Mathematical Model and Analysis of Transmission Dynamics of Hepatitis B Virus

Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). In this paper, the transmission dynamics of hepatitis B is formulated with a mathematical model with considerations of different classes of individuals, namely immunized, susceptible, latent,infected and recovered class. The role of vaccination of new born babies against hepatitis B and the treatment of both latently and actively infected individuals in controlling the spread are factored into the model. The model in this study is based on the standard SEIR model. The disease-free equilibrium state of the model was established and its stability analyzed using the Routh-Hurwitz theorem. The result of the analysis of the stability of the disease-free equilibrium state shows that hepatitis B can totally be eradicated if effort is made to ensure that the sum of the rate of recovery of the latent class, the rate at which latently infected individuals become actively infected and the rate of natural death must have a lower bound.Comment: 9 pages, 1 figur

Characterization of noncontact piezoelectric transducer with conically shaped piezoelement

The characterization of a dynamic surface displacement transducer (IQI Model 501) by a noncontact method is presented. The transducer is designed for ultrasonic as well as acoustic emission measurements and, according to the manufacturer, its characteristic features include a flat frequency response range which is from 50 to 1000 kHz and a quality factor Q of less than unity. The characterization is based on the behavior of the transducer as a receiver and involves exciting the transducer directly by transient pulse input stress signals of quasi-electrostatic origin and observing its response in a digital storage oscilloscope. Theoretical models for studying the response of the transducer to pulse input stress signals and for generating pulse stress signals are presented. The characteristic features of the transducer which include the central frequency f sub o, quality factor Q, and flat frequency response range are obtained by this noncontact characterization technique and they compare favorably with those obtained by a tone burst method which are also presented

AGRICULTURE PERSONNEL READINESS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DECENTRALIZED CITY PROVINCIAL-LED AGRICULTURE AND FISHERY EXTENSION SERVICES UNDER THE MANDANAS-GARCIA RULING

This study utilized the underlying qualitative research design and examines the dimensions of the readiness of the City Agriculture Personnel in the Implementation of City Agriculture Fishery Extension Services (CAFES) and developed an institutional framework model. Data were derived from interviews with key respondents of the Davao City Agriculture Office and supported by secondary information. Thematic-content analysis was used to analyze transcripts of their own personal opinions, experiences, and insights. Findings from this qualitative inquiry, show that Devolution Transition Plan (DTP); Personnel Structure and Budget, Policies and Ordinances, and enabling mechanisms such as Strategic Action Plans and Projects are the significant elements in the effective implementation of the decentralized agricultural and fishery extension services delivery.  Article visualizations

The effect of harmonic accompaniment on primary two children's developmental music aptitude

Studies on children's musical development have received increased attention than previously. The present study aims to investigate the effect on the use of bamboo xylophone as harmonic accompaniment on primary two children's music development. The study was focused on the following specific problems (1) Is there a difference with an additional harmonic accompaniment in the development of tonal aptitude in primary two children? (2) Is there a difference with an additional harmonic accompaniment in the development of rhythm aptitude in primary two children? Four classes (n=80) from two public schools in the city of Kota Kinabalu were randomly assigned to two different groups: a control (n=40) and an experimental group (n=40). Both groups of children sat for a pre-test and post-test on Gordon's Intermediate Measures of Music Audiation tonal subtest (IMMAT) and rhythm subtest (IMMAR). The results indicated no significant difference in the music aptitude test between the groups (p > .05). However, the mean gain score percentage of children in the experimental group increased more than that of the control group. The results suggest that a future study should include longitudinal data, larger sample size, different types of musical instruments and children's interest in learning music

Numerical studies of identification in nonlinear distributed parameter systems

An abstract approximation framework and convergence theory for the identification of first and second order nonlinear distributed parameter systems developed previously by the authors and reported on in detail elsewhere are summarized and discussed. The theory is based upon results for systems whose dynamics can be described by monotone operators in Hilbert space and an abstract approximation theorem for the resulting nonlinear evolution system. The application of the theory together with numerical evidence demonstrating the feasibility of the general approach are discussed in the context of the identification of a first order quasi-linear parabolic model for one dimensional heat conduction/mass transport and the identification of a nonlinear dissipation mechanism (i.e., damping) in a second order one dimensional wave equation. Computational and implementational considerations, in particular, with regard to supercomputing, are addressed

The Indochinese Refugee Movement and the Launch of Canada’s Private Sponsorship Program

Introduction to 32.2: Special IssueThe Indochinese Refugee Movement and the Launch of Canada’s Private Sponsorship ProgramGuest Editors: Michael J. Molloy and James C. Simeo

La reconstruction de l’idée et de la pratique de la mascarade chez le peuple Igbo au sud-est du Nigéria

The study examines the phenomenon of masquerading in Igbo culture. It philosophically explores the cosmology and cultural anthropology of Igbo masquerading, drawing some important implications for which the authors believe they bear on the truth of human existence. It investigates the distortions in and around this Igbo cultural practice against the background of its immanent significance and, thus, attempts to reconstruct it. The paper demonstrates that the huge potential for development inherent in Igbo masquerading outweigh its pitfalls. Igbo masquerading today tends to divide the present generation from the older generation of Igbo. The latter lament that the way masquerading is done nowadays no longer reflects the critical cultural ideals of the people. But, this situation has not been given deserved attention among scholars. The significance of this study, then, lies exactly on its attempt at a theoretical and normative reconstruction of masquerading among the Igbo. The aim of the paper is to critically engage Igbo masquerading with the goal of rescuing it from associated negativities. In the light of the critical Igbo ideals of truth and social justice, the paper proffers the way forward and makes some recommendations. As a philosophical inquiry, the study employs the methods of analysis, prescription and speculation.Studija ispituje fenomen maskiranja u kulturi Igbo naroda. Filozofski istražuje kozmologiju i kulturnu antropologiju maskiranja Igboa, izvlačeći neke važne implikacije za koje autori vjeruju da imaju utjecaj na istinu o ljudskom postojanju. Istražuje distorzije unutar i oko ove kulturne prakse Igboa u odnosu na njen imanentni značaj i stoga je pokušava rekonstruirati. Rad pokazuje da golemi potencijali za razvoj svojstveni maskiranju Igboa nadmašuju njegove manjkavosti. Igboansko maskiranje danas često dijeli sadašnju generaciju od starije generacije igboa. Potonji se žale na to da današnji način maskiranja više ne odražava ključne kulturne ideale na roda. Ali, ova situacija nije dobila zasluženu pažnju među znanstvenicima. Značaj ove studije, dakle, leži upravo u pokušaju teorijske i normativne rekonstrukcije maskiranja među Igboima. Cilj je rada kritički se baviti Igbo maskiranjem s ciljem spašavanja od povezanih negativnosti. U svjetlu ključnih ideala istine i socijalne pravde kod Igboa, rad nudi put naprijed i daje neke preporuke. Kao filozofsko istraživanje, studija koristi metode analize, preskripcije i spekulacije.Diese Studie setzt sich mit dem Phänomen der Maskierung in der Kultur der Igbo auseinander. Es handelt sich um eine philosophische Untersuchung der Kosmologie und Kulturanthropologie der Maskierung der Igbo, wobei einige wichtige Implikationen gezogen werden, die, wie die Authoren glauben, einen Einfluss auf die Wahrheit über die menschliche Existenz haben könne. Sie befasst sich mit den Distorsionen innerhalb dieser kulturellen Praxis der Igbo und um sie herum im Bezug auf ihre immanente Bedeutsamkeit und versucht sie daher zu rekonstuieren. Die Arbeit zeigt, dass die große Entwicklungspotentiale, die dem Maskieren der Igbo eigen sind, seine Mangeln überwiegen. Heutzutage trennt das Maskieren oft die jetzige Generation von der älteren Generation der Igbo. Die Letzteren beklagen sich darüber, dass das Maskieren in seiner heutigen Art und Weise nicht mehr die kulturellen Kernideale des Volkes widerspiegelt. Jedoch hat diese Situation von den Wissenschaftlern nicht die verdiente Aufmerksamkeit bekommen. Die Bedeutung dieser Studie liegt, also, gerade im Versuch einer theoretischen und normativen Rekonstruktion der Maskierung unter den Igbo. Das Ziel der Arbeit ist eine kritische Befassung mit der Maskierung der Igbo, um sie vor den mit ihr verbundenen Negativitäten zu retten. Im Lichte der Kernideale der Wahrheit und der sozialen Gerechtigkeit bei den Igbo, bietet diese Arbeit den Weg nach vorne an und macht einige Empfehlungen. Als eine philosophische Untersuchung, benutzt diese Studie Methoden der Analyse, Präskription und Spekulation.Cette étude interroge le phénomène de mascarade dans la culture Igbo. Elle analyse d’un point de vue philosophique la cosmologie et l’anthropologie culturelle en tirant d’importantes conclusions, qui, selon les auteurs, ont une incidence sur la vérité de l’existence humaine. L’étude recherche les déformations au sein et autour de cette pratique culturelle Igbo par rapport au contexte immanent à sa signification, et ainsi, tente de la reconstruire. L’article montre que l’énorme potentiel de développement inhérent aux mascarades Igbo l’emporte sur ses inconvénients. Aujourd’hui la mascarade Igbo tend à séparer la présente génération de l’ancienne génération Igbo. Les anciens se plaignent de la manière de se masquer qui ne reflète plus aujourd’hui les idéaux culturels clés du peuple. Pourtant, cette situation n’a pas reçu l’attention qu’elle mérite parmi les scientifiques. L’importance de cette étude réside, ainsi, justement dans la tentative théorique et reconstruction normative des mascarades chez les Igbos. L’objectif de ce travail est de développer un discours critique sur les mascarades Igbo afin de les libérer des négativités qui leurs sont associées. À la lumière des idéaux clés de la vérité et de la justice so ciale chez les Igbos, ce travail présente la voie à suivre et formule quelques recommandations. En tant que recherche philosophique, l’étude se sert de la méthode analytique, prescriptive et de spéculative

Designing Automated Vehicle and Traffic Systems towards Meaningful Human Control

Ensuring operational control over automated vehicles is not trivial and failing to do so severely endangers the lives of road users. An integrated approach is necessary to ensure that all agents play their part including drivers, occupants, vehicle designers and governments. While progress is being made, a comprehensive approach to the problem is being ignored, which can be solved in the main through considering Meaningful Human Control (MHC). In this research, an Integrated System Proximity framework and Operational Process Design approach to assist the development of Connected Automated Vehicles (CAV) under the consideration of MHC are introduced. These offer a greater understanding and basis for vehicle and traffic system design by vehicle designers and governments as two important influencing stakeholders. The framework includes an extension to a system approach, which also considers ways that MHC can be improved through updating: either implicit proximal updating or explicit distal updating. The process and importance are demonstrated in three recent cases from practice. Finally, a call for action is made to government and regulatory authorities, as well as the automotive industry, to ensure that MHC processes are explicitly included in policy, regulations, and design processes to ensure future ad-vancement of CAVs in a responsible, safe and humanly agreeable fashion.Comment: In: Research Handbook on Meaningful Human Control of Artificial Intelligence Systems. Edward Elgar Publishin

Defining the Degree of Seasonality and its Significance for Future Research

Seasonality describes cyclic and largely predictable fluctuations in the environment. Such variations in day length, temperature, rainfall, and resource availability are ubiquitous and can exert strong selection pressure on organisms to adapt to seasonal environments. However, seasonal variations exhibit large scale geographical divergences caused by a whole suite of factors such as solar radiation, ocean currents, extent of continents, and topography. Realizing these contributions in driving patterns of overall seasonality may help advance our understanding of the kinds of evolutionary adaptations we should expect at a global scale. Here, we introduce a new concept and provide the data describing the overall degree of seasonality, based on its two major components—amplitude and predictability. Using global terrestrial datasets on temperature, precipitation and primary productivity, we show that these important seasonal factors exhibit strong differences in their spatial patterns with notable asymmetries between the southern and the northern hemisphere. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that seasonality is highly diverse across latitudes as well as longitudinal gradients. This indicates that using a direct measure of seasonality and its components, amplitude and predictability, may yield a better understanding of how organisms are adapted to seasonal environments and provide support for predictions on the consequences of rapid environmental change