Model companions of distributive p-algebras

Let B n , 0 ≤ n ≤ ω, be the equational classes of distributive p-algebras (precise definitions are given in §1). It has been known for some time that the elementary theories T n of B n possess model companions ; see, e.g., [6] and [14] and the references given there. However, no axiomatizations of were given, with the exception of n = 0 (Boolean case) and n= 1 (Stonian case). While the first case belongs to the folklore of the subject (see [6], also [11]), the second case presented considerable difficulties (see Schmitt [13]). Schmitt's use of methods characteristic for Stone algebras seems to prevent a ready adaptation of his results to the cases n ≥ 2. The natural way to get a hold on is to determine the class E( B n ) of existentially complete members of B n : Since exists, it equals the elementary theory of E( B n ). The present author succeeded [12] in solving the simpler problem of determining the classes A( B n ) of algebraically closed algebras in B n (exact definitions of A( B n ) and E( B n ) are given in §1) for all 0 > n < ω. A( B n ) is easier to handle since it contains sufficiently many "small” algebras-viz. finite direct products of certain subdirectly irreducibles-in terms of which the members of A( B n ) may be analyzed (in contrast, all members of E( B n ) are infinite and ℵ-homogeneous). As it turns out, A( B n ) is finitely axiomatizable for all n, and comparing the theories of A( B 0), A( B 1) with the explicitly known theories of E( B 0), E( B 1)-viz. , , a reasonable conjecture for , 2 ≤ n ≤ ω, is immediate. The main part of this paper is concerned with verifying that the conditions formalized by suffice to describe the algebras in E( B n ) (necessity is easy). This verification rests on the same combinatorial techniques as used in [12] to describe the members of A( B n

Extreme values of a portfolio of Gaussian processes and a trend

We consider the extreme values of a portfolio of independent continuous Gaussian processes $$\sum_{i=1}^{k}w_{i}X_{i}(t)$$ ( $$w_{i} \in \mathbb{R}, \; k \in \mathbb{N}$$ ) which are asymptotically locally stationary, with expectations $$E[X_{i}(t)]=0$$ and variances $$Var[X_{i}(t)]=d_{i}t^{2H_{i}}$$ $$(d_{i} \in \mathbb{R^{+}}, 00$$ with $$\beta > H_{i}$$ . We derive the probability $$P\{ \sup_{t>0} \sum_{i=1}^{k}w_{i}X_{i}(t) -ct^{\beta} > u \}$$ for $$u \rightarrow \infty$$ , which may be interpreted as ruin probabilit

Linking sports-related and socio-economic resources of retiring Olympic athletes to their subsequent vocational career

The aim of this study was to examine patterns of sports-related and socio-economic resources at the time of athletic retirement and their relation to the subsequent vocational career. We surveyed 341 former Olympic athletes representing Switzerland about their athletic, educational, and vocational careers. In order to adequately depict the heterogeneous situations of athletes during and after their athletic career, we applied a person-oriented approach. This involves adopting a holistic perspective and using nonlinear methods of analysis to allow for interactions between different aspects of an athlete’s career. Using cluster analytic techniques, we found different patterns of sports-related and socio-economic resources at the time of athletic retirement which were related with specific vocational career paths. In particular, clusters disposing of manifold resources had various opportunities in working life, whereas clusters with few resources fared less well. However, a lack of educational certificates could be compensated for by success in sports and popularity, provided that the vocational activity was pursued in sport. These findings may help career counsellors to better understand athletes’ career development options and provide services of ever-improving quality

The differentiation of single and dual career athletes falls short: A person-oriented approach to characterize typical objective life situations of elite athletes

Research concerning athletic career development in high-performance sport typically uses demographic data, sport characteristics or pursuing a dual career (i.e. having an educational or vocational career simultaneous to the athletic career) to identify developmental processes. In defiance of these attempts, considerable heterogeneity remains within these subgroups of the elite athlete population. In line with the person-oriented approach, the objective of this study was to develop a comprehensive typology of athletes with similar objective life situations by considering both sport-related as well as non-sport related aspects. To this end, data were collected about athletic performance level, weekly amount of working time (i.e. sport-related activities, education, and vocation), and financial information (i.e. gross annual income and income generated from sport). Based on a sample of 733 elite athletes, a cluster analysis was performed to divide the sample into groups of similar patterns on the aforementioned factors. Five different athlete patterns were found: (1) working dual career athletes, (2) high-income professional athletes, (3) medium-income professional athletes, (4) family-supported athletes, and (5) student dual career athletes. These findings support the dual career literature of separating dual career (Cluster 1 and Cluster 5) from single career athletes, which, in turn, should also not be regarded as a single population, but further divided (Cluster 2, Cluster 3, and Cluster 4). This typology may aid federations and practitioners within athletic career development in providing individual assistance for elite athletes

The 33 kDa Protein of the Oxygen-Evolving Complex: a Multi-Gene Family in Tomato

A cDNA was isolated by chance from tomato which had a high similarity to a cDNA clone from potato known to code for the 33 kDa protein of the oxygen-evolving complex [van Spanje et al. (1991) Plant Mol. Biol. 17: 157]. The sequence of a previously described partial cDNA clone from tomato [Ko et al. (1990) Plant Mol. Biol. 14: 217] which has also a high similarity but is not identical to the sequence described here indicates that tomato contains at least two genes coding for 33 kDa proteins per haploid genome. This conclusion is supported by Southern blot analysis. The tissue specific expression of the corresponding genes is describe

Remarkable discovery of the Atlanto-Mediterranean moth Scythris ventosella Chrétien, 1907 at high altitude in the Alps of Valais, Switzerland – a possible relict of the late-glacial steppe-belt fauna? (Lepidoptera, Scythrididae)

The unexpected discovery of Scythris ventosella Chrétien, 1907 in the Alps of Valais, Switzerland is reported. Early stages, life cycle and habitat characteristics are described. The unusual present-day distribution of this species is discussed and it is suggested that the population in the Valais Alps may represent a relict from the late-glacial steppe-belt fauna

Retirement from elite sport and self-esteem: a longitudinal study over 12 years

This study examined the complex associations between athletic retirement and self-esteem among former elite athletes. With reference to theoretical and empirical work on the quality of the transition out of sport, information was collected from 290 (junior) elite athletes in a retrospective-prospective design: at the first measurement, active athletes assessed satisfaction with their sporting career, athletic identity, and self-esteem. At the second measurement (12  years later), the now former athletes rated transition characteristics of their career ending, sporting career success, emotional reactions to career termination, extent of necessary adjustment required following athletic retirement, duration and quality of adjustment, and self-esteem. Structural equation modelling revealed that neither sporting career success nor sporting career satisfaction had a direct effect on adjustment. However, athletic identity and retirement planning predicted the extent of adjustment, which in turn predicted the duration and quality of adjustment, and ultimately self-esteem. Voluntariness, timeliness, and perceptions of gain predicted emotional reactions towards career termination, which also predicted the duration of adjustment. Extent of adjustment and emotional reactions mediated between preconditions of career termination and transition characteristics and self-esteem. While self-esteem after career termination was predominantly predicted by self-esteem 12  years earlier, perceived quality of adjustment to career termination had a significant effect on self-esteem in the post-athletic career. These results complement existing literature illustrating that athletic retirement is a complex and dynamic process and the quality of this transition has a small, but still noteworthy effect on self-esteem, a central construct for well-being

Period prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and willingness to vaccinate in Swiss elite athletes.

Objectives (1) To assess the period prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections and willingness to vaccinate in Swiss elite athletes and (2) to evaluate whether sociodemographic and sport-related characteristics were associated with infection of SARS-CoV-2 in athletes. Methods A total of 1037 elite athletes (Mage=27.09) were surveyed in this cross-sectional study. They were asked whether they had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 and whether they would like to be vaccinated. Characteristics of a possible COVID-19 illness were also recorded. Results During the first year of the pandemic, 14.6% of all Swiss elite athletes were found to be infected with SARS-CoV-2, and 5.4% suspected that they had been infected. Male athletes, young athletes and team sports athletes had an increased likelihood of being infected with SARS-CoV-2. There was considerable heterogeneity in the duration and severity of a COVID-19 illness in athletes. Overall, 68% of respondents indicated a willingness to be vaccinated if they were offered an opportunity to do so. Conclusion In the first year of the pandemic, Swiss elite athletes were tested more often positive for SARS-CoV-2 than the general Swiss population. Because COVID-19 illness can impair health for a relatively long time, sports federations are advised to motivate athletes to be vaccinated

Vocational careers of retired Olympic athletes from Switzerland: A person-oriented study

For many high-performance athletes, competing in the Olympic Games is a major goal. Achieving this goal requires more than ever substantial investments of time and personal resources towards the sports career over several years. Thus, some athletes neglect other areas of life (e.g. education), which can pose a problem for the time after high-performance sport, while other athletes pursue a dual career. Previous studies have shown that former high-performance athletes achieved higher levels of education and better vocational positions than the general population. Due to the advancing professionalization and commercialization of high-performance sport, the question emerges whether these results are valid for athletes that are more recently retired. In addition, cross-cultural generalisability of these findings are of interest. For this purpose, 341 former athletes representing Switzerland at the Olympics were surveyed about their athletic, educational, and vocational careers. It turns out that these athletes obtained more degrees of higher education than the general population. Relative to their siblings, they have higher school-leaving certificates and work in more prestigious occupations. Following the holistic-interactionistic paradigm, person-oriented analyses was performed and revealed nine – mostly satisfactory – vocational career patterns. Hence, involvement in high-performance sport facilitates rather than hinders a successful vocational career