bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of students’ learning outcomes in the EHEA: their practices, preferences and evolution
Authors: Argos Javier , Ezquerra Pilar , Osoro José Manuel , Salvador Laurentino , Castro Ana
Published: March 2021

The European Higher Education Area implies, at least theoretically, substantial changes in the developed educational approaches specified in several areas. Among these the assessment of students’ learning is the focus of this article. The approaches and results that are exposed here are framed in an Educational Research Project entitled “Learning approaches of the university students, teaching strategies and institutional contexts to the beginning, half and end of career in the process of implantation of the new degrees”. Specifically, we focus on the learning assessment, analyzing both the formats or modalities of this kind of evaluation as well as the preferences which the students have concerning them in the context of different courses and university degrees. Furthermore, we try to somewhat clarify how these preferences could vary depending on the learning approach of each student (deep or superficial) and, also, on the students' evolution along the different courses of their degree.
Cyberbullying among Colombian students: an exploratory investigation
Authors: Mura Giulia , Diamantini Davide
Published: March 2021

Cyberbullying is a recognized and growing Internet phenomena. Although the body of research on this subject is rapidly expanding, most of the research has focused on the experiences of adolescents in industrialized nations, like Western Europe or Anglo-Saxon countries. But are the youth of developing countries exposed to the same risks? To address this question, this paper presents part of the results of a larger research project, and focuses on the occurrence of cyberbullying among Colombian high-school students. Data was collected on a sample of 359 respondents, 64.1% male and 35.9% female, between 13 and 19 years of age, using a pen and paper questionnaire. The analysis shows that episodes of cyberbullying are quite widespread among the sample group, as more than 60% of the sample group had been involved (as a victim or as a bully) in at least 2 episodes in the six months previous the research. Differences among sexes are analysed, but no significant result is shown. In conclusion, this study strongly suggests the necessity of deeper and wider investigation of cyberbullying among both boys and girls of the so called “developing countries”, as the diffusion of the phenomena seems to affect the youth of these countries too.
Teachers’ subjective happiness and self-efficacy in Dominican Republic and Spain
Authors: Perandones González Teresa , Herrera Torres Lucía , Lledó Carreres Asunción
Published: March 2021

This study examines the relationship between subjective happiness levels and teacher self-efficacy in a sample of 454 teachers at all educational levels (from kindergarten to University) of Dominican Republic and Spain. To do this, we used the Subjective Happiness Scale (Lyubomirsky & Lepper, 1999), which assesses the general happiness, and Teachers’ Sense of Teacher Efficacy Scale (Tschannen-Moran & Woolfolk, 2001), which measures three dimensions: Efficacy in Student Engagement, Efficacy in Instructional Practices, and Efficacy in Classroom Management. The results show significant and positive correlations between subjective happiness scores and the three dimensions of teacher efficacy. Also, the Dominican population obtains higher scores than the Spanish population in all constructs analyzed. Depending on the results found, which corroborate previous research in the field of positive psychology (Seligman & Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), we propose the incorporation of emotional education training plans for teachers, since subjective happiness as part of individual emotions, is a factor with high positive implications for successfully carrying out professional challenges posed by the task of education.
Happiness and Physical Activity in the Elderly
Authors: García Alfonso J. , Bohórquez M. Rocío , Lorenzo Macarena
Published: March 2021

The overall objective of this study was to explore past and present happiness from people over 65 years old, and the relationship that physical activity may have with it. Participants voluntarily completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Physical Activity Scale Battery STEPS 2.1 (WHO, 2012) and the Scale of Happiness (Godoy and Godoy-Izquierdo, 2006). The results show that present happiness is lower than last. Furthermore, it is shown that the current practice of physical activity affects the happiness of the greatest, being happiest those most active at this stage of his life. Finally, having been involved in physical activity at some point in the life cycle (past, present or continuously) is related to a higher level of happiness than that related to a sedentary lifestyle; the mechanisms involved in this protective role of happiness must be determined. This protective role of physical activity has to be taken into account in the design of programs and intervention promoting active and positive aging population.
Burnout in Professional Caregivers and Quality of Life in Institutionalized Center Residents
Authors: Martínez Juan P. , Méndez Inmaculada , Secanilla Esther , Benavente Ana , García Sevilla Julia
Published: March 2021

Starting from previous studies in professional caregivers of people with dementia and other diseases in institutionalized centers of different regions, the aim of this study was to compare burnout levels that workers present depending on the center, to create a caregiver profile with high professional accomplishment and to describe the quality of life that residents perceive Murcia and Barcelona. The instruments used were the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Professional Caregiver Survey developed ad hoc and the Brief Questionnaire of Quality of Life (CUBRECAVI in Spanish) on residents. The results show, on the one hand, that levels of professional accomplishment may be paradoxically higher in the case of catastrophe and, on the other hand, the 98.2% of users are satisfied with the residence in which is located and 81.8% with the manner in which occupy the time. The conclusions that are extrapolated from the study shed light on the current situation of workers and residents and the influence that an earthquake can have on them.
What Learning Theories of Reading are Attributed by Teachers who Teach Reading with Different Teaching Method?
Authors: Suárez Natalia , Rodríguez Cristina , O’Shanahan Isabel , Jiménez Juan E.
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to analyze the teacher´s theories about learning to read and reading instruction that claim to use in the classroom. To do this, we selected a total sample of 522 kindergarden and primary teachers in service who completed an attributional questionnaire across the tutorial program LETRA (www.programaletra.ull.es). The results showed that teachers attributed theories of learning to read with a sociocultural orientation lean more towards a mixed method, teachers who share a behavior approach consider that the repetition in your workouts and instruction is important to teach reading, are more inclined to use a syllabic method and mixed. Moreover, the results indicate that teachers who hold constructivist theory they select whole-language and mixed approaches for teaching reading to their students.
Resilience and Ageing
Authors: Uriarte Arciniega Juan de D.
Published: March 2021

Resilience was a concept introduced in the study of responses and positive adaptation of people living in risky environments, contexts and situations that posed potential threats to normal development like poverty, disease and violence. Subsequently introduced in the study of developmental phenomena and processes that occur in all ages and stages of the life cycle, including the later stages. The resilience´s perspective has modified the previous model of aging that associated losses with a more comprehensive in that people have high levels of positive functioning, despite adverse circumstances, limitations and impairments. This conception is convergent with the approach of resilience and the idea that a resilient person is normal, isn´t exceptional. Two psychobiological processes support psychological resilience in old age: neuroplasticity and psychoneuroimmunology. To finish, are highlighted the personal resources and requirements called resilient contributing to successful aging, including longevity.
Health and Quality of Life of Family and Professional Caregivers of Dependent Elderly: A Comparative Study
Authors: Flores Noelia , Jenaro Cristina , Moro Lourdes , Tomşa Raluca
Published: March 2021

The work presented aims to analyze the similarities and differences in health and quality of life of family caregivers and professionals serving seniors in a position of dependency. Specifically, the results presented were obtained from the evaluation of 600 caregivers, of which 33.83% are family and 66.17% are professionals, to determine their burden or stress experienced, as well as their physical and psychological health and their overall, work, family and social quality of life. The results indicate that there are differences between the two groups of caregivers. The family caregivers have higher levels of overload and have poorer physical and psychological health as a result of their tasks. Professional caregivers experience greater satisfaction with life in general and in other factors such as work, family and social relationships. Finally, this justifies the need to implement interventions to improve the health of caregivers.
Study and Nutritional Monitoring in a Population of Elderly in a Geriatric Center
Authors: Guzmán Díaz Laura , López García de la Serrana Herminia , Oliveras López María Jesús
Published: March 2021

Rate the elderly nutritionally will allow us to achieve and maintain good nutritional status in the elderly population. Objectives: 1 Assessment of nutritional status of the population.. Two. Evaluation of population intake according to recommended intakes. Three. Valuations menu and antioxidant capacity compared to the Spanish average. Methods: The study was conducted with 28 elders. Sociodemographic indicators, anthropometric data, blood pressure, questionnaires assessing the nutritional status and assessment of intake were used. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of menu technique ORAC was determined. Results: Males had higher overweight and obesity increased women. The waist-hip ratio was higher in men (0.94 ± 0.08 cm). Regarding the intake, there is greater risk of malnutrition 50% (MNA and NSI), excess cholesterol and folic acid deficiency, vitamin D and magnesium in both sexes. The antioxidant capacity was 31,377 umol / day and total polyphenols of 2,344 mg / day. Conclusions: There is a high risk of malnutrition (MNA, NSI) and cardiovascular disease (ICC) among participants. The antioxidant capacity of the menu three times the reference values and the energy profile of the elderly is inadequate, with excess fat and cholesterol and low in carbohydrates
The Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Alzheimer’s Stimulation (Mbas) in the Progression of Cognitive Impairment: A Double-Blind, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Quintana Hernández Domingo Jesús , Quintana Montesdeoca María del Pino
Published: March 2021

We conducted a randomized, controlled study in order to investigate the feasibility, security as well as the effects of the practice of mindfulness upon the evolution of AD. The efficacy of a Mindfulness-based Cognitive Stimulation program for Alzheimer’s patients was tested in this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, using repeated measures of CAMDEX (CAMCOG y MMSE) every six months during two years. A total of 168 patients, presenting a Probable Alzheimer Disease according to NINCDS-ADRDA criteria and treated with donepezil, were randomly assigned to the four following non-pharmacological treatments: standard cognitive stimulation, progressive muscular relaxation, mindfulness-based Alzheimer stimulation and control group, which received no intervention. Each experimental group worked in 90-minute sessions, three times per week during two years (a total of 96 weeks). Results indicated that the Mindfulness-based Alzheimer Stimulation group did not show as much a significant decline of cognitive function as the other groups did. Therefore, it seems that mindfulness practice, as implemented in this program, can have a preventive role against the progression of cognitive impairment in AD. These results support the use of mindfulness as a non-pharmacological treatment.
Physiological Impact of Music Therapy on Depression, Anxiety and Well-Being of Patients with Dementia of Alzheimer's Type. Assessment of the Use of Questionnaires to Quantify it
Authors: de la Rubia Ortí José Enrique , Espinós Paula Sancho , Cabañés Iranzo Carmen
Published: March 2021

Alzheimer's disease has become one of the most prevalent and worrying diseases in our society due to the impact that it has on the patient as well as family members and caregivers. Largely due to the fact that nowadays pharmacological treatments are not curative of this dementia, we considered alternative therapies that improve all the parameters of the disease. In this respect, it is known the direct relationship between chronic stress experienced by the individual in the last years of their life and the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, standing out depression, anxiety and sadness. Thinking about the extraordinary benefits that music has, we set out to assess the impact that music therapy would have on these symptoms. For this purpose, we carried out a brief intervention using a protocol standardized by us. At the same time, we conducted standardized questionnaires that measure depression and anxiety related to stress and happiness related to well-being, before and after the intervention, being able to assess whether there is any improvement, and if the use of questionnaires is suitable to quantify it. The results show a great improvement in patients regarding these symptoms, and therefore music therapy can be considered to be a very effective therapeutic tool to reduce the stress in these patients.
Tiredness, Care and Impact on Family Caregivers of Older Adults with Chronic Degenerative Diseases
Authors: Vicente Ruiz María Asunción , García Carmen de la Cruz , Morales Navarrete Ramón Antonio , Martínez Hernández Clara Magdalena , Villarreal Reyna María de los Ángeles
Published: March 2021

Chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, may limit the older adults’ ability to execute daily life activities; generating tiredness and/or overload on the caregivers. Objective: To determine the existing relationship between tiredness, the caregiver and the effects on the caregiver’s health. Method: Quantitative analytic study. The sample was assembled with 123 family caregivers and 123 older adults with a chronic degenerative disease. The sampling method was non-probabilistic. Results and Discussion: It was found association between tiredness and care’s repercussions (r=.438, p<.01), this suggest that, the higher the fatigue presented by the caregivers, higher the repercussions in their health will be (r=.546, p<.01). Also, a correlation from the care given by the familiar and the repercussions on the caregiver’s health (r=.546, p<.01), indicating that, the more extensive and complex the care given, greater the affectation this will have on the caregiver´s health. The care was related with the tiredness allows us to affirm that the more extensive and complex the care, the more tiredness is perceived by the caregiver (r=.109, p<.01). Conclusion: The caregiver’s tiredness is high; it is associated with the overload of the care and has several repercussions on the health or the wellbeing and future interdisciplinary-based interventions.
Descriptive Study on the Implication of Families in the Care of Institutionalized Elde
Authors: Pérez Dorado Mª del Carmen , Romero Serrano Rocío , Morillo Martín Mª Socorro , González-Serna José Mª Galán
Published: March 2021

The main objective of this study is to know the involvement in the care of families in Home for the Elderly of San St John of God in Seville. This is a pilot quantitative, descriptive and observational study. After a process of non-probability has formed a convenience sample of 20 relatives of elderly residents, including 5 are men and 15 are women. The instrument for data collection was the questionnaire "Scale-Zarit caregiver burden" and data analysis has been made by the SPSS 15.0 statistical program. Administered questionnaires, all agree that most of the care of the elderly is performed by the medical personnel of the residence, which implies that the results aren´t overloaded. And they claim that the informal support of the elderly doesn´t cease with the institutionalization. The involvements of family members in nursing homes meet the objective of having a collaborative role, in which the family is the memory and the voice of the elderly by the passage of time or by the disease who have they can´t answer questions as they arise for health professionals.
The Repercussion of Ai Chi on Aged People’s Balance
Authors: Olabe Sánchez Pablo Javier , Martínez-Almagro Andreo Andrés
Published: March 2021

To practice strength and balance activities are shown as useful tools to fall prevention by diverse metanalysis. On the other side, aquatic environment offers interesting properties for a therapeutic reeducation, being the Ai Chi one of its applications. Aim: To evaluate the repercussion of an Ai Chi programme on aged people’s balance. Method: A randomized controlled trial was developed comparing two groups formed by aged people with risk of fall according to the Timed Up & Go test. Intervention Group (IG) followed twelve Ai Chi sessions combined with their thermal programme; and Control Group (CG) just followed the thermal programme. Both groups spent two weeks in the Balneario of Archena (Murcia, Spain). Results: Both groups improve their balance; however, only the IG reached the non-risk of fall from the Timed Up & Go test. Conclusions: The combination of Ai Chi sessions and a thermal programme had a positive effect on aged people’s balance, showing a therapeutic and clinical relevance.
Development of a Psychoeducational Program in Emotional Intelligence for Primary Caregivers of Alzheimer Patients
Authors: Sitges Maciá Esther , Bonete López Beatriz
Published: March 2021

In early 2000 the first steps in the empirical evidence of the effects that a good emotional intelligence (EI ) can have on people, however, despite the benefits of studied this construct in various fields such as education, labor or health, there are not many studies focusing on the study of skills that EI has on caregivers of Alzheimer. In this paper Social Skills and IE caregivers of Alzheimer patients are evaluated. A psychoeducational intervention to 21 informal caregivers of Alzheimer's patients with an experimental group and a control group in the Alzheimer associations of Alicante and Elche. After surgery, it is observed that the levels of emotional IE in the experimental group were maintained. Caregivers verbalized an improvement after surgery. We believe that the results are good as a preliminary study and it would be interesting to expand both the number of hours of the workshop as the subject in order to generalize the results.
Depressive Symptoms Versus Depression in Older Adults in a Rural Community
Authors: Cordero Sánchez Clemente , García Madrid Guillermina , Flores Merlo Marcela , Báez Hernández Francisco Javier , Torres Reyes Alejandro , Zenteno López Miguel Ángel
Published: March 2021

Depression is a mood disorder characterized by loss of interest or pleasure in activities of daily living. Frequent and disabling geriatric syndrome that often goes unnoticed, which generates physical and functional. The objective was to know the depressive symptoms in older adults in a rural community in the state of Puebla, Mexico. Study was descriptive, correlational, cross, made of 155 seniors was an applied to Scale Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression CES-D and the Scale of Yesavage. The age range of older adults was 60 to 90 years, with a predominance of female gender in 65.2%, the CES-D reported 18.7% were found no clinical y significant symptoms, 70.3% in symptoms of sub- threshold depression, 9% in possible major depressive episode, 1.9% in probable major depressive episode. Similar results to those of Scale of Yesavage 43.2% found no evidence of depression, 32.9% with mild depression, 17.4% with moderate depression and 6.5% with severe depression. Noticing a difference by gender (Women=8482.00, Male=3608.00, p=.023). Knowing depressive symptoms in older adults can implement care interventions based on scientific evidence.
The attitudes of primary care nurses in the families’ aging cycle
Authors: Moreira Margarida A. , Almeida Helena M.
Published: March 2021

In Portugal, due to the importance of the family in care, the professional profile of the family nurse was created to ensure quality care, since they are considered to be at the core of the teams. Several authors argue that nurses who assign importance to the families in health care are more likely to interact with these families, increasing the level of care. In addition, the center of attention in nursing interventions should not only be the families’ responses, but also the nurses’ attitudes. With the aim of assessing nurses’ attitudes about the family care, a quantitative study was carried out in which the scale “A Importância das Famílias nos Cuidados de Enfermagem-Atitudes dos Enfermeiros (IFCE-AE)” was applied to 871 Primary Health Care nurses in the center region of Portugal. It was concluded that nurses who perform a specific intervention with parents, grandparents and grandchildren (p<0.001); request the presence of grandchildren when consulting the grandparents (p<0.001); and integrate grandchildren in the care for their grandparents (p<0.001) have better attitudes.
Memory, executive functions and cognitive impairment in elderly population
Authors: Clemente Yolanda , García-Sevilla Julia , Méndez Inmaculada
Published: March 2021

Cognitive functions refer to the superior brain or mental function. These processes are usually first to suffer cognitive impairment associated with ageing. The aim of this study was: to analyse the state of memory and executive functions in a sample of elder population with and without cognitive impairment; and compare the cognitive state between elder who live in a public home for the elderly and elder who live in their homes. Therefore, a screening test was carried out to check the cognitive impairment level (Cognitive Mini Test MEC-35), and after that, the Memory Alteration Test (T@M) and the Ring Test were applied. The participants were 24 subjects, 12 of which belonged to a public home for the elderly and the other 12 lived in their homes. The average age of the participants was 78. The study has allowed us to establish the significant relation between the cognitive deterioration level and the state of the memory and executive functions. Besides, sex was indifferent in memory as a variable, but not in executive functions. Finally, the fact of the people living in a public home show us no significant differences in the state of memory and executive functions compared to people who live in their homes.
Strengths in the elderly as a factor that increases wellbeing
Authors: Ramírez Encarnación , Ortega Ana R. , Martos Rafael
Published: March 2021

In the last decades there has been increased the study of the psychological strengths as factor that concerns the well-being. They are considered as a subset of features of personality to which a moral value is added, being defined as natural qualities that the persons are intrinsically motivated to use as they increase the quality of life. The investigations demonstrate that they act as factors of protection and prevention of the psychopathology and of the problems of behavior in the different stages of life. There are strengths that are more relevant in older people and their training would try to influence the behavior and the emotional functioning to increase the satisfaction with the life. In the present work we analyze the strengths that predominate in older and we propose a program of intervention to promote the improve their health and quality of life. This is a new proposal because, until now, interventions in this area have been aimed at palliate various problems or as a complement to traditional therapy but not to prevent the onset of common disorders in the elderly.
Creativity, paranormal beliefs and cognitive impairment in the elderly
Authors: Méndez Inmaculada , García-Sevilla Julia , Martínez Juan P. , García-Munuera Isabel , Bermúdez Ana Mª , Pérez Pilar
Published: March 2021

In the case of older people, aesthetic thought and creativity are ways to keep mind and imagination active by contributing to prevent cognitive decline. Furthermore, having a religious belief system or even a belief system or paranormal experiences has proved to be beneficial for the health of the elderly. The objective was to study the relationship between creativity, degree of cognitive impairment and paranormal beliefs. The existence of differences depending on sociodemographic characteristics was analyzed. A group of 36 elderly people (16 men) aged between 66 and 95 years were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MEC), the CREA Test and the Paranormal Beliefs Scale. The main outcomes include that: those with better cognitive status are more creative; the less creative subjects had more traditional religious beliefs and even greater superstition; the elderly with better cognitive status were the least superstitious. It is remarkable that men were more creative, while women excelled in traditional religious beliefs. The study allows reflecting on the importance of professionals who work with the elderly to carry out programs to encourage creativity and even collect information about the belief system.
Differences in the perception of parental involvement in homework depending on the level of student motivation
Authors: Regueiro Bibiana , Rodríguez Susana , Piñeiro Isabel , Estévez Iris , Ferradás Mar , Suárez Natalia
Published: March 2021

The main purpose of this work is to check if the student motivation is an important factor in their perception of family involvement on homework. This is to check the relationships between different levels of intrinsic motivation towards school work of students in secondary and their perceptions of parental support and the type of feedback provided by their parents to homework, including the latter parental support and parental control. The sample consists of 730 (43.4% male; 56.6% female) of Secondary School students (12 to 16). The results show that higher levels of intrinsic motivation are associated with a higher perception of students regarding parental accompaniment to do homework and parental control and support them. We conclude, therefore, that student motivation is a factor of great importance to the involvement of the family environment and, more specifically, for the support and feedback provided by parents regarding homework.
Psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSLS): A study on elderly attending to university programs
Authors: Galiana Laura , Gutiérrez Melchor , Sancho Patricia , Oliver Amparo , Tomás José M.
Published: March 2021

Several measures have been developed for the operalization of well-being, standing out the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS). To cope with some of its problems the Temporal Satisfaction with Life Scale (TSLS) was developed. The aim of this study is to present and validate the Spanish version of the TSLS, in a sample elderly attending to University programs. The sample was composed of 737 elderly. Together with the TSLS, an indicator of general life satisfaction and the SF-8 Health Scale were used. Analyses included the study of factorial validity, estimations of reliability and external validity. Results of the confirmatory factor analysis were adequate: χ2(87)=454.593 (p<.001), CFI=.973; RMSEA=.085, showing appropriate fit for the three-dimension model posed. Internal consistency of the three dimensions was high: alpha values of .83 for past, .81 for present, and .86 for future life satisfaction. Additionally, results of external validity were as expected. The TSLS addresses the temporal axis in the measurement of life satisfaction, with psychometric guarantees. Its utilities are explained in the discussion.
Spanish adaptation of the Alcohol Expectancy-Adolescent Questionnaire, Brief
Authors: Gázquez José J. , del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes Mª , del Mar Molero Mª , Martos África , Cardila Fernando , Barragán Ana B. , Carrión José J. , Garzón Anabella , Mercader Isabel
Published: March 2021

Alcohol is a substance commonly used by adolescents. Due to the relevant role alcohol expectancies have for understanding adolescent use behavior, valid and reliable instruments need to be designed to evaluate these beliefs. The purpose of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the Alcohol Expectancy Questionnaire-Adolescent, Brief (AEQ-AB). The sample was comprised of 315 adolescents aged 14 to 18 years who filled in an ad hoc questionnaire on demographic data the Spanish version of the EQ and the (AEQ-AB). Factor analysis showed that the original seven-item model clustered in two factors (positive and negative), fit the Spanish sample correctly. The reliability and validity analysis showed adequate translation and adaptation of the AEQ-AB questionnaire in Spanish adolescents.
Adolescent impulsiveness and use of alcohol and tobacco
Authors: del Carmen Pérez-Fuentes Mª , Gázquez José J. , del Mar Molero Mª , Cardila Fernando , Martos África , Barragán Ana B. , Garzón Anabella , Carrión José J. , Mercader Isabel
Published: March 2021

Adolescence is characterized by premature experimentation with new experiences and sensations. These experiences sometimes include drugs, which even though legal and socially accepted, begin to have noticeable negative consequences to the adolescent’s development. In recent years, a decrease in use of tobacco by Spanish adolescents has been observed, but not in alcohol. One of the causes of initiation in drug use is impulsive personality or behavior. Thus the purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between impulsiveness and frequency of use of alcohol and tobacco in 822 students aged 13 to 18 years of age. The State Impulsivity Scale (SIS) and an ad hoc questionnaire on demographic characteristics and use of alcohol and tobacco were used for this. The results showed that students who stated they were users scored significantly higher on impulsivity. Thus detailed analysis of the profile of individuals with this risk factor could favor more adequate intervention program design.
Comparative study of alexithymia in institutionalized elderly versus senior classroom
Authors: García-Sevilla Julia , Méndez Inmaculada , Bermúdez Ana Mª , Martínez Juan P.
Published: March 2021

Experience and emotion regulation are issues that are increasingly important in order to understand and promote the welfare and quality of life of elderly. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative study of the alexithymia in users in an institutionalized center and students enrolled in a senior classroom. Study participants were 43 people hospitalized and 48 from the senior older with an average age of 69.30 years and a standard deviation of 66.50. The instrument used was the adapted version of the TAS-20. The results showed that institutionalized people scored higher on the difficulty in identifying feelings, difficulty in describing feelings and in the pattern of externally-oriented thinking. Sex was indifferent to the difficulty in identifying feelings, difficulty in describing feelings as well as externally-oriented pattern. In terms of age, a relationship was found with the difficulty in identifying feelings and externally oriented thought patterns. The study allows us to conclude that alexithymia is influenced by the fact that the elderly person is in an institutionalized center.
Descriptive study of emotional variables elderly people
Authors: Etxeberria Igone
Published: March 2021

Emotional functioning (positive and negative affect, life satisfaction, loneliness and regulation strategies) of centenarians compared to younger adults was analyzed (65-74, 75-84, and 85-94 years old). This study was conducted with 257 older adults cognitively healthy and independent for the performance of the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). Results showed a decrease in positive affect in comparison with 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups, but not with 85 to 94. Centenarians also showed less negative affect and increased life satisfaction (in comparison with the youngest age group). In comparison with 65 to 74 and 75 to 84 age groups centenarians experimented higher loneliness. In regard to regulation strategies, in general, centenarians use less proactive strategies and problem solving while more passive strategies at least when regulating sadness. In conclusion, despite experiencing less positive affect and a higher loneliness, less negative affect and a higher life satisfaction was observed among centenarians. In addition, centenarians use proactive strategies less and passive strategies more.
Underachievement in Compulsory Secondary Education: a comparison of statistical methods for identification in Spain
Authors: Veas Alejandro , Gilar Raquel , Castejón Juan Luis , Miñano Pablo
Published: March 2021

This study compares the statistical methods employed for detecting underachievement, specifically the simple difference method, the regression method and the Rasch method. A sample of 1182 first- and second-year secondary students from 8 high schools in the province of Alicante participated in the study. The results showed a percentage of underachieving students that varies from 14.55% to 30.37%, depending on the statistical method employed. The Rasch method identified the highest number of underachieving students. Statistically significant differences were found between gender and type of student-underachieving and non-underachieving; however, no significant differences were detected between the course and type of student. This study confirms the importance of knowing the measurement properties of the statistical methods, how they affect the detection of underachieving students, and the main educational implications.
The mediating role of school engagement on perceived teacher support and satisfaction with life
Authors: Ramos-Díaz Estibaliz , Rodríguez-Fernández Arantzazu , Revuelta Lorena , Axpe Inge
Published: March 2021

The view of the school as a enviromental promoter of personal well-being has raised great interest in the study of variables related to positive development of students in the field of psychoeducational research. This study aims to test a structural model which posits both direct and indirect influence of perceived teacher support through school engagement on satisfaction with life. The study comprised 1250 students of compulsory secondary education aged between 12 and 15 years (Mage=13.72; SD=1.09) randomly selected in the Basque Country, of whom 612 (49%) were male and 638 (50 %) female. The results confirm the influence exerted by perceived teacher support on satisfaction with life through school engagement (²(51)=219.743, p<.001; GFI=.972; CFI=.965; TLI=.954; SRMR=.031; RMSEA=.051). Finally, the results and their implications, as well as the future research perspectives are discussed.
The efficacy of expressive writing intervention: the role of optimism and alexithymia
Authors: del Pino Tasmania , Peñate Wenceslao , Fumero Ascensión , Bethencourt Juan Manuel , Zambrano Sonia
Published: March 2021

The beneficial effects on the health of the re-experimentation of traumatic experiences are well-established. The effectiveness of using reexperimentation seems to be affected by certain conditions. Among personal variables that have been shown to influence the recovery of such experiences it has highlighted the optimism and alexithymia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects on mental health of an intervention based on re-experimentation. The sample consisted in a total of 60 participants, of which 40 carried out a process of emotional re-experimentation through three sessions of expressive writing. The rest formed the control group. All participants were evaluated before and after the emotional disclosure in positive and negative affect, anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts and cognitive avoidance. Furthermore, the level of optimism and alexithymia were controlled. The results showed the effectiveness of expressive writing on the positive and negative affect and on depression. Among the covariables, only optimism affected significantly to effect emotional variables. The contextual and personal conditions that can be ameliorated the clinical use of emotional disclosure were discussed.
Confirmatory factor analysis of Mathematics Progress Indicators (IPAM) in first-grade students
Authors: Jiménez Juan , del Cristo de León Sara
Published: March 2021

This study analyses the factorial structure of Mathematics Progress Indicators (IPAM), by using Confirmatory Factorial Analysis (CFA) techniques. For this purpose, a longitudinal study was carried out with a sample of 176 first-grade students from the Canary Islands, IPAM was administered to the study sample three times throughout the scholar year. The IPAM is a Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) instrument composed of three alternative or parallel measures (A, B and C) that try to measure the same latent structure (i.e., number sense). The IPAM measures were administered three times per year (i.e., fall, winter, spring). Its main objective is the universal screening and evaluation of students' mathematics learning progress in the elementary grades through the evaluation of fluency for different tasks (i.e., magnitude comparison, one-digit operations, two-digit operations, missing number, and position value). Fluency is measured by counting the number of correct answers given by the student at a given time. The results of the CFA confirm a good fit of the proposed model for the different moments of measurement.
Organization strategies in the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure in children with ADHD
Authors: Rubiales Josefina , Russo Daiana , González Rocío , Bakker Liliana
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to analyze ADHD diagnosed children´s process of copy, organization strategies and recall phase of Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure. This study corresponds to an ex post facto retrospective design with two groups, one quasi control. Seventy children between 8 and 14 years old were evaluated; 35 with ADHD and 35 without these diagnoses, paired by sex, age and instruction level. To reach the proposed objective, the process of copying, organizational strategies and memory of the Rey- Osterrieth Complex Figure were evaluated. The Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure is a test which consists of copying phase and posterior playing back memory phase of a complex geometric pattern. Results showed a lower yield for the group with ADHD both in copy and memory process, with greater use of C and D types of copy reproduction, being the use of type D expected for younger children. These results allow further analysis of the performance of children with ADHD regarding organizational strategies providing expertise in the conceptualization, evaluation and treatment of the disorder.
An AI-Powered System for Residential Demand Response
Authors: Esnaola-Gonzalez Iker , Jelić Marko , Pujić Dea , Diez Francisco Javier , Tomašević Nikola
Published: March 2021

Recent studies show that energy consumption of buildings has dramatically increased over the last decade, accounting for more than 35% of global energy use. However, with proper operation, significant energy savings can be achieved. Demand response is envisioned as a key enabler of this operation enhancement, as it may contribute to the reduction of demand peaks and maximization of renewable energy exploitation while mitigating potential problems with grid stability. In this article, a system based on artificial intelligence that solves the complex multi-objective problem to bring demand response programs to the residential sector is proposed. Through the application of novel machine learning-based algorithms, a unique control loop is developed to help dwellers determine how and when to use their appliances. The feasibility and validity of the proposed system has been demonstrated in a real-world neighbourhood where a notable reduction and shift of electricity demand peaks has been achieved. Concretely, in accordance with extreme changes in the energy prices, the users have demonstrated the ability to shift their demand to periods with lower prices as well as reducing power consumption during periods with higher prices, thus fully translating the demand peak in time.
Virtual Scenario Simulation and Modeling Framework in Autonomous Driving Simulators
Authors: Wen Mingyun , Park Jisun , Sung Yunsick , Park Yong Woon , Cho Kyungeun
Published: March 2021

Recently, virtual environment-based techniques to train sensor-based autonomous driving models have been widely employed due to their efficiency. However, a simulated virtual environment is required to be highly similar to its real-world counterpart to ensure the applicability of such models to actual autonomous vehicles. Though advances in hardware and three-dimensional graphics engine technology have enabled the creation of realistic virtual driving environments, the myriad of scenarios occurring in the real world can only be simulated up to a limited extent. In this study, a scenario simulation and modeling framework that simulates the behavior of objects that may be encountered while driving is proposed to address this problem. This framework maximizes the number of scenarios, their types, and the driving experience in a virtual environment. Furthermore, a simulator was implemented and employed to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework.
Mobile Collectors for Opportunistic Internet of Things in Smart City Environment with Wireless Power Transfer
Authors: Ijemaru Gerald K. , Ang Kenneth L.-M. , Seng Jasmine K. P.
Published: March 2021

In the context of Internet of Things (IoT) for Smart City (SC) applications, Mobile Data Collectors (MDCs) can be opportunistically exploited as wireless energy transmitters to recharge the energy-constrained IoT sensor-nodes placed within their charging vicinity or coverage area. The use of MDCs has been well studied and presents several advantages compared to the traditional methods that employ static sinks. However, data collection and transmission from the hundreds of thousands of sensors sparsely distributed across virtually every smart city has raised some new challenges. One of these concerns lies in how these sensors are being powered as majority of the IoT sensors are extremely energy-constrained owing to their smallness and mode of deployments. It is also evident that sensor-nodes closer to the sinks dissipate their energy faster than their counterparts. Moreover, battery recharging or replacement is impractical and incurs very large operational costs. Recent breakthrough in wireless power transfer (WPT) technologies allows the transfer of energy to the energy-hungry IoT sensor-nodes wirelessly. WPT finds applications in medical implants, electric vehicles, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), mobile phones, and so on. The present study highlights the use of mobile collectors (data mules) as wireless power transmitters for opportunistic IoT-SC operations. Specifically, mobile vehicles used for data collection are further exploited as wireless power transmitters (wireless battery chargers) to wirelessly recharge the energy-constrained IoT nodes placed within their coverage vicinity. This paper first gives a comprehensive survey of the different aspects of wireless energy transmission technologies—architecture, energy sources, IoT energy harvesting modes, WPT techniques and applications that can be exploited for SC scenarios. A comparative analysis of the WPT technologies is also highlighted to determine the most energy-efficient technique for IoT scenarios. We then propose a WPT scheme that exploits vehicular networks for opportunistic IoT-SC operations. Experiments are conducted using simulations to evaluate the performance of the proposed model and to investigate WPT efficiency of a power-hungry opportunistic IoT network for different trade-off factors.
Evaluation of Large-Area Silicon Photomultiplier Arrays for Positron Emission Tomography Systems
Authors: Seo Minjee , Park Haewook , Lee Jae Sung
Published: March 2021

An individual readout of silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) would enhance the performance of modern positron emission tomography (PET) systems. However, as it difficult to achieve in practice, a multiplexing readout of SiPM arrays could be performed instead. In this study, we characterized the performance of three PET detector modules utilizing three different SiPM models with active areas of 3 × 3, 4 × 4, and 6 × 6 mm2. Each SiPM array was coupled with a 4 × 4 LYSO crystal block. For SiPM multiplexing, we used a discretized positioning circuit to obtain position and energy information, and applied a first-order capacitive high-pass filter to enhance the time-of-flight measurement capability of the PET detector. The energy performance was similar among the three different SiPM arrays, with an energy resolution of 10%–11%. The best timing performance was achieved with the SiPM array with an active area of 6 × 6 mm2, which yielded a coincidence timing resolution (CTR) value of 401 ps FWHM when an analog high-pass filter was applied. We expect that, in combination with high-performance SiPM multiplexing techniques, the SiPM array with an active area of 6 × 6 mm2 can provide a cost-effective solution for developing a whole-body PET scanner.
Network Intelligent Control and Traffic Optimization Based on SDN and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Guo Aipeng , Yuan Chunhui
Published: March 2021

For telecom operators, it is of great significance to employ artificial intelligence (AI) and big data technology in a software-defined network (SDN) in order to achieve intelligent network control, traffic management and optimization. This paper proposes a solution for intelligent work control and traffic optimization. This paper is mainly focused on SDN-based network traffic algorithm optimization and experimental verification. In this paper, we design a network control mechanism for network intelligent control as well as solutions for traffic optimization based on SDN and artificial intelligence. We analyze operators’ network requirements (e.g., the carrying of the 5th generation mobile network (5G) service, multi-protocol label switching virtual private networks optimization, cloudification of services and the IP backbone network). Then, we propose an intelligent network control architecture based on SDN and artificial intelligence. The proposed architecture consists of three modules, including a network status collection/perception module, an AI intelligent analysis module and an SDN controller module. Moreover, this paper also analyzes the objects of traffic optimization as well as routing calculation algorithms (e.g., the greedy algorithm, the top-k-shortest paths (KSP) algorithm) and routing optimization algorithms (e.g., particle swarm optimization, simulated annealing and genetic algorithms). In addition, we also put forward three optimization algorithms for the operator’s network, namely, network congestion control and prevention algorithms, resource preemption algorithms and balance of the entire network traffic algorithms. Then, we propose optimization algorithms for the above three objectives of operator network optimization, respectively. Finally, we conduct large-scale experiments to verify the effectiveness of the control mechanism and algorithms. The experimental results demonstrate that the use of SDN and artificial intelligence in operator networks can realize network intelligent control and traffic optimization more intelligently.