Extending domain-specific modeling editors with multi-touch interactions

L'ingénierie dirigée par les modèles (MDE) est une méthodologie d'ingénierie logiciel qui permet aux ingénieurs de définir des modèles conceptuels pour un domaine spécifique. La MDE est supportée par des outils de modélisation, qui sont des éditeurs pour créer et manipuler des modèles spécifiques au domaine. Cependant, l'état actuel de la pratique de ces éditeurs de modélisation offre des interactions utilisateur très limitées, souvent restreintes à glisser-déposer en utilisant les mouvements de souris et les touches du clavier. Récemment, un nouveau cadre propose de spécifier explicitement les interactions utilisateur des éditeurs de modélisation. Dans cette thèse, nous étendons ce cadre pour supporter les interactions multitouches lors de la modélisation. Nous proposons un catalogue initial de gestes multitouches pour offrir une variété de gestes tactiles utiles. Nous démontrons comment notre approche est applicable pour générer des éditeurs de modélisation. Notre approche permet des interactions plus naturelles pour l'utilisateur quand il effectue des tâches de modélisation types.Model-driven engineering (MDE) is a software engineering methodology that enables engineers to define conceptual models for a specific domain. Modeling is supported by modeling language workbenches, acting as editor to create and manipulate domain-specific models. However, the current state of practice of these modeling editors offers very limited user interactions, often restricted to drag-and-drop with mouse movement and keystrokes. Recently, a novel framework proposes to explicitly specify the user interactions of modeling editors. In this thesis, we extend this framework to support multi-touch interactions when modeling. We propose an initial set of multi-touch gesture catalog to offer a variety of useful touch gestures. We demonstrate how our approach is applicable for generating modeling editors. Our approach yields more natural user interactions to perform typical modeling tasks

Privacy Vulnerabilities in the Practices of Repairing Broken Digital Artifacts in Bangladesh

This paper presents a study on the privacy concerns associated with the practice of repairing broken digital objects in Bangladesh. Historically, repair of old or broken technologies has received less attention in ICTD scholarship than design, development, or use. As a result, the potential privacy risks associated with repair practices have remained mostly unaddressed. This paper describes our three-month long ethnographic study that took place at ten major repair sites in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We show a variety of ways in which the privacy of an individual’s personal data may be compromised during the repair process. We also examine people’s perceptions around privacy in repair, and its connections with their broader social and cultural values. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for future research to strengthen the repair ecosystem in developing countries. Taken together, our findings contribute to the growing discourse around post-use cycles of technology

Refugees and migrants in times of COVID-19: mapping trends of public health and migration policies and practices

Refugees and migrants have been disproportionately affected by both the direct effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the restrictive migration measures put in place, which, in turn, have hampered coordinated and consistent public health responses. This report maps how the needs of refugee and migrant have been addressed in COVID-19 responses across countries and how these have varied considerably from inclusive policies to discriminatory practices. Many countries ensured access to health care for refugees and migrants regardless of migration status, and several countries also suspended forced returns and prioritized alternatives to immigration detention. An integrated approach to migration and public health policies covering protection-sensitive access to territories, a flexible approach to migration status and non-discriminatory access to health care is suggested as a policy consideration to uphold international conventions protecting the right to health without discrimination for refugees and migrants

Global assessment of exposure to faecal contamination through drinking water based on a systematic review

Objectives: To estimate exposure to faecal contamination through drinking water as indicated by levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) or thermotolerant coliform (TTC) in water sources. Methods: We estimated coverage of different types of drinking water source based on household surveys and censuses using multilevel modelling. Coverage data were combined with water quality studies that assessed E. coli or TTC including those identified by a systematic review (n = 345). Predictive models for the presence and level of contamination of drinking water sources were developed using random effects logistic regression and selected covariates. We assessed sensitivity of estimated exposure to study quality, indicator bacteria and separately considered nationally randomised surveys. Results: We estimate that 1.8 billion people globally use a source of drinking water which suffers from faecal contamination, of these 1.1 billion drink water that is of at least 'moderate' risk (>10 E. coli or TTC per 100 ml). Data from nationally randomised studies suggest that 10% of improved sources may be 'high' risk, containing at least 100 E. coli or TTC per 100 ml. Drinking water is found to be more often contaminated in rural areas (41%, CI: 31%-51%) than in urban areas (12%, CI: 8-18%), and contamination is most prevalent in Africa (53%, CI: 42%-63%) and South-East Asia (35%, CI: 24%-45%). Estimates were not sensitive to the exclusion of low quality studies or restriction to studies reporting E. coli. Conclusions: Microbial contamination is widespread and affects all water source types, including piped supplies. Global burden of disease estimates may have substantially understated the disease burden associated with inadequate water services

Highly sensitive photonic crystal fiber salinity sensor based on Sagnac interferometer

For a sensor, high sensitivity, structural simplicity, and longevity are highly desired for measurement of salinity in seawater. This work proposed an ultrahigh sensitive photonic crystal fiber (PCF) salinity sensor based on the sagnac interferometer (SI). The propagation characteristics of the proposed PCF are analyzed by the finite element method (FEM). The achieved sensitivity reaches up to 37,500 nm/RIU and 7.5 nm/% in the salinity range from 0% to 100%. The maximum resolutions of 2.66 × 10−06 RIU and 1.33 × 10−02% are achieved with high linearity of 0.9924 for 2.20 cm length of the proposed PCF. Owing to such excellent results, this proposed sensor offers the potential to measure the salinity of seawater

Letrozole versus dienogest in endometrioma recurrent after surgery: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Letrozole is a third-generation aromatase inhibitor. As there is aberrant aromatase production by endometriotic stromal cells and the growth and regression of endometriosis is estrogen-dependent, the use of letrozole to reduce the size and symptoms of endometrioma especially in recurrent cases is a promising medical intervention. Dienogest is a fourth-generation progestin which is being used for the treatment of endometriosis due to its antiproliferative and antiangiogenic properties on endometrial tissue. The present study was conducted to compare the effects of letrozole and dienogest on endometrioma recurrent after surgery.Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted on 38 women having recurrence of endometrioma after surgery. They were randomly assigned to receive either letrozole (2.5 mg daily) or dienogest (2 mg once daily) for 6 months. Size of the endometrioma was measured by transvaginal ultrasound and the pain (dysmenorrhoea) was measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) of 0-10, prior to treatment and after 3 and 6 months of treatment.Results: The mean size of endometrioma was reduced from a baseline of 6.06±2.40 cm to 5.23±1.37 cm and to 4.59±1.25 cm after 3 and 6 months of treatment with letrozole. While with dienogest the reduction was from a baseline of 6.67±1.31 cm to 4.83±1.50 cm and to 3.80±1.34 cm after 3 and 6 months of treatment. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant but dienogest yielded better result in terms of effect size. Decrease in pain (dysmenorrhoea) was highly significant with both the drugs.Conclusions: In terms of reduction of the size of endometrioma, dienogest yields better results than letrozole. Both the drugs are highly effective in alleviating pain (dysmenorrhoea)

Performance of tropical sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) as influenced by date of harvesting

An experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh during November 2017 to April 2018 to study the effect of date of harvesting on the yield and quality of tropical sugar beet. The experiment comprised seven varieties viz. SV 889, SV 892, SV 893, SV 894, SZ 35, KWS Serenada and KWS Danicia and two dates of harvesting viz. 135 days after sowing (DAS) and 155 DAS. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Variety, date of harvesting and their interaction showed significant effect on crop characters, beet yield and juice quality of tropical sugar beet. The highest beet length (23.50 cm), individual beet weight (591.6 g) and beet yield (59.16 t ha-1) were recorded in SV 894 while the highest brix (15.42%) was observed in SV 893. The lowest beet yield (40.25 t ha-1) and brix (13.92%) were observed in KWS Danicia. In case of date of harvesting, the highest beet length (24.26 cm), beet girth (25.40 cm), individual beet weight (536.07 g) and beet yield (53.60 t ha-1) were observed at 155 DAS harvest while the highest brix (14.66%) was recorded at 135 DAS harvest. In interaction, the highest beet length (25.67 cm), individual beet weight (681.2 g) and beet yield (68.12 t ha-1) were recorded in SV 894 with 155 DAS harvest whereas the lowest beet yield (32.03 t ha-1) was recorded in the interaction in KWS Danicia with 135 DAS harvest. From this study, it may be concluded that SV 894 appears as the promising variety that can be harvested at 155 DAS

EVALUATION OF THE ENHANCED INTEGRATED CLIMATIC MODEL FOR SPECIFICATION OF SUBGRADE SOILS IN OKLAHOMA

The main objective of this study was to collect and evaluate climatic and soil data pertaining to Oklahoma for the climatic model (EICM) in the mechanistic-empirical design guide for pavements. The EICM climatic input files were updated and extended over a large area covering Oklahoma climatic conditions. Large cluster of raw climate and soil moisture data were obtained from the Oklahoma Mesonet for evaluation and use in creating the necessary input parameters for the climatic model. Historical climatic data were also employed for classifying climatic regions in Oklahoma using cluster analysis. Thornthwaite Moisture Index (TMI) contour maps were created using the climatic data and ArcGIS software. A comprehensive validation study was also undertaken in comparing the moisture migration processes in the EICM and commercially available software using the climatic and soil data in Oklahoma.Final report, October 2011-December 2013N

Paraphernalia of Growth Regulators During In Vitro micro-Propagation of Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from Shoot Tips and Nodal Segments

Abstract: As grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is rarely produced in Bangladesh because of unavailability of improved varieties, so this study was designed to solve this problem through evaluating the effects of hormonal combination for the duration of in vitro micro propagation of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) from shoot tips and nodal segments. Firstly, surface sterilization process was carried out by using HgCl 2 (mercuric chlorite) at 0.1% for 3 min and best result was found. During establishment stage, explants were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) basal medium supplemented with BAP (6-benzylamino purine) 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mg/l and NAA (β-naphthalene acetic acid). 0.1mg/l where MS+ BAP 1.0 mg/l + NAA 0.1mg/l displayed best potential result. During shoot multiplication stage, BAP 2.0 and 3.0 mg/l and NAA 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg/l and their combination were used and highest number of proliferated shoots was obtained from MS+ BAP 3.0 mg/l + NAA 0.2 mg/l. For rooting stage, NAA 0.5 and 1.0 mg/l and IBA (Indol-3-butyric acid) 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/l were used and tested. The highest rooting percentage, number of roots per shoot and root length found in MS+ 0.5 mg/l NAA + IBA 1.0 mg/l. Finally, neo-formed plantlets were transferred into pots containing peat moss and sand (1:1 v/v) and potential growth of these plantlets in environment indicates that through using the adequate amount of hormonal combination could give a better solution for the improvement and availability of grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) for Bangladeshi farmers