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Industrial densification is illustrated by greater involvement of local actors in value chains, and a lower degree of industrial density is commonly presented as an attribute of in-depth integrated economies into global value chains (GVC). This paper contributes to the characterization of China's industrial densification using an empirical strategy that is not limited to a proxy of GVC participation. Our results indicate that China has intensified the process of industrial densification over the post-Global Crisis period, especially high-technology-oriented industries, fostering domestic demand for final and intermediate goods and services produced domestically. This means that strengthening local actors' productive links is consistent with the Chinese strategy of reducing dependence on imported inputs, increasing the share of intermediate and final goods and services produced domestically, and spurring China's local production importance in innovative industries.

The article features a comparative analysis of the traditional pedagogical and modern educational discourse. The central aspect of this comparison is the institutional factor in the context of digitalization. Pedagogical discourse traditionally belongs to institutional types of discourse where participants act within the framework of certain social roles: the teacher transfers knowledge and norms of social behavior to the student. In modern educational discourse we are talking about the transfer of information. The authors consider the following forms of modern educational discourse: the use of digital media in classrooms, online courses with tutors, online courses with trainers, educational accounts on social networks, online classes in zoom interactive program. The study revealed that in the first case, digitalization does not affect the degree of institutionalization. Online courses with tutors, which are characterized by a rather rigid structure and clearly defined functions of tutors, demonstrate higher degree of institutionalization compared to traditional pedagogical discourse. In other cases, digitalization has led to a lower degree of institutionalization: learning using Internet technologies is generally more personalized, participants use rather informal language, use smiles and emojis to express their emotions. The authors believe that this trend will remain, since the emotional component is an important factor in maintaining motivation to learn.

The main purpose of the research was to examine the effect of agency problem on cost stickiness, the results revealed that cost exhibits an asymmetric behavior which contradicts the traditional cost assumption, further, agency theory plays a vital role in determining the asymmetric cost behavior through two drivers; empire building incentives that make managers increasing the acquisition of resources when demand increases and keeping unused resources when demand drops in order to chaise their personal benefits resulting in cost stickiness, also, earnings management incentives that make managers delaying the acquisition of needed resources when demand increases and cutting unused resources aggressively when demand declines in order to meet earnings target resulting in a lower degree of cost stickiness

Dispositions can be masked: some state of affairs might obtain which would prevent an entity from displaying the manifestation characteristic of its disposition. Yet discussions of masks overlook a number of key problems, chief among them the probabilistic nature of many dispositional masks. In this paper, I highlight the manner in which past analyses of dispositional masks have been unable to solve the problem of masks. I propose an analysis of dispositional masks which focuses on this and a number of other problems, which I argue can address them better than past accounts can. I argue that some entity masks some disposition just in case that entity makes it such that the disposition is less likely to manifest, or such that it will manifest to a lower degree.

Color perception is a major guiding factor in the evolutionary process of human civilization, but most of the neurological background of the same are yet unknown. This work attempts to address this area with an EEG based neuro-cognitive study on response of brain to different color stimuli. With respect to a Grey baseline seven colors of the VIBGYOR were shown to 16 participants with normal color vision and corresponding EEG signals from different lobes (Frontal, Occipital & Parietal) were recorded. In an attempt to quantify the brain response while watching these colors, the corresponding EEG signals were analysed using two of the latest state of the art non-linear techniques (MFDFA and MFDXA) of dealing complex time series. MFDFA revealed that for all the participants the spectral width, and hence the complexity of the EEG signals, reaches a maximum while viewing color Blue, followed by colors Red and Green in all the brain lobes. MFDXA, on the other hand, suggests a lower degree of inter and intra lobe correlation while watching the VIBGYOR colors compared to baseline Grey, hinting towards a post processing of visual information. We hope that along with the novelty of methodologies, the unique outcomes of this study may leave a long term impact in the domain of color perception research.

Reed-Muller (RM) codes are among the oldest, simplest and perhaps most ubiquitous family of codes. They are used in many areas of coding theory in both electrical engineering and computer science. Yet, many of their important properties are still under investigation. This paper covers some of the recent developments regarding the weight enumerator and the capacity-achieving properties of RM codes, as well as some of the algorithmic developments. In particular, the paper discusses the recent connections established between RM codes, thresholds of Boolean functions, polarization theory, hypercontractivity, and the techniques of approximating low weight codewords using lower degree polynomials (when codewords are viewed as evaluation vectors of degree $r$ polynomials in $m$ variables). It then overviews some of the algorithms for decoding RM codes. It covers both algorithms with provable performance guarantees for every block length, as well as algorithms with state-of-the-art performances in practical regimes, which do not perform as well for large block length. Finally, the paper concludes with a few open problems.

Following proximal tibial resection and modular endoprosthetic reconstruction, extensor mechanism can be reconstructed with different techniques. This study compares direct reattachment (DR) with medical textile augmented reattachment (MTAR) methods in terms of functional results and radiological results.Fifty-five patients (34 male, 21 female) operated between 1990 and 2015 with a minimum follow up of 24 months in a single center were evaluated retrospectively. The median age was 18 years (range: 9-64). The reconstruction was performed via MTAR (polypropylene mesh, Trevira) in 23 patients and DR in 32 patients. Incidence and degree of extension lag, degree of flexion and development of postoperative patella alta were evaluated at 3, 6 and 24 months.The mean follow up was 78.5 months. Extension lag incidence at 24 months was 71.9% in the DR group compared with 43.5% in the MTAR group (P 0.05).Theextensionlagratiosat 24 months in DR was 0-5° in 8.7% (n = 2), 6-10° in 21.7% (n = 5), 11-15° in 17.4% (n = 4) and 15° in 52.2% (n = 12), respectively. Extension lag ratios at 24 months in MTAR were 0-5° in 12.5% (n = 4), 6-10° in 6.3% (n = 2), 11-15° in 6.3% (n = 2) and 15° in 6.3% (n = 2). The mean MSTS score in DR group was 20.7 compared with 23.2 in the MTAR group (P = 0.008).MTAR is associated with a lower incidence as well as a lower degree of extension lag. The flexion range and the incidence of patella alta are not statistically different between the groups. MSTS scores of MTAR group are significantly higher than DR group at 2-year follow up.

In this paper the microstructure andmechanical propertiesof two different Cf/ZrB2-SiC composites reinforced with continuous PyC coated PAN-derived fibres or uncoated pitch-derived fibres were compared. Pitch-derived carbon fibres showed a lower degree of reaction with the matrix phase during sintering compared to PyC/PAN-derived fibres. The reason lies in the different microstructure of the carbon. The presence of a coating for PAN-derived fibres was found to be essential to limit the reaction at the fibre/matrix interface during SPS. However, coated bundles were more difficult to infiltrate, resulting in a less homogeneous microstructure. As far as the mechanical properties are concerned, specimens reinforced with coated PAN-derived fibres provided higherstrengthsand damage tolerance than uncoated pitch-derived fibres, due to the higher degree of fibre pull-out. On the other hand, the weaker fibre/matrix interface resulted in lower interlaminar shear, off-axis strength and ablation resistance.

This paper discusses the effect of conformism on the demand for products that differ in quality and studies its implications for firm selection, entry, average quality, and trade patterns. Demand for each variety is shown to fall when consumers have a lower degree of conformism or when the distribution of conformism becomes more concentrated. This induces firms facing lower demand and of lower quality to exit the market, which raises average quality and diminishes product diversity. In an international trade context, home consumption bias is amplified when there is a lower degree of conformism. Home consumption bias is mitigated by the presence of global conformism, in which individuals tend to conform to people across the world rather than within their own country.

In this study, the jet formation progress, jet motion, resultant fiber diameter, fiber mat morphology, inner structures and mechanical properties of the fibers prepared at different heating temperatures via melt electrospinning system were studied, in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The temperature distribution of the melt electrospinning configuration was simulated, in order to provide a good deal of insight into the experimental results. High-speed photography was adopted to capture the images of jet formation process and jet motion during melt electrospinning. The experimental results showed that higher heating temperature at the spinneret results in shorter jet formation time, smaller fiber diameter, more disordered fiber mat, lower degree of crystallinity and strength. The simulation works was carried out, aimed at facilitating to deeply understand the experimental results.

In this work, we explored a post-synthetic modification of the well-known graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) by means of an "amorphization" treatment and evaluate the resulting change in photocatalytic activity towards the synthesis of valuable perfluoroalkyl derivatives. The as-prepared "super-amorphous" CN (SACN) exhibits a significant increase of the photocatalytic activity (up to a six-fold enhancement with the optimum structure with respect to g-CN), which originates from the lower degree of crystallinity of the CN and its reduced bandgap. The SACN photocatalysts display versatility and good tolerance towards functional group variations of the reagents, emerging as a potential new benchmark CN structure for heterogeneous organic photocatalysis.

Background Chitosan oligosaccharides (COSs) are the degraded products prepared from the deacetylation and depolymerization of chitin or chitosan using physical, chemical, or enzymatic hydrolysis. In comparison to chitosan and chitin, COS, the hydrolyzed form, has lower molecular weight, lower degree of polymerization (DP), higher degree of deacetylation (DD), less viscosity, more solubility, absorbability though GI tract, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and exposed N-glucosamine units. These properties provide beneficial effects and great potential for biomedical and life science applications. Scope and approach The prominent biological activities of COSs include anti-bacteria, anti-fungi, anti-tumor, immunoregulation, antioxidant, and anti-inflammation that are effective for the therapy and prevention of many life-threatening diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and serious infections. Key findings and conclusions Compared with chitin, COSs have outstanding advantages: 1) they are easily soluble in water; 2) they have no antigenicity; 3) they have weak accumulation effect in host body. Moreover, COSs have excellent biological activities in various aspects. Therefore, the development prospect is very broad. However, the research on the preparation and mechanism of COSs is not deep enough so far. The COSs prepared by the present methods are very limited, so they are expensive, and their application is limited. How to produce these COSs on a large scale with low cost and high yield, elucidating their mechanism of action, and preparing into the medicament that is easy to dissolve, easy to absorb and easy to use in the body environment, have become the focus of current research. It is believed that with the efforts of many scholars, COSs will benefit mankind in the near future.

3D imaging techniques, which started to be exact in regard to the current study with photogrammetry, have brought to development of measurement method – automated digital odontometry (aDo) – with wider opportunities in terms of understanding morphological characteristics of human (or, non-human) teeth and dentition. Revealing them through odontometric parameters, not as visual descriptions, as it has been accepted for decades and is widespread till today, digital measurement methods provide for various previously unattainable detailed objective studies including descriptions or comparisons. These types of studies, carried out for dental and anthropological applications, are of high demand in palaeoanthropology, especially in cases of rare combination of finding uniqueness and preservation degree with considerations of unusual morphology. Thus odontological samples from the Upper Palaeolithic Sunghir’ (individual C2) are of particular interest in the current study which is aimed to detect distinctive parameters related to morphological features and to compare the degree of feature expression on antimere teeth and teeth with lower degree of that feature expression.

This paper introduces costly product differentiation into a mixed duopoly with strategic location choice in the first stage and price competition in the second stage. Initially, both firms locate at the center with no product differentiation. We demonstrate that the location choices critically depend on the effectiveness of investments in creating product differentiation, and the nationality of the private firm. Firstly, firms choose to move toward the edge only when the investments are sufficiently effective, regardless of whether the private firm is domestic or foreign. Secondly, a profit-maximizing (domestic or foreign) private firm invests more than the public firm which maximizes social welfare. Thirdly, a mixed duopoly with a foreign firm generates a lower degree of product differentiation in comparison to that with a domestic private firm.

Zusammenfassung Hintergrund Die Qualitätssicherungsrichtlinie Früh- und Reifgeborene (QFR-RL) stellt hohe personelle Anforderungen an Perinatalzentren (PNZ). In dieser Analyse wurde der Erfüllungsgrad der PNZ ermittelt und evaluiert, wie sich die Versorgung weiterer Patientengruppen und freie pflegerische Personalkapazität (pPK) für akut zu versorgende Frühgeborene (FG) darstellt. Methodik Aus einem Verbund von 4 PNZ (Level 1) mit ca. 10 000 Geburten pro Jahr wurde der Anteil der 1:1/1:2-Versorgten, Patientenzahl pro Pflegekraft (Pat/P) und pPK nach Zentrum, Schicht und Wochentag über einen Zeitraum von 5 Monaten bzgl. Erfüllung der QFR-RL bzw. der DGPM-Empfehlungen ausgewertet. Zusätzlich wurden anstehende FG erfasst und mit freier pPK abgeglichen. Ergebnisse Insgesamt konnte die QFR-RL in 88% der Schichten (n=1584) erfüllt werden. Nur ein Zentrum erreichte die geforderten 95%. Der Erfüllungsgrad und die Zahl der eingesetzten Pflege nahm in Spät- zu Nachtdiensten ab (p Schlussfolgerungen Die 1:1-Versorgung und die niedrigere Besetzung in Spät- und Nachdiensten waren Faktoren, die zu Unterschreitung der Vorgaben und schlechterer Versorgung der übrigen Intensivpatienten führten. Dies spiegelte auch der niedrige Erfüllungsgrad der DGPM-Empfehlungen wider. Freie pPK war kaum vorhanden, was die Versorgung der anstehenden FG unter Einhaltung der Vorgaben nahezu ausschloss.

This study focuses on the influence of Nontariff Measures (NTMs) on market expansion of exporters using the Chinese custom database during 2003–2011. Besides confirming the negative effect of prior export activity and positive effect of neighboring spillovers, this paper finds robust negative effects of NTMs on entry of new markets at the firm‐market level. The empirical results show that a trade deflection effect exists at the microscale and prefers the markets with lower degree of NTMs. Furthermore, exporters with fewer trade links or in processing trade seem lacking in ability to channel new markets under the pressure of NTMs in their existing markets.

We compare the trace element geochemistry of scheelite from the economic Sangdong W-Mo deposit with scheelite from unmineralized or sub-economic prospects in Joongdong and Sangdong area in the southern Taebaeksan metallogenic region, to investigate the ore-forming processes controlling scheelite mineralization and to provide a geochemical model for W exploration. In the Sangdong W-Mo deposit, the Mo substitution into scheelite as a powellite (CaMoO4) component changed colors of scheelite fluorescence under short-wavelength UV from yellow (Mo up to 51,000 µg/g) to blue (Mo up to 3.2 µg/g). Low-Mo scheelite with blue fluorescence occurred in the low-grade periphery of the Sangdong deposit and contained higher concentrations of Sr, possibly indicating a lower degree of fluid-rock interaction of the scheelite-forming fluid with Sr-bearing host. Mo-rich scheelite with yellow fluorescence accumulated in the W-rich center of the Sangdong deposit. Hence, the fluorescence color of scheelite reflected both the fluids oxidation state and the degree of fluid-rock interaction and might be useful for scheelite exploration in the Taebaeksan region. In the Sangdong deposit, Nb concentrations in scheelite were high and negatively correlated with its Eu anomaly values, suggesting extensive batholith-scale fractionation in a large magmatic reservoir. Conversely, much lower Nb concentrations of scheelite in the Joondong area suggests a relatively small or isolated magma reservoir that did not reach the same degree of fractionation at the point of fluid saturation, which would limit the potential for an economic scheelite mineralization. Scheelite Nb/ Ta ratio is found to effectively differentiate economic orebodies and subeconomic prospects in the Taebaeksan metallogenic region and might be a useful parameter for scheelite exploration.

espanolObjetivo: determinar la relacion entre funcionamiento familiar y conductas antisociales en estudiantes de una institucion educativa de Lima Norte. Materiales y metodos: la poblacion estuvo conformada por 198 estudiantes de ambos sexos, cuyas edades oscilaron entre 14 y 18 anos. El alcance de estudio fue correlacional con un diseno de corte transversal. En el analisis estadistico se utilizo el Stata 13. En el analisis descriptivo se calcularon frecuencias y porcentajes y, a nivel inferencial, se empleo Chi-Cuadrado. Para evaluar el funcionamiento familiar se uso la Escala de Cohesion y Adaptabilidad Familiar (FACES III) y para las conductas antisociales se utilizo el Cuestionario de Conductas A-D. Resultados: se evidencio un mayor puntaje de funcionamiento familiar balanceado (52.53%) y de estudiantes provenientes de una familia nuclear (68.18%). Por otra parte, no se hallo relacion significativa entre el funcionamiento familiar y las conductas antisociales (p=1.00). Sin embargo, se encontro relacion entre la situacion laboral del padre y el funcionamiento familiar (p=0.01), asimismo las conductas antisociales y el numero de hermanos mostraron una relacion significativa (p=0.01). Conclusion: el funcionamiento familiar y las conductas antisociales no estan relacionados, puesto que la etiologia de la conducta antisocial no presenta una sola fuente de origen, sino que implica multiples factores que intervienen en su desarrollo. Asimismo, el funcionamiento familiar adecuado es contingente a factores como la situacion laboral del padre, mientras que, la formacion de conductas antisociales lo es a la cantidad de hermanos debido a un menor grado de supervision parental. EnglishObjective: to determine the relationship between family functioning and antisocial behaviors in students of an educational institution of Lima Norte. Materials and methods: the population consisted of 198 students of both sexes; whose ages ranged from 14 to 18 years. The scope of the study was correlational with a cross-sectional design. In the statistical analysis, Stata 13 was used. In the descriptive analysis, frequencies and percentages were used and at the inferential level, the Chi-Square was used. The Family Cohesion and Adaptability Scale (FACES III) was used to assess family functioning and the A-D Behavior Questionnaire was used for antisocial behaviors. Results: a higher score of balanced family functioning (52.53%) and of students from a nuclear family (68.18%) was evidenced. On the other hand, no significant relationship was found between family functioning and antisocial behaviors (p=1.00). However, a relationship was found between the father's work situation and family functioning (p=0.01), also antisocial behaviors and the number of siblings showed a significant relationship (p=0.01). Conclusion: family functioning and antisocial behaviors are not related, since the etiology of antisocial behavior does not present a single source of origin but involves multiple factors that intervene in its development. Likewise, adequate family functioning is contingent on factors such as the father's employment situation, while the formation of antisocial behaviors towards the number of siblings due to a lower degree of parental supervision.

This observational study examined treatment satisfaction (TS) following routine outpatient cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in a large sample of children (n = 795; aged 6 to 10 years). TS was investigated in parent and therapist rating. Means, standard deviations and inter-rater correlations were calculated to investigate TS. Regression analysis was conducted to examine potential correlates of TS (patient-related variables, mental disorder characteristics, socio-demographic factors and treatment variables). High TS in parent and therapist rating was found, with therapists showing a lower degree of TS than parents (completely or predominantly satisfied: parent rating 94.1%, therapist rating 69.5%). A statistically significant, moderate inter-rater correlation was found. Regression analysis explained 21.8% of the variance in parent rating and 57.2% in therapist rating. Most of the TS variance was explained by mental disorder characteristics (parent-rated symptoms and therapist-rated global impairment at treatment end) and by treatment variables (especially the therapist-rated cooperation of parents and patients), whereas socio-demographic and patient-related variables did not show any relevant associations with TS. Based on these results, to optimize TS, therapists should concentrate on establishing a sustainable cooperation of parents and children during therapy, and work to achieve a low global impairment at treatment end. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s00787-020-01528-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Hilbert function, its generating function and the Hilbert polynomial of a graded ring R have been extensively studied since the famous paper of Hilbert: Ueber die Theorie der algebraischen Formen [Hil90]. In particular, the coefficients and the degree of the Hilbert polynomial play an important role in Algebraic Geometry. If the ring grading is non-standard, then its Hilbert function is not eventually equal to a polynomial but to a quasi-polynomial. It turns out that a Hilbert quasi-polynomial P of degree n splits into a polynomial S of degree n and a lower degree quasi-polynomial T. We have completely determined the degree of T and the first few coefficients of P. Moreover, the quasi-polynomial T has a periodic structure that we have described. We have also implemented a software to compute effectively the Hilbert quasi-polynomial for any quotient ring R/I.

We examined the degree to which children perceive influence behaviors and influence over social norms from different types of high-status children to vary in a sample of 453 3rd through 5th grade children. Using a cluster analysis of peer-nominated popularity and likeability measures, we identified a seven-cluster solution, including three high-status clusters: Well-Liked, Popular, and Popular/Well-Liked. Popular children were perceived as using ridicule and having influence over misbehavior. Popular/Well-Liked children were perceived as using playful teasing and modeling and influencing over trend-setting and sports norms, at a degree similar to Popular children. However, Popular/Well-Liked children were not perceived as using ridicule or influencing over misbehavior; rather, they scored higher than all other status groups for prosocial assertion and academic motivation. Well-Liked children were perceived as using prosocial assertion and influencing over academic motivation at a higher degree than Average children but at a lower degree than Popular or Popular/Well-Liked children. Although the influence associated with likeability alone appeared relatively limited, likeability in conjunction with popularity seems to make a difference regarding influence behaviors and norms. A person-centered approach that takes into account multiple facets of social status is likely to enhance understanding of high-status children's influence on their same-age peers.

Recent geological survey has identified the Early Paleoproterozoic meta-mafic intrusions in the southwestern Yangtze Block. We present geochronological, whole-rock geochemical and Nd isotopic data for these meta-mafic rocks to better address the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Block during the Early Paleoproterozoic Period. Geochronological data show that the meta-mafic rocks have zircon ages of 2 395-2 316 Ma. They have high TiO2 contents of 1.40 wt.%3.66 wt.% and Nb concentrations of 13.7 ppm45.5 ppm, thus aregrouped as Nb-enriched mafic rocks. These mafic rocks are characterized by tholeiitic compositions with enrichment of LREEs and LILEs, and can be divided into two groups. Group 1 samples display E-MORB-like geochemical characteristics. Group 2 samples have positive eNd(t) values of 4.0–5.0. Geochemical data indicate that all meta-mafic rocks were likely derived from a depleted asthenospheric mantle. REE modeling indicates lower degree of partial melting for Group 2 samples (3%–10%) relative to Group 1 samples (15%–20%). Taking into account contemporaneous post-collisional granitoids in southwestern Yangtze Block, we propose that these meta-mafic rocks were formed in a post-collisional extension setting. These meta-mafic rocks can be compared with those in Africa, South America and Europe, and might be linked with the Arrowsmith orogenic belt. KEY WORDS: zircon dating, geochemistry, Early Paleoproterozoic, Nb-enriched rocks, Yangtze Block.

O presente trabalho se propôs a elaborar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre como o modelo brasileiro de avaliação institucional consegue lidar com as metodologias ativas, para tal, foi comparado aos modelos norte-americano e europeu de avaliação institucional, expondo os pontos similares entre eles e suas divergências. Partindo da formação, também foi observado como se dá a avaliação do profissional contábil, através das certificações que permitem o exercício da profissão do contador(a), buscando em tal observação reconhecer se as metodologias ativas poderiam refletir habilidades desejadas pelos participantes do mercado, podendo, portanto, servir como um indicador positivo para seu uso, enquanto que ao se observar como se dá o credenciamento também nos tornamos capazes de observar se os métodos avaliativos conseguem servir como indicadores das habilidades e competências resultantes das ações e métodos empregados pelas IES. Quanto à avaliação institucional, observa-se que o modelo brasileiro acaba por compartilhar similaridades com o modelo europeu e norte-americano. Já quanto ao credenciamento do profissional contábil, o modelo brasileiro, quando comparado ao norte-americano apresenta uma menor aderência às avaliações das habilidades desenvolvidas através do uso de metodologias ativas, o que acaba por gerar questões sobre as expectativas do mercado sobre o profissional contábil.

The introduction programme (IP) intends to facilitate transition to upper secondary education among Swedish youth with incomplete compulsory education. This article aims to explore and understand how local preconditions interact with schools’ support for the IP students. It looks at the local structural and institutional preconditions, and the strategies and work of head teachers, programme officers, teachers, and career counsellors, working in the IP in 90 municipalities of three categories: commuter municipalities close to big cities, rural municipalities, and small cities. The analysis builds on the responses from 139 school actors to a questionnaire, and on public statistics. On average, the commuter municipalities enjoy the most favourable structural and educational conditions, while the rural municipalities are the least resourceful, e.g. in terms of formal professional competence. Surprisingly however, the rural contexts on average perform better than the other municipalities regarding the level of graduation four years after starting the IP. There are few systematic local differences in the work with IP students. However, the IP in the rural municipalities on average enjoy higher support from school leaders, have a clearer division of responsibilities, and separate the students spatially to a lower degree compared to the commuter municipalities. Systematic handover between compulsory schools and the IP is less common in the commuter municipalities than in the other two groups. Whether these factors are relevant for explaining the higher success level in the rural schools and the lower success level in the schools in the commuter municipalities requires further investigation. Abstrakt Introduktionsprogrammet (IM) avser att underlatta overgangen till gymnasieskolan bland ungdomar med laga eller ofullstandiga grundskolebetyg. Syftet med artikeln ar att undersoka och forsta hur lokala forutsattningar interagerar med skolornas stod for IM-eleverna. Den analyserar de lokala strukturella och institutionella forutsattningarna, och strategierna och arbetet hos rektorer, programansvariga, larare och karriarvagledare som arbetar med IM i 90 kommuner. Dessa tillhor kommunkategorierna pendlingskommuner nara storstader, landsbygdskommuner och mindre stader. Analysen bygger pa enkatsvar fran 139 skolaktorer, och pa offentlig statistik. Resultat: Pendlingskommunerna har i genomsnitt de mest fordelaktiga strukturella och utbildningsforhallandena, medan landsbygdskommunerna ar minst resursstarka i dessa avseenden, t. ex. i termer av tillganglig formell larar- och vagledarkompetens. Darfor ar det forvanande att landsbygdskommunerna i genomsnitt presterar battre an de andra kommunerna i termer av andelen elever som avlagger examen pa ett nationellt gymnasieprogram fyra ar efter starten pa IM. Det syns fa systematiska skillnader i arbetet med IM-eleverna. Emellertid har IM i landsbygdskommunerna i hogre grad stod fran skolledarna och en klar ansvarsfordelning, och separerar i mindre utstrackning IM-eleverna spatialt fran ovriga gymnasieelever an i pendlingskommunerna. Om dessa faktorer ar relevanta for att forklara de battre resultaten i landsbygdsskolorna och de samre i pendlingskommunerna kraver dock ytterligare undersokning. Nyckelord: ungdomsovergangar; gymnasieskolan; introduktionsprogrammet; lokal kontext

We prove two distinct and natural refinements of a recent breakthrough result of Molloy (and a follow-up work of Bernshteyn) on the (list) chromatic number of triangle-free graphs. In both our results, we permit the amount of colour made available to vertices of lower degree to be accordingly lower. One result concerns list colouring and correspondence colouring, while the other concerns fractional colouring. Our proof of the second illustrates the use of the hard-core model to prove a Johansson-type result, which may be of independent interest., Comment: 16 pages; v2 includes minor corrections after review; to appear in Random Structures & Algorithms

Within the last decade, an increasing number of studies have examined the status of translators and interpreters, providing valuable insight into how the status is perceived in the eyes of practitioners. However, less attention has been paid to studying the perceptions of future Translators, i.e. T&I students. This paper seeks to describe the occupational status of in-house Translators in Korea by comparing the perceptions of professionals and students. Inspired by Dam and Zethsen’s status parameters and a Korean study on teacher status, a survey was conducted among four populations: one Translator group and three student groups at different stages of their study. The findings indicate a negative correlation between the perceptions of occupational status and expertise progression, with first semester students giving a mean rating well above the middle point while practitioners rated their status as “just above average.” Overall, professional Translators and students regarded in-house Translation as an important occupation which required a high level of expertise and contributed to the organization, but also as one that involves a lower degree of work autonomy. At the same time, all four groups expressed their concern regarding job prospects.

The purpose of this study is to comprehensively review the extant literature on the application of management accounting practices (MAPs) to the sustainable development of family businesses (FBs), and to identify future research avenues. Academic interest in the field of MAPs in family businesses as well as the concept of sustainable development has been growing rapidly due to the fast-moving business landscape associated with environmental dynamism, particularly over the past two decades. Consequently, some authors claim that the heterogeneous characteristics of FBs apparently lead to a lower degree of information asymmetry, and that this, in-turn, may weaken the need for MAPs. On the other hand, some studies emphasise that the distinctive conflicts of interest in FBs and some contingent factors (for example, intense competition in the industry) are triggers for the adoption of MAPs by FBs. Given these mixed research outcomes and the absence of a comprehensive study that demonstrates the state-of-the-art in this research stream, this paper aims to review previously reported key works to thoroughly investigate the above mentioned factors with a view to exploring the existing knowledge gap. The holistic conclusion arrived at by the study points to the fact that there seems to have a considerable impact of family involvement on business performance achieved through the application of MAPs. Nonetheless, the impact of certain heterogeneous characteristics of FBs on the application of environmental management accounting (EMA) practices, which is a sub-stream of MAPs, is yet to be explored.

Many passerines regularly use flight calls to communicate during migration. However, flight-calling is inconsistent throughout the day, with a markedly lower degree of calling by free-flying individuals during the early evening hours and with peaks in calling typically around dawn. Based on these observations, we hypothesized that individual flight call response would vary by time of day, and the likelihood to respond would be lower at dusk than during the daytime. We tested daytime and dusk flight call responsiveness of captive American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) and Magnolia Warblers (S. magnolia) during spring migration at the Braddock Bay Bird Observatory (near Rochester, New York, USA). We played a conspecific flight call sound stimulus for individual birds placed inside a soundproof recording studio and recorded their acoustic responses. In our experiment, American Redstarts and Magnolia Warblers were significantly less likely to give flight call responses at dusk than the individuals tested during the daytime. The almost absent responsiveness to flight calls at dusk suggests that these species either minimally communicate with one another during take-off or do not use flight calls as a source of communication at this time. These results have important implications for detection and quantitative bioacoustics migration monitoring. They also demonstrate the need for additional studies in temporal flight-calling behavior.

Despite rising interest in residential photovoltaics (PV), the percentage of homeowners who have installed them remains low. This study seeks to understand systematic behavioral differences between PV adopters and PV considerers. PV considerers have talked to an installer but have not yet installed PV. Our results suggest that, compared to adopters, considerers have a lower degree of risk aversion, higher scores in terms of pro-environmental norms, and higher levels of novelty seeking and independent decision making.

In our work, chitin was isolated from the adult grain moth biomass, its properties were studied, and a nanoform was obtained. The moth chitin differs from the classic crab chitin produced on an industrial scale by a lower degree of crystallinity, hygroscopicity, and a higher content of amino groups, which makes it easier to obtain nanoforms. Chitin nanoflbrils can be used for various medical applications.

This paper reports the results of studying the influence of two types of protein-mineral additives on the properties of butter biscuit emulsion. The additives are considered as a source of digestible calcium compounds and as a functional and technological component that can improve the quality of buttery flour products. The parameters for pre-hydration of additives in the environment of cow's milk for better implementation of their functional and technological characteristics have been substantiated. It was established that the use of protein-mineral additives in the manufacture of emulsions in the amount of up to 7% leads to an increase in the emulsification capacity of model systems by 1.5...1.65times. Improved emulsion resistance has been proven, in particular after heat treatment. It was established that using 5...7% of the additive produces a pronounced thermal stabilizing effect. After heat treatment at a temperature of 90...95°C during 3×60s, when using the protein-mineral additive, a volume of the released water and fat phase increases by 12...25%. When applying the improved additive, a volume of the released phases increases by 3...10%. A lower degree of coalescence of the fat phase as part of the emulsion when using the improved protein-mineral additive was microscopically confirmed. The fact of increasing the effective viscosity of emulsions when using up to 7% of the improved protein-mineral additive was established. This is a positive fact in terms of stabilizing the emulsions and improving their stability as one of the important factors related to the quality of finished flour confectionery. It was established that the improved form of the additive, due to the content of chondroitin sulfates, provides for a better effect on the characteristics of emulsions, which should have a positive influence on the quality of flour-based buttery products.

Introduction Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine hesitancy amongst healthcare workers (HCW) has been reported in varying degrees in different parts of the world. In this study, we investigate the degree of vaccine hesitancy amongst HCWs and factors associated with it during the second wave of the pandemic in our centre. Methods We undertook this single-centre, cross-sectional study in an urban tertiary care hospital, using a modified Oxford COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy scale. We performed descriptive and appropriate univariate analysis. We used the Kruskal Wallis test as appropriate, and Spearman rank correlation to evaluate the relation between general attitude to vaccination and COVID vaccine hesitancy score. Results We obtained 223 responses. The majority of HCWs in our sample (n = 201; 90.1%) had received at least one dose of the vaccine. The mean (SD) Oxford vaccine hesitancy score was 28.54 ± 2.05, with no significant difference observed between doctors (28.45 ± 2.26) and nurses (28.68 ± 1.70), or across different specialities. Of the respondents, 92.7% (n = 216) responded positively to taking the vaccine. The lack of dependents at home was the only significant contributor to vaccine hesitancy. Age, gender, marital status, and COVID-19 infection status did not significantly affect vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion We found a significantly lower degree of hesitancy towards COVID-19 amongst HCWs in our centre during the pandemic's second wave. A more comprehensive and multi-centric study is required to validate this finding.

This paper establishes a predictive control strategy for inventory management in a supply chain system with uncertain demands and time delays. A discrete-time dynamic model with some realistic constraints is proposed by characterizing a general supply chain system with a graph representation. Due to the mismatching between the goods quantity obtained from suppliers and the ordered one and it may lead to stockouts and lower degree of customer satisfaction. A predictive control strategy is well presented to obtain recent demands so that suppliers can make decisions according to their own stock levels on time. The effectiveness of the proposed methodology is verified by a a numerical example.

1. Bone properties are adapted to their specific functions in the animal, so various types of bones develop different characteristics depending on their location in the skeleton.2. The aim of this research was to compare the chemical composition, mineral characteristics and structural organisation in tibiotarsus, humerus and keel bones as representatives of hen skeletal mineralisation. Complementary analytical techniques, such as X-ray radiography, optical and electron microscopy, thermogravimetry and 2D X-ray diffraction, were used for characterisation.3. The humerus had a thinner cortex and cortical bone mineral had higher crystallinity and a greater degree of crystal orientation than the tibiotarsus. The humerus generally lacks medullary bone although, when present, it has a higher mineral content than seen in the tibiotarsus. These differences were attributed to the different forces that stimulate bone formation and remodelling.4. The keel cortical bone had a lower degree of mineralisation than the tibiotarsus or humerus. Its degree of mineralisation decreased from the cranial to the distal end of the bone. This gradient may affect keel mechanical properties, making it more prone to deformation and fractures.5. Data from studying different bones in laying hens can help to understand mineralisation as well as finding solutions to prevent osteoporosis-related fractures.

In this paper we study low-degree low-genus curves in a generic hypersurface X of degree (3, 3) in ℙ2 × ℙ2. We prove that the genus 0 and genus 1 curves of degree up to (2, 2) are smooth and rigid. We then use the multiple cover formula to compute the Gromov-Witten invariants of X of degree up to (2, 2) and genus up to 2. This provides some initial conditions to determine the full genus 1 and genus 2 Gromov-Witten invariants via Bershadsky-Cecotti-Ooguri-Vafa’s Feynman rule, which is expected to be proved in the near future.

Mongolia is an important country in the Economic Corridor of China-Mongolia-Russia, a deep understanding of the coupling relationship between urbanization and the eco-environment in Mongolia is meaningful to achieve green development of the Belt and Road. The entropy method and coupling coordination degree model were integrated to evaluate the coupling coordination degree between urbanization and the eco-environment in Mongolia during 2000-2016. The results showed that the coupling coordination degree between urbanization and the eco-environment in Mongolia was generally at the stage of seriously unbalanced development, and that the main contributor of the urbanization and the eco-environment subsystem were demographic urbanization and eco-environment endowment, respectively. The southern part of Mongolia central zone should be paid more attention due to the lower degree of coupling coordination between urbanization and the eco-environment. To promote the healthy urbanization development in Mongolia, six-layer eco-city establishing green development pattern is proposed to provide scientific support for Mongolia.

Supersulfated cements (SSC) are normally produced from granulated blast-furnace slags having high-alumina content. However, such slags are not produced in North America. In this study, SSC mixtures were produced using two different slags, one high in alumina content (13%) and the other low in alumina content (7%). The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in hydration mechanisms of SSC produced with the two types of slag. The low-alumina slag SSC mixtures showed a lower degree of slag hydration and quantities of hydration products formed (C–S–H and ettringite), ultimately resulting in higher porosity and poor mechanical performance of the SSC mixtures compared to high-alumina slag mixtures. A better mechanical performance of SSC mixtures made with low-alumina slag may be achieved by increasing its rate of glass slag dissolution.

This article investigates empirically whether the effect of tax reform (involving the progressive replacement of trade tax revenue with domestic tax revenue) in developing countries' tax revenue performance (measured by tax revenue‐to‐GDP ratio) depends on the degree of trade openness of these countries. The analysis has used an unbalanced panel data set of 95 developing countries over the period 1981–2015 and the two‐system GMM approach. Results suggest that tax reform is positively and significantly associated with tax revenue performance in developing countries, with the magnitude of this positive effect increasing as countries experience a higher development level. Additionally, and more importantly, countries that further open up their economies to international trade enjoy a higher positive effect of tax reform on tax revenue than countries that experience a lower degree of trade openness. Therefore, these findings should help dissipate the concerns of policymakers in developing countries that greater openness to international trade would further erode their tax revenue, including by lowering their international trade tax revenue. In fact, the implementation of an appropriate tax reform in the context of greater trade openness would generate higher tax revenue, while concurrently allowing countries to reap the well‐known benefits of international trade.

In this first comprehensive study of House of Commons departmental select committees and Brexit, we analyse the incidence of divisions (i.e. formal votes) on Brexit-related issues in select committees, showing that unanimity remains the norm with the exception of the Exiting the EU Committee, which is the most divided select committee of recent times. We add to the literature on select committee influence by adapting Russell and Benton’s (2011) methodology to examine government responses to committee recommendations on Brexit. We show that most have been partially accepted but that the level of policy change, rather than divisions on recommendations, is the main factor explaining variation, with greater success for recommendations suggesting a lower degree of change. Committees have also had indirect influence, shaping the agenda and bringing information into the public domain.

Li+ doped lead-free Ba0.9Ca0.1Zr0.2Ti0.8O3 (abbreviated as BCZTL) ceramics were prepared through solid-state reaction method. Effects of Li+ on the formation of oxygen vacancies, change of lattice parameters and grain sizes were investigated. The disordered distribution of Li+ ions on B sites of BCZTL were found to give rise to the emergence of local random fields and facilitate the appearence of polar nanoregions (PNRs), which led to the relaxor behavior observed in dielectric measurements. The physical mechanisms for the influences of Li+ substitution and sintered temperature on the variation of PNRs, relaxor behavior and tunability were also proposed. Compared with other sintered temperatures, the 1300 °C sintered BCZTL sample exhibited relatively lower degree of relaxor behavior (γ = 1.89) and higher tunability (k = 56%) owning to the smaller PNRs size.

The main goal of this paper is to analyze the empirical relationship between economic development and intergenerational education mobility. By exploiting large regional variation in the level of economic development across Turkey, we find that educational outcomes of daughters who grow up in more developed regions depend less on their parents’ educational outcomes. We do not find evidence for a similar relationship between development and mobility for males. Moreover, the development level of place of residence during childhood has a stronger positive association with intergenerational education mobility compared to the development level of place of residence during adolesence. We find that regions that feature higher school availability, greater level of social capital, more favorable cultural attitudes toward women, higher level of home resources, and lower degree of educational inequalities also tend to feature higher degree of intergenerational mobility.

This paper examines how ambiguity aversion and information uncertainty jointly influence the momentum effect across countries. Most countries in our sample exhibit information uncertainty effect, i.e., the momentum effect is stronger for firms with greater uncertainty (e.g., smaller, younger, and more volatile firms). Moreover, we find that such information uncertainty effect is stronger in countries with lower degree of ambiguity aversion. The interaction effect of uncertainty and ambiguity aversion is mainly driven by losers, suggesting the information avoidance or “Ostrich Effect”. We offer two possible explanations for this result based on the potential impacts of ambiguity aversion on information reaction and information seeking.

Introduction Adolescents need support from family, friends, and teachers to increase their involvement in everyday life. Their environment and their own characteristics also influence their ability to participate in an everyday supportive environment. Aim The aim of the study was to investigate patterns of support from parents, teachers, and very important persons such as peers to the ability of adolescents to participate in everyday life, as well as the importance of interpersonal relations as experienced by the adolescents. Method The study has a cross-sectional design. The data compiled and analysed in this study are part of a longitudinal study of adolescents and their development into adults-LoRDIA (Longitudinal Research on Development In Adolescence). A combination of person- and variable-oriented design was used to capture patterns of support. Results Adolescents with a complicated home situation and low economic prerequisites who received little support from parents and friends participated to a lower degree in home activities. A substantial number of these adolescents had self-reported neurodevelopmental disorders and, as a group, were more often exposed to harassment. However, these adolescents participated to a higher extent in school activities, although they received little support from the teachers. The adolescents who received most support from parents and teachers were those with a country of origin other than Sweden and those who lived with both of their parents and had more siblings than average. However, this did not mean that they participated to a higher extent in home and school activities.

BACKGROUND A complicated mild traumatic brain injury (C-mTBI) is an mTBI with some form of intracranial abnormality identified radiographically. The lack of knowledge in recovery patterns and no clear guidelines on return to activity in children with C-mTBI provide unique challenges to physicians. OBJECTIVE To examine recovery patterns among three cohorts: mTBI, mTBI with skull fracture only (mTBI-SF), and C-mTBI via a cross-sectional survey. METHODS Caregivers of children with mTBI (from hospital database queries 2010-2013) were mailed a questionnaire on preinjury health, postinjury recovery, and activity patterns before and after injury. We examined degree (0-10 with 10 being complete recovery) and length (in months) of recovery in children with mTBI, and associations of potential risk factors to these variables. RESULTS Of the 1777 surveyed, a total of 285 complete responses were analyzed for this study. Data included 175 (61.4%) children with mTBI, 33 (11.6%) children with mTBI-SF, and 77 (27.0%) children with C-mTBI. Older age and C-mTBI (vs mTBI) were significantly associated with a lower degree and longer period of recovery (P

Background Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are living longer than ever before thanks to new therapies. As a consequence, radiation therapy (RT) is increasingly important in the management of bone lesions from MM. Current American Society for Radiation Oncology guidelines recommend greater usage of 8 Gy in 1 fraction for treatment of these lesions. The objective of this study is to analyze utilization of 8 Gy in 1 fraction for treatment of MM bone lesions in the United States utilizing the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB). Materials and Methods The NCDB was used to identify patients with MM treated with palliative RT for painful bony lesions in the period between 2004 and 2014. Utilization rate of RT in this patient population as well as single-fraction (SFRT) versus multiple-fraction RT (MFRT) was compared according to demographic, socioeconomic, and logistic details. Results A total of 95,190 patients met our inclusion criteria. Of these, 10,261 (10.8%) patients received RT, and a total of 243 (2.4%) of these patients received SFRT over the 10-year period. There was an 11.73% annual increase (P = .0001) in SFRT utilization from 2004 to 2014. Older age, black race, longer distance from the treatment facility, lower degree of education, treatment at an academic or integrated healthcare network, worse comorbidities, and more recent diagnoses were all associated with increased usage of SFRT. Conclusion SFRT for the management of MM painful bony metastases remains underutilized. Trends show that radiation oncologists do not appear to be changing their approach to treating this disease.

INTRODUCTION: Compared to other activities of the testing process, the preanalytical phase is plagued by a lower degree of standardization, which makes it more vulnerable to errors. With the aim of providing guidelines and recommendations, the EFLM WG-PRE issued a survey across European medical laboratories, to gather information on local preanalytical practices. This is part one of two coherent articles, which covers all practices on monitoring preanalytical quality except haemolysis, icterus and lipemia (HIL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey, containing 39 questions dealing with a broad spectrum of preanalytical issues, was disseminated to EFLM member countries. The survey included questions on willingness of laboratories to engage in preanalytical issues. RESULTS: Overall, 1405 valid responses were received from 37 countries. 1265 (94%) responders declared to monitor preanalytical errors. Assessment, documentation and further use of this information varied widely among respondents and partially among countries. Many responders were interested in a preanalytical online platform, holding information on various aspects of the preanalytical phase (N = 1177; 87%), in a guideline for measurement and evaluation of preanalytical variables (N = 1235; 92%), and in preanalytical e-learning programs or webinars (N = 1125; 84%). Fewer responders were interested in, or already participating in, preanalytical EQA programs (N = 951; 71%). CONCLUSION: Although substantial heterogeneity was found across European laboratories on preanalytical phase monitoring, the interest in preanalytical issues was high. A large majority of participants indicated an interest in new guidelines regarding preanalytical variables and learning activities. This important data will be used by the WG-PRE for providing recommendations on the most critical issues. ispartof: BIOCHEMIA MEDICA vol:29 issue:2 ispartof: location:Croatia status: published

In spite of their substantial number in the U.S., our understanding of the travel behavior of households who do not own motor vehicles (labeled “carless” herein) is sketchy. The goal of this paper is to start filling this gap for California. We perform parametric and non-parametric tests to analyze trip data from the 2012 California Household Travel Survey (CHTS) after classifying carless households as voluntarily carless, involuntarily carless, or unclassifiable based on a CHTS question that inquires why a carless household does not own any motor vehicle. We find substantial differences between our different categories of carless households. Compared to their voluntarily carless peers, involuntarily carless households travel less frequently, their trips are longer and they take more time, partly because their environment is not as well adapted to their needs. They also walk/bike less, depend more on transit, and when they travel by motor vehicle, occupancy is typically higher. Their median travel time is longer, but remarkably, it is similar for voluntarily carless and motorized households. Overall, involuntarily carless households are less mobile, which may contribute to a more isolated lifestyle with a lower degree of well-being. Compared to motorized households, carless households rely a lot less on motor vehicles and much more on transit, walking, and biking. They also take less than half as many trips and their median trip distance is less than half as short. This study is a first step toward better understanding the transportation patterns of carless households.

We used the Geriatric Depression Scale to investigate the depression status of empty nesters living in eastern rural China (N = 967). The results showed that more than half of the participants suffered relatively severe depression and that their mental health was not favorable. Gender, age, level of education, and marital status had a significant influence on depression status. The degree of depression of men was lower than that of women. As participants’ age increased, the degree of depression first rose until the age of 84 and then fell thereafter. The depression of unmarried empty nesters was relatively severe compared to that of married ones. Finally, a higher level of education corresponded with a lower degree of depression. There are varied factors affecting the psychological status of empty nesters in China. To improve their mental state, the government, society, and family need to collaborate and take comprehensive measures.