A New Look at the Old Race Language: Rethinking Race and Exclusion in Social Policy

This essay is an examination of the use of the notion “race current in American social science literature and public discourse. It argues that the current assumptions of “race are mistaken and lead to misunderstanding and misdirected social policy. A rethinking of the notions of “race requires making a paradigmatic shift of the old categories of “race and “race relations to a new language that rejects “race as a descriptive and an analytical category. It examines the processes through which “racist social policies are enacted against Asian immigrants in contemporary Southern California

[Review of] Mary Carol Hopkins, Braving a New World: Cambodian (Khmer) Refugees in an American City

Cambodians, officially classified as Asian Americans, are a part of this large group which contributes to the country\u27s fastest growing minority population. The Cambodians in Middle City, the pseudonym of a Midwestern city, however, live in a world unlike any resembling those in middle Asian America. They are victims of poverty, of dangerous urban housing and of social isolation. The majority are of poor health, illiterate in English, and too old or too distracted to learn. Hopkins\u27 study of this community is classic ethnography, describing in vivid details the ordinary family and Buddhist ceremonial life of the Cambodians as they adapt to an American city. She interprets for the reader her intimate knowledge of a people and its community, covering topics on how Cambodians meet their basic needs in an alien environment, their patterns of kinship and social organization, their traditional values in a new setting, and the individuals and their institutions as agents of culture change

Area contraction for harmonic automorphisms of the disk

A harmonic self-homeomorphism of a disk does not increase the area of any concentric disk.Comment: 7 page

Modelling of Adsorption of Dyes from Aqueous Solution by Activated Carbon

Adsorption process has been gaining popularity as an effective alternative for separation processes. Two fundamental properties that influence the adsorption rate are the adsorption equilibrium and mass transfer limitation. The adsorption isotherm is obtained from batch studies. The mass transfer coefficients obtained from batch studies need to be extrapolated by matching the model with the experimental data. The mass transfer parameters are important in designing a fixed-bed absorber, commonly used in the industry. For dye adsorption on activated carbon, concentration dependent surface diffusivity is the most important mass transfer parameter and must be included in the study. The pore diffusivity should also be included to improve the accuracy of the simulation. Therefore, the film-pore-concentration dependent surface diffusion (FPCDSD) model is identified as the best model to describe the adsorption rate of dye onto activated carbon. In this study, a mathematical model for adsorption rate is developed based on the FPCDSD model. The governing partial differential equations (PDEs) are transformed to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using orthogonal collocation (OC) method. These v sets of ODEs are then integrated using the numerical algorithm DIVPAG (IMSL library subroutine), which is based on variable order, variable step method implementing backward differential formula (Gear’s Method) and is suitable for stiff system of first order non-linear ODEs. Programs written in FORTRAN 90 are used to extrapolate the mass transfer parameters by matching the simulation data with the experimental data of batch studies. The FPCDSD model is sufficiently general and thus can be reduced to describe other simplified models for liquid adsorption easily, e.g. the film-concentration dependent surface diffusion (FCDSD) model and the film-pore diffusion (FPD) model. Three set of experimental data from Choy et al. (2001) based on different masses were selected to test the applicability of the FPCDSD model in simulating batch adsorption. Simulation results show that, for acid dye/activated carbon system a single set of mass transfer parameters is able to match the simulation and experimental data using the FPCDSD model and the FCDSD model. However, ignoring the pore diffusion, there resulting a 30% differences in the surface diffusion. For Methylene Blue/PKS (different larger initial concentrations) systems, only the FPCDSD model could use a single set of mass transfer parameters. The FPCDSD model is then further extended to model the fixed-bed adsorber. A computer program written in FORTRAN 90 is developed. The PDEs for the axial and radial directions are discretised into ODEs using OC method. Column results showed that the retention time increases with increasing bed length and superficial velocity. Increasing the bed porosity, the residence time will decrease. Using the equilibrium vi isotherm and mass transfer parameters obtained from batch studies and with a suitable correlation for film mass transfer coefficient, the fixed-bed model can be used to predict the breakthrough curve of column adsorption

Existence of energy-minimal diffeomorphisms between doubly connected domains

The paper establishes the existence of homeomorphisms between two planar domains that minimize the Dirichlet energy. Specifically, among all homeomorphisms f : R -> R* between bounded doubly connected domains such that Mod (R) < Mod (R*) there exists, unique up to conformal authomorphisms of R, an energy-minimal diffeomorphism. No boundary conditions are imposed on f. Although any energy-minimal diffeomorphism is harmonic, our results underline the major difference between the existence of harmonic diffeomorphisms and the existence of the energy-minimal diffeomorphisms. The existence of globally invertible energy-minimal mappings is of primary pursuit in the mathematical models of nonlinear elasticity and is also of interest in computer graphics.Comment: 34 pages, no figure

Improving prevention and care for HIV and sexually transmitted infections among men who have sex with men in Cambodia: the sustainable action against HIV and AIDS in communities (SAHACOM)

Abstract Background The prevalence of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among key populations in Cambodia continues to rise. To address this issue, KHANA, the largest national HIV organization in the country developed and implemented the Sustainable Action against HIV and AIDS in Communities (SAHACOM) project. This study aims to determine the impacts of the SAHACOM on sexual behaviors and the uptake of HIV/STI services among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cambodia. Methods We compared outcome indicators at midterm (n = 352) and endline (n = 394). Surveys were conducted in 2012 and 2014 in Battambang and Siem Reap provinces. A two-stage cluster sampling method was employed to select the study sample for structured interviews. Results The midterm and endline samples were similar. The average number of sexual partners in the past three months decreased significantly from 6.2 to 4.0 (p = 0.03). The proportion of MSM who reported paying for sex with men in the past three months also decreased significantly from 19.0 % to 9.7 % (OR = 2.0, 95 % CI = 1.3-3.0). No significant change was found in condom and lubricant use in all types of relationships. Regarding STIs, 28.1 % of MSM at midterm reported having at least one STI symptom in the past three months compared to 6.1 % at endline (OR = 4.6, 95 % CI = 2.9–7.4); out of them, 14.1 % of MSM at midterm sought treatment compared to 20.7 % at endline (OR = 2.6, 95 % CI = 1.1–6.9). The proportion of MSM who reported using illicit drugs in the past three months also decreased significantly from 12.2 % to 5.1 % (OR = 2.4, 95 % CI = 1.4–4.2). However, the proportion of MSM who reported having been tested for HIV in the past six months decreased significantly from 94.1 % to 77.1 % (OR = 2.9, 95 % CI = 1.8–3.6). Conclusions Findings from this study indicate that the SAHACOM was effective in improving sexual behaviors and related health outcomes among MSM under the project. However, it could not increase condom use and HIV testing rates among this key population. Tailored intervention programs are needed to improve condom use and HIV testing among MSM in Cambodia

HIV prevalence, risky behaviors, and discrimination experiences among transgender women in Cambodia: descriptive findings from a national integrated biological and behavioral survey

Background: Transgender people are disproportionately affected by HIV. Despite their high vulnerability to HIV, lack of adequate epidemiological and surveillance data related to this population in many countries prevents provision of appropriate services. This paper summarizes descriptive findings from a national integrated biological and behavioral survey and discusses policy implications of the findings on HIV prevention among transgender women in Cambodia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2015 and February 2016. Participants were recruited from 20 sites in the capital city and 12 provinces of Cambodia using Respondent Driven Sampling (RDS) method. Behavioral data were collected through structured questionnaire interviews, and rapid finger-prick HIV testing was performed. Descriptive data analyses were conducted using STATA. Results: This study included 1,375 transgender women with a mean age of 25.9 years (SD = 7.1). The overall prevalence of HIV was 5.9%. The prevalence of HIV was significantly higher among urban participants compared to their rural counterparts (6.5 vs. 2.6%, p = 0.02). Almost one in five (19.6%) had never been tested for HIV prior to the study. Overall, 45.0% reported ever using gender affirming hormones. More than one-third (39.1%) reported not using condoms in their last sex, 29.8% had engaged in sex in exchange for money/gifts, and 14.0% reported that they had experienced at least one symptom of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in the past year. About one in ten (10.1%) reported having used some form of amphetamine-type stimulant drugs, while 6.5% reported having sex during or after using illicit drugs. A significant number of participants experienced sexual abuse (39.2%), losing a job (24.3%), or physical abuse (23.6%) because of their transgender identity. In addition, 82.9 and 88.9% would be willing to use the HIV self-test and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), respectively, if they become available. Conclusions: The high prevalence of HIV, STI, and related risk behaviors among transgender women in Cambodia is of great concern, suggesting an urgent need to further expand tailored prevention interventions for this key population focusing on individual, social, and structural drivers of HIV. HIV self-test and PrEP should be explored as a priority

The study on sustainable integrated pest management on rice in Cambodia

名古屋大学NAGOYA University博士(農学)doctoral thesi

Refining Effectuality of Development Aid: Donors’ Malfeasances

2007-12International development assistance has worked to improve the lives of the poor in developing countries. Yet, greater and better aid is badly needed lest donors are to live up to the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals. This article examines ways for donors to refine their assistance within the international aid system. Research exhibits that aid is of poor impact due to: less deployment to the poorest countries because of geopolitical and commercial reasons; less allocation to investments that directly address poverty; high volatility which impedes development planning of recipient countries; conditionality to donor goods and services that are over-priced and render piecemeal institutional development of recipient governments; fragmentation of competitive donor objectives which hinders a concerted resolve to corroborate a recipient development strategy; and limited systematic evaluation and sharing of outcomes. Provided donors are to allocate and manage aid in a more effectual manner, thereby to attribute to the levered well-being of the poor, they thus need to tackle these malfeasances without hiatus.departmental bulletin pape

A study on safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (Case study on Kyo Gyi Cheik, Amarapura, Mandalay) ( Nang Lao Ngin, 2024)

This study focuses on safeguarding Kyo Gyi Cheik, a traditional weaving practice and an essential part of Myanmar’s intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The study examines the efforts to preserve this cultural heritage in Amarapura, Mandalay. The objectives include identifying the challenges to preservation and exploring strategies to ensure its continuity for future generations. A mixed-method approach was adopted, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data from surveys and interviews with key stakeholders such as artisans, cultural practitioners, and government officials. The study reveals that while the cultural significance of Kyo Gyi Cheik is wellrecognized, challenges such as limited government support, inadequate legal frameworks, and insufficient public awareness hinder effective preservation. However, the findings also indicate a positive outlook, with younger generations showing interest in continuing the tradition. The study concludes that safeguarding efforts should prioritize community engagement, education, and collaboration with both governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure the long-term survival of Kyo Gyi Cheik