A minimaj-preserving crystal on ordered multiset partitions

We provide a crystal structure on the set of ordered multiset partitions, which recently arose in the pursuit of the Delta Conjecture. This conjecture was stated by Haglund, Remmel and Wilson as a generalization of the Shuffle Conjecture. Various statistics on ordered multiset partitions arise in the combinatorial analysis of the Delta Conjecture, one of them being the minimaj statistic, which is a variant of the major index statistic on words. Our crystal has the property that the minimaj statistic is constant on connected components of the crystal. In particular, this yields another proof of the Schur positivity of the graded Frobenius series of the generalization $R_{n,k}$ due to Haglund, Rhoades and Shimozono of the coinvariant algebra $R_n$. The crystal structure also enables us to demonstrate the equidistributivity of the minimaj statistic with the major index statistic on ordered multiset partitions.Comment: 17 pages; v2 contains minor changes suggested by referee, references update

Internet Safety: Positioning VCU as a National Leader in Internet Safety

While a multitude of information from a host of sources exists on how to keep children safe on the Internet, there is not a unified effort to combine it all and get it to the right people. This is not a plan to teach college students about Internet safety. This is a proposal to begin much earlier, targeting middle-school aged children and their parents, many of whom have no idea of the dangers – and opportunities – that exist in cyberspace

On the Hausdorff Dimension of the Boundary of a Self-Similar Tile

In our everyday experiences, we have developed a concept of dimension, neatly expressed as integers, i.e. a point, line, square and cube as 0-, 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional, respectively. Less intuitive are dimensions of sets such as the Koch Curve and Cantor Set. The formal definition of toplogical dimension in a metric space conforms to our intuitive concept of dimension, but it is inadequate to describe the dimension of fractals. The purpose of this thesis is to develop notions of fractal dimension and in particular, to explore Hausdorff dimension with regard to self-similar tiles in detail. Methods of calculation of Hausdorff dimension will be discussed

Fragments: a psychoanalytic reading of the character Mignon on her journey through nineteenth century lieder

The songs of Mignon from Goethe's novel Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship (Wilhelm Meisters Lehrjahre) have been set hundreds of times by dozens of composers from the late 18th century onward. Though most frequently set by composers from the German School, Mignon's songs have also been popular with many non-Germans including works by French, Russian, and Italian composers. Mignon's mysterious persona has long fascinated song composers and many have been compelled to set her songs multiple times. The purpose of this study is to explore the character of Mignon from Goethe's novel, Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship through the lens of a psychoanalytic literary critic. I will examine six different composer's settings of Mignon's first song in the novel, "Kennst du das Land?" in order to understand how each composer portrays her character differently as seen through their unique compositional styles, their own psychology, and the style periods in which they wrote. The method of literary criticism applied to the song settings becomes psychoanalytic reader-response criticism as we move from merely analyzing Goethe's depiction of Mignon to each composer's depiction and reception of Goethe's character in addition to our own reception of that persona. One of the goals of this research is to show how Mignon's character is transformed as she makes her way through history in the development of Lieder

A collection of original work

A Month of Snows It's been a month of snows And each day comes quieter than before As if the land is choking On the black smoke that winds from Country fires around here. Yesterday, when it was nearing supper time, I sat by the front window watching snow geese rustle together Like old corn stalks in a field As they paddled in drunken circles By the swamp

Methylmercury and methane production potentials in North Carolina Piedmont stream sediments

Methylated mercury (MeHg) can be produced by all microbes possessing the genes hgcA and hgcB, which can include sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), iron-reducing bacteria (FeRB), methane-producing archaea (MPA), and other anaerobic microbes. These microbial groups compete for substrates, including hydrogen and acetate. When sulfate is in excess, SRB can outcompete other anaerobic microbes. However, low concentrations of sulfate, which often occur in stream sediments, are thought to reduce the relative importance of SRB. Although SRB are regarded as the primary contributors of MeHg in many aquatic environments, their significance may not be universal, and stream sediments are poorly studied with respect to microbial Hg methylation. We evaluated suppression of methanogenesis by SRB and the potential contributions from SRB, MPA and other MeHg producing microbes (including FeRB) to the production of MeHg in stream sediments from the North Carolina Piedmont region. Lower methanogenesis rates were observed when SRB were not inhibited, however, application of a sulfate-reduction inhibitor stimulated methanogenesis. Greater MeHg production occurred when SRB were active. Other MeHg producing microbes (i.e., FeRB) contributed significantly less MeHg production than SRB. MPA produced MeHg in negligible amounts. Our results suggest that SRB are responsible for the majority of MeHg production and suppress methanogenesis in mid-order stream sediments, similar to other freshwater sediments. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the generality of these findings to streams in other regions, and to determine the mechanisms regulating sulfate and electron acceptor availability and other potential factors governing Hg methylation and methane production in stream sediments

VCU Internal Alignment Project

The purpose of this project was to see how many projects were actually implemented fully throughout the years of the program. The group members contacted others who they personally knew on the project teams of six prior projects that related to VCU Infrastructure (VCU Internal Alignment projects). Interestingly, in many cases these alumni volunteered input and constructive feedback on the institute as well. The projects included Campus Pride (2005), VCU Center for Research Excellence (2005), Monroe Park Fall Festival (2006), MERCI (2006), University Link Tank (2008), and The Next Generation (2009). All of the projects were drafted and presented in completion at the end of GEHLI. We found that only one project, Monroe Park Festival, was subsequently implemented in full

Inclusive growth in English cities: mainstreamed or sidelined?

<p>The concept of inclusive growth is increasingly presented as offering prospects for more equitable social outcomes. However, inclusive growth is subject to a variety of interpretations and lacks definitional clarity. In England, via devolution, cities are taking on new powers for policy domains that can influence inclusive growth outcomes. This opens up opportunities for innovation to address central issues of low pay and poverty. This paper examines the extent to which inclusive growth concerns form a central or peripheral aspect in this new devolution through the content analysis of devolution agreements. It concludes that inclusive growth concerns appear to be largely sidelined.</p

Brief motivational interventions for college student drinking may not be as powerful as we think: An individual participant-level data meta-analysis

Background For over two decades, brief motivational interventions (BMIs) have been implemented on college campuses to reduce heavy drinking and related negative consequences. Such interventions include in-person motivational interviews (MIs), often incorporating personalized feedback (PF), and stand-alone PF interventions delivered via mail, computer, or the Web. Both narrative and meta-analytic reviews using aggregate data from published studies suggest at least short-term efficacy of BMIs, although overall effect sizes have been small. Method The present study was an individual participant-level data (IPD) meta-analysis of 17 randomized clinical trials evaluating BMIs. Unlike typical meta-analysis based on summary data, IPD meta-analysis allows for an analysis that correctly accommodates the sampling, sample characteristics, and distributions of the pooled data. In particular, highly skewed distributions with many zeroes are typical for drinking outcomes, but have not been adequately accounted for in existing studies. Data are from Project INTEGRATE, one of the largest IPD meta-analysis projects to date in alcohol intervention research, representing 6,713 individuals each with two to five repeated measures up to 12 months post-baseline. Results We used Bayesian multilevel over-dispersed Poisson hurdle models to estimate intervention effects on drinks per week and peak drinking, and Gaussian models for alcohol problems. Estimates of overall intervention effects were very small and not statistically significant for any of the outcomes. We further conducted post hoc comparisons of three intervention types (Individual MI with PF, PF only, and Group MI) vs. control. There was a small, statistically significant reduction in alcohol problems among participants who received an individual MI with PF. Short-term and long-term results were similar. Conclusions The present study questions the efficacy and magnitude of effects of BMIs for college drinking prevention and intervention and suggests a need for the development of more effective intervention strategies