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Pseudo-Masha’allah, On the Astrolabe: A Critical Edition of the Latin Text with English Translation
Get PDFThe astrolabe was the most important scientific instrument in the Middle Ages, and the treatise ascribed to Māshā’allāh (but not actually by him) is the most important text on the subject. It was much copied and survives in all or in part in almost 200 manuscripts. Generally there are more than 140 copies of each part of the treatise.The 1929 edition published by R. T. Gunther was based on only three or four local manuscripts, and as such is defective in many places. Missing phrases, or mis-copied or mis-read phrases at times make that text unintelligible.This edition is based on the collation of all the extant manuscripts. What is now being published here (Version 1.7) is the text of the Prologue and of the twenty-two chapters of the Compositio text, an edition of the Lists of Stars normally found with the text, and the Prologue and the forty-seven chapters of the Practica text.The edition is available in four PDF files:Part I: Introduction containing the preface and introductory material, including manuscript information;Part II: a critical edition of the Compositio text – the Latin text and diagrams, the critical apparatus and a facing English translation;Part III: Lists of Stars, edited and translated, with an appendix containing information about all the stars mentioned in the text and tables;Part IV: A critical edition and translation of the Practica text, or how to use an astrolabe.The editor is interested in the receiving comments on the text, and further insights into its interpretation, from others. He is willing to incorporate such additions into later versions for the benefit of those who would consult this edition in the future. Comments can be sent to [email protected] is given for scholars to print out (and bind) any or all of these texts for non-commercial uses: research, study, criticism and citation. Commercial reproduction of all or part of the texts is not permitted without the prior consent of the copyright owner.This is the latest version of the work. Previous versions are available at https://shareok.org/handle/11244/14221 and https://shareok.org/handle/11244/14221.2Ye
Disorder, Disorganization, and Delinquency: A Mediation Analysis of Environmental Disorder, Extra-Curricular Activities, and Delinquency from Early to Late Adolescence
Get PDFAccording to the literature, youth violence, neighborhood crime rates, and early delinquency have been associated with vacant or abandoned housing, and adverse environmental and urban conditions (Jackson, Newsome, and Lynch 2017; Limbos and Casteel 2008; Yonas et al. 2007). Additionally, people of color are more likely to live in areas of inadequate housing and poor environmental conditions due to historical racism in housing policies, employment opportunities, and access to vital resources in a neighborhood context (de Leon and Schilling 2017; Sampson, Wilson, and Katz 2018). Literature surrounding Social Disorganization and Broken Windows theory note that physical and social disorder erode the community controls that bind social cohesion, ties, and control in communities creating a pretext for social disorganization. However, research is scant when examining the impact of objective physical disorder on late adolescent delinquency and how informal social control, such as extra-curricular activities, mediates this relationship.
I use data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), which is an active, panel survey that is administered to a nationally representative sample of 4898 families with interviews conducted between 1998 and 2017 comprised of six waves (Reichman et al. 2001). Objective measures of disorder are constructed from the variables available in this dataset to examine disorder’s impact on delinquency in late adolescence. I find that objective sources of physical disorder did not significantly affect an adolescent’s delinquency. However, participation in extra-curricular activities as a form of informal social control partially mediates this relationship. These findings illuminate several paths for policy implications and considerations going forward
Meteorological Benefits of Dual-Polarization, Rapid-Scanning Radar Systems on Hail Producing Storms
Get PDFHailstorms continue to be one of the leading economic natural hazards in the United States, amounting to ten billion dollars in damage, on average, annually. Radar tech- nology is one of the best means of detecting hailstorms, especially from an operational standpoint, and the implementation of dual-polarization radars has enhanced this ca- pability. However, most operational radar systems to date have temporal update times that are insufficient for understanding some of the rapidly evolving microphysical and dynamical processes of hailstorms, such as drop shedding, melting of hail or variability of hailfall associated with updraft changes. As such, past studies have heavily relied on models and radar observations with insufficient update times on the order of 5 – 7 minutes.
Recent advances in radar technology have paved the way for a better analysis of hailstorms through the implementation of rapid scanning radar systems and innovative approaches to obtain faster scans. This study uses two radars providing rapid-scan observations, the Rapid X-band Polarimetric Radar (RaXPol) and KOUN to examine what rapidly evolving features can be resolved in hailstorms. RaXPol, a mobile X-band radar system, provides full volumetric update times of 24 seconds and with its close proximity to the storm, also provides high spatial resolution, thus allowing for some microphysical processes to be resolved in more detail. While KOUN does not update as quickly as RaXPol, it completes fast sector scans in 90 – 120 seconds, providing more detail than a conventional NEXRAD over a storms lifetime. RaXPol data were obtained from the 15 June 2017 supercell near Hays, KS that produced 2.5” hail. Using vertical cross sections, RaXPol is able to capture the rapid growth of the ZDR column as well as a hail fallout signature that becomes stratified into distinct layers. We hypothesize these layers to be associated with 1) large, dry hail, 2) smaller, melting hail, and 3) large drops from melting hail or drop shedding with the stratification resulting from size sorting. Since the hailfall occurs into a precipitation-free region, this provides a unique view of the temporal evolution of melting hail and size-sorting processes.
KOUN data were obtained from 4 hail-producing storms across 3 days. Similar to RaXPol, KOUN was able to capture vertically evolving features such as the growth and decay of the ZDR column and the three-body scatter spike. Vertical cross sections of ZH, ZDR, and ρhv allowed for hail fallout to be resolved, though the extent of the microphysical processes ongoing was more limited, especially when compared to the RaXPol data. Through the use of derived parameters, such as MESH and an HCA, KOUN was able to better capture the full lifecycle of a hailstorm, including the cyclic evolution of hail production and its relation to storm mode. This dataset was also emulated to a NEXRAD update time range to explore what features, such as the evolution of the TBSS, would not be resolved with a rapid-scanning radar system. Understanding the benefits of using a rapid scanning radar system will be advantageous for future phased-array systems and will provide more detail on the processes affecting hail growth and production both from the research realm, as well as detecting hail and other precursor signatures in warning operations
Navigating the Paradox of Resilience: Colonial Legacies, Climate Change, and Hurricanes in Puerto Rico
Get PDFVulnerability is a significant concept in disaster studies because reducing vulnerability is one of
the main opportunities for reducing disaster risk and impact. However, the nature of vulnerability
is constantly changing and the processes that influence vulnerability are dynamic and rooted in
varying conditions. Puerto Rico has remained on the most topmost vulnerable islands to extreme
weather events, according to the Global Climate Risk Index, for two consecutive decades. Puerto
Rico’s vulnerability does not only come from its geographical location. The island nation has a
history of harm and unjust caused by colonialism and its continuation, which was unveiled even
further by Hurricane Maria of 2017. However, even though coloniality is a recognizable factor,
it does not show the full extent to why Puerto Rico has remained vulnerable. The missing
component is a framework of disaster resilience, which enhances the explanations of Puerto
Rico’s vulnerability by exhibiting the additional dangers of framing disaster risk and adaptation
as a responsibility by the community. Engaging with a more recent narrative is necessary for a
more comprehensive understanding of Puerto Rico’s vulnerability to climate change
Non-Traditional and Emerging Ensemble Pedagogy: Instrumental Music Teacher Educators’ Practices and Beliefs
Get PDFMusic teacher educators of the 21st century are tasked with preparing preservice music teachers to meet the diverse needs of public school students (Kaschub & Smith, 2014; Williams, 2015). As the demographic make-up of students evolve, a change in culture and musical interests should be expected (Juchniewicz, 2007). If secondary students are not interested in large performing ensembles, they may find their musical interests in elective music courses. Unfortunately, when music electives are offered in American secondary schools, such electives frequently do not reflect students’ musical lives or interests (Hawkinson, 2015). The disconnect between public school students’ interests and music educators’ preparedness to teach primarily in the large ensemble setting warrants a need for examining preservice music teacher curricula—specifically, an exploration of undergraduate opportunities to learn non-traditional and emerging ensemble (NTEE) pedagogies.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the curricular and extracurricular opportunities and experiences with NTEEs for preservice music teachers throughout their undergraduate experience. The data I gathered may better inform music teacher educators to prepare preservice teachers to effectively instruct NTEEs, and better meet the diverse needs of 21st century secondary music students. I designed an online survey to collect data from 468 instrumental music teacher educators (IMTEs) who represented programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). Approximately two-thirds (n = 57, 62.0%) of the 92 respondents reported that their undergraduate music education curriculum included the instruction of NTEEs pedagogies. One of the primary hinderances to the inclusion of NTEE pedagogy was time, both within preexisting course offerings and the creation of stand-alone courses. IMTEs supported having their preservice teachers observe NTEEs in the public schools but indicated that opportunities were limited by school and travel restrictions. IMTEs also noted how preservice music teachers made music outside of the university setting.
Findings from this investigation have implications for all faculty in higher education. Music education and music faculty members at large play important roles in bringing greater accessibility to, more experiences in, and greater confidence in NTEE pedagogies for their undergraduate students. Experience through instrumental methods coursework, student-led rehearsals, and peer teaching opportunities may be vital in developing self-efficacy for teaching music in NTEE settings
Mixed methods in social scientific research
Get PDFThe following paper maintains that a mixed methods approach produces explanations more likely to reveal causation while maintaining generalizability. In this paper, I attempt to illustrate that both methodologies and the explanations produced by each are essential to sociology. The quantitative methods employed by holists tend to produce generalizable explanations. The qualitative methods employed by individualists tend to produce explanations that reveal causation. Methodological holists are correct that explanations need to be generalizable, but the need for generalizability does not render causality irrelevant. Methodological individualists are correct that explanations need to reveal causality, but the need to reveal causality does not render generalizability irrelevant. Holism and individualism are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, sociological explanations can benefit from the quantitative and qualitative methods employed by each methodological approach
Using Radiosonde Observations to Assess The 'Three-Ingredients' Method to Forecast QLCS Mesovortices
Get PDFQuasi-linear convective system (QLCS) mesovortices have a propensity to produce impactful severe weather outcomes, including tornadoes and enhanced straight-line wind damage. Despite advances in understanding the origins of these meso-gamma scale vortices over the past two decades, a relative lack of operational tools remain for anticipating their genesis. In particular, genesis of these features can occur over small temporal scales, presenting a challenge in current warning operations.
One tool used widely in the forecasting community is the “Three Ingredients” Method (3-I-M), developed by Schaumann and Przybylinski (2012), which identifies favored QLCS mesovortexgenesis conditions for operational benefit. The 3-I-M assesses both internal system characteristics along with the pre-convective environment to aid in early identification of mesovortex potential. The 3-I-M are 1) a portion of a QLCS in which the system cold pool and ambient low-level shear are said to be nearly “balanced” or “slightly shear dominant”, 2) where 0-3 kilometer line-normal bulk wind shear magnitudes are greater than or equal to 15 ms-1, and 3) where a rear-inflow jet or enhanced outflow causes a surge or bow along the convective line. Despite its widespread use as a tool to predict QLCS mesovortices, this method has not been evaluated extensively in formal literature.
To evaluate the 3-I-M using data not available for the Schaumann and Przybylinski (2012) founding study, environmental data from radiosonde observations in proximity to 50 observed QLCSs, including 9 from past field programs (PECAN, VORTEX-SE, MESO18-19), were compared against QLCS characteristics revealed by nearby WSR-88D observations. Analysis of internal characteristics included assessing the shear/cold pool balance, rear-inflow surges, and observed mesovortices. Analysis shows that nearly half (46%) of mesovortexgenesis events were observed in regimes of sub-critical line-normal 0-3 km wind shear. This agrees with recent studies that found mesovortexgenesis processes can be quite varied and can occur for line-normal shear under the 15 ms-1 threshold. Additionally, the distance between the Updraft Downdraft Convergence Zone (UDCZ) and elevated reflectivity, related to shear/cold pool balance, appears to offer more skill in discriminating mesovortexgenesis potential than line-normal 0-3 km wind shear. This study also offers potential objective criteria for defining favorable shear/cold pool balance “regimes”, along with magnitudes of wind shear across both deeper and shallower depths, favorable for mesovortexgenesis
Mental health in collegiate athletics: survey of attitudes, barriers, and preparedness of university resources
No full textPurpose. The purpose of this study was to assess collegiate student-athlete perception of mental health. A secondary purpose was to develop a list of attitudes and behaviors toward athletes seeking help, and university perception. Methods. Alcorn State University student-athletes were given a survey about mental health in collegiate athletics. One-hundred and ninety student athletes submitted a complete response. Results. There was no significant relationship between the number of barriers and seeking help. There was an overwhelming number of student-athletes that do not believe that Alcorn is prepared to help with a mental health crisis. There was no significant difference between male and female participants for willingness to seek help. Discussion. The number of barriers data was skewed due to the high number of responses for zero and one barrier, but questions could be used for future studies. Many of the student-athletes feel that Alcorn is not prepared and provided several qualitative responses that could benefit the athletic department. Lastly, even though there was no significance between the sexes, it shows that the gap between them is starting to decrease. Conclusion. There are a lot of improvements that could be made to the mental health crisis response. Student-athlete opinions are important and should be used to develop protocols and policies
Hearing race: the effects of race and accent on language attitudes and intergroup communication outcomes
Get PDFRelying on assumptions from social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979), alongside integrated threat theory and intersectionality framework/theory, this dissertation investigated how speakers are socially categorized based on their accents (i.e., SAE [Standard American English] accent vs. Nigerian accent) and race (i.e., White vs. Black) separately and concurrently (i.e., White-SAE vs. Black-Nigerian) as well as the intergroup outcomes (i.e., symbolic threat, realistic threat, intergroup anxiety, and social distance) of these social categorizations, as mediated by language attitudes (i.e., evaluations of status, solidarity, and dynamism). Several pilot studies were conducted to generate pretest stimuli for the main experimental study. Audio samples were first generated, and photographs were selected for use in the dissertation study. Pilot Study 1 was conducted to pre-test and examine the prototypicality of both the SAE (N = 151) and Nigerian (N = 105) accents (while controlling for vocal attractiveness). Based on results from this pilot study, six final accent samples from the initial 14 samples gathered were selected for use in the main study. Pilot Study 2 pre-tested the prototypicality of White (N = 150) and Black (N = 152) male photographs (while controlling for physical attractiveness). Based on results from this pilot study, six final photographs (from the original 24 photographs) were selected for use in the main dissertation study.
For the main study, an experiment randomly assigning participants (N = 502) to one of 18 conditions (i.e., either accent-only, race-only, or accent-race conditions) examined the direct and indirect effects of accent, race, and accent and race combined on symbolic threat, realistic threat, intergroup anxiety, and social distance, as mediated by evaluations of status, solidarity, and dynamism. In the accent-only condition, participants were presented with an audio-recoding of either an SAE or a Nigerian accented speaker reading a passage of prose about rainbows. In the race-only conditions, a photograph of a White or Black male accompanied by the same rainbow passage was presented. Finally, in the accent-race conditions, participants were presented with either a photograph of a White male together with an audio-recording of an SAE accented speaker reading the rainbow passage or a photograph of a Black male together with an audio-recording of a Nigerian accented speaker reading the rainbow passage. After stimuli exposure, manipulation checks were first presented to participants, then participants were asked to answer a battery of measures, namely, speech evaluation instrument, symbolic threat, realistic threat, intergroup anxiety, social distance, exoticism, exposure to diverse individuals, attitudes toward African immigrants, and demographic questions.
Findings revealed that, for the accent-only conditions, the SAE accent was evaluated more favorably than the Nigerian accent on the dimension of status. Also, status was found to mediate the relationship between accent and symbolic threat. For the race-only conditions, results indicated that Black males were rated higher on solidarity and dynamism compared to White males. For the accent-race conditions, status mediated the relationship between the combined accent and race of a speaker and symbolic threat, intergroup anxiety, and social distance. In other words, lower status evaluations for Black-Nigerian accented speaker resulted in higher feelings of symbolic threat, greater intergroup anxiety, and more social distance from Black-Nigerian accented speakers, in general. The dissertation’s findings are discussed as they pertain to social categorization, stereotyping, intergroup communication outcomes, ideological beliefs about language use and racial cues, as well as the role that socio-cultural context plays in intergroup relations. Additionally, the theoretical and practical implications of the dissertation are discussed as they concern social identity markers of accent, race, and the intersectionality of accent and race in intergroup communication. Lastly, the limitations of the dissertation study are acknowledged and directions for future research are proposed
"The truth in masquerade": masking and self-making in literature
No full textThis thesis analyzes scenes of “masquerade” in three literary texts, the Oresteia of Aeschylus (458 B.C.E.), Eliza Fowler Haywood’s short novel Fantomina; or Love in a Maze (1725), and Mark Twain’s A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889), to understand the complexity of characters who practice to deceive. The performances, or masks, of the protagonists in these texts are essential means of achieving otherwise unattainable goals. As at a masquerade, however, these masks are eventually taken away, leaving the characters in dire situations.This thesis draws upon literary-critical studies of its three primary texts as well as upon the work of social and cultural historians who have studied the gendered dynamics of performance, impersonation, and self-fashioning in ancient Greece, in eighteenth-century England, and in the nineteenth-century United States. The thesis uses the work of feminist historians and critics to contextualize Clytemnestra’s performative transgression of ancient Greek gender roles, the work of historians of eighteenth-century masquerade to analyze Fantomina’s role-playing, and medical discourses associated with post-Civil War traumatic stress to understand Hank Morgan’s response to his temporal dislocation from the nineteenth to the sixth century. This thesis documents the ways in which Clytemnestra’s actions prefigure the performative qualities of the masquerade long before the masquerade emerged as a distinct social practice. It argues that Fantomina’s varied masks represent an attempt, ultimately unsuccessful, to evade the restrictions imposed on upper-class women in eighteenth-century England and to claim a level of agency usually reserved to men. Twain’s “Connecticut Yankee” Hank, in turn, adopts a variety of masks to cope with trauma that, this thesis argues, recalls and reflects on the experiences of veteran amputees who sought, in the post-Civil War United States, to reclaim psychic wholeness. Much work remains to be done on masquerade as a recurrent trope in literature. This study aims to contribute to this important area of inquiry. Given further time, this study might be expanded to address representations of prostitution and masquerade in the visual arts, among other issues, as they complement or complicate literary representations of this topic