Psychophysiological correlates of peritraumatic dissociative responses in survivors of life-threatening cardiac events

The psychophysiological startle response pattern associated with peritraumatic dissociation (DISS) was studied in 103 survivors of a life-threatening cardiac event (mean age 61.0 years, SD 13.95). Mean time period since the cardiac event was 37 (79 IQD) months. All patients underwent a psychodiagnostic evaluation (including the Peritraumatic Dissociative Experiences Questionnaire) and a psychophysiological startle experience which comprised the delivery of 15 acoustic startle trials. Magnitude and habituation to trials were measured by means of electromyogram (EMG) and skin conductance responses (SCR). Thirty-two (31%) subjects were indexed as patients with a clinically significant level of DISS symptoms. High-level DISS was associated with a higher magnitude of SCR (ANOVA for repeated measures p = 0.017) and EMG (p = 0.055) and an impaired habituation (SCR slope p = 0.064; EMG slope p = 0.005) in comparison to subjects with no or low DISS. In a subgroup analysis, high-level DISS patients with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; n = 11) in comparison to high-level DISS patients without subsequent PTSD (n = 19) exhibited higher EMG amplitudes during all trials (repeated measures analysis of variance IF = 5.511, p = 0.026). The results demonstrate exaggerated startle responses in SCR and EMG measures - an abnormal defensive response to high-intensity stimuli which indicates a steady state of increased arousal. DISS patients without PTSD exhibited balanced autonomic responses to the startle trials. DISS may, therefore, unfold malignant properties only in combination with persistent physiological hyperarousability. Copyright (C) 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

A Field Experience: Dual-Building vs. Single-Building Principals: How They Spend Their Time

This study focused on the amount of time principals spent on tasks related to instructional leadership. It was conducted between the months of January and May, 1989. The study examined differences in the amount of time that single-building principals spent on job-related tasks and the amount of time that dual-building principals spent on the same tasks. Tasks were categorized as either routine or related to instructional leadership. Data was obtained through the use of a survey which was mailed to principals selected from the east-central Illinois area. Principals were asked to estimate the amount of time they actually spent on various job-related tasks. Both groups of respondents reported having difficulty spending a majority of their time on tasks related to instructional leadership. Only 36% of the single-building principals and 32% of the dual-building principals reported spending as much as 50% of their time on tasks related to instructional leadership. Careful consideration needs to be given when assigning principals extra duties or extra buildings to supervise if they are to be expected to spend a majority of their time providing instructional leadership. The use of a head teacher, delegation of routine duties to a secretary, and a decrease in the amount of extra assignments are possible ways to free up more time for a principal\u27s instructional leadership role

Early larval dispersal of gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.) : effects of maternal nutrition, provisioning of yolk proteins, and temperature during the egg stage.

North American gypsy moth disperse as larvae on the wind in a behavior called ballooning prior to feeding for the first time. Resources used in dispersal are therefore limited to those carried over from the egg. I measured levels of two yolk storage proteins, vitellin (Vt) and glycine-rich protein (GRP), using quantitative immunoelectrophoresis, I determined the tendency of larvae to balloon in a wind tunnel. I estimated the length of the window for dispersal from the longevity of unfed neonates. Pre-hatch levels of Vt and GRP had no influence on the tendency of neonates to balloon. Levels of these proteins were positively associated with and accounted for 40-50% of the variation in longevity of neonates from the first-laid and center thirds of egg masses. Longevity was greatest for neonates from the first-laid third which also had the highest pre-hatch levels of Vt and GRP. Nutritionally stressed females compensated to maintain levels of Vt and GRP by reducing the number of eggs produced. This compensation was reflected in similar longevities of offspring of stressed and unstressed females. The tendency of larvae to balloon, however, was greater in offspring of unstressed females. It is possible that traits selected for in nutritionally stressed females may be expressed in offspring as a reduced tendency to disperse. Temperature during the six weeks prior to eclosion had a significant effect on pre-hatch levels of Vt and GRP and on neonate longevity. Eggs held at 7\sp\circC or less had similar pre-hatch levels of both proteins. Eggs held at 10\sp\circC for six weeks, however, were depleted of Vt and GRP suggesting a threshold between 7 and 10\sp\circC for stimulation of protein utilization. Eggs held for alternating weeks at 4 and 10\sp\circC had protein levels similar to eggs held at 4\sp\circC indicating eggs must be exposed to temperatures above the threshold for a period greater than a week before utilization of proteins is increased

Whether You Like It or Not: The Inclusion of Social Media Evidence in Sexual Harassment Cases and How Courts Can Effectively Control It

The increasing use of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Myspace in social interactions has led to a corresponding increase in the use of social media evidence in litigation. Social media sites provide attorneys with easily accessible, up-to-date information about individuals, making such sites highly desirable sources of evidence. Although recent case law indicates that social media evidence is largely discoverable and often admissible, allowing broad discovery of social media evidence in sexual harassment cases could be highly problematic for plaintiffs because it often produces irrelevant and prejudicial evidence that only serves to embarrass plaintiffs and dissuade them from pursuing otherwise meritorious claims. This Note examines the impact of social media discovery and admission on plaintiffs in sexual harassment cases. It argues that in order to prevent the production of irrelevant and prejudicial social media evidence in sexual harassment cases, courts should apply the principles of Federal Rule of Evidence 412 to the discovery phase and conduct an in camera review of social media evidence before allowing the defense to view it

LOWER LIMB TRI-JOINT SYNCHRONY DURING RUNNING: A LONGITUDINAL AGE-BASED STUDY

Cluster Phase analysis was used to examine age-related changes in synchrony between three joints of the lower limb during running stance. Ten male, endurance athletes (Age = 53.54±2.56 years [M50]) participated in the study at baseline (0 years) and then returned for re-testing after seven years (Age = 60.49±2.56 years [M57]). Lower limb coordinate and ground reaction forces were collected as participants performed running trials at a velocity of 3.83±0.40 m/s contacting the force plate with their preferred limb. Statistical parametric mapping identified that the hip, knee and ankle joint synchrony during the stance phase did not change. However tri-joint synchrony was significantly higher at M57 compared to M50 during the absorption sub-phase of stance. The increased joint synchrony as a function of age could be a mechanism associated with this key injury provoking phase

THE EFFECT OF AGE ON VETERAN ATHLETES LEG ELASTICITY

Farley & Morgenroth (1999) studied contributions to leg elasticity during maximal and sub maximal vertical jumping in a young population. Using a computer model for leg elasticity they found that ankle joint stiffness was the main contibutor to leg elasticity and showed that it was directly proportional to overall leg stiffness. The aim of this study was to track changes in leg elasticity of veteran runners over a ten year period (Work in progress)

The Impact of Oral Health on Low-Income Pregnant Women Living in the United States

Abstract Introduction: Oral health has a significant impact on pregnancy outcomes. Interprofessional collaboration can assist in bridging the gap between oral and systemic health and assist in optimizing the health of low-income pregnant women, infants, and children. Methods: A literature review was used to ascertain the impact of oral health on adverse pregnancy outcomes. Research sources used in this literature review were gathered from the U.S. National Library of Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, PubMed, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Elsevier, Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), the Office of the Surgeon General, and Google Scholars. Inclusion criteria were pregnant women. Results: Poor dental health during pregnancy can contribute to adverse pregnancy outcomes and contributes to early childhood caries. Conversely, many systemic diseases can present oral signs and symptoms. Low-income women are disproportionately affected due to limited or no access to oral health care through their health insurance, or due to poor quality health care. The socio-ecological model was used to identify factors that affect oral health at the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and public policy levels. Discussion: Studies have shown that interprofessional collaboration with health care professionals and other non-dental professionals can improve pregnant women’s oral health. Prenatal care that includes oral health screening, education, and referrals can mitigate the risk of oral diseases during pregnancy and the postpartum period. A systems change approach can be utilized to create a collaborative effort in addressing this public health issue. Keywords: Interprofessional collaboration, postpartum, oral health, systemic health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, low-income pregnant women, prenatal car