How Many Democrats per Republican at UC-Berkeley and Stanford? Voter Registration Data Across 23 Academic Departments

Using the records of the seven San Francisco Bay Area counties that surround University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University, we conducted a systematic and thorough study of the party registration of the Berkeley and Stanford faculty in 23 academic departments. The departments span the social sciences, humanities, hard sciences, math, law, journalism, engineering, medicine, and the business school. Of the total of 1497 individual names on the cumulative list, we obtained readings on 1005, or 67 percent. The findings support the “one-party campus” conjecture. For UC-Berkeley, we found an overall Democrat:Republican ratio of 9.9:1. For Stanford, we found an overall D:R ratio of 7.6:1. Moreover, the breakdown by faculty rank shows that Republicans are an “endangered species” on the two campuses. This article contains a link to the complete data (with individual identities redacted).academia; diversity; Democratic; Republican; voting; political parties

A novel memory-based pattern recognition system

This thesis proposes a novel method for learning and pattern recognition. The algorithm presented relies entirely on memory arranged in a custom hierarchical data structure which shifts the workload from the processor to memory. The structure and functionality draw on biology and neuroscience for inspiration while not losing sight of the inherent strengths and limitations of modern computers. A hierarchy of learned nodes is built, stored, and used for recognition without the need for complicated math or statistics. Recognition and prediction are inherent to the hierarchy and require little additional computation, even for matching of partial patterns. The experiments and results presented empirically demonstrate the robustness of memory-based recognition of images

Emily Weigle’s Letter to Dan Tompkins

This edition is created from the manuscript of Emily Weigle’s letter to Daniel “Dan” Tompkins on March 20th, 1927. This letter is one of number of others that the two wrote back and forth to each another while Weigle lived in Augusta, Georgia, and Tompkins lived in Sylvia, North Carolina. The contents of the letter suggest an on-again, off-again relationship between the two, as Emily is close to Dan, discussing the events of his life at the time, but also states that she is not willing to marry him in his then-current financial state

Synthesis of 1,3-butadiene lignds, their coordination in a metal organic framework, and investigation of their crystalline properties

This project focuses on the synthesis of novel dienes containing dicarboxylic acid and dipyridyl groups and their use in constructing metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and coordination polymers. Dicarboxylate and dipyridyl ligands are commonly used when forming these supramolecular structures. Many examples of MOFs exist the literature where the bridging ligands are terephthalic acid, muconic acid, and 4,4’-bis-pyridyl-1,2-ethyelene. The ligands used in this study are analogous to the previously mentioned ligands and should form similar MOF architectures and coordination polymers. These diene ligands could theoretically give us the ability to modify the pores contained within the metal organic frameworks. If successful, this could enable the size of the pore to be altered and is also a means to add different functional groups inside the pores. These MOFs could potentially be tailored for use in specific applications ranging from gas storage to semiconductors

Population assessment of redhorse (Moxostoma Spp.) in the upper Oconaluftee River, Qualla Boundary, NC

The Oconaluftee River is a moderate to large sized stream located in the Little Tennessee River basin of the southern Appalachian Mountains. The Little Tennessee River basin is home to six different species of Redhorse, three of which, Black (Moxostoma duquesnii), Golden (M. erythrurum), and Sicklefin (M. sp.), are thought to have historically occurred in the section of the Oconaluftee River above Bryson Dam near the mouth of the River. Despite propagation efforts and restorative stocking of the extirpated Sicklefin Redhorse population, there has been no sign of success. Understanding of rare species (such as the Sicklefin Redhorse) has been a priority for researchers; however, other Redhorse species are understudied in the southern Appalachian Mountain region. Increasing the overall knowledge of other Redhorse populations in areas where Sicklefin Redhorse have been extirpated provides vital information on ability of the habitat to support Redhorse populations. From April to September of 2017, we used fyke netting and mark-recapture electrofishing surveys to assess Redhorse population abundance and demographics in the upper Oconaluftee River. Due to high flows and interference from otters, we determined that the fyke net was unsuitable for sampling in this system. Using the raft electrofishing system, we captured 624 Black Redhorse aged 1-12 and 138 Golden Redhorse aged 1-10. No Sicklefin Redhorse were captured during our sampling events. Population abundance of the sampled reaches for Black Redhorse was estimated at n=2101 (Schumacher-Eschmeyer) or n = 1357 (Cormack-Jolly-Seber) and Golden Redhorse was estimated at n = 1084 (Schumacher-Eschmeyer) and too few recaptures occurred to estimate using the Cormack-Jolly-Seber model. Two distinctive size classes were found for both species of Redhorse, which were grouped largely by age. Only one individual was aged at 4 years for Golden Redhorse, perhaps indicating a failed year class for the population or failure to capture Redhorse in that year class. Using life-table modeling, the Black Redhorse population in the upper Oconaluftee system was estimated to be slightly increasing. Electrofishing surveys were most efficient at lower discharge levels for capturing Redhorse. The von Bertalanffy growth models show similar parameters to those from other Southern Appalachian populations as well as Black Redhorse populations in Canada. Weekly larval fish samples were taken from April to August 2017 using drift nets and light traps to assess Redhorse reproductive occurrence and reproductive output. Larval catostomids were captured at all sampling locations with the majority (>70%) being identified as Moxostoma, indicating that there are reproducing Redhorse populations throughout the entire upper Oconaluftee system. There was a significant difference in sample location, with the middle sample site having the highest drift density (Mean drift densities for each site from 4/26/17-6/4/17: Up=7.54 x 10-3 larvae/m3, Mid=2.93 x 10-2 larvae/m3, Low=3.10 x 10-3 larvae/m3)

The automated loading and detection of brachytherapy elements using non-mechanical interaction for use in prostate cancer treatment

Within the recent resurgence of brachytherapy as treatment for prostate cancer, many new devices have been conceived in the preparation of surgical brachytherapy equipment. Specifically, this work encompasses the automated preparation of pre-loaded surgical brachytherapy applicators or”needles” through the loading of radioactive seed elements and benign spacer elements. While traditionally a manual operation, current device methodology in this application revolves around semi-automatic mechanical interaction within the element loading procedure. Mechanical interaction can subject elements to damage; specifically seed elements due to thin metallic construct. Damage to elements within a loading system can result in failure of the performed brachytherapy treatment causing potential harm to the patient. Hesitancy in acceptance of these mechanical separation element loading devices can be attributed to the failure nature of these devices. This work seeks to solve the current issue of element damage through non-interaction while offering improvement through full automation of the loading procedure

The latent structure of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder

The purpose of this study is to explore the underlying structure of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder -- the Disruptive Behavior Disorders. As the bulk of this study was conducted in expectation of the imminent fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, it was deemed prudent to review the construct development of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders through the previous editions. A review of the literature was conducted, and the latent structures of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder were studied and contrasted with the accepted constructs. A theoretical alternative structure was developed based on the results and implications of the literature about the disorders. Exploratory factor analysis and statistical comparison were used to process data collected during structured diagnostic interviews with male youth in a juvenile justice population. The measure used was the Practical Adolescent Dual Diagnosis Interview (PADDI), and the population consisted of 519 males, mean age of M = 16.34, SD = 1.02. The EFA revealed a two-factor solution inconsistent with the current categorical constructs, yet consistent with the proposed theoretical structure. Additionally, symptomatic groups were found which, under the limited scrutiny possible with this data, fit the proposed theoretical restructuring of the Disruptive Behavior Disorders. These results suggest that the present categorical distinction between ODD and CD is incompatible with the actual presentation of the disruptive symptoms among youth in the juvenile justice system. This implies that changes in the way these disorders are categorized and diagnosed would improve accuracy and perhaps even treatment outcomes

THE TIMBER INDUSTRY IN JACKSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the timber industry in Jackson County, North Carolina. It is hoped that the study may also shed light on lumbering in the Appalachian region. By adapting Ronald D Eller's chronology for the economic development of the Appalachian South, the growth of local timber activities will be considered against the backdrop of the regional experience.This study surveys the early history of logging and sawmillinging the county, with special emphasis on the methods and equipment used. The first commercial firm to attempt serious utilization of Jackson County's resources was the Blue Ridge Lumber Company. An account of this company is offered as is one concerning the activities of the Blackwood Lumber Company. The Blackwood Lumber Company was representative of highly mechanized, large-scale commercial operations which developed within western North Carolina in the 1900s.The section dealing with the more recent period centers around Woody Clifton Hennessee and the Mead Corporation. Hennessee is representative of an independent Appalachian lumber entrepreneur,while the Mead Corporation is a major firm operating in the region,but with its headquarters elsewhere. Also, passing attention is given to the independent circular sawmill operators such as Quince Heddon.The thesis shows how the timber industry in Jackson County served as a vehicle for change from a subsistence agricultural society to a wage-oriented one. The timber industry in this county was not as exploitative as in other areas of Appalachia. It has exerted a positive influence here and will undoubtedly do so in the foreseeable future

Personality and political policy opinion

Within the American public, there are significant differences in opinion on political policy. The current research explores the roots of disagreement between the political opinions of liberals and conservatives. It is hypothesized that political opinion differences between liberals and conservatives are so fundamental they may be potentially explained by differences in specific Five Factor Theory personality traits, or by differing politically relevant worldviews (beliefs about the locus of control of others and poverty attribution). Using these three types of predicting variables (personality, locus of control of others and poverty attribution), this study seeks to explain the differences political opinion on the specific issues of abortion and social welfare policy. The results showed the personality facet O6 Liberalism had the strongest relationship to opinions on abortion and social welfare policy. Poverty attribution also had a significant relationship with opinion on social welfare policy. How the core constructs and characteristics which define O6 Liberalism (and potentially political liberalism) relate to opinion on abortion and social welfare policy are discussed, along with the influence of poverty attribution on social welfare policy opinion. Future directions of research into the characteristics that contribute the political opinion conflicts between liberals and conservatives are suggested

The impact of humor type on perceptions of trustworthiness

When we meet other people for the first time, we quickly “size them up” and form impressions of them based on social categorical variables (e.g. gender) and personal characteristics (e.g. attractive or unattractive, intelligent or dull, etc., Fiske & Neuberg, 1990; Jones, 1990). One personal characteristic that affects our initial impression of others is the way they express humor. Furthermore, we form different impressions of people based on the type of humor they express (e.g. Derks & Berkowitz, 1989). The present research endeavors to learn how different types and targets of humor influences our perceptions of a person’s trustworthiness (comprised of perceived integrity and ability to fulfill a promise). It was hypothesized that benign, nondisparaging humor would increase perceived trustworthiness, while disparaging humor would decrease perceived trustworthiness. Furthermore, it was hypothesized that the target of disparaging humor would affect how much the humor affects trustworthiness perceptions. In each of three studies, participants view a video of a new addition to their workplace and evaluate that person’s trustworthiness along the dimensions of ability and integrity. In Study 1, the videos differ by the type of humor (e.g. nondisparaging, other-disparaging, self-disparaging, no humor) displayed by the person. Study 2 and Study 3 explore the boundary conditions for the effects of other-disparaging humor by manipulating the target of the humor, deriving targets from the Normative Window Model (Study 2; Crandall, Ferguson, & Bahns, 2013) and Social Identity Theory (Study 3; Tajfel & Turner, 1986). Study 1 provides no evidence that humor increases perceptions of the joker’s trustworthiness, but does show that other-disparaging humor can have a detrimental effect. Results from Study 2 and Study 3 provides evidence that disparaging humor against some targets have less of a detrimental effect than others