Real-time detection of grid bulk transfer traffic

The current practice of physical science research has yielded a continuously growing demand for interconnection network bandwidth to support the sharing of large datasets. Academic research networks and internet service providers have provisioned their networks to handle this type of load, which generates prolonged, high-volume traffic between nodes on the network. Maintenance of QoS for all network users demands that the onset of these (Grid bulk) transfers be detected to enable them to be reengineered through resources specifically provisioned to handle this type of traffic. This paper describes a real-time detector that operates at full-line-rate on Gb/s links, operates at high connection rates, and can track the use of ephemeral or non-standard ports

"Nice" Rational Functions

We consider simple rational functions $R_{mn}(x)=P_m(x)/Q_n(x)$, with $P_m$ and $Q_n$ polynomials of degree $m$ and $n$ respectively. We look for "nice" functions, which we define to be ones where as many as possible of the roots, poles, critical points and (possibly) points of inflexion are integer or, at worst, rational

Economics of tandem mass spectrometry screening of neonatal inherited disorders

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of neonatal screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and medium-chain acyl-coA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency using tandem mass spectrometry (tandem MS). Methods: A systematic review of clinical efficacy evidence and cost-effectiveness modeling of screening in newborn infants within a UK National Health Service perspective was performed. Marginal costs, life-years gained, and cost-effectiveness acceptability curves are presented. Results: Substituting the use of tandem MS for existing technologies for the screening of PKU increases costs with no increase in health outcomes. However, the addition of screening for MCAD deficiency as part of a neonatal screening program for PKU using tandem MS, with an operational range of 50,000 to 60,000 specimens per system per year, would result in a mean incremental cost of −£17,298 (−£129,174, £66,434) for each cohort of 100,000 neonates screened. This cost saving is associated with a mean incremental gain of 57.3 (28.0, 91.4) life-years. Conclusions: Cost-effectiveness analysis using economic modeling indicates that substituting the use of tandem MS for existing technologies for the screening of PKU alone is not economically justified. However, the addition of screening for MCAD deficiency as part of a neonatal screening program for PKU using tandem MS would be economically attractive

Newborn screening using tandem mass spectrometry: A systematic review

Objectives: To evaluate the evidence for the clinical effectiveness of neonatal screening for phenylketonuria (PKU) and medium-chain acyl-coA dehydrogenase (MCAD) deficiency using tandem mass spectrometry (tandem MS). Study design: Systematic review of published research. Data sources: Studies were identified by searching 12 electronic bibliographic databases; conference proceedings and experts consulted. Results: Six studies were selected for inclusion in the review. The evidence of neonatal screening for PKU and MCAD deficiency using tandem MS was primarily from observational data of large-scale prospective newborn screening programmes and systematic screening studies from Australia, Germany and the USA. Tandem MS based newborn screening of dried blood spots for PKU and/or MCAD deficiency was shown to be highly sensitive (>93.220%) and highly specific (>99.971%). The false positive rate for PKU screening was less than 0.046% and for MCAD deficiency the false positive rate was less than 0.023%. The positive predictive values ranged from 20 to 32% and 19 to 100%, respectively. Conclusions: This review suggests that neonatal screening of dried blood spots using a single analytical technique (tandem MS) is highly sensitive and specific for detecting cases of PKU and MCAD deficiency, and provides a basis for modelling of the clinical benefits and potential costeffectiveness

Choice and judgement in developing models for health technology assessment; a qualitative study

Introduction: The role of models in supporting health policy decisions is reliant on model credibility. Credibility is fundamentally determined by the choices and judgements that people make in the process of developing a model. However, the method of uncovering choices and making judgements in model development is largely unreported and is not addressed by modelling methods guidance. Methods: This qualitative study was part of a project examining errors in health technology assessment models. In-depth interviews with academic and commercial modellers were used to obtain descriptions of the model development process. Data were analysed using framework analysis and interpreted in the context of the methodological literature. Results: The activities involved in developing models were characterised according to the themes; understanding the decision problem, conceptual modelling, model implementation, model checking, and engaging with the decision maker. Finding and using evidence was frequently mentioned across these themes. There was marked variation between practitioners in the extent to which conceptual modelling was recognised as an activity distinct from model implementation. Discussion: Methodological approaches to addressing model credibility described in the wider modelling literature highlight the necessity to disentangle the conceptual modelling and implementation activities. Whilst interviewees talked of judgements and choice making throughout model development, discussion indicated that these were based upon skills and experience with no discussion of formal approaches. Methods are required that provide for a systematic approach to uncovering choices, to generating a shared view of consensus and divergence, and for making judgements and choices in model development

How do individuals value health states? A qualitative investigation.

Despite the importance of health state values in informing resource allocation in health care, there is arguably little known about how individuals value health. Previous studies have shown that a variety of non-health factors and beliefs are important in valuing health, but there is less evidence in the literature about how individuals' beliefs affect their preferences or what role non-health factors play in the process of forming preferences. This study investigated the thought processes of 21 U.K. based participants in March 2013 who valued health states using semi-structured interviews and a think-aloud protocol, with the aim to better understand the relationship between health states, the individual's underlying beliefs, and the individual's preferences. Participants followed several stages in valuing health. First, participants interpreted the health states more concretely, relying on their imagination and their experience of ill health. Participants judged how the concrete health problems combined with their personal interests, circumstances, and environment would affect them personally. Ultimately, participants valued health by estimating and weighing the non-health consequences of the health states. Six consequences were most frequently mentioned: activities, enjoyment, independence, relationships, dignity, and avoiding being a burden. At each stage participants encountered difficulties and expressed concerns. The findings have implications for methods of describing health, for example, whether the focus should be on health or a broader notion of well-being and capability. This is because the consequences are similar to the domains of broader measures such as the ICECAP measures for adults and older people, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale. The findings suggest the need for testing whether individuals are informed about the health states they are valuing. Participants valued health by estimating the non-health consequences of health states and these estimates relied on individuals' beliefs about the interaction of the health state and their personal and social circumstances

A Novel Document Generation Process for Topic Detection based on Hierarchical Latent Tree Models

We propose a novel document generation process based on hierarchical latent tree models (HLTMs) learned from data. An HLTM has a layer of observed word variables at the bottom and multiple layers of latent variables on top. For each document, we first sample values for the latent variables layer by layer via logic sampling, then draw relative frequencies for the words conditioned on the values of the latent variables, and finally generate words for the document using the relative word frequencies. The motivation for the work is to take word counts into consideration with HLTMs. In comparison with LDA-based hierarchical document generation processes, the new process achieves drastically better model fit with much fewer parameters. It also yields more meaningful topics and topic hierarchies. It is the new state-of-the-art for the hierarchical topic detection

A Sacred Responsibility: Governing the Use of Water and Related Resources in the International Columbia Basin Through the Prism of Tribes and First Nations

In the fall of 2012, leaders from Columbia Basin First Nations and tribes participated, along with about 150 other people, in the 4th transboundary symposium convened by the Universities Consortium on Columbia River Governance. Gathered on the shores of Flathead Lake in Polson, Montana, the participants explored the interests, rights, roles, and responsibilities of indigenous people in the international Columbia River Basin. This symposium generated two notable outcomes: first, The Columbia River Basin: A Sense of the Future—a synthesis of interests and concerns with regard to the future of the transboundary river basin as captured by the Universities Consortium during four symposia and related research initiatives; and second, a commitment from indigenous people to continue exploring their role in the governance of the international Columbia Basin. Following the symposium, members of the Universities Consortium continued to work with the Columbia Basin tribes and First Nations to frame an appropriate set of objectives to guide this applied research and report. After an exchange of memorandum and the creation of a steering committee, the Steering Committee agreed to a number of objectives

Editor\u27s Introduction and Acknowledgments

An introduction to the journal Research in Outdoor Education, volume 7 is presented by the authors on behalf of the Coalition for Education in the Outdoors (CEO) Research Committee