Young Children's Ability to Engage in Cognitive Therapy Tasks: Associations With Age and Educational Experience

Abstract. In two linked studies we examined children’s performance on tasks required for participation in cognitive therapy. In Study 1 we piloted some new tasks with children aged 5 to 11 years. In study 2 the effects of IQ, age and educational experience were examined in children aged 5 to 7 years. In study 1, 14 children aged 5 to 11 completed three tasks related to cognitive therapy; generating post-event attributions, naming emotions, and linking thoughts and feelings. Study 2 used a between-subjects design in which 72 children aged 5, 6, or 7 years from two primary schools completed the three tasks and the Block Design and Vocabulary sub-tests from the WISC III or WPPSI-R. Children were tested individually during the school day. All measures were administered on the same occasion. In study 2 administration order of the cognitive therapy task and the WISC III/WPPSI-R were randomized. The majority of children demonstrated some ability on each of the three tasks. In study 2, performance was associated with school and with IQ but not with age. There were no gender differences. Children attending a school with an integrated thinking skills programme and those with a higher 1Q were more successful on the cognitive therapy tasks. These results suggest that many young children could engage in cognitive therapy given age-appropriate materials. The effects of training in relevant meta-cognitive skills on children’s ability to use concepts in CBT may warrant further research. Keywords: Cognitive behaviour therapy, young children, cognitive development

A psychometric analysis of reliability and validity of the index of learning styles (ILS)

Prior literature showed that Felder and Silverman learning styles model (FSLSM) was widely adopted to cater to individual styles of learners whether in traditional or Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL). In order to infer this model, the Index of Learning Styles (ILS) instrument was proposed. This research aims to analyse the soundness of this instrument in an Arabic sample. Data were integrated from different courses and years. A total of 259 engineering students participated voluntarily in the study. The reliability was analysed by applying internal construct reliability, inter-scale correlation, and total item correlation. The construct validity was also considered by running factor analysis. The overall results indicated that the reliability and validity of perception and input dimensions were moderately supported, whereas processing and understanding dimensions showed low internal-construct consistency and their items were weakly loaded in the associated constructs. Generally, the instrument needs further effort to improve its soundness. However, considering the consistency of the produced results of engineering students irrespective of cross-cultural differences, it can be adopted to diagnose learning styles.

Systematic and random errors between collocated satellite ice water path observations

There remains large disagreement between ice-water path (IWP) in observational data sets, largely because the sensors observe different parts of the ice particle size distribution. A detailed comparison of retrieved IWP from satellite observations in the Tropics (!30 " latitude) in 2007 was made using collocated measurements. The radio detection and ranging(radar)/light detection and ranging (lidar) (DARDAR) IWP data set, based on combined radar/lidar measurements, is used as a reference because it provides arguably the best estimate of the total column IWP. For each data set, usable IWP dynamic ranges are inferred from this comparison. IWP retrievals based on solar reflectance measurements, in the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS), advanced very high resolution radiometer–based Climate Monitoring Satellite Applications Facility (CMSAF), and Pathfinder Atmospheres-Extended (PATMOS-x) datasets, were found to be correlated with DARDAR over a large IWP range (~20–7000 g m -2 ). The random errors of the collocated data sets have a close to lognormal distribution, and the combined random error of MODIS and DARDAR is less than a factor of 2, which also sets the upper limit for MODIS alone. In the same way, the upper limit for the random error of all considered data sets is determined. Data sets based on passive microwave measurements, microwave surface and precipitation products system (MSPPS), microwave integrated retrieval system (MiRS), and collocated microwave only (CMO), are largely correlated with DARDAR for IWP values larger than approximately 700 g m -2 . The combined uncertainty between these data sets and DARDAR in this range is slightly less MODIS-DARDAR, but the systematic bias is nearly an order of magnitude.

Discovering biomarkers for antidepressant response: protocol from the Canadian biomarker integration network in depression (CAN-BIND) and clinical characteristics of the first patient cohort

Background Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is among the most prevalent and disabling medical conditions worldwide. Identification of clinical and biological markers (“biomarkers”) of treatment response could personalize clinical decisions and lead to better outcomes. This paper describes the aims, design, and methods of a discovery study of biomarkers in antidepressant treatment response, conducted by the Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression (CAN-BIND). The CAN-BIND research program investigates and identifies biomarkers that help to predict outcomes in patients with MDD treated with antidepressant medication. The primary objective of this initial study (known as CAN-BIND-1) is to identify individual and integrated neuroimaging, electrophysiological, molecular, and clinical predictors of response to sequential antidepressant monotherapy and adjunctive therapy in MDD. Methods CAN-BIND-1 is a multisite initiative involving 6 academic health centres working collaboratively with other universities and research centres. In the 16-week protocol, patients with MDD are treated with a first-line antidepressant (escitalopram 10–20 mg/d) that, if clinically warranted after eight weeks, is augmented with an evidence-based, add-on medication (aripiprazole 2–10 mg/d). Comprehensive datasets are obtained using clinical rating scales; behavioural, dimensional, and functioning/quality of life measures; neurocognitive testing; genomic, genetic, and proteomic profiling from blood samples; combined structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging; and electroencephalography. De-identified data from all sites are aggregated within a secure neuroinformatics platform for data integration, management, storage, and analyses. Statistical analyses will include multivariate and machine-learning techniques to identify predictors, moderators, and mediators of treatment response. Discussion From June 2013 to February 2015, a cohort of 134 participants (85 outpatients with MDD and 49 healthy participants) has been evaluated at baseline. The clinical characteristics of this cohort are similar to other studies of MDD. Recruitment at all sites is ongoing to a target sample of 290 participants. CAN-BIND will identify biomarkers of treatment response in MDD through extensive clinical, molecular, and imaging assessments, in order to improve treatment practice and clinical outcomes. It will also create an innovative, robust platform and database for future research.

Major- and trace-element composition of olivine, perovskite, clinopyroxene, Cr-Fe-Ti oxides, phlogopite and host kamafugites and kimberlites, Alto Paranaiba, Brazil

An integrated whole-rock petrographic and geochemical study has been carried out on kamafugites and kimberlites of the Late Cretaceous Alto Paranaiba igneous province, in Brazil, and their main minerals, olivine, clinopyroxene, perovskite, phlogopite, spinels and ilmenite. Perovskite is by far the dominant repository for light lanthanides, Nb, Ta, Th and U, and occasionally other elements, reaching concentrations up to 3.4 x 10(4) chondrite values for light lanthanides and 105 chondrite for Th. A very strong fractionation between light and heavy lanthanides (chondrite-normalized La/Yb from similar to 175 to similar to 2000) is also observed. This is likely the first comprehensive dataset on natural perovskite. Clinopyroxene has variable trace-element contents. likely due to the different position of this phase in the crystallization sequence; Sc reaches values as high as 200 ppm whereas the lanthanides show very variable enrichment in light over heavy REE, and commonly show a negative Eu anomaly. The olivine, phlogopite (and tetra-ferriphlogopite), Cr-Ti oxide and ilmenite are substantially barren minerals for lanthanides and most other trace elements, with the exception of Ba, Cs and Rb in mica, and V, Nb and Ta in ilmenite. Estimated mineral/whole-rock partition coefficients for lanthanides in perovskite are similar to previous determinations, though much higher than those calculated in experiments with synthetic compositions, testifying once more to the complex behavior of these elements in a natural environment. The enormous potential for exploitation of lanthanides, Th, U and high-field-strength elements in the Brazilian kamafugites, kimberlites and related rocks is clearly shown.

Pregnant Adolescents in Vietnam : Social context and health care needs

Background: The number of childbearing adolescents in Vietnam is relatively low but they are more prone to experience adverse outcome than adult women. Reports of increasing rates of abortion and prevalence of STIs including HIV among youth indicate a need to improve services and counselling for these groups. Midwives are key persons in the promotion of young people’s sexual and reproductive health in Vietnam. Aim: The overall aim of this thesis is to describe the prevalence and outcome of adolescent pregnancies in Vietnam (I), to explore the social context and health care seeking behavior of pregnant adolescents (II), as well as to explore the perspectives of health care providers and midwifery students regarding adolescent sexuality and reproductive health service needs (III, IV). Methods: The studies were conducted from 2002 to 2005, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods. A population based prospective survey was used to estimate rates and outcomes of adolescent pregnancies (I). Pregnant and newly delivered adolescents’ experiences of childbearing and their encounters with health care providers were studied using qualitative interviews (II). Health care providers’ perspective on adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) and views on how to improve the quality of abortion care was explored in focus group discussions (FGD). The values and attitudes of midwifery students about ASRH were investigated using questionnaires and interviews (IV). Descriptive statistics was used to analyse quantitative data (I, IV) and content analysis were applied for qualitative data (II, III, and IV). Findings: Adolescent birth rate was similar to previously reported in Vietnam but lower when compared to other Asian countries. The incidence of stillborn among adolescents was higher than for women in higher reproductive ages. The proportion of preterm deliveries was 20 % of all births, higher than previous findings from Vietnam. About 2 % of the deliveries were home deliveries, more common among women with low education, belonging to ethnic minority and/or living in mountainous areas (I). Ambivalence facing motherhood, pride and happiness but also worries and lack of self-confidence emerged as themes from the interviews; and experience of ‘being in the hands of others’ in a positive, caring sense but also in a sense of subordination in relation to husband, family and health care providers (II). Health care providers at abortion clinics and midwifery students generally disapproved of pre-marital sex, but had a pragmatic view on the need for contraceptive services and counselling to reduce the burden of unwanted pregnancies and abortions for young women. Providers and midwifery students expressed a need for training on ASRH issues (III, IV). Conclusion: Cultural norms and gender inequity make pregnant adolescent women in Vietnam vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health risks. Health care providers experience ethical dilemmas while counselling unmarried adolescents who come for abortion and this has a negative impact on the quality of care. Integrated ASRH in education and training programmes for health care providers, including midwives, as well as continued in-service training on these issues are suggested to improve reproductive health care services in Vietnam.

Marketing de serviços na indústria de tecnologia da informação - novos desafios e oportunidades

A economia mundial neste final de século apresenta duas tendências que impactam significativamente nos conceitos e práticas de marketing: a predominância do setor de serviços no PIB das economias; e a tecnologia da informação como um dos setores mais dinâmicos e alavancadores de crescimento econômico. Na literatura brasileira há escassez de estudos recentes que reflitam sobre as especificidades do marketing de serviços nas indústrias de tecnologia, e sobre o conteúdo dos programas de formação profissional e gerencial, ajustados às necessidades desta indústria, que apresenta acelerada taxa de mudança, inovação e obsolescência. O presente estudo reflete sobre estes novos desafios e oportunidades, de modo a gerar conhecimento que contribua para a prática e o ensino da gestão de marketing no Brasil.

Formação e internacionalização da sociedade de consumo Norte-Americana 1870-1930

From 1870 to 1929, the US economy moved to a system strongly intensive in consumption goods. When the main cultural, political, social and economic basis of the modern "consumer society" was built into the country, it's spread to other countries fast and successfully started (1900-1929). The role of American government, private corporations, advertising agencies, and other players is examined. This text is a partial result of an on going larger investigation, dealing with the history of advertising and marketing in Brasil, from its origins to present days, in a sociological framework.

Publicidade: comércio, cultura e profissão (parte inicial)

O universo daquilo que é abertamente comercial na sociedade contemporânea costuma ser tratado nos meios acadêmicos de forma costumeiramente distante, simplista e ressentida. Ou, ao contrário, através do otimismo ingênuo característico da literatura de celebração. O estudo da história social da publicidade e do marketing é estratégico para avançar contra esse maniqueísmo paralisante. Ele ajuda a ampliar a visão das relações entre industrialização capitalista e mercado, urbanização e modernização, comunicação de massa e vida familiar, favorecendo uma visão mais adulta dos significados do consumo, tanto material quanto simbólico. O texto apoia-se em alguns títulos selecionados em uma bibliografia especializada recolhida recentemente nos EUA, e escolhidos por sua relevância em recolocar questões de sociologia da cultura.

O impacto do argumento ecológico nas atitudes dos consumidores - um estudo experimental

An increasing interest in society towards environmental and ecological issues have beaconed consumer¿s behavior research, particularly the ones related to the identification of the impact of environmental agendas on consumer habits. The objective of the present study is to attitudes related to brands, advertising and purchase intention. The study was based on data gathered through a ¿between subjects¿ experimental research, with three levels of manipulation. One hundred and sixty eight students from the city of Rio de Janeiro were selected for the experiment. The hypothesis suggested that subjects who were exposed to ecological cues demonstrate a more favorable behavior towards advertising attitude (H1A), brand attitude (H1B) and purchase intentions (H1C) than the ones who were not. In addition, an intrinsic health cue called ¿Omega 3¿ was introduced to the experiment to enhance the results of the research. The results have shown that subjects are indifferent to ecological cues regarding their attitudes towards the advertising and purchase intention. However, the study determined a more favorable attitude towards the brand by subjects exposed to the ecological cue. Therefore, it is possible to conclude that although ecological cues exposed in advertisements do not result on an increase of a positive of the product label is enhanced positively due to the relation of the brand with environmentally sound practices.

Valor percebido pelo consumidor e estratégia de marketing de restaurantes na cidade de São Paulo: um estudo exploratório

Examina o valor percebido que os consumidores formam no ambiente de restaurantes na cidade de São Paulo, focando como a administração destes empreendimentos vê o construto valor percebido e como lida com ele na implementação de sua estratégia de marketing. Envolve uma revisão do estado da arte destes conceitos e de suas inter-relações na esfera de marketing, complementada por entrevistas com administradores de restaurantes. Ao final, são feitas análise de conteúdo, comentários e sugestões para pesquisas adicionais neste campo.

The stakeholders‟ involvement in the process of building and maintaining a destination brand

A destination is a place that attracts visitors for a temporary stay to participate in tourism related activities or non- activities. Globalization, the increased number of travelers and the increased buying power have increased the competition between the destinations and the destinations have become more substitutable. It has been agreed that destinations can be branded as well as products and to be competitive it is getting common to brand destinations. Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are responsible for the marketing of an identifiable destination. The purpose of this study is to present an exploratory study of how a destination marketing organization creates and builds a strong destination brand and how the stakeholders have been involved in the process. The study is done with a qualitative case study approach. The case study was chosen as the research method to make a detailed and intensive analysis of the research objective, in this case the destination brand of Brazil and its stakeholders.

O impacto dos gastos com publicidade nas vendas das firmas: avaliação empírica.

Este trabalho tem por objetivo estimar um modelo empírico para relacionar os gastos em publicidade com a receita das firmas, de forma a servir como ferramenta de tomada de decisão, para isso vamos fazer um estudo de caso da indústria de telecomunicações. A Indústria de comunicação (publicidade) no Brasil, segundo dados do IBGE de 2008, é responsável por 4% do PIB, gerando receitas da ordem 115 bilhões de reais. Com 113 mil empresas que geram 711 mil empregos, ocupam 866 mil pessoas e pagam 11,8 bilhões em salários e encargos. No entanto, a maioria dos gestores de marketing declara não ter instrumentos para medir o impacto de suas ações no resultado das empresas. O modelo empírico será estimado tendo como base dados mensais dos serviços de ligações de longa distância nacional da Embratel para o período de janeiro de 2009 até dezembro de 2011. As informações quase sempre não disponíveis, só puderam ser usadas devido ao compromisso de confidencialidade. A partir de técnicas de cointegração, foi calculada a elasticidade de longo prazo da receita em relação aos gastos com publicidade e ao preço, assim com as respectivas velocidades de ajustamento aos desvios de curto prazo. Os resultados sugerem que a receita responde positivamente às variações dos gastos em publicidade, embora o percentual seja relativamente baixo, através do teorema de Dorfman-Steiner conseguimos indicar que o ponto ótimo da relação entre gastos com publicidade e a receita seria de aproximadamente 20%, respeitadas as limitações do modelo.

Avaliação da Política de Segurança Alimentar no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte viabilizada através dos Restaurantes Populares no aspecto de qualidade higiênico-sanitária

This survey has to general objective to evaluate the Food Safety Policy implemented by Restaurantes Populares do Rio Grande do Norte. The survey is qualitative of type exploratory and descriptive. The universe of survey is all Units of Food and Nutrition (UAN) of the Restaurantes Populares do Rio Grande do Norte. To collects of data were used two instruments: interview and form. The interviews were intended to analyze the four axes of the Food Safety: access, food quality, production and marketing of food and organizational arrangement. The form was used to check the quality of nutrition and sanitary-hygienic food served. We used two types of forms: a spreadsheet with the weekly menu and the portions served to verify that the meals serve the nutritional needs proposed by the program; and the check-list of ANVISA to verify the sanitary-hygienic conditions in each unit. Through the survey data and analyses made observe that the access category have some problems such as lack of registration, lack of advertising of Restaurants and wastage of public resources, making policy that should be of included in a policy of exclusion. In the nutritional aspect there is neglect on the daily nutritional goal, because it is not accomplished nutritional analysis of menu offered, the nutritionists do not know what should be the nutritional value of meals served; in the hygienic-health aspect trough the problems identified is concludes that there is no guarantee of food quality hygienic-sanitary, committing the program as a Food Safety Program. About the production and marketing of food is observed some problems as: the goal of sale of meals is not achieved in full, the purchase of genres does not stimulate the local economy, nor generates jobs and income, and inefficient performance of the MEIOS's supervision. In the analysis of organizational arrangement is concluded that the partnerships are beneficial, despite some negative points, therefore, are these partnerships the problems of non-compliance, as both the MEIOS and Nutriti of important criteria established in the partnership. Therefore, it is understood that the Programa Restaurantes Populares in its original formulation is proposed to be a food safety policy, but has some problems that impossible to meet its goal, making it unprofitable like Food Safety Policy