Blame Attributions Among Child Sexual Abuse Survivors and Disclosure of the Abuse

Child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosure is critical for survivor´s psychosocial adjustment later in life. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between attributions of blame for child sexual abuse by the victim and the disclosure of the abuse to parents or caregivers while controlling for characteristics of the abuse. Female college students between 17 and 24 years of age (M = 19.44, SD = 1.64) from a southern Spanish University were surveyed. Of 1547 respondents, 153 (9.90%) reported having suffered some form of CSA before the age of 15. Information about the characteristics of abuse (age of onset, type of abuse suffered, continuity of abuse, and relationship with and age of the perpetrator) and the existence of abuse disclosure by the survivor was obtained from a self-reported questionnaire developed for the present study. The Attributions of Responsibility and Blame Scale (McMillen & Zuravin, 1997) was used to assess attributions made about CSA (self-blame, perpetrator blame and family blame). The results of a logistic regression model was statistically significant, χ² (9) = 43.856, p < .001. The model explained 41% (Nagelkerke R²) of the variance of abuse disclosure and correctly classified 85.6% of cases. Survivor disclosure was 5.50 times more likely to occur when the perpetrator was not a family member (Wald = 8.14, p < .01) and 3.95 times more likely to occur when there was not physical contact with the perpetrator (Wald = 4.30, p < .05). The occurrence of disclosure was also related to increased perpetrator age (Wald = 4.83, p < .05). With regard to the attributions of blame, the occurrence of disclosure was related to lower scores on self-blame (Wald = 6.78, p < .01) and higher scores on family blame (Wald = 9.67, p < .001). However, no relationship was found between perpetrator blame and disclosure of abuse. The results confirm the idea that not only self-blame attributions, but also family blame attributions are critical to the decision of a CSA victim to disclose abuse. The possibility that children who do not disclose abuse have a greater need to deny the occurrence of abuse, or have more confusion about being abused is discussed. Attributions of blame should be taken into serious consideration when evaluating children for possible sexual abuse.Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tec

Spatially Resolved Stellar Populations of Eight GOODS-South Active Galactic Nuclei at z ~ 1

We present a pilot study of the stellar populations of eight active galactic nucleus (AGN) hosts at z ~ 1 and compare with (1) lower redshift samples and (2) a sample of nonactive galaxies of similar redshift. We utilize K' images in the Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey South field obtained with the laser guide star adaptive optics system at Keck Observatory. We combine these K' data with B, V, i, and z imaging from the Advanced Camera for Surveys on Hubble Space Telescope to give multicolor photometry at a matched spatial resolution better than 100 mas in all bands. The hosts harbor AGNs as inferred from their high X-ray luminosities (LX > 10^42 erg s^–1) or mid-IR colors. We find a correlation between the presence of younger stellar populations and the strength of the AGN, as measured with [O III] line luminosity or X-ray (2-10 keV) luminosity. This finding is consistent with similar studies at lower redshift. Of the three Type II galaxies, two are disk galaxies and one is of irregular type, while in the Type I sample there are only one disk-like source and four sources with smooth, elliptical/spheroidal morphologies. In addition, the mid-IR spectral energy distributions of the strong Type II AGNs indicate that they are excited to Luminous InfraRed Galaxy (LIRG) status via galactic starbursting, while the strong Type I AGNs are excited to LIRG status via hot dust surrounding the central AGN. This supports the notion that the obscured nature of Type II AGNs at z ~ 1 is connected with global starbursting and that they may be extincted by kpc-scale dusty features that are by-products of this starbursting

Decreased Specific Star Formation Rates in AGN Host Galaxies

We investigate the location of an ultra-hard X-ray selected sample of AGN from the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) catalog with respect to the main sequence (MS) of star-forming galaxies using Herschel-based measurements of the star formation rate (SFR) and stellar mass (\mstar) from Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometry where the AGN contribution has been carefully removed. We construct the MS with galaxies from the Herschel Reference Survey and Herschel Stripe 82 Survey using the exact same methods to measure the SFR and \mstar{} as the Swift/BAT AGN. We find a large fraction of the Swift/BAT AGN lie below the MS indicating decreased specific SFR (sSFR) compared to non-AGN galaxies. The Swift/BAT AGN are then compared to a high-mass galaxy sample (COLD GASS), where we find a similarity between the AGN in COLD GASS and the Swift/BAT AGN. Both samples of AGN lie firmly between star-forming galaxies on the MS and quiescent galaxies far below the MS. However, we find no relationship between the X-ray luminosity and distance from the MS. While the morphological distribution of the BAT AGN is more similar to star-forming galaxies, the sSFR of each morphology is more similar to the COLD GASS AGN. The merger fraction in the BAT AGN is much higher than the COLD GASS AGN and star-forming galaxies and is related to distance from the MS. These results support a model in which bright AGN tend to be in high mass star-forming galaxies in the process of quenching which eventually starves the supermassive black hole itself.Comment: 23 pages, 14 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS 2015 June 23. In original form 2015 January 2

The Baggage Belt Assignment Problem

We consider the problem of assigning flights to baggage belts in the baggage reclaim area of an airport. The problem is originated by a real-life application in Copenhagen airport. The objective is to construct a robust schedule taking passenger and airline preferences into account. We consider a number of business and fairness constraints, avoiding congestions, and ensuring a good passenger flow. Robustness of the solutions is achieved by matching the delivery time with the expected arrival time of passengers, and by adding buffer time between two flights scheduled on the same belt. We denote this problem as the Baggage Belt Assignment Problem (BBAP). We first derive a general Integer Linear Programming (ILP) formulation for the problem. Then, we propose a Branch-and-Price (B&P) algorithm based on a reformulation of the ILP model tackled by Column Generation. Our approach relies on an effective dynamic programming algorithm for handling the pricing problems. We tested the proposed algorithm on a set of real-life data from Copenhagen airport as well as on a set of instances inspired by the real data. Our B&P scheme outperforms a commercial solver launched on the ILP formulation of the problem and is effective in delivering high quality solutions in limited computational times, making it possible its use in daily operations in medium-sized and large airports

A comparative study of pre and post prandial blood pressure recordings on normotensives and hypertensives on treatment

Background: The aim of the study was to study pre and post prandial BP recordings in normotensives and hypertensives on treatment above the age of 18 years.Methods: The study will be conducted on 50 normotensives and 50 hypertensives on treatment admitted to our hospital over a period of 3 months. The patients are randomly selected and the details of duration and antihypertensive are noted. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressure is measured in supine position of the right arm using digital electronic blood pressure monitor. BP recordings are taken 30 min before and 30 min after meals. Then fall in BP is recorded.Results: From this study we found that the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure is higher in hypertensives than normotensive patients. The study was statistically significant which was found by paired t test. The post prandial fall in BP was significantly higher in hypertensives than normotensive patients. Probably hypertensives had reduced cardiac sympathetic tone which caused postprandial hypotension more than normotensive patients.Conclusions: Apart from pharmacological treatment, poor housing condition and illiteracy of the parents of these patients need to be addressed

Energy Assessment of Pastoral Dairy Goat Husbandry from an Agroecological Economics Perspective. A Case Study in Andalusia (Spain)

This paper presents a methodological proposal of new energy sustainability indicators according to a novel accounting that follows agroecological and ecological economics criteria. Energy output is reformulated to include manure and thus consider the contribution to fertilization made by pastoral livestock farming to agroecosystems. Energy inputs calculations include the grazing resources. These new definitions and calculations allow for new formulations of the energy return on investment (EROI) as measures of the energy efficiency of livestock farming systems (final EROI and food/feed EROI). The environmental benefit of manure is estimated from the avoided energy cost of using this alternative to inorganic fertilizers (AECM). The environmental benefit of grazing is measured through the energy cost of avoiding cultivated animal feed (AECP) and its impact in terms of non-utilized agricultural area (ALCP). The comparative analysis of different livestock breeding systems in three pastoral dairy goat farms in the Sierra de Cádiz in Andalusia, southern Spain, reveals the analytical potential of the new energy sustainability indicators proposed, as well as the potential environmental benefits derived from territorial-based stockbreeding and, more specifically, grazing activities. Those benefits include gains in energy efficiency, a reduction of the dependence on non-renewable energy, and environmental costs avoided in terms of energy in extensive pastoral systems

Las Ontologías y el marco FBS

Ponencia presentada en el XII Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería de Proyectos celebrado en Zaragoza en el año 2008In the past years there have been great advances in the development of ontologies applied to the field of engineering design, essentially in functional and structural models. A great diversity of methodologies for the analysis of the design process in relation to the FBS (Function - Behaviour - Structure) framework have been modelled, thereby attaining a profound knowledge of the subject. Hence, it is possible to carry this knowledge to the industrial domain through the use of ontologies. In the article, an in-depth analysis of the existing methodologies based on the FBS framework is carried out. Later, the focus is shifted onto the ontologies that were based upon the aforementioned framework. From this review, a discussion of the ontologies is made, pointing out their main virtues. The aim is to insist upon the benefits of ontologies and to encourage their wider industrial application.En los últimos años, se han producido grandes avances en el desarrollo de ontologías aplicadas al campo de la ingeniería de diseño, esencialmente en modelos funcionales y estructurales. Se han modelado una gran diversidad de metodologías para el análisis del proceso de diseño en relación al marco FBS (Función – Comportamiento - Estructura), logrando un conocimiento profundo sobre la materia. Con ello, es posible trasladar dicho conocimiento a través de las ontologías al ámbito industrial. En el desarrollo del artículo se realiza un análisis en profundidad de las metodologías existentes basadas en el marco FBS. Posteriormente, se centra en las ontologías que se han basado en el citado marco. A partir de esta revisión, se establece una discusión indicando las principales virtudes. El objetivo es incidir en los beneficios de las ontologías para que este trabajo pueda servir como un primer paso para conseguir una mayor aplicación industrial

Photochromic organic-inorganic hybrid materials

Este artículo ha sido publicado como parte del número especial dedicado a Hybrid materialsPhotochromic organic-inorganic hybrid materials have attracted considerable attention owing to their potential application in photoactive devices, such as optical memories, windows, photochromic decorations, optical switches, filters or non-linear optics materials. The growing interest in this field has largely expanded the use of photochromic materials for the purpose of improving existing materials and exploring new photochromic hybrid systems. This tutorial review summarizes the design and preparation of photochromic hybrid materials, and particularly those based on the incorporation of organic molecules in organic-inorganic matrices by the sol-gel method. This is the most commonly used method for the preparation of these materials as it allows vitreous hybrid materials to be obtained at low temperatures, and controls the interaction between the organic molecule and its embedding matrix, and hence allows tailoring of the performance of the resulting devices.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion MAT2008-00010/NANPeer reviewe

A Structural Equation Model of Depression Risk in Young Women with a History of Child Sexual Abuse

This study aimed to propose and empirically test a model of the role of beliefs and emotions, self-destructive coping, and anxious attachment in the etiology of depression among a sample of 217 female survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). The structural equation model showed a direct path from feelings of betrayal, self-destructive coping, and major anxious attachment to depression. The model also showed an indirect path (via self-destructive coping and anxious attachment) from feelings of powerlessness—particularly self-blame/stigma—to depression. The present results confirmed the existence of an explanatory model of depression risk in young adult women