Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Piscine Myocarditis Virus (Pmcv) In Wild Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar, Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

Cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) is a severe cardiac disease of sea-farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L., but CMS-like lesions have also been found in wild Atlantic salmon. In 2010 a double-stranded RNA virus of the Totiviridae family, provisionally named piscine myocarditis virus (PMCV), was described as the causative agent of CMS. In the present paper we report the first detection of PMCV in wild Atlantic salmon. The study is based on screening of 797 wild Atlantic salmon by real-time RT-PCR. The samples were collected from 35 different rivers along the coast of Norway, and all individuals included in the study were …

How Can Pacific Island Economies Benefits From The Advent Of Ict’S – Review Of Best Practices In Education, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper explored implementation and use of information and communication technologies in Fiji, in order to gain insight into recent government initiatives to introduce computers and other ICTs for the community of Fiji. The focus of this paper in that it provided the framework for an in-depth exploration of e-learning centers around the country and the benefits from the advent of ICT’s in e-learning community centers in Fiji. Areas concentrated on are outcome of ICT’s in formal education to students and community as a whole in areas of agriculture, health, environment and infrastructure etc. The research sought understanding from the …

The Issue Of Internet Polling, Nick Nichols

The Intellectual Standard

No abstract provided.

Technical Assistance, Knowledge Gatekeeping And Indigenous Knowledge: Re-Thinking The International Development Practice, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper presents results from a multi-disciplinary conceptual analysis of development theory and practice. It reviews issues raised and proposes a shift in the epistemology of possession towards an epistemology of practice which is guided by the following aspects (1) The consideration of the learning culture of parties involved, (2) the ability and willingness for decontextualisation of the knowledge by the source and (3) the ability to embedded it by recipients (embededness ), (4) the importance that is attached to knowledge of the host country as reflected through (5) Similarity in culture, values, understanding of context and knowledge bases; (6) …

Fuzzy And Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System Of Washing Machine, R.W. Hndoosh

R. W. Hndoosh

Software estimation accuracy is among the greatest challenges for software developers. Fuzzy set theory, Fuzzy system and Neural Networks techniques seem very well suited for typical technical problems. In conjunction with software computing and conventional mathematical methods, hybrid methods can be developed that may prove to be a step forward in modeling geotechnical problems. This study aimed at building two different models, Fuzzy Inference Systems and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System and a comparison between them, through an application to real data of the relationship between three inputs (time, temperature of water and the amount of washing powder) during the …

Prevalence Of Tick Borne Encephalitis Virus In Tick Nymphs In Relation To Climatic Factors On The Southern Coast Of Norway, Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

BACKGROUND

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is among the most important vector borne diseases of humans in Europe and is currently identified as a major health problem in many countries. TBE endemic zones have expanded over the past two decades, as well as the number of reported cases within endemic areas. Multiple factors are ascribed for the increased incidence of TBE, including climatic change. The number of TBE cases has also increased in Norway over the past decade, and the human cases cluster along the southern coast of Norway. In Norway the distribution and prevalence of TBE virus (TBEV) in tick populations …

Global Optimization Of Some Difficult Benchmark Functions By Cuckoo-Host Co-Evolution Meta-Heuristics, Sudhanshu K. Mishra

Sudhanshu K Mishra

This paper proposes a novel method of global optimization based on cuckoo-host co-evaluation. It also develops a Fortran-77 code for the algorithm. The algorithm has been tested on 96 benchmark functions (of which the results of 32 relatively harder problems have been reported). The proposed method is comparable to the Differential Evolution method of global optimization.

A Strain Of Piscine Myocarditis Virus (Pmcv) Infecting Argentina Silus (Ascanius), Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

No abstract.

Deliberating Beyond Evidence: Lessons From Integrated Assessment Modelling, Elisa Vecchione

Elisa Vecchione

The premises of this paper rely on associating policy inertia toward action on climate change with the inadequacy of the classical ‘liability culture’ of evidence-based policy-making to deal with this global environmental challenge. To provide support to this hypothesis, the following discussion analyses the technical properties and the current policy use of Integrated Assessment Modelling (IAM) of economic-climate interactions. The paper contends that IAM is still not clarified enough as far as its potential for information-production in the framework of policy making processes is concerned, and that this fact is symptomatic of the current inability of societies to undertake the …

Forced Displacement In Colombia, Fernando Estrada

Fernando Estrada

No abstract provided.

Targeted Maximum Likelihood Estimation For Dynamic Treatment Regimes In Sequential Randomized Controlled Trials, Paul Chaffee, Mark J. Van Der Laan

Paul H. Chaffee

Sequential Randomized Controlled Trials (SRCTs) are rapidly becoming essential tools in the search for optimized treatment regimes in ongoing treatment settings. Analyzing data for multiple time-point treatments with a view toward optimal treatment regimes is of interest in many types of afflictions: HIV infection, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder in children, leukemia, prostate cancer, renal failure, and many others. Methods for analyzing data from SRCTs exist but they are either inefficient or suffer from the drawbacks of estimating equation methodology. We describe an estimation procedure, targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE), which has been fully developed and implemented in point treatment settings, …

Multi-Tier Exploration Concept Demonstration Mission, Jeremy Straub

Jeremy Straub

A multi-tier, multi-craft mission architecture has been proposed but, despite its apparent promise, limited use and testing of the architecture has been conducted. This paper proposes and details a mission concept and its implementation for testing this architecture in the terrestrial environment. It is expected that this testing will allow significant refinement of the proposed architecture as well as providing data on its suitability for use in both terrestrial and extra-terrestrial applications. Logistical and technical challenges with this testing are discussed.

Quantification Of Piscine Reovirus (Prv) At Different Stages Of Atlantic Salmon Salmo Salar Production, Torstein Tengs Dr.

Dr. Torstein Tengs

The newly described piscine reovirus (PRV) appears to be associated with the development of heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) in farmed Atlantic salmon Salmo salar L. PRV seems to be ubiquitous among fish in Norwegian salmon farms, but high viral loads and tissue distribution support a causal relationship between virus and disease. In order to improve understanding of the distribution of PRV in the salmon production line, we quantified PRV by using real-time PCR on heart samples collected at different points in the life cycle from pre-smolts to fish ready for slaughter. PRV positive pre-smolts were found in about …

Mis Mock Questions (Why Mis In Corporate Turbulant Times), Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

With corporate strategy becoming more and more dependent on speed,focus, innovation and strategy, what can MIS do? and what should be MIS role ? what is the relationship between Corporate Strategy KPI and MIS? These questions are answered in an MBA Management Information Systems at USP. This programme is delivered across the entire Pacific region through the Graduate School of Business. It is my privilege to post here few questions that students who attended one of the course in Nadi, at Tanoa International Hotel had to answer in one of the Quiz test.

Economic Benefits Analysis Of Mining Industries In Png And Solomon Islands, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper discusses mining and mineral operations in the two countries Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands with regards to its contribution to the overall Gross domestic Product and the economic development of each country.

Our finding shows that mining is an excellent contributor to economic growth and development as in the case of Papua New Guinea.Tax revenue from PNG Mining industries contributions to the PNG fiscal basket remains strong and growing steadily. The mining and minerals tax revenue remains an important contributor to the government fiscal budget over the last 10 years. This has been a strong contributor to …

Understanding Economics Of The Pacific Island Nations: Issues And Cases, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

No abstract provided.

Job Creation In The Tuna Industry Of The Solomon Islands- A Tentative Strategic Analysis, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

The principal objective of this paper is to review the current Tuna Fisheries Policies in the Solomon Islands with a view to proposing strategies that will maximize Job creation while at the same time address the issues that currently exist in this sector. Although the Tuna Industry’s contribution to GDP is quite significant, the Solomon Island Government (SIG) gets little or close to nothing out of it in the form of revenue and Job creation with the majority of vessels being foreign owned and fishing license fees amongst the lowest in the Pacific. SOLTAI which is partly owned by the …

The Discrete Yang-Fourier Transforms In Fractal Space, Yang Xiao-Jun

Xiao-Jun Yang

The Yang-Fourier transform (YFT) in fractal space is a generation of Fourier transform based on the local fractional calculus. The discrete Yang-Fourier transform (DYFT) is a specific kind of the approximation of discrete transform, used in Yang-Fourier transform in fractal space. This paper points out new standard forms of discrete Yang-Fourier transforms (DYFT) of fractal signals, and both properties and theorems are investigated in detail.

Expression Of Generalized Newton Iteration Method Via Generalized Local Fractional Taylor Series, Yang Xiao-Jun

Xiao-Jun Yang

Local fractional derivative and integrals are revealed as one of useful tools to deal with everywhere continuous but nowhere differentiable functions in fractal areas ranging from fundamental science to engineering. In this paper, a generalized Newton iteration method derived from the generalized local fractional Taylor series with the local fractional derivatives is reviewed. Operators on real line numbers on a fractal space are induced from Cantor set to fractional set. Existence for a generalized fixed point on generalized metric spaces may take place.

Review Of Solomon Islands’ Policies And Programs To Promote Private Sector Development And Small Business, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

Solomon Islands is a nation with vast resources with huge potential to excel economically if proper business atmosphere is provided for both private sector development and small and medium enterprises entrepreneurship. Conducive policies that, not only, a mere statement but is broken down to workable strategies with quantitative expected outcome with a strong mentoring mechanism is very important. Previous governments have continuously ignored the importance of having small business policies until lately when NCRA government came up with a set of policies that strategically addresses the significance of small and medium businesses. However, notwithstanding foreign investment is very important in …

Imagining Emergent Metadata, Realizing The Emergent Web, Jason A. Bengtson

Jason A Bengtson

Current metadata schemas are largely analog technology grafted onto the digital format. They have three inherent limitations that need to be transcended: they generate a static product which must be changed manually, they revolve around the needs of human, rather than mechanistic agents, and they are limited by the imagination and organizational capabilities of human agency. The author argues that to meet future challenges metadata will have to take a more flexible, adaptive form that centers on the needs of the machine in searching, interpretation and organization until the information it proxies enters into the human sphere. The author further …

The Art Of Redirection: Putting Mobile Devices Where You Want Them, Jason A. Bengtson

Jason A Bengtson

Mobile technology has exploded, with many libraries experiencing a surge in access to their resources through mobile devices. In response, many institutions have created or are creating mobile sites designed to accommodate themselves to the unique strictures of these devices. One hurdle faced by these organizations, however, is getting mobile users to those sites. One solution is mobile redirect scripts, which automatically redirect mobile users from a regular page to a mobile page. These scripts come in various forms and present unique challenges to libraries. How are these scripts created? What triggers can or should be used to activate them? …

Imagining Emergent Metadata, Realizing The Emergent Web, Jason A. Bengtson

Jason A Bengtson

Current metadata schemas are largely analog technology grafted onto the digital format. They have three inherent limitations that need to be transcended: they generate a static product which must be changed manually, they revolve around the needs of human, rather than mechanistic agents, and they are limited by the imagination and organizational capabilities of human agency. The author argues that to meet future challenges metadata will have to take a more flexible, adaptive form that centers on the needs of the machine in searching, interpretation and organization until the information it proxies enters into the human sphere. The author further …

The Zero-Mass Renormalization Group Differential Equations And Limit Cycles In Non-Smooth Initial Value Problems, Yang Xiaojun

Xiao-Jun Yang

In the present paper, using the equation transform in fractal space, we point out the zero-mass renormalization group equations. Under limit cycles in the non-smooth initial value, we devote to the analytical technique of the local fractional Fourier series for treating zero-mass renormalization group equations, and investigate local fractional Fourier series solutions.

Logo Programming (Part 1) - A Creative And Fun Way To Learn Mathematics And Problem-Solving, Abhay B. Joshi, Sandesh R. Gaikwad

Abhay B Joshi

Programming means tapping into the computerʹs immense power by talking with it directly. Through programming, children use the computerʹs terrific power to draw graphics, design animation, solve mathematical or word puzzles, and even build robots. This idea was first proposed in the famous book ʺMindstormsʺ by Seymour Papert and has subsequently been appreciated and praised by educators and parents all over the world.

Through programming, students discover that the computer is a powerful and flexible tool. Using interesting ideas embedded in programming environments, students solve problems in their favorite subjects, and also develop interest in ʺdifficultʺ subjects like Math and …

Logo Programming (Part 2) - A Creative And Fun Way To Learn Mathematics And Problem-Solving, Abhay B. Joshi, Sandesh R. Gaikwad

Abhay B Joshi

Programming means tapping into the computerʹs immense power by talking with it directly. Through programming, children use the computerʹs terrific power to draw graphics, design animation, solve mathematical or word puzzles, and even build robots. This idea was first proposed in the famous book ʺMindstormsʺ by Seymour Papert and has subsequently been appreciated and praised by educators and parents all over the world.

Through programming, students discover that the computer is a powerful and flexible tool. Using interesting ideas embedded in programming environments, students solve problems in their favorite subjects, and also develop interest in ʺdifficultʺ subjects like Math and …

A Novel Approach To Processing Fractal Dynamical Systems Using The Yang-Fourier Transforms, Yang Xiaojun

Xiao-Jun Yang

In the present paper, local fractional continuous non-differentiable functions in fractal space are investigated, and the control method for processing dynamic systems in fractal space are proposed using the Yang-Fourier transform based on the local fractional calculus. Two illustrative paradigms for control problems in fractal space are given to elaborate the accuracy and reliable results.

Open Wikis And The Protection Of Institutional Welfare, Andrew G. West, Insup Lee

Andrew G. West

Much has been written about wikis’ reliability and use in the classroom. This research bulletin addresses the negative impacts on institutional welfare that can arise from participating in and supporting wikis. The open nature of the platform, which is fundamental to wiki operation and success, enables these negative consequences. A finite user base that can be determined a priori (e.g., a course roster) minimizes the security implications, hence our discussion in this bulletin primarily concerns open or public wikis that accept contributions from a broad and unknown set of Internet users.

Why Is It Difficult To Find A Good Free Web Host, Umakant Mishra

Umakant Mishra

This article illustrates how the advertisements on free hosts are deceptive, the evaluations are fake, and the user feedbacks are manipulated. As a search engine cannot differentiate between good and bad free hosts per se, it is likely to serve you a list of free hosts, which are discussed more or advertised more and not necessarily better. Searching a good free host is as difficult as searching a diamond in a coalmine.

Should You Use A Free Server For Hosting Your Site?, Umakant Mishra

Umakant Mishra

Contrary to the general belief that the paid servers provide better service, the services provided by paid servers are often horrible. The matter of the fact is that you may not need much of service from a well-configured server. But the service provider wants to provide you service in order to prove its service efficiency. But how will they provide service when there is no need of service? So they have to create many artificial problems for you (e.g., by changing server configurations etc.) and then solve those problems promptly on your request, in order to prove their service efficiency. …