On Partial Opimality by Auxiliary Submodular Problems

In this work, we prove several relations between three different energy minimization techniques. A recently proposed methods for determining a provably optimal partial assignment of variables by Ivan Kovtun (IK), the linear programming relaxation approach (LP) and the popular expansion move algorithm by Yuri Boykov. We propose a novel sufficient condition of optimal partial assignment, which is based on LP relaxation and called LP-autarky. We show that methods of Kovtun, which build auxiliary submodular problems, fulfill this sufficient condition. The following link is thus established: LP relaxation cannot be tightened by IK. For non-submodular problems this is a non-trivial result. In the case of two labels, LP relaxation provides optimal partial assignment, known as persistency, which, as we show, dominates IK. Relating IK with expansion move, we show that the set of fixed points of expansion move with any "truncation" rule for the initial problem and the problem restricted by one-vs-all method of IK would coincide -- i.e. expansion move cannot be improved by this method. In the case of two labels, expansion move with a particular truncation rule coincide with one-vs-all method.Comment: 9 pages, 0 figures; Control Systems and Computers #2/2011, Special issue: "Optimal Labeling Problem in Structural Pattern Recognition", pp. 71-78, issn 0130-539

ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS OF RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION OF STRATEGIC POSITIONS

ABSTRACT This paper presents the results of an exploratory study that analyzes the main factors of the decision making process of recruitment and selection of strategic positions for companies located in Santiago of Chile, in the Metropolitan Region of Chile. The methodology developed uses AHP Multi-criteria concepts, addressing the major theoretical foundations of this methodology. The results of a survey of organizations in Santiago city, in order to obtain the similarities and the most relevant factors for the recruitment and selection of strategic positions, are presented, allowing the establishment of an exploratory common pattern for the process

C A S E S T U D Y Hepatology Center for the Management of Patients with Hepatitis: Proposed Electronic Health Record

Abstract Introduction The operation of the hepatology center is based on the use of a patient's health record. It is a printed record that the physician prepares and fills in at every visit of the patient, keeping in good order all information related to the patient's health problems and which concern mainly the liver problem. The way the printed record is kept and managed is a procedure that requires optimum organization, order and effort on the part of the medical personnel. In these efforts, ways to facilitate the procedure could be sought by using the new information and communication technologies. The aim of this paper is to depict the actual status and conditions under which the hepatology center of the PPGNP (University Regional General Hospital of Patras) currently operates. To identify the level of technological dissemination and to underline the benefits that the practice of medicine gains. Moreover, it aims at identifying the problems that doctors encounter in their attempt to organize their work and how the adoption of bioinformatics tools can prove helpful. Conclusions This paper underlines the need to adopt the EHR and modern technologies that bioinformatics offers at all levels of practicing the medical profession in the Greek hospitals. Actually, taking into account the specialized needs of each department and each user, we shall only remain limited to the simple use of a computer or an EHR program, but we shall make all possible efforts to seek for those technologies that will bring a real change in the way we work and will yield the maximum benefits possible

The Canadian Society for Bioengineering La Société Canadienne de Génie Agroalimentaire et de Bioingénierie Isolating the effect of material properties in the wear of soil engaging tools

Abstract. The processes by which wear can occur on a tillage tool include abrasion, impact, fretting and chemical action. Of these, abrasion typically dominates but rarely do these processes act independently. It is because of the variable nature of wear in tillage settings and the number of factors which influence tool wear that prediction and comparison of wear performance are difficult. The application of discrete element modeling (DEM) may provide the opportunity to simulate wear conditions to allow accurate tool life prediction. The role of tool material in wear performance was isolated using a lab experiment while maintaining a typical soil-tool interaction from a practical field scenario. Changes in the profile of soil-engaging tools, as a function of distance travelled and material type, were explored. Cylindrical bars of 6061 aluminum and 1018 steel were pulled through a sandy soil under controlled and consistent operating conditions. Wear was documented using a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) capable of detecting differences in cylinder radius on the order of 0.001 mm. The purpose of this study was to create a set of data which could be used comparatively in further study of computer simulated wear. The wear rates and profiles of the different bars are presented and compared

The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety

A dverse drug events (ADEs) are common, costly, and harmful 1-7 and result from both incorrect (for example, ordering, dispensing, or administering errors) and correct (for example, toxicities) use of medications. Between 5% and 10% of adult hospitalizations may result from ADEs occurring in ambulatory settings; cardiovascular medications are implicated in more than 40% of such cases. 8 Toxicity-related ADEs are significant both for the direct harm they cause and the indirect effects they may have on medication compliance. In the case of statins, for example, while severe toxicity is rare, 9%-20% of patients may experience statin-related muscle side effects. 9 Patient concern over the potential harms associated with statin use is a significant predictor of noncompliance, which poses a threat to health, given the potential benefits of consistent use