Could time detect a faking-good attitude? A study with the MMPI-2-RF

Background and Purpose: Research on the relationship between response latency (RL) and faking in self-administered testing scenarios have generated contradictory findings. We explored this relationship further, aiming to add further insight into the reliability of self-report measures. We compared RLs and T-scores on the MMPI-2-RF (validity and restructured clinical [RC] scales) in four experimental groups. Our hypotheses were that: the Fake-Good Speeded group would obtain a different completion time; show higher RLs than the Honesty Speeded Group in the validity scales; show higher T-Scores in the L-r and K-r scales and lower T-scores in the F-r and RC scales; and show higher levels of tension and fatigue. Finally, the impact of the speeded condition in malingering was assessed. Materials and Methods: The sample was comprised of 135 subjects (M = 26.64; SD = 1.88 years old), all of whom were graduates (having completed at least 17 years of instruction), male, and Caucasian. Subjects were randomly assigned to four groups: Honesty Speeded, Fake-Good Speeded, Honesty Un-Speeded, and Fake-Good Un-Speeded. A software version of the MMPI-2-RF and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were administered. To test the hypotheses, MANOVAs and binomial logistic regressions were run. Results: Significant differences were found between the four groups, and particularly between the Honest and Fake-Good groups in terms of test completion time and the L-r and K-r scales. The speeded condition increased T-scores in the L-r and K-r scales but decreased T-scores in some of the RC scales. The Fake groups also scored higher on the VAS Tension subscale. Completion times for the first and second parts of the MMPI-2-RF and T-scores for the K-r scale seemed to predict malingering. Conclusion: The speeded condition seemed to bring out the malingerers. Limitations include the sample size and gender bias

Genetic correlations between type and test-day milk yield in small dual purpose cattle populations: the Aosta Red Pied breed as a case study.

This study aimed at estimating the relationships between linear type traits and milk production in the dual purpose Aosta Red Pied (ARP) cattle breed, by expressing type traits as factor scores with the same biological meaning of the individual traits. Factor analysis was applied to individual type traits for muscularity and udder of 32,275 first parity ARP cows, obtaining 3 factors scores for individual muscularity (F1), udder side (F2) and udder conformation (F3). Data from 169,008 test-day records of milk, fat and protein yield (kg), belonging to the first 3 lactations of 16,605 cows were also analyzed. After obtaining genetic parameters for both morphological factors and milk production traits through a series of AIREML single-trait models, bivariate analyses were performed on a dataset accounting for 201,283 records of 35,530 cows, to assess the phenotypic and genetic correlations among all factor scores and milk yield traits. The heritability estimates obtained proved to be moderate for both groups of traits, ranging from 0.132 (fat) to 0.314 (F1). Muscularity factor showed moderate and negative genetic correlations (ra) with udder size (-0.376) and udder conformation (0.214) factors. A low and negative ra was found between udder factors. Strong and positive ra were found among all the 3 milk production traits and F2 (ra ≥ 0.597). Negative ra with milk traits were obtained for both F1 and F3, ranging from -0.417 to -0.221. Phenotypic correlations resulted lower than the genetic ones, and sometimes close to zero. The antagonism between milk production and meat attitude traits suggests that great attention should be paid in assigning proper weight to the traits, comprising functional traits such as udder conformation, included in selection indices for the dual purpose breed. The ra obtained for factor scores are consistent with previous estimates for the corresponding individual type traits, and this confirms the possible use of factor analysis to improve type traits relevant to beef attitude

Parenting-Related Exhaustion During the Italian COVID-19 Lockdown

Worldwide, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has generated significant worry, uncertainty, anxiety, sadness, and loneliness. In Italy, these effects have been particularly pronounced. While research on the COVID-19 outbreak has mainly focused on the clinical features of infected patients and the psychological impact on the general population and health professionals, no investigation has yet assessed the psychological impact of the pandemic on parents. In the present research, we conducted a web-based survey of Italian parents to examine the prevalence of parenting-related exhaustion-and to identify its associated risk and protective factors-4 weeks into the lockdown

Use of the Parents Preference Test in Child Custody Evaluations: Preliminary Development of Conforming Parenting Index

The Parents Preference Test (PPT) is a graphical test comprised of 24 easy to understand images of daily family life, which is widely used in forensic assessments of parenting skills. Nevertheless, the PPT lacks validity scales to detect participants’ attitudes toward the test; this is an important oversight, as the tendency to demonstrate faking-good parenting behaviors is common in child custody litigants. Study 1 aimed at identifying the differences in PPT responses between a normative/control group (N = 110) and a sample of parents undergoing a psychological evaluation of parenting ability (N = 99). Chi-square goodness of fit tests showed significant differences in answer preferences between groups in 11 vignettes (almost half of the total PPT items). Study 2 aimed at developing an index to detect faking-good behaviors. On the 11 vignettes in which significant differences in answer preferences were found in Study 1, the alternatives chosen with the highest frequency by the forensic group were added to an index called the “Conforming Parenting Index” (CPI). The area under the curve (AUC) of a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for a sample of 58 participants who completed the PPT under both standard and faking-good instructions demonstrated good classification accuracy (AUC= .813)

ABSTRACCIÓN EN MOVIMIENTO. PROYECTO FOLDING

[EN] Folding is an audiovisual installation that generates geometric patterns using an algorithm that controls a system centered in the cadence and timing of a data flux, feeding structures of visual patterns and writing a dynamic sound score. The result is an immersive space where data perception becomes at the same time a shared and a subjective perception experience. The project is part of the new art practices linked to geometric abstraction; a context that is different by the generation of complex, dynamic and unstable systems from the geometric essentialism of avant-gardes. According to this idea, we develop a work joining light, geometry, abstraction and their relationship with software and information society, working with an abstract image that feeds itself of chosen data reflecting it in the social system. The images and sounds, then, results a dynamic form of unstable fluctuations. We orient our research departing from a vocabulary reduced to black and white stripes as a metaphor of Light/Darkness and simple repetitive forms generating fluctuations of noise, color, and frequencies. We try to establish relations of synesthesic character between form and sound. We use light and form to shape the space and volumes experience. Contemporary art is actually involved with scientific concepts and hybrid fields, the utilization of new media in our artworks allows us to afford topics as creating virtual collaborative spaces or online digital places where individuals and groups can socialize and interact in a virtual or real shared space.[ES] Folding es una instalación audiovisual que genera patrones geométricos mediante un algoritmo principal de control del sistema, centrado en la temporización y cadencia del flujo de datos que va alimentando las estructuras de patrones visuales, al tiempo que va escribiendo una partitura dinámica en escala pentatónica, para la construcción sonora. El resultado es la creación de un espacio inmersivo donde la percepción deviene una experiencia subjetiva y compartida. El proyecto se inscribe en las nuevas prácticas artísticas vinculadas la abstracción geométrica; un contexto que se diferencia por la generación de sistemas complejos, dinámicos e inestables frente al esencialismo geométrico de las vanguardias. Partiendo de esta idea, desarrollamos trabajos donde la luz y la geometría muestran su relación con la sociedad del software y la información, donde la imagen abstracta se nutre de datos, y los devuelve al público como imágenes y sonidos fluctuantes y dinámicos. Elegimos para nuestro trabajo un vocabulario visual reducido a líneas blancas y negras, como metáfora de la dupla Luz/Oscuridad. Establecemos relaciones entre la forma y el sonido intentando incorporar a la experiencia un carácter sinestésico. El arte contemporáneo está hoy íntimamente ligado con conceptos científicos y campos de hibridación, potenciado por la utilización de nuevos medios que nos permiten abordar temas complejos, como en este caso, alterar la percepción de espacios reales o virtuales colaborativos, donde los grupos pueden socializar e interactuar.Ghetti, C.; Mazza, E. (2015). ABSTRACCIÓN EN MOVIMIENTO. PROYECTO FOLDING. En Actas Segundo Congreso Internacional Arte Ciencia Ciudad ACC2015. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 262-266. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/96314OCS26226

Effects of diets with increasing corn levels on the ruminal energy and protein metabolism in buffalo

Avaliaram-se os efeitos de dietas com níveis crescentes de milho em grão moído (0, 22, 37 e 49% na MS) em substituição ao feno de coast-cross mantendo-se diferentes relações proteína:carboidratos não-fibrosos (PB:CNF = 1,01; 0,39; 0,33 e 0,27) sobre o metabolismo ruminal de búfalos. Utilizaram-se quatro búfalos fistulados no rúmen, mantidos em delineamento quadrado latino 4 × 4, para a coleta de amostras do líquido ruminal, colhidas em cada período experimental (de 28 dias) nos tempos 0, 2, 4 e 8 horas após a alimentação. Em geral, os bubalinos apresentaram boa capacidade tamponante no rúmen, com pH médio alto (6,70) e aumento da ingestão de milho em grão moído. O acréscimo nos níveis de milho na dieta promoveu aumento da produção de ácido butírico. Somente a dieta com 49% de milho promoveu melhor fermentação ruminal, com menor propoção de ácidos acético:propiônico. A relação PB:CNF de 1,01 indica deficiência de energia da dieta disponível para microrganismos no rúmen ao longo do dia, enquanto dietas com PB:CNF entre 0,39 e 0,27 promovem fermentações ruminais semelhantes, o que indica sincronismo na utilização de nitrogênio e energia pelos microrganismos no rúmen nessas condições.The effects of diets with increasing ground corn grain levels (0, 22, 37 and 49% in the dry matter) substituting coast-cross hay, with different protein:non-fibrous carbohydrate ratios (CP:NFC = 1.01; 0.39; 0.33 and 0.27) were assessed on buffalo ruminal metabolism. Four rumen fistulated buffaloes were used kept in a 4 × 4 latin square design, to collect liquid ruminal samples, collected in each experimental period (28 days) at 0, 2, 4 and 8 hours after feeding. In general, the buffalo presented good buffering capacity in the rumen, with high mean pH (6.70) and increase in ground corn intake. The increase in the corn levels in the diet resulted in increased butyric acid production. Only the diet with 49% corn showed better ruminal fermentation, with a small proportion of acetic:propionic acids. The CP:NFC ratio of 1.01 indicated energy deficiency in the diet available for microorganisms in the rumen throughout the day, although the diets with CP:NFC between 0.39 and 0.27 resulted in similar ruminal fermentations, that indicated synchronization in nitrogen and energy use by the rumen microorganisms under these conditions.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES

Chromosome positioning in interphase nuclei of hematopoietic stem cell and myeloid precursor

Human myelopoiesis is an intriguing biological process during which multipotent stem cells limit their differentiation potential generating precursors that evolve into terminally differentiated cells. The differentiation process is correlated with differential gene expression and changes in nuclear architecture. In interphase, chromosomes are distinct entities known as chromosome territories and they show a radial localization that could result in a constrain of inter-homologous distance. This element plays a role in genome stability and gene expression. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence of 3D chromosomal arrangement considering two steps of human normal myelopoiesis. Specifically, multicolor 3D-FISH and 3D image analysis revealed that, in both normal human hematopoietic stem cells and myelod precursors CD14-, chromosomal position is correlated with gene density. However, we observed that inter-homologue distances are totally different during differentiation. This could be associated with differential gene expression that we found comparing the two cell types. Our results disclose an unprecedented framework relevant for deciphering the genomic mechanisms at the base of normal human myelopoiesis