Brief Announcement: Integrating Temporal Information to Spatial Information in a Neural Circuit

In this paper, we consider networks of deterministic spiking neurons, firing synchronously at discrete times. We consider the problem of translating temporal information into spatial information in such networks, an important task that is carried out by actual brains. Specifically, we define two problems: "First Consecutive Spikes Counting" and "Total Spikes Counting", which model temporal-coding and rate-coding aspects of temporal-to-spatial translation respectively. Assuming an upper bound of T on the length of the temporal input signal, we design two networks that solve two problems, each using O(log T) neurons and terminating in time T+1. We also prove that these bounds are tight

Current Trends in Child Abuse Prevention and Fatalities: The 2000 Fifty State Survey

This survey takes a closer look at two pressing needs. The first is the important role of prevention, specifically at the most effective prevention programs and how they are funded. The second need, based on feedback from PCA America Chapters and other prevention experts, is to better understand child fatalities and the kind of prevention strategies that can best reduce fatalities. This survey differs from previous surveys, as it did not attempt to gather data on child abuse and neglect reports or substantiations. Instead, the National Center on Child Abuse Prevention Research, the research arm of PCA America, is working with the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure that our nation has the best systems available for gathering and tracking child maltreatment incidences. This report's highlights and findings are based on responses from 50 states and the District of Columbia, although all states have not responded to all questions. The results are reported in two main sections: Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention, and Child Maltreatment Fatalities. At the beginning of each are highlights followed by the complete findings for that section. Estimating procedures for child maltreatment fatalities should be used when interpreting the results for child maltreatment fatalities. In addition, throughout the document are references and links to sites containing additional information on the topics cited

Missing in action: framing race on prime-time television

This study analyzes the racial ideologies surrounding Asian/Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs) in prime-time television

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on TV

Representation in media matters–so why is prime time still so white

INTERDEPENDENCE OF AGRICULTURE AND TOURISM: QUANTIFYING THE VALUE OF THE AGRICULTURAL WORKING LANDSCAPE IN VERMONT

This study evaluates the impact of the agricultural working landscape on the Vermont tourist industry and state economy. Vermont is known for its scenery, especially its agricultural landscape. It has often been stated that Vermont's tourist industry, which represents 15% of the state's economy, depends upon this special landscape for its comparative advantage in the New England tourism market. However, Vermont's landscape is changing. The number of farms and acres of farmland have decreased significantly in the past several decades. State policy makers are grappling with the challenge of supporting and preserving both the farm and tourist economies in the face of regional and global competition. This study quantifies the impact of the agricultural working landscape on tourist demand in Vermont. Primary data were gathered through a survey of visitors to Vermont to determine how the disappearance of the agricultural landscape would affect their willingness to visit the state. Findings indicate that 84% of respondents value the agricultural landscape of Vermont and 58.5% of the respondents would be less likely to visit Vermont if there were very few farms. Knowing the level of this impact will help policy makers decide how much to invest in the preservation of farmland and marketing of farm visits and eco-tourism.Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,