Stabilisation of hybrid stochastic differential equations by delay feedback control

This paper is concerned with the exponential mean-square stabilisation of hybrid stochastic differential equations (also known as stochastic dierential equations with Markovian switching) by delay feedback controls. Although the stabilisation by non-delay feedback controls for such equations has been discussed by several authors, there is so far little on the stabilisation by delay feedback controls and our aim here is mainly to close the gap. To make our theory more understandable as well as to avoid complicated notations, we will restrict our underlying hybrid stochastic dierential equations to a relatively simple form. However our theory can certainly be developed to cope with much more general equations without any diculty

Child sexual abuse in southern Brazil and associated factors: a population-based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) in the population has been poorly described in developing countries. Population data on child sexual abuse in Brazil is very limited. This paper aims to estimate lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse and associated factors in a representative sample of the population aged 14 and over in a city of southern Brazil.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A two-stage sampling strategy was used and individuals were invited to respond to a confidential questionnaire in their households. CSA was defined as non-consensual oral-genital, genital-genital, genital-rectal, hand-genital, hand-rectal, or hand-breast contact/intercourse between ages 0 and 18. Associations between socio-demographic variables and CSA, before and after age 12, were estimated through multinomial regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Complete data were available for 1936 respondents from 1040 households. Prevalence of CSA among girls (5.6% 95%CI [4.8;7.5]) was higher than among boys (1.6% 95%CI [0.9;2.6]). Boys experienced CSA at younger ages than girls and 60% of all reported CSA happened before age 12. Physical abuse was frequently associated with CSA at younger (OR 5.6 95%CI [2.5;12.3]) and older (OR 9.4 95%CI [4.5;18.7]) ages. CSA after age 12 was associated with an increased number of sexual partners in the last 2 months.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results suggest that CSA takes place at young ages and is associated with physical violence, making it more likely to have serious health and developmental consequences. Except for gender, no other socio-demographic characteristic identified high-risk sub-populations.</p

South-South technology transfer of low-carbon innovation: large Chinese hydropower dams in Cambodia

Large dams have been controversially debated for decades due to their large‐scale and often irreversible social and environmental impacts. In the pursuit of low‐carbon energy and climate change mitigation, hydropower is experiencing a new renaissance. At the forefront of this renaissance are Chinese actors as the world's largest hydropower dam‐builders. This paper aims to discuss the role of South–South technology transfer of low‐carbon energy innovation and its opportunities and barriers by using a case study of the first large Chinese‐funded and Chinese‐built dam in Cambodia. Using the Kamchay Dam as an example, the paper finds that technology transfer can only be fully successful when host governments and organizations have the capacity to absorb new technologies. The paper also finds that technology transfer in the dam sector needs to go beyond hardware and focus more on the transfer of expertise, skills and knowledge to enable long‐term sustainable development

Massive expansion and cryopreservation of functional human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte

Since the discovery of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), numerous strategies have been established to efficiently derive cardiomyocytes from hiPSCs (hiPSC-CMs). Here, we describe a cost-effective strategy for the subsequent massive expansion (>250-fold) of high-purity hiPSC-CMs relying on two aspects: removal of cell-cell contacts and small-molecule inhibition with CHIR99021. The protocol maintains CM functionality, allows cryopreservation, and the cells can be used in downstream assays such as disease modeling, drug and toxicity screening, and cell therapy. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Buikema (2020)

Feeder layer- and animal product-free culture of neonatal foreskin keratinocytes: improved performance, usability, quality and safety

Since 1987, keratinocytes have been cultured at the Queen Astrid Military Hospital. These keratinocytes have been used routinely as auto and allografts on more than 1,000 patients, primarily to accelerate the healing of burns and chronic wounds. Initially the method of Rheinwald and Green was used to prepare cultured epithelial autografts, starting from skin samples from burn patients and using animal-derived feeder layers and media containing animal-derived products. More recently we systematically optimised our production system to accommodate scientific advances and legal changes. An important step was the removal of the mouse fibroblast feeder layer from the cell culture system. Thereafter we introduced neonatal foreskin keratinocytes (NFK) as source of cultured epithelial allografts, which significantly increased the consistency and the reliability of our cell production. NFK master and working cell banks were established, which were extensively screened and characterised. An ISO 9001 certified Quality Management System (QMS) governs all aspects of testing, validation and traceability. Finally, as far as possible, animal components were systematically removed from the cell culture environment. Today, quality controlled allograft production batches are routine and, due to efficient cryopreservation, stocks are created for off-the-shelf use. These optimisations have significantly increased the performance, usability, quality and safety of our allografts. This paper describes, in detail, our current cryopreserved allograft production process

EXPLORING COLLEGE INSTRUCTORS’ PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF ONLINE EXAMINATION

This study aimed to explore the college instructors’ perceptions and experiences in the implementation of online examination in synchronous and asynchronous learning in a university. The research was conducted to the twenty (20) college instructors implementing blended learning. The data obtained from experienced in utilizing online examination applications, messenger, and e-mails in the conduct of online examination of students that were analyzed descriptively. Coding and categorizing were used to analyze the data. To have a meaningful structure, themes that were revealed as a result of the compilation of encodings were arranged appropriately. The results revealed that the following perceptions and experience occurred in the process of instructors before, during and after online exams of students, their computer literacy, the nature of test being new to the instructors and students in the new normal, the presentation of questions in a computer-generated conditions and technical difficulties and their attitudes towards online examinations. These concerns and attributes were categorized into themes such as pace of learning in an online examination, attitudes towards online examination platforms, veracity of assessment and evaluation of learning and technical issues and difficulties. The instructors’ technical skills and attitudes are important factor in the emergence of problems and difficulties. The leading outcome of the study was the need for an orientation program which will assist the faculty members in the conduct of online examinations

Cultural specificity versus institutional universalism: a critique of the National Integrity System (NIS) methodology

This article provides an assessment and critique of the National Integrity System approach and methodology, informed by the experience of conducting an NIS review in Cambodia. It explores four key issues that potentially undermine the relevance and value of NIS reports for developing democracies: the narrowly conceived institutional approach underpinning the NIS methodology; the insufficient appreciation of cultural distinctiveness; a failure properly to conceptualise and articulate the very notion of ‘integrity’; and an over emphasis on compliance-based approaches to combating corruption at the expense of the positive promotion of integrity. The article seeks to offer some pointers to how the NIS approach could be adapted to broaden its conceptualisation of institutions and integrity, and thereby provide reports that are more theoretically informed as well as being more constructive and actionable