Latino Adolescents’ Civic Development in the United States: Research Results from the IEA Civic Education Study

Many studies have reported gaps between Latino and non-Latino adolescents in academic and political outcomes. The current study presents possible explanations for such gaps, both at the individual and school level. Hierarchical linear modeling is employed to examine data from 2,811 American ninth graders (approximately 14 years of age) who had participated in the IEA Civic Education study. Analyses of large data bases enable the consideration of individual characteristics and experiences, as well as the context of classrooms and schools. In comparison with non-Latino students, Latino adolescents report more positive attitudes toward immigrants’ rights but have lower civic knowledge and expected civic participation. These differences were apparent even when controlling for language, country of birth, and political discussions with parents. School characteristics that explain a portion of this gap include open classroom climate and time devoted to study of political topics and democratic ideals. Results are discussed within the framework of developmental assets and political socialization. Implications for educational policy and ways to use large data sets are also discussed.

Characteristics and Prediction of Cranial Crush Injuries in Children*†

Abstract: This study documents four clinical cases of fatal crush injuries to children between 1.5 and 6 years of age with correlations between modeled stress and clinically observed fracture patterns. The clinical case fractures were concentrated in the basicranium, bridged the impact sites, and traversed the middle cranial fossa in the area of the spheno‐occipital synchondrosis. The crushing forces from these cases were recreated on a simplified finite element model of a cranium by applying bilateral pressures to corresponding regions. Numerous trials were run to develop a representative pattern of principal stress directions. In all cases, the highest tensile stresses were located on the basicranium and corresponded to the observed fracture path(s). These results suggest that prefailure stress field diagrams may predict fracture propagation paths, although these will not be exact. Also, these analyses indicate that quasi‐static bilateral loading of the cranium may lead to predictable fracture of the basicranium.     

FUTURE CHILD'S RIGHTS IN NEW REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY:THINKING OUTSIDE THE TUBE AND MAINTAINING THE CONNECTIONS

This article considers whether children born through assisted human reproduction are entitled to information about their biological origins. It examines the issue both from a clinical perspective, citing social science research and the personal narratives of donor‐conceived children, and from a legal perspective, outlining the extent of a child's “right to know” in different jurisdictions. The article suggests that a uniform legal approach is needed that will recognize the right of all children to access details about their identity and conception, for the sake of their psychological well‐being. The article includes a fact scenario that considers the situation of a donor‐conceived child who has become the subject of a custody dispute, and who has not been told the circumstances of his conception.     

Rapid amplification of commercial STR typing kits

Forensic DNA typing is currently conducted in approximately 8–10 h. The process includes DNA extraction, quantitation, multiplex PCR amplification, and fragment length detection. Today's commercial multiplex short tandem repeat (STR) typing kits are not optimized for rapid PCR thermal cycling. Current protocols require approximately 3 h for amplifying a multiplex containing 15 STR loci plus amelogenin. With the continuing development of miniaturization technologies such as microfluidic and micro-capillary devices, there is a desire to reduce the overall time required to type DNA samples. Such miniature devices could be used for initial screening at a crime scene, at a border, and at airports. There is also the benefit of reducing the required PCR amplification time for labs typing single-source reference samples. Surveys of fast processing polymerases working in combination with rapid cycling protocols have resulted in the development of a ‘rapid’ PCR amplification protocol. Results are obtained in less than 36 min run on a standard peltier-based thermal cycler employing a heating rate of 4 °C/s. Capillary electrophoresis characterization of the PCR products indicates good peak balance between loci, strong signal intensity and minor adenylation artifacts. Genotyping results are concordant with standard amplification conditions utilizing a standard 3 h (non-rapid) thermal cycling procedure. The rapid assay conditions are robust enough to routinely amplify 0.5 ng of template DNA (with 28 cycles).     

A 26plex Autosomal STR Assay to Aid Human Identity Testing*†

Abstract: A short tandem repeat multiplex assay has been successfully developed with 25 autosomal loci plus the sex‐typing locus amelogenin for a total of 26 amplified products in a single reaction. Primers for the loci were designed so that all of the amplicons present were distributed from 65 base pairs (bp) to less than 400 bp within a five‐dye chemistry design with the fifth dye reserved for the sizing standard. A multiplex design strategy was developed to overcome challenges encountered in creating this assay. The limits of the multiplex were tested, resulting in the successful amplification of a wide range of genomic DNA sample concentrations from 2 ng to as low as 100 pg with 30 cycles of PCR. The 26plex has the potential to benefit the forensic community for reference sample testing and complex relationship evaluation.     

Who Benefits from Community Mental Health Care? Using Latent Profile Analysis to Identify Differential Treatment Outcomes for Youth

Treatment effectiveness has been shown to vary across subgroups of youth based on characteristics such as comorbidity, problem severity, gender, and age. The current study aims to explore if subgroups of youth, identified by applying latent profile analysis to parent-reported symptoms, age, and gender, are better served by specific usual care services. Archival data from a community mental health center were utilized, including parent-reports of symptoms for 953 youth (44.4% female; ages 4–18) across multiple time-points, and services received. Latent profile analysis identified five subgroups including Low Risk, High Risk, Internalizing, Externalizing, and Delinquent/Depressed. The relationship between the intensity level of services and symptoms varied across subgroups. Specifically, high intensity services were related to a greater reduction in symptoms for the Internalizing, Externalizing, and High Risk subgroups. Implications for future developmental research and clinical applications are discussed.     

Gender differences in gang participation,delinquency, and substance use

The purpose of this paper is to respond to gaps in our knowledge about patterns of female gang participation and its causes and consequences. Data from the Rochester Youth Development Study, a panel study that overrepresents adolescents at high risk for delinquency, are used to compare gang participation and delinquent involvement of female and male adolescents. We then examine the role of theoretical variables associated with both female and male gang membership. The results lead us to conclude that, for females as well as males, involvement in gangs is associated with substantially increased levels of delinquency and substance use. There is also some similarity in the factors associated with gang membership for both sexes, although lack of school success emerges as a factor of particular salience for female adolescents. The results suggest that theory and intervention need to address the phenomenon of female gang membership as an important component of urban youth problems.Authors' names are listed in alphabetical order.     

Policing in the Hyde Park neighborhood, St. Louis: Racial bias, political pressure, and community policing

Policing in the inner-city neighborhood of Hyde Park is evaluated against a backdrop of racial polarization within the city of St. Louis and political pressures upon the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD). Data garnered from immersion into Hyde Park community life, participation in and observation of numerous police/community meetings, document analyses, a focus group session with rank-and-file police officers, interviews with a sergeant and the captain of the Police Fifth District, and numerous informal conversations with residents and police officers provide evidence of poor community/police relationships. The data also provide evidence—on the part of police—of racial bias, lack of and/or poor understanding of the underlying causes of criminal behavior, pervading adventure and excitement lures toward police work, and a less than adequate understanding of the community oriented problemsolving (COPS) policing initiative. An underlying theme of little or absent informed locus of control at various levels regarding policing practices links issues of poor police/community relationships and the influence of racial bias and political pressures.     

AIDS and health care deficiencies

He is author of many books and articles including Images of the American City; Professions, Work, and Careers; Psychiatric Ideologies and Institutions; Where Medicine Fails;and most recently Creating Sociological Awareness: Collective Images and Symbolic Representations;all published by Transaction. He and the co-authors have also written The Social Organization of Medical Work.