Inductive Explorations of Information Space Geography

Traditional approaches to mapping information space derive the space\u27s coordinate system from the postulates of a theory pertaining to the objective characteristics of the space. Examples of such approaches can be found in Dömel (1994), Girardin (1995), Hauck (1996) or Nielsen (1995). A good overview of these approaches is provided by Skupin (1998). Notwithstanding the usefulness of these approaches, especially for purposes of mapping the contents of information spaces, one could question the validity of the chosen coordinate system. Alternatively, one might try to inductively infer the coordinate system from navigational data generated by those traversing the space while in search of information. Unlike the traditional and normative approaches, such an inductive approach would result in the mapping of the information space as it is used rather than as it is defined. For information spaces implemented on the world-wide web, the navigational data for such an inductive approach exist in the transaction logs kept by the server through which the information is served

Organizational Information Technology Norms and IT Quality

Belief systems, long recognized as a key component of managerial control, play an important role in IT success. Organizational beliefs (norms) favoring commitment to improvement and a risk/control perspective have been intentionally embedded in IT governance tools such as COBIT and ITIL. This study explores the connection between these norms and IT quality, developing and testing survey items to assess norm adoption. Both Regression and structured equation modeling results show statistically significant relationships between norm adoption, participation in normal driven activities, and organizational IT quality. Assessing norm adoption may especially help small organizations better assess, manage, and govern information syste

Estimation and Visualization of Digital Library Content Similarities

We present a semantic similarity-based recommender service. Our experimental application and validation domain consists of K-12 engineering learning resources. Given a learning resource, we must determine which educational standards it addresses and vice versa, find resources that align with a given standard. One approach to this problem suggests transitively inferring standard alignment from the semantic similarity of other, previously aligned resources. We investigate a bigram-based similarity estimator and a Sammon map-based user interface for visualizing the resulting similarity space. Validation was performed using resources in TeachEngineering.org, a K-12 STEM digital library. Target classifications were derived from author-generated tables of content for these resources. Testing shows good performance of the similarity measure, both in its correspondence to the collection’s table of contents and in the form of a two-dimensional Sammon map. The results provide evidence for the feasibility and practicality of using automated similarity measures in standards alignment and similar problems

The Skill Assumption -Over-Reliance on Perception Skills in Hazard Assessment

In the analysis of human performance and human error, considerable attention is given to the cognitive processes of actors involved in error or success scenarios. Even with awareness of hindsight bias, it takes effort to understand the actions of agents in later inspection of error scenarios. One such topic of heated discussion was the perceived poor performance of pilots in the two 737 MAX MCAS-related crashes in applying the “memory item” checklist pertaining to a runaway trim. In this paper, we argue that it is not so much the reproduction of the checklist that was lacking in these scenarios, but the trigger for even starting the checklist. Not only trim run-away problems, but several other issues likewise require an instant reaction from pilots, designated as “memory items”. Rasmussen’s simplifed schematic for the “skill, rule and knowledge” taxonomy already provides the tools for properly analyzing this. The skill to provide the triggers for these reactions relies on pattern extraction from the available sensory input, and, importantly, it can only be learned in a valid training context. It is argued that re-appraisal of these items is needed, addressing explicitly the validity of the training environments that enable pilots to learn the required pattern recognition skills

Metal detector by the principle phasemeter

Рассмотрен новый способ обработки сигнала металлоискателя, основанный на измерениях фазы разностного сигнала. Определены преимущества над разработанными металлоискателями имеющих фазометрическую схему. Изучена зависимость фазы разностного сигнала от амплитуды входных сигналов и разности их фаз. Проведен анализ чувствительностей к разности амплитуд входных сигналов и разности фаз. Установлено, что данный металлоискатель обладает большей чувствительности по сравнению с известными разработками и способен детектировать металл при малейшем изменении выходного сигнала первичного преобразователя. Разработана структурная схема для предлагаемого металлоискателя и приведено описание принципа работы

Differentiation of COVID-19 signs and symptoms from allergic rhinitis and common cold : An ARIA-EAACI-GA(2)LEN consensus

Background Although there are many asymptomatic patients, one of the problems of COVID-19 is early recognition of the disease. COVID-19 symptoms are polymorphic and may include upper respiratory symptoms. However, COVID-19 symptoms may be mistaken with the common cold or allergic rhinitis. An ARIA-EAACI study group attempted to differentiate upper respiratory symptoms between the three diseases. Methods A modified Delphi process was used. The ARIA members who were seeing COVID-19 patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire on the upper airway symptoms of COVID-19, common cold and allergic rhinitis. Results Among the 192 ARIA members who were invited to respond to the questionnaire, 89 responded and 87 questionnaires were analysed. The consensus was then reported. A two-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in the symptom intensity between the three diseases (p < .001). Conclusions This modified Delphi approach enabled the differentiation of upper respiratory symptoms between COVID-19, the common cold and allergic rhinitis. An electronic algorithm will be devised using the questionnaire.Peer reviewe

Prospective individual patient data meta-analysis of two randomized trials on convalescent plasma for COVID-19 outpatients

Data on convalescent plasma (CP) treatment in COVID-19 outpatients are scarce. We aimed to assess whether CP administered during the first week of symptoms reduced the disease progression or risk of hospitalization of outpatients. Two multicenter, double-blind randomized trials (NCT04621123, NCT04589949) were merged with data pooling starting when = 50 years and symptomatic for <= 7days were included. The intervention consisted of 200-300mL of CP with a predefined minimum level of antibodies. Primary endpoints were a 5-point disease severity scale and a composite of hospitalization or death by 28 days. Amongst the 797 patients included, 390 received CP and 392 placebo; they had a median age of 58 years, 1 comorbidity, 5 days symptoms and 93% had negative IgG antibody-test. Seventy-four patients were hospitalized, 6 required mechanical ventilation and 3 died. The odds ratio (OR) of CP for improved disease severity scale was 0.936 (credible interval (CI) 0.667-1.311); OR for hospitalization or death was 0.919 (CI 0.592-1.416). CP effect on hospital admission or death was largest in patients with <= 5 days of symptoms (OR 0.658, 95%CI 0.394-1.085). CP did not decrease the time to full symptom resolution

ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.Peer reviewe

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity