Here Come the Judges

2021 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-249
Author(s):  
Justice Michael P. Donnelly ◽  
Judge Gene A. Zmuda ◽  
Judge Pierre H. Bergeron
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Information ◽  
State Court ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
Prison Sentence ◽  
Trial Courts ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Sentencing Decisions ◽  
Actual Experience ◽  
Trial Judges ◽  
First Time

We are Ohio state court judges with actual experience in imposing and/or reviewing criminal felony sentences. We are unaware of any expressed objection by Ohio’s judiciary to having more relevant information available to a sentencing court. Sentencing discretion is conferred upon trial courts by the General Assembly through its statutory enactments, and the trial courts have full discretion to impose a prison sentence that falls within the prescribed statutory range. With such wide-ranging discretion the database will provide additional information to a sentencing judge, which will result in a more informed sentence. Justice requires that judges get it “right.” Why prevent useful, relevant, and important information from being considered by trial judges in achieving this goal? Once the criminal sentencing database is in place, for the first time in the state’s history all stakeholders, including judges, will have access to relevant information that can inform their sentencing decisions while keeping biases, implicit or otherwise, in check. This will usher in a fairer, more transparent system that we should all support. As stewards of the greatest system ever designed to resolve disputes and, therefore, as those empowered to see that justice is achieved, we can’t afford to pretend that the problem doesn’t exist. We must seize this moment and take this long-overdue step for the betterment of our judicial system and, therefore, our society.

scholarly journals Maximizing Acceleration and Change of Direction in Sport: A Case Series to Illustrate How the Force-Velocity Profile Provides Additional Information to That Derived from Linear Sprint Time

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 6140
Author(s):  
Andrés Baena-Raya ◽  
Manuel A. Rodríguez-Pérez ◽  
Pedro Jiménez-Reyes ◽  
Alberto Soriano-Maldonado
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Maximal Power Output ◽  
Sprint Time ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Technical Report ◽  
Force Velocity

Sprint running and change of direction (COD) present similar mechanical demands, involving an acceleration phase in which athletes need to produce and apply substantial horizontal external force. Assessing the mechanical properties underpinning individual sprint acceleration might add relevant information about COD performance in addition to that obtained through sprint time alone. The present technical report uses a case series of three athletes with nearly identical 20 m sprint times but with different mechanical properties and COD performances. This makes it possible to illustrate, for the first time, a potential rationale for why the sprint force-velocity (FV) profile (i.e., theoretical maximal force (F0), velocity (V0), maximal power output (Pmax), ratio of effective horizontal component (RFpeak) and index of force application technique (DRF)) provides key information about COD performance (i.e., further to that derived from simple sprint time), which can be used to individualize training. This technical report provides practitioners with a justification to assess the FV profile in addition to sprint time when the aim is to enhance sprint acceleration and COD performance; practical interpretations and advice on how training interventions could be individualized based on the athletes’ differential sprint mechanical properties are also specified.

scholarly journals When more is more: redundant modifiers can facilitate visual search

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn Rehrig ◽  
Reese A. Cullimore ◽  
John M. Henderson ◽  
Fernanda Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Visual Search ◽  
Real World ◽  
Search Space ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Target Object ◽  
Search Performance ◽  
Redundant Information ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Target Template ◽  
Template Specificity

Abstract According to the Gricean Maxim of Quantity, speakers provide the amount of information listeners require to correctly interpret an utterance, and no more (Grice in Logic and conversation, 1975). However, speakers do tend to violate the Maxim of Quantity often, especially when the redundant information improves reference precision (Degen et al. in Psychol Rev 127(4):591–621, 2020). Redundant (non-contrastive) information may facilitate real-world search if it narrows the spatial scope under consideration, or improves target template specificity. The current study investigated whether non-contrastive modifiers that improve reference precision facilitate visual search in real-world scenes. In two visual search experiments, we compared search performance when perceptually relevant, but non-contrastive modifiers were included in the search instruction. Participants (NExp. 1 = 48, NExp. 2 = 48) searched for a unique target object following a search instruction that contained either no modifier, a location modifier (Experiment 1: on the top left, Experiment 2: on the shelf), or a color modifier (the black lamp). In Experiment 1 only, the target was located faster when the verbal instruction included either modifier, and there was an overall benefit of color modifiers in a combined analysis for scenes and conditions common to both experiments. The results suggest that violations of the Maxim of Quantity can facilitate search when the violations include task-relevant information that either augments the target template or constrains the search space, and when at least one modifier provides a highly reliable cue. Consistent with Degen et al. (2020), we conclude that listeners benefit from non-contrastive information that improves reference precision, and engage in rational reference comprehension. Significance statement This study investigated whether providing more information than someone needs to find an object in a photograph helps them to find that object more easily, even though it means they need to interpret a more complicated sentence. Before searching a scene, participants were either given information about where the object would be located in the scene, what color the object was, or were only told what object to search for. The results showed that providing additional information helped participants locate an object in an image more easily only when at least one piece of information communicated what part of the scene the object was in, which suggests that more information can be beneficial as long as that information is specific and helps the recipient achieve a goal. We conclude that people will pay attention to redundant information when it supports their task. In practice, our results suggest that instructions in other contexts (e.g., real-world navigation, using a smartphone app, prescription instructions, etc.) can benefit from the inclusion of what appears to be redundant information.

A review of Sharp's types of Aleochara from Latin America (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae)

1989 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Klimaszewski
Keyword(s):  
Latin America ◽  
South America ◽  
North American ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
First Time

AbstractA review of David Sharp's types of Aleochara from Mexico, and Central and South America is presented. Nineteen species are treated here, one of which is described as new (A. felixiana), seven are redescribed [A. angusticeps Sharp, A. funestior Sharp, A. mexicana Sharp, A. oxypodia Sharp, A. simulatrix Sharp, A. gracilis (Sharp), and A. duplicata (Sharp)] and one [A. miradoris Sharp] is put in synonymy under A. mexicana Sharp. The remaining ten species were treated in my 1984-revision of North American Aleochara but are here included in a checklist with references to description, redescription, and illustrations. Some additional information is provided for previously synonymized A. torquata Sharp (= A. sallaei Sharp), and for A. quadrata Sharp. Illustrations of genitalic structures of both sexes are provided for the first time for the seven redescribed species. Lectotypes are designated for A. angusticeps, A. duplicata, A. funestior, A. mexicana, and A. oxypodia.

A Comparison of Airline Safety Videos in Information Acquisition

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 1671-1673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Ragan ◽  
Tessa Sommer ◽  
Frank Drews
Keyword(s):  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Safety Information ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Flight Safety ◽  
Information Retention ◽  
Short Answer ◽  
Airline Safety ◽  
Short Answer Questions ◽  
First Time

This study examined the effect of humor on airline safety information retention. Passenger attention to pre- flight safety demonstrations is low, even though it may impact the chance of survival in an aviation accident. Airlines have employed humor and entertainment to educate passengers on safety information. This study explored whether the humorous presentation increases retention of safety information, or if humor acts as a distraction from safety relevant information. Participants viewed two pre-flight safety demonstration videos (humorous and non-humorous) in counterbalanced order then answered short-answer questions about the content of the videos. Retention scores after viewing either type of video for the first time were the same. However, when a humorous video was shown prior to a standard safety video, retention scores for safety material dropped. These findings suggest that humorous safety demonstrations may be more effective, not because they are best at conveying information, but because passengers do not attend to standard videos if they have previously been exposed to a humorous version.

scholarly journals Italian Astronomers in the IAU: the contribution and role of Italian astronomers from the foundation to the Second World War

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (S349) ◽  
pp. 248-255
Author(s):  
V. Zanini ◽  
M. Gargano ◽  
A. Gasperini
Keyword(s):  
Second World War ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
World War ◽  
International Scientific Community ◽  
Historical Archives ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Recent Project ◽  
First Time ◽  
Second World

AbstractEven though Italy officially joined the IAU in 1921, Italian astronomers were involved in its birth as early as 1919, when Annibale Riccò, Director of the Astrophysical Observatory of Catania, proposed to the IAU Committee to hold its first General Assembly in Rome. This contribution will analyze the role played by Italian astronomers in the development of the IAU from its foundation to the Second World War. The recent project of reordering of the astronomical historical archives in Italy permits for the first time a more in-depth study of the relations between Italian astronomers and the international scientific community.

TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION AND ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE — A CASE-BASED APPROACH

2012 ◽  
Vol 03 (02) ◽  
pp. 1250007 ◽  
Author(s):  
JÜRGEN EICHBERGER ◽  
ANI GUERDJIKOVA
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Technology Learning ◽  
The Public ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Technological Adaptation ◽  
Long Run

We present a model of technological adaptation in response to a change in climate conditions. The main feature of the model is that new technologies are not just risky, but also ambiguous. Pessimistic agents are thus averse to adopting a new technology. Learning is induced by optimists, who are willing to try out technologies about which there is little evidence available. We show that both optimists and pessimists are crucial for a successful adaptation. While optimists provide the public good of information which gives pessimists an incentive to innovate, pessimists choose the new technology persistently in the long-run which increases the average returns for the society. Hence, the optimal share of optimists in the society is strictly positive. When the share of optimists in the society is too low, innovation is slow and the obtained steady-state is inefficient. We discuss two policies which can potentially alleviate this inefficiency: Subsidies and provision of additional information. We show that if precise and relevant information is available, pessimists would be willing to pay for it and consequently adopt the new technology. Hence, providing information might be a more efficient policy, which is both self-financing and results in better social outcomes.

scholarly journals COMBINE Archive Specification Version 1

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank T. Bergmann ◽  
Nicolas Rodriguez ◽  
Nicolas Le Novère
Keyword(s):  
Modeling And Simulation ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Media Type ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Internet Media ◽  
Metadata File ◽  
Description Framework ◽  
Audit Trails ◽  
Resource Description

Summary Several standard formats have been proposed that can be used to describe models, simulations, data or other essential information in a consistent fashion. These constitute various separate components required to reproduce a given published scientific result.The Open Modeling EXchange format (OMEX) supports the exchange of all the information necessary for a modeling and simulation experiment in biology. An OMEX file is a ZIP container that includes a manifest file, an optional metadata file, and the files describing the model. The manifest is an XML file listing all files included in the archive and their type. The metadata file provides additional information about the archive and its content. Although any format can be used, we recommend an XML serialization of the Resource Description Framework.Together with the other standard formats from the Computational Modeling in Biology Network (COMBINE), OMEX is the basis of the COMBINE Archive. The content of a COMBINE Archive consists of files encoded in COMBINE standards whenever possible, but may include additional files defined by an Internet Media Type. The COMBINE Archive facilitates the reproduction of modeling and simulation experiments in biology by embedding all the relevant information in one file. Having all the information stored and exchanged at once also helps in building activity logs and audit trails.

scholarly journals What do women know about breast density? A public screening program perspective

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monique Robertson ◽  
Ellie C Darcey ◽  
Evenda K Dench ◽  
Louise Keogh ◽  
Kirsty McLean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Density ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Mammographic Screening ◽  
Descriptive Data ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Dense Breasts ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Main Message ◽  
First Time

AbstractBackgroundThis study assesses knowledge of breast density, one of breast cancer’s strongest risk factors, in women attending a public mammographic screening program in Western Australia that routinely notifies women if they have dense breasts.MethodsSurvey data was collected from women who were notified they have dense breasts and women who had not (controls). Descriptive data analysis was used to summarize responses.ResultsOf the 6183 women surveyed, over 85% of notified women knew that breast density makes it difficult to see cancer on a mammogram (53.9% in controls). A quarter of notified women knew that having dense breasts puts women at increased risk for breast cancer (13.2% in controls). Overall, 50.1% of notified women indicated that they thought the amount of information provided was “just right” and 24.9% thought it was “too little”, particularly women notified for the first time (32.1%).ConclusionThe main message of reduced sensitivity of mammography in women with dense breasts provided by the screening program appears to be getting though. However, women are largely unaware that increased breast density is associated with increased risk. Women notified of having dense breasts for the first time could potentially benefit from additional information.

scholarly journals Noncontrast vestibular schwannoma surveillance imaging including an MR cisternographic sequence: is there a need for postcontrast imaging?

2019 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 549-554 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Buch ◽  
Amy Juliano ◽  
Konstantina M. Stankovic ◽  
Hugh D. Curtin ◽  
Mary Beth Cunnane
Keyword(s):  
Vestibular Schwannoma ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Vestibular Schwannomas ◽  
Mr Images ◽  
Gadolinium Contrast ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
T1 Hyperintensity ◽  
Temporal Bones ◽  
Mr Sequences

OBJECTIVEThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a noncontrast MRI protocol that includes a cisternographic sequence (CISS/FIESTA/3D DRIVE) compared to a protocol that includes a gadolinium-enhanced sequence in order to determine whether a noncontrast approach could be utilized to follow vestibular schwannomas.METHODSA total of 251 patients with vestibular schwannomas who underwent MRI of the temporal bones that included both cisternographic sequence and postcontrast T1 imaging between January 2000 and January 2016 for surveillance were included in this retrospective study. The size of the vestibular schwannomas was independently assessed on a noncontrast MR cisternographic sequence and compared to size measurements on a postcontrast sequence. The evaluation of intralesional cystic components (identified as T2 signal hyperintensity) and hemorrhagic components (identified with intrinsic T1 hyperintensity) on noncontrast MR sequences was compared to evaluation on postcontrast MR sequences to determine whether additional information could be derived from the postcontrast sequences. Additionally, any potentially clinically significant, incidentally detected findings on the postcontrast T1 sequences were documented and compared with the detection of these findings on the precontrast images.RESULTSNo significant difference in vestibular schwannoma size was found when comparing measurements made on the images obtained with the MR cisternographic sequence and those made on images obtained with the postcontrast sequence (p = 0.99). Noncontrast MR images were better (detection rate of 87%) than postcontrast images for detection of cystic components. Noncontrast MR images were also better for identifying hemorrhagic components. No additional clinically relevant information regarding the tumors was identified on the postcontrast sequences.CONCLUSIONSBased on the results of this study, a noncontrast MR protocol that includes a cisternographic sequence would be sufficient for the accurate characterization of size and signal characteristics of vestibular schwannomas, obviating the need for gadolinium contrast administration for the routine surveillance of these lesions.

The lace-sheet-weavers—a long story (Araneae: Psechridae: Psechrus)

Zootaxa ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 3379 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
STEFFEN BAYER
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
New Records ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
First Time ◽  
Subadult Female

Various publications of the last twelve years have shown that the species richness of the genus Psechrus is much higherthan was assumed 30 years ago. Based upon trends in the structures of the copulatory organs, for the first time, eight spe-cies groups are recognised and, including the present study, 46 species are now known. 20 species are recognised anddescribed as new: P. ulcus sp. nov., P. aluco sp. nov., P. decollatus sp. nov., P. elachys sp. nov., P. norops sp. nov., P.arcuatus sp. nov., P. laos sp. nov., P. inflatus sp. nov., P. pakawini sp. nov., P. demiror sp. nov., P. jaegeri sp. nov., P.vivax sp. nov., P. obtectus sp. nov., P. fuscai sp. nov., P. clavis sp. nov., P. hartmanni sp. nov., P. zygon sp. nov., P. tauri-cornis sp. nov., P. crepido sp. nov. and P. schwendingeri sp. nov. Two species are removed from synonymy with P. sin-gaporensis Thorell, 1894: P. annulatus Kulczyński 1908 (stat. nov.) and P. libelti Kulczyński 1908 (stat. nov.). One juniorsynonym of P. tingpingensis Yin, Wang & Zhang, 1985 is recognised: P. xinping Chen, Zhang, Song & Kim, 2002 (syn.nov.). New records are reported: P. libelti from Thailand, Malaysia & Brunei; P. ancoralis Bayer & Jäger, 2010 from Thai-land; P. himalayanus Simon, 1906 from Bhutan; P. ghecuanus Thorell, 1897 from Laos. Pre-epigynes/pre-vulvae of 20Psechrus species are examined and illustrated. In these species they apparently exhibit consistent and species-specificcharacters. However, since in several species only one subadult female was available for examination and in 57% of thePsechrus species even none at all, the characters of the pre-epigyne/pre-vulva are not included in the Psechrus identifica-tion key introduced herein. Additional information on the biology of Psechrus—for which the trivial name “lace-sheetweavers” is introduced herein—is provided.

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