Multiple-Father Fertility and Arrest Rates

Across the United States, two phenomena have emerged: high rates of multi-partnered fertility (having children by more than one partner) and high rates of male involvement with the criminal justice system. This paper is a first step in an exploration of the possible connection between these two phenomena. The first part of the paper provides nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of multi-partnered fertility among mothers during the 1985-1996 period, for the overall population and for select subgroups. These estimates, based on the SIPP surveys, constitute a useful addition to the literature, which contains very few estimates of women's multi-partnered fertility or its evolution over time. In the second part of the paper, we combine MSA-level data on arrest rates (constructed from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports) with SIPP’s family structure data, in order to explore the association between the rate of multiple-father fertility and local arrest rates. Over time and across MSAs, we observe a positive correlation between the probability that a mother has had children by more than one man and the lagged arrest rate in her MSA. The correlation is stronger among racial and educational subgroups that experience higher rates of multiple-father fertility.multipartnered fertility; family structure; arrest rates; Uniform Crime Reports;

An exploration of the value and mechanisms of befriending for older adults in England

Social isolation and loneliness in older adults are growing problems. Empirical research suggests that loneliness can lead to poorer health outcomes including higher mortality rates. Befriending has been shown to decrease loneliness and depression although the exact mechanisms of action are unclear. In this study we aimed to explore experiences and identify key ‘ingredients’ of befriending through interviews conducted with 25 older adults who had used five different befriending services across England. We used Berkman's theoretical model of how individual social networks impact on health to help interpret our data and explore the mechanisms of befriending for older adults. Findings suggest that befriending offers some compensation for loss of elective relationships from older adults’ social networks, providing opportunities for emotional support and reciprocal social exchange through development of safe, confiding relationships. Good conversational skills and empathy were the foundation of successful relationships within which commonalities were then sought. Befrienders broadened befriendees’ perspectives on life (particularly among older adults in residential care). Social engagement was a powerful mechanism of action, particularly in terms of connecting people back into the community, reinforcing meaningful social roles and connecting to a past life that had often been significantly disrupted by loss. Understanding key components and mechanisms of befriending for older adults may facilitate development of more effective and theoretically sound befriending services

Survival of Bifidobacterium longum During Frozen (-196�c) and Ensuing Refrigerated (5�c) Storage as Influenced by Growth at Various Ph

The effect of pH of growth on the viability and bile tolerance offour strains of Bifidobacterium longum during frozen storage at -196�C and ensuing refrigerated storage in milk at 5 �C was investigated

Gender-specific mental health care: The case for women-centred care

Dementia has an estimated global prevalence of 35 million individuals (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009). In the UK 570,000 people live with dementia – a figure that will double over the next 30 years, reflecting global predictions (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2009; Department of Health, 2009). With increasing demand and timescales of at least 5-10 years for the next possible disease modifying breakthrough, services are and have had to undergo change to cope with the increasing levels of need

Women's multiple-partner fertility in the United States: Prevalence, correlates and trends, 1985-2008

This study provides the first current, nationally representative estimate of the prevalence of multipartnered fertility among American women, as a whole and within subgroups. We also chart trends in behavior from 1985 through 2008. Our estimates are derived from the household relationship matrices found in 12 panels of the Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation spanning this period. Contrary to expectations, there was no upward trend in multipartnered fertility over those 23 years for the population as a whole. While trends within subgroups did emerge, they tended to offset each other

Multiple-Father Fertility and Arrest Rates

Across the United States, two phenomena have emerged: high rates of multi-partnered fertility (having children by more than one partner) and high rates of male involvement with the criminal justice system. This paper is a first step in an exploration of the possible connection between these two phenomena. The first part of the paper provides nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of multi-partnered fertility among mothers during the 1985-1996 period, for the overall population and for select subgroups. These estimates, based on the SIPP surveys, constitute a useful addition to the literature, which contains very few estimates of women's multi-partnered fertility or its evolution over time. In the second part of the paper, we combine MSA-level data on arrest rates (constructed from the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports) with SIPP’s family structure data, in order to explore the association between the rate of multiple-father fertility and local arrest rates. Over time and across MSAs, we observe a positive correlation between the probability that a mother has had children by more than one man and the lagged arrest rate in her MSA. The correlation is stronger among racial and educational subgroups that experience higher rates of multiple-father fertility

Multiple-Father Fertility and Welfare

In the United States, multi-partnered fertility (MPF) has become commonplace. This study provides the first nationally representative measures of women’s MPF, across multiple years, using the U.S. Census Bureau’s Surveys of Income and Program Participation. Because welfare rules contain strong incentives for MPF, and because MPF is especially common among welfare recipients, we also examine the relationship between welfare and MPF. Focusing on the pre-TANF period 1985 to 1996, when welfare rules were more comparable across states and the absence of time limits made the incentives for MPF larger, we find little behavioral response. Among low-income mothers, MPF does not appear to be driven by program design. Because the incentives were relatively large and reached well up the income distribution, our findings amplify those of earlier studies that show little demographic response to antipoverty programs, and invite reconsideration of how much these incentives should constrain transfer programs that target children

Novel Candidate Genes Identified in the Brain during Nociception in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) and Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Recent studies have demonstrated that teleost fish possess nociceptors that detect potentially painful stimuli and that the physiological properties of these fibres are markedly similar to those found in mammals. This finding led to suggestions of possible pain perception in fish, contrary to the view that the sensory response in these animals is limited to the spinal cord and hindbrain and as such is reflexive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine if the brain is active at the molecular level by using a microarray analysis of gene expression in the forebrain, midbrain and hindbrain of two fish species. A comparison between the two species at different time points showed that many genes were differentially regulated in response to a noxious stimulus compared with controls. A number of genes that are involved in mammalian nociception, such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the cannabinoid CB1 receptor were regulated in the fish brain after a nociceptive event. Novel candidates that showed significant regulation in both species were also identified. In particular, the Van Gogh-like 2 gene, was regulated in both carp and trout and should be pursued to establish its precise role in nociception