Low-Cost Optical Sensors for Soil Composition Monitoring.

Studying soil composition is vital for agricultural and edaphology disciplines. Presently, colorimetry serves as a prevalent method for the on-site visual examination of soil characteristics. However, this technique necessitates the laboratory-based analysis of extracted soil fragments by skilled personnel, leading to substantial time and resource consumption. Contrastingly, sensor techniques effectively gather environmental data, though they mostly lack in situ studies. Despite this, sensors offer substantial on-site data generation potential in a non-invasive manner and can be included in wireless sensor networks. Therefore, the aim of the paper is to develop a low-cost red, green, and blue (RGB)-based sensor system capable of detecting changes in the composition of the soil. The proposed sensor system was found to be effective when the sample materials, including salt, sand, and nitro phosphate, were determined under eight different RGB lights. Statistical analyses showed that each material could be classified with significant differences based on specific light variations. The results from a discriminant analysis documented the 100% prediction accuracy of the system. In order to use the minimum number of colors, all the possible color combinations were evaluated. Consequently, a combination of six colors for salt and nitro phosphate successfully classified the materials, whereas all the eight colors were found to be effective for classifying sand samples. The proposed low-cost RGB sensor system provides an economically viable and easily accessible solution for soil classification.

Emotional Regulation as a Transdiagnostic Process of Emotional Disorders in Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Several studies have shown that emotional regulation (ER) is a transdiagnostic construct of emotional disorders. Therefore, if therapy improves ER, it would improve psychological distress. OBJECTIVE: This review assesses and compares the changes in ER due to psychological treatment in different therapies. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs published in the databases PubMed, PsycINFO and Web of Science was performed. It was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42023387317. Two independent experts in the field reviewed the articles. RESULTS: A total of 18 articles met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Analysis of these studies suggests that in unified protocol (UP), cognitive behaviour therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) and mindfulness, there is evidence to support that a moderate effect occurs during treatment. Furthermore, in mindfulness and DBT, the effect was moderate in the follow-up period, while in UP, it was high. LIMITATIONS: Given the heterogeneity of the applied interventions and the methodological limitations found in the reviewed trials, the results should be interpreted with caution. CONCLUSIONS: UP, cognitive behaviour therapy, DBT and mindfulness can improve ER after therapy, while UP, DBT and mindfulness in the follow-up period. Other therapies, such as SKY or Flotation REST, require more research.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Varios estudios han demostrado que la regulación emocional es un constructo transdiagnóstico de los trastornos emocionales. Por lo tanto, si la terapia mejora la regulación emocional, también mejorará el malestar psicológico. OBJETIVO: Evaluar y comparar el cambio en la regulación emocional debido al tratamiento psicológico en diferentes terapias. MÉTODO: Se realizó una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis de ECA publicados en las bases de datos PubMed, PsycINFO y Web of Science. Se registró en PROSPERO con el número CRD42023387317. Dos expertos independientes en la materia revisaron los artículos. RESULTADOS: Un total de 18 artículos cumplieron los criterios de inclusión en la revisión. El análisis de estos estudios sugiere que en el Protocolo Unificado, la Terapia Cognitivo Conductual, la Terapia Dialéctica Conductual y terapias basadas en mindfulness existen evidencias que apoyan que se produce un efecto moderado durante el tratamiento. Además, en las terapias basadas en mindfulness y en la Terapia Dialéctica Conductual, el efecto se moduló en el periodo de seguimiento, mientras que en el Protocolo Unificado fue mayor. LIMITACIONES: Dada la heterogeneidad de las intervenciones aplicadas y las limitaciones metodológicas encontradas en los ensayos revisados, los resultados podrán interpretarse con cautela. CONCLUSIONES: UP, CBT, DBT y mindfulness pueden mejorar la ER tras la terapia, mientras que UP, DBT y mindfulness pueden mejorar la recuperación tras un tiempo de seguimiento. Otras terapias, como SKY o Flotation REST, requieren más investigación.

Low-risk HPLLs/ABC score patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma can be safely managed without treatment: Results from a prospective Spanish study.

The aims of our study were to analyse compliance with the 2014 GELTAMO SMZL Guidelines, in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL), and to evaluate the outcome according to the HPLLs/ABC-adapted therapeutic strategy. Observational prospective multicenter study of 181 SMZL patients diagnosed between 2014 and 2020. Lymphoma-specific survival (LSS), composite event-free survival (CEFS) and response rates were assessed. 57% of the 168 patients included in the analysis followed the Guidelines. The overall response rate was higher in the rituximab chemotherapy and in the rituximab arms compared with the splenectomy arm (p < 0.001). The 5-year overall survival was 77% and the 5-year LSS of 93%. There were no differences in the 5-year LSS according to the treatment received (p = 0.68). The 5-year CEFS in the overall series was 45%, and there were significant differences between scores A and B (p = 0.036). There were no significant differences when comparing LSS and progression-free survival in patients treated with rituximab or rituximab chemotherapy at diagnosis or after observation. Our data support HPLLs/ABC score as a practical tool for the management of SMZL, observation as the best approach for patients in group A and rituximab as the best treatment for group B.

Gastric pneumatosis, an uncommon complication of a lung transplant, prognosis, diagnostic and treatment management.

We present a case of a 40-year-old woman with double-lung transplant with extracorporeal circulation (EC) due to pulmonary hypertension (pulmonary veno-occlusive disease form (PVOD)) secondary to mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD). On day 6 postoperatively, abdominal pain and distension was noticed, since abdominal CT scan was performed, showing emphysematous gastritis with gastric wall ischemia and peritonitis. Therefore, emergent surgery was proposed. By open surgery approach, a total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y and esophagojejunal anastomosis was performed. On day 6 after gastrectomy, intraluminal bleeding of the esophagojejunal anastomosis was detected in control CT, which was not need any aggressive treatment. Postoperative evolution was favourable, being discharged from the intensive care unit on the day 34 and from the hospital two months later.

Hematological and molecular analysis of patients with G6PD deficiency revealed coexistent hereditary spherocytosis and alpha thalassemia.

BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, hereditary spherocytosis (HS), and alpha thalassemia (α-thal) are frequent erythrocyte pathologies with different geographic distributions worldwide. Our aim is to report hematological and molecular findings of G6PD deficient Mexican patients in coinheritance with suggestive hereditary spherocytosis (sHS) and α-thal. METHODS: We studied 78 G6PD deficiency patients. Hematological parameters, acidified glycerol lysis test, erythrocyte morphology, electrophoresis, and hemoglobin quantification were obtained. G6PD and HBA2/HBA1 variants were identified using ARMS-PCR, Gap-PCR, or Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Nine G6PD variants were identified; A-202A/376G , A-376G/968C , and A+376G as the most frequent. G6PD Santiago de Cuba1339A and Kamiube1387T were detected in Mexicans for first time. Hematological analysis revealed additional erythrocyte pathologies in 52 patients, 32 with positive osmotic fragility test and spherocytes in blood smear (suggestive hereditary spherocytosis, sHS), 12 with microcytosis and 8 with all three defects who had the most severe phenotype, with significantly lower hematological parameters (Hb, PCV, MCV, and MCH). α-thal variants (αHph α, α-59C>T α and -α3.7 ) were observed in 65% of patients with microcytosis. CONCLUSION: Additional erythrocyte defects were observed in 69.3% of G6PD deficiency patients. We stress the importance of searching for the presence of additional erythrocyte hereditary diseases in patients with G6PD deficiency.

The Effect of Being Unemployed on Mental Health: The Spanish Case.

BACKGROUND: The lack of work appeared to be linked to several symptoms related to poor mental health. Likewise, the reverse relationship, namely the influence of poor mental health on the risk of job loss, has also been analysed, i.e. distress could lead to a poorer work performance culminating in potential job loss. Thus, the bidirectional nature of the relationship between unemployment and mental health makes the accurate estimation of causal relationships a complex matter, leaving room for additional research on the subject. AIMS OF THE STUDY: The aim of this research is to analyse the influence that unemployment could have on mental health taking into account the bidirectional nature that exists between both concepts. METHODS: In order to tackle the causal effect of being unemployed on mental health, we present a biprobit model taking into account the presence of dummy endogenous regressors and we compare these results with those obtained from a standard univariate probit. Our identification strategy exploits geographical information on the unemployment rates as instrument. We use Spanish cross-sectional data from the 2006, 2011 and 2017 years. RESULTS: Based on the results, the paper concludes that unemployed persons in Spain could be subject to a 5.4% higher probability of suffering symptoms related to a common mental disorder (versus 11% obtained using a standard probit). DISCUSSION: The results obtained confirm a negative impact of unemployment situation on mental health. In other words, the probability of unemployed people suffering a mental disorder seems superior to that for individuals with a job. Moreover, the marginal effect obtained from a univariate probit model without the possibility of controlling the mental health selection effects, proves the existence of a problem of simultaneity that would have overestimated the effect of being unemployed on mental health. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE PROVISION: It is hoped that the conclusions obtained here prove useful in the implementation of specific mental health care provision aimed at unemployed people. In this context, the evidence obtained should result in the incorporation of health assistance as an essential part in response to the needs of this collective. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICIES: These special needs of unemployed people should be contemplated not only from a health care provision but also as part of a broader system that incorporates the mental health care of unemployed persons as part of more general public health policies. Finally, these results suggest that mental health-related objectives should be considered when planning, implementing, and evaluating active labour market policies for the unemployed. IMPLICATIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: The length and severity of the last recession, together with the risks associated with the global crisis resulting from COVID-19, reiterate the obvious concerns about the consequences of economic crises and unemployment on personal mental health. In this context, our study could be a step forward in the study of the causal relationships between unemployment and mental health when new data are available.

Three Mexican Families with ß thalassemia intermedia with different molecular basis.

Beta thalassemia (ß-thal) is a frequent monogenic disease, is clinically and molecularly heterogeneous. This study described molecular and laboratory findings for three Mexican patients with ß-thal intermedia phenotype and their relatives. Three Mexican families were studied for presenting ß-thal intermedia, ARMS-PCR and Gap-PCR were performed to screen for common mutations, Sanger sequencing for rare or new alleles, and MLPA for identifying deletions and or duplications. In all three families we observed, in heterozygote condition, the mutation c.118C > T (p.Gln39*) also known as codon 39(C > T) in the ß globin gene (HBB) associated with a novel molecular defect: a new duplication of the alpha globin gene cluster, a new deletion that includes the loss of exon 3 of HBB and finally a novel mutation in the 3'UTR of HBB (HBB: c.*132C > A). We report three Mexican families with beta thalassemia intermedia due to different molecular basis; a new single nucleotide mutation involving the last nucleotide of the ß-globin chain transcript; and two possible new DNA rearrangements, an α cluster duplication, and a partial ß gene deletion.

[Gender violence in nursing students during their dating relationships]. / Violencia de género en estudiantes de enfermería durante sus relaciones de noviazgo.

AIM: To determine the prevalence of gender violence (GV) suffered by student nurses and to identify its relationship with some sociodemographic and personal variables (social support and self-esteem) and their perception about their role as primary care providers. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. LOCATION: Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (University of Oviedo). PARTICIPANTS: Nursing students. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: The CUVINO questionnaire was used. It measures 42 behavioral indicators and 8 GV factors and allows to identify technical and perceived violence during courtship and other related situations. The level of social self-esteem, support and variables related with the nursing role were also measured. RESULTS: Using the standard of "zero tolerance", 85.8% suffered technical violence, mainly by "detachment" and "coercion" (73.3%), while almost 1 in 5 also suffered "physical" violence (18.3%). A lower percentage (9.0%) reported having been really ill-treated, perception related to the global proportion of students who felt trapped (31.7%, P <.001), felt fear (13.8%, P <.001) and a further delay in breaking the relationship (13.2 months vs. 3.6; P <.05). Suffering technical violence was associated with less social support (P <.05) and less social self-esteem (P <.01). Academic training in GV improves recognition. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of GV situations between student nurses is very high and recognition is poor. Academic training could improve the perception of the problem, thus it would be desirable to strengthen its inclusion in the university curriculum, together with specific skills training.

Feasibility and safety of hospital discharge 24 hours after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Minimally invasive techniques for the surgical treatment of prostate cancer have aimed to achieve the same functional and oncological outcomes of open surgery with a significant decrease in postoperative morbidity and a subsequent decreasing hospital stay. These improvements are important in the current economic context. Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of hospital discharge 24 h after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP). METHODS: A total of 266 consecutive patients with clinical diagnosis of localized prostate cancer consecutively treated with extraperitoneal LRP between May 2007 and December 2010 were analyzed. There were no exclusion criteria for the surgical procedure. Patients were discharged in less than 24 h only in the case of absence of medical complications, with drainage of less than 50 mL allowing its removal before discharge, normal oral feeding tolerance, no significant hematuria by bladder catheter and good functional recovery of the patient. All surgery-related complications that occurred within 90 days after surgery were recorded and were classified according to the modified Clavien scale. RESULTS: A total of 266 patients who underwent LRP were studied with a median follow-up of 34 months. 80 (30.1%) patients were discharged from the hospital in less than 24h. 89 (33.4%) patients were discharged within 48 h and 97 (36.5%) after 48 h.The mean hospital stay of the entire case series was 2.9 days (SD 3.08). The mean hospital stay of patients who were discharged after 48 h was 5,5 days (SD 3.94) Thirty-one patients (10.7%). experienced post-surgical complications. 25 (9.31%). of them were classified as Clavien I or II, and 6 (2.2%). Clavien III or IV. A total of 9 (3.3%) patients were readmitted. Of the group of patients who were discharged within 24h only one was readmitted due to hematuria. CONCLUSIONS: Extraperitoneal LRP is the standard treatment for localized prostate cancer in our institution. This treatment reliably and safely allows a hospital stay shorter than 24 h in a significant percentage of our patients.

Evaluation of Affective Coexistence in Young Afro-Colombians in the Department of Chocó-Colombia.

Various works of research into violence in relationships between young couples refer to a lack of perception of some behavior patterns such as abuse. This means that the relationship has the potential risk of developing into one of victimization should it last into adulthood. Although it has been shown that this phenomenon may occur in any sector of the population, the interest of our study rests upon determining the prevalence of the perception of violent behavior patterns in relationships between adolescent and young adult couples. We also aim to analyze the differences obtained with respect to the characteristics of the aggressors in the young Afro-Colombian population of Quibdó, Colombia. The participants in the study consisted of 540 young Afro-Colombians of both sexes between 15 and 27 years of age. The instrument used was the reduced version of the Dating Violence Questionnaire. The results show a high level of victimization through violent behavior on the part of the partner, in great measure exercised by generalist aggressors. However, a small proportion could be perceived as abuse. The implications and possible means of intervention are discussed.

Implementation of an ERAS protocol on elderly patients in liver resection.

BACKGROUND: The increase of quality of life, the improvement in the perioperative care programs, the use of the frailty index, and the surgical innovation has allowed to access of complex abdominal surgery for elderly patients like liver resection. Despite of this, in patients aged 70 or older there is a limitation for the implementation ERAS protocolos. The aim of this study is to evaluate the implementation ERAS protocol on elderly patients (≥70 years) undergoing liver resection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients who underwent liver resection from December 2017 to December 2019 with an ERAS program. We compare the outcomes in patients ≥70 years (G ≥ 70) versus <70 years (G < 70). The frailty was measured with the Physical Frailty Phenotype score. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included. 32 of these (31.6%) were patients ≥70 years. 90% of the both groups had performed >70% of the ERAS. Oral diet tolerance and mobilization on the first postoperative day were quicker in <70 years group. The hospital stay was similar in both groups (3.07days/2.7days). Morbidity and mortality were similar; Clavien I-II(G ≥ 70:41% vs G < 70:30,5%) and Clavien ≥ III (G ≥ 70:6% vs G < 70:8.5%), like hospital readmissions. Mortality was <1%. ERAS protocol compliance was associated with a decrease in complications (ERAS < 70%:80% vs ERAS > 90%:20%; p = 0.02) and decrease in severity of complications in both study groups. Frailty was found in 6% of the elderly group; the only patient who died had a frailty index of 4. CONCLUSION: Implementation of ERAS protocol for elderly patients is possible, with major improvements in perioperative outcomes, without an increase in morbidity, mortality neither readmissions.

Instruments of Child-to-Parent Violence: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This systematic review and reliability generalization meta-analysis synthesized psychometric literature on instrumentation assessing child-to-parent violence published through September 2023 across four databases. In the screening, we identified studies reporting Cronbach's alpha internal consistency estimates for the child-to-parent violence scales. The eligible reliability coefficients ranged from 0.610 to 0.930, mostly exceeding the minimum threshold of 0.700. Random-effects models calculated pooled Cronbach's alphas separately for global, father-specific, and mother-specific subscales. The results demonstrated cumulative values of 0.83 (global: standard error = 0.0129), 0.800 (fathers: standard error = 0.0203), and 0.81 (mothers: standard error = 0.0179), denoting largely adequate reliability. However, significant between-study heterogeneity was observed. While the mean alpha levels seem acceptable for most tools, substantial variability coupled with the possibility of some studies violating reliability assumptions indicates that a conservative interpretation is warranted. Ongoing scale refinement and additional psychometric evaluations will strengthen the rigor methodology in this developing research domain. However, these results should be interpreted with caution, as there is a high level of heterogeneity, and it is possible that some studies have not verified the assumptions underlying Cronbach's alpha.

A Digital Tool for Measuring Healing of Chronic Wounds Treated with an Antioxidant Dressing: A Case Series.

(1) Abstract: Wound monitoring is an essential aspect in the evaluation of wound healing. This can be carried out with the multidimensional tool HELCOS, which develops a quantitative analysis and graphic representation of wound healing evolution via imaging. It compares the area and tissues present in the wound bed. This instrument is used for chronic wounds in which the healing process is altered. This article describes the potential use of this tool to improve the monitoring and follow-up of wounds and presents a case series of various chronic wounds with diverse etiology treated with an antioxidant dressing. (2) Methods: A secondary analysis of data from a case series of wounds treated with an antioxidant dressing and monitored with the HELCOS tool. (3) Results: The HELCOS tool is useful for measuring changes in the wound area and identifying wound bed tissues. In the six cases described in this article, the tool was able to monitor the healing of the wounds treated with the antioxidant dressing. (4) Conclusions: the monitoring of wound healing with this multidimensional HELCOS tool offers new possibilities to facilitate treatment decisions by healthcare professionals.

Victimization and Perception of Abuse in Adolescent and Young Homosexual and Heterosexual Couples in Spain.

Currently, violence in adolescent and young couples has a significant social impact on young people's physical and psychological health. However, the study of violence in homosexual couples must also be addressed. This research analyzes the levels of violent victimization and the perception of abuse in both homosexual and heterosexual couples. Participants' ages ranged between 14 and 29 years (M = 20.14, SD = 3.464). We used The Dating Violence Questionnaire-Revised (CUIVNO-R), which was applied in two consecutive studies. The results indicate high levels of victimization, especially in the sample of homosexual participants. The scores generally show a low perception of couple violence but high victimization rates. The results of this study reveal the importance of the issue of violence in couples from minority groups and suggest that couple violence should not be understood as unidirectional, i.e., exclusively from men to women. These findings show the need for education in healthy relationships and consideration of different types of couples in these relationships.

Genetic analysis of TMPRSS6 catalytic domain variants in Mexican patients with iron treatment refractoriness.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the TMPRSS6 gene variants in Mexican patients with iron treatment refractoriness, to describe hematological and iron profile parameters, and to use bioinformatic prediction and protein modeling tools to assess a possible biological impact for the detected missense variants. METHODS: Nineteen patients referred with iron treatment refractoriness were studied. Peripheral blood was collected to determine hematic cytometry, iron profile, hemoglobin electrophoresis, and quantification. Molecular screening was carried out for exons 15 through 18 of the TMPRSS6 gene by Sanger sequencing and for frequent thalassemia variants by amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gap-PCR. The biological impact of the detected missense variants was assessed using bioinformatic prediction and protein modeling tools. RESULTS: We found 5 genetic variants in the matriptase-2 catalytic domain: 1 at intron-15/exon-16 junction (rs60484081) and 4 exonic, 3 missense (rs377054987, p.Gly626Asp; rs1384127820, p.Ser672Thr; rs855791, p.Val727Ala) and 1 synonymous (rs2235321, p.Tyr730=), with frequencies ranging from 0.18 to 0.53. No significant differences were observed in the hematological parameters or iron profile, considering type and number of variants. Bioinformatic predictions suggested a possible biological impact only for rs377054987. CONCLUSIONS: The TMPRSS6 variants observed in Mexican patients with oral iron treatment refractoriness have high frequencies; nevertheless, their relationship with hematological and iron profile parameters needs further research. The possible biological impact for rs377054987 is due to size and amino acid hydrophobicity changes and hydrogen bond modifications.

Ad libitum feeding alters mRNA abundance in the ovarian cortex of broiler breeder hens.

Ad libitum: feeding in broiler breeder (BB) hens causes reduced egg production, lower fertility, and improper eggshell deposition. Restricted feeding (RF) is the only effective intervention available to normalize ovarian function and improve reproductive efficiency. This study aimed to assess the transcriptional changes in ovarian cortex of BB hens with free access to feed compared to those on a RF diet. RNA was isolated from the ovarian cortex of Cobb 500 pullets raised to 10 and 16 weeks of age on either a full-feeding (FF) or RF diet. Microarray analysis identified 386 differentially expressed genes between the two feeding groups at 16 weeks of age. Gene ontology enrichment identified overrepresentation of Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways, Cell adhesion molecules, Steroid hormone biosynthesis, and various KEGG pathways. From these groups, 46 genes were selected for follow-up validation by quantitative PCR. The findings show that 33 of the 46 genes had significantly different abundance by age and/or feeding level. Most of these genes were repressed in RF hens and belonged to the steroid biosynthesis and neuropeptide signaling groups. The VIPR2 receptor was higher in the FF group leading us to hypothesize that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an important regulator of small cortical follicles. Culture of hen cortical follicles with VIP increased Star, an indication of increased steroidogenic activity, although did not elevate Cyp11a1. These results offer insights and suggest the possible mechanisms and pathways responsible for the increases in cortical follicle growth associated with excess feed intake in BB hens. Lay summary: Giving breeder hens unrestricted access to feed can lead to problems with their ovaries, including excessive growth of the ovary and reduced fertility. Giving a limited amount of feed is the only effective way to reduce this growth of the ovaries and improve fertility. This study aimed to assess the changes in the molecules that make proteins in the body in hens fed unrestricted and restricted diets. In the hens fed a limited amount of feed, there were more of one type of molecules, while there were more of another type in the ovaries of hens with unrestricted access to feed. These results show that how much a hen eats can alter the number of these molecules in the ovary and this could help us understand why their ovaries grow excessively and why their eggs are less fertile.

Design and study of psychometric properties of the Community Attitude to Abortion Scale (CAAS) with the Chilean population: Autonomy and Stigma.

Introduction: Attitudes toward abortion are related to structural, cultural, and direct gender-based violence. This violence can affect women's mental, physical and reproductive health. Therefore, it is essential to know the nature of community attitudes toward abortion. Since we currently do not have an instrument that measures attitudes towards abortion in Chile, we set the objective of this study to design the Community Attitude to Abortion Scale (CAAS) and analyze its psychometric properties in a Chilean community population. Methods: This work is an instrumental design study. Using a sampling of panelists by sociodemographic quotas, we obtained a sample of 1,223 participants with a mean age of 36.7 years (SD = 13.56). Results: As a result, we obtained a scale of 18 items and two correlated factors, Autonomy and Stigma. This structure fits better as an Exploratory Structural Equations Model (ESEM). Both factors have excellent internal consistency. In addition, we obtained evidence of concurrent and discriminant validity: The scores on the factors of the Universal Religious Involvement Scale (I-E12) correlated negatively with Autonomy and positively with Stigma; participants with low levels of identification with a right-wing political orientation, with high levels of identification with a leftwing, pro-feminist, pro-LGBTQ +, and pro-euthanasia political orientation, obtained higher mean scores on Autonomy and lower on Stigma. Discussion: The CAAS is an adequate tool for use with the Chilean community population, with evidence of consistency and validity. La CAAS is the first tool to measure attitudes to abortion in this country.

Cluster B Personality Traits and Psychological Intimate Partner Violence: Considering the Mediational Role of Alcohol.

The study of intimate partner violence (IPV) has evolved into more complex and integrative models to better understand the explanatory mechanisms of IPV perpetration. Nevertheless, integrative models rarely permit an in-depth analysis of a large number of relevant variables, and more specific approximations are required as basis of them. In this sense, the individual approach is the most productive research line. From the individual perspective and using data from imprisoned male offenders, the present study aimed to analyze the potential mediating role of alcohol dependence in the association of Cluster B personality traits and psychological IPV. The sample included 196 male inmates of the Penitentiary Center of Villabona (Asturias, Spain). Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothetical and alternative models. First, model results only showed an indirect effect of antisocial and borderline personalities mediated by alcohol dependence. Nevertheless, fitting of the model to the data was poor. Second, a fully saturated model was calculated, revealing a direct effect of histrionic personality on psychological IPV. Finally, an alternative model was tested adding to first model the direct effect of histrionic personality on psychological IPV. The fitting of the alternative model to the data was good. Antisocial and borderline personalities predicted psychological IPV when mediated by alcohol dependence, while histrionic personality had a direct effect on psychological IPV. Narcissistic personality did not affect psychological IPV. These results support the hypothesis regarding the use of alcohol as a coping mechanism in antisocial and borderline individuals, acting as a disinhibitory factor which increases the likelihood of psychological IPV occurrence. Contrary to previous research, a clear direct effect of histrionic personality and psychological IPV was obtained. This association can be explained by the necessity of attention of histrionic individuals and the type (psychological) of violence studied.

Dating Violence Questionnaire for Victimization and Perpetration (DVQ-VP): An interdependence analysis of self-reports.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Although measurement instruments for intimate partner violence (IPV) are available, their validity considering the interdependence of victimization and perpetration self-reports based on dyadic reports has not been tested. The aim was to test the validity and reliability of a new version of the Dating Violence Questionnaire (DVQ-R) that includes the interdependence of victimization and perpetration self-reports using current couple information. Method: Participants were young adults comprising 616 current heterosexual couples. Each dyad member responded to the victimization and perpetration versions of the DVQ-R independently from their partner. Results: The victimization-perpetration interdependence model based on dyadic data showed a good fit to the data and was invariant across sexes. All the factors were significantly correlated with each other and were reliable. Conclusions: The DVQ is a valid and reliable measurement instrument for the independent assessment of IPV perpetration and victimization in adolescent and young adult populations and an interdependent measure of IPV victimization and perpetration. The DVQ-VP is invariant across sexes, which makes the results obtained for males and females comparable. These results show the relevance of considering perpetration and victimization together and emphasize the necessity to be cautious regarding the excessive reliability of individual self-reported perpetration or victimization to obtain more precise knowledge.

Antecedentes/Objetivo: Aunque existen instrumentos de medida de la violencia en la pareja (IPV), no se ha evaluado su validez considerando la interdependencia entre los autoinformes de victimización y perpetración con datos diádicos. El objetivo fue evaluar la validez y fiabilidad del Cuestionario de Violencia entre Novios (CuViNo) incluyendo la interdependencia entre los autoinformes de victimización y perpetración de los miembros de parejas actuales. Método: Seiscientas dieciséis parejas heterosexuales de adultos jóvenes participaron en el estudio. Cada participante respondió de manera independiente a las versiones de victimización y perpetración del CuViNo. Resultados: El modelo de interdependencia victimización-perpetración basado en datos diádicos mostró un buen ajuste a los datos e invarianza entre sexos. Todos los factores correlacionaron significativamente y fueron fiables. Conclusiones: El CuViNo es un instrumento válido y fiable para la medición independiente de perpetración y victimización de IPV en adolescentes y adultos-jóvenes, pero también para la medición interdependiente de ambas. El CuViNo también es invariante entre sexos, lo que permite comparar los resultados de hombres y mujeres. Estos resultados muestran la relevancia de tener en cuenta la interdependencia entre victimización y perpetración, así como de cuidar la excesiva confianza en los autoinformes individuales centrados en la perpetración o la victimización a la hora de alcanzar un conocimiento preciso.

Mental Health and Related Factors Among Undergraduate Students During SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Mental health problems among undergraduates are a significant public health concern. Most studies exploring mental health in this population during the pandemic have been conducted in high-income countries. Fewer studies come from Latin American countries. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia, and suicide risk, and explore the association with several relevant variables in personal, family, university, and SARS-CoV-2 pandemic domains. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Chile in a medium-size private University. Outcome variables were explored with valid instruments: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Independent variables from personal (e.g., sex, age, sexual orientation, history of mental health problems, substance use), family (e.g., parental educational background, family history of mental health problems, family functioning), university (e.g., course year, financial support, psychological sense of university belonging, history of failing subjects) and SARS-CoV-2 domains (e.g., history of personal and family contagion, fear of contracting SARS-CoV-2, frequency of physical activity, keeping routines and social contact). Multivariable logistic regression models were conducted for each outcome, after univariable and domain-specific multivariable models. The significant variable at each step was selected if the p-value was ≤ 0.05. Results: A total of 5,037 students answered the survey-the global response rate of 63.5%. Most of the students were females (70.4%) and freshmen students (25.2%). The prevalence of mental health problems was high: depression (37.1%), anxiety (37.9%), and stress (54.6%). Insomnia was reported in 32.5% of students, and suicide risk in 20.4% of students. The associated variables at personal domain were history of mental health problems, substance use, and sexual orientation; at family domain, family functioning and family history of mental health problems; at university domain, violence victimization and sense of belonging; and in SARS-CoV-2 domain, having a daily routine and fear to contracting SARS-CoV-2 by students themselves or others. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental health problems is high among undergraduate students and some of the associated factors, such as victimization and a sense of belonging can be used in preventive interventions.