Neurogenic intermittent claudication--occurrence and causes

The topic dealt with is about frequency and causes of the neural claudication intermittens among patients of our neurological department as a specific clinical form of lumbosacral disorder syndromes. Concluding special attention is given to diagnostical and therapeutical problems.     

Measuring forgiveness: psychometric properties of a new culturally sensitive questionnaire: the Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS)

ABSTRACT

Forgiveness is a universal construct. A forgiveness measure should ensure good and diverse cultural representation and inclusivity in its development, validation and usage. The 15-item Bolton Forgiveness Scale (BFS) assesses dispositional forgiveness. Items came from interviews with 53 Nigerian and British people, existing scales and the research literature. Exploratory factor analysis with a student sample (n = 733) was followed by confirmatory factor analysis with a general sample (n = 2,017). This indicated a robust three-factor structure. Factors were, coming to terms and letting go (CLTG), developing positive feelings (DPF) and giving benefit of the doubt (GBD). Scale Validity was established and a new forgiveness definition emerged as a process that involves developing and strengthening the capacity to give benefit of the doubt that enables the offended come to terms with and let go of hurt with its negative affect thereby giving way gradually to positive feelings towards the transgressor.     

The interaction of tactile information and movement amplitude in a multijoint bimanual circle-tracing task: Phase transitions and loss of stability

Adaptive behaviour in bimanual coordination was examined with the use of a bimanual circle-tracing task. Circle diameter and tactile information were manipulated to form four tracing conditions: tracing a pair of 3-cm diameter circles with the tips of the index fingers (3F) or hand-held styli (3S) and tracing a pair of 10-cm diameter circles with the tips of the index fingers (10F) or hand-held styli (10S). Movement frequency was increased in all conditions. In the 3F, 3S, and 10S tracing conditions, an abrupt transition from asymmetric to symmetric coordination was the main adaptive response, while in the 10F tracing condition, phase wandering was the main adaptive response. Enhancement of fluctuations in relative phase, a signature of loss of stability, occurred before the transition from asymmetric to symmetric coordination. Movement frequency and movement amplitude interact as control parameters in this task. The results are discussed with reference to tactile surface contact and joint motion as sources of sensory information that can be used to stabilize bimanual coordination patterns. The presence or absence of tactile information is directly linked to the specific form of adaptive behaviour (phase transition or phase wandering) that emerges as a function of required movement amplitude and required pacing frequency.