Random breath testing in Queensland and Western Australia: Examination of how the random breath testing rate influences alcohol related traffic crash rates

In this paper we explore the relationship between monthly random breath testing (RBT) rates (per 1000 licensed drivers) and alcohol-related traffic crash (ARTC) rates over time, across two Australian states: Queensland and Western Australia. We analyse the RBT, ARTC and licensed driver rates across 12 years; however, due to administrative restrictions, we model ARTC rates against RBT rates for the period July 2004 to June 2009.     

The role of classroom quality in ameliorating the academic and social risks associated with difficult temperament.

The present study examines the moderating role first grade classroom quality may have on the relations between children's difficult temperament (assessed in infancy) and their academic and social outcomes in early elementary school (first grade). Using data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, 1032 children were rated by their mothers at 6 months of age on difficult temperament. The quality of first grade classroom environments were then observed and rated along three domains: emotional support, classroom organization, and instructional support. Regression analyses examined the statistical interactions between difficult temperament and classroom quality domains on children's academic and social outcomes. Results indicate high-quality classroom environments may ameliorate the academic and social risks associated with having a difficult temperament. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Assessment of the risk of solar ultraviolet radiation to amphibians. I. Dose-dependent induction of hindlimb malformations in the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens)

A number of environmental stressors have been hypothesized as responsible for recent increases in limb malformations in several species of North American amphibians. The purpose of this study was to generate dose-response data suitable for assessing the potential role of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in causing limb malformations in a species in which this phenomenon seemingly is particularly prevalent, the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens). Frogs were exposed from early embryonic stages through complete metamorphosis to varying natural sunlight regimes, including unaltered (100%) sunlight, sunlight subjected to neutral density filtration to achieve relative intensities of 85%, 75%, 65%, 50%, and 25% of unaltered sunlight, and sunlight filtered with glass or acrylamide to attenuate, respectively, the UVB (290-320 nm) and UVB plus UVA (290-380 nm) portions of the spectrum. The experiments were conducted in a controlled setting, with continual monitoring of UVB, UVA, and visible light to support a robust exposure assessment. Full sunlight caused approximately 50% mortality of the frogs during early larval development; no significant treatment-related mortality occurred under any of the other exposure regimes, including 100% sunlight with glass or acrylamide filtration. There was a dose-dependent (p < 0.0001) induction of hindlimb malformations in the frogs, with the percentage of affected animals ranging from about 97% under unaltered sunlight to 0% in the 25% neutral density treatment. Malformations were comprised mostly of missing or truncated digits, and generally were bilateral as well as symmetrical. Filtration of sunlight with either glass or acrylamide both significantly reduced the incidence of malformed limbs. The estimated sunlight dose resulting in a 50% limb malformation rate (ED50) was 63.5%. The limb ED50 values based on measured sunlight intensities corresponded to average daily doses of 4.5 and 100 Wh x m(-2) for UVB and UVA, respectively. Exposure to sunlight also resulted in increased eye malformations in R. pipiens, however, the dose-response relationship for this endpoint was not monotonic. The results of this study, in conjunction with measured or predicted exposure data from natural settings, provide a basis for quantitative prediction of the risk of solar UV radiation to amphibians.     

Extending the solid-phase microextraction technique to high analyte concentrations: measurements and thermodynamic analysis

The solid-phase microextraction (SPME) technique has been used historically to quantify analytes present at the parts per million level. However, the nonintrusive nature of SPME lends itself to other applications involving analytes at higher concentration. In the current work, the possibility of using the SPME technique to measure concentrated gaseous samples was examined. Pentane concentrations between 0 and 100% saturation were studied, over a temperature range of 20-45 degrees C. The results showed that, up to a critical mole fraction in the solid phase, the concentrations of pentane in the polymeric extracting solid and vapor phases were related by a constant, equal to Henry's constant. The temperature dependence of Henry's constant was shown to follow the predicted trend with temperature, as determined from rigorous thermodynamic calculations. Above the pentane concentration in the polymeric phase, the response deviated from linearity. The nonideality was captured in an activity coefficient. An activity coefficient model developed to describe the nonideality was found to be a function of the swollen volume of the SPME polymer phase. The results indicate that the SPME technique can be applied to high analyte concentrations, although difficulties may be encountered when multiple analytes are absorbed.     

Sex differences in electrophysiological and behavioral responses to NaCl taste.

We tested the hypothesis that sex differences in preference for NaCl are attributable to estrogen-mediated alterations in gustatory processing. Electrophysiological responses of the chorda tympani nerve to NaCl were blunted by estrogen treatment in ovariectomized female rats, suggesting that females are less sensitive to concentrated NaCl solutions during high estrogen conditions. In contrast, after a taste aversion was conditioned to 150-mM NaCl, estrogen- and oil-treated ovariectomized rats generalized the aversion to a lower concentration of NaCl than did males, suggesting that females are more sensitive to the taste of dilute NaCl solutions regardless of estrogen. Thus, sex differences in NaCl preferences may be attributable to differences in NaCl taste processing that involve both acute and developmental effects of estrogen. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-term patterns and predictors of successful stressor resolution in later life.

At 1 year, 4 years, and 10 years after baseline, late-middle-aged adults reported whether they had successfully resolved their most important stressor of the past year. Compared to individuals who never resolved focal stressors over the 10-year interval, those who always did consistently showed less negative stressor appraisal, less reliance on avoidance coping, and less use of exploratory relative to directed coping responses, independent of type and severity of focal stressor. Less use of exploratory relative to directed coping and having more social resources, fewer health problems, and fewer depressive symptoms at baseline predicted more stressor resolution over the next 10 years. These predictors are promising foci for prospective efforts to optimize ways in which aging adults manage late-life stressors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 in poultry

Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from feed ingredients or poultry sources isolated during 1995 to 1997 from different geographical locations within Minnesota were examined for the presence of Salmonella Typhimurium definitive type 104 (DT104). Antibiotic susceptibility studies indicated that 15 of 50 isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium had an antibiotic resistance pattern (ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline) that is usually observed with multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium DT104. Of the 15 isolates showing the antibiotic resistance pattern, 8 isolates were phage type 104, 3 isolates were typed as phage type 104 complex, and the remaining 4 isolates belonged to phage types 193, 81, and 126. DT104 was recovered from both feed ingredients and poultry samples. Of the seven feed ingredient-associated Salmonella Typhimurium isolates, four were DT104, whereas only 7 of 43 poultry-associated Salmonella Typhimurium isolates were DT104. A repetitive sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (rep-PCR) of 50 isolates of Salmonella Typhimurium representing 13 phage types identified seven distinct fingerprint profiles. No correlation between phage type and rep-PCR type was noticed. Eleven Salmonella Typhimurium isolates belonging to DT104 and its complex were grouped into two closely related rep-PCR types.     

The composition of milk fat.

Bovine milk contains about 3.5 to 5% total lipid, existing as emulsified globules 2 to 4 microns in diameter and coated with a membrane derived from the secreting cell. In homogenized milk, the coat is mostly casein. About 98% or more of the lipid is triacylglycerol, which is found in the globule. Phospholipids are about .5 to 1% of total lipids, and sterols are .2 to .5%. These are mostly located in the globule membrane. Cholesterol is the major sterol at 10 to 20 mg/dl. Data are presented on the membrane and the emulsion. Bovine milk contains substantial quantities of C4:0 to C10:0, about 2% each of C18:2 and trans-C18:1, and almost no other long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acid composition is not altered by ordinary changes in diet. The triacylglycerol structure is unique, with much of the C4:0 to C10:0 at sn-3. The effects of milk cholesterol and fatty acids on human blood cholesterol levels and nonnutritive roles of some microlipids are discussed.     

Altruism on American Television: Examining the Amount of, and Context Surrounding, Acts of Helping and Sharing

Using a representative sample of television content featuring 2,227 programs across different genres and 18 different channels, the frequency and context of altruistic actions were content analyzed. A social cognitive theory approach was taken to guide the selection of contextual variables. The results showed that 73% of the programs in the sample featured instances of helping/sharing at a rate of 2.92 incidents per hour. Further, the actions were most likely to be initiated by adult White males and many acts were depicted in a humorous, realistic, and rewarding context. In terms of channel differences, shows on children's basic cable featured not only the highest proportion of programs with one or more instances of altruism but also the highest rate per hour (4.02 acts). Differences in contextual features and channel type are discussed in terms of social cognitive theory below.     

A quasi-qualitative investigation of strategies used in qualitative categorization.

This study investigates how analysts approach the task of initially categorizing qualitative data, what analysis strategies increase or decrease the testimonial validity of the categories, whether the data should be presented as a whole or in meaningful units, the effects of analysts' familiarity with the material, and the cognitive strategies associated with testimonial validity judgments. 30 upper level undergraduates (aged 19–42 yrs) analyzed essay data for "themes" while engaged in a think-aloud task. The essay writers then ranked the sets of categories in terms of overall quality and rated them on dimensions relevant to testimonial validity while thinking aloud. Think-aloud protocols for the best and worst approaches are examined. Implications for the use of qualitative research methods are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)