Scipedia: Documents published in 2017

Scale of Resistance to Peer Pressure to Alcohol Consumption

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:50:05 +0200

In Mexico alcohol consumption has increased mainly in adolescents. It has been identified that the ability to resist peer pressure can be a factor that protects the young from alcohol, tobacco and drugs, although this does not have an instrument to assess the skill specifically for alcohol. The aim of this work was to design and validate a scale that assesses the ability to resist peer pressure specifically for alcohol in public high schools and college students from Mexico City, and assessed whether there were significant differences in the resistance level by gender and level of alcohol consumption. The sample was not random and consisted of 900 public high schools (38.6%) and college (61.4%) students of Mexico City (42.9% men and 57.1% women) with a average age was 15.6 years (sd = 2.5). Exploratory factor analysis yielded a single factor of six items with good level of reliability, afterwards was a confirmatory factor analysis in which the fit indices performed well and kept the six items. Women showed greater resistance to peer pressure than men and it was found that young people who have a deficit in the ability to resist peer pressure have higher levels of alcohol consumption so it is important to strengthen that skill in prevention programs.

Psychometric Validation of the Mexican Adaptation of the Child Feeding Questionnaire

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:50:01 +0200

The Child Feeding Questionnaire developed by Birch, Fisher, Grimm-Thomas, Markey, & Sawyer, (2001) is a widely used mesurement to assess beliefs, actitudes and practices around child feeding. However, the psychometric characteristics of the CFQ for use with Mexican populations are unknown. The pupose of this stuydy was to test the reliability and validity of a modified version of the CFQ in mexican population. Prior to testing psychometric characteristics, the questionnaire was traslated into spanish usign a traslation-back-traslation method. Some adaptation were made, in order to make them culturally appropriate. Also three new items were added. The questionnaire was administered to 1157 mexican mothers of children aged 5-12 years. Constuct validity was assessed by principal componet factor analysis with varimax rotation, revealed the presence of eight major factors, which explain 59.99% of variance. Reliability was tested by Cronbachs alpha coefficient, and was aceptable for the eigth factors (a: .858). This modified eight factor CFQ appears to be a linguistically, and culturally appropriate instrument for assessing practices, attitudes and parental feeding beliefs in Mexican mother of 5 to12 years children.

Neuropsychological relationship between maturity and presence-absence of crawling behavior

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:59 +0200

Neuropsychological maturity is the level of organization and maturational development that allows the development of behavioral and cognitive age-appropriate individual functions, crawling behavior is the first harmonic motion in which the baby uses his head and his both lower extremities as superior, to support and move, it allows the establishment of connections between brain hemispheres, leading to the intercom that simplifies the work of the brain and promotes the maturation of the cognitive functions of the infant, the objective of this research was compare neuropsychological maturity in children 5 and 6 years of age who presented behavior crawling with those who had not, the sample consisted of 50 students from private schools in central Colombia. It was a quantitative study with a comparative-descriptive cross-sectional design, in which the history and the parent questionnaire battery neuropsychological evaluation Infantil (ENI) developed by Matute, Rosselli, Ardila y Ostrosky (2007) and was used Maturity Questionnaire Neuropsychological Children (CUMANIN). First, he made the selected sample, the instruments are applied, and the results were analyzed and finally publicly sustained research. It was concluded through statistical Wilcoxon Shapiro applied to compare the scores of the two groups possibly psychomotor scale depends on crawling, regarding the performance when comparing the 2 groups with the Chi-square statistic best results are evidenced in nine scales the group presented crawling behavior with respect to the group that did not crawl.

Child Raising Practices Associated to the Reduction of Problematic Child Behavior: A Public Health Approach

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:56 +0200

Parent behavioral training results in behavioral changes that are associated with the reduction of a child’s problematic behaviors. The purpose of the present study was to identify the most effective components of a parent behavioral training program on both, the observed parents’ behavior and their report on the reduction of their child’s problematic behavior. Participants were 84 Mexican parents of two to twelve years old children with behavioral problems. Parents attended a positive child raising program based in role playing that trained them to respond in a positive manner to their children’s behaviors with the ultimate goal of reducing problematic behaviors. The children’s behaviors were assessed using self-report questionnaires answered by the parents. After the behavioral training, a significant change in the parents’ behavior was observed. Parents also reported a significant reduction of their child’s problematic behavior. The most effective components of the intervention program were behavior correction, praise, giving clear instructions, rule establishment, problem solving, social interaction, and the reduction in punishment.

Leadership and its Relationship with Outcome Variables: a Structural Model Comparing Transformational and Transactional Leadership in an Entertainment Company in Mexico

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:52 +0200

The purpose of this article was to determine the influence of transformational and transactional leadership behavior in the outcome variables of a sample of 100 managers within an entertainment provider organization in Mexico. Structural equation modeling showed that the leadership behavior factors of the participating managers highlighted in first place transformational subscales such as intelectual stimulation, idealized influence (behavior), idealized influence (atribute) and individual consideration. The most important outcome variable for them was extra effort. This result means that managers are interested in developing their followers skillness to resolve problems and update their staff. The theoretical and empirical findings of previous studies of the Model of Bass and Avolio were reaffirmed such as direct and significant correlations between the leadership behaviors and outcome variables and inverse correlations with laissez faire leadership behavior. Alpha Cronbach reliability values were above .70 in such variables.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of an Intervention Program in Reducing Bullying and Disruptive Behavior

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:49 +0200

There are few intervention programs designed for reducing bullying in the classrooms. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of an intervention program based on the principles of applied behavior analysis to reduce bullying in the classroom. The program was designed to train elementary school teachers in the application of eight behavioral techniques (i.e., stimuli control, cost of response, reinforcing alternative responses, self-control of anger, group contingencies, task analysis, monitoring, and shaping). Eight teachers from three public schools were trained and they implemented the program during a whole school year. Those teachers had 223 students. From that total 28 were identified as bullies and 28 as victims. The bullying behavior of those 28 children as well as the disruptive behaviors of the 223 students were measured pre, during and post treatment. Results showed that the intervention program was successful in reducing bullying as well as disruptive behaviors. The program was especially effective in reducing antisocial behavior.

Positive Child Rearing Practices: Parents training for reduce bullying

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:45 +0200

The study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of a positive child rearing program with parents for reducing bullying and incrementing pro-social behavior of their children. Participants were eight couples and two single parents of 10 children identified as bullies. Half of the parents were assigned to a control group and the other half were trained to identify aggressive and pro-social behaviors of their children, as well as their antecedents and consequences. During eight weekly sessions parents were trained to set limits, reinforce both pro-social behavior and alternative responses to the aggressive ones, to correct, slightly disapprove, punish and extinguish aggressive behavior. Frequency of emission of specific pro-social behaviors (doing homework, helping in domestic chores and picking up toys) and of physical and verbal aggression was registered by parents and teachers during three weeks of base line and during eight weeks of treatment. Results showed a significant reduction of aggressive behavior and an increase of pro-social behavior compared both to base line and to the frequency of the same behaviors by children of the control group. Notably, behavior also changed at school. Results are discussed regarding the usefulness of interventions with parents in reducing bullying behavior by their children in different contexts

Construction of causality and counter-causality in subjects with different level of education

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:42 +0200

This work is part of a larger project in which we seek to analize how Spanish speakers produce and understand causal and counter-causal relations. Our general hypothesis is that causality is a basic conceptual / semantic relation that is processed “by default” and more easily than other relations, such as counter-causality. On this occasion, our specific objectives were: 1) to evaluate the extent to which formal education influences this process, 2) what is the effect of the absence / presence of specific connectives, especially in relation to the level of formal education of the subject. We carry out a psycholinguistic experiment designed to elicit causal and counter-causal continuations of short texts with and without connective. We evaluated two groups of subjects with different levels of formal education. The results show that: a) in the absence of connective, the tendency to establish causality is strong and consistent, b) with connective, error levels are higher for counter-causal relations and the time required to process them is significantly higher. This pattern holds for the two groups of subjects analyzed, so do not depend on schooling but, instead, seems to be a more basic linguistic process shared by all speakers.

Well-Being and Depression in Elderly Women and Men Living in Poverty

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:39 +0200

In Mexico the process of aging is growing rapidly therefore there are structural changes on the all areas of the life. High levels of poverty exist in the country, which they do of the population of major adults a vulnerable group. In this population the factors that they contribute to his well-being are determined by different situation of his/her life. In relation to the mental health the most frequent suffering is the depression that unlike other social groups the factors that unleash it are different. The aim is to know if difference exists in the levels well-being satisfaction between men and women. Also to know if the level of well-being is relates to the depression. The sample size was 201 major adults who live in situation of poverty in 17 municipalities of the Metropolitan Zone of Guadalajara, Mexico. The 47.8% was men, the rest (52.2%) women, the average of age is of x˜ =77.6, s=5.8. The comparative analyses showed that the factors that make feel satisfied both men and women are the health and the love of their children. Also the religion (in women) as the relation of spouse (in men) they are factors that favor the well-being of the major adults. The men have better perception of health that the women. Finally in both groups the levels of depression are related principally with being healthy, to be alive and to live in peace.

El Efecto del Establecimiento de Caras y/o Voces de Adultos como Reforzadores Condicionados para Niños con TEA y Desórdenes Relacionados

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:35 +0200

We tested the effects of the establishment of conditioned reinforcement for observing human faces and/or voices on the rate of learning, observing responses, and verbal operant emissions for four children, ages 4-5 years, with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and related disorders. We used a non-concurrent, delayed probe design across participants with pre and post-intervention measures. The intervention included a conjugate stimulus-stimulus pairing procedure. Results demonstrated that as a function of the intervention, faces were conditioned for three out of three participants and voices were conditioned for two out of two participants for whom either was lacking respectively prior to the intervention (both faces and voices were conditioned for one participant). Post-intervention probes demonstrated increases in rate of learning, observing responses, and verbal operants for all four participants.

Suicide Attempts in Mexican Teenagers: a Cultural Consensus Theory Perspective

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:32 +0200

The suicide is a problem of public world health and the adolescents are those who present with more frequency this problem. Nevertheless, the studies of the suicide phenomenon from a cultural perspective are limited. Cultural research in suicidology is important to develop the understanding of the meanings of suicidal behavior in different contexts. The cultural consensus theory would contribute to the cultural perspective of the knowledge of suicidal behaviors in terms of its internal elements and their functioning (emic) and this theory allows knowing if there exists a knowledge shared by a social group regarding an issue and allows to recognize its organization. The aim of this study was to identify the semantic structure of the cultural domain, as well as the average of knowledge and the degree of cultural consensus regarding suicide among adolescent suicide attempters. It was a qualitative study, using the free-listing technique, with a non-random sample made up of 29 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18 years. The free lists were on: the causes, the signs and the symptoms, what he/she feels, thinks and does before attempting suicide and the strategies of suicide prevention at adolescence. The results showed for every question a single semantic model in the cultural domain suicide attempt. In such structure, the family problems were identified as the cause of suicidal attempt, the depression and the sadness were symptoms before suicidal attempt. The sadness, the loneliness and the anger were what an adolescent feels before the suicide attempt. Furthermore, to get out of the problem and to end his/her life were what an adolescent thinks before attempting suicide and to commit suicide was what an adolescent does before to suicide attempt. To pay more attention, to talk with the adolescent, to improve the communication with the parents and to attend a psychotherapy were identified as strategies for suicide prevention. The results highlight the importance of the family of suicide prevention programs for adolescents based on cultural knowledge.

Influence of Musical Knowledge on Musical Preference

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:27 +0200

The psychology of music can be found within a conceptual and empirical framework that is useful as a reference to explain the human response to it. An important research line of this discipline is the one that studies the musical taste, on which is based this article. The comparison is between musical taste and preferences of musical genres among people with musical education and those without it. The sample was constituted by 104 participants that were divided into two groups: a) individuals with musical formation (MF), with 52 participants (19 women and 33 men), b) individuals without musical formation (WMF). As a result, it was found that music is important in peoples' daily lives, the MF people like music because of musical expression, and their favorite music genre was the highbrow. This contrasts with the WFM people that like music because they find it relaxing- their favorite musical genre is pop. Both groups agree in their favorite musical component- the parts that integrate music. Although the MF group likes the highbrow genre more because of the parts that constitute its structure. Conversely, the WMF group were drawn primarily to the lyrics and rhythm. We can conclude that education is a determining factor in musical taste, and therefore plays a part in the choice of what music we like the most. Since musical tastes change depending on musical education held by the individual. People that have musical education encourage their taste. They use music as an artistic expression resource, and the genres they listen to are what can be considered "highbrow" music. Whereas the people that don’t count with musical knowledge listen to popular music because they want to relax themselves. These individuals spend more time daily listening to music that the vox populli listens to because they like the lyrics and the rhythm.

Resilience: Differences by Age Mexican Men and Women

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:24 +0200

This study examines levels of resilience considering differences of age and sex, so it provides data from a sample composed of 607 participants divided into four age groups: children, teenagers, young adults and middle adulthood, men and women all of the city of Toluca Mexico, applying the questionnaire of resilience of González Arratia (2011). The results of the exploratory factor analysis for each age bracket, indicate a structure of three factors that vary in each group, which suggests the dimensions of resilience to follow different patterns according to the age. Also reported significant differences between men and women. It is concluded that in the research into resilience is essential to evaluate the variables proposed in the study simultaneously in order to have consistent results.

Resilience. Differences by Age in Mexican Men and Women

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:21 +0200

This study examines levéis of resilience considering differences of age and sex, so it provides data from a sample composed of 607 participants divided into four age groups: children, teenagers, young adults and middle adulthood, men and women all of the city of Toluca México, applying the questionnaire of resilience of González Arratia (2011). The results of the exploratory factor analysis for each age bracket, indícate a structure of three factors that vary in each group, which suggests the dimensions of resilience to follow different patterns according to the age. Also reported significant differences between men and women. It is concluded that in the research into resilience is essential to evalúate the variables proposed in the study simultaneously in order to have consistent results.

Beliefs of Spaniard and Mexican High School Students about the Causes of Obesity

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:17 +0200

In order to explore the beliefs about the causes of obesity, one questionnaire designed on purpose were applied to a sample of 142 students of second and third grades of secondary school (71 Spaniard and 71 Mexican), with ages between 13 and 16 years (M = 14.02, SD = .846). Participants considered that Volition and Personality were the most important causes of obesity, X2 (5, 142) = 265 353, p <.001 while food education exercise and genetics were the least important factors. this way of conceptualizing causes obesity seems to lead participants blame obese people because their condition t p finally we discuss how beliefs about attitudes held towards are articulated.>

Couple Violence and Alexithymia in Women from Nuevo Leon

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:14 +0200

The aims of this paper were: 1) to estimate the levels of couple violence (received and exercised) and alexithymia among women, and 2) to study the relationship among alexithymia and violence. The Questionnaire of Couple Violence and the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) were applied to a nonprobability sample of 118 Mexican women with a heterosexual partner. Mean of age was 35 years old (SD = 10) ranking from 18 to 57. Regarding marital status, 53 of 118 women (45%) reported being married, 28 (24%) separated, 21 (18%) in free union with a partner, 11 (9%) single, 4 (3%) divorced and 1 (1%) widow. Indices of received violence and exerted violence that vary from 0 to 100 were calculated multiplying reported frequency by reported damage. Comparisons of means for Students t-test, linear correlations, linear regression and path analysis were use for data analysis. Alexithymia (TAS-20 total scores ≥ 61) was found in 42% of women, received violence in 25% (scores of received violence index ≥ 30), and exercised violence in 5% (scores of received violence index ≥ 30). The mean of index of received violence was higher than the one of index of exerted violence (t [117] = 4.15, p

Dimensionality, Internal consistency, and Distribution of the Internalized Homonegativity Scale Among Mexican Health Sciences Students

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:11 +0200

The aims of this article were to study the internal consistency, factor structure, distribution and sex differences in averages of the Internalized Homonegativity scale (IHN, Currie, Cunningham, & Findlay, 2004 ) extended to a total of 17 items (IHN-17). The IHN-17 scale was applied to a non-probability sample of 231 health sciences college students from northeastern Mexico (121 women and 103 men). An item was removed due to problems of internal consistency and low factor loading. The internal consistency was high with the remaining 16 items (α = .88). A model of three low-order factors (public display of homosexuality, α = .81, internal acceptance of homosexual desire, α = .81, and promiscuity, α = .69) nested in a general factor had a fit to the data from good to adequate by generalized least squares, and was invariant between both sexes. The IHN-16 total score followed a normal distribution, and men averaged higher than women, although the difference was statically significant only in the factor of public display. It is concluded that IHN-16 scale with its hierarchical model has higher consistency and more content validity than the original one. Its use and study are suggested in Mexico.

Predictive models of internalized homonegativity in students of health sciences

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:08 +0200

The aims of this paper were to describe and predict the level of internalized homonegativity, considering variables on socio-demographic data, sexual life, social life, and clinic aspects. An interview questionnaire and the Internalized Homonegativity Scale were applied to a non-probability sample of 231 students of health sciences, 121 were women and 103 men. Ordinal regression models were calculated._Low internalized homonegativity was found in 38% of participants, ambiguity in 45%, and rejection in 17%. The HNI-16 total score correlated with sexual orientation, religion, and having gay friends. The factor of rejection toward the public manifestation of homosexuality correlated with having gay friends, gender, self-defined sexual orientation, religion, and number of sexual partners. The factor of rejection toward own homosexual feelings, desires, and identity correlated with self-defined sexual orientation, religion, number of sexual partners, and sexually active years. The factor related to the qualification of homosexual persons as promiscuous persons correlated with self-defined sexual orientation, having started couple sexual life, religion, and sexually active years. The variables that predicted lower internalized homonegativity were non-heterosexual orientation, religious adscription different from Christian and Catholic, and having gay friends. Additionally, female gender predicted greater acceptance toward the public manifestation of homosexuality, and having started couple sexual life predicted greater stigmatization of homosexuals as promiscuous persons. It is discussed that in these relationships are involved aspects of congruence with constructed personal identity, positive experience with the stigmatized object, and a cultural attitude that stigmatizes male homosexuality more than female homosexuality. Among these university students, once they have started their couple sexual life, their greater certainty on the opinion of that homosexual persons are promiscuous and incapable of intimacy might respond to a projective defense mechanism triggered by heterosexist values, which put sexuality at the service of reproduction and parenting, and not at the service of experimentation and pleasure. It is concluded that the rejection level is considerable, and thus it is suggested working on these variables in the workshops of acceptance toward sexual diversity.

Relaciones Interculturales En Sociedades Plurales: Investigación Derivada De Una Política De Multiculturalismo

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:05 +0200

One result of the intake and settlement of migrants and the presence of indigenous peoples is the formation of culturally plural societies. In these societies, the domain of intercultural relations is ripe for social psychological research. Such research can provide a knowledge basis for the development and implementation of policies and programmes in plural societies. There are three hypotheses bearing on intercultural relations being examined in much current psychological research: the multiculturalism hypothesis, the integration hypothesis, and the contact hypothesis . These hypotheses are derived in part from statements in the Canadian multiculturalism policy. The multiculturalism hypothesis is that when individuals and societies are confident in, and feel secure about their own cultural identities and their place in the larger society, more positive mutual attitudes will result, in contrast, when these identities are threatened, mutual hostility will result. The integration hypothesis is that there will be more successful psychological and social outcomes for individuals and societies when strategies and policies that support double cultural engagement (ie., with both the heritage and national cultures) are pursued. The contact hypothesis is that greater contact between cultural groups will lead to more positive mutual regard, under most contact circumstances. This paper reviews research that is relevant to all three hypotheses, and concludes that research supports the continuation of the Multiculturalism policy and programmes that are intended to improve intercultural relations.

Validity of the Positive Mental Health Scale in Mexican Children

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:49:02 +0200

This study reports validity results of the Spanish Positive Mental Health Scale (PMH) by Lluch (1999), which converged with measures of resilience, in a non-clinical sample of Mexican children, through a cross-sectional study with 194 children (n = 72 men, n = 122 women), between 9 and 12 years old from the city of Toluca, Mexico. An exploratory factor analysis, using the principal components and oblique rotation method, extracted 4 from the six original dimensions, with 39.614% of total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a three-dimensional model which requires further investigation and detail. A satisfactory Cronbachs Alpha was obtained, which proves convergent validity with resilience. The data suggests the need of a conceptual and methodological reviews of the construct in order to have more consistent results.

Individualism and collectivism: Characterization and differences in two Mexican localities

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:59 +0200

Individualism and collectivism are considered dichotomous cultural syndromes that characterize members of a country and they can be reflected on national identity. An individualistic culture is characterized by promote independence and autonomy, by other hand, a collectivistic culture promotes interdependence between person and his/her reference group, in these cultures the group necessities are most important that the individuals ones. However, the geopolitical boundaries between countries not contemplate the differences between history, social norms and practices, or cultural particularities between localities and counties. For example between Mexico City and Guanajuato which have, in theory, antagonistic politic tendencies: Guanajuato is considered an ultraconservative region in Mexico, while Mexico City is known for the opening to discuss themes as abortions legalization for free election or same-sex marriage, Mexico City is related with left political ideology. In a conservative context, is more common to be agree with traditional ideology about roles for men and women. In this way, men and women can internalized individualism and collectivisms different. The aim of this paper is determined characteristics of individualism and collectivism in two Mexican regions as well as in men and women. It was atended by 420 men and women of the Valley of Mexico and the state of Guanajuato. Results show that the Mexican population as a whole, shows characteristics of individualism and collectivism, there are significant differences on three of ten factors by region. In all of them, the mean is upper to theoretical mean. In Guanajuato, people show higher values of independence and freedom, but, at same time, they report high levels of familism related to obedience. About gender differences, the sample of women in Guanajuato shows higher levels of individualism in comparison with other groups. The findings are discussed on the relevant literature. For subsequent studies is important include variables as scholar level, socioeconomic level, and attitudes about their referential and comparison groups.

Facial affect recognition: Differences among university careers

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:55 +0200

Facial affect recognition is the capacity of every person to recognize basic forms of affective expression, which appears at human faces. Previous research suggests that facial affect recognition differences between university careers exist. There are few studies at Mexico that assess these. The purpose of this study was to determine career differences among university studies. To assess the variable 70 images from the Facial Expression of Emotion- Stimuli and Test were used. To determine career differences a single factor analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc test was made, obtaining statistically significant differences at facial affect recognition of sadness, disgust and angry emotions.

Psychosocial Aspects Related with PTSD in Patients with Breast Cancer

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:52 +0200

The aim of the study was analyze the relationship of stress, depression and coping strategies with PTSD in a sample of patients with breast cancer. With a nonrandom sample of 52 women with breast cancer. The results indicate a relationship between PTSD and stress (r = .344, p = .014), PTSD and depression (rs = .346, p = .013), PTSD and cognitive avoidance (r = .437, p = .001), PTSD and hopelessness (rs = .437, p = .001) and the anxious concern with PTSD (rs =. 581, p = .001). The predictors of PTSD were stress, depression, cognitive avoidance and hopelessness, explaining 43.9% of the variance.

Family Context and Consumption of Psychoactive Substances in Children between 8 and 12 Years Old

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:50 +0200

The paper presents the results of an investigation Project UBACYT (Programming 2010/12) “Consumption of psychoactive substances and expectancies towards alcohol in school children between 8 and 12 years old”. The paper studies a clinical sample that receives psychological assistance in a Child Clinical Psychology Unit that depends on Segunda Cátedra de Psicoanálisis: Escuela Inglesa, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. It investigates the consumption of these substances in children and their responsible adults. The samples are composed of 55 children (17 girls and 38 boys) and 55 responsible adults (47 women and 8 men). The CORIN (Children Risk Behavior) was administrated to the children, it evaluates risk situations regarding to the use of psychoactive substances in school children, a questionnaire that inquires consumption habits was administrated to parents or responsible adults of these children. Also, a protocol of sociodemographic information was used in order to gather and systematize the information of the medical history. Results and conclusions: the presence of occasional alcohol consumption in the 33% of the children sample was recorded. The existence of alcohol consumption in previous ages than the ones studied by governmental agencies. It must be mentioned that the children have consumed alcohol in festive situations and in company of their responsible adults. Regarding to the responsible adults of these children, important proportions of lifetime, year and month prevalence of occasional alcohol and tobacco consumption were recorded, also the abusive consumption of these substances. The registered proportions of the consumption of illegal substances are much lower. The study shows an increase in the occasional consumption of alcohol in children when the responsible adult made an abusive use of alcohol and tobacco during the last year and in less extent when the adult used more than one illegal substance (cocaine and marihuana). The consumption of alcohol in children increased significantly when the responsible adults had made abusive use of alcohol in the last month. It is inferred that the occasional consumption of alcohol in children of the age range studied, is associated with the characteristics of their family background and the consumption habits of the responsible adults.

Differences in Emotion Recognition in Children 6 to 11 Years Olds

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:46 +0200

The ability to recognize emotions is necessary for the normal childs adjustment to the social and educational environment, and to identify disorders including autism, anxiety and depression in the early stages of development. An experiment was performed to understanding this process. The participants were 47 children distributed in three groups (6-7, 8-9. 10-11 years). Children had to see pictures of facial and corporal expressions of happiness, sadness, anger and fear. Participants were than asked to say if they recognized the facial and corporal expressed emotion, from a labels related to these basic emotions and represented by emoticons. The results showed enhanced recognition of facial and corporal expressions of fear in children of 8- 11 years olds compared to those of 6-7 years olds (p .50). On the other hand, the result showed significant differences (p .50), between children of 6-7 and 8-11 years olds, in the recognition of facial expressions of anger than the corporal expressions of anger. Children of 6-7 years olds showed enhanced recognition of facial expression of anger than corporal expression of anger. These differences were reversed in children of 8-11 years olds. One may conclude that anger and fear facial expressions recognition is an important indicator of the proper development of children. Emotional learning from 7 years olds, will ensure better emotional regulation, and a beneficial effect on the childs performance in school .

Differences in school anxiety and self-concept in Chilean adolescents

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:43 +0200

Anxiety and self-concept are personal variables with a big influence on learning and academic performance. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in school anxiety depending on the scores of the eleven dimensions of self-concept. 1, 414 Chilean students of middle education participated, 695 men and 719 women aged between 13 and 18 years (M = 15.31, SD = 1.45). School Anxiety Inventory (SAI) and Self-Description Questionnaire II-Short Form (SDQII-S) were administered to assess the school anxiety and the self-concept, respectively. The results revealed that adolescents with low scores on self-concept had significantly higher scores in school anxiety than their peers with high scores on self-concept. This pattern of results was similar in all dimensions of self-concept with the exception of two, the verbal academic self-concept and the truthfulness-sincerity scale, which statistically significant differences were not obtained.

Religious Orientation, Group Identity and Religiosity as Predictors of Religious Fundamentalism

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:40 +0200

Religious fundamentalism is key to understanding existing discrimination and violence worldwide. Knowing what is behind this psychosocial characteristic can help understand and prevent this type of harmful behavior. The aim of this study was to determine how religious orientation (RO), group identity (Gl), and religiosity predict religious fundamentalism. The sample consisted of 533 residents of México City and the state of Guanajuato (50.3% women, Mean age = 36), that belonged to one of four major Mexican religious ideologies: Catholic (n = 160), Jehovas Witnesses (n = 142), Evangelical Christian (n = 115) and non-religious (n = 116). Four psychological scales were used: 1) Fundamentalism Scale, which consists of two subscales: Orthodoxy and Conservatism, 2) the Religious Orientation Scale, which consists of three subscales: Intrinsic Religious Orientation (IRO), Extrinsic Personal (EPRO), and Extrinsic Social (ORES), 3) Group Identity Scale, which consists of twosubscales: Positive Group Identity (PGI) and Negative Group Identity (NGI), and 4) Religiosity Scale. The regression results revealed that IRO, Religiosity, NGI and ORES were positively related to Orthodoxy. ORI, IGN and Religiosity were positively related to Conservatism. EPRO was negatively related to Conservatism. The results indícate that Religious Orientation, Religiosity, and Group Identity are strong significant predictors of religious fundamentalism.

Nicotine Effect on a Model of Hyperactivation of the Dopaminergic System using a Temporal Bisection Task: Towards a Model in Schizophrenia

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:36 +0200

Amaranth as Reinforcement Source: A Rodent Study

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:32 +0200

This study evaluates amaranth as an alternative to reinforcers which are currently used in experimental laboratories with rodents. We compared some elements such as consumer preference, motivation and reinforcing value of three types of food (two types of pellets and amaranth) through four experiments with free radial maze and free consumption in 11 Wistar rats. The results show that amaranth has a high reinforcing value. Also, there was a preference for amaranth consumption compared with the other two reinforcers. Amaranth is proposed as a good alternative for use as a reinforcer with several advantages such as consumer preference, its reinforcing value, accessibility in the country and that it is cheaper than the usual pellets.

Psychometric Properties of the Social Support From Parents and Friends Scale (AFA-R) in a Student Sample

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:28 +0200

The aim of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of the social support from parents and friends scale (AFA-R). Using a non random sample of students, internal consistency was analyzed and the factor structure of the AFA-R. Internal consistency was adequate (α=.918) and factor analysis corroborated the bi-factor structure, explaining 66.09% of its variance. The correlation between stress and social support was negative and significant (rs =-.337, p=.001) and it is evidence of validity. The results showed adequate psychometric properties of the AFA-R.

Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Assess Social Support through Social Networks

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:26 +0200

Recently, the use and research of social networks have increased, however, to know if people perceived enough social support from their contacts in social networks, adequate questionnaires are required to measure perceived social support received from social networks. Thus, we designed and tested a scale to assess social support through social networks. It was answered by 245 men and 252 women with a mean age of 28.4 years. The scale was designed based on The MOS social support survey (Sherbourne & Stewart, 1991 ), starting with 24 items, after analysis of reliability and factor structure an instrument with 15 items was obtained. Its reliability measured by Cronbach’s alpha was of .94 and an acceptable goodness of fit in the confirmatory factor analysis.

The Effectiveness of EMDR Treatment for Guatemalans with Symptoms of Trauma

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:23 +0200

Guatemala has a relatively low ratio of psychologists to the general population (6.89 psychologists per 100, 000 people), which makes it imperative that the therapeutic treatments utilized by psychologists are successful, effective and efficient. The current study explored the effectiveness and efficiency of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on lowering the levels of symptoms of psychological trauma among Guatemalan participants. Seven participants with moderate to grave symptoms underwent three sessions of EMDR therapy with a therapist trained and certified in EMDR techniques. The frequency and intensity of symptoms experienced by the participants decreased significantly after the therapy. Over the same time period, symptoms of trauma did not decrease (or increase) in a control group who did not receive EMDR therapy. These results suggest that EMDR could serve as a short-term, successful type of treatment for therapists to employ with clients who manifest symptoms of psychological trauma.

Validity and Reliability of a Exposure to Community Violence in Youth Questionnaire

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:21 +0200

In Mexico in recent years violence has been increased, specific in northern states, but also others crime and violence rates have been increased. The impact of these rates in general population has few records (official or research reports), studies in youth exposed to violence focuses mainly in bullying and dating violence, however in adolescents population practically doesn’t exist community violence records or measures indicated to this problem. This context teenager’s circumstances (exposure to violence and rising crime levels and insecurity) (Pansters and Castillo, 2007, Hope, 2012 ), require instruments to assess this specific phenomenon in youths since the information on the perception (and exposure) of violence and insecurity in the country has increased in the last years, but little is known about young people, then the aim of this study is to obtain the validity and reliability of the Exposure to Insecurity and Violence Questionnaire for Adolescents. Participants were 573 junior and senior high school students (13-19 years, x = 14.89, SD = 1.5, 56% middl 50.08% men) in Mexico City. A forced factor analysis, by 6 factors (KMO = .849, p = .001, 10 iterations) based on previous findings of a qualitative study (Gomez & Lucio, 2013, in press) was conducted. This model explained 39% of variance, which indicates that violence is a multidimensional phenomenon. Reliability was obtained by Cronbach’s alpha with a total value of .92.

Etiology of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and associated characteristics in infancy and childhood

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:18 +0200

The early identification of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) allows the implementation of effective therapies, this fact causes the study of the etiology of the disorder and the associated characteristics during infancy and childhood. The data was gathered through a clinical questionnaire of the ADHD for parents. The subjects were ten mothers aged in average 32 years. The results show that the disorder is hereditary and besides, there are risk factors during pregnancy and birth. The associated characteristics of ADHD during infancy and childhood are a level of activity above the average, restless sleep, quiet insistent to ask for something, normal gross motor development, poor fine motor coordination, greater risk of accidental injury, slightly premature development of language, fair academic progress, repetition of a grade, involvement in special education programs, difficulty in keeping friends and poor rule-governed behavior.

Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Moos’ Work Environmental Scale (Wes) in Mexico

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:16 +0200

The objective of this research was to generate a standardized that assessed organization social climate in Mexican population. Was used The Work Environmental Scale, Spanish version (Moos, 2008 ), to be adapted. The scale include 90 items, with six options for answers. The scale was applied to 490 Mexican employees in order to obtain its psychometrical validation. The distribution was as follow: age between 18 and 66, 261 women and 229 men, diverse school levels. A proper analysis took place in order to learn about the ítems discriminative power, reliability and valid factorial structure for the Mexican worker population. The final scale was conformed by 18 items organized by three factors and one indicator as follow: 1) work environment, 2) physical aspects of the work place, 3) organization rules and regulations and 4) the change indicator.

Specification of a Model of Criminal Behavior

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:13 +0200

Criminal behavior is a term that refers to the violence generated in a cultural, economic, political or social environment that is embodied in the dynamics of groups to diversify in their indicators. In this sense, the state of knowledge has built explanatory models of violence in order to differentiate the causes and effects. The aim of this study was to specify a model for the study of criminal behavior as a result of the spiral and dynamics of violence in the group where the perpetrator operates, the victim, spectators and the inquisitors. Conducted a desk study with selected sources indexed datábase during the period 2009 to 2014. The findings reported in the literature review warn that criminal behavior is the solé responsibility of the perpetrator, although the revised models show the victim, spectators and the inquisitors would stewards. Thus, the discussion was made considering the contributions of experts and the conceptual framework.

Macroscopic diagnosis of drug use risks in Mexico

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:10 +0200

With the objective to identify, among 317 municipalities and delegations of the country, those requiring with higher priority drug abuse prevention and treatment services, it was made a cross-sectional study, based on the Delphi method, which is a structured methodology to systematically collect expert opinions on an issue, so that the individual assessments are transformed to produce a collective judgment on the subject that was carried out, and apply a weight to the variables under study. In this case we had a panel of 55 experts, whose assessed the risk level of 33 updated demographic, health, economic, education, housing, geographic, touristic, socio-familiar, drug trafficking and use of illegal drugs. The studied variables were: Proportion of urban concentration, average growth rate, average age, proportion of male population, international migration rate, Proportion of health services, Homes with water and electricity, Drawnig housing service, Internet housing service, Overcrowding level, Income level, Food poverty, Capability poverty, Patrimony poverty, Persons of 3 years and older who do not attend school, Persons aged 12 and over who do not attend school, school level, location on the northern border, are part of large metropolis, inflow of national and international tourism, proportion of early pregnancy, people who practice some religion, be located on routes of trafficking marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine and / or heroin, prevalence of drug use among young people, prevalence of cocaine and marijuana use, the perception of increased drug use, and the proportion of the population that has been offered drugs for free. The results showed that of the 371 municipalities and delegations with 50, 000 inhabitants or more considered for this study, 85 of them were part of large metropolis with more than a million people, 73 were tourist spots and 73.5% of the localities made urban concentrations. Were identified 59 municipalities and delegations with a high or very high macro-social risk level and 105 municipalities and delegations with a medium-high macro-social risk level, requiring with highest priority services of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug abuse problems.

Cuestionario de Fuentes de Sentido y de Sentido de Vida: Propiedades Psicométricas y Aspectos Sociodemográficos en una Amplia Muestra Brasileña

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:07 +0200

This study presents the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Sources of Meaning and Meaning in Life Questionnaire (SoMe-BR). Participants were 3.034 subjects (63.9% women), ranging in age from 18 to 91 years. Reliability analysis, parallel analysis (PA), exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) were employed to evaluate the structure and reliability of the SoMe-BR. Through PA and ESEM, a five-dimension structure for the 26 sources of meaning was achieved. CFAs supported meaningfulness and crisis of meaning as two distinct constructs. Convergent validity within the SoMe-BR and between the SoMe-BR and other scales were also achieved. Regarding the SoMe scores and sociodemographic variables, significant main effects were found for gender, age groups and marital status. Our results corroborate the international literature, which claims in favor of the SoMe as a reliable measure to evaluate meaning in life contents in different cultural contexts.

The Role of the Closeness between Siblings on Sexual Behaviour Protected

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:04 +0200

The purpose of the study was to investigate whether dyadic configuration fraternal closeness by gender and role (brother/sister older/younger) predicts condom use or if it´s a mediating role in parental variables associated with frequency of condom use. 592 university students participated elected a non-probability sampling (43.8% men and 56.3% women). Assessed sexual communication with parents, parenting styles, fraternal closeness and frequency of condom use in the last six months. Women with an older sister frequently used condoms unlike men. The fraternal closeness with younger brother in women (β-) and closeness to the younger sister in males are predictors of condom use. Parental variables were set as predictors of fraternal closeness but not condom use. Discuss the importance of including in the analysis of sexual behavior protected fraternal group in relation to parental variables in order to have a different interpretation on how the family (parents-siblings) influences sexual behavior.

#Ladies & #Gentlemen of Mexico City: Social Dominance and Discriminatory Attitudes

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:48:00 +0200

Social dominance orientation/theory (SDO) explains the extent to which individuals accept or reject ideologies that legitimize hierarchies and discrimination or equality and social justice. Numerous studies have shown that SDO predicts a wide range of political, ideological, and intergroup phenomena, particularly in relation to negativity towards minorities and outgroups. The aims of the present study were to apply the SDO scale in a Mexican context, examine differences in SDO according to sex, age group, and social class, and investigate whether an orientation towards social dominance would be detectable not only on an abstract level but a concrete level, that of approving inter-class discrimination. We predicted that (1)SDO would be higher in men than women, older than younger participants, and upper rather than lower social classes, (2)that approval of discrimination would be determined by SDO and social class, and (3) that SDO would correlate with approval of discrimination. Participants were N=150 members of the public in Mexico City, with a mean age of 35.3 years (range: 18-74) and from areas of different social classes. Participants completed paper-and-pencil questionnaires on the street. We measured demographics (sex, age, place of residence), a 16-item SDO scale (e.g., “Some people are just more deserving than others”) with a Cronbach’s alpha of .83, and three instances of discriminatory behavior on the part of upper-class members towards lower-class members, alpha=.90, e.g.: “The behavior of the ‘Ladies of Polanco’ insulting a police officer is justified”. All items were measured on 5-point Likert-type scales, from 1=strongly disagree to 5=strongly agree. Results were generally in line with the hypotheses. A three-way ANOVA on social dominance showed significant effects of sex and place of residence, but not age group nor significant interactions. Men scored significantly higher than women on social dominance, providing evidence for the “invariance hypothesis”. Unexpectedly, lower-class participants showed highest levels of SDO, followed by middle-class and upper-class participants. A two-way ANOVA on approval of discrimination showed significant effects of place of residence and SDO and a significant interaction. Middle-class participants showed significantly higher levels of approval of discrimination than the other two classes. SDO correlated with approval of discrimination. Unexpected effects might be due to differential levels of education among social classes and/or to social mobility. The present study is the first investigation of SDO in Mexico and shows the link between an abstract orientation towards social hierarchies and approval of class-based discrimination in everyday life.

Attitudes, Intentions and Alcoholic Beverages Consumption

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:57 +0200

The abuse of alcohol beverages is considered a public health problem worldwide. Several researchers have been addressing this problem and one of the best ways to know it is by surveying attitudes. The attitudes toward alcohol use are consistent predictors of alcohol use, but the intended use may mediate these relations. With this goal in question, we sought to test this mediation model: attitudes toward alcohol use → alcohol use’s intention → alcohol use. A total of 220 students participated in the study of public and private high schools of the Federal District, Brazil, equally distributed by gender, with ages ranging from 12 to 42 years, the majority of young people. It is shown correlations between measures of attitudes toward alcohol use, intended use and use and is further corroborated the model of partial mediation. These results are compared with previous research and suggestions in advance to the prediction of alcohol use by the attitudes.

Señales sobre Estigma Aumentan las Emociones Conscientes y Disminuyen la Probabilidad de Atención a la Información sobre Prevención de Cuestiones Estigmatizadas de Salud

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:53 +0200

Health communications are only effective if target audiences actually receive the messages. One potential barrier to effective health communication is the potential stigma of attending to health information, particularly for stigmatizing health issues. The purpose of the present paper was to examine when participants report self-conscious emotions (e.g., shame, embarrassment) in response to health communications, as well as likelihood of reading health information associated with these emotions. Across three studies, participants read information about preventing diseases that are either highly stigmatized or non-stigmatized. Increased accessibility of stigma cues by (a) manipulating the perceived absence vs. presence of others, or (b) measuring lower vs. higher rejection sensitivity resulted in increased self-conscious emotions in response to information about stigmatized health issues. In addition, stigma cues decreased the likelihood of reading information about stigmatized (but not non-stigmatized) health information. Implications for health outcomes and intervention design are discussed.

Risk Perception and Safety Climate in Drivers of Public Transport at Mérida, Yucatán

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:50 +0200

The organizations must provide a safety climate, this refers to the perceptions shared on politics, procedures and safety practices of the organization. The target of this study is to provide a quantitative vision on the perception of the factors of risk that the public transport operators possess in relation to the safety climate. This study was realized in the field of public transport, which refers to “an integral system of means of transport of widespread use, capable of giving solution to the needs for displacements of the persons”. The transport as human mobility is an essential aspect for the society, for this there is needed a system of healthy and sure transport that agrees with the lineaments that ask for the laws. 54 Operators informed transport of masculine sex of the city of Merida, Yucatan, to which there him were applied two instruments, “Perception of Risk” (Aguilar, 2013) and “safety Climate” (Meliá, 1999), the ages were fluctuating between the 26 to 66 years. There was realized the statistical test of the interrelation of Pearson because this one claims to know the association and relation between two variables, in addition to knowing the index of reliability and validity of the measuring devices used in the investigation. With the obtained results it is possible to observe that differences do not exist as per statistics significant between the safety climate and the perception of risk. Nevertheless, it was possible to find other variables that are excellent on having evaluated the perception I water, in this study one found that at major age, the major one exists in the risk perception on the part of the operators of transport public. It is necessary to emphasize that a limitation was the number of participants, for it, a suggestion for future investigations, it is to increase the number of participants, because it would be a more representative sample on this problems.

Well-being, Social Support and Family Context in Caregivers of Older Adults

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:47 +0200

Objective: to explore the perception of social support as a mediator of the influence from a problematic family context on the well-being of family caregivers of functionally dependent older adults. Method: a non-probabilistic sample of 464 family caregivers participated by answering a psychometric instrument that was previously validated for the population of reference. Results: a series of confirmatory factor analyses indicated the fit of observed variables to represent the constructs of subjective well-being, perception of social support and problematic family context. The case of caregivers who live with the dependent older adult, where the influence of the stressing family context on the caregiver’s well-being is mediated by the caregiver’s perception of social support was identified as the model with better fit after the review of four different models. Conclusions: this paper agrees with the buffer effect of social support documented in scientific literature, it also provides data to enrich the knowledge about the family and social circumstances associated to the Mexican family caregivers.

Comparison of Three Risk Models of Harmful Use of Alcohol in Mexican Students

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:45 +0200

The aim of this study was to identify psychosocial correlates of harmful alcohol use among young Mexican students, and to comparatively prove the predictive validity of three theoretical models, each one capable to support the research of the problem and to guide the design of theoretically and empirically grounded preventive and treatment programs: a) the alcohol expectancies theory, b) the social learning theory by R. Akers, and c) the planned behavior theory. Findings indícate that these three models are appropriate predictive models for harmful alcohol use in the studied group. The highest predictive weight belongs to positive expectancies associated to the effects of alcohol, followed by alcohol use among friends, low risk perception, and self-control of alcohol drinking as a protective factor. Findings suggest the convenience of the application of a composed multi-varied algorithm, integrated by factors and variables extracted from the three models.

Desire, Autoerotic and Sexual Impulsivity Indicators in Women from Mexico City

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:42 +0200

The purpose of this study was to describe indicators of sexual desire, sexual impulsivity and auto-eroticism in 402 women aged between 17 and 35 years living in Mexico City. Positive relationships were found between the factors sexual self-efficacy and four of the six factors of sexual desire (‘attraction’, ‘excitement’, ‘romance’ and ‘sexual surrender’) and only one negative relationship between ‘self-efficacy’ and ‘sexual guilt’. ‘Sexual impulsivity’ correlated positively with sexual guilt. ‘Autoerotic desire’ correlated negatively with the factors ‘self-efficacy’ and ‘sexual guilt’. Some significant differences were found between age groups and between those classified as being or not sexually active. The group of elder women and of those who had already started their sexual life obtained the highest averages in the factors ‘sexual surrender’ and ‘excitement’.

Strategies to Defend the Belief in a Just World in front of a Relative Deprivation State

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:39 +0200

We need to believe that we live in a just world, to live unfair events threat that belief and generates negative emotions identified as relative deprivation (Lerner, 1980, Lerner, 2003). These emotions motívate us to defend our belief in just world and nine strategies have been identified for that. This project aims to measure six of them and analyze their palliative function in front of relative deprivation. 337 University students participated. They read a vignette telling about a student demonstration after being rejected from University, then answered a measure of negative emotions generated for the vignette. The instrument of belief in a just world shows five dimensions consistent with the six strategies. The correlations between times participants were rejected from university and negative emotions generated by the vignette are positive but low in the total sample. Dividing the sample into high and low on strategies, correlations are greater in the group of low scores and there are not significant correlations in the group with high scores, confirming its palliative function in front of relative deprivation. Utility of model strategies are discussed with respect to the unidimensional and the implications of its palliative function relationships between groups of different status.

Mexican Personality Types: Scale Construction and Validity

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:36 +0200

Personality research have attempted to identify the existence of universal traits, ethnopsychological research has sought to identify the typical qualities of Mexicans, but without reaching agreement or what relationship they have with the general models of personality like the Five Factor Model. This research aims to identify and describe the personality traits of the Mexicans and Diaz Guerrero (1997) proposal about Mexican Types of Personality. We conducted two studies that explored the qualities and traits that people used to describe themselves, yielding 57 features. The scale orders in 11 factors, after than a second order factor analysis was performed to check if that grouped in types, confirming three personality types similar to the ethnopsychological postulates and the Five Factor Model.

Efectos Diferenciales de Padres y Pares sobre la Externalización de Conductas y Consumo de Drogas

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:32 +0200

This study explored how peer deviant behavior and peer drug use differentially mediated the paths from unsupportive parenting to youth externalizing behavior and both the probability and extent of current drug use in a sample of Venezuelan youth. Models were further extended to test for group differences by gender and age. Results suggested that peer influences are domain specific among Venezuelan youth. That is, deviant peer behavior mediated the path from unsupportive parenting to youth externalizing behaviors, and peer drug use mediated the path to the drug use outcome. Mediation effects were partial, suggesting that parenting influenced the outcomes beyond its impact on affiliations with negative peers. Notable exceptions to the models were found when moderated by either gender or age. Implications for the development of screening tools and for formulating intervention programs targeting this age group are discussed.

Juntando Evidencia para la Educación a Distancia

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:29 +0200

A technology for evaluating computer-based distance education curricula for children and people working with children is described. The technology originated from a model of evaluation described by Markle (1967). The components were elaborated through data-based decisions reported in technical reports for a reading acquisition program, two math programs, a curriculum for people with autism, and a professional development program for clinicians working with children and adolescents. The article integrates single-case and group evaluation strategies, and draws attention to the need for better data in evidence-based decisions, and the use of data in continuous improvement efforts. Details concerning the individual learner at the developmental level of evaluation are emphasized, including an illustration of an e-learning rubric assisting this level of evaluation.

Adaptation and psychometric properties of the Inventory of Statements About Self-injury in Mexican students

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:26 +0200

This research evaluates the psychometric properties of the Spanish language adaptation of the Inventory of Statements About Self-injury (Klonsky and Glenn, 2009). This scale assesses the motivations or functions that people with non-suicidal self-injuries report for engaging in self-injurious behaviors. The inventory was administered to a sample of 435 male and female university students with a lifetime history of non-suicidal self-injuries. A confirmatory factor analysis detected 7 interpretable factors (self-regulation, revenge, sensation seeking/toughness, avoiding suicide, marking distress, self-determination and numbness), 5 more than the original instrument. The scale had adequate internal consistency with a Cronbachs alpha of 0.89 and Cronbachs alphas of 0.72 to 0.82 for each factor. Positive correlations between the scale and measures of depression, anxiety and impulsivity suggest the convergent validity of the scale. Overall, the scale presents acceptable psychometric properties for the measurement of non-suicidal self-injuries in a Mexican university population.

Métodos para Evaluar la Validez Social de Planes de Intervención Conductual con Niños con Desorden por Déficit de Atención e Hiperactividad

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:23 +0200

Although behavioral interventions are powerful tools for parents and teachers, they are unlikely to result in lasting change if the intervention agents find them unacceptable. After developing effective behavior intervention plans for classroom use, we compared social validity of those interventions using three measures: concurrent-chains selections from the intervention consumer (students), verbal report of the intervention agent (teachers), and maintenance of the intervention over time. All three measures of social validity identified an intervention that was acceptable to the intervention consumer and intervention delivery agent. These findings are discussed in terms of applied implications for assessing social validity.

Association between Food Preferences and Healthy and Unhealthy Food Intake in Preschoolers

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:20 +0200

Childhood obesity is a serious public health problem in Mexico and worldwide. The study of food preferences in young children can help prevent selection of unhealthy food, which in recent years has increased. The goal of the study was to explore the food preferences of a sample of preschoolers and to determine whether they were able to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food. We sampled 127 preschoolers between 3 and 6 years of age (M = 5.0, SD = .69). Participants were asked to classify 88 types of food into 11 categories. They were also asked to indicate the types of food that they like and that are healthy and unhealthy. Participants indicated that they preferred the sugars (candy, ice cream) and fruits (apples, melon) groups and disliked vegetables. They identified fruits and vegetables as healthy and sugars and fats as unhealthy food.

Bullying and Tobacco: Are They Associated?

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:17 +0200

Bullying and the start using tobacco are behaviors that happen in the school context with severe consequences for the adolescent development. For the purpose of evaluating the association between these behaviors, both were evaluated in a sample of 266 middle-school students. The results showed significant correlations between bullying-aggression and smoking susceptibility, experimentation with tobacco and present smoking. Furthermore, students categorized as aggressors or aggressor/victims obtained higher scores in smoking behavior variables than those not involved with bullying. A relationship between bullying-victimization and tobacco was not found. Boys obtained higher scores in direct bullying-aggression, girls scored higher in social victimization, there was no difference between male and female students in smoking behavior. The psychometric analysis of the Inventario de Bullying para Adolescentes, adapted from Adolescent Peer Relations Instrument, is presented in this document. Findings are discussed in syndrome of problem behavior context and their implications are analyzed with the purpose of preventive programs implementation.

Acciones vs. Palabras: Cómo Podemos Aprender Ambas

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:13 +0200

In three experiments we investigated the relation between observing responses and incidental language acquisition by children ages 3 to 5 with and without disabilities. In Experiment I, participants heard the name of an object while observing an accompanying action with the object. The participants consistently acquired the actions associated with the objects, but learned few names. Experiment II compare responses to stimuli presented with and without actions, with the results indicating that the presence of an action hindered rather than facilitated incidental acquisition of names. In Experiment III, we selected participants who acquired listener responses when actions were present, but did not readily acquire the speaker responses. Following a multiple exemplar intervention, participants acquired both speaker and listener responses along with the action responses for novel stimuli. The findings suggest that when children are provided with a specific instructional history, they can acquire multiple benefits from a single language exposure experience.

Efectos del Reforzamiento Positivo y Negativo en un Arreglo de Operantes Concurrentes sobre la Obediencia y la Conducta Problemática

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:09 +0200

Functional analysis (Iwata, Dorsey, Slifer, Bauman, & Richman, 1982/1994) is a robust approach to identifying function-based interventions for problem behavior, including self-injury, aggression, and destruction. Such interventions, however, may be difficult for untrained caregivers to implement with fidelity in natural environments. Further research is needed to identify simple antecedent strategies for promoting appropriate behavior among children with significant problem behavior. The purpose of the current study was to utilize a concurrent schedules arrangement to identify conditions under which two children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental delays who engaged in problem behaviors would choose to complete academic tasks to earn access to preferred items. In both cases, problem behaviors were shown to be sensitive to reinforcement in the forms of escape from task demands and access to preferred items. A concurrent operant arrangement in which the participants could choose to complete work tasks to earn access to preferred activities, or to take a break without demands or preferred items, was implemented. The schedule requirements in the demand component were systematically increased across opportunities, while the amount and type of reinforcement was kept constant. The results show, at the lowest levels of task demands, both participants allocated more opportunities to the work option. At higher levels, however, both participants allocated a majority of their choices to the break option. Despite the absence of preferred items in the break component, no instances of problem behavior were observed following selection of the break option. This indicates that this type of analysis could be used to identify conditions for compliance among individuals who engage in escape- or multiply-maintained problem behaviors, without the need to provoke or reinforce problem behavior. Limitations of the current study and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Grupos de Aculturación y Satisfacción Vital

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:06 +0200

The purpose of our study was to determine if acculturation variables from different acculturation domains form empirically extracted acculturation clusters [based on Berry’s (1997) model], and if the clusters are related to the life satisfaction of first and second generation immigrant college students. One hundred twenty-two students attending a university in the Midwestern USA (70% female), representing more than 20 countries of origin, completed an online questionnaire. Hierarchical cluster analysis using Ward’s method and a k-means analysis revealed four acculturation clusters that were labeled (1) Bicultural Attitudes, (2) Bicultural Practices & Heritage Identity, (3) U.S. Practices, and (4) Heritage Practices. Participants in the two clusters most closely resembling Berry’s (1997) acculturation category of integration (i.e., Bicultural Attitudes, and Bicultural Practices & Heritage Identity) reported significantly higher life satisfaction than participants in the cluster most closely resembling Berry’s (1997) acculturation category of separation (i.e., Heritage Practices). The findings of the present study lend additional support to the use of clustering methods as a way of including multiple domains of acculturation, thereby gaining a more comprehensive understanding of acculturation and its connection with psychosocial adjustment. The results also reinforce prior research findings that integration, or biculturalism, is an adaptive acculturation strategy.

Institutional and Social Trust: An Inescapable Relationship

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:03 +0200

The institutions are responsible to promote, regulate and guarantee the coordinated social action among citizens. For decades the institutional trust has been declining. This creates a major problem because institutional trust is necessary for the institutions development. Among the negative consequences that it brings, it is found that the low institutional trust is associated with low general social trust. Because of that, people feel insecure in their relationships with others and have pessimistic thoughts about the reliability of strangers, which affects social cohesion, cooperation, collective connection and tolerance between citizens, among other things. The aim of this paper is to analyze the relationship between social trust and institutional confidence in the Argentinean context, confidence levels, and the relationship between institutional trust and effectiveness. For these purposes, a self- administered questionnaire was designed and applied to 316 college students from four public and private universities in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina. The results indicate that participants have a low institutional and general social trust, there is a relationship between institutional trust and general social trust, and finally, that institutional confidence is influenced by the perception of institutions effectiveness. Despite this rather optimistic scenario, these results may help to identify the areas to start working out the problems of low levels of institutional and social trust. If the social confidence of Argentineans is greater than institutional trust, it should be strengthened these social ties as it will allow to improve social cohesion and participation, and believe that working together can improve and change the proper functioning of institutions. From this point, It is possible gradually increase the number of people as social networks. Also, as results shows from this research and previous ones, the Education in Argentina is an institution in which you trust, and it would be feasible to start and/or strengthen the process of change in educative centers. Although it is not an easy task, it is necessary for society to live better and more equitably.

Preliminary Validation for the Adaptative Behavior Scale ABS-RC:2 in Spain

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:47:00 +0200

In this study, psychometric properties of scale ABS-RC:2 in a Spanish context are analyzed. This scale assesses adaptive behavior in adults with intellectual disabilities to determine their diagnosis, classification and supportive needs. The scale was applied to 198 Spanish with intellectual disabilities between the ages of 18-69 (M=41, 8 DE=11, 7). First, the internal consistency was analyzed by Cronbachs Alpha. Pearsons correlation to obtain test-raters indexes, inter-raters, the criterion validity and items intercorrelation. Then, the factor analysis was performed extracting components and making with Varimax rotation method. Results show a suitable validity and reliability. The scale domains are solid and the five-factors structure looks like the original versión. The adaptation seems to fit perfectly to assess the adaptive behavior and to establish necessary supports.

The Role of Parents in their Children’s Sexual Health

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:57 +0200

The purposes of this study were to identify the predictors of intention to use condoms in sexually inexperienced adolescents, and to know the role of parents in these variables. Information was obtained from 290 students and their parents (n = 290) using a self-report instrument. The results showed that young people have greater intention to use condoms when they perceive able to use it (self-efficacy). The parents had an influence on mediating variables of self-efficacy through their knowledge of condom use, stereotypes to the sexual health care, positive expectations of communication and through communication they have with their children about sex. The results of this research are discussed considering the importance of self-report measures of both parents and their children and their impact on the development of their relationship. The authors emphasize the role of parents in precursor variables protected sexual behavior of their children and discusses the implications of this study in intervention programs aimed at preventing sexual health problems in young sexually inexperienced.

Cultural Effects on Maintenance Strategies and Marital Satisfaction

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:54 +0200

The literature determines that the culture establishes beliefs, roles and appropriate behaviors within close-relationship which help on the permanence of the relationship and the marital satisfaction by means of maintenances strategies. These strategies have been studied from a gender role perspective however, the effect that they have over maintenance strategies is not enough to explain them, therefore it is necessary to include others cultural elements that reflect the beliefs of close-relationships, as cultural premises. The aim of this study was to identify the impact of cultural premises and gender roles have over maintenance strategies and marital satisfaction in 200 people of Mexico City. Through multiple regressions analysis, the results reveal that the influence of premises has over marital satisfaction is different in men and women, in the women are the premises of passion while men are commitment. These results suggest re-evaluating the importance and function that the sexuality has on maintenance strategies and marital satisfaction.

Internalized stigma in drug users in Córdoba, Argentina

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:52 +0200

To determine internalized stigma in people who use psychoactive substances and are under rehabilitation treatment in the city of Cordoba. The study was descriptive in 87 inpatients over 18 years, who are under rehabilitation treatment for psychoactive substance use. The instrument was the Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness previously adapted. In the sample, there were identified scores that indicate moderate to severe internalized stigma in 17 of the 29 items of the total scale. Also, it was observed higher stigma indicators in patients who reported consuming only alcohol, than patients who reported multiple substances consumption. Internalized stigma is a common problem among people who use psychoactive substances, moreover, stigma can be more severe in people who consume only alcohol, than people who consume alcohol in combination with other substances.

Sense of community: A proposal for its assessment

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:49 +0200

Sense of community is a subject rounded by a lot of discussions about. Nowadays, lifestyles, consumption practices and cultural changes in global cities make difficult to define sense of community. Traditional notions seem not to agree with peoples perceptions and ways of connect with each other in the city. It is necessary to review theoretical framework, to conduct exploratory studies and to propose assessment scales in order to understand and explain the nature of the communities in contemporary cities. Hiernaux (2001) and Krause (2001) propose to reconsider community and sense of community notions and redefine it in an operational and useful way. A minimal structure for sense of community has been defined by Krause (2001) which includes belonging, interconnection and common culture. Considering Krauses proposal and results of a previous exploratory study in Mexico City a Likert scale was developed. The main purpose is to contribute to evaluation of sense of community in the city. The original 39 items scale was applied to a sample of 202 Mexico Citys in habitants to obtain its psychometrical validation, 50% were woman and 50% were men from 143 different neighborhoods. A proper analysis took place to learn about items discriminative power, reliability and valid factorial structure. Subsequently a Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted to verify if the structure obtained from the Principal Component Analysis was correct, and a good fit was achieved (df = 26, x2 = 37.57, p = .066, CFI = .981, RMSEA = .045), the sample for the confirmatory factor analysis was of 218 Mexico Citys inhabitants, 50% were woman and 50% were men from 90 different neighborhoods. Final scale is constitute for 9 items structured in a single factor with a reliability index of α= .85. Neighborhoods sense of community scale is a brief, with criteria validity and culturally outstanding scale.

Family Problems and Migration of Adolescents

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:46 +0200

This article deals with family issues, its relationship between the migration of parents and the adolescents’ desire to migrate or not in the rural community of San Mateo Ozolco in state of Puebla, Mexico. Research began with an exploratory study, through interviews with 10 key informants, the Family Problems Instrument was applied to 121 middle and high school students. The population was divided for further detail, considering the intentions to migrate or not, allowing a differentiation between families and their relationship to family problems. Also, the population was divided into children of migrant and non migrant parents to see their correspondence with family problems. The results indicate that the Family Negative interaction and the Family Aggression are influencing the migration decision of adolescents.

Aumentando la Validez Social de los Tratamientos Funcionales para la Conducta Problemática

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:42 +0200

Functional assessment, and function-based treatments, are the gold standard for the treatment of problem behavior. Historically, these assessment and treatment evaluations have been conducted in austere clinical settings to increase internal validity. While prioritizing internal validity is critical in the initial stages of a treatment evaluation, if there is not an eventual shift to prioritizing the external or social validity of the treatment it may inevitably fail in the natural environment. The purpose of this case example is to outline a socially valid approach to the assessment and treatment of problem behavior that ensures individuals’ and their families’ lives benefit in meaningful ways. More specifically, this case-example will outline a method of prioritizing social validity to identify treatment goals, conduct functional analysis, evaluate and generalize treatment, and implement caregiver training.

¿Cuándo Es La Adherencia En Las Intervenciones De Promoción De Salud Intencional? Predicción De Regreso A Las Intervenciones De Promoción De La Salud En Función De La ocupación

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:39 +0200

To test when intentional decisions enhance retention in health-promotion interventions, we analyzed the rate of return of 278 clients of HIV-prevention counseling at a state health department in Florida. Specifically, the role of intentions as a facilitator of returns was analyzed as a function of busyness (more children and work hours), while demographic and health factors that also influenced returns were controlled for. Consistent with the notion that actions depend on ability, intentions predicted the behavior of the less busy participants but failed to facilitate retention when participants were occupied with children and work. These findings suggest the efficacy of different retention strategies –one emphasizing explicit intention formation, and the other either attracting clients to counseling on the spot or using more ubiquitous technologies.

Suicide Risk and Depressive Symptoms among Parents of Children with Neuromuscular Disease

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:36 +0200

To correlate clinical, social, demographic characteristics and depressive symptoms with suicide risk among parents of patients with neuromuscular diseases in rehabilitation. The study design was prospective, transversal and analytic the study was conducted on parents of children with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), from the Teletón Childrens rehabilitation centre of Western Mexico (Centro de Rehabilitación Teletón de Occidente), through the use of individual validated standardised tests, Becks depression inventory and Plutchiks suicide risk scale. Correlation was measured between suicide risk, depressive symptoms and clinical, social-demographic characteristics. The informed consent was obtained from all participants 54 parents were evaluated, 52 (96%) were mothers, average age 43.43 ±8.2 (20 to 58). The average age of children was 16.61 ±5.6 (8 to 27). 24% of parents showed depression, 15% of participants showed suicidal risk. Social or demographic factors were not correlated with suicide risk. Neither, the clinical characteristics of the patients with neuromuscular diseases were correlated to suicide risk in participants. There was direct correlation of depressive symptoms with suicide risk (r = 0.86, r2 = 0.73). Multivariate analysis only revealed significant data on indecision (rm=18.48), feelings of guilt (rm=11.44), pessimism (rm=11.38), loss of interest in sex (rm=8.4) and active suicide ideation (rm=14.04). The suicide risk in the parents of children with NMD are correlated with depressive symptoms, mainly, indecision, feelings of guilt, pessimism and suicide ideation. Based on results, the parents of children with NMD must be involved in prevention strategies for depression symptoms and suicide behavior.

Construction and Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Measure Gratitude

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:33 +0200

He communicates the construction of a scale to measure the gratitude, starting from an operational definition of the theoretical construct, developed by the author. The scale is integrated by 18 items of type Likert, with five answer alternatives. It was administered to a sample of 675 men and women, from 18 to 60 years old. The reliability was determined by analysis item-test, there were significant correlations (mean from r = 57.27). The scale of gratitude present high internal consistency (Coeficient Alpha of Cronbach = 90, for standardized item= .91: Coefficient of Spearman-Brown, same longitudes =.869, and Two halves of Guttman = .87). The validity of construct was determined by Factor Analysis and the Principal Components Analysis, and Orthogonally Rotation (Varimax). Three factors were extracted, with high saturations that vary from .44 to .78. This analysis has allowed to observe the complex internal structure of gratitude.

A structural model of intrinsic motivation

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:31 +0200

The main purpose of this research was to develop and test a structural model of intrinsic motivation among students of the University of Sonora to the curriculum of their careers. A secondary objective was to overcome the limitations of the model developed among students of the UNAM. Eight psychometric scales developed by the authors in previous studies were used, which showed satisfactory reliability and validity values. The model tested was similar to the sample of the UNAM, except for the absence of school perception and value variables, which showed no significant low correlations with most of the variables. The model fit was satisfactory as suggested by the values of various indexes. The proportion of variance explained by intrinsic motivation was relatively high (0.498). The 3 variables with the greatest direct impact on intrinsic motivation were self-efficacy, achievement orientation and certainty in career choice. Procrastination, so common in classrooms, negatively affects the self-efficacy, the achievement orientation and intrinsic motivation, and in turn, is reinforced by the work avoidance and fear of failure.

Construct validity of the Scale of Parental Authority for Mexican Adolescents

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:27 +0200

The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the construct Validity of the Scale of Parental Authority for Mexican Adolescents developed by Aguilar, Valencia and Romero (2004), based on operationalization of attitudes and behaviors characteristic of parenting styles according Buri approach (1991) . An exploratory factor analysis with orthogonal rotation, suggested the existence of four parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful. The confirmatory factor analysis sustained a four-factor model, as one of three, since various fit indices were satisfactory, but in the first model, the permissive factor presented an unsatisfactory reliability coefficient. In both models, all structural coefficients were significant, supporting the convergent validity of the different scales, while low or negative values of the covariance between the factors indicate discriminant validity. In addition, structural regression analysis showed significant impacts of authoritative and neglectful styles on work avoidance, self-esteem and depression.

Impression Management and its Influence on Psychological Wellbeing in two Latin American Contexts

Scipedia content — Tue, 28 Mar 2017 15:46:24 +0200

The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a theoretical model about the components of the Impression Management (IM), and the predictive value of this psychological construct on the individual well-being, in two Latin American contexts: Mexico and Nicaragua. These findings showed that the variables of autonomy, assertiveness, locus of control, need for social approval (negative dimension), are highly significant predictor of IM. Also, the variables of need for social approval (positive dimension) and emotional suppression, were positively associated with IM, but with lower scores. Furthermore, it showed the significant and positive influence of IM on well-being, finding negative regression weights between IM with anxiety and depression, and positive with satisfaction with life. These results provide support to the theoretical postures which refer IM as a positive and essential psychological element for healthy adaptation.

Optimization of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 Biosurfactant Production Under Solid-state Fermentation Using By-products of a Traditional Olive Mill Factory

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:26:00 +0200

Bacillus subtilis SPB1 is known to produce a highly effective biosurfactant that belongs to the class of lipopeptides. This biosurfactant has shown relevant properties that could be efficiently applied in various domains. However, high production and purification costs limit the use of B. subtilis SPB1 in high-volume applications. The present work aimed to promote an economical production of this lipopeptide biosurfactant. Statistical experimental designs and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the concentrations of agro-industrial residues, inoculum size and humidity for B. subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant production under solid-state fermentation. The best production yield was approximately 30.67 mg of crude lipopeptide biosurfactant per gram of solid material. This yield was obtained using a solid substrate ratio of 1.5, a moisture content of 90% and an inoculum size (OD600 ) of 0.08. These data support the utilization of a mixture of 6 g of olive leaf residue flour and 4 g of olive cake flour with a 10g total weight of the solid substrate. A mixture of two by-products of a traditional olive mill factory was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for biosurfactant biosynthesis, providing enhanced bacterial growth and leading to a strong improvement in the yield of tensioactive lipopeptide production.

Waterfowl Population Structure: Phylogeographic Inference

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:58 +0200

Population genetics and the phylogeographic structure of dabbling duck species were investigated using 5′-end sequencing of the mtDNA control region and ODC-6 of nuclear DNA. Overall, a weak phylogeographic structure and low genetic differentiation in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos ) and European wigeons (Anas penelope ) were discovered, which was likely due to the presence of large, long-term population sizes and significant intracontinental dispersal. Haplotypes of the mtDNA of spot-billed ducks (Anas zonorhyncha ) and American wigeons (Anas americana ) were found in Mallard and European wigeon samples, respectively. This presence of closely related species haplotypes in the gene pools of these species is consistent with the occurrence of historical and contemporary hybridization and incomplete sorting of haplotype lineages in mallards and wigeons.

Genetic Markers for Studying the Current Distribution Area and Population Structure of the Sable Martes Zibellina L.

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:55 +0200

Three types of genetic markers (restriction fragments of cytochrome b mtDNA gene, SSR and ISSR) were proposed for the study of genetic variability in the sable Martes zibellina within its geographic range. mtDNA haplotypes of different subspecies of the sable were described. Haplotypes of the eastern sable Martes zibellina princeps, which was introduced to Tyumen region in the 20th century, are rare in the gene pool of the modern sable populations of West Siberia. Haplotype diversity in the West Siberian sable M. z. zibellina is high due to introgressive hybridisation with the pine marten Martes martes . Nuclear genetic markers of M. zibellina × M . martes hybrids are more similar to the sable than to the pine marten.

The Use of Camera Traps for Monitoring the Population of Long-Tailed Gorals

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:51 +0200

The long-tailed goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus ) is a rare montane ungulate species with a patchy distribution. In the Sikhote-Alin Reserve, gorals occupy the northern part of their range, concentrated primarily in a small coastal area (6.4 km2 ) in Abrek Urochishe. Our pilot study tested the feasibility of individual photo-identification of gorals and population size estimation using the capture–recapture method. We used 10 camera traps spaced 0.6–2 km apart on coastal slopes to monitor the gorals. Four additional cameras were placed at the Reserve boundaries, mainly for law enforcement purposes, such as documenting trespassers. Between June 1 and December 31, 2013, we collected nearly 3000 photographs of gorals, 500 photographs of other wildlife, and 12 images of illegal activities within the Reserve. The total sampling effort was 1870 camera days. Photo data showed that goral horns are reliable biometric identifiers, distinguishable by size, shape, pattern, and the number of rings. The proportion of individually identified gorals in our photos was 0.64 (SE = 0.05). Most individuals (45) were marked (i.e., first detected on camera) in the fall, therefore, preliminary estimates of the goral population size were made between October 11 and December 20, 2013. A closure test confirmed that the population was, in fact, closed (z = − 2.670, P = 0.004). The best-fit closed population multiple recapture model for our data was the heterogeneity model Mh (programme CAPTURE), which assumes an unequal capture probability (χ2 = 112.19, d.f. = 9, P = 0.000). The average goral capture probability was 0.16, and the corresponding population size was estimated at 90 individuals (SE = 6.91, 95% CI: 77–125 individuals). The average goral population density in a 3.5 km2 effective sampled area (56% of the entire plot area) was 25 individuals/km2 (SE = 5.62). Extrapolation to locations that lacked data suggests that Abrek Urochishe supports a goral population of 160 individuals. Our results demonstrate that camera trap data can be used for photographic capture–recapture sampling of goral populations. This approach may be more effective than traditional visual surveys of montane ungulates that tend to underestimate the population abundance. The use of camera traps will undoubtedly enhance goral monitoring efforts, aiding in the conservation of this rare species.

Contemporary Conditions and Key Trends in Development of Groups of Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina stejnegeri ) and Spotted Seals (Phoca largha ) in the Bering and Medny Islands (Komandorsky Archipelago)

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:47 +0200

The present paper elaborates on the status of both harbor and spotted (largha) seal populations on the Komandorsky Islands. Local populations of these seals have doubled since the 1980s. The total population of harbor and spotted seals at both Bering and Medny Islands is now estimated to be 4000–4300 animals. Various methods of counting have been applied. A methodological approach to counting seals on the Komandorsky archipelago is described.

Coleoptera in the Diet of the Asian badger (Meles leucurus Hodgson 1847, Carnivora , Mustelidae ) in Forest-steppe Zone of Urals

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:44 +0200

We studied the remains of Coleoptera in Asian badger (Meles leucurus Hodgson, 1847) scats collected during 6 years in the northern forest-steppe zone of Urals region (Sverdlovsk Region). Species list and also ecological (habitat) groups and size classes' ratios were compared with the results of censuses of insects made by pitfall traps in the same study area and with literature data for the southern taiga and the northern forest-steppe zones of Urals region. Badgers consumed mainly the beetles living in the ground and herbal layers. The highest number of individuals was observed for big beetles (15–30 mm), while the highest number of species was found for small beetles (5–10 mm). Ecological (habitat) groups and size classes' ratios were different for the insects consumed by badger and those caught in pitfall traps. Such differences should be taken into account in the studies where predators' food remains are the main (or the only) source of information about the insect fauna. Assessments of the availability of insects for badgers cannot be based only on the data of pitfall-trap censuses, but other entomological methods should be used as well.

Organochlorine Pesticides in Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis Linnaeus, 1761) from the Coast of Eastern Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:41 +0200

Organochlorine pesticides are persistent toxic substances of anthropogenic origin that affect biota. Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) isomers (α-, β-, and γ-), DDT and its metabolites (DDD and DDE) were detected in five individuals of fulmars Fulmarus glacialis Linnaeus, 1761 from the coast of Eastern Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. The average amount of HCH isomers in the organs of fulmars ranged from 608 ± 177 ng/g lipids in the total homogenate of the organs to 2093 ± 264 ng/g lipids in the feathers with skin. The average range of the amounts of DDT and its metabolites was from 3606 ± 333 ng/g lipids in the feathers with skin to 4076 ± 1624 ng/g lipids in the feathers. The results are discussed.

Review on Brucellosis Sero-prevalence and Ecology in Livestock and Human Population of Ethiopia

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:38 +0200

The economic and public health impact of brucellosis remains of concern in developing countries. The disease can generally cause significant loss of productivity through abortion, still birth, low herd fertility and comparatively low milk production. In Ethiopia brucellosis prevalence studies have been conducted in different agro-ecology of the country. But, in general there was information gap on disease dynamics, identification of strain circulating in the region. The paper reviewed the distribution of brucellosis in different regions of Ethiopia and its prevalence among different livestock hosts. Risk factors for the occurrence of brucellosis and finally, different strategies for the control and prevention of brucellosis under Ethiopian conditions are discussed.

Quantitative Ethnobotanical Survey of Traditional Siddha Medical Practitioners from Thiruvarur District with Hepatoprotective Potentials through In Silico Methods

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:32 +0200

The aim of the present study was to document the knowledge of traditional Siddha medical practitioners from Thiruvarur district in Tamil Nadu, India, and to quantitatively analyze the data to identify some useful leads of medicinal plants and to screening the phytocomounds. Field study was carried out for a period of 1 year in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu. The ethnomedicinal information were collected from Siddha medical practitioners. The collected data were analyzed through quantitative analysis. The molecular docking studies were performed three marketed drugs and eleven different medicinal plant compounds against HBeAg using Schrodinger suite. A total of 33 species of plants distributed in 22 genera belonging to 22 families were identified as commonly used ethno medicinal plants by traditional Siddha practitioners in Thiruvarur. An interesting point in molecular docking study is that luteolin is an effective inhibitor for the inhibition of HBV when compared to commercial drugs. Traditional Siddha medical practitioner and remarkable medicinal plant knowledge and uses were documented for the study area.

Activity of 1,3-β-D-Glucanases and Expression of CG-GLU1 in the Mussel Crenomytilus grayanus (Bivalvia) in Three Bays of the Sea of Japan

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:27 +0200

The level of the specific activity of digestive enzymes and expression of their corresponding glucanase genes (Cg-glu1 ) were studied in Grays mussels, Crenomytilus grayanus, collected from the mussels' assemblages in different parts of Peter the Great Bay (northwestern part of the Sea of Japan). Both methods demonstrated similar independent results: there is variability in the contribution of phytoplankton to the nutrition of mussels in different parts of Peter the Great Bay. The highest level of the specific activity of 1, 3-β-D-glucanases and expression of the glucanase genes were detected in the mussels from Amursky Bay: the differences were significantly increased (p

Dynamics of Geographic Range and Occurrence of Pine Marten (Martes Martes L.) in the South-East Forest Zone of Western Siberia

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:24 +0200

This paper is devoted to the area and abundance of pine marten in the West Siberia during XX – XXI century.

Sample Preparation Method for the Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Aquatic Organisms by Gas Chromatography

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:22 +0200

Sample preparation can be used in biology and ecology for gas chromatographic determination of organochlorine pesticides (OCP), namely, α-, β- and γ-isomers of hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and its metabolites dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDD) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) in various aquatic organisms (molluscs, fish, birds and mammals) containing lipids (because organochlorine pesticides are lipophilic) in the internal organs and tissues, fat, skin and feather cover. The method is easy to implement and economically profitable, it can be used in laboratories without special extraction equipment, as well as in the field, with a minimum set of glassware and reagents. The result of this process is an increase of efficiency and precision of research through a more complete extraction of pesticides chemically bonded with lipids using n -hexane and a reduction of the number of steps needed for the extraction and purification of co-extrusive substances with concentrated sulphuric acid.

Typology and Structure of Wetland Bird and Grouse Habitats in the Olekminsky Natural Reserve

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:19 +0200

The Olekminsky Natural Reserve is composed of four types of lake land, six types of river land and two types of wetlands. The wetlands can be classified into four types of spatial complexes. The main types of forest habitats may be incorporated into six types of land. Forest complex functional forms in the reserve are characterized by four types. In accordance with the predominance of land types and typological complexes, the territory can be divided into four areas.

Influence of Natural and Anthropogenic Factors on the Distribution of the Field Mouse in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:16 +0200

This paper describes the distribution of the field mouse along the gradient heights in the primary vegetation formations affected by anthropogenic transformation of forest ecosystems in the Sikhote-Alin Mountains. Based on the obtained data, schemes of the altitude-biotopical accordance of this mouse in undisturbed and transformed habitats were built. The results demonstrated that the field mouse is able to penetrate into the upper belts of the mountains to heights of 1200 to 1400 m above sea level.

Using Stripping Voltammetry to Analyse the Interactions of Metals with the Biomass of Acidophilic Algae

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:13 +0200

Interactions of metals with the biomass of plant organisms, including algae, are of interest for biology, biogeochemistry and biotechnology. This work studies the interactions of the unique thermophilic red algae Galdieria sulphuraria (Class: Rhodophyta, Family: Cyanidiaceae) with copper and lead in the aquatic environment. This extremophilic, acidophilic organism is found in such ecosystems as hot springs and geothermal habitats. This paper presents the results of experiments with the biomass and mortmass of this organism. The results indicate that the biomass of this organism immobilises copper after incubation in aquatic medium with heavy metals. Lead was also added to the incubation environment, but no immobilisation of lead from the aquatic environment was observed. The mortmass of G. sulphuraria immobilised neither copper nor lead.

Pulsar Satellite Radio Beacon Application Experience in the Telemetry of Brown Bear (Ursus Arctos L.)

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:10 +0200

This study shows application experience of pulsar satellite radio beacons (Russian production) in studying brown bear ecology. During 2011–2013 three brown bears were equipped with satellite collars fitted with a radio beacon in the Primorsky region and the Kostroma region. The animals were tracked using satellite technology and telemetry. We obtained data on brown bear space use and daily and seasonal movements. Our results show possibility of using this method for the study and conservation of wild animals.

Behavior of Brown Bears During Feeding in the Sikhote-Alin

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:06 +0200

Feeding methods and habits of brown bear in Sikhote-Alin are varied and specific for each type of feeding behavior depending on the composition and condition of food, its availability and abundance, season, animals sex, age, physical condition, personal preferences and experience, the presence of competitors and disturbance from other predators and humans. A feature of the feeding behavior of bears in Sikhote-Alin is consumption of the remains of meals of tigers.

Marking activity of the Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos piscator )

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:03 +0200

The marking activity of brown bears was studied in the Kronotsky Reserve (eastern shore of the Kamchatka Peninsula) between 2002 and 2005. The goal of this investigation was to document communication mechanisms within the species. We recorded descriptions of bears rubbing and marking trees, as well as individual marking behaviour of bears in the Valley of the Geysers. We recorded 203 marked trees in an area of 2.5 km2 . Bears marked mostly stone birches (Betula ermanii ) with a mean diameter at breast height of 24 cm. Most trees were freshly marked with scratches or teeth marks and also exhibited scarring from previous years. Well-worn tracks were often recorded approaching marked trees. Regarding tree markings, 10.3% of trees were marked intensively, and 32% of trees were clustered. In addition, 88.9% of marked trees were located on ridges, and 79.3% were located on bear trails. The most intensive marking period was between May and June, which corresponded to bear mating season. The most commonly observed behaviour prior to marking was a rigid walking approach, rubbing on the trunk, and biting and removing tree bark. The high density and diversity of rubbed trees in the reserve should be considered a model for monitoring. The conservation of the Valley of the Geysers is intricately related to the wellbeing of the regions bears. Monitoring human impact on bears in the Valley of the Geysers, specifically tourism traffic, should include monitoring of the intensity and frequency of bear marking activity.

Operant Behaviour Features of the Selection Preference of Lithogenic Feed for Experimental Purposes

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:25:00 +0200

In the present work, the influence of natural zeolites on the parameters of defensive behaviour was analysed in experiments with white laboratory rats and a modular device. The obtained data suggested that among the experimental individuals under conditions of tool stress, 76% preferred the food that contained a mineral additive in the form of a crushed zeolite, while the indicators of behavioural activity were optimized in the given category of animals.

Causes of the Decrease in the Number of Ermine (Mustela Erminea L., 1758) and Pelt Procurement in Yakutia

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:57 +0200

During the last four decades, a decrease in ermine pelt procurement has been noted in Yakutia. To determine the possible reasons for this, material on the ecology of ermine and sables in Northeast Yakutia was collected from 1980–1994. The study examined 2890 sable stomachs for feed, and 1167 ermine skulls for Skrjabingylus infection. It was revealed that ermine are hunted by sables, but their proportion of the diet is low (0.4–3.4%). It was found that sables displaced ermine from the taiga biocenosis. The most acute effects of this process occurred during the sable settlement in October–November and are exacerbated by small numbers of rodents and crop failure in the main taiga feed. The overall intensity of infestation with the Skrjabingylus nasicola nematode was 19%, suggesting that this parasite is unlikely to have significantly affected the number of ermine.

Features of Bird Distributions in Different Types of Macro Landscapes (Biotypes) in the Kyzyl Kum Desert

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:54 +0200

One hundred and forty species of birds have been credibly recognised (during 1970–1990) as Kyzyl Kum desert inhabitants. They are distributed in seven arid landscapes that are unequal in edaphic and floristic characteristics. The most environmentally capacious landscape is the spates of artesian lakes and banks with grass–shrub complexes, where 83 bird species were found. The valleys of dry riverbeds occupied with tamarisk saxaul groves contained 56 bird species. The smallest species range (16) was observed in the variations of the takyr spaces with poor vegetation. This paper also outlines the relative abundance of 40 species of birds that are typical inhabitants of desert landscapes. We studied four of their habitats, and the effects of seasonal changes on the species composition of shorebirds in three artesian lakes were determined.

A Taxonomic List of the Mayflies, Stoneflies and Caddisflies (Insecta: Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera) of the Sikhote-Alin Biosphere Reserve

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:52 +0200

Three orders of amphibiotic insects were examined from the eastern and western streams of the Sikhote-Alin State Nature Biosphere Reserve, which is located in the southern Russian Far East in the central portion of a mountain range with the same name. Data were obtained on Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera (EPT) fauna inhabiting streams in the Sikhote-Alin State Nature Biosphere Reserve and its adjacent area. The data were collected by the author from 1980 to 2013. More than 30 thousand larvae and adult EPT were identified, and a systematic list of 220 species was formed. Among them, Ephemeroptera is represented by 63 species from 18 genera and 8 families. Plecoptera is represented by 61 species from 30 genera and 8 families. Trichoptera is represented by 96 species from 49 genera and 20 families. The EPT biodiversity study in the local protected areas is important for assessing the ecological preferences of aquatic organisms and understanding the formation of ecosystem structures under normal conditions, i.e., without anthropogenic influence. In addition, the EPT list is of great value, as it is widely used to control the quality of the environment via the EPT indicator index. The comprehensive list of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT complex) taxonomic species of Central Sikhote-Alin streams is submitted for the first time. In addition, a brief areal EPT fauna analysis is made.

Bleb Formation in Human Fibrosarcoma HT1080 Cancer Cell Line Is Positively Regulated by the Lipid Signalling Phospholipase D2 (PLD2)

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:47 +0200

Blebs are spherical plasma membrane protrusions formed when the membrane detaches from the underlying cortex as a result of actomyosin contractility-powered increase of hydrostatic pressure in the cytoplasm. Different tumour cells metastasize using blebbing as alternative mode of migration by squeezing through pre-existing pores in the extracellular matrix (ECM). This study investigated the role of the lipid signalling phospholipases D1 and D2 (PLD1/PLD2) in bleb formation in human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cell line in the extracellular matrix, and reports that pharmacological inhibition of PLD1 and PLD2 with a potent universal PLD inhibitor potently inhibited bleb formation in HT1080 cells embedded in three-dimensional (3D) matrigel matrix. Use of smartpool small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that target PLD1 and PLD2 isoforms at four different sequences revealed that PLD2, but not PLD1 is involved in blebbing of HT1080 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate that PLD2-mediated bleb formation is via the PA-LPAR-Rho-ROCK signalling pathway. Thus, PLD2 is a promising therapeutic target in combating metastasis of cancers of fibrous connective tissues.

Post-fire Successions of Vegetation and Pinus koraiensis Ectomycorrhizal Communities in Korean Pine–Broadleaf Forests of the Central Sikhote-Alin

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:44 +0200

The characteristics of four stages of demutational succession of a valley Korean pine–broadleaf forest are provided according to the parameters most vividly capturing the structure of the plant community and influencing the renewal and mycorrhization of Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis ) seedlings. It was found that Korean pine seedlings grow in a competitive environment on the fresh burned site, hence the mycorrhization occurs from specialized symbiotes that provide competitive advantages and adaptation to stress factors. Mycorrhiza forms the least successful in the 50–60-year-old larch–birch–spiraea association during the seral stages of succession. The 90–100-year-old birch–broadleaf association offers the most suitable soil and cenotic conditions for the development of Korean pine seedlings that can successfully generate mycorrhiza from both the spores present in the thick soil layer, and through mycelia of shared mycorrhizal networks of seral and primary (including Korean pine) tree species. A 230–250-year-old climax community comprises all patterns to ensure that pine seedlings encounter a fungal component, in this community the greatest abundance of species and a balanced composition of ectomycorrhizal fungi communities of Korean pine are observed.

Population and Habitat of the Amur Tiger in the Russian Far East

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:41 +0200

In the beginning of 19th century, the range (areal) of Panthera tigris altaica included the forest part of the Korean Peninsula, the northern provinces of China, and the left bank of the Amur River in Russia and approached Transbaikalia and Yakutia. By the late 1930s, the number of tigers in Russia had decreased to 20–30 individuals. Protections against hunting (1947), the entrapment of tiger cubs (1965), and a lack of a market for tiger derivatives contributed to growth in tiger numbers. By the 1960s, the tiger population in Russia had increased to 100–110 individuals. According to a count in 1970, the population of tigers had reached 140–150 individuals. At this point in time, the range covered the forest territory of Primorsky Krai and southern Khabarovsky Krai. The last two total counts (1995–96 and 2004–05) revealed a further increase in the numbers to 450–500 animals and a range of 156, 000 km2 . The latest recordings have confirmed the maximum numbers of tigers in the Sikhote-Alin and Lazovsky reserves and adjacent territories. However, the small areas of the reserves and their territorial separation preclude the maintenance of or increases in the population to or beyond 400–500 adult animals, which in genetic terms, would ensure the long-term conservation of the tiger. Further conservation of the region requires the assignment of two protective zones of 45, 000–50, 000 km2 with centres in the Sikhote-Alin and Lazovsky reserves. Within these protective zones, economic development involving any type of forest felling or ungulate hunting should be fully prohibited. The creation of protective zones is the only route to preserving the natural complex of the Sikhote-Alin, including the Amur tiger in Russia.

Arsenic and Cadmium Contamination in Water, Sediments and Fish is a Consequence of Paddy Cultivation: Evidence of River Pollution in Sri Lanka

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:37 +0200

The upper Malwathu Oya is a seasonal river. The main livelihood of people living in the immediate vicinity of the river is paddy cultivation, and chronic kidney disease is reported among them. Farmers utilize different types of agricultural chemicals in their fields expecting bumper harvests. Several agricultural chemicals have been reported to contain toxic trace elements in Sri Lanka. Therefore, arsenic and cadmium might end up in the river water. The presence of these trace elements in the river water and sediments can result in their bioaccumulation in fish tissues. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of two trace elements in water and sediments, as well as in fish tissues (gills, kidney, liver and muscle) of three food fish species, Etroplus suratensis, Anabas testudineus and Channa striata during cultivating and non-cultivating seasons of the year. Further, the level of bioaccumulation of two trace elements in fish tissues in relation to the contamination level of water and sediments was assessed. Data were gathered for 43 months. Arsenic and cadmium concentration in water showed a significant (P

Distribution of Zokors (Rodentia, Spalacidae, Myospalacinae) in Eastern Russia Based on Genetic and Morphological Analysis

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:33 +0200

New data on the distribution of the endemic Asian rodents zokors (Myospalax sp.) in Eastern Russia (Transbaikalia and Khanka Plain) based on new taxonomic, genetic and morphological research are presented in this article. Both karyotype and mtDNA markers and morphological characteristics (craniometry) were used for species identification. The following four distinct species inhabit this region: Myospalax aspalax, Myospalax armandii, and Myospalax epsilanus in south Transbaikalia and Myospalax psilurus in Khanka Plain. Maps of species distribution and a list of localities for genetically and morphologically typed specimens are presented.

Causes of Geophagy by Ungulate Animals in the Caucasus Mountains

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:29 +0200

This article is aimed at identifying the cause of rock eating by wild herbivores in the territory of the Caucasian State Biosphere Reserve in the Caucasus Mountains. The research focused on the mineralogical and geochemical features of the rocks eaten and the geological conditions of their formation. This report includes a comparative analysis of the mineral and chemical compositions of the consumed rocks and of animal faeces consisting almost entirely of mineral matter. It was found that the rocks consisted mainly of hydrous and chlorite and that they derived from Proterozoic schists altered in the zone of tectonic contact. The near complete absence of sodium consumed in the rocks as well as the selective removal of heavy rare earth elements from the body by mineral sorbents suggest that the geophagy by animals in the Caucasus is associated with features of the metabolism of lanthanide elements.

Phytospreading Proposed by S.V. Meyen as a Factor of Biological Evolution

Scipedia content — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:24:26 +0200

Phytospreading, proposed by S.V. Meyen, depends on the role of biological evolutionary “mechanisms”. Some biological species that occupy a vast territory from the equator to the mid latitudes break up into two areas and form two populations. Later, the conditions arise for these populations (new related species) convergence at equatorial or middle latitudes, resulting in the hybridization of these species. This process takes place due to “return wave” of phytospreading during the next general cooling period or “second wave” phytospreading during the future warming period. Hybridization and the preceding heterochronies, which affect reproductive processes, create new biological species with progressive morphophysiological structures.