Exploring degeneracies in modified gravity with weak lensing

By considering linear-order departures from general relativity, we compute a novel expression for the weak lensing convergence power spectrum under alternative theories of gravity. This comprises an integral over a 'kernel' of general relativistic quantities multiplied by a theory-dependent 'source' term. The clear separation between theory-independent and -dependent terms allows for an explicit understanding of each physical effect introduced by altering the theory of gravity. We take advantage of this to explore the degeneracies between gravitational parameters in weak lensing observations.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figures. v2: Minor changes to match version accepted by PR

Event Planner Sensitivity to the Needs of Individuals with Visual Disability at Meetings and Events

Special events, such as fairs, conventions, ballgames, and concerts are typically activities people attend to participate in the festivities and enjoy with friends and family members. For individuals with disabilities, however, these types of events can create more challenges than enjoyment. Despite a thorough review of the literature, no studies were found which evaluated the experiences of individuals who are blind and have visual impairments at events and meetings. The aim of this study was to determine the current level of accessibility at meetings perceived by consumers who are blind and visually impaired. Respondents to the survey indicated many obstacles to accessing meetings including: discrimination, a paucity of accessible features, and accessibility features that are not truly accessible for consumers who are blind and visually impaired. Recommendations are provided for increasing meeting and event accessibility for consumers who are blind and visually impaired

Enhancement of Student Learning Through the Incorporation of Virtual Reality Simulation when Studying Anatomy

The opportunities provided by virtual reality (VR) are substantial and it is crucial that we recognize the potential application of this advancing technology. PURPOSE: To measure and compare student learning of anatomical structures when studying in virtual reality simulation and when studying using traditional physical models. METHODS: Ten undergraduate students were randomly assigned to either group A or group B and attended two sessions, each lasting 60 minutes. During session one, each participant first completed a pre-test based on pelvic girdle anatomy in under 15 minutes. The first pre-test consisted of 7 fill-in the blank questions with a word bank provided. After completing given pre-exam, participants from group A studied the anatomy of the pelvic girdle independently for up to 30 minutes using VR (virtual reality) goggles on Organon 3D application. Participants from group B independently studied pelvic girdle anatomy on a skeletal model for up to 30 minutes. Following the 30 minutes of study, participants completed a post-exam in under 15 minutes. The first post-test consisted of 7 fill-in the blank questions with word bank provided based on pelvic girdle anatomy. Within the same week, participants attended a second session. Participants first completed a pre-test based on the anatomy of the spine, in under 15 minutes. The second pre-test consisted of 7 fill-in the blank questions with a provided word bank. Following the completion of the second pre-test, each participant from group B individually studied spinal anatomy for up to 30 minutes, using VR (virtual reality) goggles on an app called Organon 3D. Participants from group A individually studied spinal anatomy on a skeletal model for up to 30 minutes. Succeeding the second study session, participants finished a post-exam based on the anatomy of the spine. The second post-exam composed of 7 fill-in the blank questions with a word bank provided.RESULTS: Exams scores were converted to percentages for data analysis. The average pre-exam score for VR= 60.7% and for Skeletal models= 44.6%. The average post-test score for VR= 66.1% and for Skeletal model= 82.1% There was not a significant difference between studying for exams on VR vs. studying on skeletal model ( P p2 = 0.355). CONCLUSION: Previous studies have suggested VR as a study tool has a significant effect on learning, these findings suggest that there is not a significant difference between study modes. These findings may also suggest that these modes are comparably beneficial for student learning

Police Decision-Making and the Initial Detention of Juveniles

Police decisions can have a direct impact on juvenile outcomes. These decisions are especially impactful in Montana as Montana law enforcement officers are provided statutory discretion pertaining to the decision to arrest and initially detain a youth. The goal of this study is to understand police officer decision-making as it pertains to the initial detention of juveniles and to inform future theory and policy. The research was guided by a focused hypothesis: The factors identified by law enforcement will be significant predictors of the factors associated with the likelihood of initial detention. In order to examine this issue, the current study utilizes two data sets from the same county in Montana. The first data source is a self-reported survey given to officers in a municipal police department and county sheriff’s department that ask questions about police officer decision-making. The second data source is drawn from court processing of citations that have been issued to juveniles. The combination of these two data sources creates a unique opportunity to examine the degree to which key considerations identified by the police are significant in regression models based on case processing data to distinguish between instances where detention occurs and those where a less formal alternative (e.g. counsel and release, probation, electronic monitoring) occurs. Based upon the findings, the factors identified by police officers were found to be significantly associated with the likelihood of initial detention

A general theory of linear cosmological perturbations: stability conditions, the quasistatic limit and dynamics

We analyse cosmological perturbations around a homogeneous and isotropic background for scalar-tensor, vector-tensor and bimetric theories of gravity. Building on previous results, we propose a unified view of the effective parameters of all these theories. Based on this structure, we explore the viable space of parameters for each family of models by imposing the absence of ghosts and gradient instabilities. We then focus on the quasistatic regime and confirm that all these theories can be approximated by the phenomenological two-parameter model described by an effective Newton's constant and the gravitational slip. Within the quasistatic regime we pinpoint signatures which can distinguish between the broad classes of models (scalar-tensor, vector-tensor or bimetric). Finally, we present the equations of motion for our unified approach in such a way that they can be implemented in Einstein-Boltzmann solvers

Machine Sensation

Emphasising the alien qualities of anthropomorphic technologies, Machine Sensation makes a conscious effort to increase rather than decrease the tension between nonhuman and human experience. In a series of rigorously executed cases studies, including natural user interfaces, artificial intelligence as well as sex robots, Leach shows how object-oriented ontology enables one to insist upon the unhuman nature of technology while acknowledging its immense power and significance in human life. Machine Sensation meticulously engages OOO, Actor Network Theory, the philosophy of technology, cybernetics and posthumanism in innovative and gripping ways

FRAUDULENT FINANCIAL REPORTING : PENGUJIAN TEORI FRAUD PENTAGON PADA SEKTOR KEUANGAN DAN PERBANKAN DI INDONESIA

This study aimed to examine the elements of fraud in fraud pentagon theory against indications of fraudulent financial reporting on financial and banking sector in Indonesia at 2012-2014. Independent variables in this research were financial targets, financial stability, external pressure, institutional ownership, ineffective monitoring, quality of external audits, changes in auditors, change of directors, and the frequent number of CEO's picture, while the dependent variable was fraudulent financial reporting that proxied by financial restatements. This study used 156 samples which came from 52 banking and financial sector companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2012-2014. This research was conducted by quantitative methods using secondary data. The secondary data derived from financial reporting that are downloaded from the company website and IDX. The sampling method was purposive sampling. The data analysis using the logistic regression method. The results of this study indicate that there are three variables which were significant in detecting the occurrence of fraudulent financial reporting, including financial stability, external pressure, and the frequent number of CEO's picture. These variables represent the two elements in a pentagon fraud Crowe's theory; pressure and arrogance