Racial Differences in Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults

The costs are very high, both emotionally and economically, to those who suffer from depression and those close to them. Depressive symptoms vary among individuals, by gender, between racial and ethnic groups, and by socioeconomic status (SES). Group differences in rates of depression have been noted for decades, especially between African Americans and non-Hispanic whites. The role of race in mental health is still relevant today, and many issues regarding risk factors and differences between racial and ethnic groups remain unanswered. This study examines the differences in rates of depressive symptoms between African Americans and non-Hispanic Whites. Particularly, socioeconomic status (SES), physical health and social support are used to explain the differences between race and amount of depressive symptoms. Results indicate that SES, physical health and quality of social support are significant in predicting depressive symptoms. African Americans experience significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms, lower SES, poorer health and lower quantities of informal social support. Differences in SES and physical health largely explain racial group differences in depressive symptoms, and the influence of these factors remains stable over time

The Effects of Meloidogyne incognita on JAZ1, JAZ12, and JAZ13 Gene Expression in Arabidopsis

Meloidogyne incognita, a root-knot nematode (RKN), poses a threat to the well-being of the global agricultural industry. These endoparasites rely on plant roots and drain nutrients from crops intended for human or livestock consumption. Root knot nematodes cost the agricultural industry billions of dollars in lost crops each year and threaten efforts to meet the growing demand for food. Though plants are susceptible to dangers, such as these parasites, many have evolved defense and/or repair mechanisms to compensate for this vulnerability. The goal of this research is to study one gene family involved in such defenses. Specifically, I studied the effects of root-knot nematodes on JAZ gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. JAZ genes are the focus of this study due to their role as transcriptional regulators; however, it is uncertain if each gene has a distinct role or if they are interchangeable. To date, 13 JAZ genes have been identified in Arabidopsis and I focused on the roles of JAZ 1, 12, and 13 during root-knot nematode infection. In order to look at expression and localization of JAZ1 and JAZ12, I used promoter GUS lines to observe staining in the roots during nematode infection between six hours and twenty-seven days post infection. Staining was variable between transgenic lines and time points, though JAZ1::GUS A2 showed to be the most sensitive to RKN infection. To identify jaz1 mutant plants, I conducted PCR and visualized products via gel electrophoresis to ensure T-DNA insertion in the gene was successful. I then isolated a jaz1 mutant and tested it for nematode infection. Mutant seedlings were inoculated with RKN eggs and I compared the number of egg masses between the mutant and Columbia wild-type after 8 weeks of incubation. There was no significant difference between wild-type and jaz1 seedlings. This was followed by qPCR on JAZ 1, JAZ12, and JAZ13 genes to test their expression during nematode infection in both uninfected portions roots and root knots over various stages of infection. These results indicate that expression of JAZ1 and JAZ12 is highest around 13-14 days of infection, suggesting these two genes may work in combination to attempt to rid the host of the pathogen. These results differ from JAZ13 expression, which peaked at three weeks of infection, indicating its role takes place after JAZ1 and JAZ12 expression has peaked. The goal of this research is to contribute to existing JAZ/RKN data and eventually exploit host defense pathways, so that the agricultural industry may reduce nematicide use and better fulfill food demands of our global population

Convergence between the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale and diagnostic interview for the assessment of alcohol craving.

IntroductionThe Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (PACS) is one of the most widely used instruments to measure craving for alcohol. Recent research has suggested that scores on the PACS can be used as a "stand in" for the diagnostic criterion of alcohol craving with a proposed cutoff of >20 on the PACS indicating a "positive" alcohol craving symptom. The present study examined the convergence between the PACS and face-to-face diagnostic interview for the assessment of alcohol craving.MethodA sample of non-treatment seeking heavy drinkers (N = 338) enrolled in experimental studies of AUD completed the PACS as well as a face-to-face diagnostic interview for AUD, which included the craving item from the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism (SSAGA).ResultsUsing the PACS cut-off score of >20, 12.9% (N = 43) of the sample met criteria for alcohol craving compared to 21% (N = 74) of the sample meeting criteria based on the diagnostic interview. Using the PACS cutoff of >20, sensitivity (i.e., true positive rate) was 41% and specificity (i.e., true negative rate) was 95%. Exploratory analyses suggested that a cut-off score of ≥15 achieved the optimal balance of sensitivity (67%) and specificity (81%) in our sample.ConclusionsAdvancing the assessment of alcohol craving and the conversion from DSM-IV to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria represents an important research direction. The present study recommends that a PACS score cut off of ≥15 should be used as an indicator of clinically significant alcohol craving in community samples of non-treatment seekers

Music and Emotion in Victim-Impact Evidence

Aristotle famously said that the law is reason free from passion, and nothing arouses passion better than music. Thus, when victim-impact evidence evolved from simple oral statements to include photographs, video footage, and musical clips, scholars and judges alike expressed concern that music might be too emotional and may make it difficult for the jury to make a rational decision based on logic rather than feeling. Recent scholarship in the field of law and emotion, however, notes that emotions are inevitable in law and further suggests that these emotions can be used constructively in the legal system. Thus, musically induced emotions may also have a role in the courtroom. By carefully considering current music-and-emotion research and analyzing the possible uses of music in victim-impact evidence, this Note concludes that under the current standard, music can have probative value to the jury, and suggests a framework for evaluating music in victim-impact evidence on a case-by-case basis

Memoirs of a Musical Object, Supposedly Written by Itself: It–Narrative and Eighteenth– Century Marketing

Yes, I am music. Specifically, I am seven pages of two of the finest little ditties this side of the Thames—or perhaps I should say, around these parts, the Hudson? At least that’s the kind of reputation I used to have. I understand that Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s play The Critic (Drury Lane, 1779) is not the draw that it was in my day, although the British Broadcasting Corporation recorded a performance in 1992 that is available in many libraries through Alexander Street Press’s “Theater in Video” database. A version of my con- tents can be found in Act I, for which I was created by Tommaso Giordano as incidental music. (I do despise that word “incidental.” Clearly I am no mere peripheral occurrence, as I was reprinted and sold in this form, including multiple versions of the same tune for varied domestic pleasure.) I offer a bit more about the dramatic context of my original presentation, so that you understand my true nature: In Act I, the audience meets several silly characters: Mr. Dangle, a director; Mr. Puff and Mr. Sneer, both critics; and Sir Fretful Plagiary, a playwright. All have convened in Mr. Dangle’s house to put together a show for which they are auditioning musicians. (You see, I hope, that I originate in a play whose plot revolves around the production of plays.) Signor Pasticcio Ritornello arrives with an entourage of performers, having been sent by Lady Rondeau and Mrs. Fuge. It is in this moment that my contents are presented

Investigating the origin of a Greenland ice core geochemical anomaly near the Bølling-Allerød/Younger Dryas boundary

The source of a platinum peak identified in the Greenland Ice Sheet Project 2 (GISP2) ice core that occurs almost synchronously with Younger Dryas (YD) cooling is poorly understood. The GISP2 Pt spike is associated with high platinum/iridium (Pt/Ir) and platinum/aluminium (Pt/Al) ratios, and previous research attributed the anomaly to an unusual iron-rich Ir-poor meteorite impact. The Pt spike timing is also broadly contemporaneous with the Laacher See eruption (LSE), Germany, suggesting a possible source. However, this link is understudied because of perceived chronological mismatches (reconciled recently), and the lack of Pt and Ir data from the Laacher See tephra (LST). To explore this link further, proximal tephra deposits from the LSE were sampled at localities around the volcano and the relevant geochemistry analysed. This report presents evidence that the LSE is not the Pt spike source because: i) the LST has low Pt concentrations, ii) the LST’s geochemical ratios are dissimilar to the GISP2 Pt spike and iii) conversion of the Pt spike timing to the newest ice core age-depth model shows a chronological offset of ~60 years between the two events. Further comparison of the Pt spike’s geochemical ratios against magmas and meteorites, YD Boundary sediments and others suggests that the Pt spike geochemistry is incomparable to any known source. Therefore, the Pt spike origin is interpreted as either: i) a noncataclysmic impact of an undiscovered iron meteorite or ii) an unidentified Pt-rich volcanic eruption contemporaneous with the anomaly, whose aerosol fractionated in the atmosphere or ice. This report supports the LSE as the simplest explanation for the YD trigger, because the LSE was synchronous with Greenland Stadial-1 (GS-1) and contained enough sulfur to cause substantial cooling. The event resulting in the Pt spike occurred ~60 years after GS-1 cooling, and was therefore not the primary trigger. The Pt spike may however represent a subsequent radiative cooling event that prolonged the YD

The Furry Fandom: constructing a costumed society for identity exploration

This paper examines the social-psychological influences of dress within the furry fandom. Using observations, surveys, and interviews at two fur conventions, I explore how individuals’ various identities are developed through costuming. The results reveal a spectrum of identities within the fandom; costuming and “dressing-up” enable individuals to safely explore, express, and negotiate these identities through as-animal performance

A qualitative comparison of how older breast cancer survivors process treatment information regarding endocrine therapy.

BACKGROUND:It remains unclear how information about aromatase inhibitors (AI) impacts women's decision-making about persistence with endocrine therapy. PURPOSE:To describe and compare how women treated for primary early stage breast cancer either persisting or not persisting with an AI received, interpreted, and acted upon AI-related information. DESIGN:Thematic analysis was used to sort and compare the data into the most salient themes. PARTICIPANTS:Women (N = 54; 27 persisting, 27 not persisting with an AI) aged 65-93 years took part in qualitative interviews. RESULTS:Women in both subgroups described information similarly in terms of its value, volume, type, and source. Aspects of AI-related information that either differed between the subgroups or were misunderstood by one or both subgroups included: (1) knowledge of AI or tamoxifen prior to cancer diagnosis, (2) use of online resources, (3) misconceptions about estrogen, hormone replacement therapies and AI-related symptoms, and (4) risk perception and the meaning and use of recurrence statistics such as Oncotype DX. CONCLUSIONS:Persisters and nonpersisters were similar in their desire for more information about potential side effects and symptom management at AI prescription and subsequent appointments. Differences included how information was obtained and interpreted. Interactive discussion questions are shared that can incorporate these findings into clinical settings