1,379 research outputs found
Evaluation of the Goal Systemâ„¢ Version 2.2 Solution Method for Interactive Constraint Scheduling Situations
THE GOAL SYSTEMâ„¢ version 2.2 is the latest in a lineage that includes Optimized Production Technology (OPT) and DISASTERâ„¢. Earlier work with DISASTERâ„¢ revealed potential shortcomings with sequential schedule building algorithms when multiple interactive constraints exist. Since THE GOAL SYSTEMâ„¢ version 2.2 has a capacity for simultaneous schedule building, this study evaluated differences between the two algorithms. Using benchmark scheduling problems developed during the earlier evaluation of DISASTERâ„¢, a set of THE GOAL SYSTEMâ„¢ solutions was created and compared quantitatively to both DISASTERâ„¢ solutions and solutions which optimally minimize maximum tardiness. A broad set of performance measurement criteria were also used to obtain a more comprehensive evaluation of the solutions. Performance of THE GOAL SYSTEMâ„¢ was quite good with respect to maximum tardiness. Performance with respect to average flow time, percentage of tardy jobs, and total days late for a set of job orders was markedly poorer than the DISASTERâ„¢ solutions. The results were unexpected, since the simultaneous scheduling algorithm is less restricted in its options for schedule creation. The author concluded that the simultaneous feature of THE GOAL SYSTEMâ„¢ was better suited for conflict resolution during an iterative process than as a stand alone scheduling algorithm
Projecting a High-School Quarterback’s Performance at the Collegiate Level: A Comparison of the Rivals, 247 Sports, and ESPN Recruiting Ratings
We examine recruiting ratings for high-school quarterbacks over the period 2006-2012 from Rivals, 247 Sports, and ESPN. Using Lee & Preacher’s (2013) test of the difference between two dependent correlations with one variable in common and ordinary least squares regression, we determine that the Rivals ratings have the strongest correlation with quarterback performance over the time-period examined. The 247 Sports ratings follow closely behind the Rivals ratings; however, the ESPN ratings correlate more weakly with a quarterback’s career performance in college
Implications of a Production Entitlement Guarantee (PEG) Program for World Commodity Markets, 1992-2000
A Production Entitlement Guarantee (PEG) program would replace existing agricultural policies with a program that would allow governments to subsidize only a fixed proportion of each farmer\u27s historical production. World supply and demand conditions would determine the price farmers receive for any production in excess of the guaranteed PEG quality because all import barriers and export subsidies would be eliminated. A dynamic multicountry, multicommodity model is used to evaluate the impact of replacing current agricultural policies in the United States, the European Community, Japan, and Canada with a PEG program. For all countries and commodities, the guaranteed PEG quantity is set equal to 80 percent of each farmer\u27s average production between 1985 and 1989. Government payments are made to farmers on their PEG production as partial compensation for revenue losses. Except for programs with environmental aims, all other programs that subsidize or protect domestic agriculture would be eliminated
Understanding Firearm Purchasing During a Purchasing Surge Among Black Individuals
Abstract
Purpose: During 2020, the US experienced a record-breaking year for firearm purchases, with major spikes occurring at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, and in June 2020. This study aimed to examine the factors associated with firearm purchasing during a purchasing surge among Black individuals and to document their reasons for surge purchasing.
Methods: We conducted a cross sectional survey from January to June 2021. Participants were recruited through quota sampling using Qualtrics. This study focuses on a sample of Black individuals (n=1115) from which a subsample of respondents (n=108) indicated that they purchased firearms since March 2020.
Results: In the sample of Black surge purchasers, greater experiences of COVID-19 traumatic stress (aOR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.018-1.141) were associated with increased odds of having purchased a firearm between March 2020 and June 2021. Everyday discrimination (aOR = 1.02, 95% CI = .997-1.042) was not associated with Black individuals purchasing a firearm during the firearm surge. Regarding the reasons for firearm surge purchasing, only COVID-19 exhibited a notable difference in the rate of endorsement between Black (19.5%) and White respondents (30.3%).
Conclusion: The findings indicate that COVID-19 traumatic stress prompted surge purchasing among Black individuals. Further study is needed to understand how social determinants of health result in firearm surge purchasing in Black communities
Physical and Spectral Characteristics of the T8 and Later-Type Dwarfs
We use new and published near-IR spectra, with synthetic spectra, to derive
physical properties of three of the latest-type T dwarfs. A new R~1700 spectrum
of the T7.5 dwarf HD 3651B, with existing data, allows a detailed comparison to
the well-studied and very similar dwarf, Gl 570D. We find that HD 3651B has
both higher gravity and metallicity than Gl 570D, with Teff=820-830K, log g=
5.4-5.5, [m/H]= +0.2 and Kzz=10^4cm^2/s. Its age is 8-12 Gyr and its implied
mass is 60-70 M_Jup. We perform a similar analyis of the T8 and T7.5 dwarfs
2MASS J09393548-2448279 and 2MASS J11145133-2618235 using published data,
comparing them to the well-studied T8, 2MASS J04151954-0935066. We find that
the two dwarfs have the same Teff as the reference dwarf, and similar
gravities, but lower metallicities. The parameters are Teff=725-775K and [m/H]=
-0.3; log g=5.3-5.45 for 2MASS J09393548-2448279 and log g=5.0-5.3 for 2MASS
J11145133- 261823. The age and mass are ~10Gyr and 60M_Jup for 2MASS
J09393548-2448279, and ~5 Gyr and 40M_Jup for 2MASS J11145133-261823. A serious
limitation is the incompleteness of the line lists of CH4 and NH3 at lambda
<1.7um. Spectra of Saturn and Jupiter, and of laboratory CH4 and NH3 gas,
suggest that NH3 features in the Y- and J-bands may be useful as indicators of
the next cooler spectral type, and not features in the H- and K-bands as
previously thought. However large uncertainties remain, as the abundance of NH3
is likely to be significantly below the chemical equilibrium value, and
inclusion of laboratory NH3 opacities predicts band shapes that are discrepant
with existing data. It is possible that the T spectral class will have to be
extended to low temperatures around 400K, when water clouds condense in the
atmosphere [abridged].Comment: 34 pages including 10 figures and two tables; accepted for
publication in the Astrophysical Journa
FAPRI U.S. Agricultural Sector Elasticities, Volume I: Crops
This report presents estimates of supply, demand, and price transmission elasticities for the U.S. crops sector. The estimates are derived from the U.S. crops model maintained by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and are prepared in accordance with procedures stipulated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The first section of this report provides a general overview and describes the procedures used to perform the elasticity calculations. Each succeeding section provides general information about the elasticity estimates for a particular activity. Specific attention is given to those results that may not be intuitively clear and, in particular, to the elasticities that depend on the interaction of two or more equations in the FAPRI modeling system
FAPRI U.S. Agricultural Sector Elasticities, Volume II: Livestock, Poultry, and Dairy
This report presents estimates of supply, demand, and price transmission elasticities for the U.S. livestock, poultry, and dairy sectors. The estimates are derived from models maintained by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) and are prepared in accordance with procedures stipulated by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Superconductivity in Co-doped LaFeAsO
Here we report the synthesis and basic characterization of LaFe1-xCoxAsO for
several values of x. The parent phase LaFeAsO orders antiferromagnetically (TN
~ 145 K). Replacing Fe with Co is expected to both electron dope the system and
introduce disorder in the FeAs layer. For x = 0.05 antiferromagnetic order is
destroyed and superconductivity is observed at Tconset = 11.2 K. For x = 0.11
superconductivity is observed at Tc(onset) = 14.3 K, and for x = 0.15 Tc = 6.0
K. Superconductivity is not observed for x = 0.2 and 0.5, but for x = 1, the
material appears to be ferromagnetic (Tc ~ 56 K) as judged by magnetization
measurements. We conclude that Co is an effective dopant to induce
superconductivity. Somewhat surprisingly, the system appears to tolerate
considerable disorder in the FeAs planes.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figure
Evaluation of Policy Scenarios for the 1990 Farm Bill
Three alternatives for 1990 farm legislation are examined: (1) a continuation of current legislation; (2) small reductions in producer support levels that are phased in after a two-year delay; and (3) more significant policy reforms that include immediate support reductions for grains and cotton, marketing quotas for dairy products and sugar, and an expanded conservation reserve. Analysis indicates that the alternatives to current policies reduce both government outlays on farm programs and net farm income. The effects on the supply, demand, and prices of most crop and livestock commodities are small. Marketing quotas protect sugar and dairy producer income and allow increased imports without significant budgetary effects, but at considerable cost to consumers
An Analysis of the CAP Reform
The Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community in 1957, defined the objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). These objectives, contained in Article 39, follow: 1) Increase agricultural productivity by promoting technical progress and by ensuring rational development of agricultural production and optimum use of the production factors, particularly labor. 2) Ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community, in particular by increasing the individual earning of the persons engaged in agriculture. 3) Stabilize markets. 4) Assure the availability of supplies. 5) Ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices. The objectives of the CAP have been met, mostly through price policies that traditionally have been tied to production. The result of these policies is that production of many agricultural commodities has increased beyond levels necessary to meet CAP objectives and excess supplies have accumulated, been exported with subsidies, or both, at great expense to the European Community
- …