bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluating regional vulnerability to climate change: purposes and methods
Authors: Malone Elizabeth L. , Engle Nathan L.
Published: April 2011

As the emphasis in climate change research, international negotiations, and developing‐country activities has shifted from mitigation to adaptation, vulnerability has emerged as a bridge between impacts on one side and the need for adaptive changes on the other. Still, the term vulnerability remains , its meaning changing with the scale, focus, and purpose of each assessment. Understanding regional vulnerability has advanced over the past several decades, with studies using a combination of indicators, case studies and analogs, stakeholder‐driven processes, and scenario‐building methodologies. As regions become increasingly relevant scales of inquiry for bridging the aggregate and local, for every analysis, it is perhaps most appropriate to ask three ‘what’ questions: ‘What/who is vulnerable?’, ‘What is vulnerability?’, and ‘Vulnerable to what?’ The answers to these questions will yield different definitions of vulnerability as well as different methods for assessing it. Vulnerability research that is primarily quantitative has been dominated by the use of indicators. Regional vulnerability research can also focus on or include stakeholder involvement processes, especially helpful in generating agreement on issues and understanding context‐specific aspects of vulnerability and prospective adaptations. Creating scenarios is another increasingly useful method that helps researchers, policymakers, and other stakeholders think about the future and plan options for alternative futures. Current research efforts are emphasizing stakeholder involvement, with a dual focus on vulnerability assessment and social learning in the process; and scenario analyses, which may be expert‐defined or stakeholder‐driven. Both tend to span impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation decision making for a particular place and conditions. WIREs Clim Change 2011 2 462–474 DOI: 10.1002/wcc.116

This article is categorized under:

Assessing Impacts of Climate Change > Evaluating Future Impacts of Climate Change
Evaluation of the elastic properties of a functionally‐graded coating from the indentation measurements
Authors: Aizikovich S. , Krenev L. , Sevostianov I. , Trubchik I. , Evich L.
Published: April 2011

The paper focuses on the development of a mathematical model connecting penetration profile of a rigid circular indenter with elastic properties of a functionally graded coating (FGC). We introduce the concept of stiffness function dependent on the radius of the contact zone for FGC coupled with a homogeneous half‐space. This approach allows one to determine the properties variation across the coating. Several most typical numerical examples are discussed in detail to illustrate effect of the Young's modulus variation on the stiffness function. These examples also show that the proposed methodology allows one to identify and experimentally distinguish between different types of variation of FGC elastic properties.
Pitfalls in diagnosing mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy
Authors: Filosto Massimiliano , Scarpelli Mauro , Tonin Paola , Testi Silvia , Cotelli Maria Sofia , Rossi Mara , Salvi Andrea , Grottolo Alberto , Vielmi Valentina , Todeschini Alice , Fabrizi Gian Maria , Padovani Alessandro , Tomelleri Giuliano
Published: April 2011

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding thymidine phosphorylase and is characterized by external ophthalmoparesis, gastrointestinal dysmotility, leukoencephalopathy, and neuropathy. The availability of new therapeutic options (peritoneal dialysis, allogeneic stem cell transplantation, enzyme replacement) makes it necessary to diagnose the disease early, which is not always achieved due to the difficulty in recognizing this disorder, especially in case of atypical presentation. We describe three MNGIE patients with atypical onset of the disease. In the first patient the main symptoms were long‐standing chronic fever, recurrent acute migrant arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders mimicking autoimmune or inflammatory intestinal diseases; the second patient complained only of exercise intolerance and muscle cramps, and the third patient had a CIDP‐like polyneuropathy. This study stresses the insidious heterogeneous clinical onset of some cases of MNGIE, expands the spectrum of the phenotype, and suggests considering MNGIE in the differential diagnosis of enteropathic arthritis, isolated exercise intolerance, and inflammatory polyneuropathies not responsive to the usual treatment. A better understanding of the clinical heterogeneity of MNGIE is necessary in order to diagnose atypical cases and promote early diagnosis, which is now absolutely necessary in view of the new available therapies.
Barriers in Identification and Referral to Genetic Counseling for Familial Cancer Risk: The Perspective of Genetic Service Providers
Authors: Rolnick Sharon J. , Rahm Alanna K. , Jackson Jody M. , Nekhlyudov Larissa , Goddard Katrina A. B. , Field Terry , McCarty Catherine , Nakasato Cynthia , Roblin Douglas , Anderson Christopher P. , Valdez Rodolfo
Published: April 2011

The purpose of this study was to obtain genetic counselors’ perspectives about the identification of appropriate patients and barriers to referral of high‐risk patients for cancer genetic counseling services. Genetic service providers from eight integrated health systems were surveyed. Data analysis included descriptive statistics. Twenty‐eight of 40 potential participants responded (70%). Referrals for familial cancer risk assessment overwhelmingly came from providers (89%); only 10% were self‐referrals. Use of guidelines to assist providers with referral was reported by 46% of the respondents. Genetic service providers perceived patient barriers to seeking genetic counseling after referral included: risk evaluation viewed as a non‐priority (72%), concerns about impact on insurability (52%), distance to appointments (48%), lack of insurance (44%), lack of patient/provider knowledge about the value of genetic counseling (36%), discouragement by family members (28%), and fear (20%). The best approaches suggested by respondents to increase appropriate referrals were attending meetings and giving presentations to oncologists, surgeons, primary care and gynecologists. The genetic service providers reported several barriers to the referral and use of genetic counseling. This finding is consistent with current literature from the providers’ perspective. Our survey adds the genetic service providers’ perspective and identifies areas of opportunity for further research and intervention as few of the perceived barriers are being addressed through current educational efforts.
Parents’ Communication with Siblings of Children Affected by an Inherited Genetic Condition
Authors: Plumridge Gillian , Metcalfe Alison , Coad Jane , Gill Paramjit
Published: April 2011

The objective of this study was to explore parents’ communication about risk with siblings of children affected by an inherited genetic condition, and to ascertain what level of support, if any, is required from health professionals. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with affected and unaffected children and their parents. Families were affected by one of six genetic conditions representing different patterns of inheritance and variations in age of onset, life expectancy and impact on families. Interviews were analysed using constructivist grounded theory and informed by models which focused on three different aspects of family communication. Interviews with 33 families showed that siblings’ information and support needs go largely unrecognized by health professionals and sometimes by parents. Some siblings were actively informed about the genetic condition by parents, others were left to find out and assimilate information by themselves. Siblings were given information about the current symptoms and management of the genetic condition but were less likely to know about its hereditary nature and their own potential risk. When siblings were fully informed about the condition and included in family discussion, they had a better understanding of their role within their family, and family relationships were reported to be more harmonious. The information and support needs of siblings can be overlooked. Parents with the responsibility for caring for a child affected by a genetic condition may require support from health professionals to understand and respond to their unaffected children's need for more information about the genetic condition and its implications for the children's own future health and reproductive decision‐making.
Testing of Collegiate Athletes for Sickle Cell Trait: What We, as Genetic Counselors Should Know
Authors: Aloe Amy , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan , Kladny Beth
Published: April 2011

In August 2010, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) mandated that all of its incoming Division I student‐athletes be tested for sickle cell trait. Student‐athletes have the additional options to provide proof of a previous sickle cell test result or decline testing, by signing a waiver releasing their institution of liability. This article addresses the origins of the NCAA recommendations, and stresses the importance of proceeding with care. In doing so, it seeks to start a discussion in the genetic counseling community as to what, if any, should our role be?
Marketing Education in Australia before 1965
Authors: Ellis Robert B. , Waller David S.
Published: April 2011

Marketing is taught at many private colleges, technical colleges and at universities across Australia. While marketing as an academic discipline is well developed, little is known of the early days and development of marketing education. This paper will observe marketing-related subjects at correspondence schools, the first “Marketing” subject that was taught at the University of Melbourne, early attempts of marketing education by industry associations, technical colleges, and universities until 1965 when the first Chair in Marketing was established. Studying the development of marketing education over the years can provide a greater insight into the current status of marketing education.
Suburban Cardiac Screening: Improving Access to Specialist Services Within a Primary Care Network
Authors: Jones David C. , Ludwick Dave , Brass Neil , Cutts Carrie
Published: April 2011

This article evaluates a cardiac screening program by analyzing wait times and exploring associations between administratively tracked variables and confirmed cardiac diagnosis. The findings indicate that the wait times for specialist consultation are shorter than previously reported in Alberta and age and sex have the strongest associations with a confirmed cardiac diagnosis.
When Ordinary Days Become Extraordinary: The Response to H1N1 at the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre
Authors: Mahon Kate , Blackmore Nancy , Thibeault Mary , Belliveau Brenda , Burgess Stacy
Published: April 2011

In April 2009, the H1N1 swine flu virus entered Canada with a sentinel case presenting in a private school in Windsor, Nova Scotia, signaling the beginning of wave 1 of a pandemic. By June, the World Health Organization raised the alert level to 6. Wave 2 was expected in 4 to 6 months. Between waves, the IWK took the opportunity to revise pandemic plans that had been prepared for the H5N1 avian influenza virus to ensure that the organization would be prepared for the emergency response that would be required to manage large numbers of ill people seeking healthcare services for the pending second wave of the swine flu.
Building a Culture of Evidence-Informed Decision Making in the Community
Authors: Peach Lindsay Campbell , Rankin Elaine
Published: April 2011

Growing fiscal pressures on health departments both provincially and locally necessitate tough decisions to be made. Although evidence-informed decision making may be commonly used for clinical decision making, the notion of evidence-informed decision making for managing physician office practice processes, primary care, long-term care, or continuing care is limited. In healthcare, much data are collected, yet only a small percentage is actually used in meaningful ways. The Executive Training for Research Application (EXTRA) program strives to not only assist healthcare executives in acquiring necessary skills but also aims to lead cultural change in the Canadian healthcare system. This article describes three brief examples in which a vice president and director with EXTRA training have started to explore and use data to drive change in the community.
Evidence-Informed Decision Making in a Public Health Setting
Authors: Ward Megan
Published: April 2011

A process for systematically applying research to public health decisions was created for a large, public health organization in Canada. The 9-step process is supported by tools and training in accessing, appraising, and applying research. The process has been implemented throughout the organization using the change management theory developed by Kotter and Cohen.
Product portfolio architectural complexity and operational performance: Incorporating the roles of learning and fixed assets
Authors: Jacobs Mark A. , Swink Morgan
Published: April 2011

Managers struggle to cope with complexity in their product portfolios. However, research into diversification, product platforms, and other issues related to product portfolio complexity has often produced inconsistent guidance. This situation is at least partially attributable to an incomplete definition of portfolio complexity, and to corresponding limitations of theories applied to date. To address these limitations, we define product portfolio complexity as a design state manifested by the multiplicity, diversity, and interrelatedness of products within the portfolio. We conceptually establish the three‐dimensional nature of complexity and present a model to provide insights into how each dimension impacts operational performance. As an extension to prior theoretical perspectives, the model explicitly addresses the roles of organizational learning and the character of fixed assets (utilization and flexibility) as mediator and moderator of product portfolio architectural complexity's effects, respectively. We also incorporate the principle of diminishing returns to address potential non‐linearities in the proposed relationships. Prior theories and research studies have neglected these issues. We conclude by discussing useful perspectives with which to view the model, and by presenting measures of portfolio complexity and approaches for testing the propositions developed herein.
Der alternde Mann – psychosomatische Aspekte
Authors: Seikowski Kurt
Published: April 2011

Einleitung

Der „alternde Mann“ umfasst zwei Entwicklungsabschnitte – dass mittlere Lebensalter von ca. 40 bis 65 Jahren sowie das späte Lebensalter ab 65 aufwärts. Es sind Phasen in der Entwicklung von Männern, wo das bisherige „perfekte Männerbild“ nicht mehr funktioniert. Nicht allen gelingt die Umstellung sofort und führt vorübergehend oder dauerhaft zu psychosomatischen Beschwerden und Konflikten.
Contingency planning for crisis management: Recipe for success or political fantasy?
Authors: Eriksson Kerstin , McConnell Allan
Published: April 2011

Contingency planning is widely considered to be an essential role of public authorities. Anticipation of what may happen, coupled with the prior allocation of resources, personnel, equipment, crisis control rooms, tasks, responsibilities and decision guidance/rules, is assumed to maximise the chances of a successful response in the event of a crisis. However, this paper proposes that the relationship between crisis planning and crisis management outcomes is more complex and nuanced relationship the often assumed. Contingency planning which is successful in the pre-crisis stage, does not guarantee a successful crisis response. Correspondingly, contingency planning failures in the pre-crisis stage, do not automatically lead to a flawed crisis response. The reasons rest primarily with the multiple influences on crisis responses – only some of which can be anticipated and planned for. The conclusion provides policy-oriented and analytical reflections which recognise the value of contingency planning, while suggesting that we should not inflate our expectation of contingency planners or rush too quickly to vilify them for a lack of adequate preparations.
A control room metric for evaluating success and failure in high reliability crisis management
Authors: Schulman Paul R , Roe Emery
Published: April 2011

The focus of this article is specific: we propose a metric for evaluating crises that start in or require the response of control rooms of major critical infrastructures. Rather than addressing the vexed issue of how to evaluate crisis management in terms of success or failure, we focus on a subset of crises that carry with them a standard for evaluating how they are managed.

We begin with a central focus in research on high reliability management, namely, critical control room processes. The skills of control operators do not disappear when crises beset critical infrastructures they manage and we discuss the role of control operators in crisis management. A “crisis cycle” is described for control operators and we conclude with its use as a proposed standard for describing high reliability in crisis performance and for evaluating the degree of success or failure of such crisis management. This metric has implications for evaluating the role of crisis leadership and evaluating the role of Incident Command Systems in crisis management.

We do not argue that our proposed approach to evaluating crisis management in terms of control room performance is appropriate for all types of crises, all types of crisis management, all types of high reliability organizations, or even all types of critical infrastructures.
A search for long‐range dependence and chaotic structure in Indian stock market
Authors: Mishra Ritesh Kumar , Sehgal Sanjay , Bhanumurthy N.R.
Published: April 2011

This study tests for the presence of nonlinear dependence and deterministic chaos in the rate of returns series for six Indian stock market indices. The overall result of our analysis suggests that the returns series do not follow a random walk process. Rather it appears that the daily increments in stock returns are serially correlated and the estimated Hurst exponents are indicative of marginal persistence in equity returns. Result from the test of independence on filtered residuals suggests that the existence of nonlinear dependence, at least to some extent, can be attributed to the presence of conditional heteroskedasticity. It appears, therefore, that low order GARCH‐type models can adequately explain some, but not all, of the observed nonlinear dependence in the data. Further, we find very little evidence to support the proposition that returns are generated by a chaotic system. Only in two out of six cases the results are supportive of sensitive dependence on initial condition, which indicates chaos. Presence of chaos in market indices implies that profitable nonlinearity based trading rules may exist at least in the short‐run. Finally, fairly contrary to the findings of previous studies, rejection of random walk hypothesis offers some possibility of returns predictability.
Hydrostatics on the fray: Tartaglia, Cardano and the recovering of sunken ships
Authors: ECHEVERRÍA VIRGINIA IOMMI
Published: April 2011

In his 1551 Travagliata invenzione, the Italian mathematician Niccolò Tartaglia described a device for raising sunken ships. Despite his claim of originality, his contemporary Girolamo Cardano had described a similar method in his famous work De subtilitate, which was published a year before. A comparison between these methods reveals the uniqueness of Tartaglia's approach, for he combines an explicit defence of the horror vacui principle with an implicit negation of rarefaction. In this article I show the complexities of this conception and stress the importance of keeping the personal argument between both authors in mind when interpreting their descriptions of wreck-salvage operations.
Short-term effects of whole-grain wheat on appetite and food intake in
healthy adults: a pilot study
Authors: Bodinham Caroline L. , Hitchen Katie L. , Youngman Penelope J. , Frost Gary S. , Robertson M. Denise
Published: April 2011

While it has been proposed, based on epidemiological studies, that whole grains may be
beneficial in weight regulation, possibly due to effects on satiety, there is limited
direct interventional evidence confirming this. The present cross-over study aimed to
investigate the short-term effects on appetite and food intake of 48 g of
whole-grain wheat (daily for 3 weeks) compared with refined grain (control). A total of
fourteen healthy normal-weight adults consumed, within their habitual diets, either two
whole-grain bread rolls (providing 48 g of whole grains over two rolls) or two
control rolls daily for 3 weeks. Changes in food intake were assessed using 7 d
diet diaries. Changes in subjective appetite ratings and food intake were also assessed at
postprandial study visits. There were no significant differences between interventions in
energy intake (assessed by the 7 d diet diaries and at the ad
libitum test meal), subjective appetite ratings or anthropometric measurements.
However, there was a significant difference between interventions for systolic blood
pressure, which decreased during the whole-grain intervention and increased during the
control intervention ( − 2 v.
4 mmHg; P = 0·015). The present study
found no effect of whole grains on appetite or food intake in healthy individuals;
however, 48 g of whole grain consumed daily for 3 weeks did have a beneficial
effect on systolic blood pressure. The findings from the present study therefore do not
support epidemiological evidence that whole grains are beneficial in weight regulation,
although further investigation in other population groups (such as overweight and obese)
would be required.
The oligosaccharide α-cyclodextrin has modest effects to slow gastric emptying and modify the glycaemic response to sucrose in healthy older adults
Authors: Gentilcore Diana , Vanis Lora , Teng Jasmine C. , Wishart Judith M. , Buckley Jonathan D. , Rayner Christopher K. , Horowitz Michael , Jones Karen L.
Published: April 2011

In healthy older subjects, the glycaemic response to carbohydrate-containing meals is dependent on gastric emptying and intestinal absorption; when the latter is slowed, the magnitude of the rise in glucose is attenuated. The oligosaccharide α-cyclodextrin has been reported to diminish the glycaemic response to starch in young adults; this effect has been attributed to the inhibition of pancreatic amylase. We examined the effects of α-cyclodextrin on gastric emptying of, and the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to, oral sucrose in healthy older subjects; as sucrose is hydrolysed by intestinal disaccharides, any effect(s) of α-cyclodextrin would not be attributable to amylase inhibition. A total of ten subjects (seven males and three females, age 68–76 years) were studied on 2 d. Gastric emptying, blood glucose and serum insulin were measured after ingestion of a 300 ml drink containing 100 g sucrose, labelled with99mTc-sulphur colloid, with or without 10 g α-cyclodextrin. Gastric emptying was slowed slightly by α-cyclodextrin; this effect was evident between 135 and 195 min and was associated with a slight increase (P < 0·05) in distal stomach retention. After α-cyclodextrin, blood glucose was slightly less (P < 0·05) at 60 min, and serum insulin was less (P < 0·0005) at 90 and 120 min. There was no difference in the incremental areas under the curve (iAUC) for blood glucose, but there was a trend for the iAUC for serum insulin to be lower (P = 0·09) after α-cyclodextrin. We conclude that in a dose of 10 g, α-cyclodextrin has modest effects to slow gastric emptying of, and modify the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses to, oral sucrose, probably due to delayed intestinal carbohydrate absorption.
Diet before pregnancy and the risk of hyperemesis gravidarum
Authors: Haugen Margaretha , Vikanes Åse , Brantsæter Anne Lise , Meltzer Helle Margrete , Grjibovski Andrej M. , Magnus Per
Published: April 2011

Hyperemesis gravidarum (hyperemesis), characterised by severe nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, has an unknown aetiology. The aim of the present study was to investigate food and nutrient intake before pregnancy and the risk of developing hyperemesis in women participating in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study. From 1999 to 2002, a total of 7710 pregnant women answered a FFQ about their diet during the 12 months before becoming pregnant and a questionnaire about illnesses during pregnancy, including hyperemesis. Only women who were hospitalised for hyperemesis were included as cases. Nutrient intakes during the year before pregnancy did not differ between the ninety-nine women who developed hyperemesis and the 7611 who did not. However, the intake of seafood, allium vegetables and water was significantly lower among women who developed hyperemesis than among women in the non-hyperemesis group. Relative risks of hyperemesis were approximated as OR, and confounder control was performed with multiple logistic regression. Women in the upper tertile of seafood consumption had a lower risk of developing hyperemesis than those in the lower tertile (OR 0·56, 95 % CI 0·32, 0·98), and women in the second tertile of water intake had a lower risk of developing hyperemesis than those in the first tertile (OR 0·43, 95 % CI 0·25, 0·73). The findings suggest that a moderate intake of water and adherence to a healthy diet that includes vegetables and fish are associated with a lower risk of developing hyperemesis.
Latent Trypanosoma brucei gambiense foci in Uganda: a silent epidemic in children and adults?
Authors: WASTLING S. L. , PICOZZI K. , WAMBOGA C. , VON WISSMANN B. , AMONGI-ACCUP C. , WARDROP N. A. , STOTHARD J. R. , KAKEMBO A. , WELBURN S. C.
Published: April 2011

Trypanosoma brucei gambiense sleeping sickness follows a long asymptomatic phase and persists in ancient foci from which epidemic clinical disease arises. A putative focus of T. b. gambiense infections has been identified, initially in mothers and young children, on the Lake Albert shoreline of Western Uganda leading to mass screening of 6207 individuals in September 2008. T. b. gambiense infections were identified by Card Agglutination Test for Trypanosomiasis (CATT) and sub-species-specific PCR although parasitological methods failed to confirm any patent trypanosome infections. In April 2009, CATT positives were re-visited; diagnosis of individuals by CATT and PCR was unstable over the two time points and parasites remained undetected, even using mini Anion Exchange Centrifugation Technique (mAECT). These observations suggest the possibility of a silent focus of disease, where all infected individuals are in a latent stage, and highlight our limited understanding of the local natural history and disease progression of T. b. gambiense in children and adults.
Panic disorder and its subtypes: a comprehensive analysis of panic symptom heterogeneity using epidemiological and treatment seeking samples
Authors: Roberson-Nay R. , Kendler K. S.
Published: April 2011

Background

Panic disorder (PD) is a heterogeneous syndrome that can present with a variety of symptom profiles that potentially reflect distinct etiologic pathways. The present study represents the most comprehensive examination of phenotypic variance in PD with and without agoraphobia for the purpose of identifying clinically relevant and etiologically meaningful subtypes.

Method

Latent class (LC) and factor mixture analysis were used to examine panic symptom data ascertained from three national epidemiologic surveys [Epidemiological Catchment Area (ECA), National Comorbidity Study (NCS), National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), Wave 1], a twin study [Virginia Adult Twin Study of Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders (VATSPSUD)] and a clinical trial (Cross-National Collaborative Panic Study [CNCPS]).

Results

Factor mixture models (versus LC) generally provided better fit to panic symptom data and suggested two panic classes for the ECA, VATSPSUD and CNCPS, with one class typified by prominent respiratory symptoms. The NCS yielded two classes, but suggested both qualitative and quantitative differences. The more contemporary NESARC sample supported a two and three class model, with the three class model suggesting two variants of respiratory panic. The NESARC's three class model continued to provide the best fit when the model was restricted to a more severe form of PD/panic disorder with agoraphobia.

Conclusions

Results from epidemiologic and clinical samples suggest two panic subtypes, with one subtype characterized by a respiratory component and a second class typified by general somatic symptoms. Results are discussed in light of their relevance to the etiopathogenesis of PD.
Get them before they get you: Trust, trustworthiness, and social cognition in boys with and without externalizing behavior problems
Authors: Sharp Carla , HA Carolyn , Fonagy Peter
Published: April 2011

Economic exchange games have rarely been applied to examine psychopathology in youth. In the current study we adapted a trust game to investigate the relations between externalizing behavior problems, trust, and trustworthiness. We were particularly interested in the differential modulating impact of “known identity” (vs. anonymous) condition of the task. Second, we examined whether anomalies in trust behavior would correspond to social cognition manifested in children with externalizing problems. A total of 171 (79 age-matched pairs) boys (mean age = 12.84; SD = 1.80) were recruited from community groups where social networks and relationships amongst peers have been established. A trust game was played under two conditions: an anonymous version where the identity of the trust game partner was not known and a “known identity” version where identities were revealed. Results supported the conclusion that boys with externalizing behavior problems are generally less trustworthy, but not less trusting and that this was true especially for the known identity version of the game. Moreover, anomalies in trust behavior were associated with hostile intentions, but not reflective of a general theory of mind deficit. This study contributes to an emerging literature using economic exchange games to investigate real-time, real-life exchanges in relation to psychopathology.
Maternal sensitivity buffers the adrenocortical implications of intimate partner violence exposure during early childhood
Authors: Hibel Leah C. , Granger Douglas A. , Blair Clancy , Cox Martha J. ,   The Family Life Project Key Investigators
Published: April 2011

This study prospectively examined the effect of intimate partner violence (IPV) on adrenocortical reactivity and recovery during early childhood. The sample (n = 1102 mother–infant dyads; 49.2% male) was racially diverse and from predominantly low-income, rural communities. To measure IPV exposure mothers completed the Conflicts Tactics Scale, and her caretaking behaviors were observed when her child was approximately 7, 15, and 24 months of age. Children's saliva samples, later assayed for cortisol, were collected around challenge tasks designed to elicit emotional reactivity. IPV was related to a trajectory of increased cortisol reactivity from infancy to toddlerhood. By contrast, the trajectory for non-IPV-exposed children decreased in cortisol reactivity across 7 to 24 months of age. At the 24-month assessment, on average, toddlers did not exhibit a cortisol reaction; however, those exposed to high levels of violence continued to have reactivity. Accumulative levels of IPV across the first 2 years of life predicted cortisol reactivity at 24 months of age. Early (7-month) sensitive maternal behavior moderated this relationship, so that only children exposed to both early insensitivity and high accumulated IPV exhibited increased reactivity at the 24-month assessment. Findings are discussed in relation to the risky family framework.
Family conflict, autonomic nervous system functioning, and child adaptation: State of the science and future directions
Authors: El-Sheikh Mona , Erath Stephen A.
Published: April 2011

The family is one of the primary contexts of child development. Marital and parent–child conflict (family conflict) are common and predict a wide range of negative behavioral and emotional outcomes in children. Thus, an important task for developmental researchers is to identify the processes through which family conflict contributes to children's psychological maladjustment, as well as vulnerability and protective factors in the context of family conflict. In the current paper, we aim to advance a conceptual model that focuses on indices of children's autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning that increase vulnerability or provide protection against psychological maladjustment in the context of family conflict. In doing so, we provide a selective review that reflects the state of the science linking family conflict, children's ANS activity, and child psychological adjustment, and offer directions and guidance for future research. Our hope is to accelerate research at the intersection of family conflict and ANS functioning to advance understanding of risk and resilience among children.
Child behavior problems among cocaine-exposed toddlers: Indirect and interactive effects
Authors: Eiden Rina D. , Granger Douglas A. , Schuetze Pamela , Veira Yvette
Published: April 2011

This study examined the role of maternal psychopathology and maternal warmth as mediators of the association between prenatal cocaine and other substance exposure and toddler behavior problems. It was also hypothesized that infant cortisol reactivity and environmental risk may moderate these associations. Participants were 220 caregiver–infant dyads (119 cocaine exposed, 101 not cocaine exposed; 49% boys). Mother–infant dyads were recruited at delivery with assessments at 4–8 weeks and 7, 13, and 18 months of child ages. Results yielded no direct associations between prenatal cocaine/other substance exposure and toddler behavior problems, but significant indirect associations between prenatal cigarette/alcohol exposure and toddler behavior problems at 18 months. With regard to moderation, results indicated an indirect association between prenatal cocaine exposure and toddler behavior problems via lower maternal warmth for children with higher, but not lower, cortisol reactivity at 7 months. Results suggest potential pathways to toddler behavior problems among children at high biological risk.
Dyadic flexibility and positive affect in parent–child coregulation and the development of child behavior problems
Authors: Lunkenheimer Erika S. , Olson Sheryl L. , Hollenstein Tom , Sameroff Arnold J. , Winter Charlotte
Published: April 2011

Parent–child dyadic rigidity and negative affect contribute to children's higher levels of externalizing problems. The present longitudinal study examined whether the opposite constructs of dyadic flexibility and positive affect predicted lower levels of externalizing behavior problems across the early childhood period. Mother–child (N = 163) and father–child (n = 94) dyads engaged in a challenging block design task at home when children were 3 years old. Dynamic systems methods were used to derive dyadic positive affect and three indicators of dyadic flexibility (range, dispersion, and transitions) from observational coding. We hypothesized that the interaction between dyadic flexibility and positive affect would predict lower levels of externalizing problems at age 5.5 years as rated by mothers and teachers, controlling for stability in externalizing problems, task time, child gender, and the child's effortful control. The hypothesis was supported in predicting teacher ratings of child externalizing from both mother–child and father–child interactions. There were also differential main effects for mothers and fathers: mother–child flexibility was detrimental and father–child flexibility was beneficial for child outcomes. Results support the inclusion of adaptive and dynamic parent–child coregulation processes in the study of children's early disruptive behavior.
Children's genotypes interact with maternal responsive care in predicting children's competence: Diathesis–stress or differential susceptibility?
Authors: Kochanska Grazyna , Kim Sanghag , Barry Robin A. , Philibert Robert A.
Published: April 2011

We examined Genotype × Environment (G × E) interactions between children's genotypes (the serotonin transporter linked promoter region [5-HTTLPR] gene) and maternal responsive care observed at 15, 25, 38, and 52 months on three aspects of children's competence at 67 months: academic skills and school engagement, social functioning with peers, and moral internalization that encompassed prosocial moral cognition and the moral self. Academic and social competence outcomes were reported by both parents, and moral internalization was observed in children's narratives elicited by hypothetical stories and in a puppet interview. Analyses revealed robust G × E interactions, such that children's genotype moderated the effects of maternal responsive care on all aspects of children's competence. Among children with a short5-HTTLPRallele (ss/sl), those whose mothers were more responsive were significantly more competent than those whose mothers were less responsive. Responsiveness had no effect for children with two long alleles (ll). For academic and social competence, the G × E interactions resembled the diathesis–stress model: ss/sl children of unresponsive mothers had particularly unfavorable outcomes, but ss/sl children of responsive mothers had no worse outcomes than ll children. For moral internalization, the G × E interaction reflected the differential susceptibility model: whereas ss/sl children of unresponsive mothers again had particularly unfavorable outcomes, ss/sl children of responsive mothers had significantly better outcomes than ll children.
Risky shifts: How the timing and course of mothers' depressive symptoms across the perinatal period shape their own and infant's stress response profiles
Authors: Laurent Heidemarie K. , Ablow Jennifer C. , Measelle Jeffrey
Published: April 2011

We investigated the effects of timing and the course of maternal perinatal depressive symptoms on mother–infant hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) response profiles during an attachment stressor, as well as on within-dyad synchrony of stress profiles: coordination of HPA and sympathetic nervous system and infant–mother HPA attunement. Mothers (n = 86) completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale during pregnancy (Time 1 [T1]) and at 5 months (T2) and 18 months (T3) postnatal. At T3 mother–infant dyads completed the Strange Situation, and four saliva samples collected from both mothers and infants were assayed for cortisol and α-amylase. Hierarchical linear modeling was used to predict mother–infant cortisol response trajectories and within-dyad synchronies by main and interactive effects of T1–T3 Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale scores. Main effects of earlier (T1, T2) depressive symptoms predicted mothers' cortisol trajectories and coordination, and interactions of T1 with postnatal (T2 and T3) symptoms predicted infants' cortisol trajectories, coordination, and attunement. Decomposition of interactions revealed more marked effects on infant cortisol trajectories when the mother shifted from higher to lower depressive symptoms (or vice versa) across the perinatal period. Shifts from lower to higher symptoms also predicted inverse coordination of cortisol with salivary α-amylase and greater attunement of infant with mother cortisol. Implications for the development and transmission of stress dysregulation are discussed.
The effects of child maltreatment and polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter and dopamine D4 receptor genes on infant attachment and intervention efficacy
Authors: Cicchetti Dante , Rogosch Fred A. , Toth Sheree L.
Published: April 2011

This investigation examined the extent to which polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) and the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) genes differentially influenced the development of attachment security and disorganization in maltreated and nonmaltreated infants at age 13 months, and the extent to which the efficacy of preventive interventions to promote attachment security were influenced by genetic variation. The sample consisted of 106 infants from maltreating families, participating in a randomized control trial evaluating the efficacy of two interventions, child–parent psychotherapy and psychoeducational parenting intervention, and 47 infants from nonmaltreating families. DNA samples were genotyped for polymorphisms of5-HTTLPR,DRD4exon III variable number tandem repeat, andDRD4-521. Attachment organization at age 1 and at age 2 was assessed with the Strange Situation for all participants, prior to and following the completion of the interventions. High rates of disorganized attachment were observed in the maltreatment compared to the nonmaltreatment group, and both interventions resulted in increased rates of attachment security at age 2. Genetic variation did not influence improvement in attachment organization among maltreated infants. Among maltreated infants, genetic variation had minimal effect on attachment organization. In contrast, among nonmaltreated infants,5-HTTLPRandDRD4polymorphisms influenced attachment security and disorganization at age 2 and the stability of attachment disorganization over time.
Affective facial expression processing in young children who have experienced maltreatment during the first year of life: An event-related potential study
Authors: Curtis W. John , Cicchetti Dante
Published: April 2011

This study employed event-related potentials (ERPs) to investigate the neural correlates of facial affect processing in maltreated and nonmaltreated children at 42 months of age. ERPs elicited while children passively viewed standardized pictures of female models posing angry, happy, and neutral facial expressions were examined, and differences between maltreated (N= 46) and nonmaltreated (N= 25) children were reported. Three occipital components (P1, N170, and P400) and four frontal–central components (N150, P240, Nc, and a positive slow wave [PSW]) were identified. Findings revealed that maltreated children had greater P1 and P400 amplitude in response to angry facial affect compared to other emotions, and compared to nonmaltreated children. N170 amplitude was greater in response to happy compared to angry in the maltreated group. For the P240 component, maltreated children had greater amplitude in response to angry facial expressions relative to happy, whereas children in the nonmaltreated group had greater P240 amplitude in response to happy relative to angry facial affect. Further, the nonmaltreated group had greater PSW amplitude in response to angry facial affect, whereas those in the maltreated group showed greater PSW amplitude to happy facial expressions. The results provided further support for the hypothesis that the experience of maltreatment and the predominantly negative emotional tone in maltreating families alters the functioning of neural systems associated with the identification and processing of facial emotion. These results exemplify the importance of early preventive interventions focused on emotion for children who have experienced maltreatment early in life.
Trauma in early childhood: Empirical evidence and clinical implications
Authors: Lieberman Alicia F. , Chu Ann , Van Horn Patricia , Harris William W.
Published: April 2011

Children in the birth to 5 age range are disproportionately exposed to traumatic events relative to older children, but they are underrepresented in the trauma research literature as well as in the development and implementation of effective clinical treatments and in public policy initiatives to protect maltreated children. Children from ethnic minority groups and those living in poverty are particularly affected. This paper discusses the urgent need to address the needs of traumatized young children and their families through systematic research, clinical, and public policy initiatives, with specific attention to underserved groups. The paper reviews research findings on early childhood maltreatment and trauma, including the role of parental functioning, the intergenerational transmission of trauma and psychopathology, and protective contextual factors in young children's response to trauma exposure. We describe the therapeutic usefulness of a simultaneous treatment focus on current traumatic experiences and on the intergenerational transmission of relational patterns from parent to child. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of current knowledge about trauma exposure for clinical practice and public policy and with recommendations for future research.
False memory for trauma-related Deese–Roediger–McDermott lists in adolescents and adults with histories of child sexual abuse
Authors: Goodman Gail S. , Ogle Christin M. , Block Stephanie D. , Harris Latonya S. , Larson Rakel P. , Augusti Else-Marie , Cho Young Il , Beber Jonathan , Timmer Susan , Urquiza Anthony
Published: April 2011

The purpose of the present research was to examine Deese–Roediger–McDermott false memory for trauma-related and nontrauma-related lists in adolescents and adults with and without documented histories of child sexual abuse (CSA). Individual differences in psychopathology and adult attachment were also explored. Participants were administered free recall and recognition tests after hearing CSA, negative, neutral, and positive Deese–Roediger–McDermott lists. In free recall, CSA and negative lists produced the most false memory. In sharp contrast, for recognition, CSA lists enjoyed the highest d′ scores. CSA-group adolescents who evinced greater posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms had higher rates of false memory compared to (a) non-CSA group adolescents with higher PTSD symptom scores (free recall), and (b) CSA-group adolescents with lower PTSD symptom scores (recognition). Regression analyses revealed that individuals with higher PTSD scores and greater fearful-avoidant attachment tendencies showed less proficient memory monitoring for CSA lists. Implications for trauma and memory development and for translational research are discussed.