Readmission discount factors in program evaluation. An output value analysis of an adult psychiatry program

The application of output value analysis, a type of benefit/cost analysis, to a psychiatric patient population is reported. A method for discounting the value of the program if a patient was readmitted within a year after discharge was introduced. The application of this discount factor reduces the value produced by the program and thereby reduces both productivity and effectiveness indices. When applied to groups known to differ in readmission rates, such as first admissions and readmissions or voluntary and involuntary admissions, the discount factor can accentuate group differences markedly. When selected diagnostic groups were compared, the discount factor could even reverse the relative standing of the groups.     

Automatic particle detection through efficient Hough transforms

Manual selection of single particles in images acquired using cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) will become a significant bottleneck when a very large number of images are required to achieve three-dimensional reconstructions at near atomic resolution. Investigation of fast, accurate approaches for automatic particle detection has become one of the current challenges in the cryoEM community. At the same time, the investigation is hampered by the fact that few benchmark particles or image datasets exist in the community. The unavailability of such data makes it difficult to evaluate newly developed algorithms and to leverage expertise from other disciplines. The paper presents our recent contribution to this effort. It also describes our newly developed computational framework for particle detection, through the application of edge detection and a sequence of ordered Hough transforms. Experimental results using keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) as a model particle are very promising. In addition, it introduces a newly established web site, designed to support the investigation of automatic particle detection by providing an annotated image dataset of KLH available to the general scientific community.     

Examination of the mediational influences of peer norms, environmental influences, and parent communications on heavy drinking in athletes and nonathletes.

The present study used perspectives from the general literature on college alcohol consumption to examine mediational influences of peer, environmental, and parental variables on heavy drinking for student athlete and nonathlete samples. Eight hundred thirty-five freshmen who differed in organized sports involvement were compared on heavy drinking outcomes, peer norms, environmental influences, and parental communication. College athletes reported significantly more heavy drinking experiences than nonathletes. Peer norms, environmental influences, and parental communication were all significant mediators of the athlete-heavy drinking relationship. Athletes reported a higher perception of peer drinking, peer approval of drinking, higher alcohol availability, and direct drink offers, which, in turn, were related to higher rates of heavy drinking. Parental communication mediated the athlete-heavy drinking relationship differently, depending on the specific topic of conversation. Discussion surrounding the importance of incorporating a variety of interventions aimed at reducing collegiate athlete drinking on the basis of the peer, environmental, and parental influences observed in the present analyses are presented. Limitations and directions for future research are also noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Modelling of the spring-in phenomenon in curved parts made of a thermosetting composite

In this study, a simple two step finite element model is developed to predict the spring-in of C-sections parts made of AS4/8552 composite. The development of resin properties throughout the MRCC were derived using Group Interaction Modelling and the mechanical properties of the composite predicted by using micromechanical models. Important mechanisms during manufacturing that are effective in the formation of residual stresses and shape distortions are defined. The finite element method implemented is composed of two steps before and after the vitrification of the resin. Vitrification is treated as a point at which the material suddenly changes from the rubbery to glassy state with constant properties in each state. The spring-in angles predicted by the finite element analysis are compared to the angles measured on C-section specimens of various lay-ups and thicknesses. The correlation is good showing the validity of the assumptions adopted.     

按照最严格的环境法规进行生产

中国、韩国以及美国的部分州都有类似于欧洲RoHS指令的环境法规,这些法规之间存在很小的差别但这些差别却又是不容忽视的。之所以说重要是因为这些差别集中在豁免、报告、合格证明等关键的地方。各国或地区依据不同的环境法规,产生了不同的新规定,这使国际贸易情况变得更加复杂