Special Quality Research Articles

Творчий потенціал медіа мистецтва та його використання в сучасній художній практиці

The article is devoted to pressing issues of art, the use of its creative potential in artistic practice. Scientific and technological progress of the 20-21 centuries had a significant impact on the artistic culture, contributed to a significant transformation of artistic practices. One of the areas of transformation was the creation of objects based on the synthesis of science and art, with the involvement of the creative efforts of scientists and artists. Such objects contributed to the visualization of innovative scientific ideas, contributed to the adaptation of man to the modern technological environment. The development of artistic practices on a technological basis allows you to pay attention to the phenomenon of modern art. The analysis of scientific approaches to the definition of the concept of media art is carried out. Media depends on the development of technologies, the connection with the latest technologies, the special quality of objects allows us to analyze the creative potential of art, to study the features of using in modern practice. Media inherits in many respects the creative discoveries of avant-garde from the beginning of the 20th century. Representatives of this movement were the first to draw attention to the achievements of scientific and technological progress as a source of artistic creativity and appreciated the significance of the movement and the exchange of information for public life. Media transforms information technology into a means of artistic expression and artistic communication; Media seeks to create an intellectually and emotionally rich information environment conducive to unleashing the creative potential of the individual.

History and folklore of basmati rice

Basmati is an important food item as well as export commodity. Indian subcontinent has been bestowed by Mother Nature for this exclusive food and production area. Three colour variants have been known in Basmati as in many other rice varieties. Basmati surpasses all other scented varieties in shape, appearance, taste and quality. It has been the subject of debate and discussion in many seminars, symposia and adorned pages of books, magazines, websites and newspapers world over. In addition to its special cooking quality and medicinal value, it is a sought after donor in number of breeding programmes. So far, the earliest reported record of word Basmati is that of Heer Ranjha of Waris Shah (1766). This review presents additional records on word Basmati, historical area of cultivation, folk songs, folk tales, proverbs, associated with Basmati in states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, UP and Bihar. Basmati is not only an ambrosial food item but has been used to convey various aspects of life as a teaching medium, used as simile and as an adjective too. In addition it finds place in prayer offered to God. Of all the states, Uttarakhand seems to be proud and the richest source of Basmati folklore. This review on basis of large number of folkloric records corroborate with Dr. Khush’s postulation of Himalyan belt as Centre of diversity and spread of aromatic rices. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25174/2249-4065/2019/95207

ПІДХОДИ ЩОДО ОЦІНЮВАННЯ ЯКОСТІ СПЕЦІАЛЬНОГО ПРОГРАМНОГО ЗАБЕЗПЕЧЕННЯ НА ПРИКЛАДІ ІНФОРМАЦІЙНИХ СИСТЕМ, ПРИЗНАЧЕНИХ ДЛЯ ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ УПРАВЛІННЯ

У статті розкриваються погляди на методологію та порядок оцінювання спеціального програмного забезпечення з урахуванням вимог Національних стандартів України ДСТУ ISO/ІЕС 25010:2016 (ISO/ІЕС 25010:2011, IDT). “Інженерія систем і програмних засобів. Вимоги до якості систем і програмних засобів та її оцінювання. Моделі якості системи та програмних засобівˮ та ДСТУ ІS0/ІЕС 9126-1:2013 (ІS0/ІЕС 9126 1:2001, IDТ). “Програмна інженерія. Якість продукту. Частина 1. Модель якостіˮ.
 Як приклад розглядається перевірка якості спеціального програмного забезпечення для управління військами.

Carcass and meat quality of crossbreds of Thai indigenous chickens and Rhode Island Red layer chickens as compared with the purebreds and with broilers

Context In order to maintain the availability of meat from indigenous chicken types in remote Asian regions with their special meat quality, novel ways of increasing efficiency are needed. One way could consist of crossbreeding with layer type chickens that are genetically quite distant from indigenous breeds. Aim The three hypotheses tested were as follows: that the meat quality of indigenous chickens differs from that of broilers; that the meat quality of male layer chickens resembles that of indigenous chickens rather than that of broilers; and that crossbreds of indigenous chickens and layer types overall are superior to the respective purebreds. Methods We studied carcass and meat quality of crossbreds of Thai indigenous Pradu Hang Dam (PD) and Rhode Island Red (RR) layers, and compared them with the corresponding purebreds and a commercial broiler type (Ross) in a complete randomised design. Chickens were reared in 4 × 5 pens with 10 chickens each for 120 days (Ross: 45 days). Key results The crossbreds were superior to PD and RR in body and carcass weight, as well as breast meat percentage, but in Ross the latter was 1.7 times higher. The Ross meat was lighter, more yellow and less red and had a higher intramuscular fat content and drip loss and a lower thawing loss and shear force than that of the three other types. Nucleotide content was either similar in all chicken types or lower in Ross meat. Ross meat was more susceptible to lipid oxidation than that of the three other types although the Ross muscles lipids contained less polyunsaturated fatty acids. Conclusion Considering the better carcass yield and breast meat proportion, crossbreeding of indigenous chickens with a layer breed likely is be economically advantageous. Implications Overall, fattening of crossbreds turned out to be a valid alternative to improve fattening systems and to preserve the specific meat quality of indigenous chickens.

DETERMINATION OF THE OPTIMAL SCANNING STEP FOR EVALUATION OF IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION QUALITY IN MAGNETOACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY WITH MAGNETIC INDUCTION

Magnetoacoustic Tomography with Magnetic Induction (MAT-MI) is a new hybrid imaging modality especially dedicated for non-invasive electrical conductivity imaging of low-conductivity objects such as e.g. biological tissues. The purpose of the present paper is to determine the optimal scanning step assuring the best quality of image reconstruction. In order to resolve this problem a special image reconstruction quality indicator based on binarization has been applied. Taking into account different numbers of measuring points and various image processing algorithms, the conditions allowing successful image reconstruction have been provided in the paper. Finally, the image reconstruction examples for objects’ complex shapes have been analyzed.

V. O. Bohdanov – an outstanding researcher of the history of wind art in Ukraine: his life and creative career

V. O. Bohdanov – an outstanding researcher of the history of wind art in Ukraine: his life and creative career

Validation of the Investigator 24plex QS Kit: a 6-dye multiplex PCR assay for forensic application in the Chinese Han population

The Investigator 24plex QS Kit (QIAGEN, Hilden, Germany) is a 6-dye fluorescent chemistry short tandem repeat (STR) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification system that simultaneously amplifies 20 of the expanded Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) core STR loci, SE33, DYS391, and the standard sex-determining locus, amelogenin, as well as two special internal performance quality sensor controls (QS1 and QS2), which are included in the primer mix to check the PCR performance. This study was designed to be a pilot evaluation of this STR-PCR kit in a Chinese Han population regarding the PCR conditions, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility, and concordance; tolerance to PCR inhibitors; applicability to real “forensic-type” samples; species specificity; mixture, balance and stutter analyses, and utility in a population investigation. The exhaustive validation studies demonstrated that the Investigator 24plex QS system is accurate, sensitive and robust for STR genotyping. In addition, these genetic markers in the population data in our study indicated that they can also be useful for forensic identification and paternity testing in the Chinese Han population.

Эволюция церковного стиля Моцарта (на примере «Litaniae Lauretanae» К. 125, К. 243)

The domain of sacred music in Mozart’s musical legacy of the Salzburg and Vienna periods has been researched to various degrees. The greatest amount of attention is given by musicologists to the compositions of the Vienna period, whereas the main body of church music was created by the composer in Salzburg. Upon analysis of works of the early and middle periods, the evolution of Mozart’s sacred style becomes apparent. Comparison of two “Litanies Lauretanae” (from 1771 and 1774), which are similar to each other in terms of genre and their literary texts, presents the possibility of revealing the models which served as examples for Mozart during the time he mastered the genres of sacred music, to trace out the stylistic sources which had influenced the composer’s individual church style, as well as to elucidate the topoi inherent to sacred music. In the “Litanies Lauretanae” there are topoi presented which have been developed in both the Classical and the Baroque traditions, and which stem not only from church music, but also from secular music. These include the “ethical” topoi, connected with prayerful moods, gallant and sensitive topoi, presented by a lyrical type of melodicism and, frequently, by dance rhythmic formulas, as well as topoi of grief and pathos, stemming from both church and opera genres. Because of the multiplicity of the models which had influenced the formation of Mozart’s church style, in his sacred works the heterogeneous are remelted into a special quality, discerning the composer’s mature style. Keywords: the tradition of Austrian sacred music, Mozart’s church music, “Litanies Lauretanae”, the Salzburg style of sacred compositions.

Identifikasi Potensi Kopi Jahe Sebagai Oleh-Oleh Khas Betawi

Jakarta is a melting pot of cultures from various ethnics and also foreign countries. Even so, Jakarta also has a native population, namely the Betawi ethnic group, who now mostly live on the outskirts of Jakarta because of the development of the capital region. Betawi cuisine is part of an integral Betawi tribe. This Betawi culinary can become one of Indonesia's superior cultural potentials that has special characteristics, high quality and identity, and has a creative ethos and differs creativity, as well as added value economically, technologically and culturally.This research identifies the potential of Betawi culinary to support Jakarta tourism. In addition to culinary, souvenirs can be brought in the form of food and crafts that reflect cultural character. The research method was carried out using a qualitative approach with a grounded theory method. Researchers conducted a desk study activity on culinary tourism potential, compiled a list of Betawi culinary potentials, confirmed the potential of the interviewees (snacks, main food, lunch, dessert, drinks) and made conclusions. The report preparation method is carried out using literature study, field observations, and discussions with informants in the field from the Betawi Women's Association, Betawi Cultural Institute (LKB), Betawi culinary entrepreneurs, and the Jakarta Tourism Office.The achievement of this research is the identification of Ginger Coffee to be used as a potential for souvenirs typical of Betawi which contain locality elements as a basis for developing tourism destinations in Jakarta in particular and Indonesia in general.

Reducing Wet Ammonium Deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park: the Development and Evaluation of A Pilot Early Warning System for Agricultural Operations in Eastern Colorado.

Agricultural emissions are the primary source of ammonia (NH3) deposition in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP), a Class I area, that is granted special air quality protections under the Clean Air Act. Between 2014 and 2016, the pilot phase of the Colorado agricultural nitrogen early warning system (CANEWS) was developed for agricultural producers to voluntarily and temporarily minimize emissions of NH3 during periods of upslope winds. The CANEWS was created using trajectory analyses driven by outputs from an ensemble of numerical weather forecasts together with the climatological expertize of human forecasters. Here, we discuss the methods for the CANEWS and offer preliminary analyses of 33 months of the CANEWS based on atmospheric deposition data from two sites in RMNP as well as responses from agricultural producers after warnings were issued. Results showed that the CANEWS accurately predicted 6 of 9 high N deposition weeks at a lower-elevation observation site, but only 4 of 11 high N deposition weeks at a higher-elevation site. Sixty agricultural producers from 39 of Colorado's agricultural operations volunteered for the CANEWS, and a two-way line of communication between agricultural producers and scientists was formed. For each warning issued, an average of 23 producers responded to a postwarning survey. Over 75% of responding CANEWS participants altered their practices after an alert. While the current effort was insufficient to reduce atmospheric deposition, we were encouraged by the collaborative spirit between agricultural, scientific, and resource management communities. Solving a broad and complex social-ecological problem requires both a technological approach, such as the CANEWS, and collaboration and trust from all participants, including agricultural producers, land managers, university researchers, and environmental agencies.

Based on The Physiological Performance Test of Sprinters Through Indoor Treadmill

The situation of sprint students in Northwest China is generally low, but through long-term systematic training, sprint quality has made significant progress, especially with the use of sprint training equipment, the training effect is more remarkable. High-intensity special technical training is the main reason for the obvious decrease of Hb value of sprint students in Northwest China, aiming at evaluating the scientificity and rationality of pre-competition training load and functional state. Fifteen sprinters in Northwest China were trained to monitor biochemical indicators such as hemoglobin (Hb), creatine kinase (CK), blood urea (BU) and testosterone (T) during eight weeks of Pre-competition training. Throughout the pre-competition training period, the T value of male and female athletes decreased first and then increased steadily, which was at a higher level before the competition. 1. The major reason for the significant increase of BU value of Sprinters in Northwest China is the special quality training with large amount of exercise. 2. This experiment can improve the training level of Sprinters in Northwest China, which may be related to the fact that the subjects have not received specialized systematic training before. The experimental results show that the training effect of training instruments is the most remarkable. 3. Athletes’T value is at a higher level before the competition, reflecting a better training effect.

Multi-Source Reliable Multicast Routing with QoS Constraints of NFV in Edge Computing

Edge Computing (EC) allows processing to take place near the user, hence ensuring scalability and low latency. Network Function Virtualization (NFV) provides the significant convenience of network layout and reduces the service operation cost in EC and data center. Nowadays, the interests of the NFV layout focus on one-to-one communication, which is costly when applied to multicast or group services directly. Furthermore, many artificial intelligence applications and services of cloud and EC are generally communicated through groups and have special Quality of Service (QoS) and reliable requirements. Therefore, we are devoted to the problem of reliable Virtual Network Function (VNF) layout with various deployment costs in multi-source multicast. To guarantee QoS, we take into account the bandwidth, latency, and reliability constraints. Additionally, a heuristic algorithm, named Multi-Source Reliable Multicast Tree Construction (RMTC), is proposed. The algorithm aims to find a common link to place the Service Function Chain (SFC) in the multilevel overlay directed (MOD) network of the original network, so that the deployed SFC can be shared by all users, thereby improving the resource utilization. We then constructed a Steiner tree to find the reliable multicast tree. Two real topologies are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Simulation results indicate that, compared to other heuristic algorithms, our scheme effectively reduces the cost of reliable services and satisfies the QoS requirements.

Corrigendum to: The Therapeutic Environment Screening Survey for Nursing Homes (TESS-NH): An Observational Instrument for Assessing the Physical Environment of Institutional Settings for Persons With Dementia.

Objective. To develop an observational instrument that describes the ability of physical environments of institutional settings to address therapeutic goals for persons with dementia. Methods. A National Institute on Aging workgroup identified and subsequently revised items that evaluated exit control, maintenance, cleanliness, safety, orientation/cueing, privacy, unit autonomy, outdoor access, lighting, noise, visual/tactile stimulation, space/seating, and familiarity/homelikeness. The final instrument contains 84 discrete items and one global rating. A summary scale, the Special Care Unit Environmental Quality Scale (SCUEQS), consists of 18 items. Lighting items were validated using portable light meters. Concurrent criterion validation compared SCUEQS scores with the Professional Environmental Assessment Protocol (PEAP). Results. Interrater kappa statistics for 74% of items were above .60. For another 10% of items, kappas could not be calculated due to empty cells, but interrater agreement was above 80%. The SCUEQS demonstrated an interrater reliability of .93, a test-retest reliability of .88, and an internal consistency of .81-.83. Light meter ratings correlated significantly with the Therapeutic Environment Screening Survey for Nursing Homes (TESS-NH) lighting items (r = .29-.38, p = .01-.04), and the SCUEQS correlated significantly with global PEAP ratings (r = .52, p <.01). Discussion. The TESS-NH efficiently assesses discrete elements of the physical environment and has strong reliability and validity. The SCUEQS provides a quantitative measure of environmental quality in institutional settings.

Education as Transformation: Formalism, Moralism and the Substantivist Alternative

Abstract The term ‘transformation’ and its cognates can be found appended to almost every key term in the contemporary educational lexicon. In educational psychology, teachers are urged to adopt the methods of ‘transformational teaching’. In adult education, the theory of ‘transformative learning’ defines the current research paradigm. Social justice educators regularly couch their consciousness-raising efforts in terms of ‘transformative pedagogy’. And in philosophy of education, pragmatists, phenomenologists, neo-Aristotelians and postmodernists alike point to the special transformative quality of education, both in the Anglo-American as well as the German-language discourses. In this essay, we argue that these various conceptions of transformative education can be organised under two theoretical categories, each with its own distinctive understanding of and approach to creating transformative educational experiences: formalism and moralism. In the first two sections, we discuss the characteristic qualities of these two approaches and point to several problems that arise within them. Drawing on recent developments in the philosophy of language and moral psychology, we then advance a ‘substantivist’ alternative to the formalistic and moralistic approaches, which characterises the transformative experience as a process of renarrativation with two experiential moments: articulation and aspiration. Substantivism is an attractive approach to transformative education, we argue in the final section, because it avoids the problems that arise in the formalistic and moralistic conceptions while providing resources for capturing what is essential to transformative experience in the educational process.

IMPLEMENTASI PENJAMINAN MUTU MADRASAH

Quality control in the management of education is faced with constraints of limited educational resources. Therefore we need an effort to control quality in the form of guarantees, so that all aspects related to education services provided are in accordance with or exceeding national education standards. This paper aims to describe the implementation of education quality assurance in Madrasah Aliyah An-Najiyah Bandung, including; implementation of madrasah quality assurance, quality implementation obstacles, and solutions in overcoming obstacles to implementing quality assurance in Madrasah aliyah An-Najiyah Bandung. This research uses a qualitative approach through descriptive methods. The data collection techniques using in-depth interviews, observation, and literature study. The results showed that; first, In terms of quality assurance in terms of the eight national education standards in Madrasah Aliyah An-Najiyah, Bandung, it is at a good standard level and even exceeds the minimum service standard so that it becomes a distinct advantage for this madrasa. High competitive power makes the process of implementing quality assurance more stringent. Second, the internal obstacle that arises is the absence of a special quality assurance institution internal to the institution that controls all aspects of quality assurance. Third, the solution to the obstacles that arise will be minimized if institutionally already built.

Geographical Indications: Can China Reconcile the Irreconcilable Intellectual Property Issue between EU and US?

AbstractGeographical indications (GIs), signs used on products that identify their geographical origin and special quality or reputation, are atypical intellectual property. The conflicts of interest between the New World and Old World and the diversity of legal regimes have obstructed the international harmonization of GI protection. Neither the Lisbon Agreement nor the TRIPS Agreement have been able to establish a widely accepted international GI registration or protection system. Though the Geneva Act has remarkably improved the treaty regime of GIs, the different approaches of the European Union and United States still seem irreconcilable. This article examines the Chinese dual GI system from a treaty perspective and explores the common functions of GIs and Trademarks, concluding that China's Trademark Law can ensure GI protection that is compliant with the TRIPS Agreement and the Geneva Act. The Chinese solution can be a reference for other countries which protect GIs with a trademark system.

Retinal Prostheses and Artificial Vision

In outer retinal degenerative diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa, choroideremia, and geographic atrophy, 30% of the ganglion cell layer in the macula remains intact. With subretinal and epiretinal prostheses, these inner retinal cells are stimulated with controlled electrical current by either a microphotodiode placed in the subretinal area or a microelectrode array tacked to the epiretinal region. As the patient learns to interpret the resulting phosphene patterns created in the brain through special rehabilitation exercises, their orientation, mobility, and quality of life increase. Implants that stimulate the lateral geniculate nucleus or visual cortex are currently being studied for diseases in which the ganglion cells and optic nerve are completely destroyed.

Establishment and development of national community-based collaborative innovation demonstration areas to achieve the control target of hepatitis B in China

BackgroundThe major infectious diseases of hepatitis B has constituted an acute public health challenge in China. An effective and affordable HBV control model is urgently needed. A national project of Community-based Collaborative Innovation HBV (CCI-HBV) demonstration areas has optimized the existing community healthcare resources and obtained initial results in HBV control.MethodsBased on the existing community healthcare network, CCI-HBV project combined the community health management and health contract signing service for long-staying residents in hepatitis B screening. Moreover, HBV field research strategy was popularized in CCI-HBV areas. After screening, patients with seropositive results were enrolled in corresponding cohorts and received treatment at an early stage. And the uninfected people received medical supports including health education through new media, behavior intervention and HBV vaccinations. In this process, a cloud-based National Information Platform (NIP) was established to collect and store residents’ epidemiological data. In addition, a special quality control team was set up for CCI project.ResultsAfter two rounds of screening, HBsAg positive rate dropped from 5.05% (with 5,173,003 people screened) to 4.57% (with 3,819,675 people screened), while the rate of new HBV infections was 0.28 per 100 person-years in the fixed cohorts of 2,584,322 people. The quality control team completed PPS sampling simultaneously and established the serum sample database with 2,800,000 serum samples for unified testing.ConclusionsCCI-HBV project has established a large-scale field research to conduct whole-population screening and intervention. We analyzed the HBsAg prevalence and new infection rate of HBV in the fixed population for the epidemic trend and intervention effect. The purpose of CCI-HBV project is to establish and evaluate a practical model of grid management and field strategy, to realize the new goal to control hepatitis B in China. To provide policymakers with a feasible model, our results are directly applicable.Trial registrationThe project was funded by the Major Projects of Science Research for the 11th and 12th five-year plans of China, entitled “The prevention and control of AIDS, viral hepatitis and other major infectious diseases”, Grant Nos. 2009ZX10004901, 2011ZX10004901, 2013ZX10004904, 2014ZX10004007 and 2014ZX10004008.

Freedom and Bonds in Kant

The thesis that I intend to address in this article can be summarized with the idea that positive bonds1 engender not only dependence, but also freedom and autonomy. Accordingly, it is worth asking what positive human bonds are based on. Or, to phrase the question another way, how can dependence and autonomy be blended when we talk about relationships in terms of bonds, that is, relationships with a special quality of union?

Dosimetric and preparation procedures for irradiating biological models with pulsed electron beam at ultra-high dose-rate

PurposePreclinical studies using a new treatment modality called FLASH Radiotherapy (FLASH-RT) need a two-phase procedure to ensure minimal uncertainties in the delivered dose. The first phase requires a new investigation of the reference dosimetry lying outside the conventional metrology framework from national metrology institutes but necessary to obtain traceability, repeatability, and stability of irradiations. The second consists of performing special quality assurance procedure prior to irradiation. Materials and MethodsThe Oriatron eRT6 (PMB-Alcen, France) is an experimental high dose-per-pulse linear accelerator, delivering a 6 MeV pulsed electron beam with mean dose-rates, ranging from a few Gy/min up to thousands of Gy/s. Absolute dosimetry is investigated with alanine, thermo-luminescent dosimeters (TLD) and radiochromic films as well as an ionization chamber for relative stability. The beam characteristic and dosimetry are prepared for three different setups. ResultsA cross-check between alanine, films and TLD revealed a dose agreement within 3% for dose-rates between 0.078 Gy/s and 1050 Gy/s, showing that these dosimeters are suitable for absolute dosimetry for FLASH-RT. In absence of appropriate setup dependent corrections, active dosimetry can reveal dose deviations up to 15% of the prescribed dose. These differences reduce to less than 3% when our dosimetric procedure is applied. ConclusionWe developed procedures to accurately irradiate biological models. Our method is based on validated absolute dosimeters and extends their use to routine FLASH irradiations. We reached an agreement of 3% between the delivered and prescribed dose and developed the requirements needed for workflows of preclinical and clinical studies.