Bounds and algorithms for the K-Bessel function of imaginary order

AbstractUsing the paths of steepest descent, we prove precise bounds with numerical implied constants for the modified Bessel function${K}_{ir} (x)$of imaginary order and its first two derivatives with respect to the order. We also prove precise asymptotic bounds on more general (mixed) derivatives without working out numerical implied constants. Moreover, we present an absolutely and rapidly convergent series for the computation of${K}_{ir} (x)$and its derivatives, as well as a formula based on Fourier interpolation for computing with many values of$r$. Finally, we have implemented a subset of these features in a software library for fast and rigorous computation of${K}_{ir} (x)$.</jats:p

Women in Communications

Rosalind Russell and Joan Crawford spearheaded the image in the forties; their perennial screen portrayals of newswomen scooping the men in the office and then falling in love with the hard-hearted city editor, or guiding the reorganization of the nation\u27s number-one-rated-but-faltering-magazine to a successful resurgence attracted the identification of many aspiring young women. Abetted by Superman\u27s reporter sidekick cum love-life Lois Lane and the magnificent Brenda Starr of the comic strips, the image was complete; what did many creative, talented and ambitious young women want but to become newshawks with editorial aspirations

A Comparative Assessment of Knowledge Management Programs across the United States Armed Services

Knowledge is a corporate resource that is required to accomplish business processes, to make decisions, and to improve efficiency and effectiveness. To completely take advantage of the benefits of knowledge, organizations must harvest and leverage the collective knowledge of the entire workforce. This can be achieved through effective knowledge management. Knowledge management involves processes to create, to store, and transfer knowledge to accomplish business objectives and to achieve a competitive advantage. The United States armed services have also recognized the benefits of knowledge management in meeting the emerging challenges of modern warfare. This study investigated knowledge management programs in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force. Using a case study methodology, each of the service\u27s knowledge management programs were assessed against Stankosky et al.\u27s (1999) Four Pillar Framework which outlines key elements of leadership, technology, organization/culture, and learning associated with robust knowledge management programs. Based on the evidence reviewed for this research, the results indicate each of the services are making progress albeit with slightly different approaches towards a more mature KM program with the U.S. Army having the most complete approach according to the evaluation criteria. The research also revealed that there is much collaboration and work yet to be done among the services if the concepts of knowledge management are to be used to operate and fight more effectively as a joint force

Assessment of Self-Efficacy and Practice Change Following Pressure Injury Education in a Long-Term Care Facility

The purpose of this scholarly project was to evaluate if pressure injury education improved nursing knowledge and self-efficacy in the prevention and management of pressure injuries with the intent to improve practice. A literature review was conducted to evaluate educational interventions for adult learners and nursing roles in the care process. Existing studies indicated that patient outcomes are improved when nurses have adequate knowledge in pressure injury prevention. This quality improvement project was implemented in a long-term care facility with 28 nursing staff. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality pressure injury best practices presentation was the basis for the educational intervention with both didactic and interactive identification of best practice. Validated instruments included a pre- and posttest questionnaire applying Beeckman’s Pressure Ulcer Knowledge Assessment Tool Version 2.0. posttest assessment of self-efficacy and levels of learning prior to and after pressure injury education, and the Pressure Ulcer Management Self-Efficacy Scale for Nurses. The pre- and posteducation scoring demonstrated improved knowledge of pressure injury intervention and management. The statistical analysis employed the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, which revealed compelling results. With a test statistic of 21.0 and a p value lower than the predetermined alpha level (.0018), the null hypothesis was confidently rejected in favor of the alternative, which suggests pressure injury education had a positive effect on the performance of the surveyed individuals. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing education in health care settings. The data strongly suggest that continuous learning can enhance the knowledge and self-efficacy of nurses and certified nursing assistants, ultimately contributing to improved patient care and outcomes. Keywords: pressure ulcers, pressure injuries, long-term care, nursing education, pressure ulcer prevention, control, nursing knowledg

Collectors of Rhodiola species on the Sichuan-Tibetan and Sichuan-Shaanxi borders

Medicinal Rhodiola species, including Rhodiola rosea L. and Rhodiola crenulata (Hook.f. & Thomson) H.Ohba, have been widely used as traditional herbal medicines with numerous claims for their therapeutic effects. Faced with resource depletion, environment destruction and higher demand, R. rosea and R. crenulata are becoming endangered, making them economically even more valuable, but also increasing the risk of adulteration and low quality - and raising awareness for the role of often unlicensed collectors and middlemen. Although R. rosea is the most well known in Europe, R. crenulata is the recognised species in China. On the border of Sichuan and Tibet, members of the Yi minority collect R. crenulata in order to sell it to the “traditional” Chinese medicine market. Collection of this medicinal herb represents about one third of the annual income for the Yi. Three times a year they climb up to 5,000 metres in search of the plants. As it is stripped out, the Yi have to travel to more and more inhospitable places to ensure its supply. At Taibai mountain along the border of Sichuan and Shaanxi, the same medicinal plant, hongjingtian in Chinese, is growing in the wild, too. Yet, in a socioeconomic context, collectors do not have a particular ethnic background such as Yi, Tibetan or Han collectors. Here, the collectors are various unlicensed providers-cum-prescribers 'caoyi'. (The term does not mean herb-physician, as one might assume from terms such as caoyao (herbals). It means unofficial or not following the scholarly standard.) Using neither an ethnic identity nor the general botanical terms in Latin, they claim Daoism and terroir of their mountain as a sign of good quality ‘Taibai hongjingtian’. There appears to be no strategy in place to protect the species across all those socioeconomic, ethnic and provincial boundaries, and without some intervention it is likely that R. crenulata will eventually become so rare that it can no longer be collected in the current quantities. This will have consequences both for the livelihoods of the Yi and of various Caoyi, and also for the conservation of R. Crenulata and it’s sustainability

Using the temporal self-regulation theory to examine the influence of environmental cues on maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Objectives: The aim of the current study is to explore the predictive utility of the temporal self-regulation theory (TST) for maintaining a healthy lifestyle (Hall & Fong, 2007, Health Psychology Review, 1, 6). According to TST, the influence of intention, self-regulation, and behavioural pre potency differs depending on the environmental context in which the behaviour is performed. This study examined the influence of perceptions about the supportiveness of the environmental context on TST-related factors.Design: Temporal self-regulation theory was tested using a prospective design with a 1-week follow-up.Methods: One hundred and fifty-two undergraduates were administered three executive functioning tasks and an online questionnaire regarding their intentions to maintain a healthy lifestyle, environmental responsiveness, and previous behaviour. One week later, they completed a follow-up questionnaire.Results: Participants who were supported by the environment were significantly more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle than those distracted by the environment. Behavioural pre potency was significantly predictive of behaviour performance for ‘supported’ participants. Behavioural pre potency, planning, and response inhibition were significantly predictive of ‘unsupported’ participants’ behaviour.Conclusions: These findings provided preliminary support for the use of TST for the prediction of healthy lifestyle behaviour. Importantly, this study provided support for the contention that the influence of TST-related factors would vary according to the perceived supportiveness of the environment. These findings suggest that environmental responsiveness may be an important determinant to close the intention–behaviour gap for maintaining a healthy lifestyle

The Essex turnpike trusts

This thesis is an enquiry into the turnpike Trusts which operated wholly or in part in Essex. The first Chapter analyses the creation of the early Trusts in the context of previous Parliamentary resistance to the turnpike principle, discussing the choice of roads selected for repair by toll money against the state of Essex roads in general. It traces the progress of the Trusts under the management of local justices and the practical and political issues which this raised. Chapter Two is about the economic background in Essex to the turnpike movement, comparing the growth of the turnpike system with contemporary moves to improve waterways; it discusses the industrial and commercial characteristics of Essex, particularly the contrast between the east and west sides of the county and their respective routes for the carriage of goods. The metropolitan Trusts, which differed fundamentally from their rural counterparts in constitution and outlook, are the subject of Chapter Three. They are seen as a medium for 'improvement' and investment. Chapter Four describes the administration of the more rural Essex Trusts, particularly the work of the trustees, the calibre of their officers, the problems of toll farming and policies for attracting investment. The role of J. L. McAdam is seen as significant in giving many Trusts a new spirit and sense of purpose. The last Chapter traces the decline of the Trusts in the wake of railway competition and the complexities of Victorian legislation in local government. The thesis ends with a summary of conclusions, assessing the importance of the Essex Trusts in economic and constitutional terms and the contribution which the Essex experience has to offer to the study of turnpike history elsewhere

In sickness and in health? Comorbidity in older couples

We investigate the nature and origin of comorbidity, defined as the tendency of members of marital couples to display correlated patterns of ill-health in later life. In the absence of long-term prospective data on couples, we use long-range recall data from the pan-European SHARELife survey and estimate a latent variable model of the health states of marital partners in childhood, early adulthood and late adulthood. We find strong persistence in health states and a strong comorbidity correlation, attributable almost equally to homogamy in relation to early health and common factors operating within marriage

Dismantling Racism and Militarism in U.S. Foreign Policy

The current U.S. national security paradigm robs us of economic resources, corrupts our political system,endangers our lives, and offends our most fundamental moral values.It perpetuates a system that discriminates against, disempowers, disrespects, dehumanizes, and brutalizes Black and brown people and other communities of color. It is an extension of systemic white supremacy at home that relies upon the threat and use of force abroad.Continuing the U.S. quest for global military domination harms not only the people of other countries and the earth we share, but the vast majority of Americans. The Racism-Militarism Paradigm, moreover, harms all of our social, political, and economic institutions, including our democratic institutions, thus weakening our entire society.To peacefully and democratically dismantle this paradigm, we must offer a compelling alternative vision of the U.S. role in the world