Minority Representation under Cumulative and Limited Voting

We examine minority representation resulting from modified at-large elections (cumulative and limited voting) used in U.S. localities in the 1990s. Hypotheses about the relative proportionality of descriptive representation under various local election systems are presented and tested. We find that CV/LV elections produced descriptive representation of African-Americans at levels similar to those in larger single-member district places, and at levels that exceed those from some small, southern SMD places. Results for Latino representation are more qualified. Our results offer encouragement for those interested in facilitating minority representation without using the acrimonious process of drawing districts on the basis of races

Retrospective review of Treponema pallidum PCR and serology results: Are both tests necessary?

There has been a resurgence of syphilis diagnoses in Australia. We investigated whether ourpolymerase chain reaction (PCR) test provides any additional diagnostic information over syphilis serology (chemi-luminescence immunoassay (CMIA),particle agglutination (TPPA) and rapid reagin (RPR) flocculation test). A retrospective audit was conducted of allPCR requests that came through our laboratory from January 2010 to June 2017; data collected included age, gender, site of swab,PCR, syphilis serology and HSV 1 and HSV 2 PCR results. A total of 441PCR tests were performed, with on average three requests forPCR per month in 2011, which increased to 17.2 per month in 2017. There were 323 patients who had bothPCR and syphilis serology performed, with 67% of swabs taken from the genitals.PCR was positive in 61/323 (19%) patients, of which 59/61 (97%) also had positive syphilis serology result (sensitivity 68%, specificity 99%, positive predictive value 97% and negative predictive value 89%). Syphilis serology was positive in 91/323 patients (28%) of which 61 (66%) were alsoPCR positive (sensitivity 97%, specificity 88%, positive predictive value 60% and negative predictive value 99%). The Cohen's Kappa value was 0.74, indicating substantial agreement between the two tests. Our results show most patients with positivePCR results also had positive syphilis serology. Therefore,PCR adds little clinical value over serology for diagnosis of syphilis in certain clinical settings

A report detailing “Public Opinion on Immigration Reform: A Comparison of Ethnic Groups” presented by Dr. Robert Brischetto at an International Immigration Symposium in 1985.

A report detailing “Public Opinion on Immigration Reform: A Comparison of Ethnic Groups” presented by Dr. Robert Brischetto at an International Immigration Symposium in 1985