The Double-Edged Sword - Outward and Inward Directed Aggression among War Combatants

Inspired by the two-stage model of countervailing forces, we explored the mechanism underlining inward and outward aggression among ex-combatants. Israeli veterans (N = 230) reported their partner’s violence (outward aggression), suicidal ideation (inward aggression), aggressive impulses, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), paranoid ideation and guilt. Suicidal ideation was related to aggressive impulses only in the presence of PTSD, or under high guilt; whereas paranoid ideation buffered these effects. Violence towards the partner, on the other hand, was related to aggressive impulses under low guilt and in the absence of PTSD. Aggressive impulses underline both suicidal ideation and partner violence. The inter-relations between PTSD, guilt, and paranoid ideation influence the manifestation of aggression and the direction it takes.     

Mesoscopic Patterning in Evaporated Polymer Solutions: Poly(ethylene glycol) and Room‐Temperature‐Vulcanized Polyorganosilanes/‐siloxanes Promote Formation of Honeycomb Structures

Patterning in evaporated polymer solutions based on amorphous polymers and chlorinated solvents has been investigated. Bilayered films patterned on two scales, i.e., 50 and 5 µm, are obtained. The addition of polyorganosilane/‐siloxane to solutions destroys the large‐scale pattern. Poly(ethylene glycol) promotes the formation of more dense close‐packed structures on the mesoscopic scale (≈5 µm). Short‐range and mesoscopic (liquid‐like) ordering of the honeycomb structures on the characteristic scale of 5 µm is revealed with the statistical analysis of SEM images. Physical mechanisms responsible for patterning are discussed.

     

Positive clinical impressions: I. Therapists' evaluations

In this study, the therapists who participated in the Koach project were interviewed regarding their assessment of the project. The therapists expressed a high degree of overall satisfaction with Koach. The significance of one group of combat veterans (the therapists) treating another group of veterans (the PTSD casualties) is discussed.     

PTSD: Theoretical and practical considerations as reflected through Koach—An innovative treatment project

This article summarizes the achievements of the Koach project and attempts to draw conclusions regarding the treatment of chronic PTSD. It also attempts to reconcile the apparent contradictions between the participants' and therapists' positive impressions of the project and the less encouraging findings of the systematic assessment of its effectiveness.     

Further developed device for human sperm freezing by the twenty-minute method

A further developed, practical device for human sperm freezing is described by which the preparation of sperm and the freezing process are reduced to a simple procedure requiring about 20 minutes. The instrument is based on the principle of evaporation of liquid nitrogen, which acts as a refrigerant for the freezing plate under the control of a thermostat. Rapid-rate freezing can be performed for pellet production and slow-rat freezing for paillettes; a high degree of isolation of samples is maintained by easily interchangeable freezing plates. Typical stages of freezing are accomplished at temperatures of +5 degrees C and--80 degrees C, with storage at--196 degrees C. The recovery index is 50% to 70%. The treatment was applied to 56 patients, resulting in 19 normal deliveries, 3 abortions, and 9 current pregnancies.     

Releases of hazardous substances in schools: data from the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance system, 1993-1998

This report describes the adverse public-health effects resulting from releases of hazardous substances in schools. Data were analyzed from emergency events reported to the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system by 14 participating states during 1993-1998. Compared with all other types of events, a higher proportion of school-related events resulted in victims (relative risk [RR] = 3.94, 95 percent confidence interval [CI] = 3.37-4.60) and in evacuation (RR = 5.76, 95 percent CI = 5.16-6.43). The most common cause of these events was operator error, followed in frequency by equipment failure, improper mixing, and deliberate releases. The majority of victims were exposed to spills emitting noxious gases, and their resulting symptoms were primarily associated with the respiratory tract.     

Determination of immunity to vaccinia virus by using diluted inactivated vaccinia vaccine solution for skin testing

AIMS: We evaluated the usefulness of skin test prepared by inactivation of vaccinia vaccine in predicting immunity to vaccinia. Skin test was injected to 77 healthy adults. Twenty had a recent smallpox vaccination (group 1). Thirty-seven were long term vacinees (group 2), while 20 subjects had never been vaccinated for smallpox (group 3). RESULTS: Mean size of induration was 7.9, 5.3 and 0.4 mm for subjects from groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.03 for difference between groups). Induration >or=5 mm correlated with neutralizing antibody titer >1:32 (r=0.73, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The skin test is a potentially useful tool for the assessment of immunity to vaccinia.     

Being a Wife of a Veteran with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder*

Abstract: We present the findings from a qualitative study examining the marital perceptions of 9 wives of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Data were from a semistructured in‐depth focus group interview. Findings reveal how the lives of these women largely revolved around their husbands’ illness. The wives faced constant tension between being drawn into a fusion with their husbands and the struggle to maintain their independence. In addition, the wives identified positive aspects of the marital relationship that granted them strength for current and future coping. Implications for practice are included.