Predicting the effectiveness of commute reduction plans using neural networks

Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (p. 26-27).Commute trip reduction plans are being implemented at an increasing number of worksites. In order to be able to structure the most effective plan for a specific worksite, it is necessary to understand the factors that determine commuter response to company incentives to change commuting habits. This study compares the predictive ability of neural networks compared to linear regression models in calculating the change in vehicle trip rate (VTR) at a given worksite over a year long travel plan period. Using a Los Angeles area dataset (n = 3439), linear regression and neural network models were constructed and optimized using input variables including worksite incentives, business type and number of years of incentives at the worksite. Significant differences(p=0.006, 0.007) in program effectiveness were discovered between the results of local authority worksites ([delta]VTR = -1.495) and both businesses ([delta]VTR = -0.986) and hospitals ([delta]VTR = -0.728). It was determined that the neural network (R² = 0.229) performed better than the linear regression models (R² = 0.038) when evaluated by R², representing an improvement of 0.014 on previous models.(cont.) However, when measuring the ability of the models to predict within a certain interval around the output the linear regression models outperformed the neural network model by a factor of 35 percentage points. The lack of strong linear correlations between the inputs and the outputs of these models suggests that the most significant factors in creating successful transportation demand management programs are not currently being tracked. Given the statistically significant superior performance at local authority worksites it is suggested that more worksite demographics are tracked.by Monica R. Rush.S.B

Creative thinking in engineering education : lessons from students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Thesis (S.M. in Technology and Policy)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program, 2009.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (p. 80-83).Engineers have deemed creative thinking a necessary skill in their line of work, and ABET, the accreditation board for engineering schools, can evaluate a program based on how it attempts to teach it in its courses. And yet, many students and professors feel that creative thinking is a skill often overlooked by the traditional engineering curriculum. This thesis investigates student acquisition of creative thinking skills in four engineering design courses taught under the Mechanical Engineering and the Aeronautics/Astronautics Departments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Quantitative research methods (surveys, assessments) and qualitative methods (interviews, focus groups) are combined to identify factors that influence student creativity in the classroom and retention and use of creative thinking skills beyond the classroom. Student reflections are used to tie theories of creativity with educational theory on student learning. Common themes discussed by students in relation to creativity include the interactive lecture and lab environments, the involvement of the professors and confidence and hands-on practice. Data shows the relationship between perceptions of team creativity and individual creative development. Recommendations on course structure and supportive institutional policies encouraging creative classroom environments are made based on the experiences of the students and teaching staff of these courses.by Monica R. Rush.S.M.in Technology and Polic

U.S. response to an Oil Import Disruption Role of the Federal Government in Light Duty Vehicle Transportation

This report analyzes technological and policy options for the U.S. federal government response within the light duty vehicle (LDV) sector in the event of a 5 year sustained U.S. oil import curtailment of 5 MMB/D and a global supply disruption of roughly 18 MMB/D. The cause of the oil disruption is damage to the oil production infrastructure in the Middle East; therefore, it is public knowledge that the disruption will be sustained

Adenovirus E4orf4 Induces HPV-16 Late L1 mRNA Production

The adenovirus E4orf4 protein regulates the switch from early to late gene expression during the adenoviral replication cycle. Here we report that overexpression of adenovirus E4orf4 induces human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) late gene expression from subgenomic expression plasmids. E4orf4 specifically overcomes the negative effects of two splicing silencers at the two late HPV-16 splice sites SD3632 and SA5639. This results in the production of HPV-16 spliced L1 mRNAs. We show that the interaction of E4orf4 with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is necessary for induction of HPV-16 late gene expression. Also an E4orf4 mutant that fails to bind the cellular splicing factor ASF/SF2 fails to induce L1 mRNA production. Collectively, these results suggest that dephosphorylation of SR proteins by E4orf4 activates HPV-16 late gene expression. Indeed, a mutant ASF/SF2 protein in which the RS-domain had been deleted could itself induce HPV-16 late gene expression, whereas wild type ASF/SF2 could not

Cerebellar c9RAN proteins associate with clinical and neuropathological characteristics of C9ORF72 repeat expansion carriers.

Clinical and neuropathological characteristics associated with G4C2 repeat expansions in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9ORF72), the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia, are highly variable. To gain insight on the molecular basis for the heterogeneity among C9ORF72 mutation carriers, we evaluated associations between features of disease and levels of two abundantly expressed "c9RAN proteins" produced by repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation of the expanded repeat. For these studies, we took a departure from traditional immunohistochemical approaches and instead employed immunoassays to quantitatively measure poly(GP) and poly(GA) levels in cerebellum, frontal cortex, motor cortex, and/or hippocampus from 55 C9ORF72 mutation carriers [12 patients with ALS, 24 with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and 19 with FTLD with motor neuron disease (FTLD-MND)]. We additionally investigated associations between levels of poly(GP) or poly(GA) and cognitive impairment in 15 C9ORF72 ALS patients for whom neuropsychological data were available. Among the neuroanatomical regions investigated, poly(GP) levels were highest in the cerebellum. In this same region, associations between poly(GP) and both neuropathological and clinical features were detected. Specifically, cerebellar poly(GP) levels were significantly lower in patients with ALS compared to patients with FTLD or FTLD-MND. Furthermore, cerebellar poly(GP) associated with cognitive score in our cohort of 15 patients. In the cerebellum, poly(GA) levels similarly trended lower in the ALS subgroup compared to FTLD or FTLD-MND subgroups, but no association between cerebellar poly(GA) and cognitive score was detected. Both cerebellar poly(GP) and poly(GA) associated with C9ORF72 variant 3 mRNA expression, but not variant 1 expression, repeat size, disease onset, or survival after onset. Overall, these data indicate that cerebellar abnormalities, as evidenced by poly(GP) accumulation, associate with neuropathological and clinical phenotypes, in particular cognitive impairment, of C9ORF72 mutation carriers

New graduate nurse transition programs: Relationships with bullying and access to support

New graduate nurses are often targets of bullying and horizontal violence. The support offered by new graduate nurse transition programs may moderate the effects of bullying and limit its negative impact on new graduate nurse transition. This study examined the relationships between access to support, workplace bullying and new graduate nurse transition within the context of new graduate transition programs. As part of a mixed methods study, an online survey was administered to new graduates (N = 245) approximately a year from starting employment. Bullied new graduate nurses were less able to access support when needed and had poorer transition experiences than their non-bullied peers. Participation in a formal transition program improved access to support and transition for bullied new graduate nurses. People supports within transition programs positively influenced the new graduate nurse transition experience. Formal transition programs provide support that attenuates the impact of bullying on new graduate nurses and improves transition.Health and Social Development, Faculty of (Okanagan)Library, UBCNursing, School of (Okanagan)ReviewedFacult

Depression in Patients with Diabetes: Does It Impact Clinical Goals?

Introduction: To examine whether depressive symptoms are associated with achievement of recommended goals for control of glucose, lipids, and blood pressure among patients with diabetes. Methods: We used a prospective cohort study of 1223 adults with diabetes that obtained self-reported depression symptoms from a survey. Medication use was obtained from claims data, and pharmacy and clinical data were obtained by manual review of paper medical records. Results: Diabetes patients with depression symptoms were less likely to be at their glucose goal (43% vs 50%; P = .0176) but more likely to be at their blood pressure goal (57% vs 51%; P = .0435). The association between lipids and depression symptoms was related to a lower rate for low-density lipoprotein testing (56% vs 68%; P \u3c .0001). Treatment with antidepressants resulted in a greater percentage achieving glucose and blood pressure goals but not lipid goals. Conclusions: Depression seems to have a variable impact on achieving these clinical goals, perhaps because the goals have differing measurement logistics and biological profiles. Further research is needed to learn whether better treatment of depressive symptoms leads to improvements in meeting diabetes clinical goals

The Helpfulness and Timing of Transition Program Education

The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between transition program education and new graduate nurse transition. Although new graduates preferred hands-on learning, the helpfulness of workshops was associated with better transition. New graduates, many of whom were from the Millennial Generation, liked a variety of educational modalities. Access to support was better for nurse graduates who received education delivered throughout the first year of transition.Health and Social Development, Faculty of (Okanagan)Nursing, School of (Okanagan)Library, UBCReviewedFacult