A Fast Parameterized Algorithm for Co-Path Set

The k-CO-PATH SET problem asks, given a graph G and a positive integer k, whether one can delete k edges from G so that the remainder is a collection of disjoint paths. We give a linear-time fpt algorithm with complexity O^*(1.588^k) for deciding k-CO-PATH SET, significantly improving the previously best known O^*(2.17^k) of Feng, Zhou, and Wang (2015). Our main tool is a new O^*(4^{tw(G)}) algorithm for CO-PATH SET using the Cut&Count framework, where tw(G) denotes treewidth. In general graphs, we combine this with a branching algorithm which refines a 6k-kernel into reduced instances, which we prove have bounded treewidth

Public Health Threat of New, Reemerging, and Neglected Zoonoses in the Industrialized World

Microbiologic infections acquired from animals, known as zoonoses, pose a risk to public health. An estimated 60% of emerging human pathogens are zoonotic. Of these pathogens, >71% have wildlife origins. These pathogens can switch hosts by acquiring new genetic combinations that have altered pathogenic potential or by changes in behavior or socioeconomic, environmental, or ecologic characteristics of the hosts. We discuss causal factors that influence the dynamics associated with emergence or reemergence of zoonoses, particularly in the industrialized world, and highlight selected examples to provide a comprehensive view of their range and diversity

The role of proximity for business development in business incubators

This thesis adds the role of the different types of proximity to the discussion on business development. It does so by aiming at start-ups that are currently located in business incubators in the city of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Current research has focused on the output, effectiveness, diversity, and different types and roles of business incubators. It focuses on what happens within the incubator walls or examining the results on regional economic development. Simultaneously, there is a large body of research on the role of location for businesses ranging from specialisation to diversity. This exploratory thesis tries to combine these two types of research. It does so by conducting semi- structured interviews with both incubator managers as well as start-ups located in a business incubator. The questions are derived using network and proximity theories as well as localisation theories. This results in the research question: “What is the role of proximity for business development in business incubators?” By doing so this research fills up a niche left open by the current body of research as well as providing tools for start-ups that are looking to (re)locate, as well as business incubator managers and policy makers that are considering a location for the development of a new business incubator

Intercultural competence development during study abroad

In the present dissertation I explored if study abroad – defined as a form of educational mobility for earning credits at the home university and aimed at realizing objectives of internationalization of higher education – contributes to the development of intercultural competence. The research further included measuring if facilitation of cultural learning during study abroad leads to higher levels of intercultural competence after study abroad. In four consecutive empirical studies, and one meta-analysis, the different levels of intercultural competence prior to, and after study abroad were measured among 341 students randomly divided over an intervention- and a control group. The outcome was that students generally score low to average on intercultural competence after a five to six months episode of study abroad, also when facilitated in cultural learning during study abroad. However, the research does include indications that a more intensive intervention during study abroad may lead to significantly higher levels of intercultural competence. This study did not reveal a systematic relationship between personal characteristics and degrees of change of intercultural competence during study abroad. Further, this study did not reveal that students with supervisors who were trained in intercultural competence score higher levels of intercultural competence than students with untrained supervisors. Concerning the instrument used for measuring intercultural competence the conclusion is that for a more sophisticated understanding of one’s intercultural competence development, it is advisable to make use of qualitative data next to quantitative data; test scores alone may not be sufficiently informative

A UNUSUAL CYST OF THE MESENTERY

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