An in vitro demonstration of a passive, acoustic metamaterial as a temperature sensor with mK resolution for implantable applications.

Wireless medical sensors typically utilize electromagnetic coupling or ultrasound for energy transfer and sensor interrogation. Energy transfer and management is a complex aspect that often limits the applicability of implantable sensor systems. In this work, we report a new passive temperature sensing scheme based on an acoustic metamaterial made of silicon embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix. Compared to other approaches, this concept is implemented without additional electrical components in situ or the need for a customized receiving unit. A standard ultrasonic transducer is used for this demonstration to directly excite and collect the reflected signal. The metamaterial resonates at a frequency close to a typical medical value (5 MHz) and exhibits a high-quality factor. Combining the design features of the metamaterial with the high-temperature sensitivity of the polydimethylsiloxane matrix, we achieve a temperature resolution of 30 mK. This value is below the current standard resolution required in infrared thermometry for monitoring postoperative complications (0.1 K). We fabricated, simulated, in vitro tested, and compared three acoustic sensor designs in the 29-43 °C (~302-316 K) temperature range. With this concept, we demonstrate how our passive metamaterial sensor can open the way toward new zero-power smart medical implant concepts based on acoustic interrogation.

Micronized Recycle Rubber Particles Modified Multifunctional Polymer Composites: Application to Ultrasonic Materials Engineering.

There is a growing interest in multifunctional composites and in the identification of novel applications for recycled materials. In this work, the design and fabrication of multiple particle-loaded polymer composites, including micronized rubber from end-of-life tires, is studied. The integration of these composites as part of ultrasonic transducers can further expand the functionality of the piezoelectric material in the transducer in terms of sensitivity, bandwidth, ringing and axial resolution and help to facilitate the fabrication and use of phantoms for echography. The adopted approach is a multiphase and multiscale one, based on a polymeric matrix with a load of recycled rubber and tungsten powders. A fabrication procedure, compatible with transducer manufacturing, is proposed and successfully used. We also proposed a modelling approach to calculate the complex elastic modulus, the ultrasonic damping and to evaluate the relative influence of particle scattering. It is concluded that it is possible to obtain materials with acoustic impedance in the range 2.35-15.6 MRayl, ultrasound velocity in the range 790-2570 m/s, attenuation at 3 MHz, from 0.96 up to 27 dB/mm with a variation of the attenuation with the frequency following a power law with exponent in the range 1.2-3.2. These ranges of values permit us to obtain most of the material properties demanded in ultrasonic engineering.

The use of a screening device to assess psychopathy in young offenders.

The aim of this research was to determine to what extent a psychopath screening device (the APSD) is useful in forensic assessments to predict general and violent offending. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was done and 238 young people serving a sentence were assessed. The gold standard instrument used to measure psychopathy was the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003). The results indicate that the association found between the screening device scores and several indicators of risk is low if compared with those obtained with the PCL:YV, suggesting that it is less useful as a tool in order to predict offending or violent offences. However, an Area Under the Curve of .784 and a validity index of 62.5 support its use as a screening device or as a preliminary approach to assess psychopathy in this population. The usefulness of this instrument to make assessments with young people in the forensic setting is discussed.

The use of a screening device to assess psychopathy in young offenders

The aim of this research was to determine to what extent a psychopath screening device (the APSD) is useful in forensic assessments to predict general and violent offending. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was done and 238 young people serving a sentence were assessed. The gold standard instrument used to measure psychopathy was the Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003). The results indicate that the association found between the screening device scores and several indicators of risk is low if compared with those obtained with the PCL:YV, suggesting that it is less useful as a tool in order to predict offending or violent offences. However, an Area Under the Curve of .784 and a validity index of 62.5 support its use as a screening device or as a preliminary approach to assess psychopathy in this population. The usefulness of this instrument to make assessments with young people in the forensic setting is discussed (AU)

Este trabajo tiene como finalidad determinar la medida en que un instrumento para el cribado de la psicopatía (el APSD) es útil en la predicción de la conducta delictiva y violenta de los delincuentes juveniles. Se realizó un estudio transversal con una muestra de 238 delincuentes juveniles que estaban cumpliendo una medida impuesta por el Juzgado de Menores. El instrumento que se empleó como criterio para determinar la capacidad predictiva fue la Psychopathy Checklist: Youth Version (PCL:YV; Forth, Kosson & Hare, 2003). Los resultados indican que existe una asociación baja entre las puntuaciones del instrumento de cribado APSD y diversos indicadores de riesgo de delincuencia, si la comparamos con la que muestra la PCL:YV con esos mismos factores de riesgo, lo que sugiere que la APSD es menos útil que la PCL:YV en la predicción de la delincuencia y la violencia en los jóvenes. No obstante, se observó que la APSD alcanzaba un Área Bajo la Curva de .784 y un índice de validez de 62.5, lo que avala su utilización como un instrumento de cribado o como un método preliminar para evaluar la psicopatía entre los delincuentes juveniles. Finalmente se discute el uso del instrumento de cribado en el contexto forense juvenil (AU)

Crime prevention: More evidence-based analysis / La prevención del delito: más análisis basados en la evidencia

This paper introduces a new section of Psicothema dedicated to the evidence-based approach to crime prevention. Along with an original sexual-offender-treatment programme implemented in Spain, this section presents four systematic reviews of important subjects in the criminological arena, such as sexual offender treatment, the well-known «Reasoning and Rehabilitation» programme, the effectiveness of custodial versus non-custodial sanctions in reoffending and the fight against terrorism. We also highlight some of the focal points that scientists, practitioners and governments should take into account in order to support this evidence-based viewpoint of crime prevention (AU)

Este artículo introduce una nueva sección que la Revista Psicothema dedica a la aproximación basada en la evidencia en la prevención del delito. Junto a un estudio original acerca de un programa de tratamiento de delincuentes sexuales aplicado en España, esta sección ofrece cuatro revisiones sistemáticas en torno a tópicos relevantes de la Criminología, tales como el tratamiento de los delincuentes sexuales, el bien conocido programa «Razonamiento y Rehabilitación», la efectividad de las penas cortas en comparación con las largas, y las estrategias empleadas para combatir el terrorismo. También destacamos algunos de los puntos esenciales que los científicos, profesionales y gestores políticos deberían considerar con objeto de apoyar esta perspectiva basada en la evidencia (AU)

Efficacy of a psychological treatment for sex offenders / Eficacia de un tratamiento psicológico para delincuentes sexuales

The aims of the present paper are the following: firstly, to describe the psychological treatment administered to sexual offenders in Spain; secondly, to assess the effectiveness of the application of this psychological treatment in the prison of Brians (Barcelona). For this purpose, two equivalent groups were selected: a treatment group of 49 subjects who received the whole treatment program, and an untreated control group of 74 subjects. These groups were selected taking into account various risk factors in order to guarantee group comparability. The main results not only show the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioural program for sexual offenders but also that the effectiveness of this program exceeds the average of similar programs in the meta-analytic reviews performed to date (AU)

Los objetivos de este artículo son dos. En primer lugar, describir el tratamiento psicológico que se aplica con los delincuentes sexuales en España. En segundo término, evaluar la efectividad de dicho tratamiento en la prisión Brians de Barcelona. Con este propósito se seleccionaron dos grupos: un grupo de tratamiento integrado por 49 sujetos que habían recibido el programa de tratamiento completo, y un grupo de control constituido por 74 sujetos que no habían recibido dicho tratamiento. Ambos grupos se crearon teniendo en cuenta diversos factores de riesgo con la finalidad de asegurar la equivalencia de los grupos. Los principales resultados obtenidos no sólo muestran una buena eficacia del tratamiento cognitivo-conductual aplicado con los delincuentes sexuales, sino también que dicho tratamiento supera, en esta evaluación, la efectividad promedio de programas similares en las evaluaciones que se han realizado con anterioridad (AU)

Crime prevention: more evidence-based analysis.

This paper introduces a new section of Psicothema dedicated to the evidence-based approach to crime prevention. Along with an original sexual-offender-treatment programme implemented in Spain, this section presents four systematic reviews of important subjects in the criminological arena, such as sexual offender treatment, the well-known <> programme, the effectiveness of custodial versus non-custodial sanctions in reoffending and the fight against terrorism. We also highlight some of the focal points that scientists, practitioners and governments should take into account in order to support this evidence-based viewpoint of crime prevention.

Efficacy of a psychological treatment for sex offenders.

The aims of the present paper are the following: firstly, to describe the psychological treatment administered to sexual offenders in Spain; secondly, to assess the effectiveness of the application of this psychological treatment in the prison of Brians (Barcelona). For this purpose, two equivalent groups were selected: a treatment group of 49 subjects who received the whole treatment program, and an untreated control group of 74 subjects. These groups were selected taking into account various risk factors in order to guarantee group comparability. The main results not only show the efficacy of the cognitive-behavioural program for sexual offenders but also that the effectiveness of this program exceeds the average of similar programs in the meta-analytic reviews performed to date.

What works for serious juvenile offenders? A systematic review / ¿Qué funciona con los delincuentes juveniles graves? Una revisión sistemática

This study examines the outcomes of best available empirical research regarding the effectiveness of treatment programs implemented in secure corrections to prevent the recidivism of serious (violent and chronic) juvenile offenders (from 12 to 21 years old). In this review 30 experimental and quasi-experimental studies are analyzed, comparing 2831 juveniles in the treatment groups and 3002 youths for the control groups. The global effect size of these 30 studies in terms of standarized mean difference was d= 0,14 in favour of the treatment groups. This size effect, in terms of «r» coefficient reached the value of 0,07, of low magnitude. The cognitive-behavioral methods of treatment were the most effective in decreasing recidivism. These results report that the rehabilitation programs for serious offenders achieve to reduce the general recidivism in comparison with the control juveniles in approximately seven percent

Este artículo examina los resultados de la mejor evidencia empírica disponible con respecto a la efectividad de los programas de tratamiento implementados en centros cerrados o prisiones juveniles para prevenir la reincidencia de delincuentes juveniles graves (violentos y habituales), en edades comprendidas entre los 12 y los 21 años. Se revisan 30 estudios experimentales y cuasiexperimentales, con un total de 2.831 jóvenes en los grupos de tratamiento y 3.002 en los grupos de comparación. El tamaño del efecto global en términos de reducción de la reincidencia fue de d= 0.14 a favor de los grupos tratados, lo que supone una reducción de la reincidencia del 7%. Los métodos cognitivoconductuales fueron los más efectivos

What works for serious juvenile offenders? A systematic review.

This study examines the outcomes of best available empirical research regarding the effectiveness of treatment programs implemented in secure corrections to prevent the recidivism of serious (violent and chronic) juvenile offenders (from 12 to 21 years old). In this review 30 experimental and quasi-experimental studies are analyzed, comparing 2831 juveniles in the treatment groups and 3002 youths for the control groups. The global effect size of these 30 studies in terms of standardized mean difference was d = 0.14 in favour of the treatment groups. This size effect, in terms of "r" coefficient reached the value of 0.07, of low magnitude. The cognitive-behavioral methods of treatment were the most effective in decreasing recidivism. These results report that the rehabilitation programs for serious offenders achieve to reduce the general recidivism in comparison with the control juveniles in approximately seven percent.

Jóvenes y competencia social: un programa de intervención / No disponible

Desde hace más de diez años, la investigación sobre el modelo cognitivo (llamado en la adaptación española “el pensamiento prosocial”) ha mostrado resultados sustanciales en la prevención y el tratamiento de la conducta antisocial. Los estudios en EEUU, Canadá, Gales, Escocia y España (así como también en otros países en los que partes esenciales de este programa se han validado) indican que el hecho de mejorar las capacidades y habilidades sociocognitivas es una buena manera de ayudar a evitar la desadaptación personal y social. Nuestra investigación se centra en 275 estudiantes de secundaria en situación de riesgo, y pretende estudiar el impacto del modelo de pensamiento prosocial en su adaptación a jóvenes en la prevención del fracaso social y escolar. Presentamos los primeros resultados de esta investigación en una muestra de jóvenes valencianos, asturianos y onubenses (AU)

Youth and social competence: An intervention programme. During more than ten years the research abouth the cognitive model (called in the Spanish adaptation “the prosocial thinking”) has shown sustantive results in the prevention and treating of antisocial behavior. Studies in USA, Canada, Wales, Scotland and Spain (as well as other countries in wich some sustantive parts of this program have been tested) have indicated that improving socio-cognitive abilities and skills is a good mean to help avoiding personal and social desviation. Our research focuses in at-risk secondary school students, and pretend to study the impact of an adapted youth version of prosocial thinking program in the prevention of school and social failure. We offer the first results of this research in a sample of Valencian, Asturian and of Huelva youths (AU)

Los programas psicológicos con delincuentes y su efectividad: la situación europea / No disponible

En este artículo se revisan las técnicas de tratamiento más frecuentemente aplicadas con los delincuentes en Europa y su grado de efectividad. Con esta finalidad, se han efectuado hasta ahora tres meta-análisis. El primero correspondió a Lösel, Körfel y Weber (1987) que integraron 16 programas socioterapéuticos aplicados en prisiones alemanas. Posteriormente, en 1997 y 1999, Redondo, Sánchez-Meca y Garrido revisaron, respectivamente, 57 y 32 programas europeos. Los resultados de estas tres investigaciones son consistentes con los obtenidos por las revisiones norteamericanas; en promedio, los programas de tratamiento logran un tamaño del efecto o efectividad global de entre .10 y .15. Sin embargo, un nuevo meta-análisis de 26 programas, que presentamos en este trabajo, ha obtenido una estimación más elevada (y creemos que más precisa) de la efectividad de los programas, que es un promedio de r=0.21. De manera más concreta, los grupos de tratamiento obtuvieron una tasa de reincidencia del 39,5%, 21 puntos por debajo de la tasa del 60.5% obtenida por los grupos de control no tratados. Además, algunas tipología de programas (especialmente educativos, conductuales y cognitivo-conductuales) fueron claramente más efectivas que el promedio (AU)

Psychological programmes with offenders and their effectiveness: The European situation.. This paper reviews the treatment techniques most often applied in European countries and their relative effectiveness. Three meta-analyses have been conducted in this field during the last decades. In 1987 Lösel, Köferl and Weber reviewed 16 sociotherapeutic programmes of German prisons. Afterwards, two different analyses, in 1997 and 1999, by Redondo, Sánchez-Meca and Garrido reviewed, respectively, 57 and 32 European programmes applied during the 80s and the beginning of the 90s. The main results of these reviews are in the direction of those obtained by American reviewed of correctional treatment. On the average, treatment programmes, presented in this paper, has obtained a higher (and in our opinion more precise) estimation of effect size than previous meta-analysis, of r+ = 0.21. In specific terms, the treated groups showed a recidivism rate of 39.5% compared to 60.5% of controls. Some typologies of programmes (especially educational, behavioural and cognitive-behavioural strategies) were more effective than the average (AU)

El tratamiento del psicópata / No disponible

En este artículo se introducen los principales tópicos que la investigación actual considera relevantes para analizar el tratamiento del psicópata. Seguidamente se discute la situación en España, y se concluye la gran dejadez con que las instituciones judiciales y correccionales se han acercado a los sujetos encuadrados en este diagnóstico. En el artículo se revisan los principales resultados de la investigación sobre la efectividad del tratamiento, incluyendo un meta-análisis realizado por nosotros (AU)

The treatment of psychopath. This paper is about the main topics research has pointed out concerning the treatment of psychopaths. It discuss also the situation in Spain, concluding how courts and correctional system alike have misunderstood the relevance of this diagnostic. We review the focal point of the research about the effectiveness of the research about the effectiveness of the treatment of the psychopath and include a meta-analysis made by our group (AU)