Forced Civil Society? Associational Life,Philanthropy, and the Indianapolis Turnerverein in the 1920s

This study uses the case of a German American association in the 1920s as a historical case study to gain a better understanding of the integration of an immigrant group in American society. Philanthropy, membership recruitment tactics, and associational mission are used as analytical categories in the analysis of German Americans’ processes of assimilation against the background of the aftermath of the First World War and Prohibition. Philanthropy and associational membership provide a vantage point for studying dynamics of identity, assimilation, and integration. The study argues that the difficulty of transitioning from a membership of German origin to a membership of second-generation immigrants played a major role in the progressive membership decline of this organization. This study points to challenges of an ethnic-based membership association in maintaining its relevance within an immigrant community in the face major political, social, and economic transformations, while attempting to renew its membership.     

Aqueous Fluid as a Viable Substitute for Vitreous Fluid in Postmortem Chemistry Analysis

Vitreous fluid sampling for postmortem chemistry analysis is discouraged in pediatric forensic cases involving head trauma due to the risk of introducing retinal artifacts. Aqueous fluid is physically separated from the posterior chamber of the eye, and therefore, unlikely to produce vitreal artifact when sampled. Analysis of aqueous fluid is therefore proposed as a substitute for vitreous. Vitreous and aqueous fluid was sampled concurrently from 28 pediatric and 55 adult decedents, and sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), urea nitrogen (UN), creatinine (Cr), and glucose (Glc) concentrations were compared. Significant correlation existed between all analytes regardless of age or postmortem interval, and linear regression equations were derived. Aqueous concentrations were generally higher than vitreous for Na, K, and Cr and were marginally lower for Cl, UN, and Glc. Assuming vitreous fluid as a standard for correlating postmortem chemistry to antemortem serum values, aqueous may be a viable substitute for vitreous when expected differences are considered.     

Wicked Problems, Knowledge Challenges, and Collaborative Capacity Builders in Network Settings

Networks have assumed a place of prominence in the literature on public and private governing structures. The many positive attributes of networks are often featured—the capacity to solve problems, govern shared resources, create learning opportunities, and address shared goals—and a literature focused on the challenges networks pose for managers seeking to realize these network attributes is developing. The authors share an interest in understanding the potential of networks to govern complex public, or "wicked," problems. A fundamental challenge to effectively managing any public problem in a networked setting is the transfer, receipt and integration of knowledge across participants. When knowledge is viewed pragmatically, the challenge is particularly acute. This perspective, the authors argue, presents a challenge to the network literature to consider the mind-set of the managers—or collaborative capacity-builders—who are working to achieve solutions to wicked problems. This mind-set guides network managers as they apply their skills, strategies, and tools in order to foster the transfer, receipt, and integration of knowledge across the network and, ultimately, to build long-term collaborative problem-solving capacity.     

Resolution of Nonmarital Adolescent Pregnancy and the Transition to Adulthood: Educational Attainment and Financial Well-being

This paper compares educational and financial outcomes in early adulthood for four groups of men and women: those who never experienced a nonmarital adolescent pregnancy, those who ended a nonmarital adolescent pregnancy by abortion, those who married or cohabited and became parents in response to an adolescent pregnancy, and those who became parents but did not marry or cohabit following an adolescent pregnancy. The analyses are based on self-reports of 6,074 young men and women who were first surveyed as seventh grade students in Houston, Texas in 1971 and surveyed again between 1980 and 1988. Educational and financial outcomes in adulthood vary significantly depending on the occurrence of a nonmarital adolescent pregnancy, the resolution of nonmarital adolescent pregnancy, and the age at which adolescent pregnancy occurs. Results are discussed in relation to public policies encouraging family formation and educational support and occupational training for teen parents.