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Tocqueville declares himself to be a "new kind" of liberal, and the most striking feature of his reform is to propose, and to find in America, an alliance, rather than hostility, between religion and liberty. As opposed to an overt foundation in the state of nature, he sets the actual practice of religion in America, which brings moderation and limitation to liberty. Religion also supplies the notion of soul, which validates the prideful free agency of humans as against the determinism and materialism of the state of nature. It helps to secure modern democracy against the evils Tocqueville discerned and so notably described of individualism and mild despotism. And it provides the basis for the art of the legislator, a classical function revived by Tocqueville to use both nature and convention in cooperation, instead of distinct and at odds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the importance of actively involving mentor teachers in education programs and training to enhance their ability to work with future social studies interns in the U.S. It explores the important role of mentor teachers in developing future social studies student teachers and helping them plan effective lessons. It also notes that effective mentor teachers can model appropriate instructional practices and assist in sequencing the future educator's clinical experience. It recommends the need to restructure teacher education programs from traditional schemes to provided effective mentor educators.

The objective of this research was to validate the use of Fleishman's human abilities taxonomy approach in predicting human performance in loading the U.S. Navy's Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). An experiment was conducted that compared actual and predicted performance of CIWS loading operations. Twenty-one male students and staff from the Close-In Weapon System School, Fleet Training Center, were participants in the experiment. They ranged in age from 20 to 35 years (mean = 27.2, standard deviation = 4.88) with an average of 81.1 months (standard deviation = 51.83) of military experience and 23.95 months of CIWS loading experience. Each participant was tested in the human abilities identified for CIWS loading operations, and the test results were correlated with recorded times of the loading tasks. Correlations were performed using bivariate regression analysis. The results of the experiment showed high linear relations between human abilities scores and CIWS loading times. The results show that the participants who scored highest on the human abilities tests completed the loading tasks in the shortest time. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the benefits of group building to improve instruction in post secondary social science classrooms in the U.S. It states that group building activities are activities structured by the professor to promote attitudes and skills that are necessary for collaboration and cooperation. It notes that benefits of group building activities, include the opportunity for the professor to learn more about his or her students, and assess the overall ability of the students to work together as a group. Moreover, it mentions that group building activities can also provide opportunities for critical and creative thinking, problem solving and enrichment.

Fourteen Xylella fastidiosa isolates from grapevines exhibiting Pierce's disease symptoms in California, Texas, and South Carolina were examined for type IV pilus-mediated twitching motility, a phenotype previously observed in a Temecula isolate from California. All isolates except one from South Carolina (SC 19A97) exhibited colonies with a peripheral fringe on PW agar, a feature indicative of twitching motility; however, when individual cells of SC 19A97 were examined at higher magnifications twitching motility was observed. The presence and width of colony peripheral fringes were related to the amount of bovine serum albumin (BSA) present in the medium; no or low levels of BSA (0–1.8 g L−1) permitted development of the widest fringe, whereas higher levels (3.5–6.0 g L−1) severely limited, and in many instances prevented, peripheral fringe development. The growth rate of the wild-type Temecula isolate in PW broth with different concentrations of BSA was similar for all tested concentrations of BSA; however, growth was significantly reduced in medium without BSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the environmental and economic costs of soil erosion and conservation benefits. Soil erosion as a major environmental threat to the sustainability and productive capacity of agriculture; Erosion on croplands and pastures; Factors influencing erosion; Erosion control technologies.

The article discusses another triumph of Ronald Reagan, former U.S. president. President George Bush's election to the presidency in 1988 marks another triumph of Reagan. The margin of victory was substantial although not of Reganesque proportions. However, if an unusually orderly succession marked Reagan's triumph, the limit of his success was also well defined by an institution. The author relates that after the election of Bush as president, the Reagan era continues, however, it will eventually end.

The article presents the author's recommendation concerning pride and interest to American conservatism in the U.S. He discusses the status of conservative intellectuals and the view of American conservatism to the fundamental trend of conservatism. He also highlights Moral Majority, an opposite to the libertarians which consist of Protestant fundamentalist headed by Rev. Jerry Falwell. Moreover, he believes that humans are made more dependent while given rights against the family that needs support of the Church to fight against the rampant situation in the liberal society.

The article looks into the changes and the political stability of incumbents in the U.S. election. Accordingly, people vote with self-interest which is mixed with a small measure of gratitude since the most attentive self-interest looks to the immediate future rather than the present or past. However, U.S. President Ronald Reagan who is a Republican won the presidential election in 1981 because the American polity was aggressive to re-elect a president. In addition, the Republicans possessed an advantage in the presidential elections in the West and South America while their major focus was on the Midwest.

The article interprets the results of the U.S. congressional election of 1982 as it highlights President Ronald Reagan's recalcitrant economy. The author highlights that the results were bad for the Republicans, creating a 99-seat Democratic majority and ending the de facto Reagan majority, as well as a loss of seven state governors together with many state representatives. He also believes that Reagan's farsighted proposal for new federalism, in which the states would assume responsibility for welfare, seems doomed in the near term by the 1982 election.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues of "Policy Review," including "The Two Faces of George Kennan: From Containment to Understanding," in the Summer 1985 issue, "Atoms for Peace: Truman Was Right to Drop the Bomb," by Adam Meyerson in the Summer 1985 issue and "Voice of America: Ronald Reagan and the American Rhetorical Tradition," by Steven Hayward in the Summer 1985 issue.

The article discusses about the separateness of military and civil jurisdiction. The military powers given to Congress by the Constitution of the United States were intended to authorize and empower it to bring into existence and maintain for the Army such a system of military law as was then existing in England as a separate institution from the common law system existing there, and that this military system should, be a separate institution from the system of law by which the personal liberty and rights guaranteed by the amendments to the Constitution were to be enforced. The Ipswich Mutiny in 1689 was the cause of bringing into existence military law in time of peace in order to preserve discipline in the Army. The common law gave the sovereign no power to control his troops. The deserter was treated as an ordinary felon and was tried at the assize by a petty jury on a bill found by a grand jury. At this time the King and the House of Commons were united and both were menaced by a great military power from the ports of Normandy and Britanny. They decided that regular soldiers were indispensable and that their efficiency must be maintained by keeping them under strict discipline.

The article investigates the factors affecting a child's vocational ambition in the U.S. The study was conducted following a realization that the motives and directing forces of human conduct are difficult to identify and are often obscured by apparent overt indicators. The Lehman's Vocational Attitude Quiz was administered to a large number of school children to study some of the motives which underlie the child's choice of occupation. The results of this study were discussed.

This article treats three main topics related to federal executive reorganization. Considering first the range of purposes actually served or intended by reorganizations, most of which involve shifts in control or status, in contrast with the officially recognized criteria, it concludes that people are no nearer to measurable and mutually compatible standards. Turning next to the processes of initiation and approval, it analyzes the provisions of the successive Reorganization Acts and the disposition of plans submitted, emphasizing their spasmodic use and the distinctive characteristics of the method: it guarantees the President of the United States, if a plan is challenged, a prompt floor vote on his proposal, barring amendments and bypassing the legislative committees, the leadership, and other normal hazards of legislation. Dealing finally with prospects, it concludes that the doctrines so far developed are inadequate to solve the impending problems of interdepartmental and intergovernmental co-ordination.

This article presents the chronological ages at which certain fortunate individuals are most likely to be the recipients of large annual incomes. In undertaking the present study the writer at first expected to ascertain simultaneously both the chronological ages of recipients at the time they were receiving their largest incomes, and also the ages at which the recipients were exhibiting their greatest professional or business proficiency. But large annual income may be the result of fortunate financial investment rather than the result solely of great efficiency at one's work. The present writer found, therefore, what one might logically have anticipated, namely, that the chronological ages of greatest proficiency and the ages at which maximum annual income is received do not always coincide. Each year the United States Treasury Department makes public the names of those who receive from corporations the largest annual incomes, including salaries, bonuses, commissions, and other sums for personal services. The published list excludes income from dividends, or other sources not called "compensation."

It is the purpose of this paper to discuss some of the outstanding problems of organization and procedure in the conduct of the accounting functions of the national government above the departmental level, that is to say, of central accounting and control as distinguished from the fiscal administration of individual operating agencies. The theme of this paper is the development of improved practices, and while few citizens are interested in forms of government as such, abstracted from the results they tend to foster, significant progress toward essential improvements in practice in this field is inextricably bound up with changes in the machinery of central financial control. Present practices are the logical result of present organization. The starting point is, then, an analysis of that system. The reorganization bills before the U.S. Congress in 1938 contained sweeping proposals deigned to meet the kind of difficulties that have been noticed here: the divorce of control and audit, vesting the one in an executive agency and the other in an independent office safeguarded as the Comptroller General now is; and the establishment of a Congressional Joint Committee on Public Accounts.

This article focuses on the threat inherent in populism. In a democratic country such that of the U.S., populism takes many forms which include activism, free press and polls. Whatever forms, populism gives people what they want through adventitious means outside the Constitution. They share a common spirit of impatience, of a people fed up with the usual ways and ready to try something new. Populism undermines democratic legitimacy by making the government timid. It makes the people impatient with constitutional forms and institutions, regarding them as barrier between the people and government. It wants the latter to react more promptly and surely to popular will.

The article provides information on some criminal court cases and law governing recantation by state's witness as ground for new trial in the U.S. The rule that recantation by a witness does not necessarily entitle the defendant to a new trial, finds no dissent in any of the cases examined. It appears that the question is a matter for the trial court's discretion. First, it must be determined what weight is to be attached to the recantation, and whether it be true or false. The probable effect test for newly-discovered evidence, the trial court exercises its discretion, subject to review by the Supreme Court for abuse, in deciding what probable effect the recantation would have at the trial, and what influence it would have had on the jury. Where there was other evidence to support a conviction, a court has refused a new trial even though the defendant presented the affidavit of six jurors that they would have rendered a different verdict had they known of the recanting witness' perjury. In the exercise of this phase of its discretion, the court determines whether the evidence other than the recanted testimony would be sufficient to warrant a conviction. Whenever a new trial has been denied, there was either other conclusive evidence, or there were counter-affidavits reaffirming the original testimony, or the recantation was held unworthy of belief.

Discusses the sexual liberation in the 1960s. Consequences of sexual liberation in the 1960s; Concept of polymorphous perversity; Feminine modesty in the 1960s.

The article talks about the efforts of high schools to provide work experiences for high school students in the U.S. The goal of high schools is to make competent and mature adults of students as rapidly as possible in order that they may serve in the armed forces. It is emphasized that work experiences should become a part of the education of every young person.

The article examines ways on how the community can contribute towards eliminating adult illiteracy in the U.S. The author believes that in many communities, some of the most competent and mature high school students can be utilized in the fight against functional illiteracy. There are many high schools where chapters of the National Honor Society, chapters of the Future Teachers of America or scholarship committees of the student council carry on tutoring projects.

Presents letters from 'The Science' magazine readers covering various scientific areas in the United States. Comments on the essay 'Defense Mechanisms,' by Kosta Tsipis in the November/December 2000 issue; Opinions on the essay 'The Five Sexes, Revisited,' by Anne Fausto-Sterling; Remarks on the article 'Toy Stories,' by Mark Pesce.

Purpose: In the United States, the ZIP Code has long been used to collect geospatial data revealing disparities in social determinants of health. This cross-sectional study examines the distribution of eye care access in association with local socioeconomic factors at a ZIP Code level., Methods: Data from the 2020 Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services and American Community Survey were used to examine locations of 47,949 providers (17,631 ophthalmologists and 30,318 optometrists) and corresponding local socioeconomic variables (education, employment, and income). Multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial regression was used to model eye care provider count per capita in each ZIP Code area with socioeconomic factors as independent covariates., Results: For every 1% increase in percentage of population over 25 years with a bachelor's degree or higher, the expected number of providers increases by 4.4% (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 1.044; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.041-1.046; P < 0.001). For every 1% increase in percentage unemployment, the expected number of providers decreases by 2.7% (IRR = 0.973; 95% CI, 0.964-0.983; P < 0.001). However, for every $1000 increase in median household income, the expected number of providers decreases by 1.6% (IRR = 0.984; 95% CI, 0.983-0.986; P < 0.001)., Conclusions: Disparities in access exist in areas of lower employment and educational attainment, as both have positive correlations with eye care provider access. Conversely, areas of greater median household income have lower access to providers., Translational Relevance: This research contributes to a greater field studying social determinants of health and may inform public health strategies on allocation of providers to improve equitable access to vision care.

Background: Orthopaedic surgery has the lowest proportion of women surgeons in practice of any specialty in the United States. Preliminary studies suggest that patients who are treated by physicians of the same race, ethnicity, cultural background, or gender feel more comfortable with their care and may have better outcomes. Therefore, understanding the discrepancies in the diversity of the orthopaedic surgeon workforce is crucial to addressing system-wide healthcare inequities., Questions/purposes: (1) Does a difference exist in gender representation among practicing orthopaedic surgeons across geographic distributions and years in practice? (2) Does a difference exist in gender representation among practicing orthopaedic surgeons with regard to rural-urban setting, group practice size, and years in practice?, Methods: Orthopaedic surgeons serving Medicare patients in 2017 were identified in the Medicare Physician and Other Supplier Public Use File and Physician Compare national databases. This dataset encompasses more than 64% of practicing orthopaedic surgeons, providing a low proportion of missing data compared with other survey techniques. Group practice size, location, and Rural-urban Commuting Area scores were compared across physician gender and years in practice. Linear and logistic regressions modeled gender and outcomes relationships adjusted by years in practice. Least-square means estimates for outcomes were calculated by gender at the median years in practice (19 years) via regression models., Results: According to the combined Medicare databases used, 5% (1019 of 19,221) of orthopaedic surgeons serving Medicare patients were women; this proportion increased with decreasing years in practice (R 2 0.97; p < 0.001). Compared by region, the West region demonstrated the highest proportion of women orthopaedic surgeons overall (7% [259 of 3811]). The Midwest and South regions were below the national mean for proportions of women orthopaedic surgeons, both overall (5% [305 of 6666] and 5% [209 of 4146], respectively) and in the first 5 years of practice (9% [54 of 574] and 9% [74 of 817], respectively). Women worked in larger group practices than men (median [interquartile range] 118 physicians [20 to 636] versus median 56 [12 to 338]; p < 0.001, respectively). Both genders were more likely to practice in an urban setting, and when controlling for years in practice, there was no difference between men and women orthopaedic surgeons practicing in rural or urban settings (respectively, R 2 = 0.0004 and 0.07; p = 0.89 and 0.09)., Conclusion: Among orthopaedic surgeons, there is only one woman for every 20 men caring for Medicare patients in the United States. Although gender representation is increasing longitudinally for women, it trails behind other surgical subspecialties substantially. Longitudinal mentoring programs, among other evidenced initiatives, should focus on the more pronounced underrepresentation identified in Midwestern/Southern regions and smaller group practices. Gender-based equity, inclusion, and diversity efforts should focus on recruitment strategies, and further research is needed to study how inclusion and diversity efforts among orthopaedic surgeons improves patient-centered care., Level of Evidence: Level III, therapeutic study., Competing Interests: Each author certifies that there are no funding or commercial associations (consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article related to the author or any immediate family members. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request., (Copyright © 2022 by the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons.)

Objective: To determine the presence of racial/ethnic differences in patients with anemia and serum folate deficiency., Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from patient samples collected from January 2010 to October 2018. Reference laboratory ranges were determined by Mayo Clinic Reference Laboratories. Race and ethnicity were classified according to National Institutes of Health categories., Results: The analysis comprised 197 974 samples. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, and SF results were available for 173 337, 173 056, and 129 760 samples, respectively. Of the samples, 46 505 (26.8%) showed anemia, with a higher prevalence among American Indian/Alaskan Natives (AI/AN) 42.9% and African Americans (AA) 47.2% (P < .001). SF deficiency was present in 897 (0.7%), with a higher prevalence among AI/AN (9, [1.4%]) and AA (78, [1.2%]) and a lower prevalence in non-Hispanic whites (NHW) (758, [0.7%]), Hispanics (40, [0.6%]), and Asians (8, [0.3%]). In multivariable analysis, the prevalence of anemia was higher in all non-NHW racial/ethnic groups: AA (OR, 3.67, [95%CI: 3.47-3.88, P < .001]), AI/AN (OR, 3.25, [95%CI: 2.71-3.90, P < .001]), Asians (OR, 1.62, [95%CI: 1.47-1.77, P < .001]), and Hispanics (OR, 1.41, [95%CI: 1.32-1.50, P < .001]). SF deficiency was more common in AA (OR, 1.48, [95%CI: 1.17-1.88, P.001]) and less common in Asians (OR, 0.35, [95%CI: 0.17-0.70, P = .003]), compared with NHW., Conclusions: We showed significant racial/ethnic differences in anemia and SF deficiency. Differences were observed especially among NHW, AA, and Asians. We believe that these differences may be explained by social determinants of health. More research is needed regarding the causes of these differences and their clinical implications at a population level., (© 2020 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Whether androgen deficiency among men increases the risk of cardiovascular (CV) events or is merely a disease marker remains a subject of intense scientific interest., Objectives: Among male subjects in the AIM-HIGH Trial with metabolic syndrome and low baseline levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol who were randomized to niacin or placebo plus simvastatin, we examined the relationship between low baseline testosterone (T) concentrations and subsequent CV outcomes during a mean 3-year follow-up., Methods: In this post hoc analysis of men with available baseline plasma T concentrations, we examined the relationship between clinical/demographic characteristics and T concentrations both as a continuous and dichotomous variable (<300 ng/dL ["low T"] vs. ≥300 ng/dL ["normal T"]) on rates of pre-specified CV outcomes, using Cox proportional hazards models., Results: Among 2118 male participants in whom T concentrations were measured, 643 (30%) had low T and 1475 had normal T concentrations at baseline. The low T group had higher rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, elevated body mass index, metabolic syndrome, higher blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and triglyceride levels, but lower levels of both low-density lipoprotein and HDL-cholesterol, and a lower rate of prior myocardial infarction (MI). Men with low T had a higher risk of the primary composite outcome of coronary heart disease (CHD) death, MI, stroke, hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome, or coronary or cerebral revascularization (20.1%) compared with the normal T group (15.2%); final adjusted HR 1.23, P = .07, and a higher risk of the CHD death, MI, and stroke composite endpoint (11.8% vs. 8.2%; final adjusted HR 1.37, P = .04), respectively., Conclusions: In this post hoc analysis, there was an association between low baseline testosterone concentrations and increased risk of subsequent CV events in androgen-deficient men with established CV disease and metabolic syndrome, particularly for the composite secondary endpoint of CHD death, MI, and stroke., Condensed Abstract: In this AIM-HIGH Trial post hoc analysis of 2118 men with metabolic syndrome and low HDL-cholesterol with available baseline plasma testosterone (T) samples, 643 males (30%) had low T (mean: 229 ng/dL) and 1475 (70%) had normal T (mean: 444 ng/dL) concentrations. The "low T" group had a 24% higher risk of the primary 5-component endpoint (20.1%) compared with the normal T group (15.2%); final adjusted HR 1.23, P = .07). There was also a 31% higher risk of the secondary composite endpoint: coronary heart disease death, myocardial infarction, and stroke (11.8% vs. 8.2%, final adjusted HR 1.37, P = .04) in the low vs. normal T group, respectively., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

To describe temporal trends in treatment among older adult (≥66 years) patients diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), we analyzed 18,058 DLBCL patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results linked Medicare (SEER-Medicare) database diagnosed between 2001 and 2013. Among 65% of patients receiving treatment after diagnosis, R-CHOP (Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristine, Prednisone) was the most common frontline therapy, increasing with more recent treatment year: 51% (2001-2003) vs. 69% (2010-2014). Autologous and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was uncommon in these Medicare patients. As the addition of rituximab increased over time, we also observed an improved survival rate over time. It is possible there is an association, but we cannot make this inference as effectiveness was not measured in this study. Overall survival estimates indicated that survival probabilities steadily improved in more recent years; however, 5-year survival was <40%, indicating the need for improved treatment options for older adult DLBCL patients.

The Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers (VDPP), a consortium of 10 prospective cohort studies from the United States, Finland, and China, was formed to examine the associations between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and the risk of rarer cancers. Cases (total n = 5,491) included incident primary endometrial (n = 830), kidney (n = 775), ovarian (n = 516), pancreatic (n = 952), and upper gastrointestinal tract (n = 1,065) cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1,353) diagnosed in the participating cohorts. At least 1 control was matched to each case on age, date of blood collection (1974-2006), sex, and race/ethnicity (n = 6,714). Covariate data were obtained from each cohort in a standardized manner. The majority of the serum or plasma samples were assayed in a central laboratory using a direct, competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay on the DiaSorin LIAISON platform (DiaSorin, Inc., Stillwater, Minnesota). Masked quality control samples included serum standards from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology. Conditional logistic regression analyses were conducted using clinically defined cutpoints, with 50-<75 nmol/L as the reference category. Meta-analyses were also conducted using inverse-variance weights in random-effects models. This consortium approach permits estimation of the association between 25(OH)D and several rarer cancers with high accuracy and precision across a wide range of 25(OH)D concentrations.

Results from epidemiologic studies examining pancreatic cancer risk and vitamin D intake or 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations (the best indicator of vitamin D derived from diet and sun) have been inconsistent. Therefore, the authors conducted a pooled nested case-control study of participants from 8 cohorts within the Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers (VDPP) (1974-2006) to evaluate whether prediagnostic circulating 25(OH)D concentrations were associated with the development of pancreatic cancer. In total, 952 incident pancreatic adenocarcinoma cases occurred among participants (median follow-up, 6.5 years). Controls (n = 1,333) were matched to each case by cohort, age, sex, race/ethnicity, date of blood draw, and follow-up time. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to calculate smoking-, body mass index-, and diabetes-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for pancreatic cancer. Clinically relevant 25(OH)D cutpoints were compared with a referent category of 50-<75 nmol/L. No significant associations were observed for participants with lower 25(OH)D status. However, a high 25(OH)D concentration (> or =100 nmol/L) was associated with a statistically significant 2-fold increase in pancreatic cancer risk overall (odds ratio = 2.12, 95% confidence interval: 1.23, 3.64). Given this result, recommendations to increase vitamin D concentrations in healthy persons for the prevention of cancer should be carefully considered.

A role for vitamin D in ovarian cancer etiology is supported by ecologic studies of sunlight exposure, experimental mechanism studies, and some studies of dietary vitamin D intake and genetic polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor. However, few studies have examined the association of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), an integrated measure of vitamin D status, with ovarian cancer risk. A nested case-control study was conducted among 7 prospective studies to evaluate the circulating 25(OH)D concentration in relation to epithelial ovarian cancer risk. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals among 516 cases and 770 matched controls. Compared with 25(OH)D concentrations of 50-<75 nmol/L, no statistically significant associations were observed for <37.5 (odds ratio (OR) = 1.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87, 1.70), 37.5-<50 (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.75, 1.41), or > or =75 (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.79, 1.55) nmol/L. Analyses stratified by tumor subtype, age, body mass index, and other variables were generally null but suggested an inverse association between 25(OH)D and ovarian cancer risk among women with a body mass index of > or =25 kg/m(2) (P(interaction) < 0.01). In conclusion, this large pooled analysis did not support an overall association between circulating 25(OH)D and ovarian cancer risk, except possibly among overweight women.

Low vitamin D status is common globally and is associated with multiple disease outcomes. Understanding the correlates of vitamin D status will help guide clinical practice, research, and interpretation of studies. Correlates of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations measured in a single laboratory were examined in 4,723 cancer-free men and women from 10 cohorts participating in the Cohort Consortium Vitamin D Pooling Project of Rarer Cancers, which covers a worldwide geographic area. Demographic and lifestyle characteristics were examined in relation to 25(OH)D using stepwise linear regression and polytomous logistic regression. The prevalence of 25(OH)D concentrations less than 25 nmol/L ranged from 3% to 36% across cohorts, and the prevalence of 25(OH)D concentrations less than 50 nmol/L ranged from 29% to 82%. Seasonal differences in circulating 25(OH)D were most marked among whites from northern latitudes. Statistically significant positive correlates of 25(OH)D included male sex, summer blood draw, vigorous physical activity, vitamin D intake, fish intake, multivitamin use, and calcium supplement use. Significant inverse correlates were body mass index, winter and spring blood draw, history of diabetes, sedentary behavior, smoking, and black race/ethnicity. Correlates varied somewhat within season, race/ethnicity, and sex. These findings help identify persons at risk for low vitamin D status for both clinical and research purposes.

This follow-up study investigated whether attitudes toward the metric system have changed over the last 15 years. 132 subjects ranging in age from 18 to 45 years participated by filling out a 7-item survey designed to measure attitudes toward the metric system. Each survey item was scored using a 5-point rating, e.g., "the change to the metric system will create more problems than it solves," 1: strongly agree and 5: strongly disagree. Scores were compared to those obtained for a similar sample in 1983. Comparisons using t tests indicated no significant differences between attitude scores from 1983 to 1998 for either men (t64 = .95) or women (t133 = .06).