Facteurs associés aux problèmes de comportement intériorisés et extériorisés chez des adolescentes agressées sexuellement.

The present study investigated the associated factors of internalising and externalising behaviour problems among sexually abused adolescents. One hundred fifty-eight female adolescent victims of sexual abuse, aged between 13 and 17 years, were recruited. Participants completed a battery of questionnaires measuring cognitive distortions, coping strategies, empowerment, behaviour problems, perception of their relationship with their mother and father, maternal support, characteristics of the sexual abuse as well as other forms of violence experienced. Results show that interpersonal distrust and general self-attributions of blame are two factors associated with both internalising and externalising behaviour problems. In addition, the mother/daughter relationship is associated with externalising behaviour problems. These results partially support Spaccarelli's model. They also highlight the important role of cognitive distortions, particularly general self-attributions of blame and interpersonal distrust, which may be targeted in treatments that are aimed at reducing behavioural problems. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of built environment on pedestrian's crossing decision

The objective of this experimental study is to identify the differentiation made by pedestrians, in their crossing decision, between various urban environments, notably in terms of perception of walking pleasantness and safety. This experiment further aims to identify the environmental features that pedestrians take into account and the inferences they develop and use to explain their road crossing decision. Sets of photographs presenting five different environments (city center, inner suburbs, public housing in the outskirts, commercial zone in the outskirts and countryside) were presented to 77 participants divided up into three age groups (pre-adolescents, young and middle adults). Their decision to cross or not, their perception of pleasantness and safety, and the elements they take into account to make a decision were collected for each environment presented. The quantitative results show the pedestrians’ perceptions of the pleasantness and safety of public spaces, in terms of walking, largely vary with urban environments. Moreover, the crossing decision significantly varies according to the environment. Pedestrians were significantly more inclined to take the decision to cross in city center than in the other sites presented. The qualitative analysis of the interviews shows that the presence and function of the buildings, the quality of the sidewalks and the marked parking spaces are key factors to explain their crossing decision, by enabling them to infer the density of pedestrians and traffic and the vehicle speed.     

Timing During Interruptions in Timing.

Duration and location of breaks in time interval production were manipulated in various conditions of stimulus presentation (Experiments 1-4). Produced intervals shortened and then stabilized as break duration lengthened, suggesting that participants used the break as a preparatory period to restart timing as quickly as possible at the end of the break. This interpretation was supported in Experiment 5, in which similar results were obtained with a reaction time response executed at the end of the break. In all experiments, produced intervals lengthened as the break occurred later during the interval. The authors conclude that varying break location and duration reveal, respectively, the influence of attentional time-sharing before the interruption and of preparatory processes taking place during the break. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Crystallinity and mechanical properties of polylactide/ether‐amide copolymer blends

The present study focuses on the improvement of impact properties and particularly on the interaction between crystallinity development and mechanical properties of impact modified polylactide (PLA). The PLA was toughened by the addition of a random linear ether‐amide copolymer (PEBAX 3533?). A random copolymer of ethylene, methyl‐acrylate, and glycidyl‐methacrylate (LOTADER AX8900?) was also used to reactively compatibilize the ether‐amide copolymer with the PLA matrix. Melt rheology of the blends was investigated in small amplitude oscillatory shear and showed that the impact modifier could significantly influence the viscoelastic response of the material. The Izod impact resistance and tensile properties were measured using standard testing protocols. The blend morphology was also examined using scanning electron microscopy on cryofractured and microtomed surfaces, while the crystalline morphology was assessed by optical microscopy. A sub‐micron dispersion of the impact modifier was achieved in the presence of the reactive compatibilizer. Significantly improved impact strength was found with 10 wt % impact modifier. High crystallinity samples showed the highest impact strength with values reaching 68 kJ/m², hence a 20‐fold improvement with respect to the neat PLA. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44677.     

Nonmaternal care in infancy and emotional/behavioral difficulties at 4 years old: Moderation by family risk characteristics.

The authors examined the role of familial risk and child characteristics in the association between the type of child care in infancy (maternal care [MC]) versus nonmaternal care [NMC]) and emotional/behavioral difficulties at 4 years old. Canadian families (N=1,358) with children between 1 and 12 months old were followed over 4 years. Family risks were found to moderate the association between type of child care and physical aggression. MC in infancy was associated with lower levels of physical aggression among children from a low-risk family background but not among those from a high-risk family background. The effect size was small (d=-0.16; confidence interval [CI]=-0.3, -0.01). Family risk and the sex of the child moderated the association between child care and emotional problems. MC in infancy was associated with a lower level of emotional difficulties among girls from low-risk families but not among boys or among children from high-risk families. The effect size was moderate (d=-0.44; CI=-0.65, -0.23). The study indicates that the effect of child care type in infancy varies by family and child characteristics. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Early development of a biodegradable energetic elastomer

The expected depletion of oil resources and a greater awareness for the environmental impact of plastic products have created a strong interest toward energetic polymers that are not only biodegradable but also obtainable from renewable resources. In this work, a copoly(ester/ether) was synthesized from polyepichlorohydrin and sebacoyl chloride using pyridine as a Lewis‐base catalyst. The chlorinated polymer was azidified with NaN₃ in dimethyl sulfoxide solutions. The success of the reaction was confirmed by ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Two types of polyurethane networks were synthesized from the nonenergetic and the energetic copolymers, adding polycaprolactone triol and using L ‐lysine diisocyanate as a nontoxic curing agent. The two resulting polyurethanes were soft thermoset elastomers. The polyurethanes were chemically and mechanically characterized, and their biodegradability was evaluated in compost at 55°C. The nonenergetic and the energetic polyurethanes showed a glass‐transition temperature of −14°C, and −23°C, respectively. The weight loss of the polyurethanes during the composting experiments was monitored. It increased almost linearly with time for both materials. After 20 days, the nonenergetic samples lost about 50% of their mass because of the biodegradation mechanism. Instead, the energetic elastomers lost only about 25% of their initial mass after 25 days. The experimental results revealed that the azide pendant group in the soft segment (the polyether segments) is the main factor that controls the physical, mechanical, and degradation properties of these polyurethane networks. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Linking active living and nutrition counselling: dietitians' perceptions.

Healthy eating and active living have become key concepts in health promotion, and, increasingly, the two messages are being combined. Dietitians are in an ideal position to promote physical activity as an adjunct to nutrition counselling. Focus group interviews were used to identify dietitians' perceptions and needs related to incorporating active living messages into their practices. Six focus groups, involving 42 participants (40 registered dietitians and two dietetic interns), were conducted in cities throughout Alberta. Issues explored during the interviews included the dietitian's role in promoting active living, barriers to promoting physical activity, opportunities for collaboration between dietitians and exercise professionals, and dietitians' perceived needs for integrating active living messages into their practices effectively. Findings indicate strong support for incorporating active living messages into nutrition counselling. However, lack of knowledge was identified as a barrier to dietitians' proactive role, and concerns were raised about public and professional perceptions if dietitians counselled on this issue. Participants felt that they required additional knowledge and training in physical activity in order to promote it effectively. Development and implementation of programs designed to meet these needs would help dietitians integrate active living messages into their practices.