The declaration that the Psychopathy Checklist–Revised (PCL-R) is the “unparalleled” measure of offender risk prediction is challenged. It is argued that such an assertion reflects an ethnocentric view of research in the area and has led to unsubstantiated claims based on incomplete attempts at knowledge cumulation. In fact, another more comprehensive risk measure, the Level of Service Inventory–Revised, notably surpasses the PCL-R in predicting general (φ = .37 vs. .23) and violent recidivism, albeit only modestly so in the case of the latter (φ = .26 vs. .21). In addition, other problematic issues regarding the PCL-R are outlined. Finally, it is suggested that a more useful role for psychopathy in offender risk assessment may be in terms of the responsivity dimension in case management. Finally, the authors suggest further research directions that will aid in knowledge cumulation regarding the general utility of offender risk measures.
IntroductionA new third version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ III) has been developed in response to trends in working life, theoretical concepts, and international experience. A key component of the COPSOQ III is a defined set of mandatory core items to be included in national short, middle, and long versions of the questionnaire. The aim of the present article is to present and test the reliability of the new international middle version of the COPSOQ III.MethodsThe questionnaire was tested among 23,361 employees during 2016–2017 in Canada, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, and Turkey. A total of 26 dimensions (measured through scales or single items) of the middle version and two from the long version were tested. Psychometric properties of the dimensions were assessed regarding reliability (Cronbach α), ceiling and floor effects (fractions with extreme answers), and distinctiveness (correlations with other dimensions).ResultsMost international middle dimensions had satisfactory reliability in most countries, though some ceiling and floor effects were present. Dimensions with missing values were rare. Most dimensions had low to medium intercorrelations.ConclusionsThe COPSOQ III offers reliable and distinct measures of a wide range of psychosocial dimensions of modern working life in different countries; although a few measures could be improved. Future testing should focus on validation of the COPSOQ items and dimensions using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Such investigations would enhance the basis for recommendations using the COPSOQ III.
Meningoencephalitis of unknown origin (MUO) is a common inflammatory CNS disease in dogs, with a variable and unpredictable outcome. MRI and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) features were prospectively evaluated to establish their utility as prognostic markers for predicting mortality, relapse and long-term outcome in 39 dogs with MUO. MRI and CSF analysis were performed at initial diagnosis and three months into treatment with prednisolone and cytosine arabinoside. When possible, MRI was repeated every 12 months thereafter. Median survival time was 26 days. All deaths occurred within 52 days of diagnosis (22/39; 56 per cent). One-third (13/39) died within 72 hours of diagnosis. Outcome was good or excellent in 12/17 surviving dogs. Loss of the cerebral sulci and foramen magnum herniation on MRI were associated with increased risk of mortality. An abnormal CSF analysis at the three-month re-examination was associated with increased risk of relapse (P=0.04). The combination of MRI and CSF analysis provided a greater sensitivity for predicting relapse than one modality alone. Discontinuing treatment before MRI lesions resolved always resulted in relapse. The presence of certain MRI characteristics may indicate an increased risk of mortality. Dogs alive three months following diagnosis have a very low risk of death due to MUO.
This book presents the report on the European economic system, which was submitted to the President of the European Commission in July 2003. The report is divided into three parts. The first contains an assessment of the economic performance in terms of growth, stability, and cohesion. The second explores the challenges facing the European Union. The third presents a series of policy recommendations for the future.
Detailed analysis of the structural changes that follow human clinical spinal cord injury is limited by difficulties in achieving adequate tissue fixation. This study bypasses this obstacle by examining the spinal cord from paraplegic domestic animals, enabling us to document the ultrastructural changes at different times following injury. In all but one case, injury resulted from a combination of contusion and compression. There was infarction and hemorrhage, followed by gray matter destruction and the rapid development of a variety of white matter changes including axon swelling and myelin degeneration. Axons greater than 5 microm in diameter were more susceptible to degenerative changes, whereas smaller axons, particularly those in the subpial region, were relatively well preserved. Demyelinated axons were seen within 2 weeks after injury and, at later time points, both Schwann cell and oligodendrocyte remyelination was common. More subtle white matter abnormalities were identified by examining sagittal sections, including focal accumulation of organelles in the axoplasm and partial and paranodal myelin abnormalities. These observations serve to validate observations from experimental models of spinal contusion but also highlight the complexity of naturally occurring (ie, clinical) spinal injury. They also raise the possibility that focal abnormalities such as paranodal demyelination may contribute to early axonal dysfunction and possibly to progressive tissue damage.
Objective. Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune condition affecting salivary glands, for which a clearly defined pathogenic autoantibody has yet to be identified. Autoantibodies that bind to the muscarinic M 3 receptors (M 3 R), which regulate fluid secretion in salivary glands, have been proposed in this context. However, there are no previous data that directly show antisecretory activity. This study was undertaken to investigate and characterize the antisecretory activity of anti-M 3 R. Methods. Microfluorimetric Ca 2؉ imaging and patch clamp electrophysiologic techniques were used to measure the secretagogue-evoked increase in [Ca 2؉] i and consequent activation of Ca 2؉ -dependent ion channels in individual mouse and human submandibular acinar cells. Together, these techniques form a sensitive bioassay that was used to determine whether IgG isolated from patients with primary SS and from control subjects has antisecretory activity.Results. IgG (2 mg/ml) from patients with primary SS reduced the carbachol-evoked increase in [Ca 2؉ ] i in both mouse and human acinar cells by ϳ50%. IgG from control subjects had no effect on the Ca 2؉ signal. Furthermore, the inhibitory action of primary SS patient IgG on the Ca 2؉ signal was acutely reversible. We repeated our observations using rabbit serum containing antibodies raised against the second extracellular loop of M 3 R and found an identical pattern of acutely reversible inhibition. Anti-M 3 R-positive serum had no effect on Ca 2؉-dependent ion channel activation evoked by the direct intracellular infusion of inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate.Conclusion. These observations show for the first time that IgG from patients with primary SS contains autoantibodies capable of damaging saliva production and contributing to xerostomia. The unusual but not unprecedented acute reversibility of the effects of anti-M 3 autoantibodies is the subject of further research.
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