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"This book provides a quantitative treatment of the science of ecotoxicology. The first chapters consider fundamental concepts and definitions essential to understanding the fate and effects of toxicants at various levels of ecological organization as covered in the remaining chapters. Scientific ecotoxicology and associated topics are defined. The historical perspective, rationale, and characteristics are outlined for the strong inferential and quantitative approach advocated in this book. The general measurement process is discussed, and methodologies for defining and controlling variance, which could otherwise exclude valid conclusions regarding ecotoxicological endeavors, are considered.Ecotoxicological concepts at increasing levels of ecological organization are discussed in the second part of the book. Quantitative methods used to measure toxicant effects are outlined in this section. The final chapter summarizes the book with a brief discussion of ecotoxicological assessment. Numerous figures and tables accompany text, with many statistical tables found in the appendix for quick reference. Although the book primarily focuses on aquatic systems, with appropriate modification the concepts and methods can be applied to terrestrial systems"--

This article argues that the socio-history of quantification is not a simple sub-do-main of STS. On the contrary, it can provide tools for investigating a wide range of social situations from a new and interesting perspective. We begin by providing a new definition of quantification. Next we consider the way numbers permeate society to its very core, forming rich veins of data for social science research. From this process, referred to here as "quantitative marbling," three distinct cate-gories emerge: data veins produced by governments, those produced by social ac-tivists (often contesting the former), and lastly, those produced by non-govern-mental global networks. We conclude by suggesting that social processes aiming to free certain social aggregates of quantitative analysis are also worthy of attention.

This article addresses the topic of quantitative, or mathematics, literacy for the workplace and its relevance in programming for deaf students. As Craig and Craig indicated in framing this issue of the Annals , preparing students for the workplace is only one goal of literacy. Literacy also carries enormous political significance, as it relates to critical thinking, empowerment, fostering informed voting, preserving culture, and maintaining cultural and economic control; and it further can be viewed simply from the perspective of adding dignity and richness to life itself. However, because of its special impact in the workplace, this very pragmatic aspect of quantitative literacy will be the focus here. As noted educator and author Ira Shor (see, e.g., Shor, 1980) once said in response to a question I posed, "One should not apologize for the need nor the ability to earn a living."

AbstractDetailed analysis of information obtained is still under way, but initial trends appear to show stable enrollment, maintenance of minimum service levels, and lower hospital utilization.

This thesis revolves around some central aspects of the empirical spatial economics literature, which studies the influence of space on economic relationships. The article in Chapter 2, titled "Exports and Olympic Games: Is There a Signal Effect?", deals with the potential effects of hosting the Olympic Games on countries' exports. In contrast to earlier contributions, the article shows that hosting or applying for the Olympic Games does not necessarily has a positive and lasting effect on countries' exports. Specifically, this Olympic effect vanishes, once the Olympic hosts are compared to appropriate control groups such as the OECD countries, and not to all remaining countries of the world. The article in Chapter 3, titled "Nuclear Accidents and Policy: Notes on Public Perception", analyzes the effects of the nuclear accident in Fukushima in 2011 and the subsequent nuclear phase-out decision on the subjective perception in Germany. Subjective perception is captured through several independent items from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), including concerns about the environment and concerns about the reliability of nuclear energy. While the accident increases the probability to be worried about the environment, the phase-out decision decreases the worries about the security of nuclear energy. These effects are interrelated with the distance between the respondents' place of residence and the nearest nuclear facility. In Chapter 4 the article titled "Urban Renewal after the Berlin Wall: a place-based Policy Evaluation" evaluates a $2.3 Bn. urban renewal program designed to promote the recovery of 22 neighborhoods in Berlin, Germany. Such programs have become established instruments to mitigate the negative effects of urban decline. The study employs a quasi-experimental research design by comparing housing prices in the target areas over 20 years to various control groups, including areas with similar preconditions which were ultimately not selected for the policy and structurally similar transactions based on propensity score matching. The results show, that the policy was effective in increasing the housing stock quality in the target areas. Compared to similar areas not targeted by the policy, the share of building in bad condition decreased by 25% over the program period, and the value increased by over 50%. There is, however, no evidence that this is a causal effect. Also, there is no evidence for any external effects, which is astonishing given that such housing externalities are often used to justify the expenses for similar policies. Finally, there is evidence that the evaluation of place-based policies is sensitive to unobserved local differences, especially when there are but a few treatment or control areas. The article in Chapter 5, titled "Winner Picking in Urban Revitalization Policies - Empirical Evidence from Berlin", evaluates whether local authorities strategically pick winners when selecting the targets for urban revitalization policies. The chapter analyzes the selection process leading to the designation of five large urban revitalization areas in Berlin, Germany. The article estimates the influence of long-term trends in two key attributes – the unemployment rate and the share of residents of immigrant background – on the probability of being selected as a target area, while holding the current levels of these attributes constant. The results are as expected: local authorities, while choosing from a pool of areas with high levels of unemployment, prefer areas which show first signs of a recovery or a gentrification process. This effect is interpreted as winner picking. In summary, the results of this thesis show that it is crucial to take spatial aspects into account when evaluating economic relationships, especially in an urban or regional context. It also becomes obvious, that conventional estimates might be biased in face of spatial dependence, and that quantitative spatial methods can help reducing this bias. In the light of the thematic broadness and the complexity of the quantitative spatial economics literature, these results help to explain the current dissemination of spatial methods into the applied economics literature. ; Diese Dissertation diskutiert in vier Artikeln einige zentrale Aspekte der angewandten räumlichen Ökonomie, die den Einfluss von Raum auf ökonomische Zusammenhänge untersucht. Der Artikel in Kapitel 2 mit dem Titel "Exports and Olympic Games: Is There a Signal Effect?" diskutiert mögliche Effekte des Ausrichtens von olympischen Sommerspielen auf die Höhe der Exporte eines Landes. Im Gegensatz zu früheren Beiträgen zeigt er, dass das Ausrichten oder das Bewerben für olympische Spiele nicht notwendigerweise einen positiven und langfristigen Effekt auf die Exportmenge eines Landes hat. Dieser olympische Effekt verschwindet insbesondere dann, wenn man die ausrichtenden Länder nicht allen anderen Ländern gegenüber stellt, sondern eine angemessenere Kontrollgruppe wählt, wie etwa die OECD-Staaten. Der Artikel in Kapitel 3 mit dem Titel "Nuclear Accidents and Policy: Notes on Public Perception" analysiert die Effekte des Nuklearunfalls in Fukushima in 2011 und der darauffolgenden Entscheidung über den Atomausstieg auf die individuelle Wahrnehmung in Deutschland. Die subjektive Wahrnehmung wird über verschiedene Items des deutschen sozio-ökonomischen Panels (SOEP) abgebildet, darunter die Sorgen über die Umwelt und die Sorgen über die Sicherheit von Nuklearkraftwerken. Während der Unfall zu einem signifikanten Anstieg der Sorgen über die Umwelt führt, senkt die darauffolgende Entscheidung über den Atomausstieg die Sorgen bezüglich der Sicherheit von Atomkraftwerken. Diese Effekte sind zu einem gewissen Grad abhängig von der Entfernung, die zwischen dem Wohnort der befragten Person und dem nächstgelegenen Atomkraftwerk liegt. In Kapitel 4 evaluiert der Artikel mit dem Titel "Urban Renewal after the Berlin Wall: a place-based Policy Evaluation" ein $2.3 Mrd. teures Stadterneuerungsprogramm, welches die Aufwertung von 22 Vierteln in Berlin, Deutschland, zum Ziel hat. Die Studie greift auf ein quasiexperimentelles Forschungsdesign zurück, indem es Immobilienpreise in den Zielgebieten über 20 Jahre mit der Entwicklung in verschiedenen Kontrollgruppen vergleicht. Diese Kontrollgruppen beinhalten Untersuchungsgebiete, die ursprünglich auch als Zielgebiet vorgesehen waren, sowie strukturell ähnliche Gebiete, die auf Propensity Score Matching basieren. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Politikmaßnahme zu einer erhöhten Qualität des Immobilienbestands in den Zielgebieten geführt hat. Im Vergleich zu ähnlichen Gebieten, die nicht Ziel der Politikmaßnahme waren, hat sich der Anteil an Gebäuden in schlechtem Zustand über den Zeitraum der Studie um 25% verringert, während sich der Wert um bis zu 50% gesteigert hat. Die Ergebnisse deuten aber auch darauf hin, dass es sich nicht um einen kausalen Zusammenhang handelt.Schließlich gibt es Hinweise, dass die Evaluierung von ortsgebundenen Politikmaßnahmen zu einem großen Teil von unbeobachteten lokalen Unterschieden abhängt, besonders wenn es nur wenige Ziel- oder Kontrollgebiete gibt. Der Artikel in Kapitel 5 mit dem Titel "Winner Picking in Urban Revitalization Policies – Empirical Evidence from Berlin" untersucht, ob lokale Verwaltungen strategisch potenzielle Gewinner bevorzugen, wenn sie die Zielgebiete für Stadterneuerungsprogramme bestimmen. Die Studie analysiert den Auswahlprozess, der zur Ausweisung von fünf großen Stadterneuerungsgebieten in Berlin, Deutschland, führt. Sie schätzt dafür den Effekt von langfristigen Trends von zwei zentralen Attributen – der Arbeitslosenquote sowie dem Anteil von Menschen mit Migrationshintergrund – auf die Wahrscheinlichkeit, als Zielgebiet ausgewählt zu werden. Aktuelle Level dieser zwei Attribute werden dabei konstant gehalten. Die Ergebnisse entsprechen den Erwartungen: Ausgehend von einer Gruppe mit relativ hoher aktueller Arbeitslosigkeit, werden Gebiete bevorzugt, die einen positiven Trend oder den Beginn eines Gentrifikationsprozesses vorweisen können. Dieser Effekt wird als Winner Picking interpretiert. Zusammenfassend zeigen die Ergebnisse dieser Dissertation die Wichtigkeit, räumliche Aspekte bei der Analyse von ökonomischen Zusammenhängen nicht unberücksichtigt zu lassen, besonders in einem urbanen oder regionalen Kontext. Es wird offensichtlich, dass konventionelle Schätzergebnisse in Gegenwart von räumlicher Korrelation verzerrt sein können und dass quantitative räumliche Methoden helfen können, diese Verzerrung zu mindern. Angesichts der thematischen Breite und der Komplexität der quantitativen räumlichen Ökonomie helfen diese Ergebnisse, die immer größere Verbreitung von räumlichen Methoden in der allgemeinen angewandten ökonomischen Literatur zu erklären.

Intro -- Acknowledgements -- Contents -- Editor and Contributors -- 1 Introduction -- 1.1 Entering the 'Third World': A Glance Backwards -- 1.1.1 The Limits of Qualitative Analysis -- 1.1.2 The Subject of Semiotic Analysis -- 1.2 Quantitative Research Strategies in Semiotic Analysis -- 1.2.1 Empirical Validation of Qualitative Analyses -- 1.2.2 Mathematical and Experimental Validation of Models and Hypotheses -- 1.2.2.1 Jean Petitot and the Naturalization of Meaning -- 1.2.2.2 Alessandro Sarti and the Neurological Validity of Semiotic Models -- 1.2.3 Instrumented Analysis of Texts and Corpora -- 1.2.3.1 FranÃois Rastier's Definition of an Autonomous Empirical Dimension Proper to Semiotics -- 1.2.3.2 Franco Moretti's Distant Reading -- 1.2.3.3 Lev Manovich's Cultural Analytics -- 1.3 Quantifying Meaningfulness -- 1.3.1 Beyond Immanence: Mathematical and Experimental Validation -- 1.3.2 Within Immanence: Instrumented Analysis of Texts and Corpora -- References -- Beyond Immanence—Mathematical and Experimental Research -- 2 The Formalization of Elementary Semiotic Structures -- 2.1 Introduction -- 2.2 Elementary Structures as 'Intelligent Equations' -- 2.2.1 Conflicts and Bifurcations -- 2.2.2 Elements and Interactions -- 2.2.3 Universal Unfoldings: Towards a Solution to the Problem of Solutions -- 2.3 Elementary Structures as Schemas -- 2.3.1 Semiotic Square and the Hysteresis Cycle -- 2.3.2 The Paths in the External Space as 'Solutions' -- 2.3.3 Making the Schema More Complex -- 2.3.4 Variants and Homotopy Classes -- 2.4 Semantic Paradigms and Actantial Syntax -- 2.4.1 Externalization and Internalization: Slow and Fast Systems -- 2.4.2 The Integrated Semantic–Syntactic Schemas and the Problem of Conversion -- 2.5 Claude Lévi-Strauss' Canonical Formula of Myth -- 2.6 Further Developments and Openings -- Bibliography

part Part I Research Design and Study Outcomes -- chapter 1 Lawrence W. Sherman and Richard A. Berk (1984), 'The Specific Deterrent Effects of Arrest for Domestic Assault', American Sociological Review, 49, pp. 261-72 -- chapter 2 Richard A. Berk, Heather Ladd, Heidi Graziano and Jong-Ho Baek (2003), 'A Randomized Experiment Testing Inmate Classification Systems', Criminology and Public Policy, 2, pp. 215-42 -- chapter 3 David Weisburd, Cynthia M. Lum and Anthony Petrosino (2001), 'Does Research Design Affect Study Outcomes in Criminal Justice?', Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 578, pp. 50-70 -- chapter 4 Mark W. Lipsey and David B. Wilson (1993), 'The Efficacy of Psychological, Educational, and Behavioral Treatment: Confirmation from Meta-Analysis', American Psychologist, 48, pp. 1181-209 -- part Part II Quantitative Issues in Sampling -- chapter 5 Robert Brame and Raymond Paternoster (2003), 'Missing Data Problems in Criminological Research: Two Case Studies', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 19, pp. 55-78 -- chapter 6 David Weisburd with Anthony Petrosino and Gail Mason (1993), 'Design Sensitivity in Criminal Justice Experiments', Crime and Justice, 17, pp. 337-79 -- chapter 7 Douglas A. Smith and Raymond Paternoster (1990), 'Formal Processing and Future Delinquency: Deviance Amplification as Selection Artifact', Law and Society Review, 24, pp. 1109-131 -- part Part III Issues in Measurement -- chapter 8 John I. Kitsuse and Aaron V. Cicourel (1963), 'A Note on the Uses of Official Statistics', Social Problems, 11, pp. 131-39 -- chapter 9 Albert D. Biderman and Albert J. Reiss Jr (1967), 'On Exploring the -- chapter 10 Michael R. Geerken (1994), 'Rap Sheets in Criminological Research: Considerations and Caveats', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 10, pp. 3-21 -- chapter 11 Julie Horney and Ineke Haen Marshall (1992), 'An Experimental Comparison of Two Self-Report Methods for Measuring Lambda', Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency, 29, pp. 102-21 -- chapter 12 Janet L. Lauritsen (1998), 'The Age-Crime Debate: Assessing the Limits of Longitudinal Self-Report Data', Social Forces, 77, pp. 127-54 -- chapter 13 David P. Farrington, Rolf Loeber, Magda Stouthamer-Loeber, Welmoet B. van Kammen and Laura Schmidt (1996), 'Self-reported Delinquency and a Combined Delinquency Seriousness Scale Based on Boys, Mothers, and Teachers: Concurrent and Predictive Validity for African-Americans and Caucasians', Criminology, 34, pp. 493-517 -- part Part IV Descriptive Analysis of Quantitative Data -- chapter 14 Michael D. Maltz (1998), 'Visualizing Homicide: A Research Note', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 14, pp. 397-410 -- chapter 15 David M. Kennedy, Anthony A. Braga and Anne M. Piehl (1998), 'The (Un)known Universe: Mapping Gangs and Gang Violence in Boston', in Crime Mapping and Crime Prevention, D. Weisburd and T. McEwen (eds), Crime Prevention Studies, 7, pp. 219-62 -- chapter 16 Arnold Barnett, Alfred Blumstein and David P. Farrington (1989), 'A Prospective Test of a Criminal Career Model', Criminology, 27, pp. 373-88 -- chapter 17 Kenneth C. Land and Daniel S. Nagin (1996), 'Micro-Models of Criminal Careers: A Synthesis of the Criminal Careers and Life Course Approaches via Semiparametric Mixed Poisson Regression Models, with Empirical Applications', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 12, pp. 163-91 -- chapter 18 Shawn D. Bushway, Terence P. Thornberry and Marvin D. Krohn (2003), 'Desistance as a Developmental Process: A Comparison of Static and Dynamic Approaches', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 19, pp. 129-53 -- chapter 19 David Weisburd, Shawn Bushway, Cynthia Lum and Sue-Ming Yang (2004), 'Trajectories of Crime at Places: A Longitudinal Study of Street Segments in the City of Seattle', Criminology, 42, pp. 283-321 -- part Part V Causal Modelling -- chapter 20 Ian Ayres and Steven D. Levitt (1998), 'Measuring Positive Externalities from Unobservable Victim Precaution: An Empirical Analysis of Lojack', Quarterly Journal of Economics, 113, pp. 43-77 -- chapter 21 David McDowall, Colin Loftin and Brian Wiersema (1992), 'A Comparative Study of the Preventive Effects of Mandatory Sentencing Laws for Gun Crimes', Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 83, pp. 378-94 -- chapter 22 David F. Greenberg (2001), 'Time Series Analysis of Crime Rates', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 17, pp. 291-327 -- chapter 23 D. Wayne Osgood (2000), 'Poisson-Based Regression Analysis of Aggregate Crime Rates', Journal of Quantitative Criminology, 16, pp. 21-43.