Transcending the Essence of Hair

My work investigates the significant role and relationship that hair plays in African-American culture. Throughout history, African-Americans have used the styling of hair as a way of passing down tradition and expressing their individuality, cultural and political beliefs. Since the late 1970’s there has been a constant struggle for African-Americans to wear their hair naturally without backlash from society. In my work, I use culturally based objects such as hair combs, afro picks, head wraps and other accessories to symbolize black pride. I use this framework to generate abstracted ceramic vessels and sculptures. The content of my work becomes amplified by the use of medium, large and life-sized scale to emphasize the importance of black identity and the challenges African-Americans face in society. The sculptures are anthropomorphized in form, which implies a sense of movement and freedom of defining space. Pinching techniques are used in both vessels and sculptures to create a rhythm and pattern which parallels the styling hair. The drawings of men and women on the vessels and sculptures display a range of styles, and history of hairstyles, that embody distinct personalities to express specific identities and struggles. My work draws on elements of popular culture, West African art, traditional pottery, and documentation of traditions passed from one generation to another. There is a great importance and symbolization of what hair represents culturally and individually to African-Americans in my work. Hair care is a method to express identity, culture and self-love. Through my perspective and experience, I have made work that sheds light on hair being essential to African-American growth, identity and way of life

A food recipe recommendation system based on nutritional factors in the Finnish food communit

Abstract. This thesis presents a comprehensive study on the relationships between user feedback, recipe content, and additional factors in the context of a recipe recommendation system. The aim was to investigate the influence of various factors on user ratings and comments related to nutritional variables, while also exploring the potential for personalized recipe suggestions. Statistical analysis, clustering techniques, and sentiment analysis were employed to analyze a dataset of food recipes and user feedback. We determined that user feedback is a complex phenomenon influenced by subjective factors beyond recipe content alone. Cluster analysis identified four distinct clusters within the dataset, highlighting variations in nutritional values and sentiment among recipes. However, due to an imbalanced distribution within the clusters, these relationships were not considered in the recommendation system. To address the absence of user-related data, a content-based filtering approach was implemented, utilizing nutritional factors and a health factor calculation. The system provides personalized recipe recommendations based on nutritional similarity and health considerations. A maximum limit of 20 recommended recipes was set, allowing users to specify the desired number of recommendations. The accompanying API also provides a mean squared error metric to assess recommendation quality. This research contributes to a better understanding of user preferences, recipe content, and the challenges in developing effective recommendation systems for food recipes

A comprehensive study of the short-term variability of the migrating diurnal tide in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere.

Our ability to understand and predict space weather has become vital due to its significant societal impacts on communication, transportation, and national defense. One of the most exciting discoveries in the last decade has been the realization that tropospheric weather can strongly influence space weather. It is now recognized that the atmospheric waves (gravity waves, atmospheric tides, and planetary waves) play a key role in coupling the lower and upper atmosphere. The focus of this dissertation is to study atmospheric tides. While the climatology of tides has been extensively studied, little is known about the tidal weather (tidal variabilit

Analisis Peramalan Penjualan Produk Sandal Dan Sepatu Di PT. Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk, Cabang Samarinda Central Plaza

PT. Ramayana Lestari Sentosa, Tbk is one of the companies engaged in the retail store chain business in Indonesia. To meet market needs, the company must know how much sales forecast (forecasting) so that the company can market the goods in accordance with the sales that have been predicted. The purpose of this study is to analyze and find out the increase in sales of sandals and shoes at PT. Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk. Samarinda Central Plaza branch in 2021.The theoretical basis of this research consists of financial management, sales and forecasting. The data collection technique was carried out using secondary data taken from data on sales of sandals and shoes at PT. Ramayana Lestari Sentosa Tbk, Samarinda Central Plaza Branch. The analytical tool of this research uses regression analysis using the Least Square method (least square).The results of the research conducted by the author for 2016 sales of sandals and shoes amounted to Rp. 22,006,749,068. In 2017 sales of sandals and shoes decreased by Rp. 13,106,370,978. For 2018 sales of sandals and shoes increased from the previous year, which was Rp. 17,074,030,876. However, in 2019 and 2020 sales of sandals and shoes decreased, namely in 2019 by Rp. 16,936,107,605 and in 2020 it is Rp. 8,398,017,640. Meanwhile, in 2021, the forecast for sales of sandals and shoes at the Ramayana Department Store Samarinda Central Plaza branch will increase compared to the previous year, which was Rp. 8,487,937,343.7 because the Ramayana Department Store continues to improve sales promotions such as Warehouse Wash, Back To School, Lebaran Assault, and Surprise Prices on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube and on shopping sites such as Lazada, Shopee, Bukalapak, Tokopedia, Zalora and Ramayana Member Card

The power circuits, the duality of controls and performance appraisal: evidence from a Sri Lankan private university

Purpose: The study investigates the impacts stemming from the interplay between episodic, dispositional and systemic power circuits through which organisational agents influence or transform the coercive and enabling aspects ingrained in the performance appraisal process in a university setting. Research methodology: The paper uses a single case study method based on a private university. Data was collected using interviews, documentary evidence and observations. Results: We found that coercive controls become dominance over enabling controls of performance appraisal as an outcome of the ongoing implicit struggle between internal agents who pursue diverse interests and power relations in the private university setting. Limitations: As the research is directed towards the selection of in-depth inquiry of specific setting infused with culture, values, and ideology, it might cause to diminish the researcher’s analytical objectivity and independence of the research. Contribution: The study suggests that the realizing of power remained with the agent’s discretion within day-to-day interrelations. Therefore, the agents’ power relations are significant in deciding the intensity of dual controls in the performance appraisal practice. Keywords: Performance appraisal, Power circuits, Enabling controls, Coercive controls, Universit

Investigating the acceptability of modified constraint-induced movement therapy among stroke survivors and carers: A qualitative study

Purpose: To investigate the acceptability of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) among stroke survivors and carers within an early-supported discharge (ESD) service, and to inform further adaptations of the program to enhance acceptability. Methods: Qualitative study within a mixed methods process evaluation of mCIMT implementation. Semi-structured interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and mapped to the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation- Behaviour (COM-B) model. Results: Fifteen stroke survivors and ten carers participated. Five themes were generated and mapped to the COM-B. Participants attributed functional improvements to the program whilst also encountering several challenges with returning home after stroke (Capability- physical); the importance of education (Capability- psychological); the benefits afforded by the structured nature of the program (Opportunity- physical); the challenges for carers to support mCIMT programs whilst navigating new relationship roles (Opportunity- social); the desire to improve (Motivation- automatic); and the influence each of the mCIMT program’s components had in facilitating long term upper limb use (Motivation- reflective). Conclusion: mCIMT was an acceptable intervention for stroke survivors and carers within the ESD service, offering considerable benefits compared to other therapies. The findings suggest that multifaceted education strategies could increase stroke survivor preparedness. Extending the mCIMT program duration may maximise functional improvements

A quantitative analysis of antipsychotic prescribing trends for the treatment of schizophrenia in England and Wales

Objective This study aims to assess the current antipsychotic prescribing trends for the treatment of schizophrenia and to compare them with available guidelines and research evidence. Design An observational retrospective quantitative analysis. Setting Data were collected from the prescribing cost analysis for the period between 2007 and 2014, including all drugs from the British National Formulary 4.2.1 and 4.2.2. Prescriptions were included from primary and secondary healthcare settings in England and Wales. Participants None. Main outcome measures Defined daily doses of antipsychotics were used to compare popularity of individual drugs and classes of antipsychotics. Results There is a consistent increase in the proportion of atypical antipsychotics prescribed, compared to typical antipsychotics, between 2007 and 2014, with atypicals accounting for 79.9% of total antipsychotics prescribed in 2014. Conclusion The consistent popularity of atypical antipsychotics is not concordant with the current National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines for the treatment of schizophrenia or the most recent research evidence. </jats:sec

Confirmations on gene introgression events and hybridity for BLB resistance and yield in rice

A superior variety of rice with high yield and resistance to diseases is expected to meet the increasing demand for this one of the most important carbohydrate sources worldwide. Bacterial leaf blight (BLB) caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is one of the major biotic stresses limiting rice production. Combining BLB resistance and high-yield traits is possible through gene pyramiding. Introgression of targeted traits in the parental genotypes and hybridity confirmation in the F1 generation are important initial steps in gene pyramiding. This study aimed to confirm the presence of targeted genes in parent genotypes using specific molecular markers and to confirm the hybridity of F1 plants generated from three crosses combinations of Inpari 32 (as the female parent) and three Code-qTSN4 lines (as the male parents) using SSR markers. This study successfully confirmed the introgression of BLB-resistance genes in Inpari 32 (Xa4, Xa7, and Xa21) and in Code-qTSN4 (Xa4, Xa7). The introgression of yield-related QTL, qTSN4, was confirmed in the three Code-qTSN4 lines (A10-1, B12-2, and A16-5) by RM17483 marker. Five SSR markers (RM5, RM55, RM105, RM223, and RM561) successfully confirmed the hybridity of F1 derived from Inpari 32xA10-1 (five individuals), Inpari 32xB12-2 (one individual), Inpari 32xA16-5 (two individuals). These confirmed hybrids can be further evaluated in the F2 generation. Keywords: Gene pyramiding; molecular marker; SSR; qTSN4; Xoo

Risk Factors of Opthalmoplegia in Diabetes Mellitus

The purpose of this research is meaningful, namely to find out what are the risk factors for ophthalmoplegia in diabetes mellitus. Ophthalmoplegia, although rare in DM, is associated with great anxiety for the patient and often appears to be a serious problem from a diagnostic and therapeutic standpoint. This study took the library method in accordance with the objects involved in the research. The results of the study found that there were several risk factors for ophthalmoplegia in patients suffering from Diabetes Miletus. Diabetes is everything related to sugar or glucose, meaning how the body produces or uses insulin effectively to control blood glucose. In this case what is meant by glucose is related to the energy needed and urgent for the body's cells, perhaps the kidneys, heart and blood vessels and small blood vessels in the eyes. Older people are more likely to experience diabetic ophthalmoplegia. Some of the risk factors include micro factors and macroangiopathy factors of chronic diabetes, which include retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and severe vascular disease

Korelasi Nilai Immature Platelet Fraction dengan Skor Sequential Organ Failure Assesment pada Pasien Sepsis

Latar Belakang: Sepsis merupakan kegawatdaruratan medis yang menggambarkan reaksi inflamasi sistemik terhadap suatu proses infeksi yang dapat menyebabkan disfungsi organ dan kematian. Skor Sequential Organ Failure Assesment (SOFA) digunakan untuk menilai tingkat keparahan disfungsi organ pada pasien sepsis. Pemeriksaan immature platelet fraction (IPF) dapat digunakan untuk mengevaluasi trombopoiesis. Penelitian menunjukkan IPF dapat memberikan informasi mengenai aktivitas inflamasi dan prognosis penyakit. Nilai IPF yang tinggi pada pasien sepsis menunjukkan pembentukan dan rekrutmen dari trombosit muda yang dipicu oleh infeksi. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui korelasi nilai IPF dengan skor SOFA pada pasien sepsis. Metode: Penelitian ini adalah penelitian analitik dengan rancangan potong lintang terhadap 28 orang pasien sepsis yang memenuhi kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi serta dilakukan pemeriksaan IPF di Laboratorium Sentral RSUP Dr M. Djamil Padang. Penelitian ini dilakukan mulai bulan Februari 2020 sampai Maret 2021. Pemeriksaan nilai IPF dilakukan menggunakan alat hematologi otomatis dengan metode flowcytometry dan penilaian skor SOFA dilakukan oleh klinisi dan didapatkan dari rekam medis pasien. Data dianalisis dengan uji korelasi Pearson, bermakna jika p<0,05. Hasil: Median nilai IPF subjek penelitian adalah 4,8 (1,4-15,7) %. Median skor SOFA subjek penelitian adalah 5,50 (2-12). Terdapat korelasi positif kuat antara nilai IPF dan skor SOFA dengan r= 0,684 dan nilai p< 0,05. Simpulan: Terdapat korelasi positif kuat antara nilai IPF dengan skor SOFA pada pasien sepsis