\u3ci\u3eMcphersonarcys\u3c/i\u3e, a New Genus for \u3ci\u3ePentatoma Aequalis\u3c/i\u3e Say (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

A new monotypic genus, Mcphersonarcys is erected to hold Pentatoma aequalis Say, a species formerly placed in the genus Hymenarcys. Based on the distribution of 19 character-states Hymenarcys forms a clade with its sister genus Coenus. Both genera are related to the large genus Euschistus. Mcphersonarcys is basal to Euschistus, whereas the clade with Hymenarcys and Coenus is derived. Removal of P. aequalis to a new genus resolves the paraphyly of Hymenarcys sensu lato

Viscosity-temperature relationships in the system Na2Si2O5-Na4Al2O5

The viscosity-temperature relationships of five melts on the join Na2Si2O2-Na4Al2O5 (5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mole percent Na4Al2O5) have been measured in air, at 1 atm and 1000–1350°C with a concentric cylinder viscometer. All the melts on this join of constant bulk polymerization behave as Newtonian fluids, in the range of shear rates investigated, and the melts exhibit Arrhenian viscosity-temperature relationships. Isothermal viscosities on this join initially decrease and then increase with increasing mole percent Na4Al2O5. The minimum viscosity occurs near 20 mole percent Na4Al2O5 at 1000°C and moves to higher Na4Al2O5 content with increasing temperature. The observation of a viscosity minimum along the join Na2Si2-O5-Na4Al2O5 is not predicted based on earlier viscosity data for the system Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 (RlEBLlNG, 1966) or based on calculation methods derived from this and other data (Bottinga and Weill, 1972). This unexpected behavior in melt viscosity-temperature relations emphasizes the need for a more complete data set in simple silicate systems. Previous spectroscopic investigation of melts on the join Na22Si2O5-Na4Al2O5 offer a structural explanation for the observed viscosity data in terms of a disproportionation reaction involving polyanionic units. Macroscopically, the viscosity data may be qualitatively reconciled with the configurational entropy model for viscous flow (Richet, 1984)

Articulated suspension system

The invention provides a rough terrain vehicle which maintains a substantially constant weight, and therefore traction, on all wheels, despite one wheel moving considerably higher or lower than the others, while avoiding a very soft spring suspension. The vehicle includes a chassis or body to be supported and a pair of side suspensions at either side of the body. In a six wheel vehicle, each side suspension includes a middle wheel, and front and rear linkages respectively coupling the front and rear wheels to the middle wheel. A body link pivotally connects the front and rear linkages together, with the middle of the body link rising or falling by only a fraction of the rise or fall of any of the three wheels. The body link pivotally supports the middle of the length of the body. A transverse suspension for suspending the end of the body on the side suspensions includes a middle part pivotally connected to the body about a longitudinal axis and opposite ends each pivotally connected to one of the side suspensions along at least a longitudinal axis

Assessing the Potential Impact of a Nationwide Class-Based Affirmative Action System

We examine the possible consequences of a change in law school admissions in the United States from an affirmative action system based on race to one based on socioeconomic class. Using data from the 1991-1996 Law School Admission Council Bar Passage Study, students were reassigned attendance by simulation to law school tiers by transferring the affirmative action advantage for black students to students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The hypothetical academic outcomes for the students were then multiply-imputed to quantify the uncertainty of the resulting estimates. The analysis predicts dramatic decreases in the numbers of black students in top law school tiers, suggesting that class-based affirmative action is insufficient to maintain racial diversity in prestigious law schools. Furthermore, there appear to be no statistically significant changes in the graduation and bar passage rates of students in any demographic group. The results thus provide evidence that, other than increasing their representation in upper tiers, current affirmative action policies relative to a socioeconomic-based system neither substantially help nor harm minority academic outcomes, contradicting the predictions of the "mismatch" hypothesis, which asserts otherwise.Comment: Published at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/15-STS514 in the Statistical Science (http://www.imstat.org/sts/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

A Glimpse Inside the Brain’s Black Box: Understanding the Role of Neuroscience in Criminal Sentencing

This Article begins by discussing what neuroscience and the smaller associated field of study, neuropsychology, are and what they can tell us about an individual. It then recounts a brief history of sentencing in the United States. Additionally, it expounds on how the legal system currently utilizes neuroscience in the courts, noting specifically the ways in which neuroscience can be presented during the sentencing phase of trial. Finally, it discusses the use of neuroscience as a mitigating factor during sentencing and how judges can use neuroscience to combat their implicit biases