A characterization theorem for t-representable n-dimensional triangular norms

n-dimensional fuzzy sets are an extension of fuzzy sets that includes interval-valued fuzzy sets and interval-valued Atanassov intuitionistic fuzzy sets. The membership values of n-dimensional fuzzy sets are n-tuples of real numbers in the unit interval [0,1], called n-dimensional intervals, ordered in increasing order. The main idea in n-dimensional fuzzy sets is to consider several uncertainty levels in the memberships degrees. Triangular norms have played an important role in fuzzy sets theory, in the narrow as in the broad sense. So it is reasonable to extend this fundamental notion for n-dimensional intervals. In interval-valued fuzzy theory, interval-valued t-norms are related with t-norms via the notion of t-representability. A characterization of t-representable interval-valued t-norms is given in term of inclusion monotonicity. In this paper we generalize the notion of t-representability for n-dimensional t-norms and provide a characterization theorem for that class of n-dimensional t-norms. © 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

The brachyspira hyodysenteriae ftnA gene : DNA vaccination and real-time PCR quantification of bacteria in a mouse model of disease

The nucleotide sequence of the Brachyspira hyodysenteriae ftnA gene, encoding a putative ferritin protein (FtnA), was determined. Analysis of the sequence predicted that this gene encoded a protein of 180 amino acids. RT-PCR and Western blot showed that the ftnA gene was expressed in B. hyodysenteriae, and evidence suggests that FtnA stores iron rather than haem. ftnA was delivered as DNA and recombinant protein vaccines in a mouse model of B. hyodysenteriae infection. Vaccine efficacy was monitored by caecal pathology and quantification of B. hyodysenteriae numbers in the caeca of infected mice by real-time PCR.

Including teachers as 'real' partners in child protection

Simultaneous downsizing of child protection services and increasing numbers of child abuse notifications often result in many notifications remaining un-investigated. One possible solution to this problem is to extend the capacity of the child protection system by delegating some of the tasks commonly undertaken by child protection workers to allied professionals. One such group of allied professionals is teachers. In the past, teachers have been recognised for their unique role in notifying suspicions of abuse, however, education professionals are often overlooked for their potential to contribute more than they currently do to child protection. In this paper we suggest that teachers can be included as 'real' and credible partners in the child protection process in a way not previously considered possible.

Performance optimization for energy-aware adaptive checkpointing in embedded real-time systems

Using additional store-checkpoinsts (SCPs) and compare-checkpoints (CCPs), we present an adaptive checkpointing for double modular redundancy (DMR) in this paper. The proposed approach can dynamically adjust the checkpoint intervals. We also design methods to calculate the optimal numbers of checkpoints, which can minimize the average execution time of tasks. Further, the adaptive checkpointing is combined with the DVS (dynamic voltage scaling) scheme to achieve energy reduction. Simulation results show that, compared with the previous methods, the proposed approach significantly increases the likelihood of timely task completion and reduces energy consumption in the presence of faults.

Understanding decimal numbers : a foundation for correct calculations

This paper reports on the effectiveness of an intervention designed to improve nursing students’ conceptual understanding of decimal numbers. Results of recent intervention studies have indicated some success at improving nursing students’ numeracy through practice in applying procedural rules for calculation and working in real or simulated practical contexts. However, in this we identified a fundamental problem: a significant minority of students had an inadequate understanding of decimal numbers. The intervention aimed to improve nursing students’ basic understanding of the size of decimal numbers, so that, firstly, calculation rules are more meaningful, and secondly, students can interpret decimal numbers (whether digital output or results of calculations) sensibly. A well-researched, time-efficient diagnostic instrument was used to identify individuals with an inadequate understanding of decimal numbers. We describe a remedial intervention that resulted in significant improvement on a delayed post-intervention test. We conclude that nurse educators should consider diagnosing and, as necessary, plan for remediation of students’ foundational understanding of decimal numbers before teaching procedural rules.

When it comes to assessment, numbers are nonsense!

As professors and tutors have traditionally had almost total control over the learning and assessment environment, for most students, the approach to assessment has changed little. The arrival of ‘new media’, ‘digital culture’ and ‘dispersed learning’ threatens this stability and control. Students are now able to operate in a more open, collaborative, interactive and distributed manner, and this fact challenges many of the traditional perceptions about what constitutes a ‘university experience’ and what are now ‘appropriate’ assessment tasks (Crisp, G,. 2009). Plagiarism is now part of daily life, wiki-referencing barely raises an eyebrow and now, custom written essays are seen as a very real option for the time poor student.
This paper will do three things. Firstly, to argue that allocating a numeric score to assessment is nonsense and secondly, tell a story about the authors experience when buying a custom written essay and finally, attempt to argue how ‘progressive and innovative’ assessment techniques might be used to remedy these assessment problems.

Australian real estate management and development companies and women directors

Purpose – There is a large literature advocating the importance of a greater proportion of women directors on boards of publicly listed firms. The purpose of this paper is to examine the numbers and proportions of women directors, including women executive directors, on listed Australian Real Estate Management and Development (REMD) companies to identify how prevalent women directors are on such boards.
Design/methodology/approach – The study examines the numbers and proportions of women directors for 35 REMDs in 2011 and compares this to the broad board composition data on 1,715 Australian Stock Exchange listed entities. Statistically significant findings are evident due to the identified low proportions.
Findings – The study finds that of all the Financials Sub Industry sector groups, REMDs have the lowest proportion of female directors on theirs boards – eight women on each of 35 company boards compared to 159 men on these 35 boards at 2011. Of the eight, there were only two women executive directors on boards compared to 50 men. Statistically, it appears that having women directors on REMD boards is not considered important. Even at December 2014, there are only ten women on seven company boards and only one remaining executive director of an REMD company.
Practical implications – Given that female board representation is positively related to accounting returns and that there is a growing voice for legislation to impose mandatory proportions of women directors on boards around the world, it may be in the interests of REMD boards to consider appointing more women more quickly.
Originality/value – The study is the first to examine the numbers and proportions of women directors amongst REMD companies to identify the paucity of such women directors.