A Library for Self-Adjusting Computation

We present a Standard ML library for writing programs that automatically adjust to changes to their data. The library combines modifiable references and memoization to achieve efficient updates. We describe an implementation of the library and apply it to the problem of maintaining the convex hull of a dynamically changing set of points. Our experiments show that the overhead of the library is small, and that self-adjusting programs can adjust to small changes three-orders of magnitude faster than recomputing from scratch. The implementation relies on invariants that could be enforced by a modal type system. We show, using an existing language, abstract interfaces for modifiable references and for memoization that ensure the same safety properties without the use of modal types. The interface for memoization, however, does not scale well, suggesting a language-based approach to be preferable after all.     

High frequency oscillation for preterm infants with severe respiratory failure

High frequency oscillation (HFO) as rescue treatment for preterm infants with severe respiratory failure has been assessed and prognostic factors identified. Thirty six infants with a median gestational age of 27 weeks were studied. Immediately before transfer to HFO, the infants were receiving an inspired oxygen concentration of > or = 85% and/or a mean airway pressure of > or = 12 cm H2O and had a median alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (A-aDO2) of 73.28 kPa (range 49.34-89.91). Seventeen infants subsequently died. Comparison of those 17 with the remaining 19 infants demonstrated that respiratory distress syndrome and persistent fetal circulation were associated with a significantly better outcome than pulmonary airleak. The A-aDO2 after two and six hours on HFO was significantly higher in those infants who survived compared with those who died. We conclude that a diagnosis of pulmonary airleak and failure to show early improvement in respiratory status indicate a poor prognosis when HFO is used as rescue treatment.     

Safety concerns and protective measures used by psychotherapists.

A nationwide anonymous survey of psychologists practicing psychotherapy was conducted to examine their concerns for their physical safety and that of their loved ones and the protective measures they used in response. Various factors related to these concerns and protective measures were examined, and a discussion of the implications of these findings was included. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Robox at Expo.02: A large-scale installation of personal robots

In this paper we present Robox, a mobile robot designed for operation in a mass exhibition and the experience we made with its installation at the Swiss National Exhibition Expo.02. Robox is a fully autonomous mobile platform with unique multi-modal interaction capabilities, a novel approach to global localization using multiple Gaussian hypotheses, and a powerful obstacle avoidance. Eleven Robox ran for 12 hours daily from May 15 to October 20, 2002, traveling more than 3315 km and interacting with 686,000 visitors.     

Effects of chronic haloperidol and intermittent cocaine administration on behavior elicited by apomorphine.

Relatively little is known about the behavioral or neurophysiological effects resulting from the concurrent administration of haloperidol and cocaine. To investigate this drug interaction the effects of chronic, daily administration of haloperidol, intermittent cocaine injections, or the combination of both drug treatments on locomotion and stereotypy elicited by apomorphine in rats (Rattus norvegicus) were compared. The results indicated that, in comparison to treatment with either drug alone, the combination of daily haloperidol and intermittent injections of cocaine produced unique behavioral effects. Rats coadministered both drugs exhibited significant increases in apomorphine-induced locomotion that were maintained throughout the 64 days following suspension of drug treatment. These results are discussed in terms of the possible neurophysiological mechanisms underlying the observed behavioral changes and are related to the consequences of psychostimulant abuse in human neuroleptic treated populations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of daylight saving time on lighting energy use: A literature review

The principal reason for introducing (and extending) daylight saving time (DST) was, and still is, projected energy savings, particularly for electric lighting. This paper presents a literature review concerning the effects of DST on energy use. Simple estimates suggest a reduction in national electricity use of around 0.5%, as a result of residential lighting reduction. Several studies have demonstrated effects of this size based on more complex simulations or on measured data. However, there are just as many studies that suggest no effect, and some studies suggest overall energy penalties, particularly if gasoline consumption is accounted for. There is general consensus that DST does contribute to an evening reduction in peak demand for electricity, though this may be offset by an increase in the morning. Nevertheless, the basic patterns of energy use, and the energy efficiency of buildings and equipment have changed since many of these studies were conducted. Therefore, we recommend that future energy policy decisions regarding changes to DST be preceded by high-quality research based on detailed analysis of prevailing energy use, and behaviours and systems that affect energy use. This would be timely, given the extension to DST underway in North America in 2007.     

"Cancer-related fatigue: A systematic and meta-analytic review of non-pharmacological therapies for cancer patients": Correction to Kangas, Bovbjerg, and Montgomery (2008).

Reports an error in "Cancer-related fatigue: A systematic and meta-analytic review of non-pharmacological therapies for cancer patients" by Maria Kangas, Dana H. Bovbjerg and Guy H. Montgomery (Psychological Bulletin, 2008[Sep], Vol 134[5], 700-741). The URL to the Supplemental Materials for the article is listed incorrectly in two places in the text. The incorrect listings appear on p. 704 (in the last two lines of the third paragraph) and on p. 705 (in the third and fourth lines of the first paragraph in the second column). The correct URL for the Supplemental Materials is http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0012825.supp, which is provided on the first page of the article beneath the abstract. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2008-11487-005.) Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a significant clinical problem for more than 10 million adults diagnosed with cancer each year worldwide. No "gold standard" treatment presently exists for CRF. To provide a guide for future research to improve the treatment of CRF, the authors conducted the most comprehensive combined systematic and meta-analytic review of the literature to date on non-pharmacological (psychosocial and exercise) interventions to ameliorate CRF and associated symptoms (vigor/vitality) in adults with cancer, based on 119 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT studies. Meta-analyses conducted on 57 RCTs indicated that exercise and psychological interventions provided reductions in CRF, with no significant differences between these 2 major types of interventions considered as a whole. Specifically, multimodal exercise and walking programs, restorative approaches, supportive-expressive, and cognitive-behavioral psychosocial interventions show promising potential for ameliorating CRF. The results also suggest that vigor and vitality are distinct phenomena from CRF with regard to responsiveness to intervention. With improved methodological approaches, further research in this area may soon provide clinicians with effective strategies for reducing CRF and enhancing the lives of millions of cancer patients and survivors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cancer-related fatigue: A systematic and meta-analytic review of non-pharmacological therapies for cancer patients.

[Correction Notice: An erratum for this article was reported in Vol 135(1) of Psychological Bulletin (see record 2008-18777-005). The URL to the Supplemental Materials for the article is listed incorrectly in two places in the text. The incorrect listings appear on p. 704 (in the last two lines of the third paragraph) and on p. 705 (in the third and fourth lines of the first paragraph in the second column). The correct URL for the Supplemental Materials is http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/a0012825.supp, which is provided on the first page of the article beneath the abstract.] Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a significant clinical problem for more than 10 million adults diagnosed with cancer each year worldwide. No "gold standard" treatment presently exists for CRF. To provide a guide for future research to improve the treatment of CRF, the authors conducted the most comprehensive combined systematic and meta-analytic review of the literature to date on non-pharmacological (psychosocial and exercise) interventions to ameliorate CRF and associated symptoms (vigor/vitality) in adults with cancer, based on 119 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT studies. Meta-analyses conducted on 57 RCTs indicated that exercise and psychological interventions provided reductions in CRF, with no significant differences between these 2 major types of interventions considered as a whole. Specifically, multimodal exercise and walking programs, restorative approaches, supportive-expressive, and cognitive-behavioral psychosocial interventions show promising potential for ameliorating CRF. The results also suggest that vigor and vitality are distinct phenomena from CRF with regard to responsiveness to intervention. With improved methodological approaches, further research in this area may soon provide clinicians with effective strategies for reducing CRF and enhancing the lives of millions of cancer patients and survivors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)