Legacy of Violence: Lynch Mobs and Executions in Minnesota

Review of: Legacy of Violence: Lynch Mobs and Executions in Minnesota, by John D. Bessler

Rough Justice: Lynching and American Society, 1874-1947

Review of: Rough Justice: Lynching and American Society, 1874-1947. Pfeifer, Michael J

Rough Justice: Lynching and American Society, 1874-1947

Review of: Rough Justice: Lynching and American Society, 1874-1947. Pfeifer, Michael J

Dodge City and the Birth of the Wild West

Review of: Dodge City and the Birth of the Wild West, by Robert R. Dykstra and Jo Ann Manfra

A three-dimensional degree of polarization based on Rayleigh scattering

A measure of the degree of polarization for the three-dimensional polarization matrix (coherence matrix) of an electromagnetic field is proposed, based on Rayleigh scattering. The degree of polarization, due to dipole scattering of the three-dimensional state of polarization, is averaged over all scattering directions. This gives a well-defined purity measure, which, unlike other proposed measures of the three-dimensional degree of polarization, is not a unitary invariant of the matrix. This is demonstrated and discussed for several examples, including a partially polarized transverse beam.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figures. OSA styl

Should jaundiced infants be breastfed?

No studies have demonstrated that cessation of breastfeeding in jaundiced infants improves clinical outcomes, although this has only been studied in term infants. Temporarily disrupting or supplementing breastfeeding in jaundiced infants is associated with premature cessation of breastfeeding (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on a nonrandomized, nonblinded trial). Jaundiced breastfed term infants have no significant difference in length of phototherapy, and no increased rate of exchange transfusion or kernicterus compared with jaundiced bottle-fed term infants (SOR: B, based on a low-quality randomized controlled trial and a prospective cohort study). In light of the association of breastfeeding with improved health outcomes,mothers of jaundiced term infants should be encouraged to continue breastfeed

What is the best therapy for constipation in infants?

The best treatment for minor, self-limited constipation (infant dyschezia) may be observation and parental education about its benign nature. (Grade of recommendation: D, expert opinion.) For cases requiring treatment, limited evidence suggests that 2 weeks of 2% or 4% lactulose normalizes stool passage and consistency. (Grade of recommendation: C, single cohort study.) No data are available about the benefits or harms of rectal thermometer stimulation, glycerin suppositories, sorbitol or sorbitol-containing juices, barley malt extract, or corn syrup. The significant risks of sodium phosphate enemas and mineral oil consumption make their use contraindicated. (Grade of recommendation: D, case reports and expert opinion.

What is the appropriate diagnostic evaluation of fibroids?

Although transvaginal sonography (TVS) has inconsistent sensitivity (0.21-1.00) and specificity (0.53-1.00), its cost-efficiency and noninvasiveness make it the best initial test for ruling in fibroid disease (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, based on expert opinion, a systematic review, and prospective studies). Sonohysterography (SHG) and hysteroscopy have superior sensitivity, specificity, and more discriminating positive and negative likelihood ratios for diagnosing fibroids than does TVS (SOR: B, systematic review). SHG is less painful, less invasive, and more cost-effective than hysteroscopy (SOR: B; single, prospective comparative study and cost comparison). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) had comparable precision to TVS in a single study, but it is too expensive to be a good initial test for fibroids (SOR: C, expert opinion and an uncontrolled prospective study). One study reported a strong correlation between ultrasound and bimanual examination (SOR: C, retrospective case review)

The soil-dwelling earthworm Allolobophora chlorotica modifies its burrowing behaviour in response to carbendazim applications

Carbendazim-amended soil was placed above or below unamended soil. Control tests comprised two layers of unamended soil. Allolobophora chlorotica earthworms were added to either the upper or the unamended soil. After 72 h vertical distributions of earthworms were compared between control and carbendazim-amended experiments. Earthworm distributions in the carbendazim-amended test containers differed significantly from the ‘normal’ distribution observed in the control tests. In the majority of the experiments, earthworms significantly altered their burrowing behaviour to avoid carbendazim. However, when earthworms were added to an upper layer of carbendazim-amended soil they remained in this layer. This non-avoidance is attributed to (1) the earthworms’ inability to sense the lower layer of unamended soil and (2) the toxic effect of carbendazim inhibiting burrowing. Earthworms modified their burrowing behaviour in response to carbendazim in the soil. This may explain anomalous results observed in pesticide field trials when carbendazim is used as a control substance

Unequal Access: The Perpetual Struggle for Voting Rights and the Case of Wisconsin

In this Article, we examine the transformation of Wisconsin from a state celebrated for its progressive voting laws to a focal point for stringent voting restrictions. This shift mirrors a recurring pattern in American history where progress in voting rights is often countered by strategies aimed at preserving existing power structures. We trace this pattern through American history, highlighting the role of white supremacy and structural racism in continuously reshaping the boundaries of electoral inclusion and exclusion. Wisconsin’s situation is a stark example of how contemporary legal and political tactics to limit access to the ballot box continue a long history of disenfranchisement. Our analysis highlights the need for a race-conscious approach to understanding and addressing the current crisis in American democracy, and the need for a civil rights model that confronts the underlying issues of racism and exclusion