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• Suicide Risk and Depressive Symptoms among Parents of Children with Neuromuscular Disease

  M. Agredano, A. Valencia, L. Loyo

  Collection of Acta de Investigación Psicológica (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  To correlate clinical, social, demographic characteristics and depressive symptoms with suicide risk among parents of patients with neuromuscular diseases in rehabilitation. The study design was prospective, transversal and analytic the study was conducted on parents of children with neuromuscular diseases (NMD), from the Teletón Childrens rehabilitation centre of Western Mexico (Centro de Rehabilitación Teletón de Occidente), through the use of individual validated standardised tests, Becks depression inventory and Plutchiks suicide risk scale. Correlation was measured between suicide risk, depressive symptoms and clinical, social-demographic characteristics. The informed consent was obtained from all participants 54 parents were evaluated, 52 (96%) were mothers, average age 43.43 ±8.2 (20 to 58). The average age of children was 16.61 ±5.6 (8 to 27). 24% of parents showed depression, 15% of participants showed suicidal risk. Social or demographic factors were not correlated with suicide risk. Neither, the clinical characteristics of the patients with neuromuscular diseases were correlated to suicide risk in participants. There was direct correlation of depressive symptoms with suicide risk (r = 0.86, r2 = 0.73). Multivariate analysis only revealed significant data on indecision (rm=18.48), feelings of guilt (rm=11.44), pessimism (rm=11.38), loss of interest in sex (rm=8.4) and active suicide ideation (rm=14.04). The suicide risk in the parents of children with NMD are correlated with depressive symptoms, mainly, indecision, feelings of guilt, pessimism and suicide ideation. Based on results, the parents of children with NMD must be involved in prevention strategies for depression symptoms and suicide behavior.

  Abstract
  To correlate clinical, social, demographic characteristics and depressive symptoms with suicide risk among parents of patients with neuromuscular diseases in rehabilitation. [...]

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• Construction and Psychometric Properties of a Scale to Measure Gratitude

  R. Alarcón

  Collection of Acta de Investigación Psicológica (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  He communicates the construction of a scale to measure the gratitude, starting from an operational definition of the theoretical construct, developed by the author. The scale is integrated by 18 items of type Likert, with five answer alternatives. It was administered to a sample of 675 men and women, from 18 to 60 years old. The reliability was determined by analysis item-test, there were significant correlations (mean from r = 57.27). The scale of gratitude present high internal consistency (Coeficient Alpha of Cronbach = 90, for standardized item= .91: Coefficient of Spearman-Brown, same longitudes =.869, and Two halves of Guttman = .87). The validity of construct was determined by Factor Analysis and the Principal Components Analysis, and Orthogonally Rotation (Varimax). Three factors were extracted, with high saturations that vary from .44 to .78. This analysis has allowed to observe the complex internal structure of gratitude.

  Abstract
  He communicates the construction of a scale to measure the gratitude, starting from an operational definition of the theoretical construct, developed by the author. The scale [...]

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• A structural model of intrinsic motivation

  J. Aguilar, D. González, A. Aguilar

  Collection of Acta de Investigación Psicológica (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The main purpose of this research was to develop and test a structural model of intrinsic motivation among students of the University of Sonora to the curriculum of their careers. A secondary objective was to overcome the limitations of the model developed among students of the UNAM. Eight psychometric scales developed by the authors in previous studies were used, which showed satisfactory reliability and validity values. The model tested was similar to the sample of the UNAM, except for the absence of school perception and value variables, which showed no significant low correlations with most of the variables. The model fit was satisfactory as suggested by the values of various indexes. The proportion of variance explained by intrinsic motivation was relatively high (0.498). The 3 variables with the greatest direct impact on intrinsic motivation were self-efficacy, achievement orientation and certainty in career choice. Procrastination, so common in classrooms, negatively affects the self-efficacy, the achievement orientation and intrinsic motivation, and in turn, is reinforced by the work avoidance and fear of failure.

  Abstract
  The main purpose of this research was to develop and test a structural model of intrinsic motivation among students of the University of Sonora to the curriculum of their [...]

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• Construct validity of the Scale of Parental Authority for Mexican Adolescents

  J. Aguilar, A. Aguilar

  Collection of Acta de Investigación Psicológica (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the construct Validity of the Scale of Parental Authority for Mexican Adolescents developed by Aguilar, Valencia and Romero (2004), based on operationalization of attitudes and behaviors characteristic of parenting styles according Buri approach (1991) . An exploratory factor analysis with orthogonal rotation, suggested the existence of four parenting styles: authoritative, authoritarian, permissive and neglectful. The confirmatory factor analysis sustained a four-factor model, as one of three, since various fit indices were satisfactory, but in the first model, the permissive factor presented an unsatisfactory reliability coefficient. In both models, all structural coefficients were significant, supporting the convergent validity of the different scales, while low or negative values of the covariance between the factors indicate discriminant validity. In addition, structural regression analysis showed significant impacts of authoritative and neglectful styles on work avoidance, self-esteem and depression.

  Abstract
  The purpose of this study was to provide evidence for the construct Validity of the Scale of Parental Authority for Mexican Adolescents developed by Aguilar, Valencia and [...]

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• Impression Management and its Influence on Psychological Wellbeing in two Latin American Contexts

  T. Canales, A. Espinosa

  Collection of Acta de Investigación Psicológica (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a theoretical model about the components of the Impression Management (IM), and the predictive value of this psychological construct on the individual well-being, in two Latin American contexts: Mexico and Nicaragua. These findings showed that the variables of autonomy, assertiveness, locus of control, need for social approval (negative dimension), are highly significant predictor of IM. Also, the variables of need for social approval (positive dimension) and emotional suppression, were positively associated with IM, but with lower scores. Furthermore, it showed the significant and positive influence of IM on well-being, finding negative regression weights between IM with anxiety and depression, and positive with satisfaction with life. These results provide support to the theoretical postures which refer IM as a positive and essential psychological element for healthy adaptation.

  Abstract
  The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a theoretical model about the components of the Impression Management (IM), and the predictive value of this psychological [...]

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• The Role of the Biogeochemical Conditions of the Marine Environment on the Trace Element Content in Pacific Salmon

  N. Khristoforova, V. Tsygankov, M. Boyarova, O. Lukyanova

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The levels of six chemical elements (mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, zinc and copper) were examined in two species of Pacific salmon, genus Oncorhynchus, pink salmon (O. gorbuscha ), and chum salmon (O. keta ) that were caught in the Kuril waters in July 2013. Concentrations of toxic elements (Hg, As, Pb, Cd) in both species were shown to be below the maximum concentration limits of these trace elements for seafood. The concentrations of these elements were compared between wild salmon and hatchery salmon of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

  Abstract
  The levels of six chemical elements (mercury, arsenic, lead, cadmium, zinc and copper) were examined in two species of Pacific salmon, genus Oncorhynchus, pink salmon (O. [...]

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• Optimization of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 Biosurfactant Production Under Solid-state Fermentation Using By-products of a Traditional Olive Mill Factory

  R. Zouari, S. Ellouze-Chaabouni, D. Ghribi-Aydi

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Bacillus subtilis SPB1 is known to produce a highly effective biosurfactant that belongs to the class of lipopeptides. This biosurfactant has shown relevant properties that could be efficiently applied in various domains. However, high production and purification costs limit the use of B. subtilis SPB1 in high-volume applications. The present work aimed to promote an economical production of this lipopeptide biosurfactant. Statistical experimental designs and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the concentrations of agro-industrial residues, inoculum size and humidity for B. subtilis SPB1 biosurfactant production under solid-state fermentation. The best production yield was approximately 30.67 mg of crude lipopeptide biosurfactant per gram of solid material. This yield was obtained using a solid substrate ratio of 1.5, a moisture content of 90% and an inoculum size (OD600 ) of 0.08. These data support the utilization of a mixture of 6 g of olive leaf residue flour and 4 g of olive cake flour with a 10g total weight of the solid substrate. A mixture of two by-products of a traditional olive mill factory was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for biosurfactant biosynthesis, providing enhanced bacterial growth and leading to a strong improvement in the yield of tensioactive lipopeptide production.

  Abstract
  Bacillus subtilis SPB1 is known to produce a highly effective biosurfactant that belongs to the class of lipopeptides. This biosurfactant has shown relevant properties that [...]

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• Waterfowl Population Structure: Phylogeographic Inference

  Y. Zhuravlev, I. Kulikova

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Population genetics and the phylogeographic structure of dabbling duck species were investigated using 5′-end sequencing of the mtDNA control region and ODC-6 of nuclear DNA. Overall, a weak phylogeographic structure and low genetic differentiation in mallards (Anas platyrhynchos ) and European wigeons (Anas penelope ) were discovered, which was likely due to the presence of large, long-term population sizes and significant intracontinental dispersal. Haplotypes of the mtDNA of spot-billed ducks (Anas zonorhyncha ) and American wigeons (Anas americana ) were found in Mallard and European wigeon samples, respectively. This presence of closely related species haplotypes in the gene pools of these species is consistent with the occurrence of historical and contemporary hybridization and incomplete sorting of haplotype lineages in mallards and wigeons.

  Abstract
  Population genetics and the phylogeographic structure of dabbling duck species were investigated using 5′-end sequencing of the mtDNA control region and ODC-6 of nuclear [...]

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• Genetic Markers for Studying the Current Distribution Area and Population Structure of the Sable Martes Zibellina L.

  O. Zhigileva, S. Kashtanov, I. Golovacheva

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  Three types of genetic markers (restriction fragments of cytochrome b mtDNA gene, SSR and ISSR) were proposed for the study of genetic variability in the sable Martes zibellina within its geographic range. mtDNA haplotypes of different subspecies of the sable were described. Haplotypes of the eastern sable Martes zibellina princeps, which was introduced to Tyumen region in the 20th century, are rare in the gene pool of the modern sable populations of West Siberia. Haplotype diversity in the West Siberian sable M. z. zibellina is high due to introgressive hybridisation with the pine marten Martes martes . Nuclear genetic markers of M. zibellina × M . martes hybrids are more similar to the sable than to the pine marten.

  Abstract
  Three types of genetic markers (restriction fragments of cytochrome b mtDNA gene, SSR and ISSR) were proposed for the study of genetic variability in the sable Martes zibellina [...]

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• The Use of Camera Traps for Monitoring the Population of Long-Tailed Gorals

  O. Zaumyslova, S. Bondarchuk

  Collection of Achievements in the Life Sciences (2017).

  
  

  Abstract

  The long-tailed goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus ) is a rare montane ungulate species with a patchy distribution. In the Sikhote-Alin Reserve, gorals occupy the northern part of their range, concentrated primarily in a small coastal area (6.4 km2 ) in Abrek Urochishe. Our pilot study tested the feasibility of individual photo-identification of gorals and population size estimation using the capture–recapture method. We used 10 camera traps spaced 0.6–2 km apart on coastal slopes to monitor the gorals. Four additional cameras were placed at the Reserve boundaries, mainly for law enforcement purposes, such as documenting trespassers. Between June 1 and December 31, 2013, we collected nearly 3000 photographs of gorals, 500 photographs of other wildlife, and 12 images of illegal activities within the Reserve. The total sampling effort was 1870 camera days. Photo data showed that goral horns are reliable biometric identifiers, distinguishable by size, shape, pattern, and the number of rings. The proportion of individually identified gorals in our photos was 0.64 (SE = 0.05). Most individuals (45) were marked (i.e., first detected on camera) in the fall, therefore, preliminary estimates of the goral population size were made between October 11 and December 20, 2013. A closure test confirmed that the population was, in fact, closed (z = − 2.670, P = 0.004). The best-fit closed population multiple recapture model for our data was the heterogeneity model Mh (programme CAPTURE), which assumes an unequal capture probability (χ2 = 112.19, d.f. = 9, P = 0.000). The average goral capture probability was 0.16, and the corresponding population size was estimated at 90 individuals (SE = 6.91, 95% CI: 77–125 individuals). The average goral population density in a 3.5 km2 effective sampled area (56% of the entire plot area) was 25 individuals/km2 (SE = 5.62). Extrapolation to locations that lacked data suggests that Abrek Urochishe supports a goral population of 160 individuals. Our results demonstrate that camera trap data can be used for photographic capture–recapture sampling of goral populations. This approach may be more effective than traditional visual surveys of montane ungulates that tend to underestimate the population abundance. The use of camera traps will undoubtedly enhance goral monitoring efforts, aiding in the conservation of this rare species.

  Abstract
  The long-tailed goral (Nemorhaedus caudatus ) is a rare montane ungulate species with a patchy distribution. In the Sikhote-Alin Reserve, gorals occupy the northern part of [...]

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