Illinois Government Research no. 43 1976: As Goes Illinois... The State as a Political Microcosm of the Nation

The old saying has it that in presidential elections "as goes Maine, so goes the nation." While this statement may have once been valid, over the last forty years the bellwether nature of the state of Maine has been open to serious challenge. In fact, in the last ten presidential elections Maine has cast its electoral vote for the losing candidate six times. The question of which state most closely follows national patterns in presidential elections is an interesting one, however, especially in this presidential year. If one could find a state in which national presidential returns were closely mirrored over a period of years ??? and if one had some idea why this state-national parallelism existed ??? that state's returns would provide not only a clue to the national outcome, but also some reasons for it.published or submitted for publicatio

Centre-to-limb spectro-polarimetric diagnostics of simulated solar photospheric magneto-convection: signatures of photospheric Alfven waves

Using numerical simulations of the magnetised solar photosphere carried out with the radiative magneto-hydrodynamic code, MURaM, and detailed spectro-polarimetric diagnostics of the simulated photospheric 6302A FeI line, spectro-polarimetric signatures of Alfven waves in magnetised intergranular lanes of the simulated solar photosphere were analysed at different positions at the solar disk. The torsional Alfven waves in the intergranular lanes are horizontal plasma motions, which do not have a thermal perturbation counterpart. We find signatures of Alfven waves as small-scale line profile Doppler shifts and Stokes-V area asymmetry enhancements in the simulated off-disk centre observations. These photospheric features disappear when the simulated observations are degraded with a telescope PSF similar to the one of Hinode. We analyse the possibilities for direct observations and confirmation of Alfven wave presence in the solar photosphere.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted to PAS

Directional Time-Distance Probing of Model Sunspot Atmospheres

A crucial feature not widely accounted for in local helioseismology is that surface magnetic regions actually open a window from the interior into the solar atmosphere, and that the seismic waves leak through this window, reflect high in the atmosphere, and then re-enter the interior to rejoin the seismic wave field normally confined there. In a series of recent numerical studies using translation invariant atmospheres, we utilised a "directional time-distance helioseismology" measurement scheme to study the implications of the returning fast and Alfv\'en waves higher up in the solar atmosphere on the seismology at the photosphere (Cally & Moradi 2013; Moradi & Cally 2014). In this study, we extend our directional time-distance analysis to more realistic sunspot-like atmospheres to better understand the direct effects of the magnetic field on helioseismic travel-time measurements in sunspots. In line with our previous findings, we uncover a distinct frequency-dependant directional behaviour in the travel-time measurements, consistent with the signatures of MHD mode conversion. We found this to be the case regardless of the sunspot field strength or depth of its Wilson depression. We also isolated and analysed the direct contribution from purely thermal perturbations to the measured travel times, finding that waves propagating in the umbra are much more sensitive to the underlying thermal effects of the sunspot.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Main Journa

Extended Infusions of Meropenem for Febrile Neutropenia

Background: Neutropenic fever is an oncologic emergency that requires quick intervention with anti-pseudomonal beta-lactam antibiotics, such as meropenem. Previous literature suggests that extended infusions of beta-lactam antibiotics may improve clinical outcomes. To date, there are 3 prior studies utilizing an extended infusion beta-lactam in this population; however, there is only one previous study investigating the use of extended infusion meropenem in patients with febrile neutropenia. Objective: To describe the outcomes of eight patients receiving extended infusions of meropenem for the treatment of febrile neutropenia. Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed including adult patients admitted to a community teaching hospital who received extended infusions of meropenem for febrile neutropenia. Results: In this descriptive study, no patients receiving extended infusions of meropenem failed treatment, were readmitted for an infectious issue within 30 days, or endured inpatient mortality. Additionally, all eight patients defervesced within 48 hours, and four patients had a microbiologically documented infection. One patient incurred Clostridium difficile on day 2 of meropenem therapy. Conclusions: Extended infusions of meropenem may be effective in the treatment of febrile neutropenia. Future studies comparing extended infusions to intermittent infusions of meropenem for febrile neutropenia are warranted

Prekariat w lokalnej polityce społecznej województwa łódzkiego

Książka wpisuje się w nurt rozważań na temat aktualnych procesów i zjawisk zachodzących w lokalnych i regionalnych społecznościach. Jej celem jest ukazanie różnych aspektów funkcjonowania samorządu terytorialnego w ramach przysługującego mu prawa do tworzenia własnych rozwiązań i strategii w obszarze polityki społecznej. Autorzy zaprezentowali istotne problemy społeczne i możliwe metody radzenia sobie z nimi w skali lokalnej i regionalnej.Obserwowane od ponad 30 lat w światowych gospodarkach rozluźnianie stosunków pracy i kładzenie nacisku na elastyczność pracowników miał swój udział w powstaniu nowej, coraz liczniejszej klasy społecznej – prekariatu, cechującej się brakiem stabilności zawodowej i życiowej. W niniejszym rozdziale przeanalizowane zostaną dokumenty i działania podejmowane przez samorząd terytorialny w województwie łódzkim celem sprawdzenia, czy i w jakiej formie pojawiają się w nich zagadnienia związane z prekarnymi życiem i pracą. Wybór województwa podyktowany został utrzymywaniem się relatywnie wysokich na tle kraju wskaźników bezrobocia. W pierwszej części pracy przedstawione zostanie zjawisko prekarności wraz z jego definicją przyjętą na potrzeby dalszych rozważań. Druga część pracy poświęcona będzie analizie lokalnych dokumentów i strategii wyznaczających kierunki i metody działań samorządu terytorialnego woj. łódzkiego. Poszukiwane będą zapisy dotyczące życia i pracy prekariuszy. W ostatniej części rozdziału przedstawione zostaną wybrane działania realizowane w ramach polityki społecznej przez władze samorządowe w obszarach rynku pracy i stabilności zatrudnienia oraz ocena ich skuteczności

“Ledwosz, where is the key?”, or people and animals in Iwona Siekierzyńska’s short student film “Missy”

Iwona Siekierzyńska school film Missy takes up the theme of a girl’s unfulfilled love for a priest. Her dog named Ledwosz not only accompanies her in the experience of encountering the man in cassock, while his anointing of a sick neighbor, but also triggers the situation that caused her infatuation. This brief and accidental contact with the priest turns out to be a breakthrough experience for the teenage girl looking for love and attention. It means her entering the adult world in which it is easy to miss a crucial moment, or hurt somebody’s feelings quite unconsciously. The young girl’s experience of the brief encounter will remain in her forever. The relation between the female character and her dog from the short film was the inspiration to consider the similarities between Missy and Three Colors: Red, by Krzysztof Kieślowski, who was the artistic supervisor of Siekierzyńska’s film. In both films it is a dog that initiates the process resulting in metaphysical experience for the main characters

Practising the works of love and mercy in parishes

The parish is an ecclesial community, and as such it makes present the Church as a reflection of the Triune God, God who is love. The author of this article is attempting to translate these dogmatic truths of faith into practice at the level of the parish and thus to approach them on a plane that is practical rather than theoretical. Particular attention is given to the internal and external ways of practicing mercy. Preaching and practicing mercy starts with various human relationships in the parish, and bears fruit in a concrete, common and organized outward action. These are the two wings of practicing mercy in the parish: through the inner interpersonal relationships as well as through concreto initiatives and actions undertaken by the parish. lf any of the two wings is missing, the evangelical character of practicing mercy in the parish is distorted.Akademia im. Jana Długosza w Częstochowie61-7