Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Otolaryngology and Rhinology | A Clinical Evaluation of Adaptive Hearing Aid Compression: Exploring its Impact on the Word Recognition Abilities of Spanish Pediatric Hearing Aid Users

 

Authored by Dave Gordey*

Abstract

Background: For today’s children with sensorineural hearing loss, speech understanding with their hearing technology is critical. Most pediatric hearing instruments are based on traditional Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC) processing. Unfortunately, this technology has its limitations in dynamic listening environments. A new adaptive compression strategy, with floating linear gain has been developed for hearing aids and shows promise to improve listening for children with hearing loss.

Methods: This clinical evaluation compared within subject performance of twenty children with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who spoke Spanish and wore hearing-aid technology with WDRC and adaptive compression. Questionnaires recorded parent/caregiver perspectives on their child’s auditory performance with the adaptive compression hearing aid technology.

Results: Speech understanding in quiet and in background noise was better for most children who used adaptive compression. Parent and caregiver questionnaire responses supported these findings.

Conclusion: A new adaptive compression strategy shows promise to improve the listening experiences of Spanish speaking children with hearing loss.

Keywords: Adaptive compression, WDRC, Children, Speech recognition, Hearing aid

Introduction

hearing care professionals, we want children with hearing loss to have the best access to sound in their daily environments. This means their amplification must provide good audibility for speech in quiet, and in complex, noisy environments. Traditional pediatric hearing instruments have utilized Wide Dynamic Range Compression (WDRC) hearing aid processing for the management of soft, average, and loud sounds. This was considered important as young children with hearing loss may not have the ability to adjust their hearing aids and control for sounds that may become uncomfortably loud [1]. Using fixed attack and release times, WDRC can manage a broad range of input levels to the hearing aids. Unfortunately, there are limitations with WDRC. Slow acting WDRC may not provide access to quiet sounds, when followed by those that are loud; while fast acting WDRC may cause distortion, giving speech an unnatural quality and the listener perceives the sounds as “noisy” [2].

Adaptive compression is a new hearing aid processing strategy where different time constants are applied based on the degree to which the sound input changes. When the sound input change is small, a very slow time constant is applied, and the signal is processed in a linear manner [3]. If the change in input is large and abrupt, the time constants of WDRC compression will be used to quickly enable loudness protection and provide audibility of soft sounds [4, 5]. Researchers have compared WDRC and adaptive compression in English speaking adults and children with hearing loss. A study at Arizona State University found that hearing aids with adaptive compression provided better speech understanding in complex listening environments than those with WDRC [6]. In this report, we explore how adaptive compression and WDRC hearing aid processing effect the word recognition abilities of Spanish-speaking, pediatric, hearing-aid users.

Methods

Twenty children, ten male and ten female, with bilateral moderately-severe sensorineural hearing loss, aged eight to sixteen years of age, with typical cognitive development, who used hearing aids in both ears and spoke Spanish as their primary language, participated in this clinical evaluation at the Garrahan Children’s Hospital. The participants and their parents who receive their audiologic care at the Garrahan Children’s Hospital were invited to volunteer for this project. Children were assessed over two clinic visits; the first visit they wore their own hearing aids with WDRC processing technology, and the second visit they wore new hearing aids with adaptive compression. An acclimatization period of six weeks was used to allow the participants time to adjust to wearing different hearing aids. Recorded Spanish bi-syllabic word lists were used to measure children‘s speech understanding abilities in quiet and background noise with each set of hearing aids. Parents completed a questionnaire with ten items and used a five-point Likert scale to rate their child’s listening abilities at home with the WDRC and adaptive compression hearing technology.

Results

Eighteen of the twenty participants demonstrated better speech understanding in quiet and noise with hearing aid technology with adaptive compression than with WDRC. In quiet, a mean speech recognition score of 78% correct was recorded for WDRC and 96% correct for adaptive compression. In noise, with a +5 signal to noise ratio (SNR), a mean speech recognition score of 48% correct was recorded for WDRC and 76% correct for adaptive compression (Table 1).

Results from the questionnaire indicated that 80% of the parents noted improvements in their child’s listening abilities with the adaptive compression technology compared to WDRC. Comments from parents indicated that the use of adaptive compression in their hearing aids provided benefits above speech understanding. Improvements in their child’s balance, their child’s own voice quality and increased confidence when participating in sports activities were noted.

Discussion

The listening environments of children with hearing loss are dynamic, busy, and noisy [7]. Good speech understanding in the classroom and school are critical to a child’s learning [8]. The aim of this clinical investigation was to investigate how Spanish speaking children with hearing loss may benefit from adaptive compression compared to traditional WDRC. Results indicated that adaptive compression provided better speech recognition in noise for Spanish-speaking, pediatric hearing-aid users. This supports previous studies that have shown adaptive compression improves speech understanding in noise for both children and adults who are English speaking [6]. For Spanish speaking children with hearing loss, the selection of hearing processing strategies should be considered as important when selecting amplification for children with hearing loss. Future research could build on this clinical investigation and develop a study that is double-blind, withinsubject, and repeated measure design.

Conclusion

Our clinical investigation found that adaptive compression provided better speech recognition in quiet and in noise than WDRC for Spanish-speaking, pediatric hearing-aid users. Their improved auditory performance was observed by most of their parents and/ or caregivers.

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Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Archives of Clinical Case Studies | Safety and Efficacy of Transbrachial Access for Coronary Procedures: Case Report and Review of Literature

 

Authored by Mehssani Z*

Introduction

Trans radial approach (TRA) has gained popularity over the trans femoral access (TFA) and has become the default option for coronary procedures around the world, as it has less bleeding access site complications and it is associated with a lower degree of adverse clinical events rate. However, in some situations, the trans radial arterial access could be unsuccessful. We present a case of a 66 years old man with history of aortobifemoral bypass surgery admitted in our department for an ACS and neither TFA nor TRA access were possible.

Case Report

We describe a case of a 66 years old male, with an aortoiliac occlusive disease who was admitted to the vascular surgery unit for aortobifemoral bypass surgery. He had a significant medical history of hypertension, diabetes and an extensive smoking. Pre-operative CAD screening including stress test was normal. The day following the vascular surgery, the patient suffered from severe angina with EKG abnormalities and troponin elevation. He was diagnosed with a non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). He was forthwith referred to our department for an angiogram to assess for coronary artery disease that may require revascularisation therapy. In the Cath Lab, the radial artery pulse was non palpable due to the thick arterial wall and a low flow state, puncture and cannulation on both radial arterial sides were challenging. In addition, the transfemoral access was not feasible knowing that the patient has just undergone an artobifemoral graft surgery one day ago (Figures 1&2).

A Terumo needle dedicated to radial access was used and a 6F sheath (Terumo interventional system) was pushed easily over an hydrophilic wire and inserted for diagnostic purpose and ad-hoc intervention depending on needs, the intra-arterial nitroglycerine usually used in TRA access to prevent spasm was not administered, and 3000 UI of unfractionned heparin was injected into the sheath sidearm. Judkin’s left and right catheters were successfully advanced into the ascending aorta enabling left main and right coronary engagement and angiography without any difficulties in catheter manipulation during the procedure.

Severe CAD was diagnosed with left main disease, mid LAD stenosis , severe obtuse marginal stenosis and a severe calcified lesion of the RCA ostium. CABG was proposed in order to perform complete revascularisation. After the procedure, the sheath was removed and hemostasis was done by digital compression for 15 min. The puncture site was bandaged and a hard support has been placed under the arm to limit movements of the elbow, with very close monitoring during the first 6 hours.

Discussion

Trans radial arterial approach (TRA) coronary angiogram reduces vascular complications compared with trans femoral approach (TFA). However, the mechanism and predictors of TRA failure access have not been well characterized (Congenital radial artery atrophy/hypoplasia, tortuous configurations, radioulnar loop and abnormal origin of the radial artery; damage to the radial artery and loss of pulse). Many interventional cardiologists considered that switching to the TBA is outdated and risky access. It has been demonstrated significantly higher rate of vascular and neurological complications than other access in previous studies [1]. Nevertheless, with additional care by using smaller sized catheters, an adequate anticoagulation regimen proper methods for achievement of haemostasis as well as a close and careful observation afterward, Newcomers are trying to overcome this mindset and make the TBA approach possible when the TRA fails [2].

Sabbah et al [3] studied 4955 cases undergoing coronary revascularization. Respectively, 22 %, 57 % and 21 % cases were divided into TBA, TRA, and TFA groups. Results showed that forearm artery access in TBA and TRA groups was associated with higher procedural success compared with TFA group . Compared with TRA group, TFA group had higher rate of MACE and inhospital cardiac death, and also higher incidence of major access site hematoma. TBA and TFA groups had higher rate of access site pseudoaneurysm. Gan et al [1] studied 5110 cases undergoing coronary procedures. Of these, 180 and 121 cases were enrolled to TBA and TFA groups, respectively.

Results showed TBA group had a slighter lower incidence of major complications compared with TFA group without significant difference even in minor complications. There was no incidence of brachial artery thrombosis and no puncture-related neurological dysfunction in TBA group.

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Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Textile Science & Fashion Technology | Make (A Wish upon the Stars) - Handcraftsmanship Work and New Generations, an Arising Love Affair, Hand in Hand

 

Authored by Alberto Campagnolo*

Abstract

There is no apparel and accessories luxury without exceptional human and technical skills. Nowadays it is evident that - after the recent economic crisis - also the Covid-19 pandemic is profoundly reshaping the meaning and the goals of the “fashion education” term, as well as of its professional landscape. Many are the signals for a new promising dawn, from the DIY to the recent academies founded by several fashion brands that want to push the envelope in the direction of the “trans-generational” passage excellent tradition. The role of “hand-made” and “made in” is more and more seductive for the millennial and the new generations that may meaningfully find a gateway towards the luxury and the fashion world. There is a “manual intelligence” that is fairly and finally rediscovered. Like in the culinary world, also in fashion the manual work is achieving a new glamour and even coolness, maybe unexpected but full of potential. How can fashion brands and academies ride this trend in order to give an extra boost to their engagement and rejuvenation process?

Opinion

Many are the signs that demonstrate a remarkable revival of interest in manual professional activities. Although creativity has always coincided with the physical realization of a thought (during the Renaissance, when artists were “geniuses of making”, as well as after the Second World War, where “art” and “craftsmanship” were considered two sides of the same coin), since the 1970s there has been a neat discrepancy between the figure of the creative (the mind) and the one of the creator (the hands). Undoubtedly because of socio-political requirements (in 1968 all over the world people shouted “we want to think” to affirm a speculative urgency of particular expression more intellectual and less linked to the consumer society), a crack between thought and action has occurred. All of this also influenced the context of education, with more or less “exclusive” school courses depending on the emphasis placed on either speculative thinking or manual skills. The grandes écoles, focused on a notional and intellectual culture; and the technical institutes, often relegated to secondary school.

On the other hand, the dimension of manual work is starting to become very fascinating today, especially among the youngest. In different directions, nowadays the signals coincide and trace a crystal-clear trend. The so popular acronym “DIY” (stands for do-it-yourself) testifies to the growing demand for independence that is not only aesthetic, but also creative. The opening of several manual laboratories allows people to devote time and resources to learn not only a profession, but also a true “culture of making”. Not to mention the popular TV programs like Master Chef, Bake Off and related trends among the youngest. In September 2019 in Cologne, German GenZ celebrated the “Tag of Handworks” (the day of manual labour), where almost 20,000 young people celebrated and expressed in the streets their pride in working with bare hands.

As always, the fashion world has anticipated this trend. The technique is more and more visible in shop windows, permanent museums and traveling exhibitions, in the videos that each house publishes on YouTube. Ermenegildo Zegna highlights the experience and excellence of the “who does what” through their displays (showing both hands and weaving of frames). All Saints Spitalfields found in sewing machines the symbol of their own creative uniqueness, beyond their productive artefact. Inside the latest itinerant exhibitions of Louis Vuitton, artisans explain visitors some of the excellent techniques for making leather goods, an artistic moment of absolute value that deserves admiration and consideration as an artwork. Pride in “making”. The contribution of the hand (the human touch, the personal approach, conferring uniqueness to their creations) is fundamental to preserve the meaning and sense of a universe that owes its existence to the concept of uniqueness.

Hands, instruments of creation and creative derivation of a thought. The driver of “made in” says a lot about the pride of using the hands as well as the brain. As if the attention of the “made in” was diverted from the simple geographical area to give value to the “made”, to the fact in itself. Already in 2011 Prada had anticipated this trend in a visionary way, no longer promoting the country of origin of the brand, but instead the excellence of the manufacture of specific clothing made where the best producers in the world are located (India for embroidery, Scotland for cashmere, Japan for denim, etc.). In addition, in the past year, major fashion companies such as Gucci (with its Ecole de l’amour as part of the Art Lab), Dolce & Gabbana (with their Botteghe di mestiere) and Brunello Cucinelli (with his Scuola di Solomeo) (Figure 1) have opened their academies within their headquarters in order to teach youngsters how much “making things happen” has a huge value. To pass on a technical knowledge that risks to be lost, to explain the difference between being an atelier and being a brand. There is no coincidence even in these pandemic times: one of the first professional activities in fashion that reopened after the lockdown on April 20th, 2020 was the Gucci Art Lab, building specifically conceived for the sharing of fashion knowledge and its handicraft practicing (Figure 1).

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Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Textile Science & Fashion Technology | Investigation of the Water–Based Ink Hold onto the Thermoplastic Composites Reinforced with Sisal Fibers

 

Authored by Oguz Eryilmaz*

Abstract

In this study, the surface adhesion of the ink on composite materials was examined. For this purpose, composite materials were produced by adding polypropylene, thus polyethylene thermoplastic matrices were reinforced with sisal fibres. After the production of composites, the screenprinting process using water-based ink was applied to composite surfaces to investigate printing performance. As a result of these applications, the printability of the PE was found to be better than the PP. Also, the ink was adhered to the surface by forming a bond with the composite surface at polyethylene materials, but meanwhile not being able to hold onto the polypropylene composite surface.

Keywords: Sisal; Polypropylene; Polyethylene; Composite materials; Printability

Introduction

Over the last few decades, more attention is given to cellulosebased fibers as reinforcement fillers in the polymer composites owing to the environmental pollution caused by the extensive usage of synthetic fibers such as glass fibers to produce composite materials [1]. Unlike synthetic fibers, natural fibers possess lightweight, high strength, and are readily available, environmentally friendly and biodegradable. The utilization of natural fibers for the generation of composites has many advantages, for example, recyclability, eco-friendly products, etc. Many different types of natural fibers are being exploited for the production of biodegradable polymer composites [2-6]. More than a thousand types of natural fibers are already available [7]. Among these, sisal fibers (SF) are one of the best reinforcing materials for polymer composites owing to their higher cellulose content (78%), good tensile strength (>600 MPa), easy availability and low cost [8]. However, similar to other natural fibers, sisal fibers are poorly compatible with the matrices of thermoplastics, due to their hydrophilic surface which in turn reduces the thermal and mechanical properties of sisal fibers reinforced thermoplastics. Especially in the fiber-matrix interfaces, the hydrophobicity of the fibers causes poor mechanical strength and hence limits their applications studied the mechanical and rheological properties of different lignocellulose fiber materials reinforced polypropylene composites [9,10]. It has been observed that using different types of fibrous materials tensile modulus improved by more than 10% for fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites [11].

FRP is a composite material consisting of a polymer matrix embedded with high- strength fibers, such as glass, aramid, and carbon. Generally, the polymer can be classified into two classes, thermoplastics and thermosets. Thermoplastic materials currently dominate, as matrices for bio-fibers; the most commonly used thermoplastics for this purpose are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (LDPE and HDPE), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC); while phenolic, epoxy and polyester resins as thermosetting matrix [12].

Polyethylene (PE) polymers have peculiar mechanical properties due to the high strength to weight ratios and stiffness to weight ratios. Because of these unique properties, PE polymers possess huge potential for the use of composite structures, especially where the crucial damping properties are required. Hence, sisal fibers are being utilized with the combination of viscoelastic PE to attain a high-quality balance of damping behaviour [13,14].

All information about the product in the package must be found on the composite surface to be employed as packaging material. According to other printing systems, Screen – printing technique is widely preferred as a printing system due to its advantages of low cost, controllable thickness, and film uniformity as well as effective printing quality on different printing surfaces. It is also an environmentally friendly printing system for water-based inks expended in printing and for recycling [15].

In this work, environmentally friendly water-based ink, which is demanded extensively in the industry, were each printed on the polyethylene and polypropylene (PP) composite materials reinforced with sisal fiber surface using the screen – printing technique. After the printing, the ink adhesion on the surface of the composite materials, their roughness was investigated.

Experimental

Materials

In this study, it was investigated the ink adhesion on the surface of composite materials using textile fabrics. For this purpose, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) was exerted as a thermoplastic resin and reinforced with sisal fiber (SF) to produce composite samples. The properties of the materials for the production of the composites are given in Table 1.

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Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Addiction and Psychology | Emotional Intelligence of Incarcerated Populations as Measured by The Rorschach Inkblot Technique

 

Authored by  Ashley Ginter*

Abstract

present study was designed to address two specific goals. The first was to analyze the differences between incarcerated and non-incarcerated individuals regarding their scores on specific Rorschach variables that are associated with emotional intelligence (EI). The second was to investigate the differences in scores on Rorschach variables reflecting emotional responsiveness (CF+C, MC-PPD) and emotional management (CF+C/SumC, M-, H, and PHR) among different levels of intellectual ability for both the incarcerated and outpatient samples. The study involved an examination of archival data from incarcerated individuals receiving mental health services and individuals receiving mental health services at a community clinic. Findings indicated there was a significant difference in CF+C/SumC scores between the different levels of care and incarceration status. These results indicate those who are not incarcerated likely have more adaptive emotion management skills to manage internal and external emotionally toned stimuli in comparison to those who are incarcerated, particularly incarcerated individuals who need the highest level of mental health care. Further, the results indicated participants’ responses on the emotional management/human interaction variables (i.e., CF+C/SumC and PHR) were able to significantly classify their incarceration status, with an overall correct classification of 63.3%. Future research is needed to better understand the relationships between incarceration status and EI abilities. Utilizing the Rorschach as a Measurement of the Emotional Intelligence of Incarcerated Populations.

Introduction

In 2013, the United States held over 1,574,000 people in state and federal prisons, reflecting a .3% increase from 2012 and constituting the largest incarcerated population in the world [1]. The Bureau of Justice reported that inmates sentenced for violent offenses comprised 54% of the state prison population in 2012, with an estimated 58% of male and 61% of female inmates in state or federal prison being age 39 years or younger [2]. Thus, young people represent a large percentage of the individuals incarcerated in U.S. jails, raising a concern about the future of these young people, specifically their re-incarceration rates. Results of a study conducted in 2005 by the Department of Justice showed that of all prisoners released in 1994, 67.5% were rearrested within 3 years, 61.7% of whom were convicted of a violent offense [2]. Additionally, the results showed that of all prisoners released in 1983, 62.5% were rearrested within 3 years, 59.6% of whom were convicted of a violent offense [2].

The seemingly increasing numbers of incarcerated individuals and the high degree of recidivism among those attempting to reenter society support a continued need for research to establish assessment measures that not only help clarify overall cognitive and psychological functioning, but also improve overall psychological treatment programs and rehabilitation for incarcerated individuals in the United States [1,2]. Research has shown that individuals with higher cognitive functioning in general are typically better adjusted psychologically, emotionally, and socially [3]. However, given that many prisoners exhibit low levels of cognitive functioning, improving the emotional intelligence (EI) of this population may be one important area of interest related to treatment and rehabilitation [4]. EI reflects the ability to discriminate, monitor, and appropriately label one’s own and other people’s emotions [5]. When people are able to label and monitor their emotions accurately, they are able to utilize emotional information to guide themselves toward more appropriate and healthier thinking and behavior.

Studies have indicated that a large number of individuals who are incarcerated exhibit antisocial and psychopathic traits. For example, Fazel and Danesh found that 47% of incarcerated men in the United States met the criteria for antisocial personality disorder (APD), while 63% of incarcerated men in the United Kingdom met the same criteria [6]. It has long been suggested that individuals with antisocial and psychopathic traits have numerous difficulties with social interaction and often exhibit impairments in various emotional tasks, such as understanding and connecting with others socially and emotionally, suggesting a likely deficit in EI [7-9]. The few studies conducted on the specific correlation between EI and incarcerated individuals showed that those with psychopathy are impaired on a range of EI abilities, suggesting EI is an important area for understanding the deficits of those with psychopathy and for understanding the relationship to recidivism [7].

Emotional intelligence plays an important part in the presence, maintenance, and coping of negative emotions, and therefore may affect the outcomes and specific treatment needs of incarcerated populations. Although there is a growing body of literature to support the crucial role of negative emotional states in the offense and recidivating processes of offenders, there has been relatively little theoretical or applied research in this area [10]. However, the available research strongly supports that negative emotional states are important and dynamic risk factors that increase the risk of reoffending, particularly among those already in forensic settings [10]. Thus, an individual’s ability to identify, process, and manage negative emotional states should be included in all psychological interventions to reduce the likelihood of recidivism.

Three different models have been developed to define EI since the first use of the term in Payne’s doctoral thesis, A Study of Emotion: Developing Emotional Intelligence [11]. Salovey and Mayer developed a model that is widely known and used, called the ability model [5]. The ability model comprises an individual’s ability to process emotional information and use it to navigate his or her social environment [12]. This includes the capacity to accurately perceive emotions, to access and generate emotions to assist thought, to understand emotions and emotional knowledge, and to reflectively regulate emotions so as to promote emotional and intellectual growth [13]. Mayer et al. argued that individuals vary in their ability to process information of an emotional nature and to relate emotional processing to a wider cognition, which often manifests in certain adaptive behaviors [13]. Therefore, if an individual lacks these capacities and abilities, it is suggested that the deficiency will manifest in maladaptive behaviors, such as criminality or psychopathology.

Goleman [14] later proposed a model of EI, subsequently termed the mixed model, because he argued that EI is the combination of Mayer and Salovey’s ability model and a model that would later become known as Petrides’s trait model [15]. Goleman’s mixed model defines EI as an array of skills and characteristics that drive leadership performance. Goleman outlined five main EI constructs: (a) self-awareness, (b) self-regulation, (c) social skill, (d) empathy, and (e) motivation [14]. This “mixed” model supports that individuals are born with a general EI that determines their potential for learning specific emotional competencies later in life [16].

Petrides subsequently proposed a model, called the trait model (trait EI), which focuses on the involvement of behavioral dispositions and self-perceived abilities that are measured through self-report as the basis for EI [15]. As such, trait EI encompasses behavioral dispositions and self-perceived abilities that are measured by self-report, as opposed to the earlier ability model, which refers to specific EI abilities. Furthermore, Petrides and Furnham argued that trait EI should only be investigated within a personality framework, which typically includes variables such as empathy, optimism, and impulsivity, but can also include general constructs such as motivation and happiness [15].

In general, there are several advantages of using the ability model over both the trait model and the mixed model of EI. For instance, the definition used in the ability model is the most “unitary and cohesive” definition (Mayer et al., 2004). Furthermore, the ability model does not include the personality characteristics that are found in the other models, which do not seem to be directly a component of either emotion or intelligence [13].

Along with the different models of EI are different assessment measures. One such measure is the Swinburne University Emotional Intelligence Test (SUEIT), which is designed to measure trait EI [17]. However, it does not assess intelligence, abilities, or skills, as it is limited to the personality framework that is emphasized in trait EI. In fact, few trait EI measures have been developed within a clear theoretical framework, with even fewer having empirical foundations [18]. The Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT) is based on a series of emotion-based problem-solving items and is designed to measure ability EI [13]. The MSCEIT was modeled on ability-based IQ tests by testing a person’s ability in each of the four branches of EI outlined by Salovey and Mayer [5].

It then generates scores for each of the branches as well as a total score. The MSCEIT is based on the idea that EI requires attunement to social norms; therefore, it is scored in a consensus fashion, with “higher scores indicating higher overlap between an individual’s answers, and those provided by a worldwide sample of respondents” [19]. It can also be expert scored so the amount of overlap is calculated between an individual’s answers and those provided by a group of emotion researchers. The MSCEIT is unlike standard IQ tests in that its items do not have objectively correct responses. However, according to Spain, Eaton, and Funder, the consensus scoring criterion means it is impossible to create items that a minority can solve because responses are deemed “emotionally intelligent” only if endorsed by the majority of the sample [20]. Thus, ability EI tests cannot be objectively scored because there are no clear-cut criteria for what constitutes a correct response, although research indicates some improvement in these measures [20]. Furthermore, the ability EI measures ignore the inherent subjectivity of emotional experience [20].

The Emotional Competency Inventory (ECI), the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory (ESCI), and the Emotional Social Competency–Universal Edition (ESCI-U) were developed by Goleman and Boyatzis to measure EI based on the mixed model perspective [21]. These measures are designed to provide a behavioral measure of the emotional and social competencies of each individual; however, the developers and users of the ECI and similar methods have failed to provide sufficient information about their psychometric properties [18].

As EI contributes to the presence and maintenance of negative emotions, additional measures that assess EI may offer critical information with regard to the emotional regulation, functioning, and coping abilities of incarcerated individuals who frequently have difficulties appropriately and effectively dealing with negative emotions. For example, the Rorschach (R-PAS) is an evidencesupported, performance-based method that yields insight into the coping styles, emotional regulation, and emotional sensitivity of participants. Furthermore, it adds incremental validity to selfreport findings, as many of the EI measures are solely self-report [22]. The ambiguous and complex stimuli within the Rorschach highlight the individual’s complexity and layering in emotional functioning and processing, both within oneself and with regard to relating to others. Thus, the Rorschach may be a better assessment tool with which to evaluate EI and other emotional regulation variables that may not be as easily accessed through traditionally used self-report measures.

Ordinarily, the assessment of incarcerated individuals involves mostly traditional measures for understanding an inmate’s cognitive, personality, and emotional functioning, typically through measures such as the Wechsler’s Adult Intelligent Scale – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), or Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory – Second Edition (MMPI-2). However, the Rorschach potentially has something additional to add. The Rorschach includes several scales that involve EI abilities, such as emotional lability [23]. For example, research has supported the idea that the Blend% is an indicator of complexity and layering in emotional functioning, which may reflect a personality trait or a reaction to situational stress, including those that involve emotions [24]. It may also indicate confusing emotional experiences or an inability to perceive and understand emotions within oneself, in others, or in the environment.

Other scales that may be associated with emotionally-related processing and responsiveness include the R8910%, CF+C, MCPPD, Cblend, C, and C’ [24]. Additionally, social interactions and quality of relationships are important aspects of EI [25]. Scales that may be associated with human interactions include the M-, H, and PHR scales. Together, these scales may provide a better understanding of an individual’s EI abilities and capabilities than do self-report measures of EI or other traditional assessment measures. This better understanding of these abilities may offer well-needed benefits in the assessment of incarcerated individuals, as these abilities have been found to be related to greater mental health, exemplary job performance, leadership skills, and overall healthier and more adaptive behaviors [26].

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Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Addiction and Psychology | Attention Deficits in Alcohol and Drug Use

 

Authored by  Behzad Saberi*

Minireview

Attention deficits amount in alcohol use, depends on the alcohol concentration levels in the blood. Higher concentration levels (0.09% g/ml) are related to higher amounts of attention deficits in comparison with moderate (0.04% g/ml) concentration levels [1-4].

Increasing in the doses of alcohol is related to the decrease in fMRI BOLD signals in some parts of the brain including Inferior frontal gyrus, Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and Anterior cingulate cortex.

Acute marijuana administration causes disruption in the visual special attention. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) consuming in the marijuana users, results in higher-order executive control tasks impairment according to the Cambridge risk task and Wisconsin card sorting task results. Also, this causes increasing in the Anterior cingulate cortex and right Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex glucose metabolism [5-8].

Visual attention will be enhanced by nicotine use in comparison with marijuana or alcohol use. Also, Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activations will be increased by nicotine consumption.

Individual differences in gender and abstinence, would modulate the impact of nicotine on the Prefrontal cortex. Studies with using auditory 1-back continuous performance task, have demonstrated this fact.

Since alcohol and drug using would cause various alterations in attention abilities, having knowledge about the related mechanisms involved in such alterations is of importance to deal with the relevant patient’s group much more better during clinical practice [9-12].

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Iris Publishers- Open access Journal of Archives in Neurology & Neuroscience | Dynamics of Epidemiological Indications of Epilepsy Prevalence, Morbidity and Disability among Children in Kharkiv Region, Ukraine

 

Authored by Anna A Voitiuk*

Introduction

According to the World Health Organization, epilepsy is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system, which affects 0.5 to 2% of the entire population. Epilepsy prevalence in developed countries is 5-10 cases per 1,000 capita. According to the results of population studies conducted in developed countries, the incidence of epilepsy varies from 0.28 to 0.53 per 1,000 capita. There are discrepancies between prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in Europe and Ukraine [1], as well as the heterogeneity of prevalence and incidence of epilepsy in various regions of Ukraine: the prevalence of 4.28 per 1,000 children in Chernivtsi region to 2.47 in Khmelnytsky region [1,2].

Aim

The purpose of the work is to carry out a population-statistical study of epilepsy among children in Kharkov region, Ukraine by registering and comparing the results with national and international indicators.

Materials and Methods

For the study the information from medical documentation was used: outpatient cards, the patient’s clinical record. The primary material was collected by filling in a specially designed epilepsy registration card, as approved reporting forms showing general figures of prevalence, incidence and disability of children with a particular pathology do not give an idea of the etiology, pathogenesis, pathomorphosis of the disease, gender and age composition of patients. Based on the data obtained, a register of patients with paroxysmal conditions was created, which is cumulative for surveillance study. As of 01.01.17, 1301 children were included into the register, which allows monitoring of not only epidemiological, but also clinical, and paraclinical indicators, as well as the effectiveness of treatment and the level of patients’ socialization. However, in this article, we analyze only epidemiological indicators, namely the prevalence and incidence. The data obtained are specified with the help of the reporting forms approved by the Order of the Health Ministry of Ukraine of 10.07.2007 № 378 in agreement with the State Statistics Committee of Ukraine (indicators for forms Nos. 12 and 19). For the comparative analysis, the statistical data of the last 5 years are used.

Kharkiv region is located in the north-east of Ukraine. The area is 31 415 km² (5.2% of the territory of Ukraine). In terms of area, the region occupies the fourth place in Ukraine. The length: from north to south – 210 km, from east to west - 220 km. The population of the region according to the State Statistics Service is 2,715,666 people (6% of the population of Ukraine, the third place in Ukraine), including urban population – 2 180947 people (80.4%), rural population – 534,719 people (19,6%). The population growth is due to the migration increase of 15125 people. Kharkov region is one of the most urbanized in Ukraine. There are 27 districts in Kharkov region (in this indicator the region takes the first place in Ukraine alongside with Vinnytsia region). The number of children’s population of Kharkiv region in 2011 was 415,618 people, 2012 – 413718, 2013 – 416442, 2014 – 418984, 2015 – 422956 [3].

The prevalence of the disease is the number of all reported cases in a given population. The prevalence of epilepsy in Ukraine is 23225 children–3.05‰, exceeding the prevalence of infantile cerebral palsy, neuroinfection.

Result

Kharkiv region ranks 14th among all regions of Ukraine in terms of epilepsy prevalence, the index for Kharkiv region is 3.43 per 1,000 children. The prevalence of epilepsy does not differ between the urban and rural population of Kharkiv region (the average value for 5 years is 3.204 per 1000 capita of both urban and rural children’s population). The prevalence of epilepsy in Kharkiv region and Ukraine for 2011-2015 is presented in Table 1, according to which it can be concluded that the prevalence of epilepsy has increased in the last 2 years (Table 1).

Discussion

The epilepsy prevalence is 4-6 per 1000 capita. Studies conducted in various countries show epilepsy prevalence rates of 1.5 in Japan, 2.3 in Norway per 1000 capita, up to 6.0 in the United Kingdom, and 6.7 in the United States. The prevalence of epilepsy in developing countries is much higher (in some cases, 4-5 times) than in industrialized countries. The epilepsy prevalence in the CIS countries ranged from 1.1 to 5-6 per 1000 capita [1.4].

The official statistics may not correspond to the actual number of patients with epilepsy diagnosis, for instance, in some cases of symptomatic epilepsy it is not recorded statistically, but the underlying disease that led to the development of epilepsy is registered. Another advantage of the register is in the registration of other paroxysmal conditions, for example, febrile seizures, which according to different authors are related to the risk factors of epilepsy development. According to the register data of 2015, febrile convulsions were recorded in 62 children, 53% of which were then transformed into epilepsy. Therefore, the register data can contribute to the early identification of risk factors for epilepsy, monitoring patients and secondary prevention of epilepsy. Morbidity is the incidence of new, first-reported cases of the disease in the population in a particular year.

The incidence of epilepsy in Ukraine among children aged 0-17 years is 0.43 ‰ (3,306 children). According to the incidence of epilepsy among children population (0-17 years), Kharkiv region ranks 17th among all regions of Ukraine [2]. The incidence of epilepsy among children in Kharkov region and Ukraine in 2011- 2015 are presented in Table 2.

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