Hearing voices, dissociation and the self: a functional-analytic perspective

Item does not contain fulltextIn the current paper, we review existing models of the aetiology of voice hearing. We summarise the argument and evidence that voice hearing is primarily a dissociative process, involving critical aspects of self. We propose a complementary perspective on these phenomena that is based on a modern behavioural account of complex behaviour, known as Relational Frame Theory (RFT). This type of approach to voice hearing concerns itself with: the functions served for the individual by this voice hearing; the necessary history, such as trauma, that establishes these functions; and the relevant dissociative processes involving self and others. In short, we propose a trauma-dissociation developmental trajectory in which trauma impacts negatively on the development of self, through the process of dissociation. Using the RFT concept of relations of perspective-taking, our dissociation model purports that trauma gives rise to more co-ordination than distinction relations between self and others, thus weaking an individual's sense of a distinct self. Voice hearing experiences, therefore, reflect an individual's perceptions of self and others, and may indicate impairments in the natural psychological boundaries between these critical related concepts. One clinical implication suggested by this model is that therapeutic 'intervention' should understand the behaviours associated with a sense of self that is fragile and threatened by others. Relations with self and others should be a key focus of therapy, as well as interventions designed to enhance a coherent distinct sense of self.20 p

Effect of different pretreatments and drying methods on the drying kinetics and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa) rhizomes

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is one of the spices commonly used globally due to its health-promoting properties. The rhizomes are however perishable due to their high water content. In this study, the effect of different pretreatments and drying methods, viz. hot air drying (HAD) at 60 ℃ and forced air solar drying (FASD), on the drying kinetics, water activity, color, ß-carotene, and vitamin C contents of turmeric rhizomes were investigated. Prior to the experiments, fresh turmeric rhizomes were sliced into 3 mm thickness and treated either by steam blanching or immersion in an ascorbic acid solution. The untreated samples served as a control. The results showed that blanching and ascorbic acid treatments decreased the drying time by 11% and 31% each under the HAD and 30% and 18% under FASD when compared with the control, respectively. The water activity of steam blanching, ascorbic acid, and control samples dried under HAD and FASD was below 0.60, which is sufficient to inhibit spoilage. Ascorbic acid pretreated samples dried under HAD, and FASD resulted in significantly (P<0.05) lower total color change (HAD=14.06; FASD=12.79) with greater retention for vitamin C (HAD: 895.67±1.76 mg/100g; FASD=858.73 mg/100g) contents. Beta-carotene content was, however, not altered (p> 0.05) by the pretreatment, drying method, and their interaction. In conclusion, pretreating turmeric rhizomes with the ascorbic acid solution before HAD at 60°C will be ideal for preserving the color properties, vitamin C and β-carotene contents

Tariff At Risk: Can The Florida Citrus Industry Survive?

For over 70 years, the Florida citrus industry has been protected from foreign competition by a tariff on orange juice. The orange juice tariff is currently being threatened by negotiations over the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) agreement and the World Trade Organization (WTO). Brazil is the leading foreign competitor to the Florida citrus industry. The tariff prevents Brazil from becoming a large citrus cartel that could take control of the worlds orange juice market. The Florida citrus industry contributes $9.1 billion to Floridas economy and provides jobs for 90,000 Florida citizens. Orange juice production is a key to the strength of Floridas economy. Florida citrus growers argue that the tariff is the most important issue facing the industrys survival. Without the tariff, Florida citrus growers are in danger of going out of business. This could devastate Floridas economy. It is important that Florida citrus growers and FTAA negotiators unite and intensify efforts to protect the citrus tariff and ensure the survival of Floridas citrus industry

Sol-Gel Derived Hydroxyapatite Coatings for Titanium Implants: a review

With the growing demands for bone implant therapy, titanium (Ti) and its alloys are considered as appropriate choices for the load-bearing bone implant substitutes. However, the interaction of bare Ti-based implants with the tissues is critical to the success of the implants for long-term stability. Thus, surface modifications of Ti implants with biocompatible hydroxyapatite (HAp) coatings before implantation is important and gained interest. Sol-gel is a potential technique for deposition the biocompatible HAp and has many advantages over other methods. Therefore, this review strives to provide widespread overview on the recent development of sol-gel HAp deposition on Ti. This study shows that sol-gel technique was able to produce uniform and homogenous HAp coatings and identified the role of surface pretreatment of Ti substrate, optimizing the sol-gel parameters, substitution, and reinforcement of HAp on improving the coating properties. Critical factors that influence on the characteristics of the deposited sol-gel HAp films as corrosion resistance, adhesion to substrate, bioactivity, morphological, and structural properties are discussed. The review also highlights the critical issues, the most significant challenges, and the areas requiring further research

Do Interactions Between Environmental Chemicals and the Human Microbiome Need to Be Considered in Risk Assessments?

One of the most dynamic and fruitful areas of current health‐related research concerns the various roles of the human microbiome in disease. Evidence is accumulating that interactions between substances in the environment and the microbiome can affect risks of disease, in both beneficial and adverse ways. Although most of the research has concerned the roles of diet and certain pharmaceutical agents, there is increasing interest in the possible roles of environmental chemicals. Chemical risk assessment has, to date, not included consideration of the influence of the microbiome. We suggest that failure to consider the possible roles of the microbiome could lead to significant error in risk assessment results. Our purpose in this commentary is to summarize some of the evidence supporting our hypothesis and to urge the risk assessment community to begin considering and influencing how results from microbiome‐related research could be incorporated into chemical risk assessments. An additional emphasis in our commentary concerns the distinct possibility that research on chemical–microbiome interactions will also reduce some of the significant uncertainties that accompany current risk assessments. Of particular interest is evidence suggesting that the microbiome has an influence on variability in disease risk across populations and (of particular interest to chemical risk) in animal and human responses to chemical exposure. The possible explanatory power of the microbiome regarding sources of variability could reduce what might be the most significant source of uncertainty in chemical risk assessment.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151980/1/risa13316_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151980/2/risa13316.pd