Beyond contested elections: the processes of bill creation and the fulfillment of democracy's promises

Long before 1996, earlier promises of 'development' had splintered into a million shards. Development -- defined as the use of state power to bring about social, political, and economic change in favor of the mass of the population almost everywhere had seemingly imploded. 5 Babies in the poorer countries could expect to live from ten to thirty years fewer than those born in industrialized countries. [TRUNCATED

Changes in Mean Global Physical Parameters of Blazhko RR Lyrae stars -- Derived from Multicolor Photometry

We developed an Inverse Photometric method (IPM) to determine global physical parameters of RR Lyrae stars exclusively from multicolor light curves (S\'odor, Jurcsik & Szeidl, 2009, MNRAS, 394, 261). We showed that for good quality photometric observations of unmodulated RRab stars, the IPM gives similarly good results as direct Baade-Wesselink analyses do, but without the need for spectroscopic measurements. In the course of the development, we payed special attention to the applicability of the IPM for modulated RR Lyrae stars. Since there is no simultaneous spectroscopic radial velocity and photometric observations of any Blazhko star with good phase coverage both in pulsation and modulation, which would allow spectroscopic Baade-Wesselink analysis, the IPM is the only possibility today to study changes in the global physical parameters of Blazhko RR Lyrae stars during the modulation cycle. With the IPM, we have studied the extensive multicolor light curves of 4 Blazhko RRab stars we observed with the 24-inch telescope of the Konkoly Observatory during the past 5 years in the frame of the Konkoly Blazhko Survey. Small but unambiguous changes in the pulsation-averaged mean temperature, mean radius and mean luminosity have been detected in each star. Results on these Blazhko stars (SS Cnc, DM Cyg, RR Gem, and MW Lyr) are shown in this paper.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure. Appeared in STELLAR PULSATION: CHALLENGES FOR THEORY AND OBSERVATION: Proceedings of the International Conference. AIP Conference Proceedings, Volume 1170, pp. 294-298 (2009

Identification of ebs1, lsm6 and nup159 as suppressors of spt10 effects at ADH2 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae suggests post-transcriptional defects affect mRNA synthesis

Suppression of the effects of an spt10 mutation on ADH2 expression is a phenotype shared by a small number of genes whose protein products are either components of the CCR4-NOT complex required for mRNA deadenylation and degradation (CCR4, CAF1, NOT4) or have been shown to interact with the complex (DBF2, SRB9, SRB10). In this work, we conducted a screen for additional suppressors of spt10 at ADH2 to identify new factors related to CCR4 function. In addition to reisolating ccr4 and caf1 alleles, three previously unidentified suppressors of spt10 were obtained: ebs1, lsm6, and nup159. These three genes are known or presumed to affect mRNA export or degradation. Mutations in EBS1, LSM6 and NUP159 not only suppressed spt10-induced ADH2 expression but also, like ccr4 and caf1 defects, reduced the ability of ADH2 to derepress. None of these defects affected the expression of CCR4-NOT complex components or the formation of the CCR4-NOT complex. The reduced ADH2 expression was also not the result of increased degradation of ADH2 mRNA, as the lsm6 and nup159 alleles, like that of a ccr4 deletion, actually slowed ADH2 degradation. Our results indicate that alterations in factors that slow mRNA degradation or affect mRNA transport may also interfere with the synthesis of mRNA and suggest an integration of such events in gene expression

New Results of the Konkoly Blazhko Group

During the recent years the Konkoly Blazhko Group (PIs Johanna Jurcsik and B\'ela Szeidl, co-workers \'Ad\'am S\'odor, Zsombor Hurta and several undergraduate, graduate students) published new important results of Blazhko variables in 15 reviewed Journal articles. These results utilize multicolor CCD observations obtained with an automatic 60 cm telescope, and also previously unpublished Konkoly archive photometric data. Our light curves are the most extended multicolor data-sets ever obtained for a Blazhko variable, the observations cover each phase of the pulsation and the modulation as well. We have detected many previously unknown features of the light curve modulation, and based on the different band's observations we also revealed the underlying variations of the mean physical parameters during the Blazhko cycle. In my contribution the main achievements of the Konkoly Blazhko Group are summarised.Comment: in "Stellar Pulsation: Challenges for Theory and Observation", Eds. J. Guzik and P. Bradley. (5 pages, 5 figures

Toolbox Talks: Insights for Improvement

Tool box talks (TBTs) have the potential to improve communication, empower workers, reduce injuries and improve safety; however, they can also be “missed opportunities” for providing important safety messages in construction. The goal of this paper is to share the results from two research projects designed to improve the frequency, delivery, participation, and outcomes of TBTs. The results of these projects provide suggestions for planning and delivering TBTs in construction. METHODS: In the first project, 86 residential carpentry foremen from 8 different residential contractors in the St. Louis region participated in training for delivering TBTs as part of an 8-hour fall prevention and safety communication intervention. We compared baseline measures of safety behavior and fall prevention knowledge items to follow-up between participating foremen and their crewmembers. Concurrently, surveys of 300 apprentice carpenters were collected to describe the frequency and delivery methods of TBT and to serve as a comparison group for the TBT intervention. In the second project, we evaluated the utility of ergonomics TBTs delivered by a safety representative to 36 carpenters and laborers. Workers rated their perceptions of topic relevance, delivery method, similarities to traditional TBTs, and intent to change behaviors. The safety representative provided feedback regarding the TBTs and reported their observations of improved worker use of ergonomics in work tasks post-training. DISCUSSION / CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions described in this paper improved workplace safety. The interventions demonstrate how to simply shift from non-collaborative TBTs to participatory, context-driven TBTs by using a pre-printed TBT template, modified to address the hazards present at the worksite. Delivery suggestions relate the information to the workers, and include workers in the identification of problems and safety-related solutions. These participatory methods for preparing and delivering TBTs have the potential to improve construction workplace safety practices

The Cepheid Distance Scale: recent progress in fundamental techniques

This review examines progress on the Pop I, fundamental-mode Cepheid distance scale with emphasis on recent developments in geometric and quasi-geometric techniques for Cepheid distance determination. Specifically I examine the surface brightness method, interferometric pulsation method, and trigonometric measurements. The three techniques are found to be in excellent agreement for distance measures in the Galaxy. The velocity p-factor is of crucial importance in the first two of these methods. A comparison of recent determinations of the p-factor for Cepheids demonstrates that observational measures of p and theoretical predictions agree within their uncertainties for Galactic Cepheids.Comment: An invited review at the Santa Fe, NM, conference -- Stellar Pulsation: Challenges for Theory and Observation; May 31-June 5, 2009 10 pages, 8 figure

Fundamental Parameters of Cepheids: Masses and Multiplicity

Masses determined from classical Cepheids in binary systems are a primary test of both pulsation and evolutionary calculations. The first step is to determine the orbit from ground-based radial velocities. Complementary satellite data from Hubble, FUSE, IUE, and Chandra provide full information about the system. A summary of recent results on masses is given. Cepheids have also provided copious information about the multiplicity of massive stars, as well as the distribution of mass ratios and separations. This provides some important constraints for star formation scenarios including differences between high and low mass results and differences between close and wide binaries

The Sun as a Star: 13 years of SoHO

The best known Solar oscillation-like star is the Sun. During the last 14 years, the ESA/NASA Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SoHO) has been continuously observing this star from the Lagrange point L1 with an enormous success. Among the 11 instruments placed onboard, 3 of them are dedicated to helioseismology: GOLF, VIRGO and MDI. The first two observe the Sun as a star by integrating the velocity or intensity signal of the visible solar disk into a single point. They are thus similar to any other observation done in asteroseismology. During this review I will present the most important results obtained during the mission concerning the Sun seen as a star and how this results have evolved our thoughts of the inside of our star.Comment: Proceedings of the Stellar Pulsation Conference. Santa Fe. 6 pages, 4 figure

Evaluating U.S. Federal Marine Protected Areas Programs: A Comparative Analysis and Conceptual Framework

Federal area-based marine protection and management in the United States is overseen by the National Marine Sanctuary Program, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Each agency and program represents a different approach to managing the oceans. Currently, no federal agency or program is responsible for evaluating the overall effectiveness of these programs. Evaluation is needed to determine whether programs are achieving their management objectives and conservation goals. Although evaluation protocols are legislatively mandated, implementation is inconsistent across programs. Federal agencies have been criticized for failing to protect marine resources effectively. The objective of this comparative case study is to determine whether the evaluation practices of federal area-based marine protection programs (also known as Marine Protected Area [MPA] programs) are contributing to improved marine resource protection. I investigate: (1) what methodologies federal agencies currently employ to evaluate their marine protected areas programs; (2) to what extent federal MPA program evaluation processes adhere to program evaluation theory and practice; and (3) how components of these evaluations could inform a national-scale MPA evaluation system. I also discuss whether evaluation results have been disseminated and recommendations implemented and the extent of inter-agency and intra-agency exchange of evaluation information. The results of my research indicate that: (1) federal reporting requirements drive MPA evaluation; (2) programs fall short in Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) program results/accountability section; (3) MPA programs utilize more output measures than outcome measures; (4) past independent evaluations focus on funding/budget rather than programmatic success in marine conservation; (5) MPA staff face numerous evaluation challenges; (6) MPA staff are interested in a national MPA evaluation system; (7) implementation/dissemination of evaluation results is lacking; and (8) MPA cooperative efforts exclude some programs. The U.S. National Marine Protected Areas Center is in the process of developing a national system of marine protected areas, and it has identified the evaluation of management effectiveness as one of the key components of an effective national system. My research contributes to the development of a national-scale evaluation framework for U.S. federal marine protected areas. I present a conceptual model for a national-scale federal MPA program evaluation system. Components of the model include recommendations for: (1) establishing a national MPA evaluation coordination division; (2) developing an inventory of existing MPA evaluation studies and performance measures; (3) creating a centralized MPA evaluation information database; (4) developing MPA program and system-wide performance measures; (5) promoting MPA evaluation capacity-building including developing relationships with evaluation professionals and establishing a system of inter-agency and intra-agency MPA evaluation information exchange; and (6) ensuring that any future MPA legislation includes evaluation language

Evaluating U.S. Federal Marine Protected Areas Programs: A Comparative Analysis and Conceptual Framework

Federal area-based marine protection and management in the United States is overseen by the National Marine Sanctuary Program, the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, the National Wildlife Refuge System, the National Park Service, and the National Marine Fisheries Service. Each agency and program represents a different approach to managing the oceans. Currently, no federal agency or program is responsible for evaluating the overall effectiveness of these programs. Evaluation is needed to determine whether programs are achieving their management objectives and conservation goals. Although evaluation protocols are legislatively mandated, implementation is inconsistent across programs. Federal agencies have been criticized for failing to protect marine resources effectively. The objective of this comparative case study is to determine whether the evaluation practices of federal area-based marine protection programs (also known as Marine Protected Area [MPA] programs) are contributing to improved marine resource protection. I investigate: (1) what methodologies federal agencies currently employ to evaluate their marine protected areas programs; (2) to what extent federal MPA program evaluation processes adhere to program evaluation theory and practice; and (3) how components of these evaluations could inform a national-scale MPA evaluation system. I also discuss whether evaluation results have been disseminated and recommendations implemented and the extent of inter-agency and intra-agency exchange of evaluation information. The results of my research indicate that: (1) federal reporting requirements drive MPA evaluation; (2) programs fall short in Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) program results/accountability section; (3) MPA programs utilize more output measures than outcome measures; (4) past independent evaluations focus on funding/budget rather than programmatic success in marine conservation; (5) MPA staff face numerous evaluation challenges; (6) MPA staff are interested in a national MPA evaluation system; (7) implementation/dissemination of evaluation results is lacking; and (8) MPA cooperative efforts exclude some programs. The U.S. National Marine Protected Areas Center is in the process of developing a national system of marine protected areas, and it has identified the evaluation of management effectiveness as one of the key components of an effective national system. My research contributes to the development of a national-scale evaluation framework for U.S. federal marine protected areas. I present a conceptual model for a national-scale federal MPA program evaluation system. Components of the model include recommendations for: (1) establishing a national MPA evaluation coordination division; (2) developing an inventory of existing MPA evaluation studies and performance measures; (3) creating a centralized MPA evaluation information database; (4) developing MPA program and system-wide performance measures; (5) promoting MPA evaluation capacity-building including developing relationships with evaluation professionals and establishing a system of inter-agency and intra-agency MPA evaluation information exchange; and (6) ensuring that any future MPA legislation includes evaluation language