Development and psychometric testing of a multi-dimensional instrument of perceived discrimination among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study

Objective Assessing the discrimination-health disparities hypothesis requires psychometrically sound, multidimensional measures of discrimination. Among the available discrimination measures, few are multidimensional and none have adequate psychometric testing in a large, African American sample. We report the development and psychometric testing of the multidimensional Jackson Heart Study Discrimination (JHSDIS) Instrument. Methods A multidimensional measure assessing the occurrence, frequency, attribution, and coping responses to perceived everyday and lifetime discrimination; lifetime burden of discrimination; and effect of skin color was developed and tested in the 5302-member cohort of the Jackson Heart Study. Internal consistency was calculated by using Cronbach α. coefficient. Confirmatory factor analysis established the dimensions, and intercorrelation coefficients assessed the discriminant validity of the instrument. Setting Tri-county area of the Jackson, MS metropolitan statistical area. Results The JHSDIS was psychometrically sound (overall α=.78, .84 and .77, respectively, for the everyday and lifetime subscales). Confirmatory factor analysis yielded 11 factors, which confirmed the a priori dimensions represented. Conclusions The JHSDIS combined three scales into a single multidimensional instrument with good psychometric properties in a large sample of African Americans. This analysis lays the foundation for using this instrument in research that will examine the association between perceived discrimination and CVD among African Americans. Keywords: Discrimination, Racism, Jackson Heart Study, African American, Cardiovascular Diseas

Development and psychometric testing of a multi-dimensional instrument of perceived discrimination among African Americans in the Jackson Heart Study

Objective Assessing the discrimination-health disparities hypothesis requires psychometrically sound, multidimensional measures of discrimination. Among the available discrimination measures, few are multidimensional and none have adequate psychometric testing in a large, African American sample. We report the development and psychometric testing of the multidimensional Jackson Heart Study Discrimination (JHSDIS) Instrument. Methods A multidimensional measure assessing the occurrence, frequency, attribution, and coping responses to perceived everyday and lifetime discrimination; lifetime burden of discrimination; and effect of skin color was developed and tested in the 5302-member cohort of the Jackson Heart Study. Internal consistency was calculated by using Cronbach α. coefficient. Confirmatory factor analysis established the dimensions, and intercorrelation coefficients assessed the discriminant validity of the instrument. Setting Tri-county area of the Jackson, MS metropolitan statistical area. Results The JHSDIS was psychometrically sound (overall α=.78, .84 and .77, respectively, for the everyday and lifetime subscales). Confirmatory factor analysis yielded 11 factors, which confirmed the a priori dimensions represented. Conclusions The JHSDIS combined three scales into a single multidimensional instrument with good psychometric properties in a large sample of African Americans. This analysis lays the foundation for using this instrument in research that will examine the association between perceived discrimination and CVD among African Americans. Keywords: Discrimination, Racism, Jackson Heart Study, African American, Cardiovascular Diseas

A control system analysis of the dynamic response of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptors to alcoholism and alcohol withdrawal

Background: N-methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) and its receptors (NMDAR) play a critical role in glutamatergic neurotransmission. Ethanol molecules inhibit these receptors, and if the brain is exposed to ethanol chronically, NMDA-induced glutamatergic changes can result in physical dependence to ethanol in order to sustain normal brain function. In these cases, removal of ethanol from the system results in excitotoxic withdrawal. One compensatory mechanism the brain uses to regulate extracellular glutamate concentration is modulating the number of NMDARs at the synapse. Previous work has shown that the number of functional NMDARs at the synapse can be changed by three mechanisms: additional receptors can be synthesized and inserted, receptors can be recruited to the synapse from extrasynaptic regions, or the functionality of existing receptors can be modified. Methods: In this study, we consider the dynamic relocation control of NMDARs in response to chronic alcoholism and withdrawal. Specifically, we (1) propose and construct a mathematical model of the relocation control as a negative feedback system with an explicit set point, (2) investigate the effect of various ethanol consumption and withdrawal profiles on the NMDAR population, and (3) propose and calculate quantitative measures for the extent of withdrawal based on modeled NMDAR populations. Results: A relocation-only model with an explicit set point was developed. The model was shown to apply across a wide range of controller parameters. The results suggest that withdrawal severity does not depend upon the dynamics involved in the development of dependence, and that regulating the blood alcohol level throughout the progression of withdrawal can minimize excitotoxic withdrawal symptoms. Conclusions: The negative feedback control system produced characteristic behaviors of NMDAR populations in response to simulations of alcohol dependence and abrupt withdrawal. The model can also predict the severity of excitotoxic withdrawal following various alcohol consumption and/or withdrawal patterns in order to generate testable hypotheses regarding ameliorating withdrawal

Update on Anxiolytics and Hypnotics

Goal The goal of this article is to educate pharmacists on the new er anxiolytic and hypnotic agents. Objectives After reading this article, the pharmacist shouid be able to: • Discuss the advantages of the new hypnotics and anxiolytics over previous agents. • Discuss possible adverse effects and drug interactions of the new hypnotics and anxiolytics. • Recommend one of the newer agents as an alternative to more conventional therapy when appropriate

Review of the Masked Bobwhite Recovery Effort

The masked bobwhite (Colinus virginianus ridgwayi) was discovered near Sasabe, Sonora in August 1884. Excessive grazing coupled with prolonged drought during the 1890s caused habitat degradation and extirpation of the species in the United States by 1912. The decline of the bobwhite population in Mexico happened later due to similar circumstances. Livestock grazing was not pervasive until the 1940s-1950s in Sonora. The subspecies was thought to be extinct in Mexico by 1960. However, in 1964 a population was discovered between Benjamin Hill and Hermosillo, Sonora. The Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1985 for the re- establishment of the masked bobwhite. There have been four components to the masked bobwhite program on the refuge: captive rearing, release of birds into suitable habitat, habitat manipulation, and cooperation with Mexico. Approximately 98% of the masked bobwhites in the world are in captivity at Buenos Aires NWR and are housed in an indoor facility in Arivaca, Arizona. At that facility the birds are paired by a geneticist and up to 120 pairs are bred each year. Eggs are incubated and hatched and birds are either retained as future breeding stock or prepared for release. Overall, . 31,000 captive-reared bobwhites have been released in the Altar Valley, Arizona with . 21,000 being released on the refuge alone. To date they have not been self- sustaining. Preparation for release includes placing birds in flight pens where they remain for several weeks to a few months to gain exposure to native foods, experience raptor pressure, and become strong flyers. A soft release is normally used with birds being introduced to their new habitat from the confines of a small release pen on-site. A new parent-reared technique is currently being tried and promises improvement in wildness of released birds. This technique limits exposure of bobwhite family groups to humans and other bobwhite family groups until day of release. The bobwhite, as an edge species, needs early successional vegetation, diversity of grasses and forbs, and leguminous shrubs capable of providing cover and winter food. Traditionally, prescribed fire has been the primary management tool used by refuge personnel to improve habitat for masked bobwhites. Currently, Buenos Aires NWR is applying soil aeration treatments in uplands, revegetating with native plant species, constructing brush piles, and converting velvet mesquite (Prosopis velutina) woodlands to grasslands to promote bobwhite habitat. Work with Mexico has involved cooperation with the Mexican government, private ranchers, Mexican biologists, and zoological facilities to implement bobwhite surveys, establish conservation easements, and enhance habitat

Genetic Analyses of Days Open Using a Random Regression Model

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a linear random regression model for the analysis of female fertility as expressed by days open. The analysis provided insight about the kind and amount of variation over the trajectory for age at calving from 24 to 72 mo. Correlations between permanent environmental effects changed from positive to negative values with greater distance between days open in young cows and days open in older cows; r(24,36)=0.88, r(24,72)=-.65. The random regression animal model proved to be a better alternative to a repeatability animal model for prediction of breeding values for days open. Random regression enables breeders to pick the optimum age at calving to select female replacements with enhanced fertility or fewer days open per lactation. Further research is needed to evaluate the advantages of using random regression model on the genetic analysis of days open

Joint Genetic Analysis of Conception and Maintenance of Pregnancy in Dairy Cattle Using a Linear-Threshold Model

A joint analysis of days open and calving success was implemented to further enhance the identification of cows with greater genetic merit for reproductive performance. Calving success is a categorical trait with similar genetic variation as days open and is analyzed jointly with days open to make effective use of the positive genetic correlation between these two traits. The joint analysis can identify cows with greater genetic merit for conception at an earlier stage of lactation and greater success at maintenance of pregnancy. The joint analysis also enhances the reliability of detecting true genetic differences between cows for fertility because it makes more effective use of all data

Factors That Affect Retention of Third Year Civil Engineering Students in a Catholic University in the Philippines

This study aimed to determine the factors that affect the retention of all 3rd year CE students of Saint Mary’s University using percentage, frequency, rank, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation. Results revealed that majority of the respondents hardly visited the library. Majority of the respondents borrowed Engineering-related books and have read books at the Engineering Section while the least visited section was the periodicals section. Moreover, the e-library was one of the major sources of information. In terms of the problems affecting the retention, it was found that the library was usually dark which discouraged reading. Significant relationship exists between civil engineering experiences in reading materials and in borrowing books from some of the sections of the library and their retention-related experiences. Based on the findings, the students seldom utilized the resources of the library. Reading books from the Science / Mathematics Section and the Engineering Section has significant relationship with the General Weighted Average (GWA) last semester. Reading books from the Science / Mathematics Section has a significant relationship with the lowest grade obtained last semester. Civil engineering experiences in reading materials and in borrowing books from some of the sections of the library and their retention-related experiences have significant relationship. The study recommends that the department must continue practicing and improving the retention policy. Students should use the library and its resources to enhance their knowledge. The librarians must sustain the collections that are useful to students and improve the services