Dominating sets and ego-centered decompositions in social networks

Our aim here is to address the problem of decomposing a whole network into a minimal number of ego-centered subnetworks. For this purpose, the network egos are picked out as the members of a minimum dominating set of the network. However, to find such an efficient dominating ego-centered construction, we need to be able to detect all the minimum dominating sets and to compare all the corresponding dominating ego-centered decompositions of the network. To find all the minimum dominating sets of the network, we are developing a computational heuristic, which is based on the partition of the set of nodes of a graph into three subsets, the always dominant vertices, the possible dominant vertices and the never dominant vertices, when the domination number of the network is known. To compare the ensuing dominating ego-centered decompositions of the network, we are introducing a number of structural measures that count the number of nodes and links inside and across the ego-centered subnetworks. Furthermore, we are applying the techniques of graph domination and ego=centered decomposition for six empirical social networks.Comment: 17 pages, 7 figure

A preferred vision for administering elementary and secondary schools : a reflective essay

As I think about the question of becoming an administrator, all sorts of things run through my mind. Things such as, am I really cut out to do this job ? Do I have what it takes to be an administrator? Will I fail or will I succeed? Will I have the support of my staff? Will I be able to perform the paper-pencil tasks of an administrator? Will I be able to handle the school\u27s budget ? I mean the questions just go on and on. So, as I look at the driving forces behind my decision to become an administrator, I feel very confident with the decision that I have made. I would like to share some of those driving forces with you in this reflective research paper

Neutralization of chemokines RANTES and MIG increases virus antigen expression and spinal cord pathology during Theiler's virus infection.

The role of chemokines during some viral infections is unpredictable because the inflammatory response regulated by these molecules can have two, contrasting effects-viral immunity and immunopathologic injury to host tissues. Using Theiler's virus infection of SJL mice as a model of this type of disease, we have investigated the roles of two chemokines-regulated on activation, normal T cell-expressed and secreted (RANTES) chemokine and monokine induced by IFN-gamma (MIG)-by treating mice with antisera that block lymphocyte migration. Control, infected mice showed virus persistence, mild inflammation and a small degree of demyelination in the white matter of the spinal cord at 6 weeks post-infection. Treatment of mice with RANTES antiserum starting at 2 weeks post-infection increased both viral antigen expression and the severity of inflammatory demyelination at 6 weeks post-infection. MIG antiserum increased the spread of virus and the proportion of spinal cord white matter with demyelination. Overall, viral antigen levels correlated strongly with the extent of pathology. At the RNA level, high virus expression was associated with low IL-2 and high IL-10 levels, and RANTES antiserum decreased the IL-2/IL-10 ratio. Our results suggest that RANTES and MIG participate in an immune response that attempts to restrict viral expression while limiting immunopathology and that anti-chemokine treatment poses the risk of exacerbating both conditions in the long term

Glass transition behavior of thin poly(methyl methacrylate) films on silica

Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC) was used to study the glass transition behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) adsorbed onto silica substrates from toluene. Untreated fumed amorphous silica and silica treated with hexamethyldisilazane were used for the adsorption to probe the effect of polymer- substrate interactions. To test the effect of molecular weight on the Tg of adsorbed polymers, low polydispersity PMMA samples of varying molecular weights were used. The results revealed a broadening of the glass transition towards high temperatures. The observed increase in the glass transition breadth varied with adsorbed amount and the type of silica used for the adsorption. Larger increases in the glass transition temperature and breadth, as high as 60 °C, were observed for PMMA films on untreated silica. The larger increase in Tg was attributed to restricted segmental motions due to H-bonding between PMMA carbonyls and the surface hydroxyls. The MDSC results were verified by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy which showed a decrease in the bound fraction with increasing adsorbed amount for all the molecular weights studied --Abstract, page iv

Economic Implication of Crude Oil Theft in Nigeria

This study is carried out against the backdrop of oil theft as a threat to the economy and security of Nigeria. The study relied on existing literature on the problem and also draws from the Resource Curse Theory. The importance of crude oil to the economic development of Nigeria is also stressed. The reasons why crude oil should be sustained also form the epicentre of our discussion. The threat of the nefarious act on the security of the country is one of the main thrust of this work. The Dutch disease is identified as an economic explanation of the resource curse theory and this is used to explain the economic implication of oil theft in the Niger Delta of Nigeria. The paper posited that the implications on sustainable economic development include; reduced revenue, increased unemployment and diversification of the economy. Other implications include sustainable conflict, possession of arms, curb social development and displacement of persons. To fight the illicit practice of oil theft, it is recommended that transparency and accountability should be adhered to while security operatives should be re-oriented on the ethics of their job and there should be close relationship among government, oil producing communities and multinational corporations

Taming a Lion: Barriers to Monitoring Campaign Finances of Political Parties Prior to the 2015 Elections in Nigeria

The role of money is germane to the survival of political parties and the conduct of their campaigns during electioneering periods. In fact, electoral processes in liberal democracies cannot end successfully bereft of requisite finances. However, this does not warrant the excessive deployment and vile use of money in the electoral process thus, contravening acceptable ethical standards. This is why in all democratic climes, there exist rules that guide against illicit acquisition and utilization of funds by political parties in financing their activities. The Nigerian democratic scenario is not different from this general norm as there are electoral laws that parties should observe in their quest to obtain finances to execute their programmes. These laws also specify penalties the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) can use in punishing erring political parties. In the build-up to the 2015 general elections in Nigeria, did the political parties adhere to existing laws while generating funds? Did the INEC adequately monitor how the political parties expend money during their campaigns? This paper examines and attempts to answer these questions by qualitatively analyzing the conduct of political parties with regards to their campaign funds before the 2015 polls. It assesses INEC’s efforts at monitoring their finances and the obstacles hampering the process in Nigeria and proffers solutions to the hydra-headed problem of monitoring the finances of political parties in the country. Keywords: Campaign finances, Political parties, Elections in Nigeria, Democracy DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-18-10 Publication date:September 30th 201

Kong Zi on Good Governance

This paper will delve into the problem of Good Governance in the light of Kong Zi. What makes up a Just State? What are the elements that constitute a prosperous Kingdom? What principles of Confucianism can we employ to achieve a just and humane society? These are the primary questions that we will try to investigate as we go along. The paper will be thus divided into three essential parts: The Notion of Li and the Sovereign, The ConfucianMoral Ideal, and lastly, The Great Commonwealth

Acute effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on postprandial blood pressure, vascular function, blood lipids, biomarkers of insulin resistance and inflammation in humans

The acute impact of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (HSC) extract on postprandial vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk factors have not been studied previously. This study investigated the acute impact of HSC extract consumption on blood pressure (BP), vascular function and other cardiometabolic risk markers. Twenty-five men with 1% to 10% cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (determined by QRISK 2) were randomised to consume either 250 mL of the aqueous extract of HSC or water with breakfast in a randomised, controlled, single-blinded, 2-meal cross-over study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NTC02165553) with a two weeks washout period between study days. BP was measured at baseline and hourly for 4 h. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of the branchial artery was measured at baseline, 2 and 4 h post intervention drink consumption. Acute consumption of aqueous extract of HSC caused a significant increase in % FMD ( < 0.001), a non-significant decrease in systolic BP (SBP) and diastolic BP (DBP); non-significant increase in urinary and plasma nitric oxide (NOx) and reduced response of serum glucose, plasma insulin, serum triacylglycerol and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels; significant ( = 0.026) improvement in the area under systemic antioxidant response curve (0 to 2 h); no significant changes in arterial stiffness following the acute consumption of the extract of HSC. Gallic acid, 4-O-methylgallic acid, 3-O-methylgallic acid and hippuric acid reached a maximum plasma concentration at 1 to 2 h post consumption of the extract of HSC. The extract of HSC improved postprandial vascular function and may be a useful dietary strategy to reduce endothelial dysfunction and CVD risk, although this requires confirmation