Nielsen realization for infinite-type surfaces

Given a finite subgroup G of the mapping class group of a surface S, the Nielsen realization problem asks whether G can be realized as a finite group of homeomorphisms of S. In 1983, Kerckhoff showed that for S a finite-type surface, any finite subgroup G may be realized as a group of isometries of some hyperbolic metric on S. We extend Kerckhoff's result to orientable, infinite-type surfaces. As applications, we classify torsion elements in the mapping class group of the plane minus a Cantor set, and also show that topological groups containing sequences of torsion elements limiting to the identity do not embed continuously into the mapping class group of S. Finally, we show that compact subgroups of the mapping class group of S are finite, and locally compact subgroups are discrete.Comment: v3 added results on (locally) compact subgroups of the mapping class group suggested by Mladen Bestvina. Also made minor edits according to the referee report. 8 page

East-West Genetic Differentiation in Musk Ducks (Biziura lobata) of Australia Suggests Late Pleistocene Divergence at the Nullarbor Plain

Musk Ducks (Biziura lobata) are endemic to Australia and occur as two geographically isolated populations separated by the Nullarbor Plain, a vast arid region in southern Australia. We studied genetic variation in Musk Duck populations at coarse (eastern versus western Australia) and fine scales (four sites within eastern Australia). We found significant genetic structure between eastern and western Australia in the mtDNA control region (UST = 0.747), one nuclear intron (UST = 0.193) and eight microsatellite loci (FST = 0.035). In contrast, there was little genetic structure between Kangaroo Island and adjacent mainland regions within eastern Australia. One small population of Musk Ducks in Victoria (Lake Wendouree) differed from both Kangaroo Island and the remainder of mainland eastern Australia, possibly due to genetic drift exacerbated by inbreeding and small population size. The observed low pairwise distance between the eastern and western mtDNA lineages (0.36%) suggests that they diverged near the end of the Pleistocene, a period characterised by frequent shifts between wet and arid conditions in central Australia. Our genetic results corroborate the display call divergence and Mathews’ (Austral Avian Record 2:83–107, 1914) subspecies classification, and confirm that eastern and western populations of Musk Duck are currently isolated from each other

Exploring Generational Differences Between Generation Y and Baby Boomers in Work-Life Balance

With the recent addition of Generation Y to the workforce, workplace dynamics are changing to reflect a labor force which now encompasses the four extant commonly working generations. This study seeks to identify generational differences found between two of the generations in the current workforce, Baby Boomers and Generation Y, by isolating a specific work value, work-life balance, as promoted through managerial practices. Limited research has examined the links among the topics of generational differences, work-life balance, and managerial practices. Therefore, this study will attempt to explore the relationships among the three topics

Comparative Analysis of Urban Design and Criminal Behavior: A Study of New Urbanism and Defensible Space as they Pertain to Crime

This research evaluates the correlation between urban design and criminal behavior. Environmental designs observed are New Urbanism, also known as Traditional Neighborhood Design (TND) and Neo-Traditional Neighborhood Design; and Defensible Space, otherwise known as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) or Secure by Design (SBD). This study analyzes and compares crime rates in Minnesota cities and neighborhoods which have characteristics of one of these urban designs or a 3rd, Vernacular Design. Similar research has been done in a 2004 thesis by Marie E. Hafey titled New Urbanism Versus Defensible Space: Design Philosophies Related to Neighborhood Satisfaction and Perceived Crime, which addressed the correlation between urban design and perceived crime. A recent Operation Scorpion web posting also claimed New Urbanism is crimogenic. There is little research to either support this argument or refute it. This research aims to find whether or not either of the two urban designs, Defensible Space or New Urbanism, is conducive to criminal behavior

Testing Privilege: Coaching Bar Takers towards Minimum Competency during the 2020 Pandemic

The year 2020 was challenging for the bar exam. The longstanding argument that the bar exam is not a fair measure of the minimum competence of someone to practice law was cast into harsh relief and the truth-that the bar exam tests the privilege of its examinees-became startlingly apparent. Not only did 2020 kick off with a devastating global pandemic, but we also saw the rage against systemic racial injustice reach a boiling point just as we were charged with staying in our homes to avoid contracting COVID-19. With a pandemic raging, overt White supremacy on the rise, and racial injustice taking its toll on Black and Brown bodies and minds, it may seem that the bar exam is of relatively little importance. Yet, for the approximately 46,000 people on average preparing for and taking the July bar exam each summer cycle, the summer of 2020 shone a bright light on the inequity inherent in a standardized exam serving as the measure of competence for the practice of law. Part I of this paper provides an overview of the history of the bar exam and its role in acting as a significant obstacle to licensure for people from communities of color. Though this issue was discussed long before 2020, this paper also looks at the way in which the pandemic\u27s impact on the bar exam highlighted the fact that the bar exam tests the privilege of its individual applicants at least as much as it tests their skills. Part II presents an approach to helping graduates prepare for and overcome the bar exam even when the odds are seemingly stacked against their success. It delves into the unique advantage that intensive coaching provides over more generalized guidance on bar success. The success and challenges of this method of assistance will be analyzed with an eye towards how other law schools looking to adopt a similar program might go about mitigating the challenges faced by their students in attempting to pass the bar exam. Finally, this paper explores how Raise the Bar served as an important support for bar takers in an unprecedented time of crisis. Until the problems posed by the bar exam can be resolved, it is incumbent upon law schools to assist their students in overcoming the bar exam barrier

Local Food Policy & Consumer Food Cooperatives: Evolutionary Case Studies

Darwin’s theory of natural selection has played a central role in the development of the biological sciences, but evolution can also explain change in human culture. Institutions, mechanisms that govern behavior and social order, are important subjects of cultural evolution. Institutions can help stabilize cooperation, defined as behavior that benefits others, often at a personal cost. Cooperation is important for solving social dilemmas, scenarios in which the interests of the individual conflict with those of the group. A number of mechanisms by which institutions evolve to support cooperation have been identified, yet theoretical models of institutional change have rarely been applied to local food institutions, which may be sustained by cooperation. This thesis poses the general question, how do local food institutions and organizations evolve? Chapter one uses a macro-evolutionary framework to explore the emergence and spread of two local food policies over time and space. First, I demonstrate how the rapid proliferation of cottage food laws in the U.S. is consistent with positive selection pressure at the individual, group, and state levels. Second, I illustrate how social learning and group transmission played a key role in the spread and diffusion of a municipal food sovereignty ordinance in Maine, ultimately changing selection pressure at the state level and amplifying town-level adoption. Finally, I offer concluding thoughts about the application of this framework to similar cases, including the propagation of single-use plastic bag bans. Chapter two serves as a micro-evolutionary analysis of organizational change in food buying clubs, small organizations which use collective purchasing power to obtain bulk quantities of organic, local, and specialty foods. Since these groups require cooperation from members through order-sharing and shared work tasks, I hypothesize that successful clubs possess traits which allow them to sustain cooperation and overcome social dilemmas. I predict that club members will be cooperative toward their groups, and that successful clubs will exercise generalized reciprocity and adopt rules to stabilize cooperation. Data from online surveys, experimental economic games, and phone interviews were analyzed using mixed methods to identify patterns of cooperation in groups. My results provide general support for my hypothesis that successful clubs have adaptations suited to overcome challenges. Specifically, I find that 1) buying club members are especially cooperative toward their groups when compared to other populations, 2) clubs exercise reciprocity in order-sharing, 3) reciprocity itself may not be a group adaptation, but group size is sufficient to support reciprocity in clubs, and 4) the adoption of rules is likely a key factor in club success and longevity. Finally, I offer practical advice for buying club management and operation

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Education Effectiveness for Athletic Trainers at a University Community Physical Activity Center.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a problem nationally and affects many people from all walks of life. Community associated MRSA is often ignored and not viewed as significant, thus there is a lack of education on the topic. One area that is at a particular risk for the transmission of Community Associated MRSA is physical activity centers. Education in these areas could improve the knowledge of community acquired MRSA among employees and decrease the likelihood of infection at physical activity centers. In this study a pre-test was given. After the pre-test an educational powerpoint on MRSA was presented and then the participants were given a post-test to complete. The goal of this study was to determine if the staff’s knowledge and opinions of MRSA would change after being educated on the topic

Anatomy of Legal Education (Report of the Tunks Committee): The Way We Were and the Way We Are

Lehan K. Tunks, then Dean of Rutgers Law School in Newark, chaired an Association of American Law Schools Committee on Law School Administration and University Relations that conducted an inquiry into the adequacy and mobilization of the financial and human resources in American law schools for research and education for the legal profession.... The study, begun in 1955, resulted in a 1961 report, Anatomy of Modern Legal Education, examining the 1956-57 operation of the 129 law schools then on the American Bar Association\u27s approved list. A 146-page questionnaire answered by the dean of each school and a shorter questionnaire answered by specially-created faculty committees at each school provided the basic data

Assessment of health‐related family role functioning in systemic lupus erythematosus: Preliminary validation of a new measure

Objective Individuals with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) often experience symptoms that affect family relationships, which are important components of quality of life. To assess the impact of SLE on family role functioning, we developed a 6‐domain (Fatigue, Activity participation, Mental health, Isolation, Love and intimacy, and You/fulfilling family roles [FAMILY]) measure. The objectives of this study were to pilot test and achieve preliminary validation for the SLE‐FAMILY questionnaire. Methods This was a 3‐phase study. In phase 1 (development), domains were identified and items were generated for evaluation. During phase 2 (pilot test), a pilot test was conducted to assess the performance of candidate items. In phase 3 (initial validation), 52 individuals with SLE completed questionnaires, including the 6‐item SLE‐FAMILY. Data were analyzed for internal consistency reliability, and validity was assessed using correlations between the SLE‐FAMILY questionnaire and well‐validated measures. Results The SLE‐FAMILY had good test–retest reliability (0.82) and internal consistency (0.67). Reliability analysis of individual items revealed weakness in the performance of item 5. We reviewed raw data and determined that 9 individuals likely overlooked the reverse scoring of item 5, thus explaining its poor reliability. When these 9 individuals were excluded from analysis, Cronbach's alpha increased to 0.71, while test–retest reliability remained acceptable (0.75). Spearman's rho correlations supported the validity of the SLE‐FAMILY measure. A pilot test of the SLE‐FAMILY questionnaire without the reverse‐scored item was conducted; results suggested that the modified version is superior to the initial form. Conclusion The SLE‐FAMILY questionnaire is a promising new instrument for robust measurement of family role functioning.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/93567/1/21676_ftp.pd