Interpersonal and affective dimensions of psychopathic traits in adolescents : development and validation of a self-report instrument

We report the development and psychometric evaluations of a self-report instrument designed to screen for psychopathic traits among mainstream community adolescents. Tests of item functioning were initially conducted with 26 adolescents. In a second study the new instrument was administered to 150 high school adolescents, 73 of who had school records of suspension for antisocial behavior. Exploratory factor analysis yielded a 4-factor structure (Impulsivity α = .73, Self-Centredness α = .70, Callous-Unemotional α = .69, and Manipulativeness α = .83). In a third study involving 328 high school adolescents, 130 with records of suspension for antisocial behaviour, competing measurement models were evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis. The superiority of a first-order model represented by four correlated factors that was invariant across gender and age was confirmed. The findings provide researchers and clinicians with a psychometrically strong, self-report instrument and a greater understanding of psychopathic traits in mainstream adolescents

Relationships among neurocognition, symptoms and functioning in patients with schizophrenia: a path-analytic approach for associations at baseline and following 24 weeks of antipsychotic drug therapy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neurocognitive impairment and psychiatric symptoms have been associated with deficits in psychosocial and occupational functioning in patients with schizophrenia. This post-hoc analysis evaluates the relationships among cognition, psychopathology, and psychosocial functioning in patients with schizophrenia at baseline and following sustained treatment with antipsychotic drugs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were obtained from a clinical trial assessing the cognitive effects of selected antipsychotic drugs in patients with schizophrenia. Patients were randomly assigned to 24 weeks of treatment with olanzapine (n = 159), risperidone (n = 158), or haloperidol (n = 97). Psychosocial functioning was assessed with the Heinrichs-Carpenter Quality of Life Scale [QLS], cognition with a standard battery of neurocognitive tests; and psychiatric symptoms with the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS]. A path-analytic approach was used to evaluate the effects of changes in cognitive functioning on subdomains of quality of life, and to determine whether such effects were direct or mediated via changes in psychiatric symptoms.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>At baseline, processing speed affected functioning mainly indirectly via negative symptoms. Positive symptoms also affected functioning at baseline although independent of cognition. At 24 weeks, changes in processing speed affected changes in functioning both directly and indirectly via PANSS negative subscale scores. Positive symptoms no longer contributed to the path-analytic models. Although a consistent relationship was observed between processing speed and the 3 functional domains, variation existed as to whether the paths were direct and/or indirect. Working memory and verbal memory did not significantly contribute to any of the path-analytic models studied.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Processing speed demonstrated direct and indirect effects via negative symptoms on three domains of functioning as measured by the QLS at baseline and following 24 weeks of antipsychotic treatment.</p

Corporate political activity in less developed countries:The Volta River Project in Ghana, 1958-66

The article expands existing categorisations of political and economic governance by including literature on less developed countries (LDCs). In four consecutive negotiations between the US multinational Kaisers and the US and Ghana governments in the early 1960s, it is argued that the company reached levels of influence that are at odds with existing explanations. In order to understand corporate political activities in LDCs, analysis needs to go beyond static factors (political risk) and include dynamic factors such as diplomatic relations and 'arenas of power', and consider the role of the investor's home country relative to the host economy

Kaiser-Jeep Corporation Prototype, Toledo, Ohio, 1964

A photograph of a Kaiser-Jeep prototype that was meant be exported. It was built to be a Jeep that could be shipped overseas in parts and be easily reassembled. It never went to market. Jeep employees called it the Flintstone Mobile. Terms associated with the photograph are: Kaiser-Jeep Corporation (Toledo, Ohio) | Jeep automobile | Experimental automobiles | Industrie

Kaiser-Jeep Corporation Prototype, Toledo, Ohio, 1964

A photograph of the top of a Kaiser-Jeep prototype that was meant be exported. It was built to be a Jeep that could be shipped overseas in parts and be easily reassembled. It never went to market. Jeep employees called it the Flintstone Mobile. Terms associated with the photograph are: Kaiser-Jeep Corporation (Toledo, Ohio) | Jeep automobiles | Experimental automobiles | Industrie

Kaiser-Jeep Corporation Prototype, Toledo, Ohio, 1964

A photograph of the parts that make up the top of a Kaiser-Jeep prototype that was meant be exported. It was built to be a Jeep that could be shipped overseas in parts and be easily reassembled. It never went to market. Jeep employees called it the Flintstone Mobile. Terms associated with the photograph are: Kaiser-Jeep Corporation (Toledo, Ohio) | Jeep automobile | Experimental automobiles | Industrie

Kaiser-Jeep Corporation Prototype, Toledo, Ohio, 1964

A photograph of a Kaiser-Jeep prototype that was meant be exported. It was built to be a Jeep that could be shipped overseas in parts and be easily reassembled. It never went to market. Jeep employees called it the Flintstone Mobile. Terms associated with the photograph are: Kaiser-Jeep Corporation (Toledo, Ohio) | Jeep automobile | Experimental automobiles | Industrie

Kaiser-Jeep Corporation Prototype, Toledo, Ohio, 1964

A photograph of a Kaiser-Jeep prototype that was meant be exported. It was built to be a Jeep that could be shipped overseas in parts and be easily reassembled. It never went to market. Jeep employees called it the Flintstone Mobile. Terms associated with the photograph are: Kaiser-Jeep Corporation (Toledo, Ohio) | Jeep automobile | Experimental automobiles | Industrie

Kaiser-Frazer Plant at Willow Run

Circa 1950 aerial photograph of the Kaiser-Frazer automobile plant at Willow Run. Kaiser-Frazer Corporation operated at this plant from 1945 until 1953. On the right are the famous water towers that each bore one of the names and in the back are the runways of Willow Run Airport