Navigating Into the New Safe Harbor : Model Interest Surveys as a New Tool for Title IX Compliance Programs

The policy debate and the divergent views expressed in the mainstream media have provided little practical advice regarding the Additional Clarification or the Model Survey to the well-intentioned academic institution seeking to comply with Title IX in a cost-effective manner. This Article is intended to be a source of such practical advice. This Article discusses the Additional Clarification from the perspective of the academic institution and seeks to help it evaluate whether to implement the OCR\u27s recommendations, including the Model Survey, as part of its Title IX compliance program. The Article does not engage in the policy debate regarding the Additional Clarification or Title IX enforcement policy generally. Section I of this Article discusses Prong Three from a historical perspective, to place the Additional Clarification in context. Section II summarizes the contributions of the Additional Clarification to the Title IX compliance landscape and explains the OCR\u27s recommendations for using the Model Survey. Section III discusses possible advantages and disadvantages of using the Model Survey. Section IV suggests an approach to using the Model Survey as an ongoing component of a Title IX compliance monitoring program

Generalised analytic queueing network models. The need, creation, development and validation of mathematical and computational tools for the construction of analytic queueing network models capturing more critical system behaviour.

Modelling is an important technique in the comprehension and management of complex systems. Queueing network models capture most relevant information from computer system and network behaviour. The construction and resolution of these models is constrained by many factors. Approximations contain detail lost for exact solution and/or provide results at lower cost than simulation. Information at the resource and interactive command level is gathered with monitors under ULTRIX'. Validation studies indicate central processor service times are highly variable on the system. More pessimistic predictions assuming this variability are in part verified by observation. The utility of the Generalised Exponential (GE) as a distribution parameterised by mean and variance is explored. Small networks of GE service centres can be solved exactly using methods proposed for Generalised Stochastic Petri Nets. For two centre. systems of GE type a new technique simplifying the balance equations is developed. A very efficient "building bglloocbka"l. is presented for exactly solving two centre systems with service or transfer blocking, Bernoulli feedback and load dependent rate, multiple GE servers. In the tandem finite buffer algorithm the building block illustrates problems encountered modelling high variability in blocking networks. ': . _. A parametric validation study is made of approximations for single class closed networks of First-Come-First-Served (FCFS) centres with general service times. The multiserver extension using the building block is validated. Finally the Maximum Entropy approximation is extended to FCFS centres with multiple chains and implemented with computationally efficient convolution

Enhancement of latent fingerprints on fabric using the cyanoacrylate fuming method followed by infrared spectral mapping

A method has been developed for the visualization of latent fingerprints on fabrics, which is based upon cyanoacrylate (superglue) fuming followed by imaging using an infrared microscope. Results show that imaging on smooth, shiny fabrics such as polyester, silk, nylon and acetate of different colors and patterns can give an improvement over existing enhancement methods. Results for cotton and polycotton were less successful and it is thought this may be due a combination of the presence of the carbonyl functional group in these fabrics as well as their absorbency to fingerprint sweat. The carbonyl peak (1700 cm-1) provided the optimum spectroscopic feature to map and image a fingerprint. Comparisons between infrared mapping at a specific frequency range and principal component analysis showed that improved imaging was obtained with principal component analysis

Surveillance Post Surgery for Retroperitoneal Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Complete en bloc surgical resection offers the best opportunity for the cure of primary retroperitoneal sarcomas (RPS). The potential for disease recurrence, in the form of both loco-regional recurrence and distant metastases, underpins the rationale for postoperative surveillance. There is a paucity of high-quality evidence underpinning follow-up for RPS patients, and most practice guidelines draw from expert opinion and evidence from soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities. The available observational retrospective data analysis has failed to demonstrate that high-intensity radiological surveillance improves the overall survival in patients. The lack of a robust evidence base has given rise to variations in approaches to post-operative surveillance strategies adopted by specialist centres managing RPS across the world. More high-quality prospective research is needed and planned to more clearly support surveillance approaches that balance oncologic outcomes, patient-centric care, and health service value. Risk stratification tools exist and are available for use in routine practice. Their use will likely support more individualised post-operative surveillance moving forward. Surveillance will likely be underpinned by serial radiological imaging for the medium term. However, developments in genomics offer hope for biomarkers such as ctDNA to impact patient care positively in the future and further support individualised patient care pathways

Exploration of the risk factors contained within the UK’s existing domestic abuse risk assessment tool (DASH): do these risk factors have individual predictive validity regarding recidivism?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore risk factors contained in the existing UK domestic abuse (DA) risk assessment tool: domestic abuse, stalking and harassment and honour-based violence (DASH) for individual predictive validity of DA recidivism using data from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Design/methodology/approach In total, 1,441 DA perpetrators were monitored over a 12-month period, and 270 (18.7 per cent) went on to commit a further DA offence. The individual risk factors which were associated and predictive of increased risk of recidivism were identified. Findings Only four of the individual risk factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of DA recidivism: “criminal history”, “problems with alcohol”, “separation” and “frightened”. Therefore, 21 of the risk factor items analysed could not discriminate between non-recidivist and recidivist perpetrators. Only two risk factors were able to significantly predict the recidivist group when compared to the non-recidivist group. These were identified as “criminal history” and “separated”. Of those who did commit a further DA offence in the following 12 months, 133 were violent and 137 were non-violent. The risk factors associated with these types of recidivism are identified. Practical implications The implications for UK police practice and the DASH risk assessment tool are discussed. By identifying key individual factors that can prioritise those individuals likely to recidivate and the severity of that recidivism, this could assist police decision making regarding the response and further prevention of DA incidents. The validation of association between individual factors and DA recidivism should improve the accuracy of risk levels. Originality/value This is the first large-scale validation of the individual risk factors contained within the UK’s DA risk assessment tool. It should be noted that the validity of the DASH tool itself was not examined within the current study

The Co-occurrence of Risk Factors for Intra-familial Child Homicides and Suspicious Child Deaths in England and Wales.

This study aimed to examine the co-occurrence of known risk indicators for intra-familial child death, to identify any themes which may exist. Data consisted of 100 child intra-familial deaths recorded by Police forces in England and Wales from 2006-2012. Categorical principal component analysis was used to assess relationships between 10 risk factors for intra-familial child death, resulting in the creation of four risk conditions, representing themes drawn from the literature, ‘abusive and unstable co-parenting’, ‘multiple parent stressors’, ‘parental social issues’ and ‘neglectful parenting’. Implications for police practice and risk management strategies are discussed