Folk music revivals in comparative perspective

Publisher PD

Optical modes in linear arrays of dielectric spherical particles: A numerical investigation

We have investigated bound modes in finite linear chains of dielectric particles of various lengths, interparticle spacing and particle materials. Through a unique application of the multisphere Mie scattering formalism, we have developed numerical methods to calculate eigen-optical modes for various arrays of particles. These numerical methods involve the use of the multisphere scattering formalism as the entries in NxN matrices where N represents the number of particles in the chain. Eigenmodes of these matrices correspond to the eigen-optical modes of interest. We identified the eigenmodes with the highest quality factor by the application of a modified version of the Newton-Raphson algorithm. We found that convergence is strong using this algorithm for linear chains of up to several hundreds of particles. By comparing the dipolar approach with the more complex approach which utilizes a combination of both dipolar and quadrupolar approaches, we demonstrated that the dipolar approach has an accuracy of approximately 99%. We found that the quality factor Q of the mode increases with the cubed value of the number of particles in chain in agreement with the previously developed theory, the effects of disordering of particle sizes and inter-particle distances will be discussed.Comment: Submitted to Proceedings of SPI

Splitting Genes: The Future of GMO\u27s in the Wake of the WTO/Cartagena Standoff

This article examines the conflict surrounding GMO\u27s (Genetically Modified Organisms) between the WTO and the UN. The respective positions of the United States and the European Union are discussed. The article argues that both international and domestic laws conflict with the rigid precautionary principle and straight to market approach adhered to by the European Union and the United States respectively. It ultimately suggests that common GMO specific laws are necessary for both sides to meet their respective goals and obligations

Ilusión de mímesis y amenidad en 'La reina Isabel cantaba rancheras', de Hernán Rivera Letelier

La novela del chileno Rivera Letelier es analizada aquí a partir de nociones teóricas postuladas, principalmente, por Genette, Barthes y Solotorevsky. El análisis realizado muestra un predominio de procedimientos miméticos (estrategias y recursos por medio de los cuales el texto pretende enmascarar su índole ficticia y facticia); la obra, asimismo, ostenta un vistoso trabajo de orfebrería en el nivel del lenguaje, lo que sin embargo no atenta contra el carácter transitivo de éste. 'La Reina Isabel' emerge como un ‘texto de placer’ (Barthes), cuya actitud para con el lector es amistosa, y que se adscribe a la ‘nueva sencillez’ (Kohut) que caracteriza a parte de la narrativa latinoamericana posterior al “boom”. Chilean writer Rivera Letelier’s novel is analyzed through the lens of theoretical concepts developed, mainly, by Genette, Barthes and Solotorevsky. The present analysis reveals a predominance of mimetic devices –i.e., methods and strategies by means of which the text attempts to disguise its fictitious and artificial nature. Likewise, the novel exhibits a colorful work of craftsmanship at the linguistic level, which nevertheless does not undermine the transitive character of the text’s language. 'La Reina Isabel' emerges as a “text of pleasure” (Barthes), whose attitude toward the reader is friendly, and which can be assigned to the “new simplicity” (Kohut) that characterizes most of the Latin-American narrative following the “boom”

Policy mobilities and comparative penality

The study of ‘policy transfer’ has been subject to sustained criticism, in particular by critical policy studies scholars. This critique - together with the rather marginal role that policy transfer research has played in criminological debates to date - raises questions about the continued utility of such research in scholarly discussions of crime control and penal policy-making. However, we argue here that such studies can enhance our understanding of the local, national and global influences over crime control policy formation. In particular, the developing interest in comparative criminology, in the political economy of punishment, and in the ‘proximate causes’ of penal change, are all areas to which this work can make a useful contribution. Although we feel that some elements of the critique are over-stated, the critical policy studies notions of ‘mobilities’ and ‘assemblages’ offer important advances that capture more fully the complexities of the processes involved in the cross-national movement of penal policy

RNAseq analysis reveals virus diversity within Hawaiian apiary insect communities

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is the most abundant viral pathogen of honey bees and has been associated with large-scale colony losses. DWV and other bee-associated RNA viruses are generalists capable of infecting diverse hosts. Here, we used RNAseq analysis to test the hypothesis that due to the frequency of interactions, a range of apiary pest species would become infected with DWV and/or other honey bee-associated viruses. We confirmed that DWV-A was the most prevalent virus in the apiary, with genetically similar sequences circulating in the apiary pests, suggesting frequent inter-species transmission. In addition, different proportions of the three DWV master variants as indicated by BLAST analysis and genome coverage plots revealed interesting DWV-species groupings. We also observed that new genomic recombinants were formed by the DWV master variants, which are likely adapted to replicate in different host species. Species groupings also applied when considering other viruses, many of which were widespread in the apiaries. In social wasps, samples were grouped further by site, which potentially also influenced viral load. Thus, the apiary invertebrate community has the potential to act as reservoirs of honey bee-associated viruses, highlighting the importance of considering the wider community in the apiary when considering honey bee health

Sensitivity to nitrate and nitrite in pond-breeding amphibians from the Pacific northwest, USA

In static experiments, we studied the effects of nitrate and nitrite solutions on newly hatched larvae of five species of amphibians, namely Rana pretiosa, Rana aurora, Bufo boreas, Hyla regilla, and Ambystoma gracile. When nitrate or nitrite ions were added to the water, some larvae of some species reduced feeding activity, swam less vigorously, showed disequilibrium and paralysis, suffered abnormalities and edemas, and eventually died. The observed effects increased with both concentration and time, and there were significant differences in sensitivity among species. Ambrystoma gracile displayed the highest acute effect in water with nitrate and nitrite. The three ranid species had acute effects in water with nitrite. In chronic exposures, R. pretiosa was the most sensitive species to nitrates and nitrites. All species showed 15-d LC50s lower than 2 mg N-NO2 /L. For both N ions, B. boreas was the least sensitive amphibian. All species showed a high mortality at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency- recommended limits of nitrite for warm-water fishes (5 mg N-NO2 /L) and a significant larval mortality at the recommended limits of nitrite concentration for drinking water (1 mg N-NO2 The recommended levels of nitrate for warm-water fishes (90 mg N- NO3 /L) were highly toxic for R. pretiosa and A. gracile larvaePeer reviewe

Projected climate-induced faunal change in the western hemisphere

Climate change is predicted to be one of the greatest drivers of ecological change in the coming century. Increases in temperature over the last century have clearly been linked to shifts in species distributions. Given the magnitude of projected future climatic changes, we can expect even larger range shifts in the coming century. These changes will, in turn, alter ecological communities and the functioning of ecosystems. Despite the seriousness of predicted climate change, the uncertainty in climate-change projections makes it difficult for conservation managers and planners to proactively respond to climate stresses. To address one aspect of this uncertainty, we identified predictions of faunal change for which a high level of consensus was exhibited by different climate models. Specifically, we assessed the potential effects of 30 coupled atmosphere–ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) future-climate simulations on the geographic ranges of 2954 species of birds, mammals, and amphibians in the Western Hemisphere. Eighty percent of the climate projections based on a relatively low greenhouse-gas emissions scenario result in the local loss of at least 10% of the vertebrate fauna over much of North and South America. The largest changes in fauna are predicted for the tundra, Central America, and the Andes Mountains where, assuming no dispersal constraints, specific areas are likely to experience over 90% turnover, so that faunal distributions in the future will bear little resemblance to those of today

Social relationships and social support among post-war youth in Northern Uganda

Although social relationships and social support are salient factors for post-war adolescents' psychosocial coping and adjustment, there is only limited information regarding war-affected adolescents' views on social support and the relationships within which social support is provided. This study therefore explored both elements among a clinical sample of 20 adolescents living in post-war Northern Uganda. Following Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis, we found a prominent role of the biological mother and other primary biological family members in the upbringing of our participants. Spiritual and material support were perceived to be the most important type of support, respectively, while the adolescents were growing up and in their current lives. These findings provide support for the perception that caregiving systems are adaptable to particular sociocultural contexts. Further, the importance of particular functions of social support could signify a potentially selective buffering effect of these functions in adverse contexts. Because of the importance of the primary biological family and the salient role of parent–child relationships in the face of adversity, future research needs to focus on this particular kind of social relationship in contexts of prolonged collective violence