Showing papers by "Drexel University published in 1992"
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined 95 female rape victims beginning soon after the assault (mean=12.64 days) and found that 95% of women met symptomatic criteria for PTSD at Assessment 1, decreasing to 65% at Assessment 4 (mean =35 days post assault), and 47% at assessment 12 (mean ≥94 days post-assault).
Abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related psychopathology were examined in 95 female rape victims beginning soon after the assault (mean=12.64 days). Subjects were assessed weekly for 12 weeks. Ninety-four percent of women met symptomatic criteria for PTSD at Assessment 1, decreasing to 65% at Assessment 4 (mean=35 days postassault), and 47% at Assessment 12 (mean=94 days postassault). PTSD and related psychopathology decreased sharply between Assessments 1 and 4 for all women. Women whose PTSD persisted throughout the 3-month study did not show improvement after the fourth assessment; women who did not meet criteria for PTSD 3 months postassault showed steady improvement over time. This pattern was evidenced even after initial PTSD severity was statistically controlled. Moreover, PTSD status at 3 months postassault could be predicted with a high degree of accuracy by two brief self-report measures administered at the first assessment. The implications of the present findings and directions for future research are discussed.
946 citations
01 Jan 1992
777 citations
TL;DR: The disturbances observed in animals subjected to unpredictable and uncontrollable aversive events resemble post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and thus may constitute an animal model of this disorder.
Abstract: The disturbances observed in animals subjected to unpredictable and uncontrollable aversive events resemble post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and thus may constitute an animal model of this disorder. It is argued that the similarity between animals' symptoms and those of trauma victims may reflect common etiological factors. Relevant experiments in which animals exhibit generalized fear and arousal, discrete fear of a conditioned stimulus (CS), analgesia, and avoidance are reviewed with the view that these manifestations may be analogous to the PTSD symptom clusters of persistent arousal, reexperiencing, numbing, and avoidance, respectively. Finally, animal paradigms are suggested to test the validity of the model and specific hypotheses are derived from the animal literature regarding trauma variables that are predictive of particular PTSD symptom clusters.
761 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a singularity function method is presented which consists of cascaded branches of a number of pole-zero (negative real) pairs or simple RC section, which can be simulated by a combination of singularity functions, each representing a single-fractal system.
Abstract: A fractional slope on the log log Bode plot has been observed in characterizing a certain type of physical phenomenon and has been called the fractal system or the fractional power pole. In order to represent and study its dynamical behavior, a singularity function method is presented which consists of cascaded branches of a number of pole-zero (negative real) pairs or simple RC section. The distribution spectrum of the system can also be easily calculated, and its accuracy depends on a prescribed error specified in the beginning. The method is then extended to a multiple-fractal system which consists of a number of fractional power poles. The result can be simulated by a combination of singularity functions, each representing a single-fractal system. >
620 citations
TL;DR: Despite high dose and large volume irradiation, primary Central Nervous System lymphoma still exhibits excessive mortality, especially in older patients, which remains unresolved, this paradox of the relative radioresistance of primary Central nervous system lymphoma remains unresolved.
Abstract: Between 1983 and 1987 the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group conducted a prospective phase II study to evaluate survival in primary non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the brain treated with whole brain irradiation to 40 Gy and a 20 Gy boost to tumor plus a 2 cm margin. Forty-one patients are reported. Full follow-up is available on 35/41 who have died. Six are alive at 8.8-67.2 months from start of radiation therapy with a median followup of 53.9 months. Overall median survival was 11.6 months from start of radiation therapy and 12.2 months from diagnosis, with 48% surviving 1 year and 28% surviving 2 years. Karnofsky Performance Status and age were significant prognostic factors. Patients with a Karnofsky Performance Status of 70-100 had a median survival of 21.1 months compared to 5.6 months for patients with a status of 40-60 (p less than .001). Fourteen patients less than 60 years of age had a median survival of 23.1 months, while 27 patients greater than or equal to 60 years of age had a median survival of 7.6 months (log-rank p = .001). Disease recurred in the brain in 25/41 (61%) of the patients, (21/41 in the brain only and 4/41 in the brain plus distant metastases). Despite high dose and large volume irradiation, primary Central Nervous System lymphoma still exhibits excessive mortality, especially in older patients. This paradox of the relative radioresistance of primary Central Nervous System lymphoma remains unresolved.
579 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors examined relationships among work and family role stressors, work-family conflict, social support, and well-being using data gathered from 119 men and 119 women who were partners in a two-career relationship.
Abstract: Summary The study examined relationships among work and family role stressors, work-family conflict, social support, and well-being using data gathered from 119 men and 119 women who were partners in a two-career relationship. Results showed that withindomain relationships of stressors with well-being are stronger than between-domain relationships. Thus, work and family role stressors were primarily related to job satisfaction and family satisfaction respectively, whereas work and family role stressors as well as work-family conflict were associated with overall life stress. Similar results were found for the relationships of social support with well-being. Work support was associated with increased job satisfaction, while spouse support was associated with greater family satisfaction. Some gender differences were found in the relationships of stressors and social support with well-being. Implications of the findings for future research on work-family dynamics were discussed.
564 citations
TL;DR: Many elderly subjects did not exhibit cortical atrophy or lateral ventricular enlargement, however, indicating that such changes are not inevitable consequences of advancing age, and these data should provide a useful clinical context within which to interpret changes in regional brain size associated with “abnormal” aging.
Abstract: Seventy-six healthy adults underwent magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T) to investigate the effects of age on regional cerebral volumes and on the frequency and severity of cortical atrophy, lateral ventricular enlargement, and subcortical hyperintensity. Increasing age was associated with (1) decreasing volumes of the cerebral hemispheres (0.23% per year), the frontal lobes (0.55% per year), the temporal lobes (0.28% per year), and the amygdalahippocampal complex (0.30% per year); (2) increasing volumes of the third ventricle (2.8% per year) and the lateral ventricles (3.2% per year); and (3) increasing odds of cortical atrophy (8.9% per year), lateral ventricular enlargement (7.7% per year), and subcortical hyperintensity in the deep white matter (6.3% per year) and the pons (8.1% per year). Many elderly subjects did not exhibit cortical atrophy or lateral ventricular enlargement, however, indicating that such changes are not inevitable consequences of advancing age. These data should provide a useful clinical context within which to interpret changes in regional brain size associated with “abnormal” aging.
513 citations
483 citations
TL;DR: This nosocomial outbreak of infection due to a highly vancomycin-resistant strain of Enterococcus is the first epidemic in which an electronic thermometer has been implicated as the vehicle of transmission for an infectious agent.
Abstract: ▪Objectives:To describe an epidemic of vancomycinresistantEnterococcus faeciumcausing bacteremia and bacteriuria, to identify the source of infection, to delineate risk factors associated ...
479 citations
TL;DR: The initial spatial, mass, and energy distributions of primordial binary systems are largely unknown as discussed by the authors, and the initial spatial and energy distribution of non-primordial binaries are unknown.
Abstract: Binary stars in a globular cluster (hereafter, GC) may be primordial (i.e. formed along with the cluster), or the result of cluster dynamics. “Dynamical” binaries can result from conservative three-body encounters (e.g. Spitzer, 1987) if a third star can carry away enough kinetic energy to leave two others bound, or from dissipative two-body encounters, if two stars happen to pass within a few stellar radii of one other (Fabian, Pringle, & Rees, 1975). Such non-primordial systems are likely to be found primarily in evolved GC cores, both because conditions are more favorable for making them there, and because of mass segregation. Knowledge of the formation process allows reasonable estimates to be made of their mass and energy distributions. The initial spatial, mass, and energy distributions of primordial binaries, on the other hand, are largely unknown.
432 citations
TL;DR: It is indicated that adult females are more severely affected by asthma and raise the possibility that hormonal or biochemical differences related to sex may play a role in the pathophysiology of asthma.
Abstract: Objective. —To describe demographic data from a large population of asthmatic patients to define the role of age and sex as risk factors for asthma admission. Design. —A retrospective review of all asthma admissions as defined by International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision , code 493.0. Source. —All medical-surgical admissions from 67 hospitals in five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania from 1986 through 1989. Results. —Patients admitted for asthma treatment (33 269) were reviewed. In the 0- to 5-year-old and 6- to 10-year-old age groups, males were admitted nearly twice as often as age-identical females. In the 11- to 20-year-old age group, admissions for males and females were nearly identical. Between 20 and 50 years of age, the female-to-male ratio was nearly 3:1. Thereafter, females were admitted for asthma at a rate of about 2.5:1 when compared with their age-equivalent male counterparts. Length of stay increased proportionally as the patient age increased. After 30 years of age, the length of stay was slightly greater for females than males. Conclusions. —There is a much higher rate of admission for prepubertal males than females. However, there is a higher incidence of asthma admissions for adult females than adult male asthmatic patients, and female asthmatic patients experience longer hospital stays per admission as well. These data indicate that adult females are more severely affected by asthma and raise the possibility that hormonal or biochemical differences related to sex may play a role in the pathophysiology of asthma. ( JAMA . 1992;268:3437-3440)
TL;DR: In this paper, a fracture mechanics analysis is developed within the realm of two-dimensional linear piezoelectricity, and asymptotic expressions for the electromechanical fields in the vicinity of the crack are deduced, and their behavior is illustrated through several examples.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors explored the influence of a musical stimulus property (modality) on listeners' estimates of the duration of a time period, and found that perception of duration is influenced by music in a way that contradicts conventional wisdom (i.e., the "time flies when you're having fun" hypothesis).
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the involvement of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and the anterior mitral leaflet in patients with aortic valve endocarditis.
Abstract: BACKGROUNDSecondary involvement of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and the anterior mitral leaflet (subaortic structures) can occur in patients with aortic valve endocarditis. The secondary involvement of these structures occurs as a result of direct extension of the infection from the aortic valve or as a result of an infected aortic regurgitant jet striking the ventricular surfaces of the mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa and the anterior mitral leaflet. The abscess of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa can expand to form an aneurysm. Subsequently, this mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa aneurysm can develop a perforation and communicate with the left atrium, resulting in the systolic regurgitation of blood from the left ventricular outflow tract into the left atrium. Secondary infection can also occur on the ventricular surface of the anterior mitral leaflet and result in the formation of an aneurysm or perforation of anterior mitral leaflet.METHODS AND RESULTSThis study examines the utilit...
TL;DR: The problem of substance abuse disorders in schizophrenia patients is reviewed, including the prevalence of co-morbid disorders, assessment, hypothesized mechanisms underlying abuse, and the clinical effects of abuse on the course of illness and cognitive functioning.
Abstract: The problem of substance abuse disorders in schizophrenia patients is reviewed, including the prevalence of co-morbid disorders, assessment, hypothesized mechanisms underlying abuse, and the clinical effects of abuse on the course of illness and cognitive functioning. The principles of treatment for dual-diagnosis schizophrenia patients are outlined, and the limitations of existing interventions are noted. Gaps in current knowledge about the impact of substance abuse on schizophrenia and its treatment are identified, and suggestions are made regarding promising avenues of research in this area.
TL;DR: It is proposed that cholesterol efflux from cell membranes is influenced by three factors: the distribution of cholesterol between cholesterol-rich and cholesterol-poor membrane domains, the diffusion of cholesterol molecules through the extracellular unstirred water layer, and the transient interaction of segments of the amphipathic helix of the HDL apolipoprotein with cholesterol- poor membrane domains resulting in enhanced cholesterol effux.
TL;DR: It is concluded that LpL promotes binding of apolipoprotein B-100-rich lipoproteins to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans and enhanced the otherwise weak binding of Lp(a) to LDL receptors.
TL;DR: 3-year-old children were presented with easy and difficult tasks and their emotional responses of shame and pride were observed, and girls showed more shame than boys when subjects failed.
Abstract: 3-year-old children were presented with easy and difficult tasks and their emotional responses of shame and pride were observed. No shame was shown when subjects succeeded on the tasks and no pride was shown when they failed. Significantly more shame was shown when subjects failed easy tasks than when they failed difficult tasks, and significantly more pride was shown when subjects succeeded on difficult than on easy tasks. While there were no sex differences in task failures, girls showed more shame than boys. There were no sex differences in pride when subjects succeeded.
TL;DR: Data analyses indicate that DSS success, as measured by DSS satisfaction and perceived benefits, depends on several factors: previous user experience with DSS, user involvement, user training, top management support, information sources, the level of managerial activity, and task structure, difficulty and interdependence.
Abstract: The results of a field study investigating the determinants of decision support systems (DSS) success are presented. A multivariate model was developed and tested using multiple regression hierarchical analysis on responses from 118 DSS users. Several specific hypotheses are also proposed and tested. Data analyses indicate that DSS success, as measured by DSS satisfaction and perceived benefits, depends on several factors: previous user experience with DSS, user involvement, user training, top management support, information sources, the level of managerial activity, and task structure, difficulty and interdependence. Based on the research results, several suggestions are made to improve the likelihood of successful DSS implementation.
TL;DR: Resource use and charges associated with emergency care are higher for the elderly than for younger patients, and increases in emergency resources and personnel or improvement in efficiency will be needed to maintain emergency care at present levels as the US population continues to grow and age.
TL;DR: GSP and APD seem to represent quantitatively different variants of the same spectrum of psychopathology rather than qualitatively distinct disorders.
Abstract: Disorders of pervasive social anxiety and inhibition are divided into 2 categories, generalized social phobia (GSP) and avoidant personality disorder (APD). We explored the discriminative validity of this categorization by examining the comorbidity of GSP and APD and by comparing these groups on anxiety level, social skills, dysfunctional cognitions, impairment in functioning, and presence of concurrent disorders. Results from 23 subjects showed high comorbidity of the 2 diagnoses: All subjects who met criteria for APD also met criteria for GSP. APD was associated with greater social anxiety, impairment in functioning, and comorbidity with other psychopathology, but no differences in social skills or performance on an impromptu speech. GSP and APD seem to represent quantitatively different variants of the same spectrum of psychopathology rather than qualitatively distinct disorders. We also investigated a proposed social phobia subtyping scheme.
Book•
01 Jan 1992TL;DR: This tutorial shows how to use Maple both as a calculator with instant access to hundreds of high-level math routines and as a programming language for more demanding tasks.
Abstract: This tutorial shows how to use Maple both as a calculator with instant access to hundreds of high-level math routines and as a programming language for more demanding tasks. It covers topics such as the basic data types and statements in the Maple language. It explains the differences between numeric computation and symbolic computation and illustrates how both are used in Maple. Extensive "how-to" examples are used throughout the tutorial to show how common types of calculations can be expressed easily in Maple. The manual also uses many graphics examples to illustrate the way in which 2D and 3D graphics can aid in understanding the behavior of functions.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors proposed a system for measuring slow, small volume blood flow, such as that found in the capillary beds, which relies on the injection of a strongly nonlinear echocardiographic contrast agent, whose echoes are then analyzed by a modified Doppler process.
TL;DR: The increased IL-4 and decreased IL-2 and IFN-gamma production by PBMC from SzS patients suggests that Sezary cells have a cytokine profile similar to murine Th2 cells, and this cytokine secretion pattern may play an integral role in the immunopathogenesis of advanced CTCL.
TL;DR: The results of these studies suggest that reduced overall central 5‐HT function in the limbic‐hypothalamic system is associated with suicidal and/or impulsive aggressive behaviors in patients with major mood and/ or personality disorders and that diminished 5-HT post‐synaptic receptor function in this brain region may be an important biological correlate of these behaviors.
Abstract: A dimensional relationship between central serotonergic (5-HT) system function and indices of suicidal and impulsive aggressive behaviors has been suggested by more than a decade of research in patients with psychiatric disorders. This paper reviews a series of studies conducted in healthy male individuals and in male patients with major mood and/or personality disorder involving pharmacochallenge and neurochemical strategies designed to explore the role of central 5-HT system function in the regulation of suicidal and impulsive aggressive behavior in humans. The results of these studies suggest that reduced overall central 5-HT function in the limbic-hypothalamic system is associated with suicidal and/or impulsive aggressive behaviors in patients with major mood and/or personality disorders and that diminished 5-HT post-synaptic receptor function in this brain region may be an important biological correlate of these behaviors. Language: en
TL;DR: This article reviews these models, the research studies, the outcomes of these studies and conclusions that can be drawn regarding the efficacy of case management services for severely mentally disabled adults.
Abstract: A comprehensive review of published and unpublished research studies of case management for severely mentally disabled adults was undertaken. This yielded 20 studies of four models of case management, Full Support, Personal Strengths, Rehabilitation and Expanded Broker Models. This article reviews these models, the research studies, the outcomes of these studies and conclusions that can be drawn regarding the efficacy of case management services for severely mentally disabled adults. Future directions for research in this area are recommended.
TL;DR: Demographic characteristics (gender, age, race, educational level) and diagnostic variables were strong predictors of type of substance abuse and the results demonstrate the importance of matching groups on demographic characteristics when exploring diagnostic differences in preference to abuse specific types of substances.
Abstract: The relationship between history of specific types of substance abuse (alcohol, stimulants, cannabis, hallucinogens, narcotics) and demographic and diagnostic variables was evaluated in a large (n = 263) sample of schizophrenic, schizoaffective, major depression and bipolar disorder patients. Prevalence rates were also compared with rates observed in a previous study (1983-1986) conducted using the same methods. Demographic characteristics (gender, age, race, educational level) were strong predictors of type of substance abuse. Patients with a history of cocaine abuse had fewer prior hospitalizations, suggesting that less impaired psychiatric patients may be more prone to illicit substance abuse. Diagnoses were not related to most types of substance abuse, although there was a trend for bipolar patients to have a history of alcohol abuse. The results demonstrate the importance of matching groups on demographic characteristics when exploring diagnostic differences in preference to abuse specific types of substances.
TL;DR: In this paper, the optimal data fusion rule is developed for correlation local binary decisions, in terms of the conditional correlation coefficients of all orders, and it is shown that when all these coefficients are zero, the rule coincides with the original Chair-Varshney design.
Abstract: Z. Chair and P.R. Varshney (1986) solved the data fusion problem for fixed binary local detectors with statistically independent decisions. Their solution is generalized by using the Bahadur-Lazarsfeld expansion of probability density functions. The optimal data fusion rule is developed for correlation local binary decisions, in terms of the conditional correlation coefficients of all orders. It is shown that when all these coefficients are zero, the rule coincides with the original Chair-Varshney design. >
TL;DR: Electrophysiologic studies support the hypothesis that corticotropin-releasing factor, the neurohormone that initiates adrenocorticotropa release during stress, also serves as a neurotransmitter in the pontine noradrenergic nucleus, the locus coeruleus.
TL;DR: In this article, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of polyaniline films in emeraldine base form was determined and characterized for the first time to be in the range of ∼ 105-220°C for the films containing ∼ 16-0% of 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) residual solvent, respectively.