3,062 research outputs found
Assessing the George W. Bush Presidency: A Tale of Two Terms
No full textIn one of the first volumes assessing the full two terms of the George W. Bush presidency, Wroe and Herbert have gathered the work of leading American and European scholars. In fifteen succinct and incisive chapters, authorities such as Jim Pfiffner, John Maltese, Graham Wilson and Alan Gitelson offer assessments of the Bush administration's successes and failures. Extensive attention is paid to Bush's foreign policy, including 'The War on Terror' but the focus is broadened to absorb not only the Bush Doctrine and its repercussions, but also his trade and homeland security policies. The president's domestic leadership in economics and social policy is investigated, as are his dealings as president with the other institutions of the U.S. political system. The result is a comprehensive guide to the Bush presidency and its legacy
Variations on the Author
No full text“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Special transformations for pentamode acoustic cloaking
No full textThe acoustic cloaking theory of Norris1 permits considerable freedom in choosing the transformation f from physical to virtual space. The standard process for defining cloak materials is to first define f and then evaluate whether the materials are practically realizable. In this paper, this process is inverted by defining desirable material properties and then deriving the appropriate transformations which guarantee the cloaking effect. Transformations are derived which result in acoustic cloaks with special properties such as 1) constant density 2) constant radial stiffness 3) constant tangential stiffness 4) power-law density 5) power-law radial stiffness 6) power-law tangential stiffness. 7) minimal elastic anisotropy.Peer reviewe
Hyperelastic cloaking theory: Transformation elasticity with pre-stressed solids
No full textTransformation elasticity, by analogy with transformation acoustics and optics, converts material domains without altering wave properties, thereby enabling cloaking and related effects. By noting the similarity between transformation elasticity and the theory of ncremental motion superimposed on finite pre-strain it is shown that the constitutive parameters of transformation elasticity correspond to the density and moduli of small-on-large theory. The formal equivalence indicates that transformation elasticity can be achieved by selecting a particular finite (hyperelastic) strain energy function, which for isotropic elasticity is semilinear strain energy. The associated elastic transformation is restricted by the requirement of statically quilibrated pre-stress. This constraint can be cast as trF = constant, where F is the deformation gradient, subject to symmetry constraints, and its consequences are explored both analytically and through numerical examples of cloaking of anti-plane and in-plane wave motion.Peer reviewe
George MacLeod’s open-air preaching: performance and counter-performance
No full textStuart Blythe uses the methodology of performance to analyse George MacLeod’s open-air preaching. He points out that MacLeod’s preaching was derived from a theology of the incarnation, and an understanding of the paradoxes and dichotomies of common human life. This preaching, Blythe suggests, was also a counter-performance in the context of outlooks and ideologies inimical to the gospel. The paper raises interesting issues related to preaching as performance, and the further question as to whether or not the life and work of the Church as a whole might now be better understood as a counter-performance.Publisher PD
The efficiencies of the spatial median and spatial sign covariance matrix for elliptically symmetric distributions
No full textThe spatial median and spatial sign covariance matrix (SSCM) are popularly used robust alternatives for estimating the location vector and scatter matrix when outliers are present or it is believed the data arises from some distribution that is not multivariate normal. When the underlying distribution is an elliptical distribution, it has been observed that these estimators perform better under certain scatter structures. This dissertation is a detailed study of the efficiencies of the spatial median and the SSCM under the elliptical model, in particular the dependence of their efficiencies on the population scatter matrix. For the spatial median, it is shown this estimator is asymptotically most efficient compared to the MLE for the location vector when the population scatter matrix is proportional to the identity matrix. Furthermore, it is possible to construct an affinely equivariant version of the spatial median that is asymptotically more efficient than the spatial median. Asymptotic relative efficiencies of these two estimators are calculated to demonstrate how inefficient the spatial median can be as the underlying scatter structure becomes more elliptical. A simulation experiment is carried out to provide evidence of analogous result for finite samples. When the goal is estimating eigenprojection matrices, it is proven that under the elliptical model the eigenprojection estimates obtained from the Tyler matrix are asymptotically more efficient than those corresponding to the SSCM. Calculations of asymptotic relative efficiencies are presented to demonstrate the loss of efficiency in using eigenprojection estimates of the SSCM as opposed to the Tyler matrix, particularly when the scatter structure of the data is far from spherical. To assess the performance of these estimators in the finite sample setting, the notion of principal angles is used to define a means to compare eigenprojection estimators. Using this concept, simulations are implemented that support finite sample results similar to those for the asymptotic case. The implications of the above results are discussed, particularly in the application of principal component analysis. Future research directions are then proposed.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Andrew F. Magya
Model-Based Validation for Internet Services
No full textOperator mistakes have been identified as a significant source of unavailability in Internet services. In our previous work, we proposed operator action validation as a framework for detecting mistakes while hiding them from the service and its users. Unfortunately, previous validation strategies have limitations: they require known instances of correct behavior for comparison and they fail to detect latent mistakes, i.e. those that do not lead to unexpected behaviors during the validation process. In this paper, we propose a novel validation strategy, called model-based validation, that addresses these limitations and complements the other strategies. Modelbased validation introduces a new language for service engineers to write assertions about expected behaviors, proper configurations, and proper structural characteristics, and an associated runtime system, which executes the assertions and monitors the service’s execution. Our evaluation demonstrates that model-based validation is highly effective at detecting and hiding both activated and latent mistakes.Technical report DCS-TR-60
Factors affecting information systems success
No full textThere is continuing difficulty in achieving success with information
systems, particularly in the sense of meeting users’ needs and
expectations. This suggests that a fresh examination of the issues is
needed in order that we understand better the causes of success and
failure.
Much previous research in this area has adopted one of two
perspectives: improving the processes of systems development, or the
structure and content of systems products. This approach has had
only limited success in dealing with the problem. A wider review of
existing research literature suggests that, in addition to the process and
product viewpoint, an important factor in achieving success in the
general case is the service management viewpoint.
The question therefore arises: is service important in the provision of
information systems, and is it a factor in achieving success in the eyes
of the users? It is possible that service components exist which are
unrecognised by those managing the development and use of
information systems. If these components can be identified and
understood, then they can be used to improve the overall level of
success achieved.
By applying repertory grid techniques a total of 43 constructs have
been found which relate to user’s perceptions of success with
information systems in business. Further analysis reduces these to 21
attributes which provide the basis of a new assessment and
measurement framework. The use of these attributes in practice is
illustrated using two cases: an information service provider and a
hospital equipment supplier. Early experience suggests that software
houses, commercial organisations and information systems
departments can use these attributes as a management tool, and
thereby improve the level of service and business benefit that they
deliver to their customers.School of Managemen
Acetaminophen causes an increased international normalized ratio by reducing functional factor VII
No full textAcetaminophen may increase International Normalized Ratio (INR) in patients taking anticoagulation medication, and in patients with acetaminophen poisoning without hepatic injury. The objective of this study was to describe and investigate the effect of acetaminophen on INR. The authors studied patients admitted to a regional toxicology treatment center with acetaminophen poisoning with INR and without potentially confounding coingestion or hepatic injury. Exposed and nonexposed (control) cohorts were recruited from admissions with acetaminophen poisoning and psychotropic drug poisoning, respectively. From 1,437 acetaminophen poisonings, after exclusions, there were 143 admissions with 205 estimations of INR. INR showed a time-dependent increase. Fifty percent of all patients and 66% of those with an extrapolated 4-hour acetaminophen concentration _150 mg/L had an abnormal INR at some time. Dose ingested (p _ 0.01) and nomogram-based risk (p for trend _ 0.005) were correlated with the effect. N-acetylcysteine had a protective effect. Functional factor VII was lower (p _ 0.005) in exposed patients (n _ 30) than controls (n _ 8), and less than antigenic factor VII in exposed patients (p _ 0.03). Factor IX was lower (p_0.02). Factor VIIIc was not significantly different. The authors concluded that an isolated, small rise in INR is common after acetaminophen poisoning without hepatic injury. It appears to be caused by inhibition of Vitamin K–dependent activation of coagulation factors. This effect suggests a possible mechanism for the observed interaction between acetaminophen and warfarin.Ian M. Whyte, Nicholas A. Buckley, David M. Reith, Irene Goodhew, Michael Seldon, and Andrew H. Dawso
Botulinum neurotoxin for head and neck disorders/ [edited by] Andrew Blitzer, Brian E. Benson, Diana N. Kirke
No full textIncludes bibliographical references and index"Senior author Dr. Andrew Blitzer is an internationally renowned pioneer on the use of botulinum neurotoxin for functional disorders, with unparalleled expertise on this topic. Joined by co-editors Brian Benson and Diana Kirke, with multidisciplinary contributors, Botulinum Neurotoxin for Head and Neck Disorders Second Edition fills a gap in the medical literature. The unique textbook focuses on the use of botulinum neurotoxins for functional disorders of the head and neck, though with some aesthetic indications. The second edition reflects the latest advances and understanding of existing and emerging applications for botulinum neurotoxins, including new treatment paradigms, revised pharmacology, and an updated review of the literature in all chapters. Twenty superbly illustrated chapters cover the management of hyperfunctional, pain, and hypersecretory syndromes of the head and neck. Hyperfunctional motor disorders are discussed in chapters focused on blepharospasm, facial dystonia, Meige syndrome, oromandibular dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia), and cervical dystonia. Specific treatment approaches for pain are addressed in chapters on migraine and chronic daily tension headaches, temporomandibular disorders, and trigeminal neuralgia. The treatment of autonomic nervous system disorders is covered in chapters dedicated to Frey syndrome, facial hyperhydrosis, and sialorrhea"--Pharmacology of Botulinum Neurotoxins / Muna I. Bitar, Nikita Kohli, Maya Samman, and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Blepharospasm / Amit Patel, Andrew Blitzer, and Boris L. Bentsianov -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Facial Dystonia / Scott M. Rickert, Amy P. Wu, and Andrew Blitzer Botulinum -- Neurotoxin for Meige Syndrome / Niv Mor and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Oromandibular Dystonia / Daniel Novakovic and Ajay E. Chitkara -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Spasmodic Dysphonia / Phillip C. Song, Lucian Sulica, and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Cervical Dystonia / Tanya K. Meyer, Joel Guss, and Ronda E. Alexander -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Hemifacial Spasm and Facial Synkinesis / Lesley French Childs, Daniel Novakovic, and Scott R. Gibbs -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Hyperfunctional Facial Lines / Brian E. Benson, Diana N. Kirke, and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Upper and Lower Esophageal Spasm / Nwanmegha Young and Brian E. Benson -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Palatal Myoclonus / Ajay E. Chitkara, Catherine F. Sinclair, and Daniel Novakovic -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Temporomandibular Disorders, Masseteric Hypertrophy, and Cosmetic Masseter Reduction / Michael Z. Lerner and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin Therapy in the Laryngopharynx / Craig H. Zalvan, Phillip C. Song, Nwanmegha Young, and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Migraine / Rachel Kaye, Jerome Schwartz, Brian E. Benson, and William J. Binder -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Chronic Tension Headache / Nwanmegha Young and Brian E. Benson -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Trigeminal Neuralgia / Elizabeth Guardiani, Andrew Blitzer, Lesley French Childs, and Ronda E. Alexander -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Frey's Syndrome / Rachel Kaye, Andrew Blitzer, and Brian E. Benson -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Facial Hyperhidrosis / Diana N. Kirke, Daniel Novakovic, and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Sialorrhea / Brianna K. Crawley, Scott M. Rickert, Senja Tomovic, and Andrew Blitzer -- Botulinum Neurotoxin for Radiation-Induced Spasm and Pain / Diana N. Kirke, Brian E. Benson, and Tanya K. Meyer1 online resourc
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