Digital Commons Network^™

The Obama Administration's Challenges After The 'War On Science': Reforming Staffing Practices And Protecting Scientific Integrity In The Executive Branch, Justin Vaughn, José Villalobos

José D. Villalobos

In this article, we examine the difficult leadership position President Barack Obama inherited as he took office with respect to science and technology policy making and implementation, particularly following the Bush administration and years of the so-called "war on science." We contend that the Obama administration's challenge is not only to take substantive policy action, but also to reform certain administrative practices, particularly in light of the previous administration's practice of the politics of strategic vacancies, a managerial technique that rearranges an agency's ideological inclinations not through the usual forms of active politicization (i.e., by filling the appointee ranks with …

Who's Afraid Of Law And The Emotions?, Kathryn Abrams, Hila Keren

Kathryn Abrams

No abstract provided.

Butler Freshmen Hunt For Library Treasure, Sheridan Stormes

Sheridan Stormes

The libraries at Butler University in Indianapolis have found a unique and fun way to get incoming freshmen into the campus libraries even BEFORE the first week of classes!

Asynchronous Online Learning: Perceptions And Experiences Of Nontraditional Adult Emergency Services Students, Dr. R. Jeffery Maxfield

R. Jeffery Maxfield

This study used hermeneutic phenomenology, a qualitative methodology, to explore and interpret the lived experience of nontraditional emergency services students in an asynchronous online learning environment. This understanding was achieved through rigorous analysis of in-depth, semistructured interviews and journal entries of four nontraditional adult students enrolled in an online baccalaureate degree program. The research question for this study was: How do nontraditional adult undergraduate students experience asynchronous online instruction? Results revealed that student experiences fell into two overarching themes, each with related subthemes. The two identified themes and subthemes are: (a) Flexible Learning, with the subthemes of convenience, self-directedness/self-discipline, and …

Epidemiology Of Early And Late Growth In Height, Leg And Trunk Length: Findings From A Birth Cohort Of Brazilian Males, D. P. Gigante, Aydin Nazmi, R. C. Lima, F. C. Barros, Cesar G. Victora

Aydin Nazmi

Background/Objective:To investigate socioeconomic, gestational and early life exposures as potential determinants of total height, leg and trunk length. Subjects/Methods:Male subjects from the 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study were examined in 1986 at home, and in 2000 when registering at the local army base. The follow-up rate was 79%. Standing and sitting heights were measured on both occasions. Leg length was calculated as the difference between standing and sitting heights. Outcome measures were height, leg and trunk length at 4 and 18 years and growth in this period. Complete data were obtained for 2012 participants, representing 71% of all eligible male …

Life-Course Socio-Economic Factors, Skin Colour And Abdominal Obesity In Adulthood In A Brazilian Birth Cohort, David A. Gonzalez, Aydin Nazmi, John S. Yudkin, Cesar G. Victora

Aydin Nazmi

Objective:Obesity is an increasingly prevalent nutritional disorder throughout the world. In particular, abdominal obesity is associated with cardiovascular and metabolic risk. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of skin colour and life-course socio-economic indicators on waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist:hip ratio (WHR) in young adults. Design:Population-based birth cohort study. Individuals born in 1982 in Pelotas (southern Brazil) were visited on a number of occasions from birth to age 23–24 years. A sample of the cohort was sought in 2006 and 972 individuals were located. The analysis was restricted to individuals with complete data available (442 …

Socioeconomic And Racial/Ethnic Differentials Of C-Reactive Protein Levels: A Systematic Review Of Population-Based Studies, Aydin Nazmi, Cesar G. Victora

Aydin Nazmi

Background:Socioeconomic and racial/ethnic factors strongly influence cardiovascular disease outcomes and risk factors. C-reactive protein (CRP), a non-specific marker of inflammation, is associated with cardiovascular risk, and knowledge about its distribution in the population may help direct preventive efforts. A systematic review was undertaken to critically assess CRP levels according to socioeconomic and racial/ethnic factors. Methods:Medline was searched through December 2006 for population-based studies examining CRP levels among adults with respect to indicators of socioeconomic position (SEP) and/or race/ethnicity. Bibliographies from located studies were scanned and 26 experts in the field were contacted for unpublished work. Results:Thirty-two relevant articles were located. …

Correlates Of C-Reactive Protein Levels In Young Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study Of 3827 Subjects In Brazil, Aydin Nazmi, I. O. Oliveira, Cesar G. Victora

Aydin Nazmi

The socio-demographic, behavioral and anthropometric correlates of C-reactive protein levels were examined in a representative young adult Brazilian population. The 1982 Pelotas Birth Cohort Study (Brazil) recruited over 99% of births in the city of Pelotas that year (N = 5914). Individuals belonging to the cohort have been prospectively followed up. In 2004-2005, 77.4% of the cohort was traced, members were interviewed and 3827 individuals donated blood. Analyses of the outcome were based on a conceptual model that differentiated confounders from potential mediators. The following independent variables were studied in relation to levels of C-reactive protein in sex-stratified analyses: skin …

Hb A1c In Relation To Intrauterine Growth Among Male Adolescents In Southern Brazil, Aydin Nazmi, S. R. Huttly, Cesar G. Victora, R. C. Lima, P. R. Post, J. W.L. Elizalde, B. M.C. Gerson

Aydin Nazmi

The fetal origins hypothesis states that nutritional deprivation in utero affects fetal development and contributes to the incidence of diseases associated with the metabolic syndrome in later life. This study investigated whether haemoglobin (Hb) A1c, an indicator of blood glucose, varied among healthy male adolescents according to their fetal growth rate, in a middle-income setting. Participants were men aged 18 years, belonging to the 1982 Pelotas birth cohort. Complete data, including gestational age and Hb A1c at age 18 years, were available for 197 individuals. There was an inverse association between mean Hb A1c and birthweight for the gestational age, …

The Seasoning Of Lake Glass, Tom Montgomery-Fate

Tom Montgomery Fate

No abstract provided.

Assignment Research Calculator: Designing And Implementing A Customized Product To Reach Your Students, Monica Fushich, Jane Magee, Elisabeth A. Thomas

Elisabeth A. Thomas

Modern Spectral Climate Patterns In Rhythmically Deposited Argillites Of The Gowganda Formation (Early Proterozoic), Southern Ontario, Canada, Gary B. Hughes, Robert Giegengack, Haralambos N. Kritikos

Gary B. Hughes

Rhythmically deposited argillites of the Gowganda Formation (ca. 2.0–2.5 Ga) probably formed in a glacial setting. Drop stones and layered sedimentary couplets in the rock presumably indicate formation in a lacustrine environment with repeating freeze–thaw cycles. It is plausible that temporal variations in the thickness of sedimentary layers are related to interannual climatic variability, e.g. average seasonal temperature could have influenced melting and the amount of sediment source material carried to the lake. A sequence of layer couplet thickness measurements was made from high-resolution digitized photographs taken at an outcrop in southern Ontario, Canada. The frequency spectrum of thickness measurements …

A Phenomenology Of The Integration Of Faith And Learning, Elizabeth C. Sites, Fernando L. Garzon, Frederick Milacci, Barbara Boothe

Fred Milacci

This phenomenological investigation examined how eight student-nominated faculty who teach at an evangelical Christian liberal arts university describe their understanding and practice of the Integration of Faith and Learning (IFL). Collected data via informal, conversational, taped interviews led to the emergence of two primary themes: the Inseparability of Faith from Practice and the Outworking of Faith in Practice. The findings of the study highlight the need to create a more conducive context in which students can learn IFL and call for a re-examination of the already murky discourse surrounding definitional aspects of IFL. The study proposes to move the discourse …

Whistleblowers' Protection Legislation: In Search For Model For Nigeria, Ibrahim Sule

Ibrahim Sule

No abstract provided.

The Cultic Mentality, Edward Hindson

Edward Hindson

No abstract provided.

Defending The Faith: Yesterday, Edward Hindson

Edward Hindson

No abstract provided.

Breaking The Technology Barriers Imposed By Cast-In Place Concrete Pipe In Irrigation Districts: Case Study Of South San Joaquin Irrigation District, Charles M. Burt, Michael B. Gilton, Kevin Johnson, Keith Crowe

Charles M. Burt

South San Joaquin Irrigation District (SSJID) in Manteca, California, is beginning an ambitious modernization program to increase its water delivery flexibility. The district has over 200 miles of 30-60 inch cast-in-place (CIP) concrete pipeline that currently allow for little flexibility. SSJID will install four reinforced concrete interceptor pipelines and regulating reservoirs to redistribute water among the CIP pipelines and provide improved flexibility. The district's goal is to improve efficiency and encourage farmers with pressurized irrigation systems to shift from well water to surface water.

Gis Mapping For Irrigation District Rapid Appraisals, Daniel Howes, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

Charles M. Burt

Geographic information system (GIS) mapping is slowly becoming commonplace in irrigation districts as the need for more accurate and organized data becomes increasingly important. The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo commonly uses GIS as a tool in technical assistance packages for irrigation districts. One of the challenges in developing a strategic irrigation district modernization plan is to organize spatial data in such a way that various options can be easily understood. ITRC uses a combination of commercially available software with web-downloadable maps and photographs to organize and present the spatial information. …

Gis Mapping For Irrigation District Rapid Appraisals, Daniel Howes, Charles M. Burt, Stuart W. Styles

Stuart W. Styles

Geographic information system (GIS) mapping is slowly becoming commonplace in irrigation districts as the need for more accurate and organized data becomes increasingly important. The Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo commonly uses GIS as a tool in technical assistance packages for irrigation districts. One of the challenges in developing a strategic irrigation district modernization plan is to organize spatial data in such a way that various options can be easily understood. ITRC uses a combination of commercially available software with web-downloadable maps and photographs to organize and present the spatial information. …

Subsurface Flows Water Balance Components For Irrigation Districts In The San Joaquin Valley, Stuart W. Styles, Charles M. Burt

Stuart W. Styles

Cal Poly ITRC has conducted several water balances for regions or districts within the San Joaquin Valley. In each case, the greatest unknown component for the water balance is subsurface flows (ITRC, 1994). Water balance calculations can be confusing, especially in districts where there is groundwater pumping. This paper will discuss ITRC efforts to determine both lateral and vertical components of subsurface flow, the accuracy of the estimates, and the impact upon the accuracy of the final estimates of irrigation district or regional irrigation efficiencies.

Doppler Flow Meters For Turnouts, Stuart W. Styles

Stuart W. Styles

Irrigation districts, farmers and other agricultural and environmental water users need reliable and low-cost flow meters with integrated dataloggers to measure water velocity and depth with a high level of precision. The Irrigation Training and Research Center has undertaken a performance review of advanced electronic flow measurement technologies in irrigation applications. Examples are the Unidata STARFLOW and the MACE AgriFlo Ultrasonic Doppler Meters.

Can We Avoid In-Law Problems, James A. Borland

James A. Borland

No abstract provided.

Stress: Making The Crooked Straight, And Other Impossible Tasks, Ronald E. Hawkins

Ronald E. Hawkins

No abstract provided.

Answering The Cry For Help: A Counselor's Plea For Family Enrichment, Ronald E. Hawkins

Ronald E. Hawkins

No abstract provided.

Scripture As Word Of God: Evangelical Assumption Or Evangelical Question?, John D. Morrison

John D. Morrison

Examines the views of D. Bloesch, G. Fackre, and C. Pinnock. Indicates their disjunctive positions introduce ontological and epistemological dualism into the doctrine of revelation. Takes Packer's view of the Bible as the Word of God written, affirming that the human languages used to reflect God's person and work are competent to do so. Finds Wolterstorff's answer to Barth and John Baillie insightful, but we must move past his views to the full-orbed acceptance of the Word of God as written to avoid negating propositional revelation.

The Presidential Election In Cyprus, February 2008, Neophytos Loizides

Neophytos Loizides

A two-round presidential election was held in Cyprus on February 17 and February 24, 2008. The election was the first to take place after the country’s accession to the European Union and the abortive UN-planned referendum on reunification in 2004. It was also the first to be contended and won by a leader of AKEL, the communist party of Cyprus. The 2008 election took place in a highly politicized environment, in the midst of concern over the future of bicommunal negotiations. Incumbent President Tassos Papadopoulos rallied the nationalist vote against his moderate rivals Ioannis Kasoulides from centre right DISY and …

Religious Nationalism And Adaptation In Southeast Europe, Neophytos Loizides

Neophytos Loizides

Relating nationalism to other ideologies or cultural values is one of the most enigmatic scholarly activities. The enigma lies in the kaleidoscopic nature of nationalism and the ease with which it adapts or relates to philosophically opposed ideologies (Hutchinson & Smith, 1994, 3). For example, nationalism often assumes ties to liberalism, even though it presupposes a strong commitment to the national community that transcends individualism. It accommodates conservatism fairly well despite nationalism’s modernizing mission, and it has often been paired with communism, despite the latter’s internationalist rhetoric. More surprisingly, nationalism and religion often go hand in hand, despite their deep …

The Art Of Dying, Tom Montgomery-Fate

Tom Montgomery Fate

A lonely act of surrender on the streets of downtown Chicago

Substance Use, Education, Employment, And Criminal Activity Outcomes Of Adolescents In Outpatient Chemical Dependency Programs, Michael French, Ana Balsa, Jenny Homer, Constance Weisner

Michael T. French

Although the primary outcome of interest in clinical evaluations of addiction treatment programs is usually abstinence, participation in these programs can have a wide range of consequences. This study evaluated the effects of treatment initiation on substance use, school attendance, employment, and involvement in criminal activity at 12 months post-admission for 419 adolescents (aged 12 to 18) enrolled in chemical dependency recovery programs in a large managed care health plan. Instrumental variables estimation methods were used to account for unobserved selection into treatment by jointly modeling the likelihood of participation in treatment and the odds of attaining a certain outcome …

Estimating The Differential Costs Of Criminal Activity For Juvenile Drug Court Participants: Challenges And Recommendations, Michael French, Kathryn Mccollister, Ashli Sheidow, Scott Henggeler, Colleen Halliday-Boykins

Michael T. French

Juvenile drug court (JDC) programs have expanded rapidly over the past 20 years and are an increasingly popular option for rehabilitating juvenile offenders with substance use problems. Given the high cost of crime to society, an important economic question is whether and to what extent JDC programs reduce criminal activity among juvenile offenders. To address this question, the present study added an economic cost analysis to an ongoing randomized trial of JDC conducted in Charleston, South Carolina. Four treatment conditions were included in the parent study: Family Court with usual community-based treatment (FC, the comparison group), Drug Court with usual …