Differences Between Introverts and Extraverts with Bipolar Disorder

People living with bipolar disorder have vastly different presentations and experiences despite sharing a common diagnosis. While some research has explored the role of temperament in these different presentations (Azorin, Adida, & Belzeaux, 2015; Graham, Parker, Breakspear, & Mitchell, 2015; Iasevoli et al., 2013), little is currently known about whether individuals’ levels of introversion or extraversion are related to the symptoms they experience or their general way of understanding their experiences with bipolar disorder. For this study, participants were asked to complete an online survey that measured their level of extraversion, their symptoms of mania, and background information concerning their diagnosis and treatment history. Participants were also asked to complete an open-ended questionnaire about their subjective experiences with bipolar disorder. This study used a qualitative design. Qualitative data collected from three responses were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) in order to gain a better understanding of how introverted and extraverted individuals with bipolar disorder make sense of their experiences. Several major clusters of themes were identified from the participants’ descriptions of their experiences: (a) common symptoms, (b) atypical experiences, (c) initial awareness of manic episode, (d) negative effects of symptoms, (e) positive experiences of symptoms, (f) seeking support, (g) most and least helpful coping mechanisms, and (h) effect on identity. While several of their experiences overlapped, some differences were noted in how participants of varying levels of extraversion described their experiences within each theme

Democratic transition and the evolution of mass politics in post-communist Central and Eastern Europe

Die vergleichende soziologische Wahlforschung ist lange Zeit der Brennpunkt des Studiums des politischen Verhaltens der Bevölkerung gewesen. Hauptsächlich in der Phase der späten 60er und frühen 70er Jahre haben Stein Rokkan und andere Politologen einen begrifflich-theoretischen Bezugsrahmen entwickelt, der die Genese und Natur politischer Prozesse aus den Konflikt- und Spannungslinien einer Gesellschaft (cleavages) heraus erklärt. Der vorliegende Beitrag testet diesen Ansatz anhand der Wahlergebnisse der postsozialistischen Gesellschaften Polen und Rumänien seit der Wende. Die empirische Analyse des Zusammenhangs zwischen der gesamtgesellschaftlichen funktionalen und territorialen Differenzierung für diese Länder bestätigt die Fruchtbarkeit dieses Ansatzes auch für die neuen osteuropäischen Demokratien. In beiden Ländern strukturiert sich die Politik und das Parteiensystem um die Konfliktlinien Staat/Kirche, Regionalismus/Ethnizität und Besitz und Arbeit. (pmb)'The comparative sociology of elections has been a central focus in the study of mass political behavior. Of special concern to pioneers such as Stein Rokkan have been comparative generalizations regarding the genesis and nature of political conflicts and cleavages, and the structuring of mass politics around the poles of government and opposition. The principal task of this analysis is to examine the recent electoral experience of two post-comunist states - Poland and Romania - as they confront the transition toward democratic rule. Both states have had a variety of significant electoral consultations which enable us to identify patterns of stability or change in aggregate voter alignments. Our approach at this stage has been to employ ecological data to draw out inferences about emergent patterns of electoral alignments as they relate to government and opposition in these two societies. The findings suggest elements of both continuity and change. While some groups from the pre-Communist period experienced a political revival and secured electoral niches, the collapse of the Communist order has given rise to new lines of cleavage not evident in the pre-Communist period. The first democratic elections appeared to have been defining events in that they exposed long-standing ethnic, nationalist and regional cleavages which were suppressed by the Communist regime. Regional disparities in economic development also gained political salience and became a major factor in voting patterns. The articulation of these issues was greatly assisted by proportional electoral laws. The evidence suggests an early 'freezing' of partisan differences which have begun to take shape around distinct bases of support in each society.' (author's abstract

Resonant conditions for Love wave guiding layer thickness

In this work we report a systematic investigation of polymer overlayer thickness in a Love wave device working at a fundamental frequency of 110MHz and at the 330MHz harmonic. At both frequencies we observe the initial reduction in insertion loss associated with a Love wave device. Significantly, we also observe a series of resonant conditions as the layer thickness is further increased. The separation of these resonances is attributed to an increase in thickness of half of the acoustic wavelength in the polymer

Pulse mode operation of Love wave devices for biosensing applications

In this work we present a novel pulse mode Love wave biosensor that monitors both changes in amplitude and phase. A series of concentrations of 3350 molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solutions are used as a calibration sequence for the pulse mode system using a network analyzer and high frequency oscilloscope. The operation of the pulse mode system is then compared to the continuous wave network analyzer by showing a sequence of deposition and removal of a model mass layer of palmitoyl-oleoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (POPC) vesicles. This experimental apparatus has the potential for making many hundreds of measurements a minute and so allowing the dynamics of fast interactions to be observed

Topography driven spreading

Roughening a hydrophobic surface enhances its nonwetting properties into superhydrophobicity. For liquids other than water, roughness can induce a complete rollup of a droplet. However, topographic effects can also enhance partial wetting by a given liquid into complete wetting to create superwetting. In this work, a model system of spreading droplets of a nonvolatile liquid on surfaces having lithographically produced pillars is used to show that superwetting also modifies the dynamics of spreading. The edge speed-dynamic contact angle relation is shown to obey a simple power law, and such power laws are shown to apply to naturally occurring surfaces

Harmonic Love wave devices for biosensing applications

Simultaneous operation of a Love wave biosensor at the fundamental frequency and third harmonic, including the optimisation of IDT metallisation thickness, has been investigated. Data is presented showing a sequence of deposition and removal of a model mass layer of palmitoyl-oleoyl-sn-glycerophosphocholine (POPC) vesicles while frequency hopping between 110 and 330 MH

An analysis of directly observed weight communication processes between primary care practitioners and overweight patients

This research was funded by a University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary Doctoral Scholarship.Objective To analyse weight-related communication prevalence and processes (content/context) between primary care practitioners (PCPs) and overweight patients within routine primary healthcare consultations. Methods Consultations between 14 PCPs and 218 overweight patients (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were video recorded. Weight communication was coded using the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS) and the novel St Andrews Issue Response Analysis System (SAIRAS). Communication code frequencies were analysed. Results Weight discussion occurred in 25% of consultations with overweight patients; 26% of these had weight-related consultation outcomes (e.g. weight-related counselling and referrals, stated weight-related intention from patients). Weight discussions were more likely to occur if PCPs provided space to patient attempts to discuss weight (p = 0.013). Longer weight discussions (p < 0.001) and contextualising weight as problematic when PCP/patient-initiated weight discussion (p < 0.001) were associated with weight-related consultation outcomes. Conclusion Weight was rarely discussed with overweight patients, however PCP space provision to patient weight-discussion initiation attempts increased weight discussion. When weight was discussed, increased time and/or contextualising weight as a problem increased the likelihood of weight-related consultation outcomes. Practical implication PCP use of specific communication approaches when discussing, contextualising and responding to patient weight may facilitate weight-related discussion and consultation outcomes and could lead to more effective patient weight management.PostprintPeer reviewe

Primary care patient and practitioner views of weight and weight-related discussion : a mixed methods study

Funding: University of St Andrews 600th Anniversary PhD Scholarship.Objective To understand the beliefs that primary care practitioners (PCPs) and patients with overweight and obesity have about obesity and primary care weight management in Scotland. Setting Seven National Health Service (NHS) Scotland primary care centres. Participants A total of 305 patients and 14 PCPs (12 general practitioners; two practice nurses) participated. Design and methodology A cross-sectional mixed-methods study. PCPs and patients completed questionnaires assessing beliefs about obesity and primary care weight communication and management. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with PCPs to elaborate on questionnaire topics. Quantitative and qualitative data were synthesised to address study objectives. Results (1) Many patients with overweight and obesity did not accurately perceive their weight or risk of developing weight-related health issues; (2) PCPs and patients reported behavioural factors as the most important cause of obesity, and medical factors as the most important consequence; (3) PCPs perceive their role in weight management as awareness raising and signposting, not prevention or weight monitoring; (4) PCPs identify structural and patient-related factors as barriers to weight communication and management, but not PCP factors. Conclusions Incongruent and/or inaccurate beliefs held by PCPs and patient may present barriers to effective weight discussion and management in primary care. There is a need to review, standardise and clarify primary care weight management processes in Scotland. Acknowledging a shared responsibility for obesity as a disease may improve outcomes for patients with overweight and obesity.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Embryonic Pattern Scaling Achieved by Oppositely Directed Morphogen Gradients

Morphogens are proteins, often produced in a localised region, whose concentrations spatially demarcate regions of differing gene expression in developing embryos. The boundaries of expression must be set accurately and in proportion to the size of the one-dimensional developing field; this cannot be accomplished by a single gradient. Here, we show how a pair of morphogens produced at opposite ends of a developing field can solve the pattern-scaling problem. In the most promising scenario, the morphogens effectively interact according to the annihilation reaction $A+B\to\emptyset$ and the switch occurs according to the absolute concentration of $A$ or $B$. In this case embryonic markers across the entire developing field scale approximately with system size; this cannot be achieved with a pair of non-interacting gradients that combinatorially regulate downstream genes. This scaling occurs in a window of developing-field sizes centred at a few times the morphogen decay length.Comment: 24 pages; 11 figures; uses iopar