Traffic Stop Practices of the Iowa City Police Department: January 1 – December 31, 2002

This report summarizes the findings of a study conducted using data collected by the Iowa City Police Department between January 1 and December 31, 2002. These data resulted from 13,459 interactions between law enforcement officers and citizens during traffic-related contacts. Information was collected about the driver, the officer, and the stop event. Driver demographics included race, sex, age, residency, and vehicle registration. The only information collected about the officer was officer badge number. Finally, data collected about the stop event include the date, time of day, reason for stop, search, property seized, force, and outcome of the stop. Data analysis was conducted with the aid of SPSS-11.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Analyses were conducted on two levels. First, descriptive analysis, using percentages, summarized stop patterns, stop characteristics, and driver demographics. Second, a program called “chisquare automatic interaction detector” or CHAID was used to evaluate the variables in terms of their relationships with one another (multivariate analysis). The greatest percentage of stops was made in the month of March (10.1%), with the fewest in June and December (6.9%). Interestingly, nearly 32% of stops occurred between midnight and 3am, with the third shift (11pm-7am) responsible for the greatest percentage (44.2%). Stopped drivers were mostly White (84%), male (63%), young (median age of 23), Iowa City residents (62%), with Iowa vehicle registrations (88%). Drivers were mainly stopped for moving violations (70%), were not searched (96%), and were released with a warning (58%). Descriptive statistics are included for a general view of the stop event and characteristics. Multivariate CHAID analyses were conducted to make inferences about the relationships among variables. CHAID segments the sample of traffic stops and reveals the interrelationship between the potential predictors and the events involved in the stop. The CHAID procedure generates a “decision tree” that identifies significant predictors of each decision in question. In effect, the procedure “crossreferences” each event with each potential predictor. Results from CHAID analyses resulted in four events (moving violation, equipment/registration violation, being warned, being arrested) with significant predictors. All four events were significantly related to the age of the driver, although different age groupings surfaced in different stop events. In addition, the sex of the driver (being male) appeared as a second order predictor in being arrested. Race of the driver never appeared as a predictor of any event. These data provide no empirical evidence that the ICPD is systematically engaging in discriminatory stop practices. Stops conducted by the Iowa City Police Department, as a whole, during the study period, do not involve the race of the driver as a significant factor related to events and outcomes. This does not mean, however, that no individual citizen ever experienced discrimination. It is always possible that individual officers may engage in racially biased practices, both in determining which drivers they will or will not stop and in determining what steps to take after the initial contact. To detect discriminatory practices at this level, however, requires constant vigilance by the community, by all the officers within the department, and by the departmental administration. Statistical analysis, while valuable, cannot substitute for community involvement and effective management. The full report notes some minor inconsistencies with the data, provides a discussion of the “baseline dilemma,” makes recommendations for the continued collection of data for future trend analysis, and suggests modifications of the data collection instrument to include more variables and to clarify some possible areas of confusion for officers who are collecting the data

Traffic Stop Practices of the Louisville Police Department: January 15 - December 31, 2001

This report summarizes the findings of a study conducted using data collected by the Louisville Division of Police between January 15, 2001 and December 31, 2001. These data resulted from 48,586 interactions between law enforcement officers and citizens during traffic-related contacts. Information was collected about the driver, the officer, and the stop event. Driver demographics included race, sex, age, residency, license number, and vehicle registration. The only information collected about the officer was officer badge number. Finally, data collected about the stop event include the date, time of day, reason for stop, activities during the stop, number of passengers, and stop outcome. Data analysis was conducted with the aid of SPSS-11.0 (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Analyses were conducted on two levels. First, descriptive analysis, using percentages, summarized stop patterns, stop characteristics, and driver demographics. This information is useful only to describe the existing state of affairs (what is), but not to explain them (why) or to formulate predictions about future events (what if). To address the complex relationships that exist among different variables, a program called chi-square automatic interaction detector or CHAID was used to evaluate the variables in terms of their relationships with one another (multivariate analysis). Temporally, it was not feasible to determine which month was the most active given several problems with the data on this variable. The most active time of day for stops was between 5-6pm, with 7.4% of all stops, followed by the time period from 4-5pm with 6.7% of all stops. Overall, the 2nd shift (3-11pm) was the most active, with 46% of all stops, followed by the 3rd shift (30%), and the 1st shift (24%). Stopped drivers were mostly white (64%), male (70%), between 24 and 40 years old (46%), and Louisville residents (63%). Drivers were mainly stopped for penal code violations (67%), were checked for outstanding warrants (78%), were not searched (84%), and were issued citations (67%). Drivers who were searched (17%) were searched incident to arrest (52%), and by consent (40%). About 1 in 5 searches (19%) were because of the odor of drugs or alcohol. Contraband was discovered in 31% of searches. In cases where there was a search and contraband was discovered, 74% resulted in an arrest. The descriptive analysis indicated some slight percentage differences among the races in certain events (e.g., stopped for equipment/registration violations). These percentage differences, however, cannot be used to infer correlation or causation (racial profiling). To make these types of inferences, multivariate analyses using CHAID were conducted. CHAID segments the sample of traffic stops and reveals the interrelationship between the potential predictors and the events involved in the stop. The CHAID procedure generates a decision tree that identifies significant predictors of each decision in question. In effect, the procedure cross-references each event with each potential predictor. Results from CHAID analyses resulted in five events (violation of the penal code, being asked to exit, being searched, being subject to a warrant check, and being arrested) with significant predictors. Being stopped for a penal code violation was significantly related to the race of the driver; other persons of color (72%) and whites (69%) were most likely to be stopped for this reason. Age, however, had a strong interactive effect with race. Being asked to exit, being searched, being subject to a warrant check, and being arrested all were predicted by being stopped for a misdemeanor. Driver sex also surfaced as a predictor in some situations. These data provide no empirical evidence that the LPD is systematically engaging in discriminatory stop practices. In general, stops conducted by the department, as a whole, during the study period, do not involve the race of the driver as a significant factor related to events and outcomes. The only exception to this involves stops for penal code violations, where other persons of color and whites were most likely stopped for this reason. These types of stops involve fairly low levels of officer discretion given that penal code violations are more serious than other reasons for which a driver might be stopped. This does not mean, however, that no individual citizen ever experienced discrimination. It is always possible that individual officers may engage in racially biased practices, both in determining which drivers they will or will not stop and in determining what steps to take after the initial contact. To detect discriminatory practices at this level, however, requires constant vigilance by the community, by all the officers within the department, and by the departmental administration. Statistical analysis, while valuable, cannot substitute for community involvement and effective management. The full report provides a discussion of the baseline dilemmaand makes recommendations for continued study to obtain a full year of data

A model of fasciculation and sorting in mixed populations of axons

We extend a recently proposed model (Chaudhuri et al., EPL 87, 20003 (2009)) aiming to describe the formation of fascicles of axons during neural development. The growing axons are represented as paths of interacting directed random walkers in two spatial dimensions. To mimic turnover of axons, whole paths are removed and new walkers are injected with specified rates. In the simplest version of the model, we use strongly adhesive short-range inter-axon interactions that are identical for all pairs of axons. We generalize the model to adhesive interactions of finite strengths and to multiple types of axons with type-specific interactions. The dynamic steady state is characterized by the position-dependent distribution of fascicle sizes. With distance in the direction of axon growth, the mean fascicle size and emergent time scales grow monotonically, while the degree of sorting of fascicles by axon type has a maximum at a finite distance. To understand the emergence of slow time scales, we develop an analytical framework to analyze the interaction between neighboring fascicles.Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures; version accepted for publication in Phys Rev

In Vivo Evaluation of (-)-Zampanolide Demonstrates Potent and Persistent Antitumor Efficacy When Targeted to the Tumor Site.

Microtubule-stabilizing agents (MSAs) are a class of compounds used in the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a subtype of breast cancer where chemotherapy remains the standard-of-care for patients. Taxanes like paclitaxel and docetaxel have demonstrated efficacy against TNBC in the clinic, however new classes of MSAs need to be identified due to the rise of taxane resistance in patients. (-)-Zampanolide is a covalent microtubule stabilizer that can circumvent taxane resistance in vitro but has not been evaluated for in vivo antitumor efficacy. Here, we determine that (-)-zampanolide has similar potency and efficacy to paclitaxel in TNBC cell lines, but is significantly more persistent due to its covalent binding. We also provide the first reported in vivo antitumor evaluation of (-)-zampanolide where we determine that it has potent and persistent antitumor efficacy when delivered intratumorally. Future work on zampanolide to further evaluate its pharmacophore and determine ways to improve its systemic therapeutic window would make this compound a potential candidate for clinical development through its ability to circumvent taxane-resistance mechanisms

Influence of Strong Acid Hydrolysis Processing on the Thermal Stability and Crystallinity of Cellulose Isolated from Wheat Straw

Cellulose extractions from wheat straw via hydrochloric, nitric, and sulfuric acid hydrolysis methods were carried out. X-ray diffraction spectral analyses reveal that depending on the acid conditions used the structure of the cellulose exhibited a mixture of polymorphs (i.e., CI and CIII cellulose phases). In addition, the percent crystallinity, diameter, and length of the cellulose fibers varied tremendously as determined by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal gravimetric analysis measurements revealed that the thermal stability of the extracted cellulose varied as a function of the acid strength and conditions used. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that the aggregation of cellulose fibers during the drying process is strongly dependent upon the drying process and strength of the acids used

REVIEW: Life-cycle, total-industry genetic improvement of feed efficiency in beef cattle: Blueprint for the Beef Improvement Federation

On a life-cycle basis, beef animals are able to consume large amounts of low-cost, low-quality forages relative to higher-cost concentrates compared with pigs and chickens. However, of the 3, beef is still more expensive to produce on a cost–per–edible pound basis. Accordingly, there is need for genetic programs and management changes that will improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of beef production. Options include improving reproductive rate, reducing feed used for maintenance, or both, while not reducing output. A goal for improving efficiency of feed utilization is to reduce the amount or proportion of feed used for maintenance. Such reduction is a target for genetic improvement, but such a goal does not include defining a single measure of efficiency. A single efficiency measure would likely lead to single-trait selection and not account for any potentially antagonistic effects on other production characteristics. Because we are not able to explain all variation in individual-animal intake from only knowledge of BW maintained and level of production, measuring feed intake is necessary. Therefore, our recommendation is that national cattle evaluation systems analyze feed intake as an economically relevant trait with incorporation of appropriate indicator traits for an EPD for feed intake requirements that could then be used in a multiple-trait setting such as in a selection index. With improvements in technology for measurement of feed intake, individual measures of feed intake should continually be collected to facilitate development of genetic predictors that enhance accuracy of prediction of progeny differences in national cattle evaluations

Consumption of cocoa flavanols results in acute improvements in mood and cognitive performance during sustained mental effort

Cocoa flavanols (CF) positively influence physiological processes in ways that suggest their consumption may improve aspects of cognitive function. This study investigated the acute cognitive and subjective effects of CF consumption during sustained mental demand. In this randomized, controlled, double-blinded, balanced, three period crossover trial 30 healthy adults consumed drinks containing 520 mg, 994 mg CF and a matched control, with a three-day washout between drinks. Assessments included the state anxiety inventory and repeated 10-min cycles of a Cognitive Demand Battery comprising of two serial subtraction tasks (Serial Threes and Serial Sevens), a Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) task and a mental fatigue scale, over the course of 1 h. Consumption of both 520 mg and 994 mg CF significantly improved Serial Threes performance. The 994 mg CF beverage significantly speeded RVIP responses but also resulted in more errors during Serial Sevens. Increases in self-reported mental fatigue were significantly attenuated by the consumption of the 520 mg CF beverage only. This is the first report of acute cognitive improvements following CF consumption in healthy adults. While the mechanisms underlying the effects are unknown they may be related to known effects of CF on endothelial function and blood flow

Periadolescent ethanol vapor exposure persistently reduces measures of hippocampal neurogenesis that are associated with behavioral outcomes in adulthood

Excessive alcohol consumption is prevalent among adolescents and may result in lasting neurobehavioral consequences. The use of animal models to study adolescent alcohol exposure has the advantage of allowing for the control necessary in order to evaluate the effects of ethanol on the brain and separate such effects from genetic background and other environmental insults. In the present study the effects of moderate ethanol vapor exposure, during adolescence, on measures of neurogenesis and behavioral measures were evaluated at two different times following ethanol withdrawal, in adulthood. The two groups of Wistar rats were both exposed to intermittent ethanol vapor (14 hrs on/10 hrs off/day) for 35–36 days from PD 23-PD 58 (average blood ethanol concentration (BEC): 163 mg%). In the first group, after rats were withdrawal from vapor they were subsequently assessed for locomotor activity, conflict behavior in the open field, and behaviors in the forced swim test and then sacrificed at 72 days of age. The second group of rats were withdrawn from vapor and injected for 5 days with Bromo-deoxy-Uridine (BrdU). Over the next 8 weeks they were also assessed for locomotor activity, conflict behavior in the open field, and behaviors in the forced swim test and then sacrificed at 113/114 days of age. All rats were perfused for histochemical analyses. Ethanol vapor exposed rats displayed hypoactivity in tests of locomotion and less anxiety-like and/or more “disinhibitory” behavior in the open field conflict. Quantitative analyses of immunoreactivity revealed a significant reduction in measures of neurogenesis, progenitor proliferation, as indexed by doublecortin (DCX), Ki67, and increased markers of cell death as indexed by cleaved caspase-3, and Fluoro-Jade at 72 days, and decreases in doublecortin (DCX), and increases in cleaved caspase-3 at 114 days in the ethanol vapor exposed rats. Progenitor survival, as assessed by BrdU+, was reduced in the vapor exposed animals that were sacrificed at 114 days. The reduction seen in DCX labeled in cell counts was significantly correlated with hypoactivity at 24 hours after withdrawal as well as less anxiety-like and/or more “disinhibitory” behavior in the open field conflict test at 2 and 8 weeks following termination of vapor exposure. These studies demonstrate that behavioral measures of disinhibitory behavior correlated with decreases in neurogenesis are all significantly and persistently impacted by periadolescent ethanol exposure and withdrawal in Wistar rats