Olhares e produções de saberes: narrativas da psicologia acerca das relações raciais / Gaze and knowledge production: psychology narratives about racial relations / Mirada y producción de saber: narrativas de la psicología sobre las relaciones raciales

Este artigo realiza um percurso histórico das narrativas teóricas construídas pelas elites intelectuais brancas brasileiras sobre as relações raciais no campo psicológico, bem como os efeitos desse processo no desenvolvimento da psicologia enquanto ciência e profissão. Como a maioria de profissionais da área é branca em um país cuja maioria da população é negra, torna-se cada vez mais urgente e necessário revisitar tanto as bases da psicologia acerca das relações raciais quanto o modo como essas relações se dão no cotidiano, com vistas a construir caminhos para pensar teoria e prática comprometidas com a igualdade racial. Nesse sentido, tecem-se considerações sobre as narrativas teóricas acerca das relações raciais no campo científico brasileiro, destacando o lugar da psicologia nesse percurso. Em seguida, discutem-se as relações entre as perspectivas da realidade social e das produções de saberes nesse campo. Ainda mais especificamente no campo da psicologia, evidenciam-se os paradigmas que orientaram os estudos sobre as relações raciais na área e, por fim, aponta-se um caminho possível para a construção de uma ciência psicológica compromissada com a igualdade racial.(AU)

This paper presents a historical overview of the theoretical narratives constructed by white Brazilian intellectual elites about race relations within psychology and its the effects on the development of Psychology as a science and a profession. As psychology professionals are white, whereas the majority of the population is black, it is increasingly urgent and necessary to revisit the foundations of psychology on everyday life racial relations, towards a theory and practice committed to racial equality. The text presents considerations on the theoretical narratives about race relations in the Brazilian scientific field, highlighting the role played by psychology. It then discusses the relations between social reality and knowledge production in this field. Regarding psychology specifically, it highlights the paradigms that guided studies on race relations in the field and proposes a possible way to develop a psychological science committed to racial equality.(AU)

Este trabajo realiza un recorrido histórico sobre las narrativas teóricas construidas por las élites intelectuales brasileñas blancas sobre las relaciones raciales en el campo de la Psicología, y los efectos de este proceso en el desarrollo de la psicología como ciencia y profesión. Como la mayoría de los profesionales en el área son blancos en un país donde la mayoría de la población es negra, es cada vez más urgente y necesario revisar los fundamentos de la psicología sobre las relaciones raciales, y cómo son estas relaciones en la vida cotidiana, para que podamos construir teoría y práctica comprometidas con la igualdad racial. Primero, se reflexionará sobre las narrativas teóricas de las relaciones raciales en este campo científico brasileño, destacando el lugar de la psicología en este camino. Luego, se discutirán las relaciones entre las perspectivas sobre la realidad social y la producción de conocimiento en este campo. Aún más específicamente en el campo de la psicología, se resaltarán los paradigmas que guiaron los estudios sobre las relaciones raciales en el área y, finalmente, se señalará un posible camino en la construcción de una ciencia psicológica comprometida con la igualdad racial.(AU)

Transtornos alimentares: vivências de mulheres acima de 30 anos / Eating disorders: experiences of women aged over 30 years / Trastornos alimentarios: experiencias de mujeres de más de 30 años

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender como mulheres adultas (acima de 30 anos) diagnosticadas com transtornos alimentares (TAs) vivenciam o adoecer. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, desenvolvido com base no referencial teórico-metodológico da Análise Fenomenológica Interpretativa (AFI). Participaram seis mulheres, com idades entre 34 e 65 anos, atendidas em um serviço especializado. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista aberta, de inspiração fenomenológica, na modalidade remota. As entrevistas foram audiogravadas, transcritas e analisadas seguindo os passos da AFI. Duas categorias temáticas foram identificadas: "Vivendo antes do adoecer" e "Encontrando-se doente." Constatou-se que os sintomas tiveram início anteriormente à vida adulta e que houve dificuldade na confirmação do diagnóstico. Na perspectiva das participantes, conviver com a sintomatologia ficou mais complicado em função de particularidades de manejo dos sintomas na vida adulta, e a idade é percebida como um fator que impacta e dificulta ainda mais a recuperação. As participantes relataram desesperança em relação ao futuro, apesar de a maioria reconhecer melhoras no quadro clínico ao longo do tempo e de valorizar a relação de confiança estabelecida com a equipe multiprofissional.(AU)

This study aimed to understand the experience of illness of adult women (over 30 years) diagnosed with eating disorders (ED). This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as theoretical and methodological framework. A sample of six women aged 34-64 years, assisted in a specialized service, were recruited to complete a phenomenological in-depth open interview. The data were remotely collected. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed following the IPA. Two thematic categories were identified: "Living before the illness" and "Finding about the illness." It was found that the symptoms started before adulthood and that there was difficulty establishing the diagnosis. Living with the symptoms became more complicated due to particularities of symptom management in adulthood and age is perceived as a factor that impacts recovery and makes it even more difficult. The participants reported hopelessness about the future, although most recognized improvements in the clinical condition over time and valued the trusting relationship they established with the multiprofessional team.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las experiencias de las mujeres adultas (mayores de 30 años) diagnosticadas con trastornos alimentarios (TA) respecto a la enfermedad. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, desarrollado a partir del marco teórico y metodológico del Análisis Fenomenológico Interpretativo (AFI). Participaron seis mujeres, con edades de entre 34 y 65 años, atendidas en un servicio especializado. Los datos se recogieron mediante entrevistas abiertas, de inspiración fenomenológica, en la modalidad a distancia. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas en audio, transcritas y analizadas siguiendo los pasos del AFI. Se identificaron dos categorías temáticas: "Vivir antes de enfermar" y "Encontrarse enfermo." Se constató que los síntomas comenzaron antes de la edad adulta y que hubo dificultades de establecer el diagnóstico. La convivencia con síntomas se complicó debido a las particularidades del manejo de los síntomas en la vida adulta y la edad se percibe como un factor que influye y dificulta aún más la recuperación. Los participantes manifestaron desesperanza sobre el futuro, aunque reconocieron mejoras en el cuadro clínico con el paso del tiempo y valoraron la relación de confianza establecida con el equipo multiprofesional.(AU)

Psychometric Properties of "Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences": Review and Meta-analyses.

The Community Assessment of Psychic Experiences (CAPE) has been used extensively as a measurement for psychosis proneness in clinical and research settings. However, no prior review and meta-analysis have comprehensively examined psychometric properties (reliability and validity) of CAPE scores across different studies. To study CAPE's internal reliability--ie, how well scale items correlate with one another--111 studies were reviewed. Of these, 18 reported unique internal reliability coefficients using data at hand, which were aggregated in a meta-analysis. Furthermore, to confirm the number and nature of factors tapped by CAPE, 17 factor analytic studies were reviewed and subjected to meta-analysis in cases of discrepancy. Results suggested that CAPE scores were psychometrically reliable--ie, scores obtained could be attributed to true score variance. Our review of factor analytic studies supported a 3-factor model for CAPE consisting of "Positive", "Negative", and "Depressive" subscales; and a tripartite structure for the Negative dimension consisting of "Social withdrawal", "Affective flattening", and "Avolition" subdimensions. Meta-analysis of factor analytic studies of the Positive dimension revealed a tridimensional structure consisting of "Bizarre experiences", "Delusional ideations", and "Perceptual anomalies". Information on reliability and validity of CAPE scores is important for ensuring accurate measurement of the psychosis proneness phenotype, which in turn facilitates early detection and intervention for psychotic disorders. Apart from enhancing the understanding of psychometric properties of CAPE scores, our review revealed questionable reporting practices possibly reflecting insufficient understanding regarding the significance of psychometric properties. We recommend increased focus on psychometrics in psychology programmes and clinical journals.

Autoimagem corporal de pacientes comcâncer gastrointestinal / Body image of patients with gastrointestinal cancer

Introdução: O câncer é uma enfermidade multicausal caracterizadapelo crescimento descontrolado, invasivo e rápido de célulasem que há mutação genética. As alterações corporais como a perdade cabelo, presença de cicatrizes, astenia e amputação de membros,além dos tratamentos instituídos, podem acometer indivíduos comneoplasias malignas, provocando alterações corpóreas permanentese acarretando comprometimento da autoimagem corporal.Objetivo: Investigar, na literatura, se existe alteração na avaliaçãoda autoimagem corporal em pacientes com câncer gastrointestinal.Métodos: Trata-se revisão da literatura utilizando-se artigos indexadosem Medline/Pubmed, Lilacs/Bireme e SciELO, com ênfasenos últimos dez anos (2004-2014), nos idiomas, português, inglês eespanhol, além de capítulos de livros científicos.Resultados: Estudos demonstram que as alterações metabólicas eimunológicas provocadas pelo tumor, assim como as condições clínicas,nutricionais e alterações gastrointestinais podem interferirno estado nutricional e alterar o prognóstico da doença. É demonstradotambém que pacientes oncológicos podem ser acometidospor alterações corporais que acarretam comprometimento severoda autoimagem corporal, podendo afetar a qualidade de vida e percepçãocorporal. A avaliação da imagem corporal por meio de escalasde silhuetas e de escalas contendo questionários estruturados érecomendada. Observa-se que a literatura apresenta o interesse peloestudo da interferência entre a presença de estomias com a imagemcorporal de pacientes com câncer gastrointestinal.Conclusão: Verificou-se maior prevalência de insatisfação corporalentre os pacientes que apresentam alterações corporais em decorrênciado câncer. Porém, são necessários novos estudos paraavaliar os reais efeitos do câncer e terapias antineoplásicas sobre aimagem corporal desses pacientes.(AU)

Introduction: Cancer is a multifactorial disease characterizedby growth uncontrolled, invasive and fast of cells in which thereis genetic mutation. The bodily changes such as loss of hair, presenceof scars, asthenia and amputation of limbs, in addition toestablished treatments, can affect individuals with malignancies,causing permanent bodily changes and resulting impairment ofbody self-image. The bodily changes such as loss of hair, presenceof scars, asthenia and amputation of limbs, in addition to establishedtreatments, can affect individuals with malignancies, causingpermanent changes in the body, resulting in impairment of bodyself-image.Objective: To investigate, in the literature, if there is change in theassessment of body self-image in patients with gastrointestinalcancer.Methods: This is a literature review using indexed articles in Medline/ Pubmed, Lilacs / Bireme and SciELO, emphasizing the lastten years (2004-2014), in Portuguese, English and Spanish, as wellas scientific book chapters.Results: Studies have shown that metabolic and immunologicalchanges caused by the tumor, as well as the clinical conditions, nutritionaland gastrointestinal disorders can interfere with nutritionalstatus and change the prognosis of the disease. It is also shownthat these patients may be affected by bodily changes that causesevere impairment of body self-image, which can affect the qualityof life and body awareness. The assessment of body image throughsilhouettes and scales containing structured questionnaires is recommended.It is observed that literature contains mostly interestin the study of interference between the presences of ostomy bodyimage of patients with gastrointestinal cancer.Conclusion: It was found a higher prevalence of body dissatisfactionamong patients with bodily changes from cancer, but furtherstudies are needed to assess the actual effects of cancer and anticancertherapies on body image of these patients.(AU)

Distorsiones cognitivas en agresores de pareja: análisis de una herramienta de evaluación / Cognitive distortions among partner-yiolent men: analyzing an assessment tool

Las distorsiones cognitivas influyen en el desarrollo y mantenimiento de la violencia. En agresores de pareja, la negación del problema y la culpabilización de la víctima son especialmente prevalentes, promoviendo una menor asunción de responsabilidades. Este trabajo revisa las propiedades psicométricas de un inventario diseñado para la evaluación de pensamientos distorsionados sobre la mujer y la violencia. Se analiza su aplicación en 180 agresores en prisión, así como los resultados de 11 estudios previos, comparando dos formatos de corrección (verdadero/falso y likert/factorial). el análisis factorial permitió eliminar los ítems 7, 8, 19 y 28 y agrupar el contenido en 4 factores. El ítem 27 se eliminó por considerarlo erróneo. Se detectaron limitaciones de la herramienta, como una poca sensibilidad al cambio terapéutico y baja capacidad discriminativa entre distintas muestras. Se discuten las precauciones a tener en cuenta a la hora de utilizar la herramienta en el ámbito profesional.

Cognitive distortions are related to the development and maintenance of violent behavior. Among partner-violent men the denial of the problem, and victim blaming are especially prevalent, and reduce accountability. This paper reviews the psychometric properties of an inventory designed to assess distortions about women and violence justification. Its application in 180 offenders in prison is analyzed, as well as the results of 11 previous studies, comparing two correction options (true/false and Likert/factorial). Factor analysis allowed to remove items 7, 8, 19 and 28 due to their low statistical significance, and to group them in four factors. Item 27 was removed because is considered to be wrong. Some limitations were detected, as can be a low sensitivity to therapeutic change, and a low capacity to discriminate between different samples. Precautions to be taken when using the tool in the professional field are discussed.

Instrumentos de avaliação da imagem corporal e dos hábitos alimentares na anorexia nervosa: análise da produção científica / Instruments for the assessment of body image and food habits in anorexia nervosa:analysis of scientific production / Instrumentos de evaluación de la imagen corporal y de los h ábitos alimenticios en la anorexia nerviosa: análisis de la producción científica

Este estudo é uma revisão integrativa da literatura que tem o objetivo de descrever os instrumentos de mensuração utilizados na avaliação da imagem corporal e dos hábitos alimentares na anorexia nervosa. As bases consultadas foram LILACS e SciELO. Das 98 referências levantadas, oito foram selecionadas e recuperadas na íntegra para extração dos dados, constituindo o corpus da pesquisa. Constatou-se o predomínio de publicações na última década, principalmente a partir de 2000. Em termos gerais, os resultados indicaram que há poucos instrumentos que avaliam a imagem corporal e os hábitos alimentares de forma aprofundada, sendo que a maioria dos instrumentos encontrados visava a avaliar os sujeitos e a estabelecer o diagnóstico de transtorno alimentar (TA). Evidenciou-se, assim, a necessidade de mais estudos na área de elaboração e de validação de testes, escalas e inventários que tratem das síndromes parciais dos TAs, tais como a distorção da imagem corporal...

The aim of this integrative review of the literature is to describe the instruments used to assess body image and food habits in nervous anorexia. The examined databases were LILACS and SciELO. Ninety-eight references were identified, eight of which were selected, and full articles were consulted for data extraction, constituting the corpus of the research. There was a predominance of publications in the last decade, mainly from 2000 on. Overall, results indicated that there are few instruments to assess body image and food habits in detail, and most of the instruments found were aimed at assessing the patients and diagnosing eating disorder (ED). This evidenced the need for further studies in the field of test, scale and inventory development and validation which address the partial syndromes of ED, such as body image distortion...

Esta investigación es una revisión integrativa de la literatura que tiene el objetivo de describir los instrumentos de mensuración utilizados en la evaluación de la imagen corporal y de los hábitos alimenticios en la anorexia nerviosa. Las bases consultadas fueron LILACS y SciELO. De las 98 referencias relevadas, ocho fueron seleccionadas y recobradas integralmente para extracción de los datos, constituyendo el corpus de la investigación. Se constató el predominio de publicaciones en la última década, principalmente desde el año 2000. En términos generales, los resultados indicaron que hay pocos instrumentos que evalúan la imagen corporal y los hábitos alimenticios de forma profundizada, siendo que la mayoría de los instrumentos encontrados visaba evaluar los sujetos y establecer el diagnóstico de trastorno alimenticio (TA). Se evidenció, así, la necesidad de más estudios en el área de elaboración y de validación de pruebas, escalas e inventarios que traten de los síndromes parciales de los TA, tales como la distorsión de la imagen corporal...

4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): presence in the recreational drug market in Spain, pattern of use and subjective effects.

4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychoactive analogue of mescaline that is becoming increasingly popular as a rave and club drug. We investigated its presence in the illicit drug market in Spain, its pattern of use and profile of subjective effects. Drug material was analysed for 2C-B and information on pattern of use and subjective effects was obtained from recreational users. Scores were statistically compared with previously collected data on psychostimulants (d-amphetamine), entactogens (MDMA) and psychedelics (ayahuasca and Salvia divinorum). The percentage of samples containing 2C-B doubled between 2006 and 2009, evolved from powder to tablet form and showed low falsification rates. Respondents reported taking 2C-B orally in doses of about 20 mg. Subjective effects involved perceptual modifications analogous to those observed after ayahuasca and salvia but absent after amphetamine and MDMA. Pleasure and sociability effects did not differ from those after MDMA and incapacitation was lower than for the psychedelics used as comparators. In conclusion, we found 2C-B is consistently present in the illicit drug market in Spain. While it elicits perceptual modifications that are analogous to other psychedelics, the lower impairment and higher pleasurable effects make it comparable with entactogens.

Evidence from vergence eye movements that disparities defined by luminance and contrast are sensed by independent mechanisms.

We recorded the initial disparity vergence responses (DVRs) elicited by 1-D sinusoidal gratings differing in phase at the two eyes by 1/4 wavelength and defined by luminance modulation (LM) or contrast modulation (CM) of dynamic binary noise. Both LM and CM stimuli elicited DVRs, but those to CM had longer latency (on average by ∼20 ms). DVRs showed sigmoidal dependence on depth of modulation, with higher thresholds for CM than for LM. With both LM and CM stimuli, fixing the modulation at one eye well above threshold rendered the DVR hypersensitive to low-level modulation at the other eye (dichoptic facilitation). Disparities defined by LM at one eye and CM at the other generated weak DVRs in the "wrong" direction, consistent with mediation entirely by distortion products associated with the CM stimulus. These (reversed) DVRs could be nulled by adding LM to the CM stimulus (in phase), and the greater the depth of the CM, the greater the added LM required for nulling, exactly as predicted by a simple compressive non-linearity. We conclude that disparities defined by LM and by CM are sensed by independent cortical mechanisms, at least for the purposes of generating short-latency vergence eye movements to disparity steps.

The importance of social factors is a matter of perception.

Caucasian female faces were randomly assigned to participants' in- or out-group following false feedback on a personality inventory. Participants recognised in-group faces better than out-group faces, but they showed no evidence of category-contingent opposing aftereffects. We conclude that the explanatory power of social-cognitive models will be enhanced when they are integrated with models of perceptual expertise.

Steady state responses: electrophysiological assessment of sensory function in schizophrenia.

Persons with schizophrenia experience subjective sensory anomalies and objective deficits on assessment of sensory function. Such deficits could be produced by abnormal signaling in the sensory pathways and sensory cortex or later stage disturbances in cognitive processing of such inputs. Steady state responses (SSRs) provide a noninvasive method to test the integrity of sensory pathways and oscillatory responses in schizophrenia with minimal task demands. SSRs are electrophysiological responses entrained to the frequency and phase of a periodic stimulus. Patients with schizophrenia exhibit pronounced auditory SSR deficits within the gamma frequency range (35-50 Hz) in response to click trains and amplitude-modulated tones. Visual SSR deficits are also observed, most prominently in the alpha and beta frequency ranges (7-30 Hz) in response to high-contrast, high-luminance stimuli. Visual SSR studies that have used the psychophysical properties of a stimulus to target specific visual pathways predominantly report magnocellular-based deficits in those with schizophrenia. Disruption of both auditory and visual SSRs in schizophrenia are consistent with neuropathological and magnetic resonance imaging evidence of anatomic abnormalities affecting the auditory and visual cortices. Computational models suggest that auditory SSR abnormalities at gamma frequencies could be secondary to gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated or N-methyl-D-aspartic acid dysregulation. The pathophysiological process in schizophrenia encompasses sensory processing that probably contributes to alterations in subsequent encoding and cognitive processing. The developmental evolution of these abnormalities remains to be characterized.

Screening for hearing loss in the elderly using distortion product otoacoustic emissions, pure tones, and a self-assessment tool.

PURPOSE: To determine whether distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) could be used as a hearing screening tool with elderly individuals living independently, and to compare the utility of different screening protocols: (a) 3 pure-tone screening protocols consisting of 30 dB HL at 1, 2, and 3 kHz; 40 dB HL at 1, 2, and 3 kHz; or 40 dB HL at 1 and 2 kHz; (b) the Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly-Screening version (HHIE-S); (c) pure tones at 40 dB HL at 1 and 2 kHz plus the HHIE-S; and (d) DPOAEs. METHOD: A total of 106 elderly individuals age 65-91 years were screened using the above protocols. RESULTS: Pass/fail results showed that most individuals failed at 30 dB HL, followed by DPOAEs, the 40-dB HL protocols, the HHIE-S alone, and the combined pure-tone/HHIE-S protocol. All screening results were associated except the HHIE-S and 30 dB HL and the HHIE-S and DPOAEs. A McNemar analysis revealed that the differences between the correlated pass/fail results were significant except for the HHIE-S and 40 dB at 1 and 2 kHz. CONCLUSION: DPOAEs can be used to screen the elderly, with the advantage that individuals do not have to voluntarily respond to the test.

Accuracy of personal breast cancer risk estimation in cancer-free women during primary care visits.

To determine the accuracy of personal breast cancer risk estimation, interviews were conducted of 110 women between November 2004 and May 2005 during primary care visits. The average age of the women was 39 years. Considering their lifetime breast cancer risk, 49% of women perceived their risk to be low, 35% average, and 11% high. Compared to Gail-model lifetime risk scores, 62% of women were inaccurate and underestimated or overestimated risk. Factors affecting accuracy of risk prediction were race, family history of cancer, alcohol use and exercise. Our study highlights the need for personalized breast cancer education between an individual woman and her health care provider.

Local and global processing: observations from a remote culture.

In Experiment 1, a normal adult population drawn from a remote culture (Himba) in northern Namibia made similarity matches to [Navon, D. (1977). Forest before trees: The precedence of global features in visual perception. Cognitive Psychology, 9, 353-383] hierarchical figures. The Himba showed a local bias stronger than that has been previously observed in any other non-clinical human population. However, in Experiment 2, their recognition of normal or distorted ("Thatcherized") faces did not appear to have been affected by their attention to detail as has been suggested for autistic populations. The data are consistent with a cultural/experiential origin for population differences in local processing and suggest that attention to the local and global properties of stimuli may differ for hierarchical figures and faces.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions for assessment of intracranial hypertension at extreme altitude?

The levels of distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) change at frequencies between 0.75 and 1.5 kHz along with intracranial pressure (ICP) and DPOAEs are suggested for monitoring ICP changes. Elevated ICP plays a major role in high-altitude disease, but direct measurement is unlikely to be feasible at high altitudes. The aim of the presented study was to measure DPOAEs at extreme altitudes in order to determine whether information about elevated ICP can be obtained. Data are presented from DPOAE measurements at the frequencies 1, 1.5, 2, 3 and 4 kHz in 13 climbers during an ascent to Gasherbrum II (8,035 m) up to an altitude of 7,400 m. Valid DPOAE measurements could be obtained in all climbers. DPOAE levels exhibited great variability concerning both the affected frequency range and the change. As expected due to elevated ICP, DPOAE levels decreased in some of the climbers at 1 kHz. However, an even more pronounced decline of DPOAE levels was observed at 3 and 4 kHz, which cannot be explained by intracranial hypertension. Possible other reasons for DPOAE level changes at extreme altitude are hypoxia, increased serum osmolarity and unbalanced middle ear pressure. Only one climber developed severe acute mountain sickness with clinical signs of intracranial hypertension. The most pronounced decline of DPOAEs at 1 kHz was seen on that occasion, which suggests a possible use of DPOAEs for detection of intracranial hypertension and early detection of high-altitude cerebral edema.

Study of the hearing in children born from pregnant women exposed to occupational noise: assessment by distortion product otoacoustic emissions.

AIM: To detect early on a probable hearing loss in children of women exposed to occupational noise during their pregnancy and to verify if there is any difference between the children from those women exposed to occupational noise during their pregnancy and the ones from mothers that do not work under the same conditions. METHODS: Children from women exposed to occupational noise during their pregnancy and children from women who were not exposed were evaluated through distortion product otoacoustic emissions, using the GSI 60 DPOEA SYSTEM equipment and the frequency-ratio F2/F1 equal to 1.2 and the geometric average of 2F1-F2. The intensity of the primary frequencies were kept steady with values of L1=65dBSPL and L2=55dBSPL for F1 and F2, respectively. Student T test in paired samples and independent samples were used. RESULTS: There were no differences in the response amplitude of distortion product otoacoustic emissions between the control and the study groups. There was no statistically difference between male and female children in response amplitude for the two groups aforementioned; and there were no differences between right and left ears from each group. CONCLUSION: We did not observe hearing impairment in children whose mothers were exposed to occupational noise during pregnancy when compared to the children from mothers who were not. There was no difference between the right and left ears, nor between male and female children in each group.

Estudo da audição de crianças de gestantes expostas ao ruído ocupacional: avaliação por emissões otoacústicas - produto de distorção / Study of the hearing in children born from pregnant women exposed to occupational noise: assessment by distortion product otoacoustic emissions

OBJETIVO: Detectar precocemente uma possível perda auditiva em crianças de mulheres expostas ao ruído ocupacional durante o período de gestação e verificar se há diferença nos resultados das amplitudes de resposta das emissões otoacústicas - produto de distorção - entre as crianças de mães expostas ao ruído ocupacional e as crianças de mães não-expostas ao ruído ocupacional. MÉTODOS: Crianças de mulheres expostas ao ruído ocupacional durante a gestação e crianças de mulheres não-expostas foram avaliadas através das emissões otoacústicas - produto de distorção -, usando o equipamento GSI 60 DPOEA SYSTEM e empregando a razão de F2/F1 igual a 1,2 e a média geométrica de 2F1-F2. As intensidades das freqüências primárias mantiveram-se fixas, com valores de L1=65 dBNPS e L2=55 dBNPS para F1 e F2, respectivamente. Utilizou-se o teste t-Student em amostras emparelhadas e amostras independentes e o teste não-paramétrico de Wilcoxon. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença nos valores das medidas das médias das amplitudes de resposta do produto de distorção entre os grupos controle e estudo. Também não houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os sexos masculino e feminino nas amplitudes de respostas para os grupos controle e estudo, nem entre as orelhas direita e esquerda de cada grupo. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi observado prejuízo auditivo nas crianças de mães expostas ao ruído ocupacional durante a gestação em comparação as crianças de mães não-expostas. Não houve diferença entre as orelhas direita e esquerda e entre os sexos masculino e feminino de cada grupo.

AIM: To detect early on a probable hearing loss in children of women exposed to occupational noise during their pregnancy and to verify if there is any difference between the children from those women exposed to occupational noise during their pregnancy and the ones from mothers that do not work under the same conditions. METHODS: Children from women exposed to occupational noise during their pregnancy and children from women who were not exposed were evaluated through distortion product otoacoustic emissions, using the GSI 60 DPOEA SYSTEM equipment and the frequency-ratio F2/F1 equal to 1.2 and the geometric average of 2F1-F2. The intensity of the primary frequencies were kept steady with values of L1=65dBSPL and L2=55dBSPL for F1 and F2, respectively. Student T test in paired samples and independent samples were used. RESULTS: There were no differences in the response amplitude of distortion product otoacoustic emissions between the control and the study groups. There was no statistically difference between male and female children in response amplitude for the two groups aforementioned; and there were no differences between right and left ears from each group. CONCLUSION: We did not observe hearing impairment in children whose mothers were exposed to occupational noise during pregnancy when compared to the children from mothers who were not. There was no difference between the right and left ears, nor between male and female children in each group.

Does energy expenditure affect the perception of egocentric distance? A failure to replicate experiment 1 of Proffitt, Stefanucci, Banton, and Epstein (2003).

In a series of recent studies, Proffitt and his colleagues have reported that the perceived distance to a target is influenced by the energy expenditure associated with any action, such as walking or throwing, for spanning the distance to the target. In particular, Proffitt, Stefanucci, Banton, and Epstein (2003) reported that wearing a heavy backpack caused verbal reports of distance to increase. We conducted a study to determine whether three responses dependent on perceived distance (verbal report of distance, blind walking, and estimates of object size) are influenced by the backpack manipulation. In two experiments, one involving a between-participants design and the other involving a within-participants design, we found that none of the three responses were influenced by the wearing of a heavy backpack.

Screening for Meares-Irlen sensitivity in adults: can assessment methods predict changes in reading speed?

Two methods of assessing candidates for coloured overlays were compared with the aim of determining which method had the most practical utility. A total of 58 adults were assessed as potential candidates for coloured overlays, using two methods; a questionnaire, which identified self-reported previous symptoms, and a measure of perceptual distortions immediately prior to testing. Participants were classified as normal, Meares-Irlen sensitive, and borderline sensitive. Reading speed was measured with and without coloured overlays, using the Wilkins Rate of Reading Test and the change in speed was calculated. Participants classified as normal did not show any significant benefit from reading with an overlay. In contrast, a significant reading advantage was found for the borderline and Meares-Irlen participants. Current symptom rating was found to be a significant predictor of the change in reading speed, however the previous symptom rating was not found to be a reliable predictor. These data indicate that the assessment of perceptual distortions immediately prior to measuring colour preference and reading speed is the most meaningful method of assessing pattern glare and determining the utility of coloured overlays.

Projeto Esperança: CEP

Apresenta tópicos como: a valorização da vida; fatores que repercutem na saúde; efeitos de certas substâncias no organismo; caminhos que levam à vida. Como podemos relacionar com o meio, seja ele o ambiente, as pessoas, a sociedade