Malcomnson, K. M., Christopher, A. N., Franzen, T., & Keyes, B. J. (2006). The Protestant Work Ethic, Religious Beliefs, and Homonegative Attitudes. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 9(5), 435-447.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of the Protestant Work Ethic (PWE) on negative attitudes towards gay men and lesbian women (homonegativity). The influence of religious beliefs and the notion of homosexuality as a choice were also examined in combination with PWE in regards to homonegativity. Previous research suggested that those who subscribe to the PWE have more negative attitudes towards societal out-groups (e.g., African-Americans). Thus, it was hypothesized that those with high PWE scores would display more homonegative attitudes. A significant correlation between PWE and homonegativity supported this hypothesis. Multiple regression analyses revealed that PWE interacted with religious beliefs, and religious beliefs interacted marginally with the idea of homosexuality as a choice. Those with high religious beliefs and who strongly believed that homosexuality was a choice were more likely to have negative attitudes towards homosexuals. The implications of these findings are discussed, with particular respect to reducing homonegative attitudes.
Guenin-Lelle, D., & Harris, A. (2009). The Role of Music Festivals in the Cultural Renaissance of Southwest Louisiana in the Late Twentieth Century. Louisiana History, 50(4), 461-472.
Togunde, D., & Rinkinen, J. (2009). Agents of Change: Gender Differences in Migration Intentions among University Undergraduates in Nigeria. International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, 4(2), 175-190.
Abstract: This paper draws on surveys/interviews with 678 Nigerian university undergraduates to examine migration intentions and to detect if gender differences exist in reasons to migrate (or not) to the United States. This study is unique by focusing on future migration among university students, whose views and migration plans have been neglected in previous studies. As a departure from few previous scholarships in Africa, the paper introduces two new variables: perception of America as a land of socio-economic opportunities and whether respondents actively participate in the U.S. Visa Lottery Program. Findings indicate that a higher proportion of males than females cites better employment opportunities as reason for planning to move. However, more females than males mention security and better infrastructures available in America as motives for wanting to emigrate within the next five years. A higher proportion of women than men mention social and cultural ties with homeland and perception of racism in America as factors discouraging them from wanting to live in the United States; whereas, more men than women wanting to stay in Nigeria refer to patriotism/love of homeland as reasons. Perception of America as a land of opportunities and active participation in the U.S. Visa Lottery Program are among significant predictors of intentions to migrate. Findings have implications for policies aimed at improving quality of life in Nigeria, thereby, reducing emigration of “future leaders of tomorrow”.
Christopher, A. N., Saliba, L., & Deadmarsh, E. J. (2009). Materialism and Well-Being: The Mediating Effect of Locus of Control. Personality and Individual Differences, 46(7), 682-686.
Abstract: Previous research has established an inverse relationship between materialism and psychological wellbeing. To test the hypothesis that the link between materialism and well-being is due in part to an individual’s feelings of personal control, a sample of 440 adult Americans completed a widely-used materialism scale, the Levenson (1981) locus of control scales, and measure of positive and negative affect. Mediational analyses indicated that the significant relationship between materialism and negative affect was reduced significantly when powerful others and chance loci of control were each statistically controlled. Results are discussed with respect to the self-defeating cycle of using material possessions to boost affective well-being and in relation to other research that has explored reasons why materialism is related to lower level of psychological well-being. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Perkins, E., Stephens, J., Xiang, H., & Lo, W. (2009). The Cost of Pediatric Stroke Acute Care in the United States. Stroke, 40(8), 2820-2827.
Abstract: Background and Purpose–The cost of pediatric stroke care has received little attention, but the available data suggest it is expensive. To determine the cost of acute stroke, we analyzed a US national database.Method–We used the Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID2003) to determine the hospital-based costs of acute stroke in children ages 3 months to 20 years. Discharges were selected if the first diagnostic position contained an International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision code pertaining to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. We examined the relationship between cost and stroke type by adjusting for variables that predict the cost of adult stroke.Results–There were 2224 pediatric cases, after statistical weighting, discharged with a diagnosis of hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke in KID2003. The estimated cost of acute pediatric stroke in the United States was $42 million in 2003. For the entire cohort, the mean cost of acute hospital care was $20 927 per discharge. The mean cost for ischemic stroke was $15 003, for intracerebral hemorrhage $24 117, and for subarachnoid hemorrhage $31 653. Stroke diagnosis, length of stay, hospital ownership, rural/urban teaching status, US geographical region, and discharge disposition were significantly associated with cost. Cost remained significantly associated with stroke diagnosis after adjusting for other predictors in the final multivariable regression model.Conclusions–Pediatric stroke is expensive, and the lifetime cost of care is likely greater for a child than an adult. The cost to the family and the larger society underscore the importance of pediatric stroke treatment and prevention.
Yoo, G. H., Subramanian, G., Ezzat, W. H., Stevens, T., Tulunay, O. E., Tran, V. R., et al. (2009). Intratumoral Delivery of Docetaxel Enhances Antitumor Activity of Ad-P53 in Murine Head and Neck Cancer Xenograft Model. American Journal of Otolaryngology.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the ability of intratumorally delivered docetaxel to enhance the antitumor activity of adenovirus-mediated delivery of p53 (Ad-p53) in murine head and neck cancer xenograft model. A xenograft head and neck squamous cell carcinoma mouse model was used. Mice were randomized into 4 groups of 6 mice receiving 6 weeks of biweekly intratumoral injection of (a) diluent, (b) Ad-p53 (1 × 1010 viral particles per injection), (c) docetaxel (1 mg/kg per injection), and (d) combination of Ad-p53 (1 × 1010 viral particles per injection) and docetaxel (1 mg/kg per injection). Tumor size, weight, toxicity, and overall and disease-free survival rates were determined. Intratumoral treatments with either docetaxel alone or Ad-p53 alone resulted in statistically significant antitumor activity and improved survival compared with control group. Furthermore, combined delivery of Ad-p53 and docetaxel resulted in a statistically significant reduction in tumor weight when compared to treatment with either Ad-p53 or docetaxel alone. Intratumoral delivery of docetaxel enhanced the antitumor effect of Ad-p53 in murine head and neck cancer xenograft model. The result of this preclinical in vivo study is promising and supports further clinical testing to evaluate efficacy of combined intratumoral docetaxel and Ad-p53 in treatment of head and neck cancer.
Togunde, D., & Richardson, S. (2008). Children’s Educational and Occupational Aspirations in Urban Nigeria: Implications for Policy Development. Research Journal of International Studies(7), 19-31.
Abstract: This paper uses data from interviews with 1535 children and their parents in urban Nigeria to examine children’s educational and occupational aspirations, and parents’ aspirations for their children. The findings indicate that an overwhelming majority of children plan to attain post secondary college/university qualifications and engage in professional occupations such as doctors, teachers, lawyers etc. Parents’ aspirations for children are similar to children’s goals. There is no difference between male and female children regarding educational desires or career aspirations. Also, there is no significant variation in parents’ aspirations for males and female children. Furthermore, the results demonstrate that several factors including parental socio-economic variables such as education, occupation, and income strongly determine children’s educational and occupational aspirations. These findings have implications for policies aimed at strengthening human capital formation and development in Nigeria.
Simanton, W., Clark, S., Clemons, A., Jacowski, C., Farrell-VanZomeren, A., Beach, P., et al. (2009). Conservation of Arthropod Midline Netrin Accumulation Revealed with a Cross-Reactive Antibody Provides Evidence for Midline Cell Homology. Evolution & Development, 11(3), 260-268.
Abstract: Although many similarities in arthropod CNS development exist, differences in axonogenesis and the formation of midline cells, which regulate axon growth, have been observed. For example, axon growth patterns in the ventral nerve cord of Artemia franciscana differ from that of Drosophila melanogaster. Despite such differences, conserved molecular marker expression at the midline of several arthropod species indicates that midline cells may be homologous in distantly related arthropods. However, data from additional species are needed to test this hypothesis. In this investigation, nerve cord formation and the putative homology of midline cells were examined in distantly related arthropods, including: long- and short-germ insects (D. melanogaster, Aedes aeygypti, and Tribolium castaneum), branchiopod crustaceans (A. franciscana and Triops longicauditus), and malacostracan crustaceans (Porcellio laevis and Parhyale hawaiensis). These comparative analyses were aided by a cross-reactive antibody generated against the Netrin (Net) protein, a midline cell marker and regulator of axonogenesis. The mechanism of nerve cord formation observed in Artemia is found in Triops, another branchiopod, but is not found in the other arthropods examined. Despite divergent mechanisms of midline cell formation and nerve cord development, Net accumulation is detected in a well-conserved subset of midline cells in branchiopod crustaceans, malacostracan crustaceans, and insects. Notably, the Net accumulation pattern is also conserved at the midline of the amphipod P. hawaiensis, which undergoes split germ-band development. Conserved Net accumulation patterns indicate that arthropod midline cells are homologous, and that Nets function to regulate commissure formation during CNS development of Tetraconata.
Yoo, G. H., Subramanian, G., Stevens, T., Piechocki, M. P., Ensley, J. F., Kucuk, O., et al. (2008). Effect of Docetaxel on the Surgical Tumor Microenvironment of Head and Neck Cancer in Murine Models. Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, 134(7), 735-742.
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: To identify the antitumor activity and wound-healing effect of docetaxel delivered in the surgical tumor microenvironment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). DESIGN: Control and experimental series. SETTING: Academic medical center. SUBJECTS: BALB/c and severe combined immunodeficiency mice. INTERVENTION: Intrawound (IW) docetaxel therapy was tested in 3 HNSCC xenograft and 2 taxane-resistant models. Intratumoral (IT) docetaxel therapy was further tested in the 2 taxane-resistant models. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Tumor size, survival, and wound toxic effects were measured. The effect of docetaxel on various factors involved in wound healing and tumor growth within the surgical tumor microenvironment was also analyzed. RESULTS: In a pilot study using BALB/c mice, IW docetaxel therapy was not associated with problems in wound healing. Using the HN6, HN12, and HN30 HNSCC xenograft model, IW docetaxel prevented tumor growth and improved survival when compared with controls. No local or systemic toxic effect or wound-healing problem was noted. Using taxane-resistant xenograft lung cancer (H460/T800) and syngeneic salivary cancer (BALB/c mucoepidermoid carcinoma) models, IW therapy did not delay tumor growth. An antitumor effect was detected with repeated docetaxel injections in the H460/T800 taxane-resistant model but not in the BALB/c mucoepidermoid carcinoma model. Docetaxel inhibited the expression of growth factors and receptors in tumor cells; however, it did not inhibit the level of wound-healing growth factors in the surgical tumor microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS: These preclinical results support further testing of IW docetaxel treatment in HNSCC. Docetaxel appears to exert antitumor activity without affecting factors involved in wound healing in the tumor microenvironment.
Togunde, D., & Carter, A. (2008). In Their Own Words: Consequences of Child Labor in Urban Nigeria. Journal of Social Sciences, 16(2), 173-181.
Abstract: This paper utilizes a 2002 datasets gathered through interviews with 1,535 children (aged 8-14 years) and their parents in urban Nigeria to examine the dangers and hazards reported by children who work in the urban economy. Findings indicate that slightly over half of interviewed child laborers are female; they begin work as early as age 7; and work for an average of 4 hours a day in order to contribute financially to the sustenance of the family; and to acquire training needed in future occupations. The children come mostly from large households of about 6 persons, where many of their parents have low levels of education, income, and occupational statuses. Furthermore, because the sample is urban based, children come mostly from nuclear and monogamous households. A significant percentage of working children are involved in motor accidents, face attempted kidnapping, rape, and sexual molestation. Many are also invited by gangsters to participate in robbery and anti-social activities. Others suffer from physical exhaustion and pains due to frequent long walks. These health problems have detrimental effects on children’s school attendance, punctuality, school performance, and leisure time. This study has policy implications for regulating child labor in Nigeria.
Christopher, A. N., Zabel, K. L., Jones, J. R., & Marek, P. (2008). Protestant Ethic Ideology: Its Multifaceted Relationships with Just World Beliefs, Social Dominance Orientation, and Right-Wing Authoritarianism. Personality and Individual Differences, 45(6), 473-477.
Abstract: To examine how different dimensions of the Protestant work ethic (PWE) are related to constructs indicative of conservative beliefs, 256 Americans completed an online survey including measures of PWE, belief in a just world, social dominance orientation, and right-wing authoritarianism. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the PWE dimensions of the belief that hard work yields desirable outcomes and anti-leisure predicted belief in a just world; the dimensions of centrality of work and anti-leisure attitudes predicted social dominance; and the dimensions of morality/ethics, self-reliance, anti-leisure predicted right-wing authoritarianism. We discuss how focusing on specific dimensions of PWE ideology, rather than a global score, enhances predictive ability and boosts understanding of relationships between PWE and other constructs. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
McCurdy, D. G., Painter, D. C., ‘06, Kopec, M. T., ‘05, Lancaster, D., ‘06, Cook, K. A., & Forbes, M. R. (2008). Reproductive Behavior of Intersexes of an Intertidal Amphipod Corophium Volutator. Invertebrate Biology, 127(4), 417-425.
Abstract: Intersexes are common in crustaceans. Typically, these intersexes are sterile or function as females, but prior evidence from laboratory experiments suggests that intersexes of a key species of gammaridean amphipod, Corophium volutator, might function as males. We observed that intersexes of C. volutator behaved as males by crawling (mate-searching) on a mudflat during ebb tides and pairing in burrows with female amphipods. In the laboratory, intersexes and males did not differ in aspects of crawling such as movement rate and measures of burrow investigation. I`ntersexuality was costly in that intersexes crawled less often than males on a mudflat, formed fewer pairs with females than males, and remained in tandem less often with receptive females than males. The use of PCR-based identification methods failed to identify the presence of transovarial, feminizing, microsporidian parasites as a major cause of intersexuality in this species in that infected females did not produce broods that contained more intersexes than broods produced by uninfected females. Because intersexes may be mistaken as females, the percentage of functional males in amphipod populations may be underestimated: an important consideration given male limitation in populations of C. volutator. The occurrence of intersexes has significant implications for studies on the evolution and ecology of sex ratios, and the use of crustaceans as indicators of environmental quality.
Lo, W. D., Lee, J., Rusin, J., Perkins, E., & Roach, E. S. (2008). Intracranial Hemorrhage in Children: An Evolving Spectrum. Archives of Neurology, 65(12), 1629-1633.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhages (ICHs) are uncommon in children, but are important causes of death and injury. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether the risk factors for ICH have changed compared with those in earlier published series and to estimate the residual deficits in the survivors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS: We performed a retrospective review of patients admitted to a single tertiary care, academic pediatric hospital from January 1, 2000, through May 31, 2007. Records were retrieved if the diagnostic codes from the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, were pertinent to ICHs. We searched reports from computed tomograms and magnetic resonance images of the brain for terms pertaining to ICH. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors and functional outcome. Secondary measures were hemorrhage type and clinical presentation. RESULTS: We identified 85 children who had nontraumatic ICH. There were 10 subarachnoid, 61 intracerebral, and 14 subdural hemorrhages. Intracranial vascular anomalies were the most frequent risk factor, followed by congenital heart disease and brain tumors. Arteriovenous malformations did not account for as large a percentage as in previous studies. Twenty-nine children died. Of the 48 survivors for whom follow-up information was available, 26 had no reported deficits and 22 had deficits ranging from mild to severe. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, brain tumors and congenital heart disease accounted for a greater proportion of ICHs than in previous studies. The mortality due to ICH remains high but may be related as much to the severity of the underlying illnesses as to the hemorrhage itself. We found significant long-term morbidity, but more than half of the survivors for whom follow-up data were available had no detectable deficits. A long-term outcome study of pediatric ICH is needed.
Light, M. T., & Togunde, D. (2008). The Mexican Immigration Debate: Assimilation and Public Policy. International Review of Modern Sociology, 34(2), 279-293.
Abstract: This paper navigates through the contentious issues surrounding the contemporary Mexican immigration debate. It argues that an effective and practical immigration policy reform requires an understanding of the empirical reality of Mexican immigration rather than sweeping generalizations that exist in the literature. It focuses on a dual task of presenting a review of U.S. current and past policies on immigration; and an examination of data measuring Mexican assimilation. Findings indicate that previous immigration policies laid the groundwork for the current immigration picture; and that the measures of assimilation clearly indicate that Mexican immigrants are acculturating to the United States. It concludes that the politicization of immigration would make a comprehensive immigration reform difficult to achieve, leading to future increase in Mexican illegal immigration flows.
Christopher, A. N., Zabel, K. L., & Jones, J. R. (2008). Conscientiousness and Work Ethic Ideology. Journal of Individual Differences, 29(4), 189-198.
Abstract: Prior research on work ethic ideology has tended to neglect the multidimensional nature of such ideology. To examine how different facets of work ethic ideology may be rooted in the basic personality construct of conscientiousness, 299 Americans completed a 133-item online survey that contained six facets of conscientiousness and seven different dimensions of work ethic ideology. Multiple regression analyses revealed that the conscientiousness facets of dutifulness and achievement striving were the two most consistent predictors of seven dimensions of work ethic ideology. Subsequent dominance analyses suggested that achievement striving, followed by dutifulness, tended to predict the most work ethic dimensions. Discussion focuses on the theoretical importance of using work ethic dimensions rather than global work ethic scores in future research.
Christopher, A. N., & Wojda, M. R. (2008). Social Dominance Orientation, Right-Wing Authoritarianism, Sexism, and Prejudice toward Women in the Workforce. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 32(1), 65-73.
Abstract: This study examined how social dominance orientation (SDO) and right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) were related to two different forms of prejudice against working women: employment skepticism and traditional role preference. Three hundred forty-nine American adults completed measures of SDO, RWA, employment skepticism, traditional role preference, hostile sexism, and benevolent sexism. Multiple regression analyses revealed that SDO accounted for significant variability in both employment skepticism and traditional role preference, and that RWA accounted for significant variability in traditional role preference. Mediational analyses suggested that hostile sexism attenuated the relationship between SDO and employment skepticism, and benevolent sexism attenuated the relationship between RWA and traditional role preference. Results are discussed with respect to different forms of prejudice against working women and how each one might be rooted in different ideological preferences.
Altermann, S. M., Richardson, R. D., Paradine, S. M., French, A. N., Page, T. K., Schmidt, R. K., et al. (2008). Catalytic Enantioselective Alpha-Oxysulfonylation of Ketones Mediated by Iodoarenes. European Journal of Organic Chemistry(31), 5315-5328.
Abstract: The alpha-oxysulfonylation of ketones catalysed by enantio enriched iodoarenes using mCPBA as stoichiometric oxidant is reported to give useful synthetic intermediates in good yield and modest enantioselectivity. We believe this to be the first report of an enantioselective organocatalytic reaction involving hypervalent iodine reagents which should open up a new field for enantioselective organocatalysis of oxidation reactions. ((C) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)
Richardson, R. D., Page, T. K., Altermann, S., Paradine, S. M., French, A. N., & Wirth, T. (2007). Enantioselective Alpha-Oxytosylation of Ketones Catalysed by Iodoarenes. Synlett(4), 538-542.
Abstract: The alpha-oxytosylation of ketones catalysed by enantioenriched iodoarenes using mCPBA as stoichiometric oxidant is reported to give useful synthetic intermediates in good yield and modest enantioselectivity. We believe this to be the first report of an enantioselective catalytic reaction involving hypervalent iodine reagents which should open up a new field for enantioselective organocatalysis of oxidation reactions.
Troisi, J. D., Christopher, A. N., & Marek, P. (2006). Materialism and Money Spending Disposition as Predictors of Economic and Personality Variables. North American Journal of Psychology, 8(3), 421-436.
Abstract: This research explored the relationships between materialism and money spending attitudes on impulse buying tendencies, attitudes toward debt, sensation seeking, and openness to experience. Students and other adults (N = 266) completed a materialism scale, portions of two money conservation scales, an impulse buying scale, an attitudes toward debt scale, a sensation seeking scale, and an openness to experience scale. Simultaneous-entry multiple regression analyses revealed that materialism and money conservation were predictive of impulse buying, sensation seeking, and openness to experience. Two marginally significant interactions emerged. Individuals less materialistic and tight with money had particularly negative attitudes toward debt, and individuals less materialistic and loose with money were particularly open to experience. Results are discussed with respect to how materialism may be related to a variety of individual difference variables, both at the main effect level and in interaction with money spending attitudes.
Gauthier, K. J., Christopher, A. N., Walter, M. I., Mourad, R., & Marek, P. (2006). Religiosity, Religious Doubt, and the Need for Cognition: Their Interactive Relationship with Life Satisfaction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 7(2), 139-154.
Abstract: Previous research has found a consistent, negative relationship between holding religious doubts & mental well-being, & a small positive relationship between religiosity & mental well-being. To assess the interrelationship between religious doubt, religiosity, & need for cognition on life satisfaction, a survey was administered to an almost exclusively Christian sample of 192 Americans drawn from undergraduates & alumni of a small mid-western college, undergraduates from a small south-eastern college, & several churches from the metro-Detroit area. Zero-order correlations revealed relationships between religiosity & life satisfaction, as well as religious doubt & life satisfaction. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that the three-way interaction of religiosity, religious doubt, & the need for cognition was predictive of life satisfaction. Significant two-way interactions also emerged for both gender & religiosity, & gender & religious doubt as predictors of life satisfaction. Based upon these findings, counseling applications are discussed, & the importance of probing for interactions in research on religious influences on well-being is espoused.
Dubois, N. S., Kennedy, E. D., & Getty, T. (2006). Surplus Nest Boxes and the Potential for Polygyny Affect Clutch Size and Offspring Sex Ratio in House Wrens. Proceedings of the Royal Society B-Biological Sciences, 273(1595), 1751-1757.
Abstract: Females of many species can gain benefits from being choosy about their mates and even exhibit context-dependent investment in reproduction in response to the quality of their breeding situation. Here, we show that if a male house wren is provided with surplus nest boxes in his territory, his mate lays a larger clutch with a significantly higher proportion of sons. This response to a territory characteristic directly associated with male competitive ability, and ultimately to male reproductive success, suggests that male competition over access to high-quality territories with surplus nest boxes (i.e. those able to support polygyny) may influence female reproductive investment decisions. The results of this study have interesting implications, particularly considering the important role that studies of cavity nesting birds utilizing nest boxes have played in advancing our understanding of behaviour, ecology and evolution.
Christopher, A. N., Morgan, R. D., Marek, P., Troisi, J. D., Jones, J. R., & Reinhart, D. F. (2005). Affluence cues and first impressions: Does it matter how the affluence was acquired? Journal of Economic Psychology, 26(2), 187-200.
Abstract: To examine the effect of affluence source on person perception, 312 American undergraduates read one scenario that depicted either a man or a woman in one of six home settings: less affluent, affluent (source of affluence unspecified) or affluent, with affluence attributable to either promotions, entrepreneurial success, luck, or inheritance. Participants rated the scenario character on the Big Five Personality Factors and indicated their desire to have the character’s lifestyle. Multivariate analyses of variance and subsequent tests revealed that people who acquired affluence via external means (particularly inheritance) were perceived as less conscientious and open to experience than people who acquired affluence via internal means (particularly entrepreneurial success). Sources of affluence had no influence on preference for an affluent lifestyle. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Duman-Scheel, M., Clark, S. M., Grunow, E. T., Hasley, A. O., Hill, B. L., & Simanton, W. L. (2007). Delayed Onset of Midline Netrin Expression in Artemia Franciscana Coincides with Commissural Axon Growth and Provides Evidence for Homology of Midline Cells in Distantly Related Arthropods. Evolution & Development, 9(2), 131-140.
Abstract: Although many similarities in arthropod central nervous systems (CNS) development exist, differences in midline cell formation and ventral nerve cord axonogenesis have been noted in arthropods. It is possible that changes in the expression of axon guidance molecules such as Netrin, which functions during commissural axon guidance in Drosophila and many other organisms, may parallel these differences. In this investigation, we analyze this hypothesis by examining Netrin accumulation during development of the brine shrimp Artemia franciscana, a branchiopod crustacean. An Artemia franciscana netrin (afrnet) orthologue was cloned. An antibody to the afrNet protein was generated and used to examine the pattern of afrNet accumulation during Artemia development. Despite differences between Drosophila and Artemia nerve cord development, examination of afrNet accumulation suggests that this protein functions to regulate commissure formation during Artemia CNS development. However, detection of afrNet at the midline and on commissural axons occurs at a relatively later time point in Artemia as compared with Drosophila. Detection of afrNet in a subset of midline cells that closely resemble Netrin-expressing cells at the Drosophila midline provides evidence for homology of midline cells in arthropods. Expression of Netrins in many other tissues is comparable, suggesting that Netrin proteins may play many conserved roles during arthropod development.
Togunde, D., & Weber, E. (2007). Parents’ Views, Children’s Voices: Intergenerational Analysis of Child Labor Persistence in Urban Nigeria. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 33(2), 285-301.
Abstract: This paper draws on interviews with 1535 parents and their children to provide a comprehensive analysis of the intergenerational dynamic of child labor persistence. From the perspectives of two generations, findings show that child labor is caused by poverty and the need to provide children with training for future careers. Furthermore, a significant number of parents had worked for their own parents while growing up, and this experience influenced their decision to ask their children to work. Moreover less than a third of the children plan to utilize the labor of their children when they become adults. Anxiety about financial future serves as a major reason for current child laborers to expect child labor to continue with the next generation. The remaining two-thirds who don’t plan to utilize child labor mentioned numerous hazards and dangers they counter as compelling reasons to end child labor. Interestingly, children of parents with higher socio-economic status are less likely to desire child labor continuation. Child labor practices may be quite resistant to change in a culture of poverty, however, because it carries tangible social and economic advantages in weak economies. Findings have policy implications for regulating child labor in Nigeria.
Togunde, D., & Richardson, S. (2006). Household Size and Composition as Correlates of Child Labour in Urban Nigeria. Africa Development, 31(1), 50-65.
Abstract: This paper draws on interviews with 1,535 parents and their children to examine the relationship between child labour and various household variables in urban Nigeria, where child labour studies have been very limited. We provide a comprehensive overview of the household factors and residential dynamics through which child labour evolves. Our findings demonstrate the usefulness of the household production theory in explaining the socio-economic ramifications and household context of child labour. Our findings indicate that although child labour is mostly caused by poverty and the need to prepare children with skills and training useful for future occupations, the size of the household, number of children in the household, number of children contributing to the household income, child’s age, and age at which child started working – are all significantly and positively correlated with children’s hours of work. However, gender compositions of the children or of the household head and age of the household head have little or no relationship with children’s hours of work. Additionally, parental socio-economic status and family structure variables are associated with fewer hours of children’s work. The findings have implications for policies aimed at regulating child labour in Nigeria.
Togunde, D., & Carter, A. (2006). Socioeconomic Causes of Child Labor in Urban Nigeria. Journal of Children & Poverty, 12(1), 73-89.
Abstract: Drawing on interviews with 1,535 children (aged 8-14 years) in urban Nigeria, this study introduces two new measures of child labor—child’s ownership of business and control over earnings—to supplement the conventional use of a child’s hours of work and to create a wider understanding of child labor. It examines the causes of child labor and how these measures vary by parental socioeconomic status. Study of this relationship is important for a deeper understanding of the varying patterns of child labor, as well as for clarifying the cultural and economic socialization of children. Our findings show that children of parents with higher socioeconomic status are more likely to own businesses rather than assist parents. These children are also more likely to keep and spend their work earnings. Our results also offer strong support of the poverty hypothesis and the socialization theory, which are often used to explain child labor in developing societies. Furthermore, our results indicate that children of parents with higher levels of socioeconomic status work fewer hours. These findings have implications for regulating child labor and for alleviating its consequences.
Christopher, A. N., Morgan, R. D., Marek, P., Keller, M., & Drummond, K. (2005). Materialism and Self-Presentational Styles. Personality and Individual Differences, 38(1), 137-149.
Abstract: To examine the images that materialistic people wish to convey, we first asked 177 participants to complete the Richins and Dawson (1992) materialism scale and an adjective checklist that assessed five self-presentational styles. In a subsequent experiment, we primed 210 participants to experience one of five self-presentational styles and asked them to complete a state materialism scale. We expected that materialists would tend to avoid supplication and ingratiation, but would self-promote and intimidate. Across both studies, results supported the supplication and ingratiation hypotheses, but failed to show any link between either self-promotion or intimidation and materialism. We discuss how personal insecurity may be a precursor to materialism. We also discuss future research avenues with respect to probing the interrelationship between materialism, insecurity, and self-presentational considerations.
Togunde, ‘D., & Newman, S. (2005). Value of Children, Child Labor, and Fertility Preferences in Urban Nigeria. West Africa Review(7).
Abstract: This paper examines the value of children as perceived by parents and explores the link between child labor and fertility preferences in urban Nigeria. We provide a unique perspective to utilize the Caldwell’s Wealth Flow Theory by considering the connection between current economic benefit of children and parent’s fertility intentions. This is a departure from previous studies that tend to relate future benefit of children at parent’s old age to current or future fertility behavior. Findings indicate that sons are valued for their future patriarchal status and their kinship role in continuing the family name. Daughters are more likely than sons to be relied upon for financial support at old age, and are cherished for their potential roles as future mothers. The results also suggest that labor contribution of children has become a central part of the fertility equation in urban areas. Indeed, a significant proportion of parents had children because of expected labor contribution of those children. Parents wanted more children because of the financial support of current children. Others would expect additional children yet to be born to contribute to the household income. Findings have implications for regulating child labor and fertility in Nigeria.
McCurdy, D. G., Forbes, M. R., Logan, S. P., Lancaster, D., & Mautner, S. I. (2005). Foraging and Impacts by Benthic Fish on the Intertidal Amphipod Corophium Volutator. Journal of Crustacean Biology, 25(4), 558-564.
Abstract: We studied feeding site selection and impacts by benthic fish (flounder and skates) on the amphipod Corophium volutator, an ecologically-important species in muddy intertidal communities. We determined that benthic fish foraged mainly in areas that had high densities of amphipods, on a mudflat in Nova Scotia, Canada. This observation was based on recording sediments displaced by benthic fish in areas where samples of amphipods also were taken. From gut-content analysis, we found that benthic fish fed almost entirely on C. volutator, and most consumed smaller amphipods than expected based on samples of amphipods collected from the substrate. Benthic fish also fed on male amphipods more than expected. We determined that daily foraging pressure by benthic fish on amphipods was low (about 0.3% per day) by measuring the new appearance of feeding traces made by fish. Nonetheless, fish are expected to have substantial impacts on demography of C. volutator due to the length of the fish foraging season and because fish appear to contribute to extreme female-biased sex ratios typically seen in this species.
Degel, K. and D. G. McCurdy. 2006. Impacts of temperature on emergence of trematode cercariae from the mud snail Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say). MarSci.2006.03.030302.
Abstract: We assessed prevalence of trematode parasites and impacts of temperature on shedding of parasites infecting mud snails, Ilyanassa obsoleta (Say), collected from Maine. Six species of trematodes were found to infect mud snails: Austrobilharzia variglandis, Zoögonus rubellus, Stephanostomum tenue, Gynaecotyla adunca, Himasthla quissetensis, and Lepocreadium setiferoides. As predicted, snails were more likely to shed cercarial forms of six species of trematodes when experimentally exposed to elevated water temperatures for single 24-hour periods. We argue that even small-scale changes in temperature might have implications for individuals and populations of marine animals that serve as second-intermediate hosts and final hosts of trematodes shed by infected mud snails (e.g., clams, baitworms, birds, fish, humans). We also establish new northern limits for several species of marine trematodes.
Barbara Keyes (Faculty Co-author), Drew Christopher (Faculty Co-author), Trisha Franzen (Faculty Co-author) | MVH | 
November 9, 2009 3:26 pm | 
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