Motives of social rapists

This paper examines the self-reported accounts of61 incarcerated criminals who admit to serial rape. Respondents were interviewed using a methodology employing other convicted felons as interviewers. Results Show that lust and "righteous rape" were the most salient objectives of these experienced rapists. These findings reveal, too, that physical violence was selective and used sparingly. In light of these findings, additional research should be conducted addressing rape avoidance

Police Stress

This entry defines police officer stress and describes its consequences, origins, and the individual and organizational methods to control it. Controlling stress can enhance the delivery of police services and guide officers toward healthy lifestyles. One definition of stress is the wear and tear our bodies and minds experience as we react to physiological, psychological, and environmental changes throughout our lives. It is a nonspecific response of the body to a demand for change. Its centerpiece is the relationship between an external event and an internal response: For every action, there’s a reaction

Speech Communication

Contains reports on two research projects.National Institutes of Health (Grant MH-04737-03)National Science Foundation (Grant G-16526)National Aeronautics and Space Administration (Grant NsG-496)United States Air Force, Electronic Systems Division (Contract AF19(604)-6102

A Cluster Analysis of Challenging Behaviors in Autism Spectrum Disorder

We apply cluster analysis to a sample of 2,116 children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in order to identify patterns of challenging behaviors observed in home and centerbased clinical settings. The largest study of this type to date, and the first to employ machine learning, our results indicate that while the presence of multiple challenging behaviors is common, in most cases a dominant behavior emerges. Furthermore, the trend is also observed when we train our cluster models on the male and female samples separately. This work provides a basis for future studies to understand the relationship of challenging behavior profiles to learning outcomes, with the ultimate goal of providing personalized therapeutic interventions with maximum efficacy and minimum time and cost

Speech Communication

Contains research objectives and three research projects.U. S. Air Force (Electronic Systems Division) under Contract AF 19(604)-6102National Science Foundation (Grant G-16526)National Institutes of Health (Grant MH-04737-02

Surviving streptococcal toxic shock syndrome: a case report

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome and associated myositis caused by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus pyogenes generally have a poor outcome despite aggressive operative treatment. Frequently the diagnosis is missed initially as the clinical features are non-specific. The progression to a toxic state is rapid and unless definitive treatment measures are initiated early, the end result can be catastrophic. We report a previously healthy patient who had features of toxic shock syndrome due to alpha haemolytic (viridans) streptococcus mitis which was treated successfully with antibiotics, aggressive intensive care support including the use of a 'sepsis care bundle', monitoring and continuous multidisciplinary review. Life and limb threatening emergencies due to streptococcus mitis in an immune-competent person are rare and to our knowledge, have not previously been described in the English scientific literature. Successful outcome is possible provided a high degree of suspicion is maintained and the patient is intensively monitored

Regulation of the Human Taurine Transporter by Oxidative Stress in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Stably Transformed to Overexpress Aldose Reductase

In diabetes, overexpression of aldose reductase (AR) and consequent glucose-induced impairment of antioxidant defense systems may predispose to oxidative stress and the development of diabetic complications, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid) functions as an antioxidant, osmolyte, and calcium modulator such that its intracellular depletion could promote cytotoxicity in diabetes. The relationships of oxidative stress and basal AR gene expression to Na+-taurine cotransporter (TT) gene expression, protein abundance, and TT activity were therefore explored in low AR-expressing human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) 47 cells and RPE 47 cells stably transformed to overexpress AR (RPE 75). Changes in TT gene expression were determined using a 4.6-kb TT promoter-luciferase fusion gene. Compared with RPE 47 cells, in high AR-expressing RPE 75 cells, TT promoter activity was decreased by 46%, which was prevented by an AR inhibitor. TT promoter activity increased up to 900% by prooxidant exposure, which was associated with increased TT peptide abundance and taurine transport. However, induction of TT promoter activity by oxidative stress was attenuated in high AR-expressing cells and partially corrected by AR inhibitor. Finally, exposure of RPE 75 cells to high glucose increased oxidative stress, but down-regulated TT expression. These studies demonstrate for the first time that the TT is regulated by oxidative stress and that overexpression of AR and high glucose impair this response. Abnormal expression of AR may therefore impair antioxidant defense, which may determine tissue susceptibility to chronic diabetic complications. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 7, 1530–1542.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63284/1/ars.2005.7.1530.pd

Fundamental and applied studies of helium ingrowth and aging in plutonium

This is the final report of a two-year, Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) project at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). The purpose of this project was to develop new capabilities to assess the nucleation and growth of helium-associated defects in aged plutonium metal. This effort involved both fundamental and applied models to assist in predicting the transport and kinetics of helium in the metal lattice as well as ab initio calculations of the disposition of gallium in the fcc plutonium lattice and its resulting effects on phase stability. Experimentally this project aimed to establish experimental capabilities crucial to the prediction of helium effects in metals, such as transmission electron microscopy, thermal helium effusion, and the development of a laser-driven mini-flyer for understanding the role of helium and associated defects on shock response of plutonium surrogates

Aptamer-based multiplexed proteomic technology for biomarker discovery

Interrogation of the human proteome in a highly multiplexed and efficient manner remains a coveted and challenging goal in biology. We present a new aptamer-based proteomic technology for biomarker discovery capable of simultaneously measuring thousands of proteins from small sample volumes (15 [mu]L of serum or plasma). Our current assay allows us to measure ~800 proteins with very low limits of detection (1 pM average), 7 logs of overall dynamic range, and 5% average coefficient of variation. This technology is enabled by a new generation of aptamers that contain chemically modified nucleotides, which greatly expand the physicochemical diversity of the large randomized nucleic acid libraries from which the aptamers are selected. Proteins in complex matrices such as plasma are measured with a process that transforms a signature of protein concentrations into a corresponding DNA aptamer concentration signature, which is then quantified with a DNA microarray. In essence, our assay takes advantage of the dual nature of aptamers as both folded binding entities with defined shapes and unique sequences recognizable by specific hybridization probes. To demonstrate the utility of our proteomics biomarker discovery technology, we applied it to a clinical study of chronic kidney disease (CKD). We identified two well known CKD biomarkers as well as an additional 58 potential CKD biomarkers. These results demonstrate the potential utility of our technology to discover unique protein signatures characteristic of various disease states. More generally, we describe a versatile and powerful tool that allows large-scale comparison of proteome profiles among discrete populations. This unbiased and highly multiplexed search engine will enable the discovery of novel biomarkers in a manner that is unencumbered by our incomplete knowledge of biology, thereby helping to advance the next generation of evidence-based medicine