Adult Age Differences in Using Information From the Eyes and Mouth to Make Decisions About Others' Emotions.

OBJECTIVES: Older adults are often less accurate than younger counterparts at identifying emotions such as anger, sadness, and fear from faces. They also look less at the eyes and more at the mouth during emotion perception. The current studies advance understanding of the nature of these age effects on emotional processing. METHODS: Younger and older participants identified emotions from pictures of eyes or mouths (Experiment 1) and incongruent mouth-eyes emotion combinations (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, participants categorized emotions from pictures in which face masks covered the mouth region. RESULTS: Older adults were worse than young at identifying anger and sadness from eyes, but better at identifying the same emotions from the mouth region (Experiment 1) and they were more likely than young to use information from the mouth to classify anger, fear, and disgust (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3, face masks impaired perception of anger, sadness, and fear more for older compared to younger adults. DISCUSSION: These studies indicate that older people are more able than young to interpret emotional information from the mouth, they are more biased to use information from the mouth, and suffer more difficulty in emotion perception when the mouth is covered with a face mask. This has implications for social communication in different age groups.

Assessment of individual dose equivalents Hp(0.07) of medical staff occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in 2012.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the Nofer Institutes of Occupational Medicine in Lódz's results of the assessment of individual dose equivalents Hp(0.07) of medical staff exposed to X-rays in Poland in 2012. In addition, the collected data was analysed in terms of types of medical units performing medical procedures and the categorization of personnel. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Dosimetric service was provided for medical staff of interventional radiology departments occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in terms of individual dose equivalents Hp(0.07). In 2012, personal dosimetry Hp(0.07) determinations were performed by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz and covered 2044 employees from 174 health facilities. The determinations were performed using thermoluminescence dosimetry according to the procedure accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (document number AB 327). The measurements were performed using ring-dosimeters in the periods of 1 or 2 months. RESULTS: Mean annual individual dose equivalent Hp(0.07) in 2012 was equal to 3.3 mSv (annual limit for Hp(0.07) is 500 mSv). The average value of annual individual dose equivalent Hp(0.07) decreased comparing to the previous year. In 2012, no single case of exceeding the annual limit for Hp(0.07) was reported. Data stored in the file indicates that more than 96% of all of the annual doses did not exceed the level of 10 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of data on occupational exposure to ionizing radiation confirms a stable level of exposure and satisfactory radiological protection in interventional radiology facilities monitored by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz in Poland in 2012.

[Measurement of personal dose equivalent of X and gamma radiation by ring dosimeter: results of intercomparison measurements]. / Pomiar indywidualnego równowaznika dawki promieniowania X i gamma za pomoca dozymetru pierscionkowego--wyniki porównan miedzylaboratoryjnych.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to present the results of the interlaboratory comparisons for ring dosimeters and to confirm that the applied method is suitable for measuring the personal dose equivalent H(p)(0.07). In addition, calibration procedures used in dosimetric measurements in persons occupationally exposed to ionizing photon radiation X and gamma were presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ring dosimeters made of flexible plastics with the diameter of approximately 20 mm, equipped with two thermoluminescence (TL) detectors type MTS-N, were the subject of interlaboratory comparisons. Irradiated detectors were red out using a new manual TLD's reader (FIMEL, France). All TLD exposures were done for validation of TLD readers and were performed using the reference X-ray and gamma beams with the ISO rod phantom. The methodology of performed exposures corresponded with the methods applied by the European Radiation Dosimetry Group (EURADOS), the European organizer ofinterlaboratory comparisons. RESULTS: The energy, dose and angular characteristics of the ring dosimeter allowed to elaborate the formula for estimating and verifying the personal dose equivalent H(p)(0.07). The test was performed to check and confirm the correctness of the estimated characteristics. The test results were satisfactory, and thus the readiness to implement TLD reader in the used method and to participate in interlaboratory comparisons was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: According to the requirements of the Polish Centre for Accreditation, the laboratory was participating in the interlaboratory comparison organized by EURADOS in terms of the personal dose equivalent H(p)(0.07). The result of the comparison was satisfactory, therefore the correctness of the testing procedure was confirmed.

Personal dose equivalent Hp(0.07) of medical personnel occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation during 2001-2011.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the results of the determinations of the personal dose equivalent Hp(0.07) received by medical employees of interventional radiology departments occupationally exposed to X and gamma rays in Poland in 2011, performed by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz. The results were compared with the data collected during the last decade. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dosimetric service provided for medical employees of interventional radiology departments occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in terms of the personal dose equivalent Hp(0.07). In 2011, personal dosimetry Hp(0.07) determinations performed by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz covered 2017 workers employed in 159 medical laboratories. The determinations were performed using ring dosimeters equipped with thermoluminescence detectors according to the procedure accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation (document number AB 327). The determinations were carried out in one or two-month periods. RESULTS: Mean annual personal dose equivalent Hp(0.07) in 2011 was equal to 4.9 mSv (annual limit for Hp(0.07) is 500 mSv). The mean annual doses of Hp(0.07) varied from 7.6 mSv in 2001 to 5.6 mSv in 2010. In 2011, two cases of exceeding the annual dose limit of Hp(0.07) were reported. The results show that more than 95% of all examined annual doses did not exceed the level of 10 mSv. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison of the average annual doses and detailed distributions of the doses during the last few years suggests a stabilized level of occupational exposure and an acceptable level of radiological protection in interventional radiology departments monitored by NIOM in Lódz.

[Occupational exposure to X and gamma rays in Poland based on the present and past results (Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine data]. / Ocena wielkosci dawek efektywnych u osób narazonych zawodowo na promieniowanie rentgenowskie i gamma w Polsce obecnie i w przeszlosci (wedlug danych Instytutu Medycyny Pracy im. Nofera).

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the results of the assessment of effective doses received by people occupationally exposed to X and gamma rays in Poland in 2011 provided by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lodz. The results were compared with the data collected between 1966-2010. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The dosimetric service was provided for people occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation in terms of personal dose equivalent Hp(10). In 2011 the Institute's program of individual dosimetry Hp(10) covered more than 28 000 workers in 4007 laboratories (mainly of health service departments). The measurements were carried out using the film method, according to the research procedure (number AB 327) accredited by the Polish Centre for Accreditation. RESULTS: In 2011 the average annual dose Hp(10) was equal to 0.5 mSv (annual limit for Hp(10) is equal to 20 mSv), which maintained at the approximate level of about 0.5 mSv for the last ten years. At present, more than 99% of annual doses do not exceed 5% of the annual level i.e. the level of 1 mSv. Only one case of exceeding the annual limit was recorded in 2011. CONCLUSIONS: The comparison between the 2011 data on the workers ( mostly health service workers) occupationally exposed to X and gamma rays and the data collected in the previous years indicates a satisfactory level of radiation protection in Poland.

[Occupational exposureto X and gamma rays in Poland in 2010]. / Ocena narazenia zawodowego na promieniowanie rentgenowskie i gamma w Polsce w roku 2010.

BACKGROUND: The paper presents the results of the measurements of ionizing radiation doses received by people occupationally exposed to X and y rays in Poland 2010 provided by the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The personal dose equivalent Hp(10) measurements were performed using the film method while the Hp(0.07) measurements using ring dosimeters with TL detectors according to the accreditation procedures (No. AB327). The measurements were carried out over two-month periods for Hp(10) and over one- or two-month periods for Hp(0.07). RESULTS: In 2010 the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lodz covered more than 27,000 workers with individual whole body dosimetry Hp(10) in 3808 laboratories and 1800 workers with hands dosimetry Hp(0.07) in 152 laboratories. Mean annual dose Hp(10) was 0.5 mSv (annual limit for Hp(10) equals 20 mSv), whereas for Hp(0.07) was 5.6 mSv (annual limit for Hp(0.07) equals 500 mSv). CONCLUSIONS: In 2010, doses higher than the annual limit for both Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) were not recorded. The collected data confirm that the radiation protection of people occupationally exposed to X and gamma rays is satisfactory in Poland.

[Wellens's syndrome -- the ominous T-waves]. / Zespól Wellensa -- grozne oblicze zalamków T.

We describe three patients with Wellens's syndrome: biphasic T-waves or deeply inverted T-waves in the precordial leads plus a history of acute coronary syndrome without serum marker abnormalities. Wellens's syndrome is due to critical stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery and there is a high risk for anterior wall myocardial infarction and/or sudden cardiac death within a few weeks. Early coronary angiography with subsequent PCI or CABG should be performed in these patients. The T-wave changes usually occur during a pain-free interval but resolve within 12 months after revascularisation.