Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Space Exploration: Issues Concerning The “Vision For Space Exploration”, Marcia S. Smith

Congressional Research Service Reports

On January 14, 2004, President George W. Bush announced new goals for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), directing the agency to focus on returning humans to the Moon by 2020, and eventually sending them to Mars and “worlds beyond.” The President invited other countries to join. Most of the funding for this “Vision for Space Exploration” is to be redirected from other NASA activities, including terminating the space shuttle program in 2010, and ending U.S. participation in the International Space Station by 2016. NASA released an implementation plan for the Vision on September 19, 2005, and estimated the …

Chechens Win First Claims In The European Court Of Human Rights In Khashiyev & Akayeva V. Russia, Tarik Abdel-Monem

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

In Khashiyev & Akayeva v. Russia, the European Court of Human Rights unanimously found Russia in violation of Article 2-right to lifeand Article 3-prohibition of torture-of the European Convention on Human Rights ("the Convention") 2 for its military operations in the Republic of Chechnya. The Court also found Russia in violation of Article 13- right to an effective remedy-by a vote of five to two. Khashiyev and Akayeva were the first of six claims filed with the Court in early 2000 against Russia for alleged violations of the Convention in its war against Chechen nationalists.

The plaintiffs in Khashiyev …

Responding To The Storm: Exploring The Psychological Support Of Emergency Responders After The May 2004 Storms In Southeast Nebraska, Denise Bulling, Stacey J. Hoffman, Martin R. Klein, Brooke Olsen, Harry Walles

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

A large number of emergency personnel were involved in the response to the May 2004 storms that devastated a 52 mile swath of Southeast Nebraska. Emergency workers who responded the night of the storm were exposed to bad weather, darkness, and uncertainty about their own safety. Later, they were asked to work alongside survivors and neighbors who had lost everything amidst widespread destruction of farms, homes, and businesses. Some, but not all of the emergency personnel were offered formal psychological support services like critical incident debriefing to assist with the emotional processing of the event.

The research literature is mixed …

Genetically Modified Foods: Attitudes And Knowledge In The Heart Of The Farm Belt, Usa, Alan Tomkins, Ian Christensen, John Fulwider, Kim Loontjer, Tarik Abdel-Monem, Dana Cohn

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

What do “average citizens” think about genetically modified foods (GMF)? Do their potential benefits outweigh their risks? Should food products containing GM ingredients be so labeled?

Surveys of attitudes toward GM foods and discussions on the topic in the US have been plentiful. The research typically indicates at least a low level of concern about GMFs. Yet GMFs continue to be prevalent in the American food marketplace. Whatever concerns Americans may have, they have not adversely impacted the production or consumption of GM foods. Indeed, there have not been sufficient political pressures in the US to require the labeling of …

Nebraska Behavioral Health All Hazards Disaster Response And Recovery Plan, Denise Bulling, James S. Harvey

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The process resulting from this grant has created the expectation that behavioral health is a natural partner in disaster response planning in the state of Nebraska. Partners in the planning process have expressed a fear that lack of continued funding at some level will place the progress made to date in jeopardy. The SAMHSA funding made available for this capacity development has already resulted in the development of relationships that made possible the following: • Nebraska received its first FEMA CCP grant in May 2004. • Nebraska received its second FEMA CCP grant in August 2005, to serve displaced survivors …

Responding To Katrina: A Mental Health Guide To Providing Culturally Competent Mental Health Services To Evacuees And Their Support Systems, Leon D. Caldwell

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

There is no doubt that the devastation levied by hurricane Katrina is unprecedented in the lifetime of a vast majority of Americans’. The loss and damage to property is no comparison to the loss of human life and the damage to the human spirit experienced by the victims of hurricane Katrina Many mental health practitioners will heed the call to volunteer their expertise and time to assist victims and evacuees through the Red Cross and other organizations. The purpose of this abbreviated guide is to assist those practitioners with limited experiences with African American and economically disadvantaged clients and consumers …

Children's Social Behaviors And Peer Interactions In Diverse Cultures, Carolyn P. Edwards, Maria Rosario De Guzman, Jill Brown, Asiye Kumru

Department of Child, Youth, and Family Studies: Faculty Publications

Cultural socialization has long interested behavioral and social scientists, but recent advances in theory and methodology have allowed researchers to construct new and more powerful theoretical frameworks for conceptualizing the complex ways in which children interact with their environments during the course of development. Studies of childhood socialization in the classic tradition of cross-cultural research were static in their approach to analyzing underlying processes because of limitations in the theories and methods available at the time they were conducted. Many studies, for example, involved straightforward associations or comparisons of levels of parental socialization pressure (the antecedent condition) with children's social …

A Historical Perspective: Changes In Grassland Breeding Bird Densities Within Major Habitats In North Dakota Between 1967 And 1992-1993, Lawrence D. Igl, Douglas H. Johnson, Harold A. Kantrud

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Population declines of many grassland-nesting birds are now widely recognized. Fundamental to understanding these declines is knowing if they are caused by changes in the availability of suitable habitats or changes in the densities of birds within those habitats. We address that issue with information from systematic surveys of breeding birds throughout North Dakota in 1967, 1992, and 1993. We compared the availability of 8 major habitat types, and the densities of 24 species of grassland birds in each habitat type, for 128 randomly selected quarter-sections (64.7 ha or 160 ac) that were surveyed in each of those years. Between …

Distributions Of Exotic Plants In Eastern Asia And North America, Qinfeng Guo, Hong Qian, Robert E. Ricklefs, Weimin Xi

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Although some plant traits have been linked to invasion success, the possible effects of regional factors, such as diversity, habitat suitability, and human activity are not well understood. Each of these mechanisms predicts a different pattern of distribution at the regional scale. Thus, where climate and soils are similar, predictions based on regional hypotheses for invasion success can be tested by comparisons of distributions in the source and receiving regions. Here, we analyse the native and alien geographic ranges of all 1567 plant species that have been introduced between eastern Asia and North America or have been introduced to both …

Conspecific Attraction In A Grassland Bird, The Baird’S Sparrow, Marissa A. Ahlering, Douglas H. Johnson, John Faaborg

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Territorial songbirds generally use song to defend territories and attract mates, but conspecific song may also serve as a cue to attract other male songbirds to a breeding site. Although known to occur in some colonial and forest-associated species, only recently have investigators examined conspecific attraction in grassland species. We used a playback experiment to examine the possible role of conspecific attraction for males searching for potentially suitable breeding habitat in a grassland specialist, the Baird’s Sparrow(Ammodramus bairdii). Experimental playback plots and control plots with similar landscape and vegetation characteristics were established at two sites in North Dakota. …

The Many Faces Of Replication, Douglas Johnson

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Replication is one of the three cornerstones of inference from experimental studies, the other two being control and randomization. In fact, replication is essential for the benefits of randomization to apply. In addition to ordinary replication, the repetition of treatments within a study, two other levels of replication have been identified. Pseudoreplication, a termed coined by Stuart Hurlbert, generally involves making multiple measurements on experiment units (which is commendable) and treating them as if they reflected independent responses to treatment (which is erroneous). Metareplication is a higher level of replication in which entire studies are repeated. Scientists are too much …

A 3-Decade Dearth Of Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) In A Wolf (Canis Lupus)–Dominated Ecosystem, Michael Nelson, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Some 30 y after wolves (Canis lupus) were implicated in decimating wintering white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) in a 3000-km² area of northeastern Minnesota, wintering deer still have not recolonized the area. From 1976 to 2004, we aerially radio-tracked wolves there during 250 h and recorded 2 deer (in 1985 and 2000) killed or eaten by wolves during February and March. We observed no other deer or deer sign, but regularly observed deer, deer sign and wolf-killed deer in adjacent wolf-pack territories. Although habitat in the study area generally remains poor, some regeneration has taken place, …

Survival Of Adult Female Elk In Yellowstone Following Wolf Restoration, Shaney Evans, L. David Mech, P. J. White, Glen A. Sergeant

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Counts of northern Yellowstone elk (Cervus elaphus) in northwestern Wyoming and adjacent Montana, USA, have decreased at an average rate of 6–8% per year since wolves (Canis lupus) were reintroduced in 1995. Population growth rates of elk are typically sensitive to variations in adult female survival; populations that are stable or increasing exhibit high adult female survival. We used survival records for 85 radio-collared adult female elk 1–19 years old to estimate annual survival from March 2000 to February 2004. Weighted average annual survival rates were approximately 0.83 (95% CI=0.77–0.89) for females 1–15 years old and …

Estimated Age Structure Of Wolves In Northeastern Minnesota, L. David Mech

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Information about population age structures is useful to understand survival rates, longevity, and population turnover. However, little such information is available about wolf (Canis lupus) populations. Mech (1970) estimated age structures of wolf-population age structure from pup:adult ratios applying various demographic assumptions, but no direct information has been published to test his estimate. Mech et al. (1998) aged 94 live wolves darted in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska, USA, but the estimates of wolf ages were based on educated guesses because no technique was available for aging live wolves. Since then, Gipson et al. (2000) published criteria …

Leveling The Field: Using Rubrics To Achieve Greater Equity In Teaching And Grading, Dannelle D. Stevens, Antonia Levi

Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education: Archives

Rubrics can be used to assure greater consistency in grading and as a teaching tool to promote greater equity, especially with students who are first generation and /or non-native speakers of English.

Disaster Chaplains Who Provide Spiritual First Aid, Caroline Walles

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

For almost three years, Nebraska has been viewing disaster behavioral health as an integral component of the response which takes place at the time of a disaster. In fact, the need for disaster behavioral health as part of the immediate or first response to a disaster has been written into the state’s formal disaster plan. However, because there is a shortage of behavioral health providers in Nebraska (88 of 93 counties are considered shortage areas) partnerships with “natural helpers” – including clergy and faith leaders – are being forged. Out of this necessity has come the Nebraska Disaster Chaplain Network, …

Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (Samhsa) Targeted Capacity Expansion Grants To Enhance State Capacity For Emergency Mental Health And Substance Abuse Response, Denise Bulling, James S. Harvey

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The Division of Behavioral Health Services within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is authorized under the Nebraska Behavioral Health Services Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. 71-801 to 71-820). The Division of Behavioral Health Services extended through September 30, 2005 its Intergovernmental Agreement (#HHSBH-04-Emergency Response – 1) with the University of Nebraska Public Policy Center to coordinate and manage the second year activities of the Nebraska All-Hazards Behavioral Health Response and Recovery Capacity Expansion Grant, in coordination with activities funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) hospital preparedness bioterrorism grant.

Newcomers In Nebraska’S Rural Communities 2006 Nebraska Rural Poll Results, Rebecca J. Vogt, Randolph Cantrell, Bruce Johnson, Alan Tomkins

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Population loss in rural Nebraska communities has been a concern, but many communities across the state have experienced population gains during the past decade. Are rural Nebraskans aware of new residents living in their community? How do they feel about their community’s new residents? What do they think will happen to their community’s population during the next ten years?

This report details 2,482 responses to the 2006 Nebraska Rural Poll, the eleventh annual effort to understand rural Nebraskans’ perceptions. Respondents were asked a series of questions about new residents in their community and their expectations regarding population growth in their …

Insect Visitation And Pollen Deposition In An Invaded Prairie Plant Community, Diane L. Larson, Ronald A. Royer, Margaret R. Royer

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Invasive plants with large flowering displays have been shown to compete with native plants for pollinator services, often to the detriment of native plant fitness. In this study, we compare the pollinator communities and pollen deposited on stigmas of native plant species within and away from stands of the invasive alien plant, leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) at a large natural area in North Dakota, USA. Specifically, we ask if infestation influences (1) visitation rates and taxonomic composition of visitors to native flowers, and (2) the amount of conspecific pollen, number of pollen species, and proportion of heterospecific pollen on stigmas …

Conserving Cracids: The Most Threatened Family Of Birds In The Americas, Daniel M. Brooks

Galliformes Specialist Group and Affiliated Societies: Reports and Other Materials

Preface, Russell Mittermeier

Foreword, Stuart D. Strahl

Biology and Conservation of Cracids, Daniel M. Brooks and Richard A. Fuller

• Introduction
• The natural history of cracids
• Why are iracids important
• Threats to the survival of cracids
• Conservation actions for cracids

Methods, Daniel M. Brooks and Stuart D. Strahl

Extinct in the Wild and Critically Endangered

• Alagoas curassow (Mitu mitu), Carlos A. Bianchi
• White-winged guan (Penelope albipennis), Fernando Angulo Pratolongo, Víctor Raúl Díaz, Rob Williams, and Laura Cancino
• Trinidad piping-guan (Aburria pipile), Floyd E. Hayes
• Horned guan (Oreophasis …

The Sexual Sinthome, Geneviève Morel, Roland K. Végső

Department of English: Faculty Publications

Psychoanalysis possesses the means to think the difference of the sexes without relying on the phallus. Lacanian theory of the sinthome offers an alternative by articulating a new quadruplicity (R, S, I, and the sinthome), which allows us to think the relation between the sexes and the generations without necessarily referring to the Name-of-the-Father or the phallus as absolute norms. Thanks to this theory, we can avoid the moral and political prejudices that accompany the grand questions of society posed to us at the dawn of the 21st century: the treatment of “mental health,” the legislation of marriage, filiation, and …

Federal Prosecution Of Human Trafficking, 2001-2005, U.S. Department Of Justice

Human Trafficking: Data and Documents

Between 2001 and 2005, U.S. attorneys investigated 555 suspects in matters involving violations of Federal human trafficking statutes. Over half of the matters (58%) opened during this period were for offenses created under the Trafficking in Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000.

Combating Human Trafficking In China: Domestic And Internatinal Efforts, Congressional-Executive Commission On China

Human Trafficking: Data and Documents

Human trafficking in China is a serious problem. According to a 2002 UNICEF estimate, there are approximately 250,000 victims of trafficking in China. Traffickers are increasingly linked to organized crime, and specialize in abducting girls and women, both for the bridal market in China’s poorest areas, and for sale as prostitutes in urban areas. North Korean refugees are an especially vulnerable group.

Community Maturity, Species Saturation And The Variant Diversity–Productivity Relationships In Grasslands, Qinfeng Guo, Terry Shaffer, Thomas Buhl

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

Detailed knowledge of the relationship between plant diversity and productivity is critical for advancing our understanding of ecosystem functioning and for achieving success in habitat restoration efforts. However, effects and interactions of diversity, succession and biotic invasions on productivity remain elusive. We studied newly established communities in relation to preexisting homogeneous vegetation invaded by exotic plants in the northern Great Plains, USA, at four study sites for 3 years. We observed variant diversity–productivity relationships for the seeded communities (generally positive monotonic at three sites and non-monotonic at the other site) but no relationships for the resident community or the seeded …

Progress Report 2005, Nebraska Minority And Justice Implementation Committee

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The Nebraska Minority and Justice Implementation Committee is a unique statewide collaboration that works to develop and implement just and sustainable policy reforms that will not only improve the system of justice but will also strengthen public trust and confidence in our laws and court system. The Committee is a joint effort of the Nebraska State Bar Association and the Nebraska Supreme Court, appointed by the Supreme Court in May of 2003 in response to a Task Force’s two-year investigation of racial and ethnic bias and discrimination in Nebraska’s justice system. The mission of the Committee is to achieve four …

Results For Nebraska, Models For The Nation

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

The University of Nebraska Public Policy Center has impacted policy-relevant change throughout the state and in national policy efforts as well. Here’s a quick look at some of our outcomes “by the numbers” over the past three years:
• Administered Minority and Justice Initiative, which, among other reforms, brought about the passage of two Nebraska state laws to improve the representativeness of juries.
• Awarded $1.5 million to organizations involved in providing behavioral health services to Nebraskans.
• Trained nearly 600 school personnel, health care professionals, faith leaders, and community members to provide psychological first-aid services in response to disasters. …

The Nebraska Minority Justice Committee Progress Report 2006

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

CONTENTS:
Representative Juries Project
Access to Justice Issue of The Nebraska Lawyer
Uniform Juror Qualification Form
Assigned Counsel Fee Study
Improvement of Data Collection
Second Annual Legal Diversity Summit
Supporting Law School Initiatives
Nebraska Legal Diversity Website
Barristers’ Ball 2006
Priority Projects
Raising Awareness
Feedback and Questions
Members of the Minority Justice Committee

Nebraska Behavioral Health Situation Manual – Avian Influenza, Keith F.Hansen, Denise Bulling

University of Nebraska Public Policy Center: Publications

Purpose This exercise gives participants an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans, and capabilities for a behavioral health response to an Avian Influenza outbreak. The exercise will focus on key state and local coordination, critical decisions, risk communications and the integration of external assets necessary to minimize the psychological effects of an Avian Influenza outbreak.

Scope This exercise examines the role of assets from Behavioral Health, Public Health, Agricultural, and other entities in Nebraska. Processes and decision making are more important than minute details.

Design Objectives Exercise design objectives are focused on improving understanding of a response concept, identifying …

Combating The Sexual Exploitation Of Children, Commission On Security And Cooperation In Europe

Human Trafficking: Data and Documents

Each year, as we know, thousands of American kids are victimized through pornography, many subjected to violence in the process. The shocking reality is that often the perpetrators and purveyors of these crimes are parents, relatives, or acquaintances of the victim.

2006 Trafficking In Persons Report, U.S. Department Of State

Human Trafficking: Data and Documents

The Department of State is required by law to submit a Report each year to the U.S. Congress on foreign governments’ efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons. This Report is the sixth annual TIP Report. It is intended to raise global awareness, to highlight the growing efforts of the international community to combat human trafficking, and to encourage foreign governments to take effective actions to counter all forms of trafficking in persons. The Report has increasingly focused the efforts of a growing community of nations on sharing information and partnering in new and important ways.

A country …