The evolutionary state and fundamental parameters of metallic A-F giants

Using Hipparcos parallaxes, we show that the metallic A-F giants found by Hauck (1986) on the basis of their high Delta m_2 index in Geneva photometry are on average more evolved than their non-metallic counterparts. Their mass distribution, rate of binaries and vsini are shown to be incompatible with those of Am stars, so that they cannot be descendants of the latter. They might be former normal stars going through a short metal-rich phase at the very end of their life on the Main Sequence.Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, to appear in: Proc. of the 26th workshop of the European Working Group on CP stars, eds. P. North, A. Schnell and J. Ziznovsky, Contrib. Astr. Obs. Skalnate Pleso Vol. 27, No

How Defendant Characteristics Affect Sentencing and Conviction in the US

This research study analyzes whether or not there is any relationship between sentencing and conviction and certain defendant characteristics in the US legal system. In the midst of a time where the nation is strongly divided politically, the topic is often the center of research projects and discussions in academic journals. Specifically, this research explores the 3 characteristics- race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Within this article, multiple case studies from other journals are cited in which research and experiments have suggested that these factors do have influence on both whether or not a defendant gets convicted or for how long the defendant is sentenced. With these cases in mind, we try to test the theory for ourselves in a survey experiment amongst college students. The survey tests cases with instances of academic dishonesty in university with the defendant characteristics being manipulated for race, gender, and socioeconomic status. However, the results were inconclusive of any sort of link between those characteristics and the sentencing in the study

The Somali Community\u27s Experiences with Autism: An Exploratory Study

Recent studies indicate that children of immigrants are up to four times more likely to have an autism diagnosis than the general population (Barnevik-Olsson, Gillbert, & Fernell, 2008). Emerging research demonstrates that Somali immigrants are one of the immigrant groups disproportionally affected by the condition (Minnesota Department of Health, 2009). The purpose of this study was to explore how the Somali community experiences and perceives the condition of autism. The study consisted of interviews with community professionals who work with Somali families affected by autism. The findings of this research indicate that autism is a new concept for many Somali immigrants. The study found that the differences in views of childhood development between Somali and American cultures contribute to how Somali immigrant parents perceive autism. The study also found that Somali parents experience several barriers when accessing the service system. The findings of this study support the need for further autism education and outreach efforts to this population

The Somali Community\u27s Experiences with Autism: An Exploratory Study

Recent studies indicate that children of immigrants are up to four times more likely to have an autism diagnosis than the general population (Barnevik-Olsson, Gillbert, & Fernell, 2008). Emerging research demonstrates that Somali immigrants are one of the immigrant groups disproportionally affected by the condition (Minnesota Department of Health, 2009). The purpose of this study was to explore how the Somali community experiences and perceives the condition of autism. The study consisted of interviews with community professionals who work with Somali families affected by autism. The findings of this research indicate that autism is a new concept for many Somali immigrants. The study found that the differences in views of childhood development between Somali and American cultures contribute to how Somali immigrant parents perceive autism. The study also found that Somali parents experience several barriers when accessing the service system. The findings of this study support the need for further autism education and outreach efforts to this population

The Pirate Queen

This thesis contains the critical introduction and the full text of my original science fiction novel, The Pirate Queen. The critical introduction details the literary, theoretical, and historical influences that led to the creation of my novel. Among these influences are the Star Wars original trilogy and the prequels, the historical figure of Grace O’Malley of Ireland, Audre Lorde’s concept of the female erotic as power, and romance as represented in Lois McMaster Bujold’s Shards of Honor and Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series. My introduction argues that The Pirate Queen uses the space opera genre and these influences to create a feminist representation of power and romance in the setting of the space opera, positioning femininity as a source of strength for the main protagonist, Grace O’Malley. The next portion of my thesis is my creative work, The Pirate Queen, a space opera centered around the romance between Captain Grace ‘Granuaile’ O’Malley and Captain Caleb Lewis. Dashing pirate outlaw Grace ‘Granuaile’ O’Malley travels the galaxy, fighting in the Rebellion against the Terran Republic and eluding capture by Captain Caleb Lewis of the Terran Republic’s Star Navy. Caleb and Grace are mortal enemies, the key players in the upcoming war between the Republic and Queen Elizabeth’s Rebellion. Unfortunately, they’re in also in love. The novel begins with the realization that Caleb and Grace were once childhood best friends in Lawrence, Kansas, the beginnings of an attraction that has remained in spite of their positions on opposite sides of a war. Jumping across time and planets, from Lawrence, Kansas, to the Planet Daarthuur, The Pirate Queen establishes multiple confrontations between Grace and Caleb, where they realize the full power of their connection. In the end, Grace and Caleb will have to confront their feelings for each other and determine if love is enough to alter their paths, and the fate of the galaxy itself

Quinacrine – The Winding Road from the Most Important Antimalarial of Its Time to an Indispensable Antiparasitic (Orphan) Drug of our Days

Quinacrine, the main antimalarial drug during World War II, has had a chequered history that included the successful repurposing as an intrapleural sclerosant for the treatment of malignant pleural effusions, a non-surgical method of female sterilisation, and the use as an immunomodulatory drug in lupus erythematosus. While no longer used for these former indications, quinacrine (re)emerged as an indispensable second-line drug for the treatment of nitroimidazole-refractory Giardia duodenalis infections, and thus depicts an indispensable “orphan drug”

Is Your Kidney for Sale? An Economic and Policy Perspective on the Legalization of a Living Kidney Vendor Program in the United States

            The National Organ Transplant Act of 1984 (hereinafter NOTA) was an attempt to regulate, streamline, and encourage legal organ donation. NOTA has undergone some amendments since its enactment, including attempts to modernize the registry process and create a unified donation and transplant network. However, the regulation on the sale of organs has remained steadfast. We continue to have an organ shortage, and the statistics on the number of individuals dying each day awaiting transplants is only getting worse. An additional amendment to NOTA is necessary to solve our organ donation crisis. This Article identifies the relevant NOTA provisions, identifies some significant court decisions, and explores the policy and economic arguments in support of and against creating a living organ trade in the United States. In addition, this Article explains the Iranian Living- Unrelated donor program, and the government regulations necessary to create a living kidney vendor program in the United States. 

Tick borne relapsing fever - a systematic review and analysis of the literature

Tick borne relapsing fever (TBRF) is a zoonosis caused by various Borrelia species transmitted to humans by both soft-bodied and (more recently recognized) hard-bodied ticks. In recent years, molecular diagnostic techniques have allowed to extend our knowledge on the global epidemiological picture of this neglected disease. Nevertheless, due to the patchy occurrence of the disease and the lack of large clinical studies, the knowledge on several clinical aspects of the disease remains limited. In order to shed light on some of these aspects, we have systematically reviewed the literature on TBRF and summarized the existing data on epidemiology and clinical aspects of the disease. Publications were identified by using a predefined search strategy on electronic databases and a subsequent review of the reference lists of the obtained publications. All publications reporting patients with a confirmed diagnosis of TBRF published in English, French, Italian, German, and Hungarian were included. Maps showing the epidemiogeographic mosaic of the different TBRF Borrelia species were compiled and data on clinical aspects of TBRF were analysed. The epidemiogeographic mosaic of TBRF is complex and still continues to evolve. Ticks harbouring TBRF Borrelia have been reported worldwide, with the exception of Antarctica and Australia. Although only molecular diagnostic methods allow for species identification, microscopy remains the diagnostic gold standard in most clinical settings. The most suggestive symptom in TBRF is the eponymous relapsing fever (present in 100% of the cases). Thrombocytopenia is the most suggestive laboratory finding in TBRF. Neurological complications are frequent in TBRF. Treatment is with beta-lactams, tetracyclines or macrolids. The risk of Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR) appears to be lower in TBRF (19.3%) compared to louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) (55.8%). The overall case fatality rate of TBRF (6.5%) and LBRF (4-10.2%) appears to not differ. Unlike LBRF, where perinatal fatalities are primarily attributable to abortion, TBRF-related perinatal fatalities appear to primarily affect newborns

Making supportability a reality : applying the principles of organizational transformation

This study applies change management theories and models to analyze what organizational changes will best support the DOD implementation of the Armyαs policy making Supportability equal to Cost, Schedule, and Performance in all acquisition programs. Post-production support factors are a major element of the total ownership cost of defense systems. The policy will save defense dollars by increasing accuracy of total ownership cost predictions in the design phase, and improve the product delivered from acquisition programs that our war fighters will use to fight wars and win.http://archive.org/details/makingsupportabi109456306US Navy (USN) autho