AN EVALUATION OF A TELEHEALTH PARENT TRAINING PROGRAM IN TEACHING SELF-CARE SKILLS TO CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Abstract Although a fundamental component of effective behavioral intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorder is parent involvement, parents are often unable to receive adequate parent training from qualified specialists (e.g., BCBAs) due to obstacles such as cost and geographic location. One way to address this issue is to utilize telehealth technology to remotely teach parents of children with autism to be effective behavioral teachers for their children. The present study used iPad minis, FaceTime videoconferencing technology, and wireless Bluetooth ear buds to remotely deliver a parent training program to three parents of children with autism in the family home. Using a behavioral skills training-based program, parents were taught to conduct preference assessments and implement a graduated guidance teaching program to teach their children several important self-care skills (washing face, washing hands, and applying lotion). Results indicated that all three parents were able to accurately conduct preference assessments with their children after only receiving detailed written instructions. Parents, however, did not correctly implement graduated guidance after only receiving detailed written instructions. After parents received our parent training package that included instructions, modeling, role-play, and feedback procedures delivered via FaceTime, all three parents were able to correctly implement graduated guidance teaching procedures with near-perfect levels of procedural fidelity. After parents learned to use graduated guidance to teach the first self-care skill, all three parents were able to correctly implement graduated guidance teaching procedures to teach their children other self-care skills after only receiving detailed written instructions that explained how to do so for each skill. Furthermore, parent-implemented graduated guidance was effective in increasing independent completion of self-care skills for all three child participants

Criminal behavior patterns of adolescents and young adults who have histories of sexual offenses

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on July 29, 2009)Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2008.The development of criminal trajectories among sexual offenders (SOs) was explored in two studies. Study 1 focused on identifying distinct criminal trajectories, and Study 2 examined the association between these trajectories and psychosocial characteristics. Participants were 1,725 youths and their parents who were part of the National Youth Survey, which followed youths from adolescence through early adulthood. Individual youths completed a self-report delinquency measure in seven waves of the study, and youths and their parents completed psychosocial measures in the first wave. One hundred thirty-one individuals reported committing at least one sexual offense across the seven waves. Results from Study 1 indicated three criminal trajectories (i.e., low, moderate, and chronic) and that SOs generally did not have different criminal trajectories during adolescence and early adulthood than did nonsexual index offenders (NIOs). Similar proportions of SOs and NIOs were found on the three trajectories. Results from Study 1 also suggested that there were subgroups of SOs whose general patterns of criminal behavior were different from each other. Study 2 demonstrated psychosocial differences between individuals in the three trajectories but few differences between SOs and NIOs within each trajectory. Implications for research, policy, and treatment are discussed.Includes bibliographical reference

LC–MS Lipidomics: Exploiting a Simple High-Throughput Method for the Comprehensive Extraction of Lipids in a Ruminant Fat Dose-Response Study

Typical lipidomics methods incorporate a liquid−liquid extraction with LC−MS quantitation; however, the classic sample extraction methods are not high-throughput and do not perform well at extracting the full range of lipids especially, the relatively polar species (e.g., acyl-carnitines and glycosphingolipids). In this manuscript, we present a novel sample extraction protocol, which produces a single phase supernatant suitable for high-throughput applications that offers greater performance in extracting lipids across the full spectrum of species. We applied this lipidomics pipeline to a ruminant fat dose−response study to initially compare and validate the different extraction protocols but also to investigate complex lipid biomarkers of ruminant fat intake (adjoining onto simple odd chain fatty acid correlations). We have found 100 lipids species with a strong correlation with ruminant fat intake. This novel sample extraction along with the LC−MS pipeline have shown to be sensitive, robust and hugely informative (>450 lipids species semi-quantified): with a sample preparation throughput of over 100 tissue samples per day and an estimated ~1000 biological fluid samples per day. Thus, this work facilitating both the epidemiological involvement of ruminant fat, research into odd chain lipids and also streamlining the field of lipidomics (both by sample preparation methods and data presentation)

Correlates of recent and regular mammography screening among Asian-American women

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72104/1/j.1365-2648.2009.05112.x.pd

Correlates of recent and regular mammography screening among Asian-American women

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72104/1/j.1365-2648.2009.05112.x.pd

The relationship of alcohol use and physical activity from an ecologic perspective

Purpose To determine the predictors of alcohol use ( AU ) and their relationship to physical activity ( PA ) among adolescents and to examine differences among groups using an ecologic model. Design and Methods Cross sectional secondary analysis of 11,432 adolescents (51% 8th and 49% 10th graders). Results Attitude, perception of risk, and academic performance were the strongest predictors of AU . PA did not moderate, but it had a positive influence on AU in 10th graders. Differences were observed among groups. Practice Implications Nurses can address individual and school factors in an effort to decrease AU and guide nurses in creating an individualized plan.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/102245/1/jspn12044.pd

Pediatric rheumatology: addressing the transition to adult-orientated health care.

The transition from pediatric to adult health care is often a challenging process due to multiple interwoven complexities, especially for children with chronic medical conditions. Health care transition (HCT) is a process of moving from a pediatric to an adult model of health care with or without a transfer to a new clinician. This paper focuses on what is known about HCT for youth and young adults (Y/YA) with rheumatic diseases within a larger context of HCT recommendations. HCT barriers for youth, families, and providers and current evidence for a structured HCT processes are reviewed. Practical advice is offered on how to approach transition for Y/YA, what tools are available to assist in a successful transition process, and what are the areas of future research that are needed to improve the HCT evidence base

Collaborative Process Modeling with Tablets and Touch Tables — A Controlled Experiment

Collaborative process modeling involves business analysts and subject matter experts in order to properly capture and document process knowledge. In this context, appropriate tool support is required to motivate these user groups to actively participate in collaborative process modeling. This paper presents a collaborative process modeling tool that enables the experts to create, visualize and evolve process models based on multi-touch devices (e.g., tablets and touch tables). In particular, users may edit process models on their tablets and share the created or changed process models with other team members on a common touch table. For this purpose, a sophisticated and intuitive interaction concept is provided. Furthermore, results of a controlled experiment, evaluating the influence the use of tablets has on collaborative process modeling based on touch tables, are presented. Altogether the experimental results emphasize the high potential of multi-touch tools for collaborative process modeling

Surface fibrils of Streptococcus oralis subsp. dentisani

Streptococcus oralis is an oral commensal bacterium and a leading cause of sub-acute infective endocarditis (IE). Little is known of the mechanisms by which this bacterium colonizes the oral cavity and causes sub-acute IE. A crucial step in both processes is adhesion to host surfaces, yet no adhesion mechanisms have been defined for S. oralis subsp. dentisani. Electron microscopy images of S. oralis subsp. dentisani endocarditis isolates identified dense mono-lateral fibrils. Other streptococcal species have been shown to bind oral and IE relevant host surfaces, including oral epithelial cells, saliva and platelets, via serine-rich repeat proteins (SRRPs), a family of bacterial adhesins which typically form fine fibrils evenly distributed over the bacterial surface. However, S. cristatus has dense mono-lateral fibrils associated with an SRRP. This led to the hypothesis that S. oralis subsp. dentisani encodes one or more SRRPs that produce mono-lateral fibrils and act as adhesins. Analysis of a genome sequenced S. oralis subsp. dentisani isolate revealed three genes encoding putative SRRPs. A panel of SRRP mutants was generated and showed that each putative SRRP locus produces mono-lateral fibrils. The secondary structures of SRRPs are composed of two serine-repeat regions flanking a non-repeat region (NRR). Receptors for members of the SRRP family differ based on domains within the NRR. Structural predictions of the NRR suggest that two of these SRRPs, FapA and FapB, play a role in biofilm formation and intra- and interspecies interactions. Initial experiments suggest that FapA and FapB contribute to the auto-aggregation of this isolate. The FapC NRR contains predicted domains previously shown to bind sialic acid in other SRRPs. FapC mutants showed a significant reduction in adherence to saliva, which is heavily sialylated, suggesting FapC is required for efficient binding to sialic acid. FapC is the first adhesin described for S. oralis subsp. dentisani.Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP)A one-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Biochemistr

The Demands of Character: Performances of Authenticity and Virtue in Marginalized Group Street Protests 1976-2000

This dissertation investigates the means of persuasion available to marginalized identity groups who protest against the state. “Performances of authenticity and virtue” provide one theoretical framework to explain how a group’s very identity as “marginalized other” can be leveraged rhetorically for claim-making against the state and as a way of creating social/political change. Protest groups frequently harness the power of radical street performance. Because of the theatricality of the protest, a focus on “character” rather than “identity” seems more appropriate. An audience’s judgment of protestor character as “authentic” or “virtuous” requires a horizon against which such evaluation can occur. The street performances therefore require recognizable character “types,” characters inherited from various cultural narratives, and such characters make their own demands on the protestors. Aristotle’s treatment of character as rhetorical ethos (Rhetoric), as dramatis persona (Poetics), and as one’s virtuous or vicious nature (Nichomachean Ethics) serves as a basic division, structurally, in this thesis. Stanislavski’s approach to theatrical performance offers insights into how the inhabiting of character and meeting the demands of a script function for protests. His premises that actors need to be in belief and fully committed to their performances are vital to successful performances of authenticity. Erving Goffman, in sociology, relies on these same premises. Special emphasis is placed on the tactics used by protestors–these are their rhetorical pisteis, the appeals that actually persuade the audience. These tactics are intimately tied to the identities and specific situations of the protestors themselves. There is a clear connection between ethos and logos. I apply Burke’s concept of “impious rhetoric” here. The sense of “what goes with what” is violated according to the rules of the public sphere, but justified in another sense by the collective character of the protesting group. This dissertation represents an intersection among three academic areas: rhetoric, theatre and sociology. Concepts from one discipline help solve theoretical problems and fill in lacunae existing in the other disciplines