Determination of energy-loss factors for slow electrons in hot gases Final report, 28 Apr. 1966 - 15 Aug. 1969

Determination of energy loss factors for slow electrons in hot gase

A study of teacher education, training and development in Cyprus

This is a historical and empirical study of the system of education and professional development of Greek Cypriot teachers. It is divided into three parts. Part One surveys the historical evolution of the system from 1830 to 1960, a period which was marked by the establishment of Normal Schools, their replacement with Teachers' Training Colleges, and the change of the professional status of primary school teachers from community to Government employees. Part Two analyses the process of consolidation and reform of the system during the last 25 years (1960-1985), and examines the work and the problems of the Paedagogical Academy and of the Paedagogical Institute, and the increasing professionalsation of the teachers. Part Three is an empirical survey and statistical analysis of the views of nearly 4,000 teachers, student teachers, aspirants, teacher educators, representatives of the teachers' unions, and officials of the Ministry of Education on major current issues that confront the system. The main recommendations, which are put forward, analysed and costed in the thesis, are the following: (a) Prospective secondary school teachers should be selected according to the quality of their academic qualifications, and irrespective of seniority as defined by their date of graduation from university, and be trained professionally at the Paedagogical Institute for one year before appointment, (b) The training course at the Paedagogical Academy should be extended from three to four years, and serving primary and pre-primary school teachers should complete successfully a supplementary course in their free time, before being placed on the same pay scales envisaged for their new and better qualified colleagues, (c) The Institute and the Academy should be staffed with tenured lecturers, who should also be charged with the task of advising new teachers in their schools during their probationary period, (d) The system of compulsory and voluntary in-service training courses at the Institute should be extended, consolidated and carefully validated, and in-service training credits should be recognised for promotion purposes in a quantifiable way, stated explicitly in the respective regulations

Political Economy Origins of Financial Markets in Europe and Asia

We provide historical evidence from London, Amsterdam and Hong Kong which highlights the essential role played by governments in kick-starting financial development. In the cases of London and Amsterdam, the emergence of financial markets was a by-product of the rise of large trading monopolies. These monopolies, partly created to improve public finances, were responsible for major financial innovations and helped to strengthen investors' property rights. In Hong Kong, where the financial development model was bank-based, a large banking monopoly with close links to both the British and Chinese governments, set up to finance international trade, played a similar role. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.postprin

Medicine in the 1950s in South Sudan: Amputation for a puff adder (Bitis arietans) envenomation in a child - 1954

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Corporate social responsibility and firm performance in South Africa

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be viewed from two different perspectives: that of the business; and that of the individual investor (Socially Responsible Investing, SRI). In this study regression analysis as well as an event study was used to examine the link between CSR and firm performance. The results suggested that in the short-term there were no significant price effects on the SRI shares. In contrast, the returns of SRI portfolios over the sample period seemed to be superior to those of conventional firms. The regression analysis found that generally the SRI coefficients were insignificant; however using one of the models during the fifteen year sample period, SRI constituents attained a ROE that was 11.18% higher (as well as a ROA that was 1.824% lower) than conventional firms. When the period was restricted to 2004-2009 it was found that social performance was positively - and sometimes significantly - correlated with ROE

Financial restraints and private investment: evidence from a nonstationary panel

We employ recently developed panel data methods to estimate a model of private investment under financial restraints for 20 developing countries using annual data for 1972-2000. We show that the qualitative nature of the results varies depending on whether we take into account cross-country effects. When we allow for cross-sectional dependence, investment displays more sensitivity to world capital market conditions and exchange rate uncertainty. A perhaps even more surprising result is the finding that countries that managed to suppress domestic real interest rates without generating high inflation enjoyed higher levels of private investment than those that would have been obtained under liberalized conditions

Concomitant trauma of brain and upper cervical spine: lessons in injury patterns and outcomes

Purpose: The literature on concomitant traumatic brain injury (TBI) and traumatic spinal injury is sparse and a few, if any, studies focus on concomitant TBI and associated upper cervical injury. The objective of this study was to fill this gap and to define demographics, patterns of injury, and clinical data of this specific population. Methods: Records of patients admitted at a single trauma centre with the main diagnosis of TBI and concomitant C0-C1-C2 injury (upper cervical spine) were identified and reviewed. Demographics, clinical, and radiological variables were analyzed and compared to those of patients with TBI and: (i) C3-C7 injury (lower cervical spine); (ii) any other part of the spine other than C1-C2 injury (non-upper cervical); (iii) T1-L5 injury (thoracolumbar). Results: 1545 patients were admitted with TBI and an associated C1-C2 injury was found in 22 (1.4%). The mean age was 64 years, and 54.5% were females. Females had a higher rate of concomitant upper cervical injury (p = 0.046 vs non-upper cervical; p = 0.050 vs thoracolumbar). Patients with an upper cervical injury were significantly older (p = 0.034 vs lower cervical; p = 0.030 vs non-upper cervical). Patients older than 55 years old had higher odds of an upper cervical injury when compared to the other groups (OR = 2.75). The main mechanism of trauma was road accidents (RAs) (10/22; 45.5%) All pedestrian injuries occurred in the upper cervical injured group (p = 0.015). ICU length of stay was longer for patients with an upper cervical injury (p = 0.018). Four patients died in the upper cervical injury group (18.2%), and no death occurred in other comparator groups (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The rate of concomitant cranial and upper cervical spine injury was 1.4%. Risk factors were female gender, age ≥ 55, and pedestrians. RAs were the most common mechanism of injury. There was an association between the upper cervical injury group and longer ICU stay as well as higher mortality rates. Increased understanding of the pattern of concomitant craniospinal injury can help guide comprehensive diagnosis, avoid missed injuries, and appropriate treatment

What Is the Evidence Surrounding the Cost-Effectiveness of Osteobiologic Use in ACDF Surgery? A Systematic Review of the Literature.

STUDY DESIGN This study constitutes a systematic review of the literature. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to identify and present all available studies that report on the costs of osteobiologics used in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS The literature was systematically reviewed to identify studies with specific inclusion criteria: (1) randomized controlled trials and observational studies, (2) in adult patients, (3) with herniated disc(s) or degenerative cervical spine disease, (4) reporting on either direct or indirect costs of using specific osteobiologics in an ACDF operation. (5) Only studies in English were included. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the MINORS and RoB 2.0 tools. RESULTS Overall, 14 articles were included; one randomized controlled trial and 13 observational studies. The most commonly used osteobiologics other than autograft/iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) were allograft and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP). None of the studies was reported to be industry-supported. There was considerable heterogeneity on the reported costs. Overall, most studies reported on surgery-related costs, such as anesthesia, operating room, surgical materials and surgeon's fee. Only two studies, both using allograft, reported the exact cost of the osteobiologic used (450 GBP, $700). Some of the studies reported on the cost of care during hospitalization for the surgical operation, such as radiology studies, emergency room costs, cardiologic evaluation, laboratory studies, pharmacy costs, and room costs. Only a few studies reported on the cost of follow-up, reoperation, and physical therapy and rehabilitation. CONCLUSION Based on the data of this current systematic review, no recommendations can be made regarding the cost-effectiveness of using osteobiologics in ACDF. Given the high costs of osteobiologics, this remains a topic of importance. The design of future studies on the subject should include cost effectiveness