Noncommutative Jordan superalgebras of degree n > 2

We prove a coordinatization theorem for noncommutative Jordan superalgebras of degree n > 2, describing such algebras. It is shown that the symmetrized Jordan superalgebra for a simple finite-dimensional noncommutative Jordan superalgebra of characteristic 0 and degree n > 1 is simple. Modulo a ""nodal"" case, we classify central simple finite-dimensional noncommutative Jordan superalgebras of characteristic 0.

Flexural properties, microleakage, and degree of conversion of a resin polymerized with conventional light and argon laser

Objective: To evaluate the flexural strength, microleakage, and degree of conversion of a microhybrid resin polymerized with argon laser and halogen lamp. Method and Materials: For both flexural test and degree of conversion analysis, 5 bar samples of composite resin were prepared and polymerized according to ISO 4049. The halogen light-curing unit was used with 500 MW/cm(2) for 20 seconds and the argon laser with 250 mW for 10 and 20 seconds. Samples were stored in distilled water in a dark environment at 37 degrees C for 24 hours. The flexural property was quantified by a 3-point loading test. For the microleakage evaluation, 60 bovine incisors were used to prepare standardized Class 5 cavities, which were restored and polished. Specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 hours at 37 degrees C and thermocycled 500 times (6 degrees C to 60 degrees C). Specimens were then immersed in art aqueous solution of basic fuchsin for 24 hours. Longitudinal sections of each restoration were obtained and examined with a stereomicroscope for qualitative evaluation of microleakage. Fourier transform (FT)-Raman RFS 100/S spectrometer (Bruker) was used to analyze the degree of conversion. Results: ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences of flexural strength between the photoactivation types evaluated in the flexural study. Microleakage data were statistically analyzed by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Enamel margins resulted in a statistically lower degree of leakage than dentin margins. No statistically significant difference was found among the 3 types of photocuring studied. ANOVA also showed no statistically significant difference in the degree of conversion among the studied groups. Conclusion: According to the methodology used in this research, the argon laser is a possible alternative for photocuring, providing the same quality of polymerization as the halogen lamp. None of the photocured units tested in this study completely eliminated microleakage.

Expedient, accurate methods for the determination of the degree of substitution of cellulose carboxylic esters: Application of UV-vis spectroscopy (dye solvatochromism) and FTIR

Two techniques, namely UV-vis- and FTIR spectroscopy, have been employed in order to calculate the degree of substitution (DS) of cellulose carboxylic esters, including acetates, CAs, butyrates, CBs, and hexanoates, CHs. Regarding UV-vis spectroscopy, we have employed a novel approach, based on measuring the dependence of lambda(max) of the intra-molecular charge-transfer bands of polarity probes adsorbed on DS of the ester films (solvatochromism). Additionally, we have revisited the use of FTIR for DS determination. Several methods have been used in order to plot Beer`s law graph, namely: Absorption of KBr pellets, pre-coated with CA: reflectance (DRIFTS) of CAs-KBr solid-solid mixtures with, or without the use of 1.4-dicyanobenzene as an internal reference; reflectance of KBr powder pre-coated with CA. The methods indicated are simple, fast, and accurate, requiring much less ester than the titration method. The probe method is independent of the experimental variables examined. (c) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Probing the dependence of the properties of cellulose acetates and their films on the degree of biopolymer substitution: use of solvatochromic indicators and thermal analysis

Although cellulose acetates, CAs, are extensively employed there is scant information about the systematic dependence of their properties on their degree of substitution, DS; this is the subject of the present work. Nine CAs samples, DS from 0.83 to 3.0 were synthesized; their films were prepared. The following solvatochromic probes have been employed in order to determine the empirical polarity, E (T)(33); ""acidity, alpha""; ""basicity, beta"", and ""dipolarity/polarizability, pi*"" of the casted films: 2,6-dichloro-4-(2,4,6-triphenyl-pyridinium-1-yl) phenolate, WB; 4-nitroaniline; 4-nitroanisole; 4-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline; 2,6-diphenyl-4-(2,4,6-triphenyl-pyridinium-1-yl)phenolate, RB. Additionally, two systems, ethanol plus ethyl acetate (EtOH-EtAc), and cellulose plus cellulose triacetate, CTA, were employed as models for CAs of different DS. Regarding the model systems, the following was observed: (i) For EtOH-EtAc, the dependence of all solvatochromic parameters on the ""equivalent-DS"" of the binary mixture was non-linear because of preferential solvation; (ii) The dependence of E (T)(33) on equivalent DS of the cellulose-CTA films is linear, but the slope is smaller than that of the corresponding plot for CAs. This is attributed to the more efficient hydrogen bonding in the model system, a conclusion corroborated by IR measurements. The dependence of solvatochromic parameters of CAs on their DS is described by the simple equations; a consequence of the substitution of the OH by the ester group. The thermal properties of bulk CAs samples were investigated by DSC and TGA; their dependence on DS is described by simple equations. The relevance of these data to the processing and applications of CAs is briefly discussed.

Dialectal Speech in Literature and Translation : Bachelor Degree Thesis in English Linguistics

This essay studies how dialectal speech is reflected in written literature and how this phenomenon functions in translation. With this purpose in mind, Styron's Sophie's Choice and Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are analysed using samples of non-standard orthography which have been applied in order to reflect the dialect, or accent, of certain characters. In the same way, Lundgren's Swedish translation of Sophie's Choice and Ferres and Rolfe's Spanish version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are analysed. The method consists of linguistically analysing a few text samples from each novel, establishing how dialect is represented through non-standard orthography, and thereafter, comparing the same samples with their translation into another language in order to establish whether dialectal features are visible also in the translated novels. It is concluded that non-standard orthography is applied in the novels in order to represent each possible linguistic level, including pronunciation, morphosyntax, and vocabulary. Furthermore, it is concluded that while Lundgren's translation intends to orthographically represent dialectal speech on most occasions where the original does so, Ferres and Rolfe's translation pays no attention to dialectology. The discussion following the data analysis establishes some possible reasons for the exclusion of dialectal features in the Spanish translation considered here. Finally, the reason for which this study contributes to the study of dialectology is declared.

Degree projects improving co-operation between the teacher education program and schools : - Swedish experiences

In 1977, when teacher education inSwedenwas incorporated into the university system, the main reason was to transform it into an academic tradition. Now, nearly 30 years later, there is still tension between the academic and the vocational tradition; they show up as different and separated elements in a program that is meant to prepare students for a career as a teacher and for a possible future career as a researcher in this field. This tension gives rise to a risk of allowing parallel “tracks” to develop and of isolating the degree thesis work from other courses. On the teacher-training program in which we are involved, close co-operation with partner-schools, where the practical part of the program takes place, has been established. Here, the students´ degree theses are an important factor in making this co-operation work on a concrete level. Accordingly, the purpose of the degree thesis is both to reflect problems in schools and contribute to better teaching in the individual school, but also to offer relevant educational subject matter to the students, which may be adapted as an element in the university’s research environments. From these points of view, the degree thesis is an important part of teacher education and rather more than just a single course. The degree thesis should be an element that gives the students an opportunity to show that they have reached central goals in the teacher education program. It should also be an integral part in the development of critical and scholarly thinking, deepening pedagogical and didactic knowledge and giving the students an opportunity to apply research methods. We will here use two minor case studies: one that compares teacher education programs in five Swedish universities and one minor study at one of those universities, in order to elaborate on the questions: - What purpose has a degree thesis and what role does it play in teacher education? - What criteria are relevant to assessing a degree thesis and what qualities do the degree theses have? - Is it possible to assess a degree thesis fairly and what happens to students who do not pass? - How could the degree thesis be used to improve the contact between the teacher education program and its partner schools in order to contribute to the development of the individual school?

The importance of degree versus type of maltreatment: a cluster analysis of child abuse types

The author conducted secondary data analysis of 3 previously reported studies (D. J. Higgins & M. P McCabe, 1998, 20(K)b, 2(X)3) to examine whether respondents are best classified according to their experience of separate maltreatment types (sexual abuse, physical abuse, psychological maltreatment, neglect, and witnessing family violence) or whether their experience reflects a single unifying concept: child maltreatment.

The degree of usability from selected DVD menus and their navigational systems

The purpose of this research is to investigate the usability of DVD interfaces via their menus and navigation, inspired by Donald Norman who has had a pivotal role in user-centred design and usability. The paper encompasses theoretical aspects of interactivity, usability and DVD technology. A usability test was administered with the DVDs chosen. The results from the usability test were the main focus in this research. Such results were supportive of Normanrsquos claims, as participants experienced varying degrees of usability issues. Furthermore, the findings were used to develop a set of guidelines and recommendations designers could follow. If these were adhered to, it would have significantly alleviated the difficulty the participants had in interacting with the DVDs.

An IT Bachelor degree using modern technologies to illustrate core concepts and principles and building generic skills

Information Technology (IT) changes very quickly and influences business, industry and the public in an enormous manner. Outsourcing of IT jobs to cheaper overseas labor and globalization of IT companies become a common practice. Graduates of IT university courses must be well prepared to address the needs and expectations of business, industry and every day life. Many factors in an Information Technology curriculum influence graduates’ professional preparation and image. The most important of them is to reflect technology change, the current state of knowledge of computing, business and industry demands and students’ expectations. The aim of our project was to develop a new Bachelor of IT curriculum that satisfies these requirements. In this report we concentrate our attention on two critical aspects of IT curriculum content, the modern technologies to be used to illustrate basic concepts and principles of computing, and the generic skills that each graduate is expected to acquire to get a job in Australia.

The determination of all syzygies for the dependent polynomial invariants of the Riemann Tensor. II. mixed invariants of Eeven degree in the Ricci Spinor

We continue our analysis of the polynomial invariants of the Riemann tensor in a four-dimensional Lorentzian space. We concentrate on the mixed invariants of even degree in the Ricci spinor Φ_ABȦḂ and show how, using constructive graph-theoretic methods, arbitrary scalar contractions between copies of the Weyl spinor ψ_ABCD, its conjugate ψ_ȦḂĊḊ and an even number of Ricci spinors can be expressed in terms of paired contractions between these spinors. This leads to an algorithm for the explicit expression of dependent invariants as polynomials of members of the complete set. Finally, we rigorously prove that the complete set as given by Sneddon [J. Math. Phys. 39, 1659-1679 (1998)] for this case is both complete and minimal.

The orientation of Australian coursework-focussed marketing masters degree

Using content analysis, this paper examines the orientation of Australian coursework masters degrees in marketing by analysing data collected from 38 university websites on the entry requirements, degree structure and research opportunities of the programs. The findings indicate that there appears to be an attempt to offer programs aiming at a range of “outcomes”, i.e. training for PhD, advanced studies in marketing, or accreditation for those in the industry. The diverse orientation of the degrees offered means that Australian institutions are potentially facing a challenge, targeting programs at different market segments.

The eight variable homogeneous degree three bent functions

We determine the affine equivalence classes of the eight variable degree three homogeneous bent functions using a new algorithm. Our algorithm applies to general bent functions and can systematically determine the automorphism groups. We provide a partial verification of the computer enumeration of bent functions by Meng et al.

The degree of job satisfaction experienced by site-based construction professionals

The construction industry worldwide is having problems attracting and retaining skilled workers. This study analyses a series of factors affecting job satisfaction of site-based construction professionals employed in medium to large scale metropolitan construction firms in Melbourne, Australia. The industry survey carried out identified salary as the strongest determinant of job satisfaction. However, many respondents reported being dissatisfied with pay levels when compared to other industries and the number of work hours expected. The greatest causes of dissatisfaction were related to difficulties in maintaining a work-life balance. The indicator "Variety, interest and challenge" was the most frequently cited positive aspect of a career in construction. Given the shortage of skilled construction workers in Australia, it is important for companies to maximise the retention of site-based construction professionals and ensure that key job satisfaction indicators are met.

The usefulness of a science degree : the "lost voices" of science trained professionals

This paper reports a study of science graduates who are employed in positions outside their discipline specialisation. The research was designed to uncover the reasons for them choosing to study science at university, the competencies they utilise in their work and their lives, and how these relate to their undergraduate education in science. The study is seen as important in that already about one-half of science graduates are in such positions and it is argued that there is a need in scientific and technologically based societies to have a greater representation of such people in decision-making positions in government and industry. The directions for the science degree that can be drawn from the data gathered are congruent with those arising from other relevant studies. That is, attention should be paid to widely used skills, such as communication and problem-solving, and to developing an understanding of science within its social and ethical context. An argument is mounted for considering the way the science degree is presented to potential students and to the general public.