Twin Hypercube for Intuitionistic Fuzzy Sets and Their Application in Medicine

In this paper, we present a description of intuitionistic fuzzy sets as vectors in twin hypercube. Finally we verify an application of intuitionistic fuzzy sets in medicine using twin hypercube for intuitionistic fuzzy sets.S

The number of reduced alignments between two DNA sequences

Background In this study we consider DNA sequences as mathematical strings. Total and reduced alignments between two DNA sequences have been considered in the literature to measure their similarity. Results for explicit representations of some alignments have been already obtained. Results We present exact, explicit and computable formulas for the number of different possible alignments between two DNA sequences and a new formula for a class of reduced alignments. Conclusions A unified approach for a wide class of alignments between two DNA sequences has been provided. The formula is computable and, if complemented by software development, will provide a deeper insight into the theory of sequence alignment and give rise to new comparison methods. AMS Subject Classification Primary 92B05, 33C20, secondary 39A14, 65Q30The authors are grateful to Prof. Marko Petkovs̆ek for helpful comments. The work of I. Area has been partially supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain under grant MTM2012–38794–C02–01, co-financed by the European Community fund FEDER. J.J. Nieto also acknowledges partial financial support by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad of Spain under grant MTM2010–15314, co-financed by the European Community fund FEDERS

Brief Psychological Intervention Through Mobile App and Conference Calls for the Prevention of Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers: A Pilot Study

Despite its potential, no intervention aimed at non-professional caregivers administered through a smartphone app has been proven to prevent depression. The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of an indicated depression-prevention intervention for non-professional caregivers administered through an app with the addition of conference-call contact. The intervention was administered to 31 caregivers (Mean age = 54.0 years, 93.5% women). An independent evaluation determined the incidence of depression, depressive symptoms, risk of developing depression, and the variables in the theoretical model (positive environmental reinforcement, negative automatic thoughts) at the pre-intervention and post-intervention, as well as the one- and three-month follow-ups. The incidence of depression at 3 months of follow-up was 6.5%. There was a significant reduction in depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) and in the risk of developing depression (p < 0.001) at the post-intervention and at the one- and three-month follow-ups. The model’s variables improved significantly after the intervention and were associated with post-intervention depressive symptoms. The intervention was more effective in caregivers who had a lower level of depressive symptoms at the pre-intervention. Adherence and satisfaction with the intervention were high. The results encourage future research using a randomized controlled clinical trialWe want to thank the support of non-profit associations related to non-professional family caregivers of the Autonomous Region of Galicia, and the Ministry of Education, University and Professional Training and the Ministry of Economy, Employment and Industry, and the ESF Galicia 2014–2020 operational program (Xunta de Galicia)S

A brief problem-solving indicated-prevention intervention for prevention of depression in nonprofessional caregivers

Background: Despite depression being a common problem among nonprofessional caregivers, no studies of prevention of depression targeting this population exist in the literature. The studies of indicated prevention of depression aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a problem-solving intervention in preventing clinical depression in a sample of female caregivers. Method: A controlled randomized trial was conducted among 173 participants (mean age 53.9 years), 89 of whom were randomized to the intervention group and 84 (controls) to usual care. The intervention comprised five weekly 90-minute group sessions. Results: At post-treatment, depression symptoms in the intervention group had remitted significantly more than in the control group, with a large effect size (d = 1.54). The proportion of participants showing clinically significant improvement was significantly larger in the intervention group (80.9% vs. 11.9% among controls), and fewer intervention-group participants had progressed to clinical depression during the study period (4.5% vs. 13.1% among controls). The intervention group also exhibited a significantly greater reduction in emotional distress and caregiver burden than the control group. Conclusions: These findings attest to the short-term efficacy of the interventionUna intervención breve de solución de problemas para la prevención indicada de la depresión en cuidadoras. Antecedentes: a pesar que la depresión es un problema frecuente en los cuidadores no profesionales, en la literatura no hay estudios de prevención indicada de la depresión en esta población. Se evaluó la eficacia de una intervención de solución de problemas para prevenir la depresión clínica en una muestra de cuidadoras. Método: se realizó un ensayo controlado aleatorizado entre 173 participantes (edad promedio 53,9 años), 89 de las cuales fueron asignadas al azar al grupo de intervención y 84 (controles) a atención habitual. La intervención constó de cinco sesiones aplicadas semanalmente en formato grupal de una duración de 90 minutos cada una. Resultados: en el postratamiento, los síntomas depresivos en el grupo de intervención disminuyeron significativamente más que en el grupo control, con un tamaño del efecto d grande de 1,54. La proporción de participantes con mejoría clínicamente significativa fue significativamente mayor en el grupo de intervención (80,9% frente a 11,9% entre los controles); y menos participantes del grupo de intervención progresaron a una depresión clínica durante el período del estudio (4,5% frente a 13,1% entre los controles). El grupo de intervención también tuvo una reducción significativamente mayor en malestar emocional y sobrecarga del cuidador que el grupo control. Conclusiones: estos hallazgos demuestran la eficacia de la intervención a corto plazoThis study was supported by grant 2007/PN017 from the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Spain. This research was also supported from Ministry of Labour and Welfare (Xunta de Galicia)S

Protocol for a randomized controlled dismantling study of a brief telephonic psychological intervention applied to nonprofessional caregivers with symptoms of depression

Background Although depression is a common problem in caregivers and there are effective cognitive-behavioral interventions for its prevention, the ability of caregivers to attend these treatments is often limited by logistics. Furthermore, the efficacy of the components of these interventions is unknown. The objectives of this study are to (a) evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-administered cognitive-behavioral intervention to prevent depression with all its components (cognitive and behavioral) and only with behavioral activation, and to (b) analyze the mediators of the change in depressive symptoms. Methods/Design A randomized controlled clinical trial was designed to dismantle the components of a cognitive-behavioral intervention. Caregivers with elevated depressive symptoms will be randomly assigned to a cognitive-behavioral intervention, an intervention with only the behavioral activation component, or a usual care control group. Each condition will consist of approximately 60 participants. The two interventions will consist of five sessions lasting 90 min each, applied to groups of about 5 participants at a time via conference call. Trained interviewers, blind to the experimental conditions, will conduct the assessments at the pre-treatment, post-treatment and 1-, 3-, 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Discussion This study will provide evidence of the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention to prevent depression in caregivers with elevated depressive symptoms administered via conference call, and on the impact of the behavioral activation component on the overall efficacy of the program. If we find favorable results, it would mean that we have developed a program of prevention of depression of higher clinical utility and efficacy than those currently available, which would make it possible for a large number of caregivers to have access to such resourcesThis study was funded by grant 2012-PN162 (PSI2012-37396) from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain. We wish to thank support from Ministry of Labor and Welfare (Xunta de Galicia)S

Cuestionario de Personalidad de Eysenck Revisado-Abreviado para cuidadores informales

The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated (EPQR-A) in informal caregivers. Trained, independent evaluators administered the EPQR-A and evaluated informal caregivers’ depressive symptoms, automatic negative thoughts, self-efficacy, and pleasant social contacts, and clinical experts assessed major depressive episode in 592 caregivers (87.2% women, mean age 55.4 years). Women scored significantly higher on Neuroticism than men (p < .001). Subscale internal consistencies were .77 for Neuroticism, .75 for Extraversion, .47 for Sincerity; and .24 for Psychoticism. These four factors accounted for 38.1% of total variance. However, a three-factor model (excluding Psychoticism) better fit the data. Neuroticism was significantly, inversely correlated with both self-efficacy (r = -.35) and pleasant social contacts (r = -.22), and positively correlated with both depressive symptoms (r = .59) and negative thoughts (r = .53). Extraversion was significantly, inversely correlated with both depressive symptoms (r = -.22) and negative thoughts (r = -.22), and positively correlated with both selfefficacy (r = .36) and pleasant social contacts (r = .16). A cutoff score of 4 on Neuroticism suitably discriminated between depressed and non-depressed informal caregivers (sensitivity = 68.1%, specificity = 79.9%The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised-Abbreviated (EPQR-A) in informal caregivers. Trained, independent evaluators administered the EPQR-A and evaluated informal caregivers’ depressive symptoms, automatic negative thoughts, self-efficacy, and pleasant social contacts, and clinical experts assessed major depressive episode in 592 caregivers (87.2% women, mean age 55.4 years). Women scored significantly higher on Neuroticism than men (p < .001). Subscale internal consistencies were .77 for Neuroticism, .75 for Extraversion, .47 for Sincerity; and .24 for Psychoticism. These four factors accounted for 38.1% of total variance. However, a three-factor model (excluding Psychoticism) better fit the data. Neuroticism was significantly, inversely correlated with both self-efficacy (r = -.35) and pleasant social contacts (r = -.22), and positively correlated with both depressive symptoms (r = .59) and negative thoughts (r = .53). Extraversion was significantly, inversely correlated with both depressive symptoms (r = -.22) and negative thoughts (r = -.22), and positively correlated with both selfefficacy (r = .36) and pleasant social contacts (r = .16). A cutoff score of 4 on Neuroticism suitably discriminated between depressed and non-depressed informal caregivers (sensitivity = 68.1%, specificity = 79.9%This work was supported by the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness of Spain [grant number 2012-PN162 (PSI2012-37396)]S

Long-Term Effects of a Cognitive Behavioral Conference Call Intervention on Depression in Non-Professional Caregivers

Recent evidence supports the efficacy of conference call cognitive–behavioral interventions in preventing depression in caregivers at post-intervention, but we do not know whether the results are sustained long term. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy of a cognitive–behavioral intervention administered by telephone conference call in preventing depression in caregivers with elevated depressive symptoms, comparing all components of the intervention versus only the behavioral ones. A randomized controlled trial was conducted using a dismantling strategy. At total of 219 caregivers were randomly assigned to a cognitive–behavioral conference call intervention (CBCC; n = 69), a behavioral-activation conference call intervention (BACC; n = 70), or a usual care control group (CG, n = 80). Information was collected on depressive symptoms and depression at pre-intervention and at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months post-intervention. At 36 months, there was a reduction in depressive symptoms (p < 0.001) and a lower incidence of major depressive episodes in both the CBCC and BACC groups compared to CG (8.7%, 8.6%, and 33.7%, respectively). The results show that a conference call intervention was effective in the long term to prevent depression in caregivers and that the behavioral-activation component was comparable to the complete cognitive–behavioral protocolThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under grant number 2012-PN162S

Cognitive-behavioral intervention via interactive multimedia online video game for active aging: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background Due to the progressive aging of the population, programs to promote active aging have been recommended. However, older adults have difficulty accessing them. Interventions administered through online video games may increase their accessibility, and complementing these with a smartphone app will likely increase adherence and allow for ongoing professional monitoring. The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral intervention for active aging administered through an online interactive multimedia video game that includes a smartphone app companion. The secondary objectives are to analyze the moderators and mediators of the change in the outcome variables and to evaluate the adherence to the intervention. Methods/design A randomized controlled clinical trial will be conducted. Adults 45 years and older will be randomly assigned to a cognitive-behavioral intervention administered through an online multimedia video game that includes a smartphone app companion or to a control group that will receive online information on active aging (274 participants per group). The intervention will be administered in eight weekly 45-min modules. An investigator-blinded evaluation will be conducted using online self-administered tests at baseline, post-intervention, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups. The primary outcome will be mental health status as evaluated using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) at post-intervention. Secondary outcomes will be emotional well-being, depressive symptoms, reinforcement, negative thoughts, self-reported memory, cognitive task performance, sleep hygiene behaviors, physical activity, eating habits, body mass index, social support, dropout, treatment adherence, and satisfaction with the intervention. Discussion If the results are favorable, this study would involve the development of the first evidence-based active aging promotion intervention based on a video game that includes a smartphone app companion, providing evidence on its efficacy, accessibility, and clinical utility.The development of this protocol was funded by grant EXP - 00091195/ ITC20161137 from Center for Industrial Technological Development of Spain and the European Regional Development Fund, and grant 2018-PU054 from Department of Culture, Education and University RegulationS

Analysis of the Components of a Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for the prevention of Depression Administered via Conference Call to Nonprofessional Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effective and accessible interventions for indicated prevention of depression are necessary and lacking, especially for informal caregivers. Although telephone-based interventions could increase the accessibility for caregivers, randomized controlled trials are scarce, with no examination of prevention to date. Moreover, the efficacy of specific therapeutic components in preventive cognitive-behavioral programs is unknown. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a telephone-administered psychological preventive intervention in informal caregivers with high depressive symptoms. A total of 219 caregivers were randomized to a cognitive-behavioral conference call intervention (CBCC, n = 69), a behavioral-activation conference call intervention (BACC, n = 70), or a usual care control group (CG, n = 80). Both interventions consisted of five 90-minute group sessions. At the post-intervention, incidence of depression was lower in CBCC and BACC compared to CG (1.5% and 1.4% vs. 8.8%). Relative risk was 0.17 for the CBCC and 0.16 for the BACC, and the number-needed-to-treat was 14 in both groups. Depressive symptoms were significantly lower in BACC and BACC groups compared to CG (d = 1.16 and 1.29), with no significant differences between CBCC and BACC groups. The conference call intervention was effective in preventing depression and the behavioral-activation component (BACC) was comparable to the CBCC interventionThis research was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness under grant number 2012-PN162S

Prevalence and risk factors of violence against women among spanish female university students

Se determinó la prevalencia y los factores de riesgo asociados a la violencia contra la mujer en una muestra aleatoria estratificada de 1043 estudiantes universitarias españolas (media de edad de 22,2 años). A través de una entrevista realizada por psicólogas se recopiló información demográfica, académica y sobre violencia contra la mujer. La prevalencia de vida de la violencia fue del 15,2%; en el 41,5% de esos casos el maltratador ha sido la pareja, en el 50,9% algún otro hombre y en el 7,6% por ambas fuentes. La prevalencia en último año fue del 7,1%. Los factores de riesgo identificados fueron tener más de 19 años, ingresos familiares anuales superiores a 18.000 €, nivel cultural medio de la familia, residencia familiar urbana y presenciar malos tratos en la infancia o adolescencia. Se concluye que se deberían llevar a cabo campañas de sensibilización para prevenir la violencia contra mujer hacia las estudiantes universitarias y establecer servicios de orientación para aquellas que ya la hayan sufridoThe prevalence of violence against women and the associated risk factors were determined among Spanish female university students using a stratified random sample of 1043 women (mean age 22.2 years). Demographic, academic and abuse-related information was collected in interviews with female psychologists. The lifetime prevalence of violence was 15.2%; in 41.5% of these cases the abuser had been the woman’s boyfriend or husband, in 50.9% some other male, and in 7.6% abuse by both sources had been experienced. Past-year prevalence was 7.1%. The risk factors identified were age > 19 years, annual family income > € 18,000, medium family cultural level, urban family residence, and childhood or adolescent experience of witnessing abuse. It is concluded that awareness campaigns should be carried out to forestall violence against women targeting female university students, and that counselling services should be established to aid those who have already suffered such violenceEsta investigación ha sido subvencionada por la Vicepresidencia de Igualdade e Benestar de la Xunta de Galicia a través del proyecto 2007/PA007S