidad

[EN] This communication describes the use of the challenge-based learning methodology (CBL) for the teaching of subjects in the Degree in Criminalistics, with the aim of investigating what the use of this methodology means for the students in the elaboration of a collaborative project in the area of sustainable development. The grades obtained and the student surveys confirm the advantages of this methodology for the development of professional skills: collaborative work, autonomous learning capacity, time planning, and ability to communicate effectively with the colleagues. It is an innovative and attractive methodology, which allows learning closer to reality based on the interaction with classmates and the feedback from the teacher.[ES] En esta comunicación se describe el empleo de la metodología de aprendizaje basado en retos (ABR) para la docencia de asignaturas en el Grado en Criminalística, con la finalidad de investigar lo que supone para el alumnado el empleo de esta metodología en la elaboración de un proyecto colaborativo en el área del desarrollo sostenible. Las calificaciones obtenidas y las encuestas de los alumnos confirman las ventajas de esta metodología para el desarrollo de competencias profesionales: trabajo colaborativo, capacidad de aprendizaje autónomo, planificación del tiempo, capacidad de comunicación con los compañeros de forma eficaz. Se trata de una metodología innovadora y atractiva, que permite aprender de forma más cercana a la realidad a partir de la interacción con los compañeros y el feedback del profesor.Los autores expresan su agradecimiento al proyecto de innovación docente UAH/EV1248 y al grupo de innovación docente “Aprendizaje basado en retos en ciencias e ingeniería” de la Universidad de Alcalá.Díez-Pascual, A.; Jurado-Sánchez, B.; García-Díaz, P. (2022). Aprendizaje basado en retos aplicado a la educación para la sostenibilidad. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 520-531. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2022.2022.1583152053

Algunos aportes en la extracción de vanadio, níquel y azufre en petrocoque

Se presentan algunas contribuciones procedimentales para la extracción de vanadio (V), níquel (Ni) y azufre (S) en petrocoque. Las muestras se sometieron a varios procesos de extracción inducidos por agitación mecánica a 50°C, radiación UV y microondas, empleando como agentes extractantes: HCl:HNO3 (1:1) al 10 y 20%,  H2O2 al 30%, HCl al 10%, NH4OH al 10 y 20% y H2O desionizada. La caracterización de las muestras y la cuantificación de los elementos estudiados, se realizó por análisis elemental, análisis térmico, cromatografía iónica, espectrometría de emisión atómica con plasma acoplado inductivamente (ICP-AES) y fluorescencia de rayos X (XRF). Se encontró la mayor eficiencia, induciendo la extracción con radiación microondas, obteniendo 41% para S con una solución al 20% de HCl:HNO3 (1:1) y para V de 20% con H2O2. La agitación mecánica a 50°C resultó eficiente para la extracción de Ni (2,5%) con HCl:HNO3 (1:1) al 10%. De igual manera, resultó una excelente alternativa para la extracción de S, alcanzando valores hasta de 26%. De forma similar, los procedimientos inducidos con radiación UV, también resultaron eficientes en la extracción de S, obteniendo entre 26 y 37% con las soluciones de ácidos al 20%, NH4OH al 10% y H2O2. Por otra parte, empleando la extracción Soxhlet solo con H2O desionizada, se demostró que es posible extraer hasta un 6% de V, Ni y S presentes en el petrocoque, lo que sugiere que estos elementos se encuentren disponibles en el ecosistema circundante a los depósitos de coque en las refinerías Palabras clave: Petrocoque, extracción de V, Ni y S, contaminación ambiental.   Abstract: Some procedural contributions for the extraction of vanadium (V), nickel (Ni) and sulfur (S) are presented in petcoke. The samples were subjected to various extraction processes induced by mechanical stirring at 50°C, UV and microwave radiation, using as extractants agents: 10 and 20% HCl:HNO3 (1:1), 30% H2O2, 10% HCl, 10 and 20% NH4OH and deionized H2O. The characterization of the samples and quantification of the studied elements was carried out by elemental analysis, thermal analysis, ion chromatography, atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma (ICP-AES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). It found greater efficiency, inducing extraction under microwave irradiation, obtaining S extractions of 41% with a 20% solution of HCl:HNO3 (1:1) and 20% of V with H2O2. The mechanical stirring at 50°C was efficient for the extraction of Ni (2.5%) with 10% HCl:HNO3 (1:1). Similarly, it proved an excellent alternative for extraction of S, reaching percentages up to 26%. The UV radiation induced methods also were effective in removing S, getting between 26 and 37% with 20% of acid solutions, 10% NH4OH and H2O2. On the other hand, using the Soxhlet extraction alone with deionized H2O, it was shown that it is possible to extract up to 6% of V, Ni and S present in the petcoke, suggesting that these elements are available in the surrounding ecosystem coke deposits in refineries. Key words: Petcoke, extraction of V, Ni and S, environmental pollution. &nbsp

Characterization of Campylobacter species in Spanish retail from different fresh chicken products and their antimicrobial resistance

Contaminated chicken products have been recognized as the primary vehicles of Campylobacter transmission to human. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter isolates from fresh chicken products at retail were studied. A total of 512 samples including: thigh, breast, marinated and minced chicken were purchased from different retail stores. Half of the samples were packed and the other half were unpacked. The 39.4% of the samples were Campylobacter positive; being unpacked chicken products (45.3%) more contaminated than packed chicken (33.6%). PFGE typing showed a high diversity among isolates; clustering 204 isolates into 76 PFGE types: 55 clusters of C. jejuni, 19 of C. coli and 2 of C. lari. C. coli genotypes showed higher resistance than other Campylobacter species. Although modified atmosphere packaging can reduce the prevalence of Campylobacter spp., it does not avoid their presence in at least 33.6% of packed chicken products analyzed. Some pulsotypes might persist in the processing plant or butcher shops environment for longer than previously thought. More stringent control measures are needed in previous steps of the chicken food chain, in order to avoid the presence of Campylobacter spp. strains at retail that can compromise consumer's safety.Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad” from the Spanish Government (AGL 2013–47694-R) and by “Junta de Castilla y Leon” (BU159U14

Study on the chemical behaviour of Bisphenol S during the in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and its bioaccessibility

This study evaluated the chemical behaviour of Bisphenol S (BPS) and determined its bioaccessibility after human ingestion using a standardised in vitro gastrointestinal digestion protocol and an analytical method based on high-pressure liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array and tandem mass spectrometry. The effects of different factors such as gastric pH, enzymes, and food matrix on the solubility and chemical stability of BPS were studied to evaluate their contribution to its bioaccessibility. The results highlighted that BPS was available at the end of the digestion process in the range of 50–80%, and was susceptible to absorption at the intestinal level. The effect of pH was not significant as a single factor. The presence of enzymes slightly decreased the bioaccessibility of BPS in the intestinal phase with gastric pH increase. Additionally, a soy drink reduced BPS bioaccessibility by up to 5% after oral intake. Finally, a few BPS degradation products were found in non-bioaccessible fractions at different pH valuesThis research was funded the “Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación Universitaria, Xunta de Galicia”, within the project “Consolidación y estructuración de unidades de investigación competitivas—Grupos de referencia competitiva (GRC)” (Ref. GRC 2019/030). L. Barbosa-Pereira is grateful to the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities for her “Juan de la Cierva – Incorporación” Grant (Agreement No. IJCI-2017-31665). Antía Lestido-Cardama is grateful for her grant “Programa de axudas á etapa predoutoral” da Xunta de Galicia (Consellería de Cultura, Educación e Ordenación UniversitariaS