A Spin-Orbit Alignment for the Hot Jupiter HATS-3b

We have measured the alignment between the orbit of HATS-3b (a recently discovered, slightly inflated Hot Jupiter) and the spin-axis of its host star. Data were obtained using the CYCLOPS2 optical-fiber bundle and its simultaneous calibration system feeding the UCLES spectrograph on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. The sky-projected spin-orbit angle of $\lambda = 3\pm25^{\circ}$ was determined from spectroscopic measurements of Rossiter-McLaughlin effect. This is the first exoplanet discovered through the HATSouth transit survey to have its spin-orbit angle measured. Our results indicate that the orbital plane of HATS-3b is consistent with being aligned to the spin axis of its host star. The low obliquity of the HATS-3 system, which has a relatively hot mid F-type host star, agrees with the general trend observed for Hot Jupiter host stars with effective temperatures $>6250$K to have randomly distributed spin-orbit angles.Comment: 13 pages. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Ray methods for free boundary problems

We discuss the use of the WKB ansatz in a variety of parabolic problems involving a small parameter. We analyse the Stefan problem for small latent heat, the Black–Scholes problem for an American put option, and some nonlinear diffusion equations, in each case constructing an asymptotic solution by the use of ray methods

A neural network version of the measure correlate predict algorithm for estimating wind energy yield.

A neural network version of the measure correlate predict algorithm for estimating wind energy yiel

Housing first, neighborhood second? : the role of housing and neighborhood characteristics on residential stability in two housing first projects.

This study examined the impacts of neighborhood and housing type on housing stability for formerly homeless individuals participating in Housing First projects in Louisville, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, Ohio. Both projects operate similarly except that the Louisville project has only scattered-site housing while the Cincinnati project has both project-based and scattered-site housing. The first chapter presents five key research questions that frame the study. Chapter 2 reviews literature on homelessness and policies to address this urban problem with a specific emphasis on Housing First. Chapter 3 proposes qualitative and quantitative methods for answering the proposed research questions. Chapter 4 summarizes findings from interviews with staff and participants at both projects. Staff identified tradeoffs between the two housing types, often stating that the best fit depended on the individual participant. Participants placed high value on housing amenities, access to transportation and services, and neighborhood safety, but expressed mixed reviews as to how their housing ranked in terms of these criteria. While staff and participants alike felt that neighborhood was important, most agreed that other factors such as access to services and personal determination were more crucial to success in the program. Chapter 5 describes how GIS was used to merge administrative records, census data, and other demographic data to map various characteristics of the census tracts in which participants live. These maps demonstrate that participants in both cities tended to live in less affluent, more urban, and more crime ridden tracts compared to other tracts in their cities. This was especially true for Cincinnati’s project-based participants. Chapter 6 discusses how this data was used to construct binary logistic and survival models to determine whether neighborhood affected the likelihood of participants remaining in housing. Both analysis methods demonstrated that it was personal attributes, rather than neighborhood, that significantly increased the likelihood of being forcibly exited from a placement. However, higher quality neighborhoods were found to decrease the odds of a participant moving due to other reasons such as dissatisfaction with housing. Chapter 7 concludes this work with a discussion of how this research can guide future consideration for Housing First policy and research

Cardiomyocyte morphology following severe spinal cord contusion in rodents.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is typically a traumatic event that impacts a patient\u27s physical, psychological, and social well-being by damaging motor and sensory neurons and altering autonomic function leading to cardiac remodeling (42). Spinal cord injuries are based on a scale of severity, with severe, high-level lesions strongly correlating to the degree of cardiovascular dysfunction. (30)(37)(41). The decline in cardiovascular function is prevalent after high thoracic SCI, with patients suffering from daily bouts of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and autonomic dysreflexia (AD), both of which prevent and delay rehabilitation efforts and lessen quality of life after injury (28)(30). Past studies have demonstrated robust cardiomyocyte remodeling and subsequent cardiovascular demise in completely transected rodent models of SCI (42)(43). This study provides more insight into the incidence of cardiomyocyte remodeling and LV atrophy following clinically-relevant thoracic vertebra, T2, contusions in rodents

New Estimates of the Effects of Minimum Wages in the U.S. Retail Trade Sector

This paper examines the impact of minimum wages on earnings and employment in selected branches of the retail-trade sector, 1990-2005, using county-level data on employment and a panel regression framework that allows for county-specific trends in sectoral outcomes. We focus on particular subsectors within retail trade that are identified as particularly low-wage. We find little evidence of disemployment effects once we allow for geographic-specific trends. Rather, in many sectors the evidence suggests modest (but robust) positive employment effects. One explanation we consider for these ‘perverse’ effects is that minimum wages may have significant influences on product demand shifts.border county analysis, spatial trends, county-level data, wages and employment, minimum wages, unions, right-to-work states

Minimum Wage Increases in a Soft U.S. Economy

Do apparently large minimum wage increases in an environment of straightened economic circumstances produce clearer evidence of disemployment effects than is typically reported in the new economics of the minimum wage? The present paper augments the sparse literature covering the very latest increases in the U.S. minimum wage, using three different data sets and the principal estimation strategies for handling geographically-disparate trends. Despite the seemingly more favorable milieu for identifying displacement effects, and although our treatment calls into question one well-received estimation strategy, our preferred specification generally fails to support a finding of negative employment effects. That is to say, minimum-wage workers are apparently concentrated in sectors of the economy for which the labor demand response to statutory wage hikes is minimal. Popular concern with a “recessionary multiplier” thus seems overdone.Minimum wages, Disemployment, Earnings, Low-wage sectors, Geographically-disparate employment trends, Recession

The Effect of Minimum Wages on Labor Market Outcomes: County-Level Estimates from the Restaurant-and-Bar Sector

We use county-level data on employment and earnings in the restaurant-and-bar sector to evaluate the impact of minimum wage changes on low-wage labor markets. Our empirical approach is similar to the literature that has used state-level panel data to estimate minimum-wage impacts, with the difference that we focus on a particular sector rather than demographic group. Our estimated models are consistent with a simple competitive model of the restaurant-and-bar labor market in which supply-and-demand factors affect both the equilibrium outcome and the probability that a minimum wage will be binding in any given time period. Our evidence does not suggest that minimum wages reduce employment in the overall restaurant-and-bar sector, after controls for trends in sector employment at the county level are incorporated in the model. Employment in this sector appears to exhibit a downward long-term trend in states that have increased their minimum wages relative to states that have not, thereby predisposing fixed-effects estimates towards finding negative employment effects.

The Effect of Minimum Wages on Wages and Employment: County-Level Estimates for the United States

We use county-level data on employment and earnings in the restaurant-and-bar sector to evaluate the impact of minimum wage changes on low-wage labor markets. Our empirical approach is similar to the literature that has used state-level panel data to estimate minimum-wage impacts, with the difference that we focus on a particular sector rather than demographic group. Our estimated models are consistent with a simple competitive model of the restaurant-and-bar labor market in which supply-and-demand factors affect both the equilibrium outcome and the probability that a minimum wage will be binding in any given time period. Our evidence does not suggest that minimum wages reduce employment in the overall restaurant-and-bar sector, after controls for trends in sector employment at the county level are incorporated in the model. Employment in this sector appears to exhibit a downward long-term trend in states that have increased their minimum wages relative to states that have not, thereby predisposing fixed-effects estimates towards finding negative employment effects.county-level data, wages and employment, minimum wages, spatial trends

The Effects of a Guided Imagery Intervention on the Working Memory of Primary Aged Students

Many practitioners view working memory as the temporary capacity to store and manipulate information. Current findings suggest a developmental trajectory of working memory and other executive functions. Limited research has been effective in improving working memory using short term methods; however, recent findings suggest guided imagery and mindfulness meditation improves working memory in children. This study examined whether or not a 30 day guided imagery intervention affected the working memory of students in the primary grades of an elementary school. Participants from a sample of convenience were randomly assigned to a guided imagery intervention (n = 12) or to a waitlist control group (n = 12) and received the intervention following the 30 day implementation. Pretest and post test data determined no interaction between the groups and pretest and posttest measures following interaction. Qualitative data from teacher reports note growth in the ability to complete tasks independently and following multistep directions. The study supports the feasibility of using a time limited guided imagery intervention with younger students during the school day to foster classroom climate and student mood. Study design elements hampered determining the impact of the guided imagery intervention on working memory and executive functioning. Additional studies may demonstrate these effects