This paper uses the writings of European teachers and Chinese students at St. Stephen’s Girls’ College in Hong Kong—published in English periodicals of its school magazine and local English newspapers—to examine how the school tactically positioned itself as an educational site for the “useful women of China” during a period in Republican China that was simultaneously defined as a time of “cosmopolitan modernity” and “national rebuilding.” St. Stephen’s brand of usefulness responded to the “New Woman” phenomenon in Republican China, and it was defined through the narrative of science learning and a sense of service. Through its progressive science curriculum and social service branch, the school helped prepare a class of “career women” for China. It was in educating this class that St. Stephen’s, in resonance with the colonial state, envisioned its role in the shaping of modern China.

It is unclear how much adolescents’ lives were disrupted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic or what risk factors predicted such disruption. To answer these questions, 1,080 adolescents in 9 nations were surveyed 5 times from March 2020 to July 2022. Rates of adolescent COVID-19 life disruption were stable and high. Adolescents who, compared to their peers, lived in nations with higher national COVID-19 death rates, lived in nations with less stringent COVID-19 mitigation strategies, had less confidence in their government’s response to COVID-19, complied at higher rates with COVID-19 control measures, experienced the death of someone they knew due to COVID-19, or experienced more internalizing, externalizing, and smoking problems reported more life disruption due to COVID-19 during part or all of the pandemic. Additionally, when, compared to their typical levels of functioning, adolescents experienced spikes in national death rates, experienced less stringent COVID-19 mitigation measures, experienced less confidence in government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, complied at higher rates with COVID-19 control measures, experienced more internalizing problems, or smoked more at various periods during the pandemic, they also experienced more COVID-19 life disruption. Collectively, these findings provide new insights that policymakers can use to prevent the disruption of adolescents’ lives in future pandemics.

Let $\mathbb {F}_q^d$ denote the d-dimensional vector space over the finite field $\mathbb {F}_q$ with q elements. Define for $\alpha = (\alpha _1, \dots , \alpha _d) \in \mathbb {F}_q^d$. Let $k\in \mathbb {N}$, A be a nonempty subset of $\{(i, j): 1 \leq i < j \leq k + 1\}$ and $r\in (\mathbb {F}_q)^2\setminus {0}$, where $(\mathbb {F}_q)^2=\{a^2:a\in \mathbb {F}_q\}$. If $E\subset \mathbb {F}_q^d$, our main result demonstrates that when the size of the set E satisfies $|E| \geq C_k q^{d/2}$, where $C_k$ is a constant depending solely on k, it is possible to find two $(k+1)$-tuples in E such that one of them is dilated by r with respect to the other, but only along $|A|$ edges. To be more precise, we establish the existence of $(x_1, \dots , x_{k+1}) \in E^{k+1}$ and $(y_1, \dots , y_{k+1}) \in E^{k+1}$ such that, for $(i, j) \in A$, we have $\lVert y_i - y_j \rVert = r \lVert x_i - x_j \rVert $, with the conditions that $x_i \neq x_j$ and $y_i \neq y_j$ for $1 \leq i < j \leq k + 1$, provided that $|E| \geq C_k q^{d/2}$ and $r\in (\mathbb {F}_q)^2\setminus \{0\}$. We provide two distinct proofs of this result. The first uses the technique of group actions, a powerful method for addressing such problems, while the second is based on elementary combinatorial reasoning. Additionally, we establish that in dimension 2, the threshold $d/2$ is sharp when $q \equiv 3 \pmod 4$. As a corollary of the main result, by varying the underlying set A, we determine thresholds for the existence of dilated k-cycles, k-paths and k-stars (where $k \geq 3$) with a dilation ratio of $r\in (\mathbb {F}_q)^2\setminus \{0\}$. These results improve and generalise the findings of Xie and Ge [‘Some results on similar configurations in subsets of $\mathbb {F}_q^d$’, Finite Fields Appl. 91 (2023), Article no. 102252, 20 pages].

We prove Abelian and Tauberian theorems for regularized Cauchy transforms of positive Borel measures on the real line whose distribution functions grow at most polynomially at infinity. In particular, we relate the asymptotics of the distribution functions to the asymptotics of the regularized Cauchy transform.

The loading and unloading operations of smart logistic application robots depend largely on their perception system. However, there is a paucity of study on the evaluation of Lidar maps and their SLAM algorithms in complex environment navigation system. In the proposed work, the Lidar information is finetuned using binary occupancy grid approach and implemented Improved Self-Adaptive Learning Particle Swarm Optimization (ISALPSO) algorithm for path prediction. The approach makes use of 2D Lidar mapping to determine the most efficient route for a mobile robot in logistical applications. The Hector SLAM method is used in the Robot Operating System (ROS) platform to implement mobile robot real-time location and map building, which is subsequently transformed into a binary occupancy grid. To show the path navigation findings of the proposed methodologies, a navigational model has been created in the MATLAB 2D virtual environment using 2D Lidar mapping point data. The ISALPSO algorithm adapts its parameters inertia weight, acceleration coefficients, learning coefficients, mutation factor, and swarm size, based on the performance of the generated path. In comparison to the other five PSO variants, the ISALPSO algorithm has a considerably shorter path, a quick convergence rate, and requires less time to compute the distance between the locations of transporting and unloading environments, based on the simulation results that was generated and its validation using a 2D Lidar environment. The efficiency and effectiveness of path planning for mobile robots in logistic applications are validated using Quanser hardware interfaced with 2D Lidar and operated in environment 3 using proposed algorithm for production of optimal path.

A two-port ceramic-based antenna loaded with partially reflecting surface (PRS) is structured and explored. Fan-shaped slot is utilized to create circularly polarized wave in both frequency ranges. Dual frequency ranges are due to hybrid mode creation inside the ceramic material, i.e. HEM11δ and HEM12δ modes. PRS is used to change the phase gradient, which in turn tilts the radiation beam (±35°) obtained from different port in opposite direction. This concept is useful to reduce the envelop correlation coefficient using far-field. Experimental verification confirms that the designed antenna works from 26.1 to 27.5 GHz and 31.7 to 33.6 GHz along with less than 3-dB axial ratio from 26.5 to 27.1 GHz and 31.9 to 33.1 GHz respectively. Orthogonal placement of ports introduces the concept of polarization diversity and decreases the coupling between ports by an amount of −25 dB. Good gain value (up to 7.0 dBi) and better value of diversity performance make the designed radiator applicable for 5 G millimeter-wave uses.

This paper presents the application of a substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) for the design of a leaky-wave antenna (LWA). The antenna radiates through a wide slot in the top wall of the SIW structure in the forward direction. The effective width of the slot is varied by changing capacitances of two arrays of varactors connected between slot edges and inserted conducting strips. The radiation pattern of the antenna is by this way controlled by DC bias, which sets the capacitances of varactors. The maximum radiation direction in elevation can be varied within 35° by changing the DC bias from 2 to 12 V. This elevation angle is measured from the broad side direction perpendicular to the antenna substrate. The measured antenna characteristics are in accord with those predicted by simulation. The antenna can be simply fabricated by a planar circuit board technology.

This report presents new documentation of the external canal in the Late Postclassic site of Tetzcotzinco in the municipality of Texcoco, Mexico. This structure was previously considered a waterwork separate from the monumental water-management system discovered in the central part of the site. However, reanalysis of the course of this canal allowed us to reassess its function and revise the existing Tetzcotzinco maps. We propose that this structure formed part of the main water-management system of the site.

Significant links exist between one’s perception of available social support and mental health outcomes, including during the transition to motherhood. Yet, attachment theory posits that individuals do not benefit equally from social support. As such, we examined the influence of attachment representations (i.e., secure base script knowledge) as they potentially moderate links between social support and psychological distress in a 1-year longitudinal study of an ethnically diverse (56% White) sample of infant-mother dyads. We hypothesized that higher social support would predict lower maternal psychological distress and this relation would be strongest in those with higher secure base script knowledge. Results indicated that maternal perceptions of social support were significantly negatively correlated with psychological distress. Analyses revealed that secure base script scores significantly moderated these associations. Interestingly, for those high in script knowledge, low social support predicted greater psychological distress. For those low in script knowledge, social support was unrelated to psychological distress. This pattern suggested that those who expect care (i.e., high secure base script knowledge) but receive minimal support (i.e., low perceived social support) find motherhood uniquely dysregulating. Practitioners may do well to examine individuals’ attachment expectations in relation to their current social support.

Public education, at least as it has been known for the past several generations in the US, is under threat. Conservative state legislatures from Arizona to Florida have enacted sweeping voucher legislation, channeling taxpayer dollars to private schools. At the same time, a vicious culture war has engulfed the public education system in controversy, creating new political opportunities for ideologues and opponents. In this context, the editorial team at HEQ felt it important to reflect on why we have public schools in the first place. What are they good for and what should be taught? Whom should they serve, and who should govern them?

For this policy dialogue, we asked Carol Burris and Johann Neem to discuss the past, present, and future of open-enrollment, taxpayer-supported public schools. Carol Burris is the executive director of the Network for Public Education Foundation and the author of several books. Prior to that role, Dr. Burris was a classroom teacher and a high school principal, earning educator of the year and principal of the year awards. Johann Neem is a professor at Western Washington University and a historian of the early American republic. The author of several books, including Democracy’s Schools: The Rise of Public Education in America, Dr. Neem is also a member of HEQ’s editorial board.

HEQ policy dialogues are, by design, intended to promote an informal, free exchange of ideas between scholars. At the end of the exchange, we offer a list of references for readers who wish to follow up on sources relevant to the discussion.