Retracts of vertex sets of trees and the almost stability theorem

Let G be a group, let T be an (oriented) G-tree with finite edge stabilizers, and let VT denote the vertex set of T. We show that, for each G-retract V' of the G-set VT, there exists a G-tree whose edge stabilizers are finite and whose vertex set is V'. This fact leads to various new consequences of the almost stability theorem. We also give an example of a group G, a G-tree T and a G-retract V' of VT such that no G-tree has vertex set V'.Comment: 15 pages, 0 figures. Formerly titled "Some refinements of the almost stability theorem". Version

The Effective Tax Rate and the Pretax Rate of Return

This paper presents new estimates of the taxes paid on nonfinancial corporate capital, on the pretax rate of return to capital, and on the effective tax rate. The basic time series show that both the pretax rate of return and the effective tax rate have varied substantially in the past quarter century. An explicit analysis indicates that, after adjusting for different aspects of the business cycle, pretax profitability was between one and 1.5 percentage points lower in the 1970's than in the 1960's. The rate of profitability in the 1960's was also about one-half of a percentage point greater than the profitability in the 7 years of the 1950's after the Korean war. Changes in productivity growth, in inflation, in relative unit labor costs, and in other variables are all associated with changes in profitability. None of these variables, however, can explain the differences in profitability between the 1950Ts, 1960's and 1970's. Looking at broad decade averages, the effective tax rate and the pretax rate of return move in opposite directions, higher pretax profits occurring when the tax rate is high. There thus appears to have been no tendency for pretax profits to vary in a way that offsets differences in effective tax rates.

Personality assessment and the prediction of future job performance: A review

This item is only available electronically.Organisations are increasingly exploring ways of distinguishing themselves in their market, attract and retain customers, and increase productivity. Employees are also increasingly being recognised as crucial to the success of these objectives. Personality assessment has been shown to be a valid predictor of future performance at work. Through selecting the right people for the roles initially, using personality assessment, undesirable outcomes such as counterproductive work behaviour, poor performance, and burnout can be avoided. The capacity of particular personality traits to predict future performance in teams and different professions has been extensively researched and is discussed in the following review, specifically focussing on the Big Five traits and the Dark Triad. Research regarding relationships between employee personality traits and counterproductive work behaviour and burnout are also reviewed, specifically in the context of the disability profession.Thesis (M.Psych(Organisational & Human Factors)) -- University of Adelaide, School of Psychology, 201

Market and product assessment of probiotic/prebioticcontaining functional foods and supplements manufactured in South Africa

Objectives. Probiotic and prebiotic products manufactured in South Africa  were identified and health and content claims stated on the labels were  evaluated according to available scientific evidence, the proposed South  African regulations in the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act (Act  No. 54 of 1972, www.doh.gov.za), and microbial assessment.Results. The range of products identified included probioticand/ or prebiotic-containing supplements (capsules), food items fortified with  probiotics and/ or prebiotics, and fermented food containing probiotics, e.g. dairy products. Most of the health-related claims on the labels of the identified products do not comply with proposed South African regulations. However, results also indicate that the proposed South African regulations should be reconsidered to include an additional 5 claims, for which  scientifically sound evidence is available. The claims regarding probiotic strains, viable cell numbers, prebiotic type and concentration stated on the labels of the products are mostly in line with the proposed South African  regulations. The actual viable cell content of 3 out of 5 probiotic  supplements readily available on the South African market did not comply  with the content claim stated on the label. However, this problem did not seem to affect the inhibitory activity of the pro biotic strains against  indicator strains isolated from faeces of patients diagnosed with AIDS. To validate this finding in vivo assessments should be implemented before  considering the need to include a wider range of prescribed viable cell numbers in the proposed South African regulations.Conclusions. The proposed South African regulations regarding probiotic-  and prebiotic-containing products should be revised based on the results of  this research, and the manufacturers of these products should be held responsible for providing the consumer with scientifically sound and legally  correct information

Stably free modules over virtually free groups

Let $F_m$ be the free group on $m$ generators and let $G$ be a finite nilpotent group of non square-free order; we show that for each $m\ge 2$ the integral group ring ${\bf Z}[G\times F_m]$ has infinitely many stably free modules of rank 1.Comment: 9 pages. The final publication is available at http://www.springerlink.com doi:10.1007/s00013-012-0432-

Nanofibers Offer Alternative Ways to the Treatment of Skin Infections

Injury to the skin causes a breach in the protective layer surrounding the body. Many pathogens are resistant to antibiotics, rendering conventional treatment less effective. This led to the use of alternative antimicrobial compounds, such as silver ions, in skin treatment. In this review nanofibers, and the incorporation of natural antimicrobial compounds in these scaffolds, are discussed as an alternative way to control skin infections. Electrospinning as a technique to prepare nanofibers is discussed. The possibility of using these structures as drug delivery systems is investigated

A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF METHODOLOGIES USED TO ASSESS “UNANTICIPATED” CUTTING MECHANICS

Biomechanical analysis of cutting mechanics is a popular approach to assessing risk factors for injuries such as anterior cruciate ligament ruptures. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the methodological approaches to assessing unanticipated cutting mechanics and provide a review of such approaches. A total of 93 articles where identified that had assessed unanticipated cutting. The most common methodological design was a 45° cutting task following a run-up where the direction of the cut was determined by a light-based stimulus. External light stimuli create a worst-case scenario by providing information about the task at the last moment meaning opportunity for preparatory mechanics is limited. However, light stimuli do not allow for perception-action to take place and may therefore not truly reflect an athlete’s cutting mechanics