Higher Level Of Consciousness Research Articles

ООН – 70: ПРОБЛЕМЫ РЕФОРМИРОВАНИЯ

The article deals with problems and results of the United Nations reform between its two anniversaries of 2005 and 2015. It has been 10 years since the jubilee events dedicated to the UN 60 th anniversary, and the reform process continues, but its results leave much to be desired. The author focuses on the questions of the United Nations internal administrative reform and on the complexity of the Security Council reorganization. The approaches of Russia and the United States to this reform are also considered. Attention is paid to problems in relations between the West and the “Group of 77” within the UN. The crisis of the United Nations’ capacity that has been talked over so much consists in the desire of the Member States to use the Organization exclusively in their national interests, to achieve geopolitical goals and to influence the opponents. The reasons are also differences in views between the North and the South on major international issues, including the UN reform. Developing countries are trying to counter the “power of the purse” of developed countries, and those, in turn, object the “majority rule” in the United Nations General Assembly. Given the existing contradictions and the “tug of war” between the Security Council and the General Assembly, the United Nations reform and the solution of pressing international problems will be difficult. The author believes that success in building a more secure and equitable World Order as well as the UN system reform lies in an ideological and moral sphere. A higher level of consciousness and morality, non-violence and rejection of consumerism, transition to other models of public relations and environmental management are required. The United Nations Organization is made up of the member states and can be effective as much as they wish. Fruitful cooperation of its Member States can only be based on respect for each other, equal partnership, taking into account of mutual interests, and the absence of double standards. There is no alternative to this approach considering the increasing number and scale of today’s challenges and threats.&nbsp

Evaluation of Ictal Consciousness in Temporal and Extra Temporal Epilepsy: Observations from a Tertiary Care Hospital in India.

Background and PurposeDifferences in consciousness during seizures depend on the location of the seizure onset.MethodsThe present study evaluates ictal consciousness using the ictal consciousness inventory (ICI) in drug refractory mesial temporal (MTLE), neocortical temporal (NTLE) and extra temporal epilepsy (ETLE). This was a cross sectional cohort study with 45 patients with mesial temporal epilepsy, 47 with extra temporal and 11 patients with neocortical temporal epilepsy. The ICI a 20 item questionnaire was used to calculate the scores for level (L, question 1–10) and content (C, question 11–20) of consciousness.ResultsThe patients in mesial temporal group had higher ICI-L scores, p = 0.0129 as compared to the extra temporal group, but no difference was observed in the content of consciousness. The ICI-L and C scores were not different in the mesial temporal and the neocortical temporal group (p = 0.53 and 0.65) respectively.ConclusionsPatients with mesial temporal epilepsy had a higher level of consciousness than the extra temporal group but there was no difference in the content. Also there was no difference in the level and content of consciousness between mesial and the neocortical temporal group.

The Two Faces of Teacher Candidates' Portfolio Experiences: Tradition and Facebook

Exploring the effectiveness of facebook in the process of preparing portfolio, it will be significant to profit by teacher candidates' experiences on facebook and traditional environments. Therefore in this phenomenon study to fathom of the portfolio experiences on both environments is intended. In this regard the opinions of the volunteers who have continued portfolio studies every week, were taken from utilizing four semi-structured open-ended questions. In consequence they are in the pedagogical formation program, ten female and five male in both environments, in total thirty participants. Data were collected in writing in fifty minutes, analyzed via Nvivo 10, presented with mind maps. Participants think that facebook environment is compared to other social networks easy to reach, actual, the best known environment, gives opportunity to add various types of files, facilitates sharing independent of time and place and creating an archive, although they stated that the participants who use the environment for the first time in an instruction process, don't take responsibility and despite warnings. For traditional environment, they believe that develop a high level of consciousness of communication, sharing, task and responsibility. However they express the lack of opportunities to see sharings instantly and to make peer review between groups.

Self-Organizing Students Viability in Cultural Education Environment of Technical University

Background/Objectives: The aim of the paper is to apply synergetic integration uniting different terms into a unique picture of cultural education environment of a technical institution, where different systems have certain energy to exchange with other systems. Methods: A synergy approach was used to identify pedagogic technology of modeling synergetic conflict communicative situations improving holistic process of students' vital abilities. As there are no special diagnostic methods evaluating self-organizing students' vitality, we included a set of adapted assessment tests: Self-actualizing test, tests for diagnosing subjective control, motives and sustainability and the adapted evaluating techniques proved the increased personal characteristics as vital abilities combined with sense of satisfaction with life and learning process. Findings: The pedagogic synergy is often ignored in education and it leads to unpredictable education results. Multiple links of universal, social and personal values and meanings of communicative situations make the students form their personal value systems and life preferences as positive attitudes to conflict communicative acts. Firstly, we supposed that modeling conflict communicative situations are equal to self-development where communicative activity provokes intense self-control and high level of consciousness in communication acts thus reflecting growth in personal structures expressed as subjective experience, flexibility, sustainability, tolerance and empathy to different opinions and positions in conflict situations. Thus the results prove the efficiency of adapted technology. Secondly, the main education approaches are united by a synergy. So, the term 'vitality' is extended with synergetic theory and self-organizing vital abilities determined as inner students' self-formation stimulated by pedagogic technology. Applications/Improvements: The paper expanded practical possibilities of pedagogic technology demonstrating the better results among the students of focus groups.

A qualitative study on the background of long-term maintenance patients at a private Japanese dental clinic.

BackgroundContinued periodontal maintenance after active therapy is highly important for maintaining a healthy oral function. In Japan, the rate of consultation for periodontal maintenance is remarkably low compared to other developed countries. This study analyzed the relationship between long-term maintenance and patient background characteristics in an effort to identify ways to increase the rate of consultation for periodontal maintenance in Japan.MethodsThirty-three long-term maintenance patients were interviewed. The interviews were recorded on video. The conversation between the patient and the interviewer was converted to text, and the data were qualitatively analyzed using the Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT) method.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 61.4 years and the average duration of maintenance was 10.7 years. The majority (90.9 %) of patients cared about their dietary habits, and 72.7 % of the patients understood the importance of physical activity. All of the patients wished to continue the maintenance, and 72.7 % of patients had good feelings about the staff of the dental clinic. However, their recognition of the description of primary prevention was low, with a response rate of only 21.2 %.ConclusionsThe long-term maintenance patients had a high level of consciousness regarding their health and good feelings about the staff of the dental clinic. Oral hygienists, who are the main staff involved in periodontal maintenance were suggested to be important for increasing the maintenance consultation rate.

The Impact of “Self-knowledge” Subject on Social-psychological Characteristics of Pupils’ Identity

Reforming of an educational system in Kazakhstan includes the variety of educational projects. First lady of Kazakhstan S.A.Nazarbayeva's project on moral-spiritually education “Self-knowledge” is actively implementing today. The “Self-knowledge” subject could have an impact on social-psychological characteristics of pupils’ identity, which requires using valuable aspects of education in professional development of future specialists. Studying the influence of “Self-knowledge” subject on social and psychological characteristics of pupils’ identity. Special methods were used in present study: A questionnaire on civic consciousness; Test for determination of communicative type of behavior of L. Michelson (adapted by Yu.Z.Gilbukha); the test of self-updating (SAT) of A.V. Lazukin (adapted by N. F. Kalina); Sishor's technique for group unity index. The present study reflects several findings: pupils who studied “Self-knowledge” subject showed high rates in competence-based type of behavior and low indices in scales of dependent and aggressive types of behavior. They have higher level of consciousness and self-assessment, as well as high indices of group unity index. The conducted research showed that the level of civic consciousness, love to the homeland, patriotism, competence-based type of behavior, the high level of consciousness and a self-assessment, the high level of group unity are more applicable for pupils who studied “Self-knowledge” subject. Thus, the subject “Self-knowledge” has influence on social and psychological characteristics of pupils’ identity.

Construction & Standardization of Anger Scale: Validation with the help of EEG

Anger is a natural emotion which involves a strong uncomfortable and emotional response to a perceived provocation. Mild anger motivates an individual to take appropriate action in many areas of life. When anger goes beyond an optimal level it not only causes physical harm and psychological harm but it also intrudes with achievement of higher level of consciousness. In order to measure and compare anger among individuals a need for construction of anger scale was realized. Therefore, the researcher tried to construct a scale which could measure anger among individuals. Items with low coefficient of correlation (r= .14 or less) were discarded and finally 30 items with r= .15 to .67 were retained in the final test. Thus, internal consistency of Anger Scale was established. Test Retest Reliability of the scale (with a time gap of 25 days) came out to be .86. For establishing criterion validity, scores on Anger Scale were correlated with scores of well being. High negative coefficient of correlation of anger scores with well being indicated that higher the anger lower is the level of well being among individuals. The coefficient of correlation was found to be -.85. Again criterion validity was supported by significant positive relationship between egotism and anger also. The coefficient of correlation was .65. It shows that as the egotism increases the level of anger increases and vice versa. Validity of anger scale was established with the help of scores on EEG. The mean alpha waves of higher anger group were found to decrease significantly when subjects’ anger was experimentally aroused. On the other hand Mean EEG scores of low anger group as measured by the Anger Scale did not change significantly. Thus, the validity of anger scale was experimentally established.

Who will make an indulgent food choice after having fulfilled their healthy eating goal?

AbstractThis research considers how subjective nutrition knowledge and calorie consciousness moderate the effects of eating goals on indulgent vs. healthy consumers and their on subsequent choices. A two between‐subjects design (an eating goal invoked by a main course: healthy vs. indulgent) was conducted, where the choice of salad dressing (healthy or indulgent) was a dependent variable. Two individual traits (subjective nutrition knowledge and calorie consciousness) were considered as moderators between eating goals and food choices. The results indicated that individuals with high levels of subjective knowledge about nutrition or with a high level of consciousness about calories were more likely to choose a healthy option when their indulgent goal had been invoked. However, they were more likely to make indulgent choices when their healthy goal had been fulfilled by the main course. In contrast, for those with low levels of subjective nutrition knowledge or with a low level of consciousness about calories, food choices were not influenced by the eating goal which had been invoked. The findings could help practitioners in the food industry to develop different food combinations with which to satisfy their customers through understanding personality traits.

Examination the Digital Competence of Teacher Candidates in Terms of Different Variables

It has been essential to make use of technology in education as a result of the improvements in information and communication technology in the 21st century. Teachers, who are the organizers and the developers of learning environments, need to have a high level of consciousness with regard to digital competence. Thus, students can acquire digital competence only if teachers do it first. The aim of this study is to analyse the digital competence of teacher candidates in terms of different variables. The study group consisted of 200 teacher candidates who study at different departments of Ahmet Kelesoglu Faculty of Education, Necmettin Erbakan University. Screening model was used as the research method in the present study. As data collection tools, a personal data form which was developed by researchers and by which the demographic characteristics of the study group students were obtained, and “The Digital Competence Scale” which was developed by Akkoyunlu, Yilmaz Soylu & Caglar (2010) were used. The scale is 7 Likert type, 45 item and of four dimensions. Cronbach Alpha coefficients were calculated for the results of the scale reliability; and they were 0.86 throughout the scale, 0.94 in the first sub-dimension (Awareness), 0.84 in the second sub-dimension (Motivation), 0.78 in the third sub-dimension (Technical Access) and 0.81 in the fourth sub-dimension (Competence). The computer-aided statistical packaged program, SPSS was used in order to analyse the data collected, and the present study benefited from descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way analysis of variance and correlation methods. The study concluded that - when the digital competence of teacher candidates assessed in terms of gender in sub-dimensions of the scale - the digital competence awareness and the technical access levels of both male and female teacher candidates were high, however, their digital competence and motivation levels were close to low. Also, it has been revealed that overall average scores of teacher candidates from different branches differed significantly. Teacher candidates also differed significantly in having Internet and computers

Evidence-Based Critical Care of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: An Overview.

Outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is still poor and siginificantly influenced by complications during the acute phase, so optimized neurocritical care is crucial. Vital parameters, neurological status and laboratory values of ICH-patient should be monitored very closely with special attention on blood pressure and intracranial pressure. Systolic blood pressure should be kept <140 mm Hg and intracranial pressure <20 mm Hg. Administration of hemostatic agents in spontaneous ICH without intake of anticoagulants is actually not recommended out of clinical trials. Neurosurgical treatment of ICH is still an individual decision. Patients with a higher level of consciousness may profit from an early operation.

Антагонист глутаматных NMDA-рецепторов (амантадина сульфат) в интенсивной терапии тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмы

Целью настоящего исследования было изучение эффективности препарата амантадина сульфат (ПК-Мерц) на госпитальном этапе у пациентов с тяжелой черепно-мозговой травмой (ЧМТ) с целью ранней нейропротекции за счет коррекции глутаматной эксайтотоксичности.Материал и методы исследования. Исследование проводилось в 2012–2014 годах в ДОКТМО на базе кафедры анестезиологии и интенсивной терапии ФПО Донецкого национального медицинского университета им. М. Горького. Обследовано 60 пациентов с диагнозом «тяжелая черепно-мозговая травма».Дизайн исследования. Открытое проспективное исследование по типу «случай — контроль», которое проводится в группе пациентов с тяжелой ЧМТ. Уровень нарушения сознания при поступлении в стационар от 4 до 8 баллов по шкале комы Глазго (ШКГ); возраст от 20 до 50 лет; 1-я группа состояла из 30 пациентов, получавших терапию по стандартному протоколу, 2-я группа — из 30 больных, получавших, кроме терапии по протоколу, препарат амантадин (ПК-Мерц), который применяли с первых суток после получения травмы в виде инфузионного раствора в дозе 500 мл (200 мг) 2 раза в сутки внутривенно медленно капельно в течение 7 суток. Изучали цереброкардиальные взаимоотношения у больных с тяжелой ЧМТ методами количественной электроэнцефалографии и кросс-корреляционного анализа вариабельности сердечного ритма, исследовали мозговой кровоток с помощью транскраниальной допплерографии, компьютерной томографии головного мозга.Результаты и обсуждение. Установлены высокие прямые корреляционные связи между повышением уровня сознания по шкале комы Глазго и снижением уровня абсолютной спектральной мощности дельта-диапазона, которые свидетельствовали о том, что после включения в терапию амантадина (ПК-Мерца) именно снижение глутаматергической активности (снижение δ-, рост α- и β1- и β2-ритмов) у пациентов с тяжелой ЧМТ приводит к повышению уровня сознания. Это сочеталось с ростом мощности низкочастотного спектра вариабельности сердечного ритма, что отражало значимую активацию стрессреализующих механизмов адаптации. Снижение глутаматергической активности с помощью амантадина (ПК-Мерца) сопровождалось активацией холинергической активности и умеренной активацией дофаминергической активности, преимущественно в проекции стволовых структур, что способствовало восстановлению уровня сознания. Уже на 3-и сутки терапии шанс восстановления сознания на 5 и более баллов по ШКГ был выше в группе, где применяли дополнительно к стандартному протоколу лечения амантадин (ПК-Мерц).У больных установлено резкое ослабление межполушарного взаимодействия большинства когерентных связей в основных частотных диапазонах электроэнцефалограммы (ЭЭГ), отражающее степень торможения коры головного мозга. В динамике терапии с применением амантадина происходит усиление межполушарных когерентных связей фоновой ЭЭГ, выход из тормозного состояния коры.При исследовании реактивности мозга в динамике терапии амантадином во второй группе исследования, в отличие от 1-й, отмечено статистически значимое (χ2, W-W, кКУ — p ≤ 0,05) снижение kfc-1 = = (δ + θ + β1)/(α + β2) на обеих половинах мозга, свидетельствующее об уменьшении дезорганизации ЭЭГ-паттерна более чем на 30 %.По данным транскраниальной допплерографии, на 7-е сутки интенсивной терапии при благоприятном течении заболевания отмечен достоверный (р ≤ 0,05, χ2; Т-W) рост скорости венозного оттока, симметричное снижение линейной скорости кровотока, уменьшение вазоконстрикции интракраниальных сосудов практически до нормальных значений в обеих группах больных без четкой разницы.Выводы. Уже на 3-и сутки терапии шанс восстановления сознания на 5 и более баллов по ШКГ был выше в группе, в которой применяли дополнительно к стандартному протоколу лечения амантадин ­(ПК-Мерц) (ОR ± 95% ДИ = 6,5 (1,8–23,2) при S = 0,649).Риск летального исхода на 7-е сутки был выше в группе, в которой использовали только стандартный комплекс лечения по протоколу (RR ± 95% ДИ = 0,273 (0,084–0,881) при S = 0,598).Применение амантадина (ПК-Мерца) в острейшем периоде тяжелой ЧМТ обусловливало статистически значимое снижение риска смерти (р = 0,050).

‘Fraternity in diversity’ or ‘feudal fanatics’? Representations of ethnicity in Rwandan presidential rhetoric

ABSTRACTBetween independence in 1962 and the genocide in 1994, only two presidents ruled Rwanda. In addition to the enormous economic and developmental challenges that faced Presidents Grégoire Kayibanda (1962–73) and Juvénal Habyarimana (1973–94), each had to manage the ethnic divisions that plagued the country. In this paper Mayersen explores how each president discussed the issue of ethnicity in presidential speeches, interviews and key policy documents. Ostensibly, Presidents Kayibanda and Habyarimana both promoted national unity and advocated allegiance to a unified Rwandan identity rather than a focus on ethnicity. President Kayibanda called for ‘tolerance and understanding between the ethnicities’, while Habyarimana entreated Rwandans to ‘love your countrymen without distinction of ethnic or regional origin’. Yet in the allusive and indirect communication style typical of Rwandan discourse, underneath the presidential promotion of unity was a more complex message. Mayersen argues that the way each president addressed the issue served to maintain a high level of consciousness regarding ethnicity, and contributed to ongoing ethnic disharmony.

Unplanned extubations in adult intensive care units: an update

Unplanned extubations (UEs) in adult Intensive Care Units (ICUs), have recently become an indicator of quality and safety of care. A literature review published 10 years ago was updated to analyze any changes in UEs. The cumulative incidence of UEs varied between 0.3% and 27%, before 2000, and more recently, from 0.5% to 35.8%, without substantial changes. The rate of Self Extubations (SE) outweighed the Accidental Extubation (AE), amounting to 50%-100% of all UE. The reintubations rate ranged between 1.81% and 88%. The UEs increase the length of the mechanical ventilation, of ICU and hospital stay, and according to few studies the rate of death with UEs is lower. Major risk factors for UE are: APACHE II score ≥17, agitation, physical restraints, administration of midazolam, and higher levels of consciousness. The implementation of ABCDE bundle in ICUs did not involve additional risks of UE. The prevention includes a sedation with drugs different from benzodiazepines, an early detection of patients' readiness to weaning trial from mechanical ventilation, and the adequate stabilization of the endotracheal tube, with securing systems passing behind the patient's neck. The use of physical restraints is inconsistent, since it can be a risk factor for SE. For preventing UEs the surveillance of nursing staff is fundamental, if the staffing is adequate to the real workloads in ICU.

The common welfare human resource management system

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to propose a new generic human resource management (HRM) system linked to a novel and more developed social and organizational paradigm: the common welfare HRM system.Design/methodology/approach– This conceptual paper builds on the concept of individual consciousness to better understand the differences between the three generic HRM systems. It relates different levels of consciousness to one of the most cited HRM system typologies: the control and the commitment HRM systems. The control HRM system will be related to a low level of consciousness. The commitment HRM system will be related to a medium level of consciousness. And the highest level of consciousness is related to the proposed common welfare HRM system. This latter system of HRM practices will be supported by examples of three very innovative organizations.Findings– This paper presents a new HRM system that intends to foster innovation and creativity all around the organization, and represents a development on the traditional control and commitment. The common welfare HRM system implies a new approach in management and HRM, away from the primacy of the ego, competition and hierarchy.Research limitations/implications– The common welfare HRM system is related to highly innovative organizations and implies a paradigm shift in which a more humanistic view of individuals is offered.Practical implications– The paper clarifies the several HRM practices related to the three HRM systems: control, commitment and common welfare.Originality/value– The paper theoretically underpins the existence of a new and more developed HRM system through consciousness levels and analyzes the particular HRM practices of this new system.

Symbols of Transformation in the Observance of Sukkot

The stories our culture tells about aging are ones of decline and deterioration. We fight tooth and nail to remain “forever young.” Can we really deny these natural processes, or can we look to find new meaning, additional insight, and higher levels of consciousness in the transition from midlife to old age? This article considers the work of psychiatrist C. G. Jung, specifically his concepts of archetype and symbol, through the lens of the rituals of Sukkot, a Jewish holiday, for an alternative vantage for perceiving and participating in the aging process.

Creating Public Service Excellence Applying Learning Organisation Methods: The Role of Strategic Leadership

Effectiveness and efficiency in South Africa is high on government's agenda. The main objective of this research was to determine the role of a strategic leader in creating a learning organisation for public sector effectiveness. The sample was based on interviews and focus group discussions with strategic leaders that represent five major central government institutions (N=168). The results showed that leaders need to display a high level of consciousness of their effect on the organisation and employees. Leaders also provide the necessary guidance and motivation towards and effective and efficient learning organisation. Finally the results showed that leaders need to be able to adapt to rapid changing environments to apply organisational learning effectively in public service institution. This paper concludes with an integrated framework relating Strategic Leadership, Organisational Learning and Public Sector Effectiveness. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n4p159

The Effects of Neuromuscular Blockade on Operating Conditions During General Anesthesia for Spinal Surgery

Muscle relaxants are prescribed routinely for patients undergoing general anesthesia, but the requirement for paralysis in spinal surgery is unclear. This study compared the operating conditions of general anesthesia with and without a muscle relaxant on spinal surgery patients. Eighty-six adults who underwent elective spinal surgery were randomly assigned to a relaxant group (group R) or a no-relaxant group (group NR). All patients were induced with intravenous midazolam (0.05 mg/kg), fentanyl (4 µg/kg), propofol (1.0 mg/kg), and succinylcholine (2 mg/kg) and then atracurium was used in group R but not in group NR. The operating conditions, including muscle tone, body movements, airway pressure, anesthetics consumption, eye-opening time, extubation time, and the Observer's Assessment of the Alertness/Sedation (OAA/S) score 20 minutes after the extubation were compared between the 2 groups. The operating conditions including muscle tone scales, body movements, and airway pressure did not differ between the 2 groups. Eye-opening time (9.35±2.34 vs. 11.02±2.50 min; P=0.002) and extubation time (13.95±3.41 vs. 16.72±3.67 min; P=0.001) were shorter in group NR than in group R. The BIS score at extubation (87.2±5.0 vs. 83.3±5.7; P=0.001) and the OAA/S score 20 minutes after extubation (5 [3 to 5] vs. 4 [3 to 5]; P=0.005) were significantly higher in group NR than in group R. Propofol consumption was higher in group NR than in group R (4206.10±415.80 vs. 3900.60±365.40 μg/kg, respectively; P=0.001). General anesthesia without muscle relaxant provides similar working conditions to those observed with muscle relaxant, and it is associated with earlier eye opening and extubation and higher level of consciousness on emergence from spinal surgery.

Risk factors for deliberate self-extubation

This study was conducted to analyze intubation survival rates according to characteristics and to identify the risk factors affecting deliberate self-extubation. Data were collected from patients' electronic medical reports from one hospital in B city. Participants were 450 patients with endotracheal intubation being treated in intensive care units. The collected data were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimation, Log rank test, and Cox's proportional hazards model. Over 15 months thirty-two (7.1%) of the 450 intubation patients intentionally extubated themselves. The patients who had experienced high level of consciousness, agitation. use of sedative, application of restraints, and day and night shift had significantly lower intubation survival rates. Risk factors for deliberate self-extubation were age (60 years and over), unit (neurological intensive care), level of consciousness (higher), agitation, application of restraints, shift (night), and nurse-to-patient ratio (one nurse caring for two or more patients). Appropriate use of sedative drugs, effective treatment to reduce agitation, sufficient nurse-to-patient ratio, and no restraints for patients should be the focus to diminish the number of deliberate self-extubations.

Grammaire et métalangage dans le Liber glossarum

This paper deals with the contribution of the grammaticalia to the LG’s composition, and it tries to propose a typological classification for glosses having a metalinguistic nature. The typological continuum emerging from this classification (even if it results from an initial and, consequently, incomplete amount of research) makes it possible to appreciate the importance attributed to Latin grammar by the LG, and to show its treatment in the glosses’ textual domain (strategies of selection, composition and/ or rewriting). It also reveals the complexity and high level of consciousness of the project and the editorial mechanisms sustaining such a significant opus of the Mediaeval glossographical tradition. In particular, the comparison between the long gloss LI 524 Litterae and its Isidorian model (Isid., etym. I, 3-4) illustrates the degree of independence and the reelaboration and reinterpretation that guide the writer to a reading of the source, by changing the argumentative sequence and reformulating it for a pedagogical goal that is different from that of Isidore of Seville.

A Formal Data-Centric Approach for Passive Testing of Communication Protocols

There is currently a high level of consciousness of the importance and impact of formally testing communicating networks. By applying formal description techniques and formal testing approaches, we are able to validate the conformance of implementations to the requirements of communication protocols. In this context, passive testing techniques are used whenever the system under test cannot be interrupted or access to its interfaces is unavailable. Under such conditions, communication traces are extracted from points of observation and compared to the expected behavior formally specified as properties. Since most works on the subject come from a formal model context, they are optimized for testing the control part of the communication with a secondary focus on the data parts. In the current work, we provide a data-centric approach for black-box testing of network protocols. A formalism is provided to express complex properties in a bottom-up fashion starting from expected data relations in messages. A novel algorithm is provided for evaluation of properties in protocol traces. Experimental results on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) traces for IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) services are provided.