Augmented Weighted Estimators Dealing with Practical Positivity Violation to Causal inferences in a Random Coefficient Model.

The inverse probability of treatment weighted (IPTW) estimator can be used to make causal inferences under two assumptions: (1) no unobserved confounders (ignorability) and (2) positive probability of treatment and of control at every level of the confounders (positivity), but is vulnerable to bias if by chance, the proportion of the sample assigned to treatment, or proportion of control, is zero at certain levels of the confounders. We propose to deal with this sampling zero problem, also known as practical violation of the positivity assumption, in a setting where the observed confounder is cluster identity, i.e., treatment assignment is ignorable within clusters. Specifically, based on a random coefficient model assumed for the potential outcome, we augment the IPTW estimating function with the estimated potential outcomes of treatment (or of control) for clusters that have no observation of treatment (or control). If the cluster-specific potential outcomes are estimated correctly, the augmented estimating function can be shown to converge in expectation to zero and therefore yield consistent causal estimates. The proposed method can be implemented in the existing software, and it performs well in simulated data as well as with real-world data from a teacher preparation evaluation study

Leakage-Aware Interconnect for On-Chip Network

On-chip networks have been proposed as the interconnect fabric for future systems-on-chip and multi-processors on chip. Power is one of the main constraints of these systems and interconnect consumes a significant portion of the power budget. In this paper, we propose four leakage-aware interconnect schemes. Our schemes achieve 10.13%~63.57% active leakage savings and 12.35%~95.96% standby leakage savings across schemes while the delay penalty ranges from 0% to 4.69%.Comment: Submitted on behalf of EDAA (http://www.edaa.com/

Total Cost Of Ownership: A Project Integrating Multiple Topics For The Introductory Is Course

One major issue of the introductory IS course is that it covers too many topics and thus lacks the depth of coverage for these topics. One way to keep a balance between breadth and depth of course content is to organize lecture topics into broader modules and design assignments for these modules that allow students to explore these topics in more depth by themselves. To achieve this goal, we have designed a TCO teaching module that includes a project that covers several IS topics. The purpose of the project is to understand what computer or information systems and technologies (IST) are needed to support an organization and to determine the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the needed IST. We have designed seven lectures to explain the concepts that are needed for the project. The teaching module and project have not been implemented yet, but we plan to implement them in the Fall 2010 term. We have designed a survey to collect student feedback about the usefulness of this project

LAN Configuration and Analysis: Projects for the Data Communications and Networking Course

We implemented two local area network (LAN) projects in our introductory data communications and networking course. The first project required students to develop a LAN from scratch for a small imaginary organization. The second project required student groups to analyze a LAN for a real world small organization. By allowing students to apply what they learn in class to real world situations, the projects bridge the gap between technical concepts and business applications

Public and Private Sources of Assistance for Low-Income Households

This study examined the types and combinations of public and private assistance received by three types of low-income households, including those with children, without children, and elderly without children. Using data from the 1996 and 2001 panels of the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), the results indicate that a large percentage of low-income households rely on public assistance, and receipt of private assistance is much less common. Approximately 7% of the sample use both types of assistance. The findings highlight differences in combinations of public and private assistance used by different household types. Wealsofound some significant differences in thefactors that determine receipt of public and private assistance. Practice and policy implications are discussed

Tunable phononic crystals via instability-induced interfacial wrinkling

We present a method to control wave propagation in highly deformable layered media by utilizing elastic instability-induced wrinkling of interfacial layers. The onset of a wrinkling instability in initially straight interfacial layers occurs when a critical compressive strain or stress is achieved [1]. Further compression beyond the critical strain leads to an increase in the wrinkle amplitude of the interfacial layer. This, in turn, gives rise to the formation of a system of periodic scatterers, which reflect and interfere with wave propagation. We demonstrate that the topology of wrinkling interfacial layers can be controlled by deformation and used to produce band-gaps in wave propagation and, hence, to selectively filter frequencies [2]. Remarkably, the mechanism of frequency filtering is effective even for composites with similar or identical densities, such as polymer–polymer composites. Because the microstructure change is reversible, the mechanism can be used for tuning and controlling wave propagation by deformation. REFERENCES [1] Li, Y., Kaynia, N., Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Wrinkling of interfacial layers in stratified composites. Advanced Engineering Materials. 2013, 15(10), 921–926. [2] Rudykh, S., Boyce, M.C. Transforming wave propagation in layered media via instability-induced interfacial wrinkling. Physical Review Letters. 2014, 112, 034301

Electronic data interchange: If A perspective from Taiwan

This study presents findings about perceptions and use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) in Taiwan. It was undertaken to help build a framework within which to better understand EDI in a global setting. Findings indicate that there are differences and similarities between perceptions and use of EDI in Taiwan and what we know about EDI use in Western cultures. Possible explanations are offered for these findings. Several research questions arise out of the findings that can guide future research about EDI in a variety of cultures, and sets of propositions for each research question are suggested

Tuning the upconversion photoluminescence lifetimes of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ through lanthanide Gd3+ doping

The multiplexing capacity of conventional fluorescence materials are significantly limited by spectral overlap and background interference, mainly due to their short-lived fluorescence lifetimes. Here, we adopt a novel Gd3+ doping strategy in NaYF4 host materials, realized tuning of upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) lifetimes at selective emissions. Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), was applied to measure the photoluminescence lifetimes accurately. We demonstrated the large dynamic range of lifetimes of upconversion nanoparticles with good upconversion quantum yields, mainly owing to the dominance of high efficient energy transfer upconversion mechanism. The exceptional tunable properties of upconversion materials allow great potential for them to be utilized in biotechnology and life sciences

A Study To Assess The Knowledge On Post-Operative Self-Care Activities Among Patients Who Have Undergone Cataract Surgery At A Selected Hospital, Malaysia.

Introduction: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness (WHO, 2011). It will give an impact on physical and emotional status of an individual with cataract. World Health Organization also has the mission towards eliminating blindness by year 2020. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the knowledge of post-operative self-care activities among patients who have undergone cataract surgery in a selected hospital, Malaysia. The theoretical framework used is Dorothea Orem’s self-care model.   Methodology: A cross sectional design was used in this study. Non-probability convenient sampling method was used to choose 90 subjects. Data was collected by face-to face interview using Cataract Postoperative Self-care Knowledge Questionnaire. The results were analysed using descriptive statistics with (SPSS) 16.0 version 2007 and data were presented in tables and pie charts.   Results: The results showed that most of the subjects did not restrict their diet after the cataract surgery and knew that infection or injury might occur after surgery. There were 43% of the subjects, who have chosen the correct technique of cleaning the eye before instilling the eye drops or ointment. Most of the subjects knew the importance of hand hygiene before instillation of eye drops. All subjects knew the importance of regular follow up after surgery.   Conclusion: There is a need for re-inforcement to the patients through education to improve the knowledge on post-operative self-care following cataract surgery. Nurses need to be supportive and educative in caring for these patients.   Key words: Knowledge, cataract, self-car

Activated Notch2 Signaling Inhibits Differentiation of Cerebellar Granule Neuron Precursors by Maintaining Proliferation

AbstractIn the developing cerebellar cortex, granule neuron precursors (GNPs) proliferate and commence differentiation in a superficial zone, the external granule layer (EGL). The molecular basis of the transition from proliferating precursors to immature differentiating neurons remains unknown. Notch signaling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway regulating the differentiation of precursor cells of many lineages. Notch2 is specifically expressed in proliferating GNPs in the EGL. Treatment of GNPs with soluble Notch ligand Jagged1, or overexpression of activated Notch2 or its downstream target HES1, maintains precursor proliferation. The addition of GNP mitogens Jagged1 or Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) upregulates the expression of HES1, suggesting a role for HES1 in maintaining precursor proliferation