Developmental Instability and Psychological Fitness: Can Morphological Asymmetry Predict Psychopathology?

Developmental instability (DI) refers to an organism's failure to realize its ideal phenotype in a given environment. The most popular metric of DI is fluctuating asymmetry (FA), i.e., the degree to which bilateral morphological traits deviate from perfect symmetry when those traits are bilaterally symmetric per the ideal species phenotype. Numerous studies have shown that FA is inversely related to physical and reproductive fitness in myriad species of plants and animals. More recently, researchers have begun to assess correlations between FA and psychological variables in humans. Research has revealed negative relationships between FA and intelligence, neurological functioning, and typical brain structure. Positive relationships have also been found between FA and severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia. However, few studies have addressed the relationship between FA and symptomology of more prevalent forms of psychopathology, such as depression, anxiety, and alcohol abuse. The aim of this study is to address this void. Accordingly, FA was assessed in 204 college students across 12 morphological and dermatoglyphic traits. Current Axis I symptomology related to 13 diagnostic categories was assessed via the Psychiatric Diagnostic Screening Questionnaire (PDSQ). Depressive symptom severity was also assessed via the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) in an attempt to replicate the previous finding of a positive relationship between FA and BDI in men (Martin et al., 1999). Finally, the SCID Axis II Screening Questionnaire (SCID-II-SQ) was administered to provide exploratory data regarding FA and personality disorders. Study analyses indicated two significant effects. In men, positive associations were identified between self-reported alcohol abuse and asymmetry in both dermatoglyphic constructs. However, Martin et al.'s (1999) observed positive association between FA and BDI score was not replicated. The multiple null findings are defended as valid, and consistent with evolutionary-based theories of psychopathology as stemming, in part, from adaptive ancestral mechanisms being expressed in novel, modern environments (e.g., Tooby & Cosmides, 2000). Criticisms of the existing FA literature are also presented

Developing Adaptive Performance: The Power of Experiences and a Strategic Network of Support

In today’s dynamic work environment, the ability to adapt is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. In order to contribute to the growing body of research surrounding adaptive performance, this study will seek to examine the power of a leader’s breadth and depth of experience on his or her adaptive performance. It is predicted that the more breadth and depth of experience that a leader has, the higher the leader’s adaptive performance will be. Additionally, in assessing the power of a leader’s breadth and depth of experience on adaptive performance, it is also predicted that the larger breadth and depth of experience that a leader has, the more growth in adaptive performance that leader will show through a leadership development program. Furthermore, it is predicted that the strength of a leader’s strategic network will moderate this relationship such that a leader who has a strong network of social support will be more adaptive compared to a leader with low social support, when combined with his or her breadth and depth of experiences and will strengthen the effect of a leader’s growth through a development program. The data used was archival data collected from leaders who have participated in a whole leader development program. To analyze the data, a series of multiple regressions were run. Findings indicated that the breadth and depth of a leader’s experiences does significantly predict his or her adaptive performance. Furthermore, a strong strategic network of support did not significantly moderate this relationship. Finally, significant evidence was not found indicating that past experiences were predictive of increased growth in his or her adaptive performance from time one to time two, regardless of the moderator of a strong strategic network of support

Rising Temperatures, Molting Phenology, and Epizootic Shell Disease in the American Lobster

Phenological mismatchmaladaptive changes in phenology resulting from altered timing of environmental cuesis an increasing concern in many ecological systems, yet its effects on disease are poorly characterized. American lobster (Homarus americanus) is declining at its southern geographic limit. Rising seawater temperatures are associated with seasonal outbreaks of epizootic shell disease (ESD), which peaks in prevalence in the fall. We used a 34-year mark-recapture data set to investigate relationships between temperature, molting phenology, and ESD in Long Island Sound, where temperatures are increasing at 0.4 degrees C per decade. Our analyses support the hypothesis that phenological mismatch is linked to the epidemiology of ESD. Warming spring temperatures are correlated with earlier spring molting. Lobsters lose diseased cuticle by molting, and early molting increases the intermolt period in the summer, when disease prevalence is increasing to a fall peak. In juvenile and adult male lobsters, September ESD prevalence was correlated with early molting, while October ESD prevalence was correlated with summer seawater temperature. This suggests that temperature-induced molting phenology affects the timing of the onset of ESD, but later in the summer this signal is swamped by the stronger signal of summer temperatures, which we hypothesize are associated with an increased rate of new infections. October ESD prevalence was approximate to 80% in years with hot summers and approximate to 30% in years with cooler summers. Yearly survival of diseased lobsters i

Hand and torso pre-cooling does not enhance subsequent high-intensity cycling or cognitive performance in heat

The purpose of this study was to compare the separate and combined effects of two practical cooling methods (hand and torso) used prior to exercise on subsequent high-intensity cycling performance in heat. Ten trained male cyclists (V̇O2peak: 65.7 ± 10.7 ml.kg−1.min−1) performed four experimental trials (randomised within-subjects design) involving 30-min of pre-cooling (20-min seated; PRE-COOL, 10 min warm-up; PRE-COOL+WUP), while using a: (1) hand-cooling glove (CG); (2) cooling jacket (CJ); (3) both CG and CJ (CG+J); or (4) no-cooling (NC) control, followed by a cycling race simulation protocol (all performed in 35.0 ± 0.6°C and 56.6 ± 4.5% RH). During the 30-min of pre-cooling, no reductions in core (Tc) or mean skin temperature (Tsk) occurred; however, Tsk remained lower in the CJ and CG+J trials compared to NC and CG (p = 0.002–0.040, d= 0.55–1.01). Thermal sensation ratings also indicated that participants felt “hotter” during NC compared to all other trials during both PRE-COOL and PRE-COOL+WUP (p = 0.001–0.015, d= 1.0–2.19), plus the early stages of exercise (sets 1–2; p = 0.005–0.050, d= 0.56–1.22). Following cooling, no differences were found for absolute Tc and Tsk responses between trials over the entire exercise protocol (p > 0.05). Exercise and cognitive (working memory) performance also did not differ between trials (p = 0.843); however, cognitive performance improved over time in all trials (p < 0.001). In summary, pre-cooling (20-min seated and 10-min warm-up) in heat did not improve subsequent high-intensity cycling performance, cognitive responses and associated thermoregulatory strain (Tc and Tsk) compared to control

Satisfaction and Race Influence on Positive Health Choices among Patients at an Urban Community Health Center

Background. Promoting positive health choices is one way to lessen health care disparities in indigent populations. This pilot study investigated satisfaction with the health information received at an urban heath care center for the indigent and its effect on health behaviors. Such information will inform providers on their role in advancing the health center’s quality improvement goals (i.e., goals used to measure the clinic’s performance in providing preventive service information to patients). Methods. A survey was used to determine respondent satisfaction with health care information and whether respondents would make positive health choices based on this information. Results. Respondents (n = 185) were satisfied with the health information received; this was the most consistent predictor of making a lifestyle change. Minority respondents were more likely to get a vaccination, to not start smoking, and to start exercising than non-minority respondents. Conclusion. The results suggested that, for the positive health choices examined, satisfaction with education is very important. For certain positive health choices, race also may play a role. Additional studies should be undertaken linking chronic health problems to patient responses

Comparison of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Measured Muscle Metabolism with Predicted Whole-Body Metabolism

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