432 research outputs found
Chaos, loss, passage and desire. The experience of diaspora in the works of Edwidge Danticat, Jamaica Kincaid, Andrea Levy and Dionne Brand
No full textThis thesis brings together the visions of four women writers of West Indian descent (Edwidge Danticat, Jamaica Kincaid, Andrea Levy and Dionne Brand) and interprets their works through the most established theories of diaspora and postcolonial studies in the attempt to illustrate the composite nature of the experience of Caribbean diaspora. It lies on the premise that such a complex phenomenon must be interpreted as both an historical event, a private happening and a socio-cultural revolution, and leads to the conclusion that one single voice cannot be enough to represent its comprehensive identity. Multivocality thus becomes a necessity and the idea of assembling the images produced by a group of authors rather, than concentrating on one particular imagery, serves to foster a bird’s eye vision able to render the kaleidoscopic character of this experience. Each chapter turns around one of these writers, whose work is interpreted according to one dominant image. Resorting to a strategy based on the collection of apparently disparate images, this thesis reinforces the idea that the complexity of the Caribbean experience of diaspora cannot be interpreted univocally and that loss, desire, chaos and transition are the leading forces of this phenomenon
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Team defense in criminal cases /
No full textAndrea D. Lyon is a criminal defense attorney, a death penalty expert, an author, and a professor. She resides in Chicago, Illinois. Mort Smith is a Criminal Defense and Civil Rights Investigative Specialist. He is the former Chief Homicide Investigator for the Murder Task Force Unit of the Cook County Illinois, Public Defender's office and former Chief Investigator for Illinois Capital Resource Center of the Office of the State Appellate Defender. He is co-founder of the Criminal Defense Investigation Certification Program at the DePaul College of Continuing & Professional Education, and a me
The effectiveness of interventions to treat severe acute malnutrition in young children: a systematic review
No full textSevere acute malnutrition (SAM) arises as a consequence of a sudden period of food shortage and is associated with loss of a person’s body fat and wasting of their skeletal muscle. Many of those affected are already undernourished and are often susceptible to disease. Infants and young children are the most vulnerable as they require extra nutrition for growth and development, have comparatively limited energy reserves and depend on others. Undernutrition can have drastic and wide-ranging consequences for the child’s development and survival in the short and long term. Despite efforts made to treat SAM through different interventions and programmes, it continues to cause unacceptably high levels of mortality and morbidity. Uncertainty remains as to the most effective methods to treat severe acute malnutrition in young children.ObjectivesTo evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to treat infants and children aged < 5 years who have SAM.Data sourcesEight databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, MEDLINE In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, CAB Abstracts Ovid, Bioline, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, EconLit EBSCO and The Cochrane Library) were searched to 2010. Bibliographies of included articles and grey literature sources were also searched. The project expert advisory group was asked to identify additional published and unpublished references.Review methodsPrior to the systematic review, a Delphi process involving international experts prioritised the research questions. Searches were conducted and two reviewers independently screened titles and abstracts for eligibility. Inclusion criteria were applied to the full texts of retrieved papers by one reviewer and checked independently by a second. Included studies were mapped to the research questions. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by one reviewer and checked by a second reviewer. Differences in opinion were resolved through discussion at each stage. Studies were synthesised through a narrative review with tabulation of the results.ResultsA total of 8954 records were screened, 224 full-text articles were retrieved, and 74 articles (describing 68 studies) met the inclusion criteria and were mapped. No evidence focused on treatment of children with SAM who were human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive, and no good-quality or adequately reported studies assessed treatments for SAM among infants < 6 months old. One randomised controlled trial investigated fluid resuscitation solutions for shock, with none adequately treating shock. Children with acute diarrhoea benefited from the use of hypo-osmolar oral rehydration solution (H-ORS) compared with the standard World Health Organization-oral rehydration solution (WHO-ORS). WHO-ORS was not significantly different from rehydration solution for malnutrition (ReSoMal), but the safety of ReSoMal was uncertain. A rice-based ORS was more beneficial than glucose-based ORSs, and provision of zinc plus a WHO-ORS had a favourable impact on diarrhoea and need for ORS. Comparisons of different diets in children with persistent diarrhoea produced conflicting findings. For treating infection, comparison of amoxicillin with ceftriaxone during inpatient therapy, and routine provision of antibiotics for 7 days versus no antibiotics during outpatient therapy of uncomplicated SAM, found that neither had a significant effect on recovery at the end of follow-up. No evidence mapped to the next three questions on factors that affect sustainability of programmes, long-term survival and readmission rates, the clinical effectiveness of management strategies for treating children with comorbidities such as tuberculosis and Helicobacter pylori infection and the factors that limit the full implementation of treatment programmes. Comparison of treatment for SAM in different settings showed that children receiving inpatient care appear to do as well as those in ambulatory or home settings on anthropometric measures and response time to treatment. Longer-term follow-up showed limited differences between the different settings. The majority of evidence on methods for correcting micronutrient deficiencies considered zinc supplements; however, trials were heterogeneous and a firm conclusion about zinc was not reached. There was limited evidence on either supplementary potassium or nicotinic acid (each produced some benefits), and nucleotides (not associated with benefits). Evidence was identified for four of the five remaining questions, but not assessed because of resource limitation.LimitationsThe systematic review focused on key questions prioritised through a Delphi study and, as a consequence, did not encompass all elements in the management of SAM. In focusing on evidence from controlled studies with the most rigorous designs that were published in the English language, the systematic review may have excluded other forms of evidence. The systematic review identified several limitations in the evidence base for assessing the effectiveness of interventions for treating young children with severe acute malnutrition, including a lack of studies assessing the different interventions; limited details of study methods used; short follow-up post intervention or discharge; and heterogeneity in participants, interventions, settings, and outcome measures affecting generalisability.ConclusionsFor many of the most highly ranked questions evidence was lacking or inconclusive. More research is needed on a range of topic areas concerning the treatment of infants and children with SAM. Further research is required on most aspects of the management of SAM in children < 5 years, including intravenous resuscitation regimens for shock, management of subgroups (e.g. infants < 6 months old, infants and children with SAM who are human immunodeficiency virus sero-positive) and on the use of antibiotics.FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Technology Assessment programme.<br/
Numerical modelling of ice: Mechanical behaviour of ice under high strain rates
No full textIce impact is quite common and may become critical especially if it involves the transportation sector. Simulation tools may help in the structural design phase to increase the ability to withstand this kind of impact and/or to analyse the effect under extreme weather conditions. Such tools require an accurate description of the mechanical behaviour and therefore a detailed investigation about the dynamic mechanical properties of ice is of great interest. In the present work, material characterizations of ice, including tensile and compressive tests, were carried out under different strain rates. Two different material models (i.e., the modified Johnson-Cook model and Johnson-Holmquist II model) were calibrated. Then, impact tests using ice as a projectile with aluminium panels as a target were conducted to validate the material models of ice under impact loading. Furthermore, the replication effect of ice projectiles was investigated under different impact energies based on the mechanical responses and damage phenomena of ice for both models. Results showed that while both models are able to provide reliable predictions of the impact behaviour of ice projectiles, the Johnson-Holmquist II model presents a better performance as impact energy increases.Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.Structural Integrity & Composite
Industry structure and regulation
No full textAs private firms become increasingly involved in the development of key infrastructure, redefining the role of government from that of serviceprovider to regulator presents both challenges and opportunities. The factors that give rise to sector reforms color how much policymakers invest in regulatory design during the reform process. Nevertheless, two factors are essential to sustainable sector and regulatory reform. First, the right structure must be established for the industry concerned, a structure that allows competition appropriate for that industry. Second, the objectives of regulation must be well defined, with a clear distinction between policymaking, policy implementation, and operations. The extent to which competition can be harnessed to help make regulation efficient, effective, and sustainable depends on the intrinsic technical characteristics of the sector. Each decision affects the sustainability of the regulatory regime in the face of the threat of regulatory capture (both political and commercial). Careful regulatory design is crucial not only for successful sectoral reform but also to balance the interests of various actors (government, consumers, developers, investors, and financiers). One model that has been relatively successful combines new entry, unbundled services, and the unambiguous spelling out of the legal rights and duties for both public and private service providers, administered by an autonomous regulatory authority. Problems with regulation often result as much from inadequate attention to sector structure and fostering competition as from weaknesses in the regulatory authority's institutional capacity. As for the tools of regulation, despite differences in some details between licenses and concessions (and their many contractual variations), these are basically instruments that establish the rights and obligations of contracting parties. Choices about where these rights and obligations are located in the legal hierarchy are shaped by a country's institutional capacity and legal traditions. But the existence of instruments to establish those rights and obligations does not eliminate the need for institutionsto administer them, and thus carry out the regulatory function. Establishing effective sectorwide regulation can be difficult in a developing country, but it is necessary. Policymakers will be able to create effective regulatory regimes where adequate attention is given to sector structure, competition, and institution-building.Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade Finance and Investment,Knowledge Economy,ICT Policy and Strategies,Decentralization,Environmental Economics&Policies,Administrative&Regulatory Law,ICT Policy and Strategies,Water and Industry,Knowledge Economy
The effects of executive gender on firm outcomes: An examination of the influence of assimilation
No full textIn this study, I examine the language style of CEO and CFO dyads to determine if the CFO assimilates to the CEO’s communication style over her/his tenure. Role congruity theory suggests a woman faces prejudice due to the incongruity between the socially accepted female gender role and the normalized perception of a leader, associated with masculine traits. Eagly and Karau (2002) argue that a woman may take on characteristics associated with men to garner respect as a leader. This assimilation potentially diminishes the significant contributions research suggests female executives bring to an organization (e.g., Paustian-Underdahl et al. (2014)). I use the question-and-answer portion of earnings conference calls to perform sentiment analysis on the communication by the CEO and CFO and calculate a measure of language style, which I track over time to determine how style changes during the CEO-CFO relationship. I also examine how diversity on the board of directors impacts this relationship. Contrary to my expectations, I do not find evidence of assimilation in female CFOs. Rather, the results suggest that over time, both male CEOs and CFOs take on a more communal language style, moving towards a style more aligned with feminine stereotypes. This change in style appears to be driven by a monitoring force, namely the gender diversity of the board of directors. My findings are important to policy makers as there are increased calls for gender diversity in firms and on boards of directors, as well as to the boards themselves for consideration in hiring decisions for top executives.Embargo status: Restricted to TTU community only. To view, login with your eRaider (top right). Others may request the author grant access exception by clicking on the PDF link to the left
Modelling of Fracture Onset in Ti6Al4V Sheets Deformed at Elevated Temperature
No full textAbstractThe reliability of FE-based simulations, employed to assess the application of sheet forming process at elevated temperature to the production of high surface-to-thickness ratio components, depends on the accuracy of the models used to describe the material behavior. In this paper, a modified version of the uncoupled Johnson-Cook fracture criterion is proposed to predict the fracture onset when deforming Ti6Al4V sheets of 1 mm thickness in a wide range of temperature spanning from room temperature to 900̊C. Tensile tests were performed at different temperatures and strain rates on smooth and notched samples, leading to different values of the stress triaxiality factor. The resulting strains at fracture were used to both calibrate and validate the modified fracture criterion in two temperature ranges, namely 25-600̊C and 600-900̊C
Measurements of the Lambda_b0 -> J/psi Lambda decay amplitudes and the Lambda_b0 polarisation in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV
No full textAn angular analysis of View the Λb0→J/ψΛ decays is performed using a data sample corresponding to 1.0 fb−11.0 fb−1 collected in pp collisions at s=7 TeV with the LHCb detector at the LHC. A parity violating asymmetry parameter characterising the View the Λb0→J/ψΛ decay of 0.05±0.17±0.070.05±0.17±0.07 and a View the Λb0 transverse production polarisation of 0.06±0.07±0.020.06±0.07±0.02 are measured, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic
Spectrums of investment in Doctor Who fandom
No full textThis thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.Drawing upon a significant weight of empirical data, collected in the field, this thesis proposes a set of four spectrums of investment engaged in by cult media fans: the spectrum of financial investment; the spectrum of what is here termed 'participatory investment'; the spectrum of investment in the idea of textual authenticity; and the spectrum of multiple investments. The spectrum model allows the individual members of the research sample to be located within specific regions of each spectrum and correlations to be drawn between the distinct spectrums, in order for any patterns which emerge to be examined. The thesis also reviews a number of relevant theoretical concerns such as fan studies, ethnography and social psychology
The impact of labor market regulations
No full textThe authors investigate the impact of labor market regulations in settings where compliance is incomplete. They review some stylized facts about labor market behavior, present an analytical model that may explain such behavior, and provide a checklist for assessing the distortionary impact of a regulation such as the minimum wage. They take as their starting point the limited evidence about the distortionary effects of such regulations and argue that there may be natural limits on the efficiency losses engendered by labor market regulations. First, the regulations may not be binding at market equilibrium. For example, minimum wages may be set so low that they are ineffective. Second, even if they are binding, the relevant elasticities of supply and demand may be so low that the regulations have little impact on efficiency. Third, even if the regulations are binding and elasticities are sizable, compliance may be low. The authors argue that the likelihood of compliance will be greatest when the regulations are binding and the relevant elasticities are sizable. That is, if the distortionary costs of regulations are not rendered insignificant by the first two reasons, then the returns to noncompliance will be high and, other things being equal, employers will evade or avoid the regulations, thereby minimizing the imact on efficiency. The argument rests on profit maximization subject to a hard budget constraint. Public enterprises, which are not concerned only with profit maximization and often have softer budget constraints than the private sector, may be more willing to conform to profit-reducing regulations, but in this case the authors argue that compliance may reduce already-existing efficiency losses.Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Labor Policies,Public Health Promotion,Banks&Banking Reform,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Banks&Banking Reform,Municipal Financial Management,Poverty Assessment,Environmental Economics&Policies
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