Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Field Testing Adolescent Females For Cardiovascular Disease Risk, C. Brahler, Wesley Stephens, Betsy Donahoe Fillmore

C. Jayne Brahler

Over-fatness and poor cardiovascular (CV) fitness are well-documented risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adults, but less is known about their association with disease risk in adolescents. This study aimed to determine the relationship between anthropometrics, fitness, and CVD risk.

Six anthropometric indicators of body fatness, seven measures of fitness, and seven metabolic and hemodynamic CVD risk factors were measured in a convenience sample of 28 female high school students (15-18 years of age). A tally was made of the number of factors for which each subject was outside the normal reference range (CVD risk).

Correlation analyses were completed …

News From Cart, Patricia Fanning, Amos Nwosu

Patricia J. Fanning

No abstract provided.

Choosing A Fellow Or Fellowship: A Survey Of Pediatric Otolaryngologists, Robert Chun, Diego Preciado, David Brown, Ravindra Elluru, Stacey Ishman, Joseph Kerschner, Gresham Richter, Cecille Sulman

David C. Brown

No abstract provided.

The Factor Structure And Convergent Validity Of The Aggression Questionnaire In An Offender Population, Tamra Williams, Jenine Boyd, Michele Cascardi, Norman Poythress

Norman Poythress

The study examined whether the 4-factor structure of the Aggression Questionnaire (AQ; A. H. Buss and M. Perry, see record 1993-00039-001), consisting of Physical Aggression, Verbal Aggression, Hostility, and Anger, would replicate in an offender population. The AQ and Novaco's Anger Scale (NAS; R. Novaco, 1994) were administered to 200 adult offenders. The results of a confirmatory analysis suggested that the 4-factor model is a poor fit in an offender population. A 2-factor model was suggested: 1 factor combines Physical Aggression and Anger; the other combines Verbal Aggression and Hostility. Evidence of convergent validity of the 2-factor model was provided …

Characterizing The Performance And Behaviors Of Runners Using Twitter, Qian He, Emmanuel Agu, Diane Strong, Bengisu Tulu, Peder Pedersen

Emmanuel O. Agu

Running is a popular physical activity that improves physical and mental wellbeing. Unfortunately, up-to- date information about runners’ performance and psychological wellbeing is limited. Many questions remain unanswered, such as how far and how fast runners typically run, their preferred running times and frequencies, how long new runners persist before dropping out, and what factors cause runners to quit. Without hard data, establishing patterns of runner behavior and mitigating the challenges they face are difficult. Collecting data manually from large numbers of runners for research studies is costly and time consuming. Emerging Social Networking Services (SNS) and fitness tracking devices …

Book Review: Recent Studies In Mental Disability And Law , Norman Poythress

Norman Poythress

No abstract provided.

Rediversion In Two Postbooking Jail Diversion Programs In Florida, Marcus Boccaccini, Annette Christy, Norman Poythress, David Kershaw

Norman Poythress

OBJECTIVE: Patterns of rediversion in two postbooking jail diversion programs in Florida were examined to better understand the extent to which diversion programs served repeating clients. Rediversion occurs when a former or current diversion program participant is booked into jail on a new charge and diverted once again through the same diversion program. METHODS: Data from 18 months of consecutive entries into the Hillsborough County jail diversion program (N=336) and Broward County mental health court (N=800) were examined. RESULTS: Similar rediversion patterns were observed for the two diversion programs. About one-fifth of those who were diverted during the 18-month study …

Positive State Mindfulness: A Multidimensional Model Of Mindfulness In Relation To Positive Experience, Timothy Ritchie, Fred Bryant

Fred B. Bryant

The present research tested Langer’s theory of mindfulness in the context of positive experiences: positive state mindfulness. In Study 1 (N1 = 586, N2 = 415) confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a three-factor model (Focused Attention, Novelty Appreciation, Open-Ended Expectations) fit the data well and explained responses better than a one-factor model. In support of construct validity, Study 2 (N3 = 239, N4 = 126) suggested that each dimension had a different pattern of associations with unidimensional trait measures of mindfulness, savoring beliefs, trait absorption, uncertainty tolerance, need for structure, and need for cognition. Study 3 (N5 = 46) revealed …

The Effect Of Progressive Non-Aerobic High-Intensity Maximal Effort Exercise (Mee) On The Health-Related Quality Of Life In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis, Olufolake Odutola, Michael Kuchera, R Dombroski, T Vardy, F Thomas, S O’Brien, P Yagnik, K Wenzel, S Stoll, Bruce Stouch, M W, I Vargas, Hilda Lai

Michael Kuchera

Background: Studies indicate that Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients are less satisfied with the quality of their lives than healthy individuals in similar circumstances. Common symptoms experienced include fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, pain, spasticity, depression, bladder/bowel dysfunction and sexual dysfunction. Several pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods have been employed for such symptoms to try to increase quality of life and reduce the mortality rate. Non-pharmacological methods recommended for MS patients include lifestyle modifications, exercise programs and physical therapy. MS patients easily fatigue during aerobic exercise but a non-aerobic progressive maximal effort exercise (MEE) protocol consisting of a few short, duration isometric and eccentric …

Factors Differentiating Successful Versus Unsuccessful Malingerers, John Edens, Laura Guy, Randy Otto, Jacqueline Buffington, Tara Tomicic, Norman Poythress

Norman Poythress

Relatively little is known about the processes in which "successful" malingerers engage to avoid detection. This study summarizes the response strategies used by participants (N = 540) instructed to feign a specific mental disorder while completing various self-report instruments designed to detect faking. Postexperiment questionnaires indicated that those who were able to appear symptomatic while avoiding being detected as feigning (n = 60) were more likely to endorse a lower rate of legitimate symptoms, to avoid overly unusual or bizarre items, and to base their responses on their own personal experiences.

Psychometric Properties Of The Macarthur Competence Assessment Tool - Criminal Adjudication (Maccat-Ca), Randy Otto, Norman Poythress, Robert Nicholson, John Edens

Norman Poythress

This article describes the development of a new clinical instrument for use in assessments of adult criminal defendants' competence to proceed to adjudication, the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool-Criminal Adjudication (MacCAT-CA). The MacCAT-CA was derived from a more comprehensive research instrument (MacArthur Structured Assessment of Competencies of Criminal Defendants; Hoge, Bonnie, Poythress, Monahan, & Eisenberg, 1997) on the basis of considerations efface validity for use in legal contexts, psychometric analyses, and advice from mental health experts who reviewed an earlier prototype. This article presents the results from an National Institute of Mental Healthsponsored validation study that investigated the psychometric properties of …

Gene X Environment Effects Of Serotonin Transporter, Dopamine Receptor D4, And Monoamine Oxidase A Genes With Contextual And Parenting Risk Factors On Symptoms Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Anxiety, And Depression In A Community Sample Of 4-Year-Old Children, John Lavigne, Laura Herzing, Edwin Cook, Susan Lebailly, Karen Gouze, Joyce Hopkins, Fred Bryant

Fred B. Bryant

Genetic factors can play a role in the multiple level of analyses approach to understanding the development of child psychology. The present study examined gene-environment correlations and Gene x Environment interactions for polymorphisms of three target genes, the serotonin transporter gene, the D4 dopamine reactor gene, and the monoamine oxidase A gene in relation to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and oppositional behavior. Saliva samples were collected from 175 non-Hispanic White, 4-year-old children. Psychosocial risk factors included socioeconomic status, life stress, caretaker depression, parental support, hostility, and scaffolding skills. In comparison with the short forms (s/s, s/l) of the serotonin transporter …

Criterion-Related Validity Of The Psychopathic Personality Inventory In A Prison Sample, Norman Poythress, John Edens, Scott Lilienfeld

Norman Poythress

The Psychopathic Personality Inventory (PPI; S. 0. Lilienfeld & B. P. Andrews, 1996), a self-report measure of psychopathic personality features, and R. D. Hare's (1991) Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL–R) were administered to adult youthful offender prison inmates (N = 50). As hypothesized, PPI scores were significantly correlated with scores on the PCL–R, providing evidence of concurrent validity for the PPI. Moreover, unlike existing self-report psychopathy measures, the PPI showed a moderate and positive correlation with PCL–R Factor 1 (i.e., the core personality traits of psychopathy). Discriminant function analysis using the optimal PPI total score value to predict PCL–R classifications of psychopath …

Reasonable Medical Certainty: Can We Meet Daubert Standards In Insanity Cases?, Norman Poythress

Norman Poythress

No abstract provided.

Perforated Esophageal Intervention Focus (Perf) Study: A Multi Center Study Of Contemporary Treatment, Rob Rice, Joseph Dubose, Kamal Khalil, Jonathon Spicer, Luigi Bonavina, Stefano Siboni, Xian Luo-Owen, Sebron Harrison, Chad Ball, John Bini, Dan Fortes, Gary Vercruysse, David Skarupa, Charles Miller

John K. Bini

No abstract provided.

Gating Of The Polycystin Ion Channel Signaling Complex In Neurons And Kidney Cells, Patrick Delmas, Surya Nauli, Xiaogang Li, Bertrand Coste, Nancy Osorio, Marcel Crest, David Brown, Jing Zhou

David C. Brown

Mutations in either polycystin-2 (PC2) or polycystin-1 (PC1) proteins cause severe, potentially lethal, kidney disorders and multiple extrarenal (including brain) disease phenotypes. PC2, a member of the transient receptor potential channel superfamily, and PC1, an orphan membrane receptor of largely unknown function, are thought to be part of a common signaling pathway. Here, we show that in rat sympathetic neurons and kidney cells, coassembly of full-length PC1 with PC2 forms a plasmalemmal ion channel signaling complex in which PC1 stimulation simultaneously activates PC2 ion channels and G(i/o)-proteins. PC2 activation occurs through a structural rearrangement of PC1, independent of G-protein activation. …

Procedural Justice In The Context Of Civil Commitment: A Critique Of Tyler's Analysis, Sumner Sydeman, Michele Cascardi, Norman Poythress, Lee Ritterband

Norman Poythress

This article is a critique of T. R. Tyler's 1992 review of procedural justice and its effect on therapeutic outcome in patients involved in civil commitment hearings. The article clarifies critical elements of Tyler's analysis by drawing on the social cognition construct of information control and elements in the consumerism literature that may mirror and facilitate procedural justice effects. The importance of the committing psychiatrist's role during the commitment hearing is emphasized and issues unique to civil commitment respondents that might affect their susceptibility to procedural justice effects are highlighted. Further research examining the effects of judges', attorneys', and psychiatrists' …

Systematically Controlling For The Influence Of Age, Sex, Hertz And Time Post-Whole-Body Vibration Exposure On Four Measures Of Physical Performance In Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Cross-Over Study, Harold Merriman, C. Brahler, Kurt Jackson

C. Jayne Brahler

Though popular, there is little agreement on what whole-body vibration (WBV) parameters will optimize performance. This study aimed to clarify the effects of age, sex, hertz, and time on four physical function indicators in community-dwelling older adults (N = 32). Participants were exposed to 2 minutes WBV per session at either 2 Hz or 26 Hz, and outcome measures were recorded at 2-, 20-, and 40-minute post-WBV. Timed get-up-and-go and chair sit-and-reach performances improved post-WBV for both sexes, were significantly different between 2 Hz and 26 Hz treatments (P ≤ 0.05), and showed statistically significant interactions between age and gender …

Etiology Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder And Conduct Disorder: Biological, Familial And Environmental Factors Identified In The Development Of Disruptive Behavior Disorders, Eva Kimonis, Paul Frick

Eva Kimonis

Conduct problems are associated with a large number of biological, affective, cognitive, familial, and environmental risk factors. Further, research suggests that there may be multiple developmental pathways to conduct problems, each with their own unique constellation of risk and protective factors. Attempts at disaggregating youth into more homo­geneous subtypes have uncovered groups of youth that show similar risk factors and distinct developmental trajectories. This chapter will provide an overview of these major subtypes of conduct disorder (CD) and the specific risk factors associated with each subtype. Assessment and treatment implications are discussed.

Human Cryptochrome Exhibits Light-Dependent Magnetosensitivity, Lauren Foley, Robert Gegear, Steven Reppert

Robert J. Gegear

Humans are not believed to have a magnetic sense, even though many animals use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and navigation. One model of magnetosensing in animals proposes that geomagnetic fields are perceived by light-sensitive chemical reactions involving the flavoprotein cryptochrome (CRY). Here we show using a transgenic approach that human CRY2, which is heavily expressed in the retina, can function as a magnetosensor in the magnetoreception system of Drosophila and that it does so in a light-dependent manner. The results show that human CRY2 has the molecular capability to function as a light-sensitive magnetosensor and reopen an area …

Psychosocial Functioning Problems Over Time Among High Risk Youths: A Latent Class Transition Analysis, Richard Dembo, Jennifer Wareham, Norman Poythress, Kathleen Meyers

Norman Poythress

The authors report the results of latent class analyses and latent class transition analyses of antisocial behavior risk factors among 137 youths participating in a juvenile diversion program. The study examined the youths’ latent classifications using baseline and 1-year follow-up measures of family, peer, education, and mental health risk factors. Latent class transition analyses were conducted to determine the stability and change of latent class membership across two time points. For both baseline and follow-up measures, latent class analyses suggested that two latent classes were most appropriate for characterizing the youths using the four domains of risk factors. One class …

Perceived Coercion And Procedural Justice In The Broward Mental Health Court, Norman Poythress, John Petrila, Annette Christy, Roger Boothroyd

Norman Poythress

No abstract provided.

Getting To The Root Of Bacterial Hairs: What Is “S”?, Rebecca Gaddis, Samantha O'Conner, Evan Anderson, Terri Camesano, Nancy Burnham

Nancy A. Burnham

An atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to measure the steric forces of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) on the biofilm-forming bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It is well known that LPS play a vital role in biofilm formation. These forces were characterized with a modified version of the Alexander and de Gennes (AdG) model for polymers, which is a function of equilibrium brush length, L, probe radius, R, temperature, T, separation distance, D, and an indefinite density variable, s. This last parameter was originally distinguished by de Gennes as the root spacing or mesh spacing depending upon the type of polymer adhesion; however since …

The Macarthur Adjudicative Competence Study: Diagnosis, Psychopathology, And Adjudicative Competence-Related Abilities, Steven Hoge, Norman Poythress, Richard Bonnie, John Monahan

Norman Poythress

A set of measures assessing abilities related to legal standards for competence in the adjudicative process were administered to mentally-disordered criminal defendants with diagnoses of schizophrenia, affective disorder, other psychiatric disorders, and to criminal defendants without diagnosed mental disorder. Mentally-disordered defendants were recruited from two groups: those who had been committed for restoration of competence and those who had been identified by jail personnel as mentally ill. Significant impairments in competence-related abilities were found for approximately half of the defendants with schizophrenia. Defendants with schizophrenia scored lower on measures of understanding, reasoning, and appreciation related to the adjudication process. The …

Decision-Making In Criminal Defense: An Empirical Study Of Insanity Pleas And The Impact Of Doubted Client Competence, Richard Bonnie, Norman Poythress, Steven Hoge, John Monahan

Norman Poythress

No abstract provided.

Building Capacity In Physical Activity And Public Health, Russell Pate, Jennifer Gay, David Brown, Michael Pratt

David C. Brown

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Non-Aerobic Maximal Effort Exercise On Fatigue In Deconditioned Men And Women With Multiple Sclerosis, Jessica Korsh, Michael Kuchera, R Dombroski, T Vardy, F Thomas, S O’Brien, P Yagnik, K Wenzel, S Stoll, Bruce Stouch, M Wallin, Jeffrey Nelson

Michael Kuchera

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative disease of unknown etiology affecting women more frequently than men. Mental and physical fatigue complaints are often the most disabling symptoms for an MS patient. Both are multifactorial, potentially exacerbated by aerobic exercise, may prevent sustained physical functioning, and significantly interfere with activities of daily living1. A multi-center study was designed to investigate the effects of non-aerobic maximal effort exercise (MEE) for deconditioned persons with MS, with the expectation of minimizing fatigue. The IsoPUMP (Neuromuscular Engineering; Nashville, TN), is a specialized exercise and strength-sensing machine, designed to allow individuals to safely perform and record …

Lessons From The Broward County Mental Health Court Evaluation, Annette Christy, Roger Boothroyd, Norman Poythress, John Petrila

Norman Poythress

The creation of specialty mental health courts has emerged as a strategy to address the impact of persons with mental illness in the criminal justice system by consolidating the management of certain types of cases into a single court. This article describes an evaluation of the nation's first such court, the Broward County Mental Health Court. The purpose is to alert those who may conduct future evaluations of these types of courts to some of the contextual, logistic, and management features of our evaluation and the challenges we have encountered doing field research in this unique legal setting.

Effect Of Prior Anterior Superior Iliac Spine Compression Testing On Second Assessor Findings: Implications For Inter-Examiner Reliability Testing, Frank Casella, Michael Kuchera, Jeffrey Nelson, Veronica Ferencz, Nicole Myers

Michael Kuchera

BACKGROUND: Osteopathic physicians use palpation to diagnose sacroiliac joint somatic dysfunction (SD) -- including the Anterior Superior Iliac Spine (ASIS) Compression Test for dysfunctional side lateralization. (Literature suggests right-sided lateralization in 80% of asymptomatic individuals). Accurate, reliable tests are crucial however to diagnose SD and kappa (κ) analysis is a gold-standard to determine the degree of interexaminer reliability for tests. Few studies have examined the effect the palpatory examination has on subsequent diagnostic findings and therefore on κ-values.

Detection Of Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using Svm Based Classification, Lei Wang, Peder Pedersen, Diane Strong, Bengisu Tulu, Emmanuel Agu, Qian He, Ronald Ignotz, Raymond Dunn, David Harlan, Sherry Pagoto

Emmanuel O. Agu

Diabetic foot ulcers represent a significant health issue, for both patients’ quality of life and healthcare system costs. Currently, wound care is mainly based on visual assessment of wound size, which suffers from lack of accuracy and consistency. Hence, a more quantitative and computer-based method is needed. Supervised machine learning based object recognition is an attractive option, using training sample images with boundaries labeled by experienced clinicians. We use forty sample images collected from the UMASS Wound Clinic by tracking 8 subjects over 6 months with a smartphone camera. To maintain a consistent imaging environment and facilitate the capture process …