West Wing Research Articles

Influence of Environmental Factors in Hydrodynamic Modelling of Bacterial Distribution in Stormwater Ponds

Due to the typically large sizes of many stormwater ponds, numerically modeling the bacteria fate and transport within these ponds is more practical than in situ monitoring. However, bacteria fate and transport models lack proper verification and rely on numerous assumptions without proper validation of these assumptions. In this paper, a sophisticated hydrodynamic model is developed for estimating bacteria levels in the Inverness stormwater pond, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and is verified in two ways. First, the bacteria concentrations predicted by the developed model for several locations within the pond were compared to data collected during two separate field campaigns at the pond. Good agreement was observed and while it was found that contamination increased over time between the two field campaigns, the most contaminated location was consistently in the west wing. Second, fluid flow velocity vectors in numerous locations were measured and compared with the modeled results. The impacts of model assumptions and inputs on the bacteria distribution in the pond were also assessed. The model was run for various particle-attachment rate and sizes, various rain hyetographs and various wind conditions. It was found that synthetic hyetographs can be used for design purposes to find the optimal location for withdrawal. The effect of wind direction was found to be event specific and location specific. In general, wind was found to play a crucial role in the bacteria distribution in the pond.

Abandoning Presidential Administration: A Civic Governance Agenda To Promote Democratic Equality and Guard Against Creeping Authoritarianism

Upon assuming the presidency, Joe Biden is likely to enjoy limited congressional support for his legislative agenda. Democrats believe they have a good playbook for this situation: “presidential administration.” Coined by now–Justice Kagan, presidential administration endorses the use of unilateral executive action to advance the president’s policy priorities. We argue that presidential administration is unlikely to be successful. More to the point, we fear it may prove dangerous, further legitimizing practices that enable and embolden future authoritarians far more adroit with the tools and language of power than Donald Trump. We propose that Biden instead practice (and preach) “civic administration,” diffusing authority away from the office of the president in ways that empower the federal bureaucracy, state, local, and tribal officials, and civil society. These other institutions and actors would serve as (1) partners in advancing social and economic policy and (2) potential counterweights if and when the White House pushes reckless initiatives. Biden should of course lead federal administrative agencies to take lawful action on the major issues of the day, from the pandemic, to climate change, to social inequality. But these and other actions should be taken in ways that recalibrate executive power, amplify and leverage the talents and resources of any number of competent actors outside of the West Wing and Cabinet, and remain mindful of the dangers of presidential unilateralism.

Uncontained Pomposity, or Masculinity in The West Wing

Uncontained Pomposity, or Masculinity in The West Wing

“The air of impossibility has been removed”: Realist Political Drama(dy) and the Trope of Becoming President

Over the past ten to fifteen years, film and TV culture have offered new and more complex negotiations of presidential politics through depictions of fictional American presidents. While in the past American popular culture celebrated the president as overwhelmingly positive, larger-than-life figure, recent representations have introduced more complex characters who face, or even trigger, complicated and morally ambiguous conflicts. This article investigates how The West Wing, House of Cards and Veep, three political TV shows, make use of the emerging trope of a brokered nomination convention in order to question one-dimensional fictional representations of the American president and presidential politics.

Safe Exploitation Solution and Reduction of Resources Loss for the L7 Seam at the West Wing Area of the 790 Open Pit Site of the Mong Duong Coal Mine

In the next time, deepening exploitation and increasing capacity in underground mines are extremely necessary to meet the demand of using coal for developing economies. This problem is not only done in underground mines but also in areas that cannot be exploited by open-pit methods such as the open-pit edge. When exploiting deep underground mines, there are many difficulties for tasks such as: controlling ground pressure; ventilation; drainage, transportation etc. When cutting coal in longwall, it will create a goaf, causing a natural imbalance of stress in the ground, leading to the phenomenon of displacement of rock deformation and destruction of roadways, which creates a risk of unsafety labour. The L7 seam at the west wing area of the Mong Duong coal mine has an average thickness of 7m, an average slope angle of 15o, located near the edge of the 790 open pit site. According to the production plan, this mine will exploit this reservoir with blasting-drilling technology, longwall support by the semi-mechanized shield (self-moving hydraulic frame GK/1600/16/24/HTD). The preliminary assessment of hydrogeological conditions of the mine shows that this is a potential area with a high risk of water burst into the longwall. Until nowthis mine has not yet given a specific solution to this problem. Finding a reasonable mining solution to ensure production safety and reduce resources loss is extremely important problem not only for the Mong Duong coal mine but also for mines that have similar mining conditions of Vietnam National Coal – Mineral Industries Holding Limited (Vinacomin), Vietnam.

Inter/Multimedial Constructions of Islam in Post-9/11 TV Series: The West Wing and 24

Since The West Wing (NBC, 1999-2006), the political drama series has been a proliferating format for fictional engagements with American politics. Georgi-Findlay focuses on how The West Wing and 24 (Fox, 2001-2010) engage public narratives about Islam and Islamophobia, arguing that the shows go beyond what Evelyn Alsultany has termed “simplified complex representations” by creating contradictory, multivocal texts that display dynamics of internal disaccord. Representations of Arabs, Muslims and Muslim countries are embedded within storylines that challenge each other. Especially The West Wing stages discussions that can lead to informed debates, reflecting and exposing the contradictions within the American national identity discourse between an inclusionist civic and an exclusionist racialized nationalism. In both series, polyvocal narratives are brought across not only by intertwining multiple discourses, but also by way of aesthetic strategies and intermedial references that supply additional textual layers, complicating viewers’ processes of meaning-making and contributing to in-text dissensus and ideological ambivalences. Both series thus can be read against the grain, as contradictory, multivocal texts that both reflect and expose Islamophobia.

Research on Key Technologies of Floor Heave Control in Soft Rock Roadway

Aiming at the floor heave of transportation concentrated roadway on the West Wing (TCRWW) of No. 1 Coal Seam in Danhou Mine, it affects underground coal transportation and mine safety production. First, the lithology and structure of the roadway floor were sampled and tested, and it was found that it contained clay minerals with high hydrophilicity. Secondly, starting from the mechanical mechanism of the roadway floor, a mechanical model of the roadway floor is established. By increasing the floor anchoring layer thickness m1, the floor deformation can be effectively controlled to guarantee the stability of the surrounding rock of the roadway. Thirdly, the FLAC3D numerical simulation analysis of the roadway deformation under the existing support scheme of the roadway is consistent with the measured deformation results on-site, thereby revealing that the existing support scheme and parameters are not reasonable. Finally, the unreasonable support scheme and parameters of the existing roadway were disclosed, and an antifloor arch structure was proposed: “quicklime bottom paving + prestressed anchor cable + concrete arc beam + metal mesh + C20 high-strength concrete filling.” This floor treatment plan is adopted for the industrial verification of the test section of TCRWW. Engineering practice shows that the optimized roadway support scheme has a better effect on the deformation control of the roof-to-floor and rib-to-rib, thereby effectively ensuring safe and efficient production in the mine.

The Key to Antibiotic Stewardship Is Combining Interventions.

* Abbreviation: DART — : Dialogue Around Respiratory Tract Illness Treatment More than 10 million antibiotics are unnecessarily prescribed to children in the United States every year, contributing to increasing antibiotic resistance and adverse drug events. The reasons for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing in ambulatory pediatrics are multifactorial, including patient pressures and demand, actual or perceived parental satisfaction, provider knowledge, and provider time constraints.1,2 An effective approach to decreasing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing must therefore address each of these contributing factors. Reflective models of adult learning theory are based on the premise that we learn best when we are told (1) what we are supposed to do, (2) how we should do it, and (3) receive feedback to reflect on how we did.3,4 In this issue of Pediatrics , Kronman et al,5 in their clinical trial based on the theory of planned behavior, also seem to recognize that clinicians are adult learners, and they combine interventions to implement these adult learning theory tenets to improve appropriate antibiotic prescribing. In their cluster-randomized stepped-wedge clinical trial among pediatric providers across the United States, they use (1) … Address correspondence to Rana F. Hamdy, MD, MPH, MSCE, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children’s National Hospital, 111 Michigan Ave NW, West Wing 3.5, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20010. E-mail: rhamdy2{at}childrensnational.org

The Spatial Distribution and Potential for Energy Recovery of Urban-Rural Wastes in Guangdong Province, Southern China

Wastes-to-energy (WTE) has been widely recognized as an effective way to save resources while minimizing environmental pollution, which has become the key issue for a sustainable society. Urban-rural wastes include all kinds of waste generated during human activities, which have a wide range from municipal solid waste (MSW) to agricultural residues and animal excrement, etc. In order to evaluate their potential for energy recovery and greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in Guangdong province, the generation, spatial distribution and energy potential of three typical waste streams (i.e. MSW, agricultural residues and animal excrement) were investigated using statistical and estimation methods. Results showed that: (1) MSW was mainly concentrated in the Pearl River Delta, but agricultural residues and animal excrement mainly distributed in the East Wing, West Wing and Mountainous Areas; (2) energy potential of studied wastes at least can reach 15.661 million tons of coal-equivalent and corresponding GHG mitigation is 41.720 million tons CO2 equivalent. The pattern of distributed utilization may be appropriate for rural wastes, such as agricultural residues and animal excrement, because recycling is difficult due to they are dispersed distribution. Results of this study may help decision-makers to evaluate the proper management of urban-rural wastes and can be a reference for other developing countries.

Deformation and failure characteristics of anchorage structure of surrounding rock in deep roadway

This paper investigated the stress evolution, displacement field, local deformation and its overall distribution, and failure characteristics of the anchorage structure of surrounding rock with different rockbolt spacing through the model experiments. The influences of the pre-tightening force and spacing of rockbolt on the support strength of the anchorage structure of surrounding rock were analyzed by the simulation using FLAC3D numerical software. The support scheme of the excavated roadway was then designed, and the effectiveness of this support scheme was further verified by the displacement measurement of the roadway. The results showed that the maximum displacement between the roof and floor of the west wing track roadway in Kouzidong coal mine, China is about 42 mm, and the maximum displacement between its both sides is about 72 mm, indicating that the support scheme proposed in this study can ensure the stability and safety of the excavated roadway.

Tectonic state and oil-gas prospects of Khidirly-Bandovan structure according to the new gravimetric data

Khidirly-Bandovan structures have been studied through geological mapping, structural exploration drilling, geophysical methods (gravimetric, magnetic, electrical, seismic exploration methods) since the 1930s. Small amount of oil from different wells in the upper part of Productive Series (PS) and huge amount of gas fountain from Middle Absheron sediments have been obtained. As the interest to these areas had not decreased, the geophysical surveys continued during further years. Seismic exploration surveys were executed in Bandovan structure via Common Depth Point (CDP) method in 2004, refracted ray method and gravimetric exploration complex in 2006 and 3D seismic exploration works and gravimetric investigations with “Scintrex CG-5 Autograv” devices in 2016, correspondingly. In the result of analysis of distribution characteristics for local gravimetric anomalies, as well as 3D descriptions of new gravimetric data, up-to-date logs on tectonic state of Khidirly-Bandovan structure have been obtained and as the new oil-gas exploration objects, the west and south-west wings of these structures highlighted.

Successful prevention and screening strategies for COVID‐19: focus on patients with haematologic diseases

Successful prevention and screening strategies for COVID‐19: focus on patients with haematologic diseases

Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father

Rush: Revolution, Madness, and the Visionary Doctor Who Became a Founding Father

FATA Merger to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Problems and Prospects for Federalism in Pakistan

Federalism provides opportunity to the diverse societies with the distinct cultural and geographical heritage of such constitutional arrangements that they can strengthen their bond with the rest of the areas of a state. Federalism in Pakistan started in a unique way where its two main regions had no geographical adhesion. The west wing of Pakistan is culturally diverse. People of FATA lived their lives almost for seventy (70) years without constitutional rights. That was the reason after the American invasion in Afghanistan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) became the hub of terrorist activities. The state of Pakistan noticed this situation and formed a FATA reforms committee. According to the recommendations FATA was merged in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). The people of the area faced issues due to the lack of administrative setups. Now, the challenge for federal and KPK government is to develop the area according to the wishes of the people.

Study on lithology identification method of carboniferous in the west wing chepaizi salient in western margin of junggar basin

Reservoir characteristics are important indexes for oil and gas exploration and development. Therefore, the identification of igneous lithology of target formation is carried out by using intersection diagram and mechanical parameter method according to the Carboniferous logging data of the west wing chepaizi salient in western margin of junggar basin. The results show that the study area is dominated by volcanic clastic rocks and sedimentary rocks. The cross-section and mechanical parameters method can be used to identify the lithology and obtain the corresponding physical parameters. Finally, this work has guiding significance for the exploration and development of Carboniferous reservoirs in the west wing chepaizi salient in western margin of junggar basin.

Evaluation on water bursting risk of working faces near collapse column during the mining process

Collapse column water bursting occurs from time to time in the coal mining process of North China Type Coalfield in China, which causes great economic loss and personal injury. Therefore, great attention must be paid to the harm of collapse column. 1301 working face and 1306 working face in the west wing of No.1 Mining District of Zhangji Coal Mine in Shanxian County are close to No.2 collapse column. Water bursting risk evaluation must be carried out before mining two working faces to ensure safety production. On the basis of fully analyzing the geological and hydrogeological conditions of the 3up coal seam in the west wing of No.1 Mining Area, the "Three Zones(caving zone, water conducted fracture zone and sagging zone) Theory of Coal Seam Roof", "Strata Movement Theory" and "Water Bursting Coefficient Theory" were used respectively to calculate and evaluate the water bursting risk of No.2 collapse column during the course of mining the 1301 working face and 1306 working face. The results show that: firstly, in the process of mining the 1301 working face, the maximum height of the water conducted fracture zone at the closest position of 1301 working face to No.2 collapse column would be 60.20 m, the water bursting coefficient on the boundary of water conducted fracture zone would be 0.066~0.072 MPa/m, and the water bursting risk of the No.2 collapse column would be smaller; secondly, in the process of mining the 1306 working face, the maximum height of the water conducted fracture zone at the closest position of 1306 working face to No.2 collapse column would be 60.91 m, the water bursting coefficient on the boundary of water conducted fracture zone would be 0.057~0.089 MPa/m, and the water burst risk of the No.2 collapse column would be small. By August 31, 2020, the 1301 working face had been safely mined more than 200 meters long(exceeding over 120 m of the closest position in 1301 working face to No.2 collapse column), and the water bursting did not happen in the working face. This paper can provide a reference for the water prevention and control of similar collapse columns in coal mines.

How America Tortures

Americans may find it difficult to acknowledge that top officials in the West Wing of the White House and the Office of Legal Counsel of the Department of Justice orchestrated and poorly oversaw a horrific torture program that was responsible for the detention and interrogation of countless detainees. Seventeen years ago, the White House and the Department of Justice created a torture program and, through a series of legal memoranda, attempted to immunize Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) agents from criminal liability. The language was formal, legalistic, antiseptic, and euphemistic. That, combined with vague definitions of the techniques, disguised the extent of abuse the memos were approving and/or permitting. For many years, virtually no attention has been paid to the specific details of the techniques that were used in America’s name and too little investigation has gone into the specific uses that the CIA made of these techniques. This report presents the specific details of what the torture memos permitted and most importantly, how the techniques were implemented and applied. This report is based on information from many of those who were tortured under the program, including Zayn al-Abidin Muhammad Husayn (Abu Zubaydah), as well as many CIA cables, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Report, and numerous other government documents. The torture memos described the ten techniques that were designed and approved to torture one person, Abu Zubaydah. All ten techniques were used upon him and, while he has not been allowed to speak, some of his descriptions of those experiences were declassified. They have not been previously examined. The descriptions by Abu Zubaydah of some of the torture techniques is attached as an appendix. The text incorporates parts of his description and when it is included in the text it is always bolded. As compelling as the verbal descriptions of the techniques are, this report publishes the first visual representation of how the torture techniques were performed. The graphic representations are the original works of the man for whom the torture was designed, Abu Zubaydah. Because they have never been published before and because of their historical importance, all eight graphics are presented in full at the beginning of this report. The same graphics are also included in the text where they most appropriately belong. In addition, the CIA’s cables from the beginning of Abu Zubaydah’s torture have also become available and this report allows the reader to see the application of the techniques not only as defined, but as applied, and not only from the CIA’s perspective but also from the perspective of the tortured. This report integrates Abu Zubaydah’s descriptions from the earliest days of his torture with the CIA cables that described those days from the CIA’s perspective. The report will first address persistent conditions which were employed broadly against detainees, followed by an in depth look at each approved torture technique. Finally, the report will address several techniques not specifically approved, but which played a key role in advancing the program. Overall, this report will illustrate how the following factors led to the gross abuse of the torture program: (1) the lack of clarity and purposeful ambiguity in defining what was allowed and what was not allowed during interrogations; (2) the failure by the government to account for the use of persistent techniques and unapproved techniques alongside those that were approved; and (3) the negligence and intentional disregard of the consequences of such a torture program.

The democratic quality of political depictions in fictional TV entertainment. A comparative content analysis of the political drama Borgen and the journalistic magazine Berlin direkt

Abstract The quality of political reporting in the news media is a focal point of communication research. Politics, however, is not only conveyed via traditional sources of information, but via fictional sources. In particular, political dramas (e. g., The West Wing, Borgen) enjoy great popularity and are often acknowledged for their realistic depiction of politics. Still, little is known about the democratic quality of such fictional depictions. This paper aims to fill the gap by contrasting the depiction of politics in the fictional TV series Borgen with political reporting in a traditional TV magazine (Berlin direkt). The comparative content analysis is based on ten issues that are covered in both formats and focuses on the quality criteria of relevance, pluralism, and democratic discourse norms. Findings show no significant differences between Borgen and Berlin direkt for any of the three criteria, clearly indicating that fictional TV series can offer the same content quality as political reporting.

Delimitation of Urban Growth Boundary Based on the Coordination of Ecology and Residential Activity Spaces: A Case Study of Jinan, China

Delimitation of an urban growth boundary (UGB) can effectively curb disorderly urban expansion, optimize urban development space and protect the ecological environment. Eco-environmental sensitivity was evaluated and areas prohibiting construction expansion were extracted by establishing an index system. Point of interest (POI) and microblog data were utilized to analyze the expansion of residential activity space. Urban space expansion potential was calculated using a comprehensive evaluation model, and an urban growth boundary for Jinan in 2020 was delimited combining the predicted urban expansion scale. The results showed that: (1) An evaluation of eco-environmental sensitivity can effectively protect ecological land and provide an ecological basis for urban expansion. Regions with high eco-environmental sensitivities in Jinan are located along the banks of the Yellow River and Xiaoqing River and in southeast mountainous areas, but eco-environmental sensitivities in the central, north and southeast areas are relatively low; (2) The model to evaluate urban residential activity expansion can quantify the spatial distribution of urban residents' activities. Regions with high potential for residential activity space expansion in Jinan are mainly concentrated in the middle of Jinan and most are part of existing built-up areas and surrounding areas; (3) The method that delimits urban growth boundaries based on the coordination of ecology and residential activity space is reasonable. Spatial expansion in Jinan mainly extends towards the east and west wings, and the boundary conforms to the spatial strategy guiding Jinan's development and is consistent with the overall layout in related plans. Considering both ecological protection and the internal forces driving urban expansion, the method of urban growth boundary delimitation used in this study can provide a reference and practical help for studies and management of urban development in the new era.

Watching House of Cards: connecting perceived realism and cynicism

ABSTRACTIn this article, we seek to observe how and why political TV series affect people’s political opinions. The main hypothesis is that the degree of perceived realism people attach to fictional programs is a necessary condition for a series to change political attitudes.The study is based on an experiment in which some participants watched a political TV series with a negative tone (House of Cards), others watched a series with a positive tone (The West Wing), while a control group watched The Big Bang Theory, a non-political show. Results show that those who perceive House of Cards to be realistic became more cynical. There is also evidence of a decline in cynicism among participants who perceive The West Wing to be realistic.