Can a non-Muslim Mass Shooter be a “Terrorist”?: A Comparative Content Analysis of the Las Vegas and Orlando Shootings

ABSTRACT

This study used the 2017 Las Vegas and 2016 Orlando mass shootings as case studies to explore alleged double standards in reporting of events featuring Muslim and non-Muslim mass perpetrators of violence. The study used framing theory and content analysis to examine Los Angeles Times and New York Times coverage of the shootings during the one week immediately following each event. Findings are consistent with previous literature and the researchers’ expectations. The Orlando shooting, carried out by a Muslim, was allotted more coverage despite the fact that it produced nine fewer fatalities than the Las Vegas shooting, perpetrated by a white non-Muslim. The analysis also showed that the examined newspapers were more likely to employ a “terrorism” frame in their coverage of the Orlando shooting than in their coverage of the Las Vegas shooting; link the Orlando mass shooting with the global war on terrorism; and to humanize Stephen Paddock, the white perpetrator of the Las Vegas shooting. Framing differences found in this study may contribute to downplaying the threat of white male gun violence, and to reinforcing fears of Islam and Muslims.     

Event-triggered control for active vehicle suspension systems with network-induced delays

This paper presents a novel event-triggered H_∞ static output-feedback control for active vehicle suspension systems with network-induced delays. The proposed control schema introduces an event-triggering mechanism in the suspension system such that the communication resources can be significantly saved. By applying some improved slack inequalities and an augmented Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional (LKF), a new design condition expressed in the form of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is developed to derive the desired event-triggered controller. The obtained algorithm is then employed to solve the static output-feedback control gain. Compared with the traditional sampled-data H_∞ control scheme, the proposed controller is able to provide an enhanced disturbance attenuation level while saving the control cost. Finally, comparative simulation results are provided to show the performance of the proposed event-triggered controller.     

Ergogenic effects of precooling with cold water immersion and ice ingestion: A meta-analysis

This review evaluated the effects of precooling via cold water immersion (CWI) and ingestion of ice slurry/slushy or crushed ice (ICE) on endurance performance measures (e.g. time-to-exhaustion and time trials) and psychophysiological parameters (core [T_core] and skin [T_skin] temperatures, whole body sweat [WBS] response, heart rate [HR], thermal sensation [TS], and perceived exertion [RPE]). Twenty-two studies were included in the meta-analysis based on the following criteria: (i) cooling was performed before exercise with ICE or CWI; (ii) exercise longer than 6?min was performed in ambient temperature ≥26°C; and (iii) crossover study design with a non-cooling passive control condition. CWI improved performance measures (weighted average effect size in Hedges’ g [95% confidence interval]?+?0.53 [0.28; 0.77]) and resulted in greater increase (ΔEX) in T_skin (+4.15 [3.1; 5.21]) during exercise, while lower peak T_core (?0.93 [?1.18; ?0.67]), WBS (?0.74 [?1.18; ?0.3]), and TS (?0.5 [?0.8; ?0.19]) were observed without concomitant changes in ΔEX-T_core (+0.19 [?0.22; 0.6]), peak T_skin (?0.67 [?1.52; 0.18]), peak HR (?0.14 [?0.38; 0.11]), and RPE (?0.14 [?0.39; 0.12]). ICE had no clear effect on performance measures (+0.2 [?0.07; 0.46]) but resulted in greater ΔEX-T_core (+1.02 [0.59; 1.45]) and ΔEX-T_skin (+0.34 [0.02; 0.67]) without concomitant changes in peak T_core (?0.1 [?0.48; 0.28]), peak T_skin (+0.1 [?0.22; 0.41]), peak HR (+0.08 [?0.19; 0.35]), WBS (?0.12 [?0.42; 0.18]), TS (?0.2 [?0.49; 0.1]), and RPE (?0.01 [?0.33; 0.31]). From both ergogenic and thermoregulatory perspectives, CWI may be more effective than ICE as a precooling treatment prior to exercise in the heat.     

Assessment of the power performance of racing cyclists

A 30‐s ‘all‐out’ power protocol was studied in four groups of racing cyclists including internationals (n = 8), Category 1 (n = 10), Category 2 (n = 15) and Category 3 (n = 11). Following warm‐up each subject completed five trials interspersed by 3 min of low intensity exercise on an ergowheel racing cycle ergometry system at a power output of 15 W kg^–1 body weight, generated at 130 rev min^–1. Temporal indices of performance included delay time (DT) to achieve the power criterion, total time (TT) of the maintenance of the power criterion and the ratio of TT/DT. ‘Explosive’ leg strength was assessed from a vertical jump. The results indicated that international and Category 1 cyclists had lower DT (2.2 ± 0.1s and 2.1 +0.0s, respectively; P<0.05), higher TT (28.1 ±0.7s and 27.0+0.7s, respectively; P<0.05) and elevated TT/DT (12.8 and 12.9, respectively; P<0.01). ‘Explosive’ leg strength was also higher (P<0.05) in the internationals than in the other groups of cyclists. The protocol provides a sport‐related method for the assessment of short term endurance performance ability in racing cyclists which may be of value in identifying the anaerobic capability of individual cyclists.     

Polymorphisms of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">IGF1</Emphasis> gene and their association with growth traits,serum concentration and expression rate of <Emphasis Type="Italic">IGF1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">IGF1R</Emphasis> in buffalo

The insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) gene is a member of the group of somatotropin axis genes that play a significant role in cell proliferation and growth of muscles. Here, we searched for polymorphisms in buffalo IGF1 and found two novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), G64A and G280A, in the noncoding sequences of exon 1 and exon 4, respectively. Statistical analysis of different genotypes showed that the individuals with GG genotypes had significantly (P<0.05) higher body weight (BW) and average daily gain (ADG) than those with other genotypes at ages of 3–6 months in G64A SNP and 6–9 months in G280A SNP. The combined genotypes of these two SNPs produced three haplotypes, GG/GG, AG/AG, and AA/AA, which were significantly associated (P<0.0001) with BW and ADG at an age from 3 to 12 months. Buffaloes with the homozygous GG/GG haplotype showed higher growth performance than other buffaloes. The two SNPs were correlated with mRNA levels of IGF1 and IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) in semitendinosus muscle as well as with the serum concentration level of IGF1. Also, buffaloes with GG/GG haplotype showed higher mRNA and serum concentration levels. The data revealed that these two SNPs could be valuable genetic markers for selection of Egyptian buffaloes for better performance in the population.     

Transnational public sector knowledge networks: Knowledge and information sharing in a multi-dimensional context

Sharing of knowledge, information, and practices across cultural and national boundaries has become a means to address critical global problems. As government agencies increasingly collaborate with international counterparts on these issues, transnational knowledge and information sharing networks grow in importance as mechanisms for collaboration. This paper explores the nature of transnational public sector knowledge networks (TPSKNs) and identifies critical contextual factors that shape their performance. In these networks, each participating organization operates within complex national, organizational, and information contexts. The contextual differences between participants produce distances in culture, politics, intentions, organizational factors, relationships, knowledge, resources, geography, and technology. These distances influence their ability to engage in the processes and interactions that are essential to network performance. The paper concludes with a conceptual dynamic model that accounts for the relationships among these factors that can guide further research in understanding knowledge and information sharing across national and cultural boundaries.     

Stress intensity factors under combined bending and torsion moments

This paper discusses stress intensity factor (SIF) calculations for surface cracks in round bars subjected to combined torsion and bending loadings. Different crack aspect ratios, a/b, ranging from 0.0 to 1.2 and relative crack depths, a/D, ranging from 0.1 to 0.6 were considered. Since the loading was non-symmetrical for torsion loadings, a whole finite element model was constructed. Then, the individual and combined bending and torsion loadings were remotely applied to the model. The equivalent SIF method, F*_EQ, was then used explicitly to combine the individual SIFs from the bending and torsion loadings. A comparison was then carried out with the combined SIF, F*_FE, obtained using the finite element analysis (FEA) under similar loadings. It was found that the equivalent SIF method successfully predicted the combined SIF for Mode I. However, discrepancies between the results determined from the different approaches occurred when F _III was involved. It was also noted that the predicted F*_FE using FEA was higher than the F*_EQ predicted through the equivalent SIF method due to the difference in crack face interactions.     

Contextual and pedagogical considerations in teaching for forgiveness in the Arab world

This study was conducted among Arab teachers in four countries in the Middle East (Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt and Palestine) to examine their views and methods on teaching for forgiveness in their classrooms. A total of 87 teachers in K-12 classrooms participated in semi-structured interviews as part of a larger study on teaching for forgiveness in the region. Thematic analyses of interviews suggested that teachers created opportunities to model and teach forgiveness as part of their civics education curriculum. They also expressed eagerness for instructional guidance and curriculum materials to systematically teach forgiveness in schools. The strength of religion and historical religious figures as positive sources for teaching forgiveness was also evident. Findings highlight the need to integrate education for peace and forgiveness in the education system, especially as a result of recent political developments in the Middle East, and to provide methods to assist teachers to do so in their classrooms.     

Bibliographical activities of the Arab Countries of North Africa

The kind and size of a library determines the need to collect and the method of controlling government publications. New Zealand libraries tend to handle these publications like any other book with the exception of official records and statistics. As a rule, public, rather than academic libraries, are the designated depositories. In comparing the concept of New Zealand libraries to that of the University of Oregon Library concerning government publications, I found that New Zealand libraries collect and store official and statistical publications and give them partial use; most government publications are integrated into the general collection (use is not known), and few libraries have separate government publication sections with special librarians governing the collection. On the other hand the University of Oregon collects all types of government publications for optimum use; many have been integrated into the general collection (use is not known); and a separate documents section is open to the public with several librarian specialists in attendance. Government publications in the general collection are not, as a rule, recognized as government publications by the public, but those publications are readily accessible. Many government publications at the University of Oregon Library are housed in the general collection, but since 1974 publications of the United States, Canada and many international organizations are shelved in the Documents Section. Use of the various classification schemes has proved successful; however, changes and improvements should be considered frequently to make the government publications collection the best able to serve the public.