Sunk costs under stress: Acute stress reduces the impact of past expenses on risky decisions

Obesity is associated with dysregulation of the endothelin system. In obese individuals, an exaggerated pressor response to acute stress is accompanied by increased circulating endothelin-1. The impact of combined endothelin A/B receptor (ETA/B) antagonism on the stress-induced pressor response in overweight/obese individuals is unknown. Objective: To test the hypothesis that treatment with an ETA/B antagonist (bosentan) would reduce the stress-induced pressor response and arterial stiffness in overweight/obese compared to normal weight individuals. Methods: 40 participants [Normal weight (NW): n=20, BMI: 21.7 ± 2.4 kg/m2 & Overweight/obese (OB): n=20, BMI: 33.8 ± 8.2 kg/m2] were randomized to placebo or 125 mg of bosentan twice a day (250 mg total) for 3 days. Hemodynamics were assessed before, during, and after a cold pressor test (CPT). Endothelin-1 was assessed at baseline and immediately after CPT. Following a washout period, the same protocol was repeated with the opposite treatment. Results: The change from baseline in mean arterial pressure (MAP) during CPT following bosentan was significantly lower (p=0.039) in the OB group, compared to the NW group (OB: 28±12 vs LN: 34±15 mm Hg). Conclusions: These results suggest that ETA/B antagonism favorably blunts the pressor response to acute stress in overweight/obese individuals.

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Psychosocial Consequences Among Nurses in the Affected Area of the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and the Fukushima Complex Disaster: A Qualitative Study

Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness ◽

10.1017/dmp.2018.100 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (03) ◽

pp. 519-526 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hideko Sato ◽

Teeranee Techasrivichien ◽

Atsuko Omori ◽

Masako Ono-Kihara ◽

Masahiro Kihara

Keyword(s):

Qualitative Study ◽

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Great East Japan Earthquake ◽

Family Responsibilities ◽

Psychosocial Consequences ◽

Mutual Care ◽

The Impact

AbstractObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess the psychosocial consequences among nurses affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in order to identify their coping strategies and explore possible countermeasures against complex disasters.MethodsIn 2012, we conducted a qualitative study and screened participants for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).ResultsThirty-eight nurses participated in this study. The result showed a relatively high proportion of probable PTSD (39%). Thirty-two conceptual codes emerged from the data and were grouped into 8 categories: “initial acute stress,” “acute stress turning chronic,” “chronic physical and mental fatigue,” “occupational stress,” “fear of the impact of radiation on children’s health,” “occupational satisfaction,” “positive influences of the disaster experiences,” and “impact of mutual care through interpersonal cognition.”ConclusionsThe study reveals that mutual care may have a positive impact in assisting recovery and enhancing the psychological well-being of nurses. We suggest that disaster management should take into consideration the conflict between professional and family responsibilities. In the light of the chronic impact of the nuclear crisis, enhanced support for interpersonal relationships and human resources, as well as appropriate safety precautions, is urgently needed to help affected nurses. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:519-526)

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The impact of chronic stress and eating types on active ghrelin levels in response to acute stress

Proceedings of The Nutrition Society ◽

10.1017/s0029665120004413 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽

Author(s):

Christine Fahrngruber ◽

Kalina Duszka ◽

Jürgen König

Keyword(s):

Chronic Stress ◽

Eating Behavior ◽

Social Stress ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Stress Test ◽

Primary Objective ◽

Trier Social Stress Test ◽

Relaxation Techniques ◽

Stress Exposure ◽

The Impact

AbstractChronic stress is associated with impacting eating behavior, namely food choice and energy intake, with a shift towards more palatable and energy dense foods. Additionally, eating behavior is influenced by other psychological factors like mood and emotions. The categorization of people into eating types such as restrained, emotional, and external eaters has gained attraction. Reported changes in eating behavior due to psychological stress are only occasionally accompanied by measures of physiological hunger through ghrelin. The primary objective of this study was to investigate how chronic stress and acute cortisol reactivity affect active ghrelin secretion and how these outcomes account for different eating types. 16 healthy, young males (age: 23 ± 3 years, BMI: 22.5 ± 1.3kg/m2) with low (n = 8) and average-to-high (n = 8) chronic stress level were subjected to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and a control version on two separate days. Active ghrelin, cortisol, glucose, and heart rate were measured throughout the test. Subjects rated their hunger by means of visual analog scale and current mood was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). In addition, participants filled out the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) to account for their subjective eating behavior. Overall ghrelin values where higher on the test day compared to the control day. Ghrelin values were also higher during the time leading up to the stress or control test (TSST) than during the conclusion of said tests. On both days, mean values for active ghrelin where higher in individuals with low chronic stress exposure compare to those with average-to-high chronic stress exposure. While values from test to control day decreased for lower stressed participants, they slightly increased for higher stressed participants. Cortisol responders displayed higher ghrelin values on test day than cortisol non-responders, but this association inverted for the control day. Results indicate that chronic stress influences acute stress response and further alters active ghrelin production, which in turn can influence eating behavior. Replication in a greater group of participants of differing weight and sex could yield a greater understanding of stress induced eating. Factors such as relaxation techniques and coping mechanisms could further improve our knowledge and evaluate treatment possibilities.

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The impact of technological and non-technological innovations on export intensity in SMEs

Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development ◽

10.1108/jsbed-08-2018-0259 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

pp. 612-638 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Dragana Radicic ◽

Khurshid Djalilov

Keyword(s):

Firm Size ◽

Public Support ◽

Sunk Costs ◽

Technological Innovations ◽

Direct Test ◽

Export Intensity ◽

Data Set ◽

Content Type ◽

The Impact ◽

Medium Firms

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how both technological and non-technological innovations influence export intensity in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In addition, the authors report results for each firm-size category of micro-, small and medium firms, and thus reflect SME heterogeneity. Design/methodology/approach The research methodology is based on the analysis of the Eurobarometer 2014 data set from 28 EU Member States, Switzerland and the USA covering the period 2011–2014. To statistically test the three defined research hypotheses on individual and joint effects of both types of innovation, a multiple treatment model was estimated. The advantage of this empirical strategy is that it takes into account the endogeneity of both technological and non-technological innovations. Moreover, the authors employ the production approach or the direct test of complementarity between technological and non-technological innovations. Findings Empirical findings indicate that technological innovations positively affect export intensity in small and medium firms, whereas non-technological innovations exert no influence on export intensity, regardless of the firm size. Moreover, the results from the direct test suggest no evidence of the complementary effects of technological and non-technological innovation on export intensity. Research limitations/implications The authors infer that SMEs would benefit more from public support targeting both exports and innovations than micro-firms, as the sunk costs of exports are too high for the latter. However, public support aimed at reducing fixed costs of exports could be particularly beneficial for micro-firms. Originality/value The research fills a literature gap on the joint impact of technological and non-technological innovations on export intensity while taking into account the endogeneity of innovation activities and SME heterogeneity.

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The Impact of Pre-Slaughter Stress on Beef Eating Quality

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9090612 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 612 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kate M.W. Loudon ◽

Garth Tarr ◽

Ian J. Lean ◽

Rod Polkinghorne ◽

Peter McGilchrist ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Stress ◽

Rest Period ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Road Transport ◽

Eating Quality ◽

Sensory Score ◽

Muscle Groups ◽

Enzyme Markers ◽

Mixed Groups ◽

The Impact

The study evaluated the relationship between pre-slaughter stress, plasma biomarkers and consumer-evaluated eating quality of pasture raised beef cattle (n = 488). The design tested steer only, heifer only and mixed sex cattle with a comparison of direct kill versus a 14 day rest period in abattoir holding paddocks prior to slaughter. Experiment One sourced cattle from four farms and tested shipping and road transport. Experiment Two sourced cattle from four farms and tested a commercial saleyard pathway. The impact on treatment on untrained consumer eating quality scores were tested on five muscle groups, m. psoas major, m. longissimus dorsi lumborum, m. biceps femoris, m. semitendinosis, and m. infraspinatus. Across all muscles, a two-week rest period had the biggest improvement in sensory score. Mixed groups scored lower in the outside muscle than non-mixed groups. However, the mixing response was inconsistent in the eye round muscle and not significant in the other muscles. Plasma glucose and L-lactate indicated a marked acute stress response at slaughter with a small detrimental impact on consumer score. The muscle damage enzyme markers creatine kinase (CK) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were strongly associated with a lower meat quality score (MQ4). Neither β-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) nor non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) were associated with MQ4, suggesting that fat mobilisation does not impact consumer sensory score.

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‘I just rolled up my sleeves’: Mothers’ perspectives on raising girls on the autism spectrum

Autism ◽

10.1177/1362361320956876 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 136236132095687

Author(s):

Karen Fowler ◽

Cliodhna O’Connor

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Parental Stress ◽

Acute Stress ◽

Social Stigma ◽

Personal Characteristics ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Autism Diagnosis ◽

The Everyday ◽

Everyday Experiences ◽

The Impact

Little previous research has elucidated the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. This study used qualitative in-depth interviews to explore mothers’ experiences of the diagnosis, presentation and impact of caring for a daughter with autism. Nineteen women with autistic daughters (aged between 7 and 18) participated in the research, which took place in Ireland. Thematic analysis identified six themes: What’s Going On?; Road to Acceptance; Beyond the Stigma of Autism; Autism: Like a Girl; Mothers Holding It All Together; and Mothers Roll Up Their Sleeves. The analysis suggests that the path of autism in girls in Ireland is marked by diagnostic delays, social stigma, interpersonal difficulties, mental health comorbidities and parental stress. However, these challenges were offset by the resilience of mothers, buttressed by pride in their daughters and support from other women. Results will inform the development of policy and practice that is sensitive to the lived realities of autistic girls and their families. Lay abstract Autism in boys has been well researched but very little is known about the everyday experiences of autistic girls or their families. Mothers’ views and insights can be very helpful in increasing knowledge around the unique demands of raising a daughter with autism. This study conducted interviews with Irish mothers to examine their own experiences regarding (a) getting an autism diagnosis for their daughter, (b) their daughters’ personal characteristics and (c) the impact of caring for a daughter with autism. The study suggests that the route to an autism diagnosis for girls in Ireland is made more difficult by delays and missed diagnoses, and often followed by inadequate supports. Mothers described autistic girls as presenting with social challenges and mental health difficulties. Many mothers experienced judgement from other parents and family members, acute stress and mental health struggles. However, these challenges were offset by mothers’ resilience, pride in their daughters and support from other women. The findings of this study highlight the importance of specific support for autistic girls and their families.

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