What’s Sex (Composition) Got to Do with It? The Importance of Sex Composition of Gangs for Female and Male Members’ Offending and Victimization

Sex composition of groups has been theorized in organizational sociology and found in prior work to structure female and male members’ behaviors and experiences. Peer group and gang literature similarly finds that the sex gap in offending varies across groups of differing sex ratios. Drawing on this and other research linking gang membership, offending, and victimization, we examine whether sex composition of gangs is linked to sex differences in offending in this sample, further assess whether sex composition similarly structures females’ and males’ victimization experiences, and if so, why. Self-report data from gang members in a multi-site, longitudinal study of 3,820 youths are employed. Results support previous findings about variations in member delinquency by both sex and sex composition of the gang and also indicate parallel variations in members’ victimization. These results are further considered within the context of facilitating effects such as gender dynamics, gang characteristics, and normative orientation

Reconceiving Coercion-Based Criminal Defenses

Coercing someone is sometimes wrong and sometimes a crime. People subject to coercion are sometimes eligible for criminal defenses, such as duress. How, exactly, does coercion operate in such contexts? Among legal scholars, the predominant understanding of coercion is the “wrongful pressure” model, which states that coercion exists when the coercer wrongfully threatens the target and, as a result of this threat, the target is pressured to act in accordance with the coercer’s threat. Some tokens of coercion do not fit neatly within existing legal categories or the wrongful pressure model of coercion. For example, coercive control is a psychological phenomenon of interpersonal abuse in which one person pervasively regulates the choices of another. Coercive control is sometimes carried out through violence or threats of violence but often through ostensibly non-violent forms of degradation (such as humiliation and isolation). Coercive control is often evinced in abusive intimate relationships, including in human trafficking. People subject to coercive control are undeniably coerced. Yet the wrongful pressure model cannot adequately explain why. Those subject to coercive control are ineligible for coercion-based criminal defenses, such as duress and affirmative defenses for victims of human trafficking, in part because of the inadequacy of the wrongful pressure model. This Article articulates and defends an alternative understanding of coercion that, after philosopher Scott Anderson’s theory of the same name, we call the “enforcement approach” to coercion. According to the enforcement approach, coercion involves the coercer’s using power to determine what the target will or will not do. The enforcement approach is superior to the wrongful pressure approach as an explanation for what makes coercion wrong and why being subject to coercion should provide a defense to criminal liability. Furthermore, the enforcement approach better explains how coercion operates pervasively, such as in coercive control contexts. The enforcement approach also invites a broader rethinking of coercion-based criminal defenses. The enforcement approach grounds a model of criminal defense for those subject to coercive control that would supplement existing defenses

Role of Competition in Restoring Resource Poor Arid Systems Dominated by Invasive Grasses

An understanding of competition intensity and importance may be a useful step in helping managers understands how to prioritize restoration efforts in resource poor environments within the semi-arid steppe. The aims of this study were to quantify the intensity of competition among invasive annual grasses and native perennial bunchgrasses, and determine the importance of competition in explaining variation in target plant biomass and survivorship in a Wyoming big sagebrush steppe community type in southeastern Oregon, USA. Addition series experiments were conducted in 2008 and 2009 among four species. Treatments consisted of monoculture densities of each species to assess intraspecific competition, and mixtures of two, three and four species (interspecific competition), producing varying total densities and species proportions. We found no evidence that intensity of intra- or inter-specific competition were significant for the first two years species were establishing, regardless of the density used as the independent variable. Our results indicate that neither the intensity of competition nor the importance of competition explained variation in target plant biomass and survivorship for the first two years plants were establishing. Instead abiotic factors may have an overriding influence on plant biomass and survivorship.We propose four scenarios which may apply to semi-arid environments during the initial phase of restoration

Smokejumper Magazine, July 2001

This issue of the National Smokejumper Association (NSA) Smokejumper Magazine contains the following articles: Kickin’ Cargo/Bum Pilot (Jeff R. Davis), Log of Rookie Smokejumper (Herb Hidu), profiles Phil Stanley, Mike Kreidler, Doug Sutherland and Gregg Phifer, Smokejumper Thwarts Hijacking of Pam-Am Clipper 73 (Chuck Sheley), Anything for a Jump (Chuck Mansfield). Smokejumper Magazine continues Static Line, which was the original title of the NSA quarterly magazine.https://dc.ewu.edu/smokejumper_mag/1031/thumbnail.jp

Influence of resource pulses and perennial neighbors on the establishment of an invasive annual grass in the Mojave Desert

Invasion by exotic annual grasses is one of the most significant threats to arid ecosystems in the western USA. Current theories of invasibility predict plant communities become more susceptible to invasion whenever there is an increase in the amount of unused resources. The objective of this field study was to examine how resource pulses and temporal variation in resource demand by the native shrub vegetation influences establishment of the invasive annual grass Schismus arabicus. Water and nitrogen were applied as pulses in early spring, mid-spring, or continuously throughout the growing season to plots containing either Atriplex confertifolia or Atriplex parryi shrubs. The effect of resource pulses on Schismus density and biomass was highly dependent on the seasonal timing of the resource pulses and the identity of the neighbor shrub. When resource pulses coincided with high rates of resource capture and growth of the native vegetation, density and biomass of Schismus was reduced. Schismusestablishment was greater under continuous resource supply compared to pulsed resource supply, likely because more soil resources were available at a shallow depth when resources were supplied at a continuous low rate. These results suggest that the establishment of invasive annual grasses in arid systems can be influenced by the magnitude and spatial distribution of resource pulses in addition to the seasonal timing of resource pulses

Community response of nontarget species to herbicide application and removal of the nonindigenous invader \u3ci\u3ePotentilla recta\u3c/i\u3e L.

Our main objective was to improve understanding of herbicide effects on community dynamics to refine the use of technology and advance the development of ecologically based weed management strategies. We hypothesized that native grasslands would exhibit reductions in culturally sensitive forb cover, biomass, and density relative to the rate of application of selective rangeland herbicides, and that hand-removal of sulfur cinquefoil (Potentilla recta L.) would increase indigenous species cover, biomass, density, species richness, and diversity. Treatments consisted of 3 rates each of 2,4-D + clopyralid (0.28 kg ai · ha−1 + 0.0532 kg ai · ha−1, 0.56 kg ai · ha−1 + 0.1064 kg ai · ha−1, 0.84 kg ai · ha−1 + 0.1596 kg ai · ha−1); 2,4-D amine (0.532 kg ai · ha−1, 1.064 kg ai · ha−1, 1.596 kg ai · ha−1); metsulfuron (0.0042 kg ai · ha−1, 0.021 kg ai · ha−1, 0.032 kg ai · ha−1); picloram (0.14 kg ai · ha−1, 0.28 kg ai · ha−1, 0.56 kg ai · ha−1); and clopyralid (0.05025 kg ai · ha−1, 0.21 kg ai · ha−1, 0.42 kg ai · ha−1). This experiment was replicated 3 times at 2 lateseral, noninfested sites in southeastern Montana. In a companion study, sulfur cinquefoil was removed adjacent to paired nonremoved controls in 5 replicates at 2 sites in 1-m2 plots for 2 growing seasons. Canopy cover, density, and biomass were collected 24 months after initial treatment at all sites. Indigenous perennial grass cover and biomass increased with herbicide application; however, picloram, metsulfuron, and clopyralid reduced native forb density at 1 site, and picloram reduced forb cover at both sites regardless of rate. Effects of herbicides on species richness or diversity were not detected. Hand-removing sulfur cinquefoil increased total plant richness, especially that of native forbs. Restoring species richness and diversity may be difficult using selective broadleaf herbicides because key functional groups, such as forbs, appear to be at risk

Photocurable SLA Resin Formulation for Reduced Coefficient of Thermal Expansion

Despite its commendable resolution capabilities, Stereolithography 3D Printing (SLA) often falls short in achieving desired material properties compared to alternative additive manufacturing techniques. To address this limitation, one strategy involves nickel electroplating of printed parts, thereby enhancing mechanical strength, heat resistance, and chemical durability. However, this approach introduces a discrepancy in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the resin and the nickel coating, leading to internal stresses and potential part failure when subjected to high- temperature fluctuations. In this work, we reported the successful development of a noble SLA resin using pre-dispersed amorphous silicon dioxide in cycloaliphatic epoxy resin that offers high modulus, high strength, low density, and low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE). Tensile analysis revealed that silica incorporation improves stiffness by 74% while reducing tensile strength by around 13%. Flexural tests showed enhanced bending resistance, particularly at 5 wt% silica loading. Thermal analysis confirmed a 25% reduction in CTE with silica addition, making the 5 wt% SiO₂ resin an optimal choice for applications requiring mechanical durability and thermal stability.Mechanical Engineerin

Field growth comparisons of invasive alien annual and native perennial grasses in monocultures

Throughout the western United States, the invasive annual grass, medusahead (Taeniatherum caput-medusae L. Nevski), is rapidly invading grasslands once dominated by native perennial grasses, such as bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A). It is also invading grasslands dominated by less undesirable invasive annual grasses, especially cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.). Understanding medusahead growth dynamics relative to native perennial grasses and cheatgrass is central to predicting and managing medusahead invasion. We hypothesized that medusahead would have a higher relative growth rate (RGR), a longer period of growth, and as a consequence, more total biomass at the end of the growing season than the native perennial grass and cheatgrass. In 2008 (dry conditions), 250 seeds and in 2009 (wet conditions), 250 and 100 seeds of 25 each species were sown in 1 m2 plots with 5 replicates. Shoots were harvested on 3-25 day intervals throughout the growing season. The native perennial grass had more biomass and higher RGR than medusahead in the dry year, but the relationship was reversed in the wet year. Precipitation in 2008 was well-below average and this level of drought is very infrequent based on historical weather data. Medusahead had a longer period of growth and more total biomass than cheatgrass for both years. We expect that medusahead will continue to invade both native perennial and less undesirable invasive annual grasslands because of its higher RGR and extended period of growth.This is the author's after peer-review, corrected proof. It contains no copy editing. The published version is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found here: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/622855/description#descriptio

Microservices for the Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP)

The Stream Visual Assessment Protocol (SVAP) provides an initial assessment of the overall condition of wade-able streams, their riparian zones, and instream habitats. Field conservationists use the tool when providing technical assistance to land owners to improve stream conditions, sustainable use, and value of their property. SVAP does not require extensive training in biology, geomorphology, or hydrology, and represents a first step towards more detailed analysis and recommendations as needed. The protocol was developed in 1999 by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Aquatic Assessment Workgroup, following two years of field study and validation involving 182 stream reaches in 9 states across the country. Following a decade of use, SVAP was updated in 2009 to increase sensitivity to resource conditions at the state and regional levels. To this point, SVAP has been applied as a mostly manual process, completing individual worksheets guided by a field manual, persisted as spreadsheets, PDF files, or other documents, in a file system, or more recently a document management system. However, completing the worksheet does not take advantage of on-line data sources nor meet priorities for integrating assessment of resource concerns on farms and ranches. We describe a suite of 14 SVAP microservices and associated data tables supporting web application data entry and editing, managing reference streams, and computing assessment scores. We make these services available through our OMS/CSIP continuous integration process