Systemological Knowledge-based Technology for Solving Complete Ill-structured Problems

Original method and technology of systemological «Unit-Function-Object» analysis for solving complete ill-structured problems is proposed. The given visual grapho-analytical UFO technology for the fist time combines capabilities and advantages of the system and object approaches and can be used for business reengineering and for information systems design. UFO- technology procedures are formalized by pattern-theory methods and developed by embedding systemological conceptual classification models into the system-object analysis and software tools. Technology is based on natural classification and helps to investigate deep semantic regularities of subject domain and to take proper account of system-classes essential properties the most objectively. Systemological knowledge models are based on method which for the first time synthesizes system and classification analysis. It allows creating CASE-toolkit of a new generation for organizational modelling for companies’ sustainable development and competitive advantages providing.

The Shapley value for airport and irrigation games

In this paper cost sharing problems are considered. We focus on problems given by rooted trees, we call these problems cost-tree problems, and on the induced transferable utility cooperative games, called irrigation games. A formal notion of irrigation games is introduced, and the characterization of the class of these games is provided. The well-known class of airport games Littlechild and Thompson (1977) is a subclass of irrigation games. The Shapley value Shapley (1953) is probably the most popular solution concept for transferable utility cooperative games. Dubey (1982) and Moulin and Shenker (1992) show respectively, that Shapley's Shapley (1953) and Young (1985)'s axiomatizations of the Shapley value are valid on the class of airport games. In this paper we show that Dubey (1982)'s and Moulin and Shenker (1992)'s results can be proved by applying Shapley (1953)'s and Young (1985)'s proofs, that is those results are direct consequences of Shapley (1953)'s and Young (1985)'s results. Furthermore, we extend Dubey (1982)'s and Moulin and Shenker (1992)'s results to the class of irrigation games, that is we provide two characterizations of the Shapley value for cost sharing problems given by rooted trees. We also note that for irrigation games the Shapley value is always stable, that is it is always in the core Gillies (1959).

The impact of airport shopping environments and dwell time on consumer spending

This article provides new insight into how the ambience and design of shopping environments impact onspending behaviour. Environmental cues in a retail area influence emotional states of by-passers, which in turn influence spending levels. Past research suggested that this effect only applies to shops with moderate arousal level. Also, several studies failed to confirm a relationship between emotions and spending levels. This is surprising, since high arousal environments (e.g., amusement parks, sports stadiums and airports) often feature a wide range of retail outlets. Based on survey data collected in a live airport shopping area, this study finds a relationship between pleasure emotions associated with the retail area and recalled consumer spending, but also the time available for shopping (which in an airport is constrained). Also, visitors’ emotional state was influenced by the ambience (e.g., cleanliness, noise levels, lighting) as well as the design (e.g., easy wayfinding, seating areas) of the retail area. Shopper’s arousal levels did not explain variations in spending level. Implications for researchers and managers are discussed as well as suggestions for future research.

Effects of nursing interventions for fever in acutely ill adults

Fever has both beneficial and detrimental effects. There is evidence that antipyretics and physical cooling methods, when used in combination, are more effective than antipyretics alone. This randomized controlled study examined 45 acutely ill adults with fever ${\ge}102.5\sp\circ\rm F$ where three nursing interventions were used. Group I received acetaminophen 650 mgs., Group II received acetaminophen 650 mgs. and tepid sponging, and Group III received acetaminophen 650 mgs. and hypothermia blanket. The purpose of this study was to evaluate which nursing intervention reduced temperature most effectively with respect to eight biobehavioral variables. Research hypotheses were tested statistically using the chi-square test and repeated measures analysis of variance. The study found statistically significant results for fever reduction overall, but no difference for the groups. Therefore, we suggest that acetaminophen alone be used in the treatment of fever in order to decrease cost, nursing time, and increase patient comfort. ^

Pilot study: Intranet communication among chronically ill hospitalized pediatric individuals

Hospitalization can be a very stressful experience, especially for children. With the use of technology, Intranet communication can be successful in obtaining interaction that these individuals lack to accomplish a positive adjustment to the hospital setting. The purpose of this exploratory, pilot project is to examine the use of networking chronically ill, hospitalized children with other hospitalized chronically ill children through Intranet communication.^ A target population of chronically ill hospitalized children, in at least Piaget's concrete operational stage, was asked to use the Intranet system to network with other chronically ill hospitalized children during their hospital stay, for one month or until discharge. The length of time of usage was recorded on a log sheet, and questionnaires were filled out at the end of the study.^ Statistical analysis was utilized to determine frequency of network usage, duration, demographics, and the impact on hospitalization. Results indicated that Intranet communication between chronically ill hospitalized children was utilized by the participants from 7-15 age groups; and had a positive impact on their hospitalization. ^

Helicopter mechanic at LaGuardia Airport

General note: Title and date provided by Bettye Lane.

Disabled woman attends rally for homeless and mentally ill street women

General note: Title and date provided by Bettye Lane.

Women attend rally in support of homeless and mentally ill women in NYC

General note: Title and date provided by Bettye Lane.

Julia B. Canter, pilot for United Airlines at JFK airport

Inscriptions: Verso: [stamped] Photograph by Freda Leinwand. [463 West Street, Studio 229G, New York, NY 10014].

Air traffic controller at Teterboro Airport, New Jersey

Inscriptions: Verso: [stamped] Photograph by Freda Leinwand. [463 West Street, Studio 229G, New York, NY 10014].

Air traffic controller at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey

Inscriptions: Verso: [stamped] Photograph by Freda Leinwand. [463 West Street, Studio 229G, New York, NY 10014].

Potential Cost-effectiveness of Early Identification of Hospital-acquired Infection in Critically Ill Patients.

RATIONALE: Limitations in methods for the rapid diagnosis of hospital-acquired infections often delay initiation of effective antimicrobial therapy. New diagnostic approaches offer potential clinical and cost-related improvements in the management of these infections. OBJECTIVES: We developed a decision modeling framework to assess the potential cost-effectiveness of a rapid biomarker assay to identify hospital-acquired infection in high-risk patients earlier than standard diagnostic testing. METHODS: The framework includes parameters representing rates of infection, rates of delayed appropriate therapy, and impact of delayed therapy on mortality, along with assumptions about diagnostic test characteristics and their impact on delayed therapy and length of stay. Parameter estimates were based on contemporary, published studies and supplemented with data from a four-site, observational, clinical study. Extensive sensitivity analyses were performed. The base-case analysis assumed 17.6% of ventilated patients and 11.2% of nonventilated patients develop hospital-acquired infection and that 28.7% of patients with hospital-acquired infection experience delays in appropriate antibiotic therapy with standard care. We assumed this percentage decreased by 50% (to 14.4%) among patients with true-positive results and increased by 50% (to 43.1%) among patients with false-negative results using a hypothetical biomarker assay. Cost of testing was set at $110/d. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In the base-case analysis, among ventilated patients, daily diagnostic testing starting on admission reduced inpatient mortality from 12.3 to 11.9% and increased mean costs by $1,640 per patient, resulting in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $21,389 per life-year saved. Among nonventilated patients, inpatient mortality decreased from 7.3 to 7.1% and costs increased by $1,381 with diagnostic testing. The resulting incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was $42,325 per life-year saved. Threshold analyses revealed the probabilities of developing hospital-acquired infection in ventilated and nonventilated patients could be as low as 8.4 and 9.8%, respectively, to maintain incremental cost-effectiveness ratios less than $50,000 per life-year saved. CONCLUSIONS: Development and use of serial diagnostic testing that reduces the proportion of patients with delays in appropriate antibiotic therapy for hospital-acquired infections could reduce inpatient mortality. The model presented here offers a cost-effectiveness framework for future test development.

Connecting Mentally Ill Detainees in Large Urban Jails with Community Care.

Large urban jails have become a collection point for many persons with severe mental illness. Connections between jail and community mental health services are needed to assure in-jail care and to promote successful community living following release. This paper addresses this issue for 2855 individuals with severe mental illness who received community mental health services prior to jail detention in King County (Seattle), Washington over a 5-year time period using a unique linked administrative data source. Logistic regression was used to determine the probability that a detainee with severe mental illness received mental health services while in jail as a function of demographic and clinical characteristics. Overall, 70 % of persons with severe mental illness did receive in-jail mental health treatment. Small, but statistically significant sex and race differences were observed in who received treatment in the jail psychiatric unit or from the jail infirmary. Findings confirm the jail's central role in mental health treatment and emphasize the need for greater information sharing and collaboration with community mental health agencies to minimize jail use and to facilitate successful community reentry for detainees with severe mental illness.