Psychopaths constitute only an estimated 1% of the population, yet they are responsible for a disproportionately large number of violent and nonviolent crimes. The literature addressing this syndrome among male offenders is quite extensive. In contrast, psychopathy and its underlying factor structure remains understudied among female offenders. Research has suggested marked gender differences in the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and underlying dimensions of psychopathy. This study examined the dimensions of psychopathy in a female offender sample. The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised and the Self Report Psychopathy-II (SRP-II) were administered to 119 female inmates at Tarrant County Jail in Fort Worth, TX. Confirmatory factor analyses of the Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R) did not support the use of the traditional two factor male model or a recently proposed two- factor female model. This thesis also addressed females' self-appraisal of PCL-R Factor 1 characteristics as well as the usefulness of the self-administered Self-Report Psychopathy-II as a screen for psychopathy.

Thesis "Gambling and its consequences - qualitative research of pathological gamblers" is discussing gambling as a present phenomenon and about the effects of gambling on gamblers and his environment in different aspects of his life. Theoretical part provides the introduction to this problem, specification of definitions and also particular impact of gambling on itself, namely health, social, criminal law and last but not least, financial consequences. The practical part deals with stories of abstaining gamblers and their subjectively perceived impacts of gambling on their lives, hindering factors in the development of addiction and factors facilitating entering to the treatment.

ANGLICKÝ ABSTRAKT Thesis Title: The SCORS Scale - An Assessment of Processing of Social Information and Object Relations of Men with Pathological Sexual Aggression Author: Mgr. Bc. Lucie Táborská Department: Department of Psychology Thesis Advisor: PhDr. Tereza Soukupová, Ph.D. Email of Thesis Advisor: tereza.soukupova@pedf.cuni.cz This empirical Thesis Essay titled The SCORS Scale - An Assessment of Processing of Social Information and Object Relations of Men with Pathological Sexual Aggression focuses on study of social skills of men with the diagnosis mentioned. The theoretical portion of the Thesis centers around the subject of sexual deviation as such, namely around pathological sexual aggression and projective methods; in particular, the TAT method and its specific SCORS scoring system. The fundamental research question was whether or not the answers of sample respondents would fall into the sphere of the pathological. Furthermore, the Thesis explores whether the differences between individual segments of the scale are significant or, on the contrary, corresponding. Subsequent examination of the phenomena follows. There were 20 participants in the survey, the individuals belonging to three different psychiatric asylums. D. Westen's SCORS was the method chosen for acquisition of data. The research has...

Charles University of Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biological and Medicinal Sciences Student: Bc. Veronika Hončová Supervisor: Doc. MUDr. Josef Herink, DrSc. Consultant: MUDr. Jela Hrnčiarová Title: Signs of the temporolimbic dysfunction in gamblers Background: The aim of this thesis was to determine whether pathological gamblers exhibit symptoms related to epileptic spectrum disorder. Methods: To investigate, symptoms of the temporolimbic dysfunction were examined by means of the structured questionnaires CPSI (Complex Partial Symptoms Inventory) and LSCL-33 (Limbic System Checklist-33). Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's correlation coefficient were used for statistical evaluation. Results: The mean score in the questionnaire CPSI of gamblers was 38,9 points, which is an abnormal score. With the questionnaire LSCL-33, the mean score of 21,5 points, corresponds to suspected findings. From the mean results it can be concluded that pathological gamblers may have a higher incidence of the symptoms of the temporolimbic dysfunction. When comparing the groups of gamblers with smokers, it was evaluated that in the questionnaire CPSI was a statistically significant difference between the appearances of symptoms of epileptic spectrum disorder, while it was not in the...

The primary aim of this thesis is to develop image processing algorithms to quantitatively determine the link between traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) neuropathology, specifically looking into the role of blood-brain barrier disruption following TBI. In order to causally investigate the relationship between the tau protein neurodegenerative disease CTE and TBI, mouse models of blast neurotrauma (BNT) and impact neurotrauma (INT) are investigated. First, a high-speed video tracking algorithm is developed based on K-means clustering, active contours and Kalman filtering to comparatively study the head kinematics in blast and impact experiments. Then, to compare BNT and INT neuropathology, methods for quantitative analysis of macroscopic optical images and fluorescent images are described. The secondary aim of this thesis focuses on developing methods for a novel application of metallomic imaging mass spectrometry (MIMS) to biological tissue. Unlike traditional modalities used to assess neuropathology, that suffer from limited sensitivity and analytical capacity, MIMS uses a mass spectrometer -- an analytical instrument for measuring elements and isotopes with high dynamic range, sensitivity and specificity -- as the imaging sensor to generate spatial maps with spectral (vector-valued) data per pixel. Given the vector nature of MIMS data, a unique end-to-end processing pipeline is designed to support data acquisition, visualization and interpretation. A novel multi-modal and multi-channel image registration (MMMCIR) method using multi-variate mutual information as a similarity metric is developed in order to establish correspondence between two images of arbitrary modality. The MMMCIR method is then used to automatically segment MIMS images of the mouse brain and systematically evaluate the levels of relevant elements and isotopes after experimental closed-head impact injury on the impact side (ipsilateral) and opposing side (contralateral) of the brain. This method quantifiably confirms observed differences in gadolinium levels for a cohort of images. Finally, MIMS images of human lacrimal sac biopsy samples are used for preliminary clinicopathological assessments, supporting the utility of the unique insights MIMS provides by correlating areas of inflammation to areas of elevated toxic metals. The image processing methods developed in this work demonstrate the significant capabilities of MIMS and its role in enhancing our understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms of TBI and other medical conditions. / 2019-07-09T00:00:00Z

Le vieillissement s’accompagne de changements de la perception de la douleur, avec notamment des modifications des seuils de douleur. L’objectif de ce travail de thèse était de déterminer les mécanismes sous-jacents à ces changements. Nous nous sommes basés sur l’étude de deux indicateurs : des données psychophysiques (i.e., jugements perceptifs) et des mesures électrophysiologiques. Nos premiers tests ont confirmé une diminution de la douleur perçue chez les séniors. Une série de 4 expérimentations nous a ensuite permis de montrer que l'augmentation du seuil de douleur chez les séniors avait à la fois une origine périphérique (i.e., atteinte des fibres sensorielles) et centrale (i.e., modification cérébrale). Au niveau périphérique, nous avons montré que seules les fibres myélinisées (fibres A delta) semblent altérées par le vieillissement. Au niveau central, nos résultats vont dans le sens d'un seuil de douleur augmenté en raison d'un déficit attentionnel chez les séniors. / Non-pathological ageing is often associated with changes in pain perception and especially with changes in pain thresholds. The aim of this thesis was to determine the underlying mechanisms of these changes. We analyzed two complementary indicators: psychophysical data, by the means of perceptual judgments, and electrophysiological measurements. Our first tests confirmed a decrease of older subjects' perceived pain, compared to that of younger adults. A series of 4 experiments further allowed us to show that the increase in older adults' pain threshold has both a peripheral (i.e., impairment of peripheral sensory fibers) and a central (i.e., modifications at a cerebral level) origin. At the peripheral level, we found that only myelinated fibers (i.e., A-delta fibers) seem to be affected by ageing. At a central level, our results indicate that the increase in pain thresholds is due to difficulties in allocating attentional resources to the stimulation in the elderly.

No indivíduo adulto, a angiogênese ocorre particularmente em situações patológicas como nos tumores em crescimento, no desenvolvimento de metástases e no processo de cicatrização, sendo o fator de crescimento do endotélio vascular (VEGF) o principal fator envolvido na angiogênese tumoral. Por essa razão, o presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os níveis circulantes de VEGF no soro de cães com sarcoma de tecidos moles e sua relação com as células sanguineas, comparados com um grupo de animais sem câncer (controle), a expressão do VEGF e a densidade de microvasos nos espécimes tumorais dos cães com sarcoma de tecidos moles. O grupo controle foi composto de 30 cães machos e o grupo de animais com sarcoma de tecidos moles foi de 25 cães (18 machos e 7 fêmeas castradas) os quais foram avaliados prospectivamente. A coleta sangüínea foi realizada apenas uma vez no grupo controle e em três tempos nos animais com sarcoma (pré-operatório, duas semanas e três meses de pós-operatório) da mesma maneira. Após a colheita o sangue foi processado, para extração do soro e determinação dos níveis de VEGF a partir de um método quantitativo ELISA (enzime-linked immunosorbent assay). A expressão do VEGF e a densidade de microvasos foi investigada por meio da prova de imunoistoquiímica utilizando-se anticorpos anti-VEGF e anti-fator VIII respectivemente. Não houve diferença entre o nível sérico de VEGF dos animais controles e portadores de sarcoma de tecidos moles no tempo pré-operatório. O nível de VEGF sérico no pré-operatório mostrou-se discretamente aumentado em relação a duas semanas e três meses de pós-operatório. Houve correlação positiva entre VEGF sérico e contagem neutrófilos e correlação negativa entre o VEGF e quantidade de hemoglobina nos animais com sarcoma. Houve uma tendência dos animais com hemangiopericitoma apresentarem níveis maiores de VEGF sérico em relação aos portadores de tumor maligno da bainha neural periférica. Houve expressão do VEGF em 65% dos casos, sendo o hemangiopericitoma aquele que expressou maior quantidade de VEGF intratumoral. Não houve diferença na densidade de microvasos entre os tumores negativos e positivos ao VEGF. Os resultados encontrados sugerem contribuição das células do sangue circulante para os níveis de VEGF do soro de cães portadores de sarcomas de tecidos moles, células tumorais e outros tipos celulares parecem ser responsáveis pela angiogênese tumoral, mas não contribuem para elevação da concentração sérica desse fator. / In adult individual, angiogenesis occurs particularly in pathological situations as tumors growth, development of metastasis and in the wound healing process. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main agent involved in tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the circulating levels of VEGF in the serum of dogs suffering from soft tissue sarcoma and its relation with the blood cells, and also the expression of VEGF and the micro vascular density in tumors specimens. A group of health animals was used as control. The control group and treatment group were composed of 30 male dogs 25 dogs (18 males and 7 castrated females) respectively. The blood collection was carried once in the control group and three times in the animals with sarcoma (timely, pre-surgery, two weeks and three months post-surgery) following the same protocol. The blood was processed and a quantitative method ELISA (enzime-linked immunosorbent assay) was used to determinate of the levels of VEGF. The expression of the VEGF and the microvascular density were investigated by means of the immunohistochemical test using anti-VEGF and anti-factor VIII antibodies respectively. There was no difference between serum level of VEGF of the controls animals and serum level of VEGF in the animal with soft tissue sarcoma in pre-surgical time. Serum level of VEGF in pre-surgical time revealed discrete increased in relation the two weeks and three months of post-surgery. There was a positive correlation between serum VEGF and neutrophils counting and negative correlation between the VEGF and amount of haemoglobin in the animals with sarcoma. The animals with hemangiopericytoma showed a trend to higher levels of VEGF in relation to the malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. The expression of the VEGF was detected in 65% of the cases; the hemangiopericytoma is the one that expressed greater intratumoral amount of VEGF. There was no difference in the microvascular density between the negative and positive tumors to the VEGF. The results suggest contribution of the circulating blood cells for the levels of serum VEGF of the of the dogs with of soft tissue sarcomas, tumors cells and other cells types seem to be responsible for tumor angiogenesis, but they don\'t contribute for rise serum level of VEGF.

A presente pesquisa tem por objetivo discutir a teoria da comunicação a partir dos seus desdobramentos nas relações familiares e, mais especificamente, no vínculo conjugal. Para tanto, utilizamo-nos da análise de fenômenos característicos de ambientes familiares e descritos como patogênicos, em que se pode constatar a ausência de comunicação, como definida por Marcondes Filho dentro do enfoque teórico trabalhado no projeto Nova Teoria da Comunicação. Constatamos, fundamentados em diversas pesquisas empíricas, que a forma com que a comunicação ocorre no ambiente familiar é responsável por patologias como a comunicação esquizofrênica, conforme interpretação de Gregory Bateson, e relações neuróticas em casais. No entanto, verificamos que a linguagem, independente de sua forma, seja ela verbal ou não-verbal, não é o que determina a satisfação ou insatisfação conjugal. / The present research examines the communication theory from its unfoldings in familiar relations and, more specifically, in the marital bond. In order to do so, we analyze characteristic phenomena from the familiar environment, described as pathogenic, where we can demonstrate the absence of communication, as defined by Marcondes Filho in the theoretical approach developed by the project .Nova Teoria da Comunicação. (New Communication Theory). Our work evidences, based on diverse empirical researches, that the form in which communication occurs in the familiar environment is responsible for pathologies such as schizophrenic communication, as defined by Gregory Bateson, and neurotic relations among couples. However, we verify that language, independent of its form, verbal or nonverbal, is not what determines marital satisfaction or dissatisfaction.

Ninho vazio (NV) corresponde ao período em que os filhos deixam a casa dos pais para se lançar a novos projetos. Já Síndrome do Ninho Vazio (SNV) é o termo comumente utilizado para se referir ao sofrimento emocional dos pais associado a esse período da vida. Objetivo: contribuir para a identificação e caracterização da Síndrome do Ninho Vazio em jogadores patológicos. O estudo baseouse na comparação entre um grupo de jogadores patológicos cujos filhos já tinham saído de casa (grupo NV; n=23), e outro cujos filhos ainda moravam com os pais (grupo de comparação; n=23), quanto às variáveis sociodemográficas, comportamento de jogo, comorbidades psiquiátricas, aspectos emocionais e adequação social. A intensidade da SNV foi avaliada por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Potenciais diferenças de gênero também foram exploradas. Não houve diferenças significativas entre os grupos NV e de comparação em nenhuma das variáveis estudadas com exceção da condição econômica, melhor no grupo de NV, possivelmente, em função do menor número de moradores na casa. No grupo NV (n=23), houve associação significativa entre a idade que o(a) jogador(a) tinha quando o(a) filho(a) deixou a casa e a idade de início dos problemas com o jogo (r=0,630; P<0,001) e a idade de procura por tratamento (r=0,681; P<0,001). Adicionalmente, observouse associação entre intensidade da SNV e idade de procura por tratamento (r=0,435; P=0,038) e também entre intensidade da SNV e gravidade do jogo patológico (r=0,610; P<0,001) medida pelos critérios do DSMIV TR. Em relação ao gênero, percebeuse que as jogadoras (n=16), em comparação aos jogadores (n=7), apresentaram maior intensidade da SNV e maior sintomatologia depressiva e ansiosa, indicando que o sofrimento na saída dos filhos de casa é maior entre as mulheres jogadoras. A análise qualitativa demonstrou que 61% dos jogadores patológicos relataram sofrer com o ninho vazio, com menção a sentimentos negativos, como tristeza e depressão após a saída de casa dos filhos. Jogadores patológicos, ainda, relacionaram a saída dos filhos da casa com o comportamento do aumento de jogo, diminuição de jogo ou busca por tratamento. Estes resultados sugerem a necessidade de estudos com amostras maiores para uma compreensão mais ampla do impacto da Síndrome do Ninho Vazio no comportamento de jogadores patológicos, particularmente, entre mulheres jogadoras / Empty Nest (NV) is the period when the children leave the family home to launch new projects. Empty Nest Syndrome (SNV) is the term commonly used to refer to parents emotional distress associated with this period of life. The purpose of this work is to contribute to the identification and characterization of the empty nest syndrome in pathological gamblers by comparing a group of pathological gamblers, whose children have already left home (NV group; n= 23), with another whose children still live with them at home (comparison group; n=23), by looking at sociodemographic variables, gambling behavior, psychiatric comorbidities, emotional aspects and social adequacy. The intensity of SNV was evaluated through semistructured interviews. Potential gender differences were also explored. There were no significant differences between the NV group and the comparison group except for economic status, higher in the NV group, possibly due to the lower number of household members. In the NV group (n=23), there was a significant association between the age of the gambler when the child left home and the age of onset of gambling problems (r=0,630; P<0,001) and the age of seeking treatment (r=0,681; P<0,001). Additionally, we observed an association between SNV intensity and the age of seeking treatment (r=0,435; P=0,038) and also between SNV intensity and the severity of pathological gambling (r=0,610; P<0,001), as measured by the number of positive criteria in DSMIVTR. Comparing genders, we observed that female gamblers (n=16), showed higher SNV intensity and more depression and anxiety symptoms compared to male gamblers (n=7) indicating that the suffering caused by their children leaving home is higher among female gamblers. The qualitative analysis showed that 61% of pathological gamblers reported suffering with empty nest, with negative feelings, sadness and depression after their children left home. Pathological gamblers also related their children leaving home whit increased gambling behavior, decreased gambling behavior or treatment seeking. These results suggest the need for studies with larger samples to broaden the understanding of the impact of empty nest syndrome in the behavior of pathological gamblers, particularly among female gamblers

High Summer is a manuscript-length compilation of narrative science essays that trace the relationship the narrator has with her father. These essays focus on the ongoing presence of drugs, their historical basis, and their pharmacological effects on the body. / by Michelle Hasler Martinez. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / System requirements: Adobe Reader.