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Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-02-02

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2015-01-13

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Integrating Basic Research With Prevention/Intervention To Reduce Risky Substance Use Among College Students, Danielle M. Dick, Linda C. Hancock

Psychiatry Publications

Too often basic research on etiological processes that contribute to substance use outcomes is disconnected from efforts to develop prevention and intervention programming. Substance use on college campuses is an area of concern where translational efforts that bring together basic scientists and prevention/intervention practitioners have potential for high impact. We describe an effort at a large, public, urban university in the United States to bring together researchers across the campus with expertise in college behavioral health with university administration and health/wellness practitioners to address college student substance use and mental health. The project “Spit for Science” examines how genetic and …

Randomized Controlled Expressive Writing Pilot In Individuals With Parkinson’S Disease And Their Caregivers, Therese Verkerke Cash, Sarah K. Lageman

Psychology Publications

Background

Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and their caregivers are at risk for emotional distress and hypercortisolism. Expressive writing is an effective complementary intervention to ameliorate the psychological and physiological effects of chronic illness. This pilot study aimed to evaluate feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an expressive writing intervention for individuals with PD and their caregivers.

Methods

Individuals with PD (N = 27) and their caregivers (N = 14) were randomly assigned to expressive (N = 15 patients, eight caregivers) or neutral (N = 12 patients, six caregivers) writing conditions. Cortisol awakening response (CAR), non-motor functioning, …

Stress Reactivity To An Electronic Version Of The Trier Social Stress Test: A Pilot Study, Sage E. Hawn, Lisa Paul, Suzanne Thomas, Stephanie Miller, Ananda B. Amstadter

Psychiatry Publications

Social stressors that rely on the inclusion of confederates (i.e., Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) are often used in clinical laboratory research paradigms to elicit a measurable stress response in participants. Although effective, the TSST is labor intensive and may introduce error variance as a function of confederate race, gender, and/or response characteristics. The present study aimed to develop and validate an electronic version of the TSST (e-TSST). The primary aim was to compare the e-TSST to an e-neutral control condition; the exploratory aim was to compare the magnitude of stress response elicited by the e-TSST to that elicited by …

Distmix: Direct Imputation Of Summary Statistics For Unmeasured Snps From Mixed Ethnicity Cohorts, Donghyun Lee, T. Bernard Bigdeli, Vernell S. Williamson, Vladimir I. Vladimirov, Brien P. Riley, Ayman H. Fanous, Silviu-Alin Bacanu

Psychiatry Publications

Motivation: To increase the signal resolution for large-scale meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies, genotypes at unmeasured single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are commonly imputed using large multi-ethnic reference panels. However, the ever increasing size and ethnic diversity of both reference panels and cohorts makes genotype imputation computationally challenging for moderately sized computer clusters. Moreover, genotype imputation requires subject-level genetic data, which unlike summary statistics provided by virtually all studies, is not publicly available. While there are much less demanding methods which avoid the genotype imputation step by directly imputing SNP statistics, e.g. Directly Imputing summary STatistics (DIST) proposed …

Stress Reactivity To An Electronic Version Of The Trier Social Stress Test: A Pilot Study, Sage E. Hawn, Lisa Paul, Suzanne Thomas, Stephanie Miller, Ananda B. Amstadler

Psychiatry Publications

Social stressors that rely on the inclusion of confederates (i.e., Trier Social Stress Test, TSST) are often used in clinical laboratory research paradigms to elicit a measurable stress response in participants. Although effective, the TSST is labor intensive and may introduce error variance as a function of confederate race, gender, and/or response characteristics. The present study aimed to develop and validate an electronic version of the TSST (e-TSST). The primary aim was to compare the e-TSST to an e-neutral control condition; the exploratory aim was to compare the magnitude of stress response elicited by the e-TSST to that elicited by …

Genetic Network Properties Of The Human Cortex Based On Regional Thickness And Surface Area Measures, Anna R. Docherty, Chelsea K. Sawyers, Matthew S. Panizzon, Michael C. Neale, Lisa T. Eyler, Christine Fennema-Notestine, Carol E. Franz, Chi-Hua Chen, Linda K. Mcevoy, Brad Verhulst, Ming T. Tsuang, William S. Kremen

Psychiatry Publications

We examined network properties of genetic covariance between average cortical thickness (CT) and surface area (SA) within genetically-identified cortical parcellations that we previously derived from human cortical genetic maps using vertex-wise fuzzy clustering analysis with high spatial resolution. There were 24 hierarchical parcellations based on vertex-wise CT and 24 based on vertex-wise SA expansion/contraction; in both cases the 12 parcellations per hemisphere were largely symmetrical. We utilized three techniques—biometrical genetic modeling, cluster analysis, and graph theory—to examine genetic relationships and network properties within and between the 48 parcellation measures. Biometrical modeling indicated significant shared genetic covariance between size of several …

Drikung Dharma Surya: "A Trip To The Temple", Rachel Friske

RELS 108 Human Spirituality: Student Perspectives

Student perspectives on worship services from Instructor Jennifer Garvin-Sanchez's Religious Studies 108 Human Spirituality course at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Validity Of Conscientiousness Is Overestimated In The Prediction Of Job Performance, Sven Kepes, Michael A. Mcdaniel

Management and Entrepreneurship Publications

Introduction Sensitivity analyses refer to investigations of the degree to which the results of a meta-analysis remain stable when conditions of the data or the analysis change. To the extent that results remain stable, one can refer to them as robust. Sensitivity analyses are rarely conducted in the organizational science literature. Despite conscientiousness being a valued predictor in employment selection, sensitivity analyses have not been conducted with respect to meta-analytic estimates of the correlation (i.e., validity) between conscientiousness and job performance.

Methods To address this deficiency, we reanalyzed the largest collection of conscientiousness validity data in the personnel selection literature …

Inhibitory Behavioral Control: A Stochastic Dynamic Causal Modeling Study Comparing Cocaine Dependent Subjects And Controls, Liangsuo Ma, Joel L. Steinberg, Kathryn A. Cunningham, Scott D. Lane, James M. Bjork, Harshini Neelakantan, Amanda E. Price, Ponnada A. Narayana, Thomas R. Kosten, Antoine Bechara, F. Gerard Moeller

Radiology Publications

Cocaine dependence is associated with increased impulsivity in humans. Both cocaine dependence and impulsive behavior are under the regulatory control of cortico-striatal networks. One behavioral laboratory measure of impulsivity is response inhibition (ability to withhold a prepotent response) in which altered patterns of regional brain activation during executive tasks in service of normal performance are frequently found in cocaine dependent (CD) subjects studied with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, little is known about aberrations in specific directional neuronal connectivity in CD subjects. The present study employed fMRI-based dynamic causal modeling (DCM) to study the effective (directional) neuronal connectivity associated …

Hispanic Subgroups, Acculturation, And Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes, Karen G. Chartier, Tom Carmody, Maleeha Akhtar, Mary B. Stebbins, Scott T. Walters, Diane Warden

Social Work Publications

This study explored Hispanic subgroup differences in substance use treatment outcomes, and the relationship of acculturation characteristics to these outcomes. Data were from a multisite randomized clinical trial of motivational enhancement therapy versus treatment as usual in a sample of Spanish-speaking substance abusers. Participants were Cuban American (n = 34), Mexican American (n = 209), Puerto Rican (n = 78), and other Hispanic American (n = 54). Results suggested that Cuban Americans and individuals with more connection to Hispanic culture had lower treatment retention. Hispanics born in the U.S and those who spoke English at home …

Comorbidities And Race/Ethnicity Among Adults With Stimulant Use Disorders In Residential Treatment, Katherine Sanchez, Karen G. Chartier, Tracy L. Greer, Robrina Walker, Thomas Carmody, Chad D. Rethorst

Social Work Publications

Comorbid physical and mental health problems are associated with poorer substance abuse treatment outcomes; however, little is known about these conditions among stimulant abusers at treatment entry. This study compared racial and ethnic groups on baseline measures of drug use patterns, comorbid physical and mental health disorders, quality of life, and daily functioning among cocaine and stimulant abusing/dependent patients. Baseline data from a multi-site randomized clinical trial of vigorous exercise as a treatment strategy for a diverse population of stimulant abusers (N = 290) were analyzed. Significant differences between groups were found on drug use characteristics, stimulant use disorders, …

Successful Management Of Barth Syndrome: A Systematic Review Highlighting The Importance Of A Flexible And Multidisciplinary Approach, Stacey E. Reynolds

Occupational Therapy Publications

This review describes and summarizes the available evidence related to the treatment and management of Barth syndrome. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards were used to identify articles published between December 2004 and January 2015. The Cochrane Population, Intervention, Control, Outcome, Study Design (PICOS) approach was used to guide the article selection and evaluation process. Of the 128 articles screened, 28 articles matched the systematic review inclusion criteria. The results of this review indicate the need for a flexible and multidisciplinary approach to manage the symptoms most commonly associated with Barth syndrome. It is recommended …

Medical Literary Messenger (Vol. 2, No. 2, Spring 2015)

Medical Literary Messenger

Briars / Laura Apol -- Something’s Missing Here / John M. Trumbo -- Diagnosis / Tzivia Gover -- Distance / Priscilla Frake -- Body and Blood / Peter Schmitt -- Anything But Superior Medicine / Julia Hones -- Trading Qintars for Qiviuts in Qatar / Peter Schmitt -- What We Tell Ourselves / Jennifer Campbell -- Did I Register? / Ann Silverthorn -- The Color of Voice / Carol J. Jennings -- Death Wish / Carol LaChapelle -- Dementia Unit Visit / Theresa Wyatt -- what they talk about before their meds kick in / Laurence Carr -- On Learning …

Integrating Mrna And Mirna Weighted Gene Co-Expression Networks With Eqtls In The Nucleus Accumbens Of Subjects With Alcohol Dependence, Mohammed Mamdani, Vernell Williamson, Gowon O. Mcmichael, Tana Blevins, Fazil Aliev, Amy Adkins, Laura Hack, Tim Bigdeli, Andrew D. Van Der Vaart, Bradley Todd Webb, Silviu-Alin Bacanu, Gursharan Kalsi, Coga Consortium, Kenneth S. Kendler, Michael F. Miles, Danielle Dick, Brien P. Riley, Catherine Dumur, Vladimir I. Vladimirov

Psychiatry Publications

Alcohol consumption is known to lead to gene expression changes in the brain. After performing weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA) on genome-wide mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) of subjects with alcohol dependence (AD; N = 18) and of matched controls (N = 18), six mRNA and three miRNA modules significantly correlated with AD were identified (Bonferoni-adj. p≤ 0.05). Cell-type-specific transcriptome analyses revealed two of the mRNA modules to be enriched for neuronal specific marker genes and downregulated in AD, whereas the remaining four mRNA modules were enriched for astrocyte and microglial specific marker genes and …

Integrating Mrna And Mirna Weighted Gene Co-Expression Networks With Eqtls In The Nucleus Accumbens Of Subjects With Alcohol Dependence, Mohammed Mamdani, Vernell Williamson, Gowon O. Mcmichael, Tana Blevins, Fazil Aliev, Amy Adkins, Laura Hack, Tim Bigdeli, Andrew D. Van Der Vaart, Bradley Todd Web, Silviu-Alin Bacanu, Gursharan Kalsi, Coga Consortium, Kenneth S. Kendler, Michael F. Miles, Danielle Dick, Brien P. Riley, Catherine Dumur, Vladimir I. Vladimirov

Psychiatry Publications

Alcohol consumption is known to lead to gene expression changes in the brain. After performing weighted gene co-expression network analyses (WGCNA) on genome-wide mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) expression in Nucleus Accumbens (NAc) of subjects with alcohol dependence (AD; N = 18) and of matched controls (N = 18), six mRNA and three miRNA modules significantly correlated with AD were identified (Bonferoni-adj. p≤ 0.05). Cell-type-specific transcriptome analyses revealed two of the mRNA modules to be enriched for neuronal specific marker genes and downregulated in AD, whereas the remaining four mRNA modules were enriched for astrocyte and microglial specific marker genes and …

A Device For The Objective Assessment Of Adhd Using Eye Movements, Ankita Dosaj, Jefferson Overlin, Cassie Turnage

Capstone Design Expo Posters

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a commonly diagnosed psychiatric disorder characterized by lack of focus, self-control,and hyperactivity. ADHD is difficult to diagnose without extensive observation by an expert, and even then is often misdiagnosed. Current methods of pediatric diagnosis rely on subjective measures of activity and behavior relative to other children [3]. Proper diagnosis is critical in preventing unnecessary prescription of the powerful, habit-forming nature of the drugs used to manage ADHD, such as Adderall and Ritalin [1][5]. Research has shown that patients with ADHD show abnormalities in reading tests and antisaccade tests, as these tests gauge ability to …

Il-4 Inhibits Il-1Β-Induced Depressive-Like Behavior And Central Neurotransmitter Alterations, Hyun-Jung Park, Hyun-Soo Shim, Kyungeh An, Angela Starkweather, Kyung Soo Kim, Insop Shim

School of Nursing Publications

It has been known that activation of the central innate immune system or exposure to stress can disrupt balance of anti-/proinflammatory cytokines. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in the modulation of depressive-like behaviors, the hormonal and neurotransmitter systems in rats. We investigated whether centrally administered IL-1β is associated with activation of CNS inflammatory pathways and behavioral changes and whether treatment with IL-4 could modulate IL-1β-induced depressive-like behaviors and central neurotransmitter systems. Infusion of IL-4 significantly decreased IL-1β-induced anhedonic responses and increased social exploration and …

Virginia Commonwealth University Volunteer Doula Program Training Manual, Kathleen M. Bell, Susan L. Linder

School of Nursing Publications

A birth doula is a specially trained birth assistant who provides emotional, psychological and physical support and care to a pregnant and/or laboring woman. In providing this care, the doula helps the laboring woman and her support person achieve their most optimal birth experience. This is typically an unmedicated birth; however, doulas may attend any birth and be of profound assistance and comfort.

This curriculum was written specifically for nursing students who are being trained as lay doulas. Unique in its approach and delivery, the curriculum is written with the nursing student in mind; particularly a student who has already …

Description And Pilot Evaluation Of The Metabolic Irregularities Narrowing Down Device Software: A Case Analysis Of Physician Programming, Markos G. Kashiouris, Miloš Miljković, Vitaly Herasevich, Andrew D. Goldberg, Charles Albrecht, Iii

Internal Medicine Publications

Background: There is a gap between the abilities and the everyday applications of Computerized Decision Support Systems (CDSSs). This gap is further exacerbated by the different ‘worlds’ between the software designers and the clinician end-users. Software programmers often lack clinical experience whereas practicing physicians lack skills in design and engineering.

Objective: Our primary objective was to evaluate the performance of Metabolic Irregularities Narrowing down Device (MIND) intelligent medical calculator and differential diagnosis software through end-user surveys and discuss the roles of CDSS in the inpatient setting.

Setting: A tertiary care, teaching community hospital.

Study participants: Thirty-one …

Perceived Stress Levels, Chemotherapy, Radiation Treatment And Tumor Characteristics Are Associated With A Persistent Increased Frequency Of Somatic Chromosomal Instability In Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer: A One Year Longitudinal Study, Noran Aboalela, Debra E. Lyon, R. K. Elswick Jr., Debra Lynch Kelly, Jenni Brumelle, Harry D. Bear, Colleen Jackson-Cook

VCU Health Publications

While advances in therapeutic approaches have resulted in improved survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer, subsets of these survivors develop persistent psychoneurological symptoms (fatigue, depression/anxiety, cognitive dysfunction) that compromise their quality of life. The biological basis for these persistent symptoms is unclear, but could reflect the acquisition of soma-wide chromosomal instability following the multiple biological/psychological exposures associated with the diagnosis/treatment of breast cancer. An essential first step toward testing this hypothesis is to determine if these cancer-related exposures are indeed associated with somatic chromosomal instability frequencies. Towards this end, we longitudinally studied 71 women (ages 23-71) with early-stage …

“I Am Not Free While [Anyone] Is Unfree”: A Proposal And Framework For Enmarginalized Feminist Policy Analysis, Avina Ross

Social Work Student Works

This paper introduces a new feminist approach and framework to policy analysis. As an integration of intersectionality, Black feminist thought and endarkened feminist epistemology, enmarginalized feminist policy analysis (EFPA) offers an intersectional and flexible scope in a framework to assess policy for a diversity of populations, focusing on groups who are forced to live marginal and oppressed lives. Discussion is provided on existing approaches and frameworks in addition to an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of EFPA. A nine-component framework, which includes a section for analyst reflexivity, is provided to guide users in conducting EFPA. The author concludes with implications …

Available Telephone Services For Older Virginians Who Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing, Clayton E. Bowen

Case Studies from Age in Action

Educational Objectives:

1. To identify signs of hearing loss in older adults.

2. To introduce the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) and some of its programs and services.

3. To examine three VDDHH services and qualification guidelines.

4. To review how service recipients benefit from these programs.

Perceived Stress Levels, Chemotherapy, Radiation Treatment And Tumor Characteristics Are Associated With A Persistent Increased Frequency Of Somatic Chromosomal Instability In Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer: A One Year Longitudinal Study, Noran Aboalela, Debra E. Lyon, R. K. Elswick Jr., Debra Lynch Kelly, Jenni Brumelle, Harry D. Bear, Colleen Jackson-Cook

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

While advances in therapeutic approaches have resulted in improved survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer, subsets of these survivors develop persistent psychoneurological symptoms (fatigue, depression/anxiety, cognitive dysfunction) that compromise their quality of life. The biological basis for these persistent symptoms is unclear, but could reflect the acquisition of soma-wide chromosomal instability following the multiple biological/psychological exposures associated with the diagnosis/treatment of breast cancer. An essential first step toward testing this hypothesis is to determine if these cancer-related exposures are indeed associated with somatic chromosomal instability frequencies. Towards this end, we longitudinally studied 71 women (ages 23-71) with early-stage …

Genetic Risks To Nicotine Dependence Predict Negative Mood And Affect In Current Non-Smokers, Xiangning Chen, Steven H. Aggen, Jingchun Chen, Lingxi Li, Kenneth S. Kendler, Melissa Blank, Thomas Eissenberg

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

Nicotine is the psychoactive agent involved in nicotine dependence. However, nicotine as a drug, and its effects on human psychology are largely under-investigated in genetic studies. In this study, we recruited 208 current non-smokers to evaluate the effect of nicotine and its relationship to genetic risks to nicotine dependence. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as measurement invariance testing, were conducted to evaluate the latent factor structures of the POMS, PANAS and DEN questionnaires across 3 nicotine doses. Structural models were used to examine the effects of nicotine and their relationship to genetic risks of nicotine dependence. We found …

Perceived Stress Levels, Chemotherapy, Radiation Treatment And Tumor Characteristics Are Associated With A Persistent Increased Frequency Of Somatic Chromosomal Instability In Women Diagnosed With Breast Cancer: A One Year Longitudinal Study, Noran Aboalela, Debra E. Lyon, R. K. Elswick Jr., Debra Lynch Kelly, Jenni Brumelle, Harry D. Bear, Colleen Jackson-Cook

Human and Molecular Genetics Publications

While advances in therapeutic approaches have resulted in improved survival rates for women diagnosed with breast cancer, subsets of these survivors develop persistent psychoneurological symptoms (fatigue, depression/anxiety, cognitive dysfunction) that compromise their quality of life. The biological basis for these persistent symptoms is unclear, but could reflect the acquisition of soma-wide chromosomal instability following the multiple biological/psychological exposures associated with the diagnosis/treatment of breast cancer. An essential first step toward testing this hypothesis is to determine if these cancer-related exposures are indeed associated with somatic chromosomal instability frequencies. Towards this end, we longitudinally studied 71 women (ages 23-71) with early-stage …

Sex And Sexual Orientation Disparities In Adverse Childhood Experiences And Early Age At Sexual Debut In The United States: Results From A Nationally Representative Sample, Monique J. Brown, Saba W. Masho, Robert A. Perera, Briana Mezuk, Steven A. Cohen

Family Medicine and Population Health Publications

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked to early sexual debut, which has been found to be associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. Sexual minorities and men tend to have earlier sexual debut compared to heterosexual populations and women, respectively. However, studies examining the association between ACEs and early sexual debut among men and sexual minorities are lacking. The aim of this study was to examine the sex and sexual orientation disparities in the association between ACEs and age at sexual debut. Data were obtained from Wave 2 of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Logistic and …

Suicide Risk In Nursing Homes And Assisted Living Facilities: 2003–2011, Brianna Mezuk, Matthew Lohman, Marc Leslie, Virginia Powell

Family Medicine and Population Health Publications

Objectives

We investigated the epidemiology of suicide among adults aged 50 years and older in nursing homes and assisted living facilities and whether anticipating transitioning into long-term care (LTC) is a risk factor for suicide.

Methods

Data come from the Virginia Violent Death Reporting System (2003–2011). We matched locations of suicides (n = 3453) against publicly available resource registries of nursing homes (n = 285) and assisted living facilities (n = 548). We examined individual and organizational correlates of suicide by logistic regression. We identified decedents anticipating entry into LTC through qualitative text analysis.

Results

Incidence of suicide was 14.16 …