US Government Reports Research Articles

Cultivating paranormal beliefs: how television viewing, social media use, and podcast listening predict belief in UFOs

ABSTRACT This study builds on cultivation theory to consider how use of different media – including television, social media, and podcasts – may predict belief in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and extraterrestrials. Extending previous research on media use and belief in paranormal phenomena, the study tests whether consumption of specific television genres, television news outlets, social media platforms, and podcast programs is linked to greater belief in UFOs. An analysis of national survey data (N = 1,035) collected two months after the widely publicized release of a US government report on ‘unidentified aerial phenomena’ shows that paranormal documentary and reality television viewing, Fox News viewing, YouTube use, and Joe Rogan Experience listening were positively associated with belief in UFOs. By illuminating how specific forms of media use predict public beliefs about one type of purported paranormal phenomena, the findings suggest future directions in investigating beliefs about other topics on the fringes of conventional inquiry.

Fire, drought, flood: climate challenges laid bare in US government report

Latest national climate assessment contradicts positions taken by President Donald Trump on global warming. Latest national climate assessment contradicts positions taken by President Donald Trump on global warming.

US government report says that climate change is real — and humans are to blame

Conclusions of climate-change science analysis are at odds with US President Donald Trump’s policies.

Writing about class and race differences and similarities in early childhood mathematics: The case of one monograph

This article reports on a literature review of 49 articles that cited a single monograph written in 1981 about early learning in mathematics to make claims of similarity or difference across lines of race and class in early mathematics. The review found that while about two-thirds of the articles cited the monograph to make claims of no significant differences across race and class in early mathematics performances (which is the perspective taken by the monograph’s authors in their conclusion and summary), almost one-third of the articles cited the monograph to establish significant social class differences in early mathematics, despite the claims of the monograph’s authors to the contrary. Similarly, a major US government report on early childhood mathematics cited the monograph to establish both race and social class differences. The reasons for and implications of these findings are discussed, including the tendency in recent years to understand race and class in US education primarily in terms of achievement gaps.

Unproductive entrepreneurship in US military contracting

Purpose– US military contracting has been plagued by systematic corruption, fraud, and waste during both times of peace and war. These outcomes result from the inherent features of the US military sector which incentivize unproductive entrepreneurship. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach– Drawing on the insights of Baumol (1990) as their base theoretical framework, the authors explore how the industrial organization of the US military sector creates incentives for unproductive entrepreneurship. Evidence from US government reports regarding US efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq is provided to illustrate the central claims.Findings– The military sector is characterized by an entangled network of government bureaus and private firms whose existence is dependent on continued government spending. These realities, coupled with a dysfunctional procurement processes, reward unproductive behaviors during peacetime. During wartime these incentives are intensified, as significant emergency resources are injected into an already defective contracting system. The recent experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq illustrate these dynamics.Originality/value– The authors make three main contributions. First, contrary to common treatments by economists, much military spending fails to meet the definition of a public good. Second, waste, fraud, and abuse in military contracting is a result of rules and the incentives those rules create. Third, the only way to change the situation is to change the overarching rules governing the people operating in the military sector.

Keystone XL Pipeline: Rhetoric vs. Economics

Tech 101 There are about 180,000 miles of oil pipeline in the United States, but all of this mileage put together has not generated 1% of the controversy as a pipeline that would add a mere 1% to the total— the Keystone XL Pipeline connecting Alberta’s oil sands to refineries in Texas and Louisiana. Since it crosses an international boundary, Keystone requires US State Department approval, which has not been forthcoming under the Obama administration. Keystone has become a cause célèbre on both sides of the political aisle. President Obama has made numerous statements criticizing the pipeline and has vetoed the legislation mandating its approval. Conversely, Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell had promised to make Keystone the first legislative priority in Congress when he took office. Many arguments have been advanced against Keystone. First and foremost, opposition to the pipeline rests on environmental objections. Environmentalists deem crude oil produced from Canadian oil sands to be uniquely damaging due to its carbon intensity when compared with other types of crude. When the environmental arguments failed to gain considerable traction, opponents shifted to economic arguments. These include assertions that Keystone will not reduce at-the-pump gas prices in the US, and that most Keystone oil will be exported. Unfortunately, these political and environmental arguments have created more heat than light. A straightforward economic analysis of Keystone demonstrates that its benefits will not be as great as its advocates say, but they will be material. The environmental effects are likely modest and outweighed by the economic benefits. The Economics of Keystone The direct economic effect of Keystone is quite straightforward. It would reduce the cost of transporting crude oil from Canada to the US Gulf Coast. Without Keystone, rail is the most economical way to transport the oil to the Gulf refineries. US government reports estimate that rail shipment costs about USD 10/bbl more than transportation via Keystone. This means that the benefits in terms of reduced transportation costs are on the order of USD 8 million/day, which is USD 10/bbl multiplied by the 830,000 BOPD Keystone can transport in lieu of more expensive trains.

The South African Denuclearization Exemplar

ABSTRACTSouth Africa's nuclear disarmament is a unique historical case, notable in part for the dramatic shift from deception to cooperation. The unprecedented transparency it demonstrated in order to convince the international community of the veracity of their disarmament is heralded as an exemplar for verifiable denuclearization. Less known is how this case affords insights into how a nuclear weapon program can be clandestinely hidden by the ambiguity provided by an otherwise completely legitimate, peaceful, nuclear energy program. Using a variety of open sources, including newly declassified internal South African and US government reports, it can be shown that South Africa employed a variety of deceptive tactics before it disarmed, and even for nearly two years after becoming a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. This article reviews that information to derive instructive lessons on the lengths that a nuclear proliferant state might go to conceal its true capabilities and intentions, and to thwart international discovery of the existence and full extent of an existing—or, in this case, a former—nuclear weapon program.

Understanding the availability, prevalence of use, desired effects, acute toxicity and dependence potential of the novel opioid MT-45

Introduction. 1-Cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine (MT-45) is a novel psychoactive substance available over the Internet. MT-45 is an opioid-like compound. This study provides an overview of availability, use and desired and unwanted effects of MT-45 through triangulation of available data sources. Methods. Searches of the published scientific literature and ‘grey’ information sources, using the keywords ‘MT 45’, ‘MT-45’ and ‘1-cyclohexyl-4-(1,2-diphenylethyl)piperazine’ were undertaken in June 2014 to identify information on the availability, prevalence of use and desired/unwanted effects of MT-45. In addition an Internet snapshot survey in English was undertaken in May 2014 to determine the availability and cost of MT-45. Results. In June 2014 we were unable to identify any studies reporting the prevalence of use of MT-45. The Internet snapshot study identified 17 Internet sites selling MT-45. Information on price was available from 9 sites, with the mean price of MT-45 decreased with increasing purchase amounts from US$57.60 ± 19.37 per gram for a 1-g purchase to US$3.36 ± 1.83 per gram for a 1-kg purchase. We identified one published scientific paper reporting on the acute harms in nine cases of analytically confirmed MT-45 toxicity, one US government report relating to two MT-45-related deaths and 20 user reports on Internet discussion forums relating to the use of MT-45. All these suggest that the desired and unwanted effects of MT-45 are similar to those seen with other opioids, and that the opioid-like unwanted effects may be reversed with the opioid antagonist naloxone. There were user reports of MT-45 being used in heroin withdrawal and of ‘withdrawal symptoms’ after use, suggesting that long-term use may be associated with dependency as seen with other opioids. Conclusions. Combining published scientific literature and ‘grey’ information sources, we have demonstrated that MT-45 has opioid-like desired and unwanted effects. Whilst the information is limited at the moment, it has the potential to have similar dependence liability to other opioids.

Work-related suicide

Purpose – For the past 50 years, the research literature has shown that employment can contribute to an individual's personal development. Yet, it has also shown that it can become a life-threatening stressor. Reported occupational suicides increased by 22.2 percent between 1995 and 2010, becoming a leading cause of death in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of six US government reports on employee suicides between 1995 and 2012. Design/methodology/approach – Through an interpretive case study approach (Yin, 2003), this study undertook a document analysis of key US government reports examining occupational suicides. Specifically, an analysis of three US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports was undertaken along with other documents, identifying key themes and facts. Findings – The analysis of the US government reports reveals a dim legal recognition of employee suicide as an occupational accident. The paper presents the characteristics of suicides as an occupational accident as well as the profile of a typical US occupational suicide victim. Finally, the paper discusses the main causes of employee suicide. Practical implications – Organizations have a “duty of care” to their employees, both physical and psychological. Human resource (HR) professionals ought to create preventive policies to minimize work-related suicides and have clear crisis management systems in place, should an employee commit suicide or threaten to do so. Originality/value – Occupational distress is not typically apparent or obvious and is not the subject of many studies in the field of HRs. Yet, because of its rampant increase in today's organizations, its direct connection with employee suicide and its impact on organizational revenues, psychological distress in the workplace merits closer attention. This paper is unique as it provides insights for HR professionals based on the analysis of US government reports on work-related suicides.

Beyond spinal manipulation: should Medicare expand coverage for chiropractic services? A review and commentary on the challenges for policy makers

ObjectivesPrivate insurance plans typically reimburse doctors of chiropractic for a range of clinical services, but Medicare reimbursements are restricted to spinal manipulation procedures. Medicare pays for evaluations performed by medical and osteopathic physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, podiatrists, physical therapists, and occupational therapists; however, it does not reimburse the same services provided by chiropractic physicians. Advocates for expanded coverage of chiropractic services under Medicare cite clinical effectiveness and patient satisfaction, whereas critics point to unnecessary services, inadequate clinical documentation, and projected cost increases. To further inform this debate, the purpose of this commentary is to address the following questions: (1) What are the barriers to expand coverage for chiropractic services? (2) What could potentially be done to address these issues? (3) Is there a rationale for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to expand coverage for chiropractic services? MethodsA literature search was conducted of Google and PubMed for peer-reviewed articles and US government reports relevant to the provision of chiropractic care under Medicare. We reviewed relevant articles and reports to identify key issues concerning the expansion of coverage for chiropractic under Medicare, including identification of barriers and rationale for expanded coverage. ResultsThe literature search yielded 29 peer-reviewed articles and 7 federal government reports. Our review of these documents revealed 3 key barriers to full coverage of chiropractic services under Medicare: inadequate documentation of chiropractic claims, possible provision of unnecessary preventive care services, and the uncertain costs of expanded coverage. Our recommendations to address these barriers include the following: individual chiropractic physicians, as well as state and national chiropractic organizations, should continue to strengthen efforts to improve claims and documentation practices; and additional rigorous efficacy/effectiveness research and clinical studies for chiropractic services need to be performed. Research of chiropractic services should target the triple aim of high-quality care, affordability, and improved health. ConclusionsThe barriers that were identified in this study can be addressed. To overcome these barriers, the chiropractic profession and individual physicians must assume responsibility for correcting deficiencies in compliance and documentation; further research needs to be done to evaluate chiropractic services; and effectiveness of extended episodes of preventive chiropractic care should be rigorously evaluated. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services policies related to chiropractic reimbursement should be reexamined using the same standards applicable to other health care providers. The integration of chiropractic physicians as fully engaged Medicare providers has the potential to enhance the capacity of the Medicare workforce to care for the growing population. We recommend that Medicare policy makers consider limited expansion of Medicare coverage to include, at a minimum, reimbursement for evaluation and management services by chiropractic physicians.

The US influence in shaping Iraq’s sectarian media

After the Anglo-American invasion, the US neo-conservative administration established the Iraqi Governing Council in July 2003, which included 25 members selected for their ethnic and religious origins; it was the most obvious sign of the US political separatist strategy. As a result of the new political reality, the Iraqi media was divided into ethno-sectarian lines, resulting from previous policies followed by the US administration. This article argues that the US media policy prior and after the US invasion of Iraq played a part in enhancing and encouraging the sectarian divisions in the Iraqi society. This was mainly done by sending biased media messages through the state-run Iraqi Media Network (IMN) and other US-aligned channels and allowing militant voices from different Iraqi sides to wage wars of words without interfering. In fact, the only time US officials interfered is when they were criticized by Iraqi media outlets. This study cites different US government reports, accounts from media practitioners who worked for IMN and other journalists that monitored the Iraqi media.

Muddying the waters on Gulf oxygen data

Independent researchers claim oxygen depletion in the Gulf of Mexico is real, but a US government report advises caution.

Learning to build the bomb

At the end of the cold war in 1991,the USand its allies realized that the former Soviet Union had thousands of unsecured nuclear weapons, tons of unguarded fissile material, and unemployed nuclear weapons scientists. The materials and expertise necessary for a so-called rogue state or terrorist group to build a nuclear weapon were readily accessible. So the US set about helping the former Soviet states secure their weapons, materials, and scientists through various facets of the Cooperative Threat Reduction program. Several CTRprojects were aimed specifically at preventing a mass exodus of former Soviet scientists to rogue states by reemploying them on peaceful projects and thus taking away the temptation to sell their weapons expertise to any state that came recruiting. But 15 years on, the reemployment programs have made slow progress in the former Soviet Union; official US government reports and various academic studies attest to that fact.l And yet the feared mass exodus of scientists to rogue states never happened (but plenty of former Soviet scientists emigrated to Western states), even though Libya, North Korea, and Pakistan were building nuclear weapons programs and were presumably in need of nuclear expertise. Now Iran is also building an enrichment program, and perhaps more. If those states were not recruiting unemployed former Soviet scientists with experience designing and building nuclear weapons, then where did they-and where would potential nuclear-weapons states-get their nuclear workforce?

How to protect your assets against acts of nature and terrorism

Millions of earthquakes occur each year throughout the world, according to The National Earthquake Information Center in the USA and its cooperators around the globe. Fortunately, most of them happen far away from highly industrialized population centers and cause little damage or disruption. But when they do occur in densely populated areas, the loss of human lives, destroyed buildings and infrastructures, and the interruption of normal life and commerce can be devastating to individuals, families, communities, businesses and governments. Companies now also need to consider, and plan for, the risk of damage to employees and property that may be caused by non‐natural causes, such as terrorist bombs. While there has been much talk about bio‐ and chemical‐terrorism, the fact remains that bombs are still the most commonly used weapon of terror worldwide. According to a US government report, entitled “Protecting Buildings from Bomb Damage,” nearly half of all international terrorist attacks are bombings. Few corporations are without risk these days just as few countries are free from random acts of terrorists’ violence. The threat of bombings is one more concern for corporations and building owners to factor into their analysis, assessment and planning for protecting their investment and building occupants. While designing a terrorist‐proof building is impossible, designing a building that will not progressively collapse when attacked, and will allow emergency workers quick access to survivors, is not. It’s a matter of designing and constructing buildings that will display predictable performance. The article discusses how building owners, corporate project teams and architects and engineers all can take measures to improve safety of occupants and contents of a building against potential blasts or explosions. There are three broad categories of countermeasures: deterrence, set back, and hardening.

Bringing physician nutrition specialists into the mainstream: rationale for the Intersociety Professional Nutrition Education Consortium

Given the prevalence of nutritionally related chronic diseases in American society, the training of physicians should include a focus on the relations of diet to disease. Yet, despite scientific data, public interest, US government reports, society studies, and congressional mandates, the teaching of nutrition in medical schools and residency programs remains inadequate. The authority whom patients most wish to consult for information on health ―their physician―thus remains insufficiently informed about the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of disease. New efforts must be initiated to train nutrition-literate physicians. The principal obstacle to nutrition literacy among physicians is the paucity of physician nutrition specialists (PNSs) on medical school faculties who can effectively advocate for change in medical school and residency curricula and who can serve as role models for incorporating nutrition into patient care. To encourage nutrition societies to unite in addressing these issues, the Intersociety Professional Nutrition Education Consortium was founded in 1997. The Consortium aims to establish educational standards for fellowship training and a unified mechanism for posttraining certification of PNSs, and to develop a long-term plan to increase the pool of PNSs and surmount obstacles that currently impede the incorporation of nutrition education into the curricula of medical schools and primary-care residency programs. Am J Clin Nutr 1998; 68:894–8.

‘No net cost in cutting carbon emissions’

washington A US government report says that the United States could reduce carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 with no net cost to the nation's economy if it increased the use of energy-efficient technology.

Les mines terrestres, un désastre humanitaire

The Land Mine Crisis, a Humanitarian Disaster, by Boutros Boutros-Ghali The United Nations estimâtes thaty in the course of recent civil and international strife, more than 100 million mines have been laid in 62 countries. These mines have been placed not only in combat zones, but also in areas of purely civilian and commercial activity. A US government report estimates that the Worldwide total of deployed land mines increases by 500,000 to 1 million each year. The proliferation of mines has created a triple crisis: individuals are the victims of inhumane weapons, developing nations are unable to go forward with économie and social programs, and families, localities, and nations are compelled to bear an increasingly heavy médical and social burden. The United Nations has taken the lead in demining efforts Worldwide through programs of direct clearance, technical assistance, mobilizing public opinion, and aiding victims. Increased funding and stronger political support for this UN effort are now urgently needed.

Assessing the extra-commercial food needs of low-income countries

The principal US government report on the food needs of low-income countries which cannot be met through commercial trade, is World Food Needs and Availabilities, prepared by the Economic Research Service, USDA. 1 This article presents the genesis of the report, the methodology (through a case study), the 1985 findings and some implications of food needs analysis for food aid programming.

The rise and fall of oil generation in the USA: A study in institutional adaptability

After 1978, the US electric power industry more than halved oil generation of electricity. This reversed a rising trend that had accelerated with the liberalization of residual fuel oil import quotas in 1966. This paper uses detailed data on inter- utility sales filed with the US government and limited circulation statistical reports from electric utilities to appraise the changes. The changes reflect the capacity of a flexible, growing, integrated electric utility system to adapt to changing circumstances. Much of the reduction in oil use was effected by purchases of coal-generated electricity by oil-based companies on the east coast. Another major development was the introduction of new coal-fired plants to the west- south-central states. This allowed coal to take over from oil as the alternative to increasingly more expensive natural gas. In New York and California, however, gas became available to displace oil. A further more modest contribution was made by having plants that had shifted from coal to oil resume coal use.

An ergonomic basis for recommendations pertaining to specific sections of OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910, Sub Part D — Walking and working surfaces : Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Michigan University, Ann Arbor US Government Report No PB-284 370, Mar 1978, 187 pp; abstr in Health and Safety in Industry

An ergonomic basis for recommendations pertaining to specific sections of OSHA Standard, 29 CFR 1910, Sub Part D — Walking and working surfaces : Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, Michigan University, Ann Arbor US Government Report No PB-284 370, Mar 1978, 187 pp; abstr in Health and Safety in Industry