Week-long Periods Research Articles

Religion, Affect and Cognition in Listener Contributions to NPR’s Talk of the Nation

Broadcast media often provide forums for public expression, which may be useful for understanding public thought and emotion during times of public crisis. This exploratory study had two purposes. First, we examined broadcast content for support of Marx’s notion that religion serves to reduce suffering during a time of public crisis. Given the important roles of affect and cognition in religious experience, the second goal was to examine how the public’s affective and cognitive expressions in broadcasts differ in times of crisis. Public contributions to National Public Radio’s (NPR) Talk of the Nation were examined for statements relating to religion, affect and cognition using linguistic inquiry and word count (LIWC) software. This longitudinal analysis included three, week-long periods in the years before, during and after 9/11. No differences were observed for expressions of religion among the three time periods. However, differences in negative affect and cognitive processing were observed.

Seasonal variability in gaseous mercury fluxes measured in a high-elevation meadow

Seasonal patterns of atmospheric mercury (Hg) fluxes measured over vegetated terrestrial systems can provide insight into the underlying process controlling emission and deposition of Hg to vegetated surfaces. Gaseous elemental Hg fluxes were measured for week-long periods in each season (spring, summer, fall, and winter) over an uncontaminated high-elevation wetland meadow in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia using micrometeorological methods. Mean net deposition was observed in the spring (−4.8 ng m −2 h −1), emission in the summer (2.5 ng m −2 h −1), near zero flux in the fall (0.3 ng m −2 h −1), and emission in the winter (4.1 ng m −2 h −1). Nighttime deposition (when stomata are closed) and the poor correlation between Hg fluxes and canopy conductance during periods of active vegetation growth suggest that stomatal processes are not the dominant mechanism for ecosystem-level GEM exchange at this site. The strong springtime deposition relative to summer implies that young vegetation is better at scavenging Hg, with the highest deposition occurring at night possibly via a cuticular pathway. These results suggest that spring is a period of GEM deposition while other seasons exhibit net emission, emphasizing the importance of capturing GEM flux seasonality when determining total Hg budgets.

PW01-203 - Predictors of stigmatizing and destigmatizing articles on mental illness in the printed media: a central European perspective

ObjectivesMany studies describing print media representations of mental illnesses have showed that these depictions are frequently negative and contribute to consequent stigmatization of people with mental illness. The main objective of this international study was to identify predictors of stigmatizing and nonstigmatizing articles on mental illness in Czech Republic, Croatia and Slovakia.MethodsThe study sample comprised all articles pertaining to the topic of mental illness (N=450) chosen from 6 most widely read newspapers and magazines identified during five weeklong periods in 2007. The presence of stigmatization and destigmatization statements was coded and articles were grouped in positive, neutral, mixed and negative clusters. Negative/positive ratio (NPR) was used to assess the predictor value of different features of the article regarding stigmatization.Results61.8% of articles contained some stigmatizing statements towards persons with mental illness. The highest NPR was found in articles published in tabloids (6.8), on the front page (3.7) and in the articles where psychotic disorder was mentioned (7.4) and mentally ill person figured as a source of information (1.8). Lowest NPR was found in magazines (0.6), articles in later sections (1.7) that mentioned eating disorders (0.3) and scientific surveys (0.1).ConclusionsThere is a high level of stigmatizing statements in the studied articles. As the strongest predictors of stigmatizing content we have identified articles that are published in tabloids and articles with reference to psychosis. Contrary to this, eating disorders had the least stigmatizing depiction as well as articles containing scientific data.

Social competition affects electric signal plasticity and steroid levels in the gymnotiform fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio

Sexually-selected communication signals can be used by competing males to settle contests without incurring the costs of fighting. Steroid regulation of these signals can render them as reliable indicators of a male's physiological state. We investigated how plasticity in electrocommunication signals is driven by social competition for mates, mediated by steroid hormones, and subject to the effects of past social experience. We measured the electric waveform's amplitude and duration and steroid hormone levels of male gymnotiform electric fish (Brachyhypopomus gauderio) following week-long periods of social isolation, and low or high social competition. To quantify the effect of social history on the modulation of the electric signal, six groups of six males experienced all three social conditions but in different order. We found that males differentially modulate their electric signals depending on the order they experienced these conditions. Thus, past social interactions affect both present and future social electric signals. Cortisol levels and the amplitude of the electric signal appeared to track the intensity of competition, while androgen levels and the duration of the electric signal only responded to the presence (low and high competition) or absence (isolation) of a social environment (low and high androgens respectively). In addition, cortisol levels were related to the body size of the males at high social competition. Taken together, these findings suggest that the capacity of males to modulate their signals in response to social competition is regulated by steroids.

Newspaper Stories as Measures of Structural Stigma

Structural stigma and discrimination occur when an institution like a newspaper, rather than an individual, promulgates stigmatizing messages about mental illness. This study examined current trends in the news media on reporting topics of mental illness. All relevant stories (N=3,353) in large U.S. newspapers were identified and coded during six weeklong periods in 2002. Stories were coded by themes that fit into four categories: dangerousness, blame, treatment and recovery, and advocacy action (that is, calls for public policy and action that increase the quality of care or opportunities for those with mental illness). Thirty-nine percent of all stories focused on dangerousness and violence; these stories most often ended up in the front section. Few stories promulgated the idea that either the person or the family was responsible for mental illness (2 percent). Instead, stories about genetic or biological or environmental causation (for example, stress and trauma) were more common (15 percent). There were equal numbers of stories about biological and psychosocial treatments (13 and 14 percent, respectively). Four percent of all treatment-related stories addressed recovery. Twenty percent of stories contained themes that fell into the broad category of advocacy action. These stories addressed the shortage of resources in the public mental health arena, the need for better care, the absence of good-quality housing, and the goal of insurance parity. Data on how mental illness is represented in newspapers yield a useful perspective on structural stigma and the policies and standards that are applied by the news media. These findings have implications for influencing the press.

Characterization of Indoor Particle Sources Using Continuous Mass and Size Monitors

ABSTRACT A comprehensive indoor particle characterization study was conducted in nine Boston-area homes in 1998 in order to characterize sources of PM in indoor environments. State-of-the-art sampling methodologies were used to obtain continuous PM2.5 concentration and size distribution particulate data for both indoor and outdoor air. Study homes, five of which were sampled during two seasons, were monitored over week-long periods. Among other data collected during the extensive monitoring efforts were 24hr elemental/organic carbon (EC/OC) particulate data as well as semi-continuous air exchange rates and time-activity information. This rich data set shows that indoor particle events tend to be brief, intermittent, and highly variable, thus requiring the use of continuous instrumentation for their characterization. In addition to dramatically increasing indoor PM25 concentrations, these data demonstrate that indoor particle events can significantly alter the size distribution and composition of indoor particles. Source event data demonstrate that the impacts of indoor activities are especially pronounced in the ultrafine (da < 0.1 um) and coarse (2.5 < da < 10 |um) modes. Among the sources of ultrafine particles characterized in this study are indoor ozone/terpene reactions. Furthermore, EC/OC data suggest that organic carbon is a major constituent of particles emitted during indoor source events. Whether exposures to indoor-generated particles, particularly from large short-term peak events, may be associated with adverse health effects will become clearer when biological mechanisms are better known.

The Wisconsin Press and Woman Suffrage, 1911–1919: An Analysis of Factors Affecting Coverage by Ten Diverse Newspapers

This study combines quantitative and qualitative methods in its analysis of ten Wisconsin newspapers during six week-long periods in which a significant woman suffrage event took place. It attempted to identify those factors that might have influenced individual newspapers' coverage of the suffrage movement, including the personal positions of their publishers and editors, their political affiliations, the demographic characteristics of their readership area, circulation size, place of publication, and sources of the stories they published on suffrage. The study found that these examples of the “mainstream press,” far from representing a united ideological voice, represented a diversity of voices influenced, in part, by these factors.

Representative 24-h Leqs arising from a combination of occupational and nonoccupational noise exposures

The noise exposure of occupational populations and their resultant noise-induced hearing losses have been well studied in the literature. However, the same cannot be said for those exposed off-the-job and/or recreationally. To better understand the ‘‘normal’’ development of hearing loss with age (presbycusis plus sociocusis) data on societal noise exposure is required. This was recently high-lighted by Berger etal. [CombattingNoiseinthe ’90s: ANationalStrategyfortheU.S. (ASHA, Rockville, MD, 1991)]. As a result of his participation in this conference, the first author became interested in this problem and began an informal study to collect 24-h noise exposure data on primarily nonoccupationally noise-exposed friends and co-workers living in Indianapolis, IN. Data from the subjects who were asked to ‘‘wear’’ dosimeters 24 h/day for week-long periods, will be presented and anecdotal findings will be reviewed. Thus far, the average 24-h Leq across the available sample of 14 people, is 77 dBA with the lowest observed 24-h Leq equal to 56 dBA and the highest value found to be 90 dBA.

Normal values for random urinary calcium to creatinine ratios in infancy

To determine normal values for the urinary calcium/creatinine ratio (UCa/Cr) in infants. To assess the impact of short-term supplementation of infant formula with calcium and phosphorus on UCa/Cr in a group of infants. We determined UCa/Cr in randomly collected urine samples from a group of children and adults. Short-term supplementation of infant formula with calcium glycerophosphate was carried out in 21 infants, and UCa/Cr was monitored in a before-and-after trial. A pediatric clinic at an academic center (infants and adults), and a day-care center (older children). A total of 103 infants between 5 days and 7 months of age, 40 infants between 8 and 17 months of age, 41 children between 18 months and 6 years, and 31 adults. The 95th percentiles for molar UCa/Cr for the different age groups were as follows: less than 7 months, 2.42 (0.86 mg/mg); 7 to 18 months, 1.69 (0.60 mg/mg); 19 months to 6 years, 1.18 (0.42 mg/mg); and adults, 0.61 (0.22 mg/mg). Regression analysis indicated a statistically significant decline in average UCa/Cr with age (R2 = 0.115, p < 0.0001 for log (UCa/Cr) vs log (age)). The geometric means for the two groups of infants were significantly greater than those of the older children and the adults (p < 0.05). Values for UCa/Cr in adults in our sample were comparable to those previously reported. We detected no significant changes in mean UCa/Cr during week-long periods of calcium supplementation of up to 1.8 gm of calcium and 1.39 gm of phosphorus per liter of formula. We conclude that normal values for UCa/Cr are much higher in infants than in older children and adults; UCa/Cr is age-related and declines gradually in the first several years of life, and short-term supplementation of infant formula with calcium glycerophosphate has minimal effect on UCa/Cr.

Plankton responses to hydrological changes induced by Freshets in a shallow mesotidal estuary

Daily variations in the plankton community of the Gernika estuary (Bay of Biscay) were studied over three week-long periods in order to evaluate the effects of large increases in river runoff due to intense rain pulses. Both tidal and river inflow changes determined the hydrological zonation within the estuary during the study periods. Chlorophyll a appeared to be related to riverine inputs and resuspension processes rather than to phytoplankton growth dynamics. The spatio-temporal distributions of plankton assemblages were related to hydrological conditions. Thus, a successional progression involving short-term interactions among plankton populations was severely affected by increased river discharge. Freshets removed neritic populations and returned the plankton community to an initial state. As hydrological conditions became more marine, the progression towards a community with metazoan predominance was paralleled with a rise in neritic plankton abundance further up the estuary. The development of estuarine populations, which can reach high densities under stable conditions, seemed to be limited by frequent river runoff disturbances occurring in this estuarine system.

Home range of the red kangaroo Macropus rufus

The home range of red kangaroos, Macropus rufus, and euros, M. robustus erubescens, was studied by radio-tracking in contiguous sites in semi-arid northwestern New South Wales, Australia. This paper reports the results for red kangaroos. In the short term, red kangaroos were sedentary in home ranges of 259–516 ha for week-long periods in summer and winter. Males and females did not differ significantly in home-range area but female home range increased with body weight. There was an altitudinal shift in home range between summer and winter related to thermoregulation. Home range also tended to positively correlate with vegetation cover. In the long term, a few individuals moved distances of 25 km or more. Following a prolonged dry spell, a more global shift of the population occurred to localised rainfall 20–30 km east of the study site. Widespread rainfall saw the return of at least females to their former home ranges. Movement patterns in red kangaroos are complex but the population is not generally nomadic.

Comparison of soybean meal/sorghum grain, alfalfa hay and dehydrated alfalfa pellets as supplemental protein sources for beef cattle consuming dormant tallgrass-prairie forage.

Three experiments were conducted to compare soybean meal/sorghum grain (SBM/SG), alfalfa hay or dehydrated alfalfa pellets (DEHY) as supplemental protein sources for beef cattle grazing dormant range forage. In Exp. 1 (35-d digestion study), 16 ruminally cannulated steers were stratified by weight (average BW 259 kg) and assigned randomly within stratification to: 1) control, no supplement; 2) SBM/SG (25% CP) fed at .48% BW; 3) alfalfa hay (17% CP) fed at .70% BW; or 4) DEHY (17.4% CP) fed at .67% BW. Steers receiving protein supplements displayed at least a twofold increase in forage intake (P less than .10). In addition, steers supplemented with DEHY consumed approximately 15% more forage (P less than .10) than SBM/SG- or alfalfa hay-supplemented steers. Digestible DM intake (kg/d), however, was similar between alfalfa hay- and DEHY-supplemented steers and 20% greater (P less than .10) than for SBM/SG-supplemented steers. In Exp. 2, 82 mature, nonlactating Hereford x Angus cows (average BW 489 kg) were assigned randomly to SBM/SG, alfalfa hay or DEHY supplement treatments, which were replicated in three pastures. Cows supplemented with DEHY gained more weight (P less than .05) during the first 84 d of supplementation and displayed the least amount of weight loss at calving (d 127; P less than .05) and just prior to breeding (P less than .10). In contrast, calving interval (361 d) and pregnancy rate (94%) were unaffected (P greater than .10) by dam's previous supplemental treatment. In Exp. 3, one block (pasture) of cows from Exp. 2 was selected at random and grazing behavior was monitored during week-long periods in January and February. A treatment X time interaction (P less than .05) occurred for total time spent grazing; treatments did not differ in January, but cows supplemented with alfalfa hay spent less time grazing in the February grazing period. In conclusion, DEHY and alfalfa hay appear to be at least as effective as SBM/SG as a supplemental protein source for pregnant grazing cows when supplements are fed on an equal CP and ME basis.

Effects of three landscape treatments on residential energy and water use in Tucson, Arizona

Vegetation can reduce the cooling loads of buildings in hot arid climates by modifying air temperature, solar heat gain, longwave heat gain, and heat loss by convection. However, savings from reduced mechanical cooling may be offset by increased irrigation water costs. In this study, three similar 1 4 -scale model buildings were constructed and surrounded with different landscapes: turf, rock mulch with a foundation planting of shrubs, and rock mulch with no plants. Irrigation water use and electricity required to power the three room-sized air conditioners and interior lights were measured for two approximately week-long periods. Electrical energy consumed for air-conditioning by the rock model was 20 – 30% more than for the turf and shade models. Factors accounting for these differences in energy performance include dense shade that substantially reduced solar heat gain for the shaded model, a 16% difference in longwave radiation flux between the rock and turf treatments, and a maximum drybulb depression of 4 °C over the turf compared with the rock. Air-conditioning savings exceeded water costs for shade treatments that were simulated to receive moderate and low amounts of irrigation water. These preliminary findings suggest that the localized effects of vegetation on building microclimate may be more significant than boundary layer effects in hot arid regions.

Albacore tuna catch distributions relative to environmental features observed from satellites

Albacore tuna catch data from the summer of 1981 are displayed on concurrent satellite images of sea surface temperature and phytoplankton pigment concentration, from the NOAA-7 Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) and the Nimbus-7 Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS), respectively. During 3 week-long periods off California, intense fishing activity and larger catches, indicating aggregations of albacore, were located within pockets of warm, blue oceanic water intruding into the boundary between oceanic and cooler greenish coastal waters. A relatively productive oceanic region, defined by a color front visible in a CZCS image, was the site of albacore aggregation in waters several hundred miles offshore during the first 2 weeks of September 1981.

Radon daughter carousel: An automated instrument for measuring indoor concentrations of 218Po, 214Pb, and 214Bi

A microprocessor-controlled instrument for measuring the concentrations of radon progeny in indoor air is described. The measurement technique is based on alpha spectroscopy and uses two counting intervals following a sampling period during which radon progeny are collected on a filter. The counting intervals are selected to provide optimal precision for measuring 222Rn progeny for fixed total measurement times ranging from 30 to 60 min: concentrations as low as 0.5 pCi/1 can be measured with less than 20% uncertainty in 45 min. The instrument can also be used to estimate the potential alpha energy concentration of 220Rn decay products. The device operates under the control of a computer or a data terminal and functions for week-long periods between filter changes. The user can specify the sampling- and counting-interval timing over a wide range and select from among several operating modes. A number of performance tests are also described indicating that for typical indoor concentrations the measurement uncertainty is dominated by counting statistics.

Response of Dairy Cattle Given a Free Choice of Free Stall Location and Three Bedding Materials

Abstract Dewatered manure solids (29% dry matter), dehydrated manure solids (90% dry matter), and sawdust (81% dry matter) were compared as bedding materials for dairy cattle allowed free choice of the bedding materials in free stalls. The three bedding materials were placed in three free stall sections of nine stalls each and were rotated at the beginning of three consecutive week-long periods. Nine lactating dairy cows were placed in the 27 free stall barn and observed for 48h during each of the three periods via a TV camera-video tape recording system. A trial during late winter was repeated during midsummer. Cows spent 13.3 h/day lying in free stalls during the winter trial and 5.9 h/day during the summer trial. Cows spent an average of .5, 6.6, and 6.2 h/day lying on dewatered manure solids, dehydrated manure solids, and sawdust during the winter trial and .5, 3.4, and 2.0 h/day during the summer trial. The relative cost of producing an amount of the above respective bedding materials to fill one 122 × 213cm free stall to a depth of 10cm was $2.63, $11.46, and $1.27.