Preparatory Year Students' Perception of Pharmacy Profession as a Career Choice: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract The study attempted to assess preparatory year students' perception towards pharmacists and the pharmacy profession. This cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2019 and March 2020. The students were invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire via Google Forms®. In total, 244 students, of which 53.7% were female with the mean age of 19.2 ± 0.65, from 12 universities participated in this study. As per our findings, the majority of the respondents (91.8%) regard pharmacy as a well-respected profession, 82.4% thought pharmacists are important decision-makers, 68.4% disagreed that most pharmacists were unkind, and 60.7% did not agree that pharmacy was a low-status occupation. Meanwhile, 95.5% agreed that pharmacists must have a university degree, 88.6% agreed pharmacists must take responsibility for patients, and 82.8% believed pharmacists had to work too hard. Moreover, 62.3% did not think pharmacy was a low-skill occupation, 54.9% did not agree pharmacists must do unpleasant things, and 45.1% disagreed pharmacists only did what physicians requested of them. Lastly, 48.8% had low confidence in choosing pharmacy as a career. The students' overall perception toward pharmacists and the pharmacy profession was favorable. However, only one-fourth of the students displayed a tendency to choose pharmacy as a future career.

Der SV12: Entwicklung eines klinischen Inventars zur Erfassung von Sensibilität und deren Verarbeitungsproblematiken.

Hintergrund: Zur Erfassung einer erhöhten Verarbeitungssensibilität bei Patienten in der stationären psychosomatischen Behandlung wurde ein Fragebogen entwickelt, der anders als Fragebögen zur Messung von Hochsensibilität die Konstrukte der Wahrnehmungssensibilität und Verarbeitungsproblematik trennen soll. Methoden: Zunächst wurde eine 30 Items umfassende Version an einer klinischen und einer nichtklinischen Stichprobe mit jeweils 1'103 Patienten erhoben und faktoranalytisch ausgewertet. Daraus konnte eine Kurzform mit 12 Items extrahiert werden, die im klini-schen Einsatz wiederholt validiert wurde. Ergebnisse: Sowohl in der klinischen und der nichtklinischen Stichprobe der Langform als auch in der Kurzform ergeben sich zwei Faktoren mit Cronbachs Alpha von 0,84 und 0,77, welche die Konstrukte der Sensibilität und Verarbeitungsproblematik eindeutig trennen. Weitere faktorielle Unterscheidungen waren nicht einheitlich. Kurz- und Langform zeigten mit Werten zwischen r = 0,87 und 0,94 eine hohe Übereinstimmung. Eine Referenzskala wurde ebenfalls erstellt. Fazit: Durch die differenzierte Erfassung der Sensibilität und der therapeutisch relevanten Aspekte der Verarbeitungspro-blematiken erscheint die Verwendung in der klinischen Dia-gnostik sinnvoll.

The case against specialized visual-spatial short-term memory.

The dominant paradigm for understanding working memory, or the combination of the perceptual, attentional, and mnemonic processes needed for thinking, subdivides short-term memory (STM) according to whether memoranda are encoded in aural-verbal or visual formats. This traditional dissociation has been supported by examples of neuropsychological patients who seem to selectively lack STM for either aural-verbal, visual, or spatial memoranda, and by experimental research using dual-task methods. Though this evidence is the foundation of assumptions of modular STM systems, the case it makes for a specialized visual STM system is surprisingly weak. I identify the key evidence supporting a distinct verbal STM system-patients with apparent selective damage to verbal STM and the resilience of verbal short-term memories to general dual-task interference-and apply these benchmarks to neuropsychological and experimental investigations of visual-spatial STM. Contrary to the evidence on verbal STM, patients with apparent visual or spatial STM deficits tend to experience a wide range of additional deficits, making it difficult to conclude that a distinct short-term store was damaged. Consistently with this, a meta-analysis of dual-task visual-spatial STM research shows that robust dual-task costs are consistently observed regardless of the domain or sensory code of the secondary task. Together, this evidence suggests that positing a specialized visual STM system is not necessary. (PsycINFO Database Record

Long-term reliability of the visual EEG Poffenberger paradigm.

The Poffenberger paradigm is a simple perception task that is used to estimate the speed of information transfer between the two hemispheres, the so-called interhemispheric transfer time (IHTT). Although the original paradigm is a behavioral task, it can be combined with electroencephalography (EEG) to assess the underlying neurophysiological processes during task execution. While older studies have supported the validity of both paradigms for investigating interhemispheric interactions, their long-term reliability has not been assessed systematically before. The present study aims to fill this gap by determining both internal consistency and long-term test-retest reliability of IHTTs produced by using the two different versions of the Poffenberger paradigm in a sample of 26 healthy subjects. The results show high reliability for the EEG Poffenberger paradigm. In contrast, reliability measures for the behavioral Poffenberger paradigm were low. Hence, our results indicate that electrophysiological measures of interhemispheric transfer are more reliable than behavioral measures; the later should be used with caution in research investigating inter-individual differences of neurocognitive measures.

¿Colores, sabores, números?: la sinestesia en una muestra española / Colors, tastes, numbers?: synesthesia in a Spanish sample

Introducción. La sinestesia es un fenómeno neurológico caracterizado por la activación simultánea de dos sistemas (o atributos) sensoriales, uno de los cuales no ha sido estimulado directamente. Dicha activación se produce de una forma involuntaria, automática y consistente a lo largo del tiempo. Objetivo. Estimar la frecuencia relativa de las diferentes modalidades de sinestesia en una muestra española. Sujetos y métodos. Estudio realizado en contextos educativos (55,04%), laborales (20,54%) y digitales (24,4%) mediante el cuestionario de sinestesia de la Fundación Artecittá. Resultados. El análisis de las respuestas de 803 participantes sugiere que un 13,95% de la muestra estudiada experimenta alguna sinestesia. El análisis de la frecuencia relativa de las diferentes modalidades muestra que la más frecuente es la que relaciona conceptos temporales con configuraciones espaciales (44,6%). Un 33,9% percibe colores cuando escucha sonidos o música, un 25,9% asocia colores a los conceptos temporales, un 20,5% asigna género o personalidad a las letras y números, un 10,7% experimenta la modalidad grafema-color, y un 5,4% siente un sabor específico en su boca al escuchar palabras. Conclusiones. Los datos sugieren que la presencia de sinestesia en la muestra española estudiada es elevada y que lainvestigación sobre el fenómeno y sus diferentes modalidades ha de ser abordada basándose en el conocimiento actual sobre su variabilidad fenomenológica y sus bases genéticas y neurofisiológicas. Asimismo, los resultados obtenidos son útiles para ajustar los ítems del cuestionario y aumentar su capacidad discriminativa (AU)

Introduction. Synesthesia is a neural phenomenon in which stimulation in one sensory or cognitive stream leads to associated experiences in a second, unstimulated stream. These activations occur involuntarily, automatically and consistently over time. Aim. To estimate the relative frequency of the different modalities of the phenomenon in a Spanish sample. Subjects and methods. Study performed in educational (55.04%), labor (20.54%) and digital contexts (24.4%) using the Synesthesia Questionnaire created by Artecittá Foundation. Results. The analysis of the responses given by 803 participants suggests that 13.95% of the sample experience any synesthesia. The analysis of the relative frequencies shows that the most frequent modality is spatial sequence synesthesia (44.6%). 33.9% see colors when listening to sounds and/or music, 25.9% associate colors to temporal concepts, 20.5% assign gender and personality to letters and numbers, 10.7% experience grapheme-color synesthesia and 5.4% feel a specific flavor when hearing words. Conclusions. These data suggest that the presence of synesthesia in the Spanish sample under study is high, and that the investigation of the phenomenon and its different modalities needs to be approached on the basis of the current knowledge about its phenomenological variability and its genetic and neurophysiologic characteristics. Likewise, the results are useful to adjust the questionnaire items and increase their discriminative power (AU)

Percepção dos profissionais de um Centro de Saúde Escola referente à atuação na área de Nutrição / Professionals? perception at a School-based Health Center (SBHC) regarding nutritional assistance

In this study, we aimed to identify the perception of professionals workingat a School-based Health Center (SBHC) regarding nutritional assistance.The methodological approach was qualitative. Semi-structured interviews with open questions and audio recordings were carried out with participants' consent. Professionals who are directly or indirectlyinvolved in the nutrition were interviewed. Analysis of the given statements consisted in identifying recurring speech cores, seekingclarification of content and ensuring the understanding of the professionals' perceptions. In the group of 17 respondents, aged 24 to 63, 70.6% were women. One of the identified core themes was the multidisciplinary team. It presents positive aspects because it allows the contact between different professional health areas. Regarding the negative aspects, the small number of nutritionists in the service should be highlighted. Another identified core was the need for works that transcend the service, to complement and reinforce information on food. Furthermore, health education makes a difference to nutrition and other areas as well. In this sense, proposal of new areas and strategies beyond the boundaries of the School-based Health Center would allow to reach a greater number of people and increase knowledge in the nutritional and consequently individual autonomy.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar la percepción de los profisionales de un Centro de Salud Escolar con relación a su atuaciónen el área de nutrición. La metodología utilizada fue cualitativa mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas, con preguntas abiertas y grabadas en audio, a los profesionales que actúan directa o indirectamente con cuestiones relativas al área de nutrición. Se analizaron los testimoniosde los testimonios de los sujetos identificando núcleos recurrentes en sus discursos, buscando explicitar los contenidos, garantizando la comprensión de sus percepciones. De los 17 profesionales entrevistados, el 70,6% fueron mujeres de entre 24 y 63 años. Uno de los núcleos temáticos identificados fue el trabajo en equipo multidisciplinario, que presentó aspectos positivos porque permite el contacto entre las diferentes áreas profesionales de la salud. Entre los aspectos negativos, algunos resaltaron el reducido número de nutricionistas en servicio. La Educación en Salud fue destacada como un aspecto diferencial para todas las áreas de actuación, pero sobre todo para la nutrición. En este sentido, las propuestas de nuevos espacios y estrategias que trascendieran el servicio permitirían alcanzar un mayor número de personas, ampliando el conocimiento general en el área de nutrición y, en consecuencia, la autonomía individual.

O presente trabalho objetivou identificar a percepção dos profissionais de um Centro de Saúde Escola referente à atuação na área de Nutrição. A metodologia desenvolvida foi qualitativa mediante entrevistas semiestruturadas, com perguntas abertas e audiogravadas dos profissionais que atuam direta ou indiretamente com questões relacionadas à área de Nutrição. A análise das falas dos sujeitos foi realizada por meio da identificação de núcleos recorrentes nos discursos, buscando a explicitação dos conteúdos, garantindo a compreensão da percepção dos profissionais. No grupo de 17 profissionais entrevistados, 70,6% foram mulheres, com faixa etária entre 24 e 63 anos. Um dos núcleos temáticos identificados foi o trabalho em equipe multidisciplinar, que apresenta aspectos positivos, porque permite o contato com as diferentes áreas profissionais da saúde. Em relação aos aspectos negativos, alguns ressaltaram o número reduzido de Nutricionistas no serviço. A educação em saúde é destacada como um diferencial para todas as áreas de atuação, sobretudo para a Nutrição. Nesse sentido, propostas de novos espaços e estratégias que transcendessem o serviço possibilitariam atingir um maior número de pessoas, ampliando-se o conhecimento geral na área de Nutrição e, consequentemente, a autonomia individual.

La calidad de vida: Análisis multidimensional / The quality of life: Multidimensional analysis

Objetivo: Analizar el concepto de calidad de vida. Su estudio se amplió considerablemente a partir del siglo XX. El concepto se considera multidimensional dentro de una perspectiva formativa, debido a que éste cambia con las diferentes culturas, épocas y grupos sociales. Se realiza una revisión por diferentes autores.

Objective: To analyze the concept of quality of life. His study was expanded considerably in the twentieth century. The concept is considered multidimensional in a formative perspective due to be changed with the different cultures, ages and social groups. A review by different authors.

Perceptual and motor attribute ratings for 559 object concepts.

To understand how and when object knowledge influences the neural underpinnings of language comprehension and linguistic behavior, it is critical to determine the specific kinds of knowledge that people have. To extend the normative data currently available, we report a relatively more comprehensive set of object attribute rating norms for 559 concrete object nouns, each rated on seven attributes corresponding to sensory and motor modalities-color, motion, sound, smell, taste, graspability, and pain-in addition to familiarity (376 raters, M = 23 raters per item). The mean ratings were subjected to principal-components analysis, revealing two primary dimensions plausibly interpreted as relating to survival. We demonstrate the utility of these ratings in accounting for lexical and semantic decision latencies. These ratings should prove useful for the design and interpretation of experimental tests of conceptual and perceptual object processing.

Is synaesthesia one condition or many? A large-scale analysis reveals subgroups.

Synaesthesia is a broadly defined neural phenomenon in which stimulation of a sense or concept triggers a second perception not normally associated with the stimulus. For example, letters or numbers may trigger a colour experience, sounds may trigger a taste sensation, or tastes may trigger a feeling of touch. Dozens of forms of synaesthesia have been reported, but the relationship between the different forms has not been studied: is someone with a particular form of synaesthesia likely to possess other types? If so, which ones? As an inroad to illuminating underlying mechanisms, we here examine which different synaesthesia types tend to co-occur. We analyzed reports of the forms of synaesthesia experienced by 19,133 participants who completed the Synaesthesia Battery (Eagleman, Kagan, Nelson, Sagaram, & Sarma, 2007), using correlation analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and multidimensional scaling (MDS). Our analyses converged on the finding of five distinct groupings of synaesthesia forms. We label these coloured sequence synaesthesias (CSSs), coloured music synaesthesias, non-visual sequela synaesthesias, spatial sequence synaesthesia (SSS), and coloured sensation synaesthesias. Collectively, our findings reveal that synaesthesia is an umbrella term that encompasses several distinct groups with independent probabilities of expression, and this may in turn suggest distinct underlying mechanisms and the possibility of different genetic bases.

Personal perception and personal factors: incorporating health-related quality of life into the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.

PURPOSE: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), introduced by the World Health Organisation in 2001, offers a unique perspective from which to view the role of rehabilitation in one's lived experience of a health condition. However, the ICF does not capture the individual's perception of that experience that is key to understanding functioning, disability and quality of life (QOL) and more specifically health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose is to explore expansion of the ICF framework to incorporate personal perception to offer a more complete expression of functioning and disability. METHOD: We examine the concepts of HRQOL and personal perception, as well as how they have been linked to the ICF in the literature. Through a review of the foundations of the biopsychosocial model, we propose an enhanced version of the ICF that integrates HRQOL within the framework by expanding the personal factors component. RESULTS: Through operationalising aspects of personal perception and situating them among the personal factors, we demonstrate how HRQOL may be integrated within the ICF framework. CONCLUSION: Using several case examples, we illustrate that if personal perception is housed within the personal factors component all other components may be influenced through mechanisms of the ICFs reciprocal interactions. In doing so, HRQOL becomes part of the experience of a health condition and functioning and disability are completely described.

Percepción y hábitos de salud bucodental en niños y adolescentes de Navarra, 2007 / Oral health perception and oral habits in children and teenagers in Navarre, 2007

Fundamento. Conocer la auto-percepción del nivel desalud oral y de las necesidades de tratamiento, los hábitosde higiene y la frecuencia de asistencia al dentistade los escolares de Navarra.Material y métodos. La población de estudio fue la de6, 12 y 14 años de edad. La muestra se obtuvo de loscolegios de 1º y 6º de Enseñanza Primaria (EP) y 2º deEnseñanza Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) y la recogidade datos se hizo mediante cuestionarios auto-cumplimentados.Resultados. El 92%, a los 6 y 12 años, y el 82,9% a los 14años está satisfecho con su salud oral. El 13,1% de losde 12 años y el 19,3% de 14 están descontentos, sobretodo por el mal alineamiento dental. Aproximadamente,un tercio cree necesitar algún tratamiento, sobre todoobturaciones a los 6 años y ortodoncia a los 12 y 14.Casi dos tercios dicen cepillarse los dientes más de unavez al día y entre el 80 y el 90% dicen haber ido al dentistaen el último año. Más del 75% de los responsables delos escolares de 6 y 12 años valoran positivamente lasprestaciones del Programa de Atención Dental Infantil(PADI) y más del 95% está satisfecho con la asistenciaque el dentista del PADI presta a sus hijos. El sexo, mediode residencia y nivel socioeconómico apenas influyenen la percepción de salud, frecuencia de cepillado onecesidades de tratamiento sentidas.Conclusión. El estudio revela que la percepción subjetivade salud dental es buena y que un tercio de los encuestadoscreen necesitar algún tipo de tratamiento. Es muypositivo que la mayoría digan que hayan ido al dentistaen el último año y que se cepillan la boca más de una vezal día, mejorando los resultados de estudios anteriores(AU)

Background. To determine the self-perception of oralhealth levels and the need for treatment, hygienichabits and frequency of visits to the dentist amongstschoolchildren in Navarre.Methods. The population of the study was aged 6, 12and 14 years. The sample was obtained from schoolsteaching 1st and 6th year in Primary Education and 2ndyear in Compulsory Secondary Education. The datawas gathered through self-answering questionnaires.Results. Ninety-two percent of 6 and 12 year olds, and82.9% of 14 year olds are satisfied with their oral health.Thirteen point one percent of 12 year olds and 19.3% of14 year olds are dissatisfied, above all with misalignedteeth. Approximately one-third think they need sometreatment, above all fillings at age 6 and orthodontics at12 and 14 years. Nearly two-thirds say they brush theirteeth more than once a day and between 80 and 90% saythey have visited the dentist in the last year. More than75% of those responsible for the schoolchildren aged 6and 12 years make a positive evaluation of the contributionsof the child dental care program (PADI) and morethan 95% are satisfied with the care given by PADI dentiststo their children. Sex, average residence and socioeconomiclevel barely influence the perception of health,frequency of brushing teeth or need for treatment.Conclusion. The study reveals that the subjective perceptionof oral health is good and that one-third of thosesurveyed think they need some type of treatment. Itis very positive that they majority say that they havebeen to the dentist in the last year and that they brushtheir teeth more than once a day, which is an improvementon the results of previous studies(AU)

Agreement in interpersonal perception as a predictor of group performance / Concordancia en percepción interpersonal como predictora del rendimiento grupal

The present work deals with quantifying group characteristics. Specifically, dyadic measures of interpersonal perceptions were used to forecast group performance. Forty-six groups of students, 24 of four and 22 of fi ve people, were studied in a real educational assignment context and marks were gathered as an indicator of group performance. Our results show that dyadic measures of interpersonal perceptions account for final marks. By means of linear regression analysis, 85% and 85.6% of group performance, respectively, was explained for group sizes equal to four and fi ve. Results found in the scientific literature based on the individualistic approach are no larger than 18%. The results of the present study support the utility of dyadic approaches for predicting group performance in social contexts (AU)

El presente trabajo trata sobre la cuantificación de las características grupales, concretamente, en este estudio se emplearon medidas diádicas de percepción interpersonal con el objetivo de predecir el rendimiento grupal en grupos académicos. Como indicadores del rendimiento grupal se tomaron las calificaciones del curso de 46 grupos de estudiantes, 24 de cuatro y 22 de cinco participantes. Mediante regresión lineal se obtuvo un porcentaje de varianza explicada del rendimiento grupal igual al 85% en grupos de cuatro participantes, mientras para los grupos de cinco miembros fue igual al 85,6%. Los resultados encontrados en la literatura científica basados en la perspectiva individual no son superiores al 18%. Los resultados del presente estudio apoyan la utilidad del enfoque diádico para predecir el rendimiento grupal en contextos sociales (AU)

Perception of personal identity at home / Percepción de la identidad personal en el hogar

This study aims to discover whether observers with the same cultural background as the inhabitant of a bedroom perceive common characteristics among the inhabitants. The study was carried out with 107 females who were asked to assess the inhabitants of eight bedrooms. Several slides of each bedroom were shown to participants and they had to choose from a list of seventy-six characteristics those that defined the resident of each bedroom. Results revealed that socio-demographic variables thus attributed coincided with the profiles of the inhabitants. A correspondence analysis brought to light a dimension linked to affective aspects, which was more prominent among women; whereas among men the characteristics thus attributed were more linked to practical aspects and to difficulties for social interaction. A second study was conducted to determine whether gender stereotype had any influence on the result of the previous study. The outcomes showed that this stereotype did not have any effect on the participants’ judgments (AU)

Este estudio tiene como objetivo descubrir si observadores con el mismo background cultural que el habitante de un dormitorio perciben características comunes entre los habitantes de dichos dormitorios. El estudio se llevó a cabo con 107 mujeres, a las que se les pidió que evaluaran a los habitantes de ocho habitaciones. Varias diapositivas de cada habitación se mostraron a los participantes y éstos tenían que elegir de una lista de 76 adjetivos aquellos que mejor definían a los residentes de cada habitación. Los resultados revelaron que las variables sociodemográficas que se les atribuía coincidían con los perfiles de los habitantes. Además, un análisis de correspondencias permitió observar que a las mujeres residentes se les atribuía en mayor medida una dimensión vinculada a los aspectos afectivos, mientras que a los hombres residentes se les atribuía características relacionadas con los aspectos prácticos y las dificultades de interacción. En un segundo estudio llevado a cabo con 132 estudiantes mujeres se muestra que el estereotipo de género no resulta relevante para a la hora de considerar los resultados del primer estudio(AU)

Test de favoritismo endogrupal interétnico adaptado al modelo ampliado de aculturación relativa: fiabilidad y evidencias de validez / In-group Bias Test adapted to the relative acculturation extended model: reliability and validity evidences

El favoritismo endogrupal (FE) se ha convertido en una variable de enorme importancia en el estudio de las relaciones interétnicas. De acuerdo con los planteamientos actuales, se puede entender como una tendencia entre los miembros de un grupo a favorecer el comportamiento, actitudes, preferencias y percepciones de su propio grupo sobre otro al que no pertenecen. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar las propiedades psicométricas de un nuevo test para medir el FE interétnico que tenga aplicación tanto en el grupo mayoritario (autóctonos) como en el minoritario (inmigrantes). El test se basa en los ámbitos socioculturales contemplados en el MAAR. 992 personas españolas y 975 personas inmigrantes (500 de origen rumano y 475 ecuatoriano) participaron en el estudio. La estimación de la fiabilidad y las evidencias de validez de estas muestras confirman que las propiedades psicométricas de la medida de FE son apropiadas para su uso en contextos multiétnicos, ya que puede ser utilizada tanto en grupos mayoritarios (autóctonos) como en minoritarios (inmigrantes rumanos -IR- y ecuatorianos -IE-)(AU)

In-group favouritism has become a variable of enormous importance in the study of interethnic relations. According to current approaches, it can be understood as a tendency among the members of one group to favour or value the behaviour, attitudes, preferences or perceptions of their own group over those of another group to which they do not belong. The aim of this work is to study the psychometric properties of a new test for measuring inter-ethnic in-group bias, in majority (native) and minority (immigrant) groups. The test is based on the acculturation areas of the Relative Acculturation Extended Model (RAEM). Participants were 992 Spaniards and 975 immigrants (500 Romanians and 475 Ecuadorians). The reliability estimate and validity evidence for these samples show that the psychometric properties of the In-group Bias Test are appropriate for use in multi-ethnic contexts, as it can be used in majority (native) and minority (Romanian and Ecuadorian immigrants) groups(AU)

The emergence of multisensory systems through perceptual narrowing.

According to conventional wisdom, multisensory development is a progressive process that results in the growth and proliferation of perceptual skills. We review new findings indicating that a regressive process - perceptual narrowing - also contributes in critical ways to perceptual development. These new data reveal that young infants are able to integrate non-native faces and vocalizations, that this broad multisensory perceptual tuning is present at birth, and that this tuning narrows by the end of the first year of life, leaving infants with the ability to integrate only socio-ecologically-relevant multisensory signals. This narrowing process forces us to reconsider the traditional progressive theories of multisensory development and opens up several new evolutionary questions as well.

The neural bases of multistable perception.

Multistable perception is the spontaneous alternation between two or more perceptual states that occurs when sensory information is ambiguous. Multistable phenomena permit dissociation of neural activity related to conscious perception from that related to sensory stimulation, and therefore have been used extensively to study the neural correlates of consciousness. Here, we review recent work on the neural mechanisms underlying multistable perception and how such work has contributed to understanding the neural correlates of consciousness. Particular emphasis is put on the role of high-level brain mechanisms that are involved in actively selecting and interpreting sensory information, and their interactions with lower-level processes that are more directly concerned with the processing of sensory stimulus properties.

An assessment of stakeholder perceptions and management of noxious alien plants in Spain.

Despite biological invasions being a worldwide phenomenon causing significant ecological, economic, and human welfare impacts, there is limited understanding regarding how environmental managers perceive the problem and subsequently manage alien species. Spanish environmental managers were surveyed using questionnaires to (1) analyze the extent to which they perceive plant invasions as a problem; (2) identify the status, occurrence, and impacts of noxious alien plant species; (3) assess current effort and expenditure targeting alien plant management; and, finally, (4) identify the criteria they use to set priorities for management. In comparison to other environmental concerns, plant invasions are perceived as only moderately problematic and mechanical control is the most valued and frequently used strategy to cope with plant invasions in Spain. Based on 70 questionnaires received, 193 species are considered noxious, 109 of which have been the subject of management activities. More than 90% of species are found in at least one protected area. According to respondents, the most frequently managed species are the most widespread across administrative regions and the ones perceived as causing the highest impacts. The perception of impact seems to be independent of their invasion status, since only half of the species identified as noxious are believed to be invasive in Spain, while 43% of species thought to only be casual aliens are causing a high impact. Records of management costs are poor and the few data indicate that the total actual expenditure amounted to 50,492,437 euros in the last decade. The majority of respondents stated that management measures are insufficient to control alien plants due to limited economic resources, lack of public awareness and support, and an absence of coordination among different public administrations. Managers also expressed their concern about the fact that much scientific research is concerned with the ecology of alien plants rather than with specific cost-efficient strategies to manage alien species.

Multisensory interplay reveals crossmodal influences on 'sensory-specific' brain regions, neural responses, and judgments.

Although much traditional sensory research has studied each sensory modality in isolation, there has been a recent explosion of interest in causal interplay between different senses. Various techniques have now identified numerous multisensory convergence zones in the brain. Some convergence may arise surprisingly close to low-level sensory-specific cortex, and some direct connections may exist even between primary sensory cortices. A variety of multisensory phenomena have now been reported in which sensory-specific brain responses and perceptual judgments concerning one sense can be affected by relations with other senses. We survey recent progress in this multisensory field, foregrounding human studies against the background of invasive animal work and highlighting possible underlying mechanisms. These include rapid feedforward integration, possible thalamic influences, and/or feedback from multisensory regions to sensory-specific brain areas. Multisensory interplay is more prevalent than classic modular approaches assumed, and new methods are now available to determine the underlying circuits.

Atypical categorical perception in autism: autonomy of discrimination?

A diminished top-down influence has been proposed in autism, to account for enhanced performance in low-level perceptual tasks. Applied to perceptual categorization, this hypothesis predicts a diminished influence of category on discrimination. In order to test this hypothesis, we compared categorical perception in 16 individuals with and 16 individuals without high-functioning autism. While participants with and without autism displayed a typical classification curve, there was no facilitation of discrimination near the category boundary in the autism group. The absence of influence of categorical knowledge on discrimination suggests an increased autonomy of low-level perceptual processes in autism, in the form of a reduced top-down influence from categories toward discrimination.

Câncer Infantil: o viver, o sentir e o tratar / Childhood Cancer: the living, the feel and the treat

O câncer, além de ser uma enfermidade crônica que ameaça a vida, é uma doença que simboliza o desconhecido, o perigoso, o sofrimento, a dor e a culpa. Quando a pessoa que adoece é uma criança todas estas reações emocionais podem ser mais intensas para o pequeno paciente, os pais e irmãos. Atualmente, o câncer é considerado um problema de saúde pública e deve ser enfatizado um novo olhar no cuidado dos pacientes da oncologia pediátrica e suas famílias, considerando os aspectos bio-psicossociais da doença. Desta forma, com a presente pesquisa, pretende-se contribuir para um melhor entendimento das implicações do câncer na infância para a própria criança e para os cuidadores, além de investigar o trabalho dos médicos em dois períodos importantes do atendimento do indivíduo com câncer: o momento de revelar o diagnóstico para o paciente e sua família e as dificuldades encontradas no dia a dia que dificultam o tratamento da criança. Foram entrevistadas 12 crianças diagnosticadas com câncer, 16 cuidadores e 5 oncologistas pediátricas e respeito dos vários aspectos que envolve o câncer. Como referencial teórico foi utilizado uma abordagem qualitativa, que não se preocupa em quantificar, mas sim, em compreender e explicar as crenças, valores, atitudes e hábitos de uma sociedade. Os cuidadores/pais e crianças com câncer vivenciam um longo processo desde os sinais, sintomas e diagnósticos até o final do tratamento. Apresentam sentimentos que misturam surpresa, impotência e tristeza que vão influenciar as formas de agir e de pensar enquanto re-significam e doença. A equipe de saúde que atende à criança funciona como anteparo para todas as necessidades e ansiedades do paciente e da sua família e deve receber o treinamento e a estrutura necessária para atender bem esses indivíduos que buscam nele, além da cura, amparo e carinho neste momento difícil