Negotiating Socially Optimal Allocations of Resources

A multiagent system may be thought of as an artificial society of autonomous software agents and we can apply concepts borrowed from welfare economics and social choice theory to assess the social welfare of such an agent society. In this paper, we study an abstract negotiation framework where agents can agree on multilateral deals to exchange bundles of indivisible resources. We then analyse how these deals affect social welfare for different instances of the basic framework and different interpretations of the concept of social welfare itself. In particular, we show how certain classes of deals are both sufficient and necessary to guarantee that a socially optimal allocation of resources will be reached eventually

Relationship of blood pressure, antihypertensive therapy, and outcome in ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis: retrospective analysis from Safe Implementation of Thrombolysis in Stroke-International Stroke Thrombolysis Register (SITS-ISTR)

<p><b>Background and Purpose:</b> The optimal management of blood pressure (BP) in acute stroke remains unclear. For ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis, current guidelines suggest pharmacological intervention if systolic BP exceeds 180 mm Hg. We determined retrospectively the association of BP and antihypertensive therapy with clinical outcomes after stroke thrombolysis.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> The SITS thrombolysis register prospectively recorded 11 080 treatments from 2002 to 2006. BP values were recorded at baseline, 2 hours, and 24 hours after thrombolysis. Outcomes were symptomatic (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score deterioration ≥4) intracerebral hemorrhage Type 2, mortality, and independence at (modified Rankin Score 0 to 2) 3 months. Patients were categorized by history of hypertension and antihypertensive therapy within 7 days after thrombolysis: Group 1, hypertensive treated with antihypertensives (n=5612); Group 2, hypertensive withholding antihypertensives (n=1573); Group 3, without history of hypertension treated with antihypertensives (n=995); and Group 4, without history of hypertension not treated with antihypertensives (n=2632). For 268 (2.4%) patients, these data were missing. Average systolic BP 2 to 24 hours after thrombolysis was categorized by 10-mm Hg intervals with 100 to 140 used as a reference.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> In multivariable analysis, high systolic BP 2 to 24 hours after thrombolysis as a continuous variable was associated with worse outcome (P<0.001) and as a categorical variable had a linear association with symptomatic hemorrhage and a U-shaped association with mortality and independence with systolic BP 141 to 150 mm Hg associated with most favorable outcomes. OR (95% CI) from multivariable analysis showed no difference in symptomatic hemorrhage (1.09 [0.83 to 1.51]; P=0.58) and independence (1.03 [0.93 to 1.10]; P=0.80) but lower mortality (0.82 [0.73 to 0.92]; P=0.0007) for Group 1 compared with Group 4. Group 2 had a higher symptomatic hemorrhage (1.86 [1.34 to 2.68]; P=0.0004) and mortality (1.62 [1.41 to 1.85]; P<0.0001) and lower independence (0.89 [0.80 to 0.99]; P=0.04) compared with Group 4. Group 3 had similar results as Group 1.</p> <p><b>Conclusions:</b> There is a strong association of high systolic BP after thrombolysis with poor outcome. Withholding antihypertensive therapy up to 7 days in patients with a history of hypertension was associated with worse outcome, whereas initiation of antihypertensive therapy in newly recognized moderate hypertension was associated with a favorable outcome.</p&gt

PENGELOLAAN SAMPAH DI TPA SELOPURO KECAMATAN PITU KABUPATEN NGAWI

ABSTRAKSI PENGELOLAAN SAMPAH DI TPA SELOPURO KECAMATAN PITU KABUPATEN NGAWI TONI PRASETYO NUGROHO F1113052 Sampah merupakan isu penting dalam lingkungan perkotaan yang dihadapi sejalan dengan perkembangan jumlah penduduk dan peningkatan aktivitas pembangunan. Timbulnya sampah yang padat tidak dapat dihentikan, akan tetapi sampah-sampah tersebut harus dikelola, dikurangi atau diminimalisir secara baik. Peran pemulung dan pembuatan usaha pengomposan merupakan solusi dalam pengelolaan sampah di TPA Selopuro. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif kuantitatif dengan survey terhadap 52 responden melalui kuesioner dan wawancara. Dalam menganalisis pengaruh pendapatan pemulung di TPA Selopuro menggunakan Regresi Linier Berganda, dan untuk menganalisis studi ekonomi kelayakan usaha pembuatan pupuk kompos menggunakan Benefit Cost Ratio, Net Present Value, dan Internal Rate of Return. Hasil Regresi Linier Berganda diperoleh kesimpulan bahwa variabel lama bekerja, jenis kelamin, dan jam kerja berpengaruh terhadap pendapatan pemulung dengan tingkat signifikansi 0,05. Usaha pengomposan sampah secara ekonomis memberikan keuntungan dan layak untuk dikembangkan, hal ini terbukti dengan nilai Benefit Cost Ratio sebesar 1,47, nilai Net Present Value sebesar Rp. 75.869.677,- , dan nilai Internal Rate of Return sebesar 31%. Kata Kunci : Sampah, Pemulung, Pendapatan, Benefit Cost Ratio, Net Present Value, dan Internal Rate of Return

Penerapan Model Pembelajaran Discovery Learning untuk Meningkatan Hasil Belajar IPA Siswa Kelas VII Mts Muhamadiyah Bagan Jawa Tahun Pelajaran 2015/2016

The problem of monotony still learning and using old teaching methods make the ability of mastering the concept of material and learning outcomes grade VII MTS Muhammadiyah Java Chart low. In order to encourage students to improve mastery of the concept of matter in the process of learning, the learning model used Discovery Learning. This research aims to improve the learning results of IPA students learning model with the application of Discovery Learning Class VII MTS Muhammadiyah Bagan Jawa Year 2015/2016 Lessons. This research was conducted in February and April 2016. This type of research this is a class action Research (PTK) held as much as 2 cycle. The subject of research is the grade VII MTS Java Chart Muhammadiyah that add up to 28 people. Parameters measured were the result of student learning that consists of absorption and learning of classical as well as the attitudes and skills of students in learning. Based on the results of the research the average absorbance value of Deuteronomy on the cycle I is 76.43 (good) and cycle II of deuteronomy daily increased to was 82.50 (both). Students learn classical on cycle I namely 85.71% with an average score of 87.15 and cycle II increased to 96.42% with the average value of 80.18. The attitude of students in cycle I, namely 76.68 (good) increased in cycle II becomes 92.65 (very good). The skills of students in cycle I, namely 76.04 (good) increased in cycle II becomes 83.04 (good). From the results it can be concluded that the application of Discovery Learning Learning Model can improve the results of studying biology Grade VII MTS Muhammadiyah Bagan Jawa Year 2015/2016 Lessons

Consequences of Brief Periods of Sleep Loss on Hippocampus-Dependent Memory and Synaptic Plasticity

Hippocampal cellular and molecular processes critical for memory consolidation are affected by the amount and quality of sleep attained. Questions remain with regard to how sleep enhances memory, what parameters of sleep after learning are optimal for memory consolidation, and what underlying hippocampal molecular players are dysregulated by sleep deprivation to impair memory consolidation and plasticity. In this dissertation, I describe experiments that we performed to identify the time window where memory consolidation is sensitive to sleep loss as well as to characterize two potential molecular players targeted by sleep deprivation. Because consolidation appears to have a particular window where it is sensitive to sleep loss, we explore the parameters of this time window in Chapter 2. Our results suggest that a specific 3-hour period of sleep loss during consolidation disrupts both memory and plasticity. In the second portion of this dissertation, I examine the mechanisms by which sleep deprivation impairs hippocampus-dependent memory consolidation. In Chapter 3, we show that loss of the phosphodiesterase (PDE) 4A, an enzyme responsible for decreasing cAMP signaling, rescues spatial memory disrupted by sleep loss. These results further implicate cAMP signaling with the negative effects of sleep deprivation on memory. Obtaining adequate sleep is challenging in a society that values work around the clock. Therefore, the development of interventions to combat the negative cognitive effects of sleep deprivation is critical. However, a limited number of therapeutics exists that are able to enhance cognition in the face of insufficient sleep. The identification of the temporal characteristics of sleep loss and the molecular pathways implicated in the deleterious effects of sleep deprivation on memory could potentially yield new targets for the development of more effective drugs

USING REFLECTIVE PRACTICE FOR A MORE HUMANE HIGHER EDUCATION

Published ArticleThe rationale behind this article was to explore the importance for academics to reflect constantly and consistently on what they teach; why they teach what they teach; how they teach and assess, keeping in mind who they teach (calibre of their students); and the circumstances under which they teach. The authors posed the question: How is reflective practice used in fostering or creating a humane higher education? Using a desktop approach, the article delves into classroom practices, challenges and the influence of what happens ‘beyond the classroom’ on both the lecturer and students’ performance. The article is fundamentally a reflection of what the authors witness themselves in their daily encounters, to a large extent, with lecturers sharing their challenges, and to a lesser extent, with students seeking development and support in their endeavours to succeed in their studies. Reflective practice is offered as a plausible approach that can be used systematically to gain a deeper understanding of the teaching and learning process in a higher education context

Do institutional cultures serve as impediments for women's advancement towards leadership in South African higher education?

The South African higher education sector has undergone various changes over the past 24 years. As far back as 1997, several policies that advocated for equity and redress were introduced. The introduction of these policies, in conjunction with the Employment Equity Act (1998), has not fully addressed the gender imbalances at executive management level in universities. This article delves into cultural and structural constructs in higher educational institutions that impact on women and leadership. It further explores how women in leadership describe the general organisational culture and the manifestations thereof. Critical realism is used as a theoretical lens to analyse the influence and impact of institutional cultures on women in leadership. Women leaders are confronted with the culture of exclusion in the form of male dominance, silencing of women’s voices and male patterns of networking. The article further advocates for extended leadership programmes that are specifically designed for women to change the status-quo. Such programmes can only be effectively implemented within an organisational culture that embraces gender equality and actively pursues recognition of women as equal members of society and other institutions, including institutions of higher learning

The influence of magnetic order on the magnetoresistance anisotropy of Fe1+δ−x_{1+\delta-x}Cux_{x}Te

We performed resistance measurements on Fe$_{1+\delta-x}$Cu$_{x}$Te with $x_{EDX}\leq 0.06$ in the presence of in-plane applied magnetic fields, revealing a resistance anisotropy that can be induced at a temperature far below the structural and magnetic zero-field transition temperatures. The observed resistance anisotropy strongly depends on the field orientation with respect to the crystallographic axes, as well as on the field-cooling history. Our results imply a correlation between the observed features and the low-temperature magnetic order. Hysteresis in the angle-dependence indicates a strong pinning of the magnetic order within a temperature range that varies with the Cu content. The resistance anisotropy vanishes at different temperatures depending on whether an external magnetic field or a remnant field is present: the closing temperature is higher in the presence of an external field. For $x_{EDX} = 0.06$ the resistance anisotropy closes above the structural transition, at the same temperature at which the zero-field short-range magnetic order disappears and the sample becomes paramagnetic. Thus we suggest that under an external magnetic field the resistance anisotropy mirrors the magnetic order parameter. We discuss similarities to nematic order observed in other iron pnictide materials.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

Survival Strategy of Street Musician in Tampan District Pekanbaru

This research carried out in Tampan District, Pekanbaru. This research aims to determine the characteristics and survival strategies of street musician. To obtain the necessary data in this study, the writer collected data to descend directly to the research location and do observation and in-depth interviews. The subjects of this research as many as seven person. Data obtained was processed in the descriptive qualitative analysis form. Technique determination sample of research using incidental sampling technique that is obtained with no premeditation but by chance. Conclusions from this research that the majority of subjects who became a street musician is new comers in Pekanbaru are having trouble finding a job overseas especially coupled with low education level. The majority of subjects come from West Sumatera as many as three person, while in Medan and Pekanbaru each two person. The education level subjects who graduated high school and junior school each three person and who graduated in elementary school only 1 person. Besides that, to survive, street musician using three strategies, namely active, passive and network strategy. Active strategy doing a side job as a internet guard, builder, sellers of used goods, and parking attendants. Passive strategy is to minimize expenditure, take potluck, buying used clothing and go to clinic when they sick. Networking strategy is to utilizing a school helps for poor student, so as to finance the needs of education and borrow money when they need suddenly to neighbors or family. High competition of life is the reason for choosing job as musician street. Limitation of job require subjects to work on the streets and relying busking for a living in order to life necessities. When took to the road, street musician always be worry to the presence of the civil service police unit. Even to avoid, street musician always, wary chase with officers. Music quality in each subject are also different, because the street musician do not have to be good at singing or playing music, but as a subject can entertain people at the location where they singing. Income earned is determined by the situation of the road, weather conditions and the quality of entertainment given. If the condition of income support, street musician in a day could reach Rp. 50.000.Keywords : Survival strategy, Street musicia