ABSTRACT
Exploratory factor analysis is widely used for item analysis in the earlier stages of scale development, usually with large pools of items. In this scenario, the presence of inappropriate or ineffective items can hamper the process of analysis, making it very difficult to correctly assess dimensionality and structure. To minimize, this (quite frequent) problem, we propose and implement a simple procedure designed to flag potentially problematic items before we specify any particular factorial solution. The procedure defines regions of item appropriateness and efficiency based on the combined impact of two prior item features: extremeness and consistency. The general proposal is related to the most widely used frameworks for item analysis. The limits of the appropriateness regions are obtained by extensive simulation in conditions that mimic those found in applications. An Item Response Theory index of prior item efficiency is then defined, and a combined approach for selecting the most effective and problem-free item sub-set is proposed. The proposal is useful to normal-range measures, such as questionnaire surveys that elicit reports about non-extreme attitudes, facts, beliefs or states, or personality questionnaires that measure normal-range constructs. The procedure is implemented in a freeware software.
Subject(s)
Personality Disorders , Personality , Humans , Computer Simulation , Factor Analysis, Statistical , Reference ValuesABSTRACT
The product of Snail gene is a repressor of E-cadherin transcription and an inductor of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in several epithelial tumor cell lines. In order to examine Snail expression in animal and human tissues, we have raised a monoclonal antibody (MAb) that reacts with the regulatory domain of this protein. Analysis of murine embryos shows that Snail is expressed in extraembryonic tissues and embryonic mesoderm, in mesenchymal cells of lungs and dermis as well as in cartilage. Little reactivity was detected in adult tissues as Snail was not constitutively expressed in most mesenchymal cells. However, Snail expression was observed in activated fibroblasts involved in wound healing in mice skin. Moreover, Snail was detected in pathological conditions causing hyperstimulation of fibroblasts, such as fibromatosis. Analysis of Snail expression in tumors revealed that it was highly expressed in sarcomas and fibrosarcomas. In epithelial tumors, it presented a more limited distribution, restricted to stromal cells placed in the vicinity of the tumor and to tumoral cells in the same areas. These results demonstrate that Snail is present in activated mesenchymal cells, indicate its relevance in the communication between tumor and stroma and suggest that it can promote the conversion of carcinoma cells to stromal cells.
Subject(s)
Stromal Cells/physiology , Transcription Factors/genetics , 3T3 Cells , Animals , Cell Line, Tumor , Colonic Neoplasms , Embryo, Mammalian , Female , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Humans , Mice , Pregnancy , RNA, Neoplasm/genetics , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/pharmacology , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Snail Family Transcription Factors , Stromal Cells/pathology , Transcription Factors/physiology , Wound Healing/genetics , Wound Healing/physiologyABSTRACT
En este estudio se analiza la influencia de las variables sexo, edad y educación formalsobre el razonamiento moral prosocial. Para ello se utiliza una muestra de 556 adolescentesy jóvenes. Como instrumento de evaluación se usa el PROM. Los resultados indican que los varones puntúan significativamente más que las mujeres en razonamiento orientado a la aprobación (aunque sólo los adolescentes), mientras que las mujeres puntúan significativamente más que los varones en razonamiento estereotipado, internalizado y puntuación compuesta PROM. Además, los juicios morales llegan a ser menos egocéntricos y más orientados al otro, así como más abstractos, con el paso de la edad. Finalmente, un mayor nivel de educación formal va acompañado de categorías de razonamiento moral prosocial más abstractas e internalizadas
This paper examines the influence of gender, age and formal education on moral pro-social reasoning. A sample consisting of 556 youngsters was assessed by means of thePROM. Results indicate the males score significantly higher than females on approvaloriented reasoning although only adolescents, whereas females score significantly higher than males on stereotypic moral reasoning, internalized moral reasoning and PROM composite score. Moreover, the older the subjects the more moral judgements become other oriented (i.e., less egocentric) and abstract. Finally, a higher formal education level entails a more pro-social, abstract and internalized moral reasoning
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Social Behavior , Morals , Adolescent Behavior/psychology , Educational Status , Sex Distribution , Age Distribution , Psychometrics/methods , Rationalization , Child Behavior/psychology , EmpathyABSTRACT
En la primera parte del estudio se relaciona teóricamente el razonamiento moral, el razonamiento prosocial y la empatía. En la Segunda parte del estudio se examinan las interrelaciones empíricas entre el razonamiento moral, el razonamiento prosocial y la empatía. Para ello se utiliza una muestra de 556 adolescentes y jóvenes. Como instrumentos de evaluación Se usan el DIT, el PROM-R y el IRI. Los resultados indican que el razonamiento moral, el razonamiento prosocial y la empatía están interrelacionados empíricamente de forma positiva. Asimismo, dado que en cada uno de estos tres constructos están implicados procesos cognitivos y afectivos, se puede concluir, a su vez, una relación positiva entre los procesos cognitivos y afectivos en el desarrollo moral de la persona (AU)
No disponible
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Female , Male , Humans , Morals , Empathy , Affect , Social Planning , CognitionABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the influence of gastric and postpyloric enteral feeding on the gastric tonometric PCO2 gap (tonometric PCO2 - PaCO2). DESIGN: A prospective, clinical trial. SETTING: Two intensive care units in a university hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty patients undergoing mechanical ventilation and enteral feeding without catecholamines, sepsis, or sign of hypoxia. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized to receive feeding through the tonometer (gastric group), or through a postpyloric tube (postpyloric group). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The patients received tube feeding at a rate of 50 mL/hr during 4 hrs. Baseline measurements included: mean arterial pressure, heart rate, tonometric parameters, arterial gases, and arterial lactate concentration. Except for lactate concentration, these measurements were repeated after 1 and 4 hrs of enteral feeding and 2 hrs after stopping enteral feeding. During the study, arterial pH and PaCO2 did not change. During enteral feeding, the PCO2 gap increased in the gastric group from a mean of 7+/-5 to 17+/-14 (SD) torr (0.9 0.7 to 2.3+/-1.9 kPa) (p< .O01) and did not change in the postpyloric group (5+/-5 to 3+/-1 torr [0.7+/-0.7 to 0.4+/-0.1 kPa]). Two hours after stopping enteral feeding, the PCO2 gap was still increased in the gastric group (15+/-9 vs. 7+/-5 torr [2.0+/-1.2 vs. 0.9+/-0.7 kPa]) (p < .01). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that gastric enteral feeding increased the PCO2 gap. However, postpyloric enteral feeding does not interact with gastric tonometric measurements and should be used when using gastric tonometry in enterally fed patients.
