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Altruism or Ulterior Motives? South Korean Aid towards North Korea's Sustainable Development
No full textThis chapter explores the inter-Korean support and aid provided to and received by North Korea. Endogenous and exogenous motivations influence the trajectories and delivery of aid from the donor’s and the recipient state’s sides. International support stretches beyond the realm of good intentions, as each involved party has its ulterior motives behind the provision and the acceptance of aid. This study aims to examine the motivations South Korea and North Korea harbour when engaging in inter-Korean exchange and cooperation through a qualitative approach employing the principal-agent problem. It concludes that both parties engage in delivering and accepting aid when it involves benefits that outweigh the risks. Seoul (the principal) engages in aid to pursue peaceful unification, but also for economic benefits and to expand its sphere of influence. Pyongyang (the agent) chooses to accept this aid because of its developmental benefits, yet the receipt is conditional to the terms and at times rejected, as North Korea wants to reduce access to the country and foreign influences
HD 60435: The star that stopped pulsating
Get PDFHD 60435 is a well-known rapidly oscillating (roAp) Ap star with a series of alternating even and odd degree modes, making it a prime asteroseismic target. It is also an oblique pulsator with rotational inclination, i, and magnetic/pulsation obliquity, β, such that both magnetic/pulsation poles are viewed over the rotation period, Prot = 7.679696 d, determined from rotational light variations. While some roAp stars have stable pulsation mode amplitudes over decades, HD 60435 is known to have amplitude variations on time scales as short as 1 d. We show from 5 yr of TESS observations that there is strong amplitude modulation on this short time scale with possible mode interactions. Most remarkably, HD 60435 stopped pulsating during the time span of the TESS observations. This is the first time that any pulsating star has been observed to cease pulsating entirely. That has implications for mode interaction, excitation and damping, and is relevant to the problem of why only some stars in many pulsation instability strips pulsate, while others do not. During a 24.45-d time span of the TESS data when there was mode stability for a dipole mode and a quadrupole mode, the oblique pulsator model constrained i and β, which we used to model those modes with a magnetic pulsation model from which we determined a polar field strength of 4 kG, in good agreement with a known magnetic measurement. We modelled the frequency separations showing that they can constrain the global metallicity, something that is not possible from spectroscopy of the highly peculiar Ap atmosphere
Effects of Zinc-Biofortified Wheat Intake on Plasma Markers of Fatty Acid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress Among Adolescents
Get PDFBackground/Objective: Zinc deficiency is common worldwide and has been linked to reduced growth and immune function, increased risk of and slower recovery from infections, and increased risk of non-communicable diseases. To address the issue, zinc biofortification of wheat has been proposed as a sustainable approach to increase dietary zinc intake in countries like Pakistan, where zinc deficiency rates are high and wheat is the primary staple crop. Since plasma zinc concentration (PZC) does not reliably respond to small changes in zinc intake, biomarkers sensitive to small changes in zinc intake achievable though biofortification are needed. Activity indices for zinc-dependent metabolic steps of desaturation and elongation of omega-6 fatty acids (FAs) have been proposed as sensitive zinc biomarkers. Oxylipin metabolites of polyunsaturated FAs may also respond to changes in zinc intake and further mediate metabolic response to oxidative stress. The objective of the current study was to assess the effects of consuming zinc-biofortified wheat flour on plasma markers of fatty acid (FA) metabolism in females aged 10–16 years. Methods: A nested secondary analysis was conducted in samples from a double-blind, cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in rural Pakistan, whereparticipants (n = 517) consumed either zinc-biofortified wheat flour or control flour for 25 weeks. Total plasma FAs and oxylipins were measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Activity indices were estimated from the ratios of product to precursor FAs. Results: Except for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, p < 0.05), no significant intervention effect was observed on plasma FAs and FA activity index endpoints. Zinc-biofortified wheat intake reduced pro-inflammatory oxylipins and biomarkers of oxidative stress, 5-HETE (p < 0.05), 9-HETE (p < 0.05), 11-HETE (p < 0.05), and 15-HETE (p < 0.05), compared with the control. However, after adjustment for multiple comparisons, none of the intervention effects remained significant. Conclusions: Further study of the responsiveness and specificity of plasma oxylipins to changes in zinc intake is warranted
Potential Importance of Maximal Upper Body Strength-Generating Qualities and Upper Body Strength Training for Performance of High-Intensity Running and Jumping Actions: A Scoping Review
Get PDFPurpose: To investigate the influence of upper body (UB) strength qualities and UB strength training on the performance of high-intensity running and jumping actions and to identify gaps and recommendations for future research. Methods: A systematic search using the PRISMA Scoping Review protocol was conducted in February 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, and ICTRP. Studies eligible for inclusion were those that reported associations between UB or trunk maximal strength qualities (e.g., absolute strength, forces, power) and high-intensity running or jumping actions or investigated the influence of an isolated UB strength training intervention on high-intensity running or jumping performances. Results: Of the 4730 articles, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting correlations for 16 high-intensity running or jumping tests. No intervention studies were identified. Preliminary findings of the limited number of studies highlight that greater UB maximal strength-generating capacity may positively influence repeated sprint ability. While a significant moderate correlation between greater absolute UB strength and faster “flying” sprint was also reported, mixed results were found for sprint acceleration. There is also evidence that change-of-direction performance may greatly benefit from high maximal isometric strength of all trunk muscles and that strong trunk extensors may enhance drop jumps. Conclusions: This review identifies the potential of UB strength to contribute to high-intensity running and jumping actions. Future research is warranted to investigate this link via various UB strength tests and UB strength training protocols aimed at maximising neuromuscular adaptations
Towards a Framework for Designing Connected Toys
Get PDFSmart and Internet-connected toys (IoToys) offer new and exciting possibilities to enhance play experiences analogous to Mark Weiser’s visions of ubiquitous and calm technology. Within this work, we sought to create a set of principles for evaluating and designing calm internet-connected toys and trial them through the evaluation of a set of popular (‘off the shelf’) IoToys. This work is the first of its kind to apply calm principles to IoToys and use them to evaluate current off-the-shelf connected toys. This work highlights the challenges
inherent in adults evaluating toys designed for children. We contribute an approach to understanding calm in the context of IoToys through our principles and a method for evaluating calm within IoToys. We found while that our IoT calm principles have some limitations our work provides key insights into how we might understand calm in IoToys. We hope this work will help inform practitioners and academics interested in designing future IoToys
Evaluating a Mobile Game for Urban Exploration Utilising Mobile Edge Computing (MEC)
Get PDFMobile gaming designed for urban exploration can quickly change how people interact with their city and others. These games help people explore and learn about their city while engaging and interacting with others in a fun and enjoyable way. However, the players’ perceived quality of such games depends on various human, system and contextual factors. This paper presents the results of an empirical evaluation of a mobile game that encourages people to explore Bristol, UK. The quality of player experience (QoE) in urban environments requires studying end-to-end system effects, including players’ experiences and the quality of mobile service (QoS). To evaluate the players’ QoE, we implemented two networking scenarios on Bristol’s smart city network: traditional IP and a Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) scenario using POINT, a content-centric network platform. The MEC-based mobile game offers better interaction latency than the IP version. We evaluated the impact of each scenario on the player’s perceived Quality of Experience (QoE) and usability of the game in two field experiments. The results show that aspects of the players’ QoE were significantly better with the MEC-based mobile game than with the IP version. However, players rated the usability of the two versions similarly. Behavioural analytics data indicate that the improved QoE of the MECbased version resulted in a higher volume of video content production and recordings. Additionally, we found the time of day influenced the players’ QoE, impacting the MEC version more than the IP version. Future work will focus on improving the game’s usability to fully utilise MEC’s advantages
Misuse of the Mental Capacity Act: ‘you have capacity to end your life and there is nothing we can do about it’
Get PDFOne of the central tenets of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 is ‘assume capacity’, which aims to enshrine the rights of adults to make decisions about their social and medical care. In this article, Jane Fisher explores how the principle of assumed capacity is often misappropriated, misunderstood and misapplied when attending to mental health service users with suicidal ideation
Circadian variation in muscle force output in males using isokinetic, isometric dynamometry: can we observe this in multi-joint movements using the muscleLab force-velocity encoder and are they similar in peak and magnitude?
Get PDFWe have investigated the magnitude of circadian variation in Isokinetic and Isometric strength of the knee extensors and flexors, as well as back squat and bench press performance using the MuscleLab force velocity transducer. Ten resistance-trained males (mean±SD: age 21.5 ± 1.1 years; body mass 78.3 ± 5.2 kg; height 1.71 ± 0.07 m) underwent a) three to four familiarization sessions on each dynamometer and b) four sessions at different times of day (03:00, 09:00, 15:00 and 21:00 h). Each session was administered in a counterbalanced order and included a period when Perceived onset of mood states (POMS), then rectal and muscle temperature (Trec, Tm) was measured at rest, after which a 5-min standardized 150 W warm-up was performed on a cycle ergometer. Once completed, Isokinetic (60 and 240°·s−1 for extension and flexion) and Isometric dynamometry with peak torque (PT), time-to-peak-torque (tPT) and peak force (PF) and % activation was measured. Lastly, Trec and Tm were measured before the bench press (at 30, 50 and 70 kg) and back squat (at 40, 60 and 80 kg) exercises. A linear encoder was attached to an Olympic bar used for the exercises and average force (AF), peak velocity (PV) and time-to-peak-velocity (tPV) were measured (MuscleLab software; MuscleLab Technology, Langesund, Norway) during the concentric phase of the movements. Five-min recovery was allowed between each set with three repetitions being completed. General linear models with repeated measures and cosinor analysis were used to analyse the data. Values for Trec and Tm at rest were higher in the evening compared to morning values (Acrophase Φ: 16:35 and 17:03 h, Amplitude A: 0.30 and 0.23°C, Mesor M: 36.64 and 37.43°C, p < 0.05). Vigor, happy and fatigue mood states responses showed Φ 16:11 and 16:03 h and 02:05 h respectively. Circadian rhythms were apparent for all variables irrespective of equipment used where AF, PF and PT values peaked between 16:18 and 18:34 h; PV, tPV and tPT peaked between 05:54 and 08:03 h (p < 0.05). In summary, circadian rhythms in force output (force, torque, power, and velocity) were shown for isokinetic, isometric dynamometers and complex multi-joint movements (using a linear encoder); where tPV and tPT occur in the morning compared to the evening. Circadian rhythms in strength can be detected using a portable, low-cost instrument that shows similar cosinor characteristics as established dynamometers. Hence, muscle-strength can be measured in a manner that is more directly transferable to the world of athletic and sports performance
Introducing two improved methods for approximating radiative cooling in hydrodynamical simulations of accretion discs
Get PDFThe evolution of many astrophysical systems depends strongly on the balance between heating and cooling, in particular star formation in giant molecular clouds and the evolution of young protostellar systems. Protostellar discs are susceptible to the gravitational instability, which can play a key role in their evolution and in planet formation. The strength of the instability depends on the rate at which the system loses thermal energy. To study the evolution of these systems, we require radiative cooling approximations because full radiative transfer is generally too expensive to be coupled to hydrodynamical models. Here we present two new approximate methods for computing radiative cooling that make use of the polytropic cooling approximation. This approach invokes the assumption that each parcel of gas is located within a spherical pseudo-cloud which can then be used to approximate the optical depth. The first method combines the methods introduced by Stamatellos et al. and Lombardi et al. to overcome the limitations of each method at low and high optical depths respectively. The second, the "Modified Lombardi" method, is specifically tailored for self-gravitating discs. This modifies the scale height estimate from the method of Lombardi et al. using the analytical scale height for a self-gravitating disc. We show that the Modified Lombardi method provides an excellent approximation for the column density in a fragmenting disc, a regime in which the existing methods fail to recover the clumps and spiral structures. We therefore recommend this improved radiative cooling method for more realistic simulations of self-gravitating discs
Development of Neural Networks for Deepfake Recognition
Get PDFNowadays, the creation of deepfakes for various activities is widespread: sometimes for the sake of entertainment, and sometimes for malicious purposes. In the second case, such deepfakes can potentially harm a person. Neural networks trained to recognize deepfakes can become an actual tool for combating malicious fakes.This article considers neural network architectures which can be used to solve the problem of recognizing photo and video deepfakes, describes datasets that can help in training neural networks for the task, and determines what preprocessing is needed for different datasets. Particular attention is paid to possible options for combining the results of several trained models