Classifying LEP Data with Support Vector Algorithms

We have studied the application of different classification algorithms in the analysis of simulated high energy physics data. Whereas Neural Network algorithms have become a standard tool for data analysis, the performance of other classifiers such as Support Vector Machines has not yet been tested in this environment. We chose two different problems to compare the performance of a Support Vector Machine and a Neural Net trained with back-propagation: tagging events of the type e+e- -> ccbar and the identification of muons produced in multihadronic e+e- annihilation events.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, submitted to proceedings of AIHENP99, Crete, April 199

Observation of opto-mechanical multistability in a high Q torsion balance oscillator

We observe the opto-mechanical multistability of a macroscopic torsion balance oscillator. The torsion oscillator forms the moving mirror of a hemi-spherical laser light cavity. When a laser beam is coupled into this cavity, the radiation pressure force of the intra-cavity beam adds to the torsion wire's restoring force, forming an opto-mechanical potential. In the absence of optical damping, up to 23 stable trapping regions were observed due to local light potential minima over a range of 4 micrometer oscillator displacement. Each of these trapping positions exhibits optical spring properties. Hysteresis behavior between neighboring trapping positions is also observed. We discuss the prospect of observing opto-mechanical stochastic resonance, aiming at enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in gravity experiments.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Serum procalcitonin for discrimination of blood contamination from bloodstream infection due to coagulase-negative staphylococci

The diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) to distinguish blood contamination from bloodstream infection (BSI) due to coagulase-negative staphylococci was evaluated. Patients with BSI had higher PCT concentration than those with blood contamination at day -1, day 0 and day +1 with regard to blood culture collection (p > 0.05), whereas serum C-reactive protein values were significantly higher only on day +1. At a cutoff of 0.1 ng/dl, PCT had a sensitivity of 86% and 100%, and a specificity of 60% and 80% for the diagnosis of BSI on day -1 and 0, respectively. In addition to clinical and microbiological parameters, PCT may help discriminating blood contamination from BSI due coagulase-negative staphylococci

Serum Procalcitonin for Discrimination of Blood Contamination from Bloodstream Infection due to Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci

Abstract : The diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin (PCT) to distinguish blood contamination from bloodstream infection (BSI) due to coagulase-negative staphylococci was evaluated. Patients with BSI had higher PCT concentration than those with blood contamination at day -1, day 0 and day +1 with regard to blood culture collection (p < 0.05), whereas serum C-reactive protein values were significantly higher only on day +1. At a cutoff of 0.1 ng/dl, PCT had a sensitivity of 86% and 100%, and a specificity of 60% and 80% for the diagnosis of BSI on day -1 and 0, respectively. In addition to clinical and microbiological parameters, PCT may help discriminating blood contamination from BSI due coagulase-negative staphylococc

Senior Executives’ Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Psychological Well-being: Is It Different at the Top?

Senior executives’ decisions can have a substantial impact on their own lives, their families, their organizations’ workers and employees, and society. This quantitative study (1) investigated the relationship between basic psychological need satisfaction (BPNS) at work and psychological well-being (PWB) in 142 senior executives as antecedent of their decision making and (2) compared the results to two other managerial level samples of 260 managers and 445 employees. The results have implications for theory and practice. Our findings contribute the new theoretical perspectives of differences in the relationship between BPNS at work and PWB by managerial level and senior executives’ gender (“complementarity effect”). In turn, our research provides evidence for practical organizational applications such as the design and implementation of effective human resource development programs based on BPNS. Our findings further underscore the importance of senior executive psychology as a field of academic inquiry and provide directions for future research focused on further improving senior executives’ optimal functioning