COPD has a profound impact on daily life, yet remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. We set out to develop a brief, reliable, self-scored questionnaire to identify individuals likely to have COPD. COPD-PS™ development began with a list of concepts identified for inclusion using expert opinion from a clinician working group comprised of pulmonologists (n = 5) and primary care clinicians (n = 5). A national survey of 697 patients was conducted at 12 practitioner sites. Logistic regression identified items discriminating between patients with and without fixed airflow obstruction (AO, postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 70%). ROC analyses evaluated screening accuracy, compared scoring options, and assessed concurrent validity. Convergent and discriminant validity were assessed via COPD-PS and SF-12v2 score correlations. For known-groups validation, COPD-PS differences between clinical groups were tested. Test-retest reliability was evaluated in a 20% sample. Of 697 patients surveyed, 295 patients met expert review criteria for spirometry performance; 38% of these (n = 113) had results indicating AO. Five items positively predicted AO (p < 0.0001): breathlessness, productive cough, activity limitation, smoking history, and age. COPD-PS scores accurately classified AO status (area under ROC curve = 0.81) and reliable (r = 0.91). Patients with spirometry indicative of AO scored significantly higher (6.8, SD = 1.9; p < 0.0001) than patients without AO (4.0, SD = 2.3). Higher scores were associated with more severe AO, bronchodilator use, and overnight hospitalization for breathing problems. With the prevalence of COPD in the studied cohort, a score on the COPD-PS of greater than five was associated with a positive predictive value of 56.8% and negative predictive value of 86.4%. The COPD-PS accurately classified physicianreported COPD (AUC = 0.89). The COPD-PS is a brief, accurate questionnaire that can identify individuals likely to have COPD.

No description available.

The 2011–2012 Cordón Caulle eruption emitted about 1 km3 of rhyodacitic tephra. Dominant westerly winds in the region caused most of the primary tephra to deposit in neighboring Argentina. In addition to the impact of widespread dispersal and fallout of primary tephra during the eruption, Argentina was also significantly affected by remobilization of the primary ash even several years after the climactic phase of the eruption. In this mixed methods study, we combine aspects of natural and social sciences to characterize the ash resuspension events associated with the 2011–2012 Cordón Caulle deposits and assess the impacts on the Argentinian farming community of Ingeniero Jacobacci in the Patagonian Steppe. Our findings show the primary importance of wind, rainfall and ash availability in controlling the occurrence and persistence of ash resuspension events. The role played by these variables was also reflected in the seasonal distribution of events observed. Regarding the impacts, our results complement those of earlier studies and demonstrate that ash resuspension events can exacerbate the negative impact of primary tephra fallout events from the time of deposition to many years after the eruption. Only after five years has the environment and the farming community begun to show signs of recovery. Our findings also highlight the importance of assessing ash resuspension events in multi-hazard scenarios involving volcanic and hydrometeorologic hazards.

archives@tulane.edu / Early social, emotional, and behavioral skills have been shown to be predictive of academic achievement and future success. With early intervention, effects of skill deficits can be mitigated (Albers, Glover & Kratochwill, 2007). However, less than half of the 10% to 20% of students who are thought to be at-risk receive the interventions they need (Bradshaw et al., 2008; Gresham, 2007). Schools are uniquely positioned to identify and provide interventions for students. As a result, administrators have begun to shift toward data-based decision-making models that include universal screeners, as initial steps for identifying and providing interventions for at-risk students. Selection of a screener is determined by the availability of resources, student demographics, and predictive validity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, a social, emotional, and behavioral screener. Specifically, the study investigated the relationship between at-risk scores and behavior problems in schools. Study participants are 433 students in grades K to 4 attending an elementary charter school serving a predominantly low-income African American student body. Beginning-of-the year SDQ total difficulty scores and end-of-the year ODRs were analyzed using both correlational and regression analyses, to establish relationship and predictive ability of the screener. Both correlational and regression analyses confirmed a statistically significant relationship between SDQ total difficulty scores and end-of-the year ODRs. Therefore, universal screening provides schools with valuable baseline information about student social, emotional and behavioral functioning. / 1 / Raquel Gutierrez

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is an empirically supported cognitive behavioral therapy. The ACT model is designed around a set of six core processes utilized to increase psychological flexibility. Engagement with values, one of the six core processes, is associated with several indicators of well-being. However, recent reviews of ACT values measures from experts in the field raised concerns that current instruments do not adequately assess the values process. The current study examined the structure and psychometric properties of a new values measure, titled the Valued Living Questionnaire—Online version (VLQ-O), that was developed from considerations raised in these reviews. The results of an EFA indicated that the VLQ-O produced a three-factor structure comprised of Values Flexibility, Values Inflexibility, and Values Obligations. The Activity and Preferred Activity scores did not load consistently onto any discernable factor. The subscales of the VLQ-O produced poor internal consistency. The scores for Activity and Values Flexibility subscales correlated positively with measures of well-being and negatively with measures of psychological distress. Additionally, these subscales were significantly positively related to MPFI Flexibility and VQ Progress and well as negatively related to MPFI Inflexibility and VQ Obstruction. Values Inflexibility and Values Obligation correlated positively with measures of psychological distress and negatively with measures of well-being. The Values Obligation subscale did not correlate with social desirability. Multiple subscales of the VLQ-O demonstrated significant correlations with multiple subscales of the BFI. Additionally, the VLQ-O established predictive validity for measures of psychological distress and well-being. Further, it established improvements in predictive validity for flourishing and psychological distress when compared to the Valuing Questionnaire (VQ). Overall, the findings from this study provide some supportive preliminary evidence for the validity of the VLQ-O.

The purpose of the current study was to examine an ACT based intervention and its effects on problem behaviors and impulsivity rates displayed by individuals diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disabilities. In a multiple baseline design with 2 experiments, 6 participants completed the 27-item monetary choice questionnaire weekly throughout the 9-week study. Impulsivity rates were calculated, and behavior data was collected throughout each phase of the study. During the intervention phase of the study brief ACT sessions were conducted 3 times a week during one-on-one sessions with each participant. Sessions were held face-to-face or via phone call. A stacked multiple baseline design was computed, and the data was inputted, indicating that ACT may effectively reduce problem behaviors in participants diagnosed with Mild Intellectual Disabilities. The current study suggests that ACT interventions have no effect on impulsivity. Implications of the findings and future research are discussed. Keywords: ACT, Impulsivity, Delay Discounting, Intellectual Disability, Monetary Choice Questionnaire

Protein is an important component of bone, but the role of dietary protein intake in osteoporosis remains controversial. The Utah picture-sort food frequency questionnaire was found to produce a useful estimation of usual dietary intake in the elderly. This method of dietary assessment was used in a population-based case-control study to examine the relationship between protein intake and risk of osteoporotic hip fracture in elderly Utah residents. Analyses of risk of hip fracture across increasing quartiles of protein intake were stratified by age-group. Higher protein intake was associated with a reduced risk of hip fracture in men and women aged 50-69 years but did not appear to increase or decrease risk of hip fracture in those aged 70-89 years. The relationship appeared to be modified by age. Modification of protein intake late in life may be a useful means to prevent hip fractures in the elderly.

The mailed questionnaire research process developed historically as part of the survey research movement, with guidelines and models drawn from an array of scientific research methods and disciplines. Although the mailed questionnaire has become one of the most popular research instruments for obtaining data beyond the reach of the observer, the response bias generated from the generally low return rate of the mailed questionnaire survey has remained a problem. For over three decades researchers have generated a plethora of research on the effectiveness of the various aspects of the mailed questionnaire process and the resultant impact of various constructs on survey return . But despite these efforts, researchers have not succeeded collectively in producing a clear, compelling, or consistent set of principles that, if followed, will produce high response rates in mailed questionnaire research . With the certainty that more knowledge and constructs will be generated in all areas of the mailed questionnaire process, scholars have issued a call for a viable theory to direct future research efforts on response rates . Therefore, the purpose of this study was to address that need . The dissertation research reported in this paper accomplished five major objectives. It (a) developed an interdisciplinary theoretical framework for the mailed questionnaire process; (b) identified 13 determinants of response costs in the mailed questionnaire process; (c) proposed immediacy and salience as the most significant determinant variables of response rates, from a synthesis of the research literature with the theoretical framework; (d) proposed a theory and theoretical model that explain and illustrate the interaction of immediacy and salience in determining response rate levels; and (e) recommended a method for testing the proposed theory and for utilizing the proposed theory to achieve high response rates in future mailed questionnaire studies.

The study examined (a) which single technique (cover letter sponsorship, personalization, anonymity, or appeal) is most effective in increasing response rates with mail questionnaires, and (b) which combination of these selected techniques is most effective in increasing such response rates. Questionnaires concerning faculty evaluation were sent to a national sample of professors. The present study found that identification of a university as the sponsor of the survey resulted in a significantly higher response rate than that obtained when the survey was sponsored by a private research institute. There was a significant increase in response rates when the cover letter was personalized, as opposed to an unpersonalized form letter. There were no significant differences in response rates attributable to (a) wether respondents were assured anonymity, and (b) the type of appeal used in the cover letter (personal or professional appeal). No significant interactions were found among any of the four techniques investigated. It was concluded from this study that judicious selection of the survey sponsor and use of cover letter personalization can improve the response rates of a mail questionnaire significantly, at least with the type of population and questionnaire significantly, at least with the type of population and questionnaire topic used in this study.

The OQ-45.2 (Outcome Questionnaire-45.2) is a measure of psychological distress that examines patients' emotional states and level of functioning in society. This measure was administered at admission and discharge to inpatients at a level II trauma center with in- and outpatient populations in addition to the BBHI-2 (Brief Battery for Health Improvement-2) and FIM (Functional Independence Measure). Results suggested that patients demonstrated psychological improvements from admission to discharge. In addition, the OQ-45.2 was found to correlate with nearly all subtests of the BBHI-2. Finally, diagnosis, length of stay, and number of psychotherapy sessions were not predictive of improvements on the OQ-45.2 total score, suggesting that this measure can be appropriately used on a heterogeneous medical population.