Projection volumes of hyperplane arrangements

We prove that for any finite real hyperplane arrangement the average projection volumes of the maximal cones is given by the coefficients of the characteristic polynomial of the arrangement. This settles the conjecture of Drton and Klivans that this held for all finite real reflection arrangements. The methods used are geometric and combinatorial. As a consequence we determine that the angle sums of a zonotope are given by the characteristic polynomial of the order dual of the intersection lattice of the arrangement

Investigations into several economic and demographic decisions in rural Kenyan households: a research proposal

In view of the extreme importance of understanding the relationships between economic and demographic behaviour in rural Kenya, this paper outlines a proposed econometric research undertaken, utilising the data from the Kenya Government's integrated rural survey. The proposed analysis focuses on the income, saving and demographic decisions made at the household level and the interactions between these decisions and the roles children play in the household. Parents are assumed to allocate their children's time between education and work in the household enterprise, with each of the alternatives having different implications for household behaviour. Additional research into the determinants of each child's main activity, the determinants of woman's fertility experience, and the expenditure behaviour of the household is described. Finally, a non-technical description of the empirical methodology to be employed is presented

The Economic Impact Of Sports And Sporting Events On The Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) Economy

The sports economy in the Charlotte MSA has grown dramatically in the past twenty-five years.  In 1980, attendance was less than 500,000 and total revenue was less than $15 million.  In 2011, Charlotte hosted a National Basketball team, a National Football team, two major NASCAR Cup events, several college teams, and a number of other important events.  This study calculated the economic impact of sports and sports events in the Charlotte MSA in 2011. NAICS data cannot be readily recast to isolate the sports industry, so this study used primary and secondary data.  The data were divided into four categories: Professional and College Sports TeamsSpecial Events (PGA, NASCAR, etc.)Major Amateur and Youth Events (including TEAM Charlotte Swimming, BASS/ESPN Outdoors)Sports Video and Media Productions Once data on the direct output from sporting activities are assembled, the IMPLAN 382 by 382 multiplier matrix was used to calculate the indirect effects and the induced effects of the sporting activities and the employment supported by the estimated economic activity. In 2011, sports and sporting events contributed over$1 billion directly to the regional economy and a total of more than $2 billion when indirect and induced effects are considered.  The direct effect amounts to 0.7 percent of the MSA GDP and the total effect is 1.7 percent.  This economic contribution supports nearly 14,000 jobs directly and more than 23,000 when indirect and induced effects are taken into account.  This corresponds to 0.6 percent and 0.8 percent of total employment, respectively

Twelve Commandments Of Human Relations For The Diverse Academic Environment Of Colleges And Universities

This paper focuses on applying proven industrial relations approaches and sound management practice to address a range of diversity issues in higher education.  Issues addressed include the need to set a clear and consistent direction, the importance of effective policy setting and enforcement, the value of positive reinforcement, and the recognition that there are limitations to the university's authority over time away from work.   Clear policies, predictable outcomes, and continuous effort at open communication are the foundation for promoting the potential benefits of a diverse university community while guarding against potential disruptions and misunderstandings

Right-to-Work Laws as Economic Freedom: Their Role in Influencing the Geographic Pattern of Manufacturing Jobs, Incomes, and Finances

A large empirical literature has found positive effects from economic freedom on economic outcomes, such as output and per capita economic growth. This study seeks to explain empirically the disparate timing of state manufacturing earnings and employment decline, as well as the shift among states in both manufacturing earnings and manufacturing employment resulting from right-to-work laws, which can be viewed as reflecting labor market freedom and thereby acting as a de facto economic policy. The results of the empirical estimations suggest a marked geographic shift of manufacturing employment and compensation in the U.S. during the 1970 to 2012 time period. The empirical estimations indicate that the regions of the country that have historically represented the manufacturing base have suffered the greatest relative losses in both employment and compensation during this period. In addition to regional location, it appears that right-to-work laws have had the effect of leveling manufacturing employment and compensation levels across the states since 1970. The data analysis suggests that, at least in part due to right-to-work laws, the manufacturing sectors of the states and regions are becoming increasingly similar over time, i.e., manufacturing activity that was once highly concentrated in the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mideast has now converged significantly, with the outcome that there is little geographic difference in concentration among the eight BEA regions

Right-to-Work Laws as Economic Freedom: Their Role in Influencing the Geographic Pattern of Manufacturing Jobs, Incomes, and Finances

A large empirical literature has found positive effects from economic freedom on economic outcomes, such as output and per capita economic growth. This study seeks to explain empirically the disparate timing of state manufacturing earnings and employment decline, as well as the shift among states in both manufacturing earnings and manufacturing employment resulting from right-to-work laws, which can be viewed as reflecting labor market freedom and thereby acting as a de facto economic policy. The results of the empirical estimations suggest a marked geographic shift of manufacturing employment and compensation in the U.S. during the 1970 to 2012 time period. The empirical estimations indicate that the regions of the country that have historically represented the manufacturing base have suffered the greatest relative losses in both employment and compensation during this period. In addition to regional location, it appears that right-to-work laws have had the effect of leveling manufacturing employment and compensation levels across the states since 1970. The data analysis suggests that, at least in part due to right-to-work laws, the manufacturing sectors of the states and regions are becoming increasingly similar over time, i.e., manufacturing activity that was once highly concentrated in the Great Lakes, Northeast, and Mideast has now converged significantly, with the outcome that there is little geographic difference in concentration among the eight BEA regions

Stakeholders’ Understandings of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Rapid Qualitative Systematic Review

Cervical cancer rates in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are amongst the highest worldwide. All three of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines (9-valent, quadrivalent and bivalent HPV vaccine) provide primary protection against the most common cancer-causing strains of HPV (types 16 and 18) that are known to cause 70% of cervical cancers. Over the last five years, there has been an increase in Sub-Saharan African countries that have introduced the HPV vaccine. The majority of research has been conducted on supply-side barriers and facilitators to HPV vaccination uptake in SSA, yet little research has been conducted on demand-side or end-user perspectives of, and decisions around, HPV vaccination. In order to complement existing research, and inform current and future HPV vaccination implementation approaches, this qualitative systematic review explored Stakeholders’ understandings of HPV vaccination in SSA. This review searched the following databases: Embase (via Scopus), Scopus, MEDLINE (via PubMed), PubMed, EBSCOhost, Academic Search Premier, Africa-Wide Information, CINAHL, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials (CENTRAL) and found a total of 259 articles. Thirty-one studies were found eligible for inclusion and were analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke’s methods for conducting a thematic analysis. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist. Three major themes emerged from this analysis; knowledge of HPV vaccination and cervical cancer is intertwined with misinformation; fear has shaped contradictory perceptions about HPV vaccination and gender dynamics are relevant in how stakeholders understand HPV vaccination in SSA

A call to action: A need for initiatives that increase equitable access to COVID-19 therapeutics

Structural racism is endemic in the United States and causes inequitable health outcomes that have been amplified throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American individuals have been disproportionately affected, and are twice as likely to be hospitalized or die from COVID-19 or related morbidities when compared to White Americans. Social determinants of health inequities contribute to these disparate outcomes, given that minoritized individuals are more likely to occupy essential worker roles and to live in high-density settings. Despite their higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, racially and ethnically minoritized individuals are less likely to receive potentially lifesaving COVID-19 therapeutics.3 While several state health departments attempted to implement race-conscious interventions and narrow the disparities, these efforts have been met with fallacious claims of ‘reverse racism’ and the reversal of the proposed implementations

Ten-year trends in benzodiazepine use in the Dutch population

Background In the past decades knowledge on adequate treatment of affective disorders and awareness of the negative consequences of long-term benzodiazepine use increased. Therefore, a decrease in benzodiazepine use is expected, particularly in prolonged use. The aim of this study was to assess time trends in benzodiazepine use. Methods and material Data from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) were used to investigate trends in benzodiazepine use between 1992 and 2002 in two population-based samples aged 55-64 years. Differences between the two samples with respect to benzodiazepine use and to sociodemographic, physical health and mental health characteristics were described and tested with chi- square tests and logistic regression analyses. Results Benzodiazepine use remained stable over 10 years, with 7.8% in LASA-1 (n = 874) and 7.9% in LASA-2 (n = 919) (p = 0.90) with a persisting preponderance in women and in people with low education, low income, chronic physical diseases, functional limitations, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety complaints, sleep problems and when using antidepressants. Long-term use remained high with 70% in 1992 and 80% in 2002 of total benzodiazepine use. Conclusion In the Dutch population aged 55-64, overall benzodiazepine use remained stable from 1992 to 2002, with a high proportion of long-term users, despite the effort to reduce benzodiazepine use and the renewal of the guidelines. More effort should be made to decrease prolonged benzodiazepine use in this middle-aged group, because of the increasing risks with ageing. © The Author(s) 2011