Model of Optimum Placement of Servers and Web-Contents in Content Delivery Systems

A new model of optimum placement of servers and Web contents in a Content Delivery Network that is intended to minimize the cost of delivery of content to the ultimate users is proposed. The model also takes into account the structure of the network and the weight of each Web content in the network nodes. A mathematical formulation of the proposed model reduces to a problem of linear integer programming. In the present study synthesis of a neural network for the solution of a problem of linear integer programming is also described

Dissemination of evidence-based standards of care.

Standards of care pertain to crafting and implementing patient-centered treatment interventions. Standards of care must take into consideration the patient's gender, ethnicity, medical and dental history, insurance coverage (or socioeconomic level, if a private patient), and the timeliness of the targeted scientific evidence. This resolves into a process by which clinical decision-making about the optimal patient-centered treatment relies on the best available research evidence, and all other necessary inputs and factors to provide the best possible treatment. Standards of care must be evidence-based, and not merely based on the evidence - the dichotomy being critical in contemporary health services research and practice. Evidence-based standards of care must rest on the best available evidence that emerges from a concerted hypothesis-driven process of research synthesis and meta-analysis. Health information technology needs to become an every-day reality in health services research and practice to ensure evidence-based standards of care. Current trends indicate that user-friendly methodologies, for the dissemination of evidence-based standards of care, must be developed, tested and distributed. They should include approaches for the quantification and analysis of the textual content of systematic reviews and of their summaries in the form of critical reviews and lay-language summaries

STEM Education-Career Pathway for Emerging Forensic Analytics: Innovative Professional Development in Multimodal Environments

This multi-tier STEM Career Builder grant, funded by the National Science Foundation, focused on professional development to prepare high school teachers for teaching information systems and analytics. The project teams partnered with Apple, IBM, and the FBI to research and develop innovations including forensic databases, immersive environments, and forensic analytical tools with interdisciplinary curricula, real-world contexts, and emerging technologies. Thirty teachers were provided with four knowledge-acquisition and skill-development venues with innovations: an annual conference, teacher institute, and a summer academy. Mixed data were collected via surveys and focus groups. Project findings revealed that strategic PD and innovations impacted teachers positively

Engaging Government-Industry-University Partnerships to Further Gender Equity in STEM Workforce Education Through Technology and Information System Learning Tools

This paper has two goals: First, to detail processes through which a project funded under a National Science Foundation workforce development program (Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers, ITEST) leveraged active partnerships among government agencies, industry firms, and universities to develop and study an innovative, out-of-school information system and technology workforce education program. The aim of the program was to improve equity of opportunity for high school girls. The program engaged young women from underrepresented subgroups in data science, analytics, information communication technology, and programming learning activities in an experiential, law enforcement computer forensics context. This description of the research team’s process is intended as inspiration and guidance to others considering developing similar programs targeting workforce development in science and technical fields through an equity lens. Second, this paper shares reflections from senior project personnel on lessons learned while working with cross-sector collaborations, including challenges encountered while implementing components of the program facilitated by the partnership model. The authors adopt a reflective practice orientation, considering implications regarding the most useful—and evolving—roles that cross-sector partnerships might play in developing programs to help students traditionally underrepresented in technical fields be more aware of, interested in, and prepared for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. In so doing, the authors offer insights about how university partners might address potential tensions involved in such collaborations

The Situation of DNA Analysis in the Police Regional Office – Cordillera

The objectives of this study were to look into the situation of DNA analysis in the country in terms of its application in solving and preventing crimes and to identify the problems encountered and best practices of PNP DNA Laboratory Division. After knowing the situation, problems encountered, and best practices the researcher proposed an action plan in order to try and contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the division.  This study used qualitative-case study approach through thematic analysis. Two (2) participants were chosen as participants from PNP- Regional Forensic Unit COR. The study utilized the interview as the data gathering tool. The interview was done through face-to-face meeting. The main themes that came about in this study about the problems they encountered are: backlogs of cases; lack of reagent for testing; insufficient equipment and facilities in DNA laboratories; and unfamiliar recognition/evaluation and collection of field investigators to DNA evidence. The main themes that came about in this study about their best practices are: case prioritization; peer tutoring and supervision; diligent care for the equipment; and open communication to the stakeholders.  Based on the findings of the study, the researcher arrived at the following conclusions: 1. The DNA Analysis in PNP-Regional Forensic Unit-Cordillera cannot facilitate the testing and analysis of DNA specimen submitted as evidence due to lack of equipment. 2. Due to the increasing demands for scientific-based investigation using DNA profiles the need for additional DNA analysts and supplemental reagents increases. Because of the surge of demands, problems in the supply of reagents used for testing and analysis of DNA is prevalent. This insufficient supply of reagents leads to burdensome piling of cases. 3. The case prioritization is because of the overzealous evidence collection during the conduct of crime scene processing, in which giving priority to the processing of specimens of DNA reference standards for cases that are expected to have a definitive result may reduce the wastage of reagents and resources which will greatly contribute to the purpose for which DNA testing is intended.&nbsp

The Genome, Genetic Genealogy Database (3g Database)

This is a qualitative research paper that used the content analysis method. Thirty-one sources which include journal articles, credible websites, and books were used to discuss the importance of having national and global genetic databases. DNA phenotyping is the technology used in criminal justice to identify crime suspects through observable traits in their DNA. This can play a key role in convicting the right crime perpetrators and avoiding future court appeals. It also helps during disaster recovery, where the victims are identified based on their DNA samples. Law enforcement agencies frequently use DNA to identify victims and solve high-profile cases such as murder. However, despite its success and usefulness in criminal justice, it faces some challenges. For example, there are often legislation limitations concerning access to and use of DNA evidence. In some countries, it is limited and can only be used for specific crimes; in others, it is widely used, but its use is limited in other ways, such as restrictions as evidence in court. It also faces ethical issues such as intentionally planting DNA samples or leaking sensitive information. Also, the public needs to fully support its use, even for low-profile cases. Despite these limitations, a universal DNA database would help reduce investigation costs and improve their effectiveness, sometimes even for property crimes. DNA is extremely useful due to its ability to solve complicated identity problems. An exemplary DNA database should contain DNA profiles for all citizens. Increasing the capacity of current databases, and connecting them to share information with authorized officials will help to create a robust DNA database for future generations

\STATMOND: A Peer-To-Peer Status And Performance Monitor For Dynamic Resource Allocation On Parallel Computers

This thesis presents a decentralized tool STATMOND - to monitor the status of a peer-to-peer network. STATMOND provides an accurate measurement scheme for parameters such as CPU load and memory utilization on Linux clusters. The services of STATMOND are ubiquitous in that each computer measures and for- wards its data over the network and also maintains the data of other nodes in memory. The data are periodically updated, and users on any node can ‘see‘ the status and performance of the network based on these parameters. This thesis describes the problems confronting cluster computing, the necessity of monitoring tools and how STATMOND can be a step towards better allocation of resources for dynamic computing

Why We Fear Genetic Informants: Using Genetic Genealogy to Catch Serial Killers

Consumer genetics has exploded, driven by the second-most popular hobby in the United States: genealogy. This hobby has been co-opted by law enforcement to solve cold cases, by linking crime-scene DNA with the DNA of a suspect\u27s relative, which is contained in a direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic database. The relative’s genetic data acts as a silent witness, or genetic informant, wordlessly guiding law enforcement to a handful of potential suspects. At least thirty murderers and rapists have been arrested in this way, a process which I describe in careful detail in this article. Legal scholars have sounded many alarms, and have called for immediate bans on this methodology, which is referred to as long-range familial searching ( LRFS ) or forensic genetic genealogy ( FGG ). The opponents’ concerns are many, but generally boil down to fears that FGG will invade the privacy and autonomy of presumptively innocent individuals. These concerns, I argue, are considerably overblown. Indeed, many aspects of the methodology implicate nothing new, legally or ethically, and might even better protect privacy while exonerating the innocent. Law enforcement’s use of FGG to solve cold cases is a bogeyman. The real threat to genetic privacy comes from shoddy consumer consent procedures, poor data security standards, and user agreements that permit rampant secondary uses of data. So why do so many legal scholars fear a world where law enforcement uses this methodology? I submit that our fear of so-called genetic informants stems from the sticky and long-standing traps of genetic essentialism and genetic determinism, where we incorrectly attribute intentional action to our genes and fear a world where humans are controlled by our biology. Rather than banning the use of genetic genealogy to catch serial killers and rapists, I call for improved DTC consent processes, and more transparent privacy and security measures. This will better protect genetic privacy in line with consumer expectations, while still permitting the use of LRFS to deliver justice to victims and punish those who commit society\u27s most heinous acts