Search

In this article, the author analyses the ways in which competing views of history shape cultural interpretations of television‘s representations of past events and people. Drawing on Memory Studies to critique and highlight the limits of more conservative, traditional definitions of what history is, the article argues that history is not a ―fixed‖ truth but is, instead, constructed through the retellings of the past. If history is positioned as a singular ―truth,‖ we miss opportunities to understand the ways in which particular historical representations index cultural issues that relate both to the time period being represented as well as the current cultural moment. Through an analysis of the critics‘ reviews of HBO‘s historical drama Vinyl, the article highlights the benefits of a new view of history and the impact of this view on our understandings of histories‘ significances.

Both pseudo-octahedral and pseudo-square pyramidal bis-iminoxolene complexes trans-(Diso)2RuCl2 and trans-(Diso)2Ru(PPh3) are structurally distorted, with the ruthenium atom slipping off the twofold axis of the idealized coordination polyhedra. These distortions take place because they allow or enhance π interactions between ruthenium and the iminoxolene π orbitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Health care providers and health systems confronted new challenges to deliver timely, high-quality prenatal care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic as the pandemic raised concerns that care would be delayed or substantively changed. This study describes trends in prenatal care delivery in 2020 compared with 2018 to 2019 in a large, commercially insured population and investigates changes in obstetric care processes and outcomes. Study Design This retrospective cohort study uses de-identified administrative claims for commercially insured patients. Patients whose entire pregnancy took place from March 1 to December 31 in years 2018, 2019, and 2020 were included. Trends in prenatal care, including in-person, virtual, and emergency department visits, were evaluated, as were prenatal ultrasounds. The primary outcome was severe maternal morbidity (SMM). Secondary outcomes included preterm birth and stillbirth. To determine whether COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in prenatal care had an impact on maternal outcomes, we compared the outcome rates during the pandemic period in 2020 to equivalent periods in 2018 and 2019. Results In total, 35,112 patients were included in the study. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of telehealth visits, from 1.1 to 1.2% prior to the pandemic to 17.2% in 2020, as well as a significant decrease in patients who had at least one emergency department visit during 2020. Overall prenatal care and ultrasound utilization were unchanged. The rate of SMM across this period was stable (2.3–2.8%) with a statistically significant decrease in the preterm birth rate in 2020 (7.4%) compared with previous years (8.2–8.6%; p < 0.05) and an unchanged stillbirth rate was observed. Conclusion At a time when many fields of health care were reshaped during the pandemic, these observations reveal considerable resiliency in both the processes and outcomes of obstetric care. Key Points Overall prenatal care and ultrasound were unchanged from 2018 to 2019 to 2020. There was a large increase in the prevalence of telehealth visits in 2020. There was no change in the rate of severe maternal morbidity or stillbirth in 2020 compared with 2018 to 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Clinicians caring for adults with borderline personality disorder (BPD) in acute settings such as the emergency department (ED) have little evidence/guidance to base decisions on. Specific/detailed guidance for managing BPD in the ED is needed given the morbidity and mortality risks, high service utilisation, unique challenges and risk of iatrogenic interventions. The primary objective of this study is to use a consensus method to develop a guideline for managing adults with BPD in the ED. This protocol and the key questions for the guideline were developed with the advice of people with BPD and their family members/support persons.Methods and analysis We will perform a four-phase Delphi study of an expert panel of clinicians, researchers, adults with BPD and their family members/support persons. Various disciplines (psychiatry, psychology, emergency medicine, nursing, social work) and treatment approaches will be included in the expert panel. An online questionnaire will be developed from systematic reviews, qualitative assessments of pivotal literature, and opinions suggested by the panel (phase 1). The panel will rate their agreement on opinions for each key question covering areas of emergency care of adults with BPD using two rounds of this questionnaire (phases 2 and 3). Opinions meeting predefined thresholds for consensus will be brought to consensus meetings moderated by an independent chair (phase 4). The purpose of these meetings is to finalise the set and phrasing of the opinions for each area of emergency care. These final opinions will be the recommendations in the guideline. If there are significant differences of opinion, the guideline will present both recommendations alongside one another.Ethics and dissemination This study has received ethics approval by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conferences and national professional and patient/family/support associations.

ABSTRACT Several intracellular pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, damage endomembranes to access the cytosol and subvert innate immune responses. The host counteracts endomembrane damage by recruiting repair machineries that retain the pathogen inside the vacuole. Here, we show that the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi protein oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP) and its Dictyostelium discoideum homolog OSBP8 are recruited to the Mycobacterium-containing vacuole (MCV) dependent on the presence of the ESX-1 secretion system, suggesting that their mobilization is associated with membrane damage. Lack of OSBP8 causes a hyperaccumulation of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PI4P) on the MCV and decreased cell viability. OSBP8-depleted cells had reduced lysosomal and degradative capabilities of their vacuoles that favored mycobacterial growth. In agreement with a potential role of OSBP8 in membrane repair, human macrophages infected with M. tuberculosis recruited OSBP in an ESX-1-dependent manner. These findings identified an ER-dependent repair mechanism for restoring MCVs in which OSBP8 functions to equilibrate PI4P levels on damaged membranes. IMPORTANCE Tuberculosis still remains a global burden and is one of the top infectious diseases from a single pathogen. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent, has perfected many ways to replicate and persist within its host. While mycobacteria induce vacuole damage to evade the toxic environment and eventually escape into the cytosol, the host recruits repair machineries to restore the MCV membrane. However, how lipids are delivered for membrane repair is poorly understood. Using advanced fluorescence imaging and volumetric correlative approaches, we demonstrate that this involves the recruitment of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-Golgi lipid transfer protein OSBP8 in the Dictyostelium discoideum/Mycobacterium marinum system. Strikingly, depletion of OSBP8 affects lysosomal function accelerating mycobacterial growth. This indicates that an ER-dependent repair pathway constitutes a host defense mechanism against intracellular pathogens such as M. tuberculosis.

Background: One of the challenges of the 21st century is the high turnover rate in the nursing profession due to burnout and mental illness. From a biopsychosocial perspective, an individual's personality is an important vulnerability-resilience factor that comprises four temperament traits (i.e., a person's emotional reactions) and three character traits (i.e., self-regulation systems). Indeed, different personality profiles are associated to different coping strategies and health outcomes. Objective: We investigated and mapped the temperament and character of Swedish newly graduated and employed nurses’ in relation to the Swedish general population and an age-matched sub-sample. Design: In this cross-sectional study, nurses self-reported their personality (Temperament and Character Inventory) at the beginning of their employment. Setting: The data collection was conducted at a hospital in the South of Sweden. Participants: A total of 118 newly graduated and employed nurses (Mage = 25.95±5.58) and 1,564 individuals from the Swedish general population participated in the study. Methods: We calculated T-scores and percentiles for all seven personality dimensions using the Swedish norms (N = 1,564). The profiles were calculated by combining high/low percentiles scores in three temperament dimensions (Novelty Seeking: N/n, Harm Avoidance: H/h, and Reward Dependence: R/r) and in the three character dimensions (Self-Directedness: S/s, Cooperativeness: C/c and Self-Transcendence: T/t). Results: Regarding T-scores, the nurses reported moderately lower Novelty Seeking (> 0.5 SD), slightly higher Harm-Avoidance (about 0.5 SD), moderately higher Persistence (> 0.5 SD) and Reward Dependence (> 0.5 SD), and extremely lower Self-Directedness (> 1 SD). The prevalence of the most common temperament profiles among the nurses (Swedish general population in brackets) were: 39.80% [10.90%] Cautious (nHR), 21.20% [10.90] Reliable (nhR), and 15.30% [16.50%] Methodical (nHr). The prevalence of the most common character profiles among the nurses were: 31.40% [4.90%] Dependent (sCt), 25.40% [14.40%] Apathetic (sct), and 19.50% [8.80%] Moody (sCT). Conclusions: The analyses of the personality profiles showed that High Novelty Seeking (79%), high Harm Avoidance (65%) high Reward Dependence (80%), low Self-Directedness (95%), and low Self-Transcendence (60%) were more prevalent among the newly graduated and employed nurses. This may partially explain newly graduated nurses’ difficulties at work and high turnover rate. After all, a well-developed character is of special importance when working with patients with serious and terminal illness or under large global crises, such as the current pandemic. Hence, both education at universities and development at work need to be person-centered to reduce stress levels and promote positive self-regulation strategies.

In this article, the author analyses the ways in which competing views of history shape cultural interpretations of television‘s representations of past events and people. Drawing on Memory Studies to critique and highlight the limits of more conservative, traditional definitions of what history is, the article argues that history is not a "fixed" truth but is, instead, constructed through the retellings of the past. If history is positioned as a singular "truth," we miss opportunities to understand the ways in which particular historical representations index cultural issues that relate both to the time period being represented as well as the current cultural moment. Through an analysis of the critics' reviews of HBO's historical drama Vinyl, the article highlights the benefits of a new view of history and the impact of this view on our understandings of histories' significances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Este trabalho apresenta uma proposta para o ensino de Lógica para o primeiro ano do ensino médio. Considerando as diversidades dos alunos, este trabalho foi elaborado por meio de uma sequência de atividades que buscam suprir as deficiências de interpretação, argumentação e raciocínio lógico provenientes de uma falsa ideia de que a Matemática só trabalha com números e contas. A proposta das atividades é tornar a aprendizagem mais significativa e ampla para alunos, na qual o papel do professor é o de mediador e o do aluno de construtor do conhecimento. Os alunos são convidados a agir, buscar e expressar suas opiniões dando sentido a sua aprendizagem e aos professores é sugerida uma reflexão sobre a sua vivência em sala de aula, incentivando e estimulando a busca por atividades diversificadas. Concluímos o trabalho apresentando quais as habilidades e competências que serão desenvolvidas e como elas poderão auxiliar no desenvolvimento de novos conteúdos matemáticos. This paper presents a proposal for teaching Logic for the first year of high school. Considering the diversity of students, this study was developed through a sequence of activities to address the weaknesses of interpretation, reasoning and logical reasoning from a false idea that mathematics works only with numbers and accounts. The proposal is to make the activities more meaningful and comprehensive learning for students in which the teacher's role is that of a facilitator and the student constructor of knowledge. Students are invited to take action, seek and express their opinion by giving meaning to their learning, and teachers are suggested to reflect on their experience in the classroom, encouraging and stimulating the search for diversified activities. We conclude by presenting what skills and competencies that will be developed and how they can assist in the development of new mathematical content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El presente trabajo se propone abordar, desde el enfoque de la ecología política del agua, el conflicto entre las provincias de La Pampa y Mendoza, en Argentina, por el río Atuel, ante el inicio de actividades extractivistas como el fracking. Se utiliza el concepto de ciclo hidrosocial, el cual considera cómo interviene la sociedad en la circulación del agua. El objetivo es analizar los hechos más trascendentales en los últimos 40 años del ciclo hidrosocial (1978-2018) y las propuestas de arribar a una solución al conflicto. La metodología utilizada es de carácter cualitativo y parte de la aplicación del método del sándwich de Dagwood, propuesto desde la geografía histórica, el cual consiste en el trabajo de un tema central a través de períodos de tiempo. Para la recopilación de información se trabajó con entrevistas y revisión bibliográfica. Los resultados obtenidos condujeron a la identificación de una profundización de la complejidad de los procesos extractivos en la subcuenca del Atuel y la participación de nuevos actores como el capital trasnacional y las asambleas socioambientales. Como conclusión, se expone la necesidad, sobre todo de parte de La Pampa, de considerar la presencia de nuevos actores y actividades vinculados a actividades extractivistas y su influencia tanto en el conflicto como en sus posibilidades de resolución.

El objetivo de este trabajo es describir los nacimientos según su distribución en días de la semana a fin de caracterizar el aspecto programado o no del proceso de parto y nacimiento. Se realizó un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo de la distribución temporal de los días de la semana en que ocurrieron los nacimientos en la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, para el período 2004-2013, a partir de la base de datos del Informe Estadístico de Nacido Vivo de la Dirección de Estadísticas e Información de Salud del Ministerio de Salud de la Nación. Se analizaron las siguientes variables: establecimiento (público o privado), edad gestacional, edad y nivel de instrucción de la madre. El análisis muestra que los nacimientos disminuyen significativamente los sábados y domingos en los establecimientos públicos y privados, siendo mayor la disminución en los establecimientos privados; que los nacimientos en la semana 37 son más frecuentes en los establecimientos privados y disminuyen en los días no laborables; y que a mayor nivel de instrucción materna son menores los nacimientos durante los fines de semana. Analizar el día de la semana en el que ocurren los nacimientos transparenta la medicalización del proceso de parto e indicaría que la programación e inducción de los nacimientos ocurre en los establecimientos privados en mayor medida que en los establecimientos públicos.

BackgroundIf individual differences are relevant and prominent features of personality, then they are expected to be encoded in natural language, thus manifesting themselves in single words. Recently, the quantification of text data using advanced natural language processing techniques offers innovative opportunities to map people’s own words and narratives to their responses to self-reports. Here, we demonstrate the usefulness of self-descriptions in natural language and what we tentatively call Quantitative Semantic Test Theory (QuSTT) to validate two short inventories that measure character traits.MethodIn Study 1, participants (N1 = 997) responded to the Short Character Inventory, which measures self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence. In Study 2, participants (N2 = 2373) responded to Short Dark Triad, which measures Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. In both studies, respondents were asked to generate 10 self-descriptive words. We used the Latent Semantic Algorithm to quantify the meaning of each trait using the participants’ self-descriptive words. We then used these semantic representations to predict the self-reported scores. In a second set of analyses, we used word-frequency analyses to map the self-descriptive words to each of the participants’ trait scores (i.e., one-dimensional analysis) and character profiles (i.e., three-dimensional analysis).ResultsThe semantic representation of each character trait was related to each corresponding self-reported score. However, participants’ self-transcendence and Machiavellianism scores demonstrated similar relationships to all three semantic representations of the character traits in their respective personality model. The one-dimensional analyses showed that, for example, “loving” was indicative of both high cooperativeness and self-transcendence, while “compassionate,” “kind,” and “caring” was unique for individuals high in cooperativeness. The words “kind” and “caring” indicated low levels of Machiavellianism and psychopathy, whereas “shy” or “introvert” indicated low narcissism. We also found specific keywords that unify or that make the individuals in some profiles unique.ConclusionDespite being short, both inventories capture individuals’ identity as expected. Nevertheless, our method also points out some shortcomings and overlaps between traits measured with these inventories. We suggest that self-descriptive words can be quantified to validate measures of psychological constructs (e.g., prevalence in self-descriptions or QuSTT) and that this method may complement traditional methods for testing the validity of psychological measures.

Co-teaching has been explored in the field of education but is a relatively new phenomenon in higher education. Its benefits and challenges are well documented; however, what is lacking is substantive evidence highlighting the influence of co-teaching amongst undergraduate students. Particularly, in practice-based professions like teaching, nursing, and social work, active participation in collaborative teams is more the norm than the exception. Undergraduate students need to have opportunities to learn how to be collaborative, as well as observe modeling of collaborative teaching practice. In the article, we report on a 2-year mixed-methods research study that investigated students’ and instructors’ experiences with co-teaching in a Nurse as Educator course. The findings from three cohorts engaged in the research suggest co-teaching to be an effective teaching and learning strategy. However, for co-teaching to be a positive experience for both students and instructors, purposeful scaffolding and supports need to be in place. Also outlined are recommendations for higher education with regard to designing and modeling co-teaching practice.

For centuries, indigenous sheep have been bred in extensive low-input systems in Midwestern Brazil. The hypothesis of this study was the assumption that phenotypic evaluation of indigenous livestock may drive the establishment of breed standards and official breed recognition, and, therefore, promote more local business opportunities. On the basis of more integrative and participatory theoretical background to applying any decision based on phenotype, we designed this research to determine the most typical and unusual phenotypes of Pantaneiro sheep. Pantaneiro ewes (281 ewes from five conservation units in five counties) were evaluated, bearing in mind both conservation and development. Descriptive statistics were used to classify ewes into typical, intermediate, and unusual phenotypes. Chi-squared tests for association were performed to test if morphological variation in the different sampling sites occurred randomly (p > 0.05) or not (p < 0.05). Some results suggest some sort of diversifying selection pressure, i.e., distinct preferences among keepers. We observed considerable morphologic variation among ewes, but it was straightforward to determine the predominant phenotypes. The study evokes integrative agrobiodiversity by putting phenotypical characterization of indigenous livestock into perspective. Discussions coming from this study may support innovative governance and participative decision-making, allied with strategies that value the socioeconomic, biocultural, and adaptive aspects of indigenous livestock in tropical regions and developing countries. This is a challenge for government, rare-breed keepers, value-chain actors, and civil society.

High tidal volume mechanical ventilation can cause inflammation and lung damage. Mechanical strain is also necessary for normal lung growth. The current work was performed to determine if mechanical ventilation with clinically utilized tidal volumes stimulates a proliferative response in the lung. Six- to 8-week-old C57/Bl6 mice, anesthetized with ketamine/xylozine, were ventilated for 6 hours with 10 mL/kg tidal volume, positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) 3cm H2O. Pulmonary function testing demonstrated decreased compliance within 3 hours of ventilation. Assessment of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) demonstrated no significant increase in lactate dehydrogenase, total lavagable cell number, or total protein after ventilation. There was evidence of inflammation in the lungs of ventilated mice, with an increased percentage of lymphocytes and neutrophils in BAL, and an increase in macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 and interleukin (IL)-1β message in lung tissue. Immunohistochemistry of inflation-fixed lungs demonstrated increased alveolar cell proliferation, as measured by both proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Ki67 staining. Dual staining confirmed that proliferating cells labeled with proSP-B, demonstrating that ventilation induces proliferation of alveolar type II cells. Ventilation did not increase apoptosis in alveolar type II cells, as measured by TUNEL staining. Ventilation at low tidal volumes leads to a mild inflammatory response and alveolar epithelial cell proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The data include responses to the Swedish version of a questionnaire used to operationalize self-regulation or regulatory mode: assessment and locomotion. The data was collected among 567 Swedish high school and university students (see Garcia and Lindskär, 2016 [1]). In this article, we also include the Swedish version of the Regulatory Mode Questionnaire. The data is available, SPSS file, as supplementary material in this article.

The data include responses to the Swedish version of a brief questionnaire used to operationalize the Dark Triad of malevolent character: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. The data was collected among 342 Swedish university students and white-collar workers (see Garcia et al. (2017) [1]). In this article, we include the Swedish version of Jonason's Dark Triad Dirty Dozen questionnaire. The data is available, SPSS and cvs file, as supplementary material in this article. Additionally, we also provide the scoring key as SPSS syntax file.

This paper will identify the difficulties in assessing patients who present or appear to present with two concomitant illnesses: psychiatric disorder and addictive disease. Due to the high number of patients who present with the concomitant illnesses of affective disorder and alcoholism, some criteria for determining primary versus secondary illness will be presented. The hierarchy of illnesses is then used to define which type of treatment is needed for these patients. Finally, dual diagnosis treatment which focuses on both addiction and psychiatric illness is outlined with recommendations for programming and staffing. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

El presente artículo plantea un abord aje del concepto de ciclo hidro - social desde la perspectiva de la ecología política del agua. Este análisis teórico facilita el estudio del conflicto por el río Atuel, entre las provincias de La Pampa y Mendoza, Argentina, para explicar a través de una matriz los elementos qu e interactúan en el ciclo hidro - social y determinar las consecuencias que estos generan. El obje tivo es a nalizar el ciclo hidro - social y su aplicación al problema para un sector del oeste pampeano cuyo eje organizador es el río Atuel. Así mismo, estudiar los conflictos interprovinciales que se generan y los aspectos que componen dicho ciclo. El tratamiento d el problema y su profundización es abordado a través de la lectura de trabajos de especialistas en el área y de las fuentes hasta ahora analizadas tales como: mensuras catastrales, testimonios de pobladores y documentación oficial.

Background. The dark side of human character has been conceptualized in the Dark Triad Model: Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism. These three dark traits are often measured using single long instruments for each one of the traits. Nevertheless, there is a necessity of short and valid personality measures in psychological research. As an independent research group, we replicated the factor structure, convergent validity and item response for one of the most recent and widely used short measures to operationalize these malevolent traits, namely, Jonason’s Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. We aimed to expand the understanding of what the Dirty Dozen really captures because the mixed results on construct validity in previous research. Method. We used the largest sample to date to respond to the Dirty Dozen (N = 3,698). We firstly investigated the factor structure using Confirmatory Factor Analysis and an exploratory distribution analysis of the items in the Dirty Dozen. Secondly, using a sub-sample (n = 500) and correlation analyses, we investigated the Dirty Dozen dark traits convergent validity to Machiavellianism measured by the Mach-IV, psychopathy measured by Eysenck’s Personality Questionnaire Revised, narcissism using the Narcissism Personality Inventory, and both neuroticism and extraversion from the Eysenck’s questionnaire. Finally, besides these Classic Test Theory analyses, we analyzed the responses for each Dirty Dozen item using Item Response Theory (IRT). Results. The results confirmed previous findings of a bi-factor model fit: one latent core dark trait and three dark traits. All three Dirty Dozen traits had a striking bi-modal distribution, which might indicate unconcealed social undesirability with the items. The three Dirty Dozen traits did converge too, although not strongly, with the contiguous single Dark Triad scales (r between .41 and .49). The probabilities of filling out steps on the Dirty Dozen narcissism-items were much higher than on the Dirty Dozen items for Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Overall, the Dirty Dozen instrument delivered the most predictive value with persons with average and high Dark Triad traits (theta > −0.5). Moreover, the Dirty Dozen scale was better conceptualized as a combined Machiavellianism-psychopathy factor, not narcissism, and is well captured with item 4: ‘I tend to exploit others towards my own end.’ Conclusion. The Dirty Dozen showed a consistent factor structure, a relatively convergent validity similar to that found in earlier studies. Narcissism measured using the Dirty Dozen, however, did not contribute with information to the core of the Dirty Dozen construct. More importantly, the results imply that the core of the Dirty Dozen scale, a manipulative and anti-social trait, can be measured by a Single Item Dirty Dark Dyad (SIDDD).

Background. Research addressing distinctions and similarities between people’s malevolent character traits (i.e., the Dark Triad: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) has detected inconsistent linear associations to temperament traits. Additionally, these dark traits seem to have a common core expressed as uncooperativeness. Hence, some researchers suggest that the dark traits are best represented as one global construct (i.e., the unification argument) rather than as ternary construct (i.e., the uniqueness argument). We put forward the dark cube (cf. Cloninger’s character cube) comprising eight dark profiles that can be used to compare individuals who differ in one dark character trait while holding the other two constant. Our aim was to investigate in which circumstances individuals who are high in each one of the dark character traits differ in Cloninger’s “light” character traits: self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence. We also investigated if people’s dark character profiles were associated to their light character profiles. Method. A total of 997 participants recruited from Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) responded to the Short Dark Triad and the Short Character Inventory. Participants were allocated to eight different dark profiles and eight light profiles based on their scores in each of the traits and any possible combination of high and low scores. We used three-way interaction regression analyses and t-tests to investigate differences in light character traits between individuals with different dark profiles. As a second step, we compared the individuals’ dark profile with her/his character profile using an exact cell-wise analysis conducted in the ROPstat software (http://www.ropstat.com). Results. Individuals who expressed high levels of Machiavellianism and those who expressed high levels of psychopathy also expressed low self-directedness and low cooperativeness. Individuals with high levels of narcissism, in contrast, scored high in self-directedness. Moreover, individuals with a profile low in the dark traits were more likely to end up with a profile high in cooperativeness. The opposite was true for those individuals with a profile high in the dark traits. The rest of the cross-comparisons revealed some of the characteristics of human personality as a non-linear complex dynamic system. Conclusions. Our study suggests that individuals who are high in Machiavellianism and psychopathy share a unified non-agentic and uncooperative character (i.e., irresponsible, low in self-control, unempathetic, unhelpful, untolerant), while individuals high in narcissism have a more unique character configuration expressed as high agency and, when the other dark traits are high, highly spiritual but uncooperative. In other words, based on differences in their associations to the light side of character, the Dark Triad seems to be a dyad rather than a triad.

The dopaminergic system provides the basis for the interaction between motivation and cognition. It is triggered by the possibility of obtaining rewards to initiate the neurobehavioral adaptations necessary to achieve them by directing the information from motivational circuits to cognitive and action circuits. In drug addiction, the altered dopamine (DA) modulation of the meso-cortico-limbic reward circuitry, such as the prefrontal cortex (PFC), underlies the disproportionate motivational value of drug use at the expense of other non-drug reinforcers and the user's loss of control over his/her drug intake. We examine how the magnitude of the reward affects goal-directed processes in healthy control (HC) subjects and abstinent cocaine dependent (ACD) patients by using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a counting Stroop task with blocked levels of monetary incentives of different magnitudes (€0, €0.01, €0.5, €1 or €1.5). Our results showed that increasing reward magnitude enhances (1) performance facilitation in both groups; (2) left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) activity in HC and left superior occipital cortex activity in ACD; and (3) left DLPFC and left putamen connectivity in ACD compared to HC. Moreover, we observed that (4) dorsal striatal and pallidum activity was associated with craving and addiction severity during the parametric increases in the monetary reward. In conclusion, the brain response to gradients in monetary value was different in HC and ACD, but both groups showed improved task performance due to the possibility of obtaining greater monetary rewards.

The affective profiles model is based on the combination of individuals’ experience of high/low positive affect and high/low negative affect: self-fulfilling, high affective, low affective, and self-destructive. We used the profiles as the backdrop for the investigation of individual differences in malevolent character traits (i.e., the Dark Triad: psychopathy, Machiavellianism, and narcissism). A total of 1,000 participants (age: M = 31.50 SD = 10.27, 667 males and 333 females), recruited through Amazons’ Mechanical Turk (MTurk), responded to the Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule and the Dark Triad Dirty Dozen. Individuals with a high affective profile reported higher degree of narcissism than those with any other profile, and together with individuals with a self-destructive profile, also higher degree of Machiavellianism and psychopathy than individuals with a low affective and self-fulfilling profile. Males scored higher in Machiavellianism and psychopathy. Together with earlier findings, our results show that while individuals in both the self-fulfilling and high affective profiles are extrovert and self-directed, only those in the high affective profile express an immature and malevolent character (i.e., high levels of all Dark Triad traits). Conversely, individuals in the self-fulfilling profile have earlier reported higher levels of cooperativeness and faith. More importantly, the unique association between high levels of positive emotions and narcissism and the unified association between negative emotions to both psychopathy and Machiavellianism imply a dyad rather than a triad of malevolent character traits.

En este trabajo se aborda el estudio hidrológico de la cuenca alta del Arroyo Pigüé, a través del estudio de la serie de precipitaciones y el balance hídrico del suelo de la cuenca. Desde un punto de vista climático, se constata la existencia de un ciclo húmedo en la región, a partir de la década de los setenta, que se traduce, a nivel hidrológico en una progresiva sobresaturación de los suelos, con fuertes descargas en dirección a la red de drenaje del Pigüé. Ésta, parcialmente desconectada en el territorio, por la intensificación de las prácticas agrícolas, impide la evacuación encauzada hacia la localidad, agravando más si cabe, el riesgo de inundación en periodos extremadamente húmedos.

Background. Self-regulation is the procedure implemented by an individual striving to reach a goal and consists of two inter-related strategies: assessment and locomotion. Moreover, both subjective and psychological well-being along exercise behaviour might also play a role on adolescents academic achievement.Method. Participants were 160 Swedish high school pupils (111 boys and 49 girls) with an age mean of 17.74 (sd = 1.29). We used the Regulatory Mode Questionnaire to measure self-regulation strategies (i.e., locomotion and assessment). Well-being was measured using Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales short version, the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule. Exercise behaviour was self-reported using questions pertaining to frequency and intensity of exercise compliance. Academic achievement was operationalized through the pupils’ mean value of final grades in Swedish, Mathematics, English, and Physical Education. Both correlation and regressions analyses were conducted.Results. Academic achievement was positively related to assessment, well-being, and frequent/intensive exercise behaviour. Assessment was, however, negatively related to well-being. Locomotion on the other hand was positively associated to well-being and also to exercise behaviour.Conclusions. The results suggest a dual (in)direct model to increase pupils’ academic achievement and well-being—assessment being directly related to higher academic achievement, while locomotion is related to frequently exercising and well-being, which in turn, increase academic achievement.

Current perspectives on cognitive control acknowledge that individual differences in motivational dispositions may modulate cognitive processes in the absence of reward contingencies. This work aimed to study the relationship between individual differences in Behavioral Activation System (BAS) sensitivity and the neural underpinnings involved in processing a switching cue in a task-switching paradigm. BAS sensitivity was hypothesized to modulate brain activity in frontal regions, ACC and the striatum. Twenty-eight healthy participants underwent fMRI while performing a switching task, which elicited activity in fronto-striatal regions during the processing of the switch cue. BAS sensitivity was negatively associated with activity in the lateral prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex and the ventral striatum. Combined with previous results, our data indicate that BAS sensitivity modulates the neurocognitive processes involved in task switching in a complex manner depending on task demands. Therefore, individual differences in motivational dispositions may influence cognitive processing in the absence of reward contingencies.

Background. Previous studies have established a link between how people relate to their past, present, and future (i.e., time perspective) and subjective well-being (i.e., life satisfaction, positive and negative affect). Time perspective comprises five dimensions: Past Positive, Past Negative, Present Hedonistic, Present Fatalistic, and Future. Life satisfaction can also be evaluated in relation to different time frames. Moreover, approach related positive affect is associated to a different concept of well-being labeled psychological well-being. In the present study we extend previous findings by investigating the effect of time perspective on the time frame of evaluations of life satisfaction (past, present, future) and by investigating the relationship between time perspective and psychological well-being.Method. Questionnaires on time perspective (Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory), temporal life satisfaction (Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale), affect (Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule), and psychological well-being (Scales of Psychological Well-Being—short version) were answered by 453 individuals. Two different structural equation models were tested, one of the relationship between time perspective and temporal life satisfaction, and the other of the relationship between time perspective, affect and psychological well-being.Results. Time perspective affected life satisfaction depending on the time scale on which it was evaluated—memory of a negative past influenced life satisfaction in all time frames, and a positive view of the past influenced both past and future life satisfaction. Moreover, less rumination about past negative events (i.e., low score on Past Negative), the tendency to take risks in the present to achieve happy feelings and/or avoid boredom (i.e., high scores on Present Hedonistic), and a less hopeless and pessimistic view about the present (low scores on Present Fatalistic) were associated with higher levels of psychological well-being and positive affect. These same time perspective dimensions were associated with lower levels of negative affect. The Future time perspective dimension (i.e., approaching life with self-control, punctuality, and planning for the future) was associated with both psychological well-being and positive affect.Conclusions. High levels of both subjective and psychological well-being are related to a happier and a less sinister past, a more hedonistic and less fatalistic present, as well as to a more structured future.

Background. The affective profiles model categorizes individuals as self-fulfilling (high positive affect, low negative affect), high affective (high positive affect, high negative affect), low affective (low positive affect, low negative affect), and self-destructive (low positive affect, high negative affect). The model has been used extensively among Swedes to discern differences between profiles regarding happiness, depression, and also life satisfaction. The aim of the present study was to investigate such differences in a sample of residents of the USA. The study also investigated differences between profiles with regard to happiness-increasing strategies.Methods. In Study I, 900 participants reported affect (Positive Affect Negative Affect Schedule; PANAS) and happiness (Happiness-Depression Scale). In Study II, 500 participants self-reported affect (PANAS), life satisfaction (Satisfaction With Life Scale), and how often they used specific strategies to increase their own happiness (Happiness-Increasing Strategies Scales).Results. The results showed that, compared to the other profiles, self-fulfilling individuals were less depressed, happier, and more satisfied with their lives. Nevertheless, self-destructive individuals were more depressed, unhappier, and less satisfied than all other profiles. The self-fulfilling individuals tended to use strategies related to agentic (e.g., instrumental goal-pursuit), communal (e.g., social affiliation), and spiritual (e.g., religion) values when pursuing happiness.Conclusion. These differences suggest that promoting positive emotions can positively influence a depressive-to-happy state as well as increasing life satisfaction. Moreover, the present study shows that pursuing happiness through strategies guided by agency, communion, and spirituality is related to a self-fulfilling experience described as high positive affect and low negative affect.

BackgroundMediation analysis investigates whether a variable (i.e., mediator) changes in regard to an independent variable, in turn, affecting a dependent variable. Moderation analysis, on the other hand, investigates whether the statistical interaction between independent variables predict a dependent variable. Although this difference between these two types of analysis is explicit in current literature, there is still confusion with regard to the mediating and moderating effects of different variables on depression. The purpose of this study was to assess the mediating and moderating effects of anxiety, stress, positive affect, and negative affect on depression.MethodsTwo hundred and two university students (males = 93, females = 113) completed questionnaires assessing anxiety, stress, self-esteem, positive and negative affect, and depression. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using techniques based on standard multiple regression and hierarchical regression analyses.Main findingsThe results indicated that (i) anxiety partially mediated the effects of both stress and self-esteem upon depression, (ii) that stress partially mediated the effects of anxiety and positive affect upon depression, (iii) that stress completely mediated the effects of self-esteem on depression, and (iv) that there was a significant interaction between stress and negative affect, and between positive affect and negative affect upon depression.ConclusionThe study highlights different research questions that can be investigated depending on whether researchers decide to use the same variables as mediators and/or moderators.

The behavioral approach system (BAS) from Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory is a neurobehavioral system involved in the processing of rewarding stimuli that has been related to dopaminergic brain areas. Gray's theory hypothesizes that the functioning of reward brain areas is modulated by BAS-related traits. To test this hypothesis, we performed an fMRI study where participants viewed erotic and neutral pictures, and cues that predicted their appearance. Forty-five heterosexual men completed the Sensitivity to Reward scale (from the Sensitivity to Punishment and Sensitivity to Reward Questionnaire) to measure BAS-related traits. Results showed that Sensitivity to Reward scores correlated positively with brain activity during reactivity to erotic pictures in the left orbitofrontal cortex, left insula, and right ventral striatum. These results demonstrated a relationship between the BAS and reward sensitivity during the processing of erotic stimuli, filling the gap of previous reports that identified the dopaminergic system as a neural substrate for the BAS during the processing of other rewarding stimuli such as money and food.