Attachment insecurity mediates the relationship between childhood trauma and eating disorder psychopathology in a clinical sample: A structural equation model

Objectives

Childhood maltreatment occurs often among those with an eating disorder and is considered a nonspecific risk factor. However, the mechanisms by which childhood maltreatment may lead to an eating disorder are not well understood. The current study tests a model in which attachment insecurity is hypothesized to mediate the relationship between childhood maltreatment and eating disorder psychopathology.

Method

Treatment seeking adults with eating disorders (N = 308) completed questionnaires about childhood maltreatment, eating disorder psychopathology, and adult attachment.

Results

Structural equation models indicated that childhood trauma had a direct effect on eating disorder symptoms. Also, attachment anxiety and avoidance each equally mediated the childhood maltreatment to eating disorder psychopathology relationship.

Conclusions

Attachment insecurity, characterized by affect dysregulation and interpersonal sensitivities may help to explain why eating disorder symptoms may be one consequence of childhood maltreatment in a clinical sample. Clinicians treating primarily those with trauma might assess for disordered eating as a potential manifestation of the sequelae of trauma and attachment insecurity.     

Open-field behavior of young chicks (Gallus gallus): Antipredatory responses,social reinstatement motivation,and gender effects

Two experiments investigating sex differences in the open-field behavior of young chicks are reported. In the first experiment, ambulation latencies of 10-day-old male and female chicks in a novel environment were measured. Half of the chicks were kept in social isolation for 2 days prior to testing; the other half were socially reared until tested. Results showed that in socially reared chicks ambulation latencies were significantly higher in males than in females, whereas in isolation-reared chicks there were no significant sex differences. In the second experiment, latencies of ambulation were measured in socially reared 10-day-old chicks placed in a novel environment with or without a visible predator (i.e., a human being). Sex differences were evident in both conditions, with males showing higher ambulation latencies than females. It is argued that sex differences in open-field behavior of chicks may be due to a stronger motivation for social reinstatement in females, which reduces the usual antipredatory reactions of chicks placed in a novel environment.     

Degree classification and recent graduates’ ability: Is there any signalling effect?

Research across several countries has shown that degree classification (i.e. the final grade awarded to students successfully completing university) is an important determinant of graduates’ first destination outcome. Graduates leaving university with higher degree classifications have better employment opportunities and a higher likelihood of continuing education relative to those with lower degree classifications. This article investigates whether one of the reasons for this result is that employers and higher education institutions use degree classification as a signalling device for the ability that recent graduates may possess. Given the large number of applicants and the amount of time and resources typically required to assess their skills, employers and higher education institutions may decide to rely on this measure when forming beliefs about recent graduates’ abilities. Using data on two cohorts of recent graduates from a UK university, results suggest that an Upper Second degree classification may have a signalling role.     

“Real life use” of troponin in the emergency department: a survey of over 3000 cases

Introduction

The aim of this study was to identify clinical variables which may be independently associated with positivity of a cardiac troponin I (cTnI) assay in a large population of patients admitted to the emergency department (ED).

Materials and methods

3166 subjects, with at least two troponin I tests ordered within 6 hours in the ED, were studied. Patient data were statistically analyzed to identify clinical associations with increased values of Troponin I.

Results

Although patients with diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome displayed troponin I values significantly higher than those of other groups, positivity to troponin I (> 40 ng/L) was also observed in patients with other clinical conditions. In multivariate analysis, age, elevated heart rate and electrocardiographyc changes were independently associated with troponin I positivity at admission. In the whole study population troponin I positivity exhibited high sensitivity and negative predictive value, counterbalanced by low specificity and limited positive predictive value.

Conclusions

Troponin I positivity should be combined with history and clinical evaluation and cautiously interpreted in the ED, especially in patients exhibiting factors associated with higher troponin I levels such as older age, elevated heart rate or ECG changes.Key words: troponin I, acute coronary syndrome, emergency service, hospital, chest pain     

Independent artist-run centres: an empirical analysis of the Montreal non-profit visual arts field

Canadian independent artist-run centres provide an interesting case study of the potential role and relevance of non-profit institutions in the contemporary arts field. Predominantly established during the 1970s, they have been founded by artist collectives typically operating within urban contexts, with the aim of providing new opportunities to cope with the physical, economic and cultural constraints that generally impede the professional development of artists. A remarkable urban environment in which it is possible to find, and study, a large number of such organizations is the city of Montreal, in the Quebec Province of Canada, which constitutes an excellent reference to track the onset and the evolution of independent artist-run spaces, and to understand why, how and to what extent they are currently experiencing new pressures and challenges, both on the internal and external sides. This article offers an empirical study of these organizations with reference to their organizational, managerial and strategic vision, and to co-operative interaction and network building practices. It contributes to the field of research on cultural management through its study of the effects of management systems on the strategic action of independent visual arts organizations.     

Characteristics of Italian art restoration firms and factors influencing their adoption of laser technology

Given the limited number of studies on this topic, the aim of this study is to better understand the characteristics of art restoration firms in Italy, with particular reference to their use of innovative technologies such as laser technology. The paper is supported by a survey conducted in a sample of 100 companies. The factors that have led firms to adopt or resist the adoption of the laser were identified and analysed. The results show that the main determinants of laser adoption are collaborative activities between the firms and universities and specific requests made by public institutions to use this technology.

Photoluminescence of the inorganic pigments Egyptian blue, Han blue and Han purple

The room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of various samples of Egyptian blue (CaCuSi₄O₁₀) are presented, discussed and compared with those of recently synthesized compounds corresponding to the ancient pigments Han blue (BaCuSi₄O₁₀) and Han purple (BaCuSi₂O₆). All the samples of Egyptian blue show identical spectra, in spite of their very different origin. The spectra of Han blue and Han purple are significantly different. Since the Cu²⁺ ion may be considered the only luminescent centre in the spectral range under investigation, the differences between the spectra of the various pigments are ascribed to a ligand-field change. This can be related to the larger size of the Ba²⁺ ion with respect to Ca²⁺. The use of PL spectra for the identification of these pigments in works of art is proposed.     

Mechanical power,thrust power and propelling efficiency: relationships with elite sprint swimming performance

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between mechanical power, thrust power, propelling efficiency and sprint performance in elite swimmers. Mechanical power was measured in 12 elite sprint male swimmers: (1) in the laboratory, by using a whole-body swimming ergometer (W'_TOT) and (2) in the pool, by measuring full tethered swimming force (F_T) and maximal swimming velocity (V_max): W'_T = F_T · V_max. Propelling efficiency (η_P) was estimated based on the “paddle wheel model” at V_max. V_max was 2.17 ± 0.06 m · s^?1, η_P was 0.39 ± 0.02, W'_T was 374 ± 62 W and W'_TOT was 941 ± 92 W. V_max was better related to W'_T (useful power output: R = 0.943, P < 0.001) than to W'_TOT (total power output: R = 0.744, P < 0.01) and this confirms the use of the full tethered test as a valid test to assess power propulsion in sprinters and to estimate swimming performance. The ratio W'_T/W'_TOT (0.40 ± 0.04) represents the fraction of total mechanical power that can be utilised in water (e.g., η_P) and was indeed the same as that estimated based on the “paddle wheel model”; this supports the use of this model to estimate η_P in swimming.     

Prevention of child abuse and neglect through early diagnosis of serious disturbances in the mother-child relationship in Italy

At the obstetrical clinic of Modena University and a family center of the same municipality during the first six months of 1980 a questionnaire based on "Risks of Child Abuse" by Kempe, Gray and others was administered to 33 expectant mothers during the third trimester of pregnancy, a few days after delivery, and a month and one-half after childbirth, for the purpose of examining the mother-child relationship. Two principal groups of "risk factors" which may lead to child abuse and neglect appeared: mothers with preceding personal and social experiences, and cases of medical intervention (e.g., prematurity, caesarean). Use of a questionnaire that permitted early diagnosis made possible help in establishing a good mother-child relationship in the first months of life. Such help can be given by the hospital and public centers both before and after birth.