Complex-type numbers and generalizations of the Euler identity

We consider different generalizations of the Euler formula and discuss the properties of the associated trigonometric functions. The problem is analyzed from different points of view and it is shown that it can be formulated in a natural way in algebraic and geometric terms.Comment: 10 page

Child Access Prevention Laws, Youth Gun Carrying, and School Shootings

Despite intense public interest in keeping guns out of schools, next to nothing is known about the effects of gun control policies on youth gun carrying or school violence. Using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) for the period 1993-2013, this study is the first to examine the relationship between child access prevention (CAP) gun controls laws and gun carrying among high school students. Our results suggest that CAP laws are associated with a 13 percent decrease in the rate of past month gun carrying and an 18 percent decrease in the rate at which students reported being threatened or injured with a weapon on school property. In addition, we find that CAP laws are associated with a lagged decline in the probability that students miss school due to feeling unsafe. These results are concentrated among minors, for whom CAP laws are most likely to bind. To supplement our YRBS analysis, we collect a novel dataset on school shooting deaths for the period 1991-2013. We find that while CAP laws promote a safer school environment, they have no observable impact on school-associated shooting deaths

High on Life? Medical Marijuana Laws and Suicide

Using state-level data for the period 1990 through 2007, we estimate the effect of legalizing medical marijuana on suicide rates. Our results suggest that the passage of a medical marijuana law is associated with an almost 5 percent reduction in the total suicide rate, an 11 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 30- through 39-year-old males. Estimates of the relationship between legalization and female suicides are less precise and are sensitive to functional form.medical marijuana laws, marijuana, alcohol, suicide

High on life? Medical marijuana laws and suicide

Using state-level data for the period 1990 through 2007, we estimate the effect of legalizing medical marijuana on suicide rates. Our results suggest that the passage of a medical marijuana law is associated with an almost 5 percent reduction in the total suicide rate, an 11 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 20- through 29-year-old males, and a 9 percent reduction in the suicide rate of 30- through 39-year-old males. Estimates of the relationship between legalization and female suicides are less precise and are sensitive to functional form

Anti-listerial activity of coatings entrapping living bacteria

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) based coatings entrapping either living bacteriocin-producer Enterococcus casseliflavus IM 416K1 bacteria or Enterocin 416K1 have been prepared and applied to poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films. The antimicrobial activity of coated PET films was evaluated against Listeria monocytogenes NCTC 10888 by qualitative agar diffusion assays and by direct contact with artificially contaminated food samples (würstel and seasoned cheese) stored at 4 °C and 22 °C. Anti-listerial activity of both coatings was observed for both tests. However, the live-enterococcus doped coatings showed a much more remarkable anti-listerial activity than enterocin doped ones. Interestingly, live-enterococcus doped coatings lead to a strong decrease of L. monocytogenes viable counts even at 22 °C, indicating that they are able to contrast efficiently the fast L. monocytogenes growth occurring at this temperature in würstel samples. In this respect, they can be considered smart coatings, being able to be responsive towards an accidental rise of temperature during food storage. The capability of bacteria to survive for a long time can also assure a long lasting antibacterial activity

Generating acceptable Arabic Core Vocabularies and Symbols for AAC users

This paper discusses the development of an Arabic Symbol Dictionary for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) users, their families, carers, therapists and teachers as well as those who may benefit from the use of symbols to enhance literacy skills. With a requirement for a bi-lingual dictionary, a vocabulary list analyzer has been developed to evaluate similarities and differences in word frequencies from a range of word lists in order to collect suitable AAC lexical entries. An online bespoke symbol management has been created to hold the lexical entries alongside specifically designed symbols which are then accepted via a voting system using a series of criteria. Results to date have highlighted how successful these systems can be when encouraging participation along with the need for further research into the development of personalised context sensitive core vocabularies