A fixed sublithospheric source for the late Neogene track of the Yellowstone hotspot: Implications of the Heise and Picabo volcanic fields

The Heise and Picabo volcanic fields of eastern Idaho are part of the more extensive time-transgressive Yellowstone-Snake River Plain hotspot track. Calderas associated with these two silicic volcanic fields are buried under 1 to 3 km of younger basalt, so their locations and eruption record histories have been based on analysis of silicic units along the margins of the eastern Snake River Plain along with some limited geophysical data. A 1.5 km borehole penetrating through basalt into underlying silicic rocks provides new data we used to reassess caldera locations and the timing of eruptions of these volcanic fields. Using these new caldera locations, we calculate an extension-adjusted rate of 2.35 cm/yr for the North American plate over the last 6.66 m.y. and a velocity of 2.30 cm/yr over the 10.27 m.y. Recalculation of a previously determined plate velocity-based migration of the deformation field surrounding the eastern Snake River Plain yields an extension-adjusted rate of 2.38 ± 0.21 cm/yr. These migration rates all fall within the previously published range of North American plate velocities of 2.2 ± 0.8 cm/yr, 2.4 cm/yr, and 2.68 ± 0.78 cm/yr based on a global hot spot reference frame. The consistency of these rates suggest that over the last 10 m.y., the Yellowstone hot spot is fixed with respect to the motion of the North American plate and therefore consistent with a classical deep-sourced hotspot model

Using Medical Students to Enhance Curricular Integration of Cross-Cultural Content

We hypothesized that an interested medical student group would be helpful in reviewing tutorial cases and giving relevant feedback on the curricular integration of cross-cultural content using case triggers in a preclinical gastrointestinal pathophysiology course. Self-selected student leaders (n = 9) reviewed pre-existing problem-based learning tutorial cases (n = 3) with cross-cultural triggers, and provided narrative feedback to course faculty. The cases were modified and used for the entire class in the following 2 years. Participating course students' comments and teaching faculty feedback were also noted. Outcomes were a change in case content, student global evaluations of the course, and self-reported faculty comfort with teaching the cases. All three tutorial cases were reviewed by a separate group of 2–3 students. Major and minor revisions were made to each case based on the student feedback. These cases were used in 2007 and 2008 and were the major change to the course during that time. Overall course evaluation scores improved significantly from 2006 to 2008 (p = 0.000). Tutors (n = 22 in 2007; n = 23 in 2008) expressed relief during tutor meetings that students had reviewed the cases. A general framework for eliciting student feedback on problem-based cases was developed. Student feedback, consisting of self-selected students' case reviews and solicited course and tutor comments, added value to a curricular reform to improve the integration of cross-cultural content into a problem-based learning curriculum. Our study underscores the fundamental link between teachers and students as partners in curricular development

Faith-Based Social Service Organizations and Government Funding: Data from a National Survey

The objective of the research reported in this article is to test four hypotheses concerning government funding among faith-based social service coalitions: that it is positively related to size and organizational professionalism; positively related to attitudes toward government funding; positively related to social activism; and negatively related to organizational religiosity. Copyright (c) 2005 by the Southwestern Social Science Association.

Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Their Association with Breastfeeding and Child Weight Outcomes

Children of mothers with depressive symptoms are at a higher risk for psychosocial, behavioral, and developmental problems. However, the effects of maternal depression on children’s physical growth are not well understood. To address the gaps in the literature, this study examined the association between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding behaviors, and child weight outcomes. Data from 204 mother–child dyads who participated in the STRONG Kids 1 Study were used. Mothers and children were assessed twice when the children were 3 and 4 years old. Height and weight measurements of children and mothers were collected by trained researchers during both assessments. Multiple linear regression and analysis of covariance tests were used to examine the associations between maternal depressive symptoms, breastfeeding, and age and sex-adjusted child body mass index percentile. Recurrent maternal depressive symptoms when the child was 3 and 4 years old were not associated with child body mass index percentiles (BMI-P) at age 4. Mothers who breastfed for at least 6 months had significantly lower depressive symptoms when their children were 3 years of age, but the differences did not persist at age 4. In this community sample, maternal depressive symptoms were not associated with child BMI-P, regardless of breastfeeding duration