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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]

In this paper, the first virtual reality (VR) photography application that incorporates elements on panoramic images to assess short-term spatial memory is presented. It also allows the interaction with these elements. A study was conducted (N = 50) to compare participants' performance outcomes and subjective experience when using a VR application with and without panoramic photography. The results show that both applications are effective in assessing short-term spatial memory. The results with panoramic photography include: 1) It was effective for short-term recall since, after using the application, the participants were able to verbally recall the objects and place them without significant differences with respect to the objects correctly placed; 2) The performance outcomes were independent of age and gender; 3) The perceived level of presence was directly related to experiencing less cybersickness when using the application; 4) The level of satisfaction was directly related to perceived enjoyment, concentration, usability, competence, calmness, and expertise; 5) The more the familiarity with VR applications, the less the perceived cybersickness. Finally, the application offers two main advantages: 1) The evaluators can customize the environment by adding as many elements as desired to the panoramic photograph; 2) It could be especially suitable for groups with reduced mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper describes Spanish acquisition of rhotic onset clusters. Data are also provided on related singleton taps/trills and /l/ as a singleton and in clusters. Participants included 9 typically developing (TD) toddlers and 30 TD preschoolers in Chile, and 30 TD preschoolers and 29 with protracted phonological development (PPD) in Granada, Spain. Results showed age and developmental group effects. Preservation of cluster timing units preceded segmental accuracy, especially in stressed syllables. Tap clusters versus singleton trills were variable in order of mastery, some children mastering clusters first, and others, the trill. Rhotics were acquired later than /l/. In early development, mismatches (errors) involved primarily deletion of taps; where substitutions occurred, [j] frequently replaced tap. In later development, [l] more frequently replaced tap; where taps did occur, vowel epenthesis sometimes occurred. The data serve as a criterion reference database for onset cluster acquisition in Chilean and Granada Spanish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persons with profound intellectual disability (PID) are mostly not able to use assistive technology (AT) independently. Caregivers play an important mediating role in implementing AT in the daily life of persons with PID. Both first-order barriers, extrinsic to caregivers, and second-order barriers, intrinsic to caregivers, influence the attitudes and behaviors of caregivers with regard to AT-use. It could be asked if increased knowledge on and experience with AT may impact the effect of first- and second-order barriers. This study investigated how knowledge and experience influence the professional caregivers' beliefs about which factors may impact the AT use in persons with PID and their intentions to use AT for persons with PID. A questionnaire on the experienced limitations and successes in using AT was developed. The questionnaire was send to professionals working with or responsible for persons with PID in various countries in Europe. In total the answers of 195 respondents were included in this study. This study's results demonstrate that AT is used for various reasons in persons with PID, mostly to support communication and interaction or for fun or relaxation. Based on the answers of the respondents can be concluded that both experience and knowledge of caregivers seem to influence first- and second-order barriers. Besides, a possibility to overcome the second-order barriers is to provide professionals with possibilities to increase their knowledge and experience. AT for persons with PID is mostly used for communication and interaction or for fun and relaxation. Professional caregivers belief that AT-use may positively influence various aspects in the life of persons with PID, especially communication and interaction, active engagement and participation in activities, and self-esteem of the person. Caregivers need to have sufficient experience in order to rate the barriers of AT-use as less limited in the group of persons with PID. In order to overcome the barriers experienced in implementing AT in persons with PID, knowledge of caregivers is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equal stress across adjacent syllables and extended syllable durations are amongst the most salient features of acquired Apraxia of Speech (AOS). Most studies conclude that there is a deficit in durational cue processing, whereas the other acoustic stress correlates remain relatively unimpaired. Spanish is a free-stress language in which stress patterns are contrastive, especially in verbal forms (e.g. lavo /ˈlabo/ '[I] wash' vs lavó /laˈbo/ '[He/she] washed'). The aim of this preliminary study is to determine whether persons with AOS are able to make the intended stress pattern identifiable and, if so, to determine which acoustic cues they use to avoid the 'equal stress' phenomenon. The results show that, for each parameter considered (duration, intensity, fundamental frequency), apraxic participants' productions differed from those of controls to varying degrees depending on the task. However, 91.7% of the apraxic participants' realisations were perceived as corresponding to the intended tense and person. These results are interpreted as deriving from a motoric deficit affecting morphological stress processing by subjects with AOS combined with an idiosyncratic compensatory use of the stress cues in order to avoid 'equal stress'. [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.)

Background: This study describes the psychometric testing of the Achondroplasia Personal Life Experience Scale (APLES): a new disease- and functioning-specific health-related quality of life instrument for young people with achondroplasia, which was developed based on the International Classification of Functioning–Children and Youth Version. Method: The qualitative analysis of focus group statements from German patients and parents using the International Classification of Functioning–Children and Youth Version yielded 59 items, which after cognitive debriefing were included in a pilot-test. Psychometric performance was cross-culturally examined in a field- and re-test in Germany and Spain. Results: Cognitive debriefing and pilot-test results suggested to reduce the 59-APLES version to a 35-items version. Field-test data showed acceptable reliability and validity, which further improved after the APLES was shortened to 21 items. Conclusion: Developing a disease-specific instrument within the framework of the International Classification of Functioning allows the universal assessment and comparison of perceived health. Psychometric analysis showed that the APLES fulfills psychometric quality standards and provides a way to assess health-related quality of life from self- and observer report in young persons with achondroplasia. Further studies may use the instrument in clinical research and practice to understand perceived burden and to optimize care. Health-related quality of life instruments are useful tools to include in clinical research and/or practice to evaluate treatment effects directly from the patient's perspective. Cross-culturally developed health-related quality of life measures that are based on the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health provide the opportunity to assess the health status in a standardized language and to compare it across countries and health professions. All four components of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health – Child and Youth Version ("Body Functions & Structures", "Activities and Participation", "Environmental Factors", and "Personal Factors") have been shown to be relevant in assessing health-related quality of life and functioning in young achondroplasia patients. Results underline the important aspects associated with disproportionate short stature, emphasizing the benefits of a disease-specific instrument. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lexical-grammatical divide has been a widely addressed topic in aphasia. Speech parts are generally classified as either belonging to a lexical or a grammatical category based on the frequency of acquisition of new members in their paradigms (open vs. closed classes), thus neglecting heterogeneity within categories. Such an approach has led to contradictory findings. First, prepositions form closed classes, but are classically taken as lexical items. Pronouns, also belonging to a closed class, are analyzed as grammatical elements. Second, both within the group of prepositions and pronouns, forms with different syntactic and semantic properties co-exist. Following the theoretical notions granted by a usage-based theory of grammar, the ProGram theory, and taking focalizability as the classification criteria, we hypothesize that individuals with non-fluent aphasias will experience more severe problems with grammatical prepositions and pronouns, given that these elements are secondary and dependent, whereas informants in the fluent group will experience more severe trouble with lexical forms, potentially primary and independent. We focused on the performance of nine Spanish-speaking individuals with aphasia from the Rosell (2005) corpus. Samples of 300 words were transcribed and analyzed. As predicted, grammatical prepositions were found to be more severely compromised in the speech output of individuals with deficits of motor predominance, whereas lexical prepositions are more severely affected in individuals with deficits of sensory predominance. Although less conclusively, the same tendency holds in the case of pronouns. Our results, consistent with previous findings, confirm the heterogeneity of prepositions and pronouns, which should no longer be analyzed en bloc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine the profile of the main informal caregivers, the evolution of the caregiver burden, and the influencing factors of caregiver burden at 1-year after hip fracture surgery. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, a total of 172 informal caregivers of patients were interviewed at four points during 1 year following hip fracture surgery in a regional hospital in southern Spain. The perceived caregiver burden was assessed using the Caregiver Strain Index (0-13 points). Results: The mean (Standard Deviation) age of the 172 caregivers was 56 (13) years, of which 133 (77%) were woman and 94 (55%) were daughters of the patient. Seventy-nine of the 172 (46%) caregivers perceived a high level of burden (≥ 7 points on the Caregiver Strain Index) at the hospital. The corresponding numbers with perceived high level of burden at 1-month, 3-months, and 1-year were 87 (50%), 61 (36%), and 45 (26%) caregivers. A low pre-fracture functional status, post-operative complications, older age of patients, and younger age of caregivers negatively influence caregiver burden at 1-year. Conclusions: The main caregiver is predominantly female and is most often the daughter of the patient. New treatment strategies such as the support and training of the caregivers in patient handling during hospital stay could be carried out to reduce caregiver burden. Implications for rehabilitation: The main caregiver of a hip fracture patient is usually a woman who is the daughter of the patient, and reducing her burden of care should be included as one of the objectives of rehabilitation treatment. The caregivers of hip fracture patients must be considered as part of the treatment during the patient's recovery period, and patient handling training should be provided to the caregivers of hip fracture patients during the hospital stay to prepare the process of going back home. The caregivers of older patients, those with a low pre-fracture functional level, and of those who suffered post-operative complications, should receive more attention prior to hospital discharge and receive more assistance at home to reduce caregiver burden. [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]

The main purpose of this study was to evaluate running kinematic characteristics and foot strike patterns (FSP) during early and late stages of actual and common high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT): 5 × 2000 m with 120-s recovery between runs. Thirteen healthy, elite, highly trained male endurance runners participated in this study. They each had a personal record in the half-marathon of 70 ± 2.24 min, and each had a minimum experience of 4 years of training and competition. Heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored during HIIT. High levels of exhaustion were reached by the athletes during HIIT (HRpeak: 174.30 bpm; RPE: 17.23). There was a significant increase of HRpeak and RPE during HIIT; nevertheless, time for each run remained unchanged. A within-protocol pairedt-test (first vs. last run) revealed no significant changes (P ≥ 0.05) in kinematics variables and FSP variables during HIIT. There were no substantial changes on kinematics and FSP characteristics in endurance runners after fatigue induced by a HIIT. Only the minimum ankle alignment showed a significant change. The author suggests that these results might be due to both the high athletic level of participants and their experience in HIIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

The effects of exercise on the core musculature have not been investigated in prepubescents. The main purpose of the present study was to determine the volume and degree of asymmetry ofrectus abdominis, obliquesandtransversus abdominis, quadratus lumborum, iliopsoas, gluteusandparavertebralismuscles in prepubescent tennis players and in untrained boys. The muscle volume was determined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 7 male prepubescent tennis players and 10 untrained controls (mean age 11.0 ± 0.8 years, Tanner 1–2). After accounting for height and body weight as covariates, the tennis players had 14–34% greater volume than the controls in all the muscles analysed (P < 0.05) except inparavertebralis, dominantquadratus lumborumand non-dominantgluteus, which had similar volumes in both groups (P = NS). Compared to controls, the tennis players displayed a greater degree of asymmetry inquadratus lumborumandrectus abdominis(3% vs. 15%,P < 0.01 and 8% vs. 17%,P = 0.06, respectively). The level of asymmetry ofobliquesandtransversus abdominis, iliopsoas, gluteus andparavertebralismuscles was similar in both groups (P = NS). In conclusion, tennis playing at prepubertal ages induces a selective hypertrophy of the core musculature and exaggerates the degree of asymmetry ofquadratus lumborumandrectus abdominiscompared to untrained boys. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of the present study was to analyse the training load in wheelchair basketball small-sided games and determine the relationship between heart rate (HR)-based training load and perceived exertion (RPE)-based training load methods among small-sided games bouts. HR-based measurements of training load included Edwards’ training load and Stagno’s training impulses (TRIMPMOD) while RPE-based training load measurements included cardiopulmonary (session RPEres) and muscular (session RPEmus) values. Data were collected from 12 wheelchair basketball players during five consecutive weeks. The total load for the small-sided games sessions was 67.5 ± 6.7 and 55.3 ± 12.5 AU in HR-based training load (Edwards’ training load and TRIMPMOD), while the RPE-based training loads were 99.3 ± 26.9 (session RPEres) and 100.8 ± 31.2 AU (session RPEmus). Bout-to-bout analysis identified greater session RPEmus in the third [P < 0.05; effect size (ES) = 0.66, moderate] and fourth bouts (P < 0.05; ES = 0.64, moderate) than in the first bout, but other measures did not differ. Mean correlations indicated a trivial and small relationship among HR-based and RPE-based training loads. It is suggested that HR-based and RPE-based training loads provide different information, but these two methods could be complementary because one method could help us to understand the limitations of the other. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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]

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]

Conclusion:The low clinical efficacy of the treatment for patients included in this work correlates with no noticeable effect on the vestibular function.Objective:To assess follow-up in patients with idiopathic and secondary Ménière’s disease after treatment with intra-tympanic dexamethasone and correlate clinical findings with changes in the vestibular-ocular reflex elicited after stimulation of each of the six semicircular canals.Methods:This is a single center retrospective review of patients presenting the clinical symptomatology of Meniérè’s disease treated with intra-tympanic dexamethasone. An audiometric evaluation was performed in each patient before and after treatment. The study cohort was divided into two groups: those evaluated after a short period of time and after a long period of time.Results:The study included 30 patients, mean age = 61 years. Differences in mean pure-tone average before and after treatment were non-significant for both treated (0.61 dB,p= 0.723) and untreated (0.59 dB,p= 0.609) ears. Vestibular–ocular reflex gain averages in the treated ear after treatment were 0.73 (superior semicircular canal), 0.86 (horizontal semicircular canal), and 0.69 (posterior semicircular canal). The gain did not vary significantly in the Superior (p= 0.194), the Horizontal (p= 0.646), or the Posterior Semicircular Canal (p= 0.820). Similar were obtained for the untreated ear. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Conclusions: This study shows as decisive factors the history of tympanostomy tube insertion and surgical approach. The closure of the perforation observed at the 6th post-operative month is almost definitive, without finding significant differences ahead. The myringoplasty can be performed simultaneously in bilateral perforations and in a day-case basis with same success rates. Astatistically significant audiometric improvement area is described, after myringoplasty, undescribed previously in literature. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors in surgical outcome and hearing threshold after myringoplasty, in pediatric age. Methods: A 10-year retrospective review of 142 myringoplasties performed by a single surgeon of the Pediatric ENT Department of 12 de Octubre University Hospital. Multiple prognostic factors were investigated, such as those related to perforation and surgery, contralateral ear status, and pre- and post-operative hearing threshold. Results: The overall rate of closure of the perforation was 74.64%. The re-perforation rate was directly proportional to the number of tympanostomy tube insertion (OR = 1.64). Other determining factors were the surgical approach, the graft position and side. There was a post-operative significant improvement (p < 0.001) insuring that the more affected frequencies, low (125–500 Hz) and high frequencies (4000–8000 Hz), were the more improved after the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Conclusion: The TricOs™/MBCP® and fibrin sealant composite was a convenient, effective, and well-tolerated material for mastoid cavity filling and immediate reconstruction of the external auditory meatus after cholesteatoma surgery with canal wall down (CWD). Objective: To assess the tolerance and osteointegration of a bone graft substitute, TricOs™/MBCP®, in association with fibrin sealant for filling the mastoid cavity after cholesteatoma surgery using the CWD technique. Methods: In this prospective observational study 57 patients with cholesteatoma suitable for CWD were recruited from April 2006 to April 2008 and followed up for 1 year. The mastoid cavity was filled with TricOs™/MBCP® followed by immediate reconstruction of the external auditory meatus covered with fascia temporalis and/or cartilage. The main outcome was skin tolerance assessed by a novel weighted score emphasizing long-term results. The typical weighted reference score was 1.67; skin tolerance was considered acceptable if 75% of patients had a score ≤ 1.67. Secondary outcomes were otorrhea and/or otalgia, hearing, and osteointegration assessed through computed tomography scanning at 12 months. Results: Forty-one patients had a complete follow-up; 34 (82.3%) patients achieved the main end point with scores ≤ 1.67. Otorrhea decreased postoperatively. No otalgia interfering with daily tasks was reported. Ossicular reconstruction was carried out in 29 patients. Absence of cochlear toxicity was confirmed by unimpaired bone conduction. Preoperative and postoperative speech audiometry results were similar. No serious adverse events were observed. Osteointegration was satisfactory with hyperdensity or intermediate density in 95% of patients at 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Objectives: To study depression, anxiety, maladjustment and coping in caregivers of patients in vegetative state (VS) or minimally conscious state (MCS). Materials and methods: Fifty-three caregivers of 43 patients with VS or MCS were assessed using Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, maladjustment scale and Brief Coping Orientation of Problems Experienced (COPE-28). Results: There were 15 clinical cases (cut-off ≥ 21) of anxiety (28.30%); 16 cases (cut-off ≥ 21) of depression (30.20%); and 45 cases (cut-off ≥ 12) of maladjustment (84.8%). Active and problem-focused (Active coping, Instrumental support, Planning and Acceptance) were the most frequently used coping strategies. Acceptance predicted the absence of depression ( p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.08) and anxiety ( p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.08). Denial was associated with depression ( p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.65) and anxiety ( p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.23). Self-blame was associated with greater anxiety ( p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.06) and depression ( p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.07). Emotion-focused coping was associated with anxiety ( p = 0.000, Cohen's d = 1.29) and depression ( p = 0.001, Cohen's d = 1.11). Conclusions: Caregivers of patients with VS or MCS presented high levels of distress. Psychological support for caregivers of patients with VS or MCS is necessary. The most frequently used coping strategies were Active and Problem-focused. Acceptance was highly protective, but Denial, Self-blame and Emotion-focused strategies were very negative. [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]

Copyright of Substance Use & Misuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd 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.)

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 examines the impact of three types of aesthetics (classical, expressive, and design aesthetics) on users' quality perceptions about websites based on very short exposure (one second) to websites. It also examines the consistency of website quality perceptions based on very short exposure with the quality perceptions based on a long exposure and the impact of the quality perception based on a very short exposure on users' buying intentions. An experimental design was developed on participants exposed to different web shops for different exposure times. The findings indicate that quality perceptions and buying intentions are not affected by the first impression of a website if this is based on one second exposure. Longer exposure to a website is an important determinant of buying behavior, while all three types of aesthetics are important determinants of the customer's quality perception about the site and the customer's intention to buy a product. [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]

Primary objective: To explore the construct validity of the Spanish version of the Frontal Systems Behavioral Scale (FrSBe) using Rasch modelling. Methods: Item responses of 245 Spanish subjects were analysed using Rasch analysis: self-rating of 65 participants with TBI or stroke (sample A), family-rating of the same 65 participants (sample B) and self-rating of 115 healthy individuals (sample C). Results: After removing or grouping several problematic items, the Apathy and the Executive Dysfunction sub-scales were found to be valid measures for samples A and B and the Disinhibition sub-scale was valid for samples B and C. Person Separation Index of reliability of sub-scales was greater than 0.83 for sample B and ∼0.72 for A and C. All items showed disordered threshold categories in samples A and B and five items were ordered in sample C. Conclusions: With a few modifications, the sub-scales of the FrSBe-Spanish version are adequate measures for the assessment of the behavioural syndromes derived from frontal systems dysfunction in persons with brain injury. The family-rating form is preferable to the self-rating form. Only the Disinhibition scale is a valid measure for the behavioural assessment of the normal population. A reduction of response categories is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]