Individualism-collectivism, values, and help seeking attitudes among Indian and American college students

Uvođenje standarda zemaljske digitalne televizije prve generacije (DVB-T), tj. proces digitalizacije analogne televizije uvelike je doprinio efikasnijem iskorištenju frekvencijskog spektra i poboljšanom pokrivanju televizijskim signalom. Nakon što su iscrpljene sve mogućnosti i varijante prve generacije, krenulo se na razvoj druge generacije. U drugoj generaciji proširen je skup parametara koji se mogu koristiti prilikom projektiranja mreža, kao što su vrsta modulacije, omjeri kodova, zaštitni intervali. Za evaluaciju dizajna mreže koriste se opisani proračuni jačine električnog polja, razine interferencije te odnos signal/šum. Projektiranje radiokomunikacijskih mreža odvija se u nekoliko faza te postoje tri uobičajena načina realizacije projekta (klasični, prototipni, spiralni). Kao praktični dio rada projektirana je DVB-T2 mreža na području Republike Hrvatske. Određeni su svi potrebni parametri za proračune jakosti električnog polja, interferencije i odnosa signal/šum te je izračunat postotak stanovništva Republike Hrvatske pokriven zadovoljavajućom razinom televizijskog signala. Kartografski je prikazan proračun pokrivanja i utjecaj različitih zaštitnih intervala na interferenciju.The introduction of the Digital Video Broadcasting – Terrestrial standard (first generation, DVB-T) and digitisation of the analogue television has greatly contributed to a more efficient utilisation of the frequency spectrum and has also improved network coverage. Once the possibilities and variants of the first generation have been used, the development of the second generation has begun. In the second generation the set of parameters used for designing a network has been expanded; some modulation schemes have been added, also new code rates and guard intervals were introduced. Number of different parameters are used for evaluation of the network design, such as minimum field strength, level of interference, signal to noise ratio. Network planning is often being done throughout several stages while there are three common ways of project realisation (classic, prototype and spiral). As a practical part of the thesis Croatian national DVB-T2 network has been designed. All the network parameters necessary for the calculation of minimum field strength, interference level and signal to noise ratio have been defined. Also, the percentage of the covered population has been calculated. The results are shown using cartographic images of network coverage and interference levels

Debate sobre la prostitución: Regulacionismo y Abolicionismo

Este trabajo es un pequeño estudio sobre la prostitución que se estructura en dos grandes bloques: por un lado, hago una presentación general de los argumentos básicos de las distintas corrientes feministas (abolicionista y regulacionista) respecto al fenómeno prostitucional; por otro lado, estudio las respuestas (y el silencio) de la legislación del Estado español frente a la cuestión, centrándome en las Ordenanzas Municipales de Bilbo y Barcelona, y en la llamada “Ley Mordaza”. La prostitución requiere de una respuesta integral, centrada en sí misma como institución, no respuestas parceladas dependiendo de cómo se manifieste la actividad en cada caso, como si se tratase de departamentos estancos. Para ello, atender a las demandas de las propias prostitutas, junto con el debate serio entre feministas abolicionistas y regulacionistas, es crucial. Es la base para determinar cuál es nuestra postura política y, en consecuencia, cuál es nuestra estrategia para alcanzar los objetivos que nos marquemos: lucha contra el heteropatriarcado liberal, libertad sexual, justicia social.Lan hau bi atal handitan egituratuta dagoen prostituzioari buzko ikerketa txiki bat da: alde batetik, bi korronte feministek (korronte abolizionista eta regulationista) prostituzioaren inguruan defendatzen dituzten oinarrizko argudioen ikuspegi orokor bat asaltzen dut; bestalde, espainiar Estatuko legediaren erantzunak (eta isiltasuna) aztertzen dut, Bilbo eta Bartzelonako Udal Ordenantzetan eta "Mozal Legean” arreta jarriz. Prostituzioa, instituzio historiko bat denez, erantzun integrala eskatzen du, auto-zentratua. Erantzun partzelatuak, jarduera momento bakoitzean nola manifiestatzen den arabera hartzen direnak, ez dute balio. Horretarako, funtsezkoa da prostituten eskaerei, eta feminista abolitionisten eta regulationisten arteko eztabaida handiari aditzea. Honela, gure jarrera politikoa eta, ondorioz, estrategia ere definitu ahal izango dugu gure helburuak betetzeko: heteropatriarkatu liberala deuseztatu, sexu askatasuna, justizia soziala.This work is a small study on prostitution structured in two large blocks: on the one hand, I make a general presentation of the basic arguments of the different feminisms currents (abolitionist and regulationist) regarding the prostitution phenomenon; on the other hand, I study the responses (and silence) of the Spanish State legislation to the issue, focusing on the Municipal Ordinances of Bilbo and Barcelona, and the so-called "Gag Law". Prostitution requires a comprehensive self-centered response as an institution, not partisan responses depending on how the activity is manifested in each case, as if they were watertight departments. To do this, meeting the demands of the prostitutes themselves, along with the serious debate between abolitionist and regulatory feminists, is crucial. It is the basis for determining our political position and, consequently, what is our strategy to achieve the goals we set: fight against liberal heteropatriarchy, sexual freedom, social justice

Considerations in the design of ‘new’ academic library spaces in Kenya

The Kenyan university education system has experienced tremendous growth and expansion in the recent past. One major requirement for accreditation by the Commission for University Education is that a university must have a library befitting its student population and the diversity of its degree programs. To qualify for accreditation, demonstrate quality and attract students, many universities have had to put up new library buildings or expand/restructure existing ones. While it may be obvious that this is a chance to design the buildings with the 21st century learner in mind, many libraries continue to borrow and extend the traditional library model, which was largely collection focused. This paper will look at the recently re/designed library spaces and seek to find out the extent to which these spaces cater for today’s learner. Since the current information universe is becoming increasingly technological, the paper will cover how technology has been infused in these spaces to support student learning now and in the future. Response to the not so new Information/Research Commons concept and the increasing need to align library services to the core university mission which is student learning will also be assessed. This paper provides ideas and suggestions on how academic libraries in the developing countries can repurpose and refocus their spaces to allow and encourage exploration, collaboration, discussion and creation of new knowledge. The library space itself ought to contribute to the learning process

An analysis of the causes of, and substandard care associated with, maternal deaths in the Lowland districts of Lesotho 1994-1998

Lesotho, like many other developing countries, has a high incidence of maternal deaths. Minimal research has however been undertaken to establish the actual maternal mortality rate. The result has been a very wide gap between the officially quoted figure (282/100,000 live births) and the various estimates that have been made over the years. It was only in 1997 that a survey based on active case finding revealed a maternal mortality rate of738/100,000 live births. The researchers noted that not all cases of maternal deaths that occurred during the survey period might have been traced. The figure was however an eye opener to the magnitude of the problem in Lesotho. One of the main limitations of the 1997 survey was that no attempt was made to establish the causes of the documented maternal deaths. This was the motivation behind the current research

Influence of Multiple Traumatic Event Types on Mental Health Outcomes: Does Count Matter?

The experience of potentially traumatizing events (PTEs) may be associated with conflicting outcomes: individuals may experience greater psychological distress (dose-response theory), or individuals may become more resilient against repeated PTEs (stress-inoculation theory). With limited empirical data comparing these theories, we examined the relationships between the count of lifetime PTE types and psychological outcomes [posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, impaired distress tolerance] using linear and quadratic regressions. A linear relationship would support the dose-response theory, and a quadratic relationship would support the stress-inoculation theory. We also explored whether there was a threshold number of PTE types fostering resiliency before an increase of distressing outcomes. The sample included 123 (68.30% female) treatment-seeking patients at a community mental health center participating in a larger study (Contractor et al. in Psychiatry Research, 252, 252215–252222, 2017). Linear regression results indicated number of PTE types significantly predicted increasing PTSD and depression severity and distress tolerance difficulties. Quadratic regression model results were not significant. ROC analyses indicated exposure to at least 3.5 PTE types predicted PTSD with moderate accuracy. In conclusion, the dose-response theory was supported, with results indicating there may be a threshold count of lifetime PTE types (\u3e 3) influencing traumatic stress outcomes

Relation between lifespan polytrauma typologies and post-trauma mental health

Background: Most individuals experience more than one trauma. Hence, it is important to consider the count and types of traumas (polytraumatization) in relation to post-trauma mental health. Method: The current study examined the relation of polytraumatization patterns to PTSD clusters (intrusions, avoidance, negative alterations in cognitions and mood [NACM], and alterations in arousal and reactivity [AAR]), depression, and impulsivity facets (lack of perseverance, lack of premeditation, negative urgency, sensation seeking) using a web-based sample of 346 participants. Age, gender, race, and ethnicity were covariates. Results: Results of latent class analyses indicated a three-class solution: Low Experience, Moderate Experience – Predominent Threat/Indirect PTEs (Moderate Experience), and High Experience – Predominant Interpersonal PTEs (High/Interpersonal). Multinomial logistic regression results indicated that ethnicity and gender were significant covariates in predicting Low versus High/Interpersonal Class, and Moderate Experience versus High/Interpersonal Class membership, respectively. The High/Interpersonal Class had higher scores on most PTSD clusters, depression, and the impulsivity facets of lack of perseverance and negative urgency compared to the other classes. The Low and Moderate Experience Classes differed on PTSD\u27s avoidance and AAR clusters (lower in the former). Conclusions: Individuals exposed to multiple PTE types, particularly interpersonal traumas, may be at risk for more severe post-trauma symptoms

Morphological characterization and identification of Phytophthora species causing citrus gummosis in Kenya

Frequent outbreaks of citrus gummosis in Kenyan citrus orchards have been reported, yet the identity and distribution of the Phytophthora species causing the disease are unknown. Work was carried out to (i) characterize and identify Phytophthora species associated with citrus gummosis based on cultural and morphological traits and (ii)determine the distribution of these species associated with gummosis in different agroecological zones (AEZ). Some 59 plant and soil samples obtained from symptomatic trees and the rhizosphere were evaluated by direct isolation and baiting, respectively, using Phytophthora semi-selective media. Phytophthora species were identified on the basis of colony morphology, mycelial characteristics, cardinal growth temperatures, morphology and dimensions of sporangia, oogonia and antheridia. For colony morphology and growth temperature studies, a 5 mm diametermycelial plug of each isolate was transferred to amended cornmeal agar (ACMA) and incubated at 5, 24 and 35°C for 7 days in the dark. Growth rates were evaluated based on daily records of mycelial growth for 7 days. The occurrence and distribution of these species were determined by recording the number of isolates recovered from samples from each AEZ. P. citrophthora was the most prevalent (76.3 %) of all the Phytophthora species identified in all the AEZs, followed by P. nicotianae (22 %). P.syringae was the least (1.7 %) prevalent. P. citrophthora was the only species present in all AEZs sampled whereas P. nicotianae was confined to the coastal lowlands although also present in other zones in a lower scale. P. syringae was present only in low midland zones and was the only species not found in coastal lowland zones. The forty five isolates of P. citrophthora, thirteen isolates of P. nicotianae and one isolateof P. syringae were tested for virulence on fruits of lemon var. rough lemon. The three most virulent isolates of P. citrophthora, two most virulent isolates of P. nicotianae and the only isolate of P. syringae were selected for pathogenicity testing on lemon seedlings. Based on these studies, it may be concluded that P. citrophthora, P. nicotianae (syn. P. parasitica) and P. syringae are the Phytophthora species associated with citrus gummosis in Kenya. Molecular characterization of the pathogens is recommended to confirm true genetic identity of the species

The rolling circle amplification and next generation sequencing approaches reveal genome wide diversity of Kenyan cassava mosaic geminivirus

Rolling circle amplification is a simple approach of enriching populations of single-stranded DNA plant begomovirus genomes (genus, Begomovirus; family,  Geminiviridae). This is an innovative approach that utilizes the robustness of the bacteriophage phi29 DNA polymerase used in circle amplification, together with deep sequencing using Illumina Miseq and bioinformatics to assess population  diversity of begomoviruses in naturally infected cassava. The approach is suitable for detecting rare members in a population in begomoviral populations in situation where mixtures of isolates, strains, and multiple species occur. The main objectives were to increase the sensitivity of detection of next generation sequencing by enriching it using rolling circle amplification then determination of the diversity of  the cassava mosaic geminivirus. This was done by total nucleic acids isolated from symptomatic, field cassava infected plants, then using rolling circle amplification to multiply the less abundant viral  sequences. Enriched and non-enriched virus-libraries were subjected to deep sequencing using Illumina Miseq. Using  bioinformatic CLC Genomics 5.5.1 software programs the quality assessment of reads and contig assembly of viral sequences. This was done through de novo and reference-guided assembly. The identity and diversities of the begomoviral sequences were compared with sequences in Sanger sequencing of viral components deposited in the NCBI Gene Bank. In this study we have demonstrated that RCA increases the chances of detecting the virus by approximately 10 to 1000 fold and wide genome diversity of cassava mosaic geminivirus in various cassava growing zones in Kenya were detected. In conclusion, this approach described herein is simple and will enhance the exploration of begomovirus diversities from cassava infected plants, irrespective of their viral abundance. This will make it possible for routine screening of field samples as the cost of deep sequencing NGS is decreasing and the advances of bioinformatic software development become enhanced. This is the first report of the RCA-Illumina-NGS approach to explore cassava infected with begomoviruses under field conditions and their diversities. Key words: Illumina Miseq sequencing, geminivirus, ssDNA viruses, viral sequence enrichment, de novo genome assembly, rolling cycle amplification (RCA)