A silviculture-oriented spatio-temporal model for germination in Pinus pinea L. in the Spanish Northern Plateau based on a direct seeding experiment

Natural regeneration in Pinus pinea stands commonly fails throughout the Spanish Northern Plateau under current intensive regeneration treatments. As a result, extensive direct seeding is commonly conducted to guarantee regeneration occurrence. In a period of rationalization of the resources devoted to forest management, this kind of techniques may become unaffordable. Given that the climatic and stand factors driving germination remain unknown, tools are required to understand the process and temper the use of direct seeding. In this study, the spatio-temporal pattern of germination of P. pinea was modelled with those purposes. The resulting findings will allow us to (1) determine the main ecological variables involved in germination in the species and (2) infer adequate silvicultural alternatives. The modelling approach focuses on covariates which are readily available to forest managers. A two-step nonlinear mixed model was fitted to predict germination occurrence and abundance in P. pinea under varying climatic, environmental and stand conditions, based on a germination data set covering a 5-year period. The results obtained reveal that the process is primarily driven by climate variables. Favourable conditions for germination commonly occur in fall although the optimum window is often narrow and may not occur at all in some years. At spatial level, it would appear that germination is facilitated by high stand densities, suggesting that current felling intensity should be reduced. In accordance with other studies on P. pinea dispersal, it seems that denser stands during the regeneration period will reduce the present dependence on direct seeding

Quality of life, depression and involvement in physical activity of parents with disabled children in Greece

The study examined the quality of life (QoL) of parents with disabled children in Greece. Further, the relationship between QoL with depressive symptoms and involvement in physical activity were reported as well. The total sample constituted from 73 parents (Mean age = 42.87 years, SD = 7.58), classified to 42 parents of children with disabilities and 31 parents of children without disabilities (control group). The participants responded to the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer & Garbin, 1996), the QoL SF36v2 scale (Ware et al., 2007), and the Self Administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC) (Sallis, Strikmiller, Harsha, & Feldman, 1996). The multivariate (lambda = .99, F = .35, p = .70, eta2 = .01) and univariate comparisons between the two parental groups did not reveal significant differences in the physical (PCS) and mental components (MCS) of the SF36v2. The QoL was significantly related to the depressive symptoms, while the involvement in physical activity was not related to QoL. On the other hand, parents of children with disabilities had less sedentary behaviors compared to the control group. The overall findings are discussed in line with relevant studies examining the QoL of families with disabled children.Este estudio examinó la calidad de vida (QoL) de los padres de niños discapacitados en Grecia. Además, se reporta la relación entre la calidad de vida y los síntomas depresivos y de la participación en actividades físicas. El total de la muestra estuvo constituida por 73 padres (edad promedio = 42.87 años, DE = 7.58), clasificadas en 42 padres de niños con discapacidad y 31 padres de niños sin discapacidad (grupo control). Los participantes respondieron el Inventario de Depresión de Beck II (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer & Garbin, 1996), la escala QoL SF-36 v2 (Ware et al., 2007), y el Self Administered Physical Activity Checklist (SAPAC) (Sallis, Strikmiller, Harsha, & Feldman, 1996). Las comparaciones multivariadas (lambda = .99, F = .35, p = .70, eta2 = .01) y univariadas entre los dos grupos de padres no mostró diferencias significativas en los componentes físicos (PCS) y mentales (MCS) de la escala SF-36. La QoL se relacionó significativamente con síntomas depresivos, mientras que la participación en actividades físicas no estuvo relacionada con la QoL. Por otra parte, los padres de los niños con discapacidad tuvieron menos comportamientos sedentarios comparados con los padres del grupo control. Los resultados generales se discuten en línea con los estudios pertinentes que examinan la calidad de vida de las familias con niños discapacitados

Comparison of sport achievement orientation of male professional, amateur, and wheelchair basketball athletes

To examine the differences in sport achievement orientation among 35 professional, 36 amateur, and 35 wheelchair basketball athletes, these men completed three subscales of Competitiveness, Win orientation, and Goal orientation of the 25-item Sport Orientation Questionnaire. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated significant differences among groups. Win orientation was the factor, through discriminant function analysis, that significantly separated the athletes into the three groups. The highest win score was obtained by the professional, followed by the amateur and wheelchair groups. Replication study is necessary to confirm the present findings

Sport orientations and goal perspectives of wheelchair athletes

The purpose was to examine the sport orientations and goal perspectives of wheelchair adult athletes who differed on gender and type of sport. Participants were 34 male and 14 female marathoners and 166 male and 29 female basketball players. Instruments were the Sport Orientation Questionnaire (SOQ) and the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire (TEOSQ). Separate 2 x 2 (Gender x Sport) multivariate analysis of variance revealed that on the SOQ, males scored higher on competitive orientation, females scored higher on goal orientation, and no gender differences occurred on win orientation. Basketball players scored higher on win orientation, marathoners scored higher on goal orientation, and no differences occurred between sport groups on competitiveness orientation. On the TEOSQ, there were no gender differences;; marathoners scored higher on ego orientation, and no differences occurred between sport groups on task orientation

Duodenal duplication cyst with profound elevation of intracystic carbohydrate antigen (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): A rare but important differential in the diagnosis of cystic tumours of the pancreas

CONTEXT: Enteric duplication cysts are rare lesions of uncertain incidence and natural history. Pre-operative confirmation of diagnosis can be difficult. This case reports an adult duodenal duplication cyst presenting with grossly elevated intra-lesional levels of tumour markers. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old female was found to have a complex cystic lesion of the head of the pancreas. Intra-lesional fluid analysis revealed a grossly elevated CA 19-9 and CEA. Resection was undertaken under the assumption that this was a cystic tumour. Macroscopic examination after opening the duodenum revealed a villous, circumferential tumour in the proximal duodenum measuring 4 cm in length. A cystic lesion was present in the medial wall of the tumour and did not communicate with the duodenal lumen. Microscopically, the tumour comprised Brunner's gland hyperplasia with associated mucosal thickening. The wall of the underlying cystic lesion was comprised of muscularis formed by the outer muscle coat of the duodenal wall. The final diagnosis was of a duodenal duplication cyst. There was no evidence of dysplasia or malignancy. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of a duodenal duplication cyst having elevated intra-cyst fluid levels of amylase, carbohydrate antigen CA 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Although rare, this is an important differential diagnosis in the management of cystic tumours of the pancreas

Validity and reliability of the FSS in Greek MS patients

Objectives: The study provided validity and reliability evidence of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Materials and Methods: The FSS was administered to 72 MS patients, without co morbid fatigue and 75 matched paired controls with respect to gender and age. Both groups responded to the FSS, SF-36v2, BDI-II and a demographic questionnaire on two time points separated by a 1-week interval. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis was performed to test construct validity, concurrent and divergent validity, internal and test-retest reliability were also examined. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, intercorrelations with BDI-II (r = 0.552, p < 0.01) and SF-36v2 vitality (r = -0.715, p < 0.01) and physical functioning (r = -0.673, p < 0.01) subscales, and differences between patients and non patients (t(145) = 6.007, p < 0.001), revealed sufficient construct, concurrent and divergent validity evidence. The factor analysis demonstrated a unidimensional structure Cronbach alpha (0.953) and ICC (0.889) was high, indicating that the responses of our sample were internally consistent and stable across time. Conclusion: The Greek version of FSS is valid and reliable and may be used by clinicians and researchers to assess fatigue of Greek MS patients. © 2013 Bakalidou et al.; licensee Springer