University of Westminster

About: University of Westminster is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 2944 authors who have published 8426 publications receiving 200236 citations. The organization is also known as: Westminster University & Royal Polytechnic Institution.

Differential effects of Ecstasy and cannabis on self-reports of memory ability: a web-based study.

Abstract: Given the legal status of MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), or Ecstasy, face-to-face access to participants is sometimes difficult. The number of participants in studies of cognitive performance amongst Ecstasy users is variable, with the average being around 30. Access to a larger number of participants is clearly desirable. The present investigation accessed a larger sample size using a web-based design. A website was developed and used for data collection. Prospective memory ability was assessed using the Prospective Memory Questionnaire. Self-report of day-to-day memory performance was investigated using the Everyday Memory Questionnaire. The Drug Questionnaire assessed the use of other substances as well as Ecstasy, allowing a regression design to isolate the contribution of each substance to any variance on the cognitive measures. Preliminary findings (N = 488) indicate that there is a clear double dissociation between the impact of Ecstasy and cannabis. We found that cannabis was associated with reports of 'here-and-now' cognitive problems in short-term and internally cued prospective memory. In contrast, Ecstasy was associated with reports of long-term memory problems, which were more related to storage and retrieval difficulties. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Destination Management Systems: Criteria for Success — An Exploratory Research

Abstract: Destinations become brand names for tourism regions incorporating the entire range of attractions and enterprises locally. Information technology developments propel the tourism industry to the digital economy and develop an e-commerce applications. The emergence of Destination Management Systems (DMSs) as “info-structures” enables destinations to disseminate comprehensive information about resources and services of destinations and local tourism products as well as facilitate the planning, management and marketing of regions as tourism entities or brands.

Factors predictive of bone mineral density in eating-disordered women: a longitudinal study.

Abstract: Objective: Osteoporosis in eating-disordered women is well established, but factors predictive of this condition have proved elusive. The roles of behavioral factors, weight, menstrual status, and the degree of bone mineral density change over the clinical course of the eating disorder were investigated. Method: A cohort of 56 eating-disordered women was subjected to bone mineral density measurement at Scan 1 and were followed up between 9 and 51 months later for repeat measurement (n = 10) at Scan 2. Results: High levels of reduced bone mineral density were observed. Total duration of amenorrhea, body mass index, frequency of vomiting, and cigarette and alcohol consumption accounted for 40% of the variance in spinal bone mineral density measurement at Scan 1. No significant changes in bone mineral density were observed at Scan 2 despite increases in body mass index. Discussion: The results suggest that increases in weight appear not to be sufficient to increase bone mineral density.

Unemployment, social isolation, achievement–expectation mismatch and psychosis: findings from the ÆSOP Study

Abstract: Introduction In this study, we aimed to establish: (1) whether social isolation modifies the effect of unemployment on first episode psychosis and duration of untreated psychosis (DUP); and (2) whether the gap between high employment expectations and perceived poor employment achievement is associated with first-episode psychosis; and (3) whether the relationship of this achievement-expectation gap and first-episode psychosis is strongest in the African-Caribbean population. Method All patients with a first episode of psychosis presenting to specialist mental health services within tightly defined catchment areas in south-east London and Nottingham over a 2-year period were included in the study. A random sample of healthy participants living within the same catchment areas was also recruited. Data were collected on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, DUP, social contacts, and perceived levels of employment achievement and expectation. Analysis was conducted on data of 546 participants (224 cases, 322 controls) from the SOP study. Results The relationship between unemployment and risk of non-affective psychosis was moderated by social contacts (unemployed/low social contacts, OR 7.52, 95% CI 2.97-19.08; unemployed/medium social contacts, OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.66-6.47; unemployed/high social contacts, OR 1.36, 95% CI 0.47-3.93). Unemployed patients experienced a longer DUP when having reported lower levels of social contacts. Participants whose employment achievement was lower than their expectations were more likely to be cases than those in whom achievement matched or exceeded expectations (adjusted OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.13-3.02). This applied equally to both African-Caribbean and White British participants (the Mantel-Haenszel test for homogeneity of odds ratios, chi(2) = 0.96, P = 0.33). Conclusions This study suggests that unemployment, social isolation, employment achievement and expectations are important environmental factors associated with risk of psychosis. More attention needs to be focused on interactions between environmental factors as well as subjective experience of those factors in future research on the aetiology of psychosis.