Breuil-Kisin modules and Hopf orders in cyclic group rings

For $K$ an extension of $\mathbb{Q}_{p}$ with ring of integers $R$ we show how Breuil-Kisin modules can be used to determine Hopf orders in $K$-Hopf algebras of $p$-power dimension. We find all cyclic Breuil-Kisin modules, and use them to compute all of the Hopf orders in the group ring $K\Gamma$ where $\Gamma$ is cyclic of order $p$ or $p^{2}.$ We also give a Laurent series interpretation of the Breuil-Kisin modules that give these Hopf orders.Comment: 17 page

On the uniqueness of community banks

To the public, all banks seem alike. But banking insiders make important distinctions between community banks and all other banks. Policymakers worry that community banks’ unique characteristics threaten their survival in the face of industry consolidation. However, despite dramatic regulatory and technological changes in the industry in the past two decades, community banks have not only survived but often prospered. ; This article explores the differences between community banks and larger banks to discover what makes community banks unique. Large banks engage primarily in transactional banking—the provision of highly standardized intermediation services, such as gathering deposits and extending loans, that require little human input to manage. Community banks, in contrast, typically focus on relationship banking, which requires more human input, more detailed credit evaluation, and localized decision making. ; Examining profit and risk measures for the 1998–2002 period for both community banks and large banking organizations, the authors find evidence that small banks were generally profitable. In all but the smallest size category, community banks have performed as well as, and often better than, large banks in managing net interest margins, aggregate profits, and credit risk. Also, community banks are more likely to adopt Subchapter S tax status, which allows them to avoid direct federal income taxation and pass tax benefits on to shareholders. These institutions typically have relatively higher returns on both equity and assets than larger banks do. Whether community banks will be able to sustain this good performance will depend, the authors conclude, on how well managers find valuable relationship lending niches, invest bank capital, and balance asset quality with growth.Community banks

Using Neural Networks to Model Guitar Distortion

Guitar players have been modifying their guitar tone with audio effects ever since the mid-20th century. Traditionally, these effects have been achieved by passing a guitar signal through a series of electronic circuits which modify the signal to produce the desired audio effect. With advances in computer technology, audio “plugins” have been created to produce audio effects digitally through programming algorithms. More recently, machine learning researchers have been exploring the use of neural networks to produce audio effects that yield strikingly similar results to their analog counterparts. Recurrent Neural Networks and Temporal Convolutional Networks have proven to be exceptional at modeling audio effects such as overdrive, distortion, and compression. The goal of this research is to analyze the inner workings of these neural networks and how they can replicate audio effects to such a high caliber. Some of these networks will also be used to model a distortion effect and compare the results they yield with the original audio device modeled

Assessing Reasons for Involvement in Student Leadership Activities

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors that either prompt or prevent undergraduate student participation in leadership development activities. A survey including 35 items was created. The survey was rated by experts for construct validity. Based on expert ratings, 17 items were retained. Internal reliability of the items was .87. Both a factor analysis and a qualitative analysis of the items indicated a single factor for student involvement centered on personal development. An analysis of demographic variables indicated that students planning to attend graduate school were more favorable toward involvement in student leadership activities. Implications for improving participation in student leadership activities are discussed

Investigating the Use of Recurrent Neural Networks in Modeling Guitar Distortion Effects

Guitar players have been modifying their guitar tone with audio effects ever since the mid-20th century. Traditionally, these effects have been achieved by passing a guitar signal through a series of electronic circuits which modify the signal to produce the desired audio effect. With advances in computer technology, audio “plugins” have been created to produce audio effects digitally through programming algorithms. More recently, machine learning researchers have been exploring the use of neural networks to replicate and produce audio effects initially created by analog and digital effects units. Recurrent Neural Networks have proven to be exceptional at modeling audio effects such as overdrive, distortion, and compression. This research aims to analyze the inner workings of these neural networks and how they can replicate audio effects to such a high caliber. A Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) will also be used to model a distortion effect unit and compare the results they yield with the original audio device modeled

Design of an Eddy Current Probe for Cancer Detection

2014 Denman Undergraduate Research Forum Winner, Second Place in EngineeringSurgery is the main treatment option for solid tumors. Surgeons use palpation and sight to identify and remove these malignant tumors during surgery. Surgically excised tissue are marked only at a few locations for pathological analysis so that much less than 1% of the excised tissue is actually analyzed. Analysis of all removed tissue could enable surgeons to decide in real-time whether or not more surgical intervention is necessary. The overall goals of this research are (1) to develop a tool that surgeons can use to quantify the boundaries of tumors embedded in excised tissue, and (2) to provide an objective basis for determining in real-time whether or not any additional surgical intervention is necessary while the patient is still in the operating room (OR). Recent work at OSU has shown that eddy currents induced in tissue by a time-varying magnetic field can be used to distinguish between cancer-bearing and normal tissue. The objectives of this project are to design, construct, and optimize an eddy current detector for real-time detection of malignant solid tumor boundaries. The eddy current probe comprises two coaxial coils, the inner of which is the primary and the outer serves as the detector. Inter-layer effects are explored by removing a detector coil layer from a previous probe design and the effect of the probe’s intrinsic capacitance is explored by varying the insulation thickness of the probe wires. The probes are then characterized and evaluated using measurements on animal tissue. It is found that removing a layer of windings in the detector coil sharply reduces the detector coil’s inductance and voltage signal when measuring tissue. Furthermore it is found that the intrinsic probe capacitance due to wire insulation thickness also affects the detector signal, but to a lesser extent than removing a detector coil layer. Both the number of detector coil layers and intrinsic probe capacitance affect the ability of the eddy current probe to detect tissue and determine contrast between tissue types.A three-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Mechanical Engineerin

Meeting the burden of self-management : qualitative study investigating the empowering behaviors of patients and informal caregivers

Background: Patient empowerment is an important concept and a movement toward person-centered care of patients with chronic conditions. Nevertheless, to date, most research on empowered patients or informal caregivers has been conducted from a narrow clinical perspective. Such research has mainly focused on how health care professionals can empower patients to increase self-care or compliance with treatment. Research on empowered patient and informal caregiver needs and self-empowering activities is scarce. Objective: We aimed to explore empowering behaviors from a patient and informal caregiver perspective in the context of self-management and to understand how health care can support such behaviors better. Methods: We used an exploratory, qualitative study design. A total of 15 semistructured interviews and 6 focus group interviews were conducted with 48 patients and informal caregivers. We analyzed the interviews using thematic analysis and used a directed content analysis to analyze the focus group interviews. Results: A total of 14 patterns of empowering behaviors were identified that were characterized by several exploratory and influencing activities performed by the participants. The participants expressed a desire to be more active in their care than what is expected and supported by health care professionals. The participants also desired better support for activities imposed on them by health care professionals. Conclusions: To enable a transformation of the health care system to better support self-empowering behaviors, there is a need to develop self-management approaches from a patient and informal caregiver perspective.Vinnova, the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (grant 2017-01221)Forte, the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (grant 2016-07324 and grant 2018-01472)Publishe

From information seekers to innovators : qualitative analysis describing experiences of the second generation of e-patients

Background: Current health care systems are rarely designed to meet the needs of people living with chronic conditions. However, some patients and informal caregivers are not waiting for the health care system to redesign itself. These individuals are sometimes referred to as e-patients. The first generation of e-patients used the internet for finding information and for communicating with peers. Compared with the first generation, the second generation of e-patients collects their own health data and appears to be more innovative. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the second generation of e-patients through exploration of their active engagement in their self-care and health care. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 patients with chronic conditions and 5 informal caregivers. They were all recruited through a Web-based advertisement. Data were analyzed according to the framework analysis approach, using the 3 concepts of the self-determination theory-autonomy, relatedness, and competence-at the outset. Results: Study participants were actively engaged in influencing their self-care and the health care system to improve their own health, as well as the health of others. This occurred at different levels, such as using their own experience when giving presentations and lectures to health care professionals and medical students, working as professional peers in clinical settings, performing self-tracking, contributing with innovations, and being active on social media. When interaction with health care providers was perceived as being insufficient, the participants sought support through their peers, which showed strong relatedness. Competence increased through the use of technology and learning experiences with peers. Their autonomy was important but was sometimes described as involuntary and to give up was not an option for them. Conclusions: Like the first generation of e-patients, the participants frequently searched for Web-based information. However, the second generation of e-patients also produce their own health data, which they learn from and share. They also engage in the innovation of digital tools to meet health-related needs. Utilizing technological developments comes naturally to the second generation of e-patients, even if the health care system is not prepared to support them under these new circumstancesVinnova, the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (grant number 2017-01221)Publishe

Developing an Auditory and Visual Cross-Modal Continuous Performance Task for Evaluating Concussion

Neurocognitive tests like the SCAT3 and ImPACT have become standard concussion assessment tools. Although these tests have adequate sensitivity, specificity, and reliability, they are unimodal in nature. Consequently, the tests do not fully assess the range of processing that can be affected by concussion (Thompson, 2012). Therefore, we developed a cross-modal continuous performance task to examine cognitive processing post-concussion. Forty-three middle school school lacrosse players, college students, and physical therapy graduate students participated in the study. Twelve of these participants had been previously diagnosed with a concussion. Participants completed a symptom checklist from SCAT3 along with other demographic information (e.g., previously concussed, last concussion). They then completed the continuous performance task starting with visual detection followed by visual inhibition, auditory detection, and auditory inhibition. Older subjects were more accurate than younger subjects on the detection task (F(1, 84) = 20.61, p \u3c .001). Subjects were also more accurate on the visual task than the auditory task (F(1, 84) = 21.47, p \u3c .001). Both age (F(1, 84) = 5.65, p \u3c .02) and previous concussion (F(1, 84) = 4.49, p \u3c .04) interacted with test modality. College and graduate students who had previously been concussed performed the same as those who had not been concussed. However, middle schoolers who had been concussed did significantly worse on the auditory task than those who had not been concussed. Similarly, older subjects were more accurate than younger subjects on the inhibition task (F(1, 84) = 4.91, p \u3c .03). Older subjects were also significantly more accurate on the visual task than the middle schoolers (F(1, 84) = 5.33, p \u3c .03; Figure 2). However, no differences were found based on previous concussion