On the asymmetry between subject and object relative clauses in discourse context

This paper investigates the possibility of an effect of contextual information during the processing of sentences containing subject relative clauses (SRCs) and object relative clauses (ORCs) in Brazilian Portuguese. The predictions from one-stage models and from syntaxoriented approaches to sentence processing are outlined. An eye-tracking experiment is reported in which SRCs and ORC were presented when preceded by narrative contexts that could either favor a subject or an object relative clause analysis. The results suggest that ORCs are harder to process when compared to SRCs, no matter what discourse contexts they are inserted in. The contextual effect obtained here can be ascribed to a pre-syntactic priming, ie. a priming effect which arises during lexical access. The possibility of pre- and post-syntactic contextual effects in the processing of RCs is discussed

Impacto da vivência de rua nas amizades de crianças em idade escolar

OBJETIVO: Trata-se de um estudo para avaliar as relações de amizade em meninos de rua de 7 a 11 anos da cidade de Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Uma amostra de 30 meninos de rua foi comparada com outra de 51 meninos de 7 a 11 anos que viviam com suas famílias de baixa renda, utilizando-se a Entrevista Sobre Amigos e Companheiros da Cornell (Cornell Interview of Peers and Friends). RESULTADOS: Os dois grupos apresentaram escores globais na entrevista significativamente diferentes, sendo que o grupo de meninos de rua obteve o escore médio mais alto. Da mesma forma, os meninos de rua apresentaram escores de adequação do desenvolvimento, autoestima e habilidades sociais significativamente menores do que os meninos com família. CONCLUSÕES: Levando-se em conta os resultados, é enfatizada a urgência do desenvolvimento de intervenções com as crianças com vivência de rua, especialmente com os meninos de rua.OBJECTIVE: This is a study to evaluate friendships in latency street boys of Porto Alegre, RGS, Brazil. METHODS: A sample of 30 latency street boys was compared with a sample of 51 latency boys living with their low income families, using the Cornell Interview of Peers and Friends (CIPF). RESULTS: The two groups had a significantly different CIPF global scores, and the boys of the street group had the highest mean score. Also, boys of the street had significantly lower developmental appropriateness, self-esteem and social skills scores than boys living with a family. CONCLUSIONS: The urgent need for intervention street children, especially on boys of the street, is emphasized

Toxicologia do tolueno: aspectos relacionados ao abuso

O tolueno está presente em muitos produtos de uso doméstico e industrial e é o principal solvente envolvido no abuso de substâncias e na exposição ocupacional. O problema mais grave no estudo de patologias relacionadas ao tolueno é que este está geralmente associado, em suas preparações comerciais, a outras substâncias. O potencial tóxico do tolueno foi abordado nos seguintes aspectos: parâmetros farmacológicos; características físico-químicas; exposição; estudos clínicos; diagnóstico; pesquisa experimental; tolerância e dependência; efeitos agudos e crônicos; neurotoxicidade; teratogenicidade; doenças psiquiátricas; carcinogenicidade e tratamento. Conclui-se ser de grande importância e urgência que se realizem estudos clínicos com amostras maiores para definição mais precisa das conseqüências do uso crônicoToluene, present in many industrial and domestic products, is the main solvent involved in solvent abuse and occupational exposure. The main problem in studying toluene-related pathologies is the fact that it is frequently combined with other substances. This review focuses on its potential toxicity. The following subjects are discussed: pharmacologic parameters; physico-chemical features; exposure; clinical trials; experimental research; diagnosis; tolerance and dependence; acute and chronic effects; neurotoxicity; teratogenicity; psychiatric disorders; carcinogenicity; and treatment. It is concluded that is important more research on larger population samples with a view to better definition of the consequences.of chronic use should be undertaken

Referência anafórica com relativas restritivas de objeto: custo relativizado na interface gramática-pragmática

O processamento de DPs definidos contendo relativas restritivas de objeto (ROs) é caracterizado por meio do MINC (Modelo Integrado de Computação On-line) e seu custo é relativizado. Uma interface gramática-pragmática, fundada na Teoria da Relevância, é incorporada ao modelo. Minimização do custo de processamento e maximização da relevância são relacionados. O conceito de fase, adaptado ao processamento incremental, e um sistema de sombreamento das ações do parser permitem dar conta de resultados obtidos com rastreamento ocular, os quais evidenciam a recuperação do referente do DP complexo antes de a posição do gap na RO ser alcançada.</p

(EYE)-TRACKING OBJECT RELATIVE CLAUSES PROCESSING: ANTICIPATION AND INTEGRATION OF CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION ON AMIBIGUITY RESOLUTION

The on-line processing of temporarily ambiguous object relative clauses (relative clause/complement clause) is investigated in contexts that favor the incremental integration of information and the anticipation of the referent of a complex DP. The research questions are: Does contextual information eliminate ambiguity in favor of relative clauses? Does low level information (from the syntax/prosody interface) enable relative and complement clauses to be distinguished?  Or does minimal attachment prevail in the presence of structural ambiguity thereby inhibiting the incremental integration of information? An experiment is reported in which a bimodal task (verbal (oral) and visual stimulus presentation) with eye-tracking is carried out, followed by a comprehension task. The participants were adult speakers of Portuguese. The results suggest that structural principles prevail when there is temporary ambiguity. The conditions are discussed in which integrative and anticipatory processes can be conducted by means of two-stage processor

The impact of living on the streets on latency children's friendships

OBJECTIVE: This is a study to evaluate friendships in latency street boys of Porto Alegre, RGS, Brazil. METHODS: A sample of 30 latency street boys was compared with a sample of 51 latency boys living with their low income families, using the Cornell Interview of Peers and Friends (CIPF). RESULTS: The two groups had a significantly different CIPF global scores, and the boys of the street group had the highest mean score. Also, boys of the street had significantly lower developmental appropriateness, self-esteem and social skills scores than boys living with a family. CONCLUSIONS: The urgent need for intervention street children, especially on boys of the street, is emphasized

Sociodemographic profile and level of burden of dementia patients' caregivers who participate in a support group

Abstract The Brazilian Alzheimer's Association recommend the dementia patient's caregiver to attend group meetings which aim to give information and enable them to express and share feelings with individuals who are facing similar difficulties. Objectives: To identify the sociodemographic profile of the individuals who attend the Support Group for Family Members of Individuals with Alzheimer's disease at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, and to verify the degree of burden associated to the care given to this kind of patient. Methods: Forty-eight participants were sub-divided into two groups: 23 non-caregivers and 25 caregivers. All participants answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, and the caregivers also answered the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Student's t test was used for comparison of parametric data, and Chi-square test for categorical data between caregivers and non-caregivers. Spearman's rho correlation analysis was performed for the ZBI and the studied variables. Results: Participants were predominantly women. Only age differentiated one subgroup from the other. The mean score on the ZBI was 35.1 (14.7), and most of the caregivers presented up to moderate burden. Conclusions: Women attended the Support Group either as caregiver or non-caregiver. The level of burden among caregivers of high educational attainment was relatively high besides the short time as caregiver (up to a year)