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The apps for drawing are present in our children's life. Nevertheless, little is known about the impact of mobile technology on the freehand drawing educational activity. There are few works which are contextualised within short periods of time, with teachers who are not theirs and, in some cases, outside the children's classroom. In this paper, we are focussed on the use of technology on freehand drawing activity. Thus, we have compared the graphics produced by 4- and 5-year-old children with paper&crayon in comparison with those with tablet-finger. Children made the drawings during a planned free-drawing activity, in their ordinary classrooms, with their teachers and during five sessions. Assessment of drawings has evidenced tablet feasibility for making graphics. Nevertheless, with the passing of time, quality of graphics (tablet-finger vs paper&crayons), are nearly matched, demonstrating the low impact level technology has on this activity. In addition, if drawings are analysed specifically according to ages, results have shown that both groups have to develop adaptation strategies of visual perceptual skills and fine motor skills for the touch screen in order to obtain the same quality in the drawings made on both support types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) have traditionally been considered separate disorders, although some similarities and overlaps in certain aspects of language have been detected. In this paper, we compare the deficits in receptive grammar in these two disorders. We analyse the proportion of grammatical errors in relation to semantic complexity in 84 children divided into four groups: children with autism language impairment (ALI), with autism language normal (ALN), with DLD, and with typical development (TD), all groups with the same age of receptive vocabulary. The results show significant differences in the comprehension of grammatical structures, both simple (canonical and non-reversible) and complex (non-canonical and reversible). Children with ASD and DLD show different language profiles depending on the syntactic complexity. In the simplest structures, no differences are found between the groups, starting at an equivalent vocabulary age of 7:8 years. However, there are differences between the ALI and DLD groups with respect to the TD group in the more complex structures, starting at an equivalent vocabulary age of 3 years. Therefore, both groups ALI and DLD present the greatest difficulties compared to ALN and TD. The paper discusses the importance of attending to these differences, since the repercussion of comprehension difficulties increases as children grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with developmental language disorders (DLD) are especially characterised by morphosyntactic difficulties. Nevertheless, previous studies have also shown that children with DLD have phonological difficulties. This paper aims to describe the productive and perceptive phonological speech profile of Spanish-Catalan children with DLD at the age of six in order to characterise the underlying nature of their difficulties. Fourteen Spanish-Catalan six-year-old children with DLD and 14 control children without language difficulties who attended the same class were assessed with the screening and discrimination tasks of the A-RE-HA: Análisis del Retraso del Habla (Speech Delay Analysis – Catalan and Spanish version). We analysed the production of words, syllables and phonemes, phoneme discrimination and phonological simplification processes used by these children. The results showed that children with DLD have a lower percentile in correct word structures, syllabic structures and phonemes, and have more difficulty discriminating phonemes. Detailed analyses revealed more difficulties with the most complex word and syllabic templates, and with almost all phonemes. Furthermore, children with DLD applied more phonological simplification processes than the control group. An individual analysis showed that only ten of the children with DLD also had a speech delay (percentile < 25), while four had scores in line with their age. These results show that most of the six-year-old children with DLD maintain speech difficulties, which are mainly phonological and not (or not only) articulatory. Therefore, individual differences with respect to speech delay in DLD must be taken into consideration to better detect these children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores how the use of smartphones vs. laptops influences students' engagement, behaviour and experience watching academic videos in a collaborative classroom. Experiments were run in authentic teaching sessions with a total of 483 first-year higher education students. The methodology applied is a quasi-experimental design with post-test-only, being the independent variable, the device used to visualise the academic videos. Results indicate that the use of laptops has provided better results in terms of student's engagement with the videos, their collaborative behaviour and satisfaction with the device. Hence, the findings of this research suggest that the type of mobile device used in activities that consider the use of videos in a collaborative class need to be carefully chosen to maximise the student's comfortability – and in consequence, their engagement with the video-based learning activity and their positive behaviour and experience within the collaborative context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper studies the relationship between computed tomography (CT) scan on admission, according to Marshall’s tomographic classification, and quality-of-life (QoL) after 1 year in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: This study used validated scales including the Glasgow Outcome Scale and the PAECC (Project for the Epidemiologic Analysis of Critical Care Patients) QoL questionnaire. Results: We enrolled 531 patients. After 1 year, 171 patients (32.2%) had died (missing data = 6.6%). Good recovery was seen in 22.7% of the patients, while 20% presented moderate disability. The PAECC score after 1 year was 9.43 ± 8.72 points (high deterioration). Patients with diffuse injury I had a mean of 5.08 points vs 7.82 in those with diffuse injury II, 11.76 in those with diffuse injury III and 19.29 in those with diffuse injury IV (p< 0.001). Multivariate analysis found that QoL after 1 year was associated with CT Marshall classification, depth of coma, age, length of stay, spinal injury and tracheostomy. Conclusions: Patients with TBI had a high mortality rate 1 year after admission, deterioration in QoL and significant impairment of functional status, although more than 40% were normal or self-sufficient. QoL after 1 year was strongly related to cranial CT findings on admission. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: This paper sought to quantify the particulate matter (PM2.5) pollutant's impact on short-term daily respiratory-cause mortality in the city of Madrid. Methods: As our dependent variable, we took daily mortality registered in Madrid from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2005, attributed to all diseases of the respiratory system as classified under heads J00-J99 of the ICD 10 and broken down as follows: J12-J18, pneumonia; J40-J44, chronic diseases of the respiratory system except asthma; J45-J46, asthma; and J96, respiratory failure. Results: The relative risk (RR) for daily overall respiratory mortality was RR 1.0281 (1.0043-1.0520), with a proportional attributable risk (PAR) of 2.74%. This effect occurred in lag 1; respiratory failure, RR 1.0816 (1.0119-1.1512) and PAR 7.54% at lag 5; and pneumonia, RR 1.0438 (1.0001-1.0875) and PAR 4.19% at lag 6. Conclusions: Our results reflect the association that exists between PM2.5 concentrations and daily respiratory-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Launay–Slade Hallucination Scale – Extended (LSHS-E) is one of the most used self-reported questionnaires to explore the multidimensionality of hallucinatory-like experiences (HLEs). This scale is defined as a 5-level Likert scale, which goes from 0-"certainly does not apply to me" to 4-"certainly applies to me." Like any Likert scale, the LSHS-E scale assumes that the ordinal categories are equally spaced among them, which might not be true, giving rise to possible issues in offering a valid interpretation of the responses. This study introduces a parametric model: the ordered stereotype model. This model determines the uneven spacing among ordinal responses, dictated by the studied data. This work shows that the ordinal categories of the LSHS-E scale are determined both by unequal spacing and by the spacing among the last three adjacent categories, which makes them indistinguishable. Subsequent analysis showed good internal reliability, and also a four-factor structure was maintained. The current study's findings suggest that people who suffer from HLEs might not easily disclose their experiences and so give neutral responses for fear of being stigmatized. Further, neutral responses might identify people at risk of psychosis, and individuals during the prodromal stage may not be aware of their transient or fleeting HLEs. Future research should determine the distance among the categories on a Likert scale as a first step before analyzing and understanding the data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The DSM-5ʹs new conception of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) includes, as a diagnostic criterion, the presence of persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs, thoughts, or expectations about oneself, others, the world, and one's guilt. These symptoms increase the symptomatic similarity with major depressive disorder (MDD) and with the negative cognitive triad of Beck's cognitive theory of depression and allow us to assume that the dysfunctional attitudes that this theory proposes as a vulnerability factor for MDD could also refer to PTSD. This study aims to examine the relationship between depressive dysfunctional attitudes and the symptoms and diagnosis of PTSD. A sample of 378 adult victims of terrorism completed measures of depressive dysfunctional attitudes (DAS-A), DSM-IV post-traumatic stress symptoms (PCL-S), depressive symptoms (BDI-II), and DSM-IV diagnosis of emotional disorders (SCID-I). A significant relationship was found between depressive dysfunctional attitudes and PTSD symptomatology, even after controlling for the effect of depression, sex, age, education level, anxiety, and previous depressive episodes. It was also found that victims with PTSD, with or without MDD, had more depressive dysfunctional attitudes than those without emotional disorders and more achievement-perfectionism attitudes than victims with emotional disorders other than PTSD or MDD. The results suggest that depressive dysfunctional attitudes could be a vulnerability factor for PTSD. The results also suggest the need to refine Beck's cognitive theory proposals about dysfunctional attitudes common and specific to each emotional disorder and identify potential therapeutic targets of cognitive therapies for these disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents three new data envelopment analysis-based approaches to assess the relative efficiency of mutual funds (MFs). Each model considers an appropriate risk measure as input and an appropriate return measure as output. The risk and return measures have been chosen so that the proposed models are consistent with third-order stochastic dominance (TSD) rules. This means that the MFs found efficient by the proposed models are also, in a necessity condition sense, TSD efficient and therefore of highest consideration for all non-satiated, risk averse investors that also have decreasing absolute risk aversion. The proposed approach is illustrated with real data on a set of Spanish MFs and compared with existing approaches from the literature based on Mean-Variance and Mean-Variance-Skewness models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explain inequality, a multifactor ANOVA model is applied to the logarithm of income. Three definitions of income are analysed to see how they influence the results. Regardless the definition used, education and activity of the household head turn out to be the most significant factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic affects the whole world. Spain is 5th in the world and 3rd in Europe with the largest number of diagnosed cases. Spanish citizens' attitudes are important in controlling the pandemic. This research assessed attitudes of Spaniards toward COVID-19 in two studies. One (n = 64) was conducted in a shopping centre in Madrid and another (n = 640) online. The results of both studies suggest that women in Spain have a 'more responsible' attitude toward the COVID-19 than men. Young adults (18–25 years) scored lower on compliance with safety measures and perceived need to stay home than older adults. In Study 1, level of compliance, knowing someone at risk, and knowing someone infected predicted 31.2% of the variance in the perceived need to stay home. In Study 2, personal concern, level of compliance, keeping distance from others, and perceived social alarm predicted 28.5% of the variance in perceived need to stay home. Regardless of age and/or gender, Spanish people's personal concern about COVID-19 was less than their perceived social alarm about it. These results might help policy makers in considering public attitudes which could play an important role in controlling the current, and possibly a second, wave of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People around the world spend hours of their daily lives using smartphones; therefore, it is important to conduct cross-cultural research on the effects of smartphone use on health and well-being as culture influences values, motivations and communication patterns. The purpose of this study was to explore 5 popular uses of the smartphone – messaging, browsing the Internet, posting social content, reading social content, and playing games – how they relate to anxiety and depression scores, and how they vary depending on the country of the participants: Spain, the United States, and Colombia. In all three countries the ranking of most popular uses was the same: (1) Messaging, (2) Reading social content, and (3) Browsing the Internet. In the USA, game playing contributed to anxiety scores whereas reading social content was a protective factor; regarding depression scores, text messaging was a contributing factor. In Spain, browsing the Internet contributed to anxiety scores; regarding depression scores, messaging was a contributing factor and posting social content was a protective factor. In Colombia, no specific use influenced anxiety scores; regarding depression scores, only game playing was a protective factor. Our results showed that in all the countries, problematic smartphone use contributed to anxiety scores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Spain, a country of great cultural diversity, there is an increasing demand for psychosocial care for victims of gender-based violence. The objective is to describe the psychosocial profile of these women residing in the Autonomous Community of Galicia. In a sample (n = 40) of victims of intimate partner violence, it was found a high incidence of PTSD, depression, and low self-esteem associated with greater severity of PTSD and depression. A prolonged relationship increases the types of violence experienced, which is associated with particular psychosocial conditions that are analyzed quanti-qualitatively in order to recommend interventions consistent with the problems detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines how young adults experience theatre and how this activity impacts their personal development. A total of 305 subjects, between 14 and 29 years old, completed the 'Theatre and me' (T&Y) battery of questions. Correlation and variance analysis were conducted considering age and gender. Older subjects reported that participating in drama activities has a greater impact on their lives, helps them to have a greater proclivity to take risks and to be more open-minded. With respect to gender, girls score higher than boys in 'Tolerance to Risk-Taking and Commitment', 'Identity and Consciousness', Expression of Feeling' and 'Escape'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The primary clinical manifestations of hemophilia are muscle and joint bleeding. Recurrent bleeding leads to a degenerative process known as hemophilic arthropathy. Fascial therapy is one of the most used physiotherapy techniques today to improve joint dysfunctions and chronic pain. Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of fascial therapy treatment in patients with hemophilic arthropathy of ankle and knee. Design: Non-randomized, controlled clinical trial. Intervention: Sixteen patients with hemophilia were allocated to an experimental group or to a control group. The physiotherapy intervention was performed through three sessions (one per week), for 60 min per session. Patients received a physiotherapy treatment using a fascial therapy protocol for patients with hemophilia. Main Outcome Measures: The joint status was evaluated using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score; pain was assessed with the Visual Analogue Scale; the range of movement was evaluated using a universal goniometer; the flexibility of the hamstring muscles was assessed with the fingertip-to-floor, and the lumbar mobility through the Schöber test. Results: We observed significant differences in the experimental group for both quality of life and illness behavior. There was no significant improvement in the joint status; however, an improvement was noted in terms of perception of pain in the ankle. Conclusions: A physiotherapy program based on fascial therapy is safe in patients with hemophilia. Fascial therapy may improve joint status, pain, and mobility in patients with hemophiliac arthropathy of the knee and ankle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to investigate the phonetic realisation of the voicing feature in two tumour resection-related Spanish speakers with apraxia of speech. Temporal parameters related to the phonological contrast of voicing in Spanish have been analysed for intervocalic voiced and voiceless obstruents embedded in isolated words and nonwords, and compared with data collected from healthy speakers. Results indicate that in devoiced productions, where VOT values fitted the 'voiceless stops' category, vowel duration values matched those of voiced stops and suggested the preservation of contextual voicing cues. An attempt at preserving a consonant/vowel duration ratio consistent with aerodynamic predictions for voicing contrast has been observed in apraxic correct production as well as in devoicing errors, but not in the control group, which could be interpreted as a compensatory mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of European Journal of Social Work is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aimed to compare the effect of 6 weeks of resistance training or combined resistance training and change of direction exercises on physical performance and motor skills in futsal players. Thirty-four futsal players were divided into full squat group (SG, n = 12), combined full squat and change of direction exercises group (S+CDG, n = 12) and control group (CG, n = 10). The resistance training for SG consisted of full squat with low load (∼45-58% 1RM) and low volume (4-6 repetitions), whereas the S+CDG performed the same resistance training program combined with loaded change of direction. Sprint time in 10 and 20 m, change of direction test, countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) height, maximal strength and force-velocity relationship in full squat exercise, kicking speed ball (BSmean ) and repeated sprint ability (RSAmean ) were selected as testing variables. Both experimental groups showed significant improvements for CMJ, BSmean and all strength parameters. Only SG resulted in significant sprint gains, whereas S+CDG also achieved significant improvements in RSAmean.The CG remained unchanged after training period. No significant differences were found between both experimental groups. These findings suggest that only 12 sessions of either lightweight resistance training alone, lifting the load at maximal intended velocity or combined with change of direction exercises is enough to improve several physical and skills capacities critical to futsal performance in adult players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gran Canaria Island is frequently impacted by Saharan dust, a health hazard of particular concern to the island population and health agencies. Airborne mineral dust has the severest impact on the higher age groups of the population, and those with respiratory conditions; despite that, on average, the ambient particulate matter (PM) concentrations fall within international PM guidelines. During 2010 and 2011, an epidemiological survey, in parallel with an air quality study, was conducted at the Dr Negrín hospital in Gran Canaria. This included the quarterly monitoring of outpatients and recording of emergency patients with respiratory diseases, together with the measurement of aerosol, meteorological, and PM-related air quality levels. The finer more toxic particles were collected with PM2.5 (particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter less than 2.5 μm) aerosol samplers. The filter samples were gravimetrically and chemically analyzed for their elemental, water-soluble ions, carbon, and mineralogical contents. Individual particle morphology was measured by Scanning Electron Microscopy. Statistical analysis of the chemical and clinical data included the analysis of variance and calculation of Spearman correlation coefficients. No statistically significant relations were found between the allergic control group, the emergency room admissions, pulmonary conditions, medication, and elevated Saharan dust levels. However, changing environmental conditions, such as an increase in humidity or a reduction in ambient air temperature made a significant difference to the outcomes recorded on the health statements of the allergic and respiratory illness groups of the Gran Canary population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Validity and reliability of the cross-cultural adaptive translation of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), to monitor gross motor development in infants from 0 to 18 months of age, were evaluated. Methods: A cross-cultural translation was used to generate a Spanish version of the AIMS. Fifty infants at risk or with diagnosis of motor delay, 0–18 months of age, participated in this study. Two independent physical therapists scored infants on the AIMS. Concurrent validity was tested using the AIMS and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development – III (Bayley – III). Results: Reliability and the internal consistency were high (ICCs ranged from 0.94 to 1.00 and KR-20 ranged from 0.90 to 0.98, respectively). AIMS and Bayley – III scores correlated strongly (r = 0.97). Conclusion: The Spanish version of the AIMS presented excellent validity and reliability. Further studies are suggested in order to assess the AIMS in preterm babies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of information and communication technologies has allowed employees to perform work at an approved alternative worksite. Although family firm is the predominant form of business organisation, no study has analysed their peculiarities in adopting teleworking practices. Family firms are characterised by the alignment of interests of ownership and management, long-term orientation and the pursuit of non-economic objectives. Grounded in the socio-emotional wealth approach and the Technology Acceptance Model, this study examines the idiosyncrasies of family governance in the perception of teleworking benefits and barriers to the adoption of teleworking. Using a sample of 200 Spanish companies, differences are found in the perceived barriers to teleworking. Although family firms perceive higher barriers, they do not influence on teleworking adoption. In contrast, in non-family firms, the decision to adopt teleworking is influenced by both the perceived benefits of teleworking and the perceived barriers. This means that Spanish family firms adopt teleworking evaluating only the perceived benefits. Although family firms may fear problems arising from teleworking when they decide to adopt it, they are more confident in their ability to implement it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study analyzes the relationship between gender and self-perceived health status in Spanish retirees and housewives from a sample of 1,106 community-dwelling older adults. A multivariate linear regression model was used in which self-perceived health status was measured by the EQ-5D visual analogue scale and gender according to work status (retired men and women and housewives). Retired males reported a significantly better health status than housewives. Self-perceived health status was closely associated with physical, mental, and functional health and leisure activities. Finally, being a woman with complete dedication to domestic work is associated with a worse state of self-perceived health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To compare speech reception thresholds (SRTs) in noise using matrix sentence tests in four languages: German, Spanish, Russian, Polish.Design:The four tests were composed of equivalent five-word sentences and were all designed and optimized using the same principles. Six stationary speech-shaped noises and three non-stationary noises were used as maskers.Study sample:Forty native listeners with normal hearing: 10 for each language.Results:SRTs were about 3 dB higher for the German and Spanish tests than for the Russian and Polish tests when stationary noise was used that matched the long-term frequency spectrum of the respective speech test materials. This general SRT difference was also observed for the other stationary noises. The within-test variability across noise conditions differed between languages. About 56% of the observed variance was predicted by the speech intelligibility index. The observed SRT benefit in fluctuating noise was similar for all tests, with a slightly smaller benefit for the Spanish test.Conclusions:Of the stationary noises employed, noise with the same spectrum as the speech yielded the best masking. SRT differences across languages and noises could be attributed in part to spectral differences. These findings provide the feasibility and limits of comparing audiological results across languages. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives:Active ageing, considered from the perspective of participation in leisure activities, promotes life satisfaction and personal well-being. The aims of this work are to define and explain leisure activity profiles among institutionalized older adults, considering their sociodemographic characteristics and objective and subjective conditions in relation to their quality of life. Methods:Two samples of institutionalized people aged 60 and over were analysed together: 234 older adults without dementia and 525 with dementia. Sociodemographic, economic, family and social network, and health and functioning variables were selected. Cluster analysis was applied to obtain activity profiles according to the leisure activities, and ordinal regression models were performed to analyse factors associated to activity level. Results:The sample was clustered into three groups of people: active (27%), moderately active (35%) and inactive people (38%). In the final regression model (Nagelkerke pseudoR2= 0.500), a higher level of activity was associated with better cognitive function (Pfeiffer scale), self-perceived health status and functional ability, as well as with a higher frequency of gathering with family and friends, and higher educational level. Conclusion:The decline in physical and mental health, the loss of functional capabilities and the weakening of family and social ties represent a significant barrier to active ageing in a context of institutionalization. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Primary objective: The role of microglial activation in traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been extensively described in established animal models. In contrast, very few studies have analysed this process in human patients, the majority being focused on the local reaction in the contused parenchyma. In this work, the main objective was the analysis of microglial activation in brain regions distant from the primary lesion. Research design: Morphological changes of microglia were evaluated in the cerebral cortex of patients deceased from TBI in comparison with control subjects. Methods and procedures: Cortical samples from five cases with TBI and 10 controls were evaluated usingRicinus communislectin histochemistry and conventional Hematoxylin-eosin staining. Main outcomes and results: It was observed that microglial cells from patients with TBI presented shorter and thicker cellular projections compared with controls. Moreover, the percentage of histological area reactive to lectin was statistically higher in samples from subjects with TBI. These signs of microglial activation were observed in all of the analysed cortical areas, thus indicating a generalized effect on the whole cerebral cortex. The results are consistent with previous imaging PET studies performed in living patients with the11C-PK11195 radiotracer. Conclusions: The findings indicate that TBI induces a widespread activation of brain microglia which affects all cortical areas, including those distant from the contusion site. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective: Only a few studies in patients with first-episode psychosis have included gender in the study hypothesis or considered this a primary study variable. The aim of this study was to explore the influence of gender in the pattern of substance use in patients with first-episode psychosis. Methods: This is a sub-analysis of a randomized open clinical trial that compared 1-year treatment retention rates of patients with first-episode psychosis randomized to haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone, or ziprasidone. Our sub-analysis included 85 men and 29 women. Results: Substance use was relatively high among these patients and differed significantly by gender. Men were more likely to use substances overall than women (89.4% for men vs. 55.2% for women), χ2 = 16.2, df = 1, p <.001, and were also more likely to use alcohol (χ2 = 13, df = 1, p <.001), cannabis (χ2 = 9.9; df = 1, p <.002), and cocaine (χ2 = 10.3; df = 1, p <.001), compared to women. While there were no gender differences in age at first consumption of alcohol or cocaine, men were significantly younger at first consumption of cannabis (M = 16.08 years, SD = 2.1) than women (M = 18.0 years, SD = 3.8), F(1, 59) = 5, p <.02. When analyzed separately by gender, women showed no significant differences in the influence of number of substances used on age at onset of psychosis, F(3, 29) = 1.2, p =.30. However, there was a significant difference among men, with earlier onset of psychosis noted in men consuming multiple substances; F(4, 85) = 5.8, p <.0001. Regarding prediction of age at onset of psychosis, both male gender and the use of a higher number of substances significantly predicted an earlier age at onset of psychosis. Conclusions: Our study provides some evidence of gender differences in the pattern of substance use in patients with first-episode psychosis, suggesting the possible need for gender-specific approaches in the interventions performed in these patients. This study is registered as #12610000954022 with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (www.anzctr.org.au). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Now that the European Space for Higher Education has granted full presence to social work in Spanish Universities, it becomes necessary to develop a series of strategies that allow its consolidation and equivalence with other Social Sciences. Although scientific publications count among the most adequate ways to achieve this purpose, there is no Spanish journal of social work in the main international databases. This article analyses the Spanish journals of social work published in Spain. It examines their characteristics, their place in the global system of knowledge and offers strategies for their improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Traumatic brain injury is a main cause of disability and death in developed countries, above all among children and adolescents. The intrinsic inability of the central nervous system to efficiently repair traumatic injuries renders transplantation of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDC) a promising approach towards repair of brain lesions. On the other hand, many studies have reported the beneficial effect of Lipoic acid (LA), a potent antioxidant promoting cell survival, angiogenesis and neuroregeneration. Methods: In this study, the cortex of adult mice was cryo-injured in order to mimic local traumatic brain injury. Vehicle or freshly prepared BMDC were grafted in the cerebral penumbra area 24 hours after unilateral local injury alone or combined with intra-peritoneal LA administration as a new regenerative strategy. Results: Differences were found in the process of cell proliferation, angiogenesis and glial scar formation after local injury depending of the applied treatment, either LA or BMDC alone or in combination. Conclusion: The data presented here suggest that transplantation of BMDC is a good alternative and valid strategy to treat a focal brain injury when LA could not be prescribed due to its non-desired secondary effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this longitudinal study, we examined the extent to which perceived coach- and peer-created motivational climates are associated with athlete-group cohesion and satisfaction with participation among Spanish soccer players competing in the Third National Division. Multilevel modelling analyses showed that perceived coach-created task climate was positively related to perceived cohesion and players’ satisfaction with their participation within their team. Also, perceived peer-created task climate related positively to perceived cohesion. The results indicate the importance of considering peer-related aspects of the motivational climate in addition to considering the coach-related aspects of the motivational climate when examining motivational group dynamics in sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:Evidence supports that subjective well-being (SWB) diminishes in the old age and that this decline is strongly determined by elders’ psychosocial resources. This study explored person-centred, multidimensional, empirically-derived profiles of psychosocial functioning in the elderly and related each trajectory to differing configurations of SWB.Method:A community-based, convenience sample of Spanish institutionalised and non-institutionalised elders voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study.Results:A cluster analysis produced three within-person psychosocial profiles characterised by distinct patterns of functioning:highly successful eldersdemonstrated to be healthy, highly confident in their own resources and very active in daily life;moderately successful eldersdemonstrated average functioning across domains, although they expected decreases in the future; andhighly impaired elderswere ill and stressed, at a high risk for future health problems and depression, and tried to compensate for their status mainly through social support. Each of these profiles was related differently to SWB configurations: highly successful elders demonstrated significantly higher happiness, positive affect, affect balance and life satisfaction; moderately successful elders showed average levels of SWB but decreased positive affect; and highly impaired elders demonstrated dramatically lower SWB. Furthermore, such trajectories were associated with the elders’ living condition. The happiest elders were more likely to be home-dwelling elders; however, there were fewer unhappy elders among those who were institutionalised.Conclusion:A person-centred approach to assessing psychosocial and SWB configurations provides a rich picture of individual differences in the ageing processes and can help in designing interventions aimed at enhancing happiness in old age. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The views of French, Portuguese, and Spanish people on end-of-life decisions were compared. Two hundred seventy-seven adults from Barcelona, Oporto, and Toulouse judged the acceptability of life-ending procedures in 42 scenarios composed of all combinations of 3 factors: the patient's age (30 or 80 years), the patient's life expectancy (days, weeks, or months), and the type of procedure (suicide, suicide assisted by the physician, euthanasia by the physician at the request of a suffering patient, euthanasia of a comatose patient at the family's request, euthanasia of a comatose patient as stipulated in the patient's advance directives, euthanasia of a comatose patient without advance directions and without a request from the family, or euthanasia of a suffering patient without a request from the patient). In all 3 countries, the type of procedure had the major effect. The 4 procedures implemented by the patient or at the patient's request were, on average, considered acceptable. The 2 procedures not implemented at the patient's request were considered unacceptable. Euthanasia of a comatose patient at the request of the family was judged mildly acceptable. The attitudes of the people in Toulouse, Oporto, and Barcelona concerning the acceptability of ending a patient's life have now largely converged, although Spanish participants were statistically significantly more accepting than French and Portuguese participants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This article describes the acceptability and opinion on the impact of measures regulating alcohol consumption among minors in Spain, from the point of view of the adolescents, parents, and teachers. The participants—123 students, teachers, and parents from 6 Spanish autonomous communities—take part in a qualitative survey (focal groups and interviews) and in a quantitative part measuring levels of agreement with 17 anti-alcohol measures. The study shows the existence of widespread agreement with the measures, although the impact of regulations is considered to be low. Adolescents welcome administrative measures, and parents and teachers prefer the regulation of sales, consumption, and advertising. Collaboration between the social actors involved in the prevention and control of alcohol consumption among minors and regulations based on heightening the sense of responsibility of all groups forms the basis for effective anti-alcohol regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines affect regulation and adaptive goals with regard to negative and positive emotional episodes. A sample of 355 undergraduate students were asked to recall an important past-year interpersonal episode of joy, anger, and sadness. Participants reported how they regulated mood and emotions associated with those episodes, filling in an expanded version of Larsen and Prizmic’s Measure of Affect Regulation Styles and also responded to measures of perceived attainment of adaptive goals for each emotional episode and psychological well-being. Affect regulation based on gratitude/self-reward, reappraisal, helping others, and seeking informative and emotional social support showed similarly high frequencies in all emotional episodes. Problem-directed action and planning, low withdrawal, seeking instrumental social support, reappraisal, rumination, active physiological regulation, gratitude/self-reward, acceptance/self-control and regulated emotional expression were related to perceived improvement in adaptive goals in all episodes. Seeking emotional and informative social support, spiritual activities, and humor were associated with adaptive goals in anger and joy. Suppression was dysfunctional in sadness and anger episodes, whereas isolation was only in anger episode. Distraction, wishful thinking, venting and confrontation were functional only in joy episode. Overall, these strategies were congruently associated with dispositional suppression and re-evaluation and psychological well-being. Regulation was globally higher in sadness and anger episodes, but venting and expression of humor and affection were higher in joy. Correlations between affect regulation strategies and adaptive goals were stronger in joy. Regulation of positive emotion is discussed as less intense but more successful than in the case of negative emotion. However, the core of adaptive regulation is importantly common to positive and negative affect. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Passive sampling is a well-established methodology for the evaluation of exposures to enviromnental volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique is a reliable means of sampling VOCs in ail: SPME is also being applied as a passive sampler to determine time-weighted average exposure. The use of SPME as a diffusive sampler was evaluated. The passive sampler is based on the use of a cylindrical diffusion cell (porous hydrophobic polyethylene) with an 80 µm carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fiber to obtain radial diffusion of the analytes to the sorbent. Standard atmospheres of organic vapors in air were used to determine the experimental uptake rates for toluene and chlorobenzene. Toluene concentrations between 2 and 38 mg/m³ with sampling times between 15 and 60 rain were evaluated, as well as chlorobenzene concentrations between 2 and 47 mg/m³ with sampling times between 30 and 60 min. The mean diffusive uptake rate was 2.14 mL/min for toluene and 2.57 mL/min for chlorobenzene, and no statistical significant effects of concentration and sampling time were observed under the studied conditions for the two compounds. Relative standard deviation ranged from 2.6 to 6.5%. The performance of the sampler under varying concentrations of toluene was also tested, showing that the sampler reflects the average exposure concentration. Effects of temperature, relative humidity, velocity of the air, back diffusion, competitive adsorption, and the stability of chlorobenzene in the sampler were also studied. Sampler behavior was tested in gas stations, and the results were successfully compared with a 3M-3500 diffusive sampler: The results are promising for using this new SPME device for diffusive monitoring for occupational exposure assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employs a naming task to examine the role of the syllable in speech production, focusing on a lesser-studied aspect of syllabic processing, the interaction of subsyllabic patterns (i.e., syllable phonotactics) and higher-level prosody, in this case, stress assignment in Spanish. Specifically, we examine a controversial debate in Spanish regarding the interaction of syllable weight and stress placement, showing that traditional representations of weight fail to predict the differential modulation of stress placement by rising versus falling diphthongs in Spanish nonce forms. Our results also suggest that the internal structure of the syllable plays a larger role than is assumed in the processing literature in that it modulates higher-level processes such as stress encoding. Our results thus inform the debate regarding syllable weight in Spanish and linguistic theorising more broadly, as well as expand our understanding of the importance of the syllable, and more specifically its internal structure, in modulating word processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important determinants of managerial effectiveness in achieving organisational objectives is the success in influencing subordinates, lateral peers and supervisors through influence tactics. However, little attention has been paid to the use of a communication medium in the context of influence tactics. Our objective is to study the frequency of these dyadic influence tactics on diverse communication media. The study involves a questionnaire-based survey conducted on Spanish post-graduate students who had been working in medium-sized or large companies during the last 2 years or more. The results suggest that the richness of the medium explains most similarities and differences in the frequency of influence tactics for different communication media. Furthermore, in the study of hard influence tactics in communication media with similar richness, it is necessary to introduce social aspects and the level of surveillance in order to explain it fully. This study helps managers to understand the relationships between influence tactics and the use of communication media in order to improve their communication effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore comparatively personality variables, subjective well-being variables, and participation in daily life activities in 150 women aged 50 to 82 years with different employment status. Moreover, we also analyzed the extent to which personality and participation in daily life activities accounted for life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect. Results from analyses of variance showed that there were significant differences between women with different working status. Multiple regression analyses revealed that self-esteem, optimism, and social activities accounted for a significant amount of variance in predicting life satisfaction and positive affect. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The present research focused on a sample of Spanish undergraduate women and men to evaluate whether gender was related to substance use and chronic illness. This research examined the associations of conformity to masculine norms for men and conformity to feminine norms for women with substance use in chronic illnesses. Spanish male (n = 226) and female (n = 234) college undergraduates completed measures of chronic diseases, alcohol and tobacco consumption, and conformity to gender norms. Multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that being female was related to lower alcohol and cigarette consumption but a greater rate of chronic illnesses. Although masculinity did not explain the rate of chronic illnesses, specific feminine and masculine gender norms were related to alcohol and tobacco use and prevalence of chronic diseases. The present study provides insights for further cross-cultural psychological studies on the mediating effect of self-reported conformity to gender norms (rather than only sex) on health. Limitations and implications are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this investigation is to explore the use by Spanish excellent oesophageal speakers of acoustic cues to mark syllabic stress. The speech material has consisted of five pairs of disyllabic words which only differed in stress position. Total 44 oesophageal and 9 laryngeal speakers were recorded and a computerised designed ad hoc perceptual test was run in order to assess the accurate realisation of stress. The items produced by eight excellent oesophageal speakers with highest accuracy levels in the perception experiment were analysed acoustically with Praat, to be compared with the laryngeal control group. Measures of duration, fundamental frequency, spectral balance and overall intensity were taken for each target vowel and syllable. Results revealed that Spanish excellent oesophageal speakers were able to retain appropriate acoustic relations between stressed and unstressed syllables. Although spectral balance revealed as a strong cue for syllabic stress in the two voicing modes, a different hierarchy of acoustic cues in each voicing mode was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conclusion: Pharyngo-cutaneous fistula is the most common complication after total laryngectomy (TL), with many factors linked to its emergence. However, it has rarely been associated with the type of pharyngeal suture. We conclude that the technique of surgical closure of the pharynx and care in the tightness of the suture seem to be fundamental factors for pharyngo-cutaneous fistula development. Objective: The aim of present work was to determine whether the type of pharyngeal suture can be considered as a major risk factor for developing a pharyngo-cutaneous fistula following TL. Methods: We carried out a series of 157 consecutive TLs. In the first 90 procedures, we performed a pharyngeal closure technique with T-shaped interrupted stitches reinforced with constrictors. In the other 67 cases, a doubled continuous suture technique with reinforcement with the cutaneous flap was developed. Results: In all, 25.5% of the cases sutured with the interrupted stitches developed a fistula while only 2.9% of the patients that underwent continuous suture developed a fistula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety disorders are high prevalent disorders that include both somatic and mental dimensions. Several medical conditions have been found associated to this group, in particular digestive, cardiovascular and osteo-muscular diseases. Our group found an strong association between joint hypermobility, an heritable condition of the connective tissue (probably Ehlers Danlos type III) and several anxiety disorders like panic, agoraphobia and social phobia. Data from several cross-sectional studies show that more than sixty per cent of panic and/or agoraphobic subjects meet criteria for joint hypermobility, whereas this only happens in about 10% of controls. A recent incidence study showed that sufferers from joint hypermobility syndrome have an absolute risk for panic disorder of 44.1% versus 2.8% in nonhypermobile subjects, which corresponds to a R.R. of 22.3. In summary, the joint hypermobility syndrome, a heritable disease of the connective tissue, is a risk factor for anxiety disorders worthy of identification in the context of preventive psychiatry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult literacy skills studies indicate that large percentage of adults in most industrialized nations have difficulty using print material to accomplish everyday tasks with accuracy and consistency. Words in signs, postings, and forms within health care settings establish a physical literacy environment and reflect the demands and expectations of the institutions. We report on an assessment of the literacy environment of 10 hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, to indentify factors that hinder or support the ability of people to make their way to and within, a hospital. The authors used standardized rating tools for the evaluation of navigation, specific readability tools for the assessment of written communication, and a patient survey for the evaluation of patients' perception of written and oral communication. Thematic analysis of results indicates insecurity and confusion in finding one's way throughout health care facilities. Readability assessment of selected health education materials and informed consent documents shows extensive use of scientific language that is inappropriate for the general public. Patients' assessment of oral communication was rated high although statistically significant differences exist between hospitals. This assessment offers insight into the literacy demands placed on patients and visitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A time-series study was conducted to ascertain the short-term effects of different-sized airborne particulate matter (PM) on daily respiratory and cardiovascular cause-specific mortality in winter and summer, among subjects aged over 75 years in Madrid. Poisson regression was used to analyse the time-series, in which the dependent variable was daily mortality due to different specific respiratory and circulatory causes, and the principal independent variables were daily mean PM10, PM2.5 and PM10-2.5 concentrations; other variables: other air pollutants (chemicals, biotic and acoustic), influenza, trend, seasonality and autocorrelation of the series. The results indicated an association between coarser PM fractions (PM10 and PM10-2.5) and respiratory-specific mortality on the one hand, and between PM2.5 and cardiovascular-specific mortality on the other. While the risk of mortality due to exposure to particulate matter was greater in summer than in winter, this difference was statistically significant solely for total organic-cause mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work was to study the potentially mediating role of certain dissociative factors, such as depersonalization, between self-focused attention and auditory hallucinations. A total of 59 patients diagnosed with schizophrenic disorder completed a self-focused attention scale (M. F. Scheier & C. S. Carver, 1985), the Cambridge Depersonalization Scale (M. Sierra & G. E. Berrios, 2000), and the hallucination and delusion items on the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (S. R. Kay, L. A. Opler, & J. P. Lindenmayer, 1988). The results showed that self-focused attention correlated positively with auditory hallucinations, with delusions, and with depersonalization. It was also demonstrated that depersonalization has a mediating role between self-focused attention and auditory hallucinations but not delusions. In the discussion, the importance of dissociative processes in understanding the formation and maintenance of auditory hallucinations is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of the relevant role of prosody in communication, and in contrast with other linguistic components, there is paucity of research in this field for Williams syndrome (WS). Therefore, this study performed a systematic assessment of prosodic abilities in WS. The Spanish version of the Profiling Elements of Prosody in Speech—Communication battery was administered to 27 Spanish-speaking adolescents and adults with WS and a control group of 54 typically developing participants matched for chronological age (CA). Participants with WS presented prosodic deficits, relative to their CA, to comprehend and express prosodic cues both on a function and a form level. These difficulties were mainly due to their cognitive impairments. In addition, the areas of understanding and expressing the prosodic function of segmentation and the expression of the nonfinal contrastive focus were found to be particularly impaired in WS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Because noise-induced hearing impairment is the result not only of occupational noise exposure but also of total daily noise exposure, it is important to take the non-occupational exposure of individuals (during commuting to and from their jobs, at home, and during recreational activities) into account. Mass transit is one of the main contributors to non-occupational noise exposure. We developed a new methodology to estimate a representative commuting noise exposure. The methodology was put into practice for the Madrid subway because of all Spanish subway systems it covers the highest percentage of worker journeys (22.6%). The results of the application highlight that, for Madrid subway passengers, noise exposure level normalized to a nominal 8 hr (LEx,8h-cj) depends strongly on the type of train, the presence of squealing noise, and the public address audio system, ranging from 68.6 dBA to 72.8 dBA. These values play an important role in a more complete evaluation of a relationship between noise dose and worker health response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Games represent a very important part of the physical education curriculum and the process by which they are learnt is very complex. Constructive teaching theories highlight the existence of knowledge prior to instruction that the pupil actively transforms through verbalisation and interaction with classmates. The results of research studies conducted from the learning perspective reveal wide variations in the knowledge possessed by students, their understanding of the game and motor skills, and the broad range of tactical solutions in a single game situation in accordance with their knowledge of the specific domain. In general terms, most participants in research studies on prior knowledge and the specific domain knowledge have basic knowledge, the level of which is closer to beginners, as well as difficulty in making decisions based on a prior assessment of the game context. Purpose: The aim of this research study is to gauge the declarative and procedural knowledge of the students as well as their performance in a modified invasion game. Participants and setting: A total of 27 fourth-year primary-school students (19 boys and eight girls aged 9-10 years) from an intact group at one public school took part in the study. Research design: A descriptive design was used to measure tactical knowledge and performance in an invasion game. Data collection: Students performed an invasion games knowledge test and were then divided into teams with a similar level of invasion game knowledge for 3 on 3 play in a modified invasion game which was videotaped. Six of the students (three boys and three girls) were then interviewed in order to gauge their invasion games knowledge. As soccer is the most widely played invasion game in Spain, it was used in video sequences as the invasion games content to analyse student's knowledge. Data analysis: Repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to analyse differences in variables. Results obtained from the interview were descriptively analysed. Findings: At initial stages of games learning, students had difficulties in using their tactical knowledge in game play. Game performance was higher when students advance on goal than when students kept possession of the ball. No correlation was observed between the knowledge possessed by students and the correct decisions made in relation to the technical/tactical aspects of the game. Conclusions and implications: The results reveal that fourth-year primary-school students attending PE classes have a prior knowledge of invasion games. Determining tactical knowledge and performance by means of a modified invasion game is important in implementing quality games-teaching programmes for schoolchildren. Linking tactical knowledge and performance to the game contexts that students have to resolve is thus an efficient way of investigating and identifying knowledge of the specific domain and students' previous sporting experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bilinguals must focus their attention to control competing languages. In bilingual aphasia, damage to the fronto-subcortical loop may lead to pathological language switching and mixing and the attrition of the more automatic language (usually L1). We present the case of JZ, a bilingual Basque--Spanish 53-year-old man who, after haematoma in the left basal ganglia, presented with executive deficits and aphasia, characterised by more impaired language processing in Basque, his L1. Assessment with the Bilingual Aphasia Test revealed impaired spontaneous and automatic speech production and speech rate in L1, as well as impaired L2-to-L1 sentence translation. Later observation led to the assessment of verbal and non-verbal executive control, which allowed JZ's impaired performance on language tasks to be related to executive dysfunction. In line with previous research, we report the significant attrition of L1 following damage to the left basal ganglia, reported for the first time in a Basque--Spanish bilingual. Implications for models of declarative and procedural memory are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In two experiments recognition of actions of a robbery presented in a video was examined in older and younger adults. In both experiments older adults had more false alarms and showed less accurate recognition than younger adults. In addition, when participants were asked in Experiment 1 to indicate Remember/Know/Guess judgments for actions they considered true, older adults accepted more false actions with Remember judgments. And when participants were asked in Experiment 2 to attribute the source (i.e., perpetrator), the older adults were less able to attribute actions that occurred during the robbery to their correct sources. Furthermore, we found a robust positive correlation between source attribution ability and recognition accuracy. Thus, source-memory deficits may contribute to older adults' false memories in real-life eyewitness situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]