Implementation of GIS-Based Applications in Water Governance

__Abstract__ Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are computer programs that are able to bring large amounts of data of both the physical and the social system together in one comprehensive overview shown digitally. GIS occurred very rapidly on the Dutch policy agenda. In this paper we analyze how the fast introduction process of GIS-based instruments in water management and more specifically in river flood management can be explained. By applying a range of classical models on agenda-setting, we show the important contribution of GIS to the water and flood issue in current spatial planning and policy development in the Netherland

Strong electronic correlations in superconducting organic charge transfer salts

We review the role of strong electronic correlations in quasi--two-dimensional organic charge transfer salts such as (BEDT-TTF)$_2X$, (BETS)$_2Y$ and $\beta'$-[Pd(dmit)$_2$]$_2Z$. We begin by defining minimal models for these materials. It is necessary to identify two classes of material: the first class is strongly dimerised and is described by a half-filled Hubbard model; the second class is not strongly dimerised and is described by a quarter filled extended Hubbard model. We argue that these models capture the essential physics of these materials. We explore the phase diagram of the half-filled quasi--two-dimensional organic charge transfer salts, focusing on the metallic and superconducting phases. We review work showing that the metallic phase, which has both Fermi liquid and `bad metal' regimes, is described both quantitatively and qualitatively by dynamical mean field theory (DMFT). The phenomenology of the superconducting state is still a matter of contention. We critically review the experimental situation, focusing on the key experimental results that may distinguish between rival theories of superconductivity, particularly probes of the pairing symmetry and measurements of the superfluid stiffness. We then discuss some strongly correlated theories of superconductivity, in particular, the resonating valence bond (RVB) theory of superconductivity. We conclude by discussing some of the major challenges currently facing the field.Comment: A review: 52 pages; 10 fig

Multifractal Discrimination Model of High-Frequency Pupil-diameter Measurements

Multifractality present in high frequency pupil diameter measurements, usually connected with irregular scaling behavior and self-similarity, is modeled with statistical accuracy. A multifractal spectrum is used to discriminate pupil behavior measurements from four groups differing in ocular pathology. Broadness and the spectrum maximum, two measures characterizing the multifractal spectrum of observations, are proposed as the distinguishing features among the groups. Analysis based on descriptive statistics and kernel density estimation is provided to obtain the statistical description of the inherited mulitfractality. Model-free classification, together with the model combining technique, is adapted to build a reasonable classifier

Lecture Notes in Computer Science

Swarm intelligence is the emergent collective intelligence of groups of simple autonomous agents which are autonomous subsystems that interact with their environment. This paper presents a performance evaluation system for swarm robots. The model proposed includes a set of performance assessment criteria and performance assessment and monitoring system. The proposed approach is developed for swarm robots developed for health system responsible for delivery, guidance, monitoring, recognition, and delivery which a project in European 6(th) Framework Research Program and carried out by several European nations

Classification of High Frequency Pupillary Responses using Schur Monotone Descriptors in Multiscale Domains

This paper addresses the problem of classifying users with different visual abilities based on their pupillary response data while performing computer-based tasks. Multiscale Schur Monotone (MSM) summaries of high frequency pupil diameter measurements are utilized as feature vectors (or input vectors) in this classification. Various MSM measures, such as Shannon, Picard, and Emlen entropies, the Gini coefficient and the Fishlow measure, are investigated to assess their discriminatory characteristics. A combination of classifiers, motivated by Bayesian paradigm, is proposed to minimize and stabilize the misclassification rate in training and test sets with the goal of improving classification accuracy. In addition, the issue of wavelet basis selection for optimal classification performance is discussed. The members of the Pollen wavelet library are included as competitors. The proposed methodology is validated with extensive simulation and applied to high-frequency pupil diameter measurements collected from 36 individuals with varying ocular abilities and pathologies. The expected misclassification rate of our procedure can be as low as 21% by appropriately choosing the Schur Monotone summary and using a properly selected wavelet basis

Effects of Web-Based Instruction and Patient Preferences on Patient-Reported Outcomes and Learning for Women with Advanced Ovarian Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial

A randomized controlled trial was conducted of a web-based intervention to improve advanced care planning in women with ovarian cancer. A secondary analysis of 35 randomized women focused on changes in distress and knowledge about ovarian cancer through distress monitoring and information tailored to patients\u27 cognitive coping style (monitoring, blunting). Pre-/postresults indicated the Intervention group demonstrated lower distress (p = 0.06); blunting was associated with lower depression (p = 0.04); knowledge in both groups was unchanged. Women in the Intervention vs. Control group reported their family was less likely to be upset by cancer information (p = 0.0004). This intervention reduced distress while incorporating patient preferences