Real People Tell the Whole Story: Dialogue and Characterization in Malory\u27s Morte Darthur

Ever since Eugene Vinaver published his edition of the of Sir Thomas Malory (generally known by the title apparently given it by its first publisher, William Caxton), critics have disputed the interpretation that governed his editing. Vinaver based his edition on the Winchester Manuscript, discovered in 1934, contending that Morte Darthur was written as a series of eight separate tales and has therefore nothing that resembles the comprehensive structure of a novel, a play. or even a simple romance. He based his argument on features of the manuscript, such as explcits and decorated letters marking tale divisions, and on inconsistencies of plot and characterization. Several critics have taken issue with the use of the manuscript as an argument, pointing out that some of the explicits are weak and that at least one of Vinaver\u27s divisions is almost nonexistent. As always with handwritten material, there is also the problem of the reliability of the scribe. Vinaver\u27s stylistic judgment is open to debate as well. I have found, on first reading and in subsequent study, that characters speak in individual styles, which are strongly affected by the narrator\u27s tone. The appearance of different members of the cast generates subplots but does not interfere with the overall structure of the drama of Arthur\u27s reign

Remote Viewing Can Enhance The Auditing Process

Remote viewing is a branch of parapsychology involving mental telepathy to view targeted objects.  Significant studies and applications are cited that have legitimized remote viewing as a credible and valuable technique.  This paper explores the application of remote viewing to some aspects of the auditing process.  The author’s premise is that remote viewing can be used to detect anomalies in accounting systems.  Its most relevant use may be for assessment questioning in a fraud investigation

Decision Classification Enhances Case-Based Reasoning

In order to arrive at a meaningful and useful classification of decisions, a sufficiently descriptive framework for classification should be created.  The use of the traditional programmed-nonprogrammed dichotomy is acceptable, but decisions themselves cannot always be treated as a single either/or entity.  Decision-making is a process involving distinct and separable steps.  A programmed-nonprogrammed classification scheme will be applied to a variety of different types of decisions.  Using Case-based Reasoning (CBR) various decision scenarios with their corresponding classifications can be stored.  The resulting database is a growing and evolving body of experience and knowledge to be used for future decision-making

Search-based Stress Testing of Wireless Network Protocol Stacks

Abstract—The operation of wireless network protocol stacks is heavily dependent on the actual deployment of the system and especially on the corresponding network topology, e. g., due to channel contention. The nature of wireless communication does not allow for a-priori determination of network topology; network-defining metrics such as neighbor density and routing span may drastically differ for various deployments. Therefore, it is a difficult problem to foresee and consider the large number of possible topologies that a system may run on during protocol stack development. We propose to use an automated approach for searching topologies for which a protocol stack exhibits particularly poor quantitative performance. We formulate stress testing of protocol stacks on specific topologies as a multi-objective optimization problem and use an evolutionary algorithm for finding a set of small topologies that particularly stress the protocol stack of a wireless network. For searching the topology space, we present novel problem-specific variation operators and show their improvements on search performance in case studies. We showcase our results on stress testing using two protocol stacks for wireless sensor networks

Nannies and Public Space: Reproductive Labor in Richmond, VA

In the realm of urban planning, the gendered and spatial dynamics of childcare as a field of labor have been historically overlooked. This thesis addresses this gap by examining the geographies shaped by nannies in Richmond, VA, and their implications for urban planning in the context of the evolving neoliberal new economy. Existing research focuses on the geographies of children and burgeoning sectors of gig work in the neoliberal city. This study positions itself at the intersection of these areas, focusing on nannies as long standing gig workers within the childcare network, uniquely positioned to be affected by economic transitions. By investigating how nannies navigate both physical and digital public spaces in Richmond, this research unveils the geographies they co-create. The study first reviews existing scholarship across disciplines, providing a foundation for understanding the varied approaches to these intersecting topics. It then outlines the conditions of the case study, focusing on nannies operating in Richmond\u27s urban public spaces, leading to a three-pronged qualitative study, made up of a survey, site visits, and digital content analysis. Findings reveal that Richmond nannies are geographically dispersed in a manner mirroring the region’s car dependency and economic segregation. Public space emerges as a central aspect of nanny geography, with nanny experiences linked to available amenities. Notably, nanny Facebook groups play a significant role in the Richmond nanny labor market, shaping both inclusionary and exclusionary dynamics. In conclusion, the study argues for a paradigm shift in regional planning for care work, emphasizing a reevaluation of where and how work occurs within and around the city. This research contributes to our collective understanding of the intricate relationship between nannies, the built environment, and the evolving nature of work in a changing economy, calling for further research to develop more nuanced understandings

Performance evaluation of a quasi-microscope for planetary landers

Spatial resolutions achieved with cameras on lunar and planetary landers have been limited to about 1 mm, whereas microscopes of the type proposed for such landers could have obtained resolutions of about 1 um but were never accepted because of their complexity and weight. The quasi-microscope evaluated in this paper could provide intermediate resolutions of about 10 um with relatively simple optics that would augment a camera, such as the Viking lander camera, without imposing special design requirements on the camera of limiting its field of view of the terrain. Images of natural particulate samples taken in black and white and in color show that grain size, shape, and texture are made visible for unconsolidated materials in a 50- to 500-um size range. Such information may provide broad outlines of planetary surface mineralogy and allow inferences to be made of grain origin and evolution. The mineralogical descriptions of single grains would be aided by the reflectance spectra that could, for example, be estimated from the six-channel multispectral data of the Viking lander camera

Using Dynamic Value Stream Mapping And Lean Accounting Box Scores To Support Lean Implementation

Lean has proven to be an effective management philosophy for improving businesses in a competitive market by eliminating waste and improving operations.  An impact of implementing lean projects is the rapid reduction in inventory levels, which gives management the false impression that profits are decreasing while workers on the shop floor observe improvements in operations and increased floor space. This paper explores the literature on lean manufacturing, value stream mapping (VSM), Simulation and lean accounting in order to incorporate and integrate them for the purpose of solving the dilemma between lean implementation benefits and financial and accounting reporting methods

The Importance Of Combining Basic And Applied Literature In Determining International Monetary Policy

This article is a discussion of the current state of knowledge about optimal monetary policy.  The authors contrast basic and applied literatures. The basic literature is explicit about the frictions that generate a positive value for money and make it socially beneficial. The applied literature concentrates on ad hoc constructs.  The authors discuss monetary policy lessons from each type of literature, as well as how the two distinct approaches may be usefully combined

Are we missing the target? Are we aiming too low? What are the aerobic exercise prescriptions and their effects on markers of cardiovascular health and systemic inflammation in patients with knee osteoarthritis? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives We systemically reviewed published studies that evaluated aerobic exercise interventions in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) to: (1) report the frequency, intensity, type and time (FITT) of exercise prescriptions and (2) quantify the changes in markers of cardiovascular health and systemic inflammation. Data sources PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus; inception to January 2019. Eligibility criteria Randomised clinical trials (RCT), cohort studies, case series. Design We summarised exercise prescriptions for all studies and calculated effect sizes with 95% CIs for between-group (RCTs that compared exercise and control groups) and within-group (pre-post exercise) differences in aerobic capacity (VO2), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha). We pooled results where possible using random effects models. Results Interventions from 49 studies were summarised; 8% (4/49) met all FITT guidelines; 16% (8/49) met all or most FITT guidelines. Fourteen studies (10 RCTs) reported at least one marker of cardiovascular health or systemic inflammation. Mean differences (95% CI) indicated a small to moderate increase in VO2(0.84 mL/min/kg; 95% CI 0.37 to 1.31), decrease in HR (-3.56 beats per minute; 95% CI -5.60 to -1.52) and DBP (-4.10 mm Hg; 95% CI -4.82 to -3.38) and no change in SBP (-0.36 mm Hg; 95% CI -3.88 to 3.16) and IL-6 (0.37 pg/mL; 95% CI -0.11 to 0.85). Within-group differences were also small to moderate. Conclusions In studies of aerobic exercise in patients with knee OA, very few interventions met guideline-recommended dose; there were small to moderate changes in markers of cardiovascular health and no decrease in markers of systemic inflammation. These findings question whether aerobic exercise is being used to its full potential in patients with knee OA. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018087859