Social Capital and Adolescent Student At-Risk Behaviors

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences between six at-risk behaviors of adolescent students in relation to levels of social capital of 9–12 grade students. Data were gathered from the Youth Risk and Protective Factors Survey (YRPFS), administered to ninth through twelfth grade students in a school district located in a medium size midwest city. Factor analysis reduced the 114 questions on Survey A and B to two independent factors. Independent Factor I, Family Social Capital, was the sum of issues pertaining to the parents\u27 educational background, rules at home, and educational expectations for their children. Independent Factor II, School and Community Social Capital, was the sum of issues pertaining to school involvement by parents, the discussions parents had about school with their adolescent, and involvement in community activities. Summated ratings generated six dependent variables of alcohol usage, drug usage, tobacco usage, sexual behaviors, trouble at school, and violence. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to determine the level of difference within the three levels of Family Social Capital and School and Community Social Capital and the dependent variables. A further analysis using a univariate analysis of variance test was conducted to determine if there were significant differences between the dependent at-risk variables and three levels of independent social capital variables. And finally, Bonferroni\u27s post hoc comparisons were conducted for each dependent at-risk variable to determine the level of significant difference between the levels of each independent social capital variable. The attainment of social capital was determined through the relationships students developed with their family, school, and community. At-risk factors to include alcohol use, drug use, tobacco use, sexual behaviors, trouble at school, and violence were analyzed to determine their relationship to the different levels of social capital. The results suggest that family, school, and community social capital have a significant influence on the social development of adolescents. It was determined that when levels of social capital were high, participation in at-risk behaviors decreased. The results of this study indicate that, overall, Family Social Capital is somewhat more important than School and Community Social Capital when considering the level of at-risk behavior engaged in by adolescents

The Effect of Religious Affiliation on Social Preferences

Economic actions are determined by a variety of social and cultural influences. Unlike the ideal rational economic actor, an individual will frequently fail to make optimal, selfish decisions. In this study, we examine the effect of religious influences on such decisions. Specifically, I test whether Catholic Guilt is a real phenomena or simply a superstition. The study compares the actions of Catholic, Protestant, and non-religious subjects while playing Ultimatum and Dictator games. Using standard regression analysis, I find the extent to which guilt affects the economic decisions of Catholic players, revealing a component of the complex relationship between religious belief and worldly action

Axiom Selection by Maximization: V = Ultimate L vs Forcing Axioms

This dissertation explores the justification of strong theories of sets extending Zeremelo-Fraenkel set theory with choice and large cardinal axioms. In particular, there are two noted program providing axioms extending this theory: the inner model program and the forcing axiom program. While these programs historically developed to serve different mathematical goals and ends, proponents of each have attempted to justify their preferred axiom candidate on the basis of its supposed maximization potential. Since the maxim of ‘maximize’ proves central to the justification of ZFC+LCs itself, and shows up centrally in the current debate over how to best extend this theory, any attempt to resolve this debate will need to investigate the relationship between maximization notions and the candidates for a strong theory of sets. This dissertation takes up just this project.The first chapter of this dissertation describes the history of axiom selection in set theory, focusing on developments since 1980 which have led to the two standard axiom candidates for extending ZFC+LCs: V = Ult(L) and Martin’s Maximum. The second chapter explains the justification of the methodological maxim of ‘maximize’ as an informal principle, and presents two formal explications of the notion: one due to John Steel, the other to Penelope Maddy. The third chapter directly examines whether either approach to axioms can be truly said to maximize over the other. It is shown that the axiom candidates are equivalent in Steel’s sense of ‘maximize’, while in Maddy’s sense of ‘maximize’, Martin’s Maximum is found to maximize over V = Ult(L). Given the strong justification of Maddy’s explication in terms of the goals of set theory as a foundational discipline, it is argued that this result raises a serious justificatory challenge for advocates of the inner model program. The fourth chapter considers future directions of research, focusing on possible responses to the justificatory challenge, and highlighting issues that must be overcome before a full justificatory story of forcing axioms can be developed

Unstable Equilibria and Invariant Manifolds in Quasi-Two-Dimensional Kolmogorov-like Flow

Recent studies suggest that unstable, non-chaotic solutions of the Navier-Stokes equation may provide deep insights into fluid turbulence. In this article, we present a combined experimental and numerical study exploring the dynamical role of unstable equilibrium solutions and their invariant manifolds in a weakly turbulent, electromagnetically driven, shallow fluid layer. Identifying instants when turbulent evolution slows down, we compute 31 unstable equilibria of a realistic two-dimensional model of the flow. We establish the dynamical relevance of these unstable equilibria by showing that they are closely visited by the turbulent flow. We also establish the dynamical relevance of unstable manifolds by verifying that they are shadowed by turbulent trajectories departing from the neighborhoods of unstable equilibria over large distances in state space

Calculating Nonlocal Optical Properties of Structures with Arbitrary Shape

In a recent Letter [Phys. Rev. Lett. 103, 097403 (2009)], we outlined a computational method to calculate the optical properties of structures with a spatially nonlocal dielectric function. In this Article, we detail the full method, and verify it against analytical results for cylindrical nanowires. Then, as examples of our method, we calculate the optical properties of Au nanostructures in one, two, and three dimensions. We first calculate the transmission, reflection, and absorption spectra of thin films. Because of their simplicity, these systems demonstrate clearly the longitudinal (or volume) plasmons characteristic of nonlocal effects, which result in anomalous absorption and plasmon blueshifting. We then study the optical properties of spherical nanoparticles, which also exhibit such nonlocal effects. Finally, we compare the maximum and average electric field enhancements around nanowires of various shapes to local theory predictions. We demonstrate that when nonlocal effects are included, significant decreases in such properties can occur.Comment: 30 pages, 12 figures, 1 tabl

Changes to the national strategies, plans and guidelines for the treatment of hepatitis C in people who inject drugs between 2013 and 2016: a cross-sectional survey of 34 European countries

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is the leading cause of cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. In Europe, people who inject drugs (PWID) represent the majority of HCV infections, but are often excluded from treatment. The aim of this study was to report on national HCV strategies, action plans and guidelines in European countries that include HCV treatment for the general population as well as for PWID. Data on access to direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) were also collected. Methods: In 2016, 38 non-governmental organisations, universities and public health institutions that work with PWID in 34 European countries were invited to complete a 16-item online survey about current national HCV treatment policies and guidelines. Data from 2016 were compared to those from 2013 for 33 European countries, and time trends are presented. Differences in the data were analysed. Data from 2016 on general access to DAAs in PWID are presented separately. Results: The response rate was 100%. Fourteen countries (42%) reported having a national HCV strategy covering HCV treatment; 12 of these addressed HCV treatment for PWID. Respondents from ten countries (29%) reported having a national HCV action plan. PWID were specifically included in seven of them. Twenty-nine countries (85%) reported having national HCV treatment guidelines. PWID were specifically included in 23 (79%) of them. Compared to 2013, respondents reported that an additional seven countries (25%) had national strategies, an additional eight countries (29%) had action plans and an additional six countries (19%) had HCV treatment guidelines. However, PWID were not included in two, four and six of those countries, respectively. DAAs were reported to be available in 91% of the study countries, with restrictions reported in 71% of them. Conclusion: Respondents reported that fewer than half of the European countries in this study had a national HCV strategy and/or action plan, with even fewer including PWID. However, when compared to 2013, the number of such countries had slightly increased. Although PWID are often addressed in clinical guidelines, strategic action is needed to increase access to HCV treatment for this group and the situation should be regularly monitored