Fixing the functoriality of Khovanov homology

We describe a modification of Khovanov homology (math.QA/9908171), in the spirit of Bar-Natan (math.GT/0410495), which makes the theory properly functorial with respect to link cobordisms. This requires introducing `disorientations' in the category of smoothings and abstract cobordisms between them used in Bar-Natan's definition. Disorientations have `seams' separating oppositely oriented regions, coming with a preferred normal direction. The seams satisfy certain relations (just as the underlying cobordisms satisfy relations such as the neck cutting relation). We construct explicit chain maps for the various Reidemeister moves, then prove that the compositions of chain maps associated to each side of each of Carter and Saito's movie moves (MR1238875, MR1445361) always agree. These calculations are greatly simplified by following arguments due to Bar-Natan and Khovanov, which ensure that the two compositions must agree, up to a sign. We set up this argument in our context by proving a result about duality in Khovanov homology, generalising previous results about mirror images of knots to a `local' result about tangles. Along the way, we reproduce Jacobsson's sign table (math.GT/0206303) for the original `unoriented theory', with a few disagreements.Comment: 91 pages. Added David Clark as co-author. Further detail on variations of third Reidemeister moves, to allow treatment of previously missing cases of movie move six. See changelog section for more detai

A Graphophonic Investigation of Beginning Level Texts

This study attempted to provide a systematic framework for phonics instruction for beginning readers in literature-based classrooms based on relative frequency of phoneme-grapheme occurrences found in three distinct corpora. The first corpus contained an academic word list. The second corpus contained the running text from 363 books identified as first grade literature using the searchable online quiz database maintained by Renaissance Learning, Inc. (Renaissance Learning, 2009). The final corpus consisted of running text from 130 decodable readers that accompany Saxon Phonics 1: An Incremental Development (Simmons & Calvert, 2003). Each corpus was analyzed for graphophonic content in order to establish frequency distributions for 190 phoneme-grapheme correspondences. Instructional sequences were established for each corpus according to descending frequencies of the 190 correspondences. The instructional sequences were then statistically compared using a series of Spearman rank order correlations. It was found that a large significant correlation exists between the graphophonic distributions of the academic word list and the running text from first grade literature (rs = .80, p \u3c .05, N = 190), as well as between the running text of first grade literature and the running text from decodable phonics readers (rs = .955, p \u3c .05, N = 190). The conclusions supported by the findings are as follows: (a) an alternate sequence for teaching phoneme-grapheme correspondences is not supported based on frequency alone, (b) reading teachers adhering to an interactive approach to beginning reading instruction could theoretically use either literature or phonics text type to support early reading development, and (c) first graders need to be introduced to more phoneme-grapheme correspondences in order to be successful readers of first grade literature. The implications for practice which stemmed from these conclusions are twofold: (a) the leveling of texts should be fluid rather than stagnant, and (b) if reading development is dependent upon a student‘s ability to practice what has been taught and if the leveling of texts can only be done by human decision rather than by computer calculation, then teachers need expert training in the examination of curricular scope and sequences and matching texts to adopted curricula

Tuning grid storage resources for LHC data analysis

Grid Storage Resource Management (SRM) and local file-system solutions are facing significant challenges to support efficient analysis of the data now being produced at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We compare the performance of different storage technologies at UK grid sites examining the effects of tuning and recent improvements in the I/O patterns of experiment software. Results are presented for both live production systems and technologies not currently in widespread use. Performance is studied using tests, including real LHC data analysis, which can be used to aid sites in deploying or optimising their storage configuration

The diencephalon of the mink. I. The nuclear pattern of the dorsal thalamus

No Abstract.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/49950/1/900950305_ftp.pd

No More “Magic Aprons”: Longitudinal Assessment and Continuous Improvement of Customer Service at the University of North Dakota Libraries

The University of North Dakota (UND) Libraries have developed a multi-award winning Customer Service Program (CSP) involving longitudinal assessment and continuous improvement. The CSP consists of iterative training modules; constant reinforcement of Customer Service Principles with multiple communication strategies and tools, and incentives that boost morale and foster not only compliance, but initiative-taking and innovation. The CSP became a widely adopted part of campus-wide assessment, beyond the libraries. Subsequent presentations at conferences led to multiple requests and implementation at other libraries