Violent socialization processes and criminal behavior: An international perspective on variations in social control during late adolescence and emerging adulthood

Using Gottfredson and Hirschi\u27s parental socialization thesis as a theoretical framework, the present study explores whether or not violent socialization processes are associated with criminal behavior, both at the micro-level and macro-level, across 32 different nations. Analyses were conducted on data from the International Dating Violence Study (Straus & Members of the International Dating Violence Research Consortium, 2004). Bivariate statistical analyses show that violent socialization tends to be more prevalent among nations with indicators of violence (e.g., laws supporting the death penalty) compared to nations without such indicators. The results of ordinary least squares regression analysis indicate that violent familial socialization processes are associated with individual criminal behavior within some nations, but not all nations. The results of multilevel modeling regression analysis reveal that criminal behavior significantly varies across the 32 different nations and violent socialization can explain a significant proportion of this variation. The findings from this exploratory study mostly supported the two main hypotheses: youth from families that use violent socialization processes tend to engage in significantly more criminal behavior, compared to youth from families that use nonviolent familial socialization processes (H1) and criminal behavior significantly varies nation to nation as part of a context of norms of violence (i.e., violent socialization processes (H2). While these findings are preliminary, this dissertation project provides a reference point for future comparative research on how norms may influence socialization processes within different nations and the ultimately the effects on criminal behavior

Effects of Increasing the Energy Density of a Lactating Ewe Diet by Replacing Grass Hay with Soybean Hulls and Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of increasing the energy density of a lactating ewe diet by replacing grass hay (GH) with soybean hulls (SH) and replacing soybean meal (SBM) with dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) on ewe body condition, milk production and nutrient composition, and lamb performance. Sixteen 2-year-old ewes were selected based on a common lambing date. All diets contained 60% roughage and 40% concentrate. Dietary roughage source, however varied from completely GH to completely SH, and SBM was replaced by DDGS. Diets were formulated to contain 13.9% CP and an increasing amount of dietary energy as SH and DDGS replaced GH and SBM. The control diet for this experiment was composed of 60% GH and 11.6% SBM (GH-SBM). Treatment diets were 60% GH and 25.4% DDGS (GH-DDGS); 20% GH, 40% SH, 15.3% DDGS (SH40-DDGS); and no GH, 60% SH, 10% DDGS (SH60-DDGS). The SH, protein concentrate, and mineral portion of the diet was pelleted and mixed with the chopped GH, when GH was included in the diet. The SH60-DDGS diet was a completely pelleted diet. Ewes were offered feed twice daily, and a weigh-suckle-weigh technique was performed weekly throughout the 8-week lactation to quantify production and characterize nutrient composition milk in the ewe. Ewe BW and BCS was recorded at the beginning and end of the trial and lamb growth performance was monitored weekly. Replacing GH and SBM with SH and DDGS increased milk production without decreasing ewe BW and BCS during lactation. Although, total milk solids, protein, and fat were decreased when SH and DDGS replaced GH and SBM, lamb growth performance was improved. Increased milk production that resulted with the inclusion of SH and DDGS in the diet was sufficient to overcome the lesser nutrient composition of the milk to result in differences in lamb growth. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that replacing GH and SBM with SH and DDGS increases dietary energy density and results in increased milk production and lamb growth without compromising ewe BW and BCS

Effects of Increasing the Dietary Energy Density by Replacing Grass Hay with Soybean Hulls and Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles on Nutrient Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation

We hypothesize that soybean hulls (SH) and dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) can be used in lamb diets to increase dietary energy density compared with a traditional grass hay (GH) and soybean meal (SBM) diet without causing adverse effects on nutrient digestibility and rumen function. To test this hypothesis, four ruminally-cannulated wethers were used in a 4x4 Latin square design to determine the effects of replacing GH with SH and replacing SBM with DDGS on nutrient digestibility and rumen fermentation. All diets were formulated to contain 60% roughage and 40% concentrate on DM basis. Dietary roughage source, however, varied from completely GH to completely SH, and SBM was replaced by DDGS. Diets were formulated to contain 13.9% CP and an increasing amount of dietary energy as SH and DDGS replaced GH and SBM. The control diet was composed of 60% GH and 11.6% SBM (GH-SBM). Treatment diets were 60% GH and 25.4% DDGS (GH-DDGS); 20% GH, 40% SH, 15.3% DDGS (SH40-DDGS); or no GH, 60% SH, 10% DDGS (SH60-DDGS). The SH, protein concentrate, and mineral portion of the diet was pelleted and mixed with the chopped GH, when GH was included in the diet. The SH60-DDGS diet was a completely pelleted diet. This trial was divided into four periods. Lambs were allowed 14 d to adapt to their respective treatment diet which was offered twice daily. Following adaptation, total feed, fecal, and urine samples were collected and weighed during the 4-d collection period and subsequently composited for nutrient analyses. On the day following collection of fecal and urine samples, rumen fluid was collected at -2, 0, 1, 4, 8, 12 h relative to feeding, for analysis of VFA and ammonia concentrations. Replacing GH with SH improved DM digestibility and the DE content of the diet. Although increasing SH in the diet decreased rumen pH, ADF and NDF digestibility was not affected adversely. Lower rumen pH did favor increased propionate concentrations in the rumen. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that DDGS and SH can be used to increase the energy density of lamb diets compared to a traditional GH and SBM diet without affecting nutrient digestibility and rumen pH adversely

Relationship of Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations with End-Products of Carbohydrate Fermentation for Beef Cattle During a Feeding Interval

Four steers (BW 1281±28.2 lb) were used to determine the relationship of plasma ghrelin concentrations with end-products of carbohydrate fermentation and hormones and metabolites indicative of nutrition status during a 12-h feeding interval. A common high-energy diet was offered at 240% of the intake necessary for BW maintenance (2.4xM) or 80% of the intake necessary for BW maintenance (0.8xM). At initiation of period I, 2 steers were allowed 2.4xM intake, whereas intake for the remaining 2 steers was restricted to 0.8xM. Equal aliquots of feed were offered at 0800 and at 2000 h. On 7, 14, and 21 d following initiation of intake restriction, serial blood samples were collected via indwelling jugular catheter at 15-min intervals through the 12-h feeding interval. Plasma samples were assayed for ghrelin, GH, insulin (INS), and NEFA concentrations. Rumen fluid samples were collected throughout the feeding interval and processed for subsequent analyses of VFA concentrations. Following period I, steers were weighed, dietary treatments were switched between steer groups, intake amounts were recalculated, and sampling period II then was initiated as described for period I. Regardless of amount of DMI, plasma ghrelin and GH concentrations fluctuated as a result of sampling time relative to feeding. Plasma ghrelin concentrations were elevated prior to feeding at 0800 and 2000 h and reached a nadir from 1 and 3 h post-feeding. Although GH was elevated prior to the 0800 h feeding, it was not elevated at 1800 h despite increasing ghrelin concentrations. A tendency for an interaction of dietary treatment by sampling time relative to feeding which indicated an inverse relationship of plasma INS and ghrelin concentrations for cattle in a positive nutrient balance but no relationship between the two hormones when cattle were in negative energy balance. An interaction of dietary treatment by sampling time relative to feeding also resulted for plasma NEFA concentrations. A positive relationship of NEFA and ghrelin concentrations resulted for cattle when energy and protein intake were below the requirement for maintenance of BW. Ruminal VFA concentrations were weakly correlated to plasma ghrelin concentrations. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that, whereas plasma ghrelin concentrations fluctuate with nutritional status of the ruminant animal, the fluctuation is not completely explained by fluctuations in GH, NEFA, INS or ruminal VFA concentrations

Prolonged, Moderate Nutrient Restriction in Beef Cattle Results in Persistently-Elevated Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations

Four steers (BW 1281±28.2 kg) were used in a crossover design to determine the effects of prolonged, moderate energy and protein restriction on plasma ghrelin and GH concentrations. A common high-energy diet was offered at 240% of the intake necessary for BW maintenance (2.4xM) or 80% of the intake necessary for BW maintenance (0.8xM). As a common starting point, all steers were adjusted to 2.4xM during a 23-d pre-trial adaptation period. At initiation of period 1, 2 steers remained at 2.4xM, whereas intake for the remaining 2 steers was restricted to 0.8xM. Feed allotments were offered twice daily in equal aliquots at 0800 and at 2000 h. On 7, 14, and 21 d following initiation of restriction, serial blood samples were collected via indwelling jugular catheter at 15-min intervals throughout a 12-h feeding interval. Following period 1, steers were weighed and intake amounts were recalculated. Dietary treatments were switched between steer groups, 2.4xM intake was established, and sampling period II was initiated as described for period I. Plasma samples were assayed for ghrelin, GH, insulin (INS), and NEFA concentrations. Subsequent to analyses, hormone data were pooled by hour for statistical analyses. The energy and protein restriction resulted in decreased BW for 0.8xM (-108.9 lb) steers compared with 2.4xM (127.9 lb) steers. Body weight loss along with decreased plasma INS concentrations and elevated plasma NEFA and GH concentrations indicate that these steers were in a catabolic state and mobilizing body tissue stores to meet nutrient requirements not met by dietary intake. Plasma ghrelin concentrations also were elevated for the 0.8xM steers compared with those of 2.4xM steers throughout the 21-d treatment period. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that plasma ghrelin concentrations are elevated in cattle throughout a prolonged, moderate energy and protein restriction that result in a catabolic state

Plasma Ghrelin Concentrations of Beef Cattle Consuming a Similar Amount of Dietary Energy Supplied by Different Ingredients

Previous research demonstrated that restricting nutrient intake by decreasing DMI of a high-grain diet increased plasma ghrelin concentrations. Objectives of this experiment were to determine 1) whether dietary ingredient composition influenced plasma ghrelin concentrations when energy intake was similar, and 2) whether relationships existed between plasma ghrelin concentrations and plasma insulin, NEFA, and GH concentrations or end-products of carbohydrate fermentation in the rumen. Five steers (1290 ± 39.9 lb) were used in a crossover design with dietary treatments of 50% hay-50% concentrate (HAY) offered at an amount that would meet the steer’s NEm requirement plus supply an additional 3.5 Mcal of NEg daily, or a diet composed of 10% hay-90% concentrate but limit-fed to achieve an energy intake similar to that of the HAY steers (LFC). Feed was offered in equal aliquots twice daily. Period I: on d 21 following initiation of the dietary treatment, serial blood samples were collected via indwelling jugular catheter at 15-min intervals, and rumen fluid samples were collected hourly throughout a 12-h feeding interval. Following period I, steers were weighed, dietary treatments were switched between steer groups, and intake amounts were recalculated on the basis of period I ending BW. Period II adaptation and sampling was repeated as described for period 1. Plasma samples were assayed for ghrelin, insulin, GH, and NEFA concentrations. Rumen fluid was assayed for VFA concentrations and pH. Net energy for gain was similar between treatment groups (3.5 ± 0.04 Mcal NEg/d). However, a higher DMI was required by HAY steers compared with LFC steers (20.7 vs. 15.9 ± 0.13 lb) to achieve the same energy intake. Plasma ghrelin concentrations were similar for HAY and LFC steers (115 vs. 107 ± 3.3 pg/mL) despite differences in DMI and ingredient composition. Plasma GH, NEFA, and insulin concentrations also were similar regardless of dietary ingredient composition. Strong correlations between plasma ghrelin concentrations and other hormones and metabolites or end-products of carbohydrate fermentation did not result. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ingredient composition and quantity of DMI do not influence plasma ghrelin concentrations of steers when energy intake is similar and steers are in positive energy balance

Effect of Supplemental Fat From Dried Distillers Grains with Solubles or Corn Oil on Cow Performance, IGF-1, GH, and NEFA Concentrations

Research has demonstrated that supplemental fat and(or) changes in growth hormone (GH) or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations may affect reproductive performance in beef females. Dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) contain approximately 10% to 15% fat; however, minimal research to date has investigated DDGS specifically as a supplemental fat source. The objective of this experiment was to investigate whether supplemental fat from either DDGS or raw corn oil impacts cow growth performance and plasma GH, IGF-1, or non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations. Sixty open beef cows [body weight (BW) = 553.5 ± 38.7 kg; body condition score (BCS) = 5.4 ± 0.53] were stratified by BW and BCS and allotted to 15 pens (n = 4 per pen; 14.6 x 37.2 m). Pens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments: 1) DDGS, 2) a combination of high-protein dried distillers grain, corn bran, and corn oil (OIL), or 3) a combination of high-protein dried distillers grain and corn bran (HPBRAN). The DDGS, OIL, and HPBRAN treatments each comprised 35% of the diet dry matter (DM). Thirty-five percent was selected based upon the sulfur (S) content of dietary ingredients in the DDGS treatment and water, estimated water intake, and the maximum tolerable S concentration for cattle on forage-based diets (0.5%). In addition to dietary treatments, cattle were provided grass hay [7.7% crude protein (CP)] and a pelleted supplement containing vitamins and minerals as part of a totally mixed ration. Cows were fed once daily, in the morning, for 60 d. All diets were iso-nitrogenous (15.3% CP from d 0 to 47 and 15.1% from d 48 to 60) and total fat concentrations were 5.1% for DDGS and OIL and 3.5% for HPBRAN. Weights and blood samples were recorded prior to feeding on d -1, 0, 28, 59, and 60. Dry matter intake, average daily gain, final BW, and gain:feed were not affected by treatment. Treatment had no effect on plasma GH, IGF-1, or NEFA concentrations. These results suggest that providing low concentrations of supplemental fat as DDGS or raw corn oil to a forage-based diet does not influence growth performance, plasma GH, IGF-1, or NEFA concentrations in open beef cows

Purposeful Interventions for Older Adults Post-Joint Replacement Surgery: An Evidence-Based Project

The overall focus of each of case scenarios are related to assessment or interventions that are related to Choosing Wisely Campaign items 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 10. Case scenarios were developed related to each initiative with clientele and conditions across the lifespan in various practice settings. Practice settings included school district, outpatient pediatric, primary care, skilled nursing facility, work rehabilitation, and acute care

Intravenous Ghrelin Infusion Affects Plasma Growth Hormone Concentrations, Dry Matter Disappearance, and Length of Time Spent Feeding

Six steers (915 ± 37.8 kg) were used in a crossover design to determine the effects of intravenous infusion of bovine ghrelin (BGR) on plasma growth hormone (GH) concentrations, length of time spent feeding, and dry matter disappearance per unit of metabolic weight. Steers were fed individually once daily (0800 h) and allowed to consume ad libitum until 2000 h when feed was removed. Daily feed allotment was sufficient to result in ≥ 10% feed refusal. Serial blood samples were collected from steers fitted with an indwelling jugular catheter at 15-min intervals from 0600 h through 1800 h. Harvested plasma was assayed for ghrelin and GH concentrations. Saline (SAL) or BGR was infused via jugular catheter at 1200 h and 1400 h. Treatment infusion times were selected on the basis of the observation that steers did not consistently feed at these times. Exogenous BGR was infused to achieve a plasma concentration of 1000 pg/mL. This dosage was chosen on the basis of previous research that indicated a peak ghrelin concentration of 1000 pg/mL for fasting steers. Steers were allowed 5 d to adjust between treatment periods and then treatments were switched between steer groups and the sampling period repeated. Compared to SAL steers, average plasma ghrelin concentration was elevated (P ≤ 0.0001) at the first post-infusion sampling for BGR steers at both infusion. Bovine ghrelin infusion resulted in elevated (P ≤ 0.005) plasma GH concentrations compared to SAL steers after the first infusion. The second infusion of BGR resulted in numerically higher GH concentrations, but this difference was not statistically different from SAL steers or baseline concentrations. Both plasma ghrelin and GH concentrations returned to baseline 30 min post-BGR infusion. Length of time spent feeding (P = 0.03) and dry matter disappearance per unit of metabolic body weight (P = 0.05) for the combined infusion times were increased for steers infused with BGR. Bovine ghrelin is a compound that has the potential to elevate plasma GH concentrations and to increase length of time spent feeding and dry matter disappearance per unit of metabolic body weight

A novel Alzheimer disease locus located near the gene encoding tau protein

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this recordAPOE ε4, the most significant genetic risk factor for Alzheimer disease (AD), may mask effects of other loci. We re-analyzed genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from the International Genomics of Alzheimer's Project (IGAP) Consortium in APOE ε4+ (10 352 cases and 9207 controls) and APOE ε4- (7184 cases and 26 968 controls) subgroups as well as in the total sample testing for interaction between a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and APOE ε4 status. Suggestive associations (P<1 × 10-4) in stage 1 were evaluated in an independent sample (stage 2) containing 4203 subjects (APOE ε4+: 1250 cases and 536 controls; APOE ε4-: 718 cases and 1699 controls). Among APOE ε4- subjects, novel genome-wide significant (GWS) association was observed with 17 SNPs (all between KANSL1 and LRRC37A on chromosome 17 near MAPT) in a meta-analysis of the stage 1 and stage 2 data sets (best SNP, rs2732703, P=5·8 × 10-9). Conditional analysis revealed that rs2732703 accounted for association signals in the entire 100-kilobase region that includes MAPT. Except for previously identified AD loci showing stronger association in APOE ε4+ subjects (CR1 and CLU) or APOE ε4- subjects (MS4A6A/MS4A4A/MS4A6E), no other SNPs were significantly associated with AD in a specific APOE genotype subgroup. In addition, the finding in the stage 1 sample that AD risk is significantly influenced by the interaction of APOE with rs1595014 in TMEM106B (P=1·6 × 10-7) is noteworthy, because TMEM106B variants have previously been associated with risk of frontotemporal dementia. Expression quantitative trait locus analysis revealed that rs113986870, one of the GWS SNPs near rs2732703, is significantly associated with four KANSL1 probes that target transcription of the first translated exon and an untranslated exon in hippocampus (P≤1.3 × 10-8), frontal cortex (P≤1.3 × 10-9) and temporal cortex (P≤1.2 × 10-11). Rs113986870 is also strongly associated with a MAPT probe that targets transcription of alternatively spliced exon 3 in frontal cortex (P=9.2 × 10-6) and temporal cortex (P=2.6 × 10-6). Our APOE-stratified GWAS is the first to show GWS association for AD with SNPs in the chromosome 17q21.31 region. Replication of this finding in independent samples is needed to verify that SNPs in this region have significantly stronger effects on AD risk in persons lacking APOE ε4 compared with persons carrying this allele, and if this is found to hold, further examination of this region and studies aimed at deciphering the mechanism(s) are warranted