Computational aspects of voting: a literature survey

Preference aggregation is a topic of study in different fields such as philosophy, mathematics, economics and political science. Recently, computational aspects of preference aggregation have gained especial attention and “computational politics” has emerged as a marked line of research in computer science with a clear concentration on voting protocols. The field of voting systems, rooted in social choice theory, has expanded notably in both depth and breadth in the last few decades. A significant amount of this growth comes from studies concerning the computational aspects of voting systems. This thesis comprehensively reviews the work on voting systems (from a computing perspective) by listing, classifying and comparing the results obtained by different researchers in the field. This survey covers a wide range of new and historical results yet provides a profound commentary on related work as individual studies and in relation to other related work and to the field in general. The deliverables serve as an overview where students and novice researchers in the field can start and also as a depository that can be referred to when searching for specific results. A comprehensive literature survey of the computational aspects of voting is a task that has not been undertaken yet and is initially realized here. Part of this research was dedicated to creating a web-depository that contains material and references related to the topic based on the survey. The purpose was to create a dynamic version of the survey that can be updated with latest findings and as an online practical reference

Estimation of biocidal potential of desert phytopowders for the management of citrus canker

Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops, throughout the world. It is a rich source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Citrus canker is a potential threat to its successful production. In current study, ten desert phytopowders including Xanthium strumarium, Dipterygium galucun, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Haloxylon recurvum, Suaeda fruticosa, Salsola baryosma, Citrulus colocynthis, Abutilon indicum, Aerva javanica, and Calotropis procera at three different concentrations (5.0, 7.5 and 10.0%) were evaluated under in vitro conditions against Xanthomonas citri pv. citri. Among all phytopowders, X. strumarium and S. fruticosa, showed maximum inhibition zone (40 mm) followed by S. baryosma (38.50 mm) C. colocynthis (37 mm), Abutilon indicum (34 mm), H. recurvum (32 mm), D. galucun (30.5 mm), A. javanica, (29.50 mm), L. pyrotechnica, (29.5 mm) and C. procera (28 mm) as compared to control. Then, effective phytopowders were applied under greenhouse and field conditions @ 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0% against citrus canker. Combination of X. strumarium + S. baryosma showed minimum disease severity (22%) followed by X. strumarium (26%), X. strumarium + S. fruticosa (27%), S. fruticosa (27%), X. strumarium + S. baryosma (27%), and S. baryosma (29%) as compared to control. While in field experiment, the combination of X. strumarium + S. fruticosa showed significant results with minimum disease severity (32%) followed by S. fruticosa + S. baryosma (32%), X. strumarium + S. baryosma (33%), S. baryosma (35%), X. strumarium (36%) and S. fruticosa (36%) as compared to control. It is concluded that application of X. strumarium + S. baryosma phytopowders will be helpful for farmers to combat citrus canker

Análisis estratégico de Starbucks

Este documento contiene una evaluación del entorno comercial interno y externo de Starbucks Coffee Company. El informe incluye una evaluación de los recursos estratégicos utilizados por Starbucks para encajar en un entorno competitivo. El informe también incluirá los factores de éxito de Starbucks y concluirá si tiene la ventaja competitiva. Además, se evaluarán las opciones estratégicas para mejorar el desempeño de Starbucks Coffee Company. La empresa opera en muchos países del mundo y el punto principal sería evaluar estrategias que puedan mejorar el rendimiento real.<br /

Effect of Seasoning of Different Woods on Resistance against Odontotermes obesus (Ramb.) under Laboratory and Field Choice and No-Choice Tests

The effects of seasoning on resistance of sapwood and heartwood of Dalbergia sissoo Roxb., Acacia nilotica Wild., and Pinus wallichiana A. B. Jacks against consumption by Odontotermes obesus (Ramb.) was evaluated in no-choice and choice laboratory and field experiments. Seasoning was done in an oven at 60, 80, and 100 °C for 10 and 15 days. The amount of wood consumed generally decreased as the drying temperature increased, indicating that the drying process contributed to termites’ resistance of the woods and made them unpalatable for the termites. The woods that were dried at 100 °C for 15 days showed a significant reduction in weight after the consumption by termites compared to the woods dried at 60 and 80 °C and control both in laboratory and field trials. Similarly, the wood that was dried at 100 °C for 15 days showed highest termite mortality rate in laboratory no choice and choice tests. Consequently, the termites showed maximum feeding propensity on unseasoned P. wallichiana and the minimum on seasoned D. sissoo measured with significant differences in weight loss and mortality. Based on the feeding indicated by wood weight loss, the descending order of preference was Dalbergia sissoo > Acacia nilotica > Pinus wallichiana. The importance of wood seasoning for termites’ resistance is also discussed

Charlson Comorbidity Index for Prediction of Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury in Critically Ill Patients

Introduction: This study aimed to determine predictors of outcomes in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI), and to study the impact of the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) as a prognostic indicator. MATERIALS AND Methods: This retrospective study included critically ill patients who were admitted with AKI or developed AKI during their hospital stay. The impact of comorbidity was evaluated by the CCI, while severity of AKI was assessed by the RIFLE criteria. Results: The mean age of 786 patients with AKI was 59.0 ± 17.0 years (59% men). The most common cause was sepsis in 51% of the patients. In-hospital mortality rate was 42%. The need for mechanical ventilation (odds ratio [OR], 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23 to 3.04), vasoactive drugs (OR, 9.67; 95% CI, 6.35 to 14.73), dialysis (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.78), failure class of RIFLE criteria (OR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.00 to 4.08), and a CCI greater than 6 (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.38 to 3.52) were independently associated with mortality. At 90 days of follow-up, 6% of the patients were dialysis dependent, while 32% and 62% had partial and complete recovery, respectively. In multivariable analysis, a CCI greater than 6 (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.83), need for dialysis in hospital (OR, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.54), and failure class (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.55) were independent predictors of poor renal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The CCI independently predicts in-patient mortality and poor renal outcomes in patients with AKI

Виявлення деяких закономірностей втомної поведінки композитної структури стопи протеза з вуглевого волокна з наночастинками AL2O3

In this research Carbon-Fiber with AL2O3 Nanoparticles Composite Structure of the Prosthesis foot has been examined and analysed numerically explain the fatigue behaviour of the prosthesis. Nanoparticles made of AL2O3 were incorporated into the production process of the composite structure of the prosthesis foot in the appropriate manner. The life forecast, the damage indicator, and the Biaxiliray indexation were the three primary considerations that went into the process of studying the composite construction of the prosthesis foot. The life prediction was the most important factor. Experiments on the phenomena of fatigue have been carried out with the stress being entirely reversed as the variable in order to ensure that the findings are in keeping with the theory that was proposed by GoodMan. In order to develop an estimate for these characteristics, the dynamic load that was applied, which was 1000 N, was utilised. It used the dynamic load that was applied in order to produce an estimate for these characteristics so that we could better understand them. The results of the computational research showed that the life prediction could be increased to 106 cycles by applying a primary force of 1000 N. This was shown by the findings of the studyThis was demonstrated by the findings. While the same load application was being carried out, the Biaxiliray indexation attained a value of 0.99. In addition to the research that was done on the damage indicator, the numerical findings demonstrated that the damage can be seen after the initial 1000 cycles of stress have been applied. This was demonstrated both by the research that was done on the damage indicator as well as by the numerical findingsУ цьому дослідженні вуглецеве волокно з наночастинками AL2O3 композитної структури стопи протеза було досліджено та чисельно проаналізовано пояснення втомної поведінки протеза. Наночастинки з AL2O3 були відповідним чином включені в процес виробництва композитної структури протеза стопи. Прогноз життя, індикатор пошкодження та індексація Biaxiliray були трьома основними міркуваннями, які враховувалися в процесі вивчення композитної конструкції стопи протеза. Прогноз життя був найважливішим фактором. Експерименти з явищем втоми були проведені з повністю зміненим стресом як змінною, щоб переконатися, що результати відповідають теорії, запропонованій Гудменом. Щоб розробити оцінку цих характеристик, було використано прикладене динамічне навантаження, яке становило 1000 Н. Було використане динамічне навантаження, яке було застосовано, щоб отримати оцінку цих характеристик, щоб ми могли краще їх зрозуміти. Результати обчислювального дослідження показали, що прогноз життя можна збільшити до 106 циклів, застосувавши первинну силу 1000 Н. Це показали результати дослідження. Це було продемонстровано висновками. Під час того ж застосування навантаження індексація Biaxiliray досягла значення 0,99. На додаток до дослідження індикатора пошкодження, чисельні дані показали, що пошкодження можна побачити після застосування перших 1000 циклів навантаження. Це було продемонстровано як дослідженням індикатора пошкоджень, так і цифровими результатам

Hydrogeochemical Characterization and Suitability Assessment of Groundwater: A Case Study in Central Sindh, Pakistan

Groundwater is the most important water resource, on which depends human geo-economic development and survival. Recent environmental changes and anthropogenic activities render groundwater severely vulnerable. Groundwater in Central Sindh, Pakistan, is facing a similar situation. Hydrogeochemical characteristics of the groundwater in the said region were investigated by analyzing 59 groundwater samples via agricultural and drinking indices, using various statistical methods and graphical approaches to identify factors affecting groundwater. Major reactions occurring in the groundwater system were quantified by hydrogeochemical modeling. A statistical summary reveals the abundance of cations is Na+ &gt; Ca2+ &gt; Mg2+ &gt; K+, while the abundance of anions is HCO3&minus; &gt; Cl&minus; &gt; SO42. Groundwater chemistry is mainly of rock dominance. Correlation analysis and graphical relationships between ions reveal that ion exchange and rock weathering such as the dissolution of halite, albite, and dissolution of carbonate minerals are important rock&ndash;water interactions, governing the evolution of groundwater chemistry. Hydrochemical facies are predominantly of mixed CaMgCl and Na-Cl type, with few samples of Ca-HCO3 type, which constitutes fresh recharged water. Based on the Water Quality Index (WQI), 28.82% samples were found to be unsuitable for drinking. A United States Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagram, Wilcox diagram, and other agricultural indices indicate that majority of the groundwater samples fall within the acceptable range for irrigation purposes