A comparison of parent-child interaction therapy and treatment as usual with families with a history of child abuse and neglect and intimate partner violence

Child abuse and neglect (CAN) and intimate partner violence (IPV) are serious public health issues that need to be addressed. In 2005, a reported 899,000 children throughout the United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico were the victims of either abuse or neglect resulting in the death of 1,460 children under 18-years-of-age (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2005). In the United States each year, adult women are subjected to over 5 million IPV incidences and which result in the death of approximately 1,300 women (APA, 2005). A meta-analysis of 31 studies conducted by Appel and Holden (1998) examining the co-occurrence of IPV and CAN revealed that these two forms of violence range from 20%-100% co-morbidity with an average of 41% co-morbidity. PCIT is an evidence-based treatment that has both theoretical and scientific support as a treatment to reduce future CAN recidivism and decrease the short- and long-term effects of CAN on children (Borrego et al., 1999; Chaffin et al., 2004; Timmer et al., 2005a; Timmer et al., 2005b, Timmer et al., 2006). Although PCIT has received theoretical support in the literature as a potential treatment for IPV (Borrego, Gutow, Reicher, & Barker, 2008; Pearl, 2008), to date, no research has been conducted that has assessed the impact of PCIT upon IPV. Currently, no studies have been conducted to examine the effectiveness of PCIT in a community-based environment with co-morbid CAN and IPV populations. This study aimed to contribute to the fields of CAN, IPV, and PCIT by evaluating the effectiveness of PCIT with populations who experience co-morbid family violence. Analyses indicated that physical child abuse scores did have a greater decrease from pre- to post-treatment in the PCIT condition compared to the TAU condition, F (2,41) = 12.10, p = 0.00. Furthermore, this study provided some support for the extra benefits of PCIT over standard TAU treatment in terms of increasing parenting skill, decreasing child behavior problems, and decreasing parental stress. It provided preliminary support for providing PCIT in a community setting without additional equipment and rooms. Analyses also indicated that IPV did not have a greater decrease from pre- to post-treatment in the PCIT condition compared to the TAU conduction for male-to-female psychological violence, F (2, 39) = 0.68, p = 0.51, female-to-male psychological violence, F (2, 39) = 1.78, p = 0.18, male-to-female physical violence, F (2, 39) = 0.49, p = 0.61, and female-to-male physical violence, F (2, 39) = 0.93, p = 0.40. However, power and methodological problems made it difficult to interpret the findings. More studies need to be conducted exploring the impact of PCIT upon IPV to more accurately assess this program as a potential treatment for the reduction of co-morbid family violence. Limitations, implications, and future directions are also elucidated

Perception, aesthetics and culture in new media

Thesis (M.S.V.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Architecture, 1988.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 98-100).by Kimberly Ann Foley.M.S.V.S

Involucrar a los Chicos en la Erradicación de la Violencia de Género: Un Estudio Piloto del Programa Promundo

The Brazil-based Promundo organization originated in 1997 and developed Program H to engage young men in the fight for gender equality. Research on Promundo and similar gender-transformative programs demonstrate that this type of intervention can significantly increase beliefs in gender equality and improve sexual health outcomes—pregnancy, safe sex practices, sexual and intimate partner violence, and STI and HIV transmission. Because Promundo has yet to be implemented in the United States, the authors worked alongside a victim service agency in the southeast United States--who has ties to Promundo--to adapt Program H for implementation with fourth grade boys. The program was piloted with a group of ten boys who attend a predominantly low-income and African-American public school. These boys were also a part of a statewide program to assist children at risk of academic failure due to poor test scores. This paper presents results of a pilot study which utilized a pre-posttest design. Assessment measures were adapted from program evaluations of Men Can Stop Rape’s Men of Strength (MOST) Clubs and include self-reported attitudes and beliefs about gender and masculinity, emotional expression and violence. Additionally, researchers conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with program instructors. This paper concludes with a discussion of the implications of implementing such a program with this particular population and explains changes to the program that will take effect during the second program implementation in Spring of 2015.La organización Promundo con sede en Brasil se creó en 1997 y desarrolló el Programa H para involucrar a los hombres jóvenes en la lucha por la igualdad de género. La investigación sobre Promundo y otros programas similares de transformación de género demuestran que este tipo de intervención puede aumentar significativamente las creencias en la igualdad de género y mejorar los hábitos de salud sexual (embarazo, lsexo seguro, violencia sexual y de pareja, y la tranmisión del ITS y el VIH. Como el programa Promundo aún no se ha implementado en los Estados Unidos, se trabajó junto a una agencia de servicios para víctimas en el sudeste de los Estados Unidos - que tiene lazos con Promundo - con el objetivo de adaptar el Programa H con los chicos de de cuarto grado. El programa se puso a prueba con un grupo de diez niños con bajos ingresos predominantemente que asisten que acuden a una escuela pública con población afroamericana. Estos chicos también fueron parte de un programa estatal dirigido a chicos en riesgo de fracaso escolar debido con resultados negativos en las pruebas de competencias. El presente trabajo presenta los resultados de un estudio piloto que utilizó un diseño pre-post-test. Para ello se han tomado medidas de evaluación que han sido adaptadas de los formatos de Men Can Stop Rape’s Men of Strength (MOST) e incluyen actitudes y creencias sobre el género y la masculinidad, las emociones y la violencia. Además, los investigadores llevaron a cabo entrevistas cualitativas semiestructuradas con los educadores. El artículo concluye con la discusión sobre las implicaciones de la implementación de un programa de este tipo con esta población en particular y explica los cambios en el programa que se llevarán a cabo durante la segunda aplicación del programa en la primavera de 2015

Significance of Coronavirus Mutants in Feces and Diseased Tissues of Cats Suffering from Feline Infectious Peritonitis

The internal FECV→FIPV mutation theory and three of its correlates were tested in four sibs/half-sib kittens, a healthy contact cat, and in four unrelated cats that died of FIP at geographically disparate regions. Coronavirus from feces and extraintestinal FIP lesions from the same cat were always >99% related in accessory and structural gene sequences. SNPs and deletions causing a truncation of the 3c gene product were found in almost all isolates from the diseased tissues of the eight cats suffering from FIP, whereas most, but not all fecal isolates from these same cats had intact 3c genes. Other accessory and structural genes appeared normal in both fecal and lesional viruses. Deliterious mutations in the 3c gene were unique to each cat, indicating that they did not originate in one cat and were subsequently passed horizontally to the others. Compartmentalization of the parental and mutant forms was not absolute; virus of lesional type was sometimes found in feces of affected cats and virus identical to fecal type was occasionally identified in diseased tissues. Although 3c gene mutants in this study were not horizontally transmitted, the parental fecal virus was readily transmitted by contact from a cat that died of FIP to its housemate. There was a high rate of mutability in all structural and accessory genes both within and between cats, leading to minor genetic variants. More than one variant could be identified in both diseased tissues and feces of the same cat. Laboratory cats inoculated with a mixture of two closely related variants from the same FIP cat developed disease from one or the other variant, but not both. Significant genetic drift existed between isolates from geographically distinct regions of the Western US

Animal Models of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the USA and currently there are minimal therapies specific for the treatment of COPD. To advance our knowledge on COPD pathogenesis and develop new therapeutics, animal models are needed that represent key clinical and pathologic features of the human disease. The primary animal models utilized to study COPD rely on several factors associated with disease progression, i.e. genetic and epigenetic changes, environmental exposures and the microbial flora of the lungs. Here, a systematic approach was taken to summarize and evaluate the current animal models employed to study COPD pathogenesis, comorbidities and exacerbations. The strengths and limitations of these disease models are also delineated. The rodent COPD models have been extensively utilized but several studies have highlighted the potential of larger animals as an additional approach. Due to the inherent heterogeneity of COPD, the usefulness of certain animal models may be limiting but still represent helpful means to explore gene functional studies, testing new therapeutics and the exploring the significance of microbial floral changes. Therefore, interpreting the findings from animal models for the study of COPD represents a critical approach in deciding possible future human therapeutics

Blockchain implementation in health care: Protocol for a systematic review

Background: A blockchain is a digitized, decentralized, distributed public ledger that acts as a shared and synchronized database that records cryptocurrency transactions. Despite the shift toward digital platforms enabled by electronic medical records, demonstrating a will to reform the health care sector, health systems face issues including security, interoperability, data fragmentation, timely access to patient data, and silos. The application of health care blockchains could enable data interoperability, enhancement of precision medicine, and reduction in prescription frauds through implementing novel methods in access and patient consent. Objective: To summarize the evidence on the strategies and frameworks utilized to implement blockchains for patient data in health care to ensure privacy and improve interoperability and scalability. It is anticipated this review will assist in the development of recommendations that will assist key stakeholders in health care blockchain implementation, and we predict that the evidence generated will challenge the health care status quo, moving away from more traditional approaches and facilitating decision making of patients, health care providers, and researchers. Methods: A systematic search of MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, ProQuest Technology Collection and Engineering Index will be conducted. Two experienced independent reviewers will conduct titles and abstract screening followed by full-text reading to determine study eligibility. Data will then be extracted onto data extraction forms before using the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool to appraise the quality of included randomized studies and the Risk of Bias in nonrandomized studies of Interventions to assess the quality of nonrandomized studies. Data will then be analyzed and synthesized. Results: Database searches will be initiated in September 2018. We expect to complete the review in January 2019. Conclusions: This review will summarize the strategies and frameworks used to implement blockchains in health care to increase data privacy, interoperability, and scalability. This review will also help clarify if the strategies and frameworks required for the operationalization of blockchains in health care ensure the privacy of patient data while enabling efficiency, interoperability, and scalability

The Grizzly, February 22, 1985

Auto Blaze Cuts Phone Service • New Forensics Society Competing Successfully • All is Well With All\u27s Well Cast • Career Program Scheduled • Students Invited to Presidential Symposium • Pi Gamma Mu Seeks New Members • UC Selected for Ed Project • Bloodmobile Here in March • Nutrition Forum Tuesday • Bears Beat Swarthmore to Finish Season • Baseball Trains for Season and Florida Trip • Carr Puts Teams in Drive • Wellness Week Aimed at Promoting Overall Health • Night on Ice Scheduledhttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/grizzlynews/1134/thumbnail.jp

An ecological characterization of the marine resources of Vieques, Puerto Rico. Part I: Historical data synthesis

From the 1940s until 2003, portions of the island of Vieques, a municipality within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, were used by the US Navy as a base and training facility, resulting in development and zoning history that differ in comparison to other Caribbean islands. The majority of former Navy lands are now under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service as a National Wildlife Refuge, while a smaller percentage of land was transferred to the Vieques municipality and the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust. An analysis of the distribution and status of the marine resources is timely in light of the recent land transfer, increases in development and tourism, and potential changes in marine zoning around the island. To meet this need, NOAA’s Biogeography Branch, in cooperation with the Office of Response and Restoration and other local and regional partners, conducted Part I of an ecological characterization to integrate historical data and research into a synthesis report. The overall objective of this report is to provide resource managers and residents a comprehensive characterization of the marine resources of Vieques to support research, monitoring, and management. For example, knowledge of the spatial distribution of physical features, habitats, and biological communities is necessary to make an informed decision of the establishment and placement of a marine protected area (MPA). The report is divided into chapters based on the physical environment (e.g., climate, geology, bathymetry), habitat types (e.g., reefs and hardbottom, seagrasses, mangroves) and major faunal groups (e.g. fish, turtles, birds). Each section includes five subsections: an overview, description of the relevant literature, methods of analysis, information on the distribution, status and trends of the particular resource, and a discussion of ecological linkages with other components of the Vieques marine ecosystem and surrounding environment. The physical environment of Vieques is similar to other islands within the Greater Antilles chain, with some distinctions. The warm, tropical climate of Vieques, mediated by the northeasterly trade winds, is characterized by a dry season (December-April) and a rainy season (May-November), the latter of which is characterized by the occasional passage of tropical cyclones. Compared to mainland Puerto Rico, Vieques is characterized by lower elevation, less annual precipitation, and higher average temperatures. The amount of annual precipitation also varies spatially within Vieques, with the western portion of the island receiving higher amounts of rainfall than further east. While the North Equatorial Current dominates the circulation pattern in the Greater Antilles region, small scale current patterns specific to Vieques are not as well characterized. These physical processes are important factors mitigating the distribution and composition of marine benthic habitats around Vieques. In general, the topography of Vieques is characterized by rolling hills. Mt. Pirata, the tallest point at 301 m, is located near the southwest coast. In the absence of island wide sedimentation measurements, information on land cover, slope, precipitation, and soil type were used to estimate relative erosion potential and sediment delivery for each watershed. While slope and precipitation amount are the primary driving factors controlling runoff, land use practices such as urban development, military activity, road construction, and agriculture can increase the delivery of pollution and sediments to coastal waters. Due to the recent land transfer, increased development and tourism is expected, which may result in changes in the input of sediments to the coastal environment

Evaluation of fluralaner and afoxolaner treatments to control flea populations, reduce pruritus and minimize dermatologic lesions in naturally infested dogs in private residences in west central Florida USA

Citation: Dryden, M. W., Canfield, M. S., Kalosy, K., Smith, A., Crevoiserat, L., McGrady, J. C., . . . Sun, F. (2016). Evaluation of fluralaner and afoxolaner treatments to control flea populations, reduce pruritus and minimize dermatologic lesions in naturally infested dogs in private residences in west central Florida USA. Parasites & Vectors, 9, 11. doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1654-7Background: A study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of two different oral flea and tick products to control flea infestations, reduce pruritus and minimize dermatologic lesions over a 12 week period on naturally infested dogs in west central FL USA. Methods: Thirty-four dogs with natural flea infestations living in 17 homes were treated once with a fluralaner chew on study day 0. Another 27 dogs living in 17 different homes were treated orally with an afoxolaner chewable on day 0, once between days 28-30 and once again between days 54-60. All products were administered according to label directions by study investigators. Flea populations on pets were assessed using visual area counts and premise flea infestations were assessed using intermittent-light flea traps on days 0, 7, 14, 21, and once between days 28-30, 40-45, 54-60 and 82-86. Dermatologic assessments were conducted on day 0 and once monthly. Pruritus assessments were conducted by owners throughout the study. No concurrent treatments for existing skin disease (antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, anti-fungals) were allowed. Results: Following the first administration of fluralaner or afoxolaner, flea populations on pets were reduced by 99.0 % and 99.3 %, respectively within 7 days. Flea populations on the fluralaner treated dogs were 0 (100 % efficacy) on days 54-60 and 82-86 after the administration of a single dose on day 0. Administration of 3 monthly doses of afoxolaner reduced flea populations by 100 % on days 82-86. Flea numbers in indoor-premises were markedly reduced in both treatment groups by days 82-86, with 100 % and 98.9 % reductions in flea trap counts in the fluralaner and afoxolaner treatment groups, respectively. Marked improvement was observed in FAD lesion scoring, Atopic Dermatitis lesions scoring (CADESI-4) and pruritus scores with both formulations. Conclusions: In a clinical field investigation conducted during the summer of 2015 in subtropical Florida, a single administration of an oral fluralaner chew completely eliminated dog and premises flea infestations and markedly reduced dermatology lesions and pruritus. Three monthly doses of the afoxolaner chewable also eliminated flea infestations in dogs, markedly reduced premises' flea populations and similarly improved dermatology lesions and pruritus