Matroids and Geometric Invariant Theory of torus actions on flag spaces

We apply a theorem of Gel'fand, Goresky, MacPherson, and Serganova about matroid polytopes to study semistability of partial flags relative to a T-linearized ample line bundle of a flag space F = SL(n)/P where T is a maximal torus in SL(n) and P is a parabolic subgroup containing T. We find that the semistable points are all detected by invariant sections of degree one regardless of the line bundle or linearization thereof, provided there exists at least one nonzero invariant section of degree one. In this case the degree one sections are sufficient to give a well defined map from the G.I.T. quotient F//T to projective space. Additionally, we show that the closure of any T-orbit in SL(n)/P is a projectively normal toric variety for any projective embedding of SL(n)/P.Comment: 14 page

Dissertation question time: supporting the dissertation project through peer advice

Dissertation question time is a model for a workshop provided by the central academic skills department at Brunel and used to support dissertation writing. The analysis of the use of the model with students and their feedback raises interesting questions about peer learning and advice giving as a pedagogical method, especially when supporting researchers. The research focuses on the delivery of the dissertation question time workshop and the analysis of student feedback and follow up interviews. The positive impact of the workshop upon students’ understanding of the research processes led to in becoming an important aspect of central support provision for dissertation writing and research

Seattle University: 1891-1966

A history of Seattle University from its founding in 1891 to its diamond jubilee celebration in 1966, this dissertation traces the physical, academic and administrative growth of the university.https://scholarworks.seattleu.edu/cronin-dissertation/1000/thumbnail.jp

GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE SHOCKS AND MACROECONOMIC PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA: A DSGE APPROACH

Fiscal policy, as history has shown, has become a major bail-out tool and run-to option whenever the economy is experiencing severe crises. Government expenditure is increased during times of recessions while it is lowered during an economic upturn. Due to the scarceness of economic resources, especially in a developing country as Nigeria, it is essential to empirically investigate the macroeconomic effects of government expenditure shocks to the economy, which is the objective of this study. This study builds up a dynamic macroeconomic model that includes several features that are peculiar to the Nigerian economy such as the large presence of Hand-to-Mouth (HTM) Households, sticky prices and wages, an indebted government and a disaggregated government expenditure. This model is considered under two different financing options and different results are obtained in both scenarios. The findings of this study reveal that government investment is a more effective but dwindling component of government expenditure than its consumption counterpart. This paper recommends that the Nigerian government should make great efforts to increase its investment expenditure and should also employ a mix of the different financing options in order to reap maximum returns in the economy

Documentary video dissertation in American Studies

The production of documentary videos has been an innovative and dynamic feature of course delivery in the Department of American and Canadian Studies. The Department is now building on this experience to introduce an audio-visual documentary dissertation as an option for Single Honours students. The project examines - Design of a WebCT course and further training elements to support students in the making of the documentary video dissertation. They will also develop a training programme in documentary video production, including camerawork, storyboarding and editing techniques - Creation of a WebCT course to support training and documentary dissertation, and a linked website to chart progres

Current Information: Dissertation Abstracts

Community/Rural/Urban Development,