Intractable distributions present a common diiculty in inference within the proba-bilistic knowledge representation framework and variational methods have recently been popular in providing an approximate solution. In this article, we describe a perturbational approach in the form of a cumulant expansion which, to lowest order, recovers the standard Kullback-Leibler variational bound. Higher-or...

BACKGROUND The shortage of professional nurses is a global issue of critical importance. Improving the retention and recruitment of nurses is necessary to reduce this shortage. The ability to measure the quality of work life (QWL) of nurses is important to understand the current QWL status among nurses and to develop appropriate improvement strategies. The two instruments that are currently use...

background cutis marmorata telangiectatica congenita (cmtc) is a sporadic congenital skin vascular abnormality. significant number of patients has other congenital anomalies. case report we report a case of a preterm male newborn with cutis marmorata pattern presented on the skin of the face, right side of front of the trunk, whole back, glutei and both legs. besides, microretrognatia and asymm...

M. Ohnishi, 1995a: Effect of anticipated change in global environment on rice yields in Japan. In: Climate Change and Rice [Peng, S., K.T. Ingram, H. Neue, and L.H. Ziska (eds.)]. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany, pp. 291–302.Horie, T., H. Nakagawa, H.G. Centeno, and M.J. Kropff, 1995b: The rice crop simulation model SIMRIW and its testing. In: Modeling the Impact of Climate Change on Rice ...

ellis-van creveld sydrome (chondroectodermal dysplasia) is a hereditary form of short limb disproportionate dwarfism characterized by diffuse involvement of skeletal system and visceral organs. two brothers affected by this syndrome are presented here following a brief account of the disease's manifestations.

damage to essential facilities (e.g. lifelines and industrial facilities) due to extreme loads may cause remarkable indirect impact as well as direct physical loss. hence understanding seismic performance of essential facilities is very important in high seismic risk regions. on october 23, 2011 an earthquake of magnitude mw7.2 occurred in van province in eastern turkey. several damages occurre...