Psychological and physical benefits of circuit weight training in law enforcement personnel.

The effects of circuit weight training on mood, perceived stress, job satisfaction, and physical symptoms were investigated in a sample of state law enforcement officers. 43 male officers who were not regularly exercising were assigned to either 4 mo of circuit weight training or a wait-list control condition. Four months of circuit weight training led to a significant increase in strength on cardiovascular fitness. Ss also demonstrated significant improvements in mood, including decreases in somatization, anxiety, depression, and hostility. Circuit weight training also resulted in a decrease in reports of physical symptoms and in improvements in job satisfaction. Results indicate that Ss who dropped out of the exercise training program evidenced significantly greater anxiety, depression, and hostility at pretreatment than Ss who completed the program. These findings suggest that circuit weight training programs may contribute to important psychological benefits. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of marginal zinc deficiency on the apolipoprotein-B content and size of mesenteric lymph chylomicrons in adult rats

To investigate the mechanisms underlining the impaired intestinal absorption of lipids in zinc deficiency, the apo-B content and chemical composition of chylomicrons from marginally zinc-deficient rats fed 2.8 ppm of dietary zinc (ZD) were compared with those from pair-fed (PF) and ad libitum control (CT) groups fed an adequate level (30.8 ppm) of zinc. Chylomicrons, obtained by cannulating the mesenteric lymph, were isolated by ultracentrifugation at 1.3×10⁶ g/min at 12 C and purified by 2% agarose column chromatography. Apolipoprotein- (apo) B was separated by the method of isopropanol precipitation. The apo-B concentration of chylomicrons was lowered significantly in ZD group. The apo-B contents of chylomicrons in ZD, PF and CT rats, as expressed as % chylomicron protein, were 8.7±0.1, 11.5±0.5 and 10.7±0.7%, respectively. No significant differences were noted between ZD and PF groups in total protein (TP), phospholipid (PL), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol (CH), although there was a slight decrease in TG and an increase in CH in CT rats compared with ZD and PF groups. The ratio of the core to surface constituents, as determined by TG/(TP+PL), was significantly higher in ZD group relative to the controls, suggesting that chylomicrons from ZD rats were larger. This finding was consistent with the appearance of larger chylomicron particles in the lacteal of the intestinal mucosa following lipid ingestion. These findings suggest that the intestinal synthesis of apo-B may be defective in zinc-deficient rats and may explain in part the impaired absorption of dietary lipids observed in zinc deficiency. Presented in an abstract form at the 70th annual meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology: Fed. Proc. 45, 974, 1986.     

A reexamination of the relation between equal status contact and intergroup attraction.

Studied how imbalance in historical status (based on previous interaction) and immediate status (based on conditions of present interaction) affected intergroup attraction in a cooperative setting. In all conditions, 2 groups of 6–9 undergraduates drawn from 256 Ss competed during the 1st phase. In half of the cases, 1 group was designated as the winner, thus creating a historical imbalance. In the other half, no winner–loser distinction was made. In the 2nd phase, the 2 groups cooperated on a task. In half the cases, 1 group was given information that would help in solving the cooperative problem. In the other conditions, no additional information was provided. When the additional information corrected a historical imbalance, intergroup attraction increased during the cooperative task. However, when the additional information was not perceived as redressing the historical imbalance, cooperation did not increase intergroup attraction. The supplying of additional information to one group was seen as unfair regardless of the existence of historical status imbalance. The results are discussed with regard to civil rights and affirmative action programs. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lumbar strengthening in chronic low back pain patients. Physiologic and psychological benefits

The effects of exercise for isolated lumbar extensor muscles were examined in 54 chronic low-back pain patients. Subjects were randomly assigned to a 10-week exercise program (N = 31) or a wait-list control group (N = 23). Results indicated a significant increase in isometric lumbar extension strength for the treatment group and a significant reduction in reported pain compared with the control group (P 0.05). Treated subjects reported less physical and psychosocial dysfunction whereas the control group increased in pain, and physical and psychosocial dysfunction. There were no concomitant changes in reported daily activity levels. These results show that lumbar extension exercise is beneficial for strengthening the lumbar extensors and results in decreased pain and improved perceptions of physical and psychosocial functioning in chronic back pain patients. However, these improvements were not related to changes in activities or psychological distress.     

Perceived social support, social skills, and quality of relationships in bulimic women.

The impaired relationship between bulimics and their environment may be an important factor in the onset and perpetuation of bulimia. This study explored specific aspects of the bulimic's social network and interpersonal relationships as well as individual difference variables that might mediate her ability to support or perceive this as adequate. Ss were 21 bulimic women and 21 control Ss who completed self-report measures assessing perceived social support, the quality of relationships, social skills, and psychopathology. Bulimics reported less perceived support from friends and family, more negative interactions and conflict, and less social competence. Differences in negative interactions remained significant after controlling for overall psychopathology, and level of conflict was an important predictor of group membership. In addition, bulimics were rated as less socially effective by observers unaware of their group membership. Results highlight the need for further investigation of the quality and type of interactions in bulimic women's lives. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of perceived environmental conditions during cooperation on intergroup attraction.

Predicted that intergroup attraction would most likely increase when Ss felt the environmental conditions interfered with successful cooperation as opposed to fostering a successful effort. Two groups of Ss (256 undergraduates) competed for extra credit and then cooperated to achieve a pre-determined performance level. In half of the cases, Ss were told that the environmental conditions were ideal and should facilitate performance, and in the other cases, room conditions were poor and could be an inhibitor. Half the groups were told that their cooperative efforts were successful, while other groups learned that their joint efforts failed. Intergroup attraction increased when the cooperative efforts succeeded, regardless of environmental conditions. However, when these efforts failed, intergroup attraction increased only if Ss believed environmental conditions could have inhibited their performance. Ss were most critical of the room when cooperative efforts failed and they had been told the room might be an inhibitor. Significant correlations indicated that the more Ss disparaged the room, the more attracted they were to out-group members. (23 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The structure of carbon monoxide myoglobin: real-space refinement

The tangent refinement technique has been shown to work marginally for protein neutron data, at least to the extent that the images of all atoms except hydrogen are sharpened. However, the process is very sensitive to over-refinement, and all the maps were sharpened excessively. Refinements in the squared structure were more stable, and the maps were somewhat better than those from the original structure refinement. This technique might be helpful in certain instances, but the poor quality of the maps prevents it from being generally useful. Perhaps the tangent refinement technique will be more fruitful in application to neutron protein data when experimental phase information is available.