The involvement of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenocortical axis in stress physiology and its significance in the assessment of animal welfare in cattle.

The intensification of cattle production has raised concern for animal welfare due to the stress that is associated with farming practices. The welfare of an animal is determined by the animal's ability to cope with or adapt to its continuously changing environment and the biological cost that is associated with this adaptation and maintenance. Stressors arise from various psychological, physiological and physical aspects of farming practices due to management and human-cattle interactions.

Drug Use and Spatial Dynamics of Household Allocation.

Unlabelled: Household space allocation by women who consume drugs in New York and North Florida is depicted to demonstrate the complex character of household space and social relations. Some parents attempt to hide their drug consumption through the allocation space in the household for drug use. Women allocation of space for drug use within their households and the impact of this on the household are relevant issues with implications for therapy and prevention.

Gender, personal networks, and drug use among rural African Americans.

One of the main unifying concepts of research examining gender variations in drug use behavior is the social network. Yet, research specifically focusing on how the social networks of these groups differ by gender is limited. Few studies have investigated the social networks of rural African Americans who use drugs.

HIV risk reduction in rural African American women who use cocaine.

Research has demonstrated associations between cocaine use and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). More research has been conducted among the sub-population of women, with less focus on rural African American women. Investigation of the social context that influences rural African American women's behavior that places them at risk for STI/HIV has received limited attention.

African-American women's exclusion of women and inclusion of kin and males into their social networks: a mistrust of women issue?

In a previous study, a small group of rural African American women were found to have negative attitudes of mistrust of women, which influenced the size and composition of their social network. The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to describe the size, gender, and kin composition of the social network of a larger sample of rural and small-city African American women and (2) to psychometrically evaluate the Brown Attitude toward Women (BATW) scale. Two hundred rural and small town women (both drug users and non-users) completed a paper and pencil survey.

Risk behavior, perceptions of HIV risk, and risk-reduction behavior among a small group of rural African American women who use drugs.

HIV/AIDS is a health crisis for African Americans. African American women are exposed to HIV primarily through sexual behavior, which is an increased risk for women who use drugs. The study design was a mixed method consisting of an ethnography with ongoing participant observation and in-depth interviews and a questionnaire.

The chinese version of the decisional balance scale: further validation.

Background: Although the Decisional Balance Scale (DBS) has been established to have sound psychometric properties, the reliability and validity of this instrument have not been evaluated in different populations.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to conduct psychometric validations for the Chinese version of the DBS (CDBS).

Methods: This research project was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study.

A tri-level HIV-prevention educational intervention.

Preventing HIV transmission is a major world health goal. The international nursing shortage and the cost of educational and healthcare require innovative approaches to meet this goal. The initiative described provided HIV education at three levels: to students in an R.

Why rural African-American women who use cocaine mistrust women.

Little is known about the social networks of rural African-American women who use drugs, although the social networks of their urban counterparts have been characterized as small, mixed gendered, and distrustful of other women. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the characteristics of the social networks of rural African-American women, both users and non-users of drugs. Thirty rural women who used cocaine participated in in-depth qualitative interviews.

Place and space: the where and why of drug-use location among rural African American women.

Increasing drug use among rural African American women and its effect on children warrants investigation. This article describes drug-use locations of rural African American women who use cocaine and construct their lives to conceal it from children. During 4 years, a 30-respondent ethnography was conducted.

Lessons learned from taking data collection to the "hood".

Culturally appropriate measures are needed to analyze the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions. An effective strategy to ensure the culturally appropriateness of measures is the inclusion of participants from the targeted community via participatory action research. Conducting the research process within the community is one method of maximizing greater community participation.

Rural African-American women who use cocaine: needs and future aspirations related to their mothering role.

The overall purpose of this ethnographic study was to understand the culture of rural African-American women who use cocaine, with this report focusing on their perceived mothering needs and future aspirations. Three semi-structured interviews and participant observations were conducted over four years with 30 respondents, of which 24 were mothers. Data for this article were derived from the 21 mothers who cared for dependent children.

Perceptions of HIV risks and prevention strategies by rural and small city African Americans who use cocaine: views from the inside.

HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects African Americans, yet knowledge gaps exist regarding their views of risks and effective prevention strategies. This focus group study of rural and small city African Americans who use drugs sought to assess these perceptions. Common views of HIV risks included drug use, physical appearance as an indicator of HIV status, intentional transmission, having multiple partners, unprotected sex, bisexuality, and unfounded trust.

Synthesis and characterisation of cis-dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of N-substituted 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinones.

The butoxy- and methoxy-derivatives (HLc, and HLb, respectively) of 1-[(ethoxycarbonyl)methyl]-3-hydroxy-2-(1H)-pyridinone, HLa, were synthesized by transesterification and the mononuclear complexes [MoO2(L(a-c))2] were obtained by the reaction of the ligands with molybdenyl acetylacetonate. The three complexes were fully characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. A variable temperature NMR study showed that the N-substituents do not have a significant influence on the racemisation process of the complexes.

"A 28-day program ain't helping the crack smoker"--perceptions of effective drug abuse prevention interventions by north central Florida African Americans who use cocaine.

Context: Cocaine is a major problem in the rural South, but knowledge is limited regarding the impact on African American populations.

Purpose: This study of 18-39-year-old black drug users assessed perceptions of contributing factors to drug use and possible interventions.

Methods: The study design was qualitative-descriptive, utilizing 4 focus groups with 5 rural women and 14 small-city residents.

"Bottoming out?" Among rural African American women who use cocaine.

Context: Studies have explored the spiraling-down effect of losing individual, familial, and social resources among African Americans who use drugs, but there is a gap in knowledge about this "bottoming-out" phenomenon among rural African American women.

Purpose: The study was conducted to better understand the phenomenon of bottoming out among rural African American women who use cocaine.

Methods: Using an ethnographic approach, researchers drew on multiple qualitative and quantitative data collection methods.

HIV prevention outreach in black communities of three rural north Florida counties.

Literature to guide HIV prevention outreach for southeastern rural blacks is limited despite the increasing prevalence of HIV infection in this population. Three men and one woman conducted HIV prevention outreach in three north Florida rural counties in teams of two. The workers received five days of training in additional homework assignments.

Reducing HIV sexual risk among African American women who use drugs: hearing their voices.

A pilot study was conducted to understand women's realities, perspectives, and perceived needs regarding the interaction between substance use, types of sexual relationships, and the challenges and barriers they pose to practicing safer sex. An additional purpose was to examine this population's willingness to participate in the program and receptiveness to the components of proposed interventions. Data were collected in this descriptive, exploratory study by the use of one focus group.

HIV prevention among people with developmental disabilities.

This investigation sought to determine the effect of HIV/AIDS on people with developmental disabilities. Inquiries about contributing factors and HIV prevention needs also were made. In this qualitative descriptive study, two focus groups were conducted with individuals from the target population, as well as service providers.

Recruitment feasibility and HIV prevention intervention acceptability among rural north Florida blacks.

Problem: There has been limited HIV prevention intervention among Southeastern rural Blacks residing in Florida. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS among this population increasingly supports the need for HIV prevention intervention.

Methods: The primary focus of this article is the process and outcome evaluations of the feasibility of recruiting rural Blacks to accept and participate in HIV prevention intervention and HIV testing and return for their test results.