Implementation of novel methods of global and nonsmooth optimization : GANSO programming library

We discuss the implementation of a number of modern methods of global and nonsmooth continuous optimization, based on the ideas of Rubinov, in a programming library GANSO. GANSO implements the derivative-free bundle method, the extended cutting angle method, dynamical system-based optimization and their various combinations and heuristics. We outline the main ideas behind each method, and report on the interfacing with Matlab and Maple packages.

Fatty acid-benzendiol derivatives and methods of making and using thereof

Disclosed are compounds comprising a benzenediol derivative bound to one or more fatty acids. Also disclosed are nutritional supplements, pharmaceutical formulations, delivery devices, and foodstuffs comprising the disclosed compounds. Methods of using the disclosed compounds and compositions to improve health are also disclosed.

The reliability and validity of Freud's methods of free association and interpretation.

Presents a response of the author on the reliability and validity of Freud's method of free association and interpretation. Data gathering in clinical setting of psychoanalysis; Claims for reliability and validity; View of Freud on determinism.

Methods of construction of OWA operators from data

This paper investigates the problem of obtaining the weights of the ordered weighted aggregation (OWA) operators from observations. The problem is formulated as a restricted least squares and uniform approximation problems. We take full advantage of the linearity of the problem. In the former case, a well known technique of non-negative least squares is used. In a case of uniform approximation, we employ a recently developed cutting angle method of global optimisation. Both presented methods give results superior to earlier approaches, and do not require complicated nonlinear constructions. Additional restrictions, such as degree of orness of the operator, can be easily introduced

Learning opportunities for Australian prevocational hospital doctors: exposure, perceived quality and desired methods of learning.

Objective:

To survey prevocational doctors working in Australian hospitals on aspects of postgraduate learning.
Participants and setting:

470 prevocational doctors in 36 health services in Australia, August 2003 to October 2004.
Design:

Cross-sectional cohort survey with a mix of ordinal multicategory questions and free text.
Main outcome measures:

Perceived preparedness for aspects of clinical practice; perceptions of the quantity and usefulness of current teaching and learning methods and desired future exposure to learning methods.
Results:

64% (299/467) of responding doctors felt generally prepared for their job, 91% (425/469) felt prepared for dealing with patients, and 70% (325/467) for dealing with relatives. A minority felt prepared for medicolegal problems (23%, 106/468), clinical emergencies (31%, 146/469), choosing a career (40%, 188/468), or performing procedures (45%, 213/469). Adequate contact with registrars was reported by 90% (418/465) and adequate contact with consultants by 56% (257/466); 20% (94/467) reported exposure to clinical skills training and 11% (38/356) to high-fidelity simulation. Informal registrar contact was described as useful or very useful by 94% (433/463), and high-fidelity simulation by 83% (179/216). Most prevocational doctors would prefer more formal instruction from their registrars (84%, 383/456) and consultants (81%, 362/447); 84% (265/316) want increased exposure to high-fidelity simulation and 81% (283/350) to professional college tutorials.
Conclusion:

Our findings should assist planning and development of training programs for prevocational doctors in Australian hospitals.

Small-scale randomized controlled trials need more powerful methods of mediational analysis than the Baron-Kenny method

Objective: To devise more-effective physical activity interventions, the mediating mechanisms yielding behavioral change need to be identified. The Baron–Kenny method is most commonly used, but has low statistical power and may not identify mechanisms of behavioral change in small-to-medium size studies. More powerful statistical tests are available.
Study Design and Setting: Inactive adults (N = 52) were randomized to either a print or a print-plus-telephone intervention. Walking and exercise-related social support were assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and 4 weeks later. The Baron–Kenny and three alternative methods of mediational analysis (Freedman–Schatzkin; MacKinnon et al.; bootstrap method) were used to examine the effects of social support on initial behavior change and maintenance. Results: A significant mediational effect of social support on initial behavior change was indicated by the MacKinnon et al., bootstrap, and, marginally, Freedman–Schatzkin methods, but not by the Baron–Kenny method. No significant mediational effect of social support on maintenance of walking was found. Conclusions:  Methodologically rigorous intervention studies to identify mediators of change in physical activity are costly and labor ntensive, and may not be feasible with large samples. The use of statistically powerful tests of mediational effects in small-scale studies can inform the development of more effective interventions.

An assessment tool for sub-catchment to catchment scale indicators of sustainability - a case study in south west Victoria, Australia

The research reported in this paper represents an attempt to produce a practical, indicator-based sustainability assessment tool incorporating all these elements is based on relationships between indicators determined considering spatial influences. Through the use of an existing sustainability indicator set and data currently available, relationships will be determined using Arcview Geographic Information Systems (GIS), correlation analysis and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Indicator interactions will be identified at two spatial scales and compared to determine impacts of changing spatial scale. Further PCA and multiple regression analyses will then be used to reduce the complexity of the indicator set. These findings will be incorporated into a practical indicator-based assessment tool through the adoption of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) combined with GIS techniques that will then be validated. Once validated the tool can be used to aid in guiding planning and decision-making regarding sustainable development in the Glenelg Hopkins catchment, Victoria; while also moving towards producing a standard set of procedures for assessing sustainability.

Effects of differential methods of compensation and employee empowerment on customer satisfaction and loyalty in service recovery

This research examined the effects of varying compensation (refund and replacement) and employee empowerment (empowered and non-empowered) in service recover situations, using a 2x2 experiment. Analysis was undertaken using mean contrasts and ANOVA's. Findings suggest that empowerment and refund independently impact on post recovery consumer loyalty and satisfaction, but there is no interaction effect.

Healthy minds : methods of investigation

We'll start this chapter by looking at emthods used to assess mental disorders, using depression an an example. We will then look at ways of evaluating psychological interventions.  Finally we will outline ways that healthy minds have been investigated, drawing particularly on research methods that study happiness, personal strengths and spirituality.

Salts of fatty acids and methods of making and using thereof

Disclosed are methods of making salts of fatty acids (e.g., marine oils) and to salts prepared by the disclosed methods. Methods of using the disclosed salts are also disclosed.