Short-term psychotherapy and graduate training in psychology.

We present the thesis that the psychology internship and the university-affiliated practicum site offer a special opportunity to train new professionals in brief psychotherapy. The reasons for this include (a) a growing client demand for time-limited treatment and hence psychology's responsibility to prepare professionals in this mode of intervention, (b) a period of residence that can be comfortably tailored to training in short-term psychotherapy, and (c) trainees who are eager to learn a pragmatic form of intervention. Training considerations are outlined and include client selection variables, therapist/trainee considerations, and supervision/teaching. Conclusions are offered and emphasize the agency's and supervisors' need to feel a commitment to train in this modality. Likewise, the program should seek trainees who are eager to learn brief psychotherapy. In order to maximize the opportunity for a successful experience, careful consideration should be given to client selection criteria. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses: Reliability and validity of operationalizing DSM—IV criteria into a self-report format.

The Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (Q-EDD) operationalizes eating disorder criteria of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and differentiates (a) between those with and without an eating disorder diagnosis, (b) among eating-disordered, symptomatic, and asymptomatic individuals, and (c) between those with anorexia and bulimia diagnoses. Three studies examined the Q-EDD"s psychometric properties. Convergent validity was supported by correspondence between Q-EDD diagnoses and established inventory scores. Criterion validity was supported by high correspondence between Q-EDD and interview or clinician diagnoses. Incremental validity was supported by greater accuracy of Q-EDD diagnoses than those yielded by an established inventory. Test-retest reliability and interscorer agreement were very good. Future use is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Utility of repeat brain imaging in stroke

PURPOSE: To determine the utility of repeat brain imaging in patients with stroke. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 98 consecutive patients in whom stroke was diagnosed between January 1 and December 31, 1991. We noted the number of brain scans performed, the indications cited, and whether repeat imaging changed the therapeutic decisions or final diagnosis. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients underwent 221 procedures, with 123 repeat imaging studies (98 CT scans and 25 MR images). Sixteen patients had only one scan; 51 had two, and 31 had three or more. Indications for repeat imaging were explicitly documented in 62 (50%) of 123 repeated scans and inferred in another 41 (33%). In 20 (16%), no definite indication could be determined. Indications included lack of acute abnormal imaging findings on the initial scan (n = 48, 39%); compliance with stroke research protocol (n = 11, 9%). In none of the 82 patients did the repeated scan change the diagnosis; therapy was changed in only two (2%) of 82 patients (aspirin was discontinued). CONCLUSIONS: Repeat imaging in patients rarely results in changes in the initial diagnosis or the therapeutic plan; indications for repeat imaging are frequently not clearly stated; in certain groups of patients with stroke, repeat imaging may not be useful.     

Development of an avian model for restenosis

Recurrence of atherosclerotic plaque growth after interventional therapy, restenosis, is a significant clinical problem occurring in 20%-50% of cases. We have developed a new avian model for the investigation of restenosis after arterial injury in cholesterol fed White Leghorn roosters. Atherosclerotic plaque growth 1-30 weeks after angioplasty balloon mediated endothelial injury in the abdominal aorta was studied in 37 roosters. Roosters were maintained on either normal poultry diet or high cholesterol diet. Twelve cholesterol fed roosters were also fed a hormone supplemented diet in order to modify plaque morphology. The procedural success rate was high. Angiographic stenoses (mean 36% with maximum of 74%) were detectable in cholesterol fed roosters after balloon angioplasty with associated histological evidence of plaque growth (P < 0.017). Cholesterol feeding enhanced fatty plaque growth; hormone manipulation increased calcific and ulcerated plaque but with high associated morbidity. Three interventional devices were subsequently examined in 32 roosters (16 laser angioplasty, 7 atherectomy, and 9 stent implant). Plaque development was again assessed by contrast angiography and histological analysis. We conclude that balloon mediated arterial injury in cholesterol fed roosters produces early proliferative and late, complex atherosclerotic lesions providing an inexpensive model for plaque development after intimal injury.     

Coset networks as connectors in parallel processors

An active area of research regarding parallel computer systems deals with the design of interconnection networks. Among all interconnection networks, permutation networks play a special role as all other networks can be constructed using such networks. It was recently shown that many permutation networks reported in the literature are manifestations of coset decompositions of symmetric groups. This result is generalized here to obtain several other previously unknown permutation networks which satisfy such decompositions. In addition, analyses of the edge-count, propagation delay, fan-out, and setup time of such networks are provided. The results lead to some anomolous behavior as well as several trade-offs among these parameters. For example, it is shown that a complete bipartite graph is the fastest and most economical direct realization of a permutation network. Furthermore, it is shown that the fan-out of a network is inversely proportional to the propagation delay whereas the setup time may or may not relate to the propagation delay at all depending on the network in question. Finally, two constant fan-out implementations of these networks using O (n ^1.59) 2 × 1 multiplexers and 2 × 2 switches are presented.This work is supported in part by the National Science Foundation under Grant No: CCR-8708864.     

Prevention of EGF-modulated adhesion of tumor cells to matrix proteins by specific EGF receptor inhibition

The authors compared patients in a geropsychiatric unit who showed marked cognitive decline during hospitalization with those who did not. Patients who declined in cognitive function were older, were more likely to have a diagnosis of dementia, and were more anergic on admission. These patients were also discharged to more restrictive living environments. The subgroup of demented patients who declined in cognitive function were also older and improved less on anxiety and depression.     

Elaborative-interrogation and prior-knowledge effects on learning of facts.

Canadian and West German adults were presented facts about Canadian provinces and West German states (at the time of the study, West Germany was a separate nation of what is now the Federal Republic of Germany). Participants in the elaborative-interrogation condition rationalized why each fact was sensible. Reading-to-understand participants read the facts with the goal of comprehending each one. After presentation of all facts, Ss were asked to match provinces and states to acts associated with them. These performances were compared with matching in a no-exposure-control condition. Prior knowledge had a striking effect on learning in both the elaborative-interrogation and reading-to-understand conditions. Elaborative interrogation also promoted learning of all facts for all participants, although when learners lacked prior knowledge, elaborative interrogation did not produce the high levels of performance that were obtained when Ss possessing high prior knowledge simply read the facts. Both strategies and prior knowledge are critical to efficient learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Pilot studies for proficiency testing using fluorescence in situ hybridization with chromosome-specific DNA probes: a College of American Pathologists/American College of Medical Genetics Program

This paper proposes that a comprehensive, long-term program with a case-management focus will produce better outcomes and be more cost-effective than the current approach to managing the illnesses of women on Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (or TANF, formerly known as AFDC) who are afflicted with both drug dependency and mental illness, i.e. a dual diagnosis. It is proposed that this comprehensive approach would diminish the generational cycle of substance abuse, dysfunction (including violence), and dependence on public support, which is too often the pattern in single-parent homes where the mother has been dually diagnosed. For our purposes, dual diagnosis is defined as any mental health diagnosis using the DSM-IV criteria coexisting with a diagnosis of substance abuse, whether licit or illicit. Current drug policy, particularly as it applies to those with a dual diagnosis, has an emphasis on criminal justice system solutions. It is extremely expensive (incarceration alone is variously estimated as costing $25,000 to $45,000 per year per person), and does little to treat, prevent, or consequently, reduce the problem. The model design discussed in this article provides for comprehensive treatment and support services to women with a dual diagnosis receiving TANF. Its goal is to help break the family cycle of system dependency. The article hypothesizes that if a well-designed program evaluation is implemented, it will demonstrate savings in reduced health care, criminal justice, and social service costs.