Arithmetical calculation and related neuropsychological skills in subjects with isolated oral clefts.

OBJECTIVE: The current study examined whether the arithmetical calculation skills of children, adolescents, and young adults with isolated cleft of the lip and/or palate (iCL/P) differ significantly from unaffected control participants. Comparisons of potential neuropsychological predictors of arithmetical calculation were also conducted to determine whether these variables differ significantly for participants with iCL/P. METHOD: Participants (N = 176; 93 iCL/P and 83 Control) ranged in age from 7 to 26 years old. A standardized battery of achievement and neuropsychological skills was administered. Between group differences on math achievement was assessed through a univariate analysis of covariance. Relationships between neuropsychological measures and math achievement were analyzed separately for participants with iCL/P and controls through hierarchical linear regressions. RESULTS: Arithmetical calculation was significantly lower for the iCL/P group. Rapid naming, sustained attention, and visual-spatial organization were significant predictors for the iCL/P group; rapid naming was the lone variable that was significantly more predictive of arithmetical calculation for the iCL/P group than for control participants. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that inefficient verbal label retrieval related to short-term memory (STM) deficits underlie the calculation difficulties of individuals with iCL/P. These findings have implications for approaches to remediation, as well as future research. (PsycINFO Database Recor

Effects of Breast Milk Feedings versus Formula Feedings on Health and Developmental Outcomes in Preterm Infants: Systematic Literature Review

Background: Gestation is the period of time between conception and birth. Infants being born between 20 and 37 weeks before completion of pregnancy are considered preterm. Infants who are born preterm are at risk for an abundance of acute and long-term complications related to health and development. Some of these include necrotizing enterocolitis, lack of lung surfactant, feeding intolerance, and infection. Since preterm infants are more prone to contract infections due to their underdeveloped immune systems, there has long been a debate whether mother’s breast milk versus formula milk is more beneficial in the growth and development of the preterm infant. The purpose of this project was to explore the health and development outcomes in breastfed babies versus formula fed babies. Purpose: The purpose of this systematic literature review is to determine the benefits of breastfeeding on a preterm infant’s development and health compared to formula feeding. Methodology: Studies have been systematically reviewed using the John Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Model. Databases used include MEDLINE Complete, PubMed, CINAHL, and Complementary Index. Keywords used to facilitate our search include preterm infants, breastfeeding, breast milk, formula feeding, development, and growth. A PRISMA Flow Diagram summarizes our systematic research screening process based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty articles were appraised for evidence and quality levels before analysis of results. Results: Preliminary results suggest that breastfeeding supplies infants with the most benefits for their development and their health. Final analysis will be shared at the Symposium

A nomological network of psychopathy: elaboration on the construct validity of the triarchic model

Over the past several decades, several different conceptualizations of psychopathy have emerged. These conceptualizations have had some common themes (e.g., a tendency to use others, lack of empathy), but have also differed in terms of how they include or emphasize particular features related to psychopathy (e.g., criminal behavior, positive adjustment features). The Triarchic model of psychopathy (Patrick, Fowles, & Krueger, 2009) is a relatively new conceptualization which attempts to synthesize many of these previous models, measured specifically in the three domains: Boldness, Meanness, and Disinhibition. The current study sought to elaborate on the Triarchic model by investigating its internal structure, criterion validity, and construct validity in a community sample. Results of a Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) indicated the factor structure of the Triarchic model (as measured by the Triarchic Personality measure [TriPM]) showed acceptable (although not excellent) fit in the current sample. In terms of criterion validity, the CFA indicated that each TriPM domain loaded on a separate factor with conceptually-relevant subscales of two other self-report psychopathy measures. Construct validity was examined by conducting correlation and regression analyses between the TriPM domains (and combinations thereof) with various psychological, neuropsychological, and psychosocial external criteria. Results indicated Boldness was associated with positive adjustment features (e.g., lack of psychopathology, fearlessness), poor facial emotion identification, cognitive flexibility and planning, and higher socioeconomic status. Meanness was associated with Narcissistic Personality Disorder, lack of empathy, lack of aggression, and better decision-making skills when under stress. Disinhibition was associated with antisocial and impulsive behavior, negative emotionality, history of outpatient mental health treatment, substance abuse, poor planning, history of being fired, and better identification of emotions. Combinations of TriPM domains also showed differential associations with external criteria (e.g., high Boldness and high Meanness was associated with increased aggression). These results indicate acceptable fit of factor structure and good convergent and discriminant validity for the Triarchic model in a community sample. Therefore, the present study suggests that this model appears to capture a wide range of features present in previous conceptualizations (e.g., positive adjustment features and antisocial behavior), and lends itself to examination of psychopathy subtypes based on combinations of psychopathy domains. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries