Integrating writing into psychotherapy practice: A matrix of change processes and structural dimensions.

Research on therapeutic writing indicates that it can offer a range of physical and psychological benefits. There is no consensus, however, concerning how writing achieves these benefits. To address this question, the authors propose a matrix framework with emotional-cognitive change processes (what can be activated) along its horizontal dimension and abstract-concrete structure (how the processes are activated) along its vertical dimension. On the horizontal dimension, writing can encourage clients who are distant from their emotional world to approach or to modulate emotional intensity, and to create meaning and coherence. Along the vertical dimension, these processes can be activated through tasks that vary in structure, including programmed writing, diaries, journaling, autobiography, storytelling, and poetry. Finally, the authors consider constraints on writing that apply to particular client groups. The matrix framework is meant to encourage clinicians to use therapeutic writing and to assist researchers in framing questions to advance our knowledge of writing as a therapeutic practice. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The role of dorsal hippocampus and basolateral amygdala NMDA receptors in the acquisition and retrieval of context and contextual fear memories.

The authors used 3-phase context preexposure facilitation methodology to study the contribution of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in dorsal hippocampus (DH) and the basal lateral region of the amygdala (BLA) to (a) acquisition of the context memory, (b) retrieval of the context memory, (c) acquisition of context-shock association, and (d) retrieval of the context-shock association. The NMDA receptor antagonist D-2-amino-5 phosphonopentanoic acid (D-AP5) was injected into either the DH or BLA prior to (a) the context preexposure phase, (b) the immediate shock phase, or (c) the test for contextual fear. Antagonizing NMDA receptors in the DH impaired the acquisition of the context memory but did not affect its retrieval or retrieval of the fear memory. Antagonizing NMDA receptors with D-AP5 in the BLA impaired acquisition of the context-shock association but had no effect on the expression of fear. However, both DL-AP5 and L-AP5 reduced the expression of fear when they were injected into the amygdala prior to testing for contextual fear. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reciprocal relations between rumination and bulimic, substance abuse, and depressive symptoms in female adolescents.

The authors examined the reciprocal relations between rumination and symptoms of depression, bulimia, and substance abuse with longitudinal data from 496 female adolescents. Rumination predicted future increases in bulimic and substance abuse symptoms, as well as onset of major depression, binge eating, and substance abuse. Depressive and bulimic, but not substance abuse, symptoms predicted increases in rumination. Rumination did not predict increases in externalizing symptoms, providing evidence for the specificity of effects of rumination, although externalizing symptoms predicted future increases in rumination. Results suggest rumination may contribute to the etiology of depressive, bulimic, and substance abuse pathology and that the former two disturbances may foster increased rumination. Results imply that it might be beneficial for prevention programs to target this cognitive vulnerability. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Driver training conditions affect sensitivity to the impairing effects of alcohol on a simulated driving test to the impairing effects of alcohol on a simulated driving test.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 16(2) of Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology (see record 2008-03846-009). The correct title of the article should read "Driver training conditions affect sensitivity to the impairing effects of alcohol on a simulated driving test".] Research shows that prior behavioral training in a challenging environment reduces alcohol-induced impairment on simple psychomotor tasks. However, no studies have examined if this relationship generalizes to driving performance. The present study examined simulated driving performance and tested the hypothesis that a challenging training history would protect against the impairing effects of alcohol on driving performance. The challenging training history involved driving in a visually-impoverished environment. Thirty adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Two groups were tested under alcohol (0.65 g/kg) after prior experience performing the task under either a visually-impoverished environment or a normal visual environment. The remaining group served as a control and was trained and tested under the visually-impoverished condition environment. Results showed that individuals trained in the impoverished environment displayed sober levels of performance when their performance was subsequently tested under alcohol. By contrast, volunteers trained in a normal environment showed impairment under alcohol. The findings suggest that differences in driving training history can affect a driver's sensitivity to the impairing effects of alcohol. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

In situ synthesized ceramic–polymer composites for bone tissue engineering: bioactivity and degradation studies

As an alternative to current bone grafting strategies, a poly-lactide-co-glycolide/calcium phosphate composite microsphere-based scaffold has been synthesized by the direct formation of calcium phosphate within forming microspheres. It was hypothesized that the synthesis of low crystalline calcium phosphate within forming microspheres would provide a site-specific delivery of calcium ions to enhance calcium phosphate reprecipitation onto the scaffold. Both polymeric and composite scaffolds were incubated in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 8 weeks, during which time polymer molecular weight, scaffold mass, calcium ion concentration of SBF, pH of SBF, and calcium phosphate reprecipitation was monitored. Results showed a 20% decrease in polymeric scaffold molecular weight compared to 11–14% decrease for composite scaffolds over 8 weeks. Composite scaffold mass and SBF pH decreased for the first 2 weeks but began increasing after 2 weeks and continued to do so up to 8 weeks, suggesting interplay between pH changes and calcium phosphate dissolution/reprecipitation. Free calcium ion concentration of SBF containing composite scaffolds increased 20–40% over control values within 4 h of incubation but then dropped as low as 40% below control values, suggesting an initial burst release of calcium ions followed by a reprecipitation onto the scaffold surface. Scanning electron micrographs confirm calcium phosphate reprecipitation on the scaffold surface after only 3 days of incubation. Results suggest the composite scaffold is capable of initiating calcium phosphate reprecipitation which may aid in bone/implant integration.     

Collaborative cross-checking to enhance resilience

Resilience, the ability to adapt or absorb disturbance, disruption, and change, may be increased by team processes in a complex, socio-technical system. In particular, collaborative cross-checking is a strategy where at least two individuals or groups with different perspectives examine the others’ assumptions and/or actions to assess validity or accuracy. With this strategy, erroneous assessments or actions can be detected quickly enough to mitigate or eliminate negative consequences. In this paper, we seek to add to the understanding of the elements that are needed in effective cross-checking and the limitations of the strategy. We define collaborative cross-checking, describe in detail three healthcare incidents where collaborative cross-checks played a key role, and discuss the implications of emerging patterns.     

Sheldon H. White (1928-2005).

Sheldon "Shep" Harold White, one of developmental psychology's most distinguished scholars, died on March 17, 2005, at the age of 76. He is perhaps best remembered for his sharp intellect, generous spirit, good humor, and warm compassion. Shep's principal work lay in three intermeshed areas: children's learning and cognitive development, social programs and policies, and the history of developmental psychology. Shep White is sorely missed by his family and friends, and countless children have unknowingly benefited from his research, scholarship, and contributions to public policy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Quantum dot light emitting devices for photomedical applications

While OLEDs have struggled to find a niche lighting application that can fully take advantage of their unique form factors as thin, flexible, lightweight and uniformly large‐area luminaire, photomedical researchers have been in search of low‐cost, effective illumination devices with such form factors that could facilitate widespread clinical applications of photodynamic therapy (PDT) or photobiomodulation (PBM). Although existing OLEDs with either fluorescent or phosphorescent emitters cannot achieve the required high power density at the right wavelength windows for photomedicine, the recently developed ultrabright and efficient deep red quantum dot light emitting devices (QLEDs) can nicely fit into this niche. Here, we report for the first time the in‐vitro study to demonstrate that this QLED‐based photomedical approach could increase cell metabolism over control systems for PBM and kill cancerous cells efficiently for PDT. The perspective of developing wavelength‐specific, flexible QLEDs for two critical photomedical fields (wound repair and cancer treatment) will be presented with their potential impacts summarized. The work promises to generate flexible QLED‐based light sources that could enable the widespread use and clinical acceptance of photomedical strategies including PDT and PBM.     

Status of ITER dimensional tolerance studies

The optimization of the manufacturing/assembly tolerances and processes in ITER Experimental Nuclear Fusion Device is one of the key tasks to optimize the fabrication cost, to prevent problems during assembly and to ensure that the critical homogeneity of the magnetic field and the positioning requirements of the plasma facing components can be achieved. This task is further complicated by the strong interplay among the various Tokamak systems, as for instance in the inner region of the machine where the clearances between Central Solenoid, Toroidal Field Coils, Thermal Shield, Vacuum Vessel and In-Vessel components have been minimized for their large influence on the magnetic flux and the overall machine cost.A 3D tolerance simulation analysis of ITER Tokamak machine has been developed based on 3DCS dedicated software. The dimensional variation model is representative of Tokamak functional tolerances and processes, predicting accurate values for the amount of variation on critical areas. In addition, dimensional simulations help to determine the key tolerances that contribute to a particular variation.This paper describes the current status of the Tokamak dimensional variation studies and its management plan, highlighting the status of compliance of allocated tolerances with input requirements. Management of risk issues and corrective actions are also described.