Maximum Matching via Maximal Matching Queries

We study approximation algorithms for Maximum Matching that are given access to the input graph solely via an edge-query maximal matching oracle. More specifically, in each round, an algorithm queries a set of potential edges and the oracle returns a maximal matching in the subgraph spanned by the query edges that are also contained in the input graph. This model is more general than the vertex-query model introduced by binti Khalil and Konrad [FSTTCS\u2720], where each query consists of a subset of vertices and the oracle returns a maximal matching in the subgraph of the input graph induced by the queried vertices. In this paper, we give tight bounds for deterministic edge-query algorithms for up to three rounds. In more detail: 1) As our main result, we give a deterministic 3-round edge-query algorithm with approximation factor 0.625 on bipartite graphs. This result establishes a separation between the edge-query and the vertex-query models since every deterministic 3-round vertex-query algorithm has an approximation factor of at most 0.6 [binti Khalil, Konrad, FSTTCS\u2720], even on bipartite graphs. Our algorithm can also be implemented in the semi-streaming model of computation in a straightforward manner and improves upon the state-of-the-art 3-pass 0.6111-approximation algorithm by Feldman and Szarf [APPROX\u2722] for bipartite graphs. 2) We show that the aforementioned algorithm is optimal in that every deterministic 3-round edge-query algorithm has an approximation factor of at most 0.625, even on bipartite graphs. 3) Last, we also give optimal bounds for one and two query rounds, where the best approximation factors achievable are 1/2 and 1/2 + ?(1/n), respectively, where n is the number of vertices in the input graph

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practices on antibiotic resistance among undergraduate medical students in the school of medicine at the University of Zambia

Background: The issue of antibiotic resistance has become a global public health concern, with an extensive clinical and economic burden. The study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of antibiotic resistance among undergraduate medical students at the University of Zambia.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the University of Zambia Ridgeway Campus. A structured questionnaire was administered to 260 randomly selected undergraduate medical students. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Associations between dependent and independent variables were done using a Chi-square test. The statistical significance was done at 95% confidence level (p<0.05). Ethical approval was done by the University of Zambia Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee.Results: The study found that 227 of 260 (87.3%) of the medical students had good knowledge on antibiotic use and resistance. The majority of the medical students 252 of 260 (96.9%) had positive attitudes and 195 of 260 (75%) had good practices towards antibiotic resistance. There was a significant difference between the year of study and the level of knowledge (χ2=16.333, p=0.003). There was no significant difference between the year of study and the attitude of the participants (χ2=4.061, p=0.398). A significant difference was found between the year of study and the practices of the respondents (χ2=10.926, p=0.027).Conclusions: The medical students had good knowledge, a positive attitude, and good practices towards antibiotic resistance. Final year students had higher levels of knowledge and attitude but lower levels of practice compared to other years of study

Malnutrition in community-dwelling older people: lessons learnt using a new procedure

This article reports the implementation of a new procedure for screening and treatment of malnutrition in a community NHS trust in England. The barriers and facilitators to implementation were assessed with staff from Integrated Community and Older People's Mental Health teams. Data from interviews and surveys were collected at baseline, 2 months after initial training and 16 months after initial training as well as following deployment of a nutrition lead to embed new developments for nutritional care. The adoption of the procedure made screening and treatment of malnutrition simpler and more likely to be actioned. The benefit of a nutrition lead and local nutrition champions to support and empower staff (avoiding reliance on training alone) was shown to drive change for nutritional care across the community. Prioritisation and commitment of leadership at the organisational level are needed to embed and sustain malnutrition screening and treatment in routine practice

Competency-based Outcomes Assessment for Agricultural Engineering Programs

The ABET 2000 criteria have provided the impetus for the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department at Iowa State University to re-structure the assessment of its undergraduate agricultural engineering program. We linked ABET student outcomes to validated work-place competencies with key actions that are measurable in academic and experiential education environments. Two tools are being used to assess competencies: an on-line assessment system and electronic portfolios developed by each student as a requirement for graduation. This paper discusses the overall philosophy of our assessment program, how the assessment tools are being implemented, and the implications for change in the curriculum

What factors promote or inhibit implementation of a new procedure for screening and treatment of malnutrition in community settings? A prospective process evaluation of the Implementing Nutrition Screening in Community Care for Older People (INSCCOPe) project (UK).

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition remains underdetected, undertreated and often overlooked by those working with older people in primary care in the UK. A new procedure for screening and treatment of malnutrition is currently being implemented by a large National Health Service (NHS) trust in England, incorporating a programme of training for staff working within Integrated Community Teams and Older People's Mental Health teams. Running in parallel, the Implementing Nutrition Screening in Community Care for Older People process evaluation study explores factors that may promote or inhibit its implementation and longer term embedding in routine care, with the aim of optimising sustainability and scalability. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Implementation will be assessed through observation of staff within a single area of the trust, in addition to the procedure development and delivery group (PDDG). Data collection will occur at three observation points: prior to implementation of training, baseline (T0); 2 months following training (T1); and 8 months following training (T2). Observation points will consist of a survey and follow-up semistructured telephone interview with staff. Investigation of the PDDG will involve: observations of discussions around development of the procedure; semistructured telephone interviews prior to implementation, and at 6 months following implementation. Quantitative data will be described using frequency tables reporting by team type, healthcare provider role group, and total study sample (Wilcoxon rank-sum and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests may also be conducted if appropriate. Audio and transcription data will be analysed using Nomarlization Process Theory as a framework for deductive thematic analysis (using the NVIVO CAQDAS software package). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for the study has been granted through institutional ethical review (Bournemouth University); NHS Research Ethics committee approval was not required. Dissemination will occur through presentations to academic and practitioner audiences and publication results in peer-reviewed academic journals

THEORY OF PHASE-LOCKING IN SMALL JOSEPHSON JUNCTION CELLS

Within the RSJ model, we performed a theoretical analysis of phase-locking in elementary strongly coupled Josephson junction cells. For this purpose, we developed a systematic method allowing the investigation of phase-locking in cells with small but non-vanishing loop inductance.The voltages across the junctions are found to be locked with very small phase difference for almost all values of external flux. However, the general behavior of phase-locking is found to be just contrary to that according to weak coupling. In case of strong coupling there is nearly no influence of external magnetic flux on the phases, but the locking-frequency becomes flux-dependent. The influence of parameter splitting is considered as well as the effect of small capacitive shunting of the junctions. Strongly coupled cells show synchronization even for large parameter splitting. Finally, a study of the behavior under external microwave radiation shows that the frequency locking-range becomes strongly flux-dependent, whereas the locking frequency itself turns out to be flux-independent.Comment: 26 pages, REVTEX, 9 PS figures appended in uuencoded form at the end, submitted to Phys. Rev. B