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Three experiments investigated conditioning of the rabbit's nictitating membrane response (NMR) in a second-order conditioning procedure which intermixed first-order trials (CSl-US) and second-order trials (CS2-CSl) from the outset of training. Experiment 1 provided a controlled demonstration that substantial levels of second-order conditioning can be obtained with the NMR preparation. Experiment 2 showed that the level of CR acquisition to CS2 was an inverse function of the CS2-CSl interval over the values of 400, 800, and 2,400 msec. Experiment 3 found that CR acquisition to CS2 and CSl in second-order conditioning varied in a parallel fashion across CSl-US intervals. Similarly, Experiment 3A found that the level of CR acquisition to the two components of a serial compound (CSA-CSB-US) varied in a parallel fashion as a function of the CSB-US interval. The results of the CS2-CSl and CSl-US interval manipulations were all predictable from the known CS-US interval effects in NMR conditioning with a single CS. The present results are discussed with regard to their implications for accounts of serial compound conditioning and second-orderconditioning.

Due to advances in earlier diagnosis and treatment, the life expectancy of a person born with cystic fibrosis (CF) has increased. Therefore, more people with CF are becoming parents but the psychological understanding of CF has lagged behind advances in medical treatment; there is very limited applied psychological research on which parents and professionals can draw when considering issues of parenting in this context. This qualitative research explored how mothers and fathers with CF experience and manage the dual roles of being a parent and living with CF. The aim was to facilitate development of an understanding of experience rather than test existing theory. A qualitative methodology was chosen as it allowed participants to reflect openly on their individual experiences. Nine participants completed semi-structured interviews either in their own homes or a clinic base which examined parenting, CF and the interaction between the two roles. Four participants were male and five were female with an age range of 21-50. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to interpret the participants' accounts and generate super-ordinate and master themes. 'Being a parent on compressed time' was the super-ordinate theme which reflected the challenge of parenting within both a limited life trajectory and a complex treatment regime with daily adherence and time pressures. The findings have implications for parents with CF, those considering parenting and for health professionals working in CF services whose guidance needs to be grounded in an evidence-base. Further research is needed to explore the experiences of parents within different family structures, parents who have had a transplant and the perspectives of others in the wider system in which parents with CF are located.

Neuropsychological function was compared in three well-matched groups of subjects: Group 1, 20 diabetic patients with hypertension, mean age 69.1 +/- 4.8 years, 14 males and 6 females; Group 2, 20 normotensive diabetic patients, mean age 69.0 +/- 6.2 years, 14 males and 6 females; Group 3, 20 healthy community controls, mean age 68.1 +/- 4.5 years, 13 males and 7 females. There were no significant differences between the groups in education or estimated IQ using the NART (National Adult Reading Test). Groups 1 and 2 did not differ significantly in duration of diabetes (mean 10.6 and 9.5 years, respectively), or mean glycosylated haemoglobin, HbA1 (mean 9.8 and 10.6%, respectively), or mean blood glucose before and after testing. On a battery neuropsychological tests, sensitive to cognitive impairment in older subjects, analysis of covariance using estimated IQ as the covariate showed no significant differences between the groups on tests of recall, with (Brown-Peterson Test) and without (Kendrick Object Learning Test) interference, forward and backward digit span, concentration (serial subtraction), verbal fluency, immediate and delayed prose recall, digit symbol substitution or psychomotor speed (Kendrick Digit Copying Test). These results provide no support for an association between cognitive deficits and Type 2 diabetes mellitus in older subjects or for the view that such deficits may also be mediated by hypertension.

To date, there is a paucity of high quality neuropsychological and psychological research concerning the impact of anti-NMDAR encephalitis on cognitive function and psychosocial wellbeing, both of adults and particularly of those under 18 years. Significant limitations of the literature reviewed include lack of attention to pre-morbid functioning, insufficient rationale for neuropsychological battery choice, use of samples of convenience, and limited translation of neuropsychological findings into rehabilitation. Limitations of this review include exclusive focus on an adult population and the necessity of a narrative review given the methodological diversity in studies making up the evidence base.

The association between aerobic fitness, exercise, and psychophysiological reactivity was assessed in cross-sectional and prospective analyses. Seventy-five healthy but sedentary adults carried out a sub-maximal exercise test and easy and difficult problem solving tasks. Blood pressure, heart rate, skin conductance level, respiration rate, tidal volume, and oxygen consumption were monitored and additional heart rate was also computed. Differences between relatively fit and unfit individuals were found in respiration rate during tasks and in skin conductance level during post-task recovery periods, with a tendency toward diminished heart rate reactivity in fitter people. Subjects were subsequently allocated to four conditions: high intensity aerobic training, moderate intensity aerobic training, an undemanding strength and flexibility program (designed as an attention-placebo condition), and waiting list control. Training programs were conducted over a 10-week period, and were followed by a second laboratory session. Appropriate changes in aerobic performance over the training period were observed in the 12-min run/walk test. There were no important modifications in psychophysiological stress reactions associated with the different experimental conditions. These results are discussed in relation to the literature concerning the effects of fitness and physical activity on physiological response patterns.

Tested 84 healthy, sedentary women in the laboratory during performance of difficult and easy problem-solving tasks. They were divided into three age groups: 19 to 32 years, 33 to 43 years, and 44 to 60 years (n = 28 women per group). Baseline systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure increased with age, whereas skin conductance level was lower in older women. In addition, initial SBP reactions to tasks were positively related to age, even after controlling for baseline blood pressure, aerobic fitness, and Framingham Type A Scale behavior scores. There were no differences in heart rate (HR) or "additional" HR reactions, so the anticipated decline in cardiac sympathetic response with age was not observed. The mechanisms underlying age-related reactions to mental stress are discussed.