New Studies Initiated by the U.S. Geological Survey— Effects of Nutrient Enrichment on Stream Ecosystems

In 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) Program began an intensive study of nutrient enrichment—elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus— in streams in five agricultural basins across the Nation (see map, p. 2). This study is providing nationally consistent and comparable data and analyses of nutrient conditions, including how these conditions vary as a result of natural and human-related factors, and how nutrient conditions affect algae and other biological communities. This information will benefit stakeholders, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and its partners, who are developing nutrient criteria to protect the aquatic health of streams in different geographic regions.

EFFECTS OF IMPLEMENTING EPA'S ENDANGERED SPECIES PROTECTION PROGRAM ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM LANDS

In 1986, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) initiated an effort to comply more fully with the Endangered Species Act. This effort became their "Endangered Species Protection Program." The possibility of such a program was forecast in 1982 when Donald A. Spencer gave a presentation to the Tenth Vertebrate Pest Conference on "Vertebrate Pest Management and Changing Times." This paper focuses on current plans for implementing the EPA's Endangered Species Protection Program as it relates to the USDA Forest Service. It analyzes the potential effects this program will have on the agency, using the pocket gopher (Thomomys spp.), strychnine, and the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) as examples of an affected pest, pesticide, and predator.

Study of using marker assisted selection on a beef cattle breeding program by model comparison

A data set of a commercial Nellore beef cattle selection program was used to compare breeding models that assumed or not markers effects to estimate the breeding values, when a reduced number of animals have phenotypic, genotypic and pedigree information available. This herd complete data set was composed of 83,404 animals measured for weaning weight (WW), post-weaning gain (PWG), scrotal circumference (SC) and muscle score (MS), corresponding to 116,652 animals in the relationship matrix. Single trait analyses were performed by MTDFREML software to estimate fixed and random effects solutions using this complete data. The additive effects estimated were assumed as the reference breeding values for those animals. The individual observed phenotype of each trait was adjusted for fixed and random effects solutions, except for direct additive effects. The adjusted phenotype composed of the additive and residual parts of observed phenotype was used as dependent variable for models' comparison. Among all measured animals of this herd, only 3160 animals were genotyped for 106 SNP markers. Three models were compared in terms of changes on animals' rank, global fit and predictive ability. Model 1 included only polygenic effects, model 2 included only markers effects and model 3 included both polygenic and markers effects. Bayesian inference via Markov chain Monte Carlo methods performed by TM software was used to analyze the data for model comparison. Two different priors were adopted for markers effects in models 2 and 3, the first prior assumed was a uniform distribution (U) and, as a second prior, was assumed that markers effects were distributed as normal (N). Higher rank correlation coefficients were observed for models 3_U and 3_N, indicating a greater similarity of these models animals' rank and the rank based on the reference breeding values. Model 3_N presented a better global fit, as demonstrated by its low DIC. The best models in terms of predictive ability were models 1 and 3_N. Differences due prior assumed to markers effects in models 2 and 3 could be attributed to the better ability of normal prior in handle with collinear effects. The models 2_U and 2_N presented the worst performance, indicating that this small set of markers should not be used to genetically evaluate animals with no data, since its predictive ability is restricted. In conclusion, model 3_N presented a slight superiority when a reduce number of animals have phenotypic, genotypic and pedigree information. It could be attributed to the variation retained by markers and polygenic effects assumed together and the normal prior assumed to markers effects, that deals better with the collinearity between markers. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Übergangsmomente zwischen angeregten Zuständen mit der RI-CC2-Methode: Implementierung und Anwendung auf Triplett-Excimere

Die Themengebiete dieser Arbeit umfassen sowohl methodische Weiterentwicklungen im Rahmen der ab initio zweiter Ordnungsmethoden CC2 und ADC(2) als auch Anwendungen dieser Weiterentwick-lungen auf aktuelle Fragestellungen. Die methodischen Erweiterungen stehen dabei hauptsächlich im Zusammenhang mit Übergangsmomenten zwischen angeregten Zuständen. Durch die Implementie-rung der selbigen ist nun die Berechnung transienter Absorptionsspektren möglich. Die Anwendungen behandeln vorwiegend das Feld der organischen Halbleiter und deren photo-elektronische Eigen-schaften. Dabei spielen die bislang wenig erforschten Triplett-Excimere eine zentrale Rolle.rnDie Übergangsmomente zwischen angeregten Zuständen wurden in das Programmpaket TUR-BOMOLE implementiert. Dadurch wurde die Berechnung der Übergangsmomente zwischen Zustän-den gleicher Multiplizität (d.h. sowohl Singulett-Singulett- als auch Triplett-Triplett-Übergänge) und unterschiedlicher Multiplizität (also Singulett-Triplett-Übergänge) möglich. Als Erweiterung wurde durch ein Interface zum ORCA Programm die Berechnung von Spin-Orbit-Matrixelementen (SOMEs) implementiert. Des Weiteren kann man mit dieser Implementierung auch Übergänge in offenschaligen Systemen berechnen. Um den Speicherbedarf und die Rechenzeit möglichst gering zu halten wurde die resolution-of-the-identity (RI-) Näherung benutzt. Damit lässt sich der Speicherbedarf von O(N4) auf O(N3) reduzieren, da die mit O(N4) skalierenden Größen (z. B. die T2-Amplituden) sehr effizient aus RI-Intermediaten berechnet werden können und daher nicht abgespeichert werden müssen. Dadurch wird eine Berechnung für mittelgroße Moleküle (ca. 20-50 Atome) mit einer angemessenen Basis möglich.rnDie Genauigkeit der Übergangsmomente zwischen angeregten Zuständen wurde für einen Testsatz kleiner Moleküle sowie für ausgewählte größere organische Moleküle getestet. Dabei stellte sich her-aus, dass der Fehler der RI-Näherung sehr klein ist. Die Vorhersage der transienten Spektren mit CC2 bzw. ADC(2) birgt allerdings ein Problem, da diese Methoden solche Zustände nur sehr unzureichend beschreiben, welche hauptsächlich durch zweifach-Anregungen bezüglich der Referenzdeterminante erzeugt werden. Dies ist für die Spektren aus dem angeregten Zustand relevant, da Übergänge zu diesen Zuständen energetisch zugänglich und erlaubt sein können. Ein Beispiel dafür wird anhand eines Singulett-Singulett-Spektrums in der vorliegenden Arbeit diskutiert. Für die Übergänge zwischen Triplettzuständen ist dies allerdings weniger problematisch, da die energetisch niedrigsten Doppelan-regungen geschlossenschalig sind und daher für Tripletts nicht auftreten.rnVon besonderem Interesse für diese Arbeit ist die Bildung von Excimeren im angeregten Triplettzu-stand. Diese können aufgrund starker Wechselwirkungen zwischen den π-Elektronensystemen großer organischer Moleküle auftreten, wie sie zum Beispiel als organische Halbleiter in organischen Leucht-dioden eingesetzt werden. Dabei können die Excimere die photo-elktronischen Eigenschaften dieser Substanzen signifikant beeinflussen. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wurden daher zwei solcher Sys-teme untersucht, [3.3](4,4’)Biphenylophan und das Naphthalin-Dimer. Hierzu wurden die transienten Anregungsspektren aus dem ersten angeregten Triplettzustand berechnet und diese Ergebnisse für die Interpretation der experimentellen Spektren herangezogen. Aufgrund der guten Übereinstimmung zwischen den berechneten und den experimentellen Spektren konnte gezeigt werden, dass es für eine koplanare Anordnung der beiden Monomere zu einer starken Kopplung zwischen lokal angereg-ten und charge-transfer Zuständen kommt. Diese Kopplung resultiert in einer signifikanten energeti-schen Absenkung des ersten angeregten Zustandes und zu einem sehr geringen Abstand zwischen den Monomereinheiten. Dabei ist der angeregte Zustand über beide Monomere delokalisiert. Die star-ke Kopplung tritt bei einem intermolekularen Abstand ≤4 Å auf, was einem typischen Abstand in orga-nischen Halbleitern entspricht. In diesem Bereich kann man zur Berechnung dieser Systeme nicht auf die Förster-Dexter-Theorie zurückgreifen, da diese nur für den Grenzfall der schwachen Kopplung gültig ist.

'Security Here is Not Safe': Violence, Punishment, & Space in the Contemporary U.S. Penitentiary

The US penitentiary at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, was retrofitted in 2008 to offer the country’s first federal Special Management Unit (SMU) program of its kind. This model SMU is designed for federal inmates from around the country identified as the most intractably troublesome, and features double-celling of inmates in tiny spaces, in 23-hour or 24-hour a day lockdown, requiring them to pass through a two-year program of readjustment. These spatial tactics, and the philosophy of punishment underlying them, contrast with the modern reform ideals upon which the prison was designed and built in 1932. The SMU represents the latest punitive phase in American penology, one that neither simply eliminates men as in the premodern spectacle, nor creates the docile, rehabilitated bodies of the modern panopticon; rather, it is a late-modern structure that produces only fear, terror, violence, and death. This SMU represents the latest of the late-modern prisons, similar to other supermax facilities in the US but offering its own unique system of punishment as well. While the prison exists within the system of American law and jurisprudence, it also manifests features of Agamben’s lawless, camp-like space that emerges during a state of exception, exempt from outside scrutiny with inmate treatment typically beyond the scope of the law.

State Pharmaceutical Assisstance for the Elderly and Disabled: Planning Issues for Program and Non-Program States

The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act (MCCA) would have mandated federal assistance for Medicare beneficiaries who have high annual prescription medication costs, High national expenditures for such drugs have encouraged the development of private and state insurance programs to help with these costs. Ten state pharmaceutical assistance programs (SPAPs), designed to help certain elderly, low income, or disabled people, exist for those ineligible for Medicaid or unable to purchase coverage privately. Coordination of state and federal benefits was a consideration for established programs, and programs being planned needed to determine the feasibity of integration of federal assistance. But the enactment and subsequent appeal of the Act affected both planning and policy implications for these SPAPs. All U.S. states and territories were surveyed before the bill's repeal to collect data on the effects of MCCA for those with prescription drug programs and those without. The repeal of the federal program places pressure on the nonprogram states to proceed, perhaps more cautiously, to initiate program; for their own residents, given increasing out-of-pocket and insurance costs, and no federal program.

U.S. utilities' experiences with the implementation of energy efficiency programs

In the U.S., many electric utility companies are offering demand-side management (DSM) programs to their customers as ways to save money and energy. However, it is challenging to compare these programs between utility companies throughout the U.S. because of the variability of state energy policies. For example, some states in the U.S. have deregulated electricity markets and others do not. In addition, utility companies within a state differ depending on ownership and size. This study examines 12 utilities’ experiences with DSM programs and compares the programs’ annual energy savings results that the selected utilities reported to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The 2009 EIA data suggests that DSM program effectiveness is not significantly affected by electricity market deregulation or utility ownership. However, DSM programs seem to generally be more effective when administered by utilities located in states with energy savings requirements and DSM program mandates.

Na 1 Nachlass Max Horkheimer, 659 - Berichte über die Arbeit des Instituts für Sozialforschung u.a. (p. IX 64-IX 65b)

"The International Institute of Social Research. Its History, Program and Needs" (1943?), als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 18 Blatt, mit 6 Photographien und einem Anhang: Rezensionen von "Autorität und Familie" und "Abstracts" von Aufs��tzen aus der Zeitschrift für Sozialforschung, Photokopien, 12 Blatt; "Über Geschichte, Organisation und Tätigkeiten des Instituts für Sozialforschung. Aus einem Bericht" (1943), Teilstück, Typoskript mit handschriftlichen Korrekturen, 10 Blatt; "Annual Report on the Activities of the Social Studies Association, Inc." (6.5.1944), Typoskript, 6 Blatt; "Ten Years on Morningside Hights. A Report on the Institute's History 1934 to 1944 (Dezember 1944): 1. Report, a) als Typoskript vervielfältigt, 36 Blatt, b) Typoskript, 48 Blatt, c) Entwurf des Teils "Philosophical Studies", Typoskript, 4 Blatt; 2. "Letters Regarding Ten Years Report", 1 Blatt; 3. Liste der Empfänger des Reports. 1 Blatt; 4. Max Horkheimer: 1 Brief an Nicholas Murray Butler, New York, 17.4.1945 , 1 Blatt; 5. Briefentwürfe zur Versendung des Reports, 2 Blatt; Theodore Abel: "Evaluation of the Institute's Work" (1944?): 1. Würdigung, Typoskript, englisch, 4 Blatt; 2. Theodore Abel: 1 Brief mit Unterschrift an Leo Löwenthal, New York, 6.3.1946; 3. Abschrift von 1. und 2., Typoskript, 5 Blatt; Über Organisation und Tätigkeiten des Instituts für Sozialforschung (Mai 1945), Typoskript, 3 Blatt;

Access to health care among children in the U.S.: Use of health inequalities measures to evaluate progress in reduction of disparities from 1997 to 2005

Much of the literature on disparities in access to health care among children has focused on measuring absolute and relative differences experienced by race/ethnic groups and, to a lesser extent, socioeconomic groups. However, it is not clear from existing literature how disparities in access to care may have changed over time for children, especially following implementation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The primary objective of this research was to determine if there has been a decrease in disparities in access to care for children across two socioeconomic groups and race/ethnicity groups after SCHIP implementation. Methods commonly used to measure ‘health inequalities’ were used to measure disparities in access to care including population-attributable risk (PAR) and the relative index of inequality (RII). Using these measures there is evidence of a substantial decrease in socioeconomic disparities in health insurance coverage and to a lesser extent in having a usual source of care since the SCHIP program began. There is also evidence of a considerable decrease in non-Hispanic Black disparities in access to care. However, there appears to be a slight increase in disparities in access to care among Hispanic compared to non-Hispanic White children. While there were great improvements in disparities in access to care with the introduction of the SCHIP program, continuing progress in disparities may depend on continuation of the SCHIP program or similar targeted health policy programs. ^

A program manual to assist with implementation of a volunteer health and wellness program

Based on the success of a community health and wellness program, Wellness in the City, delivered in Dallas County by trained volunteers, Texas Cooperative Extension (TCE) decided to pilot the program in 16 counties in North and East Texas. Before implementing the program, TCE wanted the Dallas County program to be reviewed and revised as needed to meet the diverse community needs in the pilot counties. TCE also asked for an implementation manual to be developed for the county agents to utilize. ^ To achieve these objectives, I first reviewed literature on other volunteer-implemented health interventions in the U.S. to see how they were planned, disseminated, implemented, and evaluated. Next, I reviewed the Wellness in the City program and materials. I applied all the information I gathered up to that point to the program development committee meetings (committee included seven TCE county agents, a TCE regional program director, and me). The program structure and training materials were revised based on our research and program implementation experience. These changes were made to ensure adequate training for the volunteers and to create a program that is applicable in the communities it will be piloted in. ^ With the program structure and training presentations developed, next I focused on compiling the implementation manual, which includes program details and volunteer recruitment, training, and management materials. The goal was to create a manual with everything the county agents will need to implement the program, so they can focus their efforts on putting the manual to use and recruiting and managing the volunteers. The final step was developing a program evaluation form for the agents to complete. It includes questions to assess the agents' thoughts about the training content, the feasibility of implementing the program using the manual, and the challenges of the program. ^

A descriptive study on Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees participating in the Harris County Housing Authority Disaster Housing Assistance Program

Natural disasters occur in various forms such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, outbreaks, etc. The most unsettling aspect of a natural disaster is that it can strike at any moment. Over the past decade, our society has experienced an alarming increase of natural disasters. How to expeditiously respond and recover from natural disasters has become a precedent question for public health officials. To date, the most recent natural disaster was the January 12, 2010 earthquake in Haiti; however the most memorable was that of Hurricane Katrina (“Haiti Earthquake”, 2010). ^ This study provides insight on the need to develop a National Disaster Response and Recovery Program which effectively responds to natural disasters. The specific aims of this paper were to (1) observe the government’s role on federal, state and local levels in assisting Hurricanes Katrina and Rita evacuees, (2) assess the prevalence of needs among Hurricanes Katrina and Rita families participating in the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) and (3) describe the level of progress towards “self sufficiency” for the DHAP families receiving case management social services. ^ Secondary data from a cross-sectional “Needs Assessment” questionnaire were analyzed. The questionnaire was administered initially and again six months later (follow-up) by H.A.U.L. case managers. The “Needs Assessment” questionnaire collected data regarding participants’ education, employment, transportation, child care, health resources, income, permanent housing and disability needs. Case managers determined the appropriate level of social services required for each family based on the data collected from the “Needs Assessment” questionnaire. ^ Secondary data provided by the H.A.U.L. were analyzed to determine the prevalence of needs among the DHAP families. In addition, differences measured between the initial and follow-up (at six months) questionnaires were analyzed to determine statistical significance between case management services provided and prevalence of needs among the DHAP families from initial to 6 months later at follow-up. The data analyzed describe the level of progress made by these families to achieve program “self sufficiency” (see Appendix A). Disaster assistance programs which first address basic human needs; then socioeconomic needs may offer an essential tool in aiding disaster affected communities quickly recover from natural disasters. ^

A review of economic analysis in the vaccination program; decision making and governance: Adivisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) develops written recommendations for the routine administration of vaccines to children and adults in the U.S. civilian population. The ACIP is the only entity in the federal government that makes such recommendations. ACIP elaborates on selection of its members and rules out concerns regarding its integrity, but fails to provide information about the importance of economic analysis in vaccine selection. ACIP recommendations can have large health and economic consequences. Emphasis on economic evaluation in health is a likely response to severe pressures of the federal and state health budget. This study describes the economic aspects considered by the ACIP while sanctioning a vaccine, and reviews the economic evaluations (our economic data) provided for vaccine deliberations. A five year study period from 2004 to 2009 is adopted. Publicly available data from ACIP web database is used. Drummond et al. (2005) checklist serves as a guide to assess the quality of economic evaluations presented. Drummond et al.'s checklist is a comprehensive hence it is unrealistic to expect every ACIP deliberation to meet all of their criteria. For practical purposes we have selected seven criteria that we judge to be significant criteria provided by Drummond et al. Twenty-four data points were obtained in a five year period. Our results show that out of the total twenty-four data point‘s (economic evaluations) only five data points received a score of six; that is six items on the list of seven were met. None of the data points received a perfect score of seven. Seven of the twenty-four data points received a score of five. A minimum of a two score was received by only one of the economic analyses. The type of economic evaluation along with the model criteria and ICER/QALY criteria met at 0.875 (87.5%). These three criteria were met at the highest rate among the seven criteria studied. Our study findings demonstrate that the perspective criteria met at 0.583 (58.3%) followed by source and sensitivity analysis criteria both tied at 0.541 (54.1%). The discount factor was met at 0.250 (25.0%).^ Economic analysis is not a novel concept to the ACIP. It has been practiced and presented at these meetings on a regular basis for more than five years. ACIP‘s stated goal is to utilize good quality epidemiologic, clinical and economic analyses to help policy makers choose among alternatives presented and thus achieve a better informed decision. As seen in our study the economic analyses over the years are inconsistent. The large variability coupled with lack of a standardized format may compromise the utility of the economic information for decision-making. While making recommendations, the ACIP takes into account all available information about a vaccine. Thus it is vital that standardized high quality economic information is provided at the ACIP meetings. Our study may provide a call for the ACIP to further investigate deficiencies within the system and thereby to improve economic evaluation data presented. ^