Differences in the support needs of children with developmental disabilities among groups of medical and behavioral needs

Background/Aims. Medical and behavioral needs are relevant in organizing and providing support strategies that improve the quality of life for children, along with their families. The present study aims to examine the impact of medical and behavioral needs on the need for support of children with disabilities. Methods. Health and education professionals were interviewed using the Supports Intensity Scale-Children's version to estimate the support needs of 911 children and adolescents (5 16 years) with an intellectual disability, including 55.32% with an additional disability. For data analysis, a model for measuring support needs was specified, consisting of seven support needs factors and three method factors. In estimating the model, four groups of medical and behavioral needs were considered. The factor scores' means of the groups were compared through t -tests. Results. Medical and behavioral needs had an impact on overall support needs. Differences were found in all support domains for medical needs. The greatest influence of behavioral needs was found in the Social and School participation areas but was indistinguishable between the mild and moderate levels of needs. Conclusions. Medical and behavioral needs greatly affect the need for support in a child's daily life, so they need to be considered a priority for support services. The importance of standardized assessments is emphasized to help develop support strategies

Measuring support needs in children with motor disability: Validity and utility of the Supports Intensity Scale (SIS-C)

Background: It is unknown whether the Supports Intensity Scale-Children’s version (SIS-C) is valid and useful to assess support needs for children with motor and intellectual disabilities. Aims: (a) To assess the structural validity of the SIS-C using factor analyses in a sample of children with motor disabilities; and (b) to analyze the SIS-C’s reliability and its discriminative capacity in children with different levels of motor function. Methods and Procedures: A cross-sectional design was used to assess 210 children (aged 5–16 years). Among them, 88% had an intellectual disability and 84% had cerebral palsy, with variations in mobility (Gross Motor Function Classification System; level V: 56.19%), handling of objects (Manual Ability Classification System; level V: 38.09%), and communicating (Communication Function Classification System; level V: 42.86%). Outcomes and Results: The model with seven support needs factors and three method factors showed the best fit. The support needs model was reliable and indicated high convergent validity. However, the SIS-C scores showed a strong ceiling effect in children with more significant limitations in gross and fine motor functions. Conclusions and Implications: The seven-dimensional model of support needs could be replicated in children with motor disabilities. However, the usefulness of SIS-C is limited in discriminating between children with greater restrictions in mobility and handling of objects

A new scale for measuring quality of life in acquired brain injury

Purpose A common and frequent consequence of an acquired brain injury (ABI) is the diminished quality of life (QoL) of affected people. Because the majority of existing QoL instruments assess health-related domains, new instruments that allow for the evaluation of the QoL from an integral perspective that considers the context and personal factors of the individual are warranted. Hence, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate an instrument with these characteristics. Methods The CAVIDACE scale is a new 64-item specific instrument to assess QoL in people with ABI based on a thirdperson perspective. The validation sample comprises 421 adults with ABI, with ages ranging from 17 to 90 years (M = 53.12; SD = 14.87). The scale was completed by 97 professionals and 58 family members. Validity evidence based on the internal structure of the scale was provided through confirmatory factor analyses. Reliability was analyzed in terms of internal consistency and inter-rater reliability. Results The results supported the internal structure of the scale, based on the theoretical and assessment framework in which QoL is composed of eight intercorrelated first-order domains (CFI = 0.890, RMSEA = 0.065, SRMR = 0.071). The internal consistency was good or excellent for the eight domains (ordinal alpha ranging from 0.77 to 0.93). The inter-rater reliability was very high (0.97). Conclusions The CAVIDACE scale is found to be a specific instrument with excellent psychometric properties that is helpful for the assessment of QoL in people with ABI, both in clinical practice and for research purposes

El uso de metodología online para la evaluación de competencias como estrategia de mejora en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje de estudiantes universitarios de psicología

Memoria ID-110. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2020-2021

RF Energy Harvesting System Based on an Archimedean Spiral Antenna for Low-Power Sensor Applications

This paper presents a radiofrequency (RF) energy harvesting system based on an ultrawideband Archimedean spiral antenna and a half-wave Cockcroft-Walton multiplier circuit. The antenna was proved to operate from 350 MHz to 16 GHz with an outstanding performance. With its use, radio spectrum measurements were carried out at the Telecommunication Engineering School (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid) to determine the power level of the ambient signals in two different scenarios: indoors and outdoors. Based on these measurements, a Cockcroft-Walton multiplier and a lumped element matching network are designed to operate at 800 MHz and 900 MHz frequency bands. To correct the frequency displacement in the circuit, a circuit model is presented that takes into account the different parasitic elements of the components and the PCB. With an input power of 0 dBm, the manufactured circuit shows a rectifying efficiency of 30%. Finally, a test is carried out with the full RF energy harvesting system to check its correct operation. Thus, the RF system is placed in front of a transmitting Vivaldi antenna at a distance of 50 cm. The storage capacitor has a charge of over 1.25 V, which is enough to run a temperature sensor placed as the load to be supplied. This demonstrates the validity of the RF energy harvesting system for low-power practical applications.This research was funded in part by the project TIN2016-75097-P of the Spanish Research and Development National Program, and in part by the project TEC2017-85529-C3-1-R of the Ministerio de Economía y Empresa

Beneficial effects of an aged black garlic extract in the metabolic and vascular alterations induced by a high fat/sucrose diet in male rats

Aged black garlic (ABG) is a functional food with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Recent studies also report its beneficial metabolic effects in a context of obesity or diabetes, although the mechanisms involved are poorly understood. The aim of this work was to analyze the effects of an ABG extract in the vascular and metabolic alterations induced by a high-fat/sucrose diet in rats. For this purpose, male Sprague–Dawley rats were fed either a standard chow (controls; n = 12) or a high-fat/sucrose diet (HFD; n = 24) for 16 weeks. From week 8 on, half of the HFD rats were treated with a commercial ABG extract concentrated in S-allyl cysteine and melanoidins (ABG10+®; 250 mg/kg daily by gavage; 5 mL/kg). ABG10+®-treated rats showed lower mean caloric intake, body weight, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), insulin and leptin serum concentrations and higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and adiponectin serum concentrations than non-treated rats. In the hypothalamus, ABG10+® treatment induced an increase in the gene expression of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and a decrease in leptin receptor (ObR) mRNA levels. No significant changes were found in visceral adipose tissue except for an overexpression of β3-adrenergic receptor (β3-ADR) in ABG-treated rats. In subcutaneous adipose tissue, ABG10+® treatment decreased adipose weight and downregulated the gene expression of PPAR-γ, LPL, ObR and HSL. In brown adipose tissue, an overexpression of InsR, GLUT-4, UCP-1 and β3-ADR in ABG10+®-treated rats was found, whereas PPAR-γ mRNA levels were significantly decreased. Regarding vascular function, ABG10+® treatment attenuated the obesity-induced vasoconstriction in response to potassium chloride both in presence/absence of perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT). On the contrary, aorta segments from ABG-treated rats showed and improved relaxation in response to acetylcholine only when PVAT was present, with this fact possible being related to the decreased gene expression of proinflammatory cytokines in this tissue. In conclusion, ABG10+® administration partially improves the metabolic and vascular alterations induced by a high-fat/high-sucrose diet in rats through modifications in the gene expression of proteins and neuropeptides involved in inflammation, fat metabolism and food intake regulation. Further studies are required to assess the bioavailability of ABG between rats and humans.This study has been funded by Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L

A mixture of algae and extra virgin olive oils attenuates the cardiometabolic alterations associated with aging in male wistar rats

Aging is one of the major risk factors for suffering cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Due to the increase in life expectancy, there is a strong interest in the search for anti-aging strategies to treat and prevent these aging-induced disorders. Both omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) exert numerous metabolic and cardiovascular benefits in the elderly. In addition, EVOO constitutes an interesting ingredient to stabilize ω-3 PUFA and decrease their oxidation process due to its high content in antioxidant compounds. ω-3 PUFA are commonly obtained from fish. However, more ecological and sustainable sources, such as algae oil (AO) can also be used. In this study, we aimed to study the possible beneficial effect of an oil mixture composed by EVOO (75%) and AO (25%) rich in ω-3 PUFA (35% docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and 20% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)) on the cardiometabolic alterations associated with aging. For this purpose; young (three months old) and old (24 months old) male Wistar rats were treated with vehicle or with the oil mixture (2.5 mL/kg) for 21 days. Treatment with the oil mixture prevented the aging-induced increase in the serum levels of saturated fatty acids (SFA) and the aging-induced decrease in the serum concentrations of mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Old treated rats showed increased serum concentrations of EPA and DHA and decreased HOMA-IR index and circulating levels of total cholesterol, insulin and IL-6. Treatment with the oil mixture increased the mRNA levels of antioxidant and insulin sensitivity-related enzymes, as well as reduced the gene expression of pro-inflammatory markers in the liver and in cardiac and aortic tissues. In addition, the treatment also prevented the aging-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular insulin resistance through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway. Moreover, aortic rings from old rats treated with the oil mixture showed a decreased response to the vasoconstrictor AngII. In conclusion, treatment with a mixture of EVOO and AO improves the lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and vascular function in aged rats and decreases aging-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in the liver, and in the cardiovascular system. Thus, it could be an interesting strategy to deal with cardiometabolic alterations associated with aging.This project was funded by the call “Doctorados Industriales 2017” (IND2017/BIO7701), a grant from Community of Madrid (Spain). This program aims to promote the effective collaboration between Universities and Companies and provides funding for the development of the research project at the University and, to hire a PhD student (Daniel González-Hedström) by the Company (Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L.) over a three-year period. Community of Madrid also funded the contract of María de la Fuente-Fernández through the Youth Employment Program (PEJ-2018-AI/SAL-11315

La regulación de la inclusión educativa del alumnado con discapacidad intelectual: una reforma pendiente

Antecedentes: los alumnos con discapacidad intelectual precisan de buenas prácticas de evaluación e intervención desde enfoques holísticos para garantizar su derecho a la educación inclusiva. Estas prácticas se ordenan por la legislación educativa estatal que se concreta en la normativa de cada comunidad autónoma. La variedad de regulaciones existentes demanda su revisión crítica individualizada para valorar si ofrecen marcos científicamente avalados que respalden las decisiones que se toman. Método: se ha analizado la legislación educativa estatal y las concreciones normativas vigentes que regulan la atención a la diversidad en cada comunidad empleando una lista de comprobación que recoge las variables que definen cada fase de atención a la diversidad y los procedimientos de evaluación e intervención en discapacidad intelectual. Resultados: la atención a la diversidad pone el foco de evaluación e intervención en aspectos organizativos-curriculares descuidándose la evaluación e intervención en autodeterminación y calidad de vida, esenciales en el desarrollo e inclusión de los alumnos con discapacidad intelectual. Conclusiones: las necesidades educativas especiales como las entiende la normativa vigente y la falta de desarrollos vinculados a la Convención de la ONU sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad son barreras a las prácticas inclusivas de los alumnos con discapacidad intelectual, siendo necesario adoptar modelos científicos de evaluación-intervención en los que se apoye el desarrollo de marcos legales que garanticen la inclusión y se orienten al máximo desarrollo posible y mejora de la calidad de vida de este alumnado

The regulation of inclusive education of students with intellectual disability: a pending reform

Background: Students with intellectual disability need good practices under holistic approaches regarding assessment and intervention for guaranteeing their right for inclusive education. These practices are settled in Spain by the state-level educational policies which are specified via the regulations developed by each autonomous community. The variety of regulations existing, demands its individualized and critic review with the aim of knowing if regulations offer scientifically-updated frameworks that support the decision making-process. Method: state-level educational policies and their developments in the regulations-in-force in each autonomous community that regulate attention to diversity have been analyzed using a checklist that includes the variables that define each stage of attention to diversity process and also the research-based models for assessment and intervention within the field of intellectual disability. Results: the attention to diversity aims assessment and intervention at organizational and curricular aspects and there is a lack of strategies regarding assessment and intervention in self-determination and quality of life, which are transcendental in the inclusion of students with intellectual disability. Conclusions: understanding of special educational needs in the regulations and the lack of developments related to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities are barriers for inclusive practices regarding students with intellectual disability, being necessary adopting scientifically-based models of assessment and intervention in the development of legal frameworks that guarantee the inclusion and are aimed at the full development and improvement of quality of life of students with intellectual disability.Antecedentes: los alumnos con discapacidad intelectual precisan de buenas prácticas de evaluación e intervención desde enfoques holísticos para garantizar su derecho a la educación inclusiva. Estas prácticas se ordenan por la legislación educativa estatal que se concreta en la normativa de cada comunidad autónoma. La variedad de regulaciones existentes demanda su revisión crítica individualizada para valorar si ofrecen marcos científicamente avalados que respalden las decisiones que se toman. Método: se ha analizado la legislación educativa estatal y las concreciones normativas vigentes que regulan la atención a la diversidad en cada comunidad empleando una lista de comprobación que recoge las variables que definen cada fase de atención a la diversidad y los procedimientos de evaluación e intervención en discapacidad intelectual. Resultados: la atención a la diversidad pone el foco de evaluación e intervención en aspectos organizativos-curriculares descuidándose la evaluación e intervención en autodeterminación y calidad de vida, esenciales en el desarrollo e inclusión de los alumnos con discapacidad intelectual. Conclusiones: las necesidades educativas especiales como las entiende la normativa vigente y la falta de desarrollos vinculados a la Convención de la ONU sobre los Derechos de las Personas con Discapacidad son barreras a las prácticas inclusivas de los alumnos con discapacidad intelectual, siendo necesario adoptar modelos científicos de evaluación-intervención en los que se apoye el desarrollo de marcos legales que garanticen la inclusión y se orienten al máximo desarrollo posible y mejora de la calidad de vida de este alumnado

Dinamización de la enseñanza-aprendizaje a través de la evaluación de contenidos mediante quiz-shows en los grados de Psicología, Criminología y Terapia Ocupacional

Memoria ID2022-034. Ayudas de la Universidad de Salamanca para la innovación docente, curso 2022-2023