Base Rates of Traumatic Brain Injury History in Adults Admitted to State Psychiatric Hospitals: A 3-Year Study.

Objectives: To determine the base rate of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in adults admitted to state psychiatric hospitals. Participants: A total of 3,133 psychiatric patients between the ages of 18 and 60 years old from 7 state facilities were screened for TBI and associated sequelae during a 3-year study period. Method: Comprehensive medical chart/documentation review and treating psychiatrist assessment. Results: A total of 524 (16.73%) had a documented history of TBI, 195 (6.22%) held a previous diagnosis of organic mental disorder at time of admission, 57 (1.82%) had clinical symptoms considered to be consistent with TBI sequelae, and 201 (6.42%) were diagnosed with dysfunction of thinking secondary to TBI. Conclusions: Findings support specific assessment for TBI in these populations, especially in light of previous studies suggesting that psychiatric patients with a history of TBI may require more specialized treatments. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

State-coordinated services for traumatic brain injury survivors: toward a model delivery system

Since 1985, the state of Minnesota, through a variety of advocacy, legislative, and interagency efforts, has made incremental gains in public policy and service development for persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This article reviews the roles and functions of select state programs and departments in coordinating TBI services. Key initiatives, as well as the current model of public policy and services, are outlined. Current and future service development and initiatives are discussed. Finally, specific implementation recommendations are proposed.     

Injection-molding rigid PVC compounds

Rigid PVC compounds will be specified for an ever-increasing number of diverse applications within the next few years because of their excellent cost-performance balance. Molders with experience and equipment to run these compounds will share in this growing business. Those grounded in the basic principles of molding rigid PVC compounds will gain the confidence and develop the capability for processing many other thermoplastics, besides reaping the profits.     

Hypnotically created pseudomemories: Further investigation into the "memory distortion or response bias" question.

In order to study whether pseudomemories represent actual memory distortions or are a result of response bias, 60 highly hypnotizable Ss and Ss from the general population were divided into 4 experimental groups and were tested for pseudomemory manifestation after receiving a false suggestion. Of the 4 groups of Ss, 3 were offered a monetary reward as a motivation to distinguish false suggestion from actual occurrence. Pseudomemory manifestation was found to be significantly higher among Ss not offered a reward than among Ss who were offered such a reward. The implications of these findings are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The relationship between selected socioeconomic variables and measures of arson: A cross-sectional study

This article examines the relationship between arson and selected sociological factors. Factor analysis was applied to 14 socioeconomic factors to produce the composite factors of social climate, income structure, economic climate and social structure. These four sociological factors were used as the independent variables in a series of multiple regressions with five arson-related measures. Statistically significant regression models were determined at the state level for property loss (total fires), number of fires and number of arsons. Findings indicate that poorer, more rural states have the lowest arson rates while arson is greatest in more urban states with correspondingly higher levels of violent crime. Social structures leading to criminal activity rather than poverty or general economic factors appear most related to arson in a given state. Reference: Joe H. Murrey, Jr., Robert E. Pitts, Dani A. Smith and Kenneth W. Hollman, The Relationship Between Selected Socioeconomic Variables and Measures of Arson: A Cross-Sectional Study,Fire Technology, Vol. 23, No. 1, February 1987, p. 60.