Allostatic load as a complex clinical construct: A case‐based computational modeling approach

Allostatic load (AL) is a complex clinical construct, providing a unique window into the cumulative impact of stress. However, due to its inherent complexity, AL presents two major measurement challenges to conventional statistical modeling (the field's dominant methodology): it is comprised of a complex causal network of bioallostatic systems, represented by an even larger set of dynamic biomarkers; and, it is situated within a web of antecedent socioecological systems, linking AL to differences in health outcomes and disparities. To address these challenges, we employed case‐based computational modeling (CBM), which allowed us to make four advances: (1) we developed a multisystem, 7‐factor (20 biomarker) model of AL's network of allostatic systems; (2) used it to create a catalog of nine different clinical AL profiles (causal pathways); (3) linked each clinical profile to a typology of 23 health outcomes; and (4) explored our results (post hoc) as a function of gender, a key socioecological factor. In terms of highlights, (a) the Healthy clinical profile had few health risks; (b) the pro‐inflammatory profile linked to high blood pressure and diabetes; (c) Low Stress Hormones linked to heart disease, TIA/Stroke, diabetes, and circulation problems; and (d) high stress hormones linked to heart disease and high blood pressure. Post hoc analyses also found that males were overrepresented on the High Blood Pressure (61.2%), Metabolic Syndrome (63.2%), High Stress Hormones (66.4%), and High Blood Sugar (57.1%); while females were overrepresented on the Healthy (81.9%), Low Stress Hormones (66.3%), and Low Stress Antagonists (stress buffers) (95.4%) profiles. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 291–306, 2016     

Efficient algorithms for three‐dimensional axial and planar random assignment problems

Beautiful formulas are known for the expected cost of random two‐dimensional assignment problems, but in higher dimensions even the scaling is not known. In three dimensions and above, the problem has natural “Axial” and “Planar” versions, both of which are NP‐hard. For 3‐dimensional Axial random assignment instances of size n, the cost scales as Ω(1/ n), and a main result of the present paper is a linear‐time algorithm that, with high probability, finds a solution of cost O(n^–1+o(1)). For 3‐dimensional Planar assignment, the lower bound is Ω(n), and we give a new efficient matching‐based algorithm that with high probability returns a solution with cost O(n log n). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 46, 160–196, 2015     

设计性研究性实验题目设置和教学方法初探

本文站在提高学生科学素养、培养创新型人才和增强国家科技竞争力的高度,针对大学物理实验教学中普遍存在的设计性、研究性实验题目设置"难",以及由此带来的教学"难"问题,提出了明确的思路和较实用的解决方案,对于全面贯彻教学基本要求,提高实验教学层次和质量具有重要的现实指导意义。     

跨学科项目教学案例*——魔力沙

以魔术表演用的沙子为素材,开发了适用于高中选修课程“发展中的化学学科”的具有跨学科性的项目教学案例,该项目弱化理论分析环节后也可以用于初中科学实践活动课程。项目引导学生在更宽广的学科背景下认识物质及其变化的规律,帮助学生拓展视野和思路,综合运用化学、物理等学科的知识分析解决有关问题,发展“宏观辨识与微观探析”“科学探究与创新意识”“科学态度与社会责任”等化学学科核心素养。     

教育实证研究中样本选择的原则及品质要求

我国教育研究领域大力倡导实证研究,却面临操作指南缺乏和品质标准不够明晰的问题,导致高质量的实证研究案例不多。研究样本的数量及其代表性或立意是保证实证研究品质的重要因素,讨论了定量研究和质性研究中选择研究样本的原则,明确了实证研究论文写作中研究样本部分的品质指标及内容要求,利用构建的品质指标及内容要求分析了4个教育实证研究论文案例。研究发现,提升我国教育实证研究质量的任务还是比较艰巨的。     

高中化学项目教学案例——探寻柠檬水中的维生素C

选取“维生素C”这一生活中常见的还原性物质,面向已经学习“氧化还原反应”基础知识的高一年级学生开展项目教学活动。通过提出项目问题、师生共同拆解项目问题设计研究方案和子任务、学生实施子任务研究等项目教学环节,在形成相应子任务成果的同时,进一步帮助学生巩固从氧化性和还原性视角认识化学物质性质的认识角度,建立基于物质性质定量分析目标物质含量的实验思路和思维框架,提升学生对于氧化还原反应功能和价值的认识。     

Resource augmentation for online bounded space bin packing

We study online bounded space bin packing in the resource augmentation model of competitive analysis. In this model, the online bounded space packing algorithm has to pack a list L of items in (0,1] into a small number of bins of size b1. Its performance is measured by comparing the produced packing against the optimal offline packing of the list L into bins of size 1.We present a complete solution to this problem: For every bin size b1, we design online bounded space bin packing algorithms whose worst case ratio in this model comes arbitrarily close to a certain bound ρ(b). Moreover, we prove that no online bounded space algorithm can perform better than ρ(b) in the worst case.     

The Stationary Nonlinear Boltzmann Equation in a Couette Setting with Multiple, Isolated L q -solutions and Hydrodynamic Limits

This paper studies the stationary nonlinear Boltzmann equation for hard forces, in a Couette setting between two coaxial, rotating cylinders with given indata of Maxwellian type on the cylinders. A priori estimates are obtained mainly in L², leading to multiple, isolated solutions together with a hydrodynamic limit control, based on asymptotic expansions together with a rest term.     

Periodic solutions to a kind of neutral functional differential equation in the critical case

In this paper, we consider a kind of neutral functional differential equation as follows:

     

Buckling of a Timoshenko beam on elastic foundation with uncertain input data

A monotone dependence of the critical buckling load of a simplysupported Timoshenko–Mindlin beam both on the shear correctionfactor and on the stiffness of foundation is proved. Then theworst-scenario method is employed to find the ‘most dangerous’input data.