269 research outputs found
The Tipping Point to Terrorism: Involvement in Right-Wing Terrorist Groups in the United States
This dissertation focuses on right-wing terrorism (RWT) in the United States perpetrated by adherents to the White Supremacist Movement (WSM). In depth case history data were collected using a variety of sources and analyzed on 66 federally indicted WSM terrorists representing 10 different terrorist organizations in the United States from 1980-2002. The primary means of analysis was a qualitative case analysis using narrative data to uncover what influences an individual to become involved in a terrorist group. Specifically, I analyzed the influences of: 1) structural components, 2) family dynamics, and 3) non-familial relationships on the involvement process. Results from this study can provide valuable theoretical and practical implications to understanding terrorists and terrorist groups
Homeowner willingness to pay for a pre-flood buyout agreement
Flood events are expected to increase in frequency and severity as climate change raises sea levels and intensifies regional precipitation events. The only permanent means of removing high risk homes from flood prone areas is through homeowner buyout programs. Using an online contingent valuation survey we evaluate homeowner willingness to pay for a pre-flood buyout agreement where the owner is paid pre-flood market value for their home and must relocate following a flood damaging greater than 50% of the value of their home. Additionally, we estimate homeowners' willingness to sign up for a pre-flood buyout agreement coupled with flood insurance. We find self-reported flood risk estimates, income, the expectation of neighbors also signing up for the buyout, environmental concerns, and flood experience all significantly affect homeowners' willingness to pay for the program. When coupled with flood insurance we find self-reported flood risk estimates, income, neighborhood tenure, environmental concerns, and flood experience all significantly affect homeowners’ willingness to sign up
Effect of discontinuation of growth hormone treatment on risk factors for cardiovascular disease in adolescents born small for gestational age
Hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus type 2, and coronary heart disease have
been associated with being born small for gestational age (SGA). It has
been reported that GH treatment induced higher insulin levels, which has
led to concern regarding the long-term effect of GH treatment in
predisposed individuals such as children born SGA. In this study, we
assessed the effect of discontinuation of long-term GH treatment in 47
adolescents born SGA on oral glucose tolerance tests, blood pressure (BP),
and serum lipid levels for two GH dosage groups (3 vs. 6 IU/m2 x d). At 6
months after discontinuation of GH treatment mean (SD) age was 16.0 (2.1)
yr. Mean duration of GH treatment had been 6.9 (1.5) yr. Fasting glucose
levels and 120-min area under the curve for glucose 6 months after
discontinuation of GH treatment showed no difference from pretreatment
levels for both GH dosage groups. After discontinuation of GH treatment,
fasting insulin levels returned to pretreatment levels (8.4 mU/liter),
whereas the 120-min area under the curve for insulin decreased, compared
with 6-yr levels (P < 0.01), regardless of GH dosage group. No significant
difference was found when levels were compared with a control group. In
addition, for both GH dosage groups, no significant changes in systolic
and diastolic BP SD score, total cholesterol, and atherogenic index (total
cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were seen from 6 yr of
GH until 6 months after discontinuation of GH treatment. In conclusion, in
children born SGA, the GH-induced insulin insensitivity disappeared after
discontinuation of GH, even after long-term GH treatment. Furthermore, the
beneficial effect of GH on BP was not changed after discontinuation of GH,
and most children had normal lipid levels
Adult height after long-term, continuous growth hormone (GH) treatment in short children born small for gestational age: results of a randomized, double-blind, dose-response GH trial
The GH dose-response effect of long-term continuous GH treatment on adult
height (AH) was evaluated in 54 short children born small for gestational
age (SGA) who were participating in a randomized, double-blind,
dose-response trial. Patients were randomly and blindly assigned to
treatment with either 3 IU (group A) or 6 IU (group B) GH/m(2).d (
approximately 0.033 or 0.067 mg/kg.d, respectively). The mean (+/-SD)
birth length was -3.6 (1.4), the age at the start of the study was 8.1
(1.9) yr, and the height SD score (SDS) at the start of the study -3.0
(0.7). Seventeen of the 54 children were partially GH deficient
(stimulated GH peak, 10-20 mU/liter). Fifteen non-GH-treated,
non-GH-deficient, short children born SGA, with similar inclusion
criteria, served as controls [mean (+/-SD) birth length, -3.3 (1.2); age
at start, 7.8 (1.7) yr; height SDS at start, -2.6 (0.5)]. GH treatment
resulted in an AH above -2 SDS in 85% of the children after a mean (+/-SD)
GH treatment period of 7.8 (1.7) yr. The mean (SD) AH SDS was -1.1 (0.7)
for group A and -0.9 (0.8) for group B, resulting from a mean (+/-SD) gain
in height SDS of 1.8 (0.7) for group A and 2.1 (0.8) for group B. No
significant differences between groups A and B were found for AH SDS (mean
difference, 0.3 SDS; 95% confidence interval, -0.2, 0.6; P > 0.2) and gain
in height SDS (mean difference, 0.3 SDS; 95% confidence interval, -0.1,
0.7; P > 0.1). When corrected for target height, the mean corrected AH SDS
was -0.2 (0.8) for group A and -0.4 (0.9) for group B. The mean (+/-SD) AH
SDS of the control group [-2.3 (0.7)] was significantly lower than that of
the GH-treated group (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis indicated
the following predictive variables for AH SDS: target height SDS, height
SDS, and chronological age minus bone age (years) at the start of the
study. GH dose had no significant effect. In conclusion, long-term
continuous GH treatment in short children born SGA without signs of
persistent catch-up growth leads to a normalization of AH, even with a GH
dose of 3 IU/m(2).d ( approximately 0.033 mg/kg.d)
Growth hormone treatment in children with short stature born small for gestational age: 5-year results of a randomized, double-blind, dose-response trial
The growth-promoting effect of continuous GH treatment was evaluated over
5 yr in 79 children with short stature (height SD score, less than -1.88)
born small for gestational age (SGA; birth length SD score, less than
-1.88). Patients were randomly and blindly assigned to 1 of 2 GH dosage
groups (3 vs. 6 IU/m2 body surface-day). GH deficiency was not an
exclusion criterium. After 5 yr of GH treatment almost every child had
reached a height well within the normal range for healthy Dutch children
and in the range of their target height SD score. Only in children who
remained prepubertal during the study period was the 5-yr increase in
height SD score (HSDS) for chronological age significantly higher in the
study group receiving 6 compared to 3 IU GH/m2 x day. Remarkably, the 5-yr
increment in HSDS for chronological age was not related to spontaneous GH
secretion, maximum GH levels after provocation, or baseline insulin-like
growth factor I levels. GH treatment was associated with an acceleration
of bone maturation regardless of the GH dose given. The HSDS for bone age
and predicted adult height increased significantly. GH treatment was well
tolerated. In conclusion, our 5-yr data show that long term continuous GH
treatment at a dose of 3 or 6 IU/m2 x day in short children born SGA
results in a normalization of height during childhood followed by growth
along the target height percentile
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The Phytophthora species assemblage and diversity in riparian alder ecosystems of western Oregon, USA
Phytophthora species were systematically sampled, isolated, identified and compared for presence in streams, soil and roots of alder (Alnus species) dominated riparian ecosystems in western Oregon. We describe the species assemblage and evaluate Phytophthora diversity associated with alder. We recovered 1250 isolates of 20 Phytophthora species. Only three species were recovered from all substrates (streams, soil, alder roots): P. gonapodyides, the informally described “P. taxon Pgchlamydo”, and P. siskiyouensis. P. alni ssp. uniformis along with five other species not previously recovered in Oregon forests are included in the assemblage: P.citricola s.l., P. gregata, P. gallica, P. nicotianae and P. parsiana. Phytophthora species diversity was greatest in downstream riparian locations. There was no significant difference in species diversity comparing soil and unwashed roots (the rhizosphere) to stream water. There was a difference between the predominating species from the rhizosphere compared to stream water. The most numerous species was the informally described “P. taxon Oaksoil”, which was mainly recovered from, and most predominant in, stream water. The most common species from riparian forest soils and alder root systems was P. gonapodyides.Keywords: forest pathogens, hardwoods, ecology, microorganisms in streams, oomycete
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