Tolkien the Anti-totalitarian

A number of critics have looked for a political message in The Lord of the Rings, their dislike of the work, in some cases, apparently leading them to accuse Tolkien of holding extreme, usually right- wing, political views and making The Lord of the Rings a vehicle for them. These critics are particularly vehement about the danger of young people emerging from a reading of Tolkien’s book with extreme right-wing views. I select some examples from my collection of political views, including the opinions of Robert Westall, E.P. Thompson, and Fred Inglis, together with a viewpoint from a member of the Communist Party

DETECTION AND OCCURRENCE OF NERODIA HARTERI (SERPENTES: COLUBRIDAE) IN AN UPPER PORTION OF THE BRAZOS RIVER WATERSHED

Semiaquatic snakes are disproportionately impacted by habitat alteration adjacent to wetlands because of their reliance on both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Brazos River Watersnakes, Nerodia harteri, are endemic natricines with one of the most restricted geographic ranges in North America. I quantified detection and site occupancy probabilities of N. harteri and its sympatric congeners (N. erythrogaster and N. rhombifer), as well as microhabitat selection within the Nerodia community. Within occupied transects, search effort was positively correlated with detecting N. harteri, whereas environmental and/or habitat variables were better predictors for detecting the sympatric congeners. Microhabitat selection between the three Nerodia species varied, with N. harteri selecting for riffle presence and increased canopy cover. The focal species was 97% less likely to be found in habitat characterized by bank vegetation containing saltcedar (Tamarix spp.). The results indicate the sympatric Nerodia spp. are partitioning their habitat to some degree, likely related to foraging activities. To better understand demographic trends of Nerodia harteri, long-term monitoring is needed, and habitat management — such as the preservation of riffle habitat — might be necessary to minimize the risk of continued population declines

The Other 50th Anniversary

Discusses the Disney film Snow White and notes that Tolkien’s famous anti-Disney remark predated the latter’s films based on fairy tales. Notes possible sources of dwarf-names in Snow White and The Hobbit

Roger Lancelyn Green: A Personal Memoir

Personal reminiscences of the author’s interactions with Roger Lancelyn Gree

An Examination of the Relationship Between the Achievement of Students with High Incidence Disabilities and Maine State Compliant Standards-Based Individualized Educational Programs

This quantitative study analyzed the significance of the impact of Maine state compliant standards-based individualized education programs (IEPs) on the math and reading achievement of third grade students eligible for special education under the high incidence disability categories of Specific Learning Disability and Other Health Impairment. A total of 72 cases (n = 72) were collected. Descriptive data analysis was conducted to investigate characteristics of IEP compliance with Maine state standardsbased IEP expectations in the academic and standards-based IEP goal realms. Analyses of Covariance were conducted to determine if the compliance level of a student\u27s standards-based IEP had a significant impact on the student\u27s achievement in math and reading, respectively, as measured by his or her growth target attainment on the Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) assessment, while controlling for the covariates of student disability and least restrictive environment percentage. Results indicated a significant difference in student reading achievement between the different overall IEP compliance ratings. No significant differences were found in student math achievement between the different overall IEP compliance ratings. Generalizability of the results is limited due to the small sample size obtained for this study. Despite its small size, however, the sample did represent larger tendencies as it mirrored statewide trends in school administrative units (SAUs) and geographical distribution SA Us. Implications for pol icy and practice, both in terms of revisions to current policies as well as supports for special educators, are discussed, particularly in regards to the evident lack of empirical research pertaining to standards-based IEPs and the achievement of students with high incidence disabilities. Given these limited results, and the effects policy decisions pertaining to standards-based IEP mandates have had on the field of special education in Maine, areas of future research are proposed, particularly in regards to study design, instrumentation, and factors affecting the achievement of students with disabilities

Enhancing Community Resilience: A Holistic Approach to Addressing Substance Abuse in Burke County

Substance abuse in Burke County, NC has been a significant concern with rising overdose death rates despite targeted efforts. The proposal addresses substance abuse in Burke County with an emphasis on social and peer support in fostering community resilience and positive health outcomes. Social networks will be leveraged to provide resilience, coping mechanisms, and access to treatment and prevention resources. An analysis of substance abuse trends, demographics, and current support services was completed leading to recommendations for enhanced social and peer support systems. The proposed initiative aims for equity, accessibility, and sustainability, while recognizing the challenges of substance abuse, geographics, and privacy concerns. Evidence-based strategies along with stakeholder collaboration aim to achieve the goal of reducing substance abuse rates and improving overall community well-being in Burke County.Master of Public Healt

Ractopamine HCl improved cardiac hypertrophy but not poor growth, metabolic inefficiency, or greater white blood cells associated with heat stress in concentrate-fed lambs

Heat stress decreases livestock performance and well-being (Hahn, 1999; Nienaber and Hahn, 2007), causes metabolic dysfunction that decreases growth efficiency (O’Brien et al., 2010), and alters cardiovascular function (Crandall et al., 2008). Each year, heat stress costs the livestock industry up to $2.5 billion (St-Pierre et al., 2003). Ractopamine HCl acts as a nutrient repartitioning agent (Beermann, 2002); classified as a β adrenergic agonist (βAA), it shares pharmacological properties with adrenaline (Beermann, 2002). βAA increase muscle mass and decreases fat deposition through unknown mechanisms (Beermann, 2002). In feedlot cattle, they increase growth efficiency and improve carcass yield and merit (Scramlin et al., 2010; Buntyn et al., 2017), which increases profit and allows more meat to be produced from fewer animals. However, because βAA act via a stress system, it is unclear how the products affect animals under stress conditions. β1AA and β2AA can also cause tachycardia, heart palpitations, and arrhythmias (Sears, 2002). We hypothesize that β1AA combined with heat stress may overstimulate the adrenergic system, resulting is metabolic dysfunction and decreased performance. Sheep are a common model for cattle, and thus, the objective of this study was to determine the impact of ractopamine HCl on health and cardiovascular parameters, growth, and metabolic efficiency in feeder lambs

Reviews

J.R.R. Tolkien: This Far Land. Robert Giddings. Reviewed by Jessica Yates. The Book of Lost Tales Part II. J.R.R. TOlkien. Reviewed by Sarah Beach. The Monsters and the Critics, and Other Essays. J.R.R. Tolkien. Reviewed by Thomas M. Egan. The Restitution of Man: C.S. Lewis and the Case Against Scientism. Michael D. Aeschliman. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson. The High Kings: Arthur\u27s Celtic Ancestors. Joy Chant. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson

Reviews

The Shores of Middle-earth. Robert Giddings and Elizabeth Holland. Reviewed by Nils Ivar Agøy. SEVEN (March, 1982), Volume 3. Dr. Barbara Reynolds, Dr. Clyde S. Kilby, and Dr. Beatrice Batson. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson. THE DARK CRYSTAL. Directed by Jim Henson and Frank Oz. Screenplay by David Odell. Story by Jim Henson. Conceptual Designer, Brian Froud. Reviewed by Benjamin Urrutia. The World of the Dark Crystal. Illustrated by Brian Froud. Text by J.J. Llewellyn. Designed and Edited by Rupert Brown. Reviewed by Benjamin Urrutia. The Tale of the Dark Crystal. Text by Donna Bass. Illustrated by Bruce McNally. Reviewed by Benjamin Urrutia. The Dark Crystal. Novelization by A.C.H. Smith. Reviewed by Benjamin Urrutia. Dragonslayer. Hal Barwoods and Matthew Robbins. Reviewed by Jessica Yates. C.S. Lewis: Mere Christian. Kathryn Lirdskoog. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson. A Day in Narnia. Paul Ford. Reviewed by Nancy-Lou Patterson