The Belarusian Case of Transition: Whither Financial Repression?

The present paper examines the financial development of Belarus over the past decade with a particular focus on 1996-2002, when the financial sector was restrained through pervasive government controls in the form of interest rate ceilings, directed credit and preferential loans schemes, high reserve requirements, multiple exchange rates and capital controls. Belarus is of particular interest, as, despite no economic restructuring, the growth has averaged seven per cent per annum since 1997. While explanations of this ‘miracle’ abound, no empirical work has been done on the role of the financial system, particularly on the effects of pervasive government intervention. It has been argued that monetary stimulation of investment activity through interest rate ceilings and directed credit and preferential loans revived growth. This paper investigates whether financial policy led to financial deepening and increased the share of savings to be allocated to investment.

FUND ACCOUNTING AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

This research paper examined the relationship between Fund Accounting and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria for a period of 10 years from (2008-2017). Secondary data obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria Statistical Bulletin of each year, the Recurrent and Capital Budget of the selected time series, and the Appropriation Act of each year were used for analysis, to test the hypotheses formulated. Ordinary least square multiple linear regression was the statistical tool used for the analysis with the aid of E-view 10. The proxy for the independent variable; Fund Accounting; Capital Development Fund and dependent variable Infrastructural Development; Education Sector was used to formulate the hypotheses tested. In carrying out the analysis, the stationary test showed that the variables were stationary at first difference. The co-Integration test proved the presence of a long run relationship between the variables. The granger causality test proved no causality between the variables. The recommendation made after the results posits that theFund accounting principle should be adhered to, for an effective and efficient accountability system, infrastructural development, economic growth and all round development in Nigeria

The case for Re-framing Māori Suicide Prevention Research in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Applying Lessons from Indigenous Suicide Prevention Research

The aim of this paper is to present a case for reframing Māori suicide prevention research away from a strong emphasis on clinical research towards research that is more self-determining and historically and culturally contextualised. Rising levels of indigenous suicide have produced an intensified global focus on suicide prevention in indigenous, migrant and LGBTIQ populations. Suicide research in Aotearoa/New Zealand has largely disregarded the potential explanatory power of historical trauma and the inter-generational transfer of collective suffering on Māori suicide levels. Similarly, the effects of regular exposure to racism, daily micro-aggressions and structural violence are often overlooked as explanatory of Māori suicide. Instead, Māori suicide is generally viewed through a pathological, agentic and individualistic lens and Māori suicide prevention efforts framed and informed by a risk factor discursive minimising the historical and contemporary outcomes of pervasive and pernicious histories under colonisation. This paper describes Māori suicide prevention research as a body of knowledge dominated by Western mono-cultural and a/historicised analysis. Such research has overwhelmingly informed Māori suicide prevention strategies and policies for thirty years. However, recent innovations in Māori suicide prevention research which take into account Māori imperatives for self-determination and re-claiming the healing potential of cultural sovereignty are considered and the case for a new frame that enables a more comprehensive, accurate analysis of suicide is proposed

Marshall University Music Department Presents Music from the Age of Invention, The Maelzel Woodwind Quintet, performing on historical instruments from the early 19th century, Wendell Dobbs, flute, Richard Kravchak, oboe, Richard Spece, clarinet, Stephen Lawson, horn, Kay Lawson, bassoon

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1726/thumbnail.jp

Nighttime air quality under desert conditions

Nighttime concentrations of the gas phase nitrate radical (NO3) were successfully measured during a four week field campaign in an arid urban location, Reno Nevada, using long-path Differential Optical Absorbance Spectrometry (DOAS). While typical concentrations of NO3 ranged from 5 to 20ppt, elevated concentrations were observed during a wildfire event. Horizontal mixing in the free troposphere was considerable because the sampling site was above the stable nocturnal boundary layer every night and this justified a box modeling approach. Process analysis of box model simulations showed NO3 accounted for approximately half of the loss of internal olefins, 60% of the isoprene loss, and 85% of the α-pinene loss during the nighttime hours during a typical night of the field study. The NO3+aldehyde reactions were not as important as anticipated. On a polluted night impacted by wildfires upwind of the sampling location, NO3 reactions were more important. Model simulations overpredicted NO2 concentrations for both case studies and inorganic chemistry was the biggest influence on NO3 concentrations and on nitric acid formation. The overprediction may be due to additional NO2 loss processes that were not included in the box model, as deposition and N2O5 uptake had no significant effect on NO2 levels

Marshall University Department of Music Presents The Kingsbury Woodwind Quintet, Wendell Dobbs, flute, Ann Marie Bingham, clarinet, Lora Snow, oboe, Kay Lawson, bassoon, Stephen Lawson, horn, guest artist, Yeşim Dikener, piano

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1886/thumbnail.jp

Marshall University Music Department Presents a MUSIC ALIVE!, Chamber Series, The Kingsbury Woodwind Quintet, Wendell Dobbs, flute, Ann Marie Bingham, clarinet, Jenny Morris, oboe, Kay Lawson, bassoon, Stephen Lawson, horn

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1918/thumbnail.jp

Intense isolectin-B4 binding in rat dorsal root ganglion neurons distinguishes c-fiber nociceptors with broad action potentials and high nav1.9 expression

Binding to isolectin-B4 (IB4) and expression of tyrosine kinase A (trkA) (the high-affinity NGF receptor) have been used to define two different subgroups of nociceptive small dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. We previously showed that only nociceptors have high trkA levels. However, information about sensory and electrophysiological properties in vivo of single identified IB4-binding neurons, and about their trkA expression levels, is lacking. IB4-positive (IB4+) and small dark neurons had similar size distributions. We examined IB4-binding levels in >120 dye-injected DRG neurons with sensory and electrophysiological properties recorded in vivo. Relative immunointensities for trkA and two TTX-resistant sodium channels (Nav1.8 and Nav1.9) were also measured in these neurons. IB4+ neurons were classified as strongly or weakly IB4+. All strongly IB4+ neurons were C-nociceptor type (C-fiber nociceptive or unresponsive). Of 32 C-nociceptor-type neurons examined, ~50% were strongly IB4+, ~20% were weakly IB4+ and ~30% were IB4–. A{delta} low-threshold mechanoreceptive (LTM) neurons were weakly IB4+ or IB4–. All 33 A-fiber nociceptors and all 44 A{alpha}/beta-LTM neurons examined were IB4–. IB4+ compared with IB4– C-nociceptor-type neurons had longer somatic action potential durations and rise times, slower conduction velocities, more negative membrane potentials, and greater immunointensities for Nav1.9 but not Nav1.8. Immunointensities of IB4 binding in C-neurons were positively correlated with those of Nav1.9 but not Nav1.8. Of 23 C-neurons tested for both trkA and IB4, ~35% were trkA+/IB4+ but with negatively correlated immunointensities; 26% were IB4+/trkA–, and 35% were IB4–/trkA+. We conclude that strongly IB4+ DRG neurons are exclusively C-nociceptor type and that high Nav1.9 expression may contribute to their distinct membrane properties

An Automated System for Measuring Microphysical and Radiative Cloud Characteristics from a Tethered Balloon

OAK-B135 The rate of climate change in polar regions is now felt to be a harbinger of possible global warming. Long-lived, relatively thin stratus clouds play a predominant role in transmitting solar radiation and trapping long wave radiation emitted from open water and melt ponds. In situ measurements of microphysical and radiative properties of Arctic and Antarctic stratus clouds are needed to validate retrievals from remote measurements and simulations using numerical models. While research aircraft can collect comprehensive microphysical and radiative data in clouds, the duration of these aircraft is relatively short (up to about 12 hours). During the course of the Phase II research, a tethered balloon system was developed that supports miniaturized meteorological, microphysical and radiation sensors that can collect data in stratus clouds for days at a time. The tethered balloon system uses a 43 cubic meter balloon to loft a 17 kg sensor package to altitudes u p to 2 km. Power is supplied to the instrument package via two copper conductors in the custom tether. Meteorological, microphysical and radiation data are recorded by the sensor package. Meteorological measurements include pressure, temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction. Radiation measurements are made using a 4-pi radiometer that measures actinic flux at 500 and 800 nm. Position is recorded using a GPS receiver. Microphysical data are obtained using a miniaturized version of an airborne cloud particle imager (CPI). The miniaturized CPI measures the size distribution of water drops and ice crystals from 9 microns to 1.4 mm. Data are recorded onboard the sensor package and also telemetered via a 802.11b wireless communications link. Command signals can also be sent to the computer in the sensor package via the wireless link. In the event of a broken tether, a GMRS radio link to the balloon package is used to heat a wire that burns 15 cm opening in the top of the balloon. The balloon and sensor package slowly descends to the ground and a radio tracking beacon is activated to locate the balloon and sensor package. The tethered balloon system was deployed in upslope clouds at the Smokey Hills Bombing Range in western Kansas and at Ft. Carson Air Force Base near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Both of these areas are FAA Restricted Airspace up to FL180 (18,000 ft MSL) so that the tethered balloon could be flown to its maximum height without violating FAA regulations. Because the feasibility field programs took place at the very end of the research period covered by this DOE grant, a detailed analysis of the results are beyond the scope of this report. However, examples of water drops and ice crystals recorded by the CPI demonstrated the feasibility of the balloon and sensor package. Based on our initial analysis of results from the feasibility field deployments, we have determined that the tethered balloon system is capable of making long -term measurements of meteorological, microphysical and radiation properties of polar stratus clouds up to a height of about 2 km. However, further field trials should be conducted before deploying the system in a full-up field campaign

Marshall University Music Department Presents the Woodwind Ensembles Recital

https://mds.marshall.edu/music_perf/1731/thumbnail.jp