bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intergenerational Relations: Theory, Research, and Policy
Authors: Antonucci Toni C. , Jackson James S. , Biggs Simon
Published: September 2010

The dramatic increase in life expectancy and lowered fertility, especially in more advantaged countries, has resulted in people living longer and in more complex family structures. Other important changes affecting the family include greater geographical mobility, increased racial and ethnic diversity, new patterns of immigration and identity reformulation, as well as changing work and family roles. With reduced governmental resources available, it is especially important to understand the changing nature of multigenerational family structures, functioning, and roles in individual well‐being in order to maximize the effectiveness of informal and formal supports available to those in need. This special issue addresses basic factors related to multigeneration support systems that will be needed to anticipate, understand, and design support programs to cope with the challenges facing individuals in all generation positions, families, and communities in the United States and around the world.
Thinking about Generations: Conceptual Positions and Policy Implications
Authors: Biggs Simon
Published: September 2010

Three traditions of social theory are examined in this article, with a special emphasis being given to the ways that the concept of “generation” has been conceived and developed over time. These include Psychodynamic, Sociological, and Gerontological approaches with attention drawn to the similarities and differences among them. It is concluded that while conceptual development has been uneven, taken together, they provide a rich basis for a critical examination of contemporary social problems with implications for policy toward intergenerational relationships.
Crossing Age and Generational Boundaries: Exploring Intergenerational Research Encounters
Authors: Grenier Amanda M.
Published: September 2010

Academics and professionals who aim to understand and plan for aging societies are most often younger than study participants and the benefactors of social programs themselves. However, the appropriateness of such intergenerational practice is beginning to be questioned. It has been suggested that only older people should conduct research, consult on and plan programs for older people. To understand the benefits and pitfalls of such an approach, research encounters between younger and older people will be used as examples from which to explore the question: what happens when individuals attempt to reach across age and generational boundaries? Situating age and generation as organizing principles, insights will be gleaned from the anthropological insider–outsider debate, linguistic work on age‐based differences, and emotional associations and identification across age and generational boundaries. This paper argues that the ways older and younger people relate to each other may hold the potential for connection and/or conflict between the generations. Results suggest that age and generation be considered one of the many social locations that may impact the research process and outcomes. Researchers and policy makers of all ages must begin to reflect on their involvement with age and generational boundaries.
Age Cohort, Ancestry, and Immigrant Generation Influences in Family Relations and Psychological Well‐Being among Black Caribbean Family Members
Authors: Jackson James S. , Forsythe‐Brown Ivy , Govia Ishtar O.
Published: September 2010

Immigration is contributing to the U.S. population becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. This article examines the role of family relations and well‐being among different generations of Black Caribbean immigrants. Family disruptions, such as migration, can have complex effects on the support networks and emotional well‐being of family members. Data from a recently completed national study of American Blacks in the United States, however, reveal significant similarities across ancestry and immigrant status in family contact, solidarity and well‐being. It is concluded that intrafamilial relations may serve to overcome barriers of geographical distance in providing comparable levels of contact, solidarity, and well‐being for both U.S.‐born and immigrant Black Caribbean family members of different generations. Because of the increasing numbers of immigrant elders, these sources of family support will become increasingly more important in bridging the gaps between government resources and needed assistance in an aging society.
Relationships with Grandparents and the Emotional Well‐Being of Late Adolescent and Young Adult Grandchildren
Authors: Ruiz Sarah A. , Silverstein Merril
Published: September 2010

We investigated whether and under what family conditions young adult grandchildren psychologically benefit from having close and supportive grandparent relations. Relying on parental absence and family systems perspectives, we hypothesized that grandparents will be most effective in reducing depressive symptoms and increasing self‐esteem of grandchildren who were raised in single‐parent and step‐parent families, as well as those with poorer quality relations with their parents. We analyzed data from a sample of grandchildren aged 18–23 years who were surveyed in the 1992–1994 wave of the National Survey of Families and Households (n = 925). Hierarchical multiple regressions with interaction terms found that greater cohesion with grandparents decreased depressive symptoms, particularly among grandchildren raised in single‐parent families. However, cohesive grandparent relations reduced depressive symptoms more in the presence of stronger ties to parents. The model partially supports the long reach of grandparents as compensatory resources for mature grandchildren whose families of origin were absent a parent. Implications for future research on the role of grandparents in family systems are discussed.
Marital History and Intergenerational Solidarity: The Impact of Divorce and Unmarried Cohabitation
Authors: Daatland Svein Olav
Published: September 2010

Among the more recent challenges for the family are the increasing divorce rates and the decline in marriages. This article examines the possible consequences of these trends for intergenerational family relationships. How does divorce in the parent generation, and the shift from marriage to unmarried cohabitation among adult children, affect intergenerational solidarity? These questions are explored with data from the Norwegian Life Course, Ageing and Generation Study (NorLAG, n = 5,589, age 40–79). Scandinavian countries have high divorce and cohabitation rates and may therefore be of interest as comparative cases for countries where these events are less institutionalized. The findings suggest, however, that Norway accommodates to the general norm in the sense that divorce among parents is associated with lower solidarity with adult children on most solidarity dimensions. This is more true for fathers than for mothers. There is, on the other hand, no difference in solidarity between married and cohabitating children vis à vis the parent generation. The explanations and implications of these findings are discussed.
Family Disruption and Support in Later Life: A Comparative Study Between the United Kingdom and Italy
Authors: Tomassini Cecilia , Glaser Karen , Stuchbury Rachel
Published: September 2010

Global population aging has led to considerable disquiet about future support for frail older people; however, the determinants are poorly understood. Moreover, most industrialized societies have witnessed considerable changes in family behavior (e.g., rises in divorce and declining fertility). Such trends may have adversely affected the support systems of older people; nonetheless, only recently has research begun to address this issue. Employing data from the longitudinal British Household Panel Survey (1991–2003) and the 1998 Indagine Multiscopo sulle Famiglie “Famiglia, soggetti sociali e condizione dell’infanzia,” we investigated the association between family disruptions due to divorce, separation, or death and three key dimensions of informal support: (i) frequency of contact with unrelated friends (among all respondents aged 65 years and over); (ii) co‐residence with children (among unmarried mothers aged 65 years and over); and (iii) regular or frequent help received from children (e.g., household assistance including care) among parents aged 65 years and over. In addition, we conducted a comparative investigation of the relationship between family disruptions and the use of home care services (i.e., health visitor or district nurse; home help; meals‐on‐wheels) among parents aged 65 years and over. Our findings suggest that in a culture like the U.K.'s, where relations between kin are primarily influenced by individualistic values, support in later life appears to be primarily related to need, whereas in societies with a strong familistic culture (like Italy's), support is received irrespective of the older person's individual characteristics.
Reciprocity in Parent–Child Exchange and Life Satisfaction among the Elderly: A Cross‐National Perspective
Authors: Lowenstein Ariela , Katz Ruth , Gur‐Yaish Nurit
Published: September 2010

This study explores the role of intergenerational exchange relationships in the life satisfaction of a cross‐national sample of older people. Specifically, it replicates and extends the study by Lee, Netzer, and Coward (1995), which examined the effects of aid exchanged between generations—older parents and their adult children. Social exchange and equity theories serve as the theoretical frameworks for the present research. The current research is based on data collected in the OASIS cross‐national five countries project from 1,703 respondents (75+) living in urban settings. The main results are that the capacity to be an active provider in exchange relations enhances elders' life satisfaction. Being mainly a recipient of help from adult children is related to a lower level of life satisfaction. Filial norms are negatively related to life satisfaction. The study also underscores the importance of the emotional component in intergenerational family relations to the well‐being of the older population. Intergenerational family bonds reflect a diversity of forms related to individual, familial, and social structural characteristics. The research highlights the importance of reciprocity in intergenerational relations between older parents and their adult children.
Intergenerational Relations: Themes, Prospects, and Possibilities
Authors: Costanzo Philip R. , Hoy Melanie B.
Published: September 2010

This commentary provides an examination of the articles within this issue with a focus on common themes throughout. Each article is briefly reviewed in the context of how it contributes to four overarching themes of current intergenerational research. The articles within this issue also have implications for developing policy that fosters intergenerational relationships. This commentary concludes with a discussion of the complex issues that arise in creating such policy and utilizes Allport's (1954) “contact hypothesis” as a framework to guide future policy work addressing the myriad of issues within the realm of intergenerational relationships.
Confronting Sexual Stigma and Prejudice: Theory and Practice
Authors: Herek Gregory M.
Published: September 2010

This article explores theoretical and applied questions that are relevant to social scientists' efforts to understand and confront sexual stigma. A framework is presented for conceptualizing such stigma as a cultural phenomenon with structural and individual manifestations. The latter include enacted stigma and felt stigma, as well as internalized stigma, which encompasses self‐stigma among sexual minorities and sexual prejudice among heterosexuals. Insights suggested by the model for reducing sexual prejudice are discussed. At the structural level, the framework highlights processes whereby heterosexism legitimates and perpetuates sexual stigma and the power differentials that it creates. Social and behavioral scientists, roles in working to eliminate heterosexism are discussed, and psychologists' contributions to court cases challenging state sodomy laws are described. It is argued that confronting sexual stigma will not only address an important social problem but will also enrich scientific understanding of human behavior.
Is Response to Intervention Good Policy for Specific Learning Disability?
Authors: Kavale Kenneth A. , Spaulding Lucinda S.
Published: September 2010

The reauthorized Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act ( IDEA ) established new provisions for specific learning disability (SLD) identification, including: (a) no longer requiring consideration of IQ–achievement discrepancy and (b) permitting response to intervention (RTI) as part of SLD evaluation procedures. We discuss several policy implications of these new regulations by considering the original construct of SLD, the still “experimental” status and implementation of RTI, the closer alignment of RTI objectives with No Child Left Behind than former IDEA regulations, and the shift in focus from serving as a special education identification procedure to a general education instructional procedure. We conclude by proposing several recommendations for the appropriate inclusion of both RTI and psychometric evaluation within the continuum of SLD identification procedures.
Evidence–Based Accommodation Decision Making at the Postsecondary Level: Review of the Evidence for Foreign Language Learning
Authors: Sparks Richard L.
Published: September 2010

This article reviews empirical evidence related to college students classified as learning disabled (LD) and foreign language (FL) learning by examining whether there are differences between: (a) students classified and not classified as LD enrolled in FL courses; (b) LD students with and without IQ–achievement discrepancies and FL aptitude, proficiency, and achievement; and (c) students classified as LD who pass FL courses or receive course substitutions. Findings show that there are no cognitive and achievement differences between students classified as LD and non–LD students enrolled in FL courses or between students classified as LD who pass FL courses or receive course substitutions. Findings have shown that there are no differences in FL outcomes between students classified as LD with and without discrepancies. Research findings over several years show that classification as LD is unimportant for determining whether or not a student will exhibit FL learning problems or fail FL courses.
Fiscal Decentralization and Economic Growth: Evidence from Spanish Regions
Authors: CANTARERO DAVID , GONZALEZ PATRICIO PEREZ
Published: September 2010

The degree of fiscal decentralization in Spain is similar to main federal countries and greater than unitary ones. The demand of public sector decentralization is based on a supposed efficiency gains that is far from being obvious. Using a data set for the Spanish regions, we reject the null hypothesis of a significant relationship between growth in per capita gross domestic product (GDP) and expenditure distribution among fiscal administrations. Nonetheless, we find empirical support for a relationship between revenue decentralization, far less advanced than the expenditure one, and growth. In both cases we do reject the null hypothesis of a nonlinear linkage between fiscal decentralization and growth in per capita GDP.
Examining Factors that Impact Mississippi Counties' Unreserved Fund Balance during Relative Resource Abundance and Relative Resource Scarcity
Authors: STEWART LA SHONDA M.
Published: September 2010

Although using some of the same organizational and financial factors examined by prior researchers to build and test models that explain factors influencing change in the general fund unreserved balance for smaller, rural, and less affluent counties in Mississippi, the rationale of this study is to build additional support that applying the recommended 5–15 percent savings benchmark across all jurisdictions is not a sufficient guide. Overall, Mississippi counties maintain unreserved fund balances ranging from a negative balance to over one hundred percent of their current expenditures. Counties also increase reserves during times of relative resource abundance and decrease them during relative resource scarcity. Moreover, they tend to address short‐term needs and resident demands when revenues are plentiful. During relative resource scarcity, however, they are more cost‐conscious and focus on maintaining rather than expanding current expenditures. This research shows that counties using the Beat system, a political form of government, are more likely to behave more frugally than counties using a Unit system, an administrative form of government.
Pay‐as‐You‐Go Financing and Capital Outlay Volatility: Evidence from the States over Two Recent Economic Cycles
Authors: WANG WEN , HOU YILIN
Published: September 2010

Pay‐as‐you‐go (pay‐go or cash) and pay‐as‐you‐use (pay‐use or debt) are two mechanisms to finance capital projects. While pay‐go faces multiple constraints, pay‐use smoothes outlays, stabilizes tax rates, and improves inter‐generational equity. Thus, pay‐use has dominated infrastructure financing for decades. In recent years, there has been revived academic interest in pay‐go as an alternate financing mechanism; however, there is a large gap in the literature and inadequate evidence on the effects of pay‐go, especially its effects on capital outlay volatility. This paper fills in the niche. Examining state experience over the two recent economic cycles, this paper finds evidence that suggests that pay‐go is associated with lower volatility in capital spending in the long run, but may increase short‐run variability. We recommend that states couple pay‐go in boom years with pay‐use in lean years. In unison, the two mechanisms can reduce aggregate volatility and increase long‐run stability of capital expenditures.
Examining the Logic Behind the Self‐Help, Self‐Taxing Movement: Business Improvement District Formation
Authors: BILLINGS STEPHEN B. , LELAND SUZANNE
Published: September 2010

An institution that has shown great promise in addressing the revitalization of declining central cities is Business Improvement Districts (BIDs). These private governments provide supplemental municipal services such as sanitation, security, and marketing to independent businesses in underserved commercial areas. By 1999, 44 U.S. states had legislation that enables and dictates the formation process and structure of BIDs. The surprising element of this legislation is the wide variation in approval needed to form a BID over a proposed geographical area. Some states require as little as 20 percent approval of proposed members and others as much as 75 percent approval to allow formation of a BID. This variation in state statutes likely influences the use of BIDs. Results highlight that relatively easier state enabled collective action positively impacts the creation of BIDs, the limited effects of tax expenditure limitations on the formation of BIDs and the positive impacts that new development has on the number of BIDs per state.
Does Racial Balance in Workforce Representation Yield Equal Justice? Race Relations of Sentencing in Federal Court Organizations
Authors: Ward Geoff , Farrell Amy , Rousseau Danielle
Published: September 2010

Increasing racial and ethnic group representation in justice-related occupations is considered a potential remedy to racial inequality in justice administration, including sentencing disparity. Studies to date yield little evidence of such an effect; however, research limitations may account for the mixed and limited evidence of the significance of justice workforce racial diversity. Specifically, few studies consider group-level dynamics of race and representation, thus failing to contextualize racial group power relations in justice administration. To consider these contextual dynamics we combine court organizational and case-level data from 89 federal districts and use hierarchical models to assess whether variably “representative” work groups relate to district-level differences in sentencing. Using district-specific indexes of population and work group dissimilarity to define representation, we find no relationships between black judge representation and sentencing in general across districts, but that districts with more black representation among prosecutors are significantly less likely to sentence defendants to terms of imprisonment. We also find in districts with increased black representation among prosecutors, and to a lesser degree among judges, that black defendants are less likely to be imprisoned and white defendants are more likely to be imprisoned, with the effect of narrowing black-white disparities in sentencing. Consistent with the “power-threat” perspective, and perhaps “implicit racial bias” research, findings encourage modeling diversity to account for relative racial group power in processes of social control and suggest that racial justice may be moderately advanced by equal representation among authorities.
Status Disparities in the Capital of Capital Punishment
Authors: Phillips Scott
Published: September 2010

Numerous studies have examined the influence of victim race on capital punishment, with a smaller number focused on victim gender. But death penalty scholars have largely ignored victim social status. Drawing on Black's (1976) multidimensional theoretical concept, the current research examines the impact of victim social status on the district attorney's decision to seek the death penalty and the jury's decision to impose a death sentence. The data include the population of cases indicted for capital murder in Harris County (Houston), Texas, from 1992 to 1999 (n=504). The findings suggest that victim social status has a robust influence on the ultimate state sanction: Death was more likely to be sought and imposed on behalf of high-status victims who were integrated, sophisticated, conventional, and respectable. The research also has implications beyond capital punishment. Because victim social status has rarely been investigated in the broader sentencing literature, Black's concept provides a theoretical tool that could be used to address such an important omission.
Expertise, Experience, and Ideology on Specialized Courts: The Case of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Authors: Miller Banks , Curry Brett
Published: September 2010

What roles do prior expertise and accumulated experience play in shaping ideologically consistent voting on a specialized court? Using a dataset of obviousness patent cases from the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit spanning 1997–2007, we show that prior expertise enhances the influence of ideology on judicial decisionmaking, but that accumulated experience does not. In addition, we build on previous work and show that ideology is a factor in decisionmaking in technical areas of law, contrary to the received wisdom on patent cases.
Organizational Trust and the Limits of Management-Based Regulation
Authors: Gunningham Neil , Sinclair Darren
Published: September 2010

This article examines the relationship between management-based regulation and occupational health and safety through two case studies. The first describes how corporate occupational health and safety systems and standards were interpreted and implemented differently at different mine sites within the same company and examines the particular role of trust between workers and management in explaining variations in occupational health and safety performance. The second explores the difficulties of moving from a highly devolved system of responsibility to a more centralized approach, and the incapacity of externally mandated management-based regulation to change behavior at site level in the absence of a supportive workplace culture. The article argues that notwithstanding the heavy emphasis currently being placed on both internal (company-driven) and external (government-driven) management-based regulation, a commitment at corporate level does not necessarily percolate down to individual facilities where ritualistic responses or resistant subcultures may thwart effective change. The findings have important implications for the effectiveness of management-based regulation and meta-regulation more broadly.
A Tale of Two Border Cities: Community Context, Ethnicity, and Homicide*
Authors: Martinez Ramiro , Stowell Jacob I. , Cancino Jeffrey M.
Published: September 2010

Objective. Using Poisson‐based negative binomial regression, we estimate the effect of neighborhood factors on homicides in two cities (San Antonio, Texas and San Diego, California) that have large Mexican‐origin populations.

Methods. Three independent data sources (official homicide police reports, medical examiner records, and the U.S. Census) are used to construct the dependent homicide, and independent neighborhood, variables. Census tracts represent the unit of analysis, which serve as a proxy for neighborhoods. Given the spatial nature of the data, spatial estimation procedures were also modeled.

Results. Spatial proximity to violence, neighborhood disadvantage, and affluence (in San Antonio) consistently buffered homicide across neighborhoods, even in heavily populated Latino neighborhoods.

Conclusions. Spatial embeddedness and neighborhood characteristics are important for improving our understanding about ethnic neighborhood variations in levels of violence. Comparative approaches across places, namely, Latino‐dominated cities, can yield considerable insight into how the local context intersects race/ethnicity and violent crime.
The Association of Suicide Rates with Individual‐Level Suicide Attitudes: A Cross‐National Analysis*
Authors: Stack Steven , Kposowa Augustine J.
Published: September 2010

Objective.Research on the predictors of individual‐level attitudes toward suicide has neglected the possible role of contextual‐level predictors. The present study addresses this gap in the literature by assessing the association between suicide rates and the attitudes of individuals. Based on social learning theory, it is argued that persons socialized in nations with relatively high rates of suicide are more likely to be exposed to suicidal role models, which provide positive definitions of suicide.

Methods.Data refer to 40,873 adults in 31 nations, and are taken from the World Health Organization and World Values Surveys. Given the bi‐level nature of the data, hierarchical linear modeling techniques (HLM) are utilized. Additional predictor variables are incorporated from previous research and include religious participation and political orientation from social learning theory, marital status and life satisfaction from control theory, and basic demographics such as age and gender.

Results.The results of the HLM indicate that controlling for individual‐level predictors, as well as other Level 2 variables, persons residing in nations with relatively high suicide rates are more approving of suicide than their counterparts. The model was replicated for the prediction of support for euthanasia. A social learning perspective was further supported by results linking 1970 suicide rates with suicide acceptability among older adults in 1990.

Conclusion.National suicide rates are predictive of individual‐level suicide acceptability. However, the main predictors of suicide acceptability included a measure from social learning theory, religiosity, and a neglected measure of control theory, life satisfaction.
Gerrymandering on Georgia's Mind: The Effects of Redistricting on Vote Choice in the 2006 Midterm Election*
Authors: Hood M. V. , McKee Seth C.
Published: September 2010

Objective. We make use of individual‐level survey data from the 2006 midterm election in order to determine the degree to which redistricting affected the vote choice of whites residing in Georgia Congressional Districts 8 and 12.

Methods. A multivariate probit model was used to assess the probability of voting for the GOP House candidate among voters represented by the same incumbent before and after redistricting versus voters who had been newly drawn into one of these districts.

Results. Despite a national tide that favored the Democratic Party in the 2006 elections, redrawn whites were more likely to vote for the Republican challengers in the districts surveyed.

Conclusions. Our findings indicate that redistricting can be used to dampen the incumbency advantage. In addition, the findings of this research also speak to the continuing Republican realignment of white voters in the Deep South and to the recognition that the effects of redistricting are dependent on political context.
Welfare Reform and Asset Accumulation: Asset Limit Changes, Financial Assets, and Vehicle Ownership*
Authors: Nam Yunju
Published: September 2010

Objective. Over the past decade, federal and state governments have substantially liberalized asset limits in welfare. This article examines whether this policy change promotes asset accumulation among the target population of actual and potential welfare recipients.

Methods. Utilizing household data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics as well as state data, this study employs a difference‐in‐difference approach in order to determine whether state asset limits affect the target population's financial and vehicle asset accumulation. This study develops a new policy measure that considers the time period following the adoption of liberalized asset limits.

Results. Analysis results suggest that increased asset limits may have successfully encouraged the target population's asset accumulation. The earlier a state raised its asset limit, the more likely welfare recipients were to accumulate financial assets and to possess bank accounts.

Conclusion. It is recommended to liberalize asset eligibility rules to promote long‐term economic advancement of poor households.
Racial Differences in Public Confidence in Education: 1974–2002*
Authors: Klugman Joshua , Xu Jun
Published: September 2010

Objective.This article examines the black‐white gap in confidence in education in the United States and how the gap has changed over time.

Method.The study uses ordinal logit regression on General Social Surveys (1974–2002).

Results.Whites have less confidence in education, partly because whites tend to have higher levels of education, income, and conservatism, and are more likely to be affiliated with the Republican Party and evangelical denominations. The black‐white gap is largest at lower levels of education, and disappears among college graduates. The gap shrinks during Republican control of the presidency in the United States, and widens during Democratic control.

Conclusion.The black‐white gap in confidence is not due solely to individual factors, but also to the larger political context and to the groups' different relationships to the institution of education.
Starting Behind: A Comparative Analysis of the Academic Standing of Students Entering Charter Schools*
Authors: Garcia David R. , McIlroy Lee , Barber Rebecca T.
Published: September 2010

Objectives. The purpose of this study is to assess if students enter charter schools at an academic disadvantage compared to students who make other types of school‐choice decisions, such as transferring between district schools, from a charter to a district school, or staying in the same school. We assess the demographic and academic characteristics of students prior to choosing to attend a charter school in comparison to students who made other types of school‐choice decisions and broaden the operational definition of a “disadvantaged” student when exploring differences between charter and district students to include academic achievement prior to entering a school.

Methods. The analysis is conducted with student‐level panel data and a progressive series of ANCOVA models that were estimated using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. This methodology allows for a comparison of the mean differences in academic achievement among students who made different types of school‐choice decisions while controlling for student‐level covariates.

Results. Students who transferred from district to charter schools had the lowest levels of prior academic achievement compared to students who made other types of choice decisions.

Conclusions. When Arizona charter authorizers face the deluge of renewal decisions that are approaching, the quality of education available to the next generation of charter school students is at stake. Renewal decisions will impact what choices are available going forward and, given the comparative academic disadvantage of charter school students prior to entering, those decisions should take into consideration the starting point for students entering charter schools.
Testing Alternative Theories of Bureaucratic Corruption in Less Developed Countries*
Authors: Halim Nafisa
Published: September 2010

Objective. Recent studies offer myriad explanations for why bureaucratic corruption is more pervasive in certain countries than others. However, relatively little empirical work has been done comparing competing explanations of bureaucratic corruption. In this article, I test informal, formal, and cultural control explanations against one another in an effort to understand cross‐national variation in bureaucratic corruption.

Methods. Using cross‐sectional and longitudinal data, this article tests the hypotheses with ordinary least squares (OLS), tobit, ordered probit, and fixed‐ and random‐effects models.

Results. Democracy, strong judiciaries, and parliamentary democracy in particular reduce the prevalence of bureaucratic corruption.

Conclusions. This study proposes that electoral accountability and judicial efficacy produce “good” politicians, and “good” politicians monitor bureaucrats well enough to reduce bureaucratic corruption. Future research should attempt to create a direct measure of the quality of politicians variable.
The Policy Consequences of Political Corruption: Evidence from State Environmental Programs*
Authors: Woods Neal D.
Published: September 2010

Objective. This study assesses the effect of political corruption on state environmental policy.

Method. OLS regression analyses are used to determine if political corruption affects the strength of state environmental programs.

Results. The results suggest that political corruption serves to systematically weaken state environmental programs. The effect of corruption is similar in magnitude to conventional explanations of environmental program strength, such as public environmentalism and state wealth. Its impact is particularly pronounced in states with strong organized manufacturing interests.

Conclusion. Political corruption may systematically bias the substance of public policy.
INTEGRATING STUDENTS, FACULTY AND INDUSTRY EXECUTIVES
Authors: Gustavson Sandra G. , Trieschmann James S.
Published: September 2010

Abstract: The authors describe a program which has been devised for students at the University of Georgia. The program allows students and faculty to interact with industry leaders. As the authors point out, the same type of program could be implemented at other universities. This article describes the project for which the authors received the 1996 Les Strickler Innovation in Instruction Award, given at the 1996 annual meeting of the American Risk and Insurance Association.
In Vitro Cultivation and Electron Microscopy Characterization of Trachipleistophora anthropophthera Isolated From the Cornea of an AIDS Patient
Authors: JUAREZ SANDRA I. , PUTAPORNTIP CHATURONG , JONGWUTIWES SOMCHAI , ICHINOSE AKITOYO , YANAGI TETSUO , KANBARA HIROJI
Published: September 2010

Abstract. We describe an in vitro culture technique for a microsporidian isolated from the corneal biopsy of an HIV‐infected patient. The corneal biopsy was inoculated into a monolayer culture of fibroblasts derived from newborn mouse brain and incubated at 37°C in an atmosphere of 5% CO2. Minimum essential medium supplemented with 2% fetal bovine serum appeared to be an optimum medium for growth and maintenance of the parasite and for production of large numbers of spores. This microsporidian was identified as Trachipleistophora anthropophthera based on ultrastructural features. It forms two types of sporophorous vesicles and two types of spores simultaneously: polysporous vesicle type I with eight or more oval spores, 3.7–4.0 μm by 2.0–2.3 μm, and bisporous vesicle type II with two round spores, 1.7–2.2 μm by 1.6–2.0 μm in size.
Spatial and Temporal Patterns in the Occurrence of Peritrich Ciliates as Epibionts on Calanoid Copepods in the Chesapeake Bay, USA
Authors: UTZ LAURA R. P. , COATS D. WAYNE
Published: September 2010

Abstract. We investigated temporal and spatial patterns of distribution in two peritrich ciliates (i.e. Zoothamnium intermedium and Epistylis sp.) living as epibionts on calanoid copepods (i.e. Acartia tonsa and Eurytemora affinis) in Chesapeake Bay. Net tow samples collected along the main axis of the Bay were analyzed to estimate the occurrence of epibionts on copepods and to explore relationships among infestation prevalence, host abundance, and environmental variables. Zoothamnium intermedium and Epistylis sp. colonized populations of A. tonsa during spring and summer months, while only Z. intermedium colonized E. affinis during spring. Occurrence of epibionts on copepods showed high interannual variation, marked seasonality, and geographic heterogeneity. Extensive statistical analyses rejected simple scenarios of interactions between epibiosis, environmental variables, and host density, suggesting a more complex dynamics for the system. Analyses of epibiont colonies and zooids per host area (i.e. the sum of width and length of the body including antennae and swimming legs calculated assuming a cylindrical shape) were also performed. Overall, epibiont infestation prevalence (i.e. colonies/host area) and load (i.e. zooids/host area) were higher on copepodites than on adults for both host species, suggesting a preferential attachment to juveniles, or a higher predation pressure on adult stages. Infestation density and loads of both epibiont species were higher on the cephalothorax and abdomen of A. tonsa and E. affinis in comparison to the antennae and swimming legs, suggesting that ciliates can more easily colonize less active parts of the host.
Infection with Leishmania infantum Inhibits Actinomycin D‐Induced Apoptosis of Human Monocytic Cell Line U‐937
Authors: LISI SABRINA , SISTO MARGHERITA , ACQUAFREDDA ANGELA , SPINELLI ROSA , SCHIAVONE MARIA ANGELA , MITOLO VINCENZO , BRANDONISIO OLGA , PANARO MARIA ANTONIETTA
Published: September 2010

Abstract. Modulation of host cell apoptosis has been observed in many bacterial, protozoal, and viral infections. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of viscerotropic Leishmania (L.) infantum infection on actinomycin D‐induced apoptosis of the human monocytic cell line U‐937. Cells were infected with L. infantum promastigotes or treated with the surface molecule lipophosphoglycan (LPG) or with parasite‐free supernatant of Leishmania culture medium and submitted to action of actinomycin D as the apoptosis‐inducing agent. Actinomycin D‐induced apoptosis in U‐937 cells was inhibited in the presence of both viable L. infantum promastigotes and soluble factors contained in Leishmania culture medium or purified LPG. Leishmania infantum affected the survival of U‐937 cells via a mechanism involving inhibition of caspase‐3 activation. Furthermore, protein kinase C δ (PKC δ) cleavage was increased in actinomycin D‐treated U‐937 cells and was inhibited by the addition of LPG. Thus, inhibition of the PKC‐mediated pathways by LPG can be implicated in the enhanced survival of the parasites.

These results support the claim that promastigotes of L. infantum, as well as its surface molecule, LPG, which is in part released in the culture medium, inhibit macrophage apoptosis, thus allowing intracellular parasite survival and replication.
The Effects of Ponazuril on Development of Apicomplexans In Vitro
Authors: MITCHELL SHEILA M. , ZAJAC ANNE M. , DAVIS WENDELL L. , KENNEDY THOMAS J. , LINDSAY DAVID S.
Published: September 2010

Abstract.We examined the effects of 5 μg/ml ponazuril treatment on developing tachyzoites ofNeospora caninumand merozoites ofSarcocystis neuronato better determine the mode of action of this anticoccidial drug. Both parasites develop asexually by endogenesis.Neospora caninumwas selected for study because it develops by endodyogeny, which results in two tachyzoites being produced internally, andS. neuronawas selected because it develops by endopolygeny which results in many merozoites being produced internally. Ponazuril inhibited development ofN. caninumafter approximately 48 h post‐exposure. Treated tachyzoites ofN. caninumdeveloped vacuoles and underwent degeneration. Ponazuril also inhibited development of merozoites ofS. neurona. Treated merozoites and maturing schizonts ofS. neuronadeveloped vacuoles and underwent degeneration. The ability ofS. neuronaschizonts to undergo cytokinesis was inhibited. Our results are discussed in relation to previous ultrastructural research on endogenesis of tachyzoites ofToxoplasma gondiiundergoing endodyogeny which indicated that ponazuril induced multinucleate stage formation and inhibited cytokinesis. Ponazuril is believed to act on the apicoplast and our study demonstrates that this agent may express its inhibitory effects in different phenotypic manners on different apicomplexan parasites. The enzyme/enzyme systems that are the inhibitory target of ponazuril may be different in these apicomplexans, or the results of inhibition may affect different pathways downstream of its initial site of action in these parasites.
Leishmania donovani Amastigotes Mobilize Organic and Inorganic Osmolytes During Regulatory Volume Decrease
Authors: LEFURGEY ANN , GANNON MELISSA , BLUM JOSEPH , INGRAM PETER
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani encounters large fluctuations in osmolality as it cycles between its insect vector and human host. The flagellated promastigote exhibits regulatory volume responses involving organic and inorganic osmolytes, but little is known about volume regulation in the clinically relevant amastigote that multiplies within the parasitophorous vacuoles of mammalian host cells. Using a combination of morphological, X‐ray microanalytical, and biochemical approaches we determined that non‐motile amastigotes respond to hypotonic stress with (1) an amino acid and l‐alanine‐mediated regulatory volume decrease, and (2) a parallel release of Na+, K+, P (presumably as negatively charged phosphates), and subsequently Cl− from cytoplasm and the cell as a whole. In addition P, Zn2+, and subsequently Ca2+ increase in acidocalcisomes as Cl− content declines in this compartment. This evidence is the first to document subcellular translocation of, and thus a potential role for, zinc in volume regulatory responses. These coordinated changes in organic and inorganic osmolytes demonstrate that amastigote subcellular compartments, particularly acidocalcisomes, function in maintaining ionic homeostasis in the response of Leishmania amastigotes to hypo‐osmotic stress.
Identification and Characterization of Potentially Algal‐lytic Marine Bacteria Strongly Associated with the Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella
Authors: AMARO ANA M. , FUENTES MARÍA S. , OGALDE SANDRA R. , VENEGAS JUAN A. , SUÁREZ‐ISLA BENJAMÍN A.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella isolated from fjords in Southern Chile produces several analogues of saxitoxin and has been associated with outbreaks of paralytic shellfish poisoning. Three bacterial strains, which remained in close association with this dinoflagellate in culture, were isolated by inoculating the dinoflagellate onto marine agar. The phenotypically different cultivable bacterial colonies were purified. Their genetic identification was done by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 16S rRNA genes. Partial sequence analysis suggested that the most probable affiliations were to two bacterial phyla: Proteobacteria and the Cytophaga group. The molecular identification was complemented by morphological data and biochemical profiling. The three bacterial species, when grown separately from phytoplankton cells in high‐nutrient media, released algal‐lytic compounds together with aminopeptidase, lipase, glucosaminidase, and alkaline phosphatase. When the same bacteria, free of organic nutrients, were added back to the algal culture they displayed no detrimental effects on the dinoflagellate cells and recovered their symbiotic characteristics. This observation is consistent with phylogenetic analysis that reveals that these bacteria correspond to species distinct from other bacterial strains previously classified as algicidal bacteria. Thus, bacterial‐derived lytic activities are expressed only in the presence of high‐nutrient culture media and it is likely that in situ environmental conditions may modulate their expression.
Higher‐Order Phylogeny of Plasmodial Slime Molds (Myxogastria) Based on Elongation Factor 1‐A and Small Subunit rRNA Gene Sequences
Authors: FIORE‐DONNO ANNE‐MARIE , BERNEY CÉDRIC , PAWLOWSKI JAN , BALDAUF SANDRA L.
Published: September 2010

Abstract. The Myxogastria are common soil microorganisms with a life cycle comprised of a plasmodial trophic stage and large fruiting bodies generally visible with the unaided eye. Until now, their classification has been based exclusively on a combination of morphological, ultrastructural, and developmental characters. Our study is the first attempt to examine phylogenetic relationships among these taxa using molecular data. Partial small‐subunit ribosomal RNA and/or elongation factor 1‐alpha gene sequences were obtained from eleven, mostly field‐collected species representing the five orders of Myxogastria. Nineteen sequences were obtained and subjected to phylogenetic analysis together with 10 sequences available from GenBank. Separate and combined analyses of the two data sets support the division of Myxogastria into three distinct groups. The most basal clade consists of the Echinosteliales, an order considered to have affinities with Protostelia. The three species examined possess unpigmented or slightly pigmented spores. The second group consists of Liceales and Trichiales, taxa characterized by the presence of clear, but pigmented, spores. The third group consists of the two remaining orders, Physarales and Stemonitales, both possessing dark spores. This suggests that spore pigmentation is an evolutionarily conservative character in myxogastrians, and that the simple morphology of echinostelids is not a derived feature.
Isolation, Partial Purification, and Immunogenicity of Flagella fromTritrichomonas foetus
Authors: JEMILOHUN PHILIP F. , GARNETT TIFFANY , BURGESS DONALD E.
Published: September 2010

Abstract.Tritrichomonas foetus, the agent of bovine trichomoniasis, is a flagellate protozoan responsible for substantial economic losses to the dairy and calf industries worldwide. As yet, there is no approved treatment nor is there a sensitive diagnostic method. All these problems suggest that immunization is the best control strategy. In view of this, we isolated and partially purified flagella of the parasite by vortex homogenization followed by low‐speed differential centrifugation. The resulting enriched flagellar preparation termed “crude flagellar prep” was purified further by sucrose and percoll gradients. Microscopic analysis showed that the flagellar membrane was intact. Analysis by sodium dodecyl‐sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed three prominent protein bands of 42, 49, and >250 kDa, and several minor bands. Immunoblotting of flagellar and whole‐cell extracts revealed many flagellar antigens.