CRIMINAL LAW IN RUSSIA

A Review of SOVIET ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL LAW. By Judah Zelitch

Asymptotically Free Non-Abelian Gauge Theories With Fermions and Scalars As Alternatives to QCD

In this paper we construct non-Abelian gauge theories with fermions and scalars that nevertheless possess asymptotic freedom.The scalars are taken to be in a chiral multiplet transforming as $(2,2)$ under $SU(2)_L\otimes SU(2)_R$ and transforming as singlets under the colour SU(3) group. We consider two distinct scenarios, one in which the additional scalars are light and another in which they are heavier than half the Z-boson mass. It is shown that asymptotic freedom is obtained without requiring that all additional couplings keep fixed ratios with each other. It is also shown that both scenarios can not be ruled out by what are considered standard tests of QCD like R- parameter, g-2 for muons or deep inelastic phenomena. The light mass scenario is however ruled out by high precision Z-width data (and only by that one data).The heavy mass scenario is still viable and is shown to naturally pass the test of flavour changing neutral currents. It also is not ruled out by precision electroweak oblique parameters. Many distinctive experimental signatures of these models are also discussed.Comment: 37 pages in LATEX with 10 fig

Some form of freedom: queer art and collaborative non-fiction storytelling in the digital age

Professional project report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Arts in Journalism from the School of Journalism, University of Missouri--Columbia.The individual experiences of Queer people around the world are as unique as they are special; however, societal acceptance and visibility of these identities remains limited, particularly when referring to non-cisgender Queer identities. This research examined the ways that showcasing Queer identities through documentary imagery and giving subjects a high amount of control over the editing process, impacted their feelings of self-worth in relation to their identity. This process involved two separate rounds of photo elicitation interviews with two subjects, and these subject's reactions, thoughts, and feelings about the photographs in turn impacted further photographic production and the final editing process. Two separate theoretical bodies were used to guide this research, Social Information Processing Theory and Queer Theory

Wilson Renormalization Group Analysis of Theories with Scalars and Fermions

The continuous block spin (Wilson) renormalization group equation governing the scale dependence of the action is constructed for theories containing scalars and fermions. A locally approximated form of this equation detailing the structure of a generalized effective potential is numerically analyzed. The role of the irrelevant operators in the nonperturbative renormalization group running is elucidated and a comparison with the 1-loop perturbative results is drawn. Focusing on the spontaneously broken phase of a model possessing a discrete symmetry forbidding an explicit fermion mass term, mass bounds on both the scalar and fermion degrees of freedom are established. The effect of the generalized Yukawa coupling on the scalar mass upper bound is emphasized.Comment: 40, PURD-TH-92-

A Parallel Autonomy Research Platform

We present the development of a full-scale “parallel autonomy” research platform including software and hardware. In the parallel autonomy paradigm, the control of the vehicle is shared; the human is still in control of the vehicle, but the autonomy system is always running in the background to prevent accidents. Our holistic approach includes: (1) a driveby-wire conversion method only based on reverse engineering, (2) mounting of relatively inexpensive sensors onto the vehicle, (3) implementation of a localization and mapping system, (4) obstacle detection and (5) a shared controller as well as (6) integration with an advanced autonomy simulation system (Drake) for rapid development and testing. The system can operate in three modes: (a) manual driving, (b) full autonomy, where the system is in complete control of the vehicle and (c) parallel autonomy, where the shared controller is implemented. We present results from extensive testing of a full-scale vehicle on closed tracks that demonstrate these capabilities

Sfermion masses in Nelson-Strassler type of models: SUSY standard models coupled with SCFTs

We study soft SUSY breaking parameters in the Nelson-Strassler type of models: SUSY standard models coupled with SCFTs. In this type of models, soft SUSY breaking parameters including sfermion masses can be suppressed around the decoupling scale of SCFTs. We clarify the condition to derive exponential suppression of sfermion masses within the framework of pure SCFTs. Such behavior is favorable for degeneracy of sfermion masses. However, the realistic sfermion masses are not quite degenerate due to the gauge couplings and the gaugino masses in the SM sector. We show the sfermion mass spectrum obtained in such models. The aspect of suppression for the soft SUSY breaking parameters is also demonstrated in an explicit model. We also give a mechanism generating the $\mu$-term of the Electro-Weak scale by a singlet field coupled with the SCFT.Comment: 28 pages, 8 figures, LaTeX file; corrected typos and references adde

Educator Influence on the Academic Experiences of Autistic and ADHD Students

This mixed-methods study investigated how general education teachers in kindergarten through fifth grade understand, experience, and implement instructional practices for students with autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in inclusive classroom settings. The study examined how teacher knowledge, self-efficacy, and instructional decisions are shaped by individual beliefs and broader systemic factors such as resource availability, administrative policy, and family–school dynamics. Quantitative data were collected using adapted versions of three instruments: the Autism Self-Efficacy Scale for Teachers, the Knowledge of Attention Deficit Disorders Scale, and the Autism Stigma and Knowledge Questionnaire. Five participants completed all surveys. Qualitative data were gathered through a semi-structured focus group involving three educators. Thematic analysis yielded three core themes: self-efficacy, practices, and knowledge. Findings revealed that teachers expressed strong commitment to inclusive education but reported limited confidence in their knowledge, particularly regarding autism. Teachers reported higher self-efficacy when working with students with ADHD than with students with autism, especially in instruction and social skills support. Although participants demonstrated higher self-efficacy for teaching students with ADHD, they demonstrated greater knowledge about autism. The integration of qualitative and quantitative data highlighted how teachers’ beliefs and instructional decisions were deeply shaped by their training, available supports, and the broader school context, suggesting that improving outcomes for students with autism and ADHD requires enhanced teacher preparation and a reevaluation of systemic supports

Biofluid lubrication for artificial joints

This research investigated biofluid lubrication related to artificial joints using tribological and rheological approaches. Biofluids studied here represent two categories of fluids, base fluids and nanostructured biofluids. Base fluids were studied through comparison of synthetic fluids (simulated body fluid and hyaluronic acid) as well as natural biofluids (from dogs, horses, and humans) in terms of viscosity and fluid shear stress. The nano-structured biofluids were formed using molecules having well-defined shapes. Understanding nano-structured biofluids leads to new ways of design and synthesis of biofluids that are beneficial for artificial joint performance. Experimental approaches were utilized in the present research. This includes basic analysis of biofluids’ property, such as viscosity, fluid shear stress, and shear rate using rheological experiments. Tribological investigation and surface characterization were conducted in order to understand effects of molecular and nanostructures on fluid lubrication. Workpiece surface structure and wear mechanisms were investigated using a scanning electron microscope and a transmission electron microscope. The surface topography was examined using a profilometer. The results demonstrated that with the adding of solid additives, such as crown ether or fullerene acted as rough as the other solids in the 3-body wear systems. In addition, the fullerene supplied low friction and low wear, which designates the lubrication purpose of this particular particle system. This dissertation is constructed of six chapters. The first chapter is an introduction to body fluids, as mentioned earlier. After Chapter II, it examines the motivation and approach of the present research, Chapter III discusses the experimental approaches, including materials, experimental setup, and conditions. In Chapter IV, lubrication properties of various fluids are discussed. The tribological properties and performance nanostructured biofluids are discussed in Chapter V, followed by summary and conclusions in Chapter VI

International study on nurses' views and experiences of compassion

BACKGROUND: Compassion is considered the cornerstone of nursing practice. However, the recent failures in delivering high-quality compassionate nursing care in the UK's National Health Service have brought the topic of compassion to the attention of the public, service providers, policy makers and academics. AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the nurses' views and experiences of a number of compassion-related issues in nursing and describe similarities and differences at an international level as well as from the different nursing roles of the participating nurses. METHODS: An exploratory, cross-sectional descriptive study, using the International Online Compassion Questionnaire. A total of 1323 nurses from 15 countries completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The majority of participants (59.5%) defined compassion as "Deep awareness of the suffering of others and wish to alleviate it" but definitions of compassion varied by country. Of participants, 69.6% thought compassion was very important in nursing and more than half (59.6%) of them argued that compassion could be taught. However, only 26.8% reported that the correct amount and level of teaching is provided. The majority of the participants (82.6%) stated that their patients prefer knowledgeable nurses with good interpersonal skills. Only 4.3% noted that they are receiving compassion from their managers. A significant relationship was found between nurses' experiences of compassion and their views about teaching of compassion. CONCLUSION: Our study is unique in identifying the views and experiences of nurses from 15 different countries worldwide. The findings reveal that compassion is neither addressed adequately in nursing education nor supported in the practice environment by managers. LIMITATIONS: Self-report bias was inherent to our survey study design. Furthermore, the individual cultural differences and similarities in the findings are difficult to extrapolate owing to the fact that our analysis was at country level, as well as at the level of the participating nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Understanding the influence of culture on nurses' views about compassion is critical in the current multicultural healthcare environment and merits further research. This will potentially drive changes in nursing education (ensuring that compassion is taught to nurses) and in the way healthcare leaders and managers foster a compassionate culture within their organizations (e.g. by leading by example and compassionate to their staff). © 2016 International Council of Nurses