Effect of emotional valence on true and false recognition controlling arousal.

The aim of our experiment was to analyse the effect of the emotional valence (positive, negative, or neutral) on true and false recognition, matching the arousal, frequency, concreteness, and associative strength of the study and recognition words. Fifty younger adults and 46 healthy older adults performed three study tasks (with words of different valence: positive, negative, neutral) and their corresponding recognition tests. Two weeks later, they performed the three recognition tests again. The results show that words with a negative valence produced less true recognition and less false recognition than words with a positive or neutral valence, in both younger and older adults, on the immediate recognition test. This pattern of results was also found in the younger adults on the delayed recognition test, whereas in the older participants, these differences disappeared. Thus, when arousal is controlled, both younger and older adults tend to recognise negative information worse than positive or neutral information, but they also commit fewer errors. Results would suggest that the greater arousal commonly associated with negative stimuli, rather than their own valence, could explain some of the contradictory results found in the literature.

Exploring Epitaxial Structures for Electrically Pumped Perovskite Lasers: A Study of CsPb(Br,I)3 Based on the Ab Initio Bethe-Salpeter Equation.

Halide perovskites are widely used as components of electronic and optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), optically pumped lasers, field-effect transistors, photodetectors, and γ-detectors. Despite this wide range of applications, the construction of an electrically pumped perovskite laser remains challenging. In this paper, we numerically justify that mixing two perovskite compounds with different halide elements can lead to optical properties suitable for electrical pumping. As a reference, the chosen model material was CsPbBr3, whose performance as a part of lasers has been widely recognised, with some Br atoms substituted by I at specific sites. In particular, a strong enhancement of the low-energy absorption peaks has been obtained using the ab initio Bethe-Salpeter equation. Based on these results, we propose specific architectures of ordered doping that could be realised by epitaxial growth. Efficient light emission from the bottom of the conduction band is expected.

Stress and burnout in nursing home and égida workers during COVID-19.

AIMS: Finding out whether there are differences in the levels of stress and burnout between workers providing care to dependent adults and those caring for independent older adults would provide comparative information about two different models of care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, workers caring for older adults were subjected to maladaptive situations that produced stress and burnout. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design using the STROBE checklist. METHODS: A total of 900 nursing home and égidas workers were assessed for stress and burnout. Data were collected online from October 2020 to February 2021, when Puerto Rico was experiencing the peak of the third wave of COVID-19. MANOVAs were performed to study the interactions between the workplace and having had COVID, the workplace and the size of institution and the workplace and position held. DATA SOURCES: October 2020 to February 2021. RESULTS: All interactions were significant. Nursing homes showed higher levels of stress and burnout when workers had undergone COVID, when the size of the institution was larger and for technical staff other services; in égidas, having undergone COVID did not influence stress or burnout, which increased when the institution was smaller and for executive staff. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic affected nursing home workers more significantly than those working in other types of residential models with independent older adults. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Applying preventive interventions aimed at reducing stress and burnout would facilitate the adaptation of workers caring for older adults and help to improve the quality of care. IMPACT: This study analysed the impact of COVID-19 on the stress and burnout of workers providing services to older adults. Nursing home workers who have had COVID-19 have higher stress and burnout. The size of the institution has a different effect depending on whether older adults are dependent or independent. Workers in institutions dedicated to the care of the older adults. REPORTING METHOD: This study has adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines: STROBE. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: During the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was difficult to establish direct contact with workers providing care to older adults; this reason made it necessary to apply online systems to obtain information. The workers appreciated the fact that the implications for stress and burnout of the situation experienced during this difficult process were investigated.

Psychological Dimensions That Explain Integrity in Older Adults: Examination of a Structural Model.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to confirm whether internal coping strengths, depressive symptomatology and gratitude disposition are significant predictors of integrity in older adults. METHODS: Participated 394 Ecuadorian older adults with ages between 60 and 91 years old. Self-report were applied to assess the different variables under study. Specifically, integrity, coping, resilience, self-efficacy, mood and gratitude were assessed. RESULTS: A confirmatory model was estimated to predict ego-integrity. A personal adjustment factor composed of problem-focused coping strategies, resilience and self-efficacy, and gratitude showed positive and significant relationships with ego-integrity, whereas negative mood negatively predicted integrity. CONCLUSIONS: Integrity is a key variable to strengthen a coherent view of one's life history and highly relevant during ageing. Having personal strengths and dispositions that facilitate adaptation to ageing and maintaining a positive mood predicts the attainment of integrity. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Integrity is an adjustment factor that facilitates adaptation to the stressors of ageing and to major life changes and loss of control indifferent areas of life.

Which is the optimum parenting for adolescents with low vs. high self-efficacy? Self-concept, psychological maladjustmentand academic performance of adolescents in the Spanish context / ¿Cuál es el estilo parental óptimo para adolescentes con baja vs. alta autoeficacia? Autoconcepto, desajuste psicológico y rendimiento académico de los adolescentes en el contexto español

El objetivo de este estudio es identificar qué estilo parental se asocia con resultados óptimos entre los adolescentes de familias españolas considerando aquellos con baja vs. alta autoeficacia. Los participantes fueron 1029 adolescentes españoles, 453 varones (44%), de 12 a 17 años. Aunque los estudios clásicos identifican el estilo autorizativo (basado en el afecto y la severidad) como la mejor estrategia socializadora, las investigaciones emergentes cuestionan seriamente los beneficios de la severidad parental. Además, el impacto de la socialización parental en la competencia psicosocial del adolescente se ha estudiado durante años, pero se sabe menos sobre si podría variar en función de las características individuales del adolescente (e.g., la autoeficacia). Las familias fueron clasificadas por estilo parental (autorizativo, autoritario, indulgente o negligente), y los adolescentes por baja vs. alta autoeficacia. La competencia psicosocial se examinó a través del autoconcepto emocional y académico, el desajuste psicológico (hostilidad/agresión, autoestima negativa, irresponsividad emocional, inestabilidad emocional y visión negativa del mundo) y el rendimiento académico (nota media y número de cursos repetidos). Se comprobaron los efectos principales y de interacción de estilo parental y autoeficacia. Los resultados de los efectos principales indicaron que los adolescentes con baja autoeficacia presentaban siempre la peor competencia psicosocial. También que los adolescentes de familias indulgentes y autorizativas presentaron mejores resultados que los de familias negligentes y autoritarias. Sin embargo, el estilo parental indulgente se asoció a los mejores resultados. El impacto de la socialización parental podría no ser igual en todos los contextos culturales. Frente a los resultados de los estudios clásicos, la severidad parental parece ser innecesaria o incluso perjudicial para los adolescentes con baja y alta autoeficacia.(AU)

The aim of this paper is to establish which parenting style is as-sociated with optimum outcomes among adolescents of Spanish families considering adolescents with low vs. high self-efficacy. Although classical studies identify the authoritative parenting style (based on warmth and strictness) as the best parental strategy, emerging research seriously ques-tions the benefits of parental strictness. Additionally, the impact of parent-ing on the adolescent’s psychosocial competence has been studied for years, but less is known about whether it might vary depending on individ-ual characteristics of the adolescent (e.g., self-efficacy). Participants were 1029 Spanish adolescents, 453 males (44%), aged 12-17 years. Families were classified in one of the parenting styles groups (authoritative, authori-tarian, indulgent, or neglectful), and adolescents were grouped by low vs. high self-efficacy. Adolescent psychosocial competence was examined through emotional and academic self-concept, psychological maladjust-ment (hostility/aggression, negative self-esteem, emotional responsivity, instability, and negative view of the world), and academic performance (grade point average and number of failing grades). Main and interaction effects of parenting style and adolescent self-efficacy were tested. Main ef-fect results indicated that adolescents with low self-efficacy were always as-sociated with the worst psychosocial competence. Consistently, the main effect findings indicated that adolescents from indulgent and authoritative families were associated with better results than those from neglectful and authoritarian families. However, the indulgent parenting style yielded the best results. The impact of parenting might not be the same for adoles-cents in all cultural contexts. Contrary to findings from classical studies, parental strictness seems to be unnecessary or even detrimental for adoles-cents with low and high self-efficacy.(AU)

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Intervention in Alzheimer's Disease and Its Follow-Up.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the prevailing type of dementia, marked by gradual memory loss and cognitive decline. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive method used to regulate cortical brain function and has been explored as a potential treatment for cognitive impairment. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effects of daily home-based active or sham tDCS on cognitive function in patients with early-stage AD and its follow-up after one month. METHODS: The study involved a randomized, blinded, and controlled-placebo design, with 18 participants enrolled. The primary outcome measures were general cognitive function, immediate, and delayed recall, and executive function. Participants included in the study were randomly assigned to the anodal and sham tDCS groups. Participants were assessed before and after the intervention and one month after the end of treatment. The home-based intervention was applied for 5 consecutive days, daily. RESULTS: The results showed a significant interaction between the active and sham groups; in particular, improvements in MMSE scores, immediate memory and delayed recall were observed at one-month follow-up in the active group. CONCLUSIONS: The positive effects of tDCS on cognitive function in AD patients observed suggest that tDCS may induce long-term neuroplastic changes, leading to sustained improvements in cognitive abilities.

Calibration of a Dust Scattering Instrument Using Tomographic Techniques and Its Application to a Dust Sensor Instrument.

The characterization of suspended dust near the Martian surface is extremely relevant to understand the climate of Mars. In this frame, a Dust Sensor instrument, an infrared device designed to obtain the effective parameters of Martian dust using the scattering properties of the dust particles, was developed. The purpose of this article is to present a novel methodology to calculate, from experimental data, an instrumental function of the Dust Sensor that allows solving the direct problem and providing the signal that this instrument would provide given a distribution of particles. The experimental method is based on recording the signal measured when a Lambertian reflector is gradually introduced into the interaction volume at different distances from the detector and source and applying tomography techniques (inverse Radon transform) to obtain the image of a section of the interaction volume. This method provides a complete mapping of the interaction volume experimentally, which determines the Wf function. The method was applied to solve a specific case study. Among the advantages of this method, it should be noted that it avoids assumptions and idealizations of the dimensions of the volume of interaction and reduces the time required to carry out simulations.

Culpa y bienestar en cuidadores familiares de personas mayores dependientes institucionalizadas / Guilt and well-being in institutionalized family caregivers of dependent older adult people

Antecedentes y objetivo: La experiencia de los cuidadores familiares tras el ingreso en una residencia de personas mayores ha recibido escasa atención, probablemente porque muchos cuidadores experimentan una sensación inicial de alivio emocional inicial. Sin embargo, para algunos cuidadores el ingreso en una residencia de mayores es un factor de estrés a pesar de la reducción de la carga física de los cuidados. La angustia del cuidador tras la institucionalización se ha relacionado con las nuevas cargas y retos que se encuentran en la residencia de mayores. La ambivalencia y la culpa relacionados con la decisión de institucionalización se han identificado como fuentes de estrés. Por eso, este estudio examinó el efecto de la culpa y el bienestar en el estrés percibido de cuidadores familiares de personas dependientes institucionalizadas. Materiales y métodos: Participaron 201 cuidadores familiares de personas institucionalizadas en una residencia de mayores (La Rioja, España). Se evalúo el estrés percibido, la culpa para el cuidado y el bienestar subjetivo, variables sociodemográficas y relacionadas con el cuidado. Se realizaron análisis de regresión lineal y correlaciones entre las variables. Resultados: La culpa y 5 dimensiones de bienestar (ansiedad, vitalidad, autocontrol y depresión, excepto salud general) predijeron significativamente el estrés (R2adj=0,552 [F (6, 198)=41,71; p<0,001]). El tamaño del efecto fue grande (IC del 95%: 0,461). Conclusiones: Prestar atención a los sentimientos de culpa de los cuidadores familiares durante la institucionalización es fundamental. Ello permitirá diseñar e implementar intervenciones psicosociales que mejoren la adaptación del cuidador inmediatamente después de la institucionalización. (AU)

Introduction and objective: The experience of family caregivers after nursing home admission has received much less attention, probably because many caregivers experience an initial sense of initial emotional relief. However, for some caregivers nursing home admission is a stressor despite the reduced physical burden of caregiving. Caregiver distress following institutionalization has been related to the new burdens and challenges encountered in the nursing home. Ambivalence and guilt related to the institutionalization decision have been identified as sources of stress. Therefore, this study examined the effect of guilt and well-being on the perceived stress of family caregivers of institutionalized dependent persons. Materials and methods: Two hundred and one family caregivers of institutionalized persons in a nursing home (La Rioja, Spain) participated. Perceived stress, caregiving guilt and subjective well-being, sociodemographic and caregiving-related variables were assessed. Linear regression analyses and correlations between variables were performed. Results: Guilt and five dimensions of well-being (anxiety, vitality, self-control and depression, except general health) significantly predicted stress (R2adj=.552 (F (6, 198)=41.71, P<.001)). The effect size was large (95% CI=.461). Conclusions: Paying attention to family caregivers’ feelings of guilt during institutionalization is important. This will enable the design and implementation of psychosocial interventions that improve caregiver adjustment immediately after institutionalization. (AU)

[Guilt and well-being in institutionalized family caregivers of dependent older adult people]. / Culpa y bienestar en cuidadores familiares de personas mayores dependientes institucionalizadas.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The experience of family caregivers after nursing home admission has received much less attention, probably because many caregivers experience an initial sense of initial emotional relief. However, for some caregivers nursing home admission is a stressor despite the reduced physical burden of caregiving. Caregiver distress following institutionalization has been related to the new burdens and challenges encountered in the nursing home. Ambivalence and guilt related to the institutionalization decision have been identified as sources of stress. Therefore, this study examined the effect of guilt and well-being on the perceived stress of family caregivers of institutionalized dependent persons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred and one family caregivers of institutionalized persons in a nursing home (La Rioja, Spain) participated. Perceived stress, caregiving guilt and subjective well-being, sociodemographic and caregiving-related variables were assessed. Linear regression analyses and correlations between variables were performed. RESULTS: Guilt and five dimensions of well-being (anxiety, vitality, self-control and depression, except general health) significantly predicted stress (R2adj=.552 (F (6, 198)=41.71, P<.001)). The effect size was large (95% CI=.461). CONCLUSIONS: Paying attention to family caregivers' feelings of guilt during institutionalization is important. This will enable the design and implementation of psychosocial interventions that improve caregiver adjustment immediately after institutionalization.

Role of inorganic cations in the excitonic properties of lead halide perovskites.

We theoretically investigate lead iodide perovskites of general formula APbI3 for a series of metallic cations (namely Cs+, Rb+, K+, Na+ and Li+) by means of density functional theory, the GW method and the Bethe-Salpeter equation including spin-orbit coupling. We demonstrate that the low-energy edges (up to 1.3 eV) of the absorption spectra are dominated by weakly bound excitons, with binding energies Eb of ∼ 30-80 meV, and the corresponding intensities increase as metallic cations become lighter. The middle parts of the spectra (1.8-2.4 eV), on the other hand, contain optical dipole transitions comprising more confined excitons (Eb ∼ 150-200 meV) located at PbI3. These parts of the spectra correspond to the optical-gain wavelengths which are experimentally achieved in optically pumped perovskite lasers. Finally, the higher energy parts, from about 2.8 eV (LiPbI3) to 4.3 eV (CsPbI3), contain optical transitions with very confined excitons (Eb ∼ 220-290 meV) located at halide atoms and the empty states of the metallic cations.

Coping and guilt in informal caregivers: a predictive model based on structural equations.

Caregivers experience great stress, and coping can be one of the factors, which determine the extent of stress. The aim of the present paper is to analyze the effects of coping strategies on distress of the older adult's caregiver, including guilt as a mediating factor in those maladaptive strategies. The sample consisted of 201 informal caregivers of institutionalized older adults. The three constructs measured were: stress, guilt, and coping strategies. Results showed that strategies that have a better ability to reduce stress are active, positive reframing and acceptance; on the contrary, behavioral disengagement, self-distraction, self-blame and venting positively predicted the feeling of guilt that facilitated the perception of stress. Given the important association obtained between the experience of guilt and psychological distress in caregivers, it could be relevant to develop psychoeducational interventions with caregivers including techniques to reduce this feeling of guilt and develop cognitive behavioral strategies that facilitate adaptation.

Emotional intelligence predicting ego integrity in healthy older adults.

OBJECTIVES: A characteristic task in aging is the process of reevaluating and reflecting on one's life in order to give it meaning. The successful resolution of this task is defined as ego-integrity, and it is related to various psychological phenomena that foster the person's adaptation to change. The objective was to adapt an ego-integrity scale in a sample of older adults and study the relationships between emotional intelligence, coping strategies, and mood to find out whether they are predictors of ego-integrity. METHODS: The sample included 401 healthy older adults (241 women; ages 65-95, M = 73.69, SD = 6.83). Statistical analyses included structural equation models. Northwestern Ego-integrity Scale 9-item was tested showing that a structure with two unrelated factors fitted the data well. The internal consistency was satisfactory (.82 integrity and .72 despair). RESULTS: Emotional intelligence positively predicted problem-focused adaptive coping strategies (problem solving and positive reassessment) and negatively predicted state of mind (depression and hopelessness), whereas adaptive coping positively predicted integrity, and mood predicted it negatively. CONCLUSION: Emotional intelligence skills, adaptive coping strategies, and mood largely determine the successful resolution of the ego integrity conflict and are relevant resources in successful aging.

Genistein effect on cognition in prodromal Alzheimer's disease patients. The GENIAL clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Delaying the transition from minimal cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's dementia is a major concern in Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics. Pathological signs of AD occur years before the onset of clinical dementia. Thus, long-term therapeutic approaches, with safe, minimally invasive, and yet effective substances are recommended. There is a need to develop new drugs to delay Alzheimer's dementia. We have taken a nutritional supplement approach with genistein, a chemically defined polyphenol that acts by multimodal specific mechanisms. Our group previously showed that genistein supplementation is effective to treat the double transgenic (APP/PS1) AD animal model. METHODS: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, bicentric clinical trial, we evaluated the effect of daily oral supplementation with 120 mg of genistein for 12 months on 24 prodromal Alzheimer's disease patients. The amyloid-beta deposition was analyzed using 18F-flutemetamol uptake. We used a battery of validated neurocognitive tests: Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), Memory Alteration Test (M@T), Clock Drawing Test, Complutense Verbal Learning Test (TAVEC), Barcelona Test-Revised (TBR), and Rey Complex Figure Test. RESULTS: We report that genistein treatment results in a significant improvement in two of the tests used (dichotomized direct TAVEC, p = 0.031; dichotomized delayed Centil REY copy p = 0.002 and a tendency to improve in all the rest of them. The amyloid-beta deposition analysis showed that genistein-treated patients did not increase their uptake in the anterior cingulate gyrus after treatment (p = 0.878), while placebo-treated did increase it (p = 0.036). We did not observe significant changes in other brain areas studied. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that genistein may have a role in therapeutics to delay the onset of Alzheimer's dementia in patients with prodromal Alzheimer's disease. These encouraging results indicate that this should be followed up by a new study with more patients to further validate the conclusion that arises from this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01982578, registered on November 13, 2013.

Enhancing Immediate Memory, Potential Learning, and Working Memory with Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Healthy Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has emerged as a prevention method or minimizer of the normal cognitive deterioration that occurs during the aging process. tDCS can be used to enhance cognitive functions such as immediate memory, learning, or working memory in healthy subjects. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two 20-min sessions of anodal transcranial direct stimulation on immediate memory, learning potential, and working memory in healthy older adults. METHODS: A randomized, single-blind, repeated-measures, sham-controlled design was used. The sample is made up of 31 healthy older adults, of whom 16 were in the stimulation group and 15 were in the sham group. The anode was placed on position F7, coinciding with the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex region, and the cathode was placed on Fp2, the right supraorbital area (rSO). RESULTS: When comparing the results of the treatment group and the sham group, differences were observed in working memory and learning potential; however, no differences in immediate memory were found. CONCLUSION: The results showed that tDCS is a non-invasive and safe tool to enhance cognitive processes in healthy older adults interested in maintaining some cognitive function.

Comparison of Emotion Recognition in Young People, Healthy Older Adults, and Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: The basic discrete emotions, namely, happiness, disgust, anger, fear, surprise, and sadness, are present across different cultures and societies. Facial emotion recognition is crucial in social interactions, but normal and pathological aging seem to affect this ability. The present research aims to identify the differences in the capacity for recognition of the six basic discrete emotions between young and older healthy controls (HOC) and mildly cognitively impaired patients (MCI). METHOD: The sample (N = 107) consisted of 47 young adults, 27 healthy older adults, and 33 MCI patients. Several neuropsychological scales were administered to assess the cognitive state of the participants, followed by the emotional labeling task on the Ekman 60 Faces test. RESULTS: The MANOVA analysis was significant and revealed the presence of differences in the emotion recognition abilities of the groups. Compared to HOC, the MCI group obtained a significantly lower number of hits on fear, anger, disgust, sadness, and surprise. The happiness emotion recognition rate did not differ significantly among the three groups. Surprisingly, young people and HOC did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrated that MCI was associated with facial emotion recognition impairment, whereas normal aging did not seem to affect this ability.

Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy to Improve Sleep Quality in Older Adults with Insomnia

There is a high prevalence of insomnia in older adults, which has negative consequences for their well-being and quality of life. The recommendation for first-line treatments is to administer non-pharmacological interventions. The objective of this research was to verify the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in older adults with subclinical and moderate insomnia, studying its impact on sleep quality. One hundred and six older adults participated and were assigned to the subclinical insomnia (n = 50) or moderate insomnia (n = 56) groups; subsequently, they were randomly assigned to the control and intervention groups. Subjects were evaluated at two times with the Insomnia Severity Index and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Significant results were obtained on both scales, with a reduction in insomnia symptoms in the subclinical and moderate intervention groups. The administration of a treatment that combines mindfulness and cognitive therapy is effective for treating insomnia in older adults. (AU)

Existe una alta prevalencia de insomnio en los adultos mayores, lo que tiene consecuencias negativas para su bienestar y calidad de vida. La recomendación para los tratamientos de primera línea es administrar intervenciones no farmacológicas. El objetivo de esta investigación fue verificar la efectividad de la terapia cognitiva basada en mindfulness en adultos mayores con insomnio subclínico y moderado, estudiando su impacto en la calidad del sueño. Participaron 106 adultos mayores que fueron asignados a los grupos de insomnio subclínico (n = 50) o de insomnio moderado (n = 56); posteriormente, fueron asignados aleatoriamente a los grupos de control y de intervención. Los sujetos fueron evaluados antes y después de la intervención con el índice de gravedad del insomnio y el índice de calidad del sueño de Pittsburgh. Se obtuvieron resultados significativos en ambas escalas, con una reducción de los síntomas de insomnio en los grupos de intervención subclínica y moderada. La administración de un tratamiento que combina mindfulness y terapia cognitiva es eficaz para tratar el insomnio en adultos mayores. (AU)

Impaired recollection and initially preserved familiarity in a patient with bilateral fornix transection following third ventricle colloid cyst removal: A two-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: Recognition memory is widely accepted as a dual process-based model, namely familiarity and recollection. However, the location of their specific neurobiological substrates remains unclear. Similar to hippocampal damage, fornix damage has been associated with recollection memory but not familiarity memory deficits. To understand the neural basis of recognition memory, determining the importance of the fornix and its hippocampal connections is essential. METHODS: Recognition memory was examined in a 45-year-old male who underwent a complete bilateral fornix section following the removal of a third ventricle colloid cyst. The application of familiarity and recollection for recognition memory decisions was investigated via an immediate and delayed associative recognition test and an immediate and delayed forced-choice task in the patient and a control group (N = 15) over a two-year follow-up period. Complete demographic, neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and neuroradiological characterizations of this patient were performed. RESULTS: Persistent immediate and delayed verbal recollection memory deficits were observed in the patient. Moreover, delayed familiarity-based recognition memory declined gradually over the follow-up period, immediate familiarity-based recognition memory was unaffected, and reduced non-verbal memory improved. CONCLUSION: The present findings support models that the extended hippocampal system, including the fornices, does not appear to play a role in familiarity memory but is particularly important for recollection memory. Moreover, our study suggests that bilateral fornix transection may be associated with relatively functional recovery of non-verbal memory.

Prevalencia, factores de riesgo y desenlace de delirium en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos del Hospital Ángeles del Carmen / Delirium prevalence, risk factors and outcome in the Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Ángeles del Carmen / Prevalência, fatores de risco e resultados do delirium na Unidade de Cuidados Intensivos Hospital Ángeles del Carmen

Resumen: Introducción: El delirium es común en pacientes críticos, se asocia con múltiples factores de riesgo, mal pronóstico y aumento de la mortalidad. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional analítico en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos entre 2017 y 2018. Se documentó la prevalencia de delirium, los factores de riesgo y su asociación con mortalidad, tratamiento farmacológico y no farmacológico. Se utilizó el paquete estadístico IBM© SPSS© Statistics V24. Resultados: Se incluyeron 563 pacientes. La prevalencia fue de 14% (n = 79). Los factores de riesgo más significativos fueron demencia (OR 9.0), sedación (OR 6.7), etilismo (OR 5.0), EuroSCORE > 5% (OR 4.8), ingesta deficiente (OR 4.6), infección nosocomial (OR 3.2), ventilación mecánica no invasiva (OR 2.8) y edad > 67 años (OR 2.7). La mortalidad fue de 10.1% (13.9% con delirium, 10.3% con delirium hiperactivo/mixto y 23.8% con delirium hipoactivo, OR 1.93, IC 95% de 0.88-4.19, p = 0.12). La ausencia de tratamiento no farmacológico se asoció a mayor mortalidad (30.8 vs 10.6%, OR 2.74, IC 95% de 1.02-7.39, p = 0.05). Conclusión: La prevalencia de delirium en nuestra unidad es baja, con diferente proporción por tipo de delirium y diferentes factores de riesgo. El delirium hipoactivo y la omisión de tratamiento no farmacológico se asociaron a mayor mortalidad.

Abstract: Introduction: Delirium is a common condition in critical care patients, and is associated with multiple risk factors, poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Material and methods: An observational analytic study was conducted in a the Intensive Care Unit during 2017-2018, documenting delirium prevalence, risk factors and their association with mortality, pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, using IBM© SPSS© Statistics V24. Results: 563 patients were included, finding a prevalence of 14% (n = 79). The most significant risk factors were preexisting dementia (OR 9.0), sedation (OR 6.7), alcohol abuse (OR 5.0), non-invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 2.8) and age > 67 years (OR 2.7). The general mortality rate was 10.1% (13.9% in patients with delirium, 10.3% in hyperactive/mixed delirium and 23.8% in hypoactive delirium, OR 1.93, CI 95% 0.88-4.19, p = 0.12). Absence of non-pharmacological treatment was associated with higher mortality (30.8 vs 10.6%, OR 2.74, CI 95% 1.02-7.39, p = 0.05). Conclusion: There is a low prevalence of delirium in our unit, with differences in delirium types and risk factors. Hypoactive delirium and absence of non-pharmacological treatment were associated with higher mortality.

Resumo: Antecedentes: Delirium é comum em pacientes críticos e está associado a múltiplos fatores de risco, mau prognóstico e aumento da mortalidade. Material e métodos: Realizou-se um estudo observacional analítico na unidade de terapia intensiva entre 2017 e 2018. Foram documentadas a prevalência de delirium, fatores de risco e sua associação com mortalidade, tratamento farmacológico e não farmacológico. Utilizou-se o pacote estatístico IBM©SPSS©Statistics V24. Resultados: Incluíram-se 563 pacientes. A prevalência foi de 14% (n = 79). Os fatores de risco mais significativos foram demência (OR 9.0), sedação (OR 6.7), alcoolismo (OR 5.0), Euroscore > 5% (OR 4.8), má ingestão (OR 4.6), infecção hospitalar (OR 3.2), ventilação mecânica não invasiva (OR 2.8) e idade > 67 anos (OR 2.7). A mortalidade foi de 10.1% (13.9% com delirium, 10.3% com delirium hiperativo/misto e 23.8% com delirium hipoativo, OR 1.93, IC 95% 0.88-4.19, p = 0.12). A ausência de tratamento não farmacológico foi associada a maior mortalidade (30.8 vs 10.6%, OR 2.74, IC 95% 1.02-7.39, p = 0.05). Conclusão: A prevalência de delirium em nossa unidade é baixa, com proporção diferente por tipo de delirium e diferentes fatores de risco. Delirium hipoativo e omissão de tratamento não farmacológico foram associados a maior mortalidade.

Virtual Spectral Selectivity in a Modulated Thermal Infrared Emitter with Lock-In Detection.

The need for affordable low-power devices has led MEMS-based thermal emitters to become an interesting option for optical gas sensors. Since these emitters have a low thermal mass, they can be easily modulated and combined with a lock-in amplifier for detection. In this paper, we show that the signal measured by a lock-in amplifier from a thermal emitter that varies its temperature periodically can have different spectral profiles, depending on the reference signal used. These virtual emitters appear because the Fourier series expansion of the emitted radiance, as a function of time, has different coefficients for each wavelength, and this spectral signature, which is different for each harmonic, can be retrieved using a reference signal that corresponds to its frequency. In this study, the effect is first proved theoretically and then is measured experimentally. For this purpose, we performed measurements with an IR camera provided with six different spectral filters of a modulated emitter, in combination with lock-in amplification via software. Finally, we show a potential application of this effect using multiple virtual emitters to gain spectral selectivity and distinguish between two gases, CO2 and CH4.