Racial differences in high school dropout rates: An analysis of U.S. Metropolitan areas

In this paper, we explore the differences in high school dropout rates among white, black and Hispanic students in 275 U.S. Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) in 2000. Our analysis focuses on the impact of community and labor market conditions, in hopes of providing insight into the relationship between place and educational outcomes. The explanatory power of our regression models is mixed across racial groups, performing best for whites and Hispanics. Our results also indicate that community factors – most importantly, same-race adult educational attainment in the community, teenage birth rates and residential stability – have a greater impact on dropout rates than labor market factors. Our results suggest that as education reform moves toward broad-based solutions to improve student outcomes including dropout rates, it will be increasingly important to address the structural origins of inequality outside of schools.     

Comparative class analysis: locating Canada in a North American and Nordic context

La division des classes par sexe et par secteur (biens et services capitalistes ou l'état) révele differents points forts dans cinq sociétés capitalistes avancées: les États-Unis, le Canada, la Norvège, la Suede et la Finlande. À l'aide des données tirées du Comparative Class Structure Project (Étude de structure des classes comparée), la présente étude porte sur un ensemble restreint de classes (capitalistes/dirigeants, ancienne classe moyenne, nouvelle classe moyenne et classe ouvrière) déterminées a partir du niveau de maîtrise exercé sur les moyens de production et sur le travail des autres. Elle met en évidence l'mportance de faire une distinction de classes par sexe. Les résultats démontrent comment les hommes et les femmes se répartissent dans la classe ouvrière et la nouvelle classe moyenne dans les divers secteurs des cinq pays étudiés. II en ressort une forte différence entre les pays scandinaves et ceux d'Amérique du Nord. Certaines conséquences pour ce qui est des blocs politiques pour les hommes et les femmes des classes, secteurs et pays en cause sont avancées. Alors que les femmes scandinaves de classe ouvrière et de la nouvelle classe moyenne ont une base solide dans le secteur de l'état, les Nord-américaines, elles, se retrouvent surtout dans le secteur capitaliste des services, beaucoup plus faible. Les hommes de classe ouvrière dominent toujours le secteur capitaliste des biens mais ceux de la nouvelle classe moyenne se divisent par région Scandinavie/Amérique du Nordles Scandinaves de la nouvelle classe moyenne étant plus forts dans le secteur de l'état et leurs équivalents nord-américains étant plus forts dans le secteur capitaliste. Ces tendances suggèrent des bases différentes, selon les pays, pour les alliances politiques entre les classes. Division of classes by sexes and sectors (capitalist goods and services versus the state) reveals different focal points in five advanced capitalist societies: the United States, Canada, Norway, Sweden and Finland. Using data from the Comparative Class Structure Project, this paper offers a ‘minimalist’ set of class categories (capitalist/executive, old middle class, new middle class and worker) based upon commanding the means of production and the labour of power of others. The paper emphasizes the importance of distinguishing classes by sex. The results report on how men and women distribute in the working and new middle classes over sectors in the five nations, revealing a strong Nordic/North American difference. Some implications for the strength of political blocks for men and women in these classes, sectors and nations are tentatively presented. While Nordic working and new middle class women have a solid base of strength in the state sector, North American women are concentrated in the much weaker capitalist service sector. Men continue to dominate the capitalist goods sector for the working class but for the new middle class men there is a Nordic/North American split between their respective strengths, with the Nordic new middle class stronger in the state sector and the North American equivalents stronger in the capitalist sector. These patterns suggest different national bases for alliances in class politics.     

Accounting for Both Random Errors and Systematic Errors in Uncertainty Propagation Analysis of Computer Models Involving Experimental Measurements with Monte Carlo Methods

A Monte Carlo method is presented to study the effect of systematic and random errors on computer models mainly dealing with experimental data. It is a common assumption in this type of models (linear and nonlinear regression, and nonregression computer models) involving experimental measurements that the error sources are mainly random and independent with no constant background errors (systematic errors). However, from comparisons of different experimental data sources evidence is often found of significant bias or calibration errors. The uncertainty analysis approach presented in this work is based on the analysis of cumulative probability distributions for output variables of the models involved taking into account the effect of both types of errors. The probability distributions are obtained by performing Monte Carlo simulation coupled with appropriate definitions for the random and systematic errors. The main objectives are to detect the error source with stochastic dominance on the uncertainty propagation and the combined effect on output variables of the models. The results from the case studies analyzed show that the approach is able to distinguish which error type has a more significant effect on the performance of the model. Also, it was found that systematic or calibration errors, if present, cannot be neglected in uncertainty analysis of models dependent on experimental measurements such as chemical and physical properties. The approach can be used to facilitate decision making in fields related to safety factors selection, modeling, experimental data measurement, and experimental design.     

The impact of urbanization on construction minerals

Construction minerals (sand, gravel and crushed stone used in the production of concrete) are among our most plentiful mineral resources by volume. Increasing quantities of these materials are required for construction within urban areas. However, continuing and accelerating suburbanization is rapidly making unusable deposits of these minerals due to zoning and other restrictions. In addition, the low intrinsic value of mineral aggregates and their bulkiness make the economics of the industry extremely sensitive to location. Mathematical programming is used to investigate the economic impact of urbanization on the production and distribution of construction minerals.     

Measuring facial movement

A procedure has been developed for measuring visibly different facial movements. The Facial Action Code was derived from an analysis of the anatomical basis of facial movement. The method can be used to describe any facial movement (observed in photographs, motion picture film or videotape) in terms of anatomically based action units. The development of the method is explained, contrasting it to other methods of measuring facial behavior. An example of how facial behavior is measured is provided, and ideas about research applications are discussed.The research reported here was supported by a grant from NIMH, MH 167845. The authors are grateful to Wade Seaford, Dickinson College, for encouraging us to build our measurement system on the basis of specific muscular action. He convinced us that it would allow more precision, and that learning the anatomy would not be an overwhelming obstacle. Neither he nor we realized, however, how detailed and elaborate this undertaking would be. Seaford (1976) recently advanced some of the arguments we have made here about the value of an anatomically based measurement system. We are grateful also to those who first learned FAC and gave us many helpful suggestions as to how to improve the manual. We thank Linda Camras, Joe Hager, Harriet Oster, and Maureen O'Sullivan also for their comments on this report.     

Victim service and justice system representative responses about partner stalking: what do professionals recommend?

Research suggests that partner stalking is associated with reassault and lethality as well as increased psychological distress for victims. However, there is a significant gap in information about stalking interventions and the responses of health, mental health, law enforcement, social services, and criminal justice professionals to women experiencing partner stalking. The purpose of this study is to examine the ideas about appropriate and effective responses to stalking victims from professionals in victim services and the justice system. The study also examined differences among rural and urban representatives because prior studies have shown significant differences between rural and urban areas on experiences and responses to partner violence. A total of 152 key informants (38 urban and 114 rural) were interviewed. Study results suggest a need for more training for victim services and justice system professionals on stalking and service needs of women who experience stalking in the context of partner violence.