Validación y análisis de la dimensionalidad de la Escala de Autoestima de Rosenberg en mujeres puertorriqueñas: ¿unifactorial o bifactorial?

La Escala de Autoestima Rosenberg (EAR) es el instrumento más utilizado a nivel mundial para medir autoestima. La autoestima se define como un sentimiento hacia uno mismo, positivo o negativo, que se construye por medio de una autoevaluación de las propias características. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar la fiabilidad, la validez y la estructura dimensional de la EAR en mujeres puertorriqueños. Un total de 340 mujeres participaron en este estudio de carácter confirmatorio y psicométrico. Los resultados confirmaron que la escala posee una estructura bifactorial. Estas dimensiones son autoestima positiva y autoestima negativa. Los diez ítems de la escala cumplieron con los criterios de discriminación y el índice de confiabilidad para las escalas fue 0’87 cada una. En síntesis, la EAR (versión adaptada para mujeres) cuenta con las propiedades psicométricas adecuadas para seguir con estudios de validación, así como para implementarla en diversas líneas de trabajo, tanto teóricas como aplicadas.The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) is the most widely used instrument to assess self-esteem. Self-esteem is defined as a feeling towards oneself, positive or negative, that is constructed through a self-evaluation of one’s own characteristics. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability, validity and factor structure of EAR in a sample of Puerto Ricans women. A total of 340 women participated in this confirmatory and psychometric study. The results confirmed that the scale has a bifactorial structure. These dimensions were Positive Self-Esteem and Negative Self-Esteem. The ten items complied with the criteria of discrimination. The reliability index for the scales was .87 each. In conclusion, the RSES (version adapted for women) has the appropriate psychometric properties to continue with validation studies, as well as to be used in future research on self-esteem, both theoretical and applied

E-comparisons: A new approach to round robin tests for environmental noise assessment in transport infrastructures

The increasing importance of pollutant noise has led to the creation of many new noise testing laboratories in recent years. For this reason and due to the legal implications that noise reporting may have, it is necessary to create procedures intended to guarantee the quality of the testing and its results. For instance, the ISO/IEC standard 17025:2005 specifies general requirements for the competence of testing laboratories. In this standard, interlaboratory comparisons are one of the main measures that must be applied to guarantee the quality of laboratories when applying specific methodologies for testing. In the specific case of environmental noise, round robin tests are usually difficult to design, as it is difficult to find scenarios that can be available and controlled while the participants carry out the measurements. Monitoring and controlling the factors that can influence the measurements (source emissions, propagation, background noise…) is not usually affordable, so the most extended solution is to create very effortless scenarios, where most of the factors that can have an influence on the results are excluded (sampling, processing of results, background noise, source detection…) The new approach described in this paper only requires the organizer to make actual measurements (or prepare virtual ones). Applying and interpreting a common reference document (standard, regulation…), the participants must analyze these input data independently to provide the results, which will be compared among the participants. The measurement costs are severely reduced for the participants, there is no need to monitor the scenario conditions, and almost any relevant factor can be included in this methodolog

Aircrafts' taxi noise emission

During planning stages, when noisy activity has not been implanted or while evaluating operation changes, it is necessary to find an environmental noise mapping prediction tool for future scenarios. When an activity is already implanted, it is possible to measure noise emissions, but this is expensive, so prediction tools can also be useful. Because of these reasons, for the last 10 years, as a response to the increasing concern for noise pollution in developed countries, several simulation models have appeared to predict noise levels outdoors. Many of those models are customized for specific noise sources

Parthenolide Blocks Cocaine’s Effect on Spontaneous Firing Activity of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area

Chronic cocaine administration leads to catecholamine reuptake inhibition which enhances reward and motivational behaviors. Ventral Tegmental Area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neuronal firing is associated with changes in reward predictive signals. Acute cocaine injections inhibit putative VTA DA cell firing in vertebrates. Parthenolide, a compound isolated from the feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium), has been shown to substantially inhibit cocaine’s locomotion effects in a planarian animal model (Pagán et al., 2008). Here we investigated the effects of parthenolide on the spontaneous firing activity of putative VTA DA neurons in anesthetized male rats (250-300g). Single-unit recordings were analyzed after intravenous (i.v.) parthenolide administration followed by 1mg/kg i.v. cocaine injection. Results showed that parthenolide at 0.125 mg/kg and 0.250mg/kg significantly blocked cocaine’s inhibitory effect on DA neuronal firing rate and bursting activity (p< 0.05, two way ANOVA). We propose that parthenolide might inhibit cocaine’s effects on VTA DA neurons via its interaction with a common binding site at monoamine transporters. It is suggested that parthenolide could have a potential use as an overdose antidote or therapeutic agent to cocaine intoxication

Talking about Race in Puerto Rico: Four Descendants of the Transatlantic African Diaspora Share their Experiences

Puerto Ricans are racially characterized by a mix of three races (Spaniard, Taíno, and African). In fact, this statement dominates any other version of the Puerto Rican racial identity, which has limited the discussions about racial issues such as blanqueamiento and racism. In an effort to better understand racial dynamics and the Puerto Rican’s perception of race, four descendants of the African Diaspora engaged in a self-reflective process using a roundtable approach to analyze their experiences in Puerto Rico. The roundtable approach is based in an ethnographic method of the qualitative approach. Each individual journaled each moment from their own perspective, then as a group they came together to discuss the themes, experiences, and impressions of the journey. They did this by attending the Latin American Studies Association Conference that was held in San Juan in 2015. &nbsp;While visiting the conference, the attending researchers made efforts to learn as much as they could through experiences such as visiting historical sites and engaging with residents. The investigators discussed the themes they observed in Puerto Rico that related to the overarching question, “What does Blackness mean in Puerto Rico?” and the impact of this meaning on the well-being of Black Puerto-Ricans. &nbsp;These roundtable discussions took place over a year with multiple 2-3 hour meetings. In discussing the themes, the researchers created a space where each author had an equal voice and expertise. This roundtable process not only expanded the authors’ understanding of how Blackness is understood in the diaspora, but also their very own personal understanding of Blackness. The findings from each author were compared to develop a broader and deeper understanding of how each viewed the research questions. &nbsp;If the themes from the different authors arrived at the same resolution, then their confidence in the themes was strengthened. This process resulted in the team identifying four major themes; the romanticization of belonging to the three races, psychological sense of belonging and resiliencies, tension points in Loíza: resiliency, resistance and social exclusion and the rehabilitation of each individual’s cultural identity as descendants of the Transatlantic African Diaspora. Each individual reproduced their own experiences in this process into these four themes. In regards to the romanticization of belonging to the three races, one member wrote &nbsp; On my way home I couldn’t believe the day we had. I saw discrimination and racism with my own eyes. &nbsp;I saw it here in a place I always believed was filled with no racism. In a place, I consider was innocent to color differences and that respected and valued the power of differences. I discover that as Puerto-Ricans we are so used to the fantasy of diversity that we do not see that, for some, diversity is unrealistic; especially when you can’t even acknowledge the basic rights of others. &nbsp; Using their individual reflections as data, the four researchers were able to identify the resiliency factors that have helped to strengthen their and others’ racial identity. In this process, the researchers were able to have a deeper understanding of their African ancestry and develop a more inclusive Puerto Rican identity.&nbsp; This process included the researchers examining ways that anti-blackness and colorism are displayed in the Puerto Rican culture, and also detecting areas of racial justice and resiliency throughout their community. The ultimate goal is to determine how transgenerational transmission of resiliency could better inform interventions and strategies targeting racial adversities for all descendants of the Transatlantic African Diaspora while considering its impact on cultural identity development and formation. Collectively, as a result of this project, there is a higher sense of connectedness to African roots.&nbsp; In team discussions, it was found that a limitation of this paper is not having a person who identifies as Black Puerto-Rican as an author and how this would have added greatly to the roundtable discussions and findings. The authors recognize that there may be tension points that exist for Puerto-Ricans to fully accept their African heritage. The objective of this paper is to start a dialogue to open up spaces and opportunities to engage in this difficult conversation. It is the authors’ hope that this paper can spark conversations and strategies to address the historical and contemporary impact of how Blackness is socially constructed in Puerto Rican Society. &nbsp;Finally, it is with hopes that this can connect the experiences of Black Puerto Ricans’ historical/contemporary resiliencies to the larger knowledge base of strategies that can help address racial adversities of all people from the Transatlantic African Diaspora

Parthenolide Blocks Cocaine’s Effect on Spontaneous Firing Activity of Dopaminergic Neurons in the Ventral Tegmental Area

Chronic cocaine administration leads to catecholamine reuptake inhibition which enhances reward and motivational behaviors. Ventral Tegmental Area dopaminergic (VTA DA) neuronal firing is associated with changes in reward predictive signals. Acute cocaine injections inhibit putative VTA DA cell firing in vertebrates. Parthenolide, a compound isolated from the feverfew plant (Tanacetum parthenium), has been shown to substantially inhibit cocaine’s locomotion effects in a planarian animal model (Pagán et al., 2008). Here we investigated the effects of parthenolide on the spontaneous firing activity of putative VTA DA neurons in anesthetized male rats (250-300g). Single-unit recordings were analyzed after intravenous (i.v.) parthenolide administration followed by 1mg/kg i.v. cocaine injection. Results showed that parthenolide at 0.125 mg/kg and 0.250mg/kg significantly blocked cocaine’s inhibitory effect on DA neuronal firing rate and bursting activity (p\u3c 0.05, two way ANOVA). We propose that parthenolide might inhibit cocaine’s effects on VTA DA neurons via its interaction with a common binding site at monoamine transporters. It is suggested that parthenolide could have a potential use as an overdose antidote or therapeutic agent to cocaine intoxication

Talking about Race in Puerto Rico: Four Descendants of the Transatlantic African Diaspora Share their Experiences

Puerto Ricans are racially characterized by a mix of three races (Spaniard, Taíno, and African). In fact, this statement dominates any other version of the Puerto Rican racial identity, which has limited the discussions about racial issues such as blanqueamiento and racism. In an effort to better understand racial dynamics and the Puerto Rican’s perception of race, four descendants of the African Diaspora engaged in a self-reflective process using a roundtable approach to analyze their experiences in Puerto Rico. The roundtable approach is based in an ethnographic method of the qualitative approach. Each individual journaled each moment from their own perspective, then as a group they came together to discuss the themes, experiences, and impressions of the journey. They did this by attending the Latin American Studies Association Conference that was held in San Juan in 2015. &nbsp;While visiting the conference, the attending researchers made efforts to learn as much as they could through experiences such as visiting historical sites and engaging with residents. The investigators discussed the themes they observed in Puerto Rico that related to the overarching question, “What does Blackness mean in Puerto Rico?” and the impact of this meaning on the well-being of Black Puerto-Ricans. &nbsp;These roundtable discussions took place over a year with multiple 2-3 hour meetings. In discussing the themes, the researchers created a space where each author had an equal voice and expertise. This roundtable process not only expanded the authors’ understanding of how Blackness is understood in the diaspora, but also their very own personal understanding of Blackness. The findings from each author were compared to develop a broader and deeper understanding of how each viewed the research questions. &nbsp;If the themes from the different authors arrived at the same resolution, then their confidence in the themes was strengthened. This process resulted in the team identifying four major themes; the romanticization of belonging to the three races, psychological sense of belonging and resiliencies, tension points in Loíza: resiliency, resistance and social exclusion and the rehabilitation of each individual’s cultural identity as descendants of the Transatlantic African Diaspora. Each individual reproduced their own experiences in this process into these four themes. In regards to the romanticization of belonging to the three races, one member wrote &nbsp; On my way home I couldn’t believe the day we had. I saw discrimination and racism with my own eyes. &nbsp;I saw it here in a place I always believed was filled with no racism. In a place, I consider was innocent to color differences and that respected and valued the power of differences. I discover that as Puerto-Ricans we are so used to the fantasy of diversity that we do not see that, for some, diversity is unrealistic; especially when you can’t even acknowledge the basic rights of others. &nbsp; Using their individual reflections as data, the four researchers were able to identify the resiliency factors that have helped to strengthen their and others’ racial identity. In this process, the researchers were able to have a deeper understanding of their African ancestry and develop a more inclusive Puerto Rican identity.&nbsp; This process included the researchers examining ways that anti-blackness and colorism are displayed in the Puerto Rican culture, and also detecting areas of racial justice and resiliency throughout their community. The ultimate goal is to determine how transgenerational transmission of resiliency could better inform interventions and strategies targeting racial adversities for all descendants of the Transatlantic African Diaspora while considering its impact on cultural identity development and formation. Collectively, as a result of this project, there is a higher sense of connectedness to African roots.&nbsp; In team discussions, it was found that a limitation of this paper is not having a person who identifies as Black Puerto-Rican as an author and how this would have added greatly to the roundtable discussions and findings. The authors recognize that there may be tension points that exist for Puerto-Ricans to fully accept their African heritage. The objective of this paper is to start a dialogue to open up spaces and opportunities to engage in this difficult conversation. It is the authors’ hope that this paper can spark conversations and strategies to address the historical and contemporary impact of how Blackness is socially constructed in Puerto Rican Society. &nbsp;Finally, it is with hopes that this can connect the experiences of Black Puerto Ricans’ historical/contemporary resiliencies to the larger knowledge base of strategies that can help address racial adversities of all people from the Transatlantic African Diaspora

Study of Uncertainty in Noise Mapping

Noise mapping is a complex process requiring a large amount of data from different sources, which are not always available. In the process, there are many factors involving simplifications, approaches and deviations that contribute to the final uncertainty of the result. An error in the final result of the noise map causes an incorrect amount of exposed population, as well as the design and implementation of inadequate or wrong noise action plans. The uncertainty analysis in the creation of noise maps is therefore a key tool to design noise action plans. However, up to now, there are only guides giving an approximate range of possible contribution to the uncertainty depending on the quality of input data. The present paper analyses the contributions to the total uncertainty of a noise map, proposing a methodology to quantify it. After analyzing the sources that contribute to the overall system uncertainty, a method to quantify the expanded uncertainty properly is proposed, through an analytical calculation and experimental determination. Thus, a specific value of the uncertainty of a map can be calculated avoiding approximations and range values

Desarrollo y Validación de un instrumento para medir Estrategias de Afrontamiento Religioso

This article examines the psychometric properties of the Religious Coping Strategies Inventory (IEAR) in a sample of Puerto Rican adults. Religious coping methods are ways of understanding and dealing with negative life events that are related to the sacred. A total of 350 Puerto Ricans participated in this exploratory and psychometric study. The results indicated that the scale has a two-factor structure. These factors were denominated internal strategies and external strategies. A total of 12 items complied with the criteria of discrimination and presented appropriate factorial loads (six items per factor). The reliability index of the scale was of .95 (Cronbach’s alpha). These results suggest that the IEAR has the potential to measure this construct among Puerto Rican adults. Likewise, the IEAR will advance further research of religious coping in Puerto Rico and Latin America.El presente estudio analiza las propiedades psicométricas del Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento Religioso (IEAR) en una muestra de adultos puertorriqueños. El afrontamiento religioso se define como las diferentes formas de entender y manejar los eventos negativos de la vida que guardan relación con lo sagrado. Un total de 350 puertorriqueños participaron en este estudio de carácter exploratorio y psicométrico. Los resultados confirmaron que la escala posee una estructura de dos factores. Estos factores fueron identificados como estrategias internas y estrategias externas. Un total de 12 reactivos cumplieron con los criterios de discriminación y cargas factoriales apropiadas (seis reactivos por factor). El índice de confiabilidad alfa de Cronbach de la escala fue .95. Estos resultados sugieren que el IEAR tiene el potencial para medir este constructo en adultos puertorriqueños. Además, la IEAR permitirá el avance de nuevas investigaciones sobre el afrontamiento religioso en Puerto Rico y América Latina

La experiencia del adulto mayor durante su primer año de institucionalización en un hogar de cuido

This phenomenological, qualitative study explores the institutionalization experience and adaptive behavior in people 65 years or older during their first year in a nursing home. It will jointly assess the meaning that people ascribe to institutionalization experience. The sample consisted of seven (7) older adults, including six females and one male, cognitively intact, with one year or less living in a nursing home in the southern region of Puerto Rico. The study discussed the adaptation process, their feelings, and the meaning they attribute to the experience.Este estudio cualitativo de tipo fenomenológico tiene el propósito de auscultar la experienciade institucionalización y las conductas de adaptación en personas de 65 años o más durante su primer año en un hogar de cuido. Conjuntamente se evaluará el significado que las personas institucionalizadas le adscriben a su experiencia. La muestra esta formada por siete (7) personas de edad avanzada, entre estas seis del género femenino y uno del género masculino, cognitivamente intactos, con un año o menos residiendo en un hogar de cuido de la región sur de Puerto Rico. El estudio discute el proceso de adaptación, sus sentimientos, y el significado atribuido a la experiencia