We provide easy and readable GNU Octave/MATLAB code for the simulation of mathematical models described by ordinary differential equations and for the solution of optimal control problems through Pontryagin’s maximum principle. For that, we consider a normalized HIV/AIDS transmission dynamics model based on the one proposed in our recent contribution (Silva, C.J.; Torres, D.F.M. A SICA compartmental model in epidemiology with application to HIV/AIDS in Cape Verde. Ecol. Complex. 2017, 30, 70–75), given by a system of four ordinary differential equations. An HIV initial value problem is solved numerically using the ode45 GNU Octave function and three standard methods implemented by us in Octave/MATLAB: Euler method and second-order and fourth-order Runge–Kutta methods. Afterwards, a control function is introduced into the normalized HIV model and an optimal control problem is formulated, where the goal is to find the optimal HIV prevention strategy that maximizes the fraction of uninfected HIV individuals with the least HIV new infections and cost associated with the control measures. The optimal control problem is characterized analytically using the Pontryagin Maximum Principle, and the extremals are computed numerically by implementing a forward-backward fourth-order Runge–Kutta method. Complete algorithms, for both uncontrolled initial value and optimal control problems, developed under the free GNU Octave software and compatible with MATLAB are provided along the article.

The current meta-analysis includes 477 records (N = 142,692) and comprehensively explores the complex interplay between psychopathy, antisocial behavior, and empathy. First, empathy domains (cognitive and affective) were used to dissociate antisocial behavior from psychopathy. Cognitive empathy was more impaired in antisocial groups (gcognitive = -0.43; gaffective = -0.11), while samples scoring higher in psychopathy displayed larger deficits in affective empathy (gaffective = -0.40; gcognitive = -0.22). Secondly, the specific associations between empathy domains and psychopathy dimensions were evaluated. Most effect sizes pertaining to psychopathy traits closely related to antisocial behavior were mild for both empathy domains (r = -0.03 to -0.21). Callous-affective traits were largely correlated with affective empathy (r = -0.34 to -0.46) and moderately correlated to cognitive empathy (r = -0.26 to -0.27). Diverging results were found for the interpersonal dimension, as boldness-adaptive manifestations were unrelated to cognitive empathy (r = 0.03), while non-adaptive interpersonal traits were negatively associated with both empathy domains (rcognitive = -0.16; raffective = -0.25). Overall, these findings suggest that: (1) psychopathy and antisocial behavior display distinct empathic profiles; (2) psychopathy dimensions are differentially associated with cognitive and affective empathy; (3) the interaction between interpersonal traits and empathy domains is different across the conceptual models of psychopathy. Keywords: psychopathy; personality; antisocial; empathy; theory of mind; social cognition

A new stable method for the reduction of rectangular dense matrices to bidiagonal form has been proposed recently. This is a one-sided method since it can be entirely expressed in terms of operations with (full) columns of the matrix under transformation. The algorithm is well suited to parallel computing and, in order to make it even more attractive for distributed memory systems, we introduce a modification which halves the number of communication instances. In this paper we present such a modification. A block organization of the algorithm to use level~3 BLAS routines seems difficult and, at least for the moment, it relies upon level~2 BLAS routines. Nevertheless, we found that our sequential code is competitive with the LAPACK DGEBRD routine. We also compare the time taken by our parallel codes and the ScaLAPACK PDGEBRD routine. We investigated the best data distribution schemes for the different codes and we can state that our parallel codes are also competitive with the ScaLAPACK routine.

Objectives To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an exergame intervention as a tool to promote physical activity in outpatients with schizophrenia. Design Feasibility/Acceptability Study and Quasi-Experimental Trial. Method Sixteen outpatients with schizophrenia received treatment as usual and they all completed an 8-week exergame intervention using Microsoft Kinect® (20 min sessions, biweekly). Participants completed pre and post treatment assessments regarding functional mobility (Timed Up and Go Test), functional fitness performance (Senior Fitness Test), motor neurological soft signs (Brief Motor Scale), hand grip strength (digital dynamometer), static balance (force plate), speed of processing (Trail Making Test), schizophrenia-related symptoms (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) and functioning (Personal and Social Performance Scale). The EG group completed an acceptability questionnaire after the intervention. Results Attrition rate was 18.75% and 69.23% of the participants completed the intervention within the proposed schedule. Baseline clinical traits were not related to game performance indicators. Over 90% of the participants rated the intervention as satisfactory and interactive. Most participants (76.9%) agreed that this intervention promotes healthier lifestyles and is an acceptable alternative to perform physical activity. Repeated-measures MANOVA analyses found no significant multivariate effects for combined outcomes. Conclusion This study established the feasibility and acceptability of an exergame intervention for outpatients with schizophrenia. The intervention proved to be an appealing alternative to physical activity. Future trials should include larger sample sizes, explore patients' adherence to home-based exergames and consider greater intervention dosage (length, session duration, and/or frequency) in order to achieve potential effects.

Theoretical models have argued for a complex interaction between self-other distinction, interoception, and social cognition, despite inconsistent evidence. To examine the associations between self-other distinction and individual differences in interoception, empathy, and alexithymia. 51 college students (21.82 years; 47.1% male) completed the Imitation-Inhibition Task to assess self-other distinction and an online survey with questionnaires to evaluate empathy (Questionnaire of Cognitive and Affective Empathy), alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale), interoceptive attention (Body Perception Questionnaire - BPQ) and accuracy (Interoceptive Accuracy Scale). Zero-order correlations, t-tests, and hierarchical linear regressions were implemented for statistical analysis (preregistered at https://osf.io/w4qt6). Self-other distinction (indexed by imitation-inhibition scores) was marginally related to affective empathy, although this association was not significant when controlling for sex (male subjects displayed enhanced self-other distinction and worst affective empathy) and baseline reaction times. Imitation-inhibition was not associated with any other variable of interest. Findings regarding interoceptive attention should be interpreted with caution as only 18 subjects correctly interpreted the BPQ. Despite the reduced sample size, the current findings suggest that self-other distinction, as measured by the Imitation-Inhibition Task, is not associated with individual differences in interoception, empathy, or alexithymia.

Social cognitive impairment is a key feature of schizophrenia and social cognition training (SCT) is a promising tool to address these deficits. Neurobiological dysfunction in schizophrenia has been widely researched, but neuronal changes induced by SCT have been scarcely explored. This review aims to assess the neuroplastic effects of SCT in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for clinical trials testing the effects of SCT in functional and structural brain measurements of adult patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. A total of 11 studies were included: five used fMRI, two used EEG and ERP, one used ERP only, two used MEG and one study used MRI. Data extracting and processing regarding sociodemographic and clinical variables, intervention characteristics, neuroimaging procedures, neuroplastic findings, effect sizes and study quality criteria was completed by two raters. Results indicate a wide range of structural and functional changes in numerous regions and circuits of the social brain, including early perceptual areas, the limbic system and prefrontal regions. Despite the small number of trials currently available, evidence suggests that SCT is associated with neuroplastic changes in the social brain and concomitant improvements in social cognitive performance. There is a lack of extensive knowledge about the neural mechanisms that underlie social cognitive enhancement after treatment, but the reported findings may shed light on the neural substrates of social cognitive impairment in schizophrenia and how improved treatment procedures can be developed and applied.

The 2x2 factorial model has been recently proposed as a promising framework to measure individual differences in interoception. The first factor addresses which domain is being measured (interoceptive accuracy vs. attention), while the second distinguishes how it is being measured (self-report beliefs vs. objective performance). The current study examined the association between self-reported interoceptive accuracy and attention. We hypothesized no linear association between these constructs, although a quadratic U-shaped association was expected. Furthermore, alexithymia should be differentially related to interoceptive accuracy and attention. An online community sample (*n *= 515) completed the Interoceptive Accuracy Scale (IAS), the Body Perception Questionnaire (BPQ) *ndexing self-reported interoceptive attention, and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS). Pearson correlations, Steiger’s Z-test, polynomial regression analysis, and two-lines testing were used for statistical analysis. IAS was positively correlated with BPQ, r = .204, p < .001. In the polynomial regression analysis, the linear model indicated a positive association between IAS and BPQ (4.2%), but the quadratic term explained an additional 12.7% of the variance. Two-lines testing indicated a U-shaped association between self-report interoceptive accuracy and attention. IAS was negatively correlated with TAS, r = -.291, p < .001, while there was no significant association between BPQ and TAS, r = -.030, p = .500, as these correlations were statistically different. These results suggest that interoceptive accuracy and attention can be dissociated using self-report measures and may display a quadratic U-shaped association, providing further evidence for the 2x2 factorial model. Future studies should explore the non-linear relationship between interoceptive accuracy and attention using alternative questionnaires and performance-based measures.

Este manual de apoio à aprendizagem foi elaborado com o objetivo de dar suporte às unidades curriculares relacionadas com temas avançados de reabilitação dos ciclos de estudos de Licenciatura e Mestrado em Terapia Ocupacional da Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico do Porto, podendo ser igualmente utilizado noutros ciclos de estudos nas áreas de Terapia e Reabilitação e de Fisiologia Clínica. Consiste num guia compreensivo sobre a utilização da estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua como ferramenta de intervenção para a prestação de cuidados de saúde e reabilitação na doença mental e neurológica, abrangendo os seus fundamentos básicos, procedimentos de aplicação prática e segurança, parametrização de protocolos (incluindo a utilização de modelos computacionais) e evidência atualizada sobre a sua eficácia.

Employment is one of the main concerns of patients with mental illness. Several international guidelines state that Individual Placement and Support (IPS) is the most effective intervention to address these needs. It is based on several principles such as focus on competitive employment, attention to client preferences, rapid job search, individualized job supports and eligibility based on client choice.

Nas últimas décadas a investigação na área das neurociências aplicadas tem explorado diversas alternativas focadas na indução de processos neuroplásticos para efeitos de reabilitação. A estimulação cerebral não-invasiva é um conjunto de técnicas baseadas na produção de energia que visam modular padrões de atividade no córtex cerebral e, consequentemente, modificar os processos biológicos e comportamentais suportados pelas regiões estimuladas. Atualmente, as técnicas mais frequentemente utilizadas e promissoras são a estimulação magnética transcraniana, que consiste na aplicação de um campo magnético que provoca a despolarização de neurónios na região cerebral de interesse, e a estimulação transcraniana por corrente contínua, que consiste na aplicação de correntes contínuas de baixa amperagem através de elétrodos de esponja para modular a excitabilidade cortical. Nos últimos anos têm sido realizados inúmeros estudos que sugerem que estas técnicas podem ser eficazes no processo de reabilitação de casos com acidente vascular encefálico, nomeadamente em indicadores relacionados com o funcionamento motor (e.g. destreza manual, espasticidade, marcha), afasia, neglect e no próprio desempenho de atividades da vida diária. Mais ainda, estes procedimentos têm sido utilizados em combinação com outras intervenções (e.g. Terapia Ocupacional, exercício físico, etc), potenciando a sua eficácia e garantindo melhores prognósticos após a lesão. Apesar de ainda existirem inúmeros desafios relacionados com a utilização destas técnicas (otimização dos protocolos, ensaios clínicos de maior qualidade, formação dos profissionais), o panorama da literatura atual sugere que podem ser alternativas promissoras para promover a funcionalidade e qualidade de vida em pessoas com lesão encefálica adquirida.