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Early adolescent second-generation antipsychotic exposure produces long-term, post-treatment increases in body weight and metabolism-associated gene expression
No full textThe use of second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medications in pediatric patients raises concerns about potential long-term adverse outcomes. The current study evaluated the long-term effects of treatment with risperidone or olanzapine on body weight, caloric intake, serum insulin, blood glucose, and metabolism-associated gene expression in C57Bl/6J female mice. Compared to mice treated with vehicle, female mice treated with risperidone or olanzapine gained weight at higher rates during treatment and maintained higher body weights for months following treatment cessation. High-fat diet feeding did not produce a robust difference in weight gain in previously treated vs. control groups. Finally, female mice previously treated with olanzapine also exhibited increased expression of genes associated with inflammation and lipogenesis. These findings suggest that pediatric use of SGA medications that induce excess weight gain during treatment may exert persistent effects on body weight and gene expression and such outcomes may form an important aspect of assessing risk-to-benefit ratios in prescribing decisions
Correction to: Microaggressions and Cannabis-Related Problems Among Black Adults: The Roles of Negative Affect and Cannabis Use Motives (Cognitive Therapy and Research, (2023), 10.1007/s10608-023-10375-8)
Get PDFThe original publication includes description of the study’s method from an earlier draft that did not include changes requested by the journal Editor to reduce overlap with other publications using this sample. The correct revised Method section is presented here. Participants were recruited for a larger study of race-based microaggressions and substance use (Buckner, Morris, et al., 2023; Buckner, Threeton, et al., 2023; Buckner et al., in press). In Fall 2021, 65.9% of the undergraduates at this large, predominantly White institution in the Southeast identified as White, with 15.6% identifying as African American/Black. For the current study, inclusion criteria were: being at least 18 years old, identifying as African American or Black, past-month cannabis use, and evidence of valid responses (described below). Although all 125 (78.4% female) participants identified as African American/Black, participants also endorsed the following races/ethnicities: White (20.0%), Hispanic/Latin (6.4%), Asian/Asian American (4.8%), Middle Eastern/Arab American (1.6%), Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (2.4%), and American Indian/Alaskan Native (0.8%). The mean age was 19.4 (SD = 1.8, range 18–28) and 68.8% identified as straight, 20.8% bisexual, 5.6% pansexual, and 4.0% gay or lesbian. Regarding employment, 33.6% were employed part-time and 8.0% employed full-time. Year in school was: 53.6% first year, 14.4% second year, 15.2% third year, 14.4% fourth year, and 1.6% fifth year. We recruited participants using the psychology department participant pool’s SONA system for an online study on the impact of discrimination and microaggressions among Black students. We obtained written informed consent prior to participants completing study measures using Qualtrics. We obtained approval from the university’s IRB and we awarded participants psychology course research credit for study completion. The Racial and Ethnic Microaggression Scale (Nadal, 2011) is a 45-item self-report measure of experiences with race-based microaggressions (e.g., “someone assumed that I would not be educated because of my race”) over the past month. Items are rated in terms of degree of frequency on a Likert-type scale from 1 (I did not experience this event in the past month) to 5 (I experienced this event 5 or more times in the past month). As in prior work (Su et al., 2020), the 7 reverse-scored items were not included in the final sum; all other endorsed items were summed to create a total count of microaggressions, with higher scores indicating more microaggressions. Internal consistency was excellent in the current study (α = 0.97). The Marijuana Use Form (MUF; Buckner et al., 2007) is a self-report measure of past-month cannabis use frequency from 0 (never) to 10 (21 or more times each week). The MUF has demonstrated convergent validity with cannabis use assessed using ecological momentary assessment (Buckner et al., 2012). The Marijuana Problems Scale (MPS; Stephens et al., 2000) is a self-report measure of 19 past 90 day problems (e.g., problems in your family, to miss days at work or miss classes, to have lower productivity) that may have been experienced as a result of smoking marijuana from 0 (no problem) to 2 (serious problem). We summed endorsed items so that higher scores indicate greater number of problems, as in prior work (e.g., Buckner, Jeffries, et al., 2016). The measure demonstrated acceptable internal consistency in other samples of Black individuals who use cannabis (Buckner, Shah, et al., 2016; Dean et al., 2017) and in the current sample (α = 0.90). The Marijuana Motives Measure (MMM; Simons et al., 1998) is a 25-item self-report measure of five cannabis use motives for “all the times you use marijuana” using 5-item subscales: enhancement (e.g., it gives me a pleasant feeling), coping (e.g., it helps when I feel depressed or nervous), social (e.g., it makes social gatherings more fun), conformity (e.g., so that others won’t kid me about not using), and expansion (e.g., it helps me be more creative and original). Participants rate the degree to which they smoked cannabis for particular reasons from 1 (almost never/never) to 5 scale (almost always/always). MMM subscale items are summed so higher scores indicate more cannabis use for a particular motive. MMM subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency with predominantly White samples (Chabrol et al., 2005), yet with Black samples internal consistency for some subscales been somewhat lower (Buckner, Shah, et al., 2016; King et al., 2022). MMM subscales demonstrated acceptable internal consistency in the current sample (conformity α = 0.90; enhancement α = 0.89; social α = 0.86; coping α = 0.90; and expansion α = 0.91). Overt racial discrimination. In light of data indicating that name calling and being threatened or harassed are two experiences of overt racial discrimination that are distinct from microaggressions, two items from the Schedule of Racist Events (Landrine & Klonoff, 1996) that assess the frequency of these constructs over the past year were summed to crease an index of overt discrimination so that higher scores indicate more frequent experience of this type of discrimination: (1) “How many times have you been called a racist name like n______, coon, jungle bunny or other names?” and (2) “How many times have you been made fun of, picked on, pushed, shoved, hit, or threatened with harm because you are Black?” Items were rated from 1 (never) to 6 (almost all of the time (more than 70% of the time)). Internal consistency of this self-report measure was acceptable in the current sample (α = 0.73). The Daily Stress Inventory (DSI; Brantley & Jones, 1989) is a 58-item self-report measure of stress from daily activities (e.g., “Did not hear from someone you expected to hear from”) over seven consecutive days. Number of stressful life events endorsed was summed to serve as number of non-racist life events in the present study. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995) was used to assess negative affect. The DASS is a self-report measure of trait depression, anxiety, and stress. Each subscale contains seven items rated on a scale from 0 (Does not apply to me at all) to 3 (applied to me very much, or most of the time) that were summed; thus higher scores indicate more depression, anxiety, or stress. Subscales have demonstrated good reliability and validity (Antony et al., 1998). In the present sample, internal consistency was good for depression (α = 0.91). anxiety (α = 0.84), and stress (α = 0.80). To identify random responders or participants who did not pay attention while completing the survey, four questions from the self-report measure, Infrequency Scale (IS; Chapman & Chapman, 1983), were used. Participants who answered at least three questions incorrectly were excluded (n = 1) per prior research using online data collection (e.g., Cohen et al., 2009). We conducted data analyses using SPSS 27. We examined data for violations of abnormality (i.e., skew \u3e 3, kurtosis \u3e 10; Kline, 2005); no study variable violated these assumptions (Table 1). First, we conducted zero-order correlations to test whether microaggressions were related to cannabis use motives, past-month cannabis use frequency, cannabis-related problems, depression, anxiety, and stress. Second, we used hierarchical linear regression to test the robustness of the association of microaggressions with cannabis problems. Predictor variables were: cannabis use frequency, number of non-racist stressful life events, and overt discrimination (Step 1); and microaggressions (Step 2), thereby isolating the variance attributable the Step 2 variable from that attributable to step 1 variables (Cohen & Cohen, 1983). Third, serial multiple mediator models tested whether the relation between microaggressions and cannabis use-related problems occurred via the serial effect of relevant negative affect (depression, anxiety, stress) and cannabis use motives related to microaggressions (Table 1). Serial multiple mediator models allow us to test four pathways by which the predictor variable can impact the criterion variable: directly and/or indirectly via negative affect only, via cannabis use motive only, and/or via both variables serially, with negative affect impacting cannabis motive (Hayes, 2013). Although it is best to test mediation models using prospective and/or experimental data, cross-sectional tests of theoretically relevant indirect effects can be useful (Hayes, 2018), as such tests can determine that the variables are statistically significantly related, a key criterion of causality (Garber & Hollon, 1991). Mediation was tested using the PROCESS macro in SPSS, which uses an ordinary least squares-based path analytical framework to test for both direct and indirect effects (Hayes, 2018). Specific and conditional indirect effects underwent bootstrap analyses with 10,000 resamples from which a 95% confidence interval (CI) was estimated
Logical memory, visual reproduction, and verbal paired associates are effective embedded validity indicators in patients with traumatic brain injury
No full textObjective: This study was design to evaluate the potential of the recognition trials for the Logical Memory (LM), Visual Reproduction (VR), and Verbal Paired Associates (VPA) subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scales–Fourth Edition (WMS-IV) to serve as embedded performance validity tests (PVTs). Method: The classification accuracy of the three WMS-IV subtests was computed against three different criterion PVTs in a sample of 103 adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Results: The optimal cutoffs (LM ≤ 20, VR ≤ 3, VPA ≤ 36) produced good combinations of sensitivity (.33–.87) and specificity (.92–.98). An age-corrected scaled score of ≤5 on either of the free recall trials on the VPA was specific (.91–.92) and relatively sensitive (.48–.57) to psychometrically defined invalid performance. A VR I ≤ 5 or VR II ≤ 4 had comparable specificity, but lower sensitivity (.25–.42). There was no difference in failure rate as a function of TBI severity. Conclusions: In addition to LM, VR, and VPA can also function as embedded PVTs. Failing validity cutoffs on these subtests signals an increased risk of non-credible presentation and is robust to genuine neurocognitive impairment. However, they should not be used in isolation to determine the validity of an overall neurocognitive profile
Alternative theories of COVID-19: social dimensions and information sources
Get PDFWhile scientific understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic increased, conspiracy theories undermined the foundations of public health policy, making it significantly more difficult both to discuss and to implement. Popular alternative narratives include the claim that government was using restrictions to control people\u27s behavior, and that the pandemic was caused by 5G cellular technology. We examine the extent to which alternative beliefs were associated with sociodemographic characteristics and the sources through which people acquired information during the pandemic. Our analysis uses a demographically balanced online survey of 10,022 participants from 50 US states, collected during August of 2021. Results indicate that those holding alternative theories tended to be right leaning, religious, young, male, and unvaccinated individuals. Sources of information were also strong predictors of such beliefs, specifically the extent to which social media were considered reliable
Selected Pre-, Peri-, and Post-copulatory Behaviors in a Diverse Set of Taxa
No full textExtreme animal traits have long puzzled and interested scientists. Many of these traits are secondary sexual characteristics that have rapidly diversified because of sexual selection. This dissertation examines mating behaviors across multiple vertebrate and arthropod taxa. In the second chapter, I sampled the literature to begin to determine the extent of peri- and post-copulatory vocalizations in vertebrates with internal fertilization. Additionally, I compiled publicly available videos of vertebrate copulations and identified vocalizing species. Between the literature and videos, there were 166 vocalizing species. In the literature, there were 22 hypothesized functions for the vocalizations, generally relating to increasing the fertilization success of the current copulation. These findings indicate that peri- and post-copulatory vocalizations are likely widespread but understudied in behavioral research. In the third chapter, I examined how environmental variation can influence adult lifespan, mating behavior, and reproductive output in a lepidopteran species. Sodium is a vital element for physiological function in animals and varies across environments and in the host plants of insects. I manipulated the larval diet of bordered patch butterflies (Chlosyne lacinia, Geyer, 1837) so individuals either had a low or high sodium regime. Adults were then placed in mating trials of either one female and a male of each treatment, or one female and a single male of one treatment. Individuals reared on high sodium had significantly shorter lifespans, but lower latencies to mate. There was avoidance for pairings between individuals both reared on high sodium regimes, indicating a possible negative effect of sodium at high concentrations. There were no significant differences among reproductive outputs of different pairings. In the penultimate chapter, I described the genital positioning of black soldier flies (Hermetia illucens, L., 1758) during copulation and artificially numbed the male genitalia to determine the effects on copulation. When numbed, males are less able to turn copulation attempts into successful copulations, showing that the male external genitalia are important in initiating genital coupling. Overall, this dissertation examines mating behaviors across different animal taxa, showcasing the diversity of copulatory behavior present in nature
Examining whether method of suicide exposure and closeness to decedent relate to firearm storage practices
Get PDFIntroduction: One factor that can influence whether someone will engage in secure firearm storage is having a suicide exposure (SE). Daruwala et al. (2018) examined this and found that individuals with an SE, without considering perceived closeness, did not significantly differ from those who did not have an SE in their firearm storage practices. Thus, the present study aimed to replicate and extend the research of Daruwala et al. (2018) by examining if the method of suicide (by firearm or other means) and closeness of suicide decedent relate to secure firearm storage practices. Methods: 308 male firearm owners completed self-report measures assessing SE, perceived closeness to decedent, and current firearm storage practices. Chi square and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Suicide loss exposure, regardless of method used in suicide, did not relate to firearm storage practices in this sample. We also found that there was no association between perceived closeness to the decedent who died by suicide by firearm and secure storage, without considering age. Conclusions: Results underscore the difficulty in helping male firearm owners develop personally salient reasons to increase safety with firearms. Implications for clinical care, firearm safety, and public health initiatives are explored
Estimating the Future Frequency of Bonnet Carré Spillway Openings
No full textIn the 2010s, the Bonnet Carré Spillway (BCS) in southeastern Louisiana, U.S.A., experienced an unprecedented uptick in openings to mitigate the possibility of flooding, including a record double-opening in 2019. Both the environmental consequences of BCS openings associated with nutrients that run from the Mississippi River into Lake Pontchartrain and the synoptic-scale meteorological conditions that necessitate these openings are poorly understood. With the unexpectedly frequent openings in recent years and the ever-present threat of climate change, it is vital to consider the future shift of synoptic-scale climate patterns and how it can relate to BCS openings. Understanding the potential for future openings will allow local leadership to guide their decision-making processes and increase preparedness for impacted communities.
This thesis investigates the potential for BCS openings by 2100 under the shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) 5-85 emissions scenario. A self-organizing map (SOM) was generated to classify and visualize historical atmospheric moisture patterns into 15 groups using total column water vapor. These patterns were statistically compared to BCS openings using pooled t-tests, which identified three moisture patterns that were significantly more frequent during years with BCS openings. Those findings were utilized to predict possible BCS openings (2021–2100) using projected moisture patterns from the Community Earth System Model 2 (CESM2) general circulation model.
Despite the general consensus that precipitation will increase in rate and intensity, predictions of frequency of BCS openings by 2100 remains inconclusive. The frequency of the three SOM moisture patterns suspected of influencing BCS operation did not change substantially in future CESM2 simulations. Nevertheless, this research represents an important first step in considering how potential future climate changes might affect BCS openings and resulting environmental impacts
Breathing in Justice: Propaganda in Cancer Alley and its Relationship to Historic Black Communities
No full textCommunities are built on stories. Communities are also destroyed by stories. In this dissertation, I explore both. That Cancer Alley has negative effects on Black residents, or that Cancer Alley exists at all, is part of a story that is at once told by Black residents of Cancer Alley and yet denied by the local petrochemical industry that gave rise to its name. Through fourteen semi-structured qualitative interviews with twenty-six Black residents of Cancer Alley, I find that Black residents are using storytelling to tell counterstories that resist attempts by industry to disempower them and to define their experiences for them. By contrast, I find that industry in Cancer Alley is using storytelling—via public relations—to further entrench its corporate hegemonic influence over Black residents. Suffering, exploitation, and expropriation are part and parcel of Cancer Alley, but in the final analysis, the story of Cancer Alley is one of resistance, revolt, and empowerment by residents. If public relations is a way for industry to maintain its grip on Black residents, then telling counterstories is their way of subverting this iron fist. As a tool for survival and resistance against racism, this dissertation emphasizes that counterstorytelling among Black resident is a central component of cultural preservation, intergenerational communicative networks, and resistance.
In Part 1, the findings provide insight for applications of storytelling and counterstories, which arose as a form of critical legal inquiry, to non-legal contexts while still maintaining its dual juxtaposition of “in groups” and “out groups,” dominant and subaltern narratives. In Part 2, the findings provide insight for understanding the ways in which public relations erects, rather than lowers, barriers between stakeholders—specifically, between the petrochemical industry in Cancer Alley and Black residents in whose communities industry builds. Public relations, in this view, is part of a broader framework of psychological warfare and, relatedly, propaganda, that industry deploys in which communication and media take the place of armies and navies in pacifying potentially dissident or rebellious residents, coercing them into normalizing cancer, sickness, and death (or at least trying to)
THE JACOD-YOR THEOREM FOR SIGMA MARTINGALES AND THE SECOND FUNDAMENTAL
Get PDFIn this paper, we prove the Jacod-Yor Theorem for sigma martingales, a class of processes that generalize local martingales and play a pivotal role in financial mathematics. While the Jacod-Yor Theorem has been extensively studied for L2-martingales, martingales, and local martingales, no prior version exists for sigma martingales. Our result establishes the connection between sigma martingales and their martingale representation properties, addressing a critical gap in the literature. As an application, we prove the Second Fundamental Theorem of Asset Pricing for markets where price processes are modeled as sigma martingales
Effects of older adults’ social identification on psychological flourishing and exercise program adherence
No full textBackground: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many exercise programs moved online. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which older adults’ social identification with other exercise program members contributed to their psychological flourishing and exercise program adherence. Methods: The study represented a secondary analysis of data derived from the Seniors COVID-19 Pandemic and Exercise (SCOPE) Trial, in which older adults were randomized to a waitlist control condition or one of two online (personal v group) exercise programs. Only data from participants in the trial intervention conditions (N = 162; Mage = 73.52 years; SD = 5.61) were utilized in this secondary analysis. We assessed psychological flourishing and social identification at baseline and every two weeks, as well as program adherence over each 2-week block, for 12 weeks. Results: Based on stepwise multilevel modeling the results revealed that older adults’ social identification with others in their respective exercise program had a direct effect on psychological flourishing (ΔR2Unique Marginal = 0.063, p \u3c.001) and program adherence (ΔR2Unique Marginal = 0.014, p =.03). Conclusions: The results highlight the value of bolstering older adults’ social identification with others in an online exercise program to support adherence and well-being