Measuring edge importance: a quantitative analysis of the stochastic shielding approximation for random processes on graphs

Mathematical models of cellular physiological mechanisms often involve random walks on graphs representing transitions within networks of functional states. Schmandt and Gal\'{a}n recently introduced a novel stochastic shielding approximation as a fast, accurate method for generating approximate sample paths from a finite state Markov process in which only a subset of states are observable. For example, in ion channel models, such as the Hodgkin-Huxley or other conductance based neural models, a nerve cell has a population of ion channels whose states comprise the nodes of a graph, only some of which allow a transmembrane current to pass. The stochastic shielding approximation consists of neglecting fluctuations in the dynamics associated with edges in the graph not directly affecting the observable states. We consider the problem of finding the optimal complexity reducing mapping from a stochastic process on a graph to an approximate process on a smaller sample space, as determined by the choice of a particular linear measurement functional on the graph. The partitioning of ion channel states into conducting versus nonconducting states provides a case in point. In addition to establishing that Schmandt and Gal\'{a}n's approximation is in fact optimal in a specific sense, we use recent results from random matrix theory to provide heuristic error estimates for the accuracy of the stochastic shielding approximation for an ensemble of random graphs. Moreover, we provide a novel quantitative measure of the contribution of individual transitions within the reaction graph to the accuracy of the approximate process.Comment: Added one reference, typos corrected in Equation 6 and Appendix C, added the assumption that the graph is irreducible to the main theorem (results unchanged

Lawyering for Justice and the Inevitability of International Human Rights Clinics

As globalization forces a deeper understanding of social and legal pluralism, law schools must respond by redesigning their curricula to meet the challenges of a transnational public order and legal practice. International human rights law, in particular, now must constitute a part of any legal training that is truly relevant to the contemporary world-especially in view of the new and multifarious human rights problems associated with globalization, many of which affect and concern each member of the global community no matter where the actual human rights violation occurs. Legal education institutions thus face a challenge of determining how such an ethic of global responsibility can most effectively be taught. This Article posits that, given the highly practical and fundamentally values-driven nature of human rights law, human rights education is greatly enhanced through an applied-that is, clinical-component. In this respect, human rights lawyering draws important parallels to the work of the traditional poverty law clinics of the 1970s and 1980s-and indeed can be considered a modern manifestation of the original social justice mission of those clinics. After a brief overview of the contours of human rights practice, this Article explores how human rights clinics are both part of this tradition of clinical legal education and, at the same time, different from conventional clinics. In making the case for increased reliance on the clinical model, it also examines how lecture and seminar courses are limited in their capacity to properly teach international human rights. It then proceeds to consider the structure and pedagogical goals of international human rights clinics and to discuss aspects of projects that are most meaningful for teaching human rights advocacy. Finally, the Article discusses some of the tensions and challenges inherent to human rights clinics that ultimately give them their pedagogical dynamism

Balancing an Academic Career in Mathematics with Motherhood and Life\u27s Other Passions

I became a mother while a postdoctoral fellow, and solved my two-body problem shortly thereafter becoming a tenure-track professor in mathematics and statistics. My plan to have a second child came with an unexpected bonus: I had identical twin girls, and this happened during my second year on the tenure-track. Finding anything resembling a work-life balance has been extremely challenging since then. Many days I struggle just to cover the basics at work and home, let alone finding time for other passions in life --- in my case, dance has been my creative outlet since childhood and an essential part of my life. In this article, I describe my unique experiences in learning to balance these three parts of my life (career, family, dance) and share thoughts on common challenges and strategies for success I believe will resonate with other academic mothers in mathematics

Crack as a moral panic: The racial implications inherent to crack and powder cocaine sentencing

This thesis explores the nature and extent of the print media\u27s coverage of crack cocaine to determine whether a moral panic ensued during the late 1980\u27s. A content analysis was conducted on the Los Angeles Times from 1985 to 1990, examining both the nature and extent of the Los Angeles Times\u27 coverage of crack cocaine as well as the relationship between this drug and its association with Blacks. The findings of the content analysis provided support for the hypothesis that a moral panic did in fact take place in the late 1980s with respect to crack cocaine. Further, that this panic was brought about, in part by particularly high profile events covered extensively in the media, as well as the intense scrutiny afforded this subject by legislators and the President of the United States during that period of time

An Evidence-Based Practice Assessment and Quality Improvement Initiative in Idaho\u27s Critical Access Hospitals

Background: Health care providers and systems have been challenged to discard tradition-based care and outdated practices in lieu of evidence-based practice (EBP). Yet, little is known about the state of EBP, barriers and facilitators to EBP, and organizational readiness for EBP in Idaho’s Critical Access Hospitals (CAH). To affect positive change, it was necessary to understand whether providers in Idaho’s CAHs were using evidence as a foundation for practice—and, if not, what challenges existed in implementing EBP. Mitigating barriers and providing EBP education by way of webinar-based online technology has been proven to be practical and feasible. Providing EBP education, employing EBP tools and techniques, and implementing an evidence-based QI initiative will bridge the gap between knowledge and practice to improve health outcomes Project Design: The aim of this project was to determine whether providers in Idaho’s CAH were using evidence as a foundation for practice. Nurse Executives (NE) from CAHs in the Northern region of Idaho answered questions about the state of evidence-based practice. One CAH volunteered to participate in an EBP continuing education program and complete a quality improvement initiative. Pre- and post-education intervention surveys were administered to measure the outcomes of this EBP continuing education program. Results: The results of the NE needs assessment indicated NEs were familiar with EBP and were willing to participate in this project. Nurse executives reported they and their staffs wanted to learn more about EBP, they were interested in participating in an online modular EBP continuing education program, and they were willing to allocate a moderate amount of education dollars to fund this program. Additionally, they were engaged in EBP activities and interested in implementing EBP to address a specific quality issue in his or her organization. However, not all NEs were able to allocate education funds for clinicians to complete the 13-hour program or implement an interdisciplinary quality improvement initiative. The resulting hybrid modular EBP continuing education program was effective in improving mean scores for EBP competency, EBP beliefs, and EBP knowledge. After five months, mean scores demonstrated additional improvements in EBP competency, EBP beliefs, and EBP implementation. Recommendations and Conclusions: Evidence-based practice improves patient care and quality outcomes. However, barriers exist and removing them can be a challenge for small and rural hospitals. The findings from this EBP assessment and quality improvement initiative demonstrate using an EBP nurse mentor to implement a hybrid modular EBP continuing education program is practical, feasible, and effective. With ongoing support from an EBP nurse mentor, interdisciplinary teams can employ EBP tools, processes, and resources to implement evidence-based quality improvement initiatives to improve patient outcomes. It is recommended this project be replicated in other CAHs in Idaho in partnership with Ohio State University’s Center for Transdisciplinary Evidence-Based Practice

IN VITRO EVALUATION OF ANTIOXIDANT-MEDIATED APOPTOSIS ON CANCER CELLS AND NON-TOXICITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA RETZ AND PYROGALLOL

Objective: Antioxidants are very important for human health, and hence, external supplementation is recommended to protect cells from the deleterious effects of excessive reactive oxygen species conditions that are capable of causing direct damage to deoxyribonuclieic acid (DNA) which might lead to the cause of cancer. In our research work, we have aimed to evaluate the antioxidant potential of Terminalia chebula and pyrogallol to relate to its apoptotic nature as well as prove its non-toxicity.Methods: Investigations were carried out to determine the antioxidant activity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and lipid peroxidation inhibition assay of the ethanolic extract of T. chebula and pyrogallol. The apoptotic nature of tumor cells was determined by comet assay. To prove the non-toxicity of the extract as well as compound, the hemolysis assay was carried out.Results: The results of our study established the antioxidant potential of the plant which may serve as additional evidence for the antiproliferative activity of the plant. It is considered safe for human use.Conclusion: Plant-based traditional medicine system continues to play an essential role in health care. The ethanolic extract of T. chebula and pyrogallol possesses antioxidant and anticancer properties

Contraceptive considerations for breastfeeding women within Jewish law

Breast milk has been shown to have multiple benefits to infant health and development. Therefore, it is important that maternal contraceptive choices consider the effects on lactation. Women who observe traditional Jewish law, halakha, have additional considerations in deciding the order of preference of contraceptive methods due to religious concerns including the use of barrier and spermicidal methods. In addition, uterine bleeding, a common side effect of hormonal methods and IUD, can have a major impact on the quality of intimacy and marital life due to the laws of niddah. This body of Jewish laws prohibits any physical contact from the onset of uterine bleeding until its cessation and for an additional week. Health care professionals should understand the issues of Jewish law involved in modern contraceptive methods in order to work in tandem with the halakha observant woman to choose a contraceptive method that preserves the important breastfeeding relationship with her infant and minimizes a negative impact on intimacy with her husband

The foreclosure crisis in 2008: predatory lending or household overreaching?

At least early in the financial crisis, the high rate of foreclosures seemed to be due more to households' overreaching than to predatory lending. A disproportionate number of those being foreclosed on were well-educated, well-off and relatively young people.Foreclosure ; Mortgage loans ; Housing - Finance