Wilson lines in AdS/dCFT

We consider the expectation value of Wilson lines in two defect versions of N = 4 SYM, both with supersymmetry completely broken, where one is described in terms of an integrable boundary state, the other one not. For both cases, imposing a certain double scaling limit, we find agreement to two leading orders between the expectation values calculated from respectively the field theory and the string theory side of the AdS/dCFT correspondence.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figures; typos correcte

Investigating Notch Signaling and Sequential Segmentation in the Fairy Shrimp, Thamnocephalus platyurus

Segmentation is a key feature of arthropod diversity and evolution. In the standard model for arthropod development, Drosophila melanogaster, segments develop simultaneously by a progressive subdivision of the embryo. By contrast, most arthropods add segments sequentially from a posterior region called the growth zone and in a manner similar to vertebrates. Recent work, mainly focused on insects, suggests that Notch signaling might play a role in arthropods that segment sequentially. These studies document a potential regulatory similarity between sequentially segmenting arthropods and vertebrates. In vertebrates, somite formation involves a molecular oscillator that functions as a pacemaker, driving periodic expression of genes along the anterior-posterior axis. Here we focus on segmentation in crustaceans, the sister taxon to insects. We investigate the relationship between Notch signaling and segmentation in the fairy shrimp, Thamnocephalus platyurus. In order to explore gene regulation of segmentation in these animals, we will be tracing expression of Notch pathway genes using in situ hybridization and investigating their functions by using a chemical inhibitor of the Notch pathway

Ecofeminism and the Deconstruction of Dualisms: Theorising Contemporary American Women's Writing

Drawing on the thinking of feminism and ecocriticism, ecofeminism’s main premise is that the patriarchal ideology legitimising the oppression of women and many other marginalised groups is also that which authorises the destructive oppression of nature. Rather than trying to encapsulate all of the expanding theory of ecofeminism, this thesis focuses on a foundational perspective: the ecofeminist deconstruction of dualisms. What ecofeminists share in common is an intention to deconstruct dualisms that serve to obstruct the presentation of a more interconnected, non-hierarchical, and non-reductionist view of life. This is based on a re-conceptualisation of dualisms inherited from patriarchal Western metaphysics, such as culture/nature, male/female, subject/object, transcendence/immanence, God/world, human/animal, public/private, and production/reproduction. The effect of these pervasive dualisms is that their second terms have been historically constructed as if inferior and subordinated to the first terms and have therefore underpinned systemic thinking that ideologically constructs the objects of those second terms as inferior and dependent. Literary texts might contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of responses to such dualisms and, accordingly, in this thesis an investigation is undertaken of literary works by the contemporary American women writers, Toni Morrison, Alice Walker and Marilynne Robinson: writers I define as ‘ecofeminist’. The Introduction to the thesis presents an overview of how different generations of feminists and ecofeminists have conceived of nature and have sought to redefine their relationship with it. The subsequent three chapters explore three interlocking sets of dualisms: the transcendence/immanence dualism, the public/private dualism, and the (wo)man/animal dualism. Each chapter traces a dualism’s origin and development in Western philosophy before exploring ecofeminists’ responses and critiques, not only in theoretical terms, but also via literary performativity in the selected fiction. Derrida’s two-step process of deconstruction (first inversion and then re-definition) is a line of thinking and practice that underpins the entire thesis and informs the argument: the feminist and ecofeminist reactions to these dualisms are read as, first, inverting the dualism; and, second, re-defining the terms of the dualism themselves

Culture-bound addictions among low income workers of Karachi, Pakistan

Background: The self-efficacy of individuals is influenced by experiences in the community, in the workplace, and in broader civil society, all of which exert a collective influence on attitudes and behaviors. The low-income population is more likely to engage in the use of culture bound addictive substances which include tobacco, gutkha, betel nut/areca nut, alcohol and caffeine. The objective of the study was to identify the type of culture-bound substances used by low-income workers and also to determine the prevalence of substance use among low-income workers, in Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out in Karachi, Pakistan. Trained interviewers used a semi-structured questionnaire to interview 707 workers to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, and addiction history. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.Results: Majority (26.4%) of the participants were aged between 26 and 30 years. More than one-third (35.1%) were educated up to secondary level only. Half of the sample (50.8) had 6 to 10 house hold members whereas only one member was employed among 34.8% of the respondents. 39.5% participants reported a household income between Rs11000 and Rs 20000 per month. Half of the sample (50.4%) reported some sort of substance use in their daily routine. A significant number (39.5%) of workers were found to be addicted to tobacco, gutkha or betel nut alone, while another 10.5% were using these substances in combination.Conclusions: Addiction to culture bound substances is prevalent among 50% of the low income workers of Karachi, Pakistan. The common culture bound addiction substances the workers were found to be using were tobacco, ghutka and betel nut. The findings of the present study can­not be generalized due to the limited sample. Still, the study provides evidence of this unhealthy behavior among workers that not only affects their productivity but plays a vicious role in poverty and poor health cycle. Future research should direct attention toward workers' health and working conditions to formulate effective public health interventions to reduce the risky behavior among low income workers. Moreover, there is a need to develop health education programs to create awareness and empowerment among low-income workers to prevent substance use.

Socio-Economic Impact of Touristic Development on Surrounding Local Communities- Case Study Delta Egypt

Tourism has become an important economic sector and a primary contributing driver of the economy in many parts of the world. The study area is a secluded area in northern Delta Egypt, directly on the Mediterranean Sea. In this research, we try to investigate how tourist development affects the local community, and how the local community takes advantage of the different opportunities offered by the development. Also, we try to answer the question of what makes some people better use the development than others. It is a qualitative interpretive inductive research based on naturalistic narrative methodology. This is achieved through semi-structured interviews with resort administrators, resort workers, local community members, and development beneficiaries. We monitor and document this change and try to identify the reasons behind the different levels of effect it has on people, and why some of them can take good advantage of the change and some don’t. Whether it is different levels of education, rationality, entrepreneur mentality, social class, social relations, or unequal distribution of chances. The interviews were conducted between August 2021 and September 2022. Throughout the narrative, we get a better understanding of the dynamic between different stakeholders

Current knowledge and future perspectives of barrier membranes: A biomaterials perspective

Periodontal regenerations and bone augmentations are common procedures practiced on a daily basis worldwide. This had led to the introduction of a wide number of barrier membranes, all aiming at regenerating a sufficient amount of bone while being safe, cost effective and easy to handle. Membranes have different characteristics that may influence their clinical properties and the result obtained. The article aims at presenting an overview of the different barrier membranes commonly used in the oral surgery field, while shedding light on the new advances in the third generation membranes

COMPUTATION OF ANKLE TORQUE IN DIFFERENT STRATEGIES OF LANDING BY DYNAMIC MODELING

Ankle joint injury often occurs in sports. The purpose of this study was to compute ankle torque under different strategies of landing using human body movement simulation during landing for males and females. Kinematic and kinetic data were given to model and ankle torque under three strategies of landing was computed. Results showed that in first strategy there was a minimum value of peak ankle torque for both males and females. In second and third strategies by increasing plantar flexion of ankle, peak ankle torque was increased for both males and females. Results were in agreement with previous experimental investigations

Sustainable Markets: Case Study Of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

“The traditional definition of sustainability calls for policies and strategies that meet society’s present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (1).”  Sustainability is a concern in private and public sectors all over the world; it is an issue that resonates with people in all age ranges, income levels, and geographic locations.  The main idea of sustainability is “reduce, reuse, and recycle.”  People and organizations alike must consider every possible effect from the decisions they make in regards to the environment.  With over 600,000,000 passenger cars on the road in the world, and over 50,000,000 passenger cars built each year, it is imperative that automakers make sustainable decisions (2).  It is not just the large number of vehicles in the world that is cause for concern, but the immense amount of resources needed to manufacture, transport, and fuel them.  Automakers must consider the impact that each car has during every stage of its life cycle, in addition to their responsibility to society (in terms of the environment, education, and safety) and the impact of their suppliers.  This case study is designed to discuss the background of Toyota and highlight the company’s current actions in regard to sustainable marketing; a comparison will also be made to the sustainable efforts of Honda and Subaru