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Abstract Increased interest in the study of the relationships between human and nonhuman animals over the past few decades has often focused on what factors shape people’s attitudes and treatment towards nonhuman animals. Some scholars have focused on features of the nonhuman animals (cuteness, intelligence, and utility) and how those features predict human behavior while others have concentrated more on possible human individual differences that influence their attitudes and positive or negative actions towards nonhuman animals. In this study, with 978 participants from five different cross-cultural study sites (Arizona, California, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Spain), we utilized three superordinate categories of animal species representing three “Concentric Circles” surrounding our own (from Kith-Kin, to Domestic, to Wild Animals) to investigate the influence of individual differences and local ecological conditions on empathy and harm avoidance scores across these categories. Specifically, these variables were as follows: (1) a set of variables representing the cross-cultural study sites; (2) a second set of sociodemographic predictors; (3) a developmental Animal Exposure factor; (4) a Dark Inventory factor; (5) an Interpersonal Aggression factor; (6) a KithKin-Empathy factor, measuring emotional and cognitive empathy towards Kith-Kin animals; (7) a Domestic-Empathy factor, measuring emotional and cognitive empathy towards Domestic animals; (8) a Wild-Empathy factor, measuring emotional and cognitive empathy towards Wild animals; and (9) a Harm Avoidance factor. A Cascade Model approach allowed us to integrate many factors (individual differences and local ecological conditions) together in explaining empathy and harm avoidance that have previously been examined only in mutual isolation.

Traditional theories of development and evolutionary developmental psychology propose that early environmental experiences shape an individual’s developmental trajectory. According to the Adaptive Calibration Model (ACM), for example, calibration of speed of life history strategy to ecological cues encountered during development contributes to behavior that is conditionally adaptive to the organism’s environment. These theories emphasize the role of environmental influences and typically do not use designs that control potential genetic confounds. To address this methodological problem, the current study used a genetically informative design to test whether the phenotypic associations of parental instability and abuse with a slow life history factor were confounded by common genetic factors. We analyzed twin and singleton data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Survey using two convergent structural equation modeling approaches. Both approaches suggest that, when accounting for shared genetic variance across instability, abuse, and slow life history, some hypothesized environmental pathways between the early environmental measures and slow life history were not required. Once genetic factors were controlled, only parental instability was directly related to slow life history, while other hypothesized environmental pathways were non-significant. This suggests that developmental models that emphasize environmental and contextual pathways should control for possible genetic confounds.

How to lead the investigated patient with respiratory symptoms through the first level of care in pandemic times?

In this study, we conducted the translation and validation of the K-SF-42 in Japan (Figueredo, 2017). The K-SF-42 is a new short form of the Arizona Life History Battery. We obtained empirical evidence that the original seven-factor structure could be applied to the Japanese translated version of K-SF-42 (K-SF-42-J). We also observed good internal consistency of the seven scales of K-SF-42-J. The multi-group confirmatory factor analysis findings suggest that the K-SF-42-J can be used in both sexes and diverse age groups. The K-SF-42-J scales showed similar correlates as the English original, with higher scores of other life history strategy measurement, trait emotional intelligence, well-being, and cultural and social resources in childhood. Use of the K-SF-42-J will allow researchers with Japanese speaking samples to integrate their findings with the existing life history strategy research literature. The brevity of the K-SF-42-J will be appealing to researchers who are concerned about taxing the time and motivation of their participants.

The present article describes the development of a Modern Biased Information Test (MBIT) inspired by the work published by Donald Campbell in 1950 on indirect measures of prejudice. A biased information test aims to tap individuals' intergroup attitudes from the selective information they use to describe group members. Two biased information tests were developed to measure ethnocentric and androcentric biases, respectively, and applied in four convenience samples of students from two different cultural settings (Costa Rica and the USA). The internal consistency for the accuracy indicators derived from both tests was acceptable and comparable across cultures. In contrast, the internal consistency for ethnocentric biases was adequate across samples and cultures, but the internal consistency for androcentric biases was unacceptable across both cultures. Results are discussed in the line of the usefulness of alternative measures for tapping implicit attitudes.

There are multiple levels of backstory to this paper. I was among the last few doctoral students trained by Professor Lewis (“Lew”) Franklin Petrinovich, and collaborated with him on various research projects for decades after I received my PhD in Comparative Psychology, so I witnessed the whole origin story for this paper unfold over the years. While still a graduate student at the University of California at Riverside, I took the course that Lew regularly taught on research methodology. I still consider that one course to be the biggest eye-opener of my graduate training. It revolutionized my thinking on how to do science and has continued to influence my professional career as a researcher in psychology.

We report successful diachronic replication of two major sets of prior findings in the social biogeography of human life history (LH) strategy: (1) the constructive replication of the diachronic changes in the latent hierarchical structure of intelligence in Britannic populations, but as presently applied to the latent hierarchical structure of human LH strategy, now cross-validated in both Britannic and Gallic populations; and (2) the diachronic replication in both Britannic and Gallic populations of the structural relations found synchronically among human LH strategy, between-group competition, and economic productivity in cross-sectional data on contemporary samples of both national and subnational polities. In addition, a supplementary methodological objective was: (3) the convergent validation of diachronic lexicographic measures of LH strategy with respect to more traditional non-lexicographic indicators of LH strategy, such as infant mortality rates, total fertility rates, and life expectancies. We obtained complete configural invariance across Britannic and Gallic biocultural groups, meaning that the same model predictors were statistically significant, but incomplete metric invariance, meaning that most but not all model parameter estimates were statistically equivalent in magnitude and direction. All new results obtained from diachronic data in Britannic populations were replicated almost perfectly in Gallic populations.

La enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal comprende la enfermedad de Crohn (EC) y la colitis ulcerativa (CU). Esta última es una patología crónica caracterizada por una inflamación difusa de la mucosa colónica, que afecta el recto y se extiende de forma proximal. Su curso clínico es intermitente, con exacerbaciones y remisiones. Su tratamiento, por lo general, es farmacológico, con corticoides, inmunomoduladores e inhibidor del factor de necrosis tumoral (anti tumor necrosis factor, TNF), los cuales causan un estado de inmunosupresión en el paciente, que puede asociarse en algunos casos a infecciones oportunistas. En la literatura se describe la aparición de la criptococosis pulmonar en pacientes con infección por el virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). En otros casos se asocia al tratamiento farmacológico de pacientes con EC, así como con otras infecciones oportunistas, tales como la tuberculosis y el herpes. Presentamos uno de los primeros casos de criptococosis pulmonar en un paciente con diagnóstico de colitis ulcerativa, quien recibió tratamiento escalonado con salicilatos, inmunomoduladores y terapia biológica. La infección fue documentada clínica, radiológica e histológicamente. El paciente recibió el tratamiento adecuado y presentó una evolución satisfactoria.

Abstract Purpose: To determine the efficacy of norbixin-based poly(hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) membranes for Achilles tendon repair. Methods: Thirty rats were submitted to total tenotomy surgery of the right Achilles tendon and divided into two groups (control and membrane; n = 15 each), which were further subdivided into three subgroups (days 7, 14, and 21; n = 5 each). Samples were analyzed histologically. Results: Histological analysis showed a significant reduction in inflammatory infiltrates on days 7, 14 (p < 0.0001 for both), and 21 (p = 0.0004) in the membrane group compared to that in the control group. There was also a significant decrease in the number of fibroblasts in the control group on days 7, 14 (p < 0.0001), and 21 (p = 0.0032). Further, an increase in type I collagen deposition was observed in the membrane group compared to that in the control group on days 7 (p = 0.0133) and 14 (p = 0.0107). Conclusion: Treatment with norbixin-based PHB membranes reduces the inflammatory response, increases fibroblast proliferation, and improves collagen production in the tendon repair region, especially between days 7 and 14.

The psychometric trait approach to human life history, based on common factor modeling, has recently come under some criticism for neglecting to inquire into the developmental progression that orients and executes human life history trajectories (Copping, Campbell, Muncer, 2014). It was asserted that the psychometric approach wholly focuses on creating a higher-order latent factor of life history by subsuming individual differences with developmental and social experiences, ignoring ontogenetic progression. Implicit in the critique is the assumption that developmental perspectives and latent approaches are mutually exclusive and incompatible with each other. The response to this critique by Figueredo and colleagues (2015) proposed instead that developmental perspectives and latent trait approaches are both compatible and necessary to further research on human life history strategies. The current paper uses three independent cross-sectional samples to examine whether models of human life history are best informed by a developmental perspective, psychometric trait approach, or both.

The experiment was developed at an organopónico “10 de 0ctober”, Cooperative, located in “Los Letreros”, Manzanillo municipality, Granma province, with the objective to evaluatr the effect at the time of applying foliar the bioestimulant of development quifosana in yields indicator over a tillage of “Amalia” tomato variety and selecting the most adecuate guantity from an agroproductive point of view. The experimental design used was a black taken at radom disposed in four treatments and four replies, in sixteen experimental plots. It counted with a total area of 403 m² distributed in 100,7 m² by treatment and 25,5 by plots, applying the bioestimulante of evelopment when the tillage presented 50% of flowering. The best results where a quantity of 300 mg.ha-1 was used.

PURPOSE: To study the expression of HER2, p53 and Ki67 proteins in cystoplasties. METHODS: Sixty rats were distributed randomly into three groups of 20 animals. Bladder augmentation was held to increase with ileum (Group I), colon (Group II) and stomach (Group III). Tissue samples of neobladder was collected from each rat to its own control. The animals were sacrificed after 12 weeks. The neobladder was withdrawn for immunohistochemitry analysis of p53, HER2 and Ki67 expression. Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical study. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in the expression of p53 and HER2 proteins. It was observed significant increase (p

This study examines the relations between sociodemographic sex differences and life history strategies in the populations of Mexican States. Sex differences in anatomy and behavior was measured with traits such as educational achievement, mortality, and morbidity. The data were obtained from the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) and sampled from thirty-one Mexican states and the Federal District (N = 32). An extension analysis was performed selecting only the sex ratio variables that had a correlation with the slow Life History factor greater than or equal to an absolute value of .25. A unit-weighted sex ratio factor was created using these variables. Across 32 Mexican states, the correlation between latent slow life history and sex ratio was .57 (p .05). These results are consistent with our hypothesis that slower life histories favor reduced sexual dimorphism in physiology and behavior among human subnational populations. The results of the study further understanding of variations in population sex differences, male-biased behaviors toward sexual equality, and the differences among subnational (regional) populations within the United States of Mexico. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v6i1_chavarria_minera

We present empirical tests of the stability of individual differences over the lifespan using a novel methodological technique to combine behavior-genetic data from twin dyads with longitudinal measures of life history-related traits (including health and personality) from non-twin samples. Using data from The Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) Longitudinal Survey, we constructed a series of “hybrid” models that permitted the estimation of both temporal stability parameters and behavior-genetic variance components to determine the contributions of genetic and environmental influences on individual differences. Our results indicate that changes in a higher-order factor of life history strategy (Super-K, composed of the K-Factor, Covitality, and Personality) over the study period were very small in magnitude and that this temporal stability is under a considerable degree of shared genetic influence and a substantial degree of non-shared environmental influence, but a statistically non-significant degree of shared environmental influence. Implications and future directions are discussed. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v5i1_figueredo

The process of mediation is of critical importance to the social and behavioral sciences and to evolutionary social psychology in particular. As with the concept of evolutionary adaptation, however, one can argue that causal mediation is in need of explicit theoretical justification and empirical support. Mainstream evolutionary social psychology proposes, for example, that organisms are “adaptation executers”, and not “fitness maximizers”. The execution of adaptations is triggered by fitness-relevant ecological contingencies at both ultimate and proximate levels of analysis. This logic is essentially equivalent to what methodologists refer to as the process of mediation; the adaptations to be executed (or not, depending upon the prevailing environmental circumstances) causally mediate the effects of the ecological contingencies upon the fitness outcomes. Thus, the process of mediation can be generally conceptualized as a causal chain of events leading to a given outcome or set of outcomes. If a predictor variable operates through an intervening variable to affect a criterion variable, then mediation is said to exist. Nevertheless, it does not appear that some psychologists (particularly evolutionary-social psychologists) are sufficiently well-versed in the fundamental logic and quantitative methodology of establishing causal mediation to support such claims. In the current paper, we set out to review the ways researchers support their use of mediation statements and also propose critical considerations on this front. We start with more conventional methods for testing mediation, discuss variants of the conventional approach, discuss the limitations of such methods as we see them, and end with our preferred mediation approach. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v04i1_figueredo3

Recent findings indicate that a slow Life History (LH) strategy factor is associated with increased levels of Executive Functioning (EF), increased emotional intelligence, decreased levels of sexually coercive behaviors, and decreased levels of negative ethnocentrism. Based on these findings, as well as the generative theory, we predicted that slow LH strategy should inhibit negative androcentrism (bias against women). A sample of undergraduates responded to a battery of questionnaires measuring various facets of their LH Strategy, (e.g., sociosexual orientation, mating effort, mate-value, psychopathy, executive functioning, and emotional intelligence) and various convergent measures of Negative Androcentrism. A structural model that the data fit well indicated a latent protective LH strategy trait predicted decreased negative androcentrism. This trait fully mediated the relationship between participant biological sex and androcentrism. We suggest that slow LH strategy may inhibit negative attitudes toward women because of relatively decreased intrasexual competition and intersexual conflict among slow LH strategists. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v4i1_gladden

Contents Meta-Analysis is a procedure designed to quantitatively analyze the methodological characteristics in studies sampled in conventional meta-analyses to assess the relationship between methodologies and outcomes. This article presents the rationale and procedures for conducting a Contents Meta-Analysis in conjunction with conventional Effects Meta-analysis. We provide an overview of the pertinent limitations of conventional meta-analysis from methodological and meta-scientific standpoint. We then introduce novel terminology distinguishing different kinds of complementary meta-analyses that address many of the problems previously identified for conventional meta-analyses. We would also like to direct readers to the second paper in this series (Figueredo, Black, Scott, this issue), which demonstrates the utility of Contents Meta-Analysis with an empirical example and present findings regarding the generalizability of the effect sizes estimated. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v4i2_figueredo2

In Figueredo, Black, and Scott (this issue), we presented the rationale for a complementary meta-analytic method to accompany traditional effects meta-analytic procedures. Here, we provide an example using Contents Meta-Analysis so that readers can become familiar with the application of the method and the implications of its use. This illustration will be presented in two major sections. First, we will describe an empirical example of a meta-analysis on retention in higher education where a Contents Meta-Analysis was conducted. Then we will show how the information gained in the Contents Meta-Analysis may be applied to address issues of generalizability. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v4i2_figueredo

The purpose of the present article is to propose an alternative short form for the 199-item Arizona Life History Battery (ALHB), which we are calling the K-SF-42, as it contains 42 items as compared with the 20 items of the Mini-K, the short form that has been in greatest use for the past decade. These 42 items were selected from the ALHB, unlike those of the Mini-K, making direct comparisons of the relative psychometric performance of the two alternative short forms a valid and instructive exercise. A series of secondary data analyses were performed upon a recently completed five-nation cross-cultural survey, which was originally designed to assess the role of life history strategy in the etiology of interpersonal aggression. Only data from the ALHB that were collected in all five cross-cultural replications were used for the present analyses. The single immediate objective of this secondary data analysis was producing the K-SF-42 such that it would perform optimally across all five cultures sampled, and perhaps even generalize well to other modern industrial societies not currently sampled as a result of the geographic breadth of those included in the present study. A novel method, based on the use of the Cross-Sample Geometric Mean as a criterion for item selection, was used for generating such a cross-culturally valid short form.

The aim of this article is to examine the relations between two approaches to the measurement of life history (LH) strategies: A traditional approach, termed here the biodemographic approach, measures developmental characteristics like birthweight, gestation length, interbirth intervals, pubertal timing, and sexual debut, and a psychological approach measures a suite of cognitive and behavioral traits such as altruism, sociosexual orientation, personality, mutualism, familial relationships, and religiosity. The biodemographic approach also tends not to invoke latent variables, whereas the psychological approach typically relies heavily upon them. Although a large body of literature supports both approaches, they are largely separate. This review examines the history and relations between biodemographic and psychological measures of LH, which remain murky at best. In doing so, we consider basic questions about the nature of LH strategies: What constitutes LH strategy (or perhaps more importantly, what does not constitute LH strategy)? What is gained or lost by including psychological measures in LH research? Must these measures remain independent or should they be used in conjunction as complementary tools to test tenets of LH theory? Although definitive answers will linger, we hope to catalyze an explicit discussion among LH researchers and to provoke novel research avenues that combine the strengths each approach brings to this burgeoning field.

The Ravens Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM) is a widely used measure of general intelligence ( g ), both across settings and cultures. Due to its lengthy 40-min administration time, several researchers have developed short-form scales, yet these forms typically yield a significantly lower reliability. This article describes the creation of an 18-item short form (APM-18) and its validation in three samples of Southwestern U.S. university students (total N = 633). The APM-18 shows similar psychometric properties to both the previously published 36-item long form and 12-item short form, but retains a reliability estimate closer to the original APM. This, plus the shorter administration time (25 min) relative to the complete APM (40-60 min), makes it useful for time-constrained or mass-testing situations.

This study focused on the quality of life experienced by persons with severe mental illness (SMI). Previous studies indicate the need for a multi-dimensional approach to the study of quality of life and its subjective indicators. For the SMI, attention should be paid not only to the direct and intentional effects of interventions, but also to the indirect and unintentional effects, both negative and positive. Hence, a global evaluation of individuals within this group is indicated. A multitrait-multimethod approach to construct validation using confirmatory factor analysis was employed. The hypothesized factors were modeled as multiple traits and the multiple perspectives of the respondents (i.e. patient, case manager, family member) were multiple methods. A total of 265 severely mentally ill adults served by a network of agencies in four cities were randomly sampled. The sample was approximately 50% male and 50% female, ages ranged from 19-78 years. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v1i2_johnson

A social relations model was developed for 5 years of behavioral recordings from a captive colony of Zebrafinches (Taeniopygia guttata). A quantitative ethogram was applied, using one-zero focal animal sampling on an ethologically comprehensive checklist of 52 behavioral items (Figueredo, Petrinovich, Ross, 1992). Of the 9 ethological factors previously identified, only 4 of the 6 social factors (Social Proximity, Social Contact, Social Submission, and Social Aggression) were used. Major results were as follows: (1) Individual finches showed systematically different response dispositions that were stable over a 5-year period as both subjects and objects of behavior; (2) Interactions between finches differed systematically by the sexes of both the subjects and the objects of behavior; (3) Behavioral interactions between finches and their mates differed systematically according to the subjects' sex, but also differed systematically from those with other members of the objects' sex; (4) Behavioral interactions between finches and their relatives differed systematically between different discrete categories of relatives, but did not vary as a systematic function of either graded genetic relatedness or familiarity due to common rearing; and (5) Behavioral interactions between finches and their relatives showed an overall bias towards preferential interactions with male relatives. DOI:10.2458/azu_jmmss_v1i1_figueredo

PURPOSE: To study morphologic and histochemical alterations arising at the ileocystoplasty site. METHODS: Sixteen Wistar female rats were subjected to ileocystoplasty and sacrificed after eight weeks. Material collected was divided into four groups for histological and histochemical studies: Group I (control) - isolated ileum segment removed during ileocystoplasty; Group II - ileoileal anastomosis; Group III - ileovesical anastomosis and Group IV - ileal segment from the neobladder. Histological and histochemical study assessed dysplasia, metaplasia, acute and chronic inflammation, fibrosis, atrophy, hypertrophy, total mucins, sialomucins and sulfomucins. The non-parametric Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney tests were employed in statistical analysis. RESULTS: None of the groups presented dysplasia. Acute inflammation and atrophy occurred in Groups II, III and IV, not reaching statistical significance. Metaplasia was significant only in Group III (p=0.012). Chronic inflammation, fibrosis and hypertrophy were significant in Groups II, III and IV. There was a significant increase in total mucin content in Group IV (p=0.014) and a reduction in Group III (p=0.016). Increases in sialomucins were observed in samples for Groups III (p=0.003) and IV (p=0.002) along with reduced sulfomucins in samples from Groups III (p=0.013) and IV (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: Ileocystoplasty in female rats caused squamous metaplasia, chronic inflammatory infiltration, fibrosis, hypertrophy, increase in sialomucin content, reduction in sulfomucins, and alterations in total mucin content with statistical significance, as well acute inflammatory infiltration and muscular atrophy with less intensity.OBJETIVO: Estudar alterações morfológicas e histoquímicas nas ileocistoplastias em ratos fêmea. MÉTODOS: 16 ratos fêmea foram submetidos à ileocistoplastia, sacrificadas após oito semanas. O material coletado foi e dividido em quatro grupos para análise morfológica e histoquímica: Grupo I (controle) biópsia intestinal no momento da cirurgia; Grupo II - anastomose íleo-ileal; Grupo III - anastomose íleo-vesical e Grupo IV - segmento intestinal da neobexiga. Os parâmetros avaliados foram: displasia, metaplasia, processo inflamatório agudo e crônico, fibrose, atrofia, hipertrofia, conteúdo total de mucinas, sialomucinas e sulfomucinas. Utilizou-se os testes não-paramétricos de Wilcoxon e Mann-Whitney para estudo estatístico. RESULTADOS: Não houve displasia. Processo inflamatório agudo e atrofia ocorreram nos grupos II, III e IV, sem significância estatística. Metaplasia com significância estatística ocorreu somente no grupo III (p=0.012). Processo inflamatório crônico, fibrose e hipertrofia foram significantes nos grupos II, III e IV. Observou-se aumento significante no conteúdo total de mucinas no grupo IV (p=0.014) e redução no grupo III (p=0.013). Aumento significante de sialomucinas foi observado nos grupos III (p=0.003) e IV (p=0.002) e redução significante das sulfomucinas nos grupos III (p=0.013) e IV (p=0.008). CONCLUSÃO: Nas ileocistoplastias em ratos fêmea observou-se metaplasia escamosa, processo inflamatório crônico, fibrose, hipertrofia, aumento do conteúdo de sialomucinas, redução das sulfomucinas e alterações no conteúdo total de mucinas com significância estatística, bem como atrofia e processo inflamatório agudo em menor intensidade.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del cobre en vacas gestantes sobre el comportamiento reproductivo posparto y la salud del ternero. Materiales y métodos. Se estudiaron 80 vacas divididas en dos grupos de 40 animales cada uno. El grupo A fue tratado con 2 ml de CuSO4 (2.5%) subcutáneamente. El tratamiento se inició a los 8 meses de gestación, y se repitió a los 30 y 90 días post parto. El grupo B, se uso como control. A las vacas se les analizó el perfil hematoquímico, intervalo parto primer servicio (IPPS), intervalo parto concepción (IPC), intervalo parto-parto (IPP), índice de natalidad (IN), índice de inseminación (II) y la eficiencia en la detección de la hembra en estro (EDHE) y a los terneros los parámetros hematoquímicos. Los datos se procesaron mediante Statgraphics Plus 5.0, para las diferencias entre medias de los datos hemoquímicos y reproductivos se aplicó (ANOVA) y comparaciones de proporciones IN y EDHE. Se empleó la correlación y regresión simple para demostrar la relación del cobre con las demás parámetros estudiados. Resultados. La administración subcutánea de cobre incrementó los niveles de dicho elemento en sangre, hierro y hemoglobina (p< 0.001); así como la disminución del IPPS, IPC, IPP, IN, EDHE, e II (p< 0.05). En los terneros se aumentó la cupremia (p< 0.001), la hemoglobina (p< 0.01) y las proteínas totales (p< 0.05). Conclusiones. El tratamiento aplicado incrementó los indicadores hematoquímicos y reproductivos en los animales tratados

Copping, Campbell, and Muncer (2014) have recently published an article critical of the psychometric approach to the assessment of life history (LH) strategy. Their purported goal was testing for the convergent validation and examining the psychometric structure of the High-K Strategy Scale (HKSS). As much of the literature on the psychometrics of human LH during the past decade or so has emanated from our research laboratory and those of close collaborators, we have prepared this detailed response. Our response is organized into four main sections: (1) A review of psychometric methods for the assessment of human LH strategy, expounding upon the essence of our approach; (2) our theoretical/conceptual concerns regarding the critique, addressing the broader issues raised by the critique regarding the latent and hierarchical structure of LH strategy; (3) our statistical/methodological concerns regarding the critique, examining the validity and persuasiveness of the empirical case made specifically against the HKSS; and (4) our recommendations for future research that we think might be helpful in closing the gap between the psychometric and biometric approaches to measurement in this area. Clearly stating our theoretical positions, describing our existing body of work, and acknowledging their limitations should assist future researchers in planning and implementing more informed and prudent empirical research that will synthesize the psychometric approach to the assessment of LH strategy with complementary methods.

Psychopathy, Narcissism, and Machiavellianism (the Dark Triad) have each been hypothesized as predictors of socially deviant behavior including sexual coercion, but the three traits also covary significantly with one another. The purpose of this study was to examine several alternative Multisample Structural Equation Models (MSEMs) exploring the relations between the Dark Triad and Sexually Coercive Behavior, testing whether any or all of the three specific “Dark Personality” traits uniquely contributed to predicting sexually coercive behavior. Self-report questionnaires measuring Primary and Secondary Psychopathy, Narcissism, Machiavellianism, and Sexually Coercive Behavior were administered to a sample of undergraduates. The relative fit of each of the MSEMs to the data was examined by means of hierarchically nested model comparisons. The most parsimonious yet explanatory model identified was one in which a single common factor composed of the three Dark Triad indicators explained the relationships among the Dark Triad traits and Sexually Coercive Behavior without any direct contributions from the specific Dark Triad indicators. Results indicate that the three Dark Triad traits, controlling for the common factor, do not differentially predict Sexually Coercive Behavior. These results are interpreted with respect to the principle of Brunswik-Symmetry.

Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) is used to analyze the causal relationships between observable and unobservable variables. Among the assumptions considered, but not essential, for the application of the SEM are the presence of multivariate normality between the data, and the need for a large number of observations, in order to obtain the variances and covariances between the variables. It is not always possible to have access to a sufficiently large number of observations to enable the calculation of parameters, and the convergence of the iterative algorithm is one of the problems in obtaining the results. This work investigates the convergence of iterative algorithms, which minimize the variation of parameters, through a stipulated convergence rate, using the Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Generalized Least Squares (GLS) estimation methods on structural equation models using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and regression models. Convergences were evaluated in relation to the number of observations, in order to obtain a minimum quantity sufficient for a convergence rate above 50%. The calculations were performed in the statistical environment R® version 3.4.4, and the results obtained showed a convergence rate above 50% for models estimated by GLS, even with the data showing lack of multivariate normality, kurtosis and accentuated asymmetry. Thus, it was possible to define a minimum number of observations necessary for an adequate convergence of the iterative algorithms in obtaining the necessary parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto del cobre sobre el comportamiento reproductivo de novillas lecheras.Materiales y métodos. El trabajo se realizó en fincas de la provincia de Villa Clara, en dos etapasy con 210 novillas. En la primera se estudiaron 120 novillas divididas en dos grupos de 60 animalescada uno. El grupo A, control y el B, tratado con 2 ml de CuSO4 (2.5%) subcutáneamente. En lasegunda etapa se estudiaron 90 novillas divididas en tres grupos de 30 animales cada uno, elgrupo A, control; el B, fue tratado con 2 ml de CuSO4 (2.5%) subcutáneamente y el grupo C, setrató con acupuntura utilizando 0.1 ml de dicho producto subcutáneamente en el punto Pahuai; enambas etapas los animales del grupo A, no recibieron ningún tratamiento y a los animales tratados,grupos B y C se les repitió el tratamiento cada 60 días en dos aplicaciones más. Los análisishemoquímicos se efectuaron en los laboratorios de la Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias de laUniversidad Central de Las Villas. Resultados. Los animales aumentaron significativamente los nivelesdel cobre en suero sanguíneo (p

FUNDAMENTOS: Este é um estudo retrospectivo e anatomopatológico de 704 carcinomas basocelulares de 623 pacientes, diagnosticados no período de 1991 a 1996, no setor de Dermatopatologia da Clínica Dermatológica do Hospital das Clínicas da UFPE e em um laboratório privado de dermatopatologia da cidade do Recife. OBJETIVOS: Caracterizar aspectos clínicos e anatomopatológicos dos carcinomas basocelulares diagnosticados nos dois serviços da região de Pernambuco. MÉTODOS: Para o estudo clínico, os dados foram retirados dos prontuários e para o estudo anatomopatológico, macro e microscópicos, foram feitas revisão dos preparados histológicos. Para o crescimento vertical empregaram-se métodos baseados nas técnicas histoprognósticas de Clark e Breslow, aplicadas ao melanoma maligno. RESULTADOS: Clínicos: a maior incidência foi no sexo feminino (55,7%), faixa etária de 55 a 72 anos, tempo de evolução com variabilidade elevadíssima, desde um mês a 40 anos, e a cabeça foi a região topográfica mais freqüente (73,8%), principalmente nasal (21,1%) e zigomática (18,5%). A forma nodular pigmentada (47,4%) foi a mais encontrada e o tamanho das lesões independeu do tempo evolutivo. Histologicamente os padrões considerados baseados apenas nos arranjos parenquimais, foram os adenóide, compacto, fibroepitelial de Pinkus plexiforme, pseudocístico, reticulado, superficial e tricoepitelial, predominando o adenóide (28,3%). A média de crescimento foi em 2/3 da derme reticular (32,4%), e os tumores que mais se aprofundaram mostraram fibroplasia intensa. Houve concomitância de vários tipos celulares em um mesmo tumor e o pigmento melânico esteve mais presente nos tricoepitelioides. CONCLUSÃO: A fundamental importância da caracterização clínica e anatomopatológica dos carcinomas basocelulares destes serviços, sem diferenças muito significativas para os grupos e atenção para definições comportamentais e proposições ao relatório histopatológico.BACKGROUND: A retrospective and anatomopathological study was performed on 704 basal carcinomas of 623 patients, diagnosed from 1991 to 1996, at the Dermatopathology section of the Dermatology Clinic of the Hospital das Clinicas, UFPE and at a private dermatopathology laboratory in the city of Recife. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the clinical and anatomopathological aspects of the basal cell carcinomas diagnosed by the two services of Pernambuco region. METHODS: For the clinical study, the data were collected from the patient files and for the anatomopathological, macro and microscopic study a revision was made of the histological specimens. For determination of vertical growth, methods were used based on Clark and Breslow's histoprognostic techniques applied to malignant melanoma. RESULTS: Clinical: the highest incidence was in the feminine sex (55.7%) and in the 55 to 72-year-old age group. Disease duration was highly variable, ranging from one month to 40 years, and the head was the most frequent topographical area (73.8%), mainly nasal (21.1%) and zygomatic (18.5%). The nodular pigmented form (47.4%) was found most frequently and the size of the lesions did not depend on the disease duration. Histologically the patterns considered based only on the parenchymal arrangements, were the adenoid, compact, plexiform Pinkus fibroepithelioma, pseudocystic, reticulated, superficial and trichoepithelioid, though predominantly the adenoid form (28.3%). The mean growth involved 2/3 of the reticular dermis (32.4%), and the deepest tumors presented intense fibroplasia. There was concomitance of several cellular types within a single tumor and melanin pigment was found mostly in the trichoepithelioid type. CONCLUSION: The clinical and anatomopathological characterization of the basal cell carcinomas is of fundamental importance at these services, where there is no major difference between groups, calling attention to behavioral definitions and propositions for the histopathological report of these tumors.

Se utilizó el Inventario de Valor como Pareja (IVP) en talleres paralelos titulados “La Racionalidad del romance” con muestras independientes recolectadas en cuatro sitios distintos: (1) Tucson, Arizona, Estados Unidos (n = 71), (2) Hermosillo, Sonora, México (n = 56), (3). Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal, México (n = 39), y (4) San José, Costa Rica (n = 77). Cada participante contestó un cuestionario anónimo y confidencial que incluía preguntas sobre su percepción de su propio “Valor como pareja” (VP), el VP de sus parejas románticas presentes o pasadas, y el VP de sus mejores amistades masculinas y femeninas. Cada participante dio informes sobre relaciones con sus parejas presentes o pasadas, incluyendo su grado de fidelidad a esa pareja, la seriedad de esa relación, y su satisfacción con esa relación. Se especificaron y analizaron varias relaciones entre los datos obtenidos por medio de un modelo económico de intercambio social.

To assess the performance of the immunochromatographic test for filariasis, adult Wuchereria bancrofti worms were incubated under different conditions. The tests were strongly positive with incubation fluids from both living and mechanically damaged females. Negative results were observed with incubation fluids from all male worms and from intact dead females.Para a valiar o desempenho do teste imunocromatográfico para filariose, vermes adultos de Wuchereria bancrofti foram incubados em diferentes condições. Os testes foram fortemente positivos com fluidos de incubação de fêmeas vivas e danificadas mecanicamente. Resultados negativos foram obtidos com fluidos de todos os machos e de fêmeas mortas intactas.

Diversas instituciones de la República de Cuba trabajan en el desarrollo de fármacos a partir de preparados de lignina de bagazo. El presente reporte describe los resultados obtenidos en la evaluación de un preparado medicinal (derivado químico de la lignina alcalina de bagazo), registrado bajo el nombre de LIGMED-A; antidiarreico para uso veterinario y primero de una serie de productos en estudio, el cual tiene propiedades enterosorbentes, resultando ser efectivo en el tratamiento de trastornos del estómago y el intestino de distintas especies animales, además ha demostrado su capacidad germicida y su poder atrapador de radicales libres.

The sexual competition hypothesis (SCH) contends that intense female intrasexual competition (ISC) is the ultimate cause of eating disorders. The SCH explains the phenomenon of the pursuit of thinness as an adaptation to ISC in the modern environment. It argues that eating disorders are pathological phenomena that arise from the mismatch between the modern environment and the inherited female adaptations for ISC. The present study has two aims. The first is to examine the relationship between disordered eating behavior (DEB) and ISC in a sample of female undergraduates. The second is to establish whether there is any relationship between disordered eating behavior and life history (LH) strategy. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires examining eating-related attitudes and behaviors, ISC, and LH strategy. A group of 206 female undergraduates were recruited. A structural equation model was constructed to analyze the data. ISC for mates was significantly associated with DEB, as predicted by the SCH. DEB was found to be predicted by fast LH strategy, which was only partially mediated by the SCH. The results of this study are supportive of the SCH and justify research on a clinical sample.

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar, empleando la teoría bioecológica de Bronfenbrenner, los efectos de factores protectores en la crianza. 183 madres con historia de abuso, habitantes de la ciudad de Hermosillo, Sonora, México, aceptaron participar en la investigación. Los datos fueron analizados empleando ecuaciones estructurales. Los resultados muestran que el factor K modula el efecto de los factores protectores. Éstos y los de riesgo se encontraron tanto en el exosistema, como en el microsistema y en el ontosistema. El factor protector predijo los estilos de crianza, amor- tiguando los efectos de las variables de riesgo como la inseguridad del vecindario, la violencia de pareja y la depresión.

Se utilizó el Inventario de Valor como Pareja (IVP) en talleres paralelos titulados “La Racionalidad del romance” con muestras independientes recolectadas en cuatro sitios distintos: (1) Tucson, Arizona, Estados Unidos (n = 71), (2) Hermosillo, Sonora, México (n = 56), (3). Ciudad de México, Distrito Federal, México (n = 39), y (4) San José, Costa Rica (n = 77). Cada participante contestó un cuestionario anónimo y confidencial que incluía preguntas sobre su percepción de su propio “Valor como pareja” (VP), el VP de sus parejas románticas presentes o pasadas, y el VP de sus mejores amistades masculinas y femeninas. Cada participante dio informes sobre relaciones con sus parejas presentes o pasadas, incluyendo su grado de fidelidad a esa pareja, la seriedad de esa relación, y su satisfacción con esa relación. Se especificaron y analizaron varias relaciones entre los datos obtenidos por medio de un modelo económico de intercambio social.