A geometric invariant theory construction of moduli spaces of stable maps

We construct the moduli spaces of stable maps, \bar M_g,n(P^r,d), via geometric invariant theory (GIT). This construction is only valid over Spec C, but a special case is a GIT presentation of the moduli space of stable curves of genus g with n marked points, \bar M_g,n; this is valid over Spec Z. Our method follows that used in the case n=0 by Gieseker to construct \bar M_g, though our proof that the semistable set is nonempty is entirely different.Comment: 75 pages LaTeX; the GIT construction of moduli spaces of stable n-pointed curves is now given over the integer

Junior Recital, Micah Baldwin, tenor & Jasmin Ward, soprano

Junior RecitalMicah Baldwin, tenor & Jasmin Ward, sopranoDavid Kim, pianoTuesday, April 16, 2019 at 7:30pmRecital Hall / James W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue / Richmond, Va

Upward Stability Transfer for Tame Abstract Elementary Classes

Grossberg and VanDieren have started a program to develop a stability theory for tame classes. We prove, for instance, that for tame abstract elementary classes satisfying the amlagamation property and for large enough cardinals kappa, stability in kappa implies stability in kappa^{+n} for each natural number n

Recent U.S. Trade Policy and its Global Implications

The purpose of this paper is to describe United States trade policy since World War II, and to assess the possibility for ongoing U.S.trade-policy leadership. U.S. trade policy has shown remarkable consistency since World War II. It has never been as purely free-trade-focussed as some commentators suggest, but it has not recently shifted toward isolationism as dramatically as alarmists fear. It has almost always been best described as "open, but fair," with injury to import competitors being the measure of "fairness." The general consistency of U.S. trade policy over time is quite remarkable given the frequent change of political party in power, especially in the executive branch, but also in the Congress. U.S. trade-policy leadership seems still potentially strong despite a decline in U.S. hegemony. It is clearly strong in a protectionist direction.Any shift toward aggressive insularity justifies parallel trade-policy aggression in the eyes of trading partners. It is arguably strong ina liberalizing direction as well. The U.S. seems ideally poised for aggressive trade-policy peacemaking; perhaps multilaterally, but perhaps also bilaterally; perhaps with its traditional industrial trading partners, but perhaps also with Japan and newly industrializing Asian countries that play so importanta role in U.S. trade, and that, on many matters,may be closer in spirit to U.S. economic philosophy than Europe, Canada, or Latin America.

The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles

This report presents results from the nation's first large-scale study to examine how youth's levels and sources of risk may influence their mentoring relationships and the benefits they derive from participating in mentoring programs. More and more, mentoring programs are being asked to serve young people who are considered "higher risk." And while mentoring has a strong research base generally, until now relatively little has been known about programs' capacities to serve and produce benefits for these youth.Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the study involved more than 1,300 youth, drawn from seven programs serving young people in Washington State. Oversight and support for the project were provided by Washington State Mentors. The study looked closely at the backgrounds of participating youth and their mentors, the mentoring relationships that formed, the program supports that were offered, and the benefits youth received -- and examined how these varied for youth with differing profiles (i.e., levels and types) of risk."The Role of Risk" describes the study's methods and findings and considers their implications for practitioners and funders. Overall, the study's results suggest that mentoring programs can benefit youth with a broad range of backgrounds and characteristics. The findings also highlight the importance of youth risk in shaping match experiences, and suggest that programs should do more to tailor training and support based on the specific risks youth face

The Role of Risk: Mentoring Experiences and Outcomes for Youth with Varying Risk Profiles (Executive Summary)

This summary highlights key findings and implications from the nation's first large-scale study to examine how youth's levels and sources of risk may influence their mentoring relationships and the benefits they derive from participating in mentoring programs. More and more, mentoring programs are being asked to serve young people who are considered "higher risk." And while mentoring has a strong research base generally, until now relatively little has been known about programs' capacities to serve and produce benefits for these youth.Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the study involved more than 1,300 youth, drawn from seven programs serving young people in Washington State. Oversight and support for the project were provided by Washington State Mentors. The study looked closely at the backgrounds of participating youth and their mentors, the mentoring relationships that formed, the program supports that were offered, and the benefits youth received -- and examined how these varied for youth with differing profiles (i.e., levels and types) of risk."The Role of Risk" executive summary describes the study's methods and findings and considers their implications for practitioners and funders. Overall, the study's results suggest that mentoring programs can benefit youth with a broad range of backgrounds and characteristics. The findings also highlight the importance of youth risk in shaping match experiences, and suggest that programs should do more to tailor training and support based on the specific risks youth face

Having Dignities … \u27: Academic Attire as a Component of the Livery of the Chapel Royal

Although the first Choir School of the Chapel Royal was founded nearly fourteen hudred years ago in AD 635 by King Sigbert of the East Angles on the coast at Dunwich, now submerged beneath the sea, it is not until the Conquest by the Normans under William the Bastard in AD 1066 that any idea of outward recognition of academic rigour within the Chapel Royal emerges. [Excerpt]

The role of Islamic banks within the Turkish financial system

Since the establishment of the first Islamic bank twenty-five years ago, the concept of Islamic banking has gained world-wide acceptance. The main feature that distinguishes Islamic banking from conventional banking is the prohibition of interest, or "riba". The choice of Turkey was made for several reasons. Firstly, although Turkey has a large and overwhelmingly Muslim population, it is also a secular state. In many ways the problems experienced by the Islamic banks in Turkey are similar to those faced by Islamic banks in non-Islamic countries. Secondly, since 1980, the Turkish economic and financial sector has undergone rapid change, with the entry of many conventional banks. Turkey therefore offers an example of how Islamic banks can survive and prosper in a very competitive financial environment. Thirdly, due to Turkey’s strategically important position between the Middle East and Europe and increasing trade and political ties with both areas, the potential for further expansion in the field of Islamic banking in Turkey is enormous. In the introductory chapter, the economy of Turkey from the founding of the Republic to the present day was examined. Chapter 2 dealt with the activities and functions of the Central Bank. The conventional banks and other financial institutions were discussed in Chapter 3. Reasons for the prohibition of interest in Islam, together with a short account of the origins of banking in the Islamic world and the emergence of Islamic banking were covered in Chapter 4. In Chapter 5, the position of Islam and the establishment of Islamic banks in Turkey were discussed, followed by details of the types of Islamic investment, accounts and services available to the committed Muslim. Finally, the concluding chapter examined the performance of the Islamic banks and assessed their role within the Turkish financial system