The Capability Approach in Epidemiological Studies

Population epidemiology is the science that deals with disorders and certain conditions at the population level, i.e. at the macro-level. In contrast to experimental studies, the scientist in epidemiology cannot manipulate conditions to make studies of associations as pure as possible. The science of epidemiological studies examines the occurrence of diseases, risk and protective factors for diseases, and the prognosis of different disorders and conditions in different populations. The capability approach is an ideal framework for epidemiological studies because it captures the dynamic and multiple processes involved in these types of studies, in relation to both time and space, as well as socioeconomic, psychological and biological factors. Determinants for common disorders and conditions include complex interactions among a multitude of factors acting between and within macro-, meso- and micro-levels during the life-course of an individual. In this chapter, we will discuss how the capability approach can be used in epidemiology in general, and in old age in particular, giving examples from specific conditions, such as cognitive function and dementia, depression, multimorbidity and functional ability, and non-modifiable and modifiable risk factors, such as genetics and nutrition. We conclude that the capability approach is a valuable tool in epidemiological studies. In these types of studies, capability is the final outcome of the dynamic interactions between a multitude of factors at the micro-, meso- and macro-levels leading to disorders and other conditions, which leads to restrictions in the individual’s ability to perform actions in order to reach goals he or she has reason to value.

Towards an Ideal Framework of Education Support Services for Learners With Special Education Needs at Basic Education Level in Lesotho

This chapter explores a suitable model within which an efficient education support can be developed to promote inclusive education in Lesotho. It highlights the gaps and challenges in the policy framework of the Ministry of Education and Training which have bearing on education support. In 2009 the Ministry developed the Curriculum and Assessment Policy. In order to realize the ideals of the curriculum which include the need for learners to work efficiently, independently, use technology, and communicate efficiently, the Ministry develops work plans that operationalize the ideals. In this regard, the current policy and practice contexts must be evaluated for the extent to which they enhance or impede education support of learners facing barriers to learning and development.

Regulation of Foreigner Stay Permit as Director of Limited Liability Company and Investor in Foreign Investment

Based to Article 10 Paragraph (1) on Regulation Ministry of Manpower Number 10 Year 2018 Concerning Procedure of Employ Foreign Worker says that employer of the foreign worker is not required to possess any EPP (working permit) to employ foreign workers who are shareholders with the position of the board of directors or board of commissioners, as it is stated before on Article 10 Paragraph (1) Presidential Decree No. 20 Year 2018 Concerning Foreign Worker. Nevertheless, the facility for investors to possess stay permits in Indonesia which is mentioned in Article 22 Paragraph (3), Regulation of Ministry of Justice and Human Rights Number 51 Year 2016 Concerning Change of Regulation Number 24 Year 2016 Concerning Technical Procedures for Application and Issuance of Visit Visas and Limited Stay Visas, says that the investor prohibited working. This study aims to investigate the procedure and the regulations that govern temporary stay permits of directors and foreign investors in Indonesia. The method used in this study is normative legal research and meanwhile, statute approach and conceptual approach are used as the approach of this study. The results of this study showed that 1) higher norms govern action, as to create lower norms, governs realization of action. Presidential Decree has a higher position in the hierarchy from Ministry Regulations. 2) ideal framework of statutory regulations shall consist of a balance portion of justice, legal certainty and finality.

Vernier effect using in-line highly coupled multicore fibers

We demonstrate optical fiber sensors based on highly coupled multicore fibers operating with the optical Vernier effect. The sensors are constructed using a simple device incorporating single-mode fibers (SMFs) and a segment of a multicore fiber. In particular, we evaluated the performance of a sensor based on a seven-core fiber (SCF) spliced at both ends to conventional SMFs, yielding a versatile arrangement for realizing Vernier-based fiber sensors. The SMF–SCF–SMF device can be fabricated using standard splicing procedures and serve as a “building block” for both, reflection and transmission sensing configurations. As demonstrated with our experimental results, the Vernier arrangements can yield a ten-fold increase in sensitivity for temperature measurements compared to a conventional single SMF–SCF–SMF device, thereby confirming the enhanced sensitivity that can be attained with this optical effect. Furthermore, through theoretical analysis, we obtain the relevant parameters that must be optimized in order to achieve an optimal sensitivity for a specific application. Our findings thus provide the necessary guidelines for constructing Vernier-based sensors with all-fiber devices based on highly coupled multicore optical fibers, which constitutes an ideal framework to develop highly sensitive fiber sensors for different applications.

Drosophila, an Integrative Model to Study the Features of Muscle Stem Cells in Development and Regeneration

Muscle stem cells (MuSCs) are essential for muscle growth, maintenance and repair. Over the past decade, experiments in Drosophila have been instrumental in understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating MuSCs (also known as adult muscle precursors, AMPs) during development. A large number of genetic tools available in fruit flies provides an ideal framework to address new questions which could not be addressed with other model organisms. This review reports the main findings revealed by the study of Drosophila AMPs, with a specific focus on how AMPs are specified and properly positioned, how they acquire their identity and which are the environmental cues controlling their behavior and fate. The review also describes the recent identification of the Drosophila adult MuSCs that have similar characteristics to vertebrates MuSCs. Integration of the different levels of MuSCs analysis in flies is likely to provide new fundamental knowledge in muscle stem cell biology largely applicable to other systems.

Realism Relativized: A Cultural-Historical Approach to What Images Capture

It is sometimes assumed that there can be a unified and universal analysis of pictorial realism, but this seem implausible. Realism has been understood differently at different times in Western art history art, and art-making traditions elsewhere often aspire to forms of realism that contrast with forms operative in the West. Such variations are presented here, with examples from European, African, and East Asian art. Contact between cultural traditions is also considered. Within analytic aesthetics, some definitions of realism are designed to accommodate cultural diversity, but they face challenges. Leading definitions are critically examined. For example, there are theories that focus on entrenchment, visual skills, and informativeness. None of these constructs captures what realist systems share in common, and none provides an ideal framework for explicitly describing how such systems differ. An alternative theory of pictorial realism is presented. On that theory, realist systems each aim to capture aspects of reality, but they focus on different aspects and provide different manners by which those aspects may be captured.

Frameworks for evaluating law and justice development assistance: Lessons from Australia’s involvement in PNG

For over 20 years Australia has provided assistance to Papua New Guinea in the development of their law and justice sector. The Justice Services and Stability for Development program is the most recent of such law and justice development assistance programs. Much like its predecessors, while it made some achievements, efforts have ultimately underperformed due to an inadequate and donor-centric monitoring and evaluation framework. It is contended that although an ideal monitoring and evaluation framework will not guarantee development results, it is a prerequisite. This ideal framework adopts the learning-effectiveness model and constructivist approach, relies on mechanisms such as self-reporting and qualitative research tested against context-centric indicators and is necessarily staged in its rollout design.

A Eulerian Multi-Fluid Model for High-Speed Evaporating Sprays

Advancements in internal combustion technology, such as efficiency improvements and the usage of new complex fuels, are often coupled with developments of suitable numerical tools for predicting the complex dynamic behavior of sprays. Therefore, this work presents a Eulerian multi-fluid model specialized for the dynamic behavior of dense evaporating liquid fuel sprays. The introduced model was implemented within the open-source OpenFOAM library, which is constantly gaining popularity in both industrial and academic settings. Therefore, it represents an ideal framework for such development. The presented model employs the classes method and advanced interfacial momentum transfer models. The droplet breakup is considered using the enhanced WAVE breakup model, where the mass taken from the parent droplets is distributed among child classes using a triangular distribution. Furthermore, the complex thermal behavior within the moving droplets is considered using a parabolic temperature profile and an effective thermal conductivity approach. This work includes an uncertainty estimation analysis (for both spatial and temporal resolutions) for the developed solver. Furthermore, the solver was validated against two ECN Spray A conditions (evaporating and non-evaporating). Overall, the presented results show the capability of the implemented model to successfully predict the complex dynamic behavior of dense liquid sprays for the selected operating conditions.