Attuning the viewfinder

As there are many mobile apps designed to pull your attention, these interactions have become a kind of normalized addictiveness, such as doom scrolling. I am working on the topic of attention and a meditation app using augmented reality because I want to understand how this technology can be useful from beyond the screen and into a physical space

Relative returns to policy reform - evidence from controlled cross-country regressions

The authors aim at contributing to understand the dispersion of returns from policy reforms using cross-country regressions. The authors compare the"before reform"with"after reform"GDP growth outcome of countries that undertook import-liberalization and fiscal policy reforms. They survey a large sample (about 54) of developing countries over the period 1980-99. The benefits of openness to trade and fiscal prudence have been extensively identified in the growth literature, but the evidence from simple cross-section analysis can sometimes be inconclusive and remains vulnerable to criticism on estimation techniques, such as identification, endogeneity, multi-colinearity, and the quality of the data. The authors use a different analytical framework that establishes additional controls. First, they construct a counterfactual control group. These are countries that-under specific thresholds-did not introduce policy reforms under scrutiny. Second, the authors also try to use the most appropriate variable of policy reform, for example, exogenous changes in import-tariffs instead of the endogenous sum of all trade flows. Third, the authors try to base the before-after reform comparison on the most accurate date for the beginning of a policy reform period (instead of comparing averages over fixed intervals of time). Once these controls are set, they explain the difference between average GDP growth rates during the country-specific post and the pre-reform periods, relative to the average GDP growth of the relevant control group. The explanatory variables in the regressions include the standard growth-regression controls. The results are the following: 1) With a better measurement and timing of the policy reforms, the growth effect (the"returns on reform") is generally smaller than in previous papers. 2) There is evidence of contingent relationships between policy and growth, corresponding to the country's size, its export profile, and its governance. 2) Within the group of policy reformers, some countries have exhibited a relatively weaker growth response. Overall, the findings suggest that more accurate measurement and definition of the timing of reforms does not strengthen the significance of the effects of reforms on GDP growth. In fact, the effects are weaker than indicated in most cross-section studies. This suggests that the policy implications to be derived from these relationships should be treated with even more caution than previously thought.Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade Policy,Public Health Promotion,Economic Theory&Research,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,TF054105-DONOR FUNDED OPERATION ADMINISTRATION FEE INCOME AND EXPENSE ACCOUNT,Economic Theory&Research,Achieving Shared Growth,Environmental Economics&Policies,Trade and Regional Integration

A Framework to Evaluate Candidate Agile Software Development Processes

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. July 2019. Major: Computer Science. Advisors: Mats Heimdahl, Sanjai Rayadurgam. 1 computer file (PDF); vii, 108 pages.Today's software development projects must respond to fierce competition, a constantly changing marketplace, and rapid technological innovation. Agile development processes are popular when attempting to respond to these changes in a controlled manner; however, selecting an ill-suited process may increase project costs and risk. Before adopting a seemingly promising Agile approach, we desire to evaluate the approach's applicability in the context of the specific product, organization, and staff. Simulation provides a means to do this. Because of Agile's emphasis on the individual and interactions, we theorize that a high-fidelity model---one that models individual behavior---will produce more accurate outcome predictions than those that do not account for individual behavior. To this end, we define criteria, based on the Agile Manifesto, for determining if a simulation is suited to model Agile processes and use the criteria to assess existing simulations (and other evaluation frameworks). Finding no suitable evaluation framework, we focus on constructing a simulation that satisfies our criteria. In this work, we propose a process simulation reference model that provides the constructs and relationships needed to capture the interactions among the individuals, product, process, and project in a holistic fashion. As a means for evaluating both our criteria and reference model, we constructed the Lean/Agile Process Simulation Environment (LAPSE), a multi-agent simulation framework for evaluating Agile processes prior to adoption within an organization. The contributions of this work are threefold. Building on the simulation assessment criteria of Kellner, Madachy, and Raffo and the Agile Manifesto, we establish criteria for assessing Agile simulations. From there, we define a reference model that captures the constructs and relationships needed to simulate Agile processes. We then show the satisfiability of our criteria and demonstrate how the constructs of the reference model fit together by building LAPSE. This work lays the groundwork for detailed a priori process evaluation and enables future research into process transformation

Dynamically Measuring the Integrity of a Computing Apparatus

The present disclosure includes methods and systems for measuring the integrity of a device. A number of embodiments can include initiating an observatory in a system and initiating a remote manager. A number of embodiments can also include measuring the integrity of the device from the observatory and accessing the integrity measurement of the device from the remote manager

Carbendazim adsorption on granular activated carbon of coconut shell : optimization and thermodynamics

The adsorption of the fungicide Carbendazim (CBZ) on granular activated carbon (GAC) of coconut shell was investigated through batch tests in deionized water. The most favorable conditions for the adsorption of CBZ were examined through the variation of the mass of GAC, temperature, and contact time. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied, seeking the best adsorption condition to optimize future tests. A thermodynamic analysis was carried out using the Van't Hoff method. The tests with the dosage of 10 mg of GAC and temperatures of 25º C and 30º C showed higher adsorption of the fungicide. The Freundlich isotherm adjusted best to the adsorption of the compound. The Freundlich intensity parameter had a result that contrasted with the value of ΔG regarding a spontaneous change. Physisorption predominates the adsorption of CBZ on GAC. It is an exothermic and spontaneous process that reduces the degree of disorder of the adsorbent/solution interface

Metarhizium anisopliae blastospores are highly virulent to adult Aedes aegypti, an important arbovirus vector

BackgroundThe use of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) for the control of adult mosquitoes is a promising alternative to synthetic insecticides. Previous studies have only evaluated conidiospores against adult mosquitoes. However, blastospores, which are highly virulent against mosquito larvae and pupae, could also be effective against adults.MethodsMetarhizium anisopliae (ESALQ 818 and LEF 2000) blastospores and conidia were first tested against adult Aedes aegypti by spraying insects with spore suspensions. Blastospores were then tested using an indirect contact bioassay, exposing mosquitoes to fungus-impregnated cloths. Virulence when using blastospores suspended in 20% sunflower oil was also investigated.ResultsFemale mosquitoes sprayed with blastospores or conidia at a concentration of 108 propagules ml−1 were highly susceptible to both types of spores, resulting in 100% mortality within 7 days. However, significant differences in virulence of the isolates and propagules became apparent at 107 spores ml−1, with ESALQ 818 blastospores being more virulent than LEF 2000 blastospores. ESALQ 818 blastospores were highly virulent when mosquitoes were exposed to black cotton cloths impregnated with blastospores shortly after preparing the suspensions, but virulence declined rapidly 12 h post-application. The addition of vegetable oil to blastospores helped maintain virulence for up to 48 h.ConclusionThe results showed that blastospores were more virulent to adult female Ae. aegypti than conidia when sprayed onto the insects or applied to black cloths. Vegetable oil helped maintain blastospore virulence. The results show that blastospores have potential for use in integrated vector management, although new formulations and drying techniques need to be investigated

Estimação coeficiente de repetibilidade no melhoramento de Physalis angulata L.

A Physalis angulata, incluída no gênero Physalis, é conhecida popularmente como balãozinho, camapú, mullaca e bucho-de-rã. O seu fruto é fonte de vitamina C e atividade antioxidantes (Oliveira, 2011), de grande importância para uma boa nutrição do corpo, apresentando o grande valor nutricional da P. angulata

Optimization and evaluation of biosurfactant produced by Pantoea sp. using pineapple peel residue, vegetable fat and corn steep liquor

In this study, the authors have investigated the potential of a bacterial strain of Pantoea sp., isolated from wastewater of the textile industry, for the production of biosurfactant. The biosurfactant production was optimized by the combination of CCD (central composite design) and RSM (response surface methodology). To assess the effects and interactions of medium the vegetable fat (1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 v/v), the variables corn steep liquor (2.0, 5.0 and 8.0 v/v) and pineapple peel residue (10.0, 25.0 and 40.0 v/v) on the surface tension were evaluated. The empirical model developed through RSM in terms of the effective operational factors mentioned above was found to be adequate to describe the biosurfactant production. Compositional analysis of the produced biosurfactant has been carried out by FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectoscopy) and subjected to the test of removing hydrocarbons. Through the analysis, vegetable fat and pineapple peel residue were found to be the most significant factors, whereas corn steep liquor had less effect within the ranges investigated. A maximum reduction in surface tension of 30.00 mN/m was obtained under the optimal conditions of 2.0% (v/v) vegetable fat concentration, 5.0% (v/v) corn steep liquor and 25.0% (v/v) pineapple peel residue concentration of medium. FT-IR spectrometer analysis of the biosurfactant characterized it as a glycolipid derivative. The biosurfactant exhibited the ability to solubilize the hydrocarbons tested, working between 64% and 92%. According to consists of bars with a length proportional to the absolute value of the estimated effects divided by the standard error. On this chart, ANOVA (analysis of variance) effect estimates are arranged from the largest to smallest absolute value. The chart includes a vertical line at the critical p-value of 0.05. Effects for which the bars are smaller than the critical p-value are considered non-significant and do not have an effect on the response variables. The effects are either positive or negative ANOVA; the determination of regression coefficients and the construction of graphs were performed using the Statistical® program, version 7.0 (Statsoft Inc, RSA). The results, the biosurfactant produced by Pantoea sp. can be a valuable source for application in rapid environmental bioremediation9269279CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À CIÊNCIA E TECNOLOGIA DO ESTADO DE PERNAMBUCO - FACEPEsem informaçã

Epidemiological profile of leprosy in municipality of Sao Luis-Ma from 2006 to 2010

Objective: To analyze the epidemiology of leprosy in St. Luis - MA from 2006 to 2010. Method: This was a descriptive study, quantitative exploration of leprosy cases in St. Luis - MA, in 2006 and 2010. Data were collected at the Department of the Unified Health System (DATASUL). Incidence rate, operational classification, age and clinical form: the information was collected. Results: The present study showed high incidence rates being highest in 2006. The multibacillary form was the most diagnosed with apex in 2009, as the predominant age group older than 15 years. The predominant clinical forms were borderline and tuberculoid. Conclusion: Health professionals should be aware of preventive, assessment and treatment measures to prevent these numbers continue to grow and avoid physical disabilities