Improved Streaming Algorithms for Weighted Matching, via Unweighted Matching

We present a (4 + epsilon) approximation algorithm for weighted graph matching which applies in the semistreaming, sliding window, and MapReduce models; this single algorithm improves the previous best algorithm in each model. The algorithm operates by reducing the maximum-weight matching problem to a polylog number of copies of the maximum-cardinality matching problem. The algorithm also extends to provide approximation guarantees for the more general problem of finding weighted independent sets in p-systems (which include intersections of p matroids and p-bounded hypergraph matching)

Improving Minuteman III Maintenance Concepts

Since the end of the Cold War, the Air Force has sought out efficiencies across multiple processes to transform into a cost-effective force. However, processes applicable to the Minuteman III (MM III) weapon system have only recently seen efforts to increase effectiveness. The purpose of this research is to investigate whether the use of third generation maintenance concepts could benefit the sustainment of the MM III through its planned retirement around 2030. Primary and secondary sources outlining the history of the strategic missile force and its current state were collected. Themes from each era were analyzed using Prospect Theory as a means to understand the past and interpret the current state. The resulting interpretation led to propositions on how third generation maintenance concepts could be applied to the sustainment of the MM III as well as benefit its planned replacement, the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBDS) program

Late Holocene Glacier and Palaeoclimate Fluctuations at Gåbrokbreen, Austre Svartisen

Det kan være problematisk å anta at isbrefluktuasjoner bare foregår på land, siden isbreer overkjører landformer. Isbrevann i nærheten av isbreer kan brukes til å vurdere brefluktuasjoner og paleoklima, med hjelp av kvartærkartlegging og sedimentanalyser. Denne rapporten undersøker senholocene endringer i Gåbrokbreen ved Svartisen, og bruker Liestøl-ligningen for å utlede vinterbalansen ved likevektslinjehøyden (ELA) i tråd med endringer i sommeravlagringstemperaturer gjennom en 5200 år lang tidslinje. Breen nådde sitt holocene klimatiske minimum under den første fasen av den lille istiden, og beskriver en tradisjonell to-fase av LIA som bidro til variasjoner i sommertemperaturen etterfulgt av tilbaketrekning frem til i dag. Tidslinjen viser at isbreen har vært betydelig større enn tidligere, og at isbreens svingninger har vært påvirket av variasjoner i sommertemperaturen. Kryss-sammenligning mellom regionale registreringer og andre drivkrefter viser likheter i breenes vekst i periodene 2200, 4800 og 5100 kal. år BP - noe som gir bevis for TSI-påvirkede isbreer i regionen, gitt noen begrensninger i alderskontrollen. En kombinasjon av den konseptuelle modellen og AABR-teknikken har vist en grundig analyse av et område som ikke tidligere er undersøkt, og bekrefter bruken av den rådende modellen for å få et klarere bilde av områder som ikke tidligere er undersøkt.Assuming glacial fluctuations purely on land can be troublesome given the role of glacial overriding of landforms. Glacial lakes in the vicinity of glaciers can be used to assess glacier fluctuation and paleoclimate, helped by quaternary mapping and sediment analysis. This report examines late Holocene changes to the cirque glacier Gåbrokbreen at Svartisen, accompanied with the ‘Liestøl Equation’ to infer winter-balance at the Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) in line with changes in summer-ablation temperatures throughout a 5200-year timeline. The glacier reached its Holocene Climatic Minimum during the first phase of the Little Ice Age and details a traditional two-phase of the LIA helped variations in summer temperature followed by retreat until present day. The timeline reveals the glacier to have been significantly larger than previous day, with glacial fluctuations influenced by summer temperature variation. Cross comparison between regional records and other forcing mechanisms detail similarities of glacial growth during the periods 2200, 4800 and 5100 cal. yrs BP – adding evidence to TSI-influenced glaciations in the region given some limitations in age control. A blend of the conceptual model alongside the AABR technique has shown a thorough analysis of a site not previously examined and corroborates the use of the prevailing model in getting a clearer picture of areas not previously examined.Masteroppgave i geografiGEO350MASV-MEHAMASV-GEOGMPGEOGRMASV-PHY

The false evidence rate: An approach to frequentist error rate control conditioning on the observed P value

A P value is conventionally interpreted either as a) the probability by chance of obtaining more extreme results than those observed or b) a tool for declaring significance at a prespecified level. Both approaches carry difficulties: b) does not allow users to make inferences based on the data in hand, and is not rigorously followed by researchers in practice, while (a) is not meaningful as an error rate. Although P values retain an important role, these shortcomings are likely to have contributed significantly to the scientific reproducibility crisis. We introduce the concept of defining long-run frequentist error rates given the observed data, allowing researchers to make accurate and intuitive inferences about the probability of making an error after proposing that the null hypothesis is false. As one approach, we define the false evidence rate (FER) as the probability, under the null hypothesis, of observing a hypothetical future P value providing evidence toward the alternative hypothesis suggested by the observed P value, which we define as a false positive. FERs are much more conservative than their corresponding P values, consistent with studies demonstrating that the latter do not effectively control error rates across the scientific literature. To obtain an FER below 5%, one needs to obtain a P value below approximately 5×10−5, while a P value of 5% corresponds to an FER of about 25%

Universal and Excavatable Controlled Low Strength Material Using High Loss on Ignition Fly Ash and Limestone Screenings†

Limestone screenings and high loss on ignition (LOI) fly ash are by-products that are stockpiling because of their unintentional production and the negative effects when utilized in portland cement concretes. The research objective was to investigate whether these by-products could produce controlled low strength materials (CLSMs) meeting the three types of Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) 204.06 flowable fill specifications. TDOT defines these CLSMs as the following: general use, excavatable, and early strength. Each type is required to have an inverted slump flow of not less than 15 inches (38.1 cm) while meeting ASTM International D6024 at 24 hours. Because of trench unavailability, a 10-psi minimum compressive strength requirement was substituted for the ASTM D6024 ball drop. Early strength flowable fills must meet ASTM D6024 at 6 hours and provide a 30-psi minimum compressive strength at 24 hours. Excavatable flowable fills (EFFs) must also provide a 30-psi minimum at 28 days and a 140-psi maximum at 98 days. A universal flowable fill was produced without portland cement (PC), but by using an 11.1% LOI fly ash, class C fly ash, and limestone screenings. The EFF was produced using 92% high LOI fly ash and 7% PC by weight of the cementing materials. The results indicated that high LOI fly ash and limestone screenings can be combined to produce an excavatable CLSM satisfying TDOT CLSM requirements, and an universal CLSM can be produced that satisfies the requirements for general use, excavatable, and early strength TDOT CLSMs

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Heterogeneity of rural consumer perceptions of health service access across four regions of Victoria

Access to a range of services, including healthcare, ranks among the key determinants of health and wellbeing. It varies with both health system supply factors and consumer demand characteristics. For rural populations, access to health services can be..

Heterogeneity of Rural Consumer Perceptions of Health Service Access Across Four Regions of Victoria

Access to a range of services, including health care, ranks among the key determinants of health and wellbeing. It varies with both health system supply factors and consumer demand characteristics. For rural populations, access to health services can be restricted for a variety of reasons, contributing to poorer health outcomes compared with metropolitan populations. Access to health care differs between communities, despite commonly being seen as homogenous in terms of lack of service and poor access. This article seeks to examine consumer perceptions of access to health service in four shires in rural Victoria and explore differences between rural areas. These insights may assist health services to reorient their modes of service provision to be more accessible to rural health consumers. A confidential self-administered questionnaire was mailed to randomly selected households in the four shires. A total of 1,271 questionnaires were returned (35 percent response rate) with 75 percent of respondents reporting good access to health care overall. Many factors contributed significantly to the perception of health access; however, these factors were unique to each rural community. The implication of this heterogeneity is that rural health care services must be tailored to promote equitable, quality health care outcomes with attention to local community needs at the core of efforts. Only locally-targeted actions will achieve optimal health service planning and delivery