Novel Evidence hat Attributing Affectively Salient Signal to Random Noise Is Associated with Psychosis

We wished to replicate evidence that an experimental paradigm of speech illusions is associated with psychotic experiences. Fifty-four patients with a first episode of psychosis (FEP) and 150 healthy subjects were examined in an experimental paradigm assessing the presence of speech illusion in neutral white noise. Socio-demographic, cognitive function and family history data were collected. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) was administered in the patient group and the Structured Interview for Schizotypy-Revised (SIS-R), and the Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) in the control group. Patients had a much higher rate of speech illusions (33.3% versus 8.7%, ORadjusted: 5.1, 95% CI: 2.3-11.5), which was only partly explained by differences in IQ (ORadjusted: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.4-8.3). Differences were particularly marked for signals in random noise that were perceived as affectively salient (ORadjusted: 9.7, 95% CI: 1.8-53.9). Speech illusion tended to be associated with positive symptoms in patients (ORadjusted: 3.3, 95% CI: 0.9-11.6), particularly affectively salient illusions (ORadjusted: 8.3, 95% CI: 0.7-100.3). In controls, speech illusions were not associated with positive schizotypy (ORadjusted: 1.1, 95% CI: 0.3-3.4) or self-reported psychotic experiences (ORadjusted: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.4-4.6). Experimental paradigms indexing the tendency to detect affectively salient signals in noise may be used to identify liability to psychosis.

Análisis de los fondos de inversión globales en España

En este estudio se busca analizar los determinantes de la rentabilidad de los fondos de inversión globales, por un lado, y por otro los determinantes de la rentabilidad ajustada por riesgo de los mismos. Para ello, se han elaborado distintos modelos de carácter econométrico que permiten comprobar de manera empírica si las hipótesis iniciales eran correctas o no. Los modelos empleados han sido confeccionados a través del volcado de datos en formato de series temporales o time-series, y este conjunto de datos, tras trabajarlos, han dado lugar finalmente a la muestra final que se compone del promedio mensual de diversas variables en el periodo de tiempo comprendido entre los años 2002 y 2014. Por otro lado, se ha intentado presentar esta información de manera clara y sintetizada, apoyándose en tablas y gráficos que facilitan la comprensión del comportamiento de las variables utilizadas a lo largo del tiempo. En cuanto a los resultados finales obtenidos, cabe destacar que estos han sido más o menos los esperados. El hecho de trabajar con el conjunto de los fondos de inversión globales como un todo, utilizando los promedios de sus determinantes en serie temporal, hace que muchos de los factores que afectan individualmente a alguno de los fondos, no se noten tanto en el conjunto de todos ellos, como se verá a lo largo del estudio, o que estos efectos sean menores. Además, se ha trabajado con un número limitado de variables, cuando los fondos de inversión dependen de muchas de ellas y algunas muy difíciles de cuantificar, como podría ser la habilidad del gestor del fondo, el coste de las distintas comisiones, etc. Finalmente, se ha decidido no incluir las hojas de trabajo donde se han calculado uno a uno todos los datos que eran necesarios para realizar este estudio, principalmente por su extensión, así que se ha procedido a añadir los datos finales directamente, porque se sobreentiende que detrás de estos números hay un trabajo previo que permite llegar a estos resultados.

Sistemas automaticos de trading

[ES] Este proyecto se centra en los sistemas automáticos de trading, una herramienta cuya utilización en los mercados cada vez es mayor. El objetivo principal es dotar al lector de los conocimientos necesarios para desarrollar un sistema automático. Para ello, en primer lugar se explican la teoría de la eficiencia de los mercados y la de Dow, las cuales introducen al análisis fundamental y técnico, que luego, se definen y comparan entre sí. Después, se describen las figuras principales del análisis chartista y se analizan los indicadores del técnico. Antes de terminar, se ponen a prueba los conocimientos obtenidos mediante la realización del análisis técnico de Meliá Hotels. En la parte final, se define qué son los sistema automático de trading, se clasifican en grupos y se explican las ventajas frente al trading manual. Además, se desarrolla un sistema automático de trading para demostrar que con los conocimientos adquiridos durante el proyecto se podría desarrollar uno.

Data Gathering Bias: Trait Vulnerability to Psychotic Symptoms?

Background Jumping to conclusions (JTC) is associated with psychotic disorder and psychotic symptoms. If JTC represents a trait, the rate should be (i) increased in people with elevated levels of psychosis proneness such as individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), and (ii) show a degree of stability over time. Methods The JTC rate was examined in 3 groups: patients with first episode psychosis (FEP), BPD patients and controls, using the Beads Task. PANSS, SIS-R and CAPE scales were used to assess positive psychotic symptoms. Four WAIS III subtests were used to assess IQ. Results A total of 61 FEP, 26 BPD and 150 controls were evaluated. 29 FEP were revaluated after one year. 44% of FEP (OR = 8.4, 95% CI: 3.9-17.9) displayed a JTC reasoning bias versus 19% of BPD (OR = 2.5, 95% CI: 0.8-7.8) and 9% of controls. JTC was not associated with level of psychotic symptoms or specifically delusionality across the different groups. Differences between FEP and controls were independent of sex, educational level, cannabis use and IQ. After one year, 47.8% of FEP with JTC at baseline again displayed JTC. Conclusions JTC in part reflects trait vulnerability to develop disorders with expression of psychotic symptoms.

Análisis de los nuevos tipos de fondos de inversión en España

Evaluación de la gestión y la performance de los nuevos Fondos de Inversión en España.

Estructura de los flujos de entrada y salida de los fondos

This project is a study of the input and output flows of the investment funds which is divided into three parts. The first part, from section one to ten, is a theoretical part on investment funds in order to have an overview of the product exposed. The types of funds, their applicable fees and other information of interest are treated in this part as important issues. In the second part, the section twelve include all data on which work is to be exposed. This section analyzes the general performance of the funds, for this purpose a sample of the most significant years is used. In the third and last finally part, at section thirteen, it is made an econometric analysis with the dates previously exposed where some conclusions are extracted about what are the reasons for investment inflows and outflows in variable income assets.

Problemática de las cláusulas techo y suelo en la financiación hipotecaria

Este trabajo está dirigido a estudiar y comprender toda la polémica que se ha suscitado en los últimos años en torno a las cláusulas suelo y techo incorporadas a los contratos de préstamo hipotecario. Los techos y los suelos que limitan la variabilidad de los tipos de interés de los préstamos hipotecarios son instrumentos financieros derivados, ya que se forman a partir de sucesiones de opciones de compra y venta tipo FRA. Por ello se trata de instrumentos complejos. Muchos de los prestatarios que contratan estas cláusulas lo hacen por adhesión, sin negociar las condiciones ni ser informados de los riesgos que conlleva un producto de tal complejidad. Por otro lado, los prestatarios, también desconocen que los suelos y los techos contratados tienen un precio y cuál es este. Mediante el análisis de la Ley General para la Defensa de los Consumidores y Usuarios y la directiva MiFID observaremos si la comercialización de estos productos cumple con la legislación vigente. Por último a través del modelo de valoración Black 76 examinamos si los productos están correctamente valorados.

Dispersion of gamma-Alumina Nano-Sized Spherical Particles in a Calamitic Liquid Crystal. Study and Optimization of the Confinement Effects

We report an experimental study on confined systems formed by butyloxybenzylidene octylaniline liquid crystal (4O.8) + gamma-alumina nanoparticles. The effects of the confinement in the thermal and dielectric properties of the liquid crystal under different densities of nanoparticles is analyzed by means of high resolution Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) and broadband dielectric spectroscopy. First, a drastic depression of the N-I and SmA-N transition temperatures is observed with confinement, the more concentration of nanoparticles the deeper this depression is, driving the nematic range closer to the room temperature. An interesting experimental law is found for both transition temperatures. Second, the change in shape of the heat capacity peaks is quantified by means of the full width half maximum (FWHM). Third, the confinement does not noticeably affect the molecular dynamics. Finally, the combination of nanoparticles and the external applied electric field tends to favor the alignment of the molecules in metallic cells. All these results indicate that the confinement of liquid crystals by means of gamma-alumina nanoparticles could be optimum for liquid crystal-based electrooptic devices.

Pan para hoy...¿Hambre para mañana?

Nivel educativo: Grado. Duración (en horas): De 31 a 40 horas

Sphingomyelinase D/Ceramide 1-Phosphate in Cell Survival and Inflammation

Sphingolipids are major constituents of biological membranes of eukaryotic cells. Many studies have shown that sphingomyelin (SM) is a major phospholipid in cell bilayers and is mainly localized to the plasma membrane of cells, where it serves both as a building block for cell architecture and as a precursor of bioactive sphingolipids. In particular, upregulation of (C-type) sphingomyelinases will produce ceramide, which regulates many physiological functions including apoptosis, senescence, or cell differentiation. Interestingly, the venom of some arthropodes including spiders of the genus Loxosceles, or the toxins of some bacteria such as Corynebacterium tuberculosis, or Vibrio damsela possess high levels of D-type sphingomyelinase (SMase D). This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of SM to yield ceramide 1-phosphate (C1P), which promotes cell growth and survival and is a potent pro-inflammatory agent in different cell types. In particular, C1P stimulates cytosolic phospholipase A2 leading to arachidonic acid release and the subsequent formation of eicosanoids, actions that are all associated to the promotion of inflammation. In addition, C1P potently stimulates macrophage migration, which has also been associated to inflammatory responses. Interestingly, this action required the interaction of C1P with a specific plasma membrane receptor, whereas accumulation of intracellular C1P failed to stimulate chemotaxis. The C1P receptor is coupled to Gi proteins and activates of the PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK1-2 pathways upon ligation with C1P. The proposed review will address novel aspects on the control of inflammatory responses by C1P and will highlight the molecular mechanisms whereby C1P exerts these actions.

Puesta en marcha del nuevo cromatógrafo AC Reformulyzer M4 para la determinación de familias de hidrocarburos, oxigenados y benceno en gasolinas y naftas en refinería

El objetivo de este estudio es la puesta en marcha del cromatógrafo Analytical Control -Reformulyzer M4, destinado a la determinación de la composición de hidrocarburos, oxigenados y benceno en gasolinas y naftas de la refinería. Además, se trata de comprender la importancia del equipo en el marco industrial.

Sedimentazioaren gaineko kontrolak Murgiako diapiroaren ipar-mendebaldean

Eusko Kantauriar Arroko Albiar-Cenomaniar mugaren inguruan trnsgresio orkorra gertatu zen subsidentzia tektonikoaren desazelerazio eta diapirismoaren sortze efektuarekin batera. Honen ondorioz, kostaldeko ingurune siliziklastikoek oso erretrogradazio arina erakusten dute, hedapen handiko karbonatozko arrapal itsastar zabalen garapenerako eremua utziz. Analisi estratigrafikoaren bidez, Murgiako diapiroaren iparmendebaldeko Albiar-Cenomaniar trasizioko materialak aztertzen dira, aldaketa sedimentologiko arin honetarako ezaugarriak eta kontrolak ezagutzeko.

Phenotype consequences of myophosphorylase dysfunction: insights from the McArdle mouse model

McArdle disease, caused by inherited deficiency of the enzyme muscle glycogen phosphorylase (GP-MM), is arguably the paradigm of exercise intolerance. The recent knock-in (p.R50X/p.R50X) mouse disease model allows an investigation of the phenotypic consequences of muscle glycogen unavailability and the physiopathology of exercise intolerance. We analysed, in 2-month-old mice [wild-type (wt/wt), heterozygous (p.R50X/wt) and p.R50X/p.R50X)], maximal endurance exercise capacity and the molecular consequences of an absence of GP-MM in the main glycogen metabolism regulatory enzymes: glycogen synthase, glycogen branching enzyme and glycogen debranching enzyme, as well as glycogen content in slow-twitch (soleus), intermediate (gastrocnemius) and glycolytic/fast-twitch (extensor digitorum longus; EDL) muscles.

Valve surgery in active infective endocarditis: a simple score to predict in-hospital prognosis

Aims Surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high mortality. Our objectives were to describe the experience with surgical treatment for IE in Spain, and to identify predictors of in-hospital mortality. Methods Prospective cohort of 1000 consecutive patients with IE. Data were collected in 26 Spanish hospitals. Results Surgery was performed in 437 patients (43.7%). Patients treated with surgery were younger and predominantly male. They presented fewer comorbid conditions and more often had negative blood cultures and heart failure. In-hospital mortality after surgery was lower than in the medical therapy group (24.3 vs 30.7%, p = 0.02). In patients treated with surgery, endocarditis involved a native valve in 267 patients (61.1%), a prosthetic valve in 122 (27.9%), and a pacemaker lead with no clear further valve involvement in 48 (11.0%). The most common aetiologies were Staphylococcus (186, 42.6%), Streptococcus (97, 22.2%), and Enterococcus (49, 11.2%). The main indications for surgery were heart failure and severe valve regurgitation. A risk score for in-hospital mortality was developed using 7 prognostic variables with a similar predictive value (OR between 1.7 and 2.3): PALSUSE: prosthetic valve, age ≥ 70, large intracardiac destruction, Staphylococcus spp, urgent surgery, sex [female], EuroSCORE ≥ 10. In-hospital mortality ranged from 0% in patients with a PALSUSE score of 0 to 45.4% in patients with PALSUSE score > 3. Conclusions The prognosis of IE surgery is highly variable. The PALSUSE score could help to identify patients with higher in-hospital mortality.