Measuring the Efficacy of Leaders to Assess Information and Make Decisions in a Crisis: The C-LEAD Scale

Based on literature and expert interviews, we developed the Crisis Leader Efficacy in Assessing and Deciding scale (C-LEAD) to capture the efficacy of leaders to assess information and make decisions in a public health and safety crisis. In Studies 1 and 2, we find that C-LEAD predicts decision-making difficulty and confidence in a crisis better than a measure of general leadership efficacy. In Study 3, C-LEAD predicts greater motivation to lead in a crisis, more crisis leader role-taking, and more accurate performance while in a crisis leader role. These findings support the scale's construct validity and broaden our theoretical understanding of the nature of crisis leader efficacy.

Quantum phase transition in ultrahigh mobility SiGe/Si/SiGe two-dimensional electron system

The metal-insulator transition (MIT) is an exceptional test bed for studying strong electron correlations in two dimensions in the presence of disorder. In the present study, it is found that in contrast to previous experiments on lower-mobility samples, in ultra-high mobility SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum wells the critical electron density, $n_{\text{c}}$, of the MIT becomes smaller than the density, $n_{\text{m}}$, where the effective mass at the Fermi level tends to diverge. Near the topological phase transition expected at $n_{\text{m}}$, the metallic temperature dependence of the resistance should be strengthened, which is consistent with the experimental observation of more than an order of magnitude resistance drop with decreasing temperature below $\sim1$ K.Comment: Misprints corrected. As publishe

2017: HiMCM International Mathematics Modeling Contest: Meritorious Rating

Restatement of the Problem: The integration of drones for light shows, alongside modes of delivery, have seen soaring popularity with modernity: both literally and physically. With the employment of drones in events like the Superbowl, and Intel light shows, drones’ uses have widespread implications that are quickly gaining momentum. In an order to implement these drones in light shows, adherence to regulations alongside quantifying and monitoring the path for a set number of drones is crucial. For an outdoor aerial light show that will display a Ferris wheel, a dragon, and another unique image, various factors need to be taken into account including the required airspace, launch site, safety considerations, and flight path. Our objective is to mathematically delineate the flight path for the drones and form the desired figures in the sky. We plan to achieve this goal by quantitatively analyzing the shape of the displays while calculating their path. By investigating these formations, we hope to have an efficient model for drone light shows that adhere to the standards and regulations

Applying an Error Taxonomy to Examine Inexperienced Spreadsheet Users’ Planning and Execution Errors

This paper presents preliminary findings of an application of the Panko-Aurigemma (2010) error taxonomy to errors generated in a spreadsheet training task. Data from 11 inexperienced trainees were obtained on two spreadsheet training tasks of different complexity and scored by two judges. High levels of inter-rater reliability were obtained for a refined planning and execution error classification. Preliminary findings relating to the likely processes underlying task completion indicate that trainees make more execution than planning errors on easy tasks. Negative associations were found between the frequency of execution and planning errors and task performance when completing easy tasks. For hard tasks, we found a negative association between task performance and frequency of execution errors; however, the association between the number of planning errors and performance was positive. These findings point to the utility of examining error types in IS training strategy research

Measuring the Efficacy of Leaders to Assess Information and Make Decisions in a Crisis: The C-LEAD Scale.

Based on literature and expert interviews, we developed the Crisis Leader Efficacy in Assessing and Deciding scale (C-LEAD) to capture the efficacy of leaders to assess information and make decisions in a public health and safety crisis. In Studies 1 and 2, we find that C-LEAD predicts decision-making difficulty and confidence in a crisis better than a measure of general leadership efficacy. In Study 3, C-LEAD predicts greater motivation to lead in a crisis, more crisis leader role-taking, and more accurate performance while in a crisis leader role. These findings support the scale’s construct validity and broaden our theoretical understanding of the nature of crisis leader efficacy

Geostatistical and stochastic study of flow and tracer transport in the unsaturated zone at Yucca Mountain

Yucca Mountain has been proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy as the nation’s long-term, permanent geologic repository for spent nuclear fuel or high-level radioactive waste. The potential repository would be located in Yucca Mountain’s unsaturated zone (UZ), which acts as a critical natural barrier delaying arrival of radionuclides to the water table. Since radionuclide transport in groundwater can pose serious threats to human health and the environment, it is important to understand how much and how fast water and radionuclides travel through the UZ to groundwater. The UZ system consists of multiple hydrogeologic units whose hydraulic and geochemical properties exhibit systematic and random spatial variation, or heterogeneity, at multiple scales. Predictions of radionuclide transport under such complicated conditions are uncertain, and the uncertainty complicates decision making and risk analysis. This project aims at using geostatistical and stochastic methods to assess uncertainty of unsaturated flow and radionuclide transport in the UZ at Yucca Mountain. Focus of this study is parameter uncertainty of hydraulic and transport properties of the UZ. The parametric uncertainty arises since limited parameter measurements are unable to deterministically describe spatial variability of the parameters. In this project, matrix porosity, permeability and sorption coefficient of the reactive tracer (neptunium) of the UZ are treated as random variables. Corresponding propagation of parametric uncertainty is quantitatively measured using mean, variance, 5th and 95th percentiles of simulated state variables (e.g., saturation, capillary pressure, percolation flux, and travel time). These statistics are evaluated using a Monte Carlo method, in which a three-dimensional flow and transport model implemented using the TOUGH2 code is executed with multiple parameter realizations of the random model parameters

Self-reported Rates of Abuse, Neglect, and Bullying Experienced by Transgender and Gender-Nonbinary Adolescents in China

open access articleImportance This is the first comprehensive national study reporting the rates of abuse, neglect, and bullying from family and classmates or teachers among Chinese transgender and gender-nonbinary adolescents and identifying risk factors associated with poor mental health in this population. Objective To assess the rates of abuse, neglect, and bullying and their association with poor mental health among Chinese transgender and gender nonbinary adolescents. Design, Setting, and Participants This national survey study used an online self-selecting survey conducted between January 1, 2017, and September 29, 2017, in China. Eligibility criteria included reporting being aged 12 to 18 years and being transgender or gender nonbinary. Data analysis was performed from March 25 to 28, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was self-reported poor mental health, including depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression 9-item scale. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale. Suicidal ideation was measured using standardized questions adapted from previous Chinese studies. Abuse, neglect, and bullying were measured using specifically designed questions. Results Of 564 responses collected, 385 respondents (mean [SD] age, 16.7 [1.2] years) met inclusion criteria, including 109 (28.3%) transgender adolescent boys, 167 (43.4%) transgender adolescent girls, and 109 (28.3%) gender-nonbinary adolescents. Among 319 respondents who reported that their parents were aware of their gender identity, 296 (92.8%) reported having experienced parental abuse or neglect. Among the full cohort, 295 respondents (76.6%) reported having experienced abuse or bullying owing to being transgender or gender nonbinary in school from classmates or teachers. There were 173 respondents (44.9%) with Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression 9-item scale scores indicating they were at risk of major depressive disorder, and 148 respondents (38.4%) had 7-item General Anxiety Disorder scale scores indicating they were at risk of an anxiety disorder. In univariate analysis, reporting experiences of bullying from a classmate or teacher was significantly associated with suicidal ideation (odds ratio, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.04-2.70]; P = .03), but the association was no longer statistically significant after controlling for level of educational attainment, aversion to assigned sex, and depressed mood at the onset of puberty (odds ratio, 1.63 [95% CI, 0.97-2.73]; P = .06). Conclusions and Relevance In this survey study, transgender and gender-nonbinary adolescents in China reported high rates of abuse, neglect, and bullying at home and in school and high rates of symptoms associated with poor mental health. This study highlights the importance of reducing home- and school-based abuse, neglect, and bullying of transgender and gender-nonbinary adolescents in China to improve mental health outcomes; however, broader change in the social environment may be required to address the prejudice and stigma aimed at gender minorities