Efficient Monte Carlo Integration Using Boosted Decision Trees and Generative Deep Neural Networks

New machine learning based algorithms have been developed and tested for Monte Carlo integration based on generative Boosted Decision Trees and Deep Neural Networks. Both of these algorithms exhibit substantial improvements compared to existing algorithms for non-factorizable integrands in terms of the achievable integration precision for a given number of target function evaluations. Large scale Monte Carlo generation of complex collider physics processes with improved efficiency can be achieved by implementing these algorithms into commonly used matrix element Monte Carlo generators once their robustness is demonstrated and performance validated for the relevant classes of matrix elements

A New Model for Equitable and Efficient Resource Allocation to Schools: The Israeli Case

This paper sets out a new budget allocation formula for schools, designed to achieve a more equitable distribution of educational achievement. In addition to needs-based elements, the suggested composite allocation formula includes an improvement component, whereby schools receive budgetary allocations based on a new incentive measure developed in this paper (Improvement in the Educational Achievement Distribution, or IEAD). The development of the budget allocation formula is demonstrated utilizing Israeli data. Large scale, nationwide data sets relating students’ academic achievement to student background variables, teacher profiles and school characteristics, were analyzed to identify appropriate needs-based formula components and to estimate their weights. The results are compared with the funding formulas currently used in Israel.school finance, formular funding, needs-based funding, schools resource allocation, Israel

Étude d’impact de l’alimentation entérale précoce sur la durée de séjour hospitalier pour la chirurgie colique

Introduction: La réinstitution de l’alimentation entérale en deçà de 24h après une chirurgie digestive semble a priori conférer une diminution du risque d’infections de plaie, de pneumonies et de la durée de séjour. Le but de cette étude est de vérifier l’effet de la reprise précoce de l’alimentation entérale sur la durée de séjour hospitalier suite à une chirurgie colique. Méthodes: Il s’agit d’une étude prospective randomisée dans laquelle 95 patients ont été divisés aléatoirement en deux groupes. Dans le groupe contrôle, la diète est réintroduite lorsque le patient passe des gaz ou des selles per rectum, et qu’en plus il n’est ni nauséeux ni ballonné. Les patients du groupe expérimental reçoivent pour leur part une diète liquide dans les 12 heures suivant la chirurgie, puis une diète normale aux repas subséquents. L’objectif primaire de cette étude est de déterminer si la réinstitution précoce de l'alimentation entérale post chirurgie colique diminue la durée de séjour hospitalier lorsque comparée au régime traditionnel de réintroduction de l’alimentation. Les objectifs secondaires sont de quantifier l’effet de la réintroduction précoce de la diète sur les morbidités periopératoires et sur la reprise du transit digestif. Résultats: La durée de séjour hospitalier a semblé être légèrement diminuée dans le groupe expérimental (8,78±3,85 versus 9,41±5,22), mais cette difference n’était pas statistiquement significative. Des nausées ou des vomissements furent rapportés chez 24 (51%) patients du bras experimental et chez 30 (62.5%) patients du groupe contrôle. Un tube nasogastrique a du être installé chez un seul patient du groupe experimental. La morbidité périopératoire fut faible dans les deux groupes. Conclusion: Il semble sécuritaire de nourrir précocément les patients suite à une chirurgie colique. Cependant cette étude n’a pu démontrer un impact significatif de la reintroduction précoce de l alimentation per os sur la durée de séjour hospitalier.Introduction: of early feeding within 24 hours of intestinal surgery seems advantageous in terms of reduction of wound infection, pneumonia and length of hospital stay. The aim of the study is to evaluate the impact of early enteral nutrition in length of hospital stay in comparison to traditional postoperative feeding regimen. Method: This prospective study enrolled 95 patients randomized in two groups: control group patients receive enteral feeding in absence of nausea or vomiting, abdominal distension and after passage of flatus or stools, while patients in experimental group were fed a liquid diet within 12 hours of surgery, followed by a regular diet at the next meal. The primary endpoint was the impact of early oral feeding on hospital length of stay. The secondary endpoint was to measure the impact of the diet reintroduction modality on the incidence of early postoperative morbidity and return of bowel function. Result: Length of hospital stay was slightly diminished in the experimental group compared to control (8,78±3,85 versus 9,41±5,22), but the difference was not statistically significant. Postoperative nausea and vomiting were reported in 24 (51,0%) patients in experimental group and 30 (62,5%) in control group. Only one patient required nasogastric tube insertion. The majority of patients did not demonstrate any postoperative morbidity in both groups. Conclusion: Early enteral nutrition is safe after intestinal surgery. However we did not demonstrate that early enteral feeding diminished length of hospital stay or hastened the return of bowel function

Interactive computer graphics system for structural sizing and analysis of aircraft structures

A computerized system for preliminary sizing and analysis of aircraft wing and fuselage structures was described. The system is based upon repeated application of analytical program modules, which are interactively interfaced and sequence-controlled during the iterative design process with the aid of design-oriented graphics software modules. The entire process is initiated and controlled via low-cost interactive graphics terminals driven by a remote computer in a time-sharing mode

Developed and Underdeveloped: a radical view of constructive relationships

There is, particularly in the Western world, a growing wave of self-examination reaching deep into the structure of values that for so long have been taken for granted. Basic premises of life in the industrialized countries are being questioned, and some are coming under serious attack. Among them is the desirability of continued economic expansion, with its inevitably attendant environmental deterioration; heightened complexity and anxiety in the conduct of personal affairs; growing welfare disparities; increasing concentration of power in the hands of managers of economic empires; and increasing specialization upon which economic growth feeds but which leads to an alienation from the natural and social environment, and perhaps ultimately from the self

A new model for equitable and efficient resource allocation to schools: the Israeli case

This paper sets out a new budget allocation formula for schools, designed to achieve a more equitable distribution of educational achievement. In addition to needs-based elements, the suggested composite allocation formula includes an improvement component, whereby schools receive budgetary allocations based on a new incentive measure developed in this paper (Improvement in the Educational Achievement Distribution, or IEAD). The development of the budget allocation formula is demonstrated utilizing Israeli data. Large scale, nationwide data sets relating students' academic achievement to student background variables, teacher profiles and school characteristics, were analyzed to identify appropriate needs-based formula components and to estimate their weights. The results are compared with the funding formulas currently used in Israel

Bias-Variation Dilemma Challenges Clinical Trials: Inherent Limitations of Randomized Controlled Trials and Meta-Analyses Comparing Hernia Therapies

Purpose: Evaluation of hernia therapies according to the current rules of Evidence Based Medicine is widely reduced to results of RCTs or meta-analyses. RCTs have been accepted as a most important tool to confirm a superior effect of an intervention. Unfortunately, in hernia surgery, comparisons of RCTs and correspondingly their use in meta-analyses, are not, surprisingly often, able to confirm any significant impact of a specific procedure due to intrinsic restrictions in a multi-causal\ud setting with its web of influences. Methods: Based on our own experiences of clinical studies in surgery, the present article outlines several situations, with their respective reasons, which argue the severe limitations of RCTs and meta-analysis to define an optimum treatment. Results: Metaanalyses accumulate the variations of each trial, which then may cover any clear causal relationship. RCTs usually are dealing with subgroups of standard patients thus excluding the majority of our patients. Low statistical power of current cohort sizes restricts the analysis of subgroups or of effects with low incidences. Simple comparisons of means frequently are hampered by nonlinear relationships to outcome. The relevance of a specific variable is difficult to separate from other influences. The limited surveillance period of studies ignores a delayed change in outcome. Randomization cannot guarantee a standardized patient’s condition. All the arguments have to be considered as a crucial and fundamental consequence of the bias-variance dilemma or principle of uncertainty in medicine, and underline the many limitations of RCTs to evaluate any specific impact of hernia therapies on e.g. infection, pain or recurrence. Conclusions: Many surgical issues\ud cannot be and should not be investigated by RCTs, in particular, if a marked patients’ heterogeneity\ud has to be considered or the low incidences of the outcome readout cannot be addressed with sufficient statistical power without getting lost in the variation mire. Registries with their non-restricted data-acquisition should be regarded as reliable alternatives for postoperative outcome quality surveillance studies

A novel six3 mutation segregates with holoprosencephaly in a large family

Holoprosencephaly is the most common structural malformation of the forebrain in humans and has a complex etiology including chromosomal aberrations, single gene mutations and environmental components. Here we present the pertinent clinical findings among members of an unusually large kindred ascertained over 15 years ago following the evaluation and subsequent genetic work-up of a female infant with congenital anomalies. A genome-wide scan and linkage analysis showed only suggestive evidence of linkage to markers on chromosome 2 among the most likely of several pedigree interpretations. We now report that a novel missense mutation in the SIX3 holopro- sencephaly gene is the likely cause in this family. Molecular genetic analysis and/or clinical characterization now show that at least 15 members of this family are presumed SIX3 mutation gene carriers, with clinical manifestations ranging from pheno- typically normal adults (non-penetrance) to alobar holoprosen- cephaly incompatible with postnatal life. This particular family represents a seminal example of the variable manifestations of gene mutations in holoprosencephaly and difficulties encountered in their elucidation.Fil: Solomon, Benjamin D.. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Lacbawan, Felicitas. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos. State University of New York; Estados UnidosFil: Jain, Mahim. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Domene, Sabina. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular "Dr. Héctor N. Torres"; ArgentinaFil: Roessler, Erich. National Institutes of Health; Estados UnidosFil: Moore, Cynthia. Indiana University School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Dobyns, William B.. University of Chicago; Estados UnidosFil: Muenke, Maximilian. National Institutes of Health; Estados Unido

Explorations of the viability of ARM and Xeon Phi for physics processing

We report on our investigations into the viability of the ARM processor and the Intel Xeon Phi co-processor for scientific computing. We describe our experience porting software to these processors and running benchmarks using real physics applications to explore the potential of these processors for production physics processing.Comment: Submitted to proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Computing in High Energy and Nuclear Physics (CHEP13), Amsterda