Race,ethnicity, and child maltreatment: An empirical analysis

Using central registry data for Texas for 1975–1977 of validated cases of abuse and of neglect, a study was conducted to investigate empirically the relationship of child maltreatment to ethnicity, addressing methodological issues that merit consideration in such studies.The ethnic composition of the at-risk population was 61% Anglos, 15% Blacks, and 24% Mexican-Americans. The annual rates for all abuse and neglect were 2.87, 3.17, and 3.94 per 1,000 under 18 population for Anglos, Mexican-Americans, and Blacks, respectively. Abuse was more predominant among Anglos, accounting for 33.5% of the validated cases of maltreatment, than among Mexican-Americans and Blacks, accounting for 25.2% and 29.4% of the maltreatment, respectively. Neglect was the major dynamic of maltreatment for Mexican-Americans and Blacks, accounting for 65.6% and 61.2% of the maltreatment, respectively, with Anglos having 55.4% of the maltreatment due to neglect. These relationships were not altered when rural-urban differences were taken into consideration.     

The perception of women engineers in the construction industry in Palestine

The industrial and occupational distribution of women is such that women are concentrated predominately in a few occupations, mostly in the service sector, such as banking, finance, insurance, public administration, hotel, and catering. Men and women are equal in their capabilities in almost every respect, provided that women are given the same opportunities as men for training, employment, and promotion. There is a lack of research studies on women in the construction industry; therefore this field needs special consideration. The purpose of the current study is to find out working conditions of the Palestinian women civil and architect engineers in the construction industry in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. In addition, it attempts to examine their career prospects and to understand problems experienced by these women throughout their academic years as well as in their careers. Discrimination against women is still present in today's construction industry as well as in other traditional engineering cultures. In order to minimise or cope with this problem, attitudinal change by both men and women is strongly suggested.     

Development of oral reading fluency in children with speech or language impairments: a growth curve analysis

This longitudinal study used piece-wise growth curve analyses to examine growth patterns in oral reading fluency for 1,991 students with speech impairments (SI) or language impairments (LI) from first through third grade. The main finding of this study was that a diagnosis of SI or LI can have a detrimental and persistent effect on early reading skills. Results indicated differences between subgroups in growth trajectories that were evident in first grade. A large proportion of students with SI or LI did not meet grade-level reading fluency benchmarks. Overall students with SI showed better performance than students with LI. Reading fluency performance was negatively related to the persistence of the SI or LI; the lowest performing students were those originally identified with SI or LI whose diagnosis changed to a learning disability. The results underscore the need to identify, monitor, and address reading fluency difficulties early among students with SI or LI.     

Mechanical determinants of acceleration and maximal sprinting speed in highly trained young soccer players

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to examine, in highly trained young soccer players, the mechanical horizontal determinants of acceleration (Acc) and maximal sprinting speed (MSS). Eighty-six players (14.1 ± 2.4 year) performed a 40-m sprint to assess Acc and MSS. Speed was measured with a 100-Hz radar, and theoretical maximal velocity (V₀), horizontal force (F₀) and horizontal power (P_max) were calculated. Within each age group, players were classified as high Acc/fast MSS (>2% faster than group mean), medium (between ?2% and +2%), and low/slow (>2% slower). Acc and MSS were very largely correlated (?0.79; 90% confidence limit [?0.85; ?0.71]). The determinants (multiple regression r² = 0.84 [0.78; 0.89]) of Acc were V₀ (partial r: 0.80 [0.72; 0.86]) and F₀ (0.57 [0.44; 0.68]); those of MSS (r² = 0.96 [0.94; 0.97]) were V₀ (0.96 [0.94; 0.97]) and P_max (0.73 [0.63; ?0.80]). High/Med have likely greater F₀ (Cohen’s d: +0.8 [0.0; 1.5]), V₀ (+0.6 [?0.1; 1.3]) and P_max (+0.9 [0.2; 1.7]) than Low/Med. High/Fast have an almost certainly faster V₀ (+2.1 [1.5; 2.7]) and a likely greater P_max (+0.6 [?0.1; 1.3]) than High/Med, with no clear differences in F₀ (?0.0 [?0.7; 0.6]). Speed may be a generic quality, but the mechanical horizontal determinants of Acc and MSS differ. While maximal speed training may improve both Acc and MSS, improving horizontal force production capability may be efficient to enhance sprinting performance over short distances.     

Anonymous Communication Policies for the Internet: Results and Recommendations of the AAAS Conference

The Internet offers new opportunities for anonymous and pseudonymous communications. Users can, for example, engage in political advocacy, receive counseling, and perform commercial transactions without disclosing their identities. The cloak of anonymity can also facilitate socially unacceptable or criminal activities because of the difficulty in holding anonymous users accountable. This article reports the results of a conference on anonymous communication organized by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Among the findings were that online anonymous communication is morally neutral; that it should be considered a strong human and constitutional right; that online communities should be allowed to set their own policies on the use of anonymous communication; and that individuals should be informed about the extent to which their identity is disclosed online. The article discusses how anonymous communications can be shaped by the law, education, and public awareness, and highlights the importance of involving all affected interests in policy development.     

H2 and H∞ optimal model reduction using genetic algorithms

The mathematical modeling of most physical systems, such as aerospace systems, heat processes, telecommunication systems, transmission lines and chemical reactors, results in complex high order models. The complexity of the models imposes a lot of difficulties in analysis, simulation and control designs. Several analytical model reduction techniques have been proposed in literature over the past few decades to reduce these difficulties. However, most of the optimal techniques follow computationally demanding, time consuming, iterative procedures that usually result in non-robustly stable models with poor frequency response resemblance to the original high order model in some frequency ranges. Genetic Algorithm (GA) has proved to be an excellent optimization tool in the past few years. Therefore, the aim of this paper will be to use GA to solve H₂ and H_∞ norm model reduction problems, and help obtain globally optimized nominal models.     

A Performance Approach to Job Analysis

When we think of conducting analyses with a performance view, we commonly lean toward tools like front end analysis, needs assessment, performance analysis, and several variations. Usually, this starts because of a performance problem or because of an anticipated new performance. What about existing training? We look to training evaluation in its various levels to determine whether people like it, learn from it, transfer it, and whether the organization is benefiting from it. This paper describes a scenario where existing training was occurring, people suspected it could be more efficient, and yet the individuals' performance was for the most part satisfactory. We wanted to determine where the training could be made more efficient, determine if there were other barriers to performance, and do this with valid and reliable data from a large workforce. The Coast Guard's Performance Technology Center was in its infancy and was given the permission to try out alternative methods of conducting its work. This article describes the lessons learned about the process, about the technologies employed, and even the logistics of carrying out a rather large‐scale effort in minimal time.