A comparative study of the organization and administration of departments of audio-visual education in the greater Boston area

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston UniversityProblem: To acquire knowledge of the organization and administrative methods of departments of audio-visual education in the greater Boston area. Method of Study: Nine departments of audio-visual education in the greater Boston area were selected for study. In the selection of these departments, an attempt was made to obtain coverage of as wide a variety of audio-visual departments as possible which serve different segments of the public. These selected departments could be expected to exhibit different approaches, organizational and administrative methods. In collecting the data for this thesis, the writer visited each of the following nine departmental Film Library Boston University School of Education; Department of Audio-Visual Instruction, Boston Public Schools; Audio-Visual Department, Boston Public Library; Audio-Visual Department, Lexington Public Schools; Department of Audio-Visual Instruction, New Bedford Public Schools; Audio-Visual Center New England Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company; Department of Audio-Visual Aids, North Reading Public Schools; Department of Audio-Visual Instruction, Weymouth Public Schooler and the Audio-Visual Department, Newton Public Schools. The writer interviewed the audio-visual director of each department, and examined the physical facilities [TRUNCATED

Radiant interchange in a non-isothermal rectangular cavity

Radiant interchange between non-isothermal, gray diffuse surfaces with non-uniform radiosity has been determined for a rectangular cavity. Temperature distribution and heat flux as thermal specifications for the parallel surfaces of the cavity have been considered separately. Ambarzumian\u27s method has been used for the first time to solve a radiant interchange problem. According to the method, the integral equation for the radiosity is first transformed into an integro-differential equation and then into a system of ordinary differential equations. Initial conditions required to solve the differential equations are the H-functions. The H-functions represent the radiosity at the edge of the cavity for various temperature profiles. Applying Ambarzumian\u27s Method a closed-form expression for radiosity and heat transfer are obtained in terms of universal functions. Heat transfer from the cavity can be determined without knowing the radiosity inside the cavity. The numerical results for the H-functions, radiosity, local heat flux, overall heat transfer, local and overall apparent emittance for the cavity have been presented in the form of tables and graphs --Abstract, page iii

Steroid induced central serous retinopathy following follicular unit extraction in androgenic alopecia

Dermatologists for various conditions and procedures commonly use corticosteroids worldwide. The development of central serous retinopathy is a lesser known complication occurring in <10% of the cases with steroid use. This case report highlights the development of central serous retinopathy after prescribing low dose of prednisolone 20 mg per day for androgenic alopecia during post-surgical follicular unit extraction (FUE) surgery follow-up that recovered spontaneously after gradual withdrawal of steroids. Therefore, awareness is required for its early detection and management as it has a potential of causing irreversible visual impairment

Diagnosis of Rice Diseases using Canny Edge K-means Clustering and Convolutional Neural Network based Transfer Learning

Recent breakthroughs in deep learning-based convolutional neural networks have significantly improved image categorization accuracy. Deep learning-based techniques for diagnosing illnesses from rice plant images have been created in this work, inspired by the realisation of CNNs in image classification. Smart monitoring technologies for the&nbsp;automatic identification of plant diseases are extremely beneficial to sustainable agriculture. Despite the fact that various mechanisms for plant disease categorization have been created in recent years, an inefficient technique based on evidence from picture samples is of concern for ground environments. In this study, an image processing technique for pre-processing and segmentation was used, as well as a multi-class convolutional neural network with transfer learning, to classify rice plant leaf diseases such as brown spot, hispa, leaf blast, and healthy class. The contaminated area was automatically separated from the healthy areas of the image using canny edge detection and k-means clustering, and the features were retrieved using the CNN model. In the experimental results, the CNN model without transfer learning is compared to the transfer learning model. VGGNet transfer learning is used to construct a multi-classification framework for each class of rice illness. The overall accuracy acquired by the CNN model without transfer learning is 92.14%, whereas the accuracy obtained by the transfer learning model is 94.80%.The current work demonstrates that the proposed technique is compelling and capable of recognizing rice plant illness for four classes

The effects of yoga on sports performance and health : A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Lincoln University

Stretching is frequently used in an attempt to increase flexibility and enhance athletic performance. Stretching and similar techniques have also been used in sedentary and clinical populations to increase the mobility of joints, reduce pain and improve cardiovascular health. Yoga is not only a stretching exercise but uses a holistic approach that improves flexibility and incorporates mental awareness. However, yoga has seldom been investigated in elite athletes or a representative cross-section of society. In the first three studies of this research, a yoga intervention was employed to assess the influence of yoga on flexibility, balance, and sport performance (i.e. sprinting ability) in rugby players. Furthermore, in a fourth, large, cross-sectional study, I examined the effects of practising yoga on cardiovascular health markers (total cholesterol, blood glucose, heart-rate variability (HRV), and arterial stiffness) in healthy adults. Findings in the first study suggest that two, 1 hr yoga sessions per week for 12 weeks resulted in a significantly reduced postural sway signal in the 2-legged eyes closed antero-posterior (-109.7% ± 82.9) and medial-lateral (-115.5% ± 92.1, mean ± 95% CI, p<0.005) directions in a yoga group (n = 15) compared to a control group (n = 14), indicating an improved balance ability in rugby players. In the second study, incorporating 8 weeks of yoga, including two, 1 hr sessions per week I found a minor, non-significant improvement in split times in the yoga group (-3.2% ± 10.4, -0.7% ± 9.0 for the 5 and 10 m sprints respectively, mean ± 95% confidence interval) compared to controls (-0.4% ± 10.2, 0.4% ± 7.9). Additionally, no significant change was found in the flexibility of the yoga group but the control group significantly decreased flexibility over this period. Based on the results of the first two studies (two, 1 hr yoga sessions either over 8 or 12 weeks resulting in minor changes to balance and performance in the male rugby players), a decision was made to investigate a more concise intervention that included shorter yoga sessions (better fit into busy schedules of players), included advanced postures, and had quick progressions through postures to determine if a more practical intervention could be equally effective for players. In the third study, a new yoga intervention which included advanced postures with a shorter session time (2 sessions/week for 30 min each, rather than 1 hr each) over a similar time frame (12 weeks) was carried out to observe the effects of yoga on flexibility measured at the hip and knee and sprint performance (over 5, 10, 15 and 20 m) in female rugby players. The five players in the yoga intervention group demonstrated significantly improved straight leg raises 29.1 ± 15.3 degrees (mean % change ± 95% CI, p 0.05). Players in the yoga group also significantly improved their 5 m sprint time -10.4 ± 10.2 (mean % change ± 95% CI, p 0.05), suggesting that yoga may help female rugby players improve or at least maintain their sprint performance and flexibility during the season. Yoga has also been associated with health improvements, particularly for the cardiovascular system. In the fourth study, the associations between yoga and clinical measures of cardiovascular health was investigated in a large cross-sectional study. New Zealand adult participants were split into those that regularly practised yoga and those that did not. Overall, the regularly-practicing yoga participants had significantly lower carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (-0.13 ± 0.28, m.s-1, p < 0.05, mean ± 95% CI) and systolic blood pressure (-2.0 ± 2.6, mmHg, p < 0.05), higher flexibility (12.7 ± 1.9 cm, p < 0.01), and higher total physical activity levels (1035.1 ± 671.3 METmin.week-1, p < 0.01) compared to the control group not practicing yoga. The control group was significantly taller (2.7 ± 1.7 cm, mean ± 95% CI, p < 0.002), heavier (8.2 ± 4.1 kg, p < 0.01), had more muscle mass (2.9 ± 1.5 kg, p < 0.05), higher body mass index (2.0 ± 0.7, p < 0.05), higher waist-hip-ratio (0.05 ± 0.02 cm, p < 0.01), and higher body fat (2.9 ± 3.1 kg) than the yoga group. Furthermore, the control group had higher blood glucose levels (92.0 ± 15.2 mg/dl) compared to the yoga group (90.6 ± 13.8 mg/dL, p = 0.36), but the yoga group had higher total cholesterol compared to the control group (192.1 ± 40.5 and 176.7 ± 42.8 mg/dL mean ± SD, for yoga group and control group respectively, p < 0.01). When the groups were separated into age categories the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was found to be significantly lower in younger (18 to 39 years) and older (60 years and above) yoga participants compared to controls. The findings suggest that regular practice of yoga is associated with reduced carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity and improved clinical measures of cardiovascular health. Overall, yoga appears to improve the flexibility of those who regularly practice it (i.e. 1 x per week) over a long time period (i.e. 3-months). In particular, yoga was found to be associated with improved eyes closed balance in rugby players and either maintained or improved 5 m sprint performance and improved some cardiovascular health indices among healthy adults. Overall, improved flexibility may be useful for daily physical functioning and for maintaining lifelong physical activity among the general population and for sport performance of athletes

Multi-scale calculation based on dual domain material point method combined with molecular dynamics

This dissertation combines the dual domain material point method (DDMP) with molecular dynamics (MD) in an attempt to create a multi-scale numerical method to simulate materials undergoing large deformations with high strain rates. In these types of problems, the material is often in a thermodynamically non-equilibrium state, and conventional constitutive relations are often not available. In this method, the closure quantities, such as stress, at each material point are calculated from a MD simulation of a group of atoms surrounding the material point. Rather than restricting the multi-scale simulation in a small spatial region, such as phase interfaces, or crack tips, this multi-scale method can be used to consider non-equilibrium thermodynamic effects in a macroscopic domain. This method takes advantage that the material points only communicate with mesh nodes, not among themselves; therefore MD simulations for material points can be performed independently in parallel. First, using a one-dimensional shock problem as an example, the numerical properties of the original material point method (MPM), the generalized interpolation material point (GIMP) method, the convected particle domain interpolation (CPDI) method, and the DDMP method are investigated. Among these methods, only the DDMP method converges as the number of particles increases, but the large number of particles needed for convergence makes the method very expensive especially in our multi-scale method where we calculate stress in each material point using MD simulation. To improve DDMP, the sub-point method is introduced in this dissertation, which provides high quality numerical solutions with a very small number of particles. The multi-scale method based on DDMP with sub-points is successfully implemented for a one dimensional problem of shock wave propagation in a cerium crystal. The MD simulation to calculate stress in each material point is performed in GPU using CUDA to accelerate the computation. The numerical properties of the multi- scale method are investigated as well as the results from this multi-scale calculation are compared with direct MD simulation results to demonstrate the feasibility of the method. Also, the multi-scale method is applied for a two dimensional problem of jet formation around copper notch under a strong impact

Allocative efficiency and adoption of improved maize variety: A case of eastern hills of Nepal

Production and &nbsp;profit from maize farming can be substantially increased by allocating resources efficiently and adopting improved maize variety. In this context, a study was undertaken to determine the allocative efficiency and factors affecting adoption of improved maize variety in Eastern hills of Nepal. Random sampling was conducted in eastern part of Khotang district namely, Halesi municipality and Diktel Rupakot Majuwagadi municipality during month of March 2019. Pretested semi-structured questionnaire was administered among 80 randomly selected farmers cultivating maize since last two years. Face to face interview was scheduled to obtain data. Cobb Douglas production function was used to determine allocative efficiency; probit regression model was launched to determine factors affecting adoption of improved maize variety. &nbsp;Significant positive relation of cost of seed, planting, and weeding with income has suggested to increase expenditure on certified maize seed over own farm seed, line sowing over broadcasting, and weeding. The model revealed that increasing all the factors of production by 100% would result in increase in income by 71.83%. Furthermore, cultivating improved maize variety is more profitable than own farm seed. Probit regression model showed that, farmers who have received training, who were member of cooperatives and who have received high schooling were more likely to adopt open-pollinated improved maize variety. Unavailability of inputs (seed, fertilizer, and labor), insect pest attack and adverse climatic conditions were major constraint of maize farming. Therefore, it would be better to suggest maize producers to increase expenditure on seed; make maize field weed free and adopt line sowing method. In addition, providing training, increasing access over inputs and encouraging farmers towards cooperatives could be virtuous for sustainable maize production

Pattern of adverse drug reactions reported at the adverse drug reaction monitoring centre at tertiary care teaching hospital in North India

Background: The aim of the present study was to determine the pattern of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported at ADR monitoring centre (AMC) in Punjab. Methods: This observational retrospective study was done in department of Pharmacology, GGS Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot from September 2020 to August 2021. A total of 148 ADRs were reported during the study period. Each ADR was analyzed for demographic data and characteristics of ADR. Assessment of causality, severity and preventability was done according to WHO UMC scale, modified Hartwig and Siegel scale and Modified Schumock and Thornton Preventability Scale respectively. Results: A total of 148 ADRs were reported from both outpatients and in patients of various departments. Most of the ADRs were found in males (55%) and patients of age group 31-45 years (33%). Majority of ADRs were reported from dermatology department (40%). Overall, 38% of ADRs were due to antimicrobial drugs. Most of the ADRs were reported as possible (57%), followed by probable (41%) as per WHO causality assessment. Most of the ADRs were moderate severity (83%). 97% of the ADRs were found to be definitely preventable type. Conclusions: We concluded that most of the ADRs were reported from antimicrobial drugs, so it is advisable to have close monitoring of the antimicrobial drug therapy to prevent ADRs in the patients. Although the majority of ADRs were moderate in nature but mostly were recovered. The study of ADRs in a particular institute using demographic patterns will contribute to patient safety by sensitizing the clinicians in that particular institute

SCREENING OF SOME MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR THEIR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES

Objective: Our objective of this research work was to investigate antimicrobial activity of five species of traditionally used medicinal plants namely Adhatoda vasica, Artemisia annua, Cordia oblique, Croton bonplandianum and Euphorbia milli against different strains of bacteria and fungi which are known to cause various types of infectious diseases.Methods: Organic extracts of these plants leaves (dry) were prepared, and antimicrobial sensitivity of these organic extracts (Hexane, chloroform, acetone, and methanol) against selected bacterial and fungal strains were performed by disc diffusion assay method and Resazurin-based Microtitre Dilution Assay method.Results: Among these plants, Cordia oblique (chloroform extract) and Croton bonplandianum (Hexane extract), which showed superior antimicrobial activity in the primary screening test. Croton bonplandianum showed the maximum yield (7.3%) and Adhatoda vasica showed minimum yield (0.57) of plant extract. Chloroform extracts of Cordia oblique and hexane extract of Croton bonplandianum showed very good antimicrobial activity (MIC 0.37 mg/ml) against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. With this Artemisia annua (chloroform extract) showed very remarkable antifungal activity (MIC 0.37 mg/ml) against Aspergillus niger. Among the different fractions (Hexane, chloroform, acetone and methanol) tested for antimicrobial activity, the non-polar fractions were more active than the polar fractions.Conclusion: In this study all the tested plants Adhatoda vasica, Artemisia annua, Cordia oblique, Croton bonplandianum and Euphorbia milli showed antimicrobial activity against at least one strain of bacterium and fungus. This might justify their claimed uses in the treatment of various infectious diseases. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Crude plant extracts, Organic extracts, Medicinal plant