Observations and three-dimensional ionization structure of the planetary nebula SuWt 2

The planetary nebula SuWt 2 (PN G311.0+02.4), is an unusual object with a prominent, inclined central emission ellipse and faint bipolar extensions. It has two A-type stars in a proven binary system at the centre. However, the radiation from these two central stars is too soft to ionize the surrounding material leading to a so far fruitless search for the responsible ionizing source. Such a source is clearly required and has already been inferred to exist via an observed temporal variation of the centre-of-mass velocity of the A-type stars. Moreover, the ejected nebula is nitrogen-rich which raises question about the mass-loss process from a likely intermediate-mass progenitor. We use optical integral-field spectroscopy to study the emission lines of the inner nebula ring. This has enabled us to perform an empirical analysis of the optical collisionally excited lines, together with a fully three-dimensional photoionization modelling. Our empirical results are used to constrain the photoionization models, which determine the evolutionary stage of the responsible ionizing source and its likely progenitor. The time-scale for the evolutionary track of a hydrogen-rich model atmosphere is inconsistent with the dynamical age obtained for the ring. This suggests that the central star has undergone a very late thermal pulse. We conclude that the ionizing star could be hydrogen-deficient and compatible with what is known as a PG 1159-type star. The evolutionary tracks for the very late thermal pulse models imply a central star mass of ~ 0.64M${}_{\odot}$, which originated from a ~ 3M${}_{\odot}$ progenitor. The evolutionary time-scales suggest that the central star left the asymptotic giant branch about 25,000 years ago, which is consistent with the nebula's age.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, 10 tables, proof corrections applie

Notes on the Staff Caucus at Kansas

Have you ever overheard someone refer to an office worker as my secretary or my work-study student? When the possessive pronoun is used in a feminist workplace, what does it imply about relationships? Are links between feminist practice and principle being affirmed or denied? The question of hierarchical language was one of many practical and pedagogical issues shared by staff, faculty, students, and others during the NWSA Convention

Feminist Periodicals

As Kate Stimpson, of Signs, pointed out at a session on feminist periodicals that took place in Kansas, few, if any, of the current feminist periodicals can survive if people replace this year\u27s subscription to a feminist art journal with next year\u27s subscription to a feminist literary magazine. Those who attended the Convention could not leave unaware of financial worries that burden every type of women\u27s studies project. A collective groan, for example, greeted the woman who reported that her Women\u27s Studies Program receives a budget of $9,000. While she considered that a paltry figure, most of those who groaned did so because that is more money than many projects receive in a number of good years

Wheatering tight economic times: the sales evolution of consumer durables over the business cycle.

Despite its obvious importance, not much marketing research focuses on how business-cycle fluctuations affect individual companies and/or industries. Often, one only has aggregate information on the state of the national economy, even though cyclical contractions and expansions need not have an equal impact on every industry, nor on all firms in that industry. Using recent time-series developments, we introduce various measures to quantify the extent and nature of business-cycle fluctuations in sales. Specifically, we discuss the notions of cyclical volatility and cyclical comovement, and consider two types of cyclical asymmetry related, respectively, to the relative size of the peaks and troughs and the rate of change in upward versus downward parts of the cycle. In so doing, we examine how consumers adjust their purchasing behavior across different phases of the business cycle. We apply these concepts to a broad set (24) of consumer durables, for which we analyze the cyclical sensitivity in their sales evolution. In that way, we (i) derive a novel set of empirical generalizations, and (ii) test different marketing theory-based hypotheses on the underlying drivers of cyclical sensitivity. Consumer durables are found to be more sensitive to business-cycle fluctuations than the general economic activity, as expressed in an average cyclical volatility of more than four times the one in GNP, and an average comovement elasticity in excess of 2. This observation calls for an explicit consideration of cyclical variation in durable sales. Moreover, even though no evidence is found for depth asymmetry, the combined evidence across all durables suggests that asymmetry is present in the speed of up- and downward movements, as durables' sales falls much quicker during contractions than recover during economic expansions. Finally, key variables related to the industry's pricing activities, the nature of the durable (convenience vs. leisure), and the stage in a product's life cycle tend to moderate the extent of cyclical sensitivity in durable sales patterns.Business cycles; Companies; Consumer durables; Econometrics; Economy; Firms; Hypotheses; Industry; Information; Market; Marketing; Pricing; Product; Purchasing; Sales; Sales evolution; Sensitivity; Size; Time; Time-series econometrics; Time series; Variables; Volatility;

Regression Analysis of Young Elderly Americans\u27 Needs to Alleviate Poverty

Demographics are changing for the young elderly population in America, and poverty is a growing concern among this population. The purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between young elderly demographics and income level, and between government programs and economic status. Rawls\u27s theory of justice was useful to examine the relationship between predictor variables and the outcome variable. Secondary data came from the U.S. Census Bureau\u27s Current Population Survey from March 2016. The results of multiple and logistic regressions indicated no statistically significant linear correlation. There was no statistical linear correlation between income level and region, race, education level, occupation status, sex, marital status, or employment status. Moreover, there was no statistically significant linear correlation between income level and medical equipment expenditures, health insurance payments, medical out of pocket expenses, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) status, and housing. Finally, the independent variables social security, supplemental security income (SSI), Medicare, Medicaid, public housing, and SNAP were not statistically significant in predicting the dependent variable of economic status. Implications for positive social change are to provide information to policymakers and researchers about the changing needs and demographics of the young elderly so that they can develop policies and programs that focus on their needs. Although the findings of this study revealed no new information to researchers or governmental policymakers, the work taken as a whole, highlights the need for continued study and policy consideration related to this generation of the American population

Institutional analysis of standard setting in the United States : a preliminary exploration

This paper, one of a series resulting from institutional analysis of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance, discusses standards and the standard setting process in the United States. Standards, and the manner in which standards are established, can play a significant role in facilitating or impeding the acceptance of solar technologies. The objective of this paper is to provide an overview of standards for those concerned with ensuring the timely and appropriate acceptance of needed new energy sources in diverse economic and geographic sectors. The paper has three sections. The first provides a conceptual framework for understanding standards. The second section discusses a number of approaches for categorizing standards. Finally, the third section identifies the processes employed and the persons and organizations involved in the standards development process in the US.Prepared under Dept. of Energy Contract no. EX-76-A-01-2295, Task order no. 37

An Investigation of the Types of Problems Faced by Small Firms and How They Affect the Funding Choices Made by Three Distinct Market Segments

This article looks at the relationship between the problems faced by small business owners and the funding sources used to solve those problems. Three problem types are identified: organizational systems, external, and sales and marketing problems. Based on these three problem types and the funding sources used by owners, the market is segmented into three groups using cluster analysis. Segment 1 is made up of firms with few problems. This segment uses the widest array of financial sources. Segment 2 has more problems than segment 3, but both need help with organizational systems resulting in the use of fewer sources

Humboldt State University: 1982 Convention Site/June 16-20, 1982

Humboldt State University shares the delight of its Women\u27s Studies Program that the National Women\u27s Studies Association is bringing its 1982 Convention to our campus. University staff and faculty are working together on arrangements that will encourage women\u27s studies practitioners from all over the country to come to Humboldt. HSU\u27s excellent interdisciplinary Women\u27s Studies Program, founded in 1970, is sponsored by several departments, including English, Economics, Ethnic Studies, History, Physical Education, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Speech Communication, and Art. Approximately 20 faculty members offer some 30 courses. The Program contributes to General Education at Humboldt through courses in Women and the Artistic Response, Historical Views of Women, Women in Language and Literature, Women in Social Institutions, and Psychological Views of Women. It offers a minor in Women\u27s Studies, and students can major in Women\u27s Studies through the Special Major Program

Panel discussion: teaching the library research process (or, how would a Great Dane, a collie and a poodle teach the new dogs some old tricks)

pp. 57-6

Rethinking Teacher Retention In Hard-To-Staff Schools

National, state, and local educational agencies identify teacher retention as an issue of continuous importance and concern. This report addresses the issue of teacher retention through the lens of administrative effectiveness and involvement, as well as teachers’ intrinsic motivations. Relevant findings include structural framing of the educational environment, student behaviors, school district demands for improvement, and teacher perspectives on administrative support. The report iterates that teacher retention does not have a one-size-fits-all solution, and that each school division and individual school must work purposefully to devise plans to retain its most effective teachers