Placental abnormalities associated with Leptospira interrogans infection in naturally infected mares.

The reproductive features of equine leptospirosis are often neglected. Equine genital leptospirosis is characterized as a silent chronic syndrome, and besides abortions, leads to placental abnormalities, stillbirths, and birth of weak foals. This study aimed to study the occurrence of placental abnormalities associated with Leptospira interrogans infection in naturally infected mares under field conditions. The studied herd had a high occurrence of placentitis and abortions. Ten pregnant mares, eight with placental abnormalities on ultrasonography and were selected. Serum and cervicovaginal mucus (CVM) samples were collected for serology and PCR, respectively. Positive samples in lipL32-PCR were submitted to the sequencing of the secY gene. In lipL32-PCR of CVM, five out of 10 (50%) mares were positive and all were characterized as Leptospira interrogans. Our results highlight the presence of placental abnormalities in the reproductive subclinical leptospirosis syndrome. We encourage field veterinarians to include leptospirosis testing in their reproductive management.

Future Anxiety in Young Spanish Adults: Psychometric Properties of the Dark Future Scale / Ansiedad Futura en Adultos Jóvenes Españoles: Propiedades Psicométricas de la Dark Future Scale

Background/Objective: The Dark Future Scale (DFS) is a self-report instrument which assesses the tendency to think about the future with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. Although it has been applied in different populations, instrumental studies are scarce, and there is no validated Spanish version. The aim was therefore to develop a Spanish version of the scale (DFS-S) and to analyze its psychometric properties in a sample of young adults. Method: Participants were 1,019 individuals aged from 18 to 24 years. They completed the DFS-S and the IPIP-BFM-20. Validity evidence based on the internal structure, including measurement invariance across gender, as well as on relationships with personality traits was obtained. Reliability and gender differences in DFS-S scores were also examined. Results: Results supported a single-factor structure, χ2(5) = 10.79, CFI = .999, RMSEA = .034, SRMR = .016, that was invariant across gender. Reliability of test scores was satisfactory (ω = .92). In the correlation analysis, future anxiety showed a strong positive correlation with neuroticism (.42) and a moderate negative correlation with extraversion (-.25). Females scored higher than males on future anxiety. Conclusions: The DFS-S has satisfactory psychometric properties and it is an adequate tool for measuring future anxiety among young adults.(AU)

Antecedentes/Objetivo: La Dark Future Scale (DFS) evalúa la ten-dencia a pensar en el futuro con ansiedad, miedo e incertidumbre. Aunque ha sido usadaen diferentes poblaciones, los estudios instrumentales son es-casos y no hay una versión adaptada al español. El objetivo del estudio fue adaptarla al español (DFS-S) y analizar sus propiedades psicométricas en una muestra de adultos jóvenes. Método:Participaron 1.019 jóvenes entre 18 y 24 años. Completaron la DFS-S y el IPIP-BFM-20. Se analizan evidencias de validez basadas en la estructura interna, incluyendo la invarianza de me-dida según el género, y basadas en las relaciones con rasgos de personali-dad, así como análisis de la fiabilidad y de las diferencias de género. Resulta-dos:Los resultados apoyaron una estructura de un solo factor, χ2(5) = 10.79, CFI = .999, RMSEA = .034, SRMR = .016, con invarianza respecto al gé-nero, y con coeficiente de fiabilidad satisfactorio (ω= .92). Se encontró co-rrelación positiva fuerte entre ansiedad futura y neuroticismo (.42) y una correlación negativa moderada con extraversión (-.25). Las puntuaciones en ansiedad futura fueron mayores en las mujeres. Conclusiones:Los resultados muestran propiedades psicométricas satisfactorias delaDFS-S, siendo un instrumento adecuado para medir la ansiedad futura en adultos jóvenes.(AU)

Enhanced weak superconductivity in trigonalγ-PtBi2.

Electrical resistivity experiments show superconductivity atTc=1.1K in a high-quality single crystal of trigonalγ-PtBi2, with an enhanced critical magnetic fieldµ0Hc2(0)≳1.5Tesla and a low critical current-densityJc(0)≈40 A cm-2atH = 0. BothTcandHc2(0)are the highest reported values for stoichiometric bulk samples at ambient pressure. We found a weakHc2anisotropy withΓ=Hc2ab/Hc2c<1, which is unusual among superconductors. Under a magnetic field, the superconducting transition becomes broader and asymmetric. Along with the low critical currents, this observation suggests an inhomogeneous superconducting state. In fact, no trace of superconductivity is observed through field-cooling-zero-field-cooling magnetization experiments.

Land management shapes drought responses of dominant soil microbial taxa across grasslands.

Soil microbial communities are dominated by a relatively small number of taxa that may play outsized roles in ecosystem functioning, yet little is known about their capacities to resist and recover from climate extremes such as drought, or how environmental context mediates those responses. Here, we imposed an in situ experimental drought across 30 diverse UK grassland sites with contrasting management intensities and found that: (1) the majority of dominant bacterial (85%) and fungal (89%) taxa exhibit resistant or opportunistic drought strategies, possibly contributing to their ubiquity and dominance across sites; and (2) intensive grassland management decreases the proportion of drought-sensitive and non-resilient dominant bacteria-likely via alleviation of nutrient limitation and pH-related stress under fertilisation and liming-but has the opposite impact on dominant fungi. Our results suggest a potential mechanism by which intensive management promotes bacteria over fungi under drought with implications for soil functioning.

Validity Evidence for the Brief Self-Control Scale in the Spanish Adult Population: A Systematic Study.

The Brief Self-Control Scale (BSCS) has been widely studied across languages and populations. However, research examining the Spanish version is scant and limited to the adolescent population. Our aim here was to provide validity evidence for use of the BSCS with Spanish adults by analyzing and comparing the psychometric properties of different versions of the scale (13-item, 10-item, 9-item, 8-item, and 7-item). Confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the internal structure based on one-factor and two-factor models. Results obtained in a sample of 676 Spanish adults showed adequate fit indices for the two-factor structure of the 9-item, 8-item, and 7-item versions of the BSCS, although only the 9-item and 8-item BSCS were found to be invariant across gender. Item homogeneity and reliability of factor scores for these two versions (9-item and 8-item) were satisfactory. We also provide novel validity evidence based on relationships with indicators of psychological adjustment and wellbeing. Scores on the 9-item and 8-item BSCS correlated with life satisfaction, flourishing, self-esteem, distress, depression, and loneliness, and hence both may be suitable for use in mental health assessment contexts.

Secondary bruxism: A valid diagnosis or just a coincidental finding of additional masticatory muscle activity? A narrative review of literature.

INTRODUCTION: Bruxism is defined as a repetitive masticatory muscle activity that can manifest it upon awakening (awake bruxism-AB) or during sleep (sleep bruxism-SB). Some forms of both, AB and SB can be associated to many other coexistent factors, considered of risk for the initiation and maintenance of the bruxism. Although controversial, the term 'secondary bruxism' has frequently been used to label these cases. The absence of an adequate definition of bruxism, the non-distinction between the circadian manifestations and the report of many different measurement techniques, however, are important factors to be considered when judging the literature findings. The use (and abuse) of drugs, caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and psychoactive substances, the presence of respiratory disorders during sleep, gastroesophageal reflux disorders and movement, neurological and psychiatric disorders are among these factors. The scarcity of controlled studies and the complexity and interactions among all aforementioned factors, unfortunately, does not allow to establish any causality or temporal association with SB and AB. The supposition that variables are related depends on different parameters, not clearly demonstrated in the available studies. OBJECTIVES: This narrative review aims at providing oral health care professionals with an update on the co-risk factors and disorders possibly associated with bruxism. In addition, the authors discuss the appropriateness of the term 'secondary bruxism' as a valid diagnostic category based on the available evidence. CONCLUSION: The absence of an adequate definition of bruxism, the non-distinction between the circadian manifestations and the report of many different measurement techniques found in many studies preclude any solid and convincing conclusion on the existence of the 'secondary' bruxism.

Repeated measures ANOVA and adjusted F-tests when sphericity is violated: which procedure is best?

Introduction: One-way repeated measures ANOVA requires sphericity. Research indicates that violation of this assumption has an important impact on Type I error. Although more advanced alternative procedures exist, most classical texts recommend the use of adjusted F-tests, which are frequently employed because they are intuitive, easy to apply, and available in most statistical software. Adjusted F-tests differ in the procedure used to estimate the corrective factor ε, the most common being the Greenhouse-Geisser (F-GG) and Huynh-Feldt (F-HF) adjustments. Although numerous studies have analyzed the robustness of these procedures, the results are inconsistent, thus highlighting the need for further research. Methods: The aim of this simulation study was to analyze the performance of the F-statistic, F-GG, and F-HF in terms of Type I error and power in one-way designs with normal data under a variety of conditions that may be encountered in real research practice. Values of ε were fixed according to the Greenhouse-Geisser procedure (ε^). We manipulated the number of repeated measures (3, 4, and 6) and sample size (from 10 to 300), with ε^ values ranging from the lower to its upper limit. Results: Overall, the results showed that the F-statistic becomes more liberal as sphericity violation increases, whereas both F-HF and F-GG control Type I error; of the two, F-GG is more conservative, especially with large values of ε^ and small samples. Discussion: If different statistical conclusions follow from application of the two tests, we recommend using F-GG for ε^ values below 0.60, and F-HF for ε^ values equal to or above 0.60.

Effects of paddles and fins on front crawl kinematics, arm stroke efficiency, coordination, and estimated energy cost.

Paddles and fins are used in swimmers training with different objectives (e.g., increase propulsive areas of hands and feet, improve the feeling of water flow). These artificial modifications of the stroke might be viewed as external constraints of the stroke task, both will either disturb or facilitate swimming modalities, so the coaches should manipulate its use to extract benefits for performance. This study seeks to investigate the precise effects of wearing either paddles (PAD) or fins (FINS) vs. a no-equipment (NE) trial in three all-out front crawl exercises on swimmer kinematics, arm stroke efficiency (ηp), upper-limbs coordination patterns (Index of Coordination, IdC), and estimated energy cost (C). Eleven regional to national-level male swimmers participated in the study (age: 25.8 ± 5.5 years, body mass: 75.2 ± 5.5 kg, height: 177 ± 6.5 cm) and were recorded from both sides of the swimming pool to collect all variables. Repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc were used to compare the variables. Effects sizes were calculated. Time to cover the distance and velocity were higher in FINS swimming, with larger values of stroke length (SL) and lower kick amplitude in comparison to the other trials (PAD and NE). The use of FINS also modified the stroke phases durations by presenting significant lower propulsion time during the stroke in comparison to PAD or NE. Values of IdC were lower (IdC < -1%, so catch-up pattern of coordination) for FINS in comparison to NE. In terms of ηp, using PAD or FINS demonstrate higher arm stroke efficiency than swimming without equipment. Finally, C was significantly higher in FINS swimming in comparison to NE and PAD. From the present results, it should be noted that the use of equipment such as fins deeply modify the structure of the swimming stroke (from the performance-related parameters through the kinematics of both upper and lower limbs to the stroke efficiency and coordination pattern). So, using equipment should be appropriately scaled by the coaches to the objectives of the training session in swimming, and in emergent sports such as "SwimRun", paddles and fins must be viewed as tools to achieve higher velocities to cover a given distance.

Evaluation of a dacitic (rhyolitic) tuff breccia use on performance, inflammatory, and antioxidant responses in broilers mildly challenged with Eimeria spp.

The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of a dacitic tuff breccia (DTB) on Eimeria-infected broilers. A total of 600 one-day-old Cobb 500 male chickens were randomly assigned to 5 treatments with 10 replicates of 12 birds. Treatments were: an unchallenged control (UC), a challenged (CC) control (0% DTB), and 3 challenged groups with 0.125, 0.25, or 0.5% DTB. At d 14, birds in the CC and DTB groups were orally gavaged with mixed Eimeria spp., while the UC received water. Growth performance was evaluated during prechallenge, challenge, and postchallenge periods (0-14 d; 14-20 d; and 20-26 d, respectively). Gastrointestinal permeability was measured at 5 days postinfection (dpi). Intestinal histology and nutrient digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and ileal digestible energy (IDE) were measured at 6 dpi. Liver activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was determined at 6 dpi, and concentrations of reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were analyzed at 6 and 12 dpi. Data were analyzed using a linear mixed model analysis and Tukey's test (P ≤ 0.05). From 0 to 14 d, similar average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI, P > 0.05) were observed. Gain:feed ratio (GF) was higher in 0.125, 0.25, and 0.5% of DTB than the CC and UC (P < 0.001). From 14 to 20 d, the UC had the highest ADG, ADFI, and GF (P < 0.001). At 5 dpi, intestinal permeability was higher in the challenged groups than the UC. Additionally, the UC showed the highest apparent ileal digestibility of CP, whereas 0.125% DTB had higher CP digestibility than the CC and 0.5% DTB (P < 0.001). At 6 dpi, 0.125% DTB increased GSH-Px activity compared to the CC, 0.5% DTB, and UC (P < 0.001). At 12 dpi, 0.125% DTB showed increased GSH concentration compared to the CC, 0.25% DTB, and 0.5% DTB (P < 0.01). The mild coccidia infection negatively impacted growth performance, apparent ileal nutrient digestibility, intestinal histology, and gastrointestinal integrity in broilers. The use of 0.125% DTB exhibited potential in improving antioxidant responses, apparent ileal digestibility of CP, and growth performance.

Near-real time flash drought monitoring system and dataset for Spain.

Flash droughts are characterized by rapid development and intensification, which makes early warning and monitoring difficult. Flash drought monitor (FDM) is a near-real time monitoring system for Spain (https://flash-drought.csic.es) based on the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Flash drought identification was based on rapid and anomalous declines in SPEI at a short time scale (1-month). Thus, FDM enables operational tracking of flash drought conditions in Spain at high spatial resolution (1.1 × 1.1 km) and high temporal frequency (weekly). Likewise, to put flash drought monitoring into a temporal context, the FDM also provides weekly flash drought conditions recorded in Spain from 1961 to the present. The FDM is a useful tool for preparedness and mitigation of flash droughts in Spain. Furthermore, the data provided by the FDM could be useful to develop future studies in relation to the flash drought in Spain.

Non-normal Data in Repeated Measures ANOVA: Impact on Type I Error and Power.

BACKGROUND: Repeated measures designs are commonly used in health and social sciences research. Although there are other, more advanced, statistical analyses, the F-statistic of repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) remains the most widely used procedure for analyzing differences in means. The impact of the violation of normality has been extensively studied for between-subjects ANOVA, but this is not the case for RM-ANOVA. Therefore, studies that extensively and systematically analyze the robustness of RM-ANOVA under the violation of normality are needed. This paper reports the results of two simulation studies aimed at analyzing the Type I error and power of RM-ANOVA when the normality assumption is violated but sphericity is fulfilled. METHOD: Study 1 considered 20 distributions, both known and unknown, and we manipulated the number of repeated measures (3, 4, 6, and 8) and sample size (from 10 to 300). Study 2 involved unequal distributions in each repeated measure. The distributions analyzed represent slight, moderate, and severe deviation from normality. RESULTS: Overall, the results show that the Type I error and power of the F-statistic are not altered by the violation of normality. CONCLUSIONS: RM-ANOVA is generally robust to non-normality when the sphericity assumption is met.

Non-normal Data in Repeated Measures ANOVA: Impact on Type I Error and Power / Datos no Normales en el ANOVA de Medidas Repetidas: Impacto en el Error Tipo I y Potencia

Background: Repeated measures designs are commonly used in health and social sciences research. Although there are other, more advanced, statistical analyses, the F-statistic of repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) remains the most widely used procedure for analyzing differences in means. The impact of the violation of normality has been extensively studied for between-subjects ANOVA, but this is not the case for RM-ANOVA. Therefore, studies that extensively and systematically analyze the robustness of RM-ANOVA under the violation of normality are needed. This paper reports the results of two simulation studies aimed at analyzing the Type I error and power of RM-ANOVA when the normality assumption is violated but sphericity is fulfilled. Method: Study 1 considered 20 distributions, both known and unknown, and we manipulated the number of repeated measures (3, 4, 6, and 8) and sample size (from 10 to 300). Study 2 involved unequal distributions in each repeated measure. The distributions analyzed represent slight, moderate, and severe deviation from normality. Results: Overall, the results show that the Type I error and power of the F-statistic are not altered by the violation of normality. Conclusions: RM-ANOVA is generally robust to non-normality when the sphericity assumption is met.(AU)

Antecedentes: El diseño de medidas repetidas es uno de los más usados en ciencias sociales y de la salud. Aunque hay otras alternativas más avanzadas, el análisis de varianza de medidas repetidas (ANOVA-MR) sigue siendo el procedimiento más empleado para analizar las diferencias de medias. El impacto de la violación de la normalidad ha sido muy estudiado en el ANOVA intersujeto, pero los estudios son muy escasos en el ANOVA-MR. Por ello, el objetivo de este trabajo es realizar dos estudios de simulación Monte Carlo para analizar el error de Tipo I y la potencia cuando se incumple este supuesto bajo el cumplimiento de la esfericidad. Método: El estudio 1 incluye 20 distribuciones, tanto conocidas como desconocidas, manipulando el número de medidas repetidas (3, 4, 6 y 8) y el tamaño muestral (de 10 a 300). El estudio 2 incluye diferentes distribuciones en cada medida repetida. Las distribuciones analizadas representan desviación leve, moderada y severa de la normalidad. Resultados: En general, los resultados muestran que tanto el error Tipo I como la potencia del estadístico F no se alteran con la violación de la normalidad. Conclusiones: El ANOVA-MR es generalmente robusto a la no normalidad cuando la esfericidad se satisface.(AU)

Ultrasonographic scores for ileal Crohn's disease assessment: Better, worse or the same as contrast-enhanced ultrasound?

BACKGROUND: Intestinal ultrasound (IUS) is an increasingly used non-invasive tool to evaluate Crohn's disease (CD) activity. Recently, two IUS scores that evaluate inflammatory activity have emerged: the Simple Ultrasound Activity Score for CD (SUS-CD) and the International Bowel Ultrasound Segmental Activity Score (IBUS-SAS). We aimed to compare the accuracy of SUS-CD, IBUS-SAS and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in predicting inflammatory activity in the terminal ileum in ileocolonoscopy in CD patients. METHODS: Retrospective study including all consecutive CD patients submitted to IUS with CEUS directed to the terminal ileum performed by a single operator between April 2016 and March 2020. Segmental SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS were calculated. A time-intensity curve of the contrast bowel wall enhancement was created with measurement of peak intensity using CEUS. The CD endoscopic activity in ileocolonoscopy was graded by Simple Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD) as inactive (SES-CD < 7) or active (SES-CD ≥ 7). RESULTS: Fifty patients were included, 54.0% were female, with mean age of 34 ± 12 years, and most had isolated ileal disease (60.0%), and a nonstricturing, nonpenetrating behaviour (44.0%). Most of the patients (60.0%) had active endoscopic disease (SES-CD ≥ 7). SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS were not different between patients with active or inactive endoscopic disease (p = 0.15; 0.57, respectively), having a poor accuracy to correlate endoscopic activity (area under de curve (AUC) 0.62; 0.55, respectively). Peak intensity in CEUS was significantly different in patients with active or inactive endoscopic disease (p = 0.004), having a good accuracy to correlate endoscopic activity (AUC 0.80). CONCLUSION: Unlike CEUS, SUS-CD and IBUS-SAS were not able to accurately correlate endoscopic activity in terminal ileum in CD. Therefore, CEUS is a non-invasive emerging method that should be increasingly integrated in the ultrasonographic evaluation of CD patients.

Measurement Invariance and Validity of the Satisfaction With Life Scale in Informal Caregivers.

BACKGROUND: The number of informal caregivers within ageing population is increasing and there is a growing research interest to promote their well-being, and therefore there is a need for adequate measurement tools. We aim to provide validity evidence of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in a representative sample of British older adults, including measurement invariance across caregivers and non-caregivers. METHOD: Data was drawn from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The sample consisted of 3,754 caregivers and 4,036 non-caregivers. The structure and measurement invariance were tested through a confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability and validity evidence based on relationships with other variables were also analysed. RESULTS: Our results supported the one-factor structure of the SWLS, CFI = .996; NNFI = .993; RMSEA = 0.081, and measurement invariance across caregiving status. McDonald´s omega was .93. Scores on the SWLS were positively correlated with quality of life, positive social support, and self-reported health, and negatively with loneliness, depression, negative social support, difficulties in activities and instrumental activities of daily living, and number of health conditions. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide new psychometric evidence to support the use of the SWLS in research which focuses on caregivers and on the comparison with non-caregiver samples.

The Phubbing Scale (PS-8) in the Portuguese population: psychometric properties.

Phubbing is defined as ignoring other individuals by using a mobile phone during a face-to-face conversation. The Phubbing Scale (PS) was developed to assess this practice. In this study, we analyze the psychometric properties of the 8-item version of the PS (PS-8) in the Portuguese population, providing validity evidence based on internal structure and on relationships with other variables, and examining item properties, reliability, and measurement invariance across gender. Participants were 391 Portuguese adults (132 men, 259 women) who completed a battery of questionnaires. Confirmatory factor analysis yielded satisfactory goodness-of-fit indices for the two-factor structure (communication disturbance and phone obsession), which was invariant across gender. Item homogeneity and reliability of factor scores (McDonald's omega) were satisfactory. Validity evidence based on relationships with other variables was provided by positive associations with time spent on the Internet on weekdays and at the weekend, time spent on social networking sites, number of social networks used, Internet addiction, problematic mobile phone use, Facebook intrusion, fear of missing out, and depression. These associations show the addictive component of phubbing and its relationship with mental health. The PS-8 is a short and easy-to-administer scale with adequate psychometric properties for measuring phubbing in the Portuguese population.

Comparison of Stud- Retentor Versus Bar-Clip Attachment as Implant- Supported Systems Used in Overdentures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze the results obtained clinically for bar-clip versus stud-retainers in overdentures. Three databases (PubMed Central, MEDLINE, and BvSalud) were used beyond a manual search. The study followed strictly the inclusion and exclusion criteria, considering the PICO strategy. For the risk of bias and quality assessment of studies, in the case of RCT, there were six domains of analysis, and for non-RCT studies, the Modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was performed. A meta-analysis was developed using the available data for marginal bone loss (MBL) and survival rate. 25 studies were included. The stud-retentor had the lowest implant SR (87.6%) and the greatest MBL (1.96 mm). For the bar-clip system, the mean survival rate was 95.91%, with only 4 studies included for this system, and the mean MBL was 1.13 mm. Only 3 studies directly compared both systems quantitatively, showing a significantly greater MBL toward the stud-retention group. The results may not allow determination of the best system for overdenture (stud retentor or bar-clip). Therefore, most of the studies suggested the stud-retentor as a more preferable system due to better distribution of forces, biological peri-implant behavior, low-cost, and ease for removal facilitating the sanitization and/or repair.

Influence of dietary dacitic tuff breccia on laying hen performance and egg quality parameters and bone structure at 85 weeks of age after a non-anorexic molt program at 73 to 77 weeks.

The objective of the study was to assess the efficacy of AZOMITE (AZM), a dacitic tuff breccia, in laying hens through egg quality and production parameters. A total of ninety six 73-wk-old Hy-Line W-36 commercial laying hens were randomly assigned to 2 dietary treatments, a control diet and the same diet containing 0.25% AZM, with 24 replicates of 2 hens/replication. From 73 to 77 wk, hens went through nonanorexic molt, and, from 77 to 85 wk, the hens were evaluated for egg production, eggshell quality, and bone health. At wk 85, tibiotarsi were collected for ash and mineral composition, ileal contents were collected for calcium, phosphorus, apparent metabolizable energy corrected for N (AMEn), and apparent nitrogen retention (ANR) evaluation. AZM-fed hens tended to have higher body weight (P = 0.07) from 82 to 83 and 84 to 85 wk, and higher hen day egg production than control (90.54 vs. 79.51%, P = 0.005) from 84 to 85 wk. In general, no differences were reported in feed intake, eggshell color, egg weight, albumen height, Haugh units, or eggshell thickness (P > 0.05). However, shell strength and elasticity were improved (P < 0.02) and yolk color was decreased (P = 0.03) in AZM-fed hens than control. Moreover, the digestibility of Ca, AMEn, and ANR was increased with 0.25% AZM compared to control (P < 0.01). Tibiotarsi P and Ca percentage were lower in AZM-fed birds than control (P < 0.01), without affecting bone strength and mineral density (P > 0.36). Therefore, the use of 0.25% AZM showed a potential in improving egg production and eggshell strength, while maintaining bone quality in post-molt laying hens.

Cognition in informal caregivers: evidence from an English population study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The relationship between caregiving and cognition remains unclear. We investigate this association comparing four cognitive tasks and exploring the role of potential explanatory pathways such as healthy behaviours (healthy caregiver hypothesis) and depression (stress process model). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Respondents were from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) (N = 8910). Cognitive tasks included immediate and delayed word recall, verbal fluency and serial 7 subtraction. Series of hierarchical linear regressions were performed. Adjustments included socio-demographics, health related variables, health behaviours and depression. RESULTS: Being a caregiver was positively associated with immediate and delayed recall, verbal fluency but not with serial 7. For immediate and delayed recall, these associations were partially attenuated when adjusting for health behaviours, and depression. For verbal fluency, associations were partially attenuated when adjusting for depression but fully attenuated when adjusting for health behaviours. No associations were found for serial 7. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Our findings show that caregivers have higher level of memory and executive function compared to non-caregivers. For memory, we found that although health behaviours and depression can have a role in this association, they do not fully explain it. However, health behaviours seem to have a clear role in the association with executive function. Public health and policy do not need to target specifically cognitive function but other areas as the promotion of healthy behaviours and psychological adjustment such as preventing depression and promoting physical activity in caregivers.

Measurement Invariance and Validity of the Satisfaction With Life Scale in Informal Caregivers / Invarianza Métrica y Validez de la Escala de Satisfacción Vital en Cuidadores Informales

Background: The number of informal caregivers within ageing populationis increasing and there is a growing research interest to promote their well-being, and therefore there is a need for adequate measurement tools. Weaim to provide validity evidence of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)in a representative sample of British older adults, including measurementinvariance across caregivers and non-caregivers. Method: Data wasdrawn from English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). The sampleconsisted of 3,754 caregivers and 4,036 non-caregivers. The structureand measurement invariance were tested through a confirmatory factoranalysis. Reliability and validity evidence based on relationships withother variables were also analysed. Results: Our results supported the one-factor structure of the SWLS, CFI = .996; NNFI = .993; RMSEA = 0.081,and measurement invariance across caregiving status. McDonald’s omegawas .93. Scores on the SWLS were positively correlated with quality oflife, positive social support, and self-reported health, and negatively withloneliness, depression, negative social support, difficulties in activities andinstrumental activities of daily living, and number of health conditions.Conclusions: These findings provide new psychometric evidence tosupport the use of the SWLS in research which focuses on caregivers andon the comparison with non-caregiver samples.

Antecedentes: el número de cuidadores informalesmayores está aumentando y existe un creciente interés en la investigaciónsobre su bienestar, para lo cual es necesario disponer de instrumentosadecuados de medida. Se pretende proporcionar evidencias de validez dela Escala de Satisfacción Vital (SWLS) en una muestra representativa demayores de la población británica, incluyendo invarianza factorial entrecuidadores y no cuidadores. Método: los datos se extrajeron del EnglishLongitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). Participaron 3.754 cuidadores y4.036 no cuidadores. La estructura y la invarianza factorial se evaluaronmediante análisis factorial confirmatorio. También se analizaron la fiabilidady la validez basada en la relación con otras variables. Resultados:los resultados apoyaron la estructura unifactorial del SWLS, CFI = .996; NNFI= .993; RMSEA = 0.081, y su invarianza factorial entre cuidadores y nocuidadores. El omega de McDonald fue .93. Se encontraron correlacionespositivas con calidad de vida, apoyo social positivo y salud percibida, ynegativas con soledad, depresión, apoyo social negativo, dificultades enactividades y actividades instrumentales de la vida diaria y problemas desalud. Conclusiones: los hallazgos proporcionan nueva evidencia empíricaque apoya el uso del SWLS en investigación centrada en cuidadores.