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The purpose of the present study is to assess human sexuality peer helper use among college student health centers nationwide. Results from 358 institutions indicate that 53.9% of centers use peers for educational programming, prevention efforts, and/or counseling initiatives. When adjusting for institutions that sponsor a program (n = 193), the M number of duties performed by peers was 3.10 (95% CI = 2.84 -- 3.37), the Med 3.00, and the Mo 2.00. Demographic factors including geographic region, institutional setting (urban, suburban, small town, rural), student population size, and residential characteristic (primarily residential, primarily commuter, equal residential and commuter) significantly predicted the presence of peer-helper programs. Rank assessments evaluating the number of duties performed across demographic variables indicated statistically significant differences among the student population size, H (3) = 40.86, p less than 0.001, type of institution (public/private), U = 12651, p = 0.002, institutional setting, H (3) = 14.41, p = 0.002, and faith-affiliation variables, U = 5829, p less than 0.001. Results have implications for the establishment of policies and benchmarks at college health centers and demonstrate the role of peers in awareness, prevention, and counseling programs nationally. (Contains 3 tables.)

Objectives. To compare changes in food-purchasing knowledge, self-efficacy, and behavior after viewing nutrition education videos among Los Angeles, California Latinas responsible for household grocery shopping. Methods. From February to May 2015, a convenience sample of 113 Latinas watched 1 video (El Carrito Saludable) featuring MyPlate guidelines applied to grocery shopping (1-video intervention) and another convenience sample of 105 Latinas watched 2 videos (El Carrito Saludable and Ser Consciente), the latter featuring mindfulness to support attention and overcome distractions while grocery shopping (2-video intervention). We administered questionnaires before and after intervention. A preselected sample in each intervention condition (n = 72) completed questionnaires at 2-months after intervention and provided grocery receipts (before and 2-months after intervention). Results. Knowledge improved in both intervention groups (P < .001). The 2-video group improved more in self-efficacy and use of a shopping list (both P < .05) and purchased more healthy foods (d = 0.60; P < .05) at 2 months than did the 1-video group. Conclusions. Culturally tailored videos that model food-purchasing behavior and mindfulness show promise for improving the quality of foods that Latinas bring into the home. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zolpidem (Ambien®) is the most prescribed insomnia treatment in the USA; however, little is known about zolpidem metabolite excretion in chronic pain patients. As zolpidem is extensively metabolized in vivo to zolpidem 4-phenyl carboxylic acid (ZCA), metabolite detection may provide improved accuracy for compliance determinations, thereby improving clinical decisions. Zolpidem and ZCA were extracted from 1 mL human urine by mixed-mode solid-phase extraction. Samples were analyzed by LC–MS-MS using positive electrospray ionization with multiple reaction monitoring mode employed for detection and quantification. Gradient chromatographic separation was achieved with a reversed-phase column in a rapid 1.8 min analysis. The assay was linear from 4 to 1,000 µg/L for zolpidem and 4 to 10,000 µg/L for ZCA. Interday recovery (bias) and imprecision (n = 20) were 100–107% of target and 2.4–3.7% relative standard deviation, respectively. Extraction efficiencies were 78–90%. Pain compliance samples (n = 3,142) were de-identified and analyzed for zolpidem and ZCA. Zolpidem was detected greater than limit of quantification in 720 specimens (22.9%), while ZCA was detected in 1,579 specimens (50.3%). Only five specimens contained zolpidem alone. ZCA was observed without parent zolpidem in 864 specimens, thereby increasing population detection rates by 27.5%. Addition of a zolpidem metabolite to compliance determinations substantially improved detection for zolpidem intake and also should prove useful in clinical and forensic settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A science activity is presented designed to teach U.S. physics and astronomy students to understand the location of stars relative to the Earth.

The article looks at the supplementation of the administrative record in bid protests at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims (COFC). Topics discussed include role of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) standard of review to bid protests at the COFC, impact of the U.S. Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996 (ADRA) on COFC decisions, and merits of the various methods of supplementing the administrative record used by COFC to explain its award decision.

Background Leprosy is a chronic infection of the skin and peripheral nerves caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, which causes peripheral insensitivity and disfigurements of the skin, limbs, and digits. Social stigma is a common consequence of leprosy and may differ according to level of physical disfigurement and geographic location. The objective of this study was to assess social stigma encountered by patients with leprosy in clinical settings located in rural Tanzania and urban USA and to compare the social stigma reported in these regions. Methods A total of 56 respondents were recruited from one leprosy inpatient facility in Shirati, Tanzania ( n = 28), and one outpatient clinic in Los Angeles, USA ( n = 28). Cross-sectional data were obtained from face-to-face interviews, which were conducted with respondents at each clinic location. Measures of perceived stigma were assessed in family relationship, vocational, social interaction, and interpersonal contexts. Results Patients in Tanzania, as compared with those in the USA, reported significantly higher levels of stigma in family relationship and vocational contexts. Tanzanian patients also reported higher levels of stigma in social interaction and self-esteem contexts, but these differences were marginally significant and may reflect the small sample size. Conclusions Leprosy-related social stigma is a major problem in regions of both developed and developing countries; however, patients with leprosy in developing countries reported higher levels of stigma in four social contexts. A public health role in dermatology is discussed as an agent of early diagnosis, control, and education in order to reduce social stigma and promote social rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study that examines the levels of propoxyphene drug in the urine samples obtained from the U.S. pain management population (PMP). It mentions that propoxyphene, the opioid analgesic, was withdrawn from the U.S. market in November 2010 due to safety and efficacy issues. However, the urine analysis of PMP indicates the presence of propoxyphene, measured by a validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry procedure.

An interview with social psychology writer and researcher Kenneth R. McLeroy in the U.S. is presented. When asked on how his training and experiences influenced his thinking and contributions to the profession, he replies by narrating his education and career history that made him realized his career in a checkered pattern. He also discloses his experiences and learning that led him to be a bilingual speaker. He further discloses the life and career he went through when he was in the military.

The article presents a study that aims to determine the patterns and prevalence of licit and illicit drugs in urine samples of individuals using ecstasy in the U.S. The study reveals that urine specimens were confirmed positive to contain ecstasy-type drugs such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethampethamine (MDMA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyampethamine (MDA). It notes that aside from MDMA and MDA, the specimens also contain metabolites and other substances including cannabis, opiates, and alprazolam, suggesting multidrug use among the sample population.

To assess the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and TPB with functional ability to explain intention and self-reported physical activity (PA) behavior of older adults. Methods: A survey was mailed to 2056 retirees from a large Midwestern university. Results: Structural equation modeling revealed that the TPB plus functional ability explained an additional 11% variance than the TPB alone in older adult PA and functional ability was the best predictor of PA (β = .53, P<.05). Conclusions: Functional ability appears to be an important predictor of PA behavior and should be included when designing PA programs for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a speech of the incoming president of the American Academy of Health Behavior (AAHB) delivered at the closing ceremonies of the 5th annual scientific meeting of AAHB in Charleston, South Carolina. Views on the comments of former U.S. General of the Army and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell; Comments on AAHB's greatest asset; Influence achieved by working cooperatively together; Criteria for success by attracting some of the best health behavior researchers nationally and internationally.

This article employs 1963-97 panel data for the 48 contiguous U. S. states (and District of Columbia) to examine the relationship between real personal income and real education expenditures as well as that between real personal income and six measures of real research and development expenditures. Bivariate regressions are employed to determine whether the information content between real education expenditures and real income runs from real income to real education spending or vice versa. The authors find that when data are relative to the U.S. average, the direction of information content runs from real state-level education expenditures to real state-level income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on candid conversations with prominent health behavior scholars. The column focuses on the human or interpersonal side of research and addresses topics such as motivation for research and methodology. In this article conversations are held with Robert J. McDermott, assistant dean for health information and communication at the University of South Florida College in Tampa, Florida, and co-director of one of the Prevention Research Center funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Focuses on the application of corporate social marketing on weight-loss programs in the U.S. Health aspects of overweight and obesity; Details on programs encouraging people to maintain a healthy lifestyle; Health education for obese individuals.

Examines the interrelation of eating disorder attitude with cigarette and alcohol use among college women in the U.S. Determination of the negative-affect reduction motivations; Symptoms of eating disorders; Frequency and intensity of alcohol and cigarette use.

Employing US state data, a positive correlation is found between inflation and growth during the 1980s, accompanied by a downward trend in inflation. During the 1960s and 1970s, a negative correlation was accompanied by an upward trend in inflation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes a foundry fatality from carbon monoxide in the United States. Investigation of the case by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; Evaluation of scenarios leading to the death of the ferrous foundry worker; Failure of the company concerned in monitoring the levels of carbon monoxide and of supplying air respirators.

Examines the psychometric characteristics of a Korean version of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and the Bulimia Test in the U.S. Assessment on internal consistency and content validity; Increase in the number of eating disorders in ethnic women; Identification of anorexia nervosa.

Focuses on the effects of the provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Franchise Disclosure Rule to distribution arrangements in United States. Requirement of trademark of the contracting party with the distributor for selling of products; Imposition of penalty for violation of the rule; Dependence of the seller's assistance or control to the rule.

Examines the beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and a smoking-cessation program in a communication campaigns among students in Indiana. Strongest predictor of intention to participate among respondents; Analysis of attitude-relevant beliefs; Instability of the student smoking, self-perceptions of smoking , and self-reports of smoking.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the causes of systematic variation in effective tax rates among residential properties in one particular locality, the City of Boston.[3] What kind of behavior can one attribute to those who determine the pattern of effective tax rates? To answer this question, we begin with a brief examination of the pattern of effective tax rates in order to identify the most interesting characteristics of the effective tax rate pattern. This is followed by an analysis of possible explanations of the pattern and a concluding discussion of some policy implications.
Much effective tax discrimination may be the result of poor administration of the assessment system. Assessments are not completely adjusted to changes in market value and may not accurately measure market value anyway. However, the evidence also suggests that a conscious policy of tax discrimination contributes to the situation. Of greatest concern in this respect is the evidence of racial discrimination. Although such discrimination may be the indirect result of an attempt to counteract certain population movements, it may also be a manifestation of racial prejudice. If the latter is true, property tax discrimination is certainly one of the less obvious methods of racial discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a speech given by the author, at the 2005 National Association of Peer Programs (NAPP) Conference in Chicago, Illinois. The author mentioned about meta analysis, which demonstrated the effectiveness of peers over teachers and their equality with clinicians/allied health professionals in efficacy. He said that peer helping is in agreement with American heritage and religious values. Peer education is particularly helpful in non-English speaking minority populations, and it has also been used effectively in coronary heart disease prevention programs for Asian American populations. The base and distinction of NAPP is the organization's programmatic standards and ethics. The speech discussed the need for the designing of programs, so that they can be used by others and implemented in different locations and settings. Importance of planning, implementing, and evaluating programs from a theoretical perspective is also highlighted. The author also mentioned the significance of routine report and measurement of recruitment strategies and procedures, retention and program adherence.

Presents several selected poems authored by American law professor Charles L. Black Jr. 'Loki Returns or Remains'; 'An Exercise in Material Implication'; 'The Man By the Cellar Door'; 'The End of Politics.'