Biology of the Genus \u3ci\u3eHemileuca\u3c/i\u3e (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae) in Michigan

The habitats and host plants of buckmoths (Hemileuca: Saturniidae: Hernileucinae) in Michigan are described and compared to those of the three species known from eastern North America, H. maia, H. nevadensls, and H. lucina. Michigan populations show variation in host plant and habitat use spanning the entire range of all three species. The presence of transitional phenotypes and the host plant and habitat data suggest that Michigan populations are a single, variable species. These things combined with the intermediate geographical location of Michigan\u27s populations call into question the taxonomic distinctness of the three eastern buckmoth species

Applying Community-Oriented Policing as a Method to Counter Far-Right Extremism

Far-right extremism is a growing problem in the United States. Attacks by radical right organizations are increasing and represent a significant portion of all domestic terror incidents. However, current approaches to deal with far-right extremism are failing and require a different approach to address this problem. A potential solution to stymie future attacks would be to shift the way that police departments are conducting their operations. A community-oriented policing (COP) strategy would allow law enforcement to target extremists in a way that fosters positive relationships with communities as well as gain critical intelligence and insight into these radical movements. This paper develops the foundations for future research by examining a foreign COP program that could serve as a model for a U.S.-based COP program. In addition, this paper investigates the costs and benefits of shifting to a COP strategy

MICROWAVE HEATING SIMULATION OF METALS AND DIELECTRIC CERAMICS

The research objectives proposed to study metal processing using a modular industrial microwave oven. The intent of the oven was to perform casting for metal processing purposes. The research objectives were to validate the ovens performance for melting copper and then to compare the results to modeling data. The initial intent was to test the oven for its capability to melt metals. Most researchers would argue that the industrial microwave could not be used for metal processing. However, this research proposed to answer the question as to whether the industrial microwave oven could be used for processing metals or not. The strength of the research lies in the fact that the technology had not been tested on a global scale and industry has not accepted the capabilities of the oven. Nevertheless, developmental efforts have continued and the microwave technology has not ceased to be developed. Although there would be problematic issues, the focus was not to prove the theoretical equations and derive large data sets for the experiments; but to validate that the oven could be used for processing metals and used in an industrial setting where alternative metal processing technologies exist. In order to perform the research, the unit was designed and manufactured and auxiliary components purchased. The research proposed to cast copper in the experimental modular microwave oven and compare the data to the modeling data. Data collection was basically coordinated using thermocouples along the mold and an optical pyrometer for the metal. The final casts were analyzed for both metallurgical and chemical characteristics. A model was designed based upon the dimensions and operational parameters of the experimental oven and data comparison was made. A simulator was then derived using computer code to formulate a user interface panel and simulation environment representative of a laboratory environment. In order to pursue the research goals, material properties were derived as functions of temperature. For the electromagnetic properties the dielectric permittivity was required along with suggestions for the electromagnetic boundary conditions. An experiment was developed and the properties were measured for several dielectric materials; thus the most suitable ceramic material chosen

Reining in the “Third Path”: Rethinking the War Powers Resolution and Private Security Contractors

From the American Revolution to the War in Afghanistan, the United States has hired private contractors to perform a myriad of tasks, from feeding the troops to researching hypersonic missile defense systems. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, however, the nature of work performed by these contractors began to shift. No longer were contractors relegated solely to unarmed tasks. From the jungles of Colombia to the deserts of Iraq, armed contractors—known as Private Security Contractors (PSCs)—have guarded American military bases, protected heads of state, assaulted enemy compounds, and more. Using PSCs is not without risk. Incidents like the Nisour Square massacre highlight the devastation that PSCs can cause. While advocates point to a seemingly robust web of legal restraints that constrain the worst excesses of PSC abuse, this Note argues that these checks are ultimately inadequate. Moreover, PSCs escape one of the strongest protections that would limit their use: the War Powers Resolution. The War Powers Resolution is a pioneering piece of legislation meant to constrain the unfettered zeal of executive authority. However, because the Resolution applies only to the “U.S. Armed Forces,” and not PSCs, the President may deploy PSCs for long periods of time without meaningful congressional oversight. This Note proposes that Congress should expand the War Powers Resolution to incorporate PSCs by explicitly adding the phrase “Private Security Contractors” to the statute. By including PSCs, Congress will have more legislative tools to monitor and potentially restrict the President\u27s use of PSCs. Requiring the President to consult, report, and notify Congress when deploying PSCs allows Congress to exert pressure on the President to avoid any unwarranted use and prevent potential future catastrophe

Be a ‘Do-Bee’: Take a Magic Mirror Journey Inside Romper Room

In the interest of adding to the general awareness and understanding of early educational television for children, this article explores a specific television program from the 1960s, Romper Room, chiefly via an interview with one of the show’s local hosts. This host – my mother Joyce Kramer – certainly had a magical job with new educational television, and it made her a celebrity in the town of Ottumwa, Iowa, in that time and for years afterward. I recall strangers calling to her from their passing vehicles if they spied her on a sidewalk, “Hi, Miss Joyce!” Impressive to my young mind as her celebrity was, it was only much later when I considered the impact the show had on young viewers both in our small town and, from other television areas, on the nation, as well as the impact on my mother’s later teaching. At this article’s basic function, eliciting her memories of the show helped to clarify how the show worked and why it was effective. Juxtaposed with her interview remarks are thoughts on the show in comparison with other educational television of the 1960s, the milieu of the times, and the legacy of the Romper Room on educational television for children in America

“To please a child”: A practical analysis of a children\u27s theatre production from planning to performance

The purpose of this creative thesis and study was to examine, through a comprehensive analysis of the processes, how an original children\u27s play was conceived, written, and produced, using the play Enough of the Huff and Puff, as the study\u27s basis. The study begins with an examination of goals of the drama program at South Texas Community College, and subsequently establishes a justification for children\u27s theatre. It continues with a detailed analysis of how the play came to be written. Also included are, as the title indicates, explanations of practical considerations such as staging difficulties encountered and overcome, casting decisions, set design challenges, and acting methodologies for children\u27s theatre (which included practical considerations when acting for an audience of primarily children). Since the creative work of actually writing the play was an integral part of this thesis, the full original script is included here, as well as the revised script that was written following the original production. Changes to the original, along with brief annotations explaining the artistic reasons why the change was deemed necessary, are included as footnotes on the original script. Performances of the revised play were given at the University of Texas - Pan American, Edinburg, Texas (December 1–3, 2000), at and Edcouch-Elsa High School in Edcouch, Texas (December 16–18, 2000)

A revised and updated Odonata checklist of Samoa (Insecta: Odonata)

Odonata records of the Samoan Archipelago are updated and an updated checklist provided. It is part of an ongoing assessment of the fauna, taxonomy and distributionof the Pacific island dragonflies. The checklist follows recent reviews published/prepared about the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, Fiji and Kingdom of Tonga. This study draws on recent dragonfly records following general insect surveys spanning 2008-2012 funded by Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) via Conserva-tion International (CI) to the authors and to Secretariat Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) and also by funding from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Other unpublished data from Samoan Archipelago and Niue are included as well. All, but one, of the newly collected Odonata species are widespread within the Pacific region. Hemicordulia cupricoloris the only species from the recent collections which is endemic to Samoa, previously reported for Savai'i and Upolu Islands. It has neverbeen confirmed since its original description in 1927. The new study shows the species as an inhabitant of high altitude zones of Savai'i. It is recommended inland areas of Savai'i and other islands within the Samoan Archipelago should be targeted in further field studies

Aldosterone Regulation of Protein Kinase Signaling Pathways and Renal Na⁺ Transport by Non-genomic Mechanisms

Aldosterone is the key regulating hormone of whole-body fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Perturbations in aldosterone synthesis and over-activation of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) can lead to excess salt reabsorption and hypertension. The cortical collecting duct (CCD) is the main site of action in the kidney for aldosterone regulation of whole-body sodium homeostasis through actions on the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the Na/K-ATPase (Na/K pump). Aldosterone stimulates ENaC trafficking into the apical cell membranes in the CCD and enhances channel stability and open probability, as well as activating the basolateral membrane Na/K pump to produce an overall increase in the transepithelial reabsorption of sodium. Aldosterone/MR regulates the activity of ENaC in the CCD through both rapid non-genomic (secs-mins) and latent genomic (hours-days) signaling pathways. These rapid and slow responses of renal Na+ transport pathways to aldosterone are often treated as distinct and separate events. However, recent evidence points to a close integration between genomic and non-genomic responses to aldosterone to regulate ENaC and Na/K pump activity via protein kinase signaling pathways. Here, we review the integration of aldosterone membrane-initiated non-genomic and nuclear genomic regulations of renal sodium transport via protein kinase signaling pathways and in particular via protein kinase D isoforms