Normative Age-Related Individual Differences in Executive Functioning and its Impact on Quality of Life and Mood in Aging Couples

With the aging of society and increased longevity, understanding the factors that contribute to declines in quality of life and mood, such as normative health declines and cognitive declines is progressively more important. Past research has consistently demonstrated that cognitive skills decline with age; specifically, a major change associated with normative aging is a decline in executive functions (Phillips & Henry, 2008). Past research has focused on investigating how abnormal declines in cognitive and executive functioning have impacted the self and others; however a relatively unexplored issue is examining how individual differences in normative age-related changes in cognitive functioning impact the self and others. The first purpose of the current study was to investigate normative age-related differences in executive functioning skills and how these individual differences impact individuals and their marital partners. The second purpose of the current study was to investigate whether executive functioning skills in particular, rather than other domains of cognitive skills thought to be separate from executive functioning, predicted poor quality of life and mood in self and partner. Participants were 91 heterosexual couples 55 years and above who were married or cohabiting. They completed measures of quality of life and mood in addition to a variety of cognitive tasks and executive functioning tasks measuring their inhibition, working memory and task switching abilities. We found that lower executive functioning skills in one partner significantly predicted lower levels of quality of life in the other partner (partner effect). However, we found that there was no significant relationship between those with lower levels of executive functioning and one’s own ratings of quality of life (actor effect). Conversely, when investigating the impact of executive functioning on mood we found that lower levels of executive functioning resulted in lower ratings of mood for the same partner (actor effect). However, lower levels of executive functioning in one partner did not predict lower levels of mood in the other partner (partner effect). In no instance was general cognition, as assessed using tasks of language, visuospatial ability, and short-term memory, related to partner or actor effects for either outcome measure. Implications of these findings are discussed

Burma: Drug Control Progress and Possibilities

Burma is the second largest opium producer in the world, and is quickly becoming a hotbed of methamphetamine production. Opium profits have helped to finance conflict within Burma for both the central government and the insurgent ethnic groups; however, with the 1989 ceasefire agreements with the insurgent ethnic groups the drug control context changed dramatically. In April 2002, the Kokang and Wa ethnic leaders, whose regions account for the vast majority of opium poppy cultivation, committed to making their territory opium-free by 2003 and July 2005 respectively. The combined drug control efforts of national and local leaders have shown promising results, as both UN and US opium surveys have confirmed large declines in poppy cultivation. As Burma continues to reduce opium cultivation, it has struggled in recent years with an increase in the production of amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS). Combating the threats from opium and ATS will require different strategies. Stronger border controls, improved law enforcement and interdiction techniques must complement development strategies and alternative cropping policies.Myanmar ist der zweitgrößte Opiumproduzent der Welt und hat sich zu einer Hochburg der Methamphetaminproduktion entwickelt. Die Gewinne aus der Opiumproduktion halfen sowohl der Zentralregierung als auch den aufständischen ethnischen Gruppen, den Konflikt zu finanzieren. Seit denWaffenstillstandsvereinbarungen 1989 hat sich der Kontext der Drogenkontrolle dramatisch verändert. Im April 2002 versprachen die Führer der Kokang und derWa, in deren Einflussbereich die überwältigende Mehrheit des Mohnanbaus und der Opiumproduktion stattfindet, ihre Gebiete bis 2003 bzw. 2005 opiumfrei zu bekommen. Die vereinten Anstrengungen nationaler und lokaler Führer bei der Bekämpfung der Drogenproduktion zeigt viel versprechende Ergebnisse; sowohl die Statistiken der UN als auch der USA bestätigten einen starken Rückgang des Opiumanbaus. Während Burma den Anbau von Opium reduziert, erlebte es in den vergangenen Jahren einen Anstieg der Produktion der Amphetamin-Derivate (ATS). Stärkere Grenzkontrollen, verbesserte Rechtsetzung und Untersuchungstechniken müssen die Entwicklung dieser Strategien komplementär ergänzen

The impact of receiving a diagnosis of Non-Epileptic Attack Disorder (NEAD): a systematic review

Background: Clinicians have reported observations of the immediate cessation of non-epileptic attacks after the diagnosis of NEAD is presented. Objective: The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of receiving a diagnosis of NEAD. Search strategy: A literature search across the databases Medline, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and CINAHL, and additional hand searching, identified 6 original studies meeting criteria for the review. Selection Criteria: Included studies were original peer-reviewed articles investigating the impact of receiving a diagnosis of NEAD on adult populations with at least one outcome measured pre and post-diagnosis. Analysis: The studies were assessed for methodological quality, including biases. This assessment was developed to include criteria specific to research regarding NEAD and diagnosis. Results: Six identified studies, with a total of 153 NEAD participants, examined the impact of receiving a diagnosis on seizure frequency. Two of the six also examined the impact on health-related quality of life. The findings were inconsistent, with approximately half the participants experiencing seizure reduction or cessation post-diagnosis. Diagnosis appeared to have no significant impact on health-related quality of life. The overall evidence lacked quality, particularly in study design and statistical rigour. Conclusions: Mixed results and a lack of high quality evidence was found. Concerns are considered regarding the appropriateness of seizure frequency as the primary outcome measure and the use of epilepsy control groups. Indications for future research include: measuring more meaningful outcomes, using larger samples and power calculations, and ensuring consistent and standard methods for communicating the diagnosis and recording outcomes

Intersectionality and invisible victims: reflections on data challenges and vicarious trauma in femicide, family and intimate partner homicide research

Rigorous, comprehensive and timely research are the cornerstone of social and transformative change. For researchers responding to femicide, family and intimate partner homicide, there are substantial challenges around accessing robust data that is complete and fully representative of the experiences and social identities of those affected. This raises questions of how certain social identities are privileged and how the lens of intersectionality may be constrained or enabled through research. Further, there is limited insight into the emotional labour and safety for researchers, and how they experience and mitigate vicarious trauma. We examine these issues through a shared critical reflection and conclude with key recommendations to address the challenges and issues identified. Four researchers examining and responding to femicide, family and intimate partner homicide in Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom shared and evaluated their critical reflection. We drew on our experiences and offer insights into processes, impacts and unintended consequences of fatality reviews and research initiatives. There are substantial limitations in accessibility and completeness of data, which has unintended consequences for the construction of social identities of those affected, including how multiple forms of exclusion and structural oppression are represented. Our experiences as researchers are complex and have driven us to implement strategies to mitigate vicarious trauma. We assert that these issues can be addressed by reconceptualizing the goals of data collection and fostering collaborative discussions among those involved in data collection and violence prevention to strengthen research, prevention efforts and safety for all involved

Ligneous membranitis in Scottish terriers is associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism in the plasminogen (plg) gene

Ligneous membranitis (LM) is a rare chronic inflammatory condition of the mucous membranes associated with plasminogen (encoded by PLG) deficiency in affected humans and dogs. In human, the condition is genetic in nature with numerous mutations and polymorphisms in PLG identified in affected individuals and related family members. The condition is uncommonly reported in dogs and, to date, no genetic studies have been performed. We identified related Scottish Terriers (littermates) with severe LM and unaffected relatives (sire, dam and a sibling from a previous litter). Plasma plasminogen activity was below normal in one affected dog but within normal reference intervals for the other. Sequencing of PLG from the affected dogs revealed a homozygous A>T single nucleotide polymorphism in an intron donor site (c.1256+2T>A). The related, unaffected dogs displayed heterozygous alleles at this position (c.1256+2T/A), whereas no mutation was detected in unaffected, non‐related control dogs. This is the first report to identify gene polymorphisms associated with LM in dogs

The Vehicle, Fall 2007

Table of Contents Is This Thing On?Nichole D\u27Antoniopage 1 Death Came KnockingJacob Dawsonpage 5 Awaiting DecemberRebecca Griffithpage 9 ginamarieElizabeth Hoodpage 11 She LongsJennifer O\u27Neilpage 12 ForgottenStephanie Drozdpage 13 Art House WomanGreg Harrellpage 14 Young Woman OlderAmanda Vealepage 15 FirstRebecca Griffithpage 17 FlowJacob Dawsonpage 19 Am Animal AwareDanielle Meyerpage 20 Geneva 04\u27Stephanie Guyerpage 21 Poland, 1942.Jennifer O\u27Neilpage 22 Witness to the Atrophy of ForestsDanielle Meyerpage 23 Helvellyn IJacob Fosterpage 24 Three Out of Five Ain\u27t BadThomas McElweepage 25 FarceAmanda Vealepage 31 Strength of EmotionJennifer O\u27Neilpage 32 About the Authors Art Submissions Prerequisite for a RequiemJenna Smithcover Girl 3Jenna Smithpage 14 ManJenna Smithpage 16 Give Peace a ChanceMegan Mathypage 16 GraceJennifer O\u27Neilpage 20 Oh, the Places You\u27ll Go!Megan Mathypage 23https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1086/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Fall 2007

Table of Contents Is This Thing On?Nichole D\u27Antoniopage 1 Death Came KnockingJacob Dawsonpage 5 Awaiting DecemberRebecca Griffithpage 9 ginamarieElizabeth Hoodpage 11 She LongsJennifer O\u27Neilpage 12 ForgottenStephanie Drozdpage 13 Art House WomanGreg Harrellpage 14 Young Woman OlderAmanda Vealepage 15 FirstRebecca Griffithpage 17 FlowJacob Dawsonpage 19 Am Animal AwareDanielle Meyerpage 20 Geneva 04\u27Stephanie Guyerpage 21 Poland, 1942.Jennifer O\u27Neilpage 22 Witness to the Atrophy of ForestsDanielle Meyerpage 23 Helvellyn IJacob Fosterpage 24 Three Out of Five Ain\u27t BadThomas McElweepage 25 FarceAmanda Vealepage 31 Strength of EmotionJennifer O\u27Neilpage 32 About the Authors Art Submissions Prerequisite for a RequiemJenna Smithcover Girl 3Jenna Smithpage 14 ManJenna Smithpage 16 Give Peace a ChanceMegan Mathypage 16 GraceJennifer O\u27Neilpage 20 Oh, the Places You\u27ll Go!Megan Mathypage 23https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1086/thumbnail.jp

Factors Influencing Dietetic Interns\u27 Dietary Habits During Supervised Practice

Supervised practice is a prerequisite to becoming a registered dietitian. Research suggests that environmental and social factors may affect dietary choices. This focus group research aimed to gather opinions from dietetic interns to understand what factors related to supervised practice, if any, affected their dietary habits. Qualitative data were collected via seven recorded virtual focus groups in which trained moderators facilitated a discussion using a series of controlled questions. Participants, dietetic interns (n = 42) who were currently completing or had completed their supervised practice within the previous six months, attended one of seven virtual focus groups. Each focus group had five to eight participants. Transcripts were separately coded by two trained researchers using a grounded theory approach to identify themes and subthemes. Researchers discussed any disagreements in coding and established a consensus. Elements related to the dietetic internship were observed to influence participants’ dietary choices. Main themes included time, finances, food access and availability, physical and mental effects, non-supervised practice factors, and social factors. Dietetic programs and preceptors should explore ways to raise interns’ awareness and minimize the potential negative impacts of these factors on interns’ dietary habits to improve their overall internship experience

Reducing Our Waste in Bloomington-Normal, IL

The purpose of this report is to inform public officials, the Ecology Action Center, and Bloomington/Normal residents of current habits, unmet needs and areas for improvement concerning community recycling programs. The findings are based on a survey of 290 Bloomington/Normal households, as well as interviews conducted with key stakeholders in the community. One of the more significant findings was the almost universal support for the expansion of the curbside recycling program in the area. Respondents also reported a general dissatisfaction with the current state of apartment recycling efforts, and support of the implementation of mandatory recycling in school districts. To conclude, we make recommendations for improvement of the Bloomington/Normal recycling programs

Relationships between social withdrawal and facial emotion recognition in neuropsychiatric disorders

Background: Emotion recognition constitutes a pivotal process of social cognition. It involves decoding social cues (e.g., facial expressions) to maximise social adjustment. Current theoretical models posit the relationship between social withdrawal factors (social disengagement, lack of social interactions and loneliness) and emotion decoding. Objective: To investigate the role of social withdrawal in patients with schizophrenia (SZ) or probable Alzheimer's disease (AD), neuropsychiatric conditions associated with social dysfunction. Methods: A sample of 156 participants was recruited: schizophrenia patients (SZ; n = 53), Alzheimer's disease patients (AD; n = 46), and two age-matched control groups (SZc, n = 29; ADc, n = 28). All participants provided self-report measures of loneliness and social functioning, and completed a facial emotion detection task. Results: Neuropsychiatric patients (both groups) showed poorer performance in detecting both positive and negative emotions compared with their healthy counterparts (p < .01). Social withdrawal was associated with higher accuracy in negative emotion detection, across all groups. Additionally, neuropsychiatric patients with higher social withdrawal showed lower positive emotion misclassification. Conclusions: Our findings help to detail the similarities and differences in social function and facial emotion recognition in two disorders rarely studied in parallel, AD and SZ. Transdiagnostic patterns in these results suggest that social withdrawal is associated with heightened sensitivity to negative emotion expressions, potentially reflecting hypervigilance to social threat. Across the neuropsychiatric groups specifically, this hypervigilance associated with social withdrawal extended to positive emotion expressions, an emotional-cognitive bias that may impact social functioning in people with severe mental illness