Younger Colleagues Research Articles

Founder of Modern Forensic Psychiatry Honored With Guttmacher Award

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Legal NewsFull AccessFounder of Modern Forensic Psychiatry Honored With Guttmacher AwardAaron LevinAaron LevinSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:18 Jul 2017https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.pn.2017.7b3AbstractAn Annual Meeting session effectively summed up the life and career of Robert Sadoff, M.D., a premier practitioner of the field.Robert Sadoff, M.D., was there in spirit, if not in person, when the book he edited, The Evolution of Forensic Psychiatry (Oxford University Press, 2015), received the 2017 Manfred S. Guttmacher Award. The award, cosponsored by APA and the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law (AAPL), recognizes an outstanding contribution to the literature of forensic psychiatry.Sadoff, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania, died on April 17. He was represented at the award presentation during APA’s Annual Meeting in San Diego by several contributors to the book and other colleagues.Kenneth Weiss, M.D., a clinical professor of psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania and one of the book’s chapter authors, read a statement written by Sadoff earlier this year when he became ill and anticipated that he wouldn’t be able to attend the Annual Meeting. He hoped the book would present “the current history of the field, the outstanding programs teaching concepts and practices, and proposals for future development,” wrote Sadoff, who was one of the eight founding members of AAPL in 1969. He also wanted to integrate forensic psychiatry into other aspects of the field, like child and adolescent psychiatry, geriatric psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and correctional psychiatry, as well as with psychology, nursing, criminal justice, law, and law enforcement.Octavio Choi, M.D., Ph.D., urges listeners to live up to the spirit of Robert Sadoff, M.D., through the ethical practice of psychiatry that “arises simply as a manifestation of the practice of kindness and respect for others.”David HathcoxAnother speaker, Octavio Choi, M.D., Ph.D., was a forensic fellow at Penn under Sadoff and Weiss in 2011-2012. The difference between psychiatry in general and forensic psychiatry was clear, said Choi, now an assistant professor of public psychiatry at the Oregon Health and Science University and director of the Forensic Evaluation Service at Oregon State Hospital.“The goal of treatment is to help the patient, but the goal of forensic psychiatry is to seek justice and truth while respecting the rights of those who are examined,” he said. “Our work can harm those whom we evaluate.”The forensic psychiatrist must follow the law and ethical guidelines, but the criminal justice system has intentional “harms” built in such as imprisonment, Sadoff taught his fellows and colleagues. The effects can be minimized by showing respect, sensitivity, and kindness toward individual evaluees, said Choi. “Bob was a highly compassionate person who worked in an adversarial system in which certain harms are unavoidable.”In the message read at the Annual Meeting session, Sadoff pointed to the growing body of work in neuroscience and its potential for use in forensic psychiatric assessment. That potential was still unclear, although it is being used more often in courtrooms, said Choi.“The brain is a complex structure, and it is difficult to explain behavior from brain activity and structure in individual cases,” said Choi. “Good brains can produce bad actions and vice versa. Courts care about individual cases, and it is hard to go from general research findings to individual cases.”In reality, neuroscientific evidence can serve to generate hypotheses that can be tested with neuropsychiatric tests and close analysis of the behavior of the person being evaluated, he said. Neuroevidence that converges with other evidence of behavior can play an important supportive role.Choi urged his audience to live up to Sadoff’s spirit. “I think we need to struggle to master the challenge he set forth—to live life fully with open eyes and sensitivity and awareness, a life in which the ethical practice of psychiatry arises simply as a manifestation of the practice of kindness and respect for others. Thank you, Bob, for letting me know it’s possible and showing me how it’s done.”The Isaac Ray Award was also presented in this session. This award, which recognizes outstanding contributions to forensic psychiatry, was given to Joseph Bloom, M.D., who has served as chair of the department of psychiatry and dean of the school of Medicine at Oregon Health and Science University. He is a past president of AAPL, the American Board of Forensic Psychiatry, the Oregon Neuropsychiatric Association, and the Oregon Psychiatric Association.Bloom has written or edited more than 130 papers, book chapters, and other publications on involuntary commitment, the right to refuse treatment, the insanity defense, dangerousness, duty to warn, and competency to stand trial, said former APA President Renȳe Binder, M.D., when presenting the award.“Joe is not only an excellent researcher and scholar, he is also an exceptional mentor of younger colleagues as they begin their academic careers,” said Binder. ■ ISSUES NewArchived

Reflexions on Urban Gardening in Germany

This article reflects on traditional and contemporary gardening movements in Germany. The focus is on forms of gardening, that take place in spaces subject to land lease agreements and similar forms of tenancy or of illegal land take or squatting. The author examines various definitions taking into account the variety of practices, the development of urban gardening over time, and the respective backgrounds or values that users relate to such gardening activities. The examination of definitions led to the drawing up of a timeline of traditional and contemporary gardening movements in Germany and to the tentative approaching of this issue from a semantic perspective. The latter is due to the usage of many different terms mostly as yet undefined in a legal sense. Translation into English or, most likely, to any other language, further blurs the common understanding of the terms used. The author concludes with some considerations on these gardening movements in relation to urban sustainable developments. A presentation at the 5 th Rencontres Internationals de Reims on Sustainability Studies, dedicated to Urban Agriculture – Fostering the Urban-Rural Continuum, which took place in October 2015 in Reims/France was the starting point of this article. The basis of this article is a literature review, nourished to a certain extent by observations randomly made over many years and complemented through talks with competent young colleagues. Special thanks go to Martin Sondermann, Leibniz University Hannover, who shared his research experience in various discussions with the author, as well as to Friederike Stelter, internship student at the author’s place of work, who gave highly appreciated support to the preparation of the presentation.

How Did Durkheim Die?

As we are commemorating the centenary of Durkheim’s death in this issue, it seems appropriate to reflect on what we know about it. We know, of course, that he died on 15 November 1917 at the age of 59 – not a young age at which to die a hundred years ago, but not an old one, either. Also, we know that he died during World War I, but in his bed, unlike many of his younger colleagues, who died on the battlefield, including his own son.

Roald Hoffmann

Roald Hoffmann

Misconceptions about Calorimetry

In the past 50 years, calorimeters have become the most important detectors in many particle physics experiments, especially experiments in colliding-beam accelerators at the energy frontier. In this paper, we describe and discuss a number of common misconceptions about these detectors, as well as the consequences of these misconceptions. We hope that it may serve as a useful source of information for young colleagues who want to familiarize themselves with these tricky instruments.

The nature and import of the legacy of Binaural Hearing research from 1900 to 1950

The goal is to present a historical picture of the research that serves as the foundations for Binaural Hearing as we know it today. The focus will be on the scientists and students who conducted that research and the institutions at which they resided. Knowledge composing the foundation of the field of binaural hearing is commonly identified with several individual pioneering scientists whose publications formed its basis. What is not so well appreciated is the fact that the modern literature stems from succeeding generations of doctoral and post-doctoral students that are related to the pioneers and each other via a rich set of integral institutional and personal interrelationships. In today's field of Binaural Hearing it has become commonplace to be trained by more than one mentor, in laboratories at more than one institution, in more than one discipline spanning anatomy, physiology, behavior, or acoustical engineering and, often, to perform mathematical modeling using information gleaned from any or all of them. Today, despite one's particular background, it is possible to be employed (often doing similar research) in any of a variety of settings within universities and industry. The primary motivation for this talk stems from interest expressed by many of our younger colleagues. Over many years, they have shown a delight in learning about “who trained and worked with whom, and where.”

Tokindo S. Okada.

Tokindo S. Okada.

Kidney Court: Not Just Another Journal Club.

Kidney Court: Not Just Another Journal Club.

REFORMING OF CHILDREN'S CHOREOGRAPHIC EDUCATION IN KIROVOHRAD REGION IN THE 80-s OF THE XX CENTURY

The author attempts to explore the process of the reforming of children's choreographic education in Kirovohrad region in the 80-s of the twentieth century in this article. Choreographic education in the mentioned period was getting the features of continuous education. Starting from pre-school educational establishments, which had become the basis for harmonious development of a child, choreographic education was directed towards aesthetic upbringing of young people as well as universal values at all stages of learning. Thanks to public support functioning artistic groups worked effectively and new dance groups on the basis of secondary schools, palaces of pioneers and schoolchildren, enterprises, rural, urban and district houses of culture were created. Significant shifts occurred in the system of out-of-school education. Teachers-researchers focused their attention on the developing of new methods of cultural and educational work in out-of-school establishments, the events which were aimed at the improving of physical and psychological health of children, formation of the interest to the training in dance groups were especially important. Creation of creative children's associations, clubs, groups of the choreographic direction on the basis of the Kirovohrad regional Palace of Pioneers and Schoolchildren was not an exception in the system of art and aesthetic education of schoolchildren.The development of choreographic education in Kirovohrad region is demonstrated in the creation of new children's dance groups. The participation of children in the work of choreographic groups was directed at the goals gaining, namely: aesthetic education by means of choreographic art, expanding of the worldview and formation of moral qualities of a personality (collectivism, responsibility, friendship, sociability etc.). Despite the situation in the country, choreographic collectives, groups and ensembles of Kirovohrad region continued to popularize Ukrainian traditions, culture, and history of its people by means of choreographic art, to store and pass on the Ukrainian national heritage to the younger generation. The concept of «mentoring» emerged and consolidated in Kirovohrad region. In the 1980-s experienced managers of the best and most successful choreographic collectives shared their experience with young colleagues, provided consulting, gave creative tips.

Comment

Comment

10th Asia Plasma and Fusion Association Conference

Welcome to APFA-2015It gives me immense pleasure to note that 10th Asia Plasma Fusion Association Conference is being held at Institute for Plasma Research (IPR), Bhat, Gandhinagar 382 428, INDIA during 14-17 December, 2015. This is the second time this conference is being held in India, the first time being 2006. Main aim of the conference is to bring together researchers and students working in the field of fusion plasma science and technology, especially, in the South East Asia region, every alternate year under one umbrella to discuss technology advancement made during this period.Fusion activities have increased in all the member countries during this period. Smaller countries of this region have also started experimental programmes in plasma physics. Therefore, APFA executive council may look into more participation of these countries and more opportunities for interactions on important fusion science and technology related areas. More Industry participation is also welcome in the meetings. This is being helpful to prepare human resource for the future need in fusion field. Interactions in these meetings are generating interesting regional collaborations.As India is a full partner in the ITER programme and has now developed and commissioned successfully its own Superconducting Steady state Tokamak (SST-1), research in fusion science and technology needs to increase substantially. APFA is playing an important role in advancing this effort through this meeting.Few awards for younger colleagues have been instituted which should create a very healthy competition among the participants. We request members to instate more such awards.IPR colleagues are holding the conference this year to bring the plasma researchers together once again.I wish APFA, all the best in this endeavour.Dhiraj BoraConference Chair

Vera Cooper Rubin

Vera Cooper Rubin

Bowker, G.C., Timmermans, S., Clarke, A.E. and Balka, E. (eds) Boundary Objects and Beyond: Working with Leigh Star. Boston: MIT Press. 2016. 560pp £59.95 (hbk) ISBN 9780262029742 £29.95 (pbk) ISBN 9780262528085

Bowker, G.C., Timmermans, S., Clarke, A.E. and Balka, E. (eds) Boundary Objects and Beyond: Working with Leigh Star. Boston: MIT Press. 2016. 560pp £59.95 (hbk) ISBN 9780262029742 £29.95 (pbk) ISBN 9780262528085

Will Chinese oncologists refer cancer survivors to psychological support for survivorship care? A cross-sectional survey.

196 Background: Cancer survivors often experience substantial psychological distress, such as anxiety and depression, due to cancer diagnosis and treatment. As psychological support is still not a standard part of survivorship care in China, little is known about Chinese oncologists’ attitudes towards referring cancer survivors to this service. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey among oncologists who were attending the 18th annual meeting of Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO, September 16th - 20th 2015) in Xiamen, China. Participants voluntarily completed a questionnaire measuring their demographics and occupational information. The outcome variable was willingness to refer cancer survivors to psychological support. We used a multivariate logistic regression model to evaluate the factors associated with such willingness. Results: Among 351 responders, 53% were male, with a mean age of 38±9 years. Half of the oncologists were senior attendings, 34% were junior attendings, and 17% were residents. More than half of the physicians (58%) had an additional Masters or PhD degree. The majority of oncologists (263, 79%) were willing to refer their patients to psychological support as part of survivorship care. Physicians over 40 years old were more likely to recommend psychological support than their younger colleagues (85% versus 76%, p = 0.048). In multi-variable logistic regression model, controlled by gender and education level, physicians > 40 years were associated with more willingness to refer their patients to psychological support than physicians ≤ 40 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.9, 95% confidential interval [C.I.]1.4-6.1, p= 0.01); compared to residents, junior attendings were more likely to recommend psychological support (OR 2.8, 95% C.I. 1.1-7.1, p= 0.03). Conclusions: The majority of Chinese oncologists were willing to refer cancer survivors for psychological support; age and position appeared to impact such willingness. By further educating young Chinese oncologists about the importance of psychological care during survivorship, we can help develop a health care delivery system that better meets Chinese cancer survivors’ psychosocial needs.

Uz posvetu prvoga broja znanstvenog časopisa Miscellanea Hadriatica et Mediterranea Franji Smiljaniću, znanstveniku i sveučilišnom profesoru

With the death of Professor Franjo Smiljanić, Department of History at the University of Zadar lost one of the most esteemed professors, scientists and above all creative members of teaching staff. It will be difficult to find the person with equally unbreakable spirit who will fill the void left by his departure. His unique life, built around the enormous pain he endured and the infectious laugh, immense erudition and incredible resolve to endure in his scientific endeavours, will surely be a strong guiding light to the younger colleagues in how to live and work at Croatian universities. Therefore the faculty staff of the Department of History at the University of Zadar unanimously decided to dedicate the first number of the new scientific journal to the memory of this “bard” of historical science, true Mediterranean and even greater lover of the Adriatic.

Nurses' health promoting lifestyle behaviors in a community hospital

PurposeTo examine nurses' health-promoting lifestyle behaviors, describe their self-reported engagement in employee wellness program benefit options, and explore relationships between nurse demographic factors, health characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. BackgroundNurses adopting unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are at significantly higher risk for developing a number of chronic diseases and are at increased susceptibility to exhaustion, job dissatisfaction and turnover. Strengthening professional nurses' abilities to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors could serve as a valuable tool in combating negative workplace stress, promote improved work-life balance and personal well-being, and help retain qualified health-care providers. MethodsIn a 187-bed community hospital in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, we conducted an IRB-approved exploratory descriptive study. We examined 127 nurses' demographic characteristics, self-reported employer wellness program use, and measured their healthy lifestyle behaviors using the 52-item Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II) survey instrument. Nurse demographic and HPLP-II scores were analyzed in SPSS v20.0. Inferential univariate statistical testing examined relationships between nurse demographic factors, health and job characteristics, and HPLP-II score outcomes. ResultsNurses over 40years old were more likely to report participation in hospital wellness program options. Statistically significant age differences were identified in total HPLP-II score (p=0.005), and two subscale scores—spiritual growth (p=0.002) and interpersonal relations (p=0.000). Post-hoc testing identified nurse participants 40–49years old and ≥50years old experienced slightly lower total HPLP-II score, subscale scores in comparison to younger colleagues. ConclusionsNurses ≥40years old may benefit from additional employer support and guidance to promote and maintain healthy lifestyles, personal well-being, and positive interpersonal relationships.

A Woman Like You? Emma Peel,Xena: Warrior Princess, and the Empowerment of Female Heroes of the Silver Screen

A Woman Like You? Emma Peel,<i>Xena: Warrior Princess</i>, and the Empowerment of Female Heroes of the Silver Screen

Using Many Social Media Platforms Linked With Depression, Anxiety Risk

Using Many Social Media Platforms Linked With Depression, Anxiety Risk

Wise heads fend off confrontation

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to examine age differences in conflict management strategy use, effectiveness and in exposure to customer stressors in service interactions.Design/methodology/approachModerated regression and mediation analyses were conducted to test hypotheses in a sample of 444 German service employees from different service branches with frequent customer contact.FindingsResults revealed that older service employees experienced fewer customer stressors. Customer stressors mediated the negative relationship between age and burnout. Age was associated with use of passive avoidant (avoiding) and active constructive (problem-solving) conflict management strategies. Furthermore, older employees used those strategies more effectively. Especially when avoiding conflicts, older employees reported more professional efficacy than younger colleagues. In contrast, younger employees benefited considerably less from strategy use and reported higher levels of burnout in general. Thus, results suggest older employees’ effective conflict management and their positive perception of customer stressors contribute to lower levels of burnout.Originality/valueThis study is one of the first to examine age-related conflict management skills with regard to customer conflicts, employee health and effectiveness of strategy use. It replicates existing findings on age and conflict management and extends them in several ways thereby ruling out alternative explanations for age effects.

Analiza dorobku publikacyjnego samodzielnych pracowników naukowych z polskich placówek geograficznych = An analysis of the published output of independent researchers from Poland’s geographical institutions

In recent years, Polish geographers have become increasingly interested in publishing their research results in English-language journals under the ISI Master Journal List (also known as the “Philadelphia List” in Poland). On the one hand, such an interest has arisen out of the desire to disseminate the results of individual or team research; while on the other it reflects the necessity for appropriate output to be calculated, in order that scientific advancement and parametric evaluation of the scientific institute may take place. Against that background, the work presented here has sought to assess the diversification of geographical centres in Poland, on the basis of an analysis of the published output of their independent employees (habilitated doctors and professors). A separate issue is to investigate the academic achievements of independent scientific workers, as regards age group, sub-discipline (physical or socio-economic geography), and scientific status (habilitated doctor or professor). The analyses were based on the bibliographical database within the Web of Sciences Core Collection, as well as Google Scholar. The analysis of bibliometric indicators referring to the work published by independent researchers shows that Poland’s leading geographical institutions are primarily large centres, first and foremost those in which scientists tend to specialise in physical geography. These are centres conducting numerous research projects, engaging in extensive scientific cooperation in Poland and abroad and publishing their own scientific journals. Among the leading geographical institutions are the University of Gdańsk, Jagiellonian University, University of Lódź, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences, University of Warsaw, University of Wrocław and University of Szczecin. In terms of works published in domestic journals, the two sub-disciplines of geography are characterised by similar bibliometric indicators for an average representative. In contrast, in the case of international journals, there is an evident predominance of those representing physical geography. Conducted analyses also show that physical geographers more often publish as teams. The output of physical geographers is also more universal in character, meaning that extensive use can be made of them in the study of global processes. Socio-economic geographers generally focus their attention on research within the region in which their institution is located, or else deal with social and economic phenomena in their own country. Analysis of bibliometric indicators by age groups of researchers seems to offer optimism for the future. In the case of Google Scholar, older workers present higher values than their younger colleagues, but these differences – apart from citation number that reflect a longer presence on the publishing market – are not very great. However, in the case of the Web of Science, generally offering a better reflection of the level of scientific impact and involvement in international collaboration, young researchers rank higher than their older colleagues. It is therefore to be hoped that their impact in worldwide geography will be greater in the coming years than at present.