This year's November elections—a preview to next year's nationwide showdowns—cast their own spotlight on education, a dynamic that played out most prominently in the Kentucky governor's race, where teachers organized to unseat a combative incumbent who'd sparred with them.

Michael Sentance, who would oversee ESSA implementation as state superintendent, is less than a year into the job and under fire by the state board for his communication and leadership style.

Concerns about local school systems can pose recruitment and retention hurdles for the armed services as they seek to meet the needs of military families.

Seek Academy in Newark, N.J., has added a social justice class for students in kindergarten through 4th grades to help them make sense of some of the most controversial issues of the day, including the "take the knee" debate.

In Florida, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah, Republicans are arguing that candidates for local and state school boards should run on party tickets.

As lawmakers weigh expansion of the state’s voucher and tax-credit scholarship programs, some renew a push for anti-discrimination protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students.

This year's November elections—a preview to next year's nationwide showdowns—cast their own spotlight on education, a dynamic that played out most prominently in the Kentucky governor's race, where teachers organized to unseat a combative incumbent who'd sparred with them.

Questions remain after the Michigan Supreme Court ruled that two school districts have the right to ban guns from their schools.

Rockville, Maryland : National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1991.

Rockville, Maryland : National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1980.

Gery Geenens

Source: Statist. Surv., Volume 5, 30--43.

Abstract:
Recently, some nonparametric regression ideas have been extended to the case of functional regression. Within that framework, the main concern arises from the infinite dimensional nature of the explanatory objects. Specifically, in the classical multivariate regression context, it is well-known that any nonparametric method is affected by the so-called “curse of dimensionality”, caused by the sparsity of data in high-dimensional spaces, resulting in a decrease in fastest achievable rates of convergence of regression function estimators toward their target curve as the dimension of the regressor vector increases. Therefore, it is not surprising to find dramatically bad theoretical properties for the nonparametric functional regression estimators, leading many authors to condemn the methodology. Nevertheless, a closer look at the meaning of the functional data under study and on the conclusions that the statistician would like to draw from it allows to consider the problem from another point-of-view, and to justify the use of slightly modified estimators. In most cases, it can be entirely legitimate to measure the proximity between two elements of the infinite dimensional functional space via a semi-metric, which could prevent those estimators suffering from what we will call the “curse of infinite dimensionality”.

References:
[1] Ait-Saïdi, A., Ferraty, F., Kassa, K. and Vieu, P. (2008). Cross-validated estimations in the single-functional index model, Statistics, 42, 475–494.

[2] Aneiros-Perez, G. and Vieu, P. (2008). Nonparametric time series prediction: A semi-functional partial linear modeling, J. Multivariate Anal., 99, 834–857.

[3] Baillo, A. and Grané, A. (2009). Local linear regression for functional predictor and scalar response, J. Multivariate Anal., 100, 102–111.

[4] Burba, F., Ferraty, F. and Vieu, P. (2009). k-Nearest Neighbour method in functional nonparametric regression, J. Nonparam. Stat., 21, 453–469.

[5] Cardot, H., Ferraty, F. and Sarda, P. (1999). Functional linear model, Stat. Probabil. Lett., 45, 11–22.

[6] Crambes, C., Kneip, A. and Sarda, P. (2009). Smoothing splines estimators for functional linear regression, Ann. Statist., 37, 35–72.

[7] Delsol, L. (2009). Advances on asymptotic normality in nonparametric functional time series analysis, Statistics, 43, 13–33.

[8] Fan, J. and Gijbels, I. (1996). Local Polynomial Modelling and Its Applications, Chapman and Hall, London.

[9] Fan, J. and Zhang, J.-T. (2000). Two-step estimation of functional linear models with application to longitudinal data, J. Roy. Stat. Soc. B, 62, 303–322.

[10] Ferraty, F. and Vieu, P. (2006). Nonparametric Functional Data Analysis, Springer-Verlag, New York.

[11] Ferraty, F., Laksaci, A. and Vieu, P. (2006). Estimating Some Characteristics of the Conditional Distribution in Nonparametric Functional Models, Statist. Inf. Stoch. Proc., 9, 47–76.

[12] Ferraty, F., Mas, A. and Vieu, P. (2007). Nonparametric regression on functional data: inference and practical aspects, Aust. NZ. J. Stat., 49, 267–286.

[13] Ferraty, F., Van Keilegom, I. and Vieu, P. (2010). On the validity of the bootstrap in nonparametric functional regression, Scand. J. Stat., 37, 286–306.

[14] Ferraty, F., Laksaci, A., Tadj, A. and Vieu, P. (2010). Rate of uniform consistency for nonparametric estimates with functional variables, J. Stat. Plan. Inf., 140, 335–352.

[15] Ferraty, F. and Romain, Y. (2011). Oxford handbook on functional data analysis (Eds), Oxford University Press.

[16] Gasser, T., Hall, P. and Presnell, B. (1998). Nonparametric estimation of the mode of a distribution of random curves, J. Roy. Stat. Soc. B, 60, 681–691.

[17] Geenens, G. (2011). A nonparametric functional method for signature recognition, Manuscript.

[18] Härdle, W., Müller, M., Sperlich, S. and Werwatz, A. (2004). Nonparametric and semiparametric models, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.

[19] James, G.M. (2002). Generalized linear models with functional predictors, J. Roy. Stat. Soc. B, 64, 411–432.

[20] Masry, E. (2005). Nonparametric regression estimation for dependent functional data: asymptotic normality, Stochastic Process. Appl., 115, 155–177.

[21] Nadaraya, E.A. (1964). On estimating regression, Theory Probab. Applic., 9, 141–142.

[22] Quintela-Del-Rio, A. (2008). Hazard function given a functional variable: nonparametric estimation under strong mixing conditions, J. Nonparam. Stat., 20, 413–430.

[23] Rachdi, M. and Vieu, P. (2007). Nonparametric regression for functional data: automatic smoothing parameter selection, J. Stat. Plan. Inf., 137, 2784–2801.

[24] Ramsay, J. and Silverman, B.W. (1997). Functional Data Analysis, Springer-Verlag, New York.

[25] Ramsay, J. and Silverman, B.W. (2002). Applied functional data analysis; methods and case study, Springer-Verlag, New York.

[26] Ramsay, J. and Silverman, B.W. (2005). Functional Data Analysis, 2nd Edition, Springer-Verlag, New York.

[27] Stone, C.J. (1982). Optimal global rates of convergence for nonparametric regression, Ann. Stat., 10, 1040–1053.

[28] Watson, G.S. (1964). Smooth regression analysis, Sankhya A, 26, 359–372.

[29] Yeung, D.T., Chang, H., Xiong, Y., George, S., Kashi, R., Matsumoto, T. and Rigoll, G. (2004). SVC2004: First International Signature Verification Competition, Proceedings of the International Conference on Biometric Authentication (ICBA), Hong Kong, July 2004.

Michael L. Stein.

Source: Statistical Science, Volume 35, Number 1, 31--41.

Abstract:
Climate science is a field that is arguably both data-rich and data-poor. Data rich in that huge and quickly increasing amounts of data about the state of the climate are collected every day. Data poor in that important aspects of the climate are still undersampled, such as the deep oceans and some characteristics of the upper atmosphere. Data rich in that modern climate models can produce climatological quantities over long time periods with global coverage, including quantities that are difficult to measure and under conditions for which there is no data presently. Data poor in that the correspondence between climate model output to the actual climate, especially for future climate change due to human activities, is difficult to assess. The scope for fruitful interactions between climate scientists and statisticians is great, but requires serious commitments from researchers in both disciplines to understand the scientific and statistical nuances arising from the complex relationships between the data and the real-world problems. This paper describes a small fraction of some of the intellectual challenges that occur at the interface between climate science and statistics, including inferences for extremes for processes with seasonality and long-term trends, the use of climate model ensembles for studying extremes, the scope for using new data sources for studying space-time characteristics of environmental processes and a discussion of non-Gaussian space-time process models for climate variables. The paper concludes with a call to the statistical community to become more engaged in one of the great scientific and policy issues of our time, anthropogenic climate change and its impacts.

Source: Statistical Science, Volume 35, Number 1, 1--1.

Radio culture is gaining more and more ground as millions of listeners take to audio podcasts as a convenient and accessible way to learn new information.  Which is why FAO is stepping up into the medium to bring you insights into some of the issues concerning food and agriculture worldwide. Here are the first seven audio offerings of FAO’s new podcast [...]

Your feedback on our coverage of women's history, wolverines and Madame C.J. Walker

Your feedback on our 50th anniversary issue showcasing success stories in conservation

Over many years, the Xenopus laevis embryo has provided a powerful model system to investigate how mechanical forces regulate cellular function. Here, we describe a system to apply reproducible tensile and compressive force to X. laevis animal cap tissue explants and to simultaneously assess cellular behavior using live confocal imaging.

BCBS Press release "Basel Committee issues progress report on banks' implementation of the 'Principles for effective risk data aggregation and reporting'", 29 April 2020

Tissue engineering has a unique set of tools and technologies for developing preventive strategies, diagnostics, and treatments that can play an important role during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

An evacuation order and alert have been issued for eight properties near Quesnel, British Columbia, due to risk of a landslide from flooding.

The general field of quantitative biology has advanced significantly on the back of recent improvements in both sequencing technology and proteomics methods. The development of high-throughput, short-read sequencing has revolutionized RNA-based expression studies, while improvements in proteomics methods have enabled quantitative studies to attain better resolution. Here we introduce methods to undertake global analyses of gene expression through RNA and protein quantification in Xenopus embryos and tissues.

Apple has been hit with a class-action lawsuit claiming that the company concealed the so-called "stage lighting" issue experienced by some 2016 MacBook Pro owners.

Acne vulgaris is an extraordinarily common skin condition in adolescents. The mainstays of acne treatment have remained largely unchanged over recent years. In the context of increasing antibiotic resistance worldwide, there is a global movement away from antibiotic monotherapy toward their more restrictive use. Classically reserved for nodulocystic acne, isotretinoin has become the drug of choice by dermatologists for moderate to severe acne. Given the virtually ubiquitous nature of acne in teenagers, there remains an appreciable need for novel therapies. In this article, we will cover the currently used acne treatments, evaluate the issues and data supporting their use, explore the issues of compliance and the mental health implications of acne care, and recommend directions for the field of acne management in adolescents in the years ahead.

Disney, one of the most famous names in film, has launched a new TV service, called Disney Plus. Coming to a living room near you.

If you can't see elderly parents, or friends with medical conditions, what can you do to keep in touch? You can send a letter, of course, or make a landline phone call, but video calls allow you to speak and see each other.

Police have issued more than 140 fixed-penalty notices to people flouting coronavirus lockdown rules in Scotland in the week since new powers came into force.

MILLIONS of face masks to protect Scottish health and care workers against coronavirus could be stuck in limbo at Prestwick airport for a week, it has emerged.

The Rolling Stones have released their first new song in eight years. Unlike everything else they've done in the last three decades, it's bang up to date. It even references the coronavirus crisis.

Affinity groups known as caucuses let teacher-candidates at the University of Washington gather with others who share part of their identity, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.

LIKE many of your readers, I would imagine, I am a fairly enthusiastic armchair football supporter with no real club affiliation.

THE surge in hobbies and home improvements during lockdown has led to a rise in injuries, with optometrists in particular issuing a warning to lockdown Brits to take extra care.

As lawmakers weigh expansion of the state’s voucher and tax-credit scholarship programs, some renew a push for anti-discrimination protection for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students.

This year's November elections—a preview to next year's nationwide showdowns—cast their own spotlight on education, a dynamic that played out most prominently in the Kentucky governor's race, where teachers organized to unseat a combative incumbent who'd sparred with them.

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a common pediatric condition often requiring inpatient management. Several studies describe recent increases in hospitalizations due to SSTIs.

In addition to rising hospitalizations, analysis of pediatric SSTI resource utilization trends revealed a twofold increase in incisions and drainages over a 13-year period. A growing number of incisions and drainages were performed in younger children. (Read the full article)

Blood cultures are a common investigation in children admitted to the hospital with skin and soft tissue infections. The yield of blood cultures in this condition is unknown.

Blood cultures are not useful in children admitted to the hospital with uncomplicated skin and soft tissue infections, and they may be associated with increased length of hospital stay. (Read the full article)