BOUNDING THE SMARANDACHE FUNCTION

The article illustrates the importance of being able to calculate the Smarandache function for prime powers. This paper will be considering that process

Failure prediction models: performance, disagreements, and internal rating systems. NBB Working Papers. No. 123, 13 December 2007

We address a number of comparative issues relating to the performance of failure prediction models for small, private firms. We use two models provided by vendors, a model developed by the National Bank of Belgium, and the Altman Z-score model to investigate model power, the extent of disagreement between models in the ranking of firms, and the design of internal rating systems. We also examine the potential gains from combining the output of multiple models. We find that the power of all four models in predicting bankruptcies is very good at the one-year horizon, even though not all of the models were developed using bankruptcy data and the models use different statistical methodologies. Disagreements in firm rankings are nevertheless significant across models, and model choice will have an impact on loan pricing and origination decisions. We find that it is possible to realize important gains from combining models with similar power. In addition, we show that it can also be beneficial to combine a weaker model with a stronger one if disagreements across models with respect to failing firms are high enough. Finally, the number of classes in an internal rating system appears to be more important than the distribution of borrowers across classes

Failure prediction models : performance, disagreements, and internal rating systems

We address a number of comparative issues relating to the performance of failure prediction models for small, private firms. We use two models provided by vendors, a model developed by the National Bank of Belgium, and the Altman Z-score model to investigate model power, the extent of disagreement between models in the ranking of firms, and the design of internal rating systems. We also examine the potential gains from combining the output of multiple models. We find that the power of all four models in predicting bankruptcies is very good at the one-year horizon, even though not all of the models were developed using bankruptcy data and the models use different statistical methodologies. Disagreements in firm rankings are nevertheless significant across models, and model choice will have an impact on loan pricing and origination decisions. We find that it is possible to realize important gains from combining models with similar power. In addition, we show that it can also be beneficial to combine a weaker model with a stronger one if disagreements across models with respect to failing firms are high enough. Finally, the number of classes in an internal rating system appears to be more important than the distribution of borrowers across classesBasel II, failure prediction, internal ratings, model power, rating systems, ROC analysis.

A 3-D Multiplex Paper-microfluidic Platform

3-D paper-based microfluidic devices (micoPADs) are small and portable devices made out of paper that offer a promising platform for diagnostic applications outside of a laboratory. These devices are easy to use, low cost, require no power source, and capable of detecting multiple targets simultaneously. The work in this thesis demonstrated the ability of a 3-D paper-microfluidic platform to simultaneously detect 5 targets. Rubber cord stock was used in conjunction with an acrylic housing unit to apply pressure along the edge of the channel. The indirect pressure application was successful in promoting vertical fluid flow between layers. Average channel development times were recorded between 110 seconds and 150 seconds. The implementation of the 3-D paper-microfluidic platform as a diagnostic device was validated with a colorimetric glucose assay. In a novel application, reagents were deposited onto the 3-D platform via a glucose reagent pencil created by Martinez et al. A visual signal was observed for the successful detection of glucose at a concentration of 1.2 mM. These results offer promise for future work in combing new reagent deposition techniques with a multi-layer paper-microfluidic platform. Overall, this research made advancements in the design of a paper-microfluidic platform capable of the simultaneous detection of 5 targets

Patterns of water uptake and rhizosphere salinity in Casuarina Obesa Miq. during a drying period at Lake Toolibin, Western Australia

Lake Toolibin is one of a few remaining freshwater lakes in the central wheatbelt of Western Australia. Since monitoring began at Lake Toolibin in the early 1970\u27s groundwater levels have risen to within 1-2 m of the lakebed with an accompanying migration of salt. The site-specific nature of water uptake in Casuarina obesa Miq. (the dominant lakebed tree species) and rhizosphere salinity were explored spatially through analyses of soil properties (groundwater depth and salinity, particle size and components of soil water potential ψ1). Plant water sources (using δ2H signatures) and water availability (based on ψleaf and ψt) were measured to define water uptake within the rhizosphere. Plant response to these conditions was determined using critical indicators of plant water relations such as stomatal conductance (gs) and water use. This investigation was conducted over a drying period (October 2002 - February 2003) on the lakebed. The drying period coincided with a maximum in soil water potential (ψ1) and sites with shallower depths to groundwater had soil profiles dominated by osmotic potentials (ψ0) due to the accumulation of salts near the soil surface. At some sites groundwater was transmitted above the water table along films of coarse textured sands, forming perched systems of thin saturated soil (0.l - 0.2 m). These were important mechanisms in the transport of saline groundwater to the rhizosphere. Patterns of water uptake for C. obesa across the lake appeared to be closely related to seasonal effects of the drying period and soil water and salt movement from the capillary fringe. Pre-dawn leaf water potentials (ψpd), stomatal conductance and water use decreased during summer at all sites, especially where salt accumulation had occurred, but this species exhibited substantial tolerance to moisture deficits caused by salt accumulation. C. obesa obtains its summer moisture from relatively shallow depths (\u3c 0.9 m) and regulates water loss through stomatal control during this period, allowing it to persist under these conditions

Facing Reality

Facing Reality is a show of landscape paintings and drawings of Baton Rouge, executed mostly through direct observation. Working this way has allowed me to slow down and specifically engage my surroundings and the physical locations that are compelling to me. I am interested in being open to the possibilities provided by experience, and using what I find to create meaningful, honest, and visually poetic pictures

5th national survey of Australian secondary students and sexual health 2013

Results of the fifth National Survey of Australian Secondary Students and Sexual Health provide a picture of teenagers demonstrating similar sexual behaviours to those in previous surveys, with individuals generally acting responsibly and being mostly happy about the choices they make. The survey has been carried out by La Trobe researchers at regular intervals since 1992 and is the most comprehensive of its kind into the sexual behaviour, attitudes and health of young people at secondary school.  It involved more than 2,000 students in years 10, 11 and 12 at Government, Catholic and Independent schools in all states and territories. 50% of young people expressed significant dissatisfaction with sex education at schools, citing irrelevance to their real experiences, lack of relationship advice and lack of discussion of same-sex issues as problems. 36% of students commonly asked their mother about sex, 41% asked a female friend. 86% of teenagers said the last time they\u27d had sex they\u27d used a condom if one was available. 23% of sexually active students had sex with three or more people in the past year. 25% of sexually active students reported an experience of unwanted sex of some kind. 50% of those who had not had intercourse felt good about this decision, with religion, culture and pressure from parents being less important than personal decision making. Overall low numbers reported frequent cyber bullying

Muscle Activation during Simulated Patient Transfers: Preliminary Study of Experienced versus Novice Patient Handlers

Purpose: Back injuries are a common problem in providing health care and manually transferring patients can be a cause of back injuries. Because of this fact, there has been a need for research looking into safe methods for manually transferring patients. The intent of this study was to compare muscle recruitment patterns of novice and experienced health care professionals during a simulated patient transfer. By comparing the muscle activity of the experienced group to that of the novice group, we hoped to see differences that could be used to refine training techniques, thus increasing the safety of novice health care professionals during patient transfers. Subjects: The experienced group consisted of nine physical therapists/physical therapy instructors and one occupational therapist. The novice group consisted of thirteen firstyear students in the UND physical therapy program. Instrumentation: Electromyographical (EMG) and electrogoniometric data was recorded using a waist belt enclosed Noraxon Telemyo 8 telemetry unit. The signals were collected by the equipment\u27s receiver and then digitized by an analog digital interface board in the Peak Analog Module. Procedure: All participants were shown the electrode placement and signed an informed consent form. Electrodes were placed over the erector spinae, gluteus maximus, and semitendinosis muscles bilaterally. After a five-repetition maximal lift was determined, the participant performed three trials of transferring a milk crate containing eighty percent of their five-repetition maximal lift weight. All of the lifts were done in a timed sequence with a short break between each trial. Data Analysis: The EMG data collected was analyzed using SPSS 11.0 for Windows. A 2-Factor ANVOA (a = 0.05) was used to compare muscle activity in the Novice and Expert groups. The data was separated into three sections: Rising, Turning, and Descending; as well as by muscle group. Data from the three transfers were averaged for each participant before comparison. Results: No significant interaction was found between the groups and their muscle activation for any phase of the transfer; however if separated, significant differences were found between the groups themselves as well as between their muscle activation. The only significance found was that the right semitendonosis was used more in the expert group than the novice group during the ascending and descending phases of the transfer (p=.043). Conclusion and Clinical Implication: It has been shown in previous research that most injuries occur when the therapist has limited experience. Our data shows that there are differences between the groups and between the muscles that this study was not able to identify. The researchers suspect that the main reason for the inability to identify the specific differences was due to the limited sample size. This suggests that further research is needed to identify specific differences that make more experienced patient handlers less likely to sustain an injury while transferring a patient