DSM-IV field trials for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder in children and adolescents

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the field trials for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder was to select valid diagnostic thresholds for these disorders and to compare the psychometric properties of DSM-IV criteria for oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder with previous DSM diagnostic formulations. METHOD: Structured diagnostic interviews, standardized clinician's validation diagnoses, and multiple measures of impairment were obtained for 440 clinic-referred children and adolescents aged 4-17 years. RESULTS: A diagnostic threshold of four symptoms of oppositional defiant disorder optimized identification of impaired children, improved agreement somewhat with the clinician's validation diagnosis, and had somewhat better test-retest agreement than DSM-III-R. In the case of conduct disorder, the optimal time window for ascertainment of symptoms was clarified. A diagnostic threshold of three symptoms of conduct disorder maximized accurate identification of impaired children and agreement with the clinician's validation diagnosis and resulted in slightly better test-retest agreement than DSM-III-R. Compared with the DSM-III-R definition, the DSM-IV definition of oppositional defiant disorder was somewhat more prevalent, but the prevalence of conduct disorder was essentially unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: DSM-IV definitions of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder are somewhat better than DSM-III-R definitions in terms of internal consistency and test-retest agreement, and the validity of the DSM-IV definition of oppositional defiant disorder is slightly better than that of DSM-III-R.     

New inorganic proton conductors

High values of proton conductivity have been observed in a class of hydrated metal oxide pyrochlores, HMO₃·xH₂O (M = Sb, Nb, Ta). Two new polymorphs of HSbO₃·xH₂O have been synthesized and are also found to be good proton conductors. One polymorph has a layer structure and is derived from KSbO₃ with the ilmenite structure. The other new HSbO₃·xH₂O polymorph has the cubic KSbO₃ structure. A correlation of TGA, IR, NMR, and proton conductivity data suggests that the best inorganic proton conductors (10^?2 (Ωcm)^?1 at 80°C) are hydrates; this supports a Grotthus-type conduction mechanism analogous to that observed in aqueous media.     

Behavioral inhibition, sustained attention, and executive functions: Constructing a unifying theory of ADHD.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) comprises a deficit in behavioral inhibition. A theoretical model is constructed that links inhibition to 4 executive neuropsychological functions that appear to depend on it for their effective execution: (a) working memory, (b) self-regulation of affect–motivation–arousal, (c) internalization of speech, and (d) reconstitution (behavioral analysis and synthesis). Extended to ADHD, the model predicts that ADHD should be associated with secondary impairments in these 4 executive abilities and the motor control they afford. The author reviews evidence for each of these domains of functioning and finds it to be strongest for deficits in behavioral inhibitions, working memory, regulation of motivation, and motor control in those with ADHD. Although the model is promising as a potential theory of self-control and ADHD, far more research is required to evaluate its merits and the many predictions it makes about ADHD. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Acentricity and phase transitions for some AM2X6 compounds

Phases of the type AM₂X₆ with a pyrochlore related structure were studied by x-ray diffraction, DSC, and second harmonic techniques and in one case by Tl²⁰⁵ NMR. Although these phases are ideally centric and cubic, several were found to be acentric. Two, TlNbWO₆ and RbNbWO₆ were found to be noncubic, but transitions to higher symmetry were observed for both phases above room temperature.     

Improving the efficiency of certain optically pumped lasers

It is shown that for certain optically excited symmetric top molecules which lase in the far-infrared that it is possible to increase their lasing efficiency through resonant pumping of the higher k quantum number transitions which have increased statistical weights due to increased molecular symmetry.     

HOW FUNCTIONAL ARE ECONOMIC AREAS? TESTS FOR INTRA-REGIONAL SPATIAL ASSOCIATION USING SPATIAL DATA ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT Spatial associations within eight Southeastern Functional Economic Areas were investigated using three spatial data analysis techniques (Moran's L. G₂(d) statistic and local Moran) and 1980 to 1990 population change at the country and census tract levels. Core hinterland relationships in EEAs were categorized as spread through growth, spread through decentralization, backwards or independent, based on intra regional patterns of spatial association. Findings indicate that all four of the spread backwash typologies were evident among the eight economic regions. Yet, spatial association with the core (spread or backwash) generally was limited to hinterland areas at the core's range. Spatial dependence between core and hinterland areas declined with distance from the economic region's core area. For many rural locations, changes in economic activity are independent of economic development experiences in nearby locations.     

Nine-point difference solutions for Poisson''s equation

It is shown that “stencils” exist for the sixth order solution of Poisson's equation by use of a nine-point difference approximation.     

Effect of bark beetle infestation on secondary organic aerosol precursor emissions

Bark beetles are a potentially destructive force in forest ecosystems; however, it is not known how insect attacks affect the atmosphere. The emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were sampled i.) from bark beetle infested and healthy lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) trees and ii.) from sites with and without active mountain pine beetle infestation. The emissions from the trunk and the canopy were collected via sorbent traps. After collection, the sorbent traps were extracted with hexane, and the extracts were separated and detected using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Canister samples were also collected and analyzed by a multicolumn gas chromatographic system. The samples from bark beetle infested lodgepole pine trees suggest a 5- to 20-fold enhancement in total VOCs emissions. Furthermore, increases in the β-phellandrene emissions correlated with bark beetle infestation. A shift in the type and the quantity of VOC emissions can be used to identify bark beetle infestation but, more importantly, can lead to increases in secondary organic aerosol from these forests as potent SOA precursors are produced.