Actuarial values, book gimel : tables for computing depreciation adjustment factors : interest rates from 2.2 percent to 22.0 percent : for income tax purposes only.

"7-1999."

Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and their (new) Mobilizations in Russia. EDAP 2/2015

Issues concerning indigenous peoples (IPs) in Russia have become a “hot topic” despite the fact that they represent only 0.2 percent of the population. Constant amendments to the laws affecting the life of IPs and lawsuits filed before local Courts denouncing the violations of IPs’ rights are signs of the struggle surrounding these indigenous peoples. Moreover, between 2012 and 2013, the Russian Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON), the umbrella organization of IPs in the country, was ordered to shut down and subsequently given the permission to reopen by the Russian Ministry of Justice within the course of less than six months. This article aims to gain a deeper understanding of the recent developments vis-à-vis indigenous peoples’ legal protection and IPs’ increasing efforts to exercise their rights.

(Tables 2, 3) Element ratios of planktonic foraminifera from western Pacific surface sediments

Accurately quantifying deep-sea calcite dissolution is crucial for understanding the role of the marine carbonate system in regulating atmospheric pCO2 over millennia. We compare a foraminifer-fragmentation-based calcite dissolution proxy (Globorotalia menardii fragmentation index (MFI)) to Mg/Ca, Sr/Ca, and Mg/Sr in several species of deep dwelling planktonic foraminifers. We conducted microfossil and geochemical analyses on the same core top samples taken at different depths on the Ontong Java Plateau to maximize the dissolution signal and minimize the temperature overprint on our data. We also compare elemental ratios from planktonic foraminifer tests to modern bottom water [CO3]2- undersaturation and model-derived estimates of percent calcite dissolved in deep-sea sediments. We find clear linear decreases in Mg/Ca or Mg/Sr in G. menardii and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata with increasing (1) bottom water [CO3]2- undersaturation, (2) percent calcite dissolved in sediments calculated with biogeochemical modeling, (3) MFI, and (4) percent calcite dissolved derived from MFI. These findings lend further support to MFI as a calcite dissolution proxy for deep-sea sediments. In contrast, we find no significant correlation between Sr/Ca and independent dissolution indicators. Our results suggest that Mg/Ca and Mg/Sr from deep dwelling foraminifers could potentially be used as calcite dissolution proxies in combination with independent water temperature estimates. Likewise, establishing the relationship between MFI and dissolution-induced changes in the Mg/Ca of surface-dwelling foraminifers could provide a tool to correct Mg/Ca-derived sea surface temperature reconstructions for calcite dissolution.

Percent in a Nutshell …

Ironically, the “learning of percent” is one of the most problematic aspects of school mathematics. In our view, these difficulties are not associated with the arithmetic aspects of the “percent problems”, but mostly with two methodological issues: firstly, providing students with a simple and accurate understanding of the rationale behind the use of percent, and secondly - overcoming the psychological complexities of the fluent and comprehensive understanding by the students of the sometimes specific wordings of “percent problems”. Before we talk about percent, it is necessary to acquaint students with a much more fundamental and important (regrettably, not covered by the school syllabus) classical concepts of quantitative and qualitative comparison of values, to give students the opportunity to learn the relevant standard terminology and become accustomed to conventional turns of speech. Further, it makes sense to briefly touch on the issue (important in its own right) of different representations of numbers. Percent is just one of the technical, but common forms of data representation: p% = p × % = p × 0.01 = p × 1/100 = p/100 = p × 10-2 "Percent problems” are involved in just two cases: I. The ratio of a variation m to the standard M II. The relative deviation of a variation m from the standard M The hardest and most essential in each specific "percent problem” is not the routine arithmetic actions involved, but the ability to figure out, to clearly understand which of the variables involved in the problem instructions is the standard and which is the variation. And in the first place, this is what teachers need to patiently and persistently teach their students. As a matter of fact, most primary school pupils are not yet quite ready for the lexical specificity of “percent problems”. ....Math teachers should closely, hand in hand with their students, carry out a linguistic analysis of the wording of each problem ... Schoolchildren must firmly understand that a comparison of objects is only meaningful when we speak about properties which can be objectively expressed in terms of actual numerical characteristics. In our opinion, an adequate acquisition of the teaching unit on percent cannot be achieved in primary school due to objective psychological specificities related to this age and because of the level of general training of students. Yet, if we want to make this topic truly accessible and practically useful, it should be taught in high school. A final question to the reader (quickly, please): What is greater: % of e or e% of Pi

The use of calcium hydroxide, antibiotics and biocides as antimicrobial medicaments in endodontics

Bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis and progression of pulp and periapical diseases. The primary aim of endodontic treatment is to remove as many bacteria as possible from the root canal system and then to create an environment in which any remaining organisms cannot survive. This can only be achieved through the use of a combination of aseptic treatment techniques, chemomechanical preparation of the root canal, antimicrobial irrigating solutions and intracanal medicaments. The choice of which intracanal medicament to use is dependent on having an accurate diagnosis of the condition being treated, as well as a thorough knowledge of the type of organisms likely to be involved and. their mechanisms of growth and survival. Since the disease is likely to have been caused by the presence of bacteria within the root canal, the use of an antimicrobial agent is essential. Many medicaments have been used in an attempt to achieve the above aims, but no single preparation has been found to be completely predictable or effective. Commonly used medicaments include calcium hydroxide, antibiotics; non-phenolic biocides, phenolic biocides and iodine compounds. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and further research is required to determine which is best suited for root canal infections.

Anemia screening in potential female blood donors: comparison of two different quantitative methods

Anemia screening before blood donation requires an accurate, quick, practical, and easy method with minimal discomfort for the donors. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of two quantitative methods of anemia screening: the HemoCue 201(+) (Aktiebolaget Leo Diagnostics) hemoglobin (Hb) and microhematocrit (micro-Hct) tests. Two blood samples of a single fingerstick were obtained from 969 unselected potential female donors to determine the Hb by HemoCue 201(+) and micro-Hct using HemataSTAT II (Separation Technology, Inc.), in alternating order. From each participant, a venous blood sample was drawn and run in an automatic hematology analyzer (ABX Pentra 60, ABX Diagnostics). Considering results of ABX Pentra 60 as true values, the sensitivity and specificity of HemoCue 201(+) and micro-Hct as screening methods were compared, using a venous Hb level of 12.0 g per dL as cutoff for anemia. The sensitivities of the HemoCue 201(+) and HemataSTAT II in detecting anemia were 56 percent (95% confidence interval [CI], 46.1%-65.5%) and 39.5 percent (95% CI, 30.2%-49.3%), respectively (p < 0.001). Analyzing only candidates with a venous Hb level lower than 11.0 g per dL, the deferral rate was 100 percent by HemoCue 201(+) and 77 percent by HemataSTAT II. The specificities of the methods were 93.5 and 93.2 percent, respectively. The HemoCue 201(+) showed greater discriminating power for detecting anemia in prospective blood donors than the micro-Hct method. Both presented equivalent deferral error rates of nonanemic potential donors. Compared to the micro-Hct, HemoCue 201(+) reduces the risk of anemic female donors giving blood, specially for those with lower Hb levels, without increasing the deferral of nonanemic potential donors.

Submucosal Injection of 0.4% Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Facilitates Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Early Gastrointestinal Tumors

Background and Aims: Submucosal injection of a viscoelastic solution prolongs submucosal lift, thus, facilitating endoscopic mucosal resection. Our objective was to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of 0.4% hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as a submucosal injectant for endoscopic mucosal resection. Patients and Methods: A prospective, open-label, multicenter, phase 2 study was conducted at 2 academic institutions in Brazil. Eligible participants included patients with early gastrointestinal tumors larger than 10 mm. Outcomes evaluated included complete resection rates, volume of HPMC injected, duration of the submucosal cushion as assessed visually, histology of the resected leisons, and complication rates. Results: Over a 12-month period, 36 eligible patients with superficial neoplastic lesions (stomach 14, colon 11, rectum 5, esophagus 3, duodenum 3) were prospectively enrolled in the study. The mean size of the resected specimen was 20.4 mm (10 to 60 mm). The mean volume of 0.4% HPMC injected was 10.7 mL (range 4 to 35 mL). The mean duration of the submucosal fluid cushion was 27 minutes (range 9 to 70 min). Complete resection was successfully completed in 89%. Five patients (14%) developed immediate bleeding requiring endoclip and APC application. Esophageal perforation occurred in 1 patient requiring surgical intervention. There were no local or systemic adverse events related to HPMC use over the follow-up period (mean 2.2 mo). Conclusion: HPMC solution (0.4%) provides an effective submucosal fluid cushion and is safe for endoscopic resection of early gastrointestinal neoplastic lesions.

Rice Consumption in the United States: New Evidence from Food Consumption Surveys, July 2005

Evidence from recent U.S. food consumption surveys provides new information on the distribution of rice consumption, the characteristics of rice consumers, and the diets of people who consume rice. Recently available data from nationally representative surveys of food consumed by individuals in the United States allowed comparison of consumption today (2001-02) with consumption in the mid-1990s. Data come from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (1994-96) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-02). Rice is consumed by a significant portion of the U.S. adult population. In 2001-02, over 18 percent (18.2 percent) of adults reported eating at least half a serving of white or brown rice in one day of observed intake. This share was slightly higher than that of 1994-96 (17.4 percent). Compared with others, individuals who consumed at least half a serving of white or brown rice in the observed day of intake consumed a smaller share of calories per day from fat and saturated fat; less discretionary fat or added sugar; and more fiber, dietary folate, fruit, vegetables, and enriched grains. Consumers eating rice were more likely to eat a diet that included choices of foods consistent with the 2005 U.S. Dietary Guidelines.

Report of the Governor's Task Force on the Overepresentation of African-Americans in Prison, 2001

In 1999, 24 percent of Iowa prison beds were occupied by African-American inmates, despite the fact that African-Americans comprised just over 2 percent of the state’s total population. That year the median incarceration rate for African-Americans in Iowa was 2,950 per every 100,000 people (or approximately 3.0 percent of the state’s African-American population). The median incarceration rate for Caucasians in Iowa was 188 per every 100,000 people (or approximately 0.2 percent of the state’s Caucasian population). Seven percent of all African-Americans in this state were under some form of criminal justice supervision in 1999. 1999 statistics also reveal that there were nearly twice as many African-Americans under criminal justice supervision in Iowa than atte nded one of the state’s post-secondary institutions.

Does direct democracy reduce the size of government? New evidence from historical data, 1890-2000

Using historical data for all Swiss cantons from 1890 to 2000, we estimate the causal effect of direct democracy on government spending. The main innovation in this paper is that we use fixed effects to control for unobserved heterogeneity and instrumental variables to address the potential endogeneity of institutions. We find that the budget referendum and lower costs to launch a voter initiative are effective tools in reducing canton level spending. However, we find no evidence that the budget referendum results in more decentralized government or a larger local government. Our instrumental variable estimates suggest that a mandatory budget referendum reduces the size of canton spending between 13 and 19 percent. A 1 percent lower signature requirement for the initiative reduces canton spending by up to 2 percent.

Externalities and interdependent growth: Theory and evidence

I formulate and estimate a model of externalities within countriesand technological interdependence across countries. I find that externalreturns to scale to physical capital within countries are 8 percent; thata 10 percent increase of total factor productivity of a country's neighborsraises its total factor productivity by 6 percent; and that a 2 percentannual growth rate of labor productivity can be explained as an endogenousresponse to an exogenous 0.2 percent annual growth rate of total factorproductivity in the steady--state.

Iowa Uniform Crime Report, 2003

SERIOUS CRIMES: the rate decreased 6.6 percent from 3,669 crimes per 100,000 population in 2002 to the adjusted rate of 3,427 crimes per 100,000 population in 2003. Also known as the Crime Index, serious crimes include the violent crimes of murder, forcible rape, robbery and aggravated assault and the property crimes of burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft. VIOLENT CRIMES: decreased 5.2 percent from 2002 to 2003, violent crimes dropped from an adjusted rate of 313.8 crimes per 100,000 population reported in 2002 to 297.4 crimes per 100,000 population in 2003. PROPERTY CRIMES: decreased 6.7 percent from an adjusted rate of 3,355 crimes per 100,000 population in 2002 to 3,131 crimes reported in 2003.

Iowa Community Colleges Student Enrollment Report, December 2000

Fall enrollment grew 1.2 percent to a record high of 88,104 unduplicated students in fiscal year 2009 (Table 1). College enrollment has grown for 11 consecutive years since enrollment slipped in fiscal year 1997. In the 44‐year history of the modern community college system, enrollment has only fallen four times (Figure 1). Enrollment growth was slightly slower than prior years. In 2006, enrollment grew over three percent, while enrollment grew 2.5 percent last year. Nevertheless, enrollment growth is outpacing the projected nationwide growth in community colleges (Hussar and Bailey, 2008: Table 16). For the second consecutive year, part‐time enrollment exceeded full‐time enrollment. Slightly over half, 50.9 percent, of students are enrolled in less than 12 credit hours. Last year, part‐time enrollment exceeded full‐time enrollment for the first time. The shift represents growing enrollment by working students and joint enrollment— high school students who enroll in community colleges.. Nationally, part‐time enrollment at public two‐year colleges has exceeded full‐time enrollment for more than 15 years. In 2006, part‐time students exceeded full‐time students by 60 percent (Hussar and Bailey, 2008: Table 16). Iowa’s enrollment growth has traditionally been consistent. Enrollment decreased four times—1976, 1983, 1984, and 1997—during the entire 44‐year history. Fulltime enrollment decreased nine times over the same period while part time enrollment only fell twice. The remainder of this report will break down credit enrollment by credit hours, student demographics, the programs in which students are enrolled, how the programs break down demographically, and joint enrollment.