Campaign mailers can affect voter attitudes, but the effects are strongest early in the campaign and fade rapidly

Over the next two months, in the lead up to the Congressional midterm elections, households will be bombarded with campaign publicity including mailers, which will aim to convince them to vote for one candidate over another. But are such mailers an effective campaign tactic? In new research that uses data from the 2012 elections, David Doherty and E. Scott Adler find that if sent out in the months prior to election, both positive and negative campaign mailers can be effective in increasing candidate recognition, and voter turnout. They also find that mailers sent closer to the election have little effect on voters’ attention and intention, likely because interested voters will have already found out about candidates by this point

The Opportunistic President: How US Presidents Determine Their Legislative Programs

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112296/1/lsq12080.pd

Computing equilibrium states of cholesteric liquid crystals in elliptical channels with deflation algorithms

We study the problem of a cholesteric liquid crystal confined to an elliptical channel. The system is geometrically frustrated because the cholesteric prefers to adopt a uniform rate of twist deformation, but the elliptical domain precludes this. The frustration is resolved by deformation of the layers or introduction of defects, leading to a particularly rich family of equilibrium configurations. To identify the solution set, we adapt and apply a new family of algorithms, known as deflation methods, that iteratively modify the free energy extremisation problem by removing previously known solutions. A second algorithm, deflated continuation, is used to track solution branches as a function of the aspect ratio of the ellipse and preferred pitch of the cholesteric.Comment: 9 pages, 6 figure

A randomized controlled trial of a novel mixed monoamine reuptake inhibitor in adults with ADHD

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>NS2359 is a potent reuptake blocker of noradrenalin, dopamine, and serotonin. The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy, safety and cognitive function of NS2359 in adults with a DSM IV diagnosis of ADHD.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study was a multi-centre, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled, parallel group design in outpatient adults (18–55 years) testing 0.5 mg NS2359 vs. placebo for 8 weeks. Multiple assessments including computerized neuropsychological evaluation were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was no significant difference between NS2359 (n = 63) versus placebo (n = 63) on the primary outcome measure reduction in investigator rated ADHD-RS total score (7.8 versus 6.4; p < 0.45). However, in subjects with the inattentive subtype, there were significantly more responders in the NS2359 group compared to placebo (41% versus 7%; p < 0.01). For all secondary variables (ADHD-RS patient rated; The Conners Adult ADHD Scale; The Brown Adult Scale, and CGI-improvement scale) there were no significant differences between the two groups; however, in the inattentive subgroup, the response to treatment was significantly larger than to placebo. NS2359 improved composite factor scores of attention, episodic- and working memory. No serious adverse events were reported with insomnia, headaches and loss of appetite most commonly reported as side effects.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>No overall effect of NS2359 was found on overall symptoms of ADHD. There was also a modest signal of improvement in the inattentive adults with ADHD and cognition warranting further exploration using differing doses.</p

The matrix realization of affine Jacobi varieties and the extended Lotka-Volterra lattice

We study completely integrable Hamiltonian systems whose monodromy matrices are related to the representatives for the set of gauge equivalence classes $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{M}}_F$ of polynomial matrices. Let $X$ be the algebraic curve given by the common characteristic equation for $\boldsymbol{\mathcal{M}}_F$. We construct the isomorphism from the set of representatives to an affine part of the Jacobi variety of $X$. This variety corresponds to the invariant manifold of the system, where the Hamiltonian flow is linearized. As the application, we discuss the algebraic completely integrability of the extended Lotka-Volterra lattice with a periodic boundary condition.Comment: Revised version, 26 page

The performance of human papillomavirus high-risk DNA testing in the screening and diagnostic settings.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate the performance of the human papillomavirus high-risk DNA test in patients 30 years and older. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Screening (n=835) and diagnosis (n=518) groups were defined based on prior Papanicolaou smear results as part of a clinical trial for cervical cancer detection. We compared the Hybrid Capture II (HCII) test result with the worst histologic report. We used cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2/3 or worse as the reference of disease. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and areas under the ROC curves for the HCII test. We also considered alternative strategies, including Papanicolaou smear, a combination of Papanicolaou smear and the HCII test, a sequence of Papanicolaou smear followed by the HCII test, and a sequence of the HCII test followed by Papanicolaou smear. RESULTS: For the screening group, the sensitivity was 0.69 and the specificity was 0.93; the area under the ROC curve was 0.81. The LR+ and LR- were 10.24 and 0.34, respectively. For the diagnosis group, the sensitivity was 0.88 and the specificity was 0.78; the area under the ROC curve was 0.83. The LR+ and LR- were 4.06 and 0.14, respectively. Sequential testing showed little or no improvement over the combination testing. CONCLUSIONS: The HCII test in the screening group had a greater LR+ for the detection of CIN 2/3 or worse. HCII testing may be an additional screening tool for cervical cancer in women 30 years and older

Prospectus, November 14, 1984

YOUR COURAGE, DEDICATION AND SACRIFICES ARE NOT FORGOTTEN; Parkland Veterans Honored; Women Veterans receive deserved recognition; Landslide of volunteers hoped for; Recognition needed all year; Blood Drive November; Best Sellers in the Library; PC Happenings; Original performance at Parkland; How to Live to be 1000 is retirees topic; Gallery hosts touring exhibit; EMT refresher workshop scheduled; Parkland, GM cooperate; Student job prospects look great; Man on Street...Question: Did you vote on Tuesday, and whatever you answer, why?; Creative Corner...especially for you!; Doom story...The cataclysm begins; Fluffy White Clouds; Nursing on a psychiatric floor; Ember of Empathy; With Feeling; Hurry Monday!; Contradiction versus deception; the eve of destruction; Homo Sapiens; Essence; Straub has not even begun to hit his stride; Good music sometimes underrated; Anothe Bowie hit; Classifieds; Britter\u27s Knights devastate USA Adidas 113-55 in opener; Lady Cobras finish spectacular season with 39-9-1 clipping; Knights down Nonames 100-30; Cobra cagers have flexibility and depth for \u2784-\u2785 campaign; Stater, Phillips supply one-two punch for Cobrashttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1984/1004/thumbnail.jp

Impacts of Climate Change on Multiple Use Management of Bureau of Land Management Land in the Intermountain West, USA

Although natural resource managers are concerned about climate change, many are unable to adequately incorporate climate change science into their adaptation strategies or management plans, and are not always aware of or do not employ the most current scientific knowledge. One of the most prominent natural resource management agencies in the United States is the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which is tasked with managing over 248 million acres (\u3e1 million km2) of public lands for multiple, often conflicting, uses. Climate change will affect the sustainability of many of these land uses and could further increase conflicts between them. As such, the purpose of our study was to determine the extent to which climate change will affect public land uses, and whether the BLM is managing for such predicted effects. To do so, we first conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature that discussed potential impacts of climate change on the multiple land uses the BLM manages in the Intermountain West, USA, and then expanded these results with a synthesis of projected vegetation changes. Finally, we conducted a content analysis of BLM Resource Management Plans in order to determine how climate change is explicitly addressed by BLM managers, and whether such plans reflect changes predicted by the scientific literature. We found that active resource use generally threatens intrinsic values such as conservation and ecosystem services on BLM land, and climate change is expected to exacerbate these threats in numerous ways. Additionally, our synthesis of vegetation modeling suggests substantial changes in vegetation due to climate change. However, BLM plans rarely referred to climate change explicitly and did not reflect the results of the literature review or vegetation model synthesis. Our results suggest there is a disconnect between management of BLM lands and the best available science on climate change. We recommend that the BLM actively integrates such research into on-the-ground management plans and activities, and that researchers studying the effects of climate change make a more robust effort to understand the practices and policies of public land management in order to effectively communicate the management significance of their findings

Pigeons and People: Resource Ecology and Human Dimensions of Urban Wildlife

Urban areas and human populations are growing. Cities provide highly modified habitat for species that can adapt their feeding and other behaviours. The growth of urban landscapes and human populations may result in an increase in human-wildlife conflict. Businesses which prepare and sell food (food establishments) may be more likely to encounter conflict with urban wildlife, which may lead to negative attitudes towards urban wildlife. Negative attitudes towards wildlife could create polarised communities and possibly affect the success of environmental initiatives. This study sought to understand (1) how feral pigeons use urban environments and the resources key to their distribution and congregation; (2) whether feral pigeons are food limited in Wellington City; and (3) how the interactions of owners and managers of food establishments with feral pigeons influence their attitudes to feral pigeons. I used 8 transects through the central City which covered a representative sample of urban habitats, including the central business district, green space, and waterfront to estimate resource selection. Bird capture and banding were used to determine feral pigeon condition at a range of sites across the City and included a mix of high, medium and low anthropogenic fed sites. A written survey of owners and managers of food establishments in Wellington was conducted to evaluate attitudes to feral pigeons (n = 62). Feral pigeon resource selection is mainly influenced by people and where they choose to eat (∆AIC ≤ W = 0.999), such as sites with outdoor seating where people may directly feed feral pigeons. However, once a site has been selected, areas with tertiary vegetation and disposed food (W = 0.324 and W = 0.297) are the most likely to attract larger flocks of feral pigeons (although a number of other variables also influence flock size, such as availability of freshwater). Feral pigeons do not appear to be food limited in Wellington as condition was not significantly different between sites (n=48, body condition, (body mass/tarsus length) Kruskal-Wallis = 2.06, p = 0.36; keel condition, Kruskal-Wallis = 0.7283, p = 0.6948; feather condition Kruskal-Wallis = 2.7943, p = 0.2473). Attitudes of food establishment owners and managers towards feral pigeons are most influenced by how often they see feral pigeons (∆AICc ≤ W = 0:465). Therefore, direct experience rather than knowledge, engagement, action or socio-demographics has the most influence on attitudes of owners and managers of food establishments. These results suggest that feral pigeon populations are largely dependent on the availability of anthropogenic foods. Reducing the food provided by people may limit feral pigeon populations. Reductions in pigeon populations are also likely to change attitudes of business owners and reduce conflict because they will be less likely to encounter pigeons. Limiting feeding and access to food waste is probably the most effective way of managing pigeon populations

Prospectus, October 25, 1984

NICARAGUAN ISSUES PRESENTED; How important is one vote?; Republicans believe their policies are best; Dear Prospectus staff; Democrats believe they have the answers; Busing of private school students Who will foot the bill?; Library director\u27s son honored Johnson is All-American; Library undergoes computerization; PC Happenings; Women\u27s workshop turns to life choices; Family program offered in 4 parts; Health professionals workshop set; Board considers program additions; The Bowling Pin; Wife abuse still widespread problem; Did you know...TV Trivia; Gammon designs for bazaar; International students plan Halloween party; Block talented in diverse fields; Creative Corner...Especially for you!!; Doom Story-the climax draws near; Nuclear Weapons Freeze; Rejoice the Poet; Sacred Love; The Little Red Dog; The Unopened Gate; One More Time; The Run; RS 1981-82; Decisions; Watching; The Widower; Classifieds; Farrah can act; The Burning Bed alters opinions; Tina\u27s hot as a solo; Joan\u27s newest lacks punch; Why is Harry so much trouble; Furs possess unique style; Motherhood makes humorous reading; Budget bin; Lady Cobras compile 7-1 record in tournament; Clifton, Sullivan guest on Cobra Rap show; Gold defeat Green in 4 games; Peterson to nationalshttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1984/1007/thumbnail.jp