Review of \u3cem\u3eThe Loyal West: Civil War and Reunion in Middle America\u3c/em\u3e by Matthew E. Stanley

Interest in Civil War memory and post–Civil War sectional reconciliation has expanded greatly in recent years, as two 2016 historiographical essays attest.1 Matthew E. Stanley\u27s new book, The Loyal West: Civil War and Reunion in Middle America is thus well timed to make an important contribution to our evolving understanding of the process of sectional reconciliation in the decades following the Civil War. With his focus on Kentucky\u27s northern neighbors in the lower portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, the editorial staff of the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society believe Stanley\u27s book will help historians better understand the role Kentucky played in the events of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, which saw a white supremacist version of Civil War memory eclipse an emancipationist version nationally. We have asked four nineteenth-century historians to consider Stanley\u27s book from varying perspectives. M. Keith Harris teaches history at a private high school in Los Angeles, California. He is the author of Across the Bloody Chasm: The Culture of Commemoration among Civil War Veterans (2014) and is currently writing a book on D. W. Griffith\u27s controversial 1915 silent film, The Birth of a Nation. Anne E. Marshall is an associate professor of history at Mississippi State University and the author of Creating a Confederate Kentucky: The Lost Cause and Civil War Memory in a Border State (2012). James Marten is professor and chair of the history department at Marquette University. His most recent books are Sing Not War: The Lives of Union and Confederate Veterans in Gilded Age America (2011) and America\u27s Corporal: James Tanner in War and Peace (2014). Kristopher Maulden is a visiting assistant professor of history at Columbia College in Missouri. He is completing a book manuscript on the influence of Federalist politics and federal policy in the Ohio River Valley, and he is engaged in a study of nineteenth-century Ohio newspaper editor Charles Hammond. Finally, the author of The Loyal West, Matthew E. Stanley, assistant professor of history at Albany State University, will respond to the reviews

Recommended Figures of Merit for Green Monopropellants

Hydrazine propellant has historically been used as a rocket thruster monopropellant since the mid-1960s. Mission managers are well aware of its characteristics and performance. However, it is a known toxic chemical and a wide effort is underway to reduce and/or eliminate its use worldwide. Several new propellant combinations have been developed in the last few years which tout or promise to provide same or better performance as hydrazine while being "non-toxic" or "green". Yet, there is no consistent definition for what constitutes "non-toxic" or "green", and thus no good figure of merit for which to compare. This paper seeks to review the three major categories of figures of merit, and discusses how they might be used to assess the viability of a propellant

SANDBOX CONTRACTING: AN EVALUATION OF GAMIFIED VS. TRADITIONAL CONTRACTING TRAINING METHODS AT THE USAF ENLISTED CONTRACTING TECHNICAL SCHOOL

This thesis involved an evaluation of gamified versus current (traditional) training methods employed by the instructors and faculty at the Air Force’s 344th Training Squadron (344 TRS) at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, and by the professors at the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) in Monterey, California. For our project, we designed and developed a first-person shooter (FPS) video game, titled Sandbox Contracting, that teaches the player basic contracting skills. Over the course of six weeks, we utilized this FPS video game to conduct an experiment in which a control group received the current (traditional) training methods employed by 344 TRS and NPS and a treatment group received the gamified version of the training. We assessed each student’s learning as well as their reaction to the assigned learning modality (traditional versus gaming) using post-training evaluation surveys. Traditional training methods outperformed gamified methods in most cases, but not all. We found that game design and mechanics impacted the student’s reactions and ultimately, the success of using gamified methods for learning. Additionally, the results demonstrated a genuine interest in using games for learning among the Air Force contracting students, given the right game design and mechanics. Lastly, we offer suggestions for areas in which further research should be conducted in the gamified versus traditional training arena.Outstanding ThesisCaptain, United States Air ForceCaptain, United States Air ForceCaptain, United States Air ForceApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

The trumping relation and the structure of the bipartite entangled states

The majorization relation has been shown to be useful in classifying which transformations of jointly held quantum states are possible using local operations and classical communication. In some cases, a direct transformation between two states is not possible, but it becomes possible in the presence of another state (known as a catalyst); this situation is described mathematically by the trumping relation, an extension of majorization. The structure of the trumping relation is not nearly as well understood as that of majorization. We give an introduction to this subject and derive some new results. Most notably, we show that the dimension of the required catalyst is in general unbounded; there is no integer $k$ such that it suffices to consider catalysts of dimension $k$ or less in determining which states can be catalyzed into a given state. We also show that almost all bipartite entangled states are potentially useful as catalysts.Comment: 7 pages, RevTe

Classical Region of a Trapped Bose Gas

The classical region of a Bose gas consists of all single-particle modes that have a high average occupation and are well-described by a classical field. Highly-occupied modes only occur in massive Bose gases at ultra-cold temperatures, in contrast to the photon case where there are highly-occupied modes at all temperatures. For the Bose gas the number of these modes is dependent on the temperature, the total number of particles and their interaction strength. In this paper we characterize the classical region of a harmonically trapped Bose gas over a wide parameter regime. We use a Hartree-Fock approach to account for the effects of interactions, which we observe to significantly change the classical region as compared to the idealized case. We compare our results to full classical field calculations and show that the Hartree-Fock approach provides a qualitatively accurate description of classical region for the interacting gas.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures; updated to include new results with interaction

The influence of managing a loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) forest for biofuels production via switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) intercropping and woody debris removal on rodents

The abundance and distribution of wildlife communities can be influenced by many factors including resources, competitors, predators and parasites, and climate. Changes to managed forest understory composition and structure may affect ecologically important rodent communities. Furthermore, diversity of rodent communities can correlate with vertebrate biodiversity across a diverse range of ecosystem types. To help meet demands for renewable sources of energy, biofuel feedstock production options include intercropping switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) within intensively managed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands, and removal of residual woody debris. The objective of my study was to experimentally examine rodent responses to these options. I surveyed rodent populations using mark-recapture techniques to determine their responses to pine and switchgrass intercropping and residual woody debris removal. For 6 months in 2009, and 5 months in 2010, we captured rodents on experimental plots within newly established pine plantations that were subjected to five different treatments that involve biomass removal. Habitat measurements conducted in 2010 on percent cover and height of habitat types reflected differences among the 5 treatments as indicated by a significant interaction of habitat type (i.e. grass, pine, etc.) among biomass removal options and across sampling dates from April to October. This interaction indicates the preparation of the study plots created habitats that differed in structure. Rodent community diversity metrics including species richness, Shannon Diversity index, and Fisher's á index were not influenced by biomass removal options in either 2009 or 2010. In 2009, treatments did not influence the abundance of any species. However, there was a trend for house mice (Mus musculus) and hispid cotton rats (Sigmodon hispidus) adults to be more abundant in habitats with switchgrass. In 2010, treatments significantly influenced the abundance of the number of unique individuals and total captures of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), M. musculus, and S. hispidus of. During the second year of study, P. leucopus adults showed highest abundance in non-switchgrass habitats, intermediate abundance in pine and switchgrass intercropped habitats, and lowest abundance in switchgrass only habitats. Additionally, P. leucopus juveniles showed a trend to be more abundant in habitats without switchgrass, suggesting differences were a result of P. leucopus reproduction in these habitats. M. musculus abundance was highest in switchgrass only habitats, intermediate in pine and switchgrass intercropped habitats, and lowest in habitats without switchgrass. Mus musculus juveniles showed a trend for higher abundance in habitats with switchgrass suggesting differences were a result of M. musculus reproduction. Abundance of S. hispidus tended to be higher in habitats with pine and switchgrass intercropped than habitats without switchgrass and habitats with only switchgrass. Juvenile abundance of S. hispidus did not differ among biomass removal options, suggesting all habitats in this study provided similar resources for S. hispidus reproduction. My results suggest residual woody debris removal has no influence on rodent population abundance, incorporation of switchgrass intercropping has an intermediate influence on rodent population abundance, and planting only switchgrass has a significant influence rodent population abundance. Switchgrass habitats supported higher abundance of the invasive M. musculus, and lower abundance of the native P. leucopus than habitats without switchgrass. Thus, forest managers may want to consider introducing switchgrass exclusively to interior forest stands, that are far from potential M. musculus source populations (e.g., agricultural fields and residential buildings. This strategy could also benefit native species that avoid switchgrass, such as P. leucopus, by providing refuge areas devoid of switchgrass in exterior stands. A better understanding of rodent responses to forest management will be beneficial in maintaining biodiversity and the sustained use of the services provided by forest habitats

The genetics of thermal plasticity in Plantago lanceolata

Phenotypic plasticity, an individual’s phenotypic response to environmental change, is a fundamental characteristic of all life on earth that plays a central role in adaptation, phenotypic differentiation, and speciation. Temperature-sensitive phenotypic plasticity, i.e. thermal plasticity, often increases with latitude, suggesting an increasingly adaptive role of thermal plasticity in predominantly cool, thermally variable environments. While the hypothesis is reasonable, it has not been thoroughly tested. Demonstrating local adaptation of thermal plasticity requires showing that: 1) thermal plasticity increases fitness in high latitude environments, 2) clinal variation arises from natural selection, and not by chance alone, 3) differences in thermal plasticity persist in the presence of gene flow, 4) thermal plasticity has a genetic basis and varies genetically along a latitudinal gradient, 5) thermal plasticity is heritable, and 6) thermal plasticity is a derived phylogenetic character. Today, little is known about the genetic properties of thermal plasticity. I took advantage of natural geographic variation in a widespread perennial herb, Plantago lanceolata to improve our understanding of adaptation along latitudinal clines by examining the genetic features of thermal plasticity. With genetic data I address the questions: 1) Is clinal variation in thermal plasticity best explained by natural selection driven by environmental differences among populations, neutral genetic evolution, or both? 2) What is the genetic architecture of thermal plasticity and single-environment trait variation, and how are they related? 3) Do genetic properties of thermal plasticity mirror phenotypic patterns along a latitudinal gradient? Among 14 European populations of Plantago lanceolata I estimated differentiation in temperature-sensitive floral reflectance plasticity (QST/PST), neutral genetic differentiation (FST & Jost’s D) of AFLP markers, and between-population differences in aspects of the reproductive environment. I used phenotypic QST (PST) vs. FST comparisons to investigate the evolutionary forces responsible for geographic patterns of thermal plasticity, and to determine if differences brought about by neutral evolutionary forces are sufficient to explain these patterns. My data supported the hypothesis that natural selection, driven by environmental properties of the reproductive season, particularly the duration and proportion of time at cool temperatures, has contributed to geographic patterns of thermal plasticity. As between-population differences in these environmental variables increased, differences in thermal plasticity increased more quickly than did neutral genetic differences. To determine the genetic architecture of thermal plasticity I produced an F2 mapping family from parents derived from distant northern and southern European populations that exhibited high (northern parents) and low (southern parents) thermal plasticities of floral reflectance. I then grew parents and offspring in two environments (cool and warm) mimicking what plants would encounter in nature. I attained genetic markers via genotype-by-sequencing (ddRADseq), produced a recombination map and performed QTL mapping of thermal plasticity and single-environment trait values for six traits: floral reflectance, flowering time, rosette diameter, leaf length, leaf fresh mass, and leaf area. My data provides critical genetic support for the hypothesis temperature-sensitive floral reflectance plasticity in P. lanceolata is adaptive in high latitude environments where growing seasons are cool and short. My data confirms thermal plasticity in P. lanceolata has a genetic basis as I found one single QTL underlying the thermal plasticities of three traits, floral reflectance, flowering time and leaf length. Floral reflectance plasticity and flowering time plasticity QTLs colocalized with, and shared phenotypic effects with corresponding single environment QTLs. The leaf length plasticity QTL did not colocalize with any single-environment QTLs, and was influenced by cytoplasm. I did not find evidence plasticity QTLs of different traits were pleiotropic. Additionally, genotypic differences at plasticity QTLs paralleled patterns of plasticity along latitudinal clines. At plasticity QTLs northern genotypes (Danish and Swedish) increased the magnitude of thermal plasticity, while southern genotypes (French and Italian) decreased plasticity

Observational Assessment of Forceful Exertion and the Perceived Force Demands of Daily Activities

The primary objective of this study was to assess the accuracy and precision with which analysts observe and estimate the force produced as subjects performed exertions on a work simulator. Eight analysts observed 32 subjects and estimated force as a percent of subjects' maximum voluntary contraction (% MVC). Analysts exhibited bias toward the mean, as high force exertions (>67% MVC) were underestimated (mean: 11.6% MVC) and low force exertions (<34% MVC) were overestimated (mean: 6.7% MVC). Average error for medium force exertions (34–67% MVC) was not statistically different from zero (2.1% MVC). For all force levels, precision of the estimate was very poor (standard deviation range: 16.2–20.7% MVC). Experience of the analyst in performing ergonomic analysis did not affect accuracy. A secondary objective of the study was to conduct a survey in which subjects identified activities of daily living they perceived as equivalent to controlled force levels. A total of 59 different activities ranging from minimal force required to near maximum were listed by at least 5% of the participants. This list may be used to assist health care practitioners and patients convey the force demands required of occupational tasks as well as for evaluating the diminished strength of the patient.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45010/1/10926_2004_Article_496312.pd

Scheduling of eccentric lower limb injury prevention exercises during the soccer micro-cycle: Which day of the week?

Scheduling eccentric-based injury prevention programs (IPP) during the common 6-day micro-cycle in soccer is challenged by recovery and tapering phases. This study profiled muscle damage, neuromuscular performance, and perceptual responses to a lower limb eccentric-based IPP administered 1 (MD+1) vs 3 days (MD+3) postmatch. A total of 18 semi-professional players were monitored daily during 3 in-season 6-day micro-cycles, including weekly competitive fixtures. Capillary creatine kinase concentration (CK), posterior lower limb isometric peak force (PF), counter-movement jump (CMJ) performance, and muscle soreness were assessed 24 hours prior to match-day (baseline), and every 24 hours up to 120 hours postmatch. The IPP consisted of lunges, single stiff leg dead-lifts, single leg-squats, and Nordic hamstring exercises. Performing the IPP on MD+1 attenuated the decline in CK normally observed following match play (CON: 142%; MD+3: 166%; small differences). When IPP was delivered on MD+3, CK was higher vs CON and MD+1 trials on both MD+4 (MD+3: 260%; CON: 146%; MD+1: 151%; moderate differences) and MD+5 (MD+3: 209%; CON: 125%; MD+1: 127%; small differences). Soreness ratings were not exacerbated when the IPP was delivered on MD+1, but when prescribed on MD+3, hamstring soreness ratings remained higher on MD+4 and MD+5 (small differences). No between-trial differences were observed for PF and CMJ. Administering the IPP in the middle of the micro-cycle (MD+3) increased measures of muscle damage and soreness, which remained elevated on the day prior to the next match (MD+5). Accordingly, IPP should be scheduled early in the micro-cycle, to avoid compromising preparation for the following match