The use of enzymatic hydrolysis for isolation of barbituric acid derivatives from blood (as exemplified by phenobarbital and barbamyl)

Modern isolation techniques by direct extraction with organic solvents or after protein precipitation by various sedimenting or salting-out agents are characterized by low efficiency and do not permit to liberate derivatives of barbituric acid from their complexes with blood proteins. The use of enzymatic hydrolysis makes it possible to break bonds between barbiturates and protein and thereby improve the efficiency of isolation. We performed enzymatic hydrolysis of the model phenobarbital-blood and barbamyl-blood complexes with the use of trypsin, pepsin, chymotrypsin, and papain. The degree of phenobarbital extraction with trypsin and barbamyl was estimated at 62.1 +/- 1.2% and 75.1 +/- 1.6% respectively; in other words, it was 32.7 +/- 1.0% and 51.1 +/- 1.0% higher than that achieved by traditional methods. Certain validation characteristics of the new method are presented.     

Look who's stalking: Obsessive pursuit and attachment theory

Few criminological theories have been applied to the study of stalking perpetration, and even fewer address the presence of underlying psychological mechanisms. Attachment theory describes the ways in which an individual with a chaotic family environment in childhood may develop feelings of insecurity that may lead to increased aggression and violent behavior in adolescence and adulthood. In this study, a sample of college students (N = 2,783) were queried on self-reported stalking behaviors and the revised Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR-R) measure of adult attachment. Stalkers scored significantly higher on the insecure-anxious scale of attachment and lower on insecure-avoidant scale. Other psychological variables (major/minor psychiatric diagnoses, depression, and anger-related issues) were also examined, with a history of anger-related diagnosis or treatment positively and significantly associated with stalking perpetration. Implications for theory development in stalking and future research directions are discussed.     

Reproduction and family building strategies in early modern Japan: Evidence from two northeastern farming villages

Drawing data from the local population registers called “ninbetsu-aratame-cho," this study examines the patterns and covariates of reproduction and family building in two farming villages in northeastern Japan in 1716–1870. Marriages in these villages were very early and universal for both sexes, but reproduction within marriage was very low, due in part to curtailment of reproduction at relatively young ages, but also to long intervals between recorded births. Stopping and spacing of family building were achieved primarily by an extensive use of sex- and parity-specific infanticide, which enabled peasant couples to control the size and gender-sequence of their progeny. Women's positions within their household and in the village also influenced their family building processes. Peasant couples in these preindustrial Japanese farming villages were active planners of their reproductive life.     

Childhood Victimization and its Impact on Coping Behaviors for Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

This study explores patterns of victimization and coping in a conservative Christian denomination. Four types of coping behaviors are identified: informal coping, professional help-seeking, negative coping and crisis outreach. While religious behaviors are less influential than expected for this particular population, current victimization and childhood victimization play a significant role in establishing a model of coping and help-seeking for intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors in faith communities. Childhood victimization acts as an aggravating factor, predicting negative coping with IPV. At the same time, childhood victimization significantly increases the likelihood of seeking professional help. The study adds to the body of knowledge by contributing to a better understanding of the impact of childhood victimization on coping and help-seeking.     

Effect of low-dose radiation on mutation rates of STR loci commonly used in forensic casework

The possible effect of low-dose radiation on STR markers in people exposed to radiation during their professional activities was estimated in this study. We evaluated mutation rates in 17 forensic STR loci typed by the COrDIS-18 kit (CSF1PO, D10S1248, D12S391, D13S317, D16S539, D18S51, D21S11, D2S441, D3S1358, D5S818, D7S820, D8S1179, FGA, SE33, TH01, TPOX, and vWA) in 78 families (father–mother–child) with one parent exposed to low-dose radiation before fertilization. Five mutations were observed. In two cases, the new alleles were delivered from the non-exposed parent. The calculated mutation rate for the 17 studied STR loci in families appeared to be in good concordance with data published for normal populations. No evidence for an elevated mutation rate in STR markers after low-dose radiation was found.     

Protect Our Children: Vaccination Exemptions Can Establish Child Abuse and Neglect

The need to protect public health has increased as the anti‐vaccine movement is on the rise. Exemptions to vaccination requirements have become more lax, and parents find ways to avoid vaccinating their children, thereby exposing not only their children to the dangers of serious diseases, but other children as well. This Note proposes a federal statute mandating that parents subject their children between the ages of infancy and 6 to acquire vaccinations for all diseases recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unless a licensed physician recommends otherwise.     

Suture Embolism of the Left Superior Lobar Pulmonary Artery

Endogenous pulmonary thromboemboli are a common cause of noncardiac sudden natural death. Embolism of exogenous material is a rare but potential finding in autopsies following surgeries, medical procedures, penetrating trauma, and nonparenteral drug abuse. This report describes the first case of a suture embolism of the left superior lobar pulmonary artery following complicated abdominal surgery.     

Development of impulsivity and risk‐seeking: Implications for the dimensionality and stability of self‐control*

In Gottfredson and Hirschi's self‐control theory, introduced in 1990, they contend that self‐control is a unidimensional construct that develops early in childhood and remains stable throughout the life span. According to findings reported in recent research, however, these arguments are now being challenged, with scholars pointing to ways in which self‐control may be multidimensional in nature and may change beyond the period of alleged stabilization. In this study, we draw on Steinberg's dual systems model, introduced in 2008, to consider this issue further. We examine that model's two key elements of low self‐control—risk‐seeking and impulsivity—to determine whether they are empirically distinguishable from one another and have differing developmental trajectories from childhood to early adulthood. We also consider the consequences of changes in risk‐seeking and impulsivity for within‐individual changes in crime. We examine these issues with data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) for individuals from 10 to 30 years old. The results of our analyses show support for a multidimensional and dynamic conception of self‐control—from age 10 to age 30, risk‐seeking and impulsivity are empirically distinct and develop in divergent ways that are consistent with the dual systems model. Changes in risk‐seeking and impulsivity also affect changes in crime, but their effects vary with age and changes in the other element. We discuss these findings and their implications for self‐control and the development of life‐course criminology.     

IV-E or not IV-E,that is the question: comparisons of BSW Child Welfare Scholars and matched trainee confidence and retention

ABSTRACT

Our longitudinal study examined the effectiveness of BSW IVE Scholar training (n = 52) compared with a matched cohort (n = 57) of traditionally trained employees. The BSW IV-E Scholars felt significantly more prepared than their traditionally-trained coworkers. BSW IV-E Scholars were significantly more likely to be retained in the first five years of employment than the matched cohort trainees. The study lends strong support for the retention and preparation advantages of BSW Title IV-E training over traditional employee training. This is important given the significant investment of training dollars for IV-E at the Federal, state, and local levels.