Helping Former Foster Youth Graduate from College

Campus support programs provide financial, academic, and other types of supports to help former foster youth succeed in college. However, relatively little is known about the impact of these programs on college retention or graduation rates. This study lays the groundwork for an impact evaluation by examining program implementation from two different perspectives. Researchers conducted telephone interviews with the directors of 10 campus support programs in California and Washington State. The interviews covered a variety of domains, including the population served, referral sources and recruitment, the application process, the provision of services and supports, program staff, relationships with stakeholders, and data collection. In addition, participants from 8 of the 10 programs completed a web-based survey that asked about their perceptions of and experiences with the program. The survey included questions about students' demographic characteristics, referral and recruitment, the application process, reasons for participating in the program, services and supports received, unmet needs, contact with staff, and recommendations for improvement. The report concludes with several recommendations for moving forward with a methodologically sound impact evaluation of campus support programs for former foster youth

On the Conservation of Cross Helicity and Wave Action in Solar-Wind Models with Non-WKB Alfven Wave Reflection

The interaction between Alfven-wave turbulence and the background solar wind affects the cross helicity in two ways. Non-WKB reflection converts outward-propagating Alfven waves into inward-propagating Alfven waves and vice versa, and the turbulence transfers momentum to the background flow. When both effects are accounted for, the total cross helicity is conserved. In the special case that the background density and flow speed are independent of time, the equations of cross-helicity conservation and total-energy conservation can be combined to recover a well-known equation derived by Heinemann and Olbert that has been interpreted as a non-WKB generalization of wave-action conservation. This latter equation (in contrast to cross-helicity and energy conservation) does not hold when the background varies in time.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figure, in press at Ap

A Modified Version of Taylor's Hypothesis for Solar Probe Plus Observations

The Solar Probe Plus (SPP) spacecraft will explore the near-Sun environment, reaching heliocentric distances less than $10 R_{\odot}$. Near Earth, spacecraft measurements of fluctuating velocities and magnetic fields taken in the time domain are translated into information about the spatial structure of the solar wind via Taylor's "frozen turbulence" hypothesis. Near the perihelion of SPP, however, the solar-wind speed is comparable to the Alfv\'en speed, and Taylor's hypothesis in its usual form does not apply. In this paper, we show that, under certain assumptions, a modified version of Taylor's hypothesis can be recovered in the near-Sun region. We consider only the transverse, non-compressive component of the fluctuations at length scales exceeding the proton gyroradius, and we describe these fluctuations using an approximate theoretical framework developed by Heinemann and Olbert. We show that fluctuations propagating away from the Sun in the plasma frame obey a relation analogous to Taylor's hypothesis when $V_{\rm sc,\perp} \gg z^-$ and $z^+ \gg z^-$, where $V_{\rm sc,\perp}$ is the component of the spacecraft velocity perpendicular to the mean magnetic field and $\bm{z}^+$ ($\bm{z}^-$) is the Elsasser variable corresponding to transverse, non-compressive fluctuations propagating away from (towards) the Sun in the plasma frame. Observations and simulations suggest that, in the near-Sun solar wind, the above inequalities are satisfied and $\bm{z}^+$ fluctuations account for most of the fluctuation energy. The modified form of Taylor's hypothesis that we derive may thus make it possible to characterize the spatial structure of the energetically dominant component of the turbulence encountered by SPP.Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, accepted in ApJ Lette

Influential Article Review - Github: Examining the Gap Between Hierachical and Non Hierachical Types of Organisations

This paper examines organization. We present insights from a highly influential paper. Here are the highlights from this paper: In this edition of the organizational zoo series, we take a closer look at an interesting organization design case—GitHub, a software company from California. Similar to Valve, the subject of the previous article in the series (Puranam and Håkonsson, J Organ Design 4: 2–4, 2015) GitHub is used to delegate the choice of projects and project allocation to its workers, fitting the recent trend in running organizations without bosses. The interesting fact about GitHub is that after years of praising its own unorthodox organizational structure, the company suddenly decided to abandon it for something much more traditional. We asked several renowned organization scientists to share their thoughts on this interesting case and discuss what we can learn from it. For our overseas readers, we then present the insights from this paper in Spanish, French, Portuguese, and German

Modeling lineage and phenotypic diversification in the New World monkey (Platyrrhini, Primates) radiation

Adaptive radiations that have taken place in the distant past can now be more thoroughly studied with the availability of large molecular phylogenies and comparative data drawn from extant and fossil species. Platyrrhines are a good example of a major mammalian evolutionary radiation confined to a single continent, involving a relatively large temporal scale and documented by a relatively small but informative fossil record. Here, we present comparative evidence using data on extant and fossil species to explore alternative evolutionary models in an effort to better understand the process of platyrrhine lineage and phenotypic diversification. Specifically, we compare the likelihood of null models of lineage and phenotypic diversification versus various models of adaptive evolution. Moreover, we statistically explore the main ecological dimension behind the platyrrhine diversification. Contrary to the previous proposals, our study did not find evidence of a rapid lineage accumulation in the phylogenetic tree of extant platyrrhine species. However, the fossil-based diversity curve seems to show a slowdown in diversification rates toward present times. This also suggests an early high rate of extinction among lineages within crown Platyrrhini. Finally, our analyses support the hypothesis that the platyrrhine phenotypic diversification appears to be characterized by an early and profound differentiation in body size related to a multidimensional niche model, followed by little subsequent change (i.e., stasis).Fil: Arístide, Leandro. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Rosenberger, Alfred L.. City University Of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Tejedor, Marcelo Fabian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Perez, Sergio Ivan. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; Argentin

Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth

The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (Midwest Study) is a prospective study that has been following a sample of young people from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as they transition out of foster care into adulthood. It is a collaborative effort involving Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; Partners for Our Children at the University of Washington, Seattle; the University of Wisconsin Survey Center; and the public child welfare agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin.The Midwest Study provides a comprehensive picture of how foster youth are faring during this transition since the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 became law. Foster youth in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois were eligible to participate in the study if they had entered care before their 16th birthday, were still in care at age 17, and had been removed from home for reasons other than delinquency. Baseline survey data were collected from 732 study participants when they were 17 or 18 years old. Study participants were re-interviewed at ages 19 (n = 603), 21 (n = 591), and 23 or 24 (n = 602). A fifth wave of survey data will be collected when study participants are 25 or 26 years old.Because many of the questions Midwest Study participants were also asked as part of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, it is possible to make comparisons between this sample of former foster youth and a nationally representative sample of young people in the general population. These comparisons indicate that young people who have aged out of foster care are faring poorly as a group relative to their peers across a variety of domains.The Midwest Study also presents a unique opportunity to compare the outcomes of young people from one state (i.e., Illinois) that allows foster youth to remain in care until their 21st birthday to the outcomes of young people from two other states (i.e., Iowa and Wisconsin) in which foster youth generally age out when they are 18 years old. The data suggest that extending foster care until age 21 may be associated with better outcomes, at least in some domains

Una Perspectiva Etnica de la Sociedad Americana

The existence of the ethnic "barrios" (ghettos) across American society is proof of the legacy of racism, injustice and inequality in society today. In this thesis, the human experiences of Native, African, Mexican, and Asian people, are presented to contradict the notion that the "American Dream" is for all. In other words, their experiences manifest their exclusion from the "American Dream." Our experiences are undeniably influenced by the structure of society. The structure of our society is influenced by its "mainstream" ideologies. Ideologies are formed, nurtured, and instilled through pedagogy. Due to the biased education of our society, we are neglected a true vision of our society and our humanity. This blindness prevents us from identifying the roots of the societal problems that exist today and consequently, the same societal injustices will continue to perpetuate themselves. These injustices have been in existence since the beginning of European colonization of the Americas. The racial ideologies behind the European colonization of the United States supported false notions of superiority, notions of rights and privileges. These notions have justified the conquest, domination, segregation, and exploitation of people that always have been characterized as subordinate and inferior and thus never been totally inducted into mainstream society. This undeniable fact demonstrates that the legacy of racism, injustice and inequality is still existent in today's society

UNA EDUCACIÓN DIRIGIDA AL CAMPESINO PARA ENFRENTAR EL CAMBIO CLIMÁTICO. ROL DEL LABORATORIO DE AGROBIOLOGÍA EN EL EXTENSIONISMO AGRÍCOLA / AN EDUCATION ADDRESSED TO THE PEASANT TO FACE CLIMATE CHANGE. ROLE OF THE LABORATORY OF AGROBIOLOGY IN AGRICULTURAL EXTENSIONISM

En la provincia Ciego de Ávila los efectos del cambio climático se han estado manifestando como tendencia en una prolongada sequía y en el aumento progresivo y sostenido de las temperaturas en determinadas regiones del territorio (Hernández-Mansilla, 2014). Todos estos factores constituyen un grave riesgo para el desarrollo de las plantas afectando la producción agrícola, y con ello la disponibilidad de alimento. Sin embargo, en la provincia el trabajo educativo con los campesinos relacionado con el impacto de estos fenómenos sobre el crecimiento y desarrollo de las plantas ha sido pobremente abordado desde lo teórico-práctico según un estudio documental efectuado por investigadores del Laboratorio de Agrobiología del Centro de Bioplantas adscripto a la Universidad de Ciego de Ávila “Máximo Gómez Báez”. Con el objetivo de enfrentar y minimizar tales carencias el Laboratorio diseñó un programa de capacitación que debe resultar en el desarrollo de actividades psicológicas superiores y de conciencias del campesino. Creemos de suma importancia en primer lugar una adecuada selección, secuenciación y jerarquización de los contenidos tratados de forma concéntrica (klimberg, 1978), en segundo lugar una combinación de métodos que con sentido lógico y unitario estructure el aprendizaje y la enseñanza sobre las causas y efectos del cambio climático sobre la agricultura desarrollando de esta forma sentimientos y valores que deben transforme en conducta o tendencia a reaccionar de forma positiva y creativa ante los retos que el cambio climático nos impone.

Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth: outcomes at age 21

The Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (Midwest Study) is a longitudinal study that has been following a sample of young people from Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois as they transition out of foster care into adulthood. It is a collaborative effort involving Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago; the University of Wisconsin Survey Center; and the public child welfare agencies in Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. This report concentrates on the outcomes of 21 year old youth as they age out of the child welfare system and transition to adulthood

Remaining Challenges in Tanzania's Efforts to Eliminate Iodine Deficiency.

To determine iodine levels in salt and iodine deficiency prevalence in school-aged children in 16 districts in Tanzania with previous severe iodine deficiency. A cross-sectional study in schoolchildren. Systematic probability sampling was used to select schools and subjects for goitre assessment and urinary iodine determination. Sixteen districts randomly selected from the 27 categorised as severely iodine-deficient in Tanzania. The study population was primary-school children aged 6-18 years who were examined for goitre prevalence and urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Salt samples from schoolchildren's homes and from shops were tested for iodine content. The study revealed that 83.3% of households (n=21,160) in the surveyed districts used iodised salt. Also, 94% of sampled shops (n=397) sold iodised salt, with a median iodine level of 37.0 ppm (range 4.2-240 ppm). Median UIC in 2089 schoolchildren was 235.0 microg l(-1) and 9.3% had UIC values below 50 microg l(-1). The overall unweighted mean visible and total goitre prevalence was 6.7% and 24.3%, respectively (n=16,222). The age group 6-12 years had the lowest goitre prevalence (3.6% visible and 18.0% total goitre, n=7147). The total goitre prevalence had decreased significantly in all districts from an unweighted mean of 65.4% in the 1980s to 24.3% in 1999 (P<0.05). We believe this difference was also biologically significant. ConclusionThese findings indicate that iodine deficiency is largely eliminated in the 16 districts categorised as severely iodine-deficient in Tanzania, and that the iodine content of salt purchased from shops is highly variable