Relative commutants of strongly self-absorbing C*-algebras

The relative commutant $A'\cap A^{\mathcal{U}}$ of a strongly self-absorbing algebra $A$ is indistinguishable from its ultrapower $A^{\mathcal{U}}$. This applies both to the case when $A$ is the hyperfinite II$_1$ factor and to the case when it is a strongly self-absorbing C*-algebra. In the latter case we prove analogous results for $\ell_\infty(A)/c_0(A)$ and reduced powers corresponding to other filters on $\bf N$. Examples of algebras with approximately inner flip and approximately inner half-flip are provided, showing the optimality of our results. We also prove that strongly self-absorbing algebras are smoothly classifiable, unlike the algebras with approximately inner half-flip.Comment: Some minor correction

Recasting West Tankers in the deep water: how Gazprom and recast Brussels I reconcile Brussels I with international arbitration

The central argument which is advanced by this article is that, whilst there is no outright obligation in Brussels I which prevents parallel proceedings between a court action and arbitration between the same parties and concerning a similar cause of action, the revisions in the recast Brussels I, along with the Gazprom interpretation of key non-revised parts of Brussels I, do certainly provide improved support for international commercial arbitration. These do so by giving more scope to national courts to restrict Parallel Proceedings; through anti-suit injunctions issued by an arbitral tribunal; through finding parties taking parallel court action to be in breach of the arbitration agreement; and by giving primacy to the arbitral award where it is irreconcilable with a parallel court judgment. The authors particularly demonstrate that this is made possible because of a changed (diminished) role which is given to the principle of effectiveness of EU law (effet utile) post Gazprom and Brussels I

Effect of Listening to A Relaxing Water Sound for Fifteen Minutes On Traumatic Stress Subjects’ Immediate Stress Levels and Electroencephalograms

BACKGROUND: Music and calmness are noteworthy stimulators that significantly affect mental health. Listening to relaxing sounds activates the feeling of wellbeing. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of closed eyes brief exposure to a relaxing water sound on Electroencephalogram (EEG) in pre and post-test states. METHODOLOGY: A total of 20 traumatic stress subjects were included to participate in this study. The subjects were requested to be seated with eyes closed while the sound of water flowing was played for 15 min in between (before and after) the EEG recordings. A subsection of the Sadaf Stress Scale (SSS) i.e. traumatic stress scale was used to assess the traumatic stress and muse (SCR_014418) monitor headband was utilized for EEG evaluation i.e. Alpha waves, Beta waves, Theta waves & Delta waves. RESULTS: Significantly increased theta wave & alpha waves were found after the listening of relaxing water sound in the eyes-closed state. While no significant change was observed in beta & delta waves. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that exposure to the sound of water flowing quietly significantly generates alteration in brain waves. Although, the applied stimulators were for a brief period changes in frequencies suggest if applied for a longer period it could generate a relaxation state

Mindreading in individuals with an empathizing versus systemizing cognitive style An fMRI study

Our fMRI study compares the neural correlates of face-based mindreading in healthy individuals with an empathizing (n=12) versus systemizing cognitive style (n=12). The empathizing group consists of individuals that score high on empathizing and low on systemizing, while the systemizing group consists of individuals with an opposite cognitive pattern. We hypothesize that the empathizing group will show stronger simulation-type neural activity (e.g., in mirror neuron areas, medial prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex) or simulation-related neural activity (e.g., in areas involved in perspective taking and experiential processing) compared to the systemizing group. As hypothesized, our study reveals that the empathizing group shows significantly stronger activity in mirror neuron areas of the brain, such as the left inferior frontal gyrus and inferior parietal lobe, and in temporal areas involved in perspective taking and autobiographical memory. Moreover, the empathizing group, but not the systemizing group, shows activity in the medial prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex which have been related to simulation-type neural activity in the brain and are central to mindreading. Also, the systemizing group shows significantly stronger activity in the left parahippocampal gyrus. In conclusion, both the empathizing and systemizing individuals show simulation-type and simulation-related neural activity during face-based mindreading. However, more neural activity indicative of simulation-based processing is seen in the empathizing individuals, while more neural activity indicative of non-simulation-based processing is seen in the systemizing individuals

Co-created business models of connected health services

Abstract. Because of the advancement of technology, healthcare has been developed along with different sectors such as education, entertainment, and business. ‘Connected Health’ term comes for changing the patient-provider relationship by using technology which is also called ‘e-health’. As a developed country like Finland who is the pioneer of e-health has been participating a project called inDemand for the purpose of changing healthcare to provide co-created experience for patients. Their main objective to identify and solve the needs relates to health entities by enhancing the capacity of them and creating opportunity for private organization. This thesis is a part of this project. This study aims to find out the process for a co-created business model for connected health services. The study concentrates on two parts- business model and co-creation. It deals with different concepts of business model and co-creation, their way of doing along with components and the impact of them in healthcare. The study has a qualitative nature and it applies the case study method for conducting the research. In this method, empirical data is collected based on semi-structured thematic interviews by face-to-face and Skype. Participants were chosen from those organizations which are the stakeholders of inDemand project for getting overall idea about their way of doing the co-creation process. The findings of the thesis outline that there should be a combination of components from the business model and co-creation for conducting the process of co-creation of business model. The components are-customers, target customer segments, selling, marketing, and distribution channel activities, value proposition, value creation and extraction, value network and competition, products/services, pricing, cost structure and revenue model, processes, resources and practices, dialogue, access, risk benefits and transparency and shared purpose. In this research, the theoretical contribution confirms the results of the study. The results can help the case companies to properly blend the components and at the same time, to motivate all stakeholders along with customers or patients to participate in the co-creation process. Future research will continue to identify the process of co-creation over a large population to see the indifferences among every sample

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationThis study adopted an interpretive/qualitative methodology to explore the issues and challenges of developing and maintaining Persian/Farsi as a heritage language in homes and neighborhoods for second-generation Iranian-American youth living in a major US metropolitan area with a sizable concentration of Iranian immigrants. The purpose of the research was to analyze the interplay of various socio-psychological and socio-institutional/political factors, which affected the relationship between a majority/minority language and culture in a geographically multilingual/multicultural setting, by relating them to learners‘ linguistic experiences. The findings were based on data collected through three semistructured interviews with 22 second-generation Iranian-American college students residing in the states of New York and New Jersey. The research showed that the choice to maintain Persian was not necessarily easy, nor was it straightforward; it was further complicated given the underlying linguistic ideologies and the status and power relations between majority/minority languages in the US, specifically when an ethnic group, language, and/or culture was vilified and negatively represented. The research showed that for Iranian-American second-generation, the process of identification with Iran was especially complex when their country of origin was so very Othered. Politically, religiously and ethnically, these young people were up against powerful forces from both worlds that made identification with Iran and Persian language a special challenge. For these reasons, they found it necessary to strategically align themselves with different aspects of their identity at different times and spaces, depending on their audience and the effect they hoped to achieve. I looked at the process of Othering through the lens of world-as-real constructed by contemporary Orientalism and demonstrated how negative representations of Iranians affect Iranian-American students‘ decisions on which aspects of their identities to perform, including whether to speak Farsi at home or in public. While the research showed that second-generation heritage language loss is a grim reality complicated by major obstacles for the Farsi-speaking population in America, this researcher hopes that by unveiling some firsthand stories of the people whom this phenomenon affects, she has sowed some fresh ideas in the minds of researchers and policy makers who can take action to stanch the bleeding

The potential of Manitoba chokecherry as a source of high natural antioxidants

Consumption of fruits and vegetables is shown to be beneficial for protecting health and preventing some chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. The positive health effects have been mainly due to the contributions of their natural antioxidant capacity. Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), a unique fruit, is a member of the Rose family and native to North America. Here we demonstrate that chokecherry fruit with strong antioxidant capacity is available in Manitoba, and that its potent antioxidant potential can be developed for health benefits in value-added applications.These findings are useful for developing novel value-added antioxidant products from chokecherry because of its phytochemical profile associated with health protection and prevention of disease. The results provide evidence essential for breeding novel cultivars of fruit plants with strong natural antioxidants