Stimulus sequence effects in a discrete trial discrimination

That a subject responds at a particular rate in the presence of one stimulus and at a different rate in the presence of other stimuli on the same dimension has been taken as indicative of the acquisition of dimensional stimulus control over the subject\u27s behavior. Theories accounting for discrimination-derived phenomena in animals have been advanced by Pavlov (1927) and by Spence (1937). The Spencian model assumes that if a response is followed by a reinforcement, the excitatory tendencies of the immediate stimulus components are reinforced or strengthened... (Spence, 1936, p. 273). Furthermore, if an instrumental response leads to nonreinforcement, then the tendency to respond to the stimulus components present on that trial are weakened

ARE THESE QUEER TIMES? GAY MALE REPRESENTATION ON THE AMERICAN STAGE IN THE 1920\u27S AND 1990\u27S

Utilizing a model based on Queer theory and comprising four relational paradigms, this thesis examines specific dramas of Mae West and Terrence McNally in an effort to understand the multiple relationships between the text, the society and the culture in the production of a gay male identity and its representation on the American stage in the 1920s and the 1990s. Each relational paradigm is the product of a different twentieth century scholar and can be viewed as an individual lens through which one aspect of a drama or culture can be magnified, illuminated or distorted. These paradigms are: culture and power; science and sex; gender and performance; plus structurization and identity. The most significant paradigm, structurization, provides the culminating focal point for the contributions of the other relational paradigms. Through this examination, Mae Wests dramas in the 1920s produced a prescriptive attitude toward the gay male in society, a thing to be cured. The dramas of Terrence McNally produced a subscriptive attitude toward the gay male, an equal human being who should not be marginalized. Ultimately, Broadway Theater can be seen as a site of cultural production that shapes the views of its audience as much as it is shaped by the larger society in which it exists

Evaluation of Ventilation Designs for Increasing Local Exhaust Ventilation Performance in Traditional Settings and Concrete Dowel Drilling

Over 2 million workers are potentially exposed to respirable crystalline silica with the overwhelming majority in the construction industry. Occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica can lead to silicosis, lung cancer, and other adverse diseases. The present research evaluated novel designs in both traditional ventilation and local exhaust ventilation for a concrete dowel drill to reduce occupational exposures such as silica. The first study investigated traditional ventilation novel designs to increase capture velocities without increasing fan speeds or power consumption. The second and third study focused on improving a concrete dowel drill local exhaust ventilation design to reduce potential respirable crystalline silica exposures during large concrete construction project such as airport runways. Previous research indicated that the manufacturer’s local exhaust ventilation system reduced respirable crystalline silica exposures by over 90 percent but the system was susceptible to filter and hose clogging which reduced performance. In the second study, a laboratory study evaluated two novel local exhaust ventilation hoods, one commercially available hood, and the dowel drill manufacturer’s hood for hood efficiency and airflow characteristics. The novel design hoods increased hood coefficient of entry from 0.59 for the manufacturer’s hood to 0.64 indicating increased efficiency. Novel simple hood analysis found an average hood coefficient of entry of 0.81 indicating further improvements can be made. In the third study, simulated workplace conditions were used to evaluate the best performance hood identified in laboratory testing along with other local exhaust ventilation modifications such as replacing the manufacturer’s corrugated hose with smooth-bore hose and including a cyclone pre-separator to reduce the dust transport burden within the exhaust system. The most effective local exhaust ventilation configuration consisted of the novel design hood, smooth-bore hose, and cyclone which reduced average accumulated hose weight (manufacturer’s configuration = 0.3 pounds per trial vs. most effective configuration = 0.05 pounds per trial) and increased average cleanout bucket capture (0.95 pounds per trial to 6.30 pounds per trial). These metrics indicated potential concrete dowel drill ventilation system efficiency and capture performance increases that address the ventilation system limitations indicated by previous research.PhDEnvironmental Health SciencesUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/133420/1/couchjr_1.pd

EXPLORING LESBIAN AND GAY EXPERIENCES WITH INDIVIDUALS, SYSTEMS, AND ENVIRONMENTS: PATTERNS OF RESPONSE TO HETEROSEXIST PREJUDICE AND DISCRIMINATION

While the general social climate in the U.S. has become more accepting and tolerant of sexual minority individuals, heterosexist discrimination, prejudice and violence continues to affect LGBT individuals, families and communities. While much research literature exists on the experience of minority stress and the psychological consequences of minority stress on sexual minorities, little research has been produced that examines sexual minority coping. Within the last decade, heteronegativity has been suggested as a possible coping response to heterosexism. The goal of the present study was to understand sexual minority responses to heterosexism (including heteronegativity) in a variety of contexts and circumstances. The present study involved individual interviews with twelve adult, self-identified sexual minority participants. Utilizing Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR), an inductive qualitative methodology of data analysis, eight domains were discerned from examining the experiences of lesbian and gay men’s coping with heterosexist individuals, systems and environments. These domains were: (a) assessing sexual orientation in context; (b) observation of change; (c) messages/social influences; (d) social systems; (e) categorizing; (f) empowerment; (g) resignation; and (h) equality. Eight subcategories existed under the domain of assessing sexual orientation in context: family, childhood, coming out, heterosexuals, work, harassment, acquaintances, and general. The domain observation of change yielded six subcategories: general, personal, advocates of change, heterosexuals, family, and gay and lesbian community. Under the domain of messages/social influences, six subcategories existed: general messages, peers, heterosexuals, gender roles, media, and family. Five subcategories contributed to the domain of social systems and include: religious institutions, educational systems and institutions, political parties, systems and institutions, media and general. In terms of how individuals categorized others, the fifth domain, six subcategories constituted this phenomenon: general categorizing, social institutions, challenged assumptions, gender roles, beliefs about heterosexuals, and gay and lesbian. Empowerment is a domain comprised of five subcategories: disengagement, coming out, advocate, engagement, and values/beliefs. Four subcategories contributed to understanding the domain of resignation: avoiding confrontation, rationalizing, pressure, and suppression. And under the domain of equality, two subcategories were explicated: parity and social institutions. Results of the study were consistent with aspects of minority stress including stigma consciousness and stigma and self-esteem. One important contribution of the findings from the present study reveals three overarching components to coping with heterosexism. These components were discernment, disclosure and concealment, and self-empowerment. Implications for trainees, educators, and practitioners were outlined

New York\u27s Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) Program: How DSRIPtive will this $8 Billion Initiative Be?

For over 30 years, James B. Couch, M.D., J.D., FACPE, has been a practicing physician, attorney and senior executive for leading health care, financial, legal and professional services organizations. He has devoted his career to quality and patient safety, especially where the practices and principles of medicine, law, information technology, business and risk management merge. Dr. Couch’s Forum presentation will address what the NY Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program is and why it is important to healthcare transformation. He will discuss how the key principles and projects of the NY DSRIP program may combine to promote achievement of the Quadruple Aim. Lastly, Dr. Couch will describe how NY DSRIP’s performance-based funds flow to Performing Provider Systems (PPS) and impact health systems. Dr. Couch has worked extensively in evaluating and positioning leading edge cloud-based electronic health information systems, clinical and population health analytics products for use by top healthcare providers and payers. Couch has published on the development of accountable care capable organizations, and the use of disease and population health management methodologies and health IT to continuously improve patient safety and healthcare quality. Presentation: 54 minutes PowerPoint slides at bottom of pag

Sumatriptan–naproxen fixed combination for acute treatment of migraine: a critical appraisal

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including naproxen and naproxen sodium, are effective yet nonspecific analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, which work for a variety of pain and inflammatory syndromes, including migraine. In migraine, their analgesic effect helps relieve the headache, while their anti-inflammatory effect decreases the neurogenic inflammation in the trigeminal ganglion. This is the hypothesized mechanism by which they prevent the development of central sensitization. Triptans, including sumatriptan, work early in the migraine process at the trigeminovascular unit as agonists of the serotonin receptors (5-HT receptors) 1B and 1D. They block vasoconstriction and block transmission of signals to the trigeminal nucleus and thus prevent peripheral sensitization. Therefore, combining these two drugs is an attractive modality for the abortive treatment of migraine. Sumatriptan–naproxen fixed combination tablet (Treximet® [sumatriptan–naproxen]) proves to be an effective and well tolerated drug that combines these two mechanisms; yet is far from being the ultimate in migraine abortive therapy, and further research remains essential