Involution products in Coxeter groups

For W a Coxeter group, let = {w ∈ W | w = xy where x, y ∈ W and x 2 = 1 = y 2}. It is well known that if W is finite then W = . Suppose that w ∈ . Then the minimum value of ℓ(x) + ℓ(y) – ℓ(w), where x, y ∈ W with w = xy and x 2 = 1 = y 2, is called the excess of w (ℓ is the length function of W). The main result established here is that w is always W-conjugate to an element with excess equal to zero

Zero excess and minimal length in finite coxeter groups

Let \mathcal{W} be the set of strongly real elements of W, a Coxeter group. Then for $w \in \mathcal{W}$, $e(w)$, the excess of w, is defined by e(w) = \min min \{l(x)+l(y) - l(w)| w = xy; x^2 = y^2 =1}. When $W$ is finite we may also define E(w), the reflection excess of $w$. The main result established here is that if $W$ is finite and $X$ is a $W$-conjugacy class, then there exists $w \in X$ such that $w$ has minimal length in $X$ and $e(w) = 0 = E(w)$

Fusion at deep subbarrier energies: potential inversion revisited

For a single potential barrier, the barrier penetrability can be inverted based on the WKB approximation to yield the barrier thickness. We apply this method to heavy-ion fusion reactions at energies well below the Coulomb barrier and directly determine the inter-nucleus potential between the colliding nuclei. To this end, we assume that fusion cross sections at deep subbarrier energies are governed by the lowest barrier in the barrier distribution. The inverted inter-nucleus potentials for the $^{16}$O +$^{144}$Sm and $^{16}$O +$^{208}$Pb reactions show that they are much thicker than phenomenological potentials. We discuss a consequence of such thick potential by fitting the inverted potentials with the Bass function.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures. Uses aipxfm.sty. A talk given at the FUSION08: New Aspects of Heavy Ion Collisions Near the Coulomb Barrier, September 22-26, 2008, Chicago, US

Evaluation of Education and Other Influential Factors on the Perceptions of Influenza Vaccinations

Influenza is a potentially deadly contagious viral infection that attacks the respiratory system. The 1918 influenza pandemic infected approximately 1/3 of the world’s population and resulted in an estimated 50 million deaths globally. Research has led to the production of influenza vaccinations. Unfortunately, there continues to be influenza epidemics that are responsible for killing numerous people annually. One reason for the continued death toll from influenza is the lack of people receiving a yearly flu vaccination. In order to gain more public acceptance for influenza vaccinations, it is important to understand the factors influencing the choice to be vaccinated. A study was conducted on 191 undergraduate general psychology students at the University of Central Arkansas to test if specific factors determine the predictability of vaccination acceptance. Education and positive influential factors toward flu vaccinations are two important factors presented in the study that have influence on participants receiving the vaccine. The study results are beneficial in understanding why people reject flu vaccines and what can be done to reverse those decisions

Organizational citizenship behavior, identification, psychological contract and leadership frames : the example of primary school teachers in Taiwan

Purpose (mandatory) The study examines organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) by combining two heterogeneous perspectives, integrating OCB-related factors at work using both personal and organizational perspectives, thus contributing to our knowledge of OCB. . . Design/methodology/approach (mandatory) Two studies are conducted using surveys in Taiwan with a snowball sampling technique to enlarge participation. Study 1 analyzes the relationships between organizational identification, expected psychological contract, perceived psychological contract and OCB. Study 2 analyzes the relationship between OCB and principals’ (or head teachers’) leadership frames. . . Findings (mandatory) Study 1 finds that organizational identification is an antecedent of OCB and that expected psychological contract moderates the organizational identification-OCB relationship. Study 2 finds that the symbolic leadership frame is the only antecedent of OCB and that different leadership frames influence each other in predicting OCB. Expected psychological contract is found to moderate the organizational identification-OCB relationship, indicating that primary school teachers’ with higher levels of expected psychological contract are more likely to demonstrate OCB at school. Interestingly, perceived psychological contract did not demonstrate such a moderating effect. . . Originality/value (mandatory) The study makes three contributions. First, we analyze composite OCB via Identity and Psychological Contract theories (Study 1). Second, we scrutinize specific aspects of OCB via Leader-Member-Exchange and Leadership Frame theories. These aspects include assisting colleagues, job commitment, working morale and non-selfish behavior (Study 2). Third, we increase understanding of primary school teachers' OCB, discussing important implications for school principals and human resource managers as well as perhaps others in similar sectors. . . Key words: Organizational Citizenship Behavior; Leadership; Identification; Psychological Contract; Primary School Teachers; Principals