A simulation tool for modeling the influence of anatomy on information flow using discrete integrate and fire neurons

There are theories on brain functionality that can only be tested in very large models. In this work, a simulation model appropriate for working with large number of neurons was developed, and Information Theory measuring tools were designed to monitor the flow of information in such large networks. The model’s simulator can handle up to one million neurons in its current implementation by using a discretized version of the Lapicque integrate and fire neuron instead of interacting differential equations. A modular structure facilitates the setting of parameters of the neurons, networks, time and most importantly, architectural changes. Applications of this research are demonstrated by testing architectures in terms of mutual information. We present some preliminary architectural results showing that adding a virtual analogue to white matter called “jumps” to a simple representation of cortex results in: (1) an increase in the rate of mutual information flow, corresponding to the “bias” or “priming” hypothesis; thereby giving a possible explanation of the high speed response to stimuli in complex networks. (2) An increase in the stability of response of the network; i.e. a system with “jumps” is a more reliable machine. This also has an effect on the potential speed of response.     

当代中小学校园规划建设的理念与实践——以沈阳浑南朝鲜族学校规划建筑设计为例

从当代中小学教育理念的变化谈起,结合作者所做的投标设计,探讨了新时期中小学校园规划建设的思路与方法。     

Testing the Normality Assumption in the Tobit Model

This paper examines a number of statistics that have been proposed to test the normality assumption in the tobit (censored regression) model. It argues that a number of commonly proposed statistics can be interpreted as different versions of the Lagrange multiplier, or score, test for a common null hypothesis. This observation is useful in examining the Monte Carlo results presented in the paper. The Monte Carlo results suggest that the computational convenience of a number of statistics is obtained at the cost of poor finite sample performance under the null hypothesis.     

Young Fatherhood and Subsequent Disadvantage in the United Kingdom

Although there has been increasing attention to the importance of fathers and their relationships with their children, few studies have examined young parenthood and its consequences for fathers’ life chances. In recent years, this has begun to change, and research is examining, to a far greater extent, the experiences of young fathers. Using data from a cohort of British men born in 1970, this paper uses a propensity score–matching technique to compare the well‐being of 344 men who reported becoming fathers before the age of 22 with men from similar backgrounds who did not. The findings suggest that selection into young fatherhood is substantial but, for some outcomes, significant differences remain.     

基于数据仓库的大学生诚信评估系统设计

结合金融系统广泛采用的FICO个人信用评估思想,提出了大学生诚信评价的加减分模型,构建了大学生诚信评估系统(CESS)指标体系及其数据仓库,实现了诚信数据校内整合与共享,并分别以ASP和VB.NET为工具开发了Web及C/S两种风格的CESS系统,介绍了系统结构与功能设计,讨论了包括直接利用Analysis Services多维分析工具实现的丰富的信用查询与统计方式,通过实际数据测试表明,CESS系统能够较好地满足高校需要.     

MORE INFORMATIVE TESTING FOR BIVARIATE SYMMETRY

In testing for bivariate symmetry against arbitrary alternatives the well‐known test developed by Bowker in 1948 is shown to be a score test, and to have useful components. These components are asymptotically independent and asymptotically have the standard normal distribution. Moreover they assess particular pairs of cells for symmetry. These components can also be used in a data analytic manner to complement a test for bivariate symmetry against ordered alternatives.     

Marital disruption and economic well-being: a comparative analysis

Summary.  Though there is a considerable literature concerned with the economic consequences of marital breakdown, there is still substantial disagreement in terms of its magnitude. One of the major problems underlying this debate is how economic well-being is defined. We implement several measures of well-being of monetary and multidimensional nature by using data from the European Community Household Panel. Another issue in this literature concerns selection bias of divorcing couples. We tackle this issue by using a propensity score matching technique combined with a difference-in-differences estimator. Results confirm the importance of the definition of well-being. We find a strong gender bias when using monetary measures but a considerably lower bias, and for some countries non-existent, when using non-monetary indices.     

竺可桢对哈佛大学导师制的引进及实践

经过蒋梦麟、邵裴子、程天放和郭任远四任校长的不懈努力，至20世纪30年代中期，国立浙江大学已经初步建立起了现代大学体制，不过在学校的内部治理上还存在着诸多问题。1936年竺可桢接任校长后，以母校哈佛大学为参照标准，借鉴洛厄尔校长推行的导师制，倡导博雅和精专并重的人才培养理念，激发学生自我教育，追求卓越；同时，根据学校实际，在实施导师制时，提倡以身作则，训教合一，从而造就能担大任、主持风会、转移国运的领袖人才。由此，浙江大学声誉鹊起，在抗战后期成为中国最好的四所大学之一。     

Third-grade retention and reading achievement in Texas: A nine year panel study

The academic performance of over 38,000 Texas students who failed the state’s 1994 reading test was examined through their sophomore year in high school. Propensity score matching resulted in strata with retained and promoted students of comparable observed characteristics. Reading scores were analyzed using a two-level hierarchical linear model. Same grade comparisons show that third graders failing the state-mandated reading test who repeated the grade consistently outperformed in later grades the socially promoted children who also failed the third grade test. Additional analyses indicate that alternative explanations for the findings such as omitted variables, regression to the mean, differential panel attrition and cohort effects are not supported. The results are consistent with findings from other recent studies which suggest that grade retention in third grade may help increase student achievement.     

An improved comorbidity summary score for measuring disease burden and predicting mortality with applications to two national cohorts

Abstract

Research involving administrative healthcare data to study patient outcomes requires the investigator to account for the patient’s disease burden in order to reduce the potential for biased results. Here we develop a comorbidity summary score based on variable importance measures derived from several statistical and machine learning methods and show it has superior predictive performance to the Elixhauser and Charlson indices when used to predict 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year mortality. We used two large Veterans Administration cohorts to develop and validate the summary score and compared predictive performance using the area under ROC curve (AUC) and the Brier score.