Bottom Schur functions

We give a basis for the space V spanned by the lowest degree part \hat{s}_\lambda of the expansion of the Schur symmetric functions s_\lambda in terms of power sums, where we define the degree of the power sum p_i to be 1. In particular, the dimension of the subspace V_n spanned by those \hat{s}_\lambda for which \lambda is a partition of n is equal to the number of partitions of n whose parts differ by at least 2. We also show that a symmetric function closely related to \hat{s}_\lambda has the same coefficients when expanded in terms of power sums or augmented monomial symmetric functions. Proofs are based on the theory of minimal border strip decompositions of Young diagrams.Comment: 16 pages, 13 figures To appear in the Electronic Journal of Combinatoric

Regenerable biocide delivery unit

A method and apparatus are disclosed for maintaining continuous, long-term microbial control in the water supply for potable, hygiene, and experimental water for space activities, as well as treatment of water supplies on Earth. The water purification is accomplished by introduction of molecular iodine into the water supply to impart a desired iodine residual. The water is passed through an iodinated anion exchange resin bed. The iodine is bound as I-(sub n) at the anion exchange sites and releases I(sub 2) into the water stream flowing through the bed. The concentration of I(sub 2) in the flowing water gradually decreases and, in the prior art, the ion-exchange bed has had to be replaced. In a preferred embodiment, a bed of iodine crystals is provided with connections for flowing water therethrough to produce a concentrated (substantially saturated) aqueous iodine solution which is passed through the iodinated resin bed to recharge the bed with bound iodine. The bed of iodine crystals is connected in parallel with the iodinated resin bed and is activated periodically (e.g., by timer, by measured flow of water, or by iodine residual level) to recharge the bed. Novelty resides in the capability of inexpensively and repeatedly regenerating the ion-exchange bed in situ

Sociological Precedents and Contributions To The Understanding and Facilitation of Individual Behavioral Change: The Case for Counseling Sociology

This article clarifies the distinction between clinical and counseling sociology and provides some direction for the practice of counseling sociology. This is accomplished by a consideration first, of sociological contributions to the understanding and facilitation of individual behavior and its change, and second, of historical precedents in the field

Developing an International Work Integrated Learning (WIL)and Work Placement Resource Directory

Have you ever looked for resources related to work placements and not known where to find them? This is a challenge that colleagues from around the world face. Most practitioners or researchers know of their national association and sources of funding support but may not be aware of the wider global picture. The use of different terms across the world for broadly similar activities can also be unhelpful. Whilst representing ASET at a meeting of the National Placement Associations in Philadelphia, I volunteered to compile an electronic directory of resources relating to work placements, work-integrated learning and co-operative education. This workshop will discuss: • How the project came about • Where the resources are and how to track them down • Finding a student collaborator • The work carried out so far • Quality control of resources • Organisation of resources • Challenges ahead Participants will be able to: • Become familiar with a range of resource to support their own research or practice • Contribute to the next steps for the projec

Bulk Sales Laws: Transactions Covered by These Statutes

This paper will carry forward the discussion of bulk sales legislation begun in an article entitled Bulk Sales Laws: A Study in Economic Adjustment , and continued in a second article entitled Bulk Sales Laws: A Study in Statutory Interpretation. The first paper considered three phases of the bulk sales problem: (1) the inability of the American statutory successors of 13 Elizabeth to meet the legal needs of the creditor class when a defrauding merchant sold out in bulk his stock of unpaid for goods to a bona fide purchaser for value; (2) the campaign waged by the National Association of Credit Men to place bulk sales laws on the statute books of the forty-eight states; (3) the unfavorable attitude of at least five state supreme courts toward bulk sales laws which resulted (a) in these statutes being declared unconstitutional in the states in question and (b) in certain changes being made in the unconstitutional statutes in order to meet the objections raised by the courts. The second paper was devoted to a consideration of the operation of these bulk sales laws after they were on the statute books of the several states. The reactions of several outstanding credit men toward bulk sales laws were noted. Then the attitude of the courts in interpreting these statutes was treated in the following aspects: (1) who are creditors within the meaning of bulk sales laws; (2) who are sellers; (3) to what kinds of property do the bulk sales laws apply? This article will consider the attitude of the courts toward the general problem of what types of business transactions are covered by these bulk sales laws. The general problem will be broken down into three specific problems: (1) does a chattel mortgage of goods, wares and merchandise, and perhaps of store fixtures also, fall within the provisions of a bulk sales statute; (2) does the statute cover a general assignment for the benefit of creditors; (3) must the bulk sales law be complied with where the stock, and perhaps fixtures, of a business have been transferred to a corporation or to a partnership organized to take over the business

Deficient mitochondrial biogenesis in critical illness: cause, effect, or epiphenomenon?

Recent studies indicate that mitochondrial dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of a number of disease states. The importance of these organelles in shock and multiple organ dysfunction is of particular interest to those caring for the critically ill. Mitochondria have their own unique DNA (mtDNA) that encodes 13 essential subunits of electron transport chain enzymes, two ribosomal RNAs and 22 transfer RNAs. Importantly, mtDNA is especially susceptible to deletions, rearrangements and mutations because it is not bound by histones and lacks the extensive repair machinery present in the nucleus. The study by Côté et al. in this issue of Critical Care examines changes in mtDNA in critically ill patients. The results support further investigation into the role of mtDNA in the critically ill

General Purpose Technologies in Theory, Applications and Controversy: A Review

Distinguishing characteristics of General Purpose Technologies (GPTs) are identified and definitions discussed. Our definition includes multipurpose and single-purpose technologies, defining them according to their micro-technological characteristics, not their macro-economic effects. Identifying technologies as GPTs requires recognizing their evolutionary nature, and accepting possible uncertainties concerning marginal cases. Many of the existing ‘tests’ of whether particular technologies are GPTs are based on misunderstandings either of what GPT theory predicts or what such tests can establish. The development of formal GPT theories is outlined, showing that only the early theories predicted the inevitability of GPT-induced showdown and surges. More recent GPT theories, designed to model the characteristics of GPTs, do not imply the necessity of specific macro effects. We show that GPTs can rejuvenate the growth process without causing slowdowns or surges. We conclude that existing criticisms of GPT theory can be resolved and that the concept remains useful for economic theory

Recovery Of Visual Function In Pacific Halibut (Hippoglossus Stenolepis) After Exposure To Bright Light

Commercial fishing exposes Pacific halibut (Hippoglossus stenolepis) to a myriad of stressors during capture, processing, and discarding, including exposure to direct sunlight that causes diminished retinal sensitivity. It is unknown, however, whether recovery occurs. We therefore employed both electroretinography and a behavioral assay to measure recovery of retinal sensitivity and visual function in halibut exposed to 15 min of simulated sunlight. We used electroretinography to measure changes in retinal light sensitivity after recovery periods of 2, 4, 6 and 10 weeks and a behavioral assay to measure responsiveness to simulated prey (i.e., in behavioral trials) to measure visual function after recovery periods of 2 to 6 d. Exposure to simulated sunlight significantly reduced retinal sensitivity to light with no apparent recovery after 10 weeks. Although retinal sensitivity was reduced, fish exposed to direct sunlight displayed no demonstrable deficits in visual function during behavioral trials