A Validation of the Subjective Vitality Scale Using Structural Equation Modeling

Ryan and Fredericks (1997) measure of vitality, thesubjective feeling of being alive and alert, wasdeveloped in the context of a single factor analysis.The present investigation employed structural equationmodeling (SEM) to assess construct validity andutility of the new measure. A large sample (N = 526) wascollected in two waves, allowing the investigators tofurther develop the model proposed by Ryan andFrederick, and to then validate it on a second dataset. The final model is presented, and the process ofachieving that model is discussed, as are the relativestrengths of SEM in test development.     

Children and Violence: Findings and Implications from a Rural Community

The present study addresses gaps in the youth violence literature by exploring the types and levels of children's violence exposure in a rural setting and examining psychological trauma associated with violence exposure. The study is a secondary data analysis using a rural sample (N = 549) from a larger study. The larger study employed a 45-minute questionnaire given to students in grades 3 through 8. The questionnaire was designed to assess children's present and past violence exposure as a victim and witness across the home, school, and neighborhood. In addition, this questionnaire assessed children's psychological trauma symptoms.Our study found that children in the rural sample were exposed to high amounts of violence as both victims and witnesses within, and prior to, the past year. Violence exposure variables explained a significant amount of variance in total trauma symptoms after controlling for demographic variables. This finding is consistent with the literature examining the association of trauma and violence exposure.     

Contextual Variation in Stereotype Content: An Investigation of Children's Central Tendency and Group Variability Judgements

Drawing upon self‐categorization theory, we predicted that the content of children's stereotypes concerning the gender ingroup would be contextually variable. Two studies are reported, each looking at five‐, seven‐, and 10‐year‐old children's stereotypes of the gender in‐group in two different contexts. Study 1 examined judgements of the perceived central tendency of the in‐group on specified dimensions. Study 2 addressed judgements of perceived variability within the gender in‐group on the same dimensions. Overall multivariate analysis of the data indicated that central tendency judgements were influenced by the context in which a group is considered, but that group variability judgements were not. Individual‐level analyses showed that the most typical pattern of response over the two conditions, in both Studies 1 and 2, was for children to provide consistent rather than varying judgements. However, in Study 1 (but not Study 2 ), among those children who changed their judgements, the nature of change was precisely as predicted by self‐categorization theory.     

Binge drinking and alcohol-related problems among community college students: implications for prevention policy

Binge drinking and alcohol-related problems among students at traditional 4-year universities have been well documented. However, little is known about the frequency of their such behaviors and its consequences among community college students, who comprise roughly 44% of all undergraduate students in the United States. The present study examined binge drinking and alcohol-related problems in 762 (61% female) ethnically diverse (65% Caucasian, 20% Hispanic, 9% African American) community college students (mean age = 26.23, SD = 7.81). Based on gender-specific criteria, 25% engaged in binge drinking. As compared to nonbingers and current abstainers, bingers had higher rates of drinking-related problems. The implications of these findings for research and for prevention/intervention programs are discussed.     

Movement patterns of Blanding's turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) in the suburban landscape of eastern Massachusetts

We studied Blanding's turtle Emydoideablandingii home range and seasonal movement patterns at 10 sites in suburban eastern Massachusetts during 2001 and 2002. Radio telemetry was used to track 51 turtles (31 females and 20 males) and home range was estimated during 4 seasonal activity periods usingthe 95% fixed kernel estimator. Sex, year, and site were not found to affect home range size due to the large amount of variationbetween and within individuals. There were significant differences in home range length between activity periods, with longest movementsoccurring during the period of 15 April to 31 May as animals moved to ephemeral wetlands. Mean annual home range size for Blanding's turtles was 22 ha, and mean home range length was 856 m. Animals frequently had annual home ranges that overlapped little from year to year, indicating that our calculations greatly underestimate the lifetime home range of an individual. Due to the large area needs of Blanding's turtles, and the diversified ownership of lands in eastern Massachusetts, numerous stakeholders will need to be involved to effectively protect viable populations for the foreseeable future.     

Carnosine: a versatile antioxidant and antiglycating agent

Carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) has recently attracted much attention as a naturally occurring antioxidant and transition-metal ion sequestering agent. It has also been shown to act as an anti-glycating agent, inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Through its distinctive combination of antioxidant and antiglycating properties, carnosine is able to attenuate cellular oxidative stress and can inhibit the intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. By controlling oxidative stress, suppressing glycation, and chelating metal ions, carnosine is able to reduce harmful sequelae such as DNA damage. AGEs are known contributors to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease, and carnosine therefore merits serious attention as a possible therapeutic agent.     

Risk Factors in Adolescence: The Case of Gambling, Videogame Playing, and the Internet

It has been noted that adolescents may be more susceptible to pathological gambling. Not only is it usually illegal, but it appears to be related to high levels of problem gambling and other delinquent activities such as illicit drug taking and alcohol abuse. This paper examines risk factors not only in adolescent gambling but also in videogame playing (which shares many similarities with gambling). There appear to be three main forms of adolescent gambling that have been widely researched. Adolescent gambling activities and general risk factors in adolescent gambling are provided. As well, the influence of technology on adolescents in the form of both videogames and the Internet are examined. It is argued that technologically advanced forms of gambling may be highly appealing to adolescents.     

EADS - Ergonomics Affinity Design System

The Ergonomics Affinity Design System (EADS) is a systematic problem-solving tool used to analyze and solve ergonomics issues. The basis of EADS is the identification and ranking of affinities or relationships that exist among the factors that influence job performance in the workplace. The five-step system can be applied to the workplace at varying levels of complexity based on need. It can be used at the design phase or in a redesign/modification application. Applicable for use in any work environment, the system can be an important part of the overall ergonomics process.     

Few and Far Between? An Environmental Equity Analysis of the Geographic Distribution of Hazardous Waste Generation

Objective. This article examines whether the generation of hazardous waste is concentrated in communities that are disproportionately minority or low income. Whereas much environmental equity research has focused on commercial facilities managing hazardous waste, facilities that generate and manage their own wastes—which account for over 98 percent of hazardous waste volume—have been ignored. Methods. The demographic characteristics were determined of people in geographic concentric rings around hazardous waste generators accounting for most of the country's 1997 hazardous waste volume. Results. My analyses indicate no tendency for disproportionately minority communities to be near these facilities. In fact, relatively few people are near where most hazardous waste is generated. Although a few of these facilities have large numbers of minority people around them, most are in areas with higher than average white populations. There was, however, a tendency for low-income communities to be near these facilities. Conclusions. To the extent that there are potential risks from the presence of hazardous waste at facilities, most of this risk is in relatively unpopulated areas. The presence of hazardous waste is not concentrated in areas that are disproportionately minority or low income.