Expressed Emotion, Mental Health, and Functioning in Families of Children with and without Asthma

Introduction: Expressed emotion (EE), the affective attitudes and behaviors of one toward another, can affect caregivers’ behaviors toward their child. Research examining associations between EE and child/family outcomes is mixed; these associations may be affected by other influences such as the presence of a chronic disease or parent mental health. In this study of families living in an urban area, we examined associations between EE and child outcomes (anxiety/depressive symptoms) and family functioning, with parent anxiety as a covariate. We evaluated child asthma status as a moderator in these associations as the presence of a chronic illness may strengthen the association between EE and child/family outcomes. Methods: 96 children (mean±SD age=8.83±2.03 years, 48.9% female, 92.6% African American; 47 with asthma) and their parents (81.3% annual household income\u3c$25,000) completed an observational study including interviews and questionnaires. Measures included the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC), Children’s Depressive Symptoms Inventory (CDI), Self-Report Family Inventory (SFI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7), and Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS) coded for EE. To examine study aims, regression analyses were conducted using PROCESS macro version 3.1. Asthma status (yes/no) was examined as a moderator. Results: EE was associated with child anxiety symptoms, child depressive symptoms, and family functioning, controlling for parent anxiety symptoms (F(1,70) =6.74, p=.011; F(1,69) =7.803, p=.007; F(1,68) =8.637, p=.004). Asthma status did not moderate any of the associations. Conclusions: Results suggested that high levels of caregiver EE were associated with child mental health symptoms and family functioning, but asthma status did not moderate associations. It is possible that regardless of additional family demands related to asthma, EE is associated with child mental health and family functioning. Further examination into other systemic stressors that may moderate these associations is warranted, as well as the impact that minimizing parent anxiety might have on overall EE.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/gradposters/1075/thumbnail.jp

The clinical pharmacology of intranasal l-methamphetamine.

BackgroundWe studied the pharmacology of l-methamphetamine, the less abused isomer, when used as a nasal decongestant.Methods12 subjects self-administered l-methamphetamine from a nonprescription inhaler at the recommended dose (16 inhalations over 6 hours) then at 2 and 4 (32 and 64 inhalations) times this dose. In a separate session intravenous phenylephrine (200 microg) and l-methamphetamine (5 mg) were given to define alpha agonist pharmacology and bioavailability. Physiological, cardiovascular, pharmacokinetic, and subjective effects were measured.ResultsPlasma l-methamphetamine levels were often below the level of quantification so bioavailability was estimated by comparing urinary excretion of the intravenous and inhaled doses, yielding delivered dose estimates of 74.0 +/- 56.1, 124.7 +/- 106.6, and 268.1 +/- 220.5 microg for ascending exposures (mean 4.2 +/- 3.3 microg/inhalation). Physiological changes were minimal and not dose-dependent. Small decreases in stroke volume and cardiac output suggesting mild cardiodepression were seen.ConclusionInhaled l-methamphetamine delivered from a non-prescription product produced minimal effects but may be a cardiodepressant

Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation: Scaffold-Based Solutions

Autologous chondrocyte implantation is a surgical technique utilized for repair of articular cartilage defects. The originally described technique for autologous chondrocyte implantation involves applying a liquid suspension of the cultured chondrocytes to a cartilage defect and sealing the defect with a periosteum or collagen patch. Scaffolds for housing chondrocytes were introduced to allow for increased ease of delivery and application, to avoid leakage of chondrocytes out of the defect, and to allow for an implant that more closely mimics the non-uniform tissue architecture of healthy articular cartilage. In this chapter we describe the design, clinical outcomes, and commercial availability of various scaffolds reported in the clinical literature for autologous chondrocyte implantation

Prioritization Methodology for Chemical Replacement

This project serves to define an appropriate methodology for effective prioritization of efforts required to develop replacement technologies mandated by imposed and forecast legislation. The methodology used is a semiquantitative approach derived from quality function deployment techniques (QFD Matrix). This methodology aims to weigh the full environmental, cost, safety, reliability, and programmatic implications of replacement technology development to allow appropriate identification of viable candidates and programmatic alternatives. The results are being implemented as a guideline for consideration for current NASA propulsion systems

COVID-19 Impact on Latinx Families within the RVA Breathes Program

RVA Breathes is a community-based asthma intervention program that aims to reduce asthma disparities among 5 to 11-year-old children in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to the pandemic, Latinx children faced greater disparities in asthma treatment and morbidity than non-Latinx White children. During the pandemic, there is evidence to suggest that these disparities may have been further exacerbated. Specifically, research shows that COVID-19 health disparities among Latinx individuals arose due to social inequities, such as poverty, living conditions, lack of access to health care, language barriers, and employment. The current study provides an overview of responses from 20 Latinx caregivers to pandemic-related questions asked during intervention sessions.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/uresposters/1445/thumbnail.jp

Orbital structure of the GJ876 extrasolar planetary system, based on the latest Keck and HARPS radial velocity data

We use full available array of radial velocity data, including recently published HARPS and Keck observatory sets, to characterize the orbital configuration of the planetary system orbiting GJ876. First, we propose and describe in detail a fast method to fit perturbed orbital configuration, based on the integration of the sensitivity equations inferred by the equations of the original $N$-body problem. Further, we find that it is unsatisfactory to treat the available radial velocity data for GJ876 in the traditional white noise model, because the actual noise appears autocorrelated (and demonstrates non-white frequency spectrum). The time scale of this correlation is about a few days, and the contribution of the correlated noise is about 2 m/s (i.e., similar to the level of internal errors in the Keck data). We propose a variation of the maximum-likelihood algorithm to estimate the orbital configuration of the system, taking into account the red noise effects. We show, in particular, that the non-zero orbital eccentricity of the innermost planet \emph{d}, obtained in previous studies, is likely a result of misinterpreted red noise in the data. In addition to offsets in some orbital parameters, the red noise also makes the fit uncertainties systematically underestimated (while they are treated in the traditional white noise model). Also, we show that the orbital eccentricity of the outermost planet is actually ill-determined, although bounded by $\sim 0.2$. Finally, we investigate possible orbital non-coplanarity of the system, and limit the mutual inclination between the planets \emph{b} and \emph{c} orbits by $5^\circ-15^\circ$, depending on the angular position of the mutual orbital nodes.Comment: 36 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables; Accepted to Celestial Mechanics and Dynamical Astronom

Order statistics and heavy-tail distributions for planetary perturbations on Oort cloud comets

This paper tackles important aspects of comets dynamics from a statistical point of view. Existing methodology uses numerical integration for computing planetary perturbations for simulating such dynamics. This operation is highly computational. It is reasonable to wonder whenever statistical simulation of the perturbations can be much more easy to handle. The first step for answering such a question is to provide a statistical study of these perturbations in order to catch their main features. The statistical tools used are order statistics and heavy tail distributions. The study carried out indicated a general pattern exhibited by the perturbations around the orbits of the important planet. These characteristics were validated through statistical testing and a theoretical study based on Opik theory.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures, submitted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

College Students’ Perceptions of the C-Print Speech-to-Text Transcription System

C-Print is a real-time speech-to-text transcription system used as a support service with deaf students in mainstreamed classes. Questionnaires were administered to 36 college students in 32 courses in which the C-Print system was used in addition to interpreting and notetaking. Twenty-two of these students were also interviewed. Questionnaire items included student ratings of lecture comprehension. Student ratings indicated good comprehension with C-Print, and the mean rating was significantly higher than that for understanding of the interpreter. Students also rated the hard-copy printout provided by C-Print as helpful, and they reported that they used these notes more frequently than the handwritten notes from a paid student notetaker. Interview results were consistent with those for the questionnaire. Questionnaire and interview responses regarding use of C-Print as the only support service indicated that this arrangement would be acceptable to many students, but that it would not be to others. Communication characteristics were related to responses to the questionnaire. Students who were relatively proficient in reading and writing English, and in speech-reading, responded more favorably to C-Print

Ecological and morphological differentiation among COI haplotype groups in the plant parasitic nematode species \u3ci\u3eMesocriconema xenoplax\u3c/i\u3e

DNA barcoding with the mitochondrial COI gene reveals distinct haplotype subgroups within the monophyletic and parthenogenetic nematode species, Mesocriconema xenoplax. Biological attributes of these haplotype groups (HG) have not been explored. An analysis of M. xenoplax from 40 North American sites representing both native plant communities and agroecosystems was conducted to identify possible subgroup associations with ecological, physiological, or geographic factors. A dataset of 132 M. xenoplax specimens was used to generate sequences of a 712 bp region of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian phylogenies recognized seven COI HG (≥99/0.99 posterior probability/bootstrap value). Species delimitation metrics largely supported the genetic integrity of the HG. Discriminant function analysis of HG morphological traits identified stylet length, total body length, and stylet knob width as the strongest distinguishing features among the seven groups, with stylet length as the strongest single distinguishing morphological feature. Multivariate analysis identified land cover, ecoregion, and maximum temperature as predictors of 53.6% of the total variation (P = 0.001). Within land cover, HG categorized under “herbaceous,” “woody wetlands,” and “deciduous forest” were distinct in DAPC and RDA analyses and were significantly different (analysis of molecular variance P = 0.001). These results provide empirical evidence for molecular, morphological, and ecological differentiation associated with HG within the monophyletic clade that represents the species Mesocriconema xenoplax

Editorial Commentary: Suspensory Fixation of Displaced Tibial Posterior Cruciate Ligament Avulsions: A Novel Application of a Familiar Technique

Isolated tibial posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures, although rare, are becoming increasingly common in regions of the world with frequent 2-wheel motor vehicle accidents. Arthroscopic-assisted suture fixation has become a popular fixation method for these injuries. Suspensory metal button fixation of tibial posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures, although commonly used for other applications, has until recently been limited to isolated reports of a few patients