An Empirical Test of Hirschi\u27s Theory of Delinquency

Delinquency has been examined by many disciplines. There is no single explanation for delinquency. This study tests Hirschi\u27s Theory on a group of adolescents that violate laws that have not been adjudicated delinquents. These adolescents have not been labeled delinquent, but have been placed in a facility to assist at-risk adolescents. A modified version of Elliot\u27s National Youth Study questionnaire was used to measure delinquency. This data gathered indicated a significant decline in delinquency while participating in the program. Hirschi\u27s theory is an empirical test found to be relevant to these adolescents

Elevated pulse pressure is associated with hemolysis, proteinuria and chronic kidney disease in sickle cell disease

A seeming paradox of sickle cell disease is that patients do not suffer from a high prevalence of systemic hypertension in spite of endothelial dysfunction, chronic inflammation and vasculopathy. However, some patients do develop systolic hypertension and increased pulse pressure, an increasingly recognized major cardiovascular risk factor in other populations. Hence, we hypothesized that pulse pressure, unlike other blood pressure parameters, is independently associated with markers of hemolytic anemia and cardiovascular risk in sickle cell disease. We analyzed the correlates of pulse pressure in patients (n 5 661) enrolled in a multicenter international sickle cell trial. Markers of hemolysis were analyzed as independent variables and as a previously validated hemolytic index that includes multiple variables. We found that pulse pressure, not systolic, diastolic or mean arterial pressure, independently correlated with high reticulocyte count (beta 5 2.37, p 5 0.02) and high hemolytic index (beta 5 1.53, p50.002) in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease in two multiple linear regression models which include the markers of hemolysis as independent variables or the hemolytic index, respectively. Pulse pressure was also independently associated with elevated serum creatinine (beta 5 3.21, p 5 0.02), and with proteinuria (beta 5 2.52, p 5 0.04). These results from the largest sickle cell disease cohort to date since the Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease show that pulse pressure is independently associated with hemolysis, proteinuria and chronic kidney disease. We propose that high pulse pressure may be a risk factor for clinical complications of vascular dysfunction in sickle cell disease. Longitudinal and mechanistic studies should be conducted to confirm these hypotheses

Fatalistic Beliefs and Completion of the HPV Vaccination Series Among a Sample of Young Appalachian Kentucky Women

PURPOSE: Uptake and completion of the 3-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is important for the primary prevention of cervical cancer. However, HPV vaccination rates among adolescent females and young women remain low in certain geographic areas of the United States, including Appalachia. Although greater fatalistic beliefs have been previously associated with lower rates of preventive cancer behaviors among adults, little research exists on the impact of fatalism on HPV vaccination behaviors, especially among younger individuals. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between fatalistic beliefs and completion of the full HPV vaccine series among young women, ages 18-26, in Appalachian Kentucky. RESULTS: Data from this study were from a baseline survey completed by 344 women randomized into a communication intervention trial focused on increasing adherence to the 3-dose HPV vaccine series. Principal components analysis was used to construct 2 fatalism-related subscales from 8 survey questions. FINDINGS: In a controlled analysis, 1 subscale-- lack of control over cancer --was significantly associated with not completing the full HPV vaccine series. In a rural area that experiences higher rates of cervical cancer, poverty, limited access to health care, and negative cancer-related attitudes and experiences, fatalism may be common, even among young people. CONCLUSION: Future educational and interventional research addressing fatalistic beliefs in a culturally sensitive manner may be warranted to improve HPV vaccination behaviors and impact cancer disparities among Appalachian women

Access to and Use of Technology for Health: Comparisons Between Appalachian Kentuckians and the General U.S. Population

Introduction: Technology may increase the availability of health information and enable health promoting behaviors. However, lack of access to and use of technology may also exacerbate disparities, particularly in rural communities with limited Internet access. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare Internet access, device ownership, and use of technology for health between Appalachian Kentuckians and the general U.S. population. Methods: Findings from the 2017 Assessing the Health Status of Kentucky (ASK) survey were compared to national estimates from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 5, Cycle 1 (2017), with a particular focus on degree of rurality. ASK and HINTS respondent sociodemographics, Internet access, and use of technology for health were assessed using weighted percentages; chi-square P-values were calculated based on weighted counts. Results: Over 80% of both populations reported accessing the Internet. However, Appalachian Kentuckians across all geographic strata were significantly less likely to access the Internet through broadband, cellular networks, and Wi-Fi. The U.S. population reported greater electronic device ownership rates. Appalachian Kentuckians were significantly more likely to search for cancer information online compared to national estimates. The majority of both populations reported not having health apps on their smartphones or tablets. Appalachian Kentuckians reported significantly lower rates of using electronic media to exchange information with health professionals. Implications: Ensuring high-speed Internet access among Appalachian Kentuckians could help this population leverage available technology to overcome barriers to care and reduce health disparities – for example, by enabling the use of health-related apps or electronic means to remotely communicate with providers. Such technologies have the potential to improve the health of medically underserved populations and deserve further attention

Bark beetle population dynamics in the Anthropocene: Challenges and solutions

Tree-killing bark beetles are the most economically important insects in conifer forests worldwide. However, despite N200 years of research, the drivers of population eruptions and crashes are still not fully understood and the existing knowledge is thus insufficient to face the challenges posed by the Anthropocene. We critically analyze potential biotic and abiotic drivers of population dynamics of an exemplary species, the European spruce bark beetle (ESBB) (Ips typographus) and present a multivariate approach that integrates the many drivers governing this bark beetle system. We call for hypothesis-driven, large-scale collaborative research efforts to improve our understanding of the population dynamics of this and other bark beetle pests. Our approach can serve as a blueprint for tackling other eruptive forest insects