Test de Atención Infantil: análisis de las características psicométricas y valores de referencia preliminares / Test of Child Attention: Analysis of the Psychometric Characteristics and Preliminary Reference Values / Teste de Atenção Infantil: análise de características psicométricas e valores de referência preliminares

La atención es definida como un constructo multidimensional, encargado de regular sobre qué estímulos se dirigirán los recursos perceptivos, filtrando información irrelevante con el fin de favorecer la retención de información durante un período antes de actuar sobre ella. La evaluación computarizada de la atención ha ido cobrando relevancia tanto en la investigación como en las prácticas del quehacer profesional. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: 1) analizar la consistencia interna y la validez concurrente del Test de Atención Infantil 6.0 (tai), versión computarizada; y 2) obtener los valores de referencia preliminares para cada subtest del tai. Los estudios de confiabilidad y validez del tai corresponden a una muestra de 122 escolares de Mendoza (Argentina). Al analizar la consistencia interna se obtuvieron valores satisfactorios para cada uno de los subtests (Test 1, kr 20 = 0.78; Test 2, kr 20 =0.74; Test 3, kr20 = 0.73). Se obtuvieron valores satisfactorios al explorar la estabilidad del instrumento. Al analizar la validez concurrente, los resultados indicaron correlaciones positivas moderadas y significativas (p <0.01) entre el test Caras-R y los subtests 1 y 2 del tai, utiliza-do para evaluar desempeño atencional. Se observaron asociaciones positivas significativas (p <0.01) entre el subtest 3 del tai y el Test de Bloques de Corsi, usado para evaluar memoria de trabajo visoespacial. Estos resultados señalan que el tai, instrumento desarrolla-do para evaluar la atención y memoria de trabajo visuoespacial en escolares, presenta indicadores adecuados de validez y confiabilidad. Se discuten los hallazgos, limitaciones y futuras líneas de investigación.

Attention has been defined as a multidimensional construct, dealing with regulation of which stimuli the perceptual resources are directed to, filtering irrelevant information out to favor the retention of relevant information for a period of time, before acting on it. The computerized evaluation of attention has been gaining relevance both in research and in professional practice. The objectives are: 1) to analyze internal consistency and concurrent validity of the Child Attention Test 6.0 (tai), computerized version 6.0; and, 2) to obtain the preliminary reference values for each of the tai subtests done. The data for the validity and reliability studies of the tai corresponds to a sample of 122 schoolchildren in Mendoza (Argentina). When analyzing the internal consistency, satisfactory values were obtained for each subtest (Test 1, kr 20 = 0.78; Test 2, kr 20 = 0.74; and Test 3, kr 20 = 0.73). Satisfactory values were obtained when exploring the stability of the instrument. For concurrent validity, the results indicate significant moderate positive correlations (p <0.01) between the scores obtained in the Caras-R test and subtests 1 and 2 of the tai, used to evaluate attentional performance. Significant positive associa-tions (p <0.01) were observed between tai subtest 3 and the Corsi Block Test, used to assess visuospatial working memory. These results indicate that the tai, an instrument developed in order to evaluate attention and visuospatial working memory of school children, presents adequate indicators of validity and reliability. The findings, limitations, and future lines of research are discussed

A atenção é definida como um construto multidimensio-nal, responsável por regular quais estímulos os recursos perceptivos irão direcionar, filtrando informações irrelevantes de forma a favorecer a retenção da informação por um período de tempo, antes de agir sobre ela. A avaliação informatizada da atenção vem ganhando relevância tanto na pesquisa quanto na prática profissional. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: 1) analisar a consistência interna e a validade concorrente do Teste de Atenção Infantil 6.0 (tai), versão computadorizada, e 2) obter valores de referência preliminares para cada subteste do tai. Os estudos de confiabilidade e validade do tai correspondem a uma amostra de 122 estudantes de Mendoza (Argentina). Na análise da consistência interna foram obtidos valores satisfatórios para cada um dos subtestes (Teste 1, kr 20 = 0.78; Teste 2, kr20 = 0.74; Teste 3, kr 20 = 0.73). Valores satisfatórios foram obtidos ao explorar a estabilidade do instrumento. Ao analisar a validade concorrente, os resultados indicaram correlações positivas moderadas e significativas (p <0.01) entre o teste Caras-r e os subtestes 1 e 2 do tai, utilizados para avaliar o desempenho atencional. Foram observadas associações positivas significativas (p <0.01) entre o subteste 3 do tai e o Teste em Blocos de Corsi, utilizado para avaliar a memória de trabalho visuoespacial. Esses resultados indicam que o tai, instrumento desenvolvido para avaliar a atenção 3Test de Atención Infantil: análisis de las características psicométricas y valores de referencia preliminaresAvances en Psicología Latinoamericana / Bogotá (Colombia) / Vol. 41(3) / pp. 1-20 / 2023 / ISSNe2145-4515e a memória operacional visuoespacial em estudantes, apresenta indicadores adequados de validade e confiabilidade. As descobertas, limitações e futuras linhas de pesquisa são discutidas.

[The Snoezelen approach in pain management in psychiatry]. / L'approche Snoezelen dans la prise en charge de la douleur en psychiatrie.

The approach or practice known as Snoezelen is defined as the controlled multi-sensory stimulation of a person's sensoriality in a safe space. It has recognised benefits in the management of severe mental health disabilities. But, can it have a more specific benefit in psychiatry in terms of pain managment? Hospital caregivers go some way to answering the question by sharing their thoughts and experience regarding an innovative clinical experiment using the Snoezelen approach for this purpose.

Effects of soil type and light on height growth, biomass partitioning, and nitrogen dynamics on 22 species of tropical dry forest tree seedlings: Comparisons between legumes and nonlegumes.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The seedling stage is particularly vulnerable to resource limitation, with potential consequences for community composition. We investigated how light and soil variation affected early growth, biomass partitioning, morphology, and physiology of 22 tree species common in tropical dry forest, including eight legumes. Our hypothesis was that legume seedlings are better at taking advantage of increased resource availability, which contributes to their successful regeneration in tropical dry forests. METHODS: We grew seedlings in a full-factorial design under two light levels in two soil types that differed in nutrient concentrations and soil moisture. We measured height biweekly and, at final harvest, biomass partitioning, internode segments, leaf carbon, nitrogen, δ13C, and δ15N. KEY RESULTS: Legumes initially grew taller and maintained that height advantage over time under all experimental conditions. Legumes also had the highest final total biomass and water-use efficiency in the high-light and high-resource soil. For nitrogen-fixing legumes, the amount of nitrogen derived from fixation was highest in the richer soil. Although seed mass tended to be larger in legumes, seed size alone did not account for all the differences between legumes and nonlegumes. Both belowground and aboveground resources were limiting to early seedling growth and function. CONCLUSIONS: Legumes may have a different regeneration niche, in that they germinate rapidly and grow taller than other species immediately after germination, maximizing their performance when light and belowground resources are readily available, and potentially permitting them to take advantage of high light, nutrient, and water availability at the beginning of the wet season.

Pervasive and strong effects of plants on soil chemistry: a meta-analysis of individual plant 'Zinke' effects.

Plant species leave a chemical signature in the soils below them, generating fine-scale spatial variation that drives ecological processes. Since the publication of a seminal paper on plant-mediated soil heterogeneity by Paul Zinke in 1962, a robust literature has developed examining effects of individual plants on their local environments (individual plant effects). Here, we synthesize this work using meta-analysis to show that plant effects are strong and pervasive across ecosystems on six continents. Overall, soil properties beneath individual plants differ from those of neighbours by an average of 41%. Although the magnitudes of individual plant effects exhibit weak relationships with climate and latitude, they are significantly stronger in deserts and tundra than forests, and weaker in intensively managed ecosystems. The ubiquitous effects of plant individuals and species on local soil properties imply that individual plant effects have a role in plant-soil feedbacks, linking individual plants with biogeochemical processes at the ecosystem scale.