122,211 research outputs found
Dynamic Size Counting in Population Protocols
No full textThe population protocol model describes a network of anonymous agents that interact asynchronously in pairs chosen at random. Each agent starts in the same initial state s. We introduce the dynamic size counting problem: approximately counting the number of agents in the presence of an adversary who at any time can remove any number of agents or add any number of new agents in state s. A valid solution requires that after each addition/removal event, resulting in population size n, with high probability each agent "quickly" computes the same constant-factor estimate of the value log₂(n) (how quickly is called the convergence time), which remains the output of every agent for as long as possible (the holding time). Since the adversary can remove agents, the holding time is necessarily finite: even after the adversary stops altering the population, it is impossible to stabilize to an output that never again changes.
We first show that a protocol solves the dynamic size counting problem if and only if it solves the loosely-stabilizing counting problem: that of estimating log n in a fixed-size population, but where the adversary can initialize each agent in an arbitrary state, with the same convergence time and holding time. We then show a protocol solving the loosely-stabilizing counting problem with the following guarantees: if the population size is n, M is the largest initial estimate of log n, and s is the maximum integer initially stored in any field of the agents' memory, we have expected convergence time O(log n + log M), expected polynomial holding time, and expected memory usage of O(log²(s) + (log log n)²) bits. Interpreted as a dynamic size counting protocol, when changing from population size n_prev to n_next, the convergence time is O(log n_next + log log n_prev)
Multi-analytical approach to the study of the glyptic collection of the Musei di Arte Antica of the Municipality of Ferrara (Italy)
No full textIdentifying the use of Iron age pottery from Tepe Sagzabad (Iran): Results from the first analysis of pottery residues
No full textThe Qazvin plain located in the northwestern part of the central plateau of Iran. Three major prehistoric sites (Tepe) lie on the plain: Zagheh, Ghabristan, and Sagzabad. The site of Tepe Sagzabad includes the most important evidences from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age III or even the historical period and was also located along the main eastern-western trade route on the Iranian Plateau. One of the main objectives of the recent excavations at this historical site, was to focus on the intact Iron Age III in this site, and to learn more about the condition of these layers. 2.5 hectares of geophysical surveying were completed prior to excavation. Thereafter, the trenches 5 and 6 were opened. Trench 6 was started at a size of 3 x 10 meters and following the appearance of
the architectural features, it was extended to the dimensions of 12 x 5 meters. The context associated with a kiln structure (6006 and 6004) which was found in the east and center of this trench in different dimensions. Both structures are similar, and traces of heat are obvious in their context and sections. These two structures were filled with diverse accumulations. Within the studied context (6006), there was an assemblage of heated soils, ash, and veins of charcoal in orderly and layered manner. To determine the function of this kiln, other special finds in trench
6 were examined. The large, extraordinary oval-shaped pottery was identified in this context 6006, but unfortunately, the lower part of the object has been destroyed, though possibly the whole vessel could be 75 cm
high.
The difference between this pottery and other pottery was its unusual form. The closed-head form of pottery
(knob-shaped) with two handles evokes a pot lid, and a hole (5 cm) is set in the center of the upper part to be used
as a spout and possibly a reed as a tube. The shape and size of this unusual pottery and the position of the spout
allow assuming that to work as a traditional alembic, comparable to the modern from copper made versions. In
particular, the comparison with the Iranian tradition at the rosewater festival, which still uses similar equipment to
extract rosewater and essential oil, made possible the function of this extraordinary pottery as part of a distillation
apparatus. Moreover, findings from Assyrian seals in the Segzabad site indicate cultural interaction between these
two regions and it can be assumed that ancient knowledge such as distillation came to this region from
Mesopotamia.
To preliminarily investigate and identify the application of this pottery, five powdery samples were taken
from the inner and from lower part of the pottery. Based on the results obtained from microscopic observations,
SEM-EDS analysis and micro-Raman spectroscopy studies, this study will provide information that can be used
to identify the residue inside the pottery and also its possible applicatio
The Effect of Eight-Eeek Kegel Training on Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Females with Urinary Incontinence
No full textIntroduction: Urinary incontinence (UI) is the leakage of urine which is often uncontrollable and can negatively impact on the quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to determine the effects of an eight-week of Kegel exercise as a complementary therapy on QoL in postmenopausal females with UI.
Methods: The study design was a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test with a control group trial. The participants were Iranian women aged between 60 to 95 years with UI problems referring to medical centers in Najafabad city in Isfahan Province, Iran. Twenty four female UI patients were recruited and randomly divided into Kegel exercise (n = 12) and control group (n = 12). The Kegel group received exercise three times a week for eight-week, and the control group continued their routine life. The Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire were used for data collection. The variables were measured before and after the Kegel protocol in both groups. Descriptive statistics and analysis of covariance were used to assess variable differences between groups (p < 0.05).
Results: The mean age of UI patients was 70.83 ± 7.61 years old. Analysis of variance demonstrated a significant decrease in stress urinary incontinence symptoms (F = 61.88, p = 0.01), urge urinary incontinence symptoms (F = 111.56, p = 0.01), and UI symptoms (F = 88.20, p = 0.01), and significant increase in physical health (F = 28.93, p = 0.01), psychological health (F = 15.35, p = 0.01), social relationships (F = 18.83, p = 0.01), environment health (F = 155.51, p = 0.01), QoL (F = 132.07, p = 0.01) in Kegel exercise group.
Conclusion: Kegel exercise can be an effective complementary therapy for improving QoL in postmenopausal female suffering from UI. Healthcare providers should consider recommending Kegel exercise as part of comprehensive treatment approach for postmenopausal female with UI to help alleviate symptoms and enhance their overall QoL.
Corresponding Author: Elham Eftekhari
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Applying Natural and K-Enriched Zeolite Before Struvite Precipitation Improved the Recovery of NH4+ from Liquid Digestate and the Reagent Use Efficiency
No full textImplementing nutrient recycling in wastewater treatment plants is essential for sustainable agriculture. In this study, we investigated a biphasic treatment system for anaerobic liquid digestate, which involved natural and K-enriched zeolite for NH4+ recovery (phase 1), followed by struvite crystallization under two conditions: NH4+ excess and Mg2+ excess (phase 2). The adsorption of NH4+ by natural zeolite enabled saving Mg and P reagents, used to achieve target Mg:NH4:PO4 ratios. The reagent use efficiency of struvite precipitation was highest with natural zeolite under NH4+ excess conditions (96%), whereas the other treatments exhibited lower yields. In this condition, the digestate enriched in Ca2+ released by zeolite; however, no P interferences occurred (Ca2+/Mg2+ < 0.5). Fractions of Ca2+ precipitated as CaCO3. Both the isomorphic NH4- and K-struvite occurred, distinguished by calibrating XRPD data (total struvite) with N contents (indicative of NH4+-struvite). The precipitates comprised NH4- and K-struvite at 60% and 30% (calcite at 9%) in the treatment that involved natural zeolite, 65% and 35% with the K-exchanged zeolite, due to higher presence of K+. Concerning the chemical evolution of the treated digestate, fewer alterations occurred for inorganic ions in the treatment that involved natural zeolite (phase 1) with NH4+ excess condition (phase 2), besides for unreacted SO42- derived from the Mg reagent. The recovered zeolite was enriched in N at 0.5%. Struvite precipitates met the EU regulations regarding permissible levels of organic C, P content, and heavy metal impurities, thereby potentially enabling its use as a fertilizer
A Multi-Language Comparison of Influences on Author Verification using Character N-Grams
No full textWe create a new multi-language corpus for author verification based on Wikipedia talkpages, and evaluate the influence that differences in topic and time have on character n-gram author profiles. Topic alignment between two texts is found to increase author verification precision, and an authors writing style is found to change over time, but not more significantly after 3 years than after 1 year.Information ArchitectureWISElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc
Petrographic study of the Bronze Age ceramics from Shahr-I Sokhta in east of Iran
No full textThe Shahr-i Sokhta (The Burnt City) is a Bronze Age archaeological site in east of Iran with several stages
of settlements. A large number of pottery shred and excavated ceramics of this site shows its importance during
fourth to second millennium BC. Based on the color of body-paste of found ceramics in Shahr-i Sokhta, they
are classified into three “Red”, “Grey” and “Buff” ware groups. An analysis of the microstructure and chemical
composition of these three groups is the main purpose of this study. To do so, nine samples (three for each
group) were subjected to observation by optical microscope and then their thin sections were analyzed by PLM,
micro XRF and SEM-EDX to investigate any differences of raw materials from which these ceramics were
produced. The results demonstrated that both Red and Grey ware ceramics have similar compositions with
high amount of Fe and difference of their color is most probably because of different kiln atmosphere in which
the potteries were produced. On the other hand, the high percentage of Ca in the Buff ware samples showed
this type of ceramics are made with another type of raw material; different source or prepared deliberately.
Moreover, PLM and SEM studies illustrated there wasn’t any cover layer on these ceramics, and, a paste with
fine particles created all the bodies. Also, the percentage of organic additions shamot in the body of Grey and
Buff samples are low while in the Red ware ceramics it is totally absent
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
No full textWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
The vanishing author in computer-generated works: a critical analysis of recent Australian case law
No full textAbstract
The use of software is ubiquitous in the creation of many copyright works, yet the requirement in copyright law that every work have a human author who engages in independent intellectual effort means that its use may prevent copyright subsistence. Several recent Australian cases have refocused attention on authorship as an essential criterion of copyright subsistence, and these cases suggest that much computer-produced output may be authorless and thus lack copyright protection. This article, the first in a two-part series, analyses how each case deals with the question of authorship of computer-produced works and why the use of software diminishes copyright protection for a significant number of computer-generated works. The article critiques the application of conventional notions of human authorship developed in the pre-computer age to modern productions and suggests alternative approaches to authorship that satisfy both the major objectives of copyright policy and the need to adapt to the computer age. The article argues that, without a broader judicial approach to authorship of computer-generated works, Parliament must remedy the lacuna in protection for these ‘authorless’ works. Possible solutions for reform are suggested. In a forthcoming article, the author comprehensively examines those reform proposals
The hydroalcoholic extract of Nasturtium officinale reduces oxidative stress markers and increases total antioxidant capacity in patients with asthma
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance: Asthma is a common chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the airways. One of the most devastating consequences of this inflammatory process is the production of reactive oxygen species responsible for oxidative stress. Nasturtium officinale commonly known as watercress has traditionally been applied in Iranian folk medicine to treat respiratory disorders and diseases mainly bronchitis and asthma. In accordance with these ethnopharmacological reports, through our previous in vivo experiment, we have confirmed significant effect of its hydroalcoholic extract in reducing lung inflammation and oxidative stress in an ovalbumin-induced asthmatic rat model. Aim of the study: The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of N. officinale hydroalcoholic extract (NOE) in patients with asthma, in order to confirm our findings of the previous performed in vivo study. Material and methods: The NOE capsules (500 mg) were treated twice daily for 4 weeks as a supplementary treatment in a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in asthmatics. The primary outcome was Asthma Control Test score. The blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the study. Then, the level of inflammatory markers, oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme activity were measured. Results: Treatment with NOE for one month caused a reduction in the levels of MDA, PCO and NO metabolite markers compared to the placebo group. In addition, FRAP levels as an indicator of total antioxidant capacity in the intervention group was significantly increased at the end of the treatment period compared to pre-treatment values. Conclusion: Findings demonstrated that NOE may have a therapeutic effect on asthma by improving oxidative stress. However, more studies are required to support these results. Moreover, bio-assay guided fractionation and isolation approach can be conducted to identify major bioactive compound/s
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