Spectral Decomposition of the Tent Map with Varying Height

The generalized spectral decomposition of the Frobenius-Perron operator of the tent map with varying height is determined at the band-splitting points. The decomposition includes both decay onto the attracting set and the approach to the asymptotically periodic state on the attractor. Explicit compact expressions for the polynomial eigenstates are obtained using algebraic techniques.Comment: 39 pages, 7 figures, in LATeX with embedded PS figure

Reaping What They Sow: The Basmati Rice Controversy and Strategies for Protecting Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge (TK) is a form of intellectual production that is a source of economic and cultural value, especially for local communities in developing countries. Yet, a legal gap exists between the kinds of protections afforded by existing intellectual property (IP) law and TK. This legal gap poses serious consequences for trade relations and the relations between developing and developed countries. Using the controversy in which the U.S.-based RiceTec Company attempted to gain IP rights over basmati rice derived from traditional sources, this Note explains the legal gap that exists and how it manifested itself in U.S. IP law. This Note also argues that TK products like basmati rice, while not strong candidates to receive patent protection, are strong candidates to receive geographical indication protection

Classification of Typed Characters Using Backpropagation Neural Network

This thesis concentrates on classification of typed characters using a neural network. Recognition of typed or printed characters using intelligent methods like neural network has found much application in the recent decades. The ability of moment invariants to represent characters independent of position, size and orientation have caused them to be proposed as pattern sensitive features in classification and recognition of these characters. In this research, uppercase English characters is represented by invariant features derived using functions of regular moments, namely Hu invariants. Moments up to the third order have been used for the recognition of these typed characters. A single layer perceptron artificial neural network trained by the backpropagation algorithm is used to classify these characters into their respective categories. Experimental study conducted with three different fonts commonly used in word processing applications shows good classification results. Some suggestions for further work in this area have also been presented

Open Access and the Developing World

Discusses the problems of the Researchers in developing world. Many University Libaries in the developed Countries boasting much higher budget than than those of academic libraries in developing countries. These financial constraints of subscribing to print copies of journals published by for profit companies and the advent of the internet have in part fuelled the cry for alternative business models. And discuss the advantages of open Access Archiving

Using Just-in-Time Teaching in a Flipped Undergraduate Biological Systems Engineering Course

This study analyzed the role of the evidence-based instructional practice of Just-in-time (JIT) teaching integrated with the flipped classroom in an undergraduate biological systems engineering course. In the present paper we provide a detailed overview of the course design, development, and implementation of JIT in a flipped approach to instruction by communicating the technologies used, pedagogy employed to integrate online and in-class activities, and the collaboration between the instructional design support and instructor. Based on the results, we provide recommendations for engineering faculty that want to explore the flipped approach to teaching, examples for online learning activities and how to integrate them with clicker in-class active learning activities to increase student engagement and success rates. The flipped classroom is a form of blended learning where the lecture is moved outside the classroom with the help of technology and learning activities occur inside the classroom. Thus, in-class time can be devoted to active learning through exercises, projects, and discussions that engage students in higher-order cognitive skills. The flipped classroom has been successfully incorporated into various STEM classrooms (Gannod et al. 2008; Moravec et al. 2010; Talbert 2012). In fact, recently, engineers with an educational research interest have taken notice of the recently popularized, theoretically grounded, concept of flipping the classroom and have been successfully implementing it in their courses (Bishop and Verleger 2013; Bland 2006; Nelson 2015; Toto 2009). However, as the research on flipped instruction in engineering gains momentum, it is essential to understand how specific instructional strategies effect students’ learning and perceptions. In this study, we took a close look at the JIT strategy using iClickers to better understand its use and effects on students’ learning and perceptions of the course. The instructional challenges that we sought out to address were a.) the diverse group of students (Agricultural Engineering and Biological Systems Engineering Biological Systems Engineering) needed different paces of learning, b) both groups of students had different interests in course modules of the course, c.) to increase student engagement, students were typically reluctant to speak in the classroom, and d.) class time was short did not allow for high levels of student engagement. In terms of the flipped element, students began each week watching online annotated video lectures created by the instructor on a surface pro computer and hosted on the university’s learning management system Blackboard followed by an online quiz. Then, the instructor would review students’ performance and begin each class with the questions that students struggled with the most using iClickers. In terms of the JIT element, the instructor would then adapt his instruction to include a brief summary, overview, or peer-to- peer instruction to enhance students’ understanding of the concepts presented in the online lectures. The results of this study demonstrated the success in combining JIT and the Flipped approach. More specifically, this approach allowed for more classroom time to solve real-world problems through active student engagement in discussions. Just-in-time teaching allowed the instructor to spend dedicated time on unclear and important concept where students needed help the most. Finally, Peer-instruction enhanced student engagement in the class. A t-test analysis comparing students’ performance on the online quizzes and the in-class iClicker questions demonstrated students’ increased performance post peer discussions and instructor dedicated time on topics. The presentation slides are by Tareq Daher, Jiajia Chen, David Jones, as well as Jeyam Subbiah

Genetics of Avian Paramyxovirus serotype 2

Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV) serotype 2 is one of the nine serotypes of APMV that infect a variety of bird species around the world. In chickens and turkeys, APMV-2 causes respiratory illness and drop in egg production. To understand the molecular characteristics of APMV-2, the complete genome sequences of prototype strain Yucaipa and strains Bangor, England and Kenya were determined. The genome lengths of APMV-2 strains Yucaipa, Bangor, England and Kenya are 14904, 15024, 14904, 14916 nucleotides (nt), respectively. Each genome consists of six non-overlapping genes in the order 3'N-P/V/W-M-F-HN-L5' similar to most of APMVs. Sequence comparison of APMV-2 strains England and Kenya with prototype strain Yucaipa show 94-98% nt and 90-100% aggregate amino acid (aa) identities. However, strain Bangor shares low level of nt and predicted aa sequence identities with the other three strains. The phylogenetic and serological analyses of all four strains indicated the existence of two subgroups: strains Yucaipa, England and Kenya represented one subgroup and strain Bangor represented the other subgroup. All four strains were found to be avirulent for chickens by mean death time and intracerebral pathogenicity test. To further study the molecular biology and pathogenicity of APMV-2, a reverse genetics system for strain Yucaipa was established in which infectious recombinant APMV-2 was recovered from a cloned APMV-2 antigenomic cDNA. The recovered recombinant virus showed in vitro growth characteristics and in vivo pathogenicity similar to wild type virus. Recombinant APMV-2 expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein was also recovered, suggesting its potential use as a vaccine vector. Furthermore, generation and characterization of mutant viruses by replacing the fusion protein (F) cleavage site of APMV-2 with those of APMV serotypes 1 to 9 demonstrated that the amino acid composition at F protein cleavage site does not affect the pathogenicity of APMV-2. Overall, the study conducted here has several downstream applications. The complete genome sequence of APMV-2 is useful in designing diagnostic reagents and in epidemiological studies. The reverse genetics system for APMV-2 would be of considerable utility for introducing defined mutations into the genome of this virus and develop vaccine vector for animal and human pathogens

STATISTICAL OUT LOOK ON ACADEMIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE N-LIST TAMILNADU STATE UNIVERSITIES AFFILIATED COLLEGES

This paper attempts to provide an overview of the N-List INFLIBNET, Subscription made by the Tamilnadu State College Libraries. In Tamilnadu State, there are 1485 Affiliated Colleges functioned under various Universities. Out of these Affiliated colleges only 256 (Govt college, Autonomous, Aided college and Self finance college) subscribed the N-List in past 9 years (2009 to 2017). Presently many students were using and benefited by the N-List programme