Explaining Male Sex Offender Recidivism: Accounting for Differences in Correctional Supervision.

PURPOSE: Contrary to public opinion, empirical studies have consistently shown that persons convicted of a sexual offense (PCSO) are less likely to recidivate with a general offense. While researchers often point toward the surreptitiousness of sexual offending to explain low rates of recidivism, this paper tests a novel explanation: SOs recidivate at lower rates than persons convicted of a non-sexual offense (PCNSO) because they are more often revoked to prison before they are able to commit a new crime, perhaps owing to more restrictive post-release supervision guidelines. METHODS: Using a sample of 196,468 unique male releases, the difference in general and sexual recidivism between PCSO (n = 29,420) and PCNSO was assessed through survival analyses (Cox regression models). RESULTS: Results demonstrated that PCSO were significantly less likely to be reconvicted for a general crime, but more likely for a sex offense. They were also more likely to be reincarcerated due to a revocation without a new sentence. Accounting for revocations, the difference in reconviction risk lessens between the groups but does not disappear. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis provides evidence that differences in community supervision are contributing to the difference in recidivism rates between PCSO and PCNSO. Implications and future research are discussed.

Polymorphisms of human estrogen receptor (ER) gene alpha and beta in prostate cancer PC-EW and PC-OR cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men in Western countries. Genetic alterations of the estrogen receptor gene are known to be indicative of a higher risk of this disease. The estrogen receptor gene is found as two subtypes, alpha and beta. In this study the estrogen receptor alpha and beta genes were tested in 2 human prostate cancer cell lines: the hormone-sensitive PC-EW and the hormone-independent PC-OR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNA was isolated from 2 cell lines from metastatic prostate adenocarcinoma in hetero-transplanted male athymic nude (nu/nu) Balb/c mice. Mutation screening was performed by sequencing of exons 1-8 and intron 1 of the human estrogen receptor gene alpha, and exons 1-9 of estrogen receptor gene beta. RESULTS: No point mutations were detected in the ER gene subtypes of either cell line. Polymorphisms were found of ER-alpha in exon 1, intron 1, exon 3, 4, 5, intron 6 and exon 8 and of ER-beta in intron 2 and exon 9. CONCLUSION: Point mutations of ER-alpha and -beta are not necessary for metastatic prostate cancer, alterations in different areas of the ER genes are more often found. These polymorphisms are a part of many genetic influences that accumulate to contribute to men's overall risk for developing prostate cancer.

Research award winner: neurodevelopmental assessment of at-risk learners by school nurses and their tools of choice.

Deficits and delays in neurological maturation and development are closely related to academic difficulties. Early assessment and identification of children with such problems promote remediation and the prevention of secondary problems. The purpose of this study was to determine whether school nurses in a region of one Western state perform screenings for neurological deficits, and if so, which tools were used, how results were or could be used, and the school nurses' opinions of the Quick Neurological Screening Test (QNST). A descriptive study design was used and data were gathered using a questionnaire. It was found that school nurses do not routinely perform neurological screening on children at risk for learning disabilities. Reasons for non-use of neurological screening tools were: time constraints, role ambiguity regarding the appropriateness of neurological screening by nurses, and lack of knowledge of neurodevelopmental screening. Recommendations for addressing these issues and opportunities for further research are proposed.

Biological activity of gibberellin analogues.

In order to determine the significance of the C-6 carboxyl group for the biological activity gibberellin A3, 6-epigibberellin A3, 7-norgibberellin A3, 6ß-methyl-7-norgibberellin A3, and 7-homogibberellin A3 were studied using dwarf pea, dwarf maize, dwarf rice, dwarf barley and α-amylase bioassays. All gibberellin A3(GA3)derivatives tested were considerably less active than GA3. In all biossays, 6-epi-GA3 showed a low activity of the same order, whereas 6ß-methyl-7-nor-GA3 was inactive. Surprisingly, 7-nor-GA3 had some activity in the dwarf rice (root application), dwarf barley, and α-amylase bioassay, in contrary to its low potency in the dwarf pea, dwarf maize, and dwarf rice (micro drop) bioassay. 7-Homo-GA3 was primarily active in the dwarf maize, dwarf barley and dwarf rice bioassay. It also caused antigibberellin effects in dwarf rice. The results demonstrate that the C-6 carboxyl group is not absolutely essential for biological activity of gibberellins. The different activities of 7-nor-GA3 observed in the various test systems may indicate that the C-6 carboxyl group is a structural requirement more for uptake and/or transport processes than for receptor affinity.