Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder: a biopsychosocial perspective

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a chronic post-traumatic disorder where developmentally stressful events in childhood, including abuse, emotional neglect, disturbed attachment, and boundary violations are central and typical etiological factors. Familial, societal, and cultural factors may give rise to the trauma and/or they may influence the expression of DID. Memory and the construction of self-identity are cognitive processes that appear markedly and centrally disrupted in DID and are related to its etiology. Enduring decoupling of psychological modes may create separate senses of self, and metamemory processes may be involved in interidentity amnesia. Neurobiological differences have been demonstrated between dissociative identities within patients with DID and between patients with DID and controls. Given the current evidence, DID as a diagnostic entity cannot be explained as a phenomenon created by iatrogenic influences, suggestibility, malingering, or social role-taking. On the contrary, DID is an empirically robust chronic psychiatric disorder based on neurobiological, cognitive, and interpersonal non-integration as a response to unbearable stress. While current evidence is sufficient to firmly establish this etiological stance, given the wide opportunities for innovative research, the disorder is still understudied. Comparison of well-selected samples of DID patients with non-dissociative subjects who have other psychiatric disorders would further delineate the neurobiological and cognitive features of the disorder, whereas genetic research on DID would further illuminate the interaction of the individual with environmental stress. As such, DID may be seen as an exemplary disease model of the biopsychosocial paradigm in psychiatry.https://www.dovepress.com/psychology-research-and-behavior-management-journalhj2017Psychiatr

Generic building blocks for simulation modelling of stochastic continuous systems

The key objective is to present the generic building blocks of a methodology that can be used to model stochastic continuous systems efficiently. The original simulation model of a real-world system is used as the basis for the development of a generic modelling methodology. The generic building blocks of the methodology are used to construct two new simulation models using two different simulation software packages (Arena and Simul8). The evaluation method, the determination of adequate sample sizes and the verification and validation of the models are discussed. The models and software packages are compared and conclusions are presented.Die hoofdoelwit is om die generiese boublokke van ‘n metodiek voor te hou wat gebruik kan word om stogastiese kontinue stelsels doeltreffend te modelleer. Die oorspronklike simulasiemodel van ‘n werklike-wêreld-stelsel word gebruik as die basis vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n generiese modelleringsmetodiek. Die generiese boublokke van die metodiek word gebruik om twee nuwe simulasiemodelle te konstrueer met twee verskillende simulasiesagtewarepakkette (Arena en Simul8). Die evaluasiemetode, die vasstelling van voldoende monstergroottes en die verifikasie en validering van die modelle word bespreek. Die modelle en sagtewarepakkette word vergelyk en gevolgtrekkings word voorgehou.This paper is a more detailed version of a paper titled: “Generic Modelling of a Stochastic Continuous System” that was presented at the 16th European Simulation Multiconference (ESM’2002) that was held from 3 to 5 June 2002 in Darmstadt, Germany.http://sajie.journals.ac.z

Revisiting the etiological aspects of dissociative identity disorder : a biopsychosocial perspective

Dissociative identity disorder (DID) is a chronic post-traumatic disorder where developmentally stressful events in childhood, including abuse, emotional neglect, disturbed attachment, and boundary violations are central and typical etiological factors. Familial, societal, and cultural factors may give rise to the trauma and/or they may influence the expression of DID. Memory and the construction of self-identity are cognitive processes that appear markedly and centrally disrupted in DID and are related to its etiology. Enduring decoupling of psychological modes may create separate senses of self, and metamemory processes may be involved in interidentity amnesia. Neurobiological differences have been demonstrated between dissociative identities within patients with DID and between patients with DID and controls. Given the current evidence, DID as a diagnostic entity cannot be explained as a phenomenon created by iatrogenic influences, suggestibility, malingering, or social role-taking. On the contrary, DID is an empirically robust chronic psychiatric disorder based on neurobiological, cognitive, and interpersonal non-integration as a response to unbearable stress. While current evidence is sufficient to firmly establish this etiological stance, given the wide opportunities for innovative research, the disorder is still understudied. Comparison of well-selected samples of DID patients with non-dissociative subjects who have other psychiatric disorders would further delineate the neurobiological and cognitive features of the disorder, whereas genetic research on DID would further illuminate the interaction of the individual with environmental stress. As such, DID may be seen as an exemplary disease model of the biopsychosocial paradigm in psychiatry.https://www.dovepress.com/psychology-research-and-behavior-management-journalhj2017Psychiatr

Modelling of a stochastic continuous system

The key objective is to develop a method which can be utilized to model a stochastic continuous system. A system from the "real world" is used as the basis for the simulation modelling technique that is presented. The conceptualization phase indicates that the model has to incorporate stochastic and deterministic elements. A method is developed that utilizes the discrete simulation ability of a stochastic package (ARENA), in conjunction with a deterministic package (FORTRAN), to model the continuous system. (Software packages tend to specialize in either stochastic, or deterministic modelling.) The length of the iteration time interval and adequate sample size are investigated. The method is authenticated by the verification and validation ofthe defined model. Two scenarios are modelled and the results are discussed . Conclusions are presented and strengths and weaknesses of this method are considered and discussed .Presented at the 11th European Simulation Multiconference (ESM'97) in Istanbul. Turkey (1-4 June 1997) and included in the conference proceedings.http://sajie.journals.ac.z

Toxic trauma: Household water quality experiences predict posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis

We examined the relationship between perceptions of household tap water quality and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms during the Flint, Michigan, water crisis in 2015–2016. The Speak to Your Health Community Survey is a community‐based participatory component of the health surveillance system in Genesee County, Michigan. Perceptions of household tap water quality was added to the 2015–2016 survey wave after inadequate official response to concerns over water quality after a change in Flint’s municipal water supply. Respondents (N = 786) also completed a brief PTSD screening tool. We examined the relationships of perceived household tap water quality to PTSD symptomatology and positive screening criteria for PTSD, controlling for sociodemographics. Perceived tap water quality predicted PTSD symptomatology and positive screening criteria for PTSD, independent of sociodemographics. The adverse mental health impact of municipal toxic contamination may generalize to other similar environmental contamination incidents.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138395/1/jcop21898_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/138395/2/jcop21898.pd

Field Evaluation of Commercially Available Small Unmanned Aircraft Crop Spray Systems

Agricultural research and development on small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) has been directed toward UAS enabled sensing to detect features of interest. While compelling, there is an immediate need to increase the breadth and depth of UAS-based research, to move beyond sensing, and explore active intervention in agricultural production systems. This paper is focused on the concept of crop protection through ultra-precise, unmanned aerial application systems, and seeks to initiate research discussion in this important area of opportunity. Toward this end, two different, commercially available, small Unmanned Aerial Application Systems (sUAAS - defined as less than 55 lbs. maximum take-off weight) were evaluated for operational techniques and application system efficacy under dynamic field conditions. The performance of the factory supplied spray equipment systems are documented using traditional aerial spray testing methods that have been modified for UAS enabled application systems, referred to as small Unmanned Aerial Application Systems (sUAAS). Results from initial testing protocols indicate that the factory supplied systems are quite different in design and implementation, with spray test results that reflect this difference in design, in both deposition and spray swath. Further, it is apparent that with the advent of unmanned aerial application systems, and the unique characteristics of the integrated aircraft and application systems, there is a very real need for the development of standardized sUAAS testing procedures

Neural processing associated with cognitive empathy in pedophilia and child sexual offending

Behavioral studies found evidence for superior cognitive empathy (CE) in pedophilic men without a history of child sexual offending (P - CSO) compared to pedophilic men with a history of child sexual offending (P + CSO). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies also point to differences between P - CSO and P + CSO. Neural processing associated with CE has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the neural correlates of CE in subjects with pedophilia with (P + CSO) and without (P - CSO) child sexual offending. 15 P + CSO, 15 P - CSO and 24 teleiophilic male controls (TC) performed a CE task during fMRI. We observed reduced activation in the left precuneus (Pcu) and increased activation in the left anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in P - CSO compared to P + CSO. P - CSO also showed stronger connectivity between these regions, which might reflect a top-down modulation of the Pcu by the ACC toward an increased self-focused emotional reaction in social situations. There was also evidence for increased right superior temporal gyrus activation in P - CSO that might constitute a potentially compensatory recruitment due to the dampened Pcu activation. These findings provide first evidence for altered neural processing of CE in P - CSO and underline the importance of addressing CE in pedophilia and CSO in order to uncover processes relevant to effective prevention of child sexual abuse