Ambient Air Toxic Releases and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Previous studies have shown that women exposed to certain air pollutants are at an increased risk for preterm delivery and/or delivering a low birth weight newborn. Preterm delivery and low birth weight are associated with an increased risk for morbidity and mortality. In an effort to better understand the impact of local environmental factors on pregnancy health, duration and outcomes, this study investigated the relationship of hazardous air pollutant chemicals released by local industries and the adverse pregnancy outcomes of preterm delivery and term low birth weight in Allegheny County, PA.This study included 2,798 singleton birth records for deliveries that occurred in Allegheny County in January through March of 2004. The Toxic Release Inventory provided data for 2003 fugitive and stack air releases of all facilities in Allegheny County reporting air releases of lead and toluene. This data was used for determining proxy maternal exposure measurements. ArcGIS software was used to calculate the distance from each maternal residence to each TRI facility. The distances and reported total pounds of release from each facility were then used to calculate a total lead and toluene exposure value for every birth record. Binary logistic regression was used to assess maternal characteristics' effects on birth outcomes. Chi square tests were used to assess maternal characteristics and levels of exposure to lead and toluene. Chi square tests and binary logistic regression were then used to assess pregnancy outcomes in relation to quartiles of exposure.This study found that mothers with certain age, race, education, and marital characteristics were significantly associated with lower exposure levels of lead and toluene. However, exposure to higher levels of lead or toluene, as measured in this study, was not significantly associated with an increased risk for preterm delivery or term low birth weight.Adverse pregnancy outcomes negatively impact an individual's immediate and lifelong health. Decreasing the incidence of preterm delivery and low birth weight are of great importance to public health. Research that helps to identify environmental determinants of adverse pregnancy outcomes is of vital public health significance

The Strangeness Physics Program at CLAS

An extensive program of strange particle production off the proton is currently underway with the CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS) in Hall B at Jefferson Laboratory. This talk will emphasize strangeness photo- and electroproduction in the baryon resonance region between W =1.6 and 2.5 GeV, where indications of s-channel structure are suggestive of high-mass baryon resonances coupling to kaons and hyperons in the final state. Precision measurements of cross sections and polarization observables are being carried out with both electron and real photon beams, both of which are available with high polarization at energies up to 6 GeV.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, N*2005 Conferenc

Experimental Evidence for the Pentaquark

The present experimental evidence for the existence of light pentaquarks is reviewed, including both positive and null results. I also discuss the CLAS experiments at Jefferson Laboratory that are forthcoming in the near future to address questions regarding existence, mass, width, and other quantum numbers of these five-quark baryon states.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, Electron-Nucleus Scattering VIII conferenc

Expanding and Refining Christian Interpretations of Rāmānuja

In the last century there has been a remarkable expansion of studies of Rāmānuja by scholars outside the Śrīvaiṣṇava community. This paper concentrates on the contributions of some Christian scholars. Many of the earlier studies focused on Rāmānuja’s opposition to Śaṇkara’s interpretation of the Vedanta, with Roman Catholic scholars tending to favor Śaṇkara and Protestant scholars Rāmānuja. The Belgian Jesuit Pierre Johanns argued for a Christian reinterpretation of the Vedanta that would merge the truths in the different Hindu schools, giving primary importance to Śaṇkara, but modifying the Hindu teaching through the distinctive Christian doctrine of “creation out of nothing.” Later his fellow Jesuit Richard De Smet reaffirmed the primary value of Śaṇkara’s own genuine teachings for Christian theology. Current studies represented in this issue affirm the positive value for Christian theology of Rāmānuja’s version of the Vedanta. Christian studies continue to expand their treatment of Rāmānuja, examining not just his great commentary on the Vedanta Sutras but also all the other writings that his community ascribes to him. In addition, some scholars are looking at the devotional traditions before and after him, especially the hymns of the Tamil poet-saints, composed before, and the commentaries on those hymns, written in the first centuries after him. Such expansion of Christian interpretation requires greater interpretation among scholars, both Christian and Hindu. Christian learning from another religious position begins with noticing something similar though not the same as that in their own religion. Thus far, in the case of Rāmānuja, there is no agreement as to which similarities are more significant and how they relate to some specific version of Christian theology. There may be instances of partial convergence where it is impossible for a Christian either to affirm or deny the truth of Rāmānuja’s teaching. Here it may be important to recognize what is often considered an aesthetic judgment: appreciation. One example is a later Śrīvaiṣṇava estimate of Rāmānuja himself, that he fulfilled the “prophecy” of the poet-saint Nammalvar, being the one who initiated the end of our age of darkness and the return of the golden age

Index to Library Trends Volume 14

published or submitted for publicatio

Book Review: Hindu-Christian Dialogue: Perspectives and Encounters

A review of Dr. Harold Coward\u27s Hindu-Christian Dialogue: Perspectives and Encounters

Marketing the Mediterranean Diet: Some Comments on Issues and Opportunities

"The Mediterranean Diet" is a commonly used term in the U.S. denoting healthful eating and a healthy lifestyle. It appears to be inspired by the traditional diets of two Mediterranean countries based on post-World War II studies conducted in Naples, Italy and Crete. Popularization of the Mediterranean diet is associated with increased demand for red wine and olive oil in the United States. As noted in the American Heart Association (AHA) website, there is no one "Mediterranean" diet. The Mediterranean diet, as typically presented, appears to be inspired by traditional diets in Southern Italy, Greece, and Spain. The AHA outlines the common characteristics of the Mediterranean dietary pattern. At least two non-profit organizations promote their version of a Mediterranean diet pyramid, and hundreds of books present their version of the Mediterranean diet. There appears to be an outstanding opportunity for a well-funded and motivated organization to effectively market a Mediterranean diet plan, based on accepted marketing models. Research on market segments, product definition and product positioning will be required. Questions to be considered relate to the effectiveness of diet pyramids, diet benefits sought by various consumer segments, and the medical and health benefits of individual food products as documented by medical and nutrition research. Examples of the health and nutrition research and promotion programs for four California commodity groups provide information on an alternative approach to presenting information on diet and health.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety,