Family negativity and delinquent behavior in adolescence: a predictive multivariate latent growth analysis

ABSTRACT

The current study had three aims: (1) to explore whether there is over-time change in adolescent delinquency and negativity in the parent–adolescent, sibling and marital relationships during adolescence; (2) to examine the interactions of negativity across subsystems; and (3) to examine whether levels and changes in adolescent delinquency are predicted by levels and changes in negativity in all family subsystems. Data of 497 families participating in the RADAR-young study were used. Ratings of all family members were used to measure negativity in family relationships, and adolescent self-report was used for delinquency. Multivariate latent growth curve models showed over-time increases in mother-adolescent negativity and over-time decreases in sibling negativity, as well as significant individual differences in these changes. Second, evidence for both social contagion and compensatory processes in family negativity was found. Third, initial levels of parent–adolescent negativity were related to initial levels but not over-time changes of adolescent delinquency, whereas initial levels of sibling negativity were related to over-time changes but not initial levels of adolescent delinquency. Finally, increases in parent–adolescent negativity were related to faster increases in adolescent delinquency, and decreases in sibling negativity were related to slower increases in adolescent delinquency. Implications of these results are discussed.     

Getting realistic about megaproject planning: The case of the new Denver International Airport

Megaprojects continue to play a prominent role in promoting economic development, and have proliferated rapidly worldwide. But, as they have grown larger in number, size, and complexity, their planning, implementation and ultimate success become increasingly problematic. Most encounter unexpected difficulties and seldom achieve their original objectives. This article addresses the reasons for this state of affairs by focusing upon the relevance of the Rational model of decision making to the case of the new Denver International Airport. It traces its evolution and considers the extent to which the Rational model explains the major events. It concludes that this model has only limited explanatory power because it does not incorporate political elements which play a major role in megaprojects. The Rational model can be successfully applied to an entire project only where the political system permits a powerful agency to design and implement the project. This condition is rarely met in democratic societies, especially in the U.S. Furthermore, its applicability is limited by the new environment in which planning takes place, an environment that is marked by the emergence of new actors and increasing turbulence and uncertainty. Accordingly, recognition of the role of power suggests that the utility of the Rational model is limited and that alternative planning approaches that emphasize consensus building and flexibility need to be developed for megaproject planning.     

An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for plasma-paraquat levels of poisoned patients

To investigate the efficacy of medical treatments, plasma-paraquat levels were measured in patients who had ingested the liquid weedkiller, Gramoxon, containing paraquat. We determined the levels by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using a murine paraquat-specific monoclonal antibody developed by Niewola et al. (Clin. Chim. Acta, 148 (1985) 149-156). Using this ELISA, concentrations of paraquat in the range 1.56-100 ng/ml could be measured. This assay method had good precision and was suitable for measurement of low levels of paraquat. The therapeutic treatments were most effective on the day of admission. The plasma-paraquat levels of poisoned patients decreased significantly. However, the levels tended to increase again during the pause period of the haemoperfusion and this increase was serious for fatal cases. It is clear that elimination of poison not only from blood but also from tissues is necessary to lower the mortality rate.     

Red cell phosphoglucomutase (PGM1) subtypes in Egyptians

The polymorphism of the human red cell phosphoglucomutase 1 (PGM1) in samples from Egyptians (n = 134) was investigated using isoelectric focusing in thin-layer polyacrylamide gel. In the studied population samples nine common phenotypes were observed, and the calculated frequencies for the genes PGM1+1, PGM1-1, PGM2+1 and PGM2-1 were 0.6381, 0.0821, 0.2201 and 0.0597, respectively. The observed and expected phenotypes provide a good fit to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The four alleles system will increase the probability of excluding a man falsely accused of paternity to 30% as compared with 16% if the two alleles system is used.