An iterative procedure to obtain inverse response functions for thick-target correction of measured charged-particle spectra

A new method for correcting charged-particle spectra for thick target effects is described. Starting with a trial function, inverse response functions are found by an iterative procedure. The variances corresponding to the measured spectrum are treated similiarly and in parallel. Oscillations of the solution are avoided by rebinning the data to finer bins during a correction iteration and back to the original or wider binning after each iteration. This thick-target correction method has been used for data obtained with the MEDLEY facility at the The Svedberg Laboratory, Uppsala, Sweden, and is here presented in detail and demonstrated for two test cases.Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, submitted to NIM

Tutorial on Neutron Physics in Dosimetry

Almost since the time of the discovery of the neutron more than 70 years ago, efforts have been made to understand the effects of neutron radiation on tissue and, eventually, to use neutrons for cancer treatment. In contrast to charged particle or photon radiations which directly lead to release of electrons, neutrons interact with the nucleus and induce emission of several different types of charged particles such as protons, alpha particles or heavier ions. Therefore, a fundamental understanding of the neutron-nucleus interaction is necessary for dose calculations and treatment planning with the needed accuracy. We will discuss the concepts of dose and kerma, neutron-nucleus interactions and have a brief look at nuclear data needs and experimental facilities and set-ups where such data are measured.Comment: Invited talk at the 11th Neutron and Ion Dosimetry Symposium NEUDOS-11, October 11-16, 2009, Cape Town, South Africa. 14 pages, 8 figures; submitted to Radiation Measurement

The cointegrating relationship in Asian markets with applications to stock prices, exchange rates and interest rates

This thesis was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy and awarded by Brunel University.The aim of this research is to investigate the long-run co-integrating relationships in the Asian markets. Our research focuses on 4 areas; pair trading, out-of-sample forecasting, testing the unbiased forward exchange rate hypothesis and testing the expectation hypothesis of the term structure of interest rates. The introduction is provided in chapter one. In chapter two, we develop a pairs trading strategy using individual stocks listed in the Stock Exchange of Thailand. Engle and Granger approach is used to identify the potential pairs that are cointegrated. The results show that pairs trading strategy is profitable in this market. Chapter three examines the forecasting performance of the error correction model on daily share price series from the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The disequilibrium term is classified into “correct” and “mix” sign based on Alexander (2008)’s criterion; the results indicate that the error correction component can help to improve the predictability in the long run. Chapter four tests the unbiased forward rate hypothesis of 11 Asian exchange rates using linear conventional regression, ECM and logistic smooth transition regression with the forward premium as the transition variable. Out-of-sample forecasting results also suggest that inferior forecasting performance could be obtained as a result of using linear models. In chapter five, we investigate the expectation hypothesis of the term structure of interest rate for four Asian countries. We employ linear models and nonlinear approaches that allow to capture asymmetric and symmetric adjustments. The result also indicates that the term structure can be better modeled by means of LSTR models. The forecasting exercise also confirms these findings

Women's Participation In Pineapple Farming In Muang District, Lampang Province, Thailand

The main purpose of this study was to determine women's level of participation in pineapple farming at Sa- Dej subdistrict in Lampang Province,Thailand. The specific objectives were:( 1) to determine women's level of participation in terms of number of hours spent on specific farm practice activities; ( 2) to determine the differential participation of women in pineapple f arming in terms of the operation they undertake in relation to their husbands; (3) to determine the relations hip between the level of participation of women in pineapple farming and some selected variables postulated by t he resource,family development and expectancy theories; ( 4) to determine the significant variables i

Is International or Asian Criteria-based Body Mass Index Associated with Maternal Anaemia, Low Birthweight, and Preterm Births among Thai Population?—An Observational Study

An observational study was conducted in the four southernmost provinces of Thailand aiming at determining the effect of international or Asian criteria-based body mass index (BMI) in predicting maternal anaemia, low birthweight (LBW), and preterm births among pregnant Thai women and the change in haemoglobin (Hb) level during pregnancy. Maternal anaemia was defined as a haemoglobin (Hb) level of <11 g/dL. Anaemia was detected in 27.4% and 26.9% of 1,192 pregnant women at their first prenatal visit and the third trimester respectively. The proportions of overweight and obese women according to the Asian criteria-based pre-pregnancy BMI were higher than the international criteria-based BMI (22.4% and 10.1% vs 15.5% and 3.4% respectively). No significant difference between pre-pregnancy BMI and pregnancy BMI at the first prenatal visit was demonstrated (mean±standard deviation=21.8±4.0 vs 22.8±4.1). Underweight women had a significantly higher prevalence of maternal anaemia, LBW, and preterm birth compared to women with normal weight. Overweight and obese women at pre-pregnancy by the Asian criteria-based BMI had a lower prevalence of anaemia. The Hb levels did not change significantly over time. In addition to BMI, maternal age, parity, and late prenatal visit were independently associated with maternal anaemia, low birthweight, and preterm birth. Underweight pregnant women classified by international or Asian criteria-based BMI increased the risk of maternal anaemia, low birthweight, and preterm birth

Theravada Buddhismus aus feministischer Perspektive

1. Die Lehre des Buddhismus ist die Lehre von Ursache und Wirkung. Buddha sagt:"Wer das bedingte Entstehen versteht, versteht Dharma, wer den Dharma versteht, versteht das bedingte Entstehen". Dharma ist die Lehre des Buddha. Dharma bedeutet "Wahrheit", "Gesetzmäßigkeit", "Naturgesetzt". Die gesamte Lehre von Buddha handelt von Menschen, von uns und von der Natur. Buddha hat ein andermal gesagt: "Die Lehre über das Entstehen in Abhängigkeit ist sehr tiefgründig und subtil". Nur mit dem Intellekt können wir es nicht "verstehen." Wörter sind leider nur ein lineares intellektuelles Mittel, was begrenzt ist...

The Roles of Social Capital and Knowledge Sharing Behavior in Myanmar’s Private Banks

This research discloses the roles of social capital, knowledge sharing intentions, and knowledge sharing behavior in the context of Myanmar’s private banking sector. Two hundred and seventy five questionnaires were collected from mid-management level employees in the private banking sector using a survey technique. To estimate the proposed research model, structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied. The results, firstly highlight that social capital significantly influences knowledge sharing intentions, and secondly, that knowledge sharing intentions partially mediate the path from social capital and knowledge sharing behavior. This confirms the importance of socially-related factors regarding the motivation and behavior aspects of knowledge sharing between individuals. The findings enable organizations in Myanmar to appreciate the sharing behavior between employees, regarding knowledge. With respect to the practical implications, this study could offer useful insights into how organizations can design and implement effective practices to enhance knowledge sharing behavior in their organization, via effective stimulation of motivation. In this way, organizations can attain sustainable development of human capital and gain a competitive advantage

Effectiveness of Nursing Guideline to Prevent Postpartum Hemorrhage on Blood Loss and Rate of Postpartum Hemorrhage after Cesarean Section

บทคัดย่อ วัตถุประสงค์: เพื่อประเมินผลการใช้แนวทางการพยาบาลเพื่อป้องกันตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด ต่อปริมาณการสูญเสียเลือดและอัตราการเกิดตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด ระหว่างกลุ่มก่อนและหลังการใช้แนวทางการพยาบาล วิธีการศึกษา: กลุ่มตัวอย่างคือมารดาหลังผ่าตัดคลอดที่เข้ารับการรักษาในหอผู้ป่วยสูติ-นรีเวชกรรมสามัญ โรงพยาบาลแห่งหนึ่ง ตั้งแต่เดือนกรกฎาคมถึงธันวาคม 2561 แบ่งเป็นกลุ่มควบคุม 60 ราย และกลุ่มทดลอง 66 ราย เครื่องมือที่ใช้ในการวิจัยประกอบด้วย 1) แนวทางการพยาบาลเพื่อป้องกันตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด 2) แบบประเมินความเสี่ยงต่อการตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด และ3) แบบบันทึกข้อมูลการตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอดจากเวชระเบียน แบบประเมินความเสี่ยงต่อการตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอดมีความตรงเชิงเนื้อหาดี (CVI = 0.93) วิเคราะห์ข้อมูลโดยใช้สถิติเชิงบรรยาย และทดสอบสมมติฐานการวิจัยด้วยสถิติ Mann-Whitney U test และ Chi-square test ผลการศึกษา: มารดาหลังผ่าตัดคลอดกลุ่มทดลองมีค่าเฉลี่ยปริมาณการสูญเสียเลือดหลังผ่าตัดต่ำกว่ากลุ่มควบคุมอย่างมีนัยสำคัญทางสถิติ (P-value &lt; 0.001) และไม่เกิดภาวะตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด ส่วนกลุ่มควบคุมมีภาวะตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด 1 ราย อัตราการเกิดตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอดรายใหม่ในสองกลุ่มไม่ต่างกัน สรุป: การใช้แนวทางการพยาบาลเพื่อป้องกันตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอดสามารถเพิ่มคุณภาพในการป้องกันการตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอดได้ คำสำคัญ: แนวทางการพยาบาล, ป้องกันตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด, มารดาผ่าตัดคลอด, อัตราการตกเลือดหลังผ่าตัดคลอด Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing guideline to prevent postpartum hemorrhage on the amount of blood loss and the rate of the hemorrhage after Cesarean section between groups before and after using the guideline. Method: The sample consisted of mothers undergone Cesarean section who were admitted to the obstetric and gynecological ward of a hospital from July to December 2018. A total of 60 mothers were in the control group and 66 in the test group. The research instruments consisted of 1) a nursing guideline for preventing postpartum hemorrhage, 2) risk assessment checklist for post-Cesarean section hemorrhage, and 3) data collection form of postpartum hemorrhage from medical records. Risk assessment checklist had a high level of content validity (CVI = 0.93). Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test were used in data analysis. Results: The test group had a significantly lower mean post-operative blood loss than the control group (P-value &lt; 0.001). No post-operative hemorrhage in the test group and 1 in the control group were found. Rates of new postpartum hemorrhage in the two groups were not different. Conclusion: Nursing guidelines to prevent postpartum hemorrhage could improve quality of post Cesarean section hemorrhage prevention. Keyword: nursing guideline, post-Cesarean section hemorrhage, Cesarean section, rate of post cesarean section hemorrhage