Nanomanipulation‐Coupled Nanospray Mass Spectrometry Applied to the Extraction and Analysis of Trace Analytes Found on Fibers*

Abstract: This article presents the novel instrumentation of nanomanipulation coupled to nanospray ionization‐mass spectrometry, which is used to directly probe trace analytes found on individual fibers. The low detection limits and sample volumes associated with nanospray ionization‐mass spectrometry make it the ideal instrument to implement for trace analysis. Nanospray ionization‐mass spectrometry, coupled with the nanomanipulator, allows for the direct probing of trace particulates on fibers. The technique is demonstrated by dissolving an electrostatic particle of cocaine from a fiber, collecting the analyte solution in a nanospray tip, and transferring the tip directly to the mass spectrometer to complete analysis. The utility of this technique is evident through the minimal sample preparation and short analysis time. The use of nanomanipulation coupled to nanospray ionization‐mass spectrometry could improve on current trace particulate analysis by reducing both detection limits and sample size required to complete analysis.     

A comparison of the community adjustment of mentally ill offenders with those from the general prison population

In an effort to understand the relationship between crime and mental illness, mentally ill offenders (MIOs) and those from the general prison population (non-MIOs) are compared on their postprison adjustment. MIOs are defined as those individuals who required psychiatric hospitalization during their incarceration. These 547 offenders (147 MIOs and 400 non-MIOs) were then followed for 18 months from date of prison discharge. Information on their adjustment came from several sources, including correctional data, parole reports, incidence of arrests and dispositions, and rates of psychiatric hospitalization. With the exception of drug offenses, no significant differences were found in the rates or types of rearrests between the two groups. Additionally, rearrest among MIOs was found to be associated with the same standard correlates of crime found in nondisturbed offenders: age and prior criminal record. Policy implications derived from these findings are discussed.This research was supported by NIJ doctoral grant NO. 86-IJ-CX-0073. I am indebted to the people of the NY Office of Mental Health, Departmental of Correctional Services, Division of Parole, and Division of Criminal Justice Services for providing me with access to these data. I would also like to thank Dr. Hans Toch and Dr. Ken Adams for allowing me to build on their reserach. Finally, I am very grateful for the helpful comments made on previous drafts by Dr. David Griswold, Dr. Ron Jemelka, Dr. Ellen Steury, and the anonymous reviewers at the journal.     

OUT OF THE WHITE BOX

The authors enjoin professionals and service delivery systems for mediation to look at the current and future demographics and specialized needs and responses of Hispanics and other groups, suggesting that, with certain changes, mediation can become more available to these important segments of our society.     

Inducing resistance to suggestibility in children

Thirty 7-year-olds, 30 12-year-olds, and 39 adults were administered the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale, which consists of a story followed by 20 questions, 15 of which are misleading. After subjects were told that their answers were not all correct, the questions were readministered to look for shifts. Approximately half of the subjects in each age group had been warned that the questions were difficult or tricky and that they should only answer with what they confidently remembered. Results indicated that younger children recalled less of the story and were more likely to acquiesce to leading questions than older children and adults. Children also changed more of their answers upon the second questioning. Recall was negatively correlated with both acquiescence to leading questions and likelihood of changing answers, even within age groups. The warning significantly reduced the effect of misleading questions across all age groups.We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Jeffery N. Swartwood in analyzing the data and the staff, parents, and students of St. Jude School for their cooperation.     

Purifying the World: What the New Radical Ideology Stands For

The past decade has seen the coalescence of a new ideology that envisions social movements in a cataclysmic struggle against global capitalist Empire. Controlled by U.S. militarism and multinational corporations, in cahoots with Zionism, Empire contaminates environments and destroys cultures. Its defeat will bring about a new era of social justice and sustainable development, in which the diverse cultures harmoniously share the earth. Is this a totalitarian ideology? From fascist and communist precedents, we learn that lovers of renewed humanity are not sufficiently motivated by abstract ideals. They must also identify humanity's enemy, the cause of all suffering. Equipped with a scapegoat, diverse communities can achieve solidarity through shared execration.     

A comparison of criminal sexual conduct defendants based on victim age

This study compared defendants charged with Criminal Sexual Conduct whose victims were <6 years of age with defendants whose victims were 12 or more years of age. The study included 163 men referred to the evaluation unit of a state center for forensic psychiatry. Thirty-eight men had younger victims (YVs) and 125 men had older victims (OVs). The variables of comparison were defendant demographic and psychiatric variables frequently identified in the sex offender literature. Controlling for other demographic and psychiatric variables by use of logistic regression modeling, elderly defendants (60 years or greater), and incest offenders were three times more likely to have YVs (Odds Ratio [OR] 3.08 and 3.11, respectively). Unlike previous studies defendants with serious psychiatric pathology (psychosis or mania) were no more likely to have YVs (OR 0.66) than were defendants without psychosis.