The Influence of Economic Performance in the 2014 Midterms: A Gubernatorial Tutorial

Who is responsible for the state economy, and does it matter in electing the state chief executive? Until now, numerous researchers have examined the influence of the economy and other factors in gubernatorial elections. However, the most recent studies at the state level did not include economic conditions or found them to be insignificant. This project will examine the thirty-six gubernatorial elections in 2014 and analyze both national- and state-level economic indicators. After investigating the economic performance factors in relation to the election results, it appears that economic conditions did not influence vote choice in the November 2014 gubernatorial elections, a conclusion supported by recent scholars

Linear motor for multi-car elevators, design and position measurement

Multi-car elevator is an emerging technology consisting of two or more elevator cars moving independently in an elevator hoistway, which has become more appealing as building heights increase. In this paper, the design and drive methodologies for a linear motor driven multi-car elevator system with independently moving cars is introduced together with experimental results. Additionally, a safety method developed for the linear motor elevator and the conditions necessary for its proper operation are discussed. The new results introduced in this paper are in the areas of the design method of the linear motor for multi-car elevator system, and the preliminary results for the position measurement system

PERSPECTIVES ON ICT ADOPTION IN UGANDAN SCHOOLS

This report discusses steps for the integration and adoption of information and communication technologies (ICT) in Uganda schools. Barriers of ICT adoption for teachers were determined through surveys at three schools in Eastern Uganda. Teachers identified lack of familiarity of ICT resources and lack of ICT skills as the two greatest barriers to ICT integration. Administrators and staffs were also interviewed to determine current resources. Through observations, interviews and collected data the report addresses two major ideas, promoting utilization of ICT resources and development of sustainable ICT programs. Promotion of utilization not only relies on overcoming the major barriers listed, but also developing a positive attitude of ICT. Sustainability is an issue reliant on all three groups of the school community; administration, staff and users

Design and implementation of a linear motor for multi-car elevators

The multi-car elevator system is a revolutionary new technology for high-rise buildings, promising outstanding economic benefits, but also requiring new technology for propulsion, safety and control. In this paper we report on experimental results with new components for linear motor driven multi-car elevators. We show that linear synchronous motors with optimized design and with our new safety and control system can be considered as core components of a new generation of elevator systems. The main new results concern the development of a safety system integrated into the propulsion system, the design methodology of a linear motor optimized for the multi-car elevator task, and the motion control system that is expected to be usable for extra high-rise buildings

TEACHING MENSTRUAL HEALTH AND HYGIENE TO YOUNG WOMEN IN EASTERN UGANDA WITH REUSABLE MENSTRUAL PADS

In order to identify the impact of teaching menstrual health and hygiene with reusable menstrual pads on knowledge retention and school attendance, qualitative and quantitative data was collected from three rural schools in three districts of eastern Uganda: Amuria, Bukedea, and Ngora. Research techniques employed were preliminary and post surveys of 85 young women; average age 16.9 years. Findings include positive and negative results. Participants’ feelings of normalcy and comfort increased and participants had improved understanding of sexual climax and appropriate menstrual management strategies. There was no statistically significant impact of teaching on topics of sexual intercourse or pregnancy. The impact of reusable menstrual pad sanitary technology on school attendance was negative as more young women reported missing up to a full day of school during their menstrual period (χ2 (3, 73) = 7.81, p = 0.05). Study limitations are discussed and future work is suggested

Identification of Tundra Land Cover near Teshekpuk Lake, Alaska Using SPOT Satellite Data

Tundra vegetation in the Teshekpuk Lake area of the Alaskan Arctic Coastal Plain was mapped to assess distribution and abundance of waterfowl habitats. Three SPOT satellite scenes were acquired and registered to a 20 m Universal Transverse Mercator grid. Two clustering techniques were used to develop statistical parameters by which the SPOT data were spectrally classified. A maximum likelihood algorithm that correlated spectral classes with land cover types was applied to the SPOT data. Field data were used to assist in spectral class labeling and vegetation descriptions. Twelve cover classes were mapped. The most common type was moist sedge meadow tundra (13.5%); the least common was moss/peat shoreline (0.2%). The moss/peat shoreline type, important to moulting geese and other waterfowl, was spectrally identified using supervised clustering techniques. All other land cover types were identified using unsupervised clustering techniques. Cover classes were described, and a tundra landscape profile produced.Key words: tundra land cover mapping, SPOT satellite data, Teshekpuk Lake, AlaskaOn a dressé une carte de la végétation de toundra dans la région du lac Teshekpuk de la plaine côtière arctique de l'Alaska afin d'évaluer la distribution et l'abondance de l'habitat de la sauvagine. On s'est procuré trois scènes prises par le satellite SPOT, qu'on a alignées sur un quadrillage de 20 m de la projection transverse universelle de Mercator. On a utilisé deux techniques d'agrégation pour élaborer des paramètres statistiques grâce auxquels on a classé en fonction du spectre les données provenant du SPOT. On a appliqué aux données du SPOT un algorithme de vraisemblance maximale corrélant les classes spectrales avec les types de couvert végétal. On a utilisé des données de terrain pour aider à nommer les classes spectrales et à décrire la végétation. On a cartographié 12 classes de couvert végétal, le plus commun étant la toundra de prairie à laîches humide (13,5 p. cent), et le moins abondant étant le littoral de mousse/tourbe (0,2 p. cent). On s'est servi de techniques d'agrégation dirigées pour identifier en fonction du spectre le type de mousse/tourbe, important pour les oies en période de mue et autre sauvagine. Tous les autres types de couvert végétal ont été identifiés à l'aide de techniques d'agrégation non dirigées. On a décrit les classes de couvert et établi un profil de paysage de toundra.Mots clés: cartographie du couvert végétal de la toundra, données provenant du satellite SPOT, lac Teshekpuk, Alask

Numerical Solution of Three-dimensional Eddy Current Problems

A general numerical method is given for the solution of quasi-stationary electromagnetic field problems. The integral equation-type formulation used permits the elimination of field quantities of inactive regions (air etc.) from the calculation. Some difficulties present in other methods (like surface charges etc.) are also avoided. The use of global variables in connection with the coordinate-independent (tensorial) form of the basic equations is likely to be helpful for an easy definition of a class of practical problems for a general computer program. A numerical example is included

A Network Analogy for Three-dimensional Eddy Current Problems

We present a numerical method for the solution of eeddy current problems arising in the analysis of electric machines. The method is based on a network analogy which is equivalent to a differential-integral equation formulation of Maxwell's equations, using the Biot-Savart Law. The present approach is intended mainly to give an intuitive picture rather than to be used as a general method for solving practical problems. A more effective method is presented in a companion article, where we start from a direct mathematical formulation

Reliability and clinical usefulness of the personality inventory for DSM-5 in clinically referred adolescents. A preliminary report in a sample of Italian inpatients

Background The DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD) provides the opportunity to integrate the needed developmental perspective in the assessment of personality pathology. Based on this model, Krueger and colleagues (2012) developed the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), which operationalizes the proposed DSM-5 traits. Methods Eighty-five consecutively admitted Italian adolescent inpatients were administered the Italian translation of the PID-5, in order to obtain preliminary data on PID-5 reliability and clinical usefulness in clinically referred adolescents. Results With the possible exception of the PID-5 Suspiciousness scale, all other PID-5 scales evidenced adequate internal consistency reliability (i.e., Cronbach's α values of at least .70, most being greater than .80). Our data seemed to yield at least partial support for the construct validity of the PID-5 scales also in clinical adolescents, at least in terms of patterns of associations with dimensionally assessed DSM-5 Section II PDs that were also included in the DSM-5 AMPD (excluding Antisocial PD because of the participants' minor age). Finally, our data suggested that the clinical usefulness of the PID-5 in adolescent inpatients may extend beyond PDs to profiling adolescents at risk for life-threatening suicide attempts. In particular, PID-5 Depressivity, Anhedonia, and Submissiveness trait scales were significantly associated with adolescents' history of life-threatening suicide attempts, even after controlling for a number of other variables, including mood disorder diagnosis. Discussion As a whole, our study may provide interesting, albeit preliminary data as to the clinical usefulness of PID-5 in the assessment of adolescent inpatients

Discharge of contract and surrender under life insurance and family takaful: a comparative study

This is a doctrinal and comparative research between the traditional law and the syariah with regard to discharge of policies and surrender. The aim is to find similarities and dissimilarities between life insurance and family takaful vis-à-vis the issues. The issues are: Discharge of life policies/family takaful and this will cover discharge by Performance; Payment by Mistake; discharge by agreement, discharge by breach and cancellation. Moreover, the researcher explore surrender under life insurance and family takaful, which will deliberate on the concept and procedure for surrender. It has been found that both the traditional law and the syariah agree that a contract of life insurance and family takaful may be discharged by performance, by agreement, by breach, payment by mistake and cancellation. With regard to surrender, it has been found that both the Financial Services Act 2013 and the Islamic Financial Services Act 2013 allow it. It has been submitted that surrender is not against the syariah, since the purpose is to ensure good for the participants provided it is done in accordance with fair dealing. Moreover, both the traditional law and the syariah share the same view in the procedure for the surrender as it is required to be in a writing form