Feasibility of a Substance-Abuse Prevention Program for Foster Teens and their Caregivers.

Objective: To test the feasibility, usability, and proximal outcomes of an adaptation of a low-cost, self-directed, family-based substance use prevention program, with foster families in a randomized, waitlist control pilot study.

Method: Families (n = 60) fostering teens between 11 and 15 years of age were recruited into the study and randomly assigned into the self-administered program with telephone support from a family consultant (n = 32) or a waitlist control condition (n = 28).

Results: Overall satisfaction with the program was high, with 100% of parents reporting they would recommend the program to other caregivers and reporting being "very satisfied" or "satisfied with the program.

Optimization of dialysate flow and mass transfer during automated peritoneal dialysis.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of patient position on the mass transfer area coefficient (KoA) and to characterize drain/fill profiles in an effort to enhance efficiency of automated peritoneal dialysis. Over 100 exchanges were performed in 38 stable peritoneal dialysis patients to either determine the small solute KoA in the supine versus upright position or to characterize fill/drain profiles. The KoA for all solutes tested was significantly greater in the supine position compared with the upright position (P < 0.

Psychiatric evaluations of sexual offenders.

Ninety-five defendants charged with sexual offenses were evaluated in a forensic psychiatry clinic. Their psychiatric diagnoses, as well as social, demographic, and criminal characteristics, were studied. Almost half were found to have personality disorders, while one-fifth were given a diagnosis of schizophrenia, affective disorder, or an atypical psychosis.