Busking: analysis of its regulation and business models in Europe

[EN] Busking is an historic activity that consist of performing art in public spaces. From ancient troubadours, busking allows a broad audience to experience art directly and aim to connect with the local community. However, nowadays busking is under devaluated in some locations and faces a fragmented regulation depending on each municipality or it is regulated without the participation of the local communities involved. In order to create more regular employment and new business models based on or related to busking, the participation of all the groups of interests will be necessary to create a professionalized image. In this work we want to explore how policymakers and governments could use it to enhance their historic attractions (providing specific areas for busking), conserve their city s identity (regulating the contents of busking), construct a sense of community (with the participation of the local community) and explore new sectors, such as the creative industry (creating new hubs and services with the participation of buskers).[ES] El arte callejero es una actividad histórica que consiste en la expresión artística en lugares públicos. Desde los antiguos trovadores, el arte callejero permite a una audiencia amplia disfrutar directamente el arte y su objetivo es conectar con la comunidad local. Sin embargo, en la actualidad el arte callejero está devaluado en varias localidades y, dependiendo de cada municipio, encontramos una regulación muy fragmentada o se ha regulado sin la participación de las partes interesadas de la comunidad local. Por otro lado, en otras ocasiones se ha podido crear un empleo regular y nuevos modelos de negocio alrededor del arte callejero, siendo necesaria la participación de todos los grupos de interés para crear una imagen profesionalizada. En este trabajo, por tanto, se pretende explorar cómo los políticos y gobiernos podrían hacer uso del arte callejero para mejorar sus lugares históricos (proporcionando espacios delimitados), para conservar la identidad de las localidades (regulando sus contenidos), para construir una comunidad local (por medio de la participación) y para explorar nuevos sectores, como la industria creativa (creando nuevos centros de desarrollo y nuevos servicios con la participación de los artistas).Mahmoud, MMMMK. (2020). Busking: analysis of its regulation and business models in Europe. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/151769TFG

On the Three-Parameter Burr Type XII Distribution and its Application to Heavy Tailed Lifetime Data

This paper identifies the characteristics of three-parameter Burr Type XII distribution and discusses its utility in survivorship applications. It addresses the problem of estimating the three-parameter Burr XII distribution and its doubly truncated version. The results are applied on a real dataset by fitting the distribution to the survival time of breast cancer patients in the Gaza Strip. These data are known to have a heavy tailed distribution since patients in this area received different protocols of treatments in different levels of hospitals locally and abroad. The findings indicated that the estimates of the parameters of the truncated distribution are more efficient than those obtained from the original distribution since the distribution is heavy tailed and involves many highly extreme observations

OPTIMIZATION OF THE BIO-SYNTHESIS OF MAGNESIUM NANOPARTICLES FROM STAPHYLOCOCCUS HAEMOLYTICUS: A PILOT STUDY

Nanotechnology is developing rapidly. This field has many influences in humans’ life. Nanoparticles (NPs) have many unique properties including the size, shape, morphology, and surface area. The synthesis of NPs could be achieved by three ways: physical, chemical, and biological. However, the biological synthesis of NPs has a priority on the other domains due to its safety and environmental friendship. In this regard, the main objective of this study was to synthesize magnesium (Mg) NPs from the bacterium S. haemolyticus which was isolated from the Lebanese wastewater. Different parameters were applied to detect the best conditions to produce the highest yield of the target NPs. The effect of the concentration of Mg nitrate solution was studied by applying 5 different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 mM). The effect of the concentration of bacterial culture was detected by applying 3 different concentrations (104, 108, and 1012 CFU/mL). In addition, the effect of the time of shaking incubation was revealed by applying four different timing (6, 24, 48, and 72 h). The characterization of the NPs was done by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) in the range of 200 – 700 nm. The results revealed that the best Mg nitrate solution concentration is 3 mM, the best bacterial culture concentration is the standard 108 CFU/mL (0.5 McFarland), the best shaking incubation time is 48 h, and the best temperature is 37 ˚C. The UV spectra peaks were observed between 250 – 300 nm. The highest peak was observed at 275 nm. The highest absorbance recorded was 0.9 a.u. for the sample of 3 mM Mg nitrate concentration, 108 CFU/mL bacterial concentration, 37 ˚C temperature, and 48 h of incubation. Finally, after detecting the best conditions for the Mg NPs synthesis, they can be applied in different biological domains like anticancer, antibacterial, and against other different diseases

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of bacterial strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in Messalata Central Hospital, Libya

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of urinary tract infection among patients at Messalata Central Hospital, Libya, to identify the causative bacteria, and to explore their resistance pattern to antimicrobials.MethodsA total number of 1153 urine samples were collected from patients, who attended daily to Messalata Central Hospital, Libya, in a study extended for one year. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and isolates typing were done using Phoenix BD (BD diagnostic). Resistance was confirmed manually using agar disk diffusion method.ResultsOf the 1153 urine samples tested, 160 (13.9%) samples were positive, from which 17 different, solely Gram negative, uropathogens were identified. Escherichia coli were the most prevalent (55.6%) bacteria, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae subspecies pneumoniae (16.3%), Proteus mirabilis (6.3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5.6%), Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca (2.5%, each), Citrobacter koseri and Providencia rettgeri (1.9%, each), Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter aerogenes and Proteus vulgaris (1.3%, each), and Aeromonas caviae, Citrobacter freundii, Cronobacter sakazakii, Enterobacter amnigenus biogroup 2, Pseudomonas putida and Serratia marcescens (0.6%, each). The isolated uropathogens showed increased levels of resistance ranged from 10.5% to 64.5%, with an overall resistance of 28.9%. Amikacin was the most effective antimicrobial followed by Imipenem and Meropenem (0%, 0.6% and 2.5% resistance, respectively); while, Cephalothin and Ampicillin were the least (80.6% and 90.0% resistance, respectively) effective.ConclusionsThe obtained results emphasized the emergence of highly resistant bacteria to most of tested antimicrobials and raise the alarm for physicians to change their treatment pattern depending on antimicrobial susceptibility results

The reality of polarizing professional human resources in the Jordanian higher education institutions

The study aimed to identify the reality of polarizing professional human resources from the point of view of academics in Jordanian higher education institutions (JHEI), following the variables: gender, educational qualification, academic qualifications, years of service, and type of institution. The study followed a descriptive-analytical approach. The study sample comprised 674 faculty members working in various institutions of the JHEI. The researcher used a questionnaire comprising 24 items as a study instrument. The study’s findings revealed that the JHEI for polarizing professional human resources were ordinary. and that academic institution administrations encourage personnel to submit distinguished ideas. Also, they seek to adopt a philosophy of change as needed, while the administrations do not care about measuring the job satisfaction of employees. Periodically, it was found that JHEI encourage feedback from students to improve the quality of services and adopt modern technological means to provide their services

The 12-item medical outcomes study short form health survey version 2.0 (SF-12v2): a population-based validation study from Tehran, Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The SF-12v2 is the improved version of the SF-12v1. This study aimed to validate the SF-12v2 in Iran.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A random sample of the general population aged 18 years and over living in Tehran, Iran completed the instrument. Reliability was estimated using internal consistency and validity was assessed using known-groups comparison and convergent validity. In addition the factor structure of the questionnaire was extracted by performing both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses (EFA and CFA).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In all, 3685 individuals were studied (1887male and 1798 female). Internal consistency for both summary measures was satisfactory. Cronbach's α for the Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) was 0.87 and for the Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) it was 0.82. Known-groups comparison showed that the SF-12v2 discriminated well between men and women and those who differed in age and educational status (P < 0.05). Furthermore, as hypothesized the physical functioning, role physical, bodily pain and general health subscales correlated higher with the PCS-12, while the vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health subscales correlated higher with the MCS-12. Finally the exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure (physical and mental health) that jointly accounted for 59.9% of the variance. The confirmatory factory analysis also indicated a good fit to the data for the two-latent structure (physical and mental health).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Although the findings could not be generalized to the Iranian population, overall the findings suggest that the SF-12v2 is a reliable and valid measure of health related quality of life among Iranians and now could be used in future health outcome studies. However, further studies are recommended to establish its stability, responsiveness to change, and concurrent validity for this health survey in Iran.</p

Design and Simulation of a Nanoscale Threshold-Logic Multiplier

Multiplication is one of the most important operations in microprocessors and digital signal processing systems. Different multiplier architectures have been proposed in the literature. One of the most widely used architecture is the Wallace tree multiplier. This multiplier is known for its high speed. However, it occupies a large area. In this paper, we used Threshold Logic Gates instead of conventional logic gates to reduce the area. The multiplier was designed in 65nm CMOS technology, and achieved 28% reduction in the number of transistors compared to the one with conventional logic gates. It also achieved a lower power-delay-product

The impact of image dynamic range on texture classification of brain white matter

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Greylevel Cooccurrence Matrix method (COM) is one of the most promising methods used in Texture Analysis of Magnetic Resonance Images. This method provides statistical information about the spatial distribution of greylevels in the image which can be used for classification of different tissue regions. Optimizing the size and complexity of the COM has the potential to enhance the reliability of Texture Analysis results. In this paper we investigate the effect of matrix size and calculation approach on the ability of COM to discriminate between peritumoral white matter and other white matter regions.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>MR images were obtained from patients with histologically confirmed brain glioblastoma using MRI at 3-T giving isotropic resolution of 1 mm³. Three Regions of Interest (ROI) were outlined in visually normal white matter on three image slices based on relative distance from the tumor: one peritumoral white matter region and two distant white matter regions on both hemispheres. Volumes of Interest (VOI) were composed from the three slices. Two different calculation approaches for COM were used: i) Classical approach (CCOM) on each individual ROI, and ii) Three Dimensional approach (3DCOM) calculated on VOIs. For, each calculation approach five dynamic ranges (number of greylevels N) were investigated (N = 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Classification showed that peritumoral white matter always represents a homogenous class, separate from other white matter, regardless of the value of N or the calculation approach used. The best test measures (sensitivity and specificity) for average CCOM were obtained for N = 128. These measures were also optimal for 3DCOM with N = 128, which additionally showed a balanced tradeoff between the measures.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We conclude that the dynamic range used for COM calculation significantly influences the classification results for identical samples. In order to obtain more reliable classification results with COM, the dynamic range must be optimized to avoid too small or sparse matrices. Larger dynamic ranges for COM calculations do not necessarily give better texture results; they might increase the computation costs and limit the method performance.</p

Classification system for Egyptian heritage buildings

To create a classification system for heritage buildings, it is essential to delve into the architectural components of the buildings following a specific procedure. First, the different objects’ properties (including their architectural style, geometric characteristics and ratio, condition, construction method, cultural value, material, color, reflectance characteristics) are identified. Second, creating a systematic framework that identifies the lifestyle of each element, stating the grouping principle of heritage elements and the design composition of tables that identifies the geometrical form, material and functional features whether insulation or load tolerance. This paper presents the challenges in creating a unified classification system for an Egyptian heritage palace built in 1896 with different architectural styles; i.e Rocco, Baroque, Islamic and even architectural customized elements with Royal slogan; through different historical periods, where multiple elements and sections were detached and attached to the place during its lifetime. The formulated classification system can be generalized in similar heritage buildings built in the same era

In ovo protective effects of chicoric and rosmarinic acids against Thiacloprid-induced cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and growth retardation on newly hatched chicks

Thiacloprid (TH) is a neonicotinoid insecticide employed in agriculture to protect fruits and vegetables against different insects. It showed different deleterious effects on the general health of non-target organisms including birds and animals, however, its developmental toxicity has yet to be fully elucidated. Chicoric (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids are polyphenolic compounds with a wide range of beneficial biological activities. In this study, the possible protective effects of CA and RA were investigated in chick embryos exposed in ovo to TH (1mg/egg) with or without CA (100 mg/egg) or RA (100 mg/egg) co-exposure. TH reduced the hatchling body weight, body weight/egg weight, and relative weight of bursa of Fabricius in the one-day-old hatchlings. Examination of the 7-day-old chicks revealed a decline in feed intake, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and plasma levels of T3, T4, and growth hormone. Serum ALT, AST activities, and total cholesterol levels showed significant elevations. Hepatic MDA was increased with a reduction in SOD activity and GSH level and downregulation of the liver SOD and GST gene expression pattern. Serum IgG and IgM levels were reduced, and various histopathological alterations were noticed in the liver. Co-administration of CA or RA with TH mitigated the toxic effects on hatchlings. When both CA and RA are combined, they present a synergistic protective effect. CA and RA can be used as protective agents against TH toxicity as they improve growth performance and have hepatoprotective and immunostimulant effects in newly hatched chicks