Sense of agency, associative learning, and schizotypy

Despite the fact that the role of learning is recognised in empirical and theoretical work on sense of agency (SoA), the nature of this learning has, rather surprisingly, received little attention. In the present study we consider the contribution of associative mechanisms to SoA. SoA can be measured quantitatively as a temporal linkage between voluntary actions and their external effects. Using an outcome blocking procedure, it was shown that training action-outcome associations under conditions of increased surprise augmented this temporal linkage. Moreover, these effects of surprise were correlated with schizotypy scores, suggesting that individual differences in higher level experiences are related to associative learning and to its impact on SoA. These results are discussed in terms of models of SoA, and our understanding of disrupted SoA in certain disorders

Not Just An Ankle Sprain

49-year-old male with past medical history of hypertension who presents to the sports medicine clinic with a five-year history of left lateral foot pain.https://scholarlycommons.henryford.com/merf2020caserpt/1120/thumbnail.jp

Estimated Probability of Becoming Alcohol Dependent: Extending a Multiparametric Approach

Background: United States (US) epidemiological studies suggest that for every 5-8 who start drinking alcoholic beverages, at least one drinker will develop an alcohol dependence (AD) syndrome within the first 10 years after onset of drinking (Lopez-Quintero et al., 2011; Wagner & Anthony, 2002). Recently, we described a multiparametric functional analysis approach for new research to estimate these transition probabilities with a one-dimensional function (1D; Vsevolozhskaya & Anthony, 2015). Here, we demonstrate extension of this analysis to two-dimensional (2D) functions that combine information about number of recent drinking days and number of drinks on the typical drinking day. Methods: Data are from the United States National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Restricted-use Data Analysis System, 2002-2011, with nationally representative samples of newly incident drinkers and rapid-onset AD syndromes ascertained via standardized audio computer self interviews, completed for surveys of non-institutionalized civilian US citizens, age 12 years and older. Drinking history, including DSM-IV AD status, were assessed via the standardized computer-assisted interview assessments. The 2D functional estimates are based on a non-linear parametric Hill equation evaluated for (1) number of drinking days in 30 days just before NSDUH assessment, and (2) typical number of drinks on recent drinking days. Results: Among newly incident drinkers with just one drink per drinking day, the estimated AD risk ranges from more or less 1% among infrequent drinkers with a single drinking day per month (95% bootstrap confidence interval, CI: 0.7, 1.0), upward to about 3% among daily drinkers (95% CI: 1.4, 3.7). Among newly incident drinkers with ~2 drinks per drinking day, estimated AD risk is much larger among daily drinkers (21.4%; 95% CI = 5, 21). Across subgroups defined by 3, 4, and 5 or more drinks per day, the estimated AD risk is larger, as can be seen clearly for those who have progressed to daily drinking: 31% for 3 drinks, 84% for 4 drinks, 90% for 5+ drinks, respectively, with some degree of CI overlap. However, among infrequent drinkers, with no more than one drinking day per month, the estimated AD risk does not appreciably differ from 1% irrespective of the number of drinks consumed per typical drinking day. Conclusions: Via the multiparametric functional analysis approach extended beyond the number of drinks per typical drinking day, this evidence helps clarify that AD risk apparently is relatively constant and quite limited when newly incident drinking is limited to no more than one drinking day per month. When newly incident drinkers are observed within 12 months after drinking onset, there is substantial increase in AD risk among daily drinkers, provided the typical number of drinks per day increases from 1 to 5+ drinks. This study is novel in its focus on newly incident drinkers and variations in risk of developing alcohol dependence soon after drinking onset. A new agenda for research AD risk among newly incident drinkers can be built upon this initial platform of new evidence, particularly if family history and individual-level genomic characteristics can be assessed and brought into play in future national surveys of this type

Mission Driven and Data Informed Leadership

The contemporary challenges facing Catholic schools and Catholic school leaders are widely known. Effective and systemic solutions to these mounting challenges are less widely known or discussed. This article highlights the skills, knowledge, and dispositions associated with mission driven and data informed leadership—an orientation to school level leadership that we believe holds great promise for the renewal and revitalization of Catholic schools. The conceptual framework developed in this article takes specific shape through an examination of the problem-based learning strategies embedded in the curriculum of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program in the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame, and three exemplary action research projects completed by program graduates and current leaders in Catholic schools

Estimated Probability of Becoming a Case of Drug Dependence in Relation to Duration of Drug-Taking Experience: A Functional Analysis Approach

Measured as elapsed time from first use to dependence syndrome onset, the estimated induction interval for cocaine is thought to be short relative to the cannabis interval, but little is known about risk of becoming dependent during first months after onset of use. Virtually all published estimates for this facet of drug dependence epidemiology are from life histories elicited years after first use. To improve estimation, we turn to new month-wise data from nationally representative samples of newly incident drug users identified via probability sampling and confidential computer-assisted self-interviews for the United States National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2004-2013. Standardized modules assessed first and most recent use, and dependence syndromes, for each drug subtype. A four-parameter Hill function depicts the drug dependence transition for subgroups defined by units of elapsed time from first to most recent use, with an expectation of greater cocaine dependence transitions for cocaine versus cannabis. This study\u27s novel estimates for cocaine users one month after first use show 2-4% with cocaine dependence; 12-17% are dependent when use has persisted. Corresponding cannabis estimates are 0-1% after one month, but 10-23% when use persists. Duration or persistence of cannabis smoking beyond an initial interval of a few months of use seems to be a signal of noteworthy risk for, or co-occurrence of, rapid-onset cannabis dependence, not too distant from cocaine estimates, when we sort newly incident users into subgroups defined by elapsed time from first to most recent use

Thermal kinetic inductance detectors for ground-based millimeter-wave cosmology

We show measurements of thermal kinetic inductance detectors (TKID) intended for millimeter wave cosmology in the 200-300 GHz atmospheric window. The TKID is a type of bolometer which uses the kinetic inductance of a superconducting resonator to measure the temperature of the thermally isolated bolometer island. We measure bolometer thermal conductance, time constant and noise equivalent power. We also measure the quality factor of our resonators as the bath temperature varies to show they are limited by effects consistent with coupling to two level systems.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to Journal of Low Temperature Physic

Goal directed therapy: how long can we wait?

Intensive monitoring and aggressive management of perioperative haemodynamics (goal directed therapy) have repeatedly been reported to reduce the significant morbidity and mortality associated with high risk surgery. It may not matter what particular monitor is used to assess cardiac output but it is essential to ensure adequate oxygen delivery. If this management cannot begin preoperatively, it is still worth beginning goal directed therapy in the immediate postoperative period

Inter-Relationships Linking Probability of Becoming a Case of Nicotine Dependence With Frequency of Tobacco Cigarette Smoking

INTRODUCTION: Once smoking starts, some tobacco cigarette smokers (TCS) can make very rapid transitions into tobacco dependence syndromes (TCD). With adjustment for smoking frequency, we posit female excess risk for this rapid-onset TCD. In a novel application of functional analysis for tobacco research, we estimate four Hill function parameters and plot TCD risk against a gradient of smoking frequency, as observed quite soon after smoking onset. METHODS: In aggregate, the National Surveys of Drug Use and Health, 2004-2013, identified 1546 newly incident TCS in cross-sectional research, each with standardized TCD assessment. RESULTS: Hill function estimates contradict our apparently over-simplistic hypothesis. Among newly incident TCS males with only 1-3 recent smoking days, an estimated 1%-3% had become rapid-onset TCD cases; non-overlapping confidence intervals show lower TCD risk for females. In contrast, among daily smokers, closer to 50% of female TCS showed rapid-onset TCD, versus under 20% of male TCS, but a larger sample will be needed to confirm the apparent female excess risk at the daily smoking frequency level. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking frequency and TCD onset become inter-dependent quite soon after TCS onset. Feedback loops are expected, and might explain a potential reversal of male-female differences across smoking frequency gradients. These novel epidemiological estimates prompt new thinking and questions about interventions. IMPLICATIONS: In this large sample epidemiological study, with a nationally representative sample of newly incident TCS assessed cross-sectionally, we see a quite rapid onset of tobacco dependence, with an early male excess that fades out at higher levels of smoking frequency. Next steps include development of outreach and intervention for this very rapid-onset tobacco dependence