Discussion of: A statistical analysis of multiple temperature proxies: Are reconstructions of surface temperatures over the last 1000 years reliable?

Discussion of "A statistical analysis of multiple temperature proxies: Are reconstructions of surface temperatures over the last 1000 years reliable?" by B.B. McShane and A.J. Wyner [arXiv:1104.4002]Comment: Published in at http://dx.doi.org/10.1214/10-AOAS398J the Annals of Applied Statistics (http://www.imstat.org/aoas/) by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics (http://www.imstat.org

Evaluation of Modification of the Upper Batavia Dam on the Fox River, Illinois

Progress Report, Federal Aid Project F-136-R Segment 6Report issued on: August 2004Submitted to Office of Water Resources, Illinois Department of Natural Resource

The midwife and birth of conservatism in 1960: Barry Goldwater and the ascendancy of the right in the Gop

The Midwife and Birth of Conservatism in 1960 studies the rise of the dissident minority conservative faction of the Republican Party during the 1950s and early 1960s and its takeover of the Republican Party in 1964. Using established communication theories that define a social movement and a movement leader, the paper attempts to judge if the conservative movement and its leader, Barry Goldwater, can be viewed as, respectively, a full-fledged social movement and social movement leader. The thesis examines its subjects in a rhetorical and historical context by studying the rhetoric and historical events surrounding the ascension of the right and Goldwater\u27s leadership position

Forage Fish Populations and Growth of Muskellunge in a South Dakota Power Plant Cooling Reservoir

The standing crop, age, growth, and impingement loss of forage fishes and the growth rate and impingement loss of muskellunge (Esox masquinongy) were studied to evaluate the use of the Big Stone Power Plant cooling reservoir as an area for rearing and holding muskellunge brood stock. There were 18 species of forage fish present in the reservoir. Sampling indicated that there were 4 major forage fish species. Bluegills (Lepomis macrochirus) made up 68.3% of these species; tadpole madtoms (Noturus gyrinus), 25.8%; orangespotted sunfish (L.humilis), 3.6%; and black bullheads (Ictalurus melas), 2.3%. The estimated total standing crop of the 4 forage species was 28.1 kg/ha. The 1974 year-class was the oldest present among the forage fishes. Most forage fish populations were dominated by age-groups I and II. The growth rates of forage fishes present in the reservoir were similar to those of natural waters in the northern United States. Impingement of forage fishes was restricted predominately to young-of-the-year fishes, except during the winter months. An inverse relationship existed between impingement and monthly water temperature for adult bluegills. Higher impingement rates were noted during evening samples, but only tadpole madtoms were impinged significantly (P \u3c .05) more often at night. Muskellunge were most vulnerable to impingement during the first 2 months following their introduction. Age-group II muskellunge captured in February and March attained a mean TL of 753 mm (700 to 785 mm, range) and age-group I muskellunge captured in February and March attained a mean TL of 465 mm (386 to 575 mm:, range). The growth rate of muskellunge in the Big Stone Power Plant cooling reservoir was higher than those reported for populations throughout North America

WESTERNIZATION IN CHINA: A CASE STUDY IN PROCESSED POTATOES

Keywords: China, potatoes, westernization, food demand, convenience foods Abstract: The demand for convenience foods is growing around the world, especially in China. However, the contributing factors of this change in food preferences are still largely unknown. To measure this westernization trend, data from a survey of Chinese consumers in Beijing is evaluated using a multinomial ordered logit model to determine which consumer attributes influence the probability of consuming western foods such as French fries, mashed potatoes, and potato chips. Results show that higher income levels and positive opinions concerning western food taste have a significant influence on increased consumption of all three processed potato products. Additionally, younger ages and female gender were highly significant indicators of increased French fry and potato chip consumption.Crop Production/Industries,

IMPACTS OF LIBERALIZING THE JAPANESE PORK MARKET

The Japanese pork market is protected by a complex set of restrictions, including a variable levy and an import tariff. The combination of these policies distorts the quantity, price, and form of Japanese pork imports. An important issue relevant to the liberalization of the Japanese pork market is the accurate measurement of the price wedge between Japanese and world pork prices. The analysis indicates that the tariff equivalent of the price wedge over the 1986-88 period was 44%. If the tariff equivalent of the price wedge is reduced over a ten-year period, Japanese pork imports are projected to increase by over 39% initially and by over 215% compared to baseline projections by the year 2000. Producer welfare can be maintained by a deficiency payment scheme. A less costly alternative is an industry buffer scheme, which maintains the level of the pork industry for two years and then implements a declining deficiency payment scheme that limits the decrease in production levels to 5% per year.International Relations/Trade,

Measurement of Skin Friction Drag on Hydrophobic Silica Aerogel Surfaces with Potential Application to Technical Swimsuit Design

The goal of this project was to fabricate and test a prototype technical swimsuit (low-drag suit worn by swimmers in their most important races) that utilized the hydrophobic properties of silica aerogels. This process involved coating a preexisting suit with aerogel material and completing the build of the newly redesigned water channel at Union College. To evaluate performance of materials, surface drag testing of airfoils coated in aerogel materials was performed using a dynamometer in the water channel. Several additions were made to the water channel in order to reduce variation in drag results. Variation was successfully decreased from 134% to 8.7%. Results from the aerogel drag testing were compared to similar tests run on airfoils covered in racing suits that are worn by professional swimmers. Drag coefficients ranging from 0.037 to 0.040 were calculated using dynamometer drag readings. Sessile drop tests were performed to measure the contact angle of a drop of water 2 μL on the surface of each material. Contact angles greater than or equal to 135 degrees were found for all items tested. It was found that aerogel coated suits performed comparably to racing suits in drag testing and outperformed racing suits in contact angle testing

Older Adults\u27 Understanding of Cardiovascular Risk And Preventive Medication Benefit

Medication decision making in older adults with multiple chronic conditions is complicated; communication between patients and physicians to establish concordant treatment goals can enhance this process. While patients\u27 ability to make informed decisions about treatment priorities depends on their ability to understand the risks and benefits of medications and the likelihood of disease outcomes, patients\u27 knowledge of medication-related benefits is unexplored. We examined older adults\u27 estimation of their 10-year risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke, and the degree to which they thought common medications were able to prevent these outcomes. 150 male veterans age 65 or older and taking five or more medications (including an aspirin, a statin, or an antihypertensive drug) were interviewed at VA Connecticut. Using a bar graph with bars representing 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, participants were asked to estimate their 10-year risk of stroke and MI when: a) taking no medications, and b) when taking preventive medications (aspirin to prevent MI and stroke; statins to prevent MI; and antihypertensives to prevent stroke). Participants had a mean age of 76 ± 6 years and were on 10 ± 3 medications: 90% had hypertension, 76% had diabetes, 15% had prior MI, and 12% had prior stroke. Framingham data suggest the 10-year risk of MI in this population is close to 25%, which decreases to about 15% on aspirin or statins. 130/147 (87%) participants overestimated their risk of MI (48% estimated it at 75 or 100% over 10 years), 37 (24%) participants felt that aspirin provided at least a 50% absolute risk reduction in MI, and 33% of participants felt that statins could reduce MI risk by the same degree. However, 18% of participants felt that daily aspirin did not change their MI risk at all, and 20% felt a daily statin did not change their MI risk. For stroke, Framingham data suggest that 10-year risk in this population is close to 25%, which decreases to 15% on aspirin and antihypertensives. 128/149 (86%) participants overestimated their stroke risk, with 90 (60%) estimating that risk to be 75 or 100%. 46/147 (31%) participants estimated that aspirin could reduce provide a 50% absolute risk reduction in 10 year stroke risk, and 39% estimated that anti-hypertensives could provide at least a 50% absolute risk reduction. 18 (12%) participants felt that taking a daily aspirin, and 18% felt that taking a daily antihypertensive did not change their ten-year stroke risk. A large proportion of older males overestimated both their 10 year risk of MI and stroke. They also over- and under-estimated the magnitude of benefit conferred by aspirin, statins, and anti-hypertensive drugs in preventing these adverse clinical outcomes. Both findings have important implications for medication decision making, since under-estimation of benefits may play a role in non-adherence, while overestimation of benefits may result in tolerance of medication side effects with the expectation that they provide a greater degree of benefit. This study suggests the need for increased patient-physician communication regarding the risks and benefits of commonly prescribed preventive medications

U.S. Grass-Fed Beef: Marketing Health Benefits

Grass-fed beef is a product with health benefits that may appeal to health-conscious consumers. This article analyzes the results of a choice experiment to explore the importance of health benefits in the marketing of grass fed beef. Both price and fat and calories have a negative effect on the choice of the product, and higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids have a positive effect. Price is the most important attribute to respondents (39.5%), a low level of fat and calories is the second most important attribute (36.9%), and the level of omega-3 fatty acids is the least important of these factors (23.6%).Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,