Academic literature on the topic 'Relative ends'

Consider an end Ω in the sense of Heins (cf. Heins [3]): Ω is a relatively non-compact subregion of an open Riemann surface such that the relative boundary ∂Ω consists of finitely many analytic Jordan closed curves, there exist no non-constant bounded harmonic functions with vanishing boundary values on ∂Ω and Ω has a single ideal boundary component. A density P = P(z)dxdy (z = x + iy) is a 2-form on Ω∩∂Ω with nonnegative locally Holder continuous coefficient P(z).

Objectives: In this study, we used a discrete choice experiment (DCE) conducted August-October 2017 to examine electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) product preferences in a national sample of adult smokers (N = 1154) who were also using ENDS or had not ruled out future use. Methods: The DCE evaluated 5 ENDS attributes: relative harm; effectiveness for helping smokers quit; nicotine strength; flavor; and price. We asked participants to choose among their own cigarettes, 2 ENDS products whose attributes varied across tasks, or none. We analyzed ENDS preferences using multinomial, nested, and mixed logit regressions. Results: Smokers preferred ENDS that are less harmful than cigarettes, are effective in helping smokers quit, are lower priced, and are not menthol-flavored. The marginal willingness to pay for an ENDS product was $8.40 when less harmful than cigarettes, $4.13 when of unknown effectiveness in helping quitting ($13.90 when effective), and $3.37 when ENDS are not menthol-flavored. Furthermore, the overall flavor preference is driven by tobacco smokers, not by menthol cigarette smokers who do prefer menthol-flavored ENDS. Conclusions: Policies that affect perceptions of ENDS effectiveness in promoting cessation and their relative harm may alter smokers' ENDS preferences. Regulating flavors and price also may influence adult smokers' ENDS preference.

Objectives: Publicity on incidents of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) exploding or catching fire may influence smokers’ risk perceptions and decisions about using ENDS for quitting smoking. We examined combustible cigarette smokers’ perceptions of the possibility of injury from exploding ENDS and the relationship of those perceptions to ENDS use, perceived risk relative to smoking, and perceived costs and benefits of ENDS use. Methods: We used data from the 2017 Tobacco Products and Risk Perceptions Survey of a national probability sample of US adults, conducted online in August and September 2017. The analytic sample consisted of 1181 current combustible cigarette smokers aware of ENDS. Results: Among combustible cigarette smokers aware of ENDS, a medium/high perceived risk of injury from exploding ENDS was associated with lower odds of current ENDS use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30-0.86; P = .01), perceiving ENDS to be at least as harmful as cigarettes (aOR = 3.22; 95% CI, 2.11-4.93; P < .001), and feeling that the negatives of ENDS use outweighed the positives (aOR = 3.50; 95% CI, 2.00-6.14; P < .001). Conclusions: Product standards, improved product labeling, and education about how to properly use, charge, and store ENDS can help protect consumers from injury. Communication efforts should seek to fully inform combustible cigarette smokers about both the absolute health risks of ENDS, including risk of explosions, and their relative risks compared with those of cigarette smoking.

Introduction of new technologies demands a new access to quality evaluation of products. Joining of steel sheets with laser butt welding requires increased demand on precision of welded sheet ends alignment as well as condition of cutting edge. Moreover, increased requirements are placed on purity of environment, flatness of strips, gases, etc. The paper deals with evaluation of quality of laser butt welds of steel sheets and description of defects which could occur on welds from the metallographic point of view. The influence of relative displacement of welded strips ends alignment, different relative sheet thickness alignment, welding gap size and quality of sheet shear edge on quality of weld will be described. The most significant effect on quality of weld joints and their final mechanical properties has relative position of strip ends and geometry of cutting edge.

To study the interfacial bond-slip performance of concrete-filled square steel tubes (CFSSTs), taking the core concrete strength, slenderness ratio, and width-to-thickness ratio as the influencing factors; 9 specimens were designed with 3 factors and 3 levels for the orthogonal test method. In addition, different from the above 9 specimens, one specimen without rust removal was designed for the purpose of comparison. Based on the bond stress distribution and deformation coordination relationships between the specimens during the push-out tests, a theoretical formula for calculating the relative slip of a CFSST was deduced. The results show that with the increase of load, the relative slip at the loading ends was earlier than that at the free ends of the specimens; the interfacial bond failure and relative slip gradually developed from the two ends towards the centre of the specimens; the increase of the bond stress in the middle part was faster than that at the ends of the specimens. The order of these factors from main to secondary is the presence of rust in the inner wall of the square steel tube, the slenderness ratio, the core concrete strength, and the width-to-thickness ratio.

In the Critique of the Teleological Power of Judgment Kant argues that organisms have inner purposiveness. He introduces inner purposiveness in contrast to relative purposiveness. I examine Kant’s discussion of relative purposiveness in §63. I then argue that Kant establishes three theses in §63 that he subsequently modifies in §64 and further refines in §65. In my view, his discussion of relative purposiveness serves a broader purpose than just to present a contrast from which to consider inner purposiveness. The discussion of relative purposiveness establishes a framework for a sustained thread of argument from §63 through §65, culminating in Kant’s often discussed claim that we must judge organisms to be natural ends. My interpretation exposes a more significant argumentative role for relative purposiveness than is typically recognized.

This thesis is motivated by a long-standing conjecture on groups with Bredon cohomological dimension one and their action on trees with stabilisers in a specific family of subgroups. Chapter 1 consists of the first approach to deal with the problem following steps of known results for families of finite and virtually cyclic subgroups. As a consequent of this attempt, we answer a question on the Bredon cohomological and geometric dimension of free abelian groups with finite rank. The Main Theorem in Chapter 2 provides a partial answer to Kropholler's Conjecture on splittings of groups, which has been thought to be an alternative step for the proof of the conjecture stated in Chapter 1. We define the notion of relative ends, commensurable subgroups, almost invariant sets and the relation between those and splittings of groups, or equivalently, actions on trees with special stabilisers.

Cette thèse est consacrée à l'étude de la topologie à l'infini d'espaces généralisant les graphes de Schreier. Plus précisément, on considère le quotient X/H d'un espace métrique géodésique propre hyperbolique X par un groupe quasi-convexe-cocompact H d'isométries de X. On montre que ce quotient est un espace hyperbolique. Le résultat principal de cette thèse indique que le nombre de bouts de l'espace quotient X/H est déterminé par les classes d'équivalence sur une sphère de rayon explicitement calculable. Dans le cadre de la théorie des groupes, on montre que l'on peut construire explicitement des groupes et des sous-groupes pour lesquels il n'existe pas d'algorithme permettant de déterminer le nombre de bouts relatifs. Si le sous-groupe est quasi-convexe, on donne un algorithme permettant de calculer le nombre de bouts relatifs<br>This thesis is devoted to the study of the topology at infinity of spaces generalizing Schreier graphs. More precisely, we consider the quotient X/H of a geodesic proper hyperbolic metric space X by a quasiconvex-cocompact group H of isometries of X. We show that this quotient is a hyperbolic space. The main result of the thesis indicates that the number of ends of the quotient space X/H is determined by equivalence classes on a sphere of computable radius. In the context of group theory, we show that one can construct explicitly groups and subgroups for which there are no algorithm to determine the number of relative ends. If the subgroup is quasiconvex, we give an algorithm to compute the number of relative ends

Background: About 80 percent of the people dying in Sweden are considered to have been in need of palliative care. When death is approaching, due to age or illness, the ill person's and the relatives' needs must be met which is the main aim of palliative care. It has been increasingly common that people choose to be cared for in their own home in the end of life and therefore knowledge of the relatives' experience is important for the healthcare professionals. Aim: To highlight relatives' experience of palliative care at the end of life in the dying person's home. Method: A literature review based on qualitative studies. Eight articles were analyzed in five steps according to Friberg's qualitative content analysis for literature based studies. Results: Three main themes and six sub-themes emerged through the analysis. The main themes were: To fulfill a wish, To experience security and To be a caregiver. Conclusion: In order for relatives to feel confirmed as caregivers and to preserve a good health it is of great importance that the nurse communicates and makes them feel involved by giving them both support, information and the possibility to participate in the care but also to be unloaded.<br>Denna studie beskriver hur närstående upplever palliativ vård i hemmet vid livets slutskede. I Sverige väljer allt fler personer att vårdas i sitt hem den sista tiden i livet, vilket innebär att det också är fler närstående som är i behov av vård då även deras hälsa påverkas. Därför är kunskap om de närståendes upplevelser viktig för sjukvården. Resultatet i studien baseras på åtta vetenskapliga artiklar där studiens resultat presenteras i tre huvudteman och sex subteman. Resultatet visade att närstående upplevde ett krav och en förväntan att uppfylla den döende personens önskan. De kände även ett behov av att få stöd och information från sjuksköterskan, men också att vara delaktiga och bli bekräftade. Vårdandet påverkade både de närståendes hälsa och relationen till den döende personen, men genom att sjuksköterskan fanns där som ett stöd för dem kunde den betydelsefulla relationen mellan den döende personen och dennes närstående bevaras. Därför har sjuksköterskans närvaro en betydande roll i hur närstående upplever den palliativa vården vid livets slutskede.

Det blir allt vanligare med människor som vårdas palliativt i hemmet. I och med det blir det vanligare att närstående är en del av vårdprocessen. Närstående ställs då inför en helt ny roll gentemot den anhörige. De upplever svårigheter med att bibehålla ett normalt familjeliv då hemmet mer och mer börjar likna ett sjukhus, samtidigt som de vet att de inte skulle klara sig utan hjälpmedlen. Upplevelsen för närstående att ha en döende familjemedlem är påfrestande. Den närstående är inte längre bara en familjemedlem eller vän utan någon som den sjuke är beroende av. För att kunna axla denna roll behöver den närstående stöttning från sjuksköterskan, vänner och familj.   För att sjuksköterskan ska kunna ge det stöd närstående behöver är det viktigt att få en uppfattning om den närståendes upplevelse av den palliativa vården i hemmet. För att ta reda på detta valdes en litteraturstudie till examensarbetet. 12 kvalitativa artiklar analyserades till resultatet vilket mynnade ut i tre teman, att ta ansvar i vårdandet, att ha behov av stöd och att möta döden.  Resultatet visar att de närstående känner ett ansvar i vårdandet. Vissa uttrycker att de inte har något val, de sätter sig själva åt sidan för att kunna uppfylla löftet att vårda den sjuke. Andra känner att det är en självklarhet. De tycker att det är en naturlig del av livet och en möjlighet att få vara nära sin älskade på slutet. Det är viktigt med stöd från sjukvårdspersonal, vänner och familj för de närstående. Brist på stöd gör att närstående känner sig övergivna. Det är lätt att den närstående blir isolerad och bunden till hemmet under vårdtiden och för att klara av det krävs det stöd från utomstående. Närstående tycker att det var svårt att prata om döden, speciellt med den sjuke. De upplever att det är lättare att diskutera döden och sjukdomen med sjuksköterskan för att inte oroa den sjuke i onödan. De känner sig ständigt konfronterande med döden men de uppskattar att de kan vara närvarande och där för den sjuke på slutet.<br>Background: In recent years, it has become increasingly common for patients to choose to end their life at home. Relatives often wants to fulfill the wishes of the sick person, but are often poorly prepared to act as caregivers and experience lack of continuity, insufficient information and poor treatment. The experience of relatives having a dying family member is stressful. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of relatives in palliative homecare.  Method: A literature based study with 12 qualitative articles were performed using the Friberg method of analysis. Results: The result showed that some relatives felt that taking care of their family member where a matter of course and others felt that they had no choice. It was important for the relatives to have support from healthcare professionals, family and friends. Lack of support made them feel abandoned. It was difficult to talk about death with the dying family member and relatives expressed that it was easier to talk to the nurse about it.  Conclusion: Death was constantly present, despite that death was hard to talk about with the sick person. It was also hard for the relative to be responsible for someone else and they felt that they were isolated in their own home. The relatives felt therefore the need to be supported by the nurse. They needed to be able to talk to the nurse and feel safe to fulfill the feeling of support.

Les travaux exposés dans cet ouvrage décrivent la synthèse, la caractérisation microstructurale et les propriétés physiques de solutions solides nanolamellaires des phases MAX. Les phases Mn+1AXn (M : métal de transition, A : un métal des groupes IlIA ou IV A, et X: carbone ou azote) constituent une famille de nitrures et de carbures ternaires (n = 1 à 3), qui possèdent les meilleures propriétés des métaux et les meilleures propriétés des céramiques.Lors d'une première étape, nous nous concentrons sur la synthèse de solutions solides pures et denses de Ti2AICxNy par compression isostatique à chaud. Les variations des paramètres de maille sont étudiée et discutée an fonction du taux de substitution (carbone-azote) et du taux de lacune (sur le site X). Lors d'une seconde étape, nous étudions les propriétés mécaniques et les propriétés de transport électronique des solutions solides Ti2AICxNy et des phases Ti2AICx et Ti2AINy. La technique de nanoindentation pour déterminer la dureté et le module élastique en fonction du taux de substitution et de lacune. Nous démontrons que la substitution conduit à une amélioration des propriétés mécaniques tandis que l'introduction de lacune conduit à une détérioration de ces propriétés. La résistivité électrique augmente lorsque des lacunes et/ou un effet de substitution sont introduits. Dans le cas de la substitution, nous démontrons que le désordre introduit est faible et que seule la diminution du temps de relaxation explique l'augmentation de la résistivité (interaction électron-phonons). Dans le cas de l'introduction de lacunes, nous montrons que ces dernières conduisent à une modification du temps de relaxation et probablement à une modification de la densité de porteurs.Enfin, l'anisotropie des propriétés de transport électronique a été mise en évidence par des mesures de résistivité réalisée avec le courant électrique circulant dans le plan de base et avec le courant électrique circulant selon l'axe c. Nous démontrons les propriétés de transport dans le plan de base peuvent être comprises en utilisant un modèle à une bande et un mécanisme de conduction assuré par des électrons ayant le comportement de trous<br>The work discussed in this thesis concerns the synthesis, the microstructural characterization and the physical properties of nanolaminated MAX phase's solid solution. The Mn+1AXn phases (M: transition metal, A: IlIA or IV A group element, and X: either carbon or nitrogen) are a class of ternary nitrides and carbides (n=l to 3), which possess sorne of the best properties ofmetal and sorne of the best properties of ceramics.In a first step, we focus on the synthesis of highly pure and dense Ti2AICxNy solid solutions by hot isostatic pressing. The influence of the substitution of C atoms by N atoms and the influence of vacancy content on the solid solution lattice parameters is discussed. In a second step, we investigate the mechanical and transport properties of Ti2AICxNy solid solutions and oftheir related Ti2AICx and Ti2AINy end-members. Hardness and elastic modulus has been studied using nanoindentation tests. It is demonstrated that sol id solution effect leads to a hardening effect whereas the presence vacancy leads to a softening effect. The electrical resistivity is shown to increase with vacancy content and substitution rate. Such an effect is discussed in terms of disorder and relaxation time variation. Finally, the anisotropic transport properties of MAX phases is studied and discussed. The anisotropy of transport properties has been evidenced by direct measurement of the resistivity along the basal plane and along the c-axis. It is demonstrated that transport property in the basal plane can be understood in the framework of a single band model with hole-like states as charge carrier

Aim: The overall aim of the thesis was to explore and describe the concepts of guilt and shame and gain a greater understanding of the next-of-kin’s experiences of guilt and shame in end-of-life care. Methods: Study I was a qualitative secondary analysis of 47 interviews with next-of-kin searching for experiences of guilt and shame. In study II a semantic concept analysis of the two concepts guilt and shame was performed. In studies III and IV a hermeneutic approach inspired by Gadamer was used to analyze next-of-kin’s experiences of guilt (Study III), and shame (Study IV) in end-of-life care. Main findings: The concept of guilt focus on behaviour and the concept of shame on the influence on the self.  The situation of being next-of-kin in end-of-life care involves a commitment to make the remaining time for the loved one as good as possible. When, for some reason, the commitment cannot be accomplished there is a risk that the next-of-kin experience guilt such as not having done enough, not having been together during important events, not having talked enough to each other, or not having done the right things. Aspects such as not having fulfilled a commitment, omission, and being the cause of can be present in these experiences. The guilt experience has a focus on what the next-of-kin has, or has not done. The experiences of shame are also linked to a perception that the remaining time for the loved one should be as good as possible. Shame can occur when the next-of-kin is involved and actually causes harm to the loved one as well as in situations that are beyond their control. Shame that the next-of-kin experience can also emanate from being put in situations by other people. Feelings of inferiority and powerlessness, second order shame, and family conflicts that are brought into the open are experiences of shame found in the studies as well as ignominy, humiliation, and disgrace. The shame experience has a focus on the next-of-kin’s self. Conclusion: The situation of being next-of-kin in end-of-life care is complex and demanding, something that health professionals should be aware of. Acknowledgement of experiences of guilt and shame can help the next-of-kin in their adaptation to the end-of-life situation as a whole and maybe also give useful tools to support next-of-kin during bereavement.

<p><p>Bakgrund: Att vara närstående åt någon som befinner sig livets slut är en stor påfrestning där delaktigheten blir central. Hur närstående upplever delaktigheten är beroende på hur information ges. Att vara delaktig innebär att ha en del i, att vara närvarande och medverka i vården av en annan person. Utifrån ett systemteoretiskt tänkande betraktas personer i sitt totala sammanhang där även de närstående hamnar i fokus. Syfte: Att belysa närståendes upplevelser av delaktighet i samband med vård i livets slutskede. Metod: Studien genomfördes som en litteraturöversikt baserade på vetenskapliga artiklar som analyserades med en innehållsanalys. Resultat: Bygger på tre huvudkategorier; från att ha kontroll till att famla i mörker, att befinna sig i en svår livssituation och att kastas in i en ny roll. Delaktigheten yttrade sig i positiva och negativa känslor som närstående pendlade mellan. Andershed och Ternestedts förståelseram användes för att strukturera resultatet. Slutsats: Då närstående befinner sig i en besvärlig situation är det väsentligt att vårdpersonal ger utrymme, involverar och ser till närståendes individuella behov. Att byta roll med de närstående, ställa öppna frågor kan göra att de blir bekräfta och sedda vilket kan vara ett sätt att göra dem delaktiga på ett meningsfullt sätt.</p></p><br><p><p>Background: Being a relative to someone who is at the end of life is a big strain in which participation is a key. How relatives experience participation is dependent on how the information is given. Being involved means to be a part of, to be present and to participate in the care of another person. On the basis of systems theory people are considered in their total context, where relatives are also in focus. Aim: To describe relatives’ experiences of participation during end of life care. Method: The study was conducted as a literary review based on scientific articles that were analyzed with a content analysis. Results: Based on three main categories, from having the control to a grope in the dark, to be in a difficult situation of life and to being thrown into a new role. The participation of the relatives oscillated between positive and negative feelings. Andershed and Ternestedts framework was used to structure the results. Conclusion: When relatives are in a difficult life situation it is essential that health professionals give them space, involve them, and ensure their individual needs. Changing roles with relatives and asking open-ended questions can make relatives feel like participants who are confirmed and involved in a meaningful manner.</p></p>

Adjustment to End Stage Renal Failure (ESRF) has been the topic of a vast number of studies, however a clear picture of adjustment and the process of adjustment has yet to emerge. The purpose of this Grounded Theory study was to investigate the conceptualisations of adjustment of patients with ESRF. A sample of ten subjects with ESRF were interviewed, five of which had been receiving treatment for ESRF for six weeks and five for twelve months. In addition, six of the patients' partners/relatives and three home dialysis nursing staff, involved in their care, were also interviewed. The findings of this study indicated that they key process in adjustment was 'Taking on board a new approach to being and living'. This process involved participants accepting their illness at a cognitive and affective level, in addition to integrating illness into their identity. Four other processes subsumed under the above key process, namely, Getting back to life, Making adaptations to accommodate illness and treatment, Coping skills and Experiencing losses. These encapsulated the social, emotional, behavioural and cognitive facets of adjustment. Implications for theory, health care practice and future research are discussed.

The tutorial is a sequential course of philosophy. The article considers the questions of philosophy of science and the history of philosophy, ontology, epistemology, ethics and aesthetics. The course is designed taking into account the achievements of analytical philosophy, phenomenology, hermeneutics, postructuralism and other major philosophical issues of the day. Uses the theory of conceptual transduction. Special attention is paid to the relationship of philosophy to Economics and management. The course is carefully calibrated in the didactic relation. Each paragraph ends with the conclusions, and test, by a reference list.&#x0D; For students of higher educational institutions, primarily economists and managers. Of interest to a wide circle of readers.

Packaging Technology, Inc. is designing the Mixed Oxide (MOX) Fresh Fuel Package (MFFP) for Duke Cogema Stone &amp; Webster (DCS). The package is unique because of weight and size constraints, having a relatively large payload to package weight ratio. The package has a containment shell, that utilizes high strength stainless steel to optimize the payload relative to the total weight available, protected at the ends by impact limiters. Because of the unique design, full scale prototype impact testing is scheduled for mid-2003. Engineering testing on key design elements, and certification test planning have been completed. Long lead material has been procured for fabrication of the prototype.

Mechanical motion at a fracture site is known to affect the course of fracture healing. Perren’s interfragmentary strain theory assumes that the strain magnitudes in the fracture gap determine the subsequent differentiation of fracture gap tissue [1]. Gap strain is defined as the relative displacement of the fracture gap ends divided by the initial fracture gap width.

A novel configuration of jet impingement cooling for leading edge of a gas turbine blade is proposed in this paper. The new configuration is obtained by rearranging the jet impingement holes in a shower head fashion with a combination of circular and elliptic holes. The entire configuration is simulated by a jet impingement pipe (JIP) to experimentally investigate the improved performance of cooling of concave target surfaces. The central JIP has circular ends, remaining four neighboring JIP have 45° chamfer at one of its ends facing target surface to ensure uniformity and extension in cooling coverage. The heat transfer characteristics of jet impingement were investigated both experimentally and numerically by varying jet Reynolds number and gap ratio. Simulations are also carried out for different curvature ratios to determine the relative surface curvature effect on jet impingement heat transfer. This is accomplished by varying diameter of concave surface. The augmentation in heat transfer by both the elliptic (chamfered JIP) and circular (whose all JIP ends are circular) shower head arrangements are compared.

When balancing a generator rotor in the field, one often assumes that two balance planes at the drive end (DE) and non-driven end (NDE) fan rings would be sufficient to bring 1X vibration down. This paper, however, presents a case where a third balance plane must be utilized in order to reduce 1X vibration level below the alarm limit. Though this type of generator with rated speed of 3600 rpm appears to run just above the second couple mode from Bode and polar plots, couple weights (same weights placed at both DE and NDE with 180-degree out-of phase) have little effect on 1X vibration response. For vibration vectors at DE and NDE bearings presenting certain relative phase, it became impossible to further reduce vibration level at both ends from weights at DE and NDE fan ring planes only as indicated in obtained influence data. A third balance plane at the exciter end was attempted to change their relative phase, which proved to be successful. From the exciter end weights combined with the NDE fan ring weights, the generator rotor was balanced successfully. The purpose of this paper is to show in some cases ineffectiveness of couple weights to couple (pivotal mode) response and success of field balancing with a third balance plane on a generator rotor.

The flow around surface-mounted finite-height bluff bodies is more complex than the flow around a two-dimensional or “infinite” cylinder. The flow over the free end and the boundary layer flow around the body-wall junction strongly influence the near-wake flow pattern. Streamwise tip vortex structures interact in a complex manner with Kármán vortex shedding from the sides of the body, and are responsible for a downward-directed local velocity field in the upper part of the wake known as “downwash.” A second pair of streamwise vortex structures, known as the base vortices, is found close to the ground plane. Upstream of the body the familiar horseshoe vortex is found. The interactions between the tip vortices, base vortices, and Kármán vortex shedding are strongly influenced by the aspect ratio, AR = H/D (for height, H, and width, D), the Reynolds number, Re, and the relative thickness of the boundary layer, δ/D. The flow above the free ends of surface-mounted finite-height circular cylinders and square prisms was studied in a low-speed wind tunnel using particle image velocimetry (PIV). Cylinders and prisms of AR = 9, 7, 5, and 3 were tested at Re = 4.2 × 104. The bodies were mounted normal to a ground plane and were partially immersed in a turbulent flat-plate boundary layer with δ/D = 1.7. PIV measurements were made above the free ends in three vertical planes at different cross-stream locations (y/D = 0, 0.25, and 0.375). The ensemble-averaged streamlines, turbulence intensity and Reynolds shear stress fields were obtained in these planes. The PIV results provide insight into the separated flow above the free ends, including the effects of AR and body shape. For the finite square prism, the large, separated, recirculating flow region extends into the near-wake. For the finite circular cylinder, this region is smaller and the separated flow reattaches onto the free-end surface. For the square prism of AR = 3, considerable difference is seen in the free-end flow pattern compared to the more slender prisms of AR = 9, 7 and 5. In particular, a cross-stream vortex is formed due to interaction between the separated flow from the leading edge of the prism and the reverse flow over the free end. This vortex is seen in all three planes for AR = 3 but only in the symmetry plane for AR = 9, while for the finite circular cylinder the flow pattern above the free end seems to be the same in all three planes for all aspect ratios, consisting of a cross-stream vortex at approximately x/D = 0.

An important class of floating wave energy converters (that includes the IPS buoy, the Wavebob and the PowerBuoy) comprehends devices in which the energy is converted from the relative (essentially heaving) motion between two bodies oscillating differently. The paper considers the case of the IPS buoy, consisting of a floater rigidly connected to a fully submerged vertical (acceleration) tube open at both ends. The tube contains a piston whose motion relative to the floater-tube system (motion originated by wave action on the floater and by the inertia of the water enclosed in the tube) drives a power take-off mechanism (PTO) (assumed to be a linear damper). To solve the problem of the end-stops, the central part of the tube, along which the piston slides, bells out at either end to limit the stroke of the piston. The use of a hydraulic turbine inside the tube is examined as an alternative to the piston. A frequency domain analysis of the device in regular waves is developed, combined with a one-dimensional unsteady flow model inside the tube (whose cross-section is in general non-uniform). Numerical results are presented for a cylindrical buoy in regular waves, including the optimization of the acceleration tube geometry and PTO damping coefficient for several wave periods.

Static and dynamic response of a floating cryogenic hose is analyzed in offshore offloading of LNG, taking into account FLNG unit and LNG carrier in tandem. Response of the hose in the operation depends on several parameters involved. Among them, hose overall length, span, buoyancy and position of the hose ends (terminations at the vessels) relative to the sea surface are considered important, and they are investigated. Environmental loads as well as vessels motions are considered in the computational simulations achieved to evaluate the response of the hose in operation. Parametric variation is conducted in order to observe sensitivity of the hose to parameters aforementioned. Forces and moments at hose terminations (hose ends) as well as effective tension and curvature along hose length are observed. Critical zones of the hose (as its sections close to sea surface) are analyzed with details and main remarks are addressed.

Draft gears and cushioning devices absorb energy during relative motion between two coupled railcars. This may occur in the form of buff and draft forces during over-the-track operation or impact forces during a coupling event in a switching yard. During such events, the end-of-car device absorbs energy that would otherwise be transmitted and possibly cause damage to the car body and/or lading. Health and performance of the end-of-car device is therefore of concern to shippers and car owners. Damaged cushioning units may be identified by visual inspection if the device is leaking hydraulic fluid or by a unit condition indicator, but may not be noticed until damage has been caused to the car and/or lading. This paper presents the results of a study on the detection of a faulty end-of-car cushioning unit. A boxcar with 15 inch travel cushioning units installed on both ends was deployed for field service. The draft systems were inspected prior to the car being deployed, and although both ends of the car initially showed some signs of wear, there was evidence of heavier wear as well as signs of leaking on the B-end cushioning unit. The goal of the field trial was to determine whether or not the B-end of the car would produce higher magnitude acceleration events than the A-end during revenue service. Three wireless onboard monitoring systems, each with GPS and an accelerometer, were used to determine car location and measure car body accelerations. High car body accelerations were recorded and studied for a three month period of time. The results show that the onboard monitoring systems successfully detected more frequent and higher magnitude acceleration events on the B-end of the car.

Full encirclement repair sleeves with fillet-welded ends are used as a permanent repair on pipelines to reinforce areas with defects such as cracks or corrosion which may penetrate the pipe wall subsequent to the installation of the repair. CSA standards require that these sleeves be tapped to relieve the stress field surrounding the defect unless an engineering assessment indicates that the defect will not extend beyond the ends of the sleeve during future operation of the pipeline. This paper describes an engineering assessment recently completed to establish the relative performance of a sleeved pipe with and without a pressurized annulus. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to relate changes in stresses in the weld region to internal pressure fluctuations. The FEA included an estimate of the effects of circumferential fillet weld shrinkage on local stiffness due to residual stress fields. Relationships between stress and internal pressure were used to convert the line pressure history to local weld stress fluctuations. This stress history was then used to assess the potential for fatigue crack propagation of possible circumferentially-oriented weld flaws using a fatigue crack growth algorithm. The results showed that the highest stresses were developed in the weld toe and root regions. The operating conditions of the line, as well as the pipe and sleeve dimensions, were considered when making recommendations concerning sleeve tapping.

The present paper concerns an OWC spar-buoy, possibly the simplest concept for a floating oscillating-water-column (OWC) wave energy converter. It is an axisymmetric device (and so insensitive to wave direction) consisting basically of a (relatively long) submerged vertical tail tube open at both ends, fixed to a floater that moves essentially in heave. The length of the tube determines the resonance frequency of the inner water column. The oscillating motion of the internal free surface relative to the buoy, produced by the incident waves, makes the air flow through a turbine that drives an electrical generator. It is well known that the frequency response of point absorbers like the spar buoy is relatively narrow, which implies that their performance in irregular waves is relatively poor. Phase control has been proposed to improve this situation. The present paper presents a theoretical investigation of phase control by latching of an OWC spar-buoy in which the compressibility of air in the chamber plays an important role (the latching is performed by fast closing and opening an air valve in series with the turbine). In particular such compressibility may remove the constraint of latching threshold having to coincide with an instant of zero relative velocity between the two bodies (in the case under consideration, between the floater and the OWC). The modelling is performed in the time domain for a given device geometry, and includes the numerical optimization of the air turbine rotational speed, chamber volume and latching parameters. Results are obtained for regular waves.

The goal of this paper is to document the pedagogic impacts of the remote learning strategy used by an state department of education in Brazil during the pandemic. We found that dropout risk increased by 365% under remote learning. While risk increased with local disease activity, most of it can be attributed directly to the absence of in-person classes: we estimate that dropout risk increased by no less than 247% across the State, even at the low end of the distribution of per capita Covid-19 cases. Average standardized test scores decreased by 0.32 standard deviation, as if students had only learned 27.5% of the in-person equivalent under remote learning. Learning losses did not systematically increase with local disease activity, attesting that they are in fact the outcome of remote learning, rather than a consequence of other health or economic impacts of Covid-19. Authorizing schools to partially reopen for in-person classes increased high-school students test scores by 20% relative to the control group.

Ethiopia has succeeded in rapidly expanding access to primary education over the past two decades. However, learning outcomes remain low among primary school children and particularly among girls and children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Starting with a systematic review of quantitative studies on the determinants of learning outcomes among primary school children in Ethiopia, this study then examined key determinants of students’ numeracy achievement over the 2018-19 school year. The study focused on Grade 4 children (N=3,353) who are part of an on-going longitudinal study. The two questions that guided this study are: what are the key determinants of numeracy achievement at Grade 4 in primary schools in Ethiopia, and how does our current empirical study contribute to understanding achievement differences in numeracy among primary school children in Ethiopia? We employed descriptive and inferential statistics to examine factors that determine differences in numeracy scores at the start and end of the school year, as well as determinants of numeracy scores at the end of the school year conditional on achievement at the start of the school year. We examined differences across gender, region, and rural-urban localities. We also used ordinary least squares and school ‘fixed effects’ approaches to estimate the key child, household and school characteristics that determine numeracy scores in Grade 4. The findings revealed that boys significantly outperformed girls in numeracy both at the start and end of the 2018/19 school year, but the progress in numeracy scores over the school year by boys was similar to that of girls. Besides, students in urban localities made a slightly higher progress in numeracy over the school year compared to their rural counterparts. Students from some regions (e.g., Oromia) demonstrated higher progress in numeracy over the school year relative to students in other regions (e.g., Addis Ababa). Key child (e.g., age, health, hours spent per day studying at home) and school- and teacher-related characteristics (e.g., provision of one textbook per subject for each student, urban-rural school location, and teachers’ mathematics content knowledge) were found to be significantly associated with student progress in numeracy test scores over the school year. These findings are discussed based on the reviewed evidence from the quantitative studies in Ethiopia.

These guidelines compactly describe how an interdisciplinary institutional analysis is to be implemented in practice: Which steps of analysis and control have to be taken? Which research questions are important and which role do empirical results play in the analysis?The description will be based on the requirements that the legislator has to fulfil with regard to the estimation of effects (as it is regulated in § 44 of the Joint Rules of Procedure of the Federal Ministries (Gemeinsame Ges-chäftsordnung der Bundesministerien, GGO) and in the guidelines of the Eu-ropean Commission). The steps of analysis and examination outlined in this paper can be equally used in relation to institutional design problems in companies (like the ad-justment of determining factors regarding ‘Governance, Risk Management, Compliance’ – GRC), associations or authorities. At the end of the compact guidelines, key terms of institutional analysis will be explained in a glossary. The glossary further contains recommendations on secondary literature.

In the context of our current planetary crises, in a world that continues to be shaped by capitalist, colonialist, androcentric and anthropocentric visions, we are faced with the urgency of reconsidering, at the deepest levels, the way we relate with other human and nonhuman beings. This working paper aims to contribute towards that end by looking at human-nonhuman relations through the concept of conviviality, understood as the everyday living together with difference, and how it intersects with inequality. In the first part of this paper, more-than-human conviviality-inequality is investigated by critically analyzing onto-epistemological and methodological approaches that question, subvert or reproduce hegemonic thinking and worldviews on humannonhuman relations like historical materialism, new materialisms, transhumanism, posthumanisms, and indigenous relational ontologies. In the second part, I look at particular relational dimensions like incompleteness, translation, and affect, which can help us create new understandings of more-than-human conviviality-inequality in Latin America and beyond.

1.1 Macroeconomic summary Economic recovery has consistently outperformed the technical staff’s expectations following a steep decline in activity in the second quarter of 2020. At the same time, total and core inflation rates have fallen and remain at low levels, suggesting that a significant element of the reactivation of Colombia’s economy has been related to recovery in potential GDP. This would support the technical staff’s diagnosis of weak aggregate demand and ample excess capacity. The most recently available data on 2020 growth suggests a contraction in economic activity of 6.8%, lower than estimates from January’s Monetary Policy Report (-7.2%). High-frequency indicators suggest that economic performance was significantly more dynamic than expected in January, despite mobility restrictions and quarantine measures. This has also come amid declines in total and core inflation, the latter of which was below January projections if controlling for certain relative price changes. This suggests that the unexpected strength of recent growth contains elements of demand, and that excess capacity, while significant, could be lower than previously estimated. Nevertheless, uncertainty over the measurement of excess capacity continues to be unusually high and marked both by variations in the way different economic sectors and spending components have been affected by the pandemic, and by uneven price behavior. The size of excess capacity, and in particular the evolution of the pandemic in forthcoming quarters, constitute substantial risks to the macroeconomic forecast presented in this report. Despite the unexpected strength of the recovery, the technical staff continues to project ample excess capacity that is expected to remain on the forecast horizon, alongside core inflation that will likely remain below the target. Domestic demand remains below 2019 levels amid unusually significant uncertainty over the size of excess capacity in the economy. High national unemployment (14.6% for February 2021) reflects a loose labor market, while observed total and core inflation continue to be below 2%. Inflationary pressures from the exchange rate are expected to continue to be low, with relatively little pass-through on inflation. This would be compatible with a negative output gap. Excess productive capacity and the expectation of core inflation below the 3% target on the forecast horizon provide a basis for an expansive monetary policy posture. The technical staff’s assessment of certain shocks and their expected effects on the economy, as well as the presence of several sources of uncertainty and related assumptions about their potential macroeconomic impacts, remain a feature of this report. The coronavirus pandemic, in particular, continues to affect the public health environment, and the reopening of Colombia’s economy remains incomplete. The technical staff’s assessment is that the COVID-19 shock has affected both aggregate demand and supply, but that the impact on demand has been deeper and more persistent. Given this persistence, the central forecast accounts for a gradual tightening of the output gap in the absence of new waves of contagion, and as vaccination campaigns progress. The central forecast continues to include an expected increase of total and core inflation rates in the second quarter of 2021, alongside the lapse of the temporary price relief measures put in place in 2020. Additional COVID-19 outbreaks (of uncertain duration and intensity) represent a significant risk factor that could affect these projections. Additionally, the forecast continues to include an upward trend in sovereign risk premiums, reflected by higher levels of public debt that in the wake of the pandemic are likely to persist on the forecast horizon, even in the context of a fiscal adjustment. At the same time, the projection accounts for the shortterm effects on private domestic demand from a fiscal adjustment along the lines of the one currently being proposed by the national government. This would be compatible with a gradual recovery of private domestic demand in 2022. The size and characteristics of the fiscal adjustment that is ultimately implemented, as well as the corresponding market response, represent another source of forecast uncertainty. Newly available information offers evidence of the potential for significant changes to the macroeconomic scenario, though without altering the general diagnosis described above. The most recent data on inflation, growth, fiscal policy, and international financial conditions suggests a more dynamic economy than previously expected. However, a third wave of the pandemic has delayed the re-opening of Colombia’s economy and brought with it a deceleration in economic activity. Detailed descriptions of these considerations and subsequent changes to the macroeconomic forecast are presented below. The expected annual decline in GDP (-0.3%) in the first quarter of 2021 appears to have been less pronounced than projected in January (-4.8%). Partial closures in January to address a second wave of COVID-19 appear to have had a less significant negative impact on the economy than previously estimated. This is reflected in figures related to mobility, energy demand, industry and retail sales, foreign trade, commercial transactions from selected banks, and the national statistics agency’s (DANE) economic tracking indicator (ISE). Output is now expected to have declined annually in the first quarter by 0.3%. Private consumption likely continued to recover, registering levels somewhat above those from the previous year, while public consumption likely increased significantly. While a recovery in investment in both housing and in other buildings and structures is expected, overall investment levels in this case likely continued to be low, and gross fixed capital formation is expected to continue to show significant annual declines. Imports likely recovered to again outpace exports, though both are expected to register significant annual declines. Economic activity that outpaced projections, an increase in oil prices and other export products, and an expected increase in public spending this year account for the upward revision to the 2021 growth forecast (from 4.6% with a range between 2% and 6% in January, to 6.0% with a range between 3% and 7% in April). As a result, the output gap is expected to be smaller and to tighten more rapidly than projected in the previous report, though it is still expected to remain in negative territory on the forecast horizon. Wide forecast intervals reflect the fact that the future evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic remains a significant source of uncertainty on these projections. The delay in the recovery of economic activity as a result of the resurgence of COVID-19 in the first quarter appears to have been less significant than projected in the January report. The central forecast scenario expects this improved performance to continue in 2021 alongside increased consumer and business confidence. Low real interest rates and an active credit supply would also support this dynamic, and the overall conditions would be expected to spur a recovery in consumption and investment. Increased growth in public spending and public works based on the national government’s spending plan (Plan Financiero del Gobierno) are other factors to consider. Additionally, an expected recovery in global demand and higher projected prices for oil and coffee would further contribute to improved external revenues and would favor investment, in particular in the oil sector. Given the above, the technical staff’s 2021 growth forecast has been revised upward from 4.6% in January (range from 2% to 6%) to 6.0% in April (range from 3% to 7%). These projections account for the potential for the third wave of COVID-19 to have a larger and more persistent effect on the economy than the previous wave, while also supposing that there will not be any additional significant waves of the pandemic and that mobility restrictions will be relaxed as a result. Economic growth in 2022 is expected to be 3%, with a range between 1% and 5%. This figure would be lower than projected in the January report (3.6% with a range between 2% and 6%), due to a higher base of comparison given the upward revision to expected GDP in 2021. This forecast also takes into account the likely effects on private demand of a fiscal adjustment of the size currently being proposed by the national government, and which would come into effect in 2022. Excess in productive capacity is now expected to be lower than estimated in January but continues to be significant and affected by high levels of uncertainty, as reflected in the wide forecast intervals. The possibility of new waves of the virus (of uncertain intensity and duration) represents a significant downward risk to projected GDP growth, and is signaled by the lower limits of the ranges provided in this report. Inflation (1.51%) and inflation excluding food and regulated items (0.94%) declined in March compared to December, continuing below the 3% target. The decline in inflation in this period was below projections, explained in large part by unanticipated increases in the costs of certain foods (3.92%) and regulated items (1.52%). An increase in international food and shipping prices, increased foreign demand for beef, and specific upward pressures on perishable food supplies appear to explain a lower-than-expected deceleration in the consumer price index (CPI) for foods. An unexpected increase in regulated items prices came amid unanticipated increases in international fuel prices, on some utilities rates, and for regulated education prices. The decline in annual inflation excluding food and regulated items between December and March was in line with projections from January, though this included downward pressure from a significant reduction in telecommunications rates due to the imminent entry of a new operator. When controlling for the effects of this relative price change, inflation excluding food and regulated items exceeds levels forecast in the previous report. Within this indicator of core inflation, the CPI for goods (1.05%) accelerated due to a reversion of the effects of the VAT-free day in November, which was largely accounted for in February, and possibly by the transmission of a recent depreciation of the peso on domestic prices for certain items (electric and household appliances). For their part, services prices decelerated and showed the lowest rate of annual growth (0.89%) among the large consumer baskets in the CPI. Within the services basket, the annual change in rental prices continued to decline, while those services that continue to experience the most significant restrictions on returning to normal operations (tourism, cinemas, nightlife, etc.) continued to register significant price declines. As previously mentioned, telephone rates also fell significantly due to increased competition in the market. Total inflation is expected to continue to be affected by ample excesses in productive capacity for the remainder of 2021 and 2022, though less so than projected in January. As a result, convergence to the inflation target is now expected to be somewhat faster than estimated in the previous report, assuming the absence of significant additional outbreaks of COVID-19. The technical staff’s year-end inflation projections for 2021 and 2022 have increased, suggesting figures around 3% due largely to variation in food and regulated items prices. The projection for inflation excluding food and regulated items also increased, but remains below 3%. Price relief measures on indirect taxes implemented in 2020 are expected to lapse in the second quarter of 2021, generating a one-off effect on prices and temporarily affecting inflation excluding food and regulated items. However, indexation to low levels of past inflation, weak demand, and ample excess productive capacity are expected to keep core inflation below the target, near 2.3% at the end of 2021 (previously 2.1%). The reversion in 2021 of the effects of some price relief measures on utility rates from 2020 should lead to an increase in the CPI for regulated items in the second half of this year. Annual price changes are now expected to be higher than estimated in the January report due to an increased expected path for fuel prices and unanticipated increases in regulated education prices. The projection for the CPI for foods has increased compared to the previous report, taking into account certain factors that were not anticipated in January (a less favorable agricultural cycle, increased pressure from international prices, and transport costs). Given the above, year-end annual inflation for 2021 and 2022 is now expected to be 3% and 2.8%, respectively, which would be above projections from January (2.3% and 2,7%). For its part, expected inflation based on analyst surveys suggests year-end inflation in 2021 and 2022 of 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively. There remains significant uncertainty surrounding the inflation forecasts included in this report due to several factors: 1) the evolution of the pandemic; 2) the difficulty in evaluating the size and persistence of excess productive capacity; 3) the timing and manner in which price relief measures will lapse; and 4) the future behavior of food prices. Projected 2021 growth in foreign demand (4.4% to 5.2%) and the supposed average oil price (USD 53 to USD 61 per Brent benchmark barrel) were both revised upward. An increase in long-term international interest rates has been reflected in a depreciation of the peso and could result in relatively tighter external financial conditions for emerging market economies, including Colombia. Average growth among Colombia’s trade partners was greater than expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. This, together with a sizable fiscal stimulus approved in the United States and the onset of a massive global vaccination campaign, largely explains the projected increase in foreign demand growth in 2021. The resilience of the goods market in the face of global crisis and an expected normalization in international trade are additional factors. These considerations and the expected continuation of a gradual reduction of mobility restrictions abroad suggest that Colombia’s trade partners could grow on average by 5.2% in 2021 and around 3.4% in 2022. The improved prospects for global economic growth have led to an increase in current and expected oil prices. Production interruptions due to a heavy winter, reduced inventories, and increased supply restrictions instituted by producing countries have also contributed to the increase. Meanwhile, market forecasts and recent Federal Reserve pronouncements suggest that the benchmark interest rate in the U.S. will remain stable for the next two years. Nevertheless, a significant increase in public spending in the country has fostered expectations for greater growth and inflation, as well as increased uncertainty over the moment in which a normalization of monetary policy might begin. This has been reflected in an increase in long-term interest rates. In this context, emerging market economies in the region, including Colombia, have registered increases in sovereign risk premiums and long-term domestic interest rates, and a depreciation of local currencies against the dollar. Recent outbreaks of COVID-19 in several of these economies; limits on vaccine supply and the slow pace of immunization campaigns in some countries; a significant increase in public debt; and tensions between the United States and China, among other factors, all add to a high level of uncertainty surrounding interest rate spreads, external financing conditions, and the future performance of risk premiums. The impact that this environment could have on the exchange rate and on domestic financing conditions represent risks to the macroeconomic and monetary policy forecasts. Domestic financial conditions continue to favor recovery in economic activity. The transmission of reductions to the policy interest rate on credit rates has been significant. The banking portfolio continues to recover amid circumstances that have affected both the supply and demand for loans, and in which some credit risks have materialized. Preferential and ordinary commercial interest rates have fallen to a similar degree as the benchmark interest rate. As is generally the case, this transmission has come at a slower pace for consumer credit rates, and has been further delayed in the case of mortgage rates. Commercial credit levels stabilized above pre-pandemic levels in March, following an increase resulting from significant liquidity requirements for businesses in the second quarter of 2020. The consumer credit portfolio continued to recover and has now surpassed February 2020 levels, though overall growth in the portfolio remains low. At the same time, portfolio projections and default indicators have increased, and credit establishment earnings have come down. Despite this, credit disbursements continue to recover and solvency indicators remain well above regulatory minimums. 1.2 Monetary policy decision In its meetings in March and April the BDBR left the benchmark interest rate unchanged at 1.75%.

In central Rakhine State, Myanmar, 130,000 displaced Rohingya and Kaman people have been confined to camps for more than eight years. Without access to basics such as adequate education and healthcare services and largely unable to leave the camps, these communities urgently need real solutions that will support their rights and dignity. The Myanmar government has also recognized the importance of bringing an end to these camps and has taken some steps in this direction. This report explores the current policy commitments made by the Government of Myanmar in relation to durable solutions for displaced Rohingya in Rakhine State. It then focuses on findings from extensive discussions with displaced Rohingya people, particularly women, regarding their priorities for an end to their displacement and opportunities for a better future. The IDPs consistently pointed to the importance of being consulted and engaged as part of any process aimed at closing the camps, of having their rights recognized, particularly in relation to freedom of movement, and of being afforded choice in terms of possible return to their places of origin or another place of their choosing.