Is alcoholism different from other substance abuse?

Replies to an article by G. E. Vaillant and E. S. Milofsky (see record 1982-30620-001), which argued that the psychological characteristics of alcoholics are the result and not the cause of alcoholism and that genetics has a large role in the etiology of the disorder. It is contended that an overall measure of the degree of harmful reliance an individual has on one substance is required to make an accurate statement about the relationship between personality and environmental factors and substance abuse, an approach not taken by Vaillant and Milofsky. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

X-ray phase vortices: theory and experiment

We review the current work on x-ray phase vortices. We explain the role of an x-ray vortex in phase recovery and speculate on its possible applications in other fields of x-ray optical research. We present our theoretical understanding of the structure of phase vortices and test these predictions against experiment. We present experimental observations of phase vortices with charge greater than 3 and observe that their propagation appears to be consistent with our theoretical models.     

Mapping granular structure in the biological adhesive of Phragmatopoma californica using phase diverse coherent diffractive imaging

This paper demonstrates the application of the high sensitivity, low radiation dose imaging method recently presented as phase diverse coherent diffraction imaging, to the study of biological and other weakly scattering samples. The method is applied, using X-ray illumination, to quantitative imaging of the granular precursors of underwater adhesive produced by the marine sandcastle worm, Phragmatopoma californica. We are able to observe the internal structure of the adhesive precursors in a number of states.     

Effects of 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile on acquisition and performance of spatial tasks in rats

3,3'-Iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) has been reported to disrupt learning and memory in rats (24). The present work addressed the effects of IDPN on tasks requiring the use of spatial information. Separate groups of male rats were dosed with IDPN (IP, in 1 ml/kg saline) for 3 consecutive days and tested in the following procedures: (a) step-through passive avoidance conditioning (0, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg/day); (b) Morris water maze (MWM) acquisition and retention (0, 125, 150, 175, and 200 mg/kg/day); (c) radial arm maze (RAM) acquisition (0, 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day); (d) RAM steady-state performance (0, 200, and 400 mg/kg/day); (e) repeated acquisition in the RAM (0, and 200 mg/kg/day). The vestibular toxicity of IDPN resulted in alterations in spontaneous behavior or swimming deficits in 5 of 8 rats treated with 175 mg/kg/day and in all the animals dosed with 200 or 400 mg/kg/day. IDPN increased step-through PA latencies at 200 mg/kg/day but not at lower doses. In the MWM, no performance deficits were observed at the dose levels preserving the swimming ability of the animals. In both the acquisition and the steady-state RAM tasks, IDPN (400 mg/kg/day) induced an increase in both choice errors and perseverative errors. In the RAM repeated acquisition paradigm, IDPN (200 mg/kg/day) induced performance deficits that included a decreased rate of within-session reduction in errors. The present data show that IDPN disrupts performance of tasks requiring spatial learning and memory and indicate that these deficits can be in part caused by an acquisition deficit.     

Review of Psychological theories of drinking and alcoholism.

Reviews the book, Psychological theories of drinking and alcoholism edited by Howard T. Blane and Kenneth E. Leonard (1987). This volume presents different psychological elements in alcoholism and theories underlining a variety of sources of the motivation to drink. The volume is thus a sign of the maturing of psychology's view of alcoholism and of the creation of real bodies of data and a firm foundation for understanding alcoholism from a psychological perspective. The editors, Blane and Leonard, arrange nine bodies of psychological theory and research about drinking and alcoholism into two sections: Traditional Approaches and Recent Theoretical Models. The chapters do not deal with equivalent kinds of theories; the theories differ not only in their scope but in their level of analysis. Nonetheless, given the differences in the material and the amount to be reviewed, the volume accomplishes very well what it sets out to do. The presentations are inclusive and generally well written. They organize largely distinct areas of psychological knowledge into accessible chapters. The contributors give attention not only to theory and data but also to clinical applications of the theories. In nearly all cases, the chapters serve as perhaps the best available surveys of the topics, making this an invaluable teaching tool and reference book. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Reductionism in the psychology of the Eighties: Can biochemistry eliminate addiction, mental illness, and pain?

Contends that a growing consensus is emerging that the best hope for understanding and dealing with psychological problems lies with work being done in genetics, biology, and the neurosciences. Research in the neurosciences, especially, is expected to revolutionize the treatment of mental disorder in the coming years. Moreover, psychologists appear so eager to accept neurological and biochemical explanations for behavior that psychology is in danger of losing its status as an independent body of knowledge. This reductionist trend of thought, as well as having major scientific implications, affects popular attitudes toward self-regulation in key areas of human functioning. Yet not only has biochemical and neurological research not explained basic aspects of human behavior and mental disorder, but it has fundamental problems in attempting such explanations. A psychology that accepts and accounts for subjective human experience is presented as a counterpoise to the reductionist thrust. (60 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Asylums revisited

The authors revisited Erving Goffman's Asylum (Saint Elizabeths Hospital) and found both the "institutionalization" and "secondary adjustment" phenomena he described 20 years ago. However, they question whether secondary adjustments necessarily follows institutionalization. They also express doubt that institutionalization should be condemned automatically and suggest that it may in fact be the approach of choice for some patients.     

A Retinal Prosthesis Technology Based on CMOS Microelectronics and Microwire Glass Electrodes

A very large format neural stimulator device, to be used in future retinal prosthesis experiments, has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The device was designed to be positioned against a human retina for short periods in an operating room environment. Demonstrating a very large format, parallel interface between a 2-D microelectronic stimulator array and neural tissue would be an important step in proving the feasibility of high resolution retinal prosthesis for the blind. The architecture of the test device combines several novel components, including microwire glass, a microelectronic multiplexer, and a microcable connector. The array format is 80 times 40 array pixels with approximately 20 microwire electrodes per pixel. The custom assembly techniques involve indium bump bonding, ribbon bonding, and encapsulation. The design, fabrication, and testing of the device has resolved several important issues regarding the feasibility of high-resolution retinal prosthesis, namely, that the combination of conventional CMOS electronics and microwire glass provides a viable approach for a high resolution retinal prosthesis device. Temperature change from power dissipation within the device and maximum electrical output current levels suggest that the device is acceptable for acute human tests