Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale: Evidence of Construct Validity in Argentinians

Suicide is a global public health problem. The goal of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the measurement of suicide severity based on the Columbia suicide severity rating scale. We worked with a sample of 516 Argentinean adults, aged 18 to 75. The fit of a measurement model that differentiates between the various degrees of suicidal severity was verified. The specified model returns fit values above the suggested cut-off points, both for the occurrence and frequency indicators. The internal consistency indices from the composite reliability coefficient also show values above the cut-off points for both occurrence and frequency. Finally, evidence of construct validity was obtained from the relationship with external variables. The results are consistent with the theory, showing stronger effects of hopelessness on suicidal ideation compared to suicide attempts. Overall, evidence of construct validity for the measurement of suicidal severity is presented, a contribution that is essential in remedying the lack of studies on suicide in the region and promoting prevention strategies.Depto. de Psicobiología y Metodología en Ciencias del ComportamientoFac. de PsicologíaTRUEpu

Perfiles de lectura en adolescentes con síndrome de X frágil y síndrome de Down.

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Down Syndrome (DS) read better than expected for their mental age. We have measured three basic reading skills (word recognition, phonological awareness, and reading comprehension), and two standard intellectual and verbal measures: the McCarthy Scales of Children’s Abilities and Peabody Picture Vocabulary Tests. The tests were applied to 16 adolescents classified as FXS (M = 14.74 years old, SD = 4.03) and 16 adolescents classified as DS (M = 15.59 years old, SD = 2.35). For comparison purposes, the reading tests were also applied to a typical develop group of 70 children aged between 4.8 and 7.0 years (M = 6.11, SD = 0.71).  Children with DS and FXS exhibited verbal skills superior to their cognitive development, especially in the FXS group. In reading performance, FXS showed a reading level corresponding to 5/6 their age, and for SD 6/7 of the equivalent reading age, however, both groups exhibited a similar reading performance in the three reading skills measured, when nonverbal mental age was controlled.Las personas con síndrome de X frágil (FXS) y con síndrome de Down (DS) leen mejor de lo esperado para su edad mental. Hemos medido tres habilidades básicas de lectura (reconocimiento de palabras, conciencia fonológica y comprensión de lectura), y dos medidas estándar intelectual y verbal: Escalas McCarthy de capacidades de los niños y los Peabody Picture Vocabulary Tests. Las pruebas se aplicaron a 16 adolescentes clasificados como FXS (M = 14.74 años, DT = 4.03) y 16 adolescentes clasificados como DS (M = 15.59 años, SD = 2.35). Para fines de comparación, las pruebas de lectura también se aplicaron a un grupo de desarrollo normal de 70 niños de entre 4.8 y 7 años (M = 6.11, DT = 0.71). Los niños con DS y FXS mostraron habilidades verbales superiores a su desarrollo cognitivo, especialmente en el grupo FXS. En el rendimiento de lectura, FXS mostraron un nivel de lectura correspondiente a 5/6 de su edad, y para SD 6/7 de la edad de lectura equivalente; sin embargo, ambos grupos mostraron un rendimiento de lectura similar en las tres habilidades de lectura medidas, cuando la edad mental no verbal fue controlada

Rising from the Ashes: The Biogeographic Origins of Modern Coral Reef Fishes

During the excavation of Mayan tombs, little did the archaeologists know that the fossils they discovered in the tomb stones would fundamentally alter our understanding of the earliest origins of coral reef fishes. Located just 500 kilometers from the point where an asteroid impact reconfigured the world's biological systems 66 million years ago, we find the earliest origins of three typical reef fish groups. Their presence in Mexico just 3 million years after this impact finally reconciles the conflict between the fossil and phylogenetic evidence for the earliest origins of reef fishes. The incorporation of these fossils into a global reconstruction of fish evolutionary history reveals a new picture of the early biogeography of reef fishes, with strong Atlantic links. From locations associated with biological destruction and societal collapse, we see evidence of the origins of one of the world's most diverse and spectacular marine ecosystems: coral reefs

Building public-private partnerships for agricultural innovation:

Public-private partnerships are a new way of carrying out research and development (R&D) in Latin America's agricultural sector. These partnerships spur innovation for agricultural development and have various advantages over other institutional arrangements fostering R&D. This report summarizes the experiences of a research project that analyzed 125 public-private research partnerships (PPPs) in 12 Latin American countries. The analysis indicates that several types of partnerships have emerged in response to the various needs of the different partners. Nevertheless, public-private partnerships are not always the most appropriate mechanism by which to carry out R&D and foster innovation in agriculture. Sometimes, it is more efficient to organize research via participatory projects or through research contracts.Public-private partnerships, Agricultural innovations, Capacity strengthening, Agricultural research,

High seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in a subset of Mexican patients with work accidents and low socioeconomic status

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Toxoplasma gondii </it>has been associated with reflex impairment and traffic accidents. It is unknown whether <it>Toxoplasma </it>infection might be associated with work accidents. Therefore, using a case-control seroprevalence study design, 133 patients with a recent work accident and 266 control subjects of the general population from the same region were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassays for the presence and levels of anti-<it>Toxoplasma </it>IgG antibodies and anti-<it>Toxoplasma </it>IgM antibodies. Socio-demographic, work, clinical and behavioral characteristics from each worker were obtained.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eleven (8.3%) of 133 patients, and 14 (5.3%) of 266 controls had anti-<it>T. gondii </it>IgG antibodies. Anti-<it>T. gondii </it>IgG levels were higher than 150 IU/ml in 8 (6%) patients and 10 (3.8%) controls. Anti-<it>T. gondii </it>IgM antibodies were found in one (0.8%) of the workers, and in 6 (2.3%) of the controls. No statistically significant differences in the IgG seroprevalences, frequencies of high IgG levels, and IgM seroprevalences among patients and controls were found. In contrast, a low socio-economic level in patients with work accidents was associated with <it>Toxoplasma </it>seropositivity (<it>P </it>= 0.01). Patients with work accidents and low socioeconomic status showed a significantly (OR = 3.38; 95% CI: 0.84-16.06; <it>P </it>= 0.04) higher seroprevalence of <it>T. gondii </it>infection than controls of the same socioeconomic status (15.1% vs. 5%, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed a positive association of <it>T. gondii </it>infection with boar meat consumption (OR = 3.04; 95% CI: 1.03-8.94; <it>P </it>= 0.04). In contrast, a negative association between <it>T. gondii </it>infection and national trips (OR = 0.40; 95% CI: 0.17-0.96; <it>P </it>= 0.04), sausage consumption (OR = 0.20; 95% CI: 0.05-0.68; <it>P </it>= 0.01), and ham consumption (OR = 0.16; 95% CI: 0.05-0.51; <it>P </it>= 0.002) was found.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In the study described here seropositivity to <it>T. gondii </it>was associated to work accidents in a subset of patients with low socioeconomic status. This is the first report of an association of <it>T. gondii </it>infection and work accidents. Further studies to confirm our results are needed. Results may help in designing optimal prevention strategies to avoid <it>T. gondii </it>infection.</p

Parámetros genéticos para producción de leche de ganado Holstein en dos modalidades de control de producción

Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for total milk production at first lactation (MP1), milkyield adjusted to 305 d and adult equivalent at the first lactation (MP1std), total milk production of the first fivelactations (MP5) and milk yield adjusted to 305 d and mature equivalent of the first five lactations (MP5std). Thedatabases of the Mexican Holstein Association (MHA, n= 43,668) and of the National Bank of Dairy Information(NBDI, n= 120,217) were used. Variances were estimated by REML, using a simple animal model for MP1 and MP1stdand a repeatability animal model for MP5 and MP5std. Heritability estimates ranged from low to moderate for thefirst lactation (0.17 ± 0.009 to 0.49 ± 0.019) and for the first five lactations (0.16 ± 0.006 to 0.41 ± 0.004). Therepeatabilities for MP5 and MP5std ranged from 0.32 ± 0.002 to 0.41 ± 0.004. The inclusion of information of theNBDI on the national evaluations made possible the incorporation of production data that had not been taken intoconsideration before. This inclusion not only improved the accuracy of sire breeding values   for milk production, butalso allowed the prediction of breeding values of more foreign and domestic animals with progeny in Mexico.Se estimaron componentes de varianza y parámetros genéticos para producción de leche total a la primera lactancia (PL1), producción de leche ajustada a 305 días y a equivalente adulto de la primera lactancia (PL1std), producción de leche total de las cinco primeras lactancias (PL5) y producción de leche ajustada a 305 días y a equivalente adulto de las primeras 5 lactancias (PL5std). Se utilizaron las bases de datos de la Asociación Holstein de México (AHM; n= 43,668) y del Banco Nacional de Información Lechera (BNIL; n= 120,217). Las varianzas fueron estimadas mediante REML, utilizando un modelo animal simple para PL1 y PL1std y un modelo animal de repetibilidad para PL5 y PL5std. Las heredabilidades estimadas fueron desde bajas a moderadas para la primera lactancia (0.17 ± 0.009 a 0.49 ± 0.019) y para las primeras cinco lactancias (0.16 ± 0.006 a 0.41 ± 0.004). Las repetibilidades para PL5 y PL5std tuvieron un rango de 0.32 ± 0.002 a 0.41 ± 0.004. La inclusión de la información del BNIL en las evaluaciones genéticas permitió incorporar datos de producción que no se estaban tomando en cuenta. Esto no solamente mejoró la precisión de los valores genéticos de los sementales para producción de leche, sino que también permitió la predicción de los valores genéticos de animales nacionales y extranjeros con progenies en México

Parámetros genéticos para producción de leche de ganado Holstein en dos modalidades de control de producción

Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated for total milk production at first lactation (MP1), milkyield adjusted to 305 d and adult equivalent at the first lactation (MP1std), total milk production of the first fivelactations (MP5) and milk yield adjusted to 305 d and mature equivalent of the first five lactations (MP5std). Thedatabases of the Mexican Holstein Association (MHA, n= 43,668) and of the National Bank of Dairy Information(NBDI, n= 120,217) were used. Variances were estimated by REML, using a simple animal model for MP1 and MP1stdand a repeatability animal model for MP5 and MP5std. Heritability estimates ranged from low to moderate for thefirst lactation (0.17 ± 0.009 to 0.49 ± 0.019) and for the first five lactations (0.16 ± 0.006 to 0.41 ± 0.004). Therepeatabilities for MP5 and MP5std ranged from 0.32 ± 0.002 to 0.41 ± 0.004. The inclusion of information of theNBDI on the national evaluations made possible the incorporation of production data that had not been taken intoconsideration before. This inclusion not only improved the accuracy of sire breeding values   for milk production, butalso allowed the prediction of breeding values of more foreign and domestic animals with progeny in Mexico.Se estimaron componentes de varianza y parámetros genéticos para producción de leche total a la primera lactancia (PL1), producción de leche ajustada a 305 días y a equivalente adulto de la primera lactancia (PL1std), producción de leche total de las cinco primeras lactancias (PL5) y producción de leche ajustada a 305 días y a equivalente adulto de las primeras 5 lactancias (PL5std). Se utilizaron las bases de datos de la Asociación Holstein de México (AHM; n= 43,668) y del Banco Nacional de Información Lechera (BNIL; n= 120,217). Las varianzas fueron estimadas mediante REML, utilizando un modelo animal simple para PL1 y PL1std y un modelo animal de repetibilidad para PL5 y PL5std. Las heredabilidades estimadas fueron desde bajas a moderadas para la primera lactancia (0.17 ± 0.009 a 0.49 ± 0.019) y para las primeras cinco lactancias (0.16 ± 0.006 a 0.41 ± 0.004). Las repetibilidades para PL5 y PL5std tuvieron un rango de 0.32 ± 0.002 a 0.41 ± 0.004. La inclusión de la información del BNIL en las evaluaciones genéticas permitió incorporar datos de producción que no se estaban tomando en cuenta. Esto no solamente mejoró la precisión de los valores genéticos de los sementales para producción de leche, sino que también permitió la predicción de los valores genéticos de animales nacionales y extranjeros con progenies en México

The statute of the teaching and research staff. Any new or the usual roles?

Como consecuencia de la evolución legislativa en relación a la actividad del profesor universitario se ha elaborado un borrador del Estatuto del Personal Docente e Investigador (PDI). Éste se plantea como plataforma necesaria para alcanzar la excelencia en la realización de la docencia y la investigación para poder competir a nivel europeo y mundial. No obstante, ha suscitado la aparición de opiniones contrapuestas en cuanto a su articulado. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo explorar, mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas, la opinión del profesorado sobre aspectos clave del borrador. Los resultados indican que, si bien el profesorado considera necesaria la existencia del estatuto, manifiesta ciertas prevenciones sobre los posibles efectos negativos de su implantación.As a result of legislative developments in relation to the activity of the university professor has been elaborated a draft of the Statute of the Teaching and Research Staff (TRS). This is presented as necessary platform to achieve the excellence conducting the teaching and the investigation in order to compete at European and globally level. However, it has led to the appearance of conflicting views as to its provisions. This study aims to explore, through semi-structured interviews, the teacher opinion on key aspects of the draft. The results indicate that although the teachers consider necessary the existence of the statute, manifest certain warnings about the possible negative effects of its implementation

Psychometric Properties of the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire—Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS) in Chilean Youth

The aim of this study is to analyze the factorial structure of the Multidimensional Body–Self Relations Questionnaire—Appearance Scales (MBSRQ-AS) to determine the adjustment of the study structure proposed in the Spanish short version in a young, non-clinical Chilean population and to evaluate the possible influence of sex, age, and BMI on body image measurement. The sample consisted of 614 Chilean youth (259 male and 355 female) between 15 and 28 years old (M = 18.81; SE = 2.46), from the Metropolitan Region, and four regions of the coast and south-central zone of the country. The average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 22.5 kg/m2 (SD = 3.16). The model fit was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis (WLSMV) using the following: a model with a single general factor, a model with the five factors of the original version, a five-factor ESEM model, and a MIMIC model analyzed including sex, age, and BMI. The results show that the MIMIC sex, age, and BMI model presents an acceptable fit, observing that four factors, Appearance Orientation (AO), Body Areas Satisfaction (BAS), Overweight Preoccupation (OP), and Self-Classification Weight (SCW), are affected significantly for the sex variable, one for age, Appearance Evaluation (AE), and four for BMI (AE, BAS, OP, and SCW). In conclusion, MBSRQ-AS replicates the five-dimensional structure in a non-clinical sample of young Chileans; however, their scores are not invariant as they depend on sex, age, and BMI

Formando alianzas público-privadas para la innovación agrícola: Seguridad alimentaria en la práctica

Public-private partnership, Agricultural innovation,