Multidimensionality of the PROMIS self-efficacy measure for managing chronic conditions

Quality of Life Research - This study investigated the PROMIS Self-Efficacy Measure for Managing Chronic Conditions (PROMIS-SE) domain distributions and examined the factor structure of the...     

Effects of Approach and Avoid Mindsets on Performance, Self-regulatory Cognition, and Affect in a Multi-task Environment

Despite numerous studies of approach- and avoidant mindsets, relatively little research has addressed the impact of such motivational orientations on performance and emotion in a real-time, multi-task setting. A laboratory simulation is reported that examines the influence of an induced approach-centered, an avoidance-centered, and a “neutral” motivational mindset upon multiple aspects of task performance, self-regulatory cognition, and affect. Undergraduate females randomly assigned to one of three mindset conditions performed a simulated automobile drive across one practice and two experimental trials. Dependent measures included divided attention, behavioral indicators of driving “cautiousness” in relatively safe straight roadway sections as well as during more risk-filled driving, multiple aspects of self-regulatory thinking (including self-monitoring, intended effort, and self-administered consequences), and positive and negative affect. Results revealed that the avoidant mindset produced poorer executive attention (i.e., fewer correctly detected divided attention events), more “cautious” driving behavior and reduced performance variability (i.e., greater control) when driving on presumably safe, straight roadway sections, lower self-reports of intended effort, and greater negative affect relative to the approach mindset. Results are intepreted within a self-regulation-centered motivational framework. Implications of the multi-task simulation for the study of normal and disordered adjustment are considered.     

Introducing dental students to clinical patient care: The complete denture prosthodontics transition clinic

Using complete denture treatment as an introduction to clinical patient care for dental students, the purposes of the Complete Denture Prosthodontics Transition Clinic at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry are to reduce the time lapse between the preclinical complete denture prosthodontics course and the first denture patient experience, and to encourage development of student self-confidence and skills. In the 2002 spring semester, faculty at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry initiated the Complete Denture Prosthodontics Transition Clinic for DS-II (second-year) dental students, as an introduction to clinical patient care. Each patient was assigned to a team of two dental students. Three Division of Prosthodontics faculty members staffed each clinic session, providing a student-to-faculty ratio of approximately 6.6:1 and a patient-to-faculty ratio of approximately 3.3:1. All DS-II students in the Class of 2004 delivered their first complete dentures no later than 8 months (average, 184 days) after the last day of the preclinical complete denture prosthodontics course. The time from the diagnostic appointment through the denture placement appointment averaged 39 days for patients treated in this program, compared with an average of 98 days or more for previous classes. The program was successful in achieving the goal of reducing the time lapse between the preclinical complete denture prosthodontics course and the first denture patient experience.     

Hypocretin/orexin selectively increases dopamine efflux within the prefrontal cortex: involvement of the ventral tegmental area.

Hypocretins (HCRTs) modulate a variety of behavioral and physiological processes, in part via interactions with multiple ascending modulatory systems. Further, HCRT efferents from the lateral hypothalamus innervate midbrain dopamine (DA) nuclei, and DA cell bodies express HCRT receptors. Combined, these observations suggest that HCRT may influence behavioral state and/or state-dependent processes via modulation of DA neurotransmission. The current studies used in vivo microdialysis in the unanesthetized rat to first characterize the effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of HCRT-1 (0.07, 0.7 nmol) on extracellular levels of DA within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and nucleus accumbens (Acc). Electroencephalographic/electromyographic measures of sleep-wake state were collected along with select behavioral measures (eg locomotor activity, grooming). HCRT-1 dose-dependently increased PFC dialysate DA levels, and these increases were closely correlated with increases in time spent awake. In contrast, Acc DA levels were unaffected. Additional studies examined whether HCRT-1 acts directly within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to selectively increase PFC DA efflux and modulate behavioral state. Unilateral infusion of HCRT-1 (0.1, 1.0 nmol) within the VTA increased PFC, but not Acc, DA levels. Importantly, intra-VTA infusion of HCRT-1 increased the time spent awake and grooming. Moreover, HCRT-induced increases in both time spent awake and time spent grooming were significantly correlated with post-infusion PFC DA levels. The current observations predict a prominent modulatory influence of HCRT on PFC-dependent cognitive and affective processes that results, in part, from actions within the VTA. Additionally, these observations suggest that the activation of VTA DA neurons contributes to the behavioral state-modulatory actions of HCRT.