END USER LEARNING BEHAVIOR IN DATA ANALYSIS AND DATA MODELING TOOLS

The research examined naive user analysts\u27 learning of data analysis skills; namely. (1) the difficulty of learning data analysis, (2) the differential learning rates among development tools, and (3) the dimensions of the tools contributing to the learning differences. A total of fifty-six students participated in two experiments. The experiments involved repeaied trials of practice and feedback in drawing application-based data models. On average, the participants were experienced end users of computer systems in organizations. The two tools examined in the experiments were the logical data structure model (LDS), which is based on the entity-relationship concept, and the relational data model (RDM). The correctness of the models improved over the trials in both LDS and RDM groups with LDS users performing better than RDM users, particularly in terms of representing relationships. LDS users were found to be more top-down motivated in their method of analysis than RDM users. The study suggests that among end users, the LDS formalism is more easily learned than the RDM formalism. The results also imply that end-user training should stress conceptual top*wn analysis, not bottom-up output directed analysis

Baryon and lepton number transport in electroweak phase transition

We consider the baryon number generation by charge transport mechanism in the electroweak phase transition taking properly into account thermal fluxes through the wall separating true and false vacuum in the spatial space. We show that the diffusion from the true vacuum to the false one has a large diminishing effect on the baryon number unless the wall velocity is near to, but less than, the speed of sound in the medium and the ratio between the collision rate and wall thickness is about 0.3. The maximum net baryon density generated is $\rho_B/s\simeq 0.2\times 10^{-10}$, where $s$ is the entropy density of the Universe. If the wall proceeds as a detonation, no baryon number is produced.Comment: 13 pages + 2 figures available on request, HU-TFT-94-15, TURKU-FL-P1

Unitarity of the Standard Model at the Higgs' Resonance

We compute a unitarity bound for higgs mass using one--loop corrected s--wave partial amplitude for $Z_L Z_L \rightarrow Z_L Z_L$ scattering. We use the equivalence theorem and show that the higgs mass has to be less than $\approx 600$ GeV in order to save the (perturbative) unitarity in the higgs' resonance region. We also discuss about the validity of perturbation expansion in the symmetry breaking sector.Comment: 6 pages, LaTeX, figures available upon request, TURKU-FL-P

Vacuum stability in the singlet Majoron model

We study the vacuum stability of the singlet Majoron model using full renormalization group improved scalar potential and Monte Carlo techniques. We show that in the perturbative regime of the various free parameters, the vacuum stability requirement together with LEP limits is passed by 18% of the parameter space if the scale of new physics is 10 TeV and 6% if the scale is $10^{14}$ GeV. Moreover, if the baryogenesis condition for scalar couplings is required, no portion of the parameter space survives.Comment: 9 pages + 1 uuencoded figur

Integrating eBusiness, Knowledge Management and Policy Considerations Within an Information Systems Strategy Framework

Much has been written on the topic of Information Systems (IS) Strategy over the past 30 years or so since the early work of, for example, Kriebel (1968) and McFarlan (1971). We have gone through periods where various approaches to IS Strategy have had their heyday. (Galliers, 1993) These include, for example: long range planning; businessdriven (or ‘top-down’) approaches; strategic data planning; the proactive use of Information Technology (IT) for competitive advantage, and business process analysis (or BPR), to name but a few (e.g., McLean & Soden, 1977; Ein-Dor & Segev, 1978; Martin, 1982; Porter & Millar, 1985; Hammer, 1990). More recently, we have seen the emergence of e-business and knowledge management as major phenomena worthy of our attention in the strategy arena

Interaction between clients and physiotherapists in group exercise classes in geriatric rehabilitation

The aim of this paper is to explore how older people construct their interaction in group exercise classes in geriatric rehabilitation and what is their contribution to the interaction. Discourse analysis was employed and data, consisting of seven videotaped group-based exercise sessions, were collected from 52 older people (aged 66–93 years) and nine rehabilitation professionals in seven rehabilitation centres. Four discourse categories were found. In “taciturn exercising”, older people remained verbally silent but physically active. In “submissive disagreeing”, older people opposed the professionals’ agenda by displaying reluctant consent to proposals. In “resilient endeavouring”, older adults persisted on their course of action, regardless of the disapproval of the professionals. In “lay helping”, older people initiated spontaneous encouragement, but also gave verbal and physical assistance to their peers. Older people's meaningful contribution to interaction, whilst it may challenge the institutional flow of activities, can constitute an integral part of the re-ablement process of rehabilitation

Porphyromonas gingivalis may interfere with conception in women

In this observational and prospective study, we investigated if microbiological and serological markers of periodontitis associated with conception in 256 non-pregnant women (Mage = 29.2 years; range 19-42 years). Clinical oral and gynecological examinations were performed, major periodontal pathogens in the saliva were detected, and serum and saliva antibodies against major periodontal pathogens were analyzed. The follow-up period for becoming pregnant was 12 months. Porphyromonas gingivalis was significantly (p = 0.032) more frequently detected in the saliva among those who did not become pregnant (8.3%) than among those who became pregnant (2.1%). The median levels of salivary P. gingivalis immunoglobulin A (IgA; p = 0.006) and IgG (p = 0.007) antibodies were higher among those who did not become pregnant compared to those who became pregnant. Hazard ratios (HR) for not becoming pregnant were HR = 3.75 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-13.9; p = 0.048) if the subject was polymerase chain reaction-positive for P. gingivalis with high salivary antibodies against it, and HR = 1.62 (95% CI 1.03-2.54; p = 0.035) if she had high levels of serum P. gingivalis IgA and signs of periodontal infection. P. gingivalis associated with no success in getting pregnant.Peer reviewe

Synapse-directed delivery of immunomodulators using T-cell-conjugated nanoparticles

Regulating molecular interactions in the T-cell synapse to prevent autoimmunity or, conversely, to boost anti-tumor immunity has long been a goal in immunotherapy. However, delivering therapeutically meaningful doses of immune-modulating compounds into the synapse represents a major challenge. Here, we report that covalent coupling of maleimide-functionlized nanoparticles (NPs) to free thiol groups on T-cell membrane proteins enables efficient delivery of compounds into the T-cell synapse. We demonstrate that surface-linked NPs are rapidly polarized toward the nascent immunological synapse (IS) at the T-cell/APC contact zone during antigen recognition. To translate these findings into a therapeutic application we tested the NP delivery of NSC-87877, a dual inhibitor of Shp1 and Shp2, key phosphatases that downregulate T-cell receptor activation in the synapse, in the context of adoptive T cell therapy of cancer. Conjugating NSC-87877-loaded NPs to the surface of tumor-specific T cells just prior to adoptive transfer into mice with advanced prostate cancer promoted a much greater T-cell expansion at the tumor site, relative to co-infusing the same drug dose systemically, leading to enhanced survival of treated animals. In summary, our studies support the application of T-cell-linked synthetic NPs as efficient drug delivery vehicles into the IS, as well as the broad applicability of this new paradigm for therapeutically modulating signaling events at the T-cell/APC interface.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (CA140476)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (EB123622)United States. Dept. of Defense. Prostate Cancer Research Program (W81XWH-10-1-0290)National Cancer Institute (U.S.) (Cancer Center Support (Core) Grant P30-CA14051)National Cancer Institute (U.S.)American Cancer Society (Postdoctoral Fellowship 12109-PF-11-025-01-LIB

A Scoping Review of Digital Gaming Research Involving Older Adults Aged 85 and Older

Background: Interest in the use of digital game technologies by older adults is growing across disciplines from health and gerontology to computer science and game studies. The objective of this scoping review was to examine research evidence involving the oldest old (persons 85 years of age or greater) and digital game technology. Materials and Methods: PubMed, CINHAL, and Scopus were searched, and 46 articles were included in this review. Results: Results highlighted that 60 percent of articles were published in gerontological journals, whereas only 8.7 percent were published in computer science journals. No studies focused directly on the oldest old population. Few studies included sample sizes greater than 100 participants. Seven primary and 34 secondary themes were identified, of which Hardware Technology and Assessment were the most common. Conclusions: Existing evidence demonstrates the paucity of studies engaging older adults 85 years of age and above regarding the use of digital gaming and highlights a new understudied cohort for further research focus. Recommendations for future research include intentional recruitment and proportionate representation of participants ≥85 years of age, large sample sizes, and explicit mention of specific numbers of participants ≥85 years of age, which are necessary to advance knowledge in this area. Integrating a rigorous and robust mixed-methods approach including theoretical perspectives would lend itself to further in-depth understanding and knowledge generation in this field