The use of provenance in information retrieval

The volume of electronic information that users accumulate is steadily rising. A recent study [2] found that there were on average 32,000 pieces of information (e-mails, web pages, documents, etc.) for each user. The problem of organizin

Integrating rich user feedback into intelligent user interfaces

The potential for machine learning systems to improve via a mutually beneficial exchange of information with users has yet to be explored in much detail. Previously, we found that users were willing to provide a generous amount of rich feedback to machine learning systems, and that the types of some of this rich feedback seem promising for assimilation by machine learning algorithms. Following up on those findings, we ran an experiment to assess the viability of incorporating real-time keyword-based feedback in initial training phases when data is limited. We found that rich feedback improved accuracy but an initial unstable period often caused large fluctuations in classifier behavior. Participants were able to give feedback by relying heavily on system communication in order to respond to changes. The results show that in order to benefit from the user’s knowledge, machine learning systems must be able to absorb keyword-based rich feedback in a graceful manner and provide clear explanations of their predictions

Testing the effects of wave exposure, site, and behavior on intertidal mussel body temperatures: applications and limits of temperature logger design

Abstract The rocky intertidal mussel Mytilus californianus is exposed to potentially damaging thermal conditions during low tide. However, because the temperatures of ectothermic organisms are driven by multiple climatic factors, we do not fully understand what the body temperatures of intertidal invertebrates are under field conditions, or how thermal stress varies between intertidal sites. We designed a temperature logger that thermally matches (similar size, color, morphology and thermal inertia) living mussels of the species M. californianus, and tested its ability to provide realistic measurements of body temperature in the field. As part of these tests, we examined the propensity of M. californianus to ''gape,'' a behavior in which the mussel opens its shell valves, and which may permit evaporative cooling. Because our instruments were unable to mimic this behavior, we tested the degree to which gaping contributes to animal cooling by exposing M. californianus to a range of climatic conditions while recording body temperatures, gaping behavior and water loss. Results indicated no significant influence of gaping on body temperature. Tests comparing temperatures of loggers to those of real mussels under laboratory and field conditions showed that thermally matched loggers recorded temperatures within a few degrees of living animals and that unmodified loggers regularly incurred errors of up to 14°C. We then deployed a series of thermally matched loggers at two sites in central Oregon (Boiler Bay and Strawberry Hill) previously hypothesized to display site-specific differences in aerial temperature, and at various wave-exposure regimes within each site. Significant differences were demonstrated between sites using a subset of temperature metrics in a multivariate analysis. Yearly peaks in maximum temperature, average daily maximum temperature, and degree hours were useful in discriminating between sites. In 2001, wave-exposed sites at Strawberry Hill displayed fewer degree-hours than wave-protected sites, but an equivalent or greater maximum temperature. In 2002 both of these metrics were significantly lower in waveexposed sites. Boiler Bay and Strawberry Hill differed in thermal regime, but not in a way that would indicate one was ''hotter'' than the other

An examination of periodontal treatment and per member per month (PMPM) medical costs in an insured population

BACKGROUND: Chronic medical conditions have been associated with periodontal disease. This study examined if periodontal treatment can contribute to changes in overall risk and medical expenditures for three chronic conditions [Diabetes Mellitus (DM), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), and Cerebrovascular Disease (CVD)]. METHODS: 116,306 enrollees participating in a preferred provider organization (PPO) insurance plan with continuous dental and medical coverage between January 1, 2001 and December 30, 2002, exhibiting one of three chronic conditions (DM, CAD, or CVD) were examined. This study was a population-based retrospective cohort study. Aggregate costs for medical services were used as a proxy for overall disease burden. The cost for medical care was measured in Per Member Per Month (PMPM) dollars by aggregating all medical expenditures by diagnoses that corresponded to the International Classification of Diseases, 9(th )Edition, (ICD-9) codebook. To control for differences in the overall disease burden of each group, a previously calculated retrospective risk score utilizing Symmetry Health Data Systems, Inc. Episode Risk Groups™ (ERGs) were utilized for DM, CAD or CVD diagnosis groups within distinct dental services groups including; periodontal treatment (periodontitis or gingivitis), dental maintenance services (DMS), other dental services, or to a no dental services group. The differences between group means were tested for statistical significance using log-transformed values of the individual total paid amounts. RESULTS: The DM, CAD and CVD condition groups who received periodontitis treatment incurred significantly higher PMPM medical costs than enrollees who received gingivitis treatment, DMS, other dental services, or no dental services (p < .001). DM, CAD, and CVD condition groups who received periodontitis treatment had significantly lower retrospective risk scores (ERGs) than enrollees who received gingivitis treatment, DMS, other dental services, or no dental services (p < .001). CONCLUSION: This two-year retrospective examination of a large insurance company database revealed a possible association between periodontal treatment and PMPM medical costs. The findings suggest that periodontitis treatment (a proxy for the presence of periodontitis) has an impact on the PMPM medical costs for the three chronic conditions (DM, CAD, and CVD). Additional studies are indicated to examine if this relationship is maintained after adjusting for confounding factors such as smoking and SES

Baseline study of Essential Ocean Variable monitoring in Irish waters; current measurement programmes & data quality

This report provides an initial assessment of Ireland’s current measurement programmes and capacity for Essential Ocean Variables (EOV) data collection. These are typically programmes that involve physical sampling of the marine environment, using a combination of ship-based measurements, fixed platforms e.g. tide and wave gauges, offshore buoys, autonomous platforms e.g. underwater gliders, and conventional collection of physical samples that are analysed on board ships or in shore-based laboratories. Systematic measurement of essential ocean variables underpins the delivery of services to government and the public in terms of real-time decision support, assessments of ocean health e.g. Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), Oslo & Paris Conventions (OSPAR), International Council on the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) and long-term observations to inform policy on marine climate change and provide climate information to guide related adaptation measures required under climate change sectoral adaptation plans e.g. seafood sector, transport, biodiversity, and built heritage

Rising tides: Tidal inundation in South east Australian estuaries

Global sea levels are rising and are likely to have an increasing impact on coastal communities over the coming decades and centuries. Within Australia, recent studies have identified that considerable development and infrastructure is at risk from sea level rise with low-lying areas adjacent to estuaries in New South Wales being subject to the greatest exposure. Increasing extent and frequency of tidal inundation is likely to be one of the more obvious impacts of sea level rise. In this study we examine the occurrence of tidal inundation at selected estuary sites in NSW. We identify sites experiencing tidal inundation now and examine recent changes to the frequency of inundation at two case study sites. We combine observations of local inundation and high-resolution digital elevation data with local tide gauge data to identify thresholds for tidal inundation. When these thresholds are exceeded, tidal water inundates streets and footpaths for a short period of time - so called \u27nuisance inundation\u27 or \u27sunny day flooding\u27. We identify numerous sites along the NSW coast which are subject to tidal inundation. At two case study sites, Woy Woy and Botany, we show increasing frequency of inundation with nuisance events (5 year average) at Woy Woy more than doubling since the late 1980\u27s. By examining current inundation exceedance, we show that even modest near-future increases in sea level are likely to lead to a significant increase in the number of days when inundation occurs in the lowest lying streets

Sea level rise and the increasing frequency of inundation in Australia’s most exposed estuary

The large tidal lake systems along the Southeast Australian coast are amongst the most vulnerable estuaries in Australia to the effects of sea level rise. In these lakes, reduced tide ranges compared with the ocean, in combination with modest flood extremes, have allowed development to occur in close vertical proximity to the current mean sea level. In this study, we examine water levels within Lake Macquarie, Australia’s most exposed estuary to sea level rise. We analyse water level data from the entrance channel and the lake to investigate recent changes to the frequency and duration of inundation or flooding of low-lying streets and examine the potential impacts of future rises in sea level. Our analysis shows that the numbers of days each year when water levels exceed those of low-lying streets, while subject to some variability, have increased significantly over recent decades. The increasing frequency of inundation is attributed to both mean sea level rise and an increase in tide range over the period of available data, which is thought to be associated with scour processes related to ongoing morphological adjustment to entrance training works undertaken over a century ago. Comparison of the projected behaviour of lake and open coast water levels under sea level rise shows the lake has significantly greater sensitivity to sea level rise. Projected inundation frequency for a given amount of sea level rise within the lake is double that of open coast sites, exposing infrastructure in the estuary to increasing risk of damage