The Effects of General Equivalency Diploma (GED) Acquisition on Parole Success in Kentucky

Post release follow-up was conducted on a total of 95 Kentucky Correctional Facilities inmates, who had acquired a General Equivalency Certificate in the years 1981-1983. The rate of Recidivism of this group was compared to that of all parolees released during that period. It was found that the parolees in general who were released during that time period returned to the institution at a rate of 36.7 percent, The parolees who had completed the GED Program in the institution prior to release returned at a rate of 35.78 percent. The average length of time spent in society by those who were returned was 14.7 months with the shortest length of time being 5 months and the longest 41 months. The age of the study participants ranged from 20 years to 37 years with the average age being 24.75 years. While the number paroled to urban and rural areas was approximately the same (36 urban, 41 rural), the urban returnees showed a rate of 33.3%; those from rural areas returned at a rate of 29.2% to institutions

Demography and Disease of the Rare Shrub Buckleya distichophylla (Santalaceae) in Northeastern Tennessee

Piratebush (Buckleya distichophylla (Nutt.) Torr.) is a rare, hemiparasitic shrub with the only extant populations in western North Carolina, northeastern Tennessee, and southwestern Virginia. The preferred natural hosts of piratebush, Carolina and eastern hemlocks, have seen sharp declines over the last decade due to the invasive hemlock woolly adelgid. Virginia pine, another important host of piratebush, is also susceptible to disease, specifically Cronartium appalachianum, a rust fungus for which piratebush is the secondary host. This study described and analyzed current demographic parameters of three Tennessee piratebush populations. Additionally, spatial patterns of disease and demographic characters were analyzed. These data were compared to data from previous censuses to infer the impacts of diseases on piratebush and its host. All three populations were relatively stable in numbers and age structure over the past thirty years. Plant height and stems per shrub were similar among populations and stable over time. Seedlings represented 14%-19% of populations and non-flowering plants 33%-41% of populations. Two populations had an equal sex ratio and one population was male-biased. Disease prevalence was similar among populations but disease was more severe at Temple Ridge. The effects of hemlock decline were most acute at the Temple Ridge population where areas of high hemlock decline were associated with lower vigor piratebush individuals. Piratebush individuals near Virginia pines were more likely to be infected by C. appalachianum, and individuals infected by the rust fungus were more likely to have lower vigor. If hemlock decline is causing a piratebush host shift toward Virginia pine, piratebush populations may also decline because of potential enhanced infection by C. appalachianum. Treatment to prevent HWA infestation may be needed because of its effectiveness in improving the health of both hemlock and piratebush populations

Projective equivalence of ideals in Noetherian integral domains

Let I be a nonzero proper ideal in a Noetherian integral domain R. In this paper we establish the existence of a finite separable integral extension domain A of R and a positive integer m such that all the Rees integers of IA are equal to m. Moreover, if R has altitude one, then all the Rees integers of J = Rad(IA) are equal to one and the ideals J^m and IA have the same integral closure. Thus Rad(IA) = J is a projectively full radical ideal that is projectively equivalent to IA. In particular, if R is Dedekind, then there exists a Dedekind domain A having the following properties: (i) A is a finite separable integral extension of R; and (ii) there exists a radical ideal J of A and a positive integer m such that IA = J^m.Comment: 20 page

Then and Now: An Analysis of Broad-based Merit Aid Initial Eligibility Policies after Twenty Years

Using Hall’s framework of policy changes, we sought to document and classify changes in initial eligibility and award provisions of broad-based merit aid scholarship programs at inception and present day. Our analysis revealed five first-order changes, two second-order changes, and only one third order change. Although the policy settings, instruments, and goals remained static in five states, the scholarship dollars in four of them have not kept up with increases in overall cost of attendance

Ballistic Limit Equations for Non-Aluminum Projectiles Impacting Dual-Wall Spacecraft Systems

One of the primary design considerations of earth-orbiting spacecraft is the mitigation of the damage that might occur from an on-orbit MMOD impact. Traditional damage-resistant design consists of a \u27bumper\u27 that is placed a small distance away from a spacecraft component or from the wall of the element in which it is housed. The performance of such a multi-wall structural element is typically characterized by its ballistic limit equation (BLE), which defines the threshold particle size that results in a failure of the spacecraft element. BLEs are also key components of any micro-meteoroid/orbital debris (MMOD) risk assessment calculations. However, these assessments often call for BLEs to predict impact response for projectiles made of materials not used in the development of those BLEs. The question naturally arises regarding how close are the predictions of such BLEs when used in impact scenarios involving projectiles made of materials not necessarily considered in their development. In an effort to address this issue, a study was performed with the objective of assessing the validity of the NNO BLE for non-aluminum particles. Particle materials considered included steel, copper, and Al2O3 (i.e. particles that are made of materials that are more dense than aluminum). Comparisons are made between actual test results involving these non-aluminum projectiles and the predictions of the NNO BLE. In nearly all cases, the NNO BLE was found not to work very well in the predicting failure / no failure response of these non-aluminum projectiles. A new NNO-type BLE is then developed that can be used to more reliably predict the response of dual-wall systems under the hypervelocity impact of such heavier non-aluminum projectiles

A First-Principles-Based Model for Crack Formation in a Pressurized Tank Following an MMOD Impact

Most robotic spacecraft have at least one pressurized vessel on board, usually a liquid propellant tank. One of the design considerations of such spacecraft is the anticipation and mitigation of the possible damage that might occur from on-orbit impacts by micro-meteoroids or orbital debris (MMOD). While considerable effort has been expended in the study of the response of non-pressurized spacecraft components to MMOD impacts, relatively few studies have been conducted on the pressurized elements of such spacecraft. In particular, since it was first proposed nearly 45 years ago, NASA\u27s current evaluation methodology for determining impact-induced failure of pressurized tanks has undergone little scrutiny. This paper presents a first-principles based model that has been developed to predict whether or not cracking might start or a through-crack might be created under an impact crater in a thin plate. This model was used to examine the effect of penetration depth on crack formation and whether or not the crack might grow through the tank wall thickness. The predictions of the model are compared to experimental data with encouraging results. The paper also develops some suggestions for future work in this area, including the extension of the first-principles model to include 3-D crack initiation modelling

Some Aspects of Self-Concept

The purpose of this study is fourfold: (1) to investigate any differences in self-concept scores of a normal (adjusted) and abnormal (maladjusted) population; (2) to investigate any difference in self-concept scores between psychotic and non-psychotic hospitalized patients, (3) to investigate changes in self-concept concomitant with psychotherapy, and (4) to investigate any sex differences in self-concept

The Article 82 EC Abuse Concept: What Scope is There for Modernization?

On 30 September 2004, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, the University of Nyenrode, and Global Competition Review co-sponsored a seminar on the reform of Article 82 EC by the European Commission. The seminar raised a great deal of interest amongst members of the legal community and attracted a large attendance. The speakers included some of the most well-known top-level policy makers, academics, and practitioners in the field of competition law. Over the last two years, there have been numerous calls for modernization of the way in which Article 82 of the EC Treaty is applied by the European Commission and, with decentralization in mind, by 25 national competition authorities and many more national courts. Modernization in other areas has involved a greater focus on the economic effects of the relevant practice. In Article 82 EC cases, enforcement has, however, been more based on the perceived object of a criticized practice with the effect being inferred from market power. Classic positions on fidelity market power. Classic positions on fidelity rebates and the special responsibilities of dominant companies have also been reaffirmed recently by the European Court in judgments such as Michelin II, Masterfoods II, and BA/Virgin. The aim of the seminar was to look at the concepts underlying the current law in relation to rebates and tying and bundling to compare how EU and US enforcers deal with such issues and to make suggestions for possible European Commission guidelines on Article 82 EC enforcement practice