Gender and gender identity as predictors of perceived sexual and emotional needs of child sexual abuse perpetrators

This study investigated gender and gender identity as predictors of child sexual abusers\u27 perceived sexual and emotional need fulfillment in adult partnerships. The overall sample of 75 male, and 38 female, perpetrators of child sexual abuse was obtained as part of a larger study including perpetrators and nonperpetrators of both genders;For gender, the results showed both perceived sexual need and perceived emotional need to be significantly greater for the women than for the men. This contradicts the predicted relationship between gender and perceived sexual need and supports the hypothesized effect of gender on perceived emotional need;The Masculinity and Femininity scales of the Short Form Bem Sex Role Inventory were used to operationalize gender identity. Perceived sexual and emotional needs were measured using a short form of the Partner Relationship Inventory;For gender identity, no significant effects were found. Independent variables considered were masculinity, femininity, and a cross-classification of high and low levels of these dimensions into gender identity types. The mean sexual need scores of the androgynous (high masculinity/high femininity) females were significantly higher than those of the androgynous males. The androgynous females averaged significantly higher emotional need scores than did males in all of the gender identity types. Mean emotional need scores of the undifferentiated (low masculinity/low femininity) females were also higher than those of males in all of the gender identity types, and these differences were significant or marginally significant. All significant or nearly significant effects remained when statistical controls for age and income were introduced;Implications of the findings for theory, research, and practice are discussed

Environmental and human impacts on off-target movement of dicamba

Widespread use of dicamba on tolerant soybeans (Glycine max L.) since 2017 has resulted in reports of off-target movement. Although symptomology is quite striking, the relationship of sensitive soybean damage to crop yield is unclear. Field studies were established in 2018 and 2019 at three locations in central Missouri to assess the response of sensitive soybean to driftable concentrations of dicamba. Effects of dicamba were observed as early as 7 days after treatment (DAT). Apical meristem growth was reduced 10 to 54% and visual injury ranged from 15 to 47% at 21 DAT. Average soybean yield was significantly reduced by dicamba concentrations as low as 25 ppm and influenced by the developmental stage (V3 and R1) at the timing of dicamba exposure. Model statements were generated to predict yield reduction based on known dicamba concentrations and visual injury ratings 21 days after dicamba exposure. Statistical analysis of the prediction equations found the dicamba concentrations and soybean injury were adequate and accurate to predict soybean yield reductions in response to dicamba. Lastly, a subset of soybeans exposed to dicamba concentrations (0, 150, and 300 ppm dicamba) were collected prior to harvest, extracted using the rapid and effective (QuEChERS) method, and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). Using HPLC, mean dicamba residues in soybean samples were 0.0, 0.72, and 0.81 mg kg-1 following exposure to 0, 150, and 300 ppm dicamba, respectively. Location significantly impacted residual dicamba concentrations, averaging 0.70, 0.35, and 0.54 mg kg-1 at Bradford (2018), Boonville (2018), and Bradford (2019), respectively. Individual samples did not exceed 10 mg kg-1 but samples with dicamba concentrations exceeding 0.5 mg kg-1 dicamba could violate residue limits for USDA National Organic Program standards. This study would suggest that sensitive soybeans that were injured by dicamba drift and allowed to go to yield would be safe for human consumption in the United States but could potentially violate the USDA regulations if driftable concentrations of dicamba moved off-target onto soybeans produced organically.Includes bibliographical references

A survey of variable selection methods in two Chinese epidemiology journals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although much has been written on developing better procedures for variable selection, there is little research on how it is practiced in actual studies. This review surveys the variable selection methods reported in two high-ranking Chinese epidemiology journals.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Articles published in 2004, 2006, and 2008 in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology and the Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine were reviewed. Five categories of methods were identified whereby variables were selected using: A - bivariate analyses; B - multivariable analysis; e.g. stepwise or individual significance testing of model coefficients; C - first bivariate analyses, followed by multivariable analysis; D - bivariate analyses or multivariable analysis; and E - other criteria like prior knowledge or personal judgment.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among the 287 articles that reported using variable selection methods, 6%, 26%, 30%, 21%, and 17% were in categories A through E, respectively. One hundred sixty-three studies selected variables using bivariate analyses, 80% (130/163) via multiple significance testing at the 5% alpha-level. Of the 219 multivariable analyses, 97 (44%) used stepwise procedures, 89 (41%) tested individual regression coefficients, but 33 (15%) did not mention how variables were selected. Sixty percent (58/97) of the stepwise routines also did not specify the algorithm and/or significance levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The variable selection methods reported in the two journals were limited in variety, and details were often missing. Many studies still relied on problematic techniques like stepwise procedures and/or multiple testing of bivariate associations at the 0.05 alpha-level. These deficiencies should be rectified to safeguard the scientific validity of articles published in Chinese epidemiology journals.</p

Developing a predictive tool for psychological well-being among Chinese adolescents in the presence of missing data

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Multi-dimensional behavioral rating scales like the CBCL and YSR are available for diagnosing psychosocial maladjustment in adolescents, but these are unsuitable for large-scale usage since they are time-consuming and their many sensitive questions often lead to missing data. This research applies multiple imputation to tackle the effects of missing data in order to develop a simple questionnaire-based predictive instrument for psychosocial maladjustment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Questionnaires from 2919 Chinese sixth graders in 21 schools were collected, but 86% of the students were missing one or more of the variables for analysis. Fifteen (10 training, 5 validation) samples were imputed using multivariate imputation chain equations. A ten-variable instrument was constructed by applying stepwise variable selection algorithms to the training samples, and its predictive performance was evaluated on the validation samples.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The instrument had an AUC of 0.75 (95% CI: 0.73 to 0.78) and a calibration slope of 0.98 (95% CI: 0.86 to 1.09). The prevalence of psychosocial maladjustment was 18%. If a score of > 1 was used to define a negative test, then 80% of the students would be classified as negative. The resulting test had a diagnostic odds ratio of 5.64 (95% CI: 4.39 to 7.24), with negative and positive predictive values of 88% and 43%, and negative and positive likelihood ratios of 0.61 and 3.41, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Multiple imputation together with internal validation provided a simple method for deriving a predictive instrument in the presence of missing data. The instrument's high negative predictive value implies that in populations with similar prevalences of psychosocial maladjustment test-negative students can be confidently excluded as being normal, thus saving 80% of the resources for confirmatory psychological testing.</p

Uses and Abuses of Tumor Markers in the Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Treatment of Primary and Metastatic Breast Cancer

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/139922/1/onco0541.pd

Phosphorus Improves Leaf Nutrient Concentrations in Wheat, Oat, and Cereal Rye

Core Ideas: Increased P availability increases leaf P and Mg in wheat, oat, and rye. The grass tetany ratio is improved with greater P availability in these species. Unlike cereal rye and oat, wheat increases shoot growth with high P levels. Winter annual species grown for forage are prone to mineral imbalances that could result in animal nutritional disorders, such as grass tetany. Adequate soil P has been found to be critical for the growth and adequate nutrient content of Mg, Ca, and K in other forages for grazing animals. This study examined the effect of P availability on growth and leaf nutrients in annual cereal grains commonly grown for winter forage. Winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), and cereal rye (Secale cereal L.) were grown hydroponically in greenhouse conditions in complete nutrient solutions with P treatments of 0, 200, 400, and 800 µmol L−1 P. After 32 d, plants were harvested and analyzed for P, Mg, Ca, and K content. Shoot growth of all three species increased from 0 to 200 µmol L−1 P; however, only wheat shoots increased incrementally with the other P treatment concentrations. Leaf P also responded incrementally to increased P treatments in all three species. Wheat and cereal rye exhibited increases in leaf Mg and improved grass tetany ratio from 200 to 400 µmol L−1 P, whereas oat showed these improvements from 0 to 200 µmol L−1 P treatments. This study suggests increased P availability could improve the grass tetany ratio, with or without increased shoot growth, in winter annual forage production on low P soils

Teachers’ Experiences Addressing Students’ Trauma-Related Behavior in the Classroom

Trauma is not something the untrained eye can see; it can be described as a silent issue, but the effects of trauma are seen in society. Research about trauma has focused on the perspective of the student and not the interaction between the teacher and the student. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore classroom teachers’ perceptions and experiences with addressing students’ trauma-related behavior. The theoretical foundation was trauma theory. Data were collected through questionnaires and in-person interviews with teachers and administrators who work in Southwest Pennsylvania. There were a total of 13 participants. Descriptive coding was used to identify themes. During the descriptive coding process, a descriptive word was given to a thought or observation so that similar ideas and concepts could later be combined. Multiple rounds of coding were conducted. Once codes were applied to the transcripts, categories were determined. The codes that emerged determined the categories. If needed, subcategories were applied. Once the categories were identified, themes were identified that represented the larger ideas behind the codes and categories. Results indicated that all teachers encountered trauma, external behaviors were more likely to be noticed, teachers needed to structure their day based on the possibility of triggering a student, and there was no consistent response to trauma. Findings may be used to help students perform better in school, which will benefit students, parents, teachers, administrators, and society