Recent, post-1980, immigration patterns have had a dramatic effect on U.S. labor markets, leading to considerable debate about the impact of immigration on native-born black workers. This research examines immigrant and black labor markets, across metropolitan areas, using Public Use Microdata and Summary File data from Census 2000 to generate low, mid, and high classifications of immigrant and black occupations based on socio-economic index (SEI). Multivariate findings indicate that the effect of recent immigration on black labor market outcomes differs by occupational level. Competition for low-skilled jobs is identified for native-born blacks in low-level jobs while a “bump-up” effect is identified for blacks in mid-level jobs. For example, production occupations with low language and skill requirements are shown to be contested among the groups. On the other hand, service and administrative functions emerge as bump-up mechanisms that create opportunity for black workers who amass the human capital required of these occupations. Thus, the ramifications of immigration for native-born blacks are shown to be quite different for low- and mid-SEI jobs.

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to make a business analysis of the Global Shipping industry, using a sample of four shipping companies in Norway, in order to establish whether the profitability is prosperous and sustainable enough for future growth. Also which different factors have been affecting the profitability. Background: Both the International and the Norwegian Shipping industry has been seen as an fluctuating industry, characterized poor returns, short market cycles where market booms have caused extraordinary returns. Additionally the shipping industry has recently been seen as a non-sustainable industry, where the proportion of its actions has not covered its sustainability, where, for example the vessels internationally have been seen to release a great amount of greenhouse gases. Method: Annual reports from 1970 – 2009 have been used in order to establish the profitability and sustainability reporting within the Norwegian Shipping in-dustry, additionally interviews have been conducted in order to gather knowledge within Sustainability reporting and being Sustainable, as well as relevant journals have been gathered from diverse databases. Conclusion: The findings of this thesis present that the shipping industry has not been sustainable, and that its growth has been fluctuating. Thus the conclusion being that the shipping industry is a very fluctuating industry where each company is driven by profit maximizing and thinking of their survival in a short-term perspective, rather than a long-term perspective.

The eigenvalue gaps and eigenvalue ratios of the Sturm-Liouville systems have been studied in many papers. Recently, Lavine proved an optimal lower estimate of first eigenvalue gaps for Schrodinger operators with convex potentials. His method uses a variational approach with detailed analysis on different integrals. In 1999, (M.J.) Huang adopted his method to study eigenvalue ratios of vibrating strings. He proved an optimal lower estimate of first eigenvalue ratios with nonnegative densities. In this thesis, we want to generalize the above optimal estimate. The work of Ashbaugh and Benguria helps in attaining our objective. They introduced an approach involving a modified Prufer substitution and a comparison theorem to study the upper bounds of Dirichlet eigenvalue ratios for Schrodinger operators with nonnegative potentials. It is interesting to see that the counterpart of their result is also valid. By Liouville substitution and an approximation theorem, the vibrating strings with concave and positive densities can be transformed to a Schrodinger operator with nonpositive potentials. Thus we have the generalization of Huang's result.

Northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations are irruptive along their western periphery. Previous research has failed to identify the factors associated with these irruptions, but precipitation is often assumed to be a primary causal factor. I hypothesize that the mechanism may involve demographic variables, specifically that birds entering their second breeding season are more successful than subadult breeders. A better understanding of age-specific survival and productivity in quail populations may be beneficial if managing for a population with an older age structure could ameliorate the irruptive cycles. Radiotagged bobwhites (n > 100 each year; approximately equal numbers (25) of each age-sex class) were followed throughout the breeding season (Mar. – Aug.) in 2003 and 2004 in Fisher County, Texas. Survival, nesting attempts, hatch rate, and clutch size were monitored. Probability of survival of radiotagged birds during the breeding season was S = 0.465 and S = 0.395 in 2003 and 2004, respectively; survival was similar among all age-sex classes. Nest success was greater in 2004 (52.4%, n = 42) than 2003 (28.6%, n = 35) and the 2004 breeding season was at least 20 days longer, likely due to more summer rainfall and cooler temperatures. Nest success was similar among adult and subadult hens in 2003 (4 of 21 adult nests, 6 of 14 subadult nests) and 2004 (16 of 28 adult nests, 7 of 14 subadult nests). Nest initiation was similar in 2003 (0.84 nests/adult hen vs. 0.61 nests/subadult hen), but adults initiated more nests than subadults in 2004 (1.04 nests/adult hen vs. 0.58 nests/subadult hen). Adult hens initiated 12 of 15 renesting attempts observed. Nest initiation dates and nest site selection were similar between adults and subadults. The adult:subadult ratios for 2003 and 2004 were 1:3.0 and 1:1.3 (n = 426 and n = 224, respectively). Extrapolating from the sample population, subadults contributed approximately 84% of the chicks fledged in 2003 but only 37% in 2004, while adults contributed 16% and 63% in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Results from this study suggest that if covey demographics are a component of bobwhite irruptions, the mechanism is most likely due to greater renesting effort by adult hens.

A high-volume air sampler (PS-1) was used to measure the concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere of Kaohsiung coast, PAHs diagnostic ratios,Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were employed to determine the potential sources of PAHs. The results show that the lowest concentrations of PAHs occurred in May (2.62 ngm-3), while the highest occurred in December (36.4 ngm-3). The nighttime concentrations of PAHs are higher than daytime with average night / day ratio of 1.65. The PAHs was more distributed in gas phase with proportions between 64.1 to 93.7 %. The 2, 3-Ring PAHs were mostly present in the gaseous phase (96.2 and 96.5 % respectively), 4-Ring also present dominantly in the gaseous phase (73.0 %), 5-Ring present mostly in the particle phase (80.2 %), 6, 7-Ring PAHs were mostly present in particulate phase (97.4 and 97.7 % respectively). During the Ghost Festiva and Asian dust storm events, atmospheric concentrations of PAHs and PAHs/TSP ratios were both found increased. It is found that gaseous and particulate PAHs correlate negatively with ambient temperature(r=-0.62, -0.57). Results from analyses of diagnostic ratios, HCA and PCA, the major sources of pollution include gasoline, diesel exhaust and industrial emission.

Η εργασία χωρίζεται σε τέσσερα κεφάλαια. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο είναι η εισαγωγή και κάποιες πληροφορίες για τις εταιρείες των οποίων θα κάνουμε την ανάλυση των οικονομικών καταστάσεων. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο αναφέρεται η μεθοδολογία που ακολουθήθηκε που για την εκπόνηση της εργασίας. Δηλαδή ο τρόπος που έγινε η δουλειά. Ακόμη γίνεται αναφορά στους αριθμοδείκτες που θα χρησιμοποιηθούν. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο γίνεται η ανάλυση των οικονομικών καταστάσεων και, προφανώς, η εξαγωγή συμπερασμάτων βάσει των αποτελεσμάτων των αριθμοδεικτών. Τέλος, κάνουμε μία συνολική σύγκριση των υπό μελέτη εταιρειών, σύμφωνα με τα δεδομένα του τρίτου κεφαλαίου, βγάζοντας ένα γενικό συμπέρασμα. / --

Η παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία έχει ως στόχο να διερευνήσει με ποιον τρόπο και σε ποιο βαθμό μπορεί να βελτιωθεί η διδασκαλία και η επαγγελματική ανάπτυξη των εκπαιδευτικών με την ερευνητική διαδικασία της μελέτης μαθήματος. Παράλληλα ερευνάται πώς μπορεί να λειτουργήσει η συνεργασία των εκπαιδευτικών σαν ερευνητική ομάδα στη δημιουργία σχεδίων μαθημάτων στους λόγους και τις αναλογίες. Πιο συγκεκριμένα ερευνάται, όσον αφορά στη διδασκαλία των λόγων και των αναλογιών, ποιες δραστηριότητες είναι κατάλληλες για τους στόχους της κάθε διδασκαλίας, πόσο αποτελεσματικές ή μη είναι και πώς αναδιαμορφώνονται μετά τον αναστοχασμό της ομάδας. Επιπλέον ερευνάται ποιες παρανοήσεις εμφανίζονται στην τάξη που διδάσκονται οι λόγοι και οι αναλογίες και πώς αυτές αντιμετωπίζονται. Επίσης ποιες στρατηγικές επιλέγονται από τους μαθητές, κατά πόσο είναι αποτελεσματικές ή με ποιον τρόπο αλλάζουν. Επιλέξαμε να διερευνήσουμε τις συγκεκριμένες έννοιες των λόγων και αναλογιών διότι θεωρούνται δύο από τις πιο δύσκολες έννοιες να διδαχθούν αλλά από τις πιο απαιτητικές σε γνωστικό περιεχόμενο καθώς και απαραίτητες για την επιτυχία στα μαθηματικά. Το ιδιαίτερο χαρακτηριστικό των λόγων και των αναλογιών είναι ότι είναι πάρα πολύ προσιτά παρά τη δυσκολία τους. Πριν από τις διδασκαλίες γινόταν η συνάντηση της ομάδας για να σχεδιαστούν οι διδασκαλίες. Κατά τη διάρκεια των συναντήσεων παρακολουθούνταν οι βιντεοσκοπήσεις των διδασκαλιών που προηγήθηκαν και συζητούνταν τα κρίσιμα σημεία των διδασκαλιών. Συλλέχθηκαν ποικίλα δεδομένα τόσο από τις συναντήσεις της ομάδας όσο και από τις διδασκαλίες. Βιντεοσκοπήθηκαν και ηχογραφήθηκαν όλες οι διδασκαλίες καθώς και οι συναντήσεις των εκπαιδευτικών και συλλέχθηκαν όλα τα φύλλα εργασίας των μαθητών. Κατά τη διάρκεια των αναστοχασμών εμφανίστηκαν τα κρίσιμα σημεία των διδασκαλιών που αφορούσαν τις παρανοήσεις των μαθητών, τη διαχείριση του εκπαιδευτικού, την αποτελεσματικότητα των δραστηριοτήτων που είχε επιλέξει η ομάδα καθώς και οι στρατηγικές και η συλλογιστική των μαθητών. Πολλές φορές η ομάδα αναδιαμόρφωσε τους στόχους της επόμενης διδασκαλίας και τις δραστηριότητες με βάση τα δεδομένα που συνέλεξε από την παρακολούθηση των βιντεοσκοπημένων διδασκαλιών. Συζητήθηκαν τα αδύνατα σημεία και έγιναν προσπάθειες για τη βελτίωση τόσο των δραστηριοτήτων που προηγήθηκαν όσο και αυτών που θα αποτελούσαν το επόμενο σχέδιο μαθήματος. Οι εμπειρίες και τα ευρήματα της εργασίας αυτής αναδεικνύουν την αξία της συνεργασίας των εκπαιδευτικών καθώς και ποια είναι τα κύρια χαρακτηριστικά που έχουν σημασία στη διδασκαλία των λόγων και των αναλογιών. / The present study aims to investigate in what way and extend the teaching and professional development of educators can be improved through the research procedure of a Lesson Study. Additionally, another thing that is explored is the educators’ cooperation as an investigating team and how this can work in the creation of lesson plans in ratios and proportions. More specifically, as far as teaching of ratio and proportion is concerned, which activities are appropriate for the targets of every teaching, how effective or not they are and how they can be reformulated after the team’s reconsideration. Furthermore, we research which misunderstandings appear in the class where ratios are taught and how they can be dealt with. Also, which strategies are chosen by the students, how effective they are and in what ways they change. We chose to investigate the specific concepts of ratio and proportion as they are considered to be not only two of the most difficult concepts to be taught but also two of the most demanding in cognitive context and essential for success in Maths. The special characteristic of ratio and proportion is that they are easily approachable despite their difficulty. The meetings of the team took place before the teachings in order for them to be planned. During the meetings, the video recordings of the previous teachings were watched and the critical points were discussed. Various data were collected from the team meetings as well as the teachings. All the teachings and the teachers meetings were videotaped and recorded and all the students’ working sheets were collected. The teachings’ critical points concerning the students’ misunderstandings, the teacher’s management, the effectiveness of the activities chosen by the group, the students’ strategies and reasoning emerged during the reconsiderations. The team often reformulated the aims of the following teaching and the activities based on the data collected by watching the recorded teachings. The weak points were discussed and efforts were made to improve the previous activities as well as the the ones of the following lesson plan. The experiences and findings of this study show the value of the teachers’ cooperation and point the main characteristics that matter in teaching ratios and proportions.

Studies of carbon's evolutionary path have been conducted via millimeter and submillimeter observations of circumstellar envelopes (CSEs), planetary nebulae (PNe), molecular clouds and comets. The 12C/13C isotope ratio was measured in Galactic molecular clouds using the CN isotopologs. A gradient of 12CN/13CN was determined to be 12C/13C = 6.01 DGC +12.28, where DGC is distance from the Galactic center. The results of CN are in agreement with those of CO and H2CO indicating a true ratio not influenced by fractionation effects or isotope-selective photodissociation. The 12C/13C isotope ratios in the envelopes of various types of stars were also measured from both CO and CN isotopologs. Such objects as carbon and oxygen-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, supergiants, planetary nebulae, and S-type stars were observed. Results from this study indicate 12C/13C values for supergiants ~ 10 and AGB stars 12C/13C ~ 20- 76. Theory would suggest a lower ratio for objects undergoing third dredge-up, though this is seemingly not the case. Multiple carbon-bearing species including CO, HCN, HNC, CN, CS, and HCO+ have also been observed towards the oxygen-rich supergiant, VY CMa. This object has recently revealed a unique chemistry where carbon is not solely contained in CO, and may play a more important role in the chemical network of oxygen-rich circumstellar envelopes. Additionally, observations of species with carbon- carbon bonds, such as CCH and c-C3H2, have been conducted towards evolved planetary nebulae, such as the Helix and Ring nebulae. There is a close agreement in the inventories of species found in PNe and diffuse clouds, suggesting a potential molecular precursor to the interstellar medium. Observations of carbon-bearing species (H2CO and CO) in comets C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp), C/2001 Q4 (NEAT), and C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) have been conducted. Formaldehyde is known to have an extended distribution in these objects, likely arising from silicate-organic grains. Evidence of cometary fragmentation was also obtained for H2CO in comet T7 LINEAR as well as for HNC and HCO+ in Hale-Bopp. Such events could contribute to planetary distribution of organics.

Acrylic free radical polymerization at high temperature proceeds via a complex set of mechanisms, with many rate coefficients poorly known and difficult to determine experimentally. This problem is compounded by the large number of monomers used in industry to produce coatings and other materials. Thus, there is a strong incentive to develop a methodology to estimate rate coefficients for these systems. This study explores the application of computational chemistry to estimate radical addition rate coefficients for the copolymerization of acrylates, methacrylates and styrene. The software package Gaussian is used to calculate heats of reaction (ΔHr) values for monomer additions to monomeric and dimeric radicals, using minimum energy structures identified and characterized for the reactants and products. The Evans-Polanyi relationship is applied to estimate reactivity ratios from the relative differences in ΔHr. The validity of this methodology is tested through a comparison of calculated monomer and radical reactivity ratios for acrylate, methacrylate, vinyl acetate, ethene and styrene systems to available experimental data for copolymerization systems. The methodology is found to work for some systems while there is computational breakdown in others due to steric crowding and/or breakdown of the Evans-Polanyi relationship. / Thesis (Ph.D, Chemical Engineering) -- Queen's University, 2008-04-25 16:13:12.091 / NSERC

The thesis describes a stochastic procedure developed for assessing risk and reducing uncertainty inherent in the investment decision making process. It is proposed that the two most important profitability financial ratios in relation to investment decisions are the return on equity and the return on assets respectively. In order to exploit their use as criteria for risk measurement and uncertainty reduction, a stochastic formulation is adopted in which these ratios are expressed in probabilistic terms. A density function to describe their behaviour is derived; it is found that density distribution analysis for both ratios indicate that the Weibull distribution apart from being the most flexible and adaptable model of all those considered, provides the best overall fit to the data. It is accordingly used in the latter part of the research for evaluating industrial sector and company investment risk.