The use of numerical uncertainty representations allows better modeling of some aspects of human evidential reasoning. It also makes knowledge acquisition and sys­ tem development, test, and modification more difficult. We propose that where possible, the assignment and/or refinement of rule weights should be performed automatically. We present one approach to performing this training numerical...

Because maximum-likelihood training is intractable for general factor graphs, an appealing alternative is local training, which approximates the likelihood gradient without performing global propagation on the graph. We discuss two new local training methods: shared-unary piecewise, in which unary factors are shared among every higher-way factor that they neighbor, and the one-step cutout metho...

Individuals who identify changes in their local climate are also more likely to report that they have personally experienced global climate change. One way that people may come to recognize that their local climate is changing is through information provided by local TV weather forecasters. Using random digit dialing, 2,000 adult local TV news viewers in Virginia were surveyed to determine whet...

The African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) is a public health network established in 2005 as a non-profit networking alliance of Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programs (FELTPs) and Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs) in Africa. AFENET is dedicated to supporting Ministries of Health in Africa build strong, effective and sustainable programs and capacity to improve publ...

BACKGROUND Tens of millions of patients worldwide suffer disabling injuries or death every year due to unsafe medical care. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of research evidence on how to tackle this global health priority. The shortage of trained researchers is a major limitation, particularly in developing and transitional countries. OBJECTIVES As a first step to strengthen capacity in this...