Do the psychopathic personality traits of fearless dominance and self-centered impulsivity predict attitudes about and influences on research participation?

Little is known about potential participants' views about research, their willingness to participate in research, and the extent to which they might be susceptible to coercive attempts to compel their participation, particularly among populations at risk for exploitation (e.g., offenders). The extent to which individual differences variables, such as personality constructs (e.g., psychopathic traits), might affect participants' attitudes toward research is also essentially unknown. The present study sought to examine the psychopathy constructs of Fearless Dominance (FD) and Self-Centered Impulsivity (SCI) via the Multidimensional Personality Questionnaire-Brief Form (MPQ-BF) to assess the extent to which these traits predict attitudes towards research and susceptibility to coercion within a diverse criminal justice sample (N = 631). SCI was modestly associated with perceptions that illicit pressures regarding research participation were likely to occur, and participants high in these traits appeared somewhat vulnerable to succumbing to coercive influences. In contrast, FD failed to predict the likelihood that illicit pressures regarding research participation would occur as well as the potential that these pressures would have to impact participants' voluntariness and likelihood of participating. Implications for recruiting potential participants for research in correctional settings are discussed.

Examining attitudes about and influences on research participation among forensic psychiatric inpatients.

Although a growing body of research has examined various types of coercive practices that may occur among psychiatric patients over the years, almost no attention has been given to coercive influences that may occur specifically in the context of recruitment into research projects. Particularly for those who are institutionalized (e.g., in-patient insanity acquittees), there are significant concerns that their autonomous decision-making to consent or not may be significantly impaired due to the highly restrictive and controlled environment in which they live. This exploratory study sought to examine patients' perceptions of coercive influences by presenting them with hypothetical research vignettes regarding possible recruitment into either a biomedical or social-behavioral research project. Among 148 multi-ethnic male and female participants across two facilities, participants reported relatively minimal perceptions that their autonomous decision-making would be impacted or that various potentially coercive factors (e.g., pressures from staff) would impair their free choice to participate (or not) in such research. To the extent that such perceptions of coercion did occur, they were moderately associated with patients' more general personality traits and attitudinal variables, such as alienation and external locus of control. Limitations of this study and their implications for future research are discussed.

Voluntary consent in correctional settings: do offenders feel coerced to participate in research?

A major ethical concern in research with criminal offenders is the potential for abuse due to coercive influences that may adversely affect offenders' capacity to give voluntary consent to participate in research conducted in correctional settings. Despite this concern, to date there have been almost no systematic scientific investigations of the extent to which offenders themselves perceive that coercion occurs in these settings or that it is likely to influence their decisions about research participation. In a sample of over 600 ethnically diverse men and women recruited from various prisons and community corrections facilities in Texas and Florida, we used a vignette-based survey concerning a hypothetical research project to measure and compare offenders' global perceptions of coercive processes, as well as the differential salience and perceived coercive influence of specific factors (e.g., coercion by other inmates, inducements from staff). Somewhat surprisingly, across multiple outcome measures our participants on average reported relatively little in the way of significant coercive influences on their capacity to make voluntary decisions concerning research participation. Implications and directions for future research on coercive influences in offender research are discussed.

Awareness of the Tuskegee syphilis study: impact on offenders' decisions to decline research participation.

Ethnic and racial minorities are often under-represented in research. There is considerable speculation that Blacks, in particular, are discouraged from research participation because of researcher improprieties in the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Syphilis Study at Tuskegee (aka the Tuskegee Syphilis Study [TSS]), a 40-year (1932-1972) study in which investigators withheld medical treatment from African-American men infected with syphilis. We debriefed 281 offenders who declined participation in a research study to assess the extent to which knowledge of the TSS impacted their decisions not to enroll. Relatively few (44/281; 15.6%) reported awareness of the TSS. Half (n = 22) of these "aware" individuals could cite factually accurate information about the TSS, and only four individuals indicated that awareness of TSS had "somewhat" influenced their decision to not participate. Findings suggest that the legacy of the TSS played a relatively minor role in these offenders' decisions to decline research participation.

Formal assessment of voluntariness with a three-part consent process.

Informed consent that is voluntary and made by an individual who is knowledgeable and competent is a foundational requirement for protecting human subjects from harm and exploitation that could result from research participation. In 1974 Miller and Willner proposed a two-part consent process that involved disclosure of information and assessment of comprehension. The authors propose a brief third component to the consent process: assessment of voluntariness. Three steps are involved: generate a list of potential coercive influences on the basis of the research population and the study context, develop a set of questions to assess the presence and intensity of the impact of these influences, and identify alternative courses of action should coercion be identified.

(HCN)(m)-M(n) (M = K, Ca, Sr): vibrational excitation induced solvation and desolvation of dopants in and on helium nanodroplets.

Infrared (IR) laser spectroscopy is used to probe the rotational and vibrational dynamics of the (HCN)(m)-M(n) (M = K, Ca, Sr) complexes, either solvated within or bound to the surface of helium nanodroplets. The IR spectra of the (HCN)(m)-K (m = 1-3), HCN-Sr, and HCN-Ca complexes have the signature of a surface species, similar to the previously reported spectra of HCN-M (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs) [Douberly, G. E.; Miller, R. E. J. Phys. Chem. A 2007, 111, 7292.]. A second band in the HCN-Ca spectrum is assigned to a solvated complex. The relative intensities of the two HCN-Ca bands are droplet size dependent, with the solvated species being favored in larger droplets. IR-IR double resonance spectroscopy is used to probe the interconversion of the two distinct HCN-Ca populations. While only a surface-bound HCN-Sr species is initially produced, CH stretch vibrational excitation results in a population transfer to a solvated state. Complexes containing multiple HCN molecules and one Sr atom are surface-bound, while the nu(1) (HCN)(2)Ca spectrum has both the solvated and surface-bound signatures. All HCN-(Ca,Sr)(n) (n > or = 2) complexes are solvated following cluster formation in the droplet. Density-functional calculations of helium nanodroplets interacting with the HCN-M show surface binding for M = Na with a binding energy of 95 cm(-1). The calculations predict a fully solvated complex for M = Ca. For M = Sr, a 2.2 cm(-1) barrier is predicted between nearly isoenergetic surface binding and solvated states.

Multi-ink pattern generation by dip-pen nanolithography.

Multiplexed patterns of hydrogels and phospholipids with fluorescent dyes are accomplished by dip-pen nanolithography (DPN). For example, four different dye-labeled hydrogel dot arrays are DPN patterned within 50x50 microm(2) area, and two different dye-doped phospholipids dots and letters with less than 1 microm line-width are also DPN patterned. We demonstrate that multi-ink patterns with precise alignment are able to be printed by DPN within a micron-scale. Moreover, this multi-ink DPN patterning methodology can be extended to delicate bio-materials printing in a subcellular scale with accurate positioning control.

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of Mg-HF and Mg-(HF)2 solvated in helium nanodroplets.

High-resolution infrared (IR) spectroscopy is used to investigate the Mg-HF and Mg-(HF)(2) van der Waals complexes. Both complexes are formed and probed within helium nanodroplets. Rotationally resolved zero-field and Stark spectra are assigned to a linear binary complex composed of a Mg atom bound to the hydrogen end of the HF molecule. Although high level ab initio calculations predict a fluorine bonded complex, none of the observed IR bands can be assigned to this complex. The collocation method is employed to determine the bound states on the two-dimensional intermolecular Mg-HF potential energy surface. The ground and first excited state wave functions for this potential surface have zero amplitude in the well corresponding to the fluorine bonded complex, consistent with experiment. The two HF stretching bands of the Mg-(HF)(2) complex are observed and assigned using a combination of the spectral symmetry, ab initio calculations, pick-up cell pressure dependencies, and dipole moment measurements. Comparisons with the helium solvated HF dimer show large changes to the HF stretching frequencies upon the addition of a single Mg atom to the hydrogen side of (HF)(2).

Adherence to practice guidelines, clinical outcomes, and costs among Medicaid enrollees with severe mental illnesses.

The treatment of Medicaid enrollees diagnosed with depression or schizophrenia was examined to determine whether adherence to treatment guideline was associated with health care financing strategy, clinical outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. Individuals in a fee-for-service condition were significantly more likely to receive treatment consistent with guidelines than those in managed care. Mental health costs were higher for individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia, individuals in an acute phase of illness at intake into the study, and those receiving treatment consistent with practice guidelines. Being in an acute phase of illness and having treatment that comported with recommended practice guidelines were associated with higher total social costs. Policy implications of the findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

The ability to control the size, shape, and material of a surface has reinvigorated the field of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Because excitation of the localized surface plasmon resonance of a nanostructured surface or nanoparticle lies at the heart of SERS, the ability to reliably control the surface characteristics has taken SERS from an interesting surface phenomenon to a rapidly developing analytical tool. This article first explains many fundamental features of SERS and then describes the use of nanosphere lithography for the fabrication of highly reproducible and robust SERS substrates. In particular, we review metal film over nanosphere surfaces as excellent candidates for several experiments that were once impossible with more primitive SERS substrates (e.g., metal island films). The article also describes progress in applying SERS to the detection of chemical warfare agents and several biological molecules.

Infrared spectroscopy of prereactive aluminum-, gallium-, and indium-HCN entrance channel complexes solvated in helium nanodroplets.

Prereactive metal atom-HCN entrance channel complexes [M-HCN (M=Al, Ga, In)] have been stabilized in helium nanodroplets. Rotationally resolved infrared spectra are reported for the CH stretching vibration of the linear nitrogen-bound HCN-Ga and HCN-In complexes that show significant perturbation due to spin-orbit coupling of the 2Pi1/2 ground state with the 2Sigma1/2 state which are degenerate at long range. Six unresolved bands are also observed and assigned to the linear hydrogen-bound isomers of Al-HCN, Ga-HCN, and In-HCN corresponding to the fundamental CH stretching vibration and a combination band involving the CH stretch plus intermolecular stretch for each isomer. A nitrogen-bound HCN-Al complex is not observed, which is attributed to reaction, even at 0.37 K. This conclusion is supported by the observation of a weakly bound complex containing two HCN's and one Al atom which, from the analysis of its rotationally resolved zero-field and Stark spectra is assigned to a weakly bound complex of a HCNAl reaction product and a second HCN molecule. Theoretical calculations are presented to elucidate the reaction mechanisms and energetics of these metal atom reactions with HCN.

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of HCN-Agn (n = 1-4) complexes solvated in superfluid helium droplets.

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy has been used to determine the structures, C-H stretching frequencies, and dipole moments of the HCN-Agn (n = 1-3) complexes formed in superfluid helium droplets. The HCN-Ag4 cluster was tentatively assigned based upon pick-up cell pressure dependencies and harmonic vibrational shift calculations. Ab initio and density functional theory calculations were used in conjunction with the high-resolution spectra to analyze the bonding nature of each cluster. All monoligated species reported here are bound through the nitrogen end of the HCN molecule. The HCN-Agn complexes are structurally similar to the previously reported HCN-Cun clusters, with the exception of the HCN-Ag binary complex. Although the interaction between the HCN and the Agn clusters follows the same trends as the HCN-Cun clusters, the more diffuse nature of the electrons surrounding the silver atoms results in a much weaker interaction.

Evaluation of a summer research institute in behavioral health for undergraduate students.

Because of the need for additional researchers in the interdisciplinary field of behavioral health services research, the Florida Mental Health Institute at the University of South Florida developed and pilot tested a summer research institute for undergraduate students. Participants completed a 6-week program in which they developed a research project with a mentor and participated in a research seminar. The long-term objectives of the program were to attract promising students to the field and encourage them to pursue careers in behavioral health services research; short-term goals of the program were to strengthen participants' research skills and knowledge, provide an intensive and enjoyable learning experience, and positively impact participants' intentions to pursue graduate education in behavioral health. These goals were evaluated using a pre-post design with 6-month follow-up. Findings suggested that short-term goals were met. Suggestions for future improvements and implementation at other research settings are discussed.

Structures and bonding nature of small monoligated copper clusters (HCN-Cun, n = 1-3) through high-resolution infrared spectroscopy and theory.

The structures, C-H stretching frequencies, and dipole moments of HCN-Cun (n = 1-3) clusters are determined through high-resolution infrared spectroscopy. The complexes are formed and probed within superfluid helium droplets, whereby the helium droplet beam is passed over a resistively heated crucible containing copper shot and then through a gas HCN pickup cell. All complexes are found to be bound to the nitrogen end of the HCN molecule and on the "atop site" of the copper cluster. Through the experimental C-H vibrational shifts of HCN-Cun and ab initio calculations, it was found that the HCN-metal interaction changes from a strong van der Waals bond in n = 1 to a partially covalent bond in HCN-Cu3. Comparisons with existing infrared data on copper surfaces show that the HCN-Cun bond must begin to weaken at very large copper cluster sizes, eventually returning to a van der Waals bond in the bulk copper surface case.

Medicaid enrollment and mental health service use following release of jail detainees with severe mental illness.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the extent to which Medicaid enrollment increased access to and use of services by persons with severe mental illness after their release from jail. METHODS: A prospective cohort design was used that linked administrative data from several agencies in two large urban areas: King County (Seattle) from 1996 to 1998 and Pinellas County (Clearwater and St. Petersburg), Florida, from 1998 to 2000. Access to and use of community mental health services within 90 days after release from jail was examined, depending on whether persons were enrolled in Medicaid at the time of their release. All analyses were based on detentions, rather than unique persons. The effects of Medicaid status (enrolled or not enrolled) on four dependent variables (probability of use, days to first service, number of services used, and rate of service use) were estimated separately for each county. RESULTS: A total of 1,210 persons who had 2,878 detentions were identified in Pinellas County: 2,215 of these detentions represented persons with Medicaid and 663 represented those without Medicaid. For King County, the corresponding numbers were 1,816 persons and 4,482 detentions: 2,752 of these detentions represented persons with Medicaid and 1,730 represented those without Medicaid. In both counties, those who had Medicaid at the time of their release were more likely to use services (p < .001), accessed community services more quickly (p < .001), and received more days of services (p < .001) than those without Medicaid. CONCLUSIONS: Medicaid enrollment enhanced receipt of community services after jail release in these two large urban counties. These are the best currently available data, and the data suggest that efforts to enroll persons with severe mental illness in Medicaid and ensure enrollment upon jail release will improve their access to and receipt of community-based services after release.

Short term involuntary psychiatric examination of children in Florida.

This study describes the use of emergency mental health services by children over a 4-year period. Analysis of a statewide database revealed 51,861 or 15% of all involuntary examinations were conducted on children. These youth were on average a little over 14 years of age and law enforcement officials initiated the majority of examinations. The majority of examinations were initiated due to the children demonstrating harmful behaviors to themselves or others. One-fifth of the children (21%) experienced more than one examination over the 4-year period. Areas of future research on this topic are discussed. The implications of the nature of examinations and patterns of repeated examinations are discussed.

Behavioral health services utilization among older adults identified within a state abuse hotline database.

PURPOSE: This study examined the extent to which older adults identified in a statewide abuse hotline registry utilized behavioral health services. This is important as mental health issues have been identified as a high priority for filling gaps in services for victims of mistreatment. DESIGN AND METHODS: We compared Medicaid and Medicare claims data for two groups of older adults: those using health services and identified within a statewide abuse hotline information system and those claimants not identified within the hotline database. RESULTS: Behavioral health service use was greater among those identified in the abuse hotline database. The penetration rate (percentage of service users out of all enrollees) for Medicaid behavioral health service claims was more than twice that of other service users, with costs of services about 30% greater. Analyses of Medicare data revealed that the penetration rate for those in the hotline data was almost 6 times greater at approximately twice the cost compared to other service users. IMPLICATIONS: The results provide evidence for previous assumptions that mistreated individuals experience a higher rate of behavioral health disorders. As mental health screening by adult protective services is rarely conducted, the results suggest the need to train investigators and other service providers to screen older adults for behavioral health and substance-abuse issues as well as physical signs of abuse. Further research on the relationship of abuse to behavioral health might focus on collection of additional data involving more specific victim-related characteristics and comparisons of cases of mistreatment versus self-neglect.

High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of HCN-Znn (n = 1-4) clusters: structure determination and comparisons with theory.

High-resolution infrared laser spectroscopy has been used to obtain rotationally resolved spectra of HCN-Zn(n) (n = 1-4) complexes formed in helium nanodroplets. In the present study the droplets passed through a metal oven, where the zinc vapor pressure was adjusted until one or more atoms were captured by the droplets. A second pickup cell was then used to dope the droplets with a single HCN molecule. Rotationally resolved infrared spectra are obtained for all of these complexes, providing valuable information concerning their structures. Stark spectra are reported and used to determine the corresponding permanent electric dipole moments. Ab initio calculations are also reported for these complexes for comparison with the experimental results.

Poor and depressed, the tip of the iceberg: the unmet needs of enrollees in an indigent health care plan.

Depression is a leading cause of disability [World Health Organization (WHO), 2001] with economic costs exceeding 63 billion dollars per year in the US [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), 1999]. The challenges of treating depression among the poor are compounded by broader social needs. This study examined the prevalence of depression and psychosocial needs among enrollees in an indigent health care plan. Results indicated clinical levels of depression were present in 28.6% of respondents (n=1,405). Depressed respondents were significantly more likely (p<0.001) to have co-occurring alcohol (OR=1.78; CI(95) =1.32-2.40), drug (OR=2.67; CI(95) =1.80-3.98), and health (OR=5.44; CI(95) = 4.12-7.19) problems compared to non-depressed respondents. Significantly more social needs were also associated with depression. Depressed respondents averaged 7.8 needs compared to 3.6 among non-depressed respondents. Needs included a significantly increased likelihood (p<0.001) of lacking sufficient food (OR=2.56; CI(95) =1.97-3.34), shelter (OR=3.67; CI(95) =2.23-6.05), or money (OR=3.18; CI(95) = 2.39-4.23) and having more legal (OR=2.95; CI(95) =2.22-3.92) and family (OR=3.00; CI(95) =2.32-3.86) problems. The high rates of co-occurring social needs among individuals with clinical depression underscores the need for comprehensive, coordinated care in order to improve their quality of life and also reduce high utilization of crisis management services.