bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social Norms and Prejudice against Homosexuals
Authors: Pereira Annelyse , Monteiro Maria Benedicta , Camino Leoncio
Published: March 2013

Different studies regarding the role of norms on the expression of prejudice have shown that the anti-prejudice norm influences people to inhibit prejudice expressions. However, if norm pressure has led to a substantial decrease in the public expression of prejudice against certain targets (e.g., blacks, women, blind people), little theoretical and empirical attention has been paid to the role of this general norm regarding sexual minorities (e.g., prostitutes, lesbians and gays). In this sense, the issue we want to address is whether general anti-prejudice norms can reduce the expression of prejudice against homosexual individuals. In this research we investigate the effect of activating an anti-prejudice norm against homosexuals on blatant and subtle expressions of prejudice. The anti-prejudice norm was experimentally manipulated and its effects were observed on rejection to intimacy (blatant prejudice) and on positive-negative emotions (subtle prejudice) regarding homosexuals. 136 university students were randomly allocated to activated-norm and control conditions and completed a questionnaire that included norm manipulation and the dependent variables. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) as well as subsequent ANOVAS showed that only in the high normative pressure condition participants expressed less rejection to intimacy and less negative emotions against homosexuals, when compared to the simple norm-activation and the control conditions. Positive emotions, however, were similar both in the high normative pressure and the control conditions. We concluded that a high anti-prejudice pressure regarding homosexuals could reduce blatant prejudice but not subtle prejudice, considering that the expression of negative emotions decreased while the expression of positive emotions remained stable.
Stress and Quality of Life of Senior Brazilian Police Officers
Authors: Lipp Marilda E. Novaes
Published: March 2013

This study examines levels of occupational stress, quality of life, work-related stressors, and coping strategies among senior police officers in Brazil. A quantitative questionnaire survey conducted among 418 senior members of the São Paulo Police Force reveals that high-ranking Brazilian police officers perceive their profession as being very stressful. A large proportion (43%) of police officers are found to have significant stress symptoms. A greater proportion of females (54%) than males (40%) are found to have stress. The most frequently reported stressor is interaction with other departments within the police force. Quality of life is found to be deficient in the ‘professional’ and ‘health’ areas. This study is the first to show a clear association between high levels of emotional stress and poor quality of life in Brazilian police officers. The large number of stress symptoms and poor quality of life identified in the present study indicates that there is a need for preventive actions inside the Brazilian police force to motivate lifestyle changes, improve stress-management skills, and promote a better quality of life among high-ranking police officers.
Putting Text in Context: The Conflict between Pro-Ecological Messages and Anti-Ecological Descriptive Norms
Authors: Oceja Luis , Berenguer Jaime
Published: March 2013

In the present work we test whether the effectiveness of ecological messages may be canceled out when they conflict with the descriptive norm that is salient in the situation. In two studies, participants were unobtrusively observed while performing an ecologically relevant behavior: leaving lights on or off when exiting a public space. The results of Study 1 showed in two different settings (i.e., public washrooms of a university and of a restaurant) the powerful influence of focusing a descriptive norm that refers to such behavior, even when this descriptive norm is not sustained by the injunctive norm. The results of Study 2 showed the overall ineffectiveness of ecological messages when the information in the message was in conflict with the descriptive norm made salient by the context. Additionally, the results of a Follow-up Study suggested that vividness-congruency may increase the effectiveness of the message. Both the theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Salivary Cortisol Response to a Psychosocial Stressor on Children Diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Differences Between Diagnostic Subtypes
Authors: Maldonado Enrique F. , Trianes Mª Victoria , Cortés Antonio , Moreno Encarnación , Escobar Milagros
Published: March 2013

The purpose of the present study was to compare the reactivity of the HPA-axis in children diagnosed with different subtypes of ADHD against a healthy control group. This study included a total of 66 children: 33 children with ADHD diagnoses (10 with prevalent inattentive symptoms, 9 with prevalent hyperactive-impulsive symptoms and 14 with the combined subtype) and 33 healthy controls. The Trier Stress Social Test for Children (TSST-C) was employed as stressor. This test included two main stressors: first, completing a story initiated by an interviewer, and second, executing a timed cognitive task. Saliva samples were then obtained at -1, and +1, +10, +20 and +30 minutes with respect to the stressinducing task. While the repeated-measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant time effect, the expected cortisol stress-response was not observed in any group. A difference was observed in the response from the hyperactive-impulsive group that was also observed in the AUCG comparisons with the subgroups. The ADHD group with prevalent hyperactivity-impulsive symptoms showed more significantly reduced cortisol levels than the control group and other experimental subgroup with prevalent inattentive symptoms.
Adaptation of the ESPA29 Parental Socialization Styles Scale to the Basque Language: Evidence of Validity
Authors: López-Jáuregui Alicia , Oliden Paula Elosua
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study is to adapt the ESPA29 scale of parental socialization styles in adolescence to the Basque language. The study of its psychometric properties is based on the search for evidence of internal and external validity. The first focuses on the assessment of the dimensionality of the scale by means of exploratory factor analysis. The relationship between the dimensions of parental socialization styles and gender and age guarantee the external validity of the scale. The study of the equivalence of the adapted and original versions is based on the comparisons of the reliability coefficients and on factor congruence. The results allow us to conclude the equivalence of the two scales.
Validation study of the Spanish Version of the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire (CCTF)
Authors: Blanch Angel , Aluja Anton
Published: March 2013

In this study, a brief Work-Family Conflict (WFC) Questionnaire in the Spanish language is proposed that takes into account the two directions commonly reported in the literature: work interference with family (WIF), and family interference with work (FIW). The results obtained through exploratory factor analyses (EFA) and confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) with two independent samples, carried out for women and men, showed acceptable validity and reliability. A copy of the instrument in Spanish language is provided, together with the Amos 4 syntax to perform the factor invariance analysis for women and men. The suggested Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire (in Spanish, abbreviated as CCTF) may be useful in studies performed in the work setting, considering the special relevance of the concept in this line of research.
A Comparative Study on Undergraduate Students' Academic Motivation and Academic Self-Concept
Authors: Isiksal Mine
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate Turkish and American undergraduate students' academic motivation and academic self-concept scores regarding the years that they spent in university. The analysis was based on 566 (284 Turkish, 282 American) undergraduate students where, Academic Motivation Scale and Academic Self-Concept Scale were used as measuring instruments. The results showed that there was a statistical significant effect of nationality and number of years spent in university on undergraduate students' intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and self-concept scores. Turkish students had higher intrinsic scores whereas American students had higher extrinsic scores and more positive academic-self concept compared to Turkish partners. Regarding grade level, senior students from both cultures had higher intrinsic motivation and academic self-concept scores compared to other grade levels. In terms of extrinsic motivation, there is steady decline in American students' scores as grade level increases. On the other hand, Turkish undergraduates' extrinsic scores decrease in the second year but increase in the third and fourth year of university education. Results were discussed by taking into consideration the social and cultural differences between two nations.
Commitment, Enjoyment and Motivation in Young Soccer Competitive Players
Authors: Garcia-Mas Alexandre , Palou Pere , Gili Margarita , Ponseti Xavier , Borras Pere A. , Vidal Josep , Cruz Jaume , Torregrosa Miquel , Villamarín Francisco , Sousa Catarina
Published: March 2013

Building upon Deci's and Ryan (1985) Self-determination theory as well as the sportive behavioral correlates of the model of Commitment (Scanlan et al., 1976), this study tries to establish the relationship between motivation and commitment in youth sport. For this purpose 454 young competitive soccer players answered the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS) and the Sport Commitment Questionnaire (SCQ) during the regular season.

The SMS measures the three dimensions of the Motivational continuum (the Amotivation, the Extrinsic Motivation and the Intrinsic Motivation). The SCQ measures the Sportive Commitment and its composing factors such as the Enjoyment, the Alternatives to the sport, and the Social Pressure. Our findings provided a clear pattern of the influence of motivation in sport enjoyment and commitment, outlining the positive contribution of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation to enjoyment and commitment. Amotivation, contributes positively to alternatives to sport and negatively to enjoyment and commitment. It should be noted that extrinsic motivation has a higher contribution to enjoyment whereas intrinsic motivation has a higher contribution to commitment.
Life Satisfaction and Perception of Happiness among University Students
Authors: Martín Jesús San , Perles Fabiola , Canto Jesús María
Published: March 2013

The aim of this essay has been the evaluation of three orientations towards happiness: pleasure, meaning and engagement, as well as their relation to life satisfaction and the perception of happiness in a sample of 320 university students. The results show that the most used kind of orientation towards happiness is pleasure, followed by meaning, and finally engagement. It has also been found that pleasure is the orientation most closely associated to happiness while engagement seems to be more related to life satisfaction. These findings aim to the distinction between the concepts of happiness and life satisfaction and lead the attention to the actions which can improve the levels of happiness.
Job Satisfaction and Cortisol Awakening Response in Teachers Scoring high and low on Burnout
Authors: Moya-Albiol Luis , Serrano Miguel Ángel , Salvador Alicia
Published: March 2013

The burnout syndrome is an important psychosocial risk in the job context, especially in professions with a strong social interaction, as in the case of teaching. High levels of burnout have been related to negative psychological indicators and hormonal alterations. This study compares job satisfaction and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) in teachers scoring high (HB) and low (LB) on burnout. HB teachers showed lower job satisfaction and no significant differences in the CAR when compared with the LB group. The results of the study suggest a general dissatisfaction with work along with a different functioning of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in HB teachers. Although non significantly, they showed a lower magnitude of the CAR than LB teachers. When considering the whole sample, emotional exhaustion and depersonalization correlated negatively and personal accomplishment positively with each subscale of the job satisfaction questionnaire whereas cortisol levels or CAR did not correlate significantly with both burnout subscales and job satisfaction. These results should be taken into account when working to prevent burnout in teachers, as the modified parameters could be considered indicators of the onset or development of the syndrome.
Barriers Perceived by Teachers at Work, Coping Strategies, Self-efficacy and Burnout
Authors: Betoret Fernando Doménech , Artiga Amparo Gómez
Published: March 2013

This study examines the relationships among stressors, coping strategies, self-efficacy and burnout in a sample of 724 Spanish primary and secondary teachers. We understood stressors as barriers perceived by teachers that interfere with their work meeting learning objectives and which cause them stress and burnout. An analysis of teacher responses using hierarchical regression revealed that pedagogical barriers had significant positive effects on the burnout dimensions. Furthermore, the results show not only the moderator role played by coping strategies in the pedagogical barriers-burnout dimensions relationship, but also the association between self-efficacy and the coping strategies used by teachers. Practical implications are discussed.
Analysis of the Indicators of Pathological Internet Use in Spanish University Students
Authors: Muñoz-Rivas Marina J. , Fernández Liria , Gámez-Guadix Manuel
Published: March 2013

Addiction to and problematic use of the Internet are relatively recent phenomena whose scope, characteristics and correlates have begun to receive increasing attention by clinicians and researchers alike. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between time spent connected to the Internet and the variables that indicate a pathological and addictive use of this technological resource. The sample was comprised of 1,301 university students of both sexes (927 women and 374 men), with ages ranging from 18 to 30 years old. The results showed that, although most people use the Internet appropriately, users who invest higher quantities of time in the Internet more frequently exhibit connection behavior that is controlled through negative reinforcement, a high degree of arousal when online, loss of control over connection behavior, changes in health-related habits, and interference in the social, family, academic, or work spheres. These findings suggest that excessive Internet use is associated with the onset of several problems that are similar to those associated with other behavioral and technological addictions.
Sociometric Types and Social Interaction Styles in a Sample of Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Inglés Cándido J. , Delgado Beatriz , García-Fernández José M. , Ruiz-Esteban Cecilia , Díaz-Herrero Ángela
Published: March 2013

This study analyzed the relationship between social interaction styles and sociometric types in a sample of 1,349 (51.7% boys, and 48.3% girls) Spanish adolescents. The results revealed that the proportion of prosocial adolescents nominated as liked by peers was significantly higher than prosocial with social anxiety, whereas the proportion of aggressive adolescents nominated by peers as rejected was significantly higher than the proportion of rejected-prosocial and rejected-with social anxiety. The percentages of sociometric types and social interaction styles varied significantly according to gender and academic grade. Logistic regression analyses showed that being prosocial was 48% more likely when adolescents are nominated by peers as liked, whereas being prosocial was 41% and 79% less likely when adolescents were nominated as rejected and neglected, respectively. Furthermore, prosocial adolescents were 67% more likely nominated by peers as liked, and were less likely nominated as rejected (42%) and neglected (78%). Finally, being neglected was 83% more likely in aggressive adolescents.
Distinguishing Male Juvenile Offenders through Personality Traits, Coping Strategies, Feelings of Guilt and Level of Anger
Authors: Ferrer Marta , Carbonell Xavier , Sarrado Joan Josep , Cebrià Jordi , Virgili Carles , Castellana Montserrat
Published: March 2013

On the basis of a comparative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, our aim was to determine differential traits of adolescent offenders with respect to personality traits, feelings of guilt, level of anger, and coping strategies. 128 adolescent residents of Barcelona (86 high school students and 42 young inmates aged between 16 and 18 years) replied to a variety of questionnaires (SC-35, EPQ-R, STAXI, ACS). Significant differences between the two groups were found. Young offenders present higher levels of guilt feelings, neuroticism, psychoticism, and trait anger. They also tend to repress their anger or, on the contrary, express it verbally and physically and use passive or avoidance coping strategies. Education and psychological therapy focussed on guilt may contribute to reduce recidivism.
What do People Mean when Speaking of Evilness?
Authors: Quiles Mª Nieves , Morera Mª Dolores , Correa Ana Delia , Leyens Jacques Philippe
Published: March 2013

The term evilness started to become popular in social psychology after the publication in 1999 of the special issue edited by Arthur G. Miller, “Perspectives on evil and violence”. It is usually used to define behaviors that are extremely and strongly harmful. However, the concept is still imprecise and needs to be empirically delineated. This article attempts to answer the following questions. What is evilness? What is the difference between aggression and evilness? We conducted several studies with three goals: to analyze how laypersons and experts define evilness, to verify whether laypeople distinguish between different intensities of evilness, and to determine the dimensions that predict aggression and evilness. The results offer preliminary answers to the three questions.
Autonomy and Interdependence: Beliefs of Brazilian Mothers from State Capitals and Small Towns
Authors: Vieira Mauro Luis , Seidl-de-Moura Maria Lucia , Macarini Samira Mafioletti , Martins Gabriela Dal Forno , Lordelo Eulina da Rocha , Tokumaru Rosana Suemi , Oliva Ângela Donato
Published: March 2013

This study aimed to investigate characteristics of Brazilian mothers' beliefs system, in the dimensions of autonomy and interdependence. A group of 600 women, half from state capitals and half from small towns, participated in the study. They were individually interviewed with Scales of Allocentrism, Beliefs about Parental Practices and Socialization Goals. Paired and Independent samples t tests and Multivariate GLM were performed. The results indicate that although mothers from both contexts value autonomy, mothers inhabiting small towns considered the relational dimension as the most important; whereas mothers inhabiting capitals valued equally both dimensions, either in their beliefs about practices or in the socialization goals for their children. Mothers from small towns have a higher mean score for allocentrism than mothers living in capitals. Thus, place of residence proved to be a relevant variable in the modulation of maternal beliefs. Educational level was not a significant factor in the variables considered and with this group of mothers. The study results are discussed in terms of their contribution to the understanding of the complex relationship between dimensions of autonomy and interdependence in mothers' beliefs system.
Gender-Role's Attitude, Perceived Similarity, and Sexual Prejudice against Gay Men
Authors: Falomir-Pichastor Juan Manuel , Martínez Carmen , Paterna Consuelo
Published: March 2013

Two hundred and twenty-six heterosexual participants (115 women and 111 men) were asked to indicate their attitude toward gender-roles, their perceived similarities with gay men, and their attitude toward gay men (i.e., sexual prejudice). As expected, male participants showed more sexual prejudice than female participants, and perceived dissimilarities were related to a greater sexual prejudice. Support for gender-roles was related to sexual prejudice for male participants, but not for female participants. More interestingly, the three-way interaction suggested that perceived similarities moderated the link between gender-roles and sexual prejudice among heterosexual men, but not among heterosexual women. Attitude in favor of traditional gender-roles was related to sexual prejudice for male participants who perceived gay men as different, but not for those who perceived gay men as similar. These findings are discussed in terms of the defensive function of men's attitude toward homosexuality as a result of threat to masculinity.
Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales across Gender and Age
Authors: Fonseca-Pedrero Eduardo , Paino Mercedes , Lemos-Giráldez Serafín , Sierra-Baigrie Susana , Muñiz José
Published: March 2013

The Wisconsin Schizotypy Scales are among the most widely used instruments for the assessment of psychosis proneness. The main goal of the present work was to study the dimensional structure underlying the Revised Physical Anhedonia Scale (RPhA), the Revised Social Anhedonia Scale (RSAS), the Magical Ideation Scale (MIS) and the Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS). It was also explored whether the dimensions underlying these scales were invariant across gender and age. The sample was made up of 710 university students with a mean age of 19.8 years (SD = 1.9). The results showed that the dimensional structure of the Wisconsin scales was similar to that found in previous studies, displaying a Positive dimension and a Negative dimension, the Social Anhedonia Scale being related to both dimensions. Moreover, the factor structure of the schizotypy scales was found to be invariant across participants' gender and age.
Spanish Adaptation of the NDSS (Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale) and Assessment of Nicotine-Dependent Individuals at Primary Care Health Centers in Spain
Authors: Becoña Elisardo , López Ana , del Río Elena Fernández , Míguez Mª Carmen , Castro Josefina
Published: March 2013

The availability of adequate instruments for the assessment of nicotine dependence is an important factor that is relevant in the area of tobacco addiction. In this study, we present a Spanish validation of the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale (NDSS) (Shiffman, Waters, & Hickcox, 2004). The sample was composed of patients, all daily smokers, who visited their General Practitioner (GP) at five Primary Health Care Centers in different cities of Spain (N = 637). The results indicated adequate reliability for the general factor that assesses nicotine dependence (NDSS-Total) (Cronbach's α = .76). Factor analysis confirms the five factors of the original validation: Drive, Continuity, Stereotypy, Priority, and Tolerance. It must be noted that reliability is adequate for the first, and moderate or low for the rest. The NDSS-T and its scales correlate significantly with the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), with the nicotine dependence criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) as assessed through the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID), with carbon monoxide levels in expired air (CO), and with the number of cigarettes smoked. The ROC curve indicates that the NDSS-T has a score of .79 which is under the curve (.69 for the FTND), thus the prediction of nicotine dependence is adequate. We conclude that this instrument is useful (in terms of its total score NDSS-T) for assessing nicotine dependence for Spanish smokers (in Spain), as has been found in other countries, language groups, and cultures.
The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26): Reliability and Validity in Spanish Female Samples
Authors: Rivas Teresa , Bersabé Rosa , Jiménez Manuel , Berrocal Carmen
Published: March 2013

This paper focuses on the validation of the Spanish form of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26; Garner, Olmsted, Bohr & Garfinkel, 1982) across two studies. Participants in Study 1 were 778 females recruited from community settings (aged 12-21). Study 2 included 86 females recruited from clinical and 86 females from community settings (aged 12-35). Results from Principal and Simultaneous Component Analyses showed a unidimensional structure of the EAT-26 item scores. Reliability analyses supported the internal consistency of the scale. Study 1 also explores the ability of the EAT-26 to discriminate between subjects with Eating Disorder (ED), Symptomatic or Asymptomatic by means of ROC analyses and using results from the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD; Mintz, O'Halloran, Mulholland, & Schneider, 1997) as criterion. The EAT-26 demonstrated good specificity but insufficient sensitivity to detect a full or partial ED. Study 2 explores the ability of the questionnaire to discriminate between subjects with and without ED. The EAT-26 demonstrated good specificity and moderate sensitivity to detect ED. Clinical and theoretical implications of these results are discussed.
Mechanisms of Achromatic Vision in Invertebrates and Vertebrates: A Comparative Study
Authors: Chernorizov Alexander M. , Sokolov Evgenii N.
Published: March 2013

Intracellular recording in the retina of the snail, Helix pomatia L., reveals the existence of two types of cell responsive to diffuse flashes of achromatic or monochromatic light: B-type cells, which respond with sustained depolarization that is sometimes accompanied by spikes, and D-type cells, which respond with sustained hyperpolarization. The peak of spectral sensitivity for both B- and D-cells falls in the 450-500 nm range and coincides with range of maximal sensitivity for the rhodopsin family of photopigments. Within a proposed two-channel model of snail achromatic vision, responses of the B- and D-cells are represented by a two-dimensional ‘excitation vector’. The length of the ‘excitation vector’ is approximately constant, and its direction correlates with light intensity. The vector model of light encoding in the snail is discussed in relation to models of achromatic vision in vertebrates (fish, frog, monkey, and humans) based on psychophysical, behavioral and neurophysiological data. Intracellular data in the snail taken together with data from vertebrate animals support the hypothesis that a 2-dimensional model of brightness and darkness encoding utilizes a universal mechanism of ‘vector encoding’ for light intensity in neuronal vision networks.
Interindividual Variability in Vocabulary, Sentence Comprehension and Working Memory in the Elderly: Effects of Cognitive Deterioration
Authors: López-Higes S. Ramón , Valdehita Susana Rubio , Aragoneses Mª Teresa Martín , Del Río David
Published: March 2013

Interindividual variability in vocabulary, sentence comprehension and working memory is studied in older people with mild cognitive impairment, very low cognitive impairment and normal state, according to the Mini Examen Cognoscitivo (MEC). In the study participated 71 seniors, aged between 62 to 90 years of age, with low instructional level (from one to five years of regular education). Variability measures were calculated in a test of lexical knowledge, another of working memory, and also in one of sentence comprehension.

The results obtained using a polynomial regression analysis of the absolute residual scores on the MEC, showed that: (a) variability increases in a linear fashion as the MEC score decreases in the case of nouns, and sentences with one proposition that do not follow the canonical order of constituents in Spanish; (b) Performance on the simpler sentences (one proposition and canonical order) and in the most complex ones (two propositions and non-canonical order) variability showed a change in its trend from MEC scores that indicate cognitive deterioration; (c) In relation to performance on the verbs, variability’s change of trend is not linked to cognitive deterioration. We discuss the results in terms of the utility of these measures as potential indicators of cognitive impairment.
Justifications and Comparisons in the Division of Household Labor: The Relevance of Gender Ideology
Authors: Martínez Carmen , Paterna Consuelo , Yago Carmen
Published: March 2013

This study tests the direct relevance of justifications and social comparisons (predictors of perceptions of fairness) on different types of household labour distribution, and the importance of masculinity ideology and neosexism on these variables. The participants were heterosexual dual-earner couples. Our results showed that both men and women use more justifications when their housework distribution is not equal, but only women use social comparisons associated with the ways of distributing domestic work. In addition, we observe that, in both men and women, justifications are related to a traditional masculine ideology, but a different model appears in relation to comparisons which are associated with neosexism in men and with traditional masculine ideology in women. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Team Learning and Effectiveness in Virtual Project Teams: The Role of Beliefs about Interpersonal Context
Authors: Ortega Aída , Sánchez-Manzanares Miriam , Gil Francisco , Rico Ramón
Published: March 2013

There has been increasing interest in team learning processes in recent years. Researchers have investigated the impact of team learning on team effectiveness and analyzed the enabling conditions for the process, but team learning in virtual teams has been largely ignored. This study examined the relationship between team learning and effectiveness in virtual teams, as well as the role of team beliefs about interpersonal context. Data from 48 teams performing a virtual consulting project over 4 weeks indicate a mediating effect of team learning on the relationship between beliefs about the interpersonal context (psychological safety, task interdependence) and team effectiveness (satisfaction, viability). These findings suggest the importance of team learning for developing effective virtual teams.
Working Conditions, Burnout and Stress Symptoms in University Professors: Validating a Structural Model of the Mediating Effect of Perceived Personal Competence
Authors: Navarro María Luisa Avargues , Mas Mercedes Borda , Jiménez Ana María López
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this study has been to test, with a sample of 193 Professors of the University of Seville, a structural model on the mediating role of personal perceived competence in the appearance of burnout syndrome and stress symptoms under potentially stressful work conditions. The instruments used to evaluate were a socio-demographic and work-related data questionnaire, The Maslach Burnout Inventory (M.B.I.), The Labour Scale of Stress and the Magallanes Stress Scale. The model of strategy implementation and LISREL 8.71 were used. The estimated model was adjusted satisfactorily, ascertaining the mediating effect of perceived competence in the effect exerted by the work conditions studied on the depersonalization and personal fulfillment, as well as in the appearance of stress symptoms. The effect on the emotional exhaustion dimension was not confirmed. The latter also acted on the estimated model as a mediating variable, facilitating the negative impact of stressors on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment.
Categorization and Hierarchy of Workplace Bullying Strategies: A Delphi Survey
Authors: Rodríguez-Carballeira Álvaro , Solanelles Jordi Escartín , Vinacua Bienvenido Visauta , García Clara Porrúa , Martín-Peña Javier
Published: March 2013

This paper reports a study of the characteristics of psychological abuse strategies deployed in the workplace (mobbing or workplace bullying). Based on a literature review, the aim of the present study is two fold: firstly to propose a new taxonomy of mobbing strategies and to provide an operational definition for each of them, and secondly, to assess this taxonomy with the aid of several experts, by using a Delphi survey, and to evaluate the severity of each of the mobbing strategies. The experts were asked to evaluate the adequacy and the severity of the definitions for each mobbing strategy. Thirty experts working in various professions (psychology, medicine, law, sociology, etc.) participated in a two-round Delphi survey. The experts estimated that the new taxonomy and the operational definitions were appropriate, establishing content and construct validity. They ranked the workplace bullying strategies in terms of descending importance: strategies of direct nature, followed by indirect strategies. Theoretical implications of the study, its limitations and future research are discussed.
Emotional Suppression and Breast Cancer: Validation Research on the Spanish Adaptation of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS)
Authors: Durá Estrella , Andreu Yolanda , Galdón Maria José , Ibáñez Elena , Pérez Sandra , Ferrando Maite , Murgui Sergio , Martínez Paula
Published: March 2013

Emotional suppression has played an important role in the research on psychosocial factors related to cancer. It has been argued to be an important psychological factor predicting worse psychosocial adjustment in people with cancer and it may mediate health outcomes. The reference instrument in the research on emotional suppression is the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS). The present study analysed construct validity of a new Spanish adaptation of the CECS in a sample of 175 breast cancer patients. The results confirmed the proposal by Watson and Greer claiming that the CECS is composed of three subscales that measure different dimensions, but not independent, from emotional control. The present Spanish version of the CECS showed high internal consistency in each subscale as well as the total score. According to Derogatis (BSI-18) criteria, emotional suppression predicts clinically significant distress. In short, our results support the reliability, validity and utility of this Spanish adaptation of the CECS in clinical and research settings.
The Effect of Varied Dietary Grains on Plasma Lipid Profiles, Gut Transit Time, and Aorta Histopathology in Experimental Rats
Authors: Kim  , Kim  , Lee  , Kim  , Lee
Published: March 2013

This study was designed to investigate the influence of natural brown and black rice consumption on plasma lipid parameters, transit time, and thickness of the aortic wall in rats fed different combinations of grains. Fifty male rats were divided into five groups and raised for eight weeks with diets containing white rice (WR), white rice and brown rice (WRBR), white rice and black rice (WRBL), brown rice and black rice (BRBL), or wheat flour (WH). Gut transit time was the shortest in the BRBL group, and was longer in the order of WRBL, WRBR, WR, and WH group. Plasma lipid profiles differed significantly according to the grain combination. The BRBL group had the lowest levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (T-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and the highest plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration among all groups. The aortic wall thickness hatro for body weight was lower in rats in order of BRBL, WRBR, WH, WRBL, and WR group. In conclusion, black rice and brown rice have anti-atherogenic effects by decreasing plasma lipide profiles and attenuating the thickness of the aortic wall.
Weiterbildung zum Hausarzt – ein europäischer Vergleich
Authors: Djalali Sima , Frei Anja , Rosemann Thomas , Tandjung Ryan
Published: March 2013

Ob sich junge Nachwuchsmediziner für eine Laufbahn als Hausarzt entscheiden, hängt massgeblich vom Weiterbildungsangebot ab. Ziel dieser Übersichtsarbeit ist es, die Weiterbildung zum Hausarzt in der Schweiz und in Europa hinsichtlich ihres Umfangs, Lerninhalts und Settings zu vergleichen. Wie sich zeigt, unterscheiden sich die einzelnen Weiterbildungsprogramme selbst bei formal gleicher Dauer sehr stark, insbesondere im Hinblick auf ihren Strukturierungsgrad und die Finanzierung. Auffällig ist, dass der Strukturierungsgrad und hausärztliche Fokus der Weiterbildung in Ländern mit hausarztzentrierten Gesundheitssystemen stärker ausgeprägt ist als in Ländern mit uneingeschränktem Zugang zu Spezialärzten. Der Blick nach Europa zeigt, dass die Weiterbildung von Hausärzten in der Schweiz vergleichsweise undifferenziert ist und noch viel Spielraum für die Vorgabe von Lernzielen und die Implementierung hausarztspezifischer Weiterbildungsabschnitte besteht. Vor allem der Stellenwert der Praxisrotation gemessen an ihrer Dauer und Finanzierung fällt in der Schweiz im Vergleich zu anderen europäischen Ländern gering aus.
Attraktivitätssteigerung der Grundversorgung im Medizinstudium
Authors: Schaufelberger Mireille
Published: March 2013

Die herausragende Bedeutung der Hausarztmedizin in der Ausbildung zukünftiger Ärzte ist international anerkannt. Das Fachgebiet kann Studierenden viele attraktive Inhalte bieten. Der Schwerpunkt in der Lehre Hausarztmedizin liegt im Vermitteln von Fertigkeiten und im Vermitteln einer ärztlichen, sprich professionellen Haltung. Dadurch wird die Hausarztmedizin für die Studierenden attraktiv. Methodisch gesehen drängen sich in der Lehre Praktika, Kurse und Übungen auf. Hausarztpraktika sollen longitudinal über das ganze Studium hinweg angeordnet sein. Die Hausarztpraxis soll für Studierende die Funktion einer «Lehrstelle» einnehmen. Innovative Lehrmethoden wie Kurse mit Schauspielpatienten oder blended learning können die Attraktivität weiter erhöhen. Lehrpersonen müssen sich ihrer Vorbildfunktion bewusst sein.
Kleines Methodenrepertoire zur Gruppenbegleitung
Authors: Muster-Wäbs Hannelore , Pillmann-Wesche Rainer
Published: March 2013

Um angstfrei und lustvoll lernen können, ist ein gutes Lernklima in der Gruppe erforderlich, das von Menschlichkeit, Vertrauen, Wertschätzung, Respekt und Toleranz gegenüber Andersartigkeit geprägt ist. Eine solche Arbeitsatmosphäre lässt sich durch geschicktes methodisches Arbeiten fördern.
Heterogeneity in the nutrient limitation of different bacterioplankton groups in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Sebastián Marta , Gasol Josep M
Published: March 2013

The heterotrophic bacterial community of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea is believed to be limited by phosphorus (P) availability. This observation assumes that all bacterial groups are equally limited, something that has not been hitherto examined. To test this hypothesis, we performed nutrient addition experiments and investigated the response of probe-identified groups using microautoradiography combined with catalyzed reporter deposition fluorescence in situ hybridization. Our results show contrasting responses between the bacterial groups, with Gammaproteobacteria being the group more affected by P availability. The Roseobacter clade was likely colimited by P and nitrogen (N), whereas Bacteroidetes by P, N and organic carbon (C). In contrast, SAR11 cells were active regardless of the nutrient concentration. These results indicate that there is high heterogeneity in the nutrient limitation of the different components of the bacterioplankton community.
On‐line short‐circuit current analysis and preventive control to extend equipment life
Authors: Li Haoen , Bose Anjan , Zhang Yang
Published: March 2013

Substation circuit breakers and other equipment are sized to withstand the maximum anticipated short‐circuit currents. Although the short‐circuit analysis used to design a substation takes into account the expected expansion of the network, over time the maximum short‐circuit current, especially for certain operating conditions, can exceed the circuit breaker ratings. As upgrading the equipment is expensive, the life of the present equipment can be extended if these violation conditions can be identified in real time and operational actions taken to mitigate them. In this study, the authors present a method for on‐line short‐circuit analysis and a method for determining preventive action using transmission line switching.
Simple synchronisation technique for three‐phase grid‐connected distributed generation systems
Authors: Guo Xiao‐Qiang , Wu Wei‐Yang
Published: March 2013

Grid synchronisation is crucial for integration of renewable energy sources and distributed generation systems into the grid. Accurate and fast estimation of the fundamental positive sequence component is a necessity for synchronisation of three‐phase distributed generation systems with the grid. In this study, a simple synchronisation technique based on the real‐complex‐coefficient filters is proposed. It has a very simple structure, and can directly estimate the fundamental positive and negative sequences under the distorted, unbalanced and offset conditions with no need of a phase‐locked loop. Furthermore, the dc offset can also be extracted precisely. For optimising the steady‐state and dynamic performance, a parameter tuning guidance is provided from the eigenvalue analysis point of view. In addition, a simple auxiliary unit is presented to remain its frequency‐adaptive feature. Finally, experimental results based on a 32‐bit fixed‐point TMS320F2812 DSP verify the effectiveness of the proposed synchronisation method.
Single‐sensor maximum power point tracking algorithms
Authors: Urayai Caston , Amaratunga Gehan A.J.
Published: March 2013

Single‐sensor maximum power point tracking algorithms for photovoltaic systems are presented. The algorithms have the features, characteristics and advantages of the widely used incremental conductance (INC) algorithm. However; unlike the INC algorithm which requires two sensors (the voltage sensor and the current sensor), the single‐sensor algorithms are more desirable because they require only one sensor: the voltage sensor. The algorithms operate by maximising power at the DC–DC converter output, instead of the input.
Optimisation of the I–V measurement scan time through dynamic modelling of solar cells
Authors: Herman Matic , Jankovec Marko , Topič Marko
Published: March 2013

High‐performance solar cells and photovoltaic modules exhibit high internal capacitance, limiting the speed of their transient responses including the current–voltage characteristics scans. This study proffers a model‐based method to obtain optimal scan time during the current–voltage performance characterisation of a solar cell or module while preserving a pre‐set accuracy. Static model parameters are extracted from the quasi‐static current–voltage characteristic, whereas the capacitive character, modelled by two bias voltage dependent capacitances, is determined from the open‐circuit voltage decay measurement. The obtained model is used to calculate the optimal current–voltage curve scan time. Efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated through test results obtained on three wafer‐based solar cells. I–V curve errors determined by the proposed method at different scan times are in good agreement with the measurements. Results show that in order to achieve < 0.5% error in curve fitting, determined scan times of tested crystalline silicon solar cells lie within the range of 3.6–45 ms for constant angle step semiconductor curve tracer. Use of a capacitive‐based curve tracer, however, requires approximately twice that time to retain a comparable error.
Times‐series modelling for the aggregate Great Britain wind output circa 2030
Authors: Sturt Alexander , Strbac Goran
Published: March 2013

The authors present a four‐season model representing the aggregate output of a possible British wind fleet circa 2030, suitable for providing synthetic wind time series or a statistical characterisation of the transitional behaviour at timescales of 1 h and above. The model is fitted to an aggregated power output time series derived from historic onshore anemometry data and shown to provide a good fit to both long‐term and transitional statistics. The authors show that the use of a constant factor to extrapolate anemometer‐height wind speeds to hub height leads to an excessive diurnal variation in the implied wind power output. They adjust the model parameters to compensate for this and to account for the offshore component that is not present in the raw data. The complete parameter set is presented.
Improved sliding mode model reference adaptive system speed observer for fuzzy control of direct‐drive permanent magnet synchronous generator wind power generation system
Authors: Yan Jianhu , Lin Heyun , Feng Yi , Guo Xun , Huang Yunkai , Zhu Z.Q.
Published: March 2013

This study presents an improved sliding mode model reference adaptive system (SM‐MRAS) speed observer for the fuzzy control of direct‐drive wind power generation system with a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). The SM‐MRAS speed sensorless observer is described and the corresponding algorithm is derived. The designed fuzzy controller is compared with the conventional PI controller by simulations and experiments. A dc motor is controlled to simulate the wind turbine and an active machine‐side converter with space vector pulse width modulation control is adopted to realise the maximum power extraction. A 250‐W PMSG experimental platform is built and the experiment results verify the validity of the proposed SM‐MRAS speed observer.
Impact of wind power on sizing and allocation of reserve requirements
Authors: De Vos Kristof , Morbee Joris , Driesen Johan , Belmans Ronnie
Published: March 2013

The increasing share of renewable energy sources for electricity, driven by variable output technologies such as wind and solar photovoltaics, is expected to have an impact on the operational reserve requirements of power systems. This study applies a probabilistic approach to estimate reserve requirements and establishes a methodology that makes it possible to distinguish between different categories of reserves based on the imbalance drivers of wind power. The methodology is based on sizing fast‐response reserves based on the distribution of output fluctuations inside the settlement period, and sizing slow‐response reserves based on the distribution of the average prediction error over the settlement period. The main advantage of this methodology is a reduction of the fast‐response reserves, which are generally assessed as expensive compared to slow‐response reserves. This approach is applied in a case study and compared with alternative strategies. The results for 500 MW of wind power installed in a North Sea country confirm these reductions and show that with the suggested approach the required fast‐response and slow‐response reserves, respectively, amount to 7 and 23–26% of the installed wind power capacity.
Electronic load interface for improving PV dual‐converter system operational margin
Authors: Urayai Caston , Amaratunga Gehan A.J.
Published: March 2013

An electronic load interface (ELI) for improving the operational margin of a photovoltaic (PV) dual‐converter system under dynamic conditions is presented. The ELI – based on a modified buck–boost converter – interfaces the output of the converters and the load system. It improves the operational margin of the PV dual‐converter system by extending the conditions under which the dual‐converter system operates at the maximum power point. The ELI is activated as and when needed, so as minimise system losses. By employing the ELI, utilisation and efficiency of a PV dual‐converter system increases. In general, the concept of the ELI can be applied to multi‐converter PV systems – such as multi‐converter inverters, and multi‐converter DC–DC converter systems – for performance and efficiency improvement.