Biomedical subjects

D Dalbokova

Publications and source records attributed to D Dalbokova.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1990

Amplitude variations in P300 component due to unpredictable stepwise change of stimulus probability.

The present study investigates whether the amplitude of the P300 in 'normal' subjects adapts to unexpected changes in global stimulus probability. The adaptation level (AL) metrics (in terms of Helson's [1964] theory) was applied to explain the variations in the P300 amplitude. In an oddball paradigm the probability of the deviant tone (target 1000 Hz, 80 dB, 50 ms) occurring randomly in a train of standard ones (non-target 1100 Hz, 80 dB, 50 ms) was changed in a stepwise way from 0.5 to 0.3 and then to 0.1 in 3 blocks without interruption of the stimulus presentation. Two experiments were performed. In the first one the subjects did not receive any prior information about the changes in the stimulus probability, whereas in the second experiment they were aware of such changes. The task always required the subject to silently count the deviants. EEG was recorded monopolarly from Fz, Cz and Pz in a total of 15 subjects. The block averaged P300 increased monotonically with probability, the increase being larger in Expt. II. In contrast to the block averaged P300, the variations in the P300 amplitude following the abrupt change in probability showed a non-linear dependency. On the basis of the AL a simulation of the time course of the P300 variations with probability was performed and a clear similarity between the simulated P300 and the experimental data was found. Some properties of the AL model are discussed.

Acoustic Stimulation↗

PubMed1989

[Epidemiological studies of the effect of organophosphate pesticides on health].

The subject of study are agricultural workers applying organophosphorus and other pesticides in an area with intensive agriculture and a control group from the same area having no professional contact with pesticides. The studies include: personal and professional anamnesis, a battery of neurobehavioral tests, electroneuromyography, evoked potentials, neurological status, internal status, hematological tests, liver enzymes, variability of the heart rhythm. The level of the exposure is assessed by: measuring the concentration of PhO compounds in the air of the work environment and deposit on the skin. The biological monitoring is carried out by measuring the level of the cholinesterase activity in serum and erythrocytes, neuropathy target esterase in lymphocytes and alkylphosphates in urine. The tests are performed before and after the active season of spraying. The results from the studies show that at continuous exposure to low concentrations of organophosphorus compounds, applicated in agriculture, no significant health disorders occur. Specific deviations are observed after the season of spraying in the neuro-behavioural tests as increasing the number of incorrectly put dots in the Aiming test, the time of reaction and evoked potentials. The interpretation of the results is impeded because of the large number of interfering factors and considerable quantity of alcohol.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Selective attention in the presence of music: an event-related potentials (ERP) study.

The present study was aimed at investigating selective attention in the presence of music as expressed by ERPs. The experiments were performed with 7 subjects. A two-channel auditory frequency discrimination task (target - 1000 Hz, standard - 1550 Hz tones) in a dichotic listening environment was employed. The EEG was recorded from Fz, Cz, Pz, C3 and C4. The EOG and performance data were also collected. A smaller and delayed N1 amplitude as well as changes in the two components of the processing negativity in the presence of music were found. N2 and P3 components only delay with music was observed. The changes in the level of performance were not significant.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Stress states in nuclear operators under conditions of shiftwork.

This study examined the stress states experienced by nuclear power operators at work under an existing shift system, time-on-shift effects and the manner in which these states may be moderated by achievement motivation and a sense of coherence. The results show an incidence of stress states during evening shifts and night-shifts in the operators, which are primarily characterized by increased distraction as well as by enhanced sleepiness and low irritability. The night-shift was found to be the most problematic one in terms of increased sleepiness and distractibility, and reduced alertness. An abrupt fall in alertness during the evening shift and a considerably increased distractibility at its end was observed. These facts, as well as the lack of recuperation from daily domestic activities and caring for children at the start of the shift, suggest that besides the night duty, the evening one also constitutes a serious challenge to operational safety at this nuclear facility. Correlations found between personality characteristics and sleepiness, distractibility and irritability, indicate personal resources as important modifiers of stress states. A narrowing in the effects of motivation and sense of coherence was found in the evening shifts and night-shifts. The results have practical implications for intentional modifications of personal resources at nuclear facilities.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Mental capacity changes in school teachers.

The aim of the present study was to compare the mental capacity changes in school teachers, depending on age and type of school. 120 teachers drawn from the secondary and technical schools of Sofia were divided into two groups of younger (mean 31.5 yrs) and older (mean 47.5 yrs) age. They were given two monotonous visual tasks, which differed in complexity: of discrimination and of categorization. The behavioral measures of performance revealed lower efficiency in categorization due mostly to the so-called "premature" or "impulsive" reactions. Significant positive correlations were found between age and within-individual variability of reaction time, suggesting an earlier onset of the aging processes in the investigated population. The decrease in performance efficiency which was age-related was most expressed in the secondary school teachers. It was concluded that the changes of mental capacity can be regarded as an indirect indicator of the occupational stress of the school teachers.

Adult↗