Analysis of the efficiency of applying artificial neuron networks for solving recognition,compression, and prediction problems

The paper summarizes the experience of developing the PS ANN image recognition software system based on artificial neural networks (ANNs). The real abilities of neural networks to solve image recognition, data compression, and extrapolation problems are demonstrated. The results of experimental studies on accelerating parallel task computations are presented.     

Scientometric analysis of papers submitted to the second international nanotechnology forum (Moscow, 2009)

This is a brief information and analytical survey of the papers submitted to the Second International Nanotechnology Forum held in Moscow in October 2009. Scientometric data on the participants, their origins by regions and research centers, as well as an analysis of the advancements and problems of Russian research in nanotechnologies, are given.     

E-Government readiness index: A methodology and analysis

E-Government has received significant attention as digital technologies transcend private businesses and serve as a basic source of transformation in government functions. One most notable project is the United Nations Public Administration Network (UNPAN) that assesses the e-Government readiness of the 192 member nations according to a quantitative composite index involving website assessment, telecommunication infrastructure, and human resource endowment. However, the UNPAN index, though rich in depth and breadth of data collection, relies on a method that is a simple mathematical average of the values of the variables measured. This paper revisits the UNPAN index and proposes alternative indices based on principal components analysis (PCA). Using the UNPAN survey data, four different versions of the index are presented and the resulting rankings of the nations are examined vis-à-vis the existing ranking. The theoretical and policy implications of the proposed methodology and its results are discussed.     

Science studies in Russia and the role of information resources of INION RAS in the effective support of scientific research

This paper describes the features of the problem-thematic structure of the Science Studies Database, which was created at the Institute of Scientific Information on Social Sciences (INION) of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A complex of linguistic tools for science studies, which was developed for analytical and synthetic processing of documents and queries, is described. The features of the formation of information search strategies are considered.     

Stitching the Future of the AIDS Quilt: The Cultural Work of Digital Memorials

In light of a widening generational disconnect and the increasing fragility of the textile artifact itself, the cultural legacy of the AIDS Memorial Quilt is under threat. This article describes the collaborative creation of digital experiences that aim to augment and revitalize the AIDS Memorial Quilt as an artwork of continued social, cultural, and political significance. By discussing the past, present, and future of the AIDS Memorial Quilt, this article contextualizes the Quilt's technological journey, including the efforts to create digital datasets of images and metadata. This discussion will illuminate an important emergent area of design research in the digital humanities: the creation of cultural technologies for the purposes of digital memorialization.     

Using Performance to Learn How to Balance Reporting with Compassion

In this study we examine performance as an approach to train journalists in order to alleviate negative public perceptions of media victimization and to identify behaviors more conducive to effective, but compassionate reporting. After an overview of literature related to public perceptions of media victimization and the potential of applied performance, we describe a collaborative partnership between an advanced journalism seminar exploring media victimization and an introductory performance studies course. We conclude by sharing implications and suggestions for using performance to train journalists covering tragic events.     

Urban Youth's Perspectives on Flash Mobs

Flash mobs are new, emerging, and evolving social phenomena that have recently been associated with youth violence in the US cities. The current study explores how youth understand flash mobs through focus groups conducted in Kansas City, Missouri (a site of violent youth flash mobs). Results indicate that youth have varying familiarity with flash mobs and define them in different ways; that youth perceive youth boredom to be the most frequent cause of problems with flash mobs; that youth connect ongoing social disorder with the violence associated with flash mobs; and that while social media are facilitators of flash mobs, flash mobs have their roots in youth activities that have been going on for generations (e.g., hanging out in groups and cruising). Results illustrate the importance of conducting formative research with youth, particularly about emergent phenomena, when developing interventions and communication campaigns aimed at reducing youth violence.     

The role of assertiveness,personal control,and participation in the prediction of nurse Burnout

The research reported here considered a critical problem facing today's hospital: burnout and commitment of nurses. A review of the literature revealed that nurse communication, particularly participation or collaboration in patient care decisions, had rarely been considered in models of nurse commitment. A model was proposed in which nurse participation and assertiveness were key predictors of emotional exhaustion, commitment and intent to remain, and the theoretical construct of personal control was used as a moderating variable in predicting these outcomes. The model was tested on a sample of nurses from a large hospital Results were generally supportive of the proposed model. Implications of the model for theory were discussed in terms of the role of personal control and the importance of nurse assertiveness, and applications for nurse and physician training were considered.