On Globalization and Ethnomathematics

The changes of globalization are forcing educational systems of developing countries to mimic the curricula, teaching methods and assessment tests of highly industrialized nations. Simply copying a curriculum built for a specific culture, however, may not be effective in another culture as mathematics is a product of the culture and socioeconomic system of a particular country. Mathematics teaching that is founded on and built upon the local cultural knowledge and/or the cognitive background can be more effective and will yield more opportunities to marginalized groups. Inclusion of ethnomathematics (everyday mathematics) in the curriculum helps to situate mathematics in real-world contexts. This article identifies some “everyday mathematics” from two southern states of India and explores how it can enrich classroom practices. School mathematics rooted in one’s culture, practices and history could reorient the whole context of mathematics education and allow the learner to experience mathematics as a human rather than an abstract activity. Les changements apportés par la mondialisation ont forcé les systèmes d\u27enseignement des pays en voie de développement à imiter les programmes d\u27études, les méthodes d\u27enseignement et d\u27évaluation des pays déjà industrialisés. Copier tout simplement un programme d\u27études édifié pour une culture particulière pourrait le rendre inefficace dans une autre culture. Cela arrive surtout dans le cas des mathématiques qui sont le produit de la culture et du système socio-économique propres à ce pays. Un enseignement des mathématiques qui est fondé et bâti sur la connaissance culturelle locale et/ou sur le fond cognitif pourra être plus efficace et procurera plus de chances aux groupes marginalisés. . L\u27inclusion dans le programme d\u27études les ethno-mathématiques (mathématiques du peuple) permet de situer les mathématiques dans le contexte du monde réel. Cet article identifie quelques formes de mathématiques du peuple connues dans deux états au Sud de l\u27Inde et examine comment les utiliser pour enrichir les pratiques d\u27enseignement. Les mathématiques scolaires ayant leurs racines dans la culture, dans les pratiques et dans l\u27histoire d\u27un peuple peut réorienter tout le contexte de l\u27enseignement des mathématiques et permettre l\u27apprenant à expérimenter les mathématiques comme une activité plutôt humaine qu\u27abstraite

The Association between Physical Health and Delusional-Like Experiences: A General Population Study

Objective: Delusional-like experiences (DLE) are prevalent in the community. Recent community based studies have found that DLE are more common in those with depression and anxiety disorders, and in those with subclinical symptoms of depression and anxiety. Chronic physical disorders are associated with comorbid depression and anxiety; however, there is a lack of evidence about the association of DLE with common physical conditions. The aim of this study was to explore associations between the common physical disorders and DLE using a large population sample

Anxiety and depressive disorders are associated with delusional-like experiences: a replication study based on a National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing

Objectives: There is growing evidence that delusional-like experiences (DLE) are associated with common mental disorders. In particular, a National Mental Health Survey conducted in Australia during 2007 reported an association between DLE and both anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the previous study did not examine this association with respect to subtypes of anxiety disorder nor with severity of MDD. The aim of this study was to examine the associations between DLE and both anxiety disorder and MDD in more detail based on an independent population sample

Human trafficking and models of governing security

This thesis seeks to address the complex forms assumed by the problem of human trafficking in the contemporary world and in particular to analyse and overcome certain identified shortcomings in existing models of intervention. It begins by locating the problem historically through its foundations in slavery, and explores the incomplete nature of the abolition of that institution. These observations provide the context for the emergence of contemporary forms of exploitation. The complexity of the problem of human trafficking is reflected in the variety of approaches to intervention thus far attempted and in the lack of consensus among stakeholders concerning the effectiveness of competing models. The tendency towards institutional failure in current approaches, and the consequent growth of the trafficking phenomenon are compounded by the ability of criminal networks to infiltrate and corrupt the very systems that are meant to safeguard vulnerable populations. This thesis argues that the shortcomings of existing models are themselves evidence that one of the foundational reasons for the emergence of human trafficking as a networked global crime is the security deficit created by the replacement of the structures of state with criminal networks embedded within communities. These observations are supported by empirical evidence in the form of i) a detailed review of records relating to a number of prosecutions and ii) first-hand observations and interviews with officials and civil society organisations in India, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. I argue, in conclusion, that the evolution of models of intervention, leading to the creation of a preferred multidisciplinary model, show that this security deficit is best countered by emergent partnerships between the structures of the state, communities and civil society groups. Such innovations prefigure new hybrid structures, which offer a degree of hope for holistically tackling common global problems and networked crimes such as human trafficking

Is Web3 Better Than Web2 for Investors? Evidence from Domain Name Auctions

Blockchain-based assets are commonly believed to attract new investors. To investigate this claim, we compared investor preferences for Web2 and Web3 domain name auctions by analyzing daily auction patterns in Namecheap and OpenSea. Our results indicate that Web3 platforms may attract extreme investors with low or high values as a niche market. We found a significantly higher number of bids per auction, higher average bid prices, and greater price spreads on OpenSea, but a significantly lower number of unique bidders per auction. Our findings highlight the importance of considering the auction platform\u27s characteristics and asset context when evaluating bid patterns and predicting bid prices. This study serves as a starting point for future research in this emerging market and offers directions for further investigation

A Product Architecture-Based Conceptual DFA Technique

A conceptual design for assembly (DFA) method is introduced in this paper. The method incorporates DFA analysis into the conceptual design phase. Current DFA methods, essentially all of which are post-design DFA analyses, are reviewed with emphasis on the popular Boothroyd and Dewhurst method. The product architecture-based conceptual DFA method developed and presented in this article uses two relatively new concepts: the functional basis and the method of module heuristics. The functional basis is used to derive a functional model of a product in a standard language and the module heuristics are applied to the functional model to identify a modular product architecture. The embodiment or form definition phase then attempts to solve each module with one part (or as few as possible). The critical advantage of the conceptual DFA method is that it does not require a physical prototype or completed design geometry, thus reducing the number of design iterations before seeing DFA benefits. One case study compares the conceptual DFA method with the Boothroyd and Dewhurst DFA method and shows their equivalence in part count reduction. A second case study examines the evolution of products over the years. This study reveals the evolution of products into designs with smaller part counts, closely matching the modules identified by the conceptual DFA method. This lends credence to the method proposed in this paper as a useful tool for reducing the design cycle time

Impact of Telephone Reminders Prior to Appointments to Reduce the Number of “No-Show” Rates​ ​ ​

Mary Daniel (left), Susan Varghese (center), and Ghouse Shaik (right) picturedhttps://openworks.mdanderson.org/aprn-week-22/1018/thumbnail.jp

Schizophrenia-like psychosis and aceruloplasminemia

Schizophrenia-like illnesses occur in a variety of medical and neurological conditions but to date have not been described in association with aceruloplasminemia. Aceruloplasminemia is an autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism which leads to iron deposition in the basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum and hippocampus and which usually presents in middle age with extrapyramidal symptoms and dementia. We describe a 21-year-old woman on treatment for aceruloplasminemia who presented with schizophrenia-like psychosis and declining function in the absence of neurological signs. Neuropsychological testing showed significant dominant hemisphere deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral iron deposition in the cerebellar dentate nuclei and thalami, frontal atrophy, and periventricular white matter hyperintensities. Functional imaging suggested global hypoperfusion. The clinical, cognitive and imaging findings were not typical for either aceruloplasminemia or schizophrenia alone and the possible relationship between the two disorders is discussed with particular reference to implications for our understanding of schizophrenia

Influence of salinity on the growth and body composition of juvenile Tiger Shrimp, Penaeus monodon

Giant tiger prawn dominated the global shrimp aquaculture industry before giving way to Pacific white shrimp in the early 21st century. This study evaluated the influence of salinity on the survival, growth and body composition of early juveniles. They were exposed to salinities ranging from freshwater (0‰) to marine (35‰) under ambient rearing conditions. Response parameters like survival, growth and body compositions were tested over the salinity range of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 35 ‰. The survival obtained was above 95% except in freshwater, wherein total mortality was observed by the third week of rearing. Growth was found to vary with salinity significantly and was found to be higher at 20‰ with an SGR of 7.31. Apart from its role in survival and growth, salinity was found to influence body composition. It was observed that body protein and carbohydrate content showed significant variations with the salinity. The body protein content was high at 20 ‰ with 14.45 mg/100mg wet weight, and carbohydrate of 1.01mg/ 100mg at 30 ‰. However, variations in lipid, ash, and moisture content did not have any significant difference. Though found insignificant, the lipid content was higher (2.15 mg/100mg) at lower salinity of10‰. The present study provides insights into the possible impact of rearing environment on the physiological and biochemical changes in this species

Visual performance of myopia control soft contact lenses in non-presbyopic myopes

Purpose: To compare the visual performance of soft contact lenses reported to reduce myopia progression.Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, crossover trial, 30 non-presbyopic myopes wore MiSight™, center-distance Proclear® Multifocal (+2.00 D add), and two prototype lenses for 1 week each. High- and low-contrast visual acuities at 6 m, and 70 and 40 cm; stereopsis at 40 cm; accommodative facility at 33 cm; and horizontal phoria at 3 m and 33 cm were measured after 1 week. Subjective performance was assessed on a numeric rating scale for vision clarity, lack of ghosting, vision stability, haloes, overall vision satisfaction, and ocular comfort. Frequency of eye-strain symptoms and willingness to purchase lenses were also reported with categorical responses. Participants reported wearing times (total and visually acceptable). Linear mixed models and chi-square tests were employed in analysis with level of significance set at 5%. Theoretical optical performance of all lenses was assessed with schematic myopic model eyes (-1.00, -3.00, and -6.00 D) by comparing the slope of the edge spread function (ESF), an indicator for optical performance/resolution and the blur patch size of the line spread function, an indicator for contrast, between the lenses.Results: Proclear Multifocal and MiSight provided the best distance acuities. However, the prototype lenses were rated significantly higher for many subjective variables, and there were no subjective variables where commercial lenses were rated significantly higher than the prototypes. Theoretical optical performance showed steeper slopes of the ESF and greater blur patch sizes of the LSP with commercial lenses, supporting the clinical findings of better visual acuities but reduced subjective performance. Participants wore prototypes longer and reported their vision acceptable for longer each day compared to MiSight. Both prototypes had the highest willingness-to-purchase rate.Conclusions: The prototypes were better tolerated by myopes compared to the commercial soft contact lenses currently used for slowing myopia progression.</p