Experiences of adults abused as children after discharge from inpatient treatment: Informal social support and self-care practices related to trauma recovery

This qualitative study explored adults’ perceptions of experiences that were helpful and unhelpful to their recovery from the traumatic effects of childhood physical and sexual abuse. The authors conducted in-depth interviews with 30 participants approximately 6 months after discharge from an inpatient trauma treatment program. Participants reported that barriers to recovery postdischarge were lack of follow-up support immediately after discharge, social isolation, lack of friends, problems with partners, and lack of emotional support from family members. Facilitating factors were concrete support from family and friends; emotional support, particularly from friends; developing a social network unrelated to the abuse history; and continuing self-care strategies learned in the inpatient program. Implications for community-based mental health professionals are discussed

The role of troponin C in the modulation of myofibrillar Ca(2+)-sensitivity

It is desirable to treat the failing heart by increasing contractile force without 9 X raising level of intracellular Ca2+. This could be achieved by increasing the sensitivity of myofilaments to Ca2+ but "Ca2+-sensitisers" have unwanted side-effects. In addition, the mechanism of the decrease in Ca2+-sensitivity by low pH, or elevated Pi is unclear. I investigated the role of troponin-C (TnC) in these changes in Ca2+-sensitivity by (i) comparing effects on cardiac and skeletal myofibrils (which have different forms of TnC) and (ii) measuring the Ca2+ affinity of TnC, both isolated and in the myofibrils. The effects of pH, Pi and caffeine on skinned fibres were measured. Isolated skeletal and cardiac TnCs labelled with DANZ and lAANS were used to detect any direct effects of pH, Pi and caffeine on Ca2+-binding to TnC. Neither Pi nor caffeine altered the Ca2+-affinity of the TnC, but acidic pH decreased TnC Ca2+-binding. Thus the negative inotropic effects of low pH in striated muscle are partially explained by a reduction in Ca2+-affinity of the TnC. Pi and caffeine-induced modulation of Ca2+-sensitivity may depend on other proteins, or may directly affect crossbridges. I measured the Ca2+-sensitising effects of novel compounds developed by Ciba-Geigy. The effects were species dependent and most pronounced in porcine muscle. CGP48506, like caffeine, had a greater Ca2+-sensitising action in cardiac than skeletal fibres whereas CGP48508 unexpectedly worked the other way around. Neither compound affected Ca2+-binding to isolated skeletal TnC so it appeared that their effects on skeletal muscle were not solely dependent on the moiety of TnC present. To investigate the effects of CGP48506 on Ca2+-binding to TnC in skinned psoas preparations, native TnC was exchanged for DANZ-labelled skeletal TnC. Results indicated that CGP48506 increased the Ca2+-affinity of TnC. As binding of Ca2+ to isolated TnC was unaffected it appears that sensitisation depended on factor(s) in addition to TnC

Self-determination -- A life-span perspective

Self-determination is a construct involving causal agency and perceived indepen-dence, usually associated with transition to adulthood and adult abilities. However, some proponents conceptualize self-determination as a life-span approach (Abery & Stancliffe, 2003; Abery & Zajac, 1996; Sands & Wehmeyer, 1996). Viewing self-determination as a lifelong process can broaden and enhance the construct, using developmental trajectories of stated essential elements of self-determination to build the case for understanding a con-tinuL11m of activities to build capacity, opportunity, and competence over a longer period of time (Wehmeyer & Palmer, 2000). This article will summarize the key literature from early childhood through adult-hood to continue to establish self-determination as a life-span concept in support of indi-vidUals with disabilities and their families. Work related to young children has primarily encompassed alterations to the environment (Brotherson, Cook, Erwin, & Weigel, 2008) and ideas for parents to support the development of self--determination at a later age (Erwin et al., 2009). The article will also detail the emerging conceptual understanding of imple-mentation during elementary and middle school levels (Palmer & Wehmeyer, 2003

Protecting Social Identifies: Institutional Self-Comparison by Undergraduates

Widening participation has led to a growth in university places across the Higher Education Sector. Alongside this, there is greater public scrutiny of the quality of both degrees and institutions. Additionally, students have a greater awareness of the potential quality of the institute they are attending via league tables and the annual NSS. While research has been undertaken exploring how students make choices there has been less focus on the experience of students at “lower status” universities. Three focus groups of N = 19 Psychology students from a North-West university were conducted to discuss issues of identity. Thematic Analysis was used to explore issues of Social comparisons and Identity processes. The main themes to emerge were transitional issues, threats to identity and identity protection as students developed narratives around their perceptions of status of student and institution. These findings are discussed in relation to enabling students to develop a stronger identity

The Poincaré series of every finitely generated module over a codimension four almost complete intersection is a rational function

AbstractLet (R, M, k) be a regular local ring in which two is a unit and let A = R/J, where J is a five generated grade four perfect ideal in R. We prove that the Poincaré series PMA(z) = Σ∞i=0 dimk TorAi(M, k)zi is a rational function for all finitely generated A-modules M. We also prove that the Eisenbud conjecture holds for A, that is, if M is an A-module whose Betti numbers are bounded, then the minimal resolution of M by free A-modules is eventually periodic of period at most two

A Qualitative Study of the Initiation and Continuation of Preschool Inclusion Programs

This is the publisher's version, also found here: http://cec.metapress.com/content/h13780v85427/?p=7691ebee5d054406b7e2d78120f572db&pi=25Initiation and continuation of preschool inclusion is a challenging task. Through interviews and focus groups of school district and special education personnel, researchers in this study examined how 5 programs in 1 Midwestern state provided such services. The investigation used a multiple-case study methodology to examine how these programs initiated and sustained inclusive services. Especially important to these programs were factors such as having a shared vision, utilizing key personnel, and developing a structure within which the program could work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR

Electronic Journals in Business Schools: Legitimacy, Acceptance, and Use

This research provides insight into perceptions regarding electronic journals: a technological innovation in academia. Acceptance of electronic journals among business school faculty has two hurdles to overcome: technological and, more challenging, garnering legitimacy within the academic community. A survey targeted at business school faculty in the United States was conducted investigating faculty perceptions about the acceptance of electronic journals in their academic discipline. The findings suggest that at the time of publication, electronic publications were seen as less desirable than paper counterparts for tenure and review. However, it appears that electronic counterparts of existing journals would maintain their legitimacy from a promotion and tenure perspective, suggesting that the perceived legitimacy of the journal is the critical hurdle to overcome