Status of e-Government in Georgia

As e-commerce facilitated the movement of businesses from bricks and mortar interfaces, Internet and communication technology are moving e-govemment to a point where all citizens will be able to access government services in their homes. This paper reports the status of e-government in Georgia (USA), with particular attention to stages of e-government development in the state. Currently, only 51 percent of counties in Georgia have official e-government web sites. Generally, rural counties have not developed their official e-government web sites as much as have counties in metropolitan areas

Neural Synchrony in the Zebra Finch Brain

I am interested in discovering the role of field potential oscillations in producing synchrony within the song system of the male zebra finch brain. An important function attributed to neural synchrony is sensorimotor integration. In the production of birdsong, sensorimotor integration is crucial, as auditory feedback is necessary for the maintenance of the song. A cortical-thalamic-cortical feedback loop is thought to play a role in the integration of auditory and motor information for the purpose of producing song. Synchronous activity has been observed between at least two nuclei in this feedback loop, MMAN and HVC. Since low frequency field potential oscillations have been shown to play a role in the synchronization of nuclei within the brain of other model animals, I hypothesized that this may be the case in the zebra finch song system. In order to investigate whether oscillatory activity is a mechanism behind the synchronous activity observed between HVC and MMAN, I performed dual extracellular recordings of neural activity within the zebra finch song system. Results suggest that oscillations are likely not involved in the synchrony observed in these nuclei. Future study may reveal that the structure of the feedback loop is necessary, and possibly even sufficient, for the synchronous activity in the zebra finch song system

A Cultural Resource Survey of the Lower Greens Bayou Detention Embankment Project, Harris County, Texas

In May of 2017, Moore Archeological Consulting, Inc. conducted an intensive pedestrian survey for the proposed improvements to the earthen embankment and control structure on the Lower Greens Bayou Regional Detention Facility in northeast Harris County, Texas. The project is located south of North Houston Parkway, extending south to 0.81 kilometers (km) (0.5 miles [mi.]) north of Tidwell Road, just west of Jon Ralston Road. It can be found on the Jacinto City (299515) and Harmaston quadrangles (299507) [see attached figures]. The proposed project involves improvements to an existing access road that traverses along the crest of the embankment, installation of additional riprap for bank stabilization on the upstream end of the spillway, improvements at three existing culvert sites, and mechanical vegetation clearing along the toe of the existing dam. The Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) owns the right-of-way (ROW) of the proposed project area, which measures 6.43 km (4.0 mi.) in length and 60.96 meters (m) (200 feet [ft.]) in width. The project area in which construction will take place is comprised of the entire length of the embankment as well as an area that will be cleared to both sides of the structure starting at the toe of the existing embankment. This cleared area will be either 4.5 m (15 ft.) or 15.25 m (50 ft.) from the toe depending on locale with the wider area being limited to the spillway structure and immediately adjacent. The area examined as a result of the archeological investigation was roughly 15 acres. The depth of impact is anticipated to only affect the surface area surrounding the rim of the embankment; it is possible that construction disturbance may be 20-50 centimeters below surface (cmbs.). This depth could be culturally significant in certain locales such as existing pimple mounds that may be within the proposed project corridor. The objectives of the archeological investigation were to locate and identify cultural materials, sites, or historic properties within the proposed impact area, and to prepare management recommendations regarding any identified resources. The investigations (MAC PN 17-13 and 17-25) were conducted for Halff and Associates, Inc. and HCFCD (Project ID P500-01-00-E001) under Texas Antiquities Permit Number 8021. The intensive pedestrian field survey included both surface and subsurface (shovel test) examination (Figures 6 and 7; see Appendix 1 for details). A total of 175 shovel tests were excavated. Two temporary sites (TS1 and TS2) were initially recorded, but after additional shovel testing were determined to be a isolated object (TS1) and a modern household waste site most likely associated with local dumping (TS2). All artifacts from both sites were recorded in the field and reburied or replaced on the surface as per the approved collection policy. The field investigations were conducted by project archeologist Rachel Goings and field technicians Tom Nuckols, Michael Hogan, Alejandro Castillo, Nathan Palmer, and Paul Cochran. Douglas Mangum served as the projects’ principal investigator

Racial Integration in One Cumberland Presbyterian Congregation: Intentionality and Reflection in Small Group

Negative attitudes toward racial minorities and consequent maltreatment of non-Whites continue to be a crisis in America. The crisis of racism is still realized in phenomena such as residential segregation (Bonilla-Silva, 2014), health disparities (Chae, Nuru-Jeter, & Adler, 2012; Chae, Nuru-Jeter, Francis, & Lincoln, 2011), and in the not-so-uncommon unjust arrests and imprisonment of persons of color (Alexander, 2012). Improvement in race relations through the development of meaningful cross racial relationships in racially integrated settings is one avenue that may lead to reduction of racism (E. Anderson, 2010; Fischer, 2011; Massey & Denton, 1993). Christian congregations are common settings in America, and Christian teachings are primary sources of Western ethics and moral values. Historically, Christian practices have affected American attitudes such as with regard to elder care, have influenced legislation such as child labor laws, and have even swayed the contents of the United States constitution. Yet, racial segregation has been the norm in Christian congregations from the end of American slavery until today. Since there may be a relationship between the persistence of segregation in Christian congregations and the persistence of racism in America, racial integration in Christian congregations may impact racial attitudes and relationships. Using Participatory Action Research, this study explored ways to improve racial integration and race relations in Christian congregations. This study utilized volunteers in a 30-day exploration of racial integration in a congregation, a small church in one of the two Cumberland Presbyterian denominations. Data from observations, interviews, racially integrated events, reflection sessions, and participant journaling were collected and analyzed. Intentionality in racial integration in one congregation resulted in cumulative positive change, at times difficult and incremental. Findings revealed that adaptive, proactive leadership enabled cross racial dialogue leading to increases in transformative relations and learning. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA: Antioch University Repository and Archive, http://aura.antioch.edu/, and OhioLINK ETD Center, http://etd.ohiolink.edu/et

Attachment and first sexual experience

This investigation examined the relationship between first sexual experience and attachment tendencies. Subjects\u27 first sexual experiences were examined as a function of Bartholomew\u27s four attachment categories: secure, fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing (Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991). It was hypothesized that if a person\u27s first sexual experience was negative, then he or she would score significantly lower on the secure attachment subscale. Results indicated (a) that college females who had a fearful attachment style were more likely to report that their first sexual partner pressured them into sex, b) that college females who were more dismissing in their attachment style were less likely to have pressured their first sexual partner into sex, and c) that college students who were more fearful in their attachment style were more likely to report having been manipulated into sex by their first sexual partners. The discussion focuses on discrepancies within the study and suggests considerations for future studies

Using a collaborative inquiry process and data to affect curriculum in an independent school

Literature clearly supports the use of data to support and drive school policy. Data can be immensely informative; however test scores are not the sole indicator of school effectiveness. To successfully implement a plan for data use, it is imperative to a provide climate of teacher buy-in and collaboration. Multiple sources of data should be considered collectively prior to making any judgment(s) about students, teachers, curriculum, or schools. Data use for effective decision-making is an on-going process that requires strategic planning and a long-term commitment. Over the past year, I have led the math department through a modified version of the steps identified in the “Using Data Project”, which piloted and field tested the “Using Data Process of Collaborative Inquiry”. As part of this project, one of the primary data sources we utilized was the ERB standardized test data from 5th through 8th grade tests, which are taken at the end of the school year. I will show how my school successfully implemented a collaborative inquiry process to inform classroom and curriculum decisions in mathematics. The collaborative inquiry process at The Dunham School had the following aspects: 1) high-quality, extensive data; 2) the collaborative team involved most of the math department on a regular basis; 3) standards were used extensively; 4) scheduled times and tasks were necessary; 5) this project fit the environment, served our recognized needs and had administrative involvement (including awareness, input, oversight, and expectations of deliverables)

Attacks intended to seriously harm and co-occurring drug use among youth in the United States

BACKGROUND: While it is known that substance use and violence co-occur, less is understood in terms of how this relationship might vary based on the degree of youth involvement in violence. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to examine the prevalence and degree that substance use disorders (SUD) and related intrapersonal and contextual factors were associated with violent attacks. METHOD: Repeated cross-sectional data from a population-based study (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) of youth ages 12–17 (n = 216,852) in the United States between 2002 and 2013 were pooled to increase the analytic sample size. Survey multinomial regression was used to examine psychosocial and substance use differences between youth reporting episodic (1–2 times, n = 13,091; 5.84%) and repeated violent attacks (3+ times, n = 1,819; 0.83%) in contrast with youth reporting no attacks. Additional analyses examined the association of sociodemographic, intrapersonal, and contextual factors with SUD among youth reporting violent attacks. RESULTS: The prevalence of SUD among youth with no attacks was 6% compared to 22% among episodic and 36% among repeatedly violent youth. Violence-involved youth were substantially more likely to experience elevated sensation-seeking, easy drug access, and recent drug offers and less likely to benefit from religiosity and protective substance use beliefs. CONCLUSIONS/IMPORTANCE: Findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between the various gradations of violence among youth in understanding the relationship between substance use and violence, and shed light on the intrapersonal and contextual factors that can help identify violent youth at greatest risk for substance use problems

An Archeological Investigation Of The Proposed North Harris County Regional Water Authority Project 28E-2, Harris County, Texas

On July 24, 2017, Moore Archeological Consulting, Inc. of Houston, Texas conducted an intensive, linear cultural resource survey of the proposed 12-inch water line between Grant Road and the Lake Forest UD Water Plant #3 in Harris County, Texas. The overall proposed Project Area is approximately 550 meters in length. The project corridor will involve a 6 meter wide easement with a trench that will not exceed 4.5 m in width. The investigations were conducted under TAC Permit Number 8111 for HVJ Associates (the Client). The results of this survey are subject to review by the Texas Historical Commission, and the client. A total of 11 shovel tests were excavated and an area roughly 1 acre in size was examined. All were negative for cultural resources. Based on the negative findings it is the recommendation of Moore Archeological Consulting that work on the proposed project be permitted to proceed with no further cultural resource investigations