Indirect Effects of Parental Coping on Children’s Psychosocial Adjustment in the Context of Pediatric Cancer

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Washington, 2016-08

'Enhanced Direct and Indirect Genetic Algorithm Approaches for a Mall Layout and Tenant Selection Problem'

During our earlier research, it was recognised that in order to be successful with an indirect genetic algorithm approach using a decoder, the decoder has to strike a balance between being an optimiser in its own right and finding feasible solutions. Previously this balance was achieved manually. Here we extend this by presenting an automated approach where the genetic algorithm itself, simultaneously to solving the problem, sets weights to balance the components out. Subsequently we were able to solve a complex and non-linear scheduling problem better than with a standard direct genetic algorithm implementation.

Measurements of small ice crystals in arctic cirrus: observations from the Indirect and Semi-Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC)

In-situ observations on the size and shape of particles in arctic cirrus are less common than those in mid-latitude and tropical cirrus with considerable uncertainty about the contributions of small ice crystals (maximum dimension D<50 µm) to the mass and radiative properties that impact radiative forcing. In situ measurements of small ice crystals in arctic cirrus were made during the Indirect and Semi-Direct Aerosol Campaign (ISDAC) in April 2008 during transits of the National Research Council of Canada Convair-580 between Fairbanks and Barrow, Alaska and during Mixed Phase Arctic Cloud Experiment (MPACE) in October 2004 with the University of North Dakota (UND) Citation over Barrow, Alaska. Concentrations of small ice crystals with D < 50 μm from a Cloud and Aerosol Spectrometer (CAS), a Cloud Droplet Probe (CDP), a Forward Scattering Spectrometer Probe (FSSP), and a two-dimensional stereo probe (2DS) were compared as functions of the concentrations of crystals with D > 100 μm measured by a Cloud Imaging Probe (CIP) and two-dimensional stereo probe (2DS) in order to assess whether the shattering of large ice crystals on protruding components of different probes artificially amplified measurements of small ice crystal concentrations. The dependence of the probe comparison on other variables as CIP N>100 (number concentrations greater than diameter D>100 μm),temperature, relative humidity respect to ice (RHice), dominant habit from the Cloud Particle Imager (CPI), aircraft roll, pitch, true air speed and angle of attack was examined to understand potential causes of discrepancies between probe concentrations. Data collected by these probes were also compared against the data collected by a CAS, CDP and CIP during the Tropical Warm Pool-International Cloud Experiment (TWP-ICE) and by a CAS and 2DS during the Tropical Composition, Cloud and Climate Coupling (TC4) missions. During ISDAC, the CAS and FSSP both overestimated measurements of small ice crystals compared to both the CDP and 2DS by 1-2 orders of magnitude. Further, the amount of overestimation increased with the concentrations from the CIP2 (N>100 > 0.1 L-1). There was an unexplained discrepancy in concentrations of small crystals between the CDP and 2DS during ISDAC. In addition, there was a strong dependence on RHice of the average ratios of the N3-50, CAS/N3-50,CDP, N3-50, FSSP096/N3-50,CDP, N3-50, CAS/N3-50,FSSP096, N10-50, CDP/N3-50,2DS, N10-50, FSSP096/N10-50,2DS. Continued studies are needed to understand the discrepancy of these probes.

An Indirect Genetic Algorithm for Set Covering Problems

This paper presents a new type of genetic algorithm for the set covering problem. It differs from previous evolutionary approaches first because it is an indirect algorithm, i.e. the actual solutions are found by an external decoder function. The genetic algorithm itself provides this decoder with permutations of the solution variables and other parameters. Second, it will be shown that results can be further improved by adding another indirect optimisation layer. The decoder will not directly seek out low cost solutions but instead aims for good exploitable solutions. These are then post optimised by another hill-climbing algorithm. Although seemingly more complicated, we will show that this three-stage approach has advantages in terms of solution quality, speed and adaptability to new types of problems over more direct approaches. Extensive computational results are presented and compared to the latest evolutionary and other heuristic approaches to the same data instances.

Enhanced Direct and Indirect Genetic Algorithm Approaches for a Mall Layout and Tenant Selection Problem

During our earlier research, it was recognised that in order to be successful with an indirect genetic algorithm approach using a decoder, the decoder has to strike a balance between being an optimiser in its own right and finding feasible solutions. Previously this balance was achieved manually. Here we extend this by presenting an automated approach where the genetic algorithm itself, simultaneously to solving the problem, sets weights to balance the components out. Subsequently we were able to solve a complex and non-linear scheduling problem better than with a standard direct genetic algorithm implementation.

An Indirect Genetic Algorithm for a Nurse Scheduling Problem

This paper describes a Genetic Algorithms approach to a manpower-scheduling problem arising at a major UK hospital. Although Genetic Algorithms have been successfully used for similar problems in the past, they always had to overcome the limitations of the classical Genetic Algorithms paradigm in handling the conflict between objectives and constraints. The approach taken here is to use an indirect coding based on permutations of the nurses, and a heuristic decoder that builds schedules from these permutations. Computational experiments based on 52 weeks of live data are used to evaluate three different decoders with varying levels of intelligence, and four well-known crossover operators. Results are further enhanced by introducing a hybrid crossover operator and by making use of simple bounds to reduce the size of the solution space. The results reveal that the proposed algorithm is able to find high quality solutions and is both faster and more flexible than a recently published Tabu Search approach.

'An Indirect Genetic Algorithm for Set Covering Problems'

This paper presents a new type of genetic algorithm for the set covering problem. It differs from previous evolutionary approaches first because it is an indirect algorithm, i.e. the actual solutions are found by an external decoder function. The genetic algorithm itself provides this decoder with permutations of the solution variables and other parameters. Second, it will be shown that results can be further improved by adding another indirect optimisation layer. The decoder will not directly seek out low cost solutions but instead aims for good exploitable solutions. These are then post optimised by another hill-climbing algorithm. Although seemingly more complicated, we will show that this three-stage approach has advantages in terms of solution quality, speed and adaptability to new types of problems over more direct approaches. Extensive computational results are presented and compared to the latest evolutionary and other heuristic approaches to the same data instances.

'Enhanced Direct and Indirect Genetic Algorithm Approaches for a Mall Layout and Tenant Selection Problem'

During our earlier research, it was recognised that in order to be successful with an indirect genetic algorithm approach using a decoder, the decoder has to strike a balance between being an optimiser in its own right and finding feasible solutions. Previously this balance was achieved manually. Here we extend this by presenting an automated approach where the genetic algorithm itself, simultaneously to solving the problem, sets weights to balance the components out. Subsequently we were able to solve a complex and non-linear scheduling problem better than with a standard direct genetic algorithm implementation.

Using Causal Models for the Calculation of Direct and Indirect Effects: An Example From Occupational Health

International audience

Indirect child mortality estimation technique to identify trends of under-five mortality in Ethiopia.

Background: In sub-Saharan African countries, the chance of a child dying before the age of five years is high. The problem is similar in Ethiopia, but it shows a decrease over years. Methods: The 2000; 2005 and 2011 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey results were used for this work. The purpose of the study is to detect the pattern of under-five child mortality overtime. Indirect child mortality estimation technique is adapted to examine the under-five child mortality trend in Ethiopia. Results: From the result, it was possible to see the trend of under-five child mortality in Ethiopia. The under-five child mortality shows a decline in Ethiopia. Conclusion: From the study, it can be seen that there is a positive correlation between mother and child survival which is almost certain in any population. Therefore, this study shows the trend of under-five mortality in Ethiopia and decline over time.

Wind turbine indirect ice detection and operational analysis

Wind energy is one of the most promising and fast growing sector of energy production. Wind is ecologically friendly and relatively cheap energy resource available for development in practically all corners of the world (where only the wind blows). Today wind power gained broad development in the Scandinavian countries. Three important challenges concerning sustainable development, i.e. energy security, climate change and energy access make a compelling case for large-scale utilization of wind energy. In Finland, according to the climate and energy strategy, accepted in 2008, the total consumption of electricity generated by means of wind farms by 2020, should reach 6 - 7% of total consumption in the country [1]. The main challenges associated with wind energy production are harsh operational conditions that often accompany the turbine operation in the climatic conditions of the north and poor accessibility for maintenance and service. One of the major problems that require a solution is the icing of turbine structures. Icing reduces the performance of wind turbines, which in the conditions of a long cold period, can significantly affect the reliability of power supply. In order to predict and control power performance, the process of ice accretion has to be carefully tracked. There are two ways to detect icing – directly or indirectly. The first way applies to the special ice detection instruments. The second one is using indirect characteristics of turbine performance. One of such indirect methods for ice detection and power loss estimation has been proposed and used in this paper. The results were compared to the results directly gained from the ice sensors. The data used was measured in Muukko wind farm, southeast Finland during a project 'Wind power in cold climate and complex terrain'. The project was carried out in 9/2013 - 8/2015 with the partners Lappeenranta university of technology, Alstom renovables España S.L., TuuliMuukko, and TuuliSaimaa.

Detection of African Swine Fever Virus Antibodies in Serum and Oral Fluid Specimens Using a Recombinant Protein 30 (p30) Dual Matrix Indirect ELISA

In the absence of effective vaccine(s), control of African swine fever caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV) must be based on early, efficient, cost-effective detection and strict control and elimination strategies. For this purpose, we developed an indirect ELISA capable of detecting ASFV antibodies in either serum or oral fluid specimens. The recombinant protein used in the ELISA was selected by comparing the early serum antibody response of ASFV-infected pigs (NHV-p68 isolate) to three major recombinant polypeptides (p30, p54, p72) using a multiplex fluorescent microbead-based immunoassay (FMIA). Non-hazardous (non-infectious) antibody-positive serum for use as plate positive controls and for the calculation of sample-to-positive (S:P) ratios was produced by inoculating pigs with a replicon particle (RP) vaccine expressing the ASFV p30 gene. The optimized ELISA detected anti-p30 antibodies in serum and/or oral fluid samples from pigs inoculated with ASFV under experimental conditions beginning 8 to 12 days post inoculation. Tests on serum (n = 200) and oral fluid (n = 200) field samples from an ASFV-free population demonstrated that the assay was highly diagnostically specific. The convenience and diagnostic utility of oral fluid sampling combined with the flexibility to test either serum or oral fluid on the same platform suggests that this assay will be highly useful under the conditions for which OIE recommends ASFV antibody surveillance, i.e., in ASFV-endemic areas and for the detection of infections with ASFV isolates of low virulence.

Assessment of resting energy expenditure in pediatric mitochondrial diseases with indirect calorimetry

Mitochondrial diseases (MD) are the most frequent inborn errors of metabolism. In affected tissues, MD can alter cellular oxygen consumption rate leading to potential decreases in whole-body resting energy expenditure (REE), but data on pediatric children are absent. We determined, using indirect calorimetry (IC), whole-body oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory quotient (RQ) and REE in pediatric patients with MD and healthy controls. Another goal was to assess the accuracy of available predictive equations for REE estimation in this patient population. IC data were obtained under fasting and resting conditions in 20 MD patients and 27 age and gender-matched healthy peers. We determined the agreement between REE measured with IC and REE estimated with Schofield weight and FAO/WHO/UNU equations. Mean values of VO2, VCO2 (mL·min-1·kg-1) or RQ did not differ significantly between patients and controls (P = 0.085, P = 0.055 and P = 0.626 respectively). Accordingly, no significant differences (P = 0.086) were found for REE (kcal·day-1 kg-1) either. On the other hand, although we found no significant differences between IC-measured REE and Schofield or FAO/WHO/UNU-estimated REE, Bland-Altman analysis revealed wide limits of agreement and there were some important individual differences between IC and equation-derived REE. VO2, VCO2, RQ and REE are not significantly altered in pediatric patients with MD compared with healthy controls. The energy demands of pediatric patients with MD should be determined based on IC data in order to provide the best possible personalized nutritional management for these children.

Indirect and expedite assessment of Ilex paraguariensis commercial yield.

A produção de biomassa comercial é uns dos principais indicadores para seleção de progênies e clones de erva-mate. Técnicas tradicionais para se obter tais informações dependem da colheita das árvores e apresentam, dentre outras limitações, elevado custo e reduzida praticidade. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de métodos indiretos, por meio de estimativa de biomassa comercial e escore de produtividade em função de diferentes procedências, sexo e morfotipos. Em um teste de progênies e procedências instalado em 1997, foram avaliadas em agosto de 2015 (dois anos após a última colheita) duas metodologias de análise visual. Para tanto, participaram cinco avaliadores treinados que determinaram, para cada planta, uma estimativa de biomassa comercial (kg), e uma nota, com base em um escore de produtividade (0-10). Para avaliação da produtividade pelas técnicas tradicionais, todas as plantas foram podadas e tiveram sua biomassa comercial (folhas e ramos finos menores de 7 mm de diâmetro) colhida e avaliada por meio de pesagem (Kg.planta-1). As avaliações foram realizadas em experimento instalado em blocos ao acaso, com cinco repetições, sete procedências e 126 progênies, totalizando 5292 plantas avaliadas. Os métodos avaliados foram eficientes na estimativa da biomassa comercial. Os avaliadores apresentaram boa acuidade nas estimativas, expressando de forma eficiente a maior produtividade determinada por comparação de médias entre as procedências, sexo das matrizes e morfotipos. As maiores correlações foram verificadas na análise geral das médias e a estimativa de biomassa comercial é a melhor metodologia para estimar a biomassa comercial aferida em plantas adultas de erva-mate.

How can land and urban development make houses healthier?

Traditionally, the main focus of the professional community involved with indoor air quality has been indoor pollution sources, preventing or reducing their emissions, as well as lowering the impact of the sources by replacing the polluted indoor air with "fresh" outdoor air. However, urban outdoor air cannot often be considered "fresh", as it contains high concentrations of pollutants emitted from motor vehicles - the main outdoor pollution sources in cities. Evidence from epidemiological studies conducted worldwide demonstrates that outdoor air quality has considerable effects on human health, despite the fact that people spend the majority of their time indoors. This is because pollution from outdoors penetrates indoors and becomes a major constituent of indoor pollution. Urban land and transport development has significant impact on the overall air quality of the urban airshed as well as the pollution concentration in the vicinity of high-density traffic areas. Therefore, an overall improvement in indoor air quality would be achieved by lowering urban airshed pollution, as well as by lowering the impact of the hot spots on indoor air. This paper explores the elements of urban land and vehicle transport developments, their impact on global and local air quality, and how the science of outdoor pollution generation and transport in the air could be utilized in urban development towards lowering indoor air pollution.