Self-Evaluation of Black and White College Students

A major issue in the social psychology of race relations has been the axiom that blacks tend to manifest lower self-esteem than whites.[1] Much of the empirical support for this hypothesis came from studies demonstrating that blacks are stigmatized and subjected to a variety of unpleasant and derogatory experiences.[2] However, these studies are limited in two respects: first, by their use of small, nonrepresentative samples (primarily nursery school and kindergarten children) and second, by their reliance upon inferential (semi-projective) measures of self-esteem.[3

Evidence for the genetic basis and inheritance of ocean and river-maturing ecotypes of Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) in the Klamath River, California

Surveys of genetic variation have improved our understanding of the relationship between fitness-related phenotypes and their underlying genetic basis. However, how this information can be used to inform conservation has been unclear in many cases. The objective of this study was to combine next-generation genetic sequencing with traditional ecological knowledge to evaluate imperiled anadromous Pacific lamprey (Entosphenus tridentatus) and apply the findings to conservation in the context of resolving Native American traditional food security issues. In the Klamath River of California, a previously identified Pacific lamprey ocean-maturing ecotype was distinguished by a relatively advanced maturity of female fish (e.g., large egg mass) upon freshwater entry compared to a relatively immature river-maturing ecotype. However, relative run-timing and the genetic basis of this ecotypic differentiation was not known. I collected 219 returning adult Pacific lamprey at-entry to the Klamath River over a 12-month period, genotyped them at 308 neutral and adaptive single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci, and recorded morphological traits, including egg mass as an indicator of female sexual maturity. The onset for freshwater migration for the ocean-maturing ecotype was predominantly the winter whereas the river-maturing ecotype entered during all seasons and a genetic basis of the ecotype diversity was revealed. Genotype-phenotype association mapping identified sixteen SNPs significantly associated to egg mass forming two groups of linked loci and ten other SNPs significantly associated to total length. A duplicate dominant epistasis inheritance model best supported the ocean- and river-maturing ecotypes, accurately predicting ecotype in 83% of the samples. The adaptive genetic variation revealed is useful for conservation planning as it indicates that the river-maturing ecotype carries standing genetic variation capable of producing both ecotypes (e.g., both heterozygous and homozygous individuals), while the ocean-maturing ecotype is almost exclusively homozygous. An ecological application of these molecular findings is that when assessing stream restoration projects, the river-maturing ecotypes could perhaps be prioritized as they contain the genetic diversity capable of producing both ecotypes (i.e., heterozygosity), whereas the ocean-maturing ecotypes do not. I recommend distinguishing the river-maturing and ocean-maturing ecotypes of Pacific lamprey by adopting the names ke’ween (lamprey “eel”) and tewol (ocean), respectively, using terms from the Yurok language, in recognition of the importance of Pacific lamprey to Pacific Northwest fishing tribes

Cracking in cycloaliphatic epoxy/aluminum composite electrical bushings

The problem of cracking in electrical apparatus bushings as a result of thermal stresses was investigated. The bushings were composed of cycloaliphatic epoxy insulators with embedded aluminum conductors. The problem is due to the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion of the two materials. A solution to the problem had been to coat the conductors before they were formed together with the epoxy insulators. The coating was assumed to prevent cracking by allowing movement between the two materials as their dimensions changed during thermal expansion and contraction. The contribution of the coating was to be established. The hypothesis was that the coating, above a given thickness, would prevent cracking and would fail to prevent cracking below that thickness. Inherent in this hypothesis was that the thickness of the coating was a controlling factor in its ability to prevent cracking during thermal changes. A method of applying a controlled coating in an economically feasible manner was developed. Coatings of various thickness were then applied to a set of conductors. Those coated conductors along with non-coated conductors were then formed into bushings. The bushings were cycled from 250°F (121.1°C) to –300°F (–184.4°C) in cycles which began at –50°F (–45.6°C) and reduced –50°F (–45.6°C) until –300°F (–184.4°C) was reached. The bushings with non-coated conductors exhibited a 50% failure rate. Those with coatings of any thickness failed to crack. A theoretical analysis of the bushings under thermal conditions indicated that the coatings prevented cracking by allowing relative movement between the conductor and insulator. It was concluded that the contribution of the conductor coating was not relative to its thickness but was due to its ability to separate the insulator from the conductor

Deciphering the Legal Framework for Locally Addressing Issues Interwoven with Outward Expansion from America's Central Cities

American urbanism has come to be defined by migration from deteriorating urban development to new suburban development resulting in population decline within America's urban cores, or central cities. Population decline sets in motion certain self-reinforcing forces, or issues, likely to perpetuate it. These include the withdrawal of high- and middle-income households, a decline in the central city's tax base accompanied by rising local taxes and deteriorating public services, a dwindling consumer base to support utility infrastructure maintenance and improvement, and a rise in criminal activity. Federal, state and local governments have been involved in a variety of "urban renewal" strategies via studies, regulations, tax incentives and even investments of public funds, largely to no avail. During this time, what were once thought to be only urban issues have now also outwardly migrated to the suburbs. While some may assert that the birthplace of modern U.S. Supreme Court jurisprudence defining governmental authority to regulate land use is Euclid, the U.S. Supreme Court outlines in this same case that the true origin of this power is the power of sovereignty, the power to govern men and things within the limits of government's dominion, except in so far as it has been restricted by the Constitution of the United States. The Court explains that the nature and extent of these powers evolve as government is confronted with new issues requiring intervention. The evolution of government's regulatory powers and how these powers have been guided and constrained is defined by the application of Constitutional principles, statutes and ordinances. From Colonial times until the Civil War, state and local government regulation existed apart from U.S. Constitutional restraint. However, with the passage of the Fourteenth Amendment, the United States Supreme Court was charged to ensure state and local legislation complied with guaranteed rights under the U.S. Constitution. The Court in Mugler defined regulatory authority as the "police powers." Therein, state and local governments possess the authority to determine what measures are necessary to protect the public health, safety and welfare. The Court held that valid police power regulation does not violate individual liberty or property rights. Instead of defining this power's reach, the Court chose in this and subsequent case law only to retroactively invalidate regulation bearing no substantial relation to these powers. These powers were broadly interpreted and government operated with only the threat of regulatory invalidation until First English, where the Court determined government may have to compensate where regulation extends beyond these powers. The Court ruled in Penn. Central with recent confirmation in Ark. Game and Fish Comm'n that regulation effects a taking where it interferes with "distinct investment-backed expectations." Since there can be no investment-backed expectation in failure, government regulation designed to promote success should not run afoul of this constraint. Academically proffered philosophies and factor approaches involving residential and commercial developments can be objectively examined for co-relationship with developments identified as successful or challenged within the marketplace. A code based upon development philosophies and factor approaches objectively verified as associated with successful developments would therefore not be arbitrary and unreasonable as having no substantial relation to the general welfare. Such code provisions could be designed to be applicable to all similarly situated property and to produce the widespread public benefit of promoting development success and preventing the negative community-wide effects of development failure. Such a code should not be found to exceed government's regulatory police powers, for there can be no developer economic interest supported by "distinct investment-backed expectations" in development failure

The Fate of an Engineered Planet

Solar engineering and other exceptionally ambitious new technologies to deal with the reality of rising global temperatures come riddled with uncertainties. To illustrate how complex the problem is and what kind of challenges lie ahead, here are three contrasting, and somewhat fantastical, scenarios

'Baptism of Fire': The First Year in the Life of a Newly Qualified Social Worker.

This paper describes research commissioned by Skills for Care South West to identify and track the learning and development needs of newly qualified social workers through their first year of employment. The perceptions of 22 newly qualified social workers based in statutory settings are reported concerning the effectiveness of the social work degree (England), their induction and probationary periods and their progress towards post-qualifying social work education as part of their continuing professional development. The perspectives of line managers, people who use services and carers are also discussed. Findings from the research suggest that the social work degree has been well received by most newly qualified social workers and highlights the perceived importance of a statutory placement for social work degree students. Key social work practice skills that require further development are identified and a rationale is presented for greater investment in the induction and probationary periods of newly qualified social workers