The South Atlantic Alliance: A southeastern U.S. state Governors initiative to address opportunities and challenges embodied in the region's coastal and ocean domain

The pressures placed on the natural, environmental, economic, and cultural sectors from continued growth, population shifts, weather and climate, and environmental quality are increasing exponentially in the southeastern U.S. region. Our growing understanding of the relationship of humans with the marine environment is leading us to explore new ecosystem-based approaches to coastal management, marine resources planning, and coastal adaptation that engages multiple state jurisdictions. The urgency of the situation calls for coordinated regional actions by the states, in conjunction with supporting partners and leveraging a diversity of resources, to address critical issues in sustaining our coastal and ocean ecosystems and enhancing the quality of life of our citizens. The South Atlantic Alliance (www.southatlanticalliance.org) was formally established on October 19, 2009 to “implement science-based policies and solutions that enhance and protect the value of coastal and ocean resources of the southeastern United States which support the region's culture and economy now and for future generations.” The Alliance, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, will provide a regional mechanism for collaborating, coordinating, and sharing information in support of resource sustainability; improved regional alignment; cooperative planning and leveraging of resources; integrated research, observations, and mapping; increased awareness of the challenges facing the South Atlantic region; and inclusiveness and integration at all levels. Although I am preparing and presenting this overview of the South Atlantic Alliance and its current status, there are a host of representatives from agencies within the four states, universities, NGOs, and ongoing southeastern regional ocean and coastal programs that are contributing significant time, expertise, and energy to the success of the Alliance; information presented herein and to be presented in my oral presentation was generated by the collaborative efforts of these professionals. I also wish to acknowledge the wisdom and foresight of the Governors of the four states in establishing this exciting regional ocean partnership. (PDF contains 4 pages

Ephemeral: An Original Play

Interesting conversations are had when an American woman spends a weekend with her Czech penpal and his relatives at his recently deceased mother\u27s cottage. Based on a series of interviews with Czech citizens and personal experiences, Kierstan DeVoe\u27s play focuses on the complex nature of tragedy and nostalgia, complete with moments of warm laughter and great tension

Food insecurity in veteran households: findings from nationally representative data

OBJECTIVE: The present study is the first to use nationally representative data to compare rates of food insecurity among households with veterans of the US Armed Forces and non-veteran households. DESIGN: We used data from the 2005-2013 waves of the Current Population Survey - Food Security Supplement to identify rates of food insecurity and very low food security in veteran and non-veteran households. We estimated the odds and probability of food insecurity in veteran and non-veteran households in uncontrolled and controlled models. We replicated these results after separating veteran households by their most recent period of service. We weighted models to create nationally representative estimates. SETTING: Nationally representative data from the 2005-2013 waves of the Current Population Survey - Food Security Supplement. SUBJECTS: US households (n 388 680). RESULTS: Uncontrolled models found much lower rates of food insecurity (8·4 %) and very low food security (3·3 %) among veteran households than in non-veteran households (14·4 % and 5·4 %, respectively), with particularly low rates among households with older veterans. After adjustment, average rates of food insecurity and very low food security were not significantly different for veteran households. However, the probability of food insecurity was significantly higher among some recent veterans and significantly lower for those who served during the Vietnam War. CONCLUSIONS: Although adjusting eliminated many differences between veteran and non-veteran households, veterans who served from 1975 and onwards may be at higher risk for food insecurity and should be the recipients of targeted outreach to improve nutritional outcomes

Working Space

By altering the outward appearance of the gallery walls, I address the hidden inner temperaments and characteristics of these seemingly benign facades. Architectural rubble impacts with the gallery space in imagined collisions, exposing and distorting its hidden inner workings and structures. Sometimes my walls grow so fat that they need immediate and temporary structural solutions. They may even slump over in a pathetic heap under their own perceived mass.Using everyday wall building materials like 2x4s and drywall, or even harvesting the material directly from the gallery, I anthropomorphize the surface of the space. Rather than the architecture receding into the background in the service of art, the gallery walls break free of the architecture and become the ar

What is the best approach to the evaluation of resting tachycardia for an adult?

The best evidence about the diagnostic evaluation of resting tachycardias in adults is currently outlined by practice guidelines. 1 Initial evaluation includes clinical history, physical examination, and 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG). If the initial evaluation suggests a sinus tachycardia with narrow QRS complexes and no identifiable secondary cause, a 24-hour Holter monitor is usually recommended (strength of recommendation: C, based on expert opinion)

What are appropriate screening tests for infants and children?

There is adequate evidence for screening neonates for hemoglobinopathies, congenital hypothyroidism, phenylketonuria (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A), and cystic fibrosis (SOR: B). Vision screening should be done for those younger than age 5 years (SOR: B). High-risk children should be tested for tuberculosis (TB) (SOR: B) and lead toxicity (SOR: B). Few data exist to guide frequency and timing of these screening tests, so the following timing recommendations are based on consensus opinion (SOR: C): test for visual acuity yearly starting at age 3 years; test for TB and lead once between the ages of 9 and 12 months, and repeat for high risk or exposure

Allocating resources fairly among group members: The medium of exchange matters

All organized groups face the fundamental problem of how to allocate resources fairly. Managers often confront this challenge when deciding whether to reward individual or team performance. Building upon recent research that demonstrates the unique norms invoked by the resource of money, we propose that what individuals' judge to be a fair allocation principle among group members systematically varies as a function of whether the resource being distributed is money versus other resources that are allocated within organizations. We review prior research examining contextual variables influencing allocation preferences and attempt to identify the different characteristics of money as a resource that might influence conceptions of fairness. In light of the existing research, we argue that an egalitarian allocation principle will be understood to be less fair when the norms of the market are invoked by the distribution of a resource that is a medium of exchange (e.g., money) rather than an in-kind good (e.g. food). We conclude by discussing the implications of identifying the unique properties of money for a wide set of literatures. This novel perspective on the role the allocation medium plays in how groups allocate resources fairly will be of interest to scholars of justice

Individual addressing and state readout of trapped ions utilizing rf- micromotion

A new scheme for the individual addressing of ions in a trap is described that does not rely on light beams tightly focused onto only one ion. The scheme utilizes ion micromotion that may be induced in a linear trap by dc offset potentials. Thus coupling an individual ion to the globally applied light fields corresponds to a mere switching of voltages on a suitable set of compensation electrodes. The proposed scheme is especially suitable for miniaturized rf (Paul) traps with typical dimensions of about 20-40 microns.Comment: 3 pages, 5 figure

What are appropriate screening tests for adolescents?

Screen all women of childbearing age, including adolescents, for rubella susceptibility (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B). Screen all sexually active adolescent females for chlamydia (SOR: A), gonorrhea (SOR: B), and cervical cancer (SOR: A). High-risk, sexually active adolescents should be screened for HIV and syphilis (SOR: A). Screen all adolescents at risk for tuberculosis (TB) infection (SOR: A)