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Biomedical subjects

M L Fogel

Publications and source records attributed to M L Fogel.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Nitrogen cycling by wood decomposing soft-rot fungi in the "King Midas tomb," Gordion, Turkey.

Archaeological wood in ancient tombs is found usually with extensive degradation, limiting what can be learned about the diet, environment, health, and cultural practices of the tomb builders and occupants. Within Tumulus Midas Mound at Gordion, Turkey, thought to be the tomb of the Phrygian King Midas of the 8th century B.C., we applied a stable nitrogen isotope test to infer the paleodiet of the king and determine the nitrogen sources for the fungal community that decomposed the wooden tomb, cultural objects, and human remains. Here we show through analysis of the coffin, furniture, and wooden tomb structure that the principal degrader, a soft-rot fungus, mobilized the king's highly (15)N-enriched nutrients, values indicative of a diet rich in meat, to decay wood throughout the tomb. It is also evident from the delta(15)N values of the degraded wood that the nitrogen needed for the decay of many of the artifacts in the tomb came from multiple sources, mobilized at potentially different episodes of decay. The redistribution of nutrients by the fungus was restricted by constraints imposed by the cellular structure of the different wood materials that apparently were used intentionally in the construction to minimize decay.

Archaeology↗

A simple method for evaluation of Rorschach Imagery Reactivity.

A general scoring system, previously developed for the analysis of pictorial associations within the paradigm of Visual Imagery Sequences, was applied in the evaluation of visual associations to memory images of Rorschach inkblots (Imagery condition) in a comparison with standard Rorschach responses (Conventional condition). The participants, 80 consecutively selected psychiatric outpatients, were divided into Clinical Reactor and Nonreactor groups, according to how productive they were of psychodynamically revealing material during insight-oriented therapy using imagery. For this simple scoring method (which does not include the customary Rorschach scores), conclusions concerning Imagery Reactivity in the Rorschach agreed with those of previous studies using a scoring system more unique to the Rorschach. The inferences drawn from statistical analysis by groups and conditions also contribute additional refinements to the understanding of the subtle interplay between defensiveness and sensitivity to imagery in determining the patterns of scorable components within the response complex. This general scoring method correctly identified 95.6% of Imagery Reactors and 100% of Imagery Nonreactors, an improvement over the 87% efficiency of the previously described, Rorschach-based method for assessing Imagery Reactivity in the Rorschach.

Adult↗

Effect of instructions given to reactors and nonreactors to produce visual imagery sequences following an imagined pleasant scene.

15 Visual Imagery Reactors and 15 Nonreactors were instructed to produce Visual Imagery Sequences using as a point of departure a pleasant scene imagined by themselves. Despite these instructions, Reactors developed significantly less pleasant scene materials, more High and Low Affect/Conflict, less Neutral Content, and briefer sequences preceding all Affect/Conflict. Four Reactors and no Nonreactors expressed difficulty in visualizing pleasant scenes. Reactors made more interruptions when attempting to continue imagery of the pleasant scene. Several additional scores occurred almost exclusively within a subgroup of Reactors. These results are consistent with previous studies using different test stimuli and are congruent with previously advanced theoretical formulations.

Adolescent↗

Free visual imagery sequences in reactors and nonreactors.

The technique of Free Visual Imagery Sequences was used with 32 outpatients, M age of 33.9, to determine the differences between Visual Imagery Reactors and Nonreactors as defined in previous studies. Reactors showed significantly more responses associated with Affect/Conflict material, frequently including bizarre and distorted images. The Affect/Conflict responses occurred earlier and had longer duration spans in Reactors. Neutral content was more prevalent in Nonreactors. An interpretive approach involving a regulatory processing system is proposed. Free Visual Imagery Sequences appears to be a simple and efficient clinical technique which can contribute data useful in determining the extent to which imagery techniques could be employed in certain forms of psychotherapy.

Adult↗

Lip function: a study of normal lip parameters.

This paper presents a study of normal lip parameters in 500 individuals representing both sexes and all age groups. The parameters studied were intercommissural distance at rest and during activity, soft-tissue gape, oral access, elasticity of perioral tissues, and upper and lower sulcus depths as an indication of lip curtain height. The strength of the orbicularis oris was measured using the pommeter (Peri-Oral-Muscle-Meter). Lip sensation was studied by testing two-point discrimination in all four lip quadrants. Statistical analysis revealed results to be significant to a p value of 0.01.

Adolescent↗

Lip function: a study of oral continence.

Oral continence is achieved through the harmonious interplay of several factors of which the most important are the lip sensitivity, the strength of the orbicularis oris muscle and the height of the lip curtain. Forty-four persons with varying degrees of oral incontinence and diverse lip disorders were then examined and compared against the normal values. Significantly low values for all three factors found in the orally incontinent patients supported our hypothesis that the normality of these factors is essential for the maintenance of the oral seal. Central causes of dribbling, such as mental retardation and salivary over-secretion, irrespective of etiology, are not considered here.

Female↗

Rorschach-based indices of visual imagery reactivity.

A method using a specially developed Rorschach-based procedure was applied in conjunction with a visual imagery technique in evaluating protocols of 40 outpatient subjects. The subjects were divided into Reactor and Nonreactor groups, according to how productive in clinically significant material their responses were in the imagery condition contrasted to a conventional administration of the Rorschach. A scoring method correctly classified 35 of the 40 subjects as being Reactors or Nonreactors. In addition to previously demonstrated utility as a research tool, the method may be used in clinical situations.

Humans↗

Clinical comparisons and Rorschach response differences between visual imagery reactors and nonreactors.

Rorschach cards were administered to psychotherapy patients under two conditions. In the imagery condition, cards were presented to each subject briefly, following which the cards were visualized with eyes closed and any visual imagery sequences were reported. This procedure was preceded by a standard Rorschach administration. Subjects were classified into Imagery Reactor and Nonreactor groups, according to the degree to which they responded to the instructions. The examples presented illustrate the qualitative differences in conflictual and affect-laden material between Reactors and Nonreactors which can be obtained in using this type of Rorschach based visual imagery technique.

Adult↗

Effects of instructions for visual imagery on Rorschach responses.

The Rorschach was administered to two groups of 12 subjects under two conditions. The first group was classified as imagery Reactors based upon their prior responsivity to imagery instructions during therapy. The second group was labelled Nonreactors using the same clinical criteria. The condition administered first utilized the standard Rorschach; in the second, subjects were asked to produce sequences of visual imagery using Rorschach cards as stimuli. Both groups received both Rorschach administrations. Responses were scored without knowledge of the two classifications of subjects. Instructions for imagery appeared to have a disinhibiting effect and led to significant changes in several major Rorschach scoring categories and in a specially derived index of the amount of clinically relevant conflictual and affective material manifested. There were a number of significant differences between Reactors and Nonreactors in Rorschach response levels under the imagery condition, among other changes. Reactors yielded significantly more complex and clinically revealing material under imagery than did Nonreactors. The findings were considered to be particularly useful for diagnostic and therapeutic decisions with certain types of patients. The results also suggest the possibility of differences in personality structure between imagery Reactors and Nonreactors which warrant further investigation.

Adult↗