Burying Beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin: Species Diversity, Population Density and Body Size

Over 2400 burying beetles, representing six species (Nicrophorus defodiens, N. sayi, N orbicollis, N. tomentosus, N vespilloides, and N. pustulatus), were trapped from 27 June to 4 August, 1996 at nine study sites (3 small islands, 3 large islands, and 3 mainland locations) centered around the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in northern Wisconsin. Species diversity was greatest on the mainland and least on the smallest islands « 600 ha). Nicrophorus defodiens, the smallest of the six species, was marginally overrepresented on the smallest islands. We hypothesize that this occurred because N. defodiens can maintain a larger population for a given resource base than its larger congeners. Estimates of population density for N. defodi­ens were made on the two smallest islands (Raspberry and Devils) and ranged from 16-24/ha. On the small and isolated Devils Island, N defodiens had significantly greater pronotal width compared to conspecifics at each of the other eight sites. We hypothesize that the larger body size at this site which is dominated by N. defodiens may be selected because of the greater frequency of intraspecific encounters

Hours Restrictions and Labor Supply

This study presents a model of labor supply in which individuals may face constraints on their choice of work hours, and analyzes the sensitivity of parameter estimates and policy conclusions to the usual assumption of unrestricted choice. We set up the labor supply decision asa discrete choice problem, where each worker faces a finite number of employment opportunities, each offering fixed hours of work.The distribution from which these are drawn, as well as the number of draws, is estimated along with the behavioral parameters of individual labor supply.The standard model with unconstrained hours appears as a special case where the number of draws approaches infinity. We estimate the mean absolute difference between desired and actual work hours to be about ten hours perweek. The results strongly support the notion that hours choices are constrained, and suggest that models which ignore restrictions on hours worked may yield biased estimates of the wage elasticity of desired hours. Further, we suggest that analysis of policies such as income transfers and the flat rate tax which do not consider their effects on the distribution of hours offered may be very misleading.

Performance of a small, graphite electrode, multistage depressed collector with a 500-W, continuous wave, 4.8- to 9.6-GHz traveling wave tube

A small, isotropic graphite multistage depressed collector (MDC) and a short permanent magnet refocuser were designed, fabricated, and evaluated in conjunction with a 500-W, continuous-wave (CW), 4.8 to 9.6 GHz traveling wave tube (TWT). A novel performance optimization system and technique were used to optimize the TWT-MDC performance for saturated broad-band operation. The MDC performance was evaluated in both four- and three-stage configurations. Average TWT overall and four-stage collector efficiencies of 43.8 and 82.6 percent, respectively, were obtained for saturated octave-bandwidth operation. The isotropic graphite electrode material performed well, and shows considerable promise. However, considerably more test experience is required before definitive conclusions on its suitability for space and airborne TWT's can be made

Reducing the rare event: lessons from the implementation of a ventilator bundle.

The ventilator-associated event (VAE) is a potentially avoidable complication of mechanical ventilation (MV) associated with poor outcomes. Although rare, VAEs and other nosocomial events are frequently targeted for quality improvement efforts consistent with the creed to 'do no harm'. In October 2016, VA Greater Los Angeles (GLA) was in the lowest-performing decile of VA medical centres on a composite measure of quality, owing to GLA's relatively high VAE rate. To decrease VAEs, we sought to reduce average MV duration of patients with acute respiratory failure to less than 3 days by 1 July 2017. In our first intervention (period 1), intensive care unit (ICU) attending physicians trained residents to use an existing ventilator bundle order set; in our second intervention (period 2), we updated the order set to streamline order entry and incorporate new nurse-driven and respiratory therapist (RT)-driven spontaneous awakening trial (SAT) and spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) protocols. In period 1, the proportion of eligible patients with SAT and SBT orders increased from 29.9% and 51.2% to 67.4% and 72.6%, respectively, with sustained improvements through December 2017. Mean MV duration decreased from 7.2 days at baseline to 5.5 days in period 1 and 4.7 days in period 2; statistical process control charts revealed no significant differences, but the difference between baseline and period 2 MV duration was statistically significant at p=0.049. Bedside audits showed RTs consistently performed indicated SBTs, but there were missed opportunities for SATs due to ICU staff concerns about the SAT protocol. The rarity of VAEs, small population of ventilated patients and infrequent use of sedative infusions at GLA may have decreased the opportunity to achieve staff acceptance and use of the SAT protocol. Quality improvement teams should consider frequency of targeted outcomes when planning interventions; rare events pose challenges in implementation and evaluation of change

Burying Beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) of the Apostle Islands, Wisconsin: Species Diversity, Population Density and Body Size

Over 2400 burying beetles, representing six species (Nicrophorus defodiens, N. sayi, N orbicollis, N. tomentosus, N vespilloides, and N. pustulatus), were trapped from 27 June to 4 August, 1996 at nine study sites (3 small islands, 3 large islands, and 3 mainland locations) centered around the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in northern Wisconsin. Species diversity was greatest on the mainland and least on the smallest islands « 600 ha). Nicrophorus defodiens, the smallest of the six species, was marginally overrepresented on the smallest islands. We hypothesize that this occurred because N. defodiens can maintain a larger population for a given resource base than its larger congeners. Estimates of population density for N. defodi­ens were made on the two smallest islands (Raspberry and Devils) and ranged from 16-24/ha. On the small and isolated Devils Island, N defodiens had significantly greater pronotal width compared to conspecifics at each of the other eight sites. We hypothesize that the larger body size at this site which is dominated by N. defodiens may be selected because of the greater frequency of intraspecific encounters

Relationships between Pitch-Matching and Grade Level, Gender, Ethnicity, and Classroom Teachers’ Use of Music in Grades K-3,

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between pitch-matching and grade level, sex, ethnicity, and classroom teachers’ use of music among K-3 students (N = 289) taught by the same general music teacher. Portions of the data from a pitch-matching exercise that functioned as the music teacher’s roll-taking procedure during the 2005-06 school year were treated as pre- and posttests. There were no significant pretest differences between ethnic groups (Hispanic, White, Other). There were significant pretest differences among classes taught by different classroom teachers, as well as the female students scoring significantly higher than males. Covariance analysis (pretest as covariate) revealed significant improvement by girls over boys on the posttest. There were no significant pretest differences among grade levels, suggesting a lack of carryover of pitch-matching skills from previous years, despite significant improvement (pre-post) for every grade level during the year under study. The boys performed poorly relative to girls in higher grades, though the interaction was not significant. Finally, the study revealed relationships between classroom teachers’ reported use of music and student gain scores (pre-post) in pitch-matching

Pengaruh Usia, Pengalaman, dan Pendidikan Dewan Komisaris terhadap Kualitas Laporan Keuangan (Studi Empiris pada Perusahaan Real Estate dan Property yang Go Public Tahun 2010-2012 di Bursa Efek Indonesia)

This study aims to analyze and provide empirical evidence about the effectof age, tenure and education of board commissioners on financial statement quality. Several previous studies showed varying results. To obtain valid results, then doing a test on each variable based on the hypothesis constructed.The samples used were selected by purposive sampling method. A population was 42 real estate and property companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange. After reduced with some criteria, 20 companies identified as samples. Observation period was 2010 to 2012, so the total number of sample used was 60 samples. Multiple regressions were used to examine the hypothesis.The results indicate that age and board of Commissioners education, are significantly effect positive the financial statement quality. On the other side, board of Commissioners experience has no effect positive on the financial statement quality

Generalized q-Deformed Symplectic sp(4) Algebra for Multi-shell Applications

A multi-shell generalization of a fermion representation of the q-deformed compact symplectic sp_q(4) algebra is introduced. An analytic form for the action of two or more generators of the Sp_q(4) symmetry on the basis states is determined and the result used to derive formulae for the overlap between number preserving states as well as for matrix elements of a model Hamiltonian. A second-order operator in the generators of Sp_q(4) is identified that is diagonal in the basis set and that reduces to the Casimir invariant of the sp(4) algebra in the non-deformed limit of the theory. The results can be used in nuclear structure applications to calculate beta-decay transition probabilities and to provide for a description of pairing and higher-order interactions in systems with nucleons occupying more than a single-j orbital.Comment: 10 page

Activating Volunteers for Statewide COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Extension is known for facilitating local networks and having the capacity to organize and mobilize volunteers. These assets, critically important in crises and emergency situations, were drawn on to support Tennessee\u27s response to health care worker and community needs early in the coronavirus pandemic. Using local networks, we rapidly activated a statewide volunteer workforce to address potential shortages of cloth face masks before federal agencies recommended their widespread public use. We share social media communication strategies and a timeline of key events and acknowledge challenges we encountered in moving forward in an environment of inconsistent and evolving guidelines. Our actions may be applicable to addressing ongoing community needs as the pandemic persists and new circumstances arise

Integrating Viral Hepatitis Screening and Prevention Services into an Urban Chemical Dependency Treatment Facility for American Indians and Alaska Natives

American Indian/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) patients at an urban residential chemical dependency treatment center participated in a viral hepatitis prevention project. Project activities integrated into patients’ treatment programs included viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk factor screening, education and counseling, laboratory testing, and hepatitis A and B vaccination. Of 928 AI/AN admissions, 585 (63%) completed risk factor screening assessment. Of these, 436 (75%) received at least one vaccination, viral hepatitis testing, or both. Of 322 patients tested, 91 (28%) were hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody positive. Lack of pre-existing immunity to vaccine-preventable viral hepatitis infection was common: 132 (45%) were susceptible to hepatitis A and 224 (70%) were susceptible to hepatitis B infection. Chemical dependency treatment centers serving urban AI/AN provide important opportunities for implementing viral hepatitis prevention programs for high-risk populations and for improving ongoing efforts to reduce the disparate impact of chronic liver disease in AI/ AN people