plink: An R Package for Linking Mixed-Format Tests Using IRT-Based Methods

The R package plink has been developed to facilitate the linking of mixed-format tests for multiple groups under a common item design using unidimensional and multidimensional IRT-based methods. This paper presents the capabilities of the package in the context of the unidimensional methods. The package supports nine unidimensional item response models (the Rasch model, 1PL, 2PL, 3PL, graded response model, partial credit and generalized partial credit model, nominal response model, and multiple-choice model) and four separate calibration linking methods (mean/sigma, mean/mean, Haebara, and Stocking-Lord). It also includes functions for importing item and/or ability parameters from common IRT software, conducting IRT true-score and observed-score equating, and plotting item response curves and parameter comparison plots.

The Motor City Needs Oil (On Canvas): An Argument in Support of Detroit\u27s Grand Bargain

Now the largest municipality in the history of the United States to go bankrupt, Detroit very nearly lost its famous art collection to its creditors. To protect its collection, Detroit proposed what is now often referred to as the grand bargain, which involved creating a corporation that paid $816 million for the entire art collection provided that the amount paid was earmarked for pension holders in Detroit. The deal resulted in realizing two goals: keeping the art collection in Detroit and protecting pensioners who faced a huge loss in the wake of the bankruptcy. Critics of the grand bargain claim that it is inconsistent with the principles of bankruptcy law, describing it as a fraudulent transfer, as failing to satisfy the best interests test, and as unfairly discriminating against some creditors. This Note argues against those criticisms, and makes the case that, not only was the grand bargain consistent with bankruptcy law, it was a model to be emulated by other municipalities facing bankruptcy

Evaluation of acute coronary syndrome risk by hospitalists to expedite discharge of low risk patients

Chest pain is a leading cause of Emergency Department (ED) visits. Risk stratification of risk for Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is applied with variability. Revaluation of ACS risk by hospitalists may provide the opportunity to identify patients eligible for expedited discharge

Age and Functional Outcomes Post-Neurologic Insult in Patients Attending Inpatient Rehabilitation

Introduction Neurologic insults such as strokes and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) affect over 1 million Americans every year. The lack of current knowledge informing accurate prognoses causes victims and their loved ones distress, and is a focus of much research. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patient age at time of insult could predict change in functional outcomes during inpatient rehabilitation. Methods Subjects were patients of an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) post-stroke or TBI. The Functional Independence Measure (FIM) assessed functional independence and cognitive status at admission and discharge from the IRF. The Montebello Rehabilitation Factor Score (MRFS) incorporated admission and discharge FIM scores to calculate each subject’s change in cognitive and motor functional independence. Descriptive statistics and linear regression analyses were calculated using SPSS v24. Results Data from twenty subjects were included in the study (66.5 ± 18.0 years; n=7 female). The overall regression model was trending towards statistical significance, where lower age predicted cognitive MRFS (F = 3.714, p = 0.070, β = -0.414, R2 = 0.171) and motor MRFS (F = 25.008, p \u3c 0.001 , β = -0.763, R2 = 0.581) at discharge from the IRF. Conclusions Our findings are consistent with previous research demonstrating that neurologic insult at a younger age is correlated with better functional outcomes from that incident. Providers and therapists should use this information in educating patients and their support network about the patient’s possible prognosis

The Transient Sea Level response to external forcing in CMIP6 models

Earth is warming and sea levels are rising as land-based ice is lost to melt, and oceans expand due to accumulation of heat. The pace of ice loss and steric expansion is linked to the intensity of warming. How much faster sea level will rise as climate warms is, however, highly uncertain and difficult to model. Here, we quantify the transient sea level sensitivity of the sea level budget in both models and observations. Models show little change in sensitivity to warming between the first and second half of the twenty-first century for most contributors. The exception is glaciers and ice caps (GIC) that have a greater sensitivity pre-2050 (2.8 ± 0.4 mm/yr/K) compared to later (0.7 ± 0.1 mm/yr/K). We attribute this change to the short response time of glaciers and their changing area over time. Model sensitivities of steric expansion (1.5 ± 0.2 mm/yr/K), and Greenland Ice Sheet mass loss (0.8 ± 0.2 mm/yr/K) are greater than, but still compatible with, corresponding estimates from historical data (1.4 ± 0.5 and 0.4 ± 0.2 mm/yr/K). Antarctic Ice Sheet (AIS) models tends to show lower rates of sea level rise (SLR) with warming (−0.0 ± 0.3 mm/yr/K) in contrast to historical estimates (0.4 ± 0.2 mm/yr/K). This apparent low bias in AIS sensitivity is only partly able to account for a similar low bias identified in the sensitivity of global mean sea level excluding GIC (3.1 ± 0.4 vs. 2.3 ± 0.4 mm/yr/K). The balance temperature, where SLR is zero, lies close to the pre-industrial value, implying that SLR can only be mitigated by substantial global cooling

ABA RPTE Conservation Easement Task Force Report: Recommendations Regarding Conservation Easements and Federal Tax Law

In October 2015, the American Bar Association’s Real Property, Trust and Estate Law (RPTE) section convened a Conservation Easement Task Force. The objective of the Task Force was to provide recommendations regarding federal tax law as it relates to conservation easements. This Report is the culmination of the Task Force’s work. Part I of the Report is an Executive Summary of the Task Force’s recommendations. Part II provides the background necessary to understand the Task Force’s recommendations. Part III briefly sets forth the Task Force’s comments on the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 as it relates to charitable contributions in general and conservation easement donations in particular. In Part IV, the Task Force recommends that the Treasury publish safe harbor provisions that would be common to most conservation easements. Part V sets forth the Task Force’s recommendations regarding amendments and discretionary consents, the inconsistent use regulations, and furthering transparency in conservation easement administration. Part VI discusses issues surrounding valuation of conservation easements. Part VII contains a brief comment on syndicated conservation easement transactions. Part VIII is the Task Force response to certain proposals the Treasury Department made (most recently in 2016) to change conservation easement law.Appendix A sets forth the “perpetuity” requirements of § 170(h) and the Treasury Regulations.Appendix B offers specific language to facilitate the preparation of key safe harbor provisions

La liberalización y el manejo de los flujos de capital: una visión institucional

Los flujos de capital han aumentado notablemente en los últimos años y son un aspecto clave del sistema monetario mundial. Ofrecen beneficios potenciales a los países, pero su tamaño y su volatilidad también pueden plantear problemas de política. El Fondo debe estar en condiciones de proporcionar asesoría clara y coherente respecto de los flujos de capital y las políticas relacionadas. En 2011, el Comité Monetario y Financiero Internacional llamó a “seguir trabajando en un enfoque integral, flexible y equilibrado para el manejo de los flujos de capital”. En este documento se propone una visión institucional que apoye este enfoque, con base en documentos de política anteriores, estudios analíticos y discusiones de la Junta sobre los flujos de capital