Cerebral blood flow in normal and abnormal sleep and dreaming

Measurements of regional or local cerebral blood flow (CBF) by the xenon-133 inhalation method and stable xenon computerized tomography CBF (CTCBF) method were made during relaxed wakefulness and different stages of REM and non-REM sleep in normal age-matched volunteers, narcoleptics, and sleep apneics. In the awake state, CBF values were reduced in both narcoleptics and sleep apneics in the brainstem and cerebellar regions. During sleep onset, whether REM or stage I-II, CBF values were paradoxically increased in narcoleptics but decreased severely in sleep apneics, while in normal volunteers they became diffusely but more moderately decreased. In REM sleep and dreaming CBF values greatly increased, particularly in right temporo-parietal regions in subjects experiencing both visual and auditory dreaming.     

Timing of Parenthood and Generativity Development: An Examination of Age and Gender Effects in Turkish Sample

Many studies have been published so far indicating that generativity, which is the psychological need to care for and give back to the next generation, is commonly considered in relation to parenthood. The present study investigates links between the age of first parenthood and the societal generativity development and life satisfaction among the young (aged from 29 to 35) and middle aged (aged from 40 to 55) adults in Turkish male and female sample (n = 156). Data were collected through self-report questionnaires including the satisfaction with life scale, Loyola Generativity Scale (LGS), generative behavior checklist (GBC) and demographic information. Results revealed that in general, women had higher score on generativity behavior (which was measured by GBC) than men. Additionally, the interaction effect of gender and timing of parenthood revealed a significant main effect on both generativity concern (LGS) and generative acts (GBC). Specifically, compared to late fathers (>26 years), late mothers had higher score on both generativity concern (LGS) and generative behavior (GBC), and compared to late fathers, early mothers (<25 years) also had a higher score on generative behavior (GBC). While among women age of parenthood did not differ across groups with regard to generativity, among men, age of parenthood was related to generative behavior. The present study revealed that females were already significantly more generative than males of their age-group and the timing of having one’s first child seems to have some critical effect on the development of father’s generativity. Explanations for the findings are framed in terms of gender roles and cultural factors.     

A simple and inexpensive transducer for quantitative measurements of penile erection during sleep

The construction of a mercury strain-gauge transducer for measuring penile erection and scoring rules for tumescence episodes are described. The gauge device has been found to be cheap, reliable, and easy to construct. It is capable of transducing changes in circumference in the penis of adults and infants, the clitoris of congenital adrenal hyperplasia patients, and the nipples of adult females.