Criterion A1 Research Articles

Biological stress indicators as risk markers for increased alcohol use following traumatic experiences.

Alcohol misuse is a common sequela of traumatic event experiences causing considerable morbidity and mortality. Although biological stress indicators have been identified as useful risk markers for the development of trauma-related disorders, no such biological indicators exist for the risk of increased alcohol use after trauma exposure. This is the first study to prospectively investigate the predictive value of long-term cortisol levels and acute stress reactivity for the risk of increased alcohol use following traumatic events. Male soldiers were examined before and 12months following deployment using a standardized diagnostic interview. We analyzed the moderating role of baseline hair cortisol concentrations (HCCs, n=153) as well as baseline salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase stress reactivity in response to a laboratory stressor (n=145) in the association between new-onset traumatic events (according to the DSM-IV A1 criterion) and subsequent daily alcohol use. No main effects of pre-traumatic HCC or salivary stress markers on subsequent change in alcohol use were observed. However, we found that with decreasing HCC, the number of new-onset traumatic events was more strongly associated with subsequent alcohol use independent from changes in posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms. No such relation was seen for the acute stress reactivity data. Taken together, this study provides first evidence suggesting that individual differences in long-term cortisol regulation are involved in the association between traumatic experiences and subsequent alcohol use. HCC may thus serve as a potential target in the early identification of individuals vulnerable for increased alcohol use following traumatic events.

A new perspective on PTSD symptoms after traumatic vs stressful life events and the role of gender

ABSTRACTBackground: There is an ongoing debate about the validity of the A1 criterion of PTSD. Whereas the DSM-5 has opted for a more stringent A1 criterion, the ICD-11 will leave it out as a key criterion.Objective: Here we investigated whether formal DSM-IV-TR traumatic (A1) and stressful (non-A1) events differ with regard to PTSD symptom profiles, and whether there is a gender difference in this respect.Method: This was examined in a large, mostly clinical sample from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (n = 1433). Participants described their most bothersome (index) event and were assigned to either an A1 or non-A1 event group according to this index event.Results: Remarkably, in men PTSD symptoms were even more severe after non-A1 than A1 events, whereas in women symptoms were equally severe after non-A1 and A1 events. Moreover, while women showed significantly higher PTSD symptoms after A1 events than men (29.9 versus 15.4% met PTSD criteria), there was no gender difference after non-A1 events (women: 28.2%; men: 31.3%). Furthermore, anxiety and perceived impact were higher in women than men, which was associated with PTSD symptom severity.Conclusion: In sum, while women showed similar levels of PTSD symptoms after both event types, men reported even higher levels of PTSD symptoms after non-A1 than A1 events. These findings shed a new light on the role of gender in PTSD symptomatology and the clinical usefulness of the A1 criterion.

Screening for PTSD among detained adolescents: Implications of the changes in the DSM-5.

Screening for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is highly relevant for youth involved in the juvenile justice system given their high rates of trauma exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms. However, to date, no studies have investigated the implications of the recent revisions to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (5th ed., DSM-5; American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2013) diagnostic criteria for PTSD for screening in this population. To this end, the present study compared PTSD screening rates using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., text rev., DSM-IV-TR; APA, 2013) versus DSM-5 criteria in a group of detained adolescents. Participants included 209 youth (60 girls) aged 13-19 (M = 15.97, SD = 1.24). Youth completed measures of lifetime trauma exposure and past-month posttraumatic stress symptoms. Over 95% of youth in the sample reported exposure to at least 1 type of traumatic event. Approximately 19.60% of the sample screened positive for PTSD according to the DSM-5 compared to 17.70% according to the DSM-IV-TR. Girls were more likely than boys to screen positive for PTSD according to the DSM-IV-TR compared to the DSM-5. The main factors accounting for the differences in screening rates across the versions of PTSD criteria involved the removal of Criterion A2 from the DSM-5, the separation of avoidance symptoms (Criterion C) into their own cluster, the addition of a cluster involving negative alterations in cognitions and mood (Criterion D), and revisions to the cluster of arousal symptoms (Criterion E). Future research should continue to investigate gender differences in PTSD symptoms in youth and consider the implications of these diagnostic changes for the accurate diagnosis and referral to treatment of adolescents who demonstrate posttraumatic stress reactions. (PsycINFO Database Record

Reproductive biology and geographic variation of Zachaenus carvalhoi (Anura: Cycloramphidae), a Brazilian Atlantic Forest frog

Information is presented on the reproductive biology, habitat, behavior, morphology, and variation in advertisement call in Zachaenus carvalhoi, a rare frog for which basic natural history data are lacking. The species inhabits forest leaf litter in the states of Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo in southeastern Brazil. Reproductive individuals were found from October to December; females are slightly larger than males. The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently lists Zachaenus carvalhoi as Data Deficient. We suggest transferring the species to the Near Threatened category based on the IUCN criteria A2 because of the decline of the size and quality of its severely fragmented habitat

Combustability of building products versus fire safety

Abstract The combustion process is described and analysed based on the experimental results in the context of building fire safety. Data are obtained by means of five standard methods: ISO 5657 ignitability test, ISO 5657 cone calorimeter, ISO 9705 room corner test, EN ISO 1716 small calorimeter, and EN ISO 1182 small furnace. Various categories of building products were tested: cellulose based products (particle boards, plywoods), solid wood, floor coverings, concrete, ceramics, insulations (thermal and/or acoustic), boards (wall/ceiling), mortars, adhesives, and thin coatings. The studied products exhibited very different fire properties from non-combustible to easily combustible. In order to more effectively differentiate non-combustibles and combustibles within building products, the modified heat of combustion was calculated using all test results according to EN ISO 1716 and EN ISO 1182. The revision of criteria for Euro class A1 and A2 is proposed to obtain more realistic reaction-to-fire evaluation. In conclusion, it is advised to use single limit for heat of combustion for A1 and A2 Euro class. The proposed approach for modified heat of combustion is a convenient tool for the fast and cost-effective initial test method for non-combustibility evaluation and seems to be the proper method for distinguishing between non-combustibles and combustibles within building products. It is a better reflection of the real physical process of combustion than the current one. The third A1 criterion is questionable, regarding time to auto-ignition in EN ISO 1182 cylindrical furnace. The measurement for gross heat of combustion by EN ISO 1716 method is proposed for all Euro classes of building products with different limit values.

Critérios Qualis A1 da Educação: a avaliação sob a perspectiva da disputa acadêmica

O objetivo deste artigo é refletir sobre os critérios do Qualis Periódico da Educação, mecanismo de avaliação dos periódicos, parte de um complexo sistema de avaliação dos programas de pós-graduação. Por meio do método documental, selecionamos como objeto de estudo os critérios A1 definidos pelo Documento de Área da Avaliação Trienal de 2013, os mais atuais da área da Educação. Com base nas discussões sociológicas da teoria de campo de Pierre Bourdieu, ao analisar cada um dos critérios, caracterizamos a revista como um agente sujeito à s regras que regem a disputa pelo capital simbólico em jogo nesse microcosmo. Ainda que na esfera da prática, o processo avaliativo seja mais complexo do que prevê os documentos oficiais, a análise realizada evidencia como os critérios adotados pela Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) traduzem as disputas acadêmicas em busca de legitimidade, por meio de disposições próprias adquiridas no interior do próprio campo.

Neuroticism Increases PTSD Symptom Severity by Amplifying the Emotionality, Rehearsal, and Centrality of Trauma Memories.

Although it is well established that neuroticism increases the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), little is known about the mechanisms that promote PTSD in individuals with elevated levels of neuroticism. Across two studies, we examined the cognitive-affective processes through which neuroticism leads to greater PTSD symptom severity. Community-dwelling adults with trauma histories varying widely in severity (Study 1) and clinically diagnosed individuals exposed to DSM-IV-TR A1 criterion traumas (Study 2) completed measures of neuroticism, negative affectivity, trauma memory characteristics, and PTSD symptom severity. Longitudinal data in Study 1 showed that individuals with higher scores on two measures of neuroticism assessed approximately three decades apart in young adulthood and midlife reported trauma memories accompanied by more intense physiological reactions, more frequent involuntary rehearsal, and greater perceived centrality to identity in older adulthood. These properties of trauma memories were in turn associated with more severe PTSD symptoms. Study 2 replicated these findings using cross-sectional data from individuals with severe trauma histories and three additional measures of neuroticism. Results suggest that neuroticism leads to PTSD symptoms by magnifying the emotionality, availability, and centrality of trauma memories as proposed in mnemonic models of PTSD.

Profiles of Peritraumatic Emotions

ABSTRACTResearchers have identified peritraumatic emotions as important predictors of who will develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, such investigations have not examined full profiles of emotions, perhaps because of the typical emphasis on fear or other Criterion A2 emotions. Such an examination could help us identify which peritraumatic emotions are prominent, and how they relate to important posttrauma outcomes. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify distinct profiles of peritraumatic emotions and their correlates using a comprehensive survey of peri- and posttraumatic reactions. We conducted a latent profile analysis of peritraumatic emotions in 398 undergraduate students who reported a DSM–IV A1 trauma and then compared the resulting profiles on trauma type, PTSD, depression, and posttraumatic cognitions. Six distinct profiles emerged: 3 had consistently low, medium, or high levels across the range of emotions, with 3 others primarily characterized by low shame and guilt, high anger and guilt, and low guilt. These profiles significantly differed in terms of trauma type, PTSD, depression, and posttraumatic cognitions. In particular, profiles with high levels of anger, shame, and guilt were consistently related to overall worse functioning. Importantly, fear and associated emotions did not differentiate between profiles. These results have important implications for the phenomenology of posttrauma emotional reactions and strongly suggest that the clinical assessment of traumatic experiences go beyond fear-based conceptualizations.

Psychological responses to traumas of children younger than 6 years old diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder

IntroductionCriterion A2 causes many controversies in the diagnostic process of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among young children. Depending on the manner in which the trauma is indirectly experienced, clinical picture of disorder could be formed by different groups of symptoms. Profiles of symptoms groups are dependent of children ability to speak, describe or of play observation by expert.MethodsThe study included 8 children younger than 6 with PTSD diagnosis. Children were observed in a routine clinical practice.ResultsExaminees under the age of six, whose can describe traumatic event, produce symptoms that represent compaction of a traumatic event, associated with fantasies and meanings related to previous traumatic experiences. Reexperiencing symptoms associated with A2 criterion (intrusive thoughts, images, scenes of the traumatic event, recurring nightmares with oneiric sequences of the accident) were rare. Avoidance and inhibited reactions were attributable.DiscussionManners in which children younger than 6 experienced the trauma shows a large range from florid symptoms stated by the existing accepted classification. The results point out possible multifactorial cause of PTSD etiology.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Is Helplessness Still Helpful in Diagnosing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder?

Criteria A2, experience of helplessness, fear, or horror at the time of the traumatic event, was removed from the posttraumatic stress disorder diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. We argue that there is empirical support for retention of A2, a criterion that has clinical value and may improve diagnostic accuracy. Specifically, we demonstrate that A2 has high negative predictive power, aids in the prediction of symptom severity, and can be indispensible to detecting the disorder in children. We examine how augmenting A2 with other peritramautic emotions could improve clinical and diagnostic utility. In our opinion, rather than being eliminated, A2 needs to be reconstructed and included as one criterion of PTSD.

The difference conservation makes to extinction risk of the world's ungulates.

Previous studies show that conservation actions have prevented extinctions, recovered populations, and reduced declining trends in global biodiversity. However, all studies to date have substantially underestimated the difference conservation action makes because they failed to account fully for what would have happened in the absence thereof. We undertook a scenario-based thought experiment to better quantify the effect conservation actions have had on the extinction risk of the world's 235 recognized ungulate species. We did so by comparing species' observed conservation status in 2008 with their estimated status under counterfactual scenarios in which conservation efforts ceased in 1996. We estimated that without conservation at least 148 species would have deteriorated by one International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List category, including 6 species that now would be listed as extinct or extinct in the wild. The overall decline in the conservation status of ungulates would have been nearly 8 times worse than observed. This trend would have been greater still if not for conservation on private lands. While some species have benefited from highly targeted interventions, such as reintroduction, most benefited collaterally from conservation such as habitat protection. We found that the difference conservation action makes to the conservation status of the world's ungulate species is likely to be higher than previously estimated. Increased, and sustained, investment could help achieve further improvements.

Longitudinal analysis of latent classes of psychopathology and patterns of class migration in survivors of severe injury.

Little research to date has explored the typologies of psychopathology following trauma, beyond development of particular diagnoses such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The objective of this study was to determine the longitudinal patterns of these typologies, especially the movement of persons across clusters of psychopathology. In this 6-year longitudinal study, 1,167 hospitalized severe injury patients who were recruited between April 2004-February 2006 were analyzed, with repeated measures at baseline, 3 months, 12 months, and 72 months after injury. All patients met the DSM-IV criterion A1 for PTSD. Structured clinical interviews were used to assess psychiatric disorders at each follow-up point. Latent class analysis and latent transition analysis were applied to assess clusters of individuals determined by psychopathology. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) and Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) were employed to complete diagnoses. Four latent classes were identified at each time point: (1) Alcohol/Depression class (3 months, 2.1%; 12 months, 1.3%; and 72 months, 1.1%), (2) Alcohol class (3 months, 3.3%; 12 months, 3.7%; and 72 months, 5.4%), (3) PTSD/Depression class (3 months, 10.3%; 12 months, 11.5%; and 72 months, 6.4%), and (4) No Disorder class (3 months, 84.2%; 12 months, 83.5%; and 72 months, 87.1%). Latent transition analyses conducted across the 2 transition points (12 months and 72 months) found consistently high levels of stability in the No Disorder class (90.9%, 93.0%, respectively) but lower and reducing levels of consistency in the PTSD/Depression class (81.3%, 46.6%), the Alcohol/Depression class (59.7%, 21.5%), and the Alcohol class (61.0%, 36.5%), demonstrating high levels of between-class migration. Despite the array of psychiatric disorders that may develop following severe injury, a 4-class model best described the data with excellent classification certainty. The high levels of migration across classes indicate a complex pattern of psychopathology expression over time. The findings have considerable implications for tailoring multifocused interventions to class type, as well as flexible stepped care models, and for the potential development and delivery of transdiagnostic interventions targeting underlying mechanisms.

Accounting for sex differences in PTSD: A multi-variable mediation model

BackgroundApproximately twice as many females as males are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about why females report more PTSD symptoms than males. Prior studies have generally focused on few potential mediators at a time and have often used methods that were not ideally suited to test for mediation effects. Prior research has identified a number of individual risk factors that may contribute to sex differences in PTSD severity, although these cannot fully account for the increased symptom levels in females when examined individually.ObjectiveThe present study is the first to systematically test the hypothesis that a combination of pre-, peri-, and posttraumatic risk factors more prevalent in females can account for sex differences in PTSD severity.MethodThe study was a quasi-prospective questionnaire survey assessing PTSD and related variables in 73.3% of all Danish bank employees exposed to bank robbery during the period from April 2010 to April 2011. Participants filled out questionnaires 1 week (T1, N=450) and 6 months after the robbery (T2, N=368; 61.1% females). Mediation was examined using an analysis designed specifically to test a multiple mediator model.ResultsFemales reported more PTSD symptoms than males and higher levels of neuroticism, depression, physical anxiety sensitivity, peritraumatic fear, horror, and helplessness (the A2 criterion), tonic immobility, panic, dissociation, negative posttraumatic cognitions about self and the world, and feeling let down. These variables were included in the model as potential mediators. The combination of risk factors significantly mediated the association between sex and PTSD severity, accounting for 83% of the association.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that females report more PTSD symptoms because they experience higher levels of associated risk factors. The results are relevant to other trauma populations and to other trauma-related psychiatric disorders more prevalent in females, such as depression and anxiety.

Tidal flats of the Yellow Sea: A review of ecosystem status and anthropogenic threats

AbstractTidal flats provide ecosystem services to billions of people worldwide, yet their changing status is largely unknown. In the Yellow Sea region of East Asia, tidal flats are the principal coastal ecosystem fringing more than 4000 km of the coastlines of China, North Korea and South Korea. However, widespread loss of areal extent, increasing frequency of algal blooms, hypoxic dead zones and jellyfish blooms, and declines of commercial fisheries and migratory bird populations suggest that this ecosystem is degraded and declining. Here, we apply the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Ecosystems criteria to the Yellow Sea tidal flat ecosystem and determine that its status is endangered. Comparison of standardized remotely sensed habitat data and historic topographic map data indicated that in the last 50 years, a decline of more than 50% but less than 80% of tidal flat extent has occurred (criterion A1). Although restricted to a narrow band along the coastline, Yellow Sea tidal flats are sufficiently broadly distributed to be classified as least concern under criterion B. However, widespread pollution, algal blooms and declines of invertebrate and vertebrate fauna across the region result in a classification of endangered (C1, D1). Owing to the lack of long‐term monitoring data and the unknown impacts of severe biotic and abiotic change, the ecosystem was scored as data deficient for Criterion E and several subcriteria. Our assessment demonstrates an urgent need to arrest the decline of the Yellow Sea tidal flat ecosystem, which could be achieved by (i) improved coastal planning and management at regional and national levels, (ii) expansion of the coastal protected area network, and (iii) improved managed of existing protected areas to reduce illegal land reclamation and coastal exploitation.

Subjective appraisal of threat (criterion A2) as a predictor of distress in childbearing women.

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, has removed criterion A2 from the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder. The current study aimed to assess the claim that criterion A2 has low use in predicting distress, while addressing the shortcomings of previous research looking at criteria A1 and A2. Data from a longitudinal, prospective study was used, with 933 women having been assessed at four time points both prebirth and postbirth. In our sample of women, model comparisons suggest that criterion A2 should be reintroduced into the diagnostic criteria as it provides a better indicator of who goes on to have problems after giving birth than criterion A1 on its own. There is also evidence that this subjective reaction to event confrontation (A2) should include anger, shame, and guilt.

Field-testing of the ICHD-3 beta/proposed ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for migraine with aura.

In 2013 the International Headache Society published the third International Classification of Headache Disorders beta-version, ICHD-3 beta. Its structure is identical to that of the present proposed version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), although slightly abbreviated to fulfill the needs of ICD-11. In the following, only ICHD-3 beta is mentioned, but findings regarding the validity of ICHD-3 beta categories are equally relevant to the forthcoming ICD-11. Here we field-tested the criteria for 1.2 migraine with aura (MA), 1.2.1 migraine with typical aura (MTA), 1.2.3 hemiplegic migraine, 1.2.2 migraine with brainstem aura, and the alternative criteria A1.2 MA and A1.2.1 MTA. Clinical characteristics were systematically and prospectively collected from patients with 1.2.1 MTA, 1.2.4 familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM), 1.2.5 sporadic hemiplegic migraine (SHM) and 1.2.6 basilar-type migraine according to ICHD-2 in a cross-sectional study design. A database of 2464 patients with 1.1 migraine without aura and 1.2 migraine with non-hemiplegic aura and a database of 252 hemiplegic migraine patients (1.2.4 FHM or 1.2.5 SHM) was collected. We used SPSS 20 for Windows 8.0 for the statistical analysis. All ICHD-2 patients fulfilled ICHD-3 beta criteria for 1.2 MA. The ICHD-3 beta criteria for 1.2.1 MTA were more sensitive than ICHD-2 and ICHD-3 beta alternative criteria; they resulted in fewer probable MA diagnoses. Too many patients fulfilled ICHD-2 and ICHD-3 beta criteria for 1.2.2 migraine with brainstem aura. ICHD-3 beta criteria for 1.2.4 FHM and 1.2.5 SHM both comply with ICHD-2. The new criteria in ICHD-3 beta/proposed ICD-11 for 1.2 MA, 1.2.1 MTA, 1.2.3.1 FHM and 1.2.3.2 SHM have more desirable properties than ICHD-2 and the ICHD-3 beta alternative criteria. The criteria for 1.2.2 migraine with brainstem aura should be more restrictive.

The role of behavioral inhibition and parenting for an unfavorable emotional trauma response and PTSD.

The role of behavioral inhibition (BI) and parenting for an unfavorable emotional trauma response (DSM-IV criterion A2) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) development is unclear. A community sample of adolescents and young adults (aged 14-24) was followed up over 10 years (N=2378). Traumatic events, criterion A2, and PTSD (according to DSM-IV-TR) were assessed using the M-CIDI. BI and parenting were assessed using the Retrospective Self-Report of Inhibition and the Questionnaire of Recalled Parenting Rearing Behavior. Multiple logistic regressions adjusted for sex, age, and number of traumata were used to examine associations of BI as well as maternal and paternal overprotection, rejection, and reduced emotional warmth with (i) criterion A2 in those with trauma (N=1794) and (ii) subsequent PTSD in those with criterion A2 (N=1160). Behavioral inhibition (BI; odds ratio, OR=1.32) and paternal overprotection (OR=1.27) predicted criterion A2 in those with trauma, while only BI (OR=1.53) predicted subsequent PTSD. BI and paternal emotional warmth interacted on subsequent PTSD (OR=1.32), that is, BI only predicted PTSD in those with low paternal emotional warmth. Our findings suggest that BI and adverse parenting increase the risk of an unfavorable emotional trauma response and subsequent PTSD. Paternal emotional warmth buffers the association between BI and PTSD development.

High fidelity phase locked PIV measurements analysing the flow fields surrounding an oscillating piezoelectric fan

Piezoelectric fans have been studied extensively and are seen as a promising technology for thermal management due to their ability to provide quiet, reliable cooling with low power consumption. The fluid mechanics of an unconfined piezoelectric fan are complex which is why the majority of the literature to date confines the fan in an attempt to simplify the flow field. This paper investigates the fluid mechanics of an unconfined fan operating in its first vibration frequency mode. The piezoelectric fan used in this study measures 12.7mm × 70mm and resonates at 92.5Hz in air. A custom built experimental facility was developed to capture the fan's flow field using phase locked Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). The phase locked PIV results are presented in terms of vorticity and show the formation of a horse shoe vortex. A three dimensional A2 criterion constructed from interpolated PIV measurements was used to identify the vortex core in the vicinity of the fan. This analysis was used to clearly identify the formation of a horse shoe vortex that turns into a hairpin vortex before it breaks up due to a combination of vortex shedding and flow along the fan blade. The results presented in this paper contribute to both the fluid dynamics and heat transfer literature concerning first mode fan oscillation.

Biological sex, gender role, and Criterion A2: Rethinking the “gender” gap in PTSD.

Females are twice as likely as males to develop posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which may be a function of cultural prescriptions of gender, rather than biological sex. Gender-specific appraisals of trauma (i.e., Criterion A2 of PTSD) may increase susceptibility to developing posttraumatic stress in women. Results showed that exposure to accumulated intentionally caused traumas did not differ across sex. Female sex was associated with a 5.2 odds of endorsement of Criterion A2. After controlling for the effects of different types of traumatic event exposure and biological sex, masculine gender-type was negatively associated with endorsement of Criterion A2. Males classified as masculine were underrepresented in the group of participants who endorsed Criterion A2. Thus, masculine components of identity in males may buffer the effects of initial traumatic stress reactions. Implications for DSM-V are discussed.

Novos estudos psicométricos para o subteste de leiturado teste de desempenho escolar

This study reports the item analysis of the reading subscale of the School Performance Test (Stein, 1994) answered by 341 children from 2nd to 5th grades of Belo Horizonte city. Two sets of items were selected taking as reference different criteria of correction – one presented in the test manual (A1) and another, which considered syllabication and self-correction as incorrect responses. Only 28.6% of the original items presented suitable discrimination indices by the A1 Criterion and 48.6% by the A2. The accuracy for both criteria was high. For each new set of items, intra-group norms were offered. The data indicate that the A2 Criterion produced more promising results than that of A1.